Author: Chronicle Editor

The United States has formally agreed to sell 12 Super Tucano A-29 planes and weapons to Nigeria, the West African country’s air force said, confirming the resurrection of a deal frozen by the Obama administration over rights concerns. Former US President Barack Obama delayed the sale in one of his last decisions in office after the Nigerian Air Force bombed a refugee camp in January. But his successor Donald Trump decided to press on with the transaction to support Nigeria’s efforts to fight Boko Haram militants and to boost U.S. defence jobs, sources told Reuters in April. The US ambassador…

Rilwan “Real One” Oladosu, the rising lightweight boxing star, yesterday, won the N2.5 million cash prize attached to the Mojisola Ogunsanya Memorial Trophy for the best boxer at GOtv Boxing Night 13. Oladosu defeated Kehinde “Ijoba” Badmus at the event, which took place at Landmark Event Centre, Victoria Island. His speed of mind and fists ultimately overwhelmed Badmus, who put up a spirited showing. Rilwan “Baby Face” Babatunde, who won the national light welterweight title by defeating Chijioke “Painless” Ngige, emerged runner-up to Oladosu and went home with N1million. Debutant, Rilwan “Scorpion” Oyekola, was second runner-up and won N500, 000.…

Liverpool have signed Southampton center back, Virgil van Dijk for a world record fee believed to be around £75 million. The fee is the most ever paid for a defender – Manchester City paid £52m for Monaco’s Benjamin Mendy in July. A statement on the Liverpool website says the Holland international will wear the number 4 jersey for the Kops. “Liverpool Football Club can confirm they have reached an agreement with Southampton for the transfer of Virgil van Dijk. “The Reds have agreed a deal with the south coast club, and the player himself, that will see the 26-year-old defender…

Liberians streamed to the polls Tuesday to vote for a new president after a testy campaign to replace Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the Nobel Prize-winning leader who is stepping down after two terms. In a presidential runoff, Vice President Joseph Boakai of the Unity Party is facing off against former soccer star George Weah of the Coalition for Democratic Change. Weah won the first round in October with 38.4% of the vote, while Boakai received 28.8%, the National Elections Commission said. Because neither candidate garnered more than 50% of the vote, a runoff was initially scheduled for November 7. But claims…

South Koreans are believed to consume about one million dogs a year as a summertime delicacy, with the greasy red meat — which is invariably boiled for tenderness — believed to increase energy. The tradition has declined as the nation increasingly embraces the idea of dogs as pets instead of livestock, with eating them now something of a taboo among young South Koreans. Nevertheless, activists have stepped up campaigns to ban dog consumption, with online petitions urging boycotts of the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics over the issue and protests in Seoul. Such lobbying has provoked angry debates over what many…

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in Collaboration with Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) have given out Premium Motor Spirit, known as Fuel free to Motorists in Abuja. DPR on Tuesday arrested and sealed off a filling station, named Khalif Civic Oil and Investment Limited in Kubwa, a suburb of Abuja, for selling above the N145 pump price. The Abuja Zonal Controller of the department, Mr Mohammed Abba said the report about the station, was gotten on a tip-off by a good Samaritan. ”The station had 6,000 liters of petrol. We got the call from a good Samaritan. “When we…

Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association, (DAPPMA) on Tuesday said none of its members have fuel in their depots and tanks nationwide. DAPPMA, disclosed this in a statement signed by its Executive Secretary, Mr. Olufemi Adewole. He said “While we cannot confirm or dispute NNPC’S claims of having sufficient product stock, we can confirm that the products are not in our tanks and as such cannot be distributed. “If the products are offshore, then surely, it cannot be considered to be available to Nigerians. He added that the current situation had dampened hope for a speedy resolution of the fuel…

Liverpool consolidated their place in the Premier League’s top four with a dominant home victory over managerless bottom side Swansea. Philippe Coutinho’s sublime long-range finish – curled into the top corner after Mohamed Salah’s pass – opened the scoring in the sixth minute. The away side responded well and dominated possession for spells in the first half but Roberto Firmino should have doubled the lead when he dragged wide just before the break. Instead, the Brazil international put his side two goals up six minutes after half-time, firing home from Coutinho’s lofted free-kick. Nineteen-year-old full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold added a third…

It was a “Black Christmas” in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital following the inadvertent killing of a police officer by a fellow policeman during a gun duel between the police and suspected cultists. An eyewitness who preferred anonymity, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday that the incident occurred on Christmas day at Obele Area of Ovom in Yenagoa, leaving residents in apprehension. According to the eyewitness, trouble started when a misunderstanding among the feasting cultists degenerated to a fight, resulting to gunshots which eventually attracted a police patrol team to the area. The Police Command Spokesman, DSP…

Chelsea recorded a sixth straight home win as an improved second-half display proved too much for Brighton at Stamford Bridge. Antonio Conte’s side were frustrated in an opening period in which Tiemoue Bakayoko and Victor Moses missed chances from close range. But less than a minute into the second half Alvaro Morata headed his 10th Premier League goal from Cesar Azpilicueta’s fine cross. The goal changed the dynamic and eased pressure on the home side, while Brighton never looked capable of mounting a serious threat. And after forcing two saves in one minute – first from a free-kick and then…