Author: Chronicle Editor

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has begun training of its staff on voter education to end voters’ apathy in the state in preparation for 2019 elections. The Ebonyi Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. Godswill Obioma, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abakaliki. He explained that only 30 per cent of eligible voters participated in the electoral process in the state, saying that the commission was determined to change the situation for the better. He said that the training was designed to build capacity of the trainees so as to…

Babatunde Fashola, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, has advised Nigerians to embrace solar energy to reduce pressure on the national grid. Fashola gave the advice in Lagos at a book launch. The book titled “Solar Electricity Generation for off-grid communities in Nigeria”, was written by Mr Oladele Amoda, the Managing Director, Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC). Fashola advised Nigerians to invest in solar energy as solar energy remained energy for the future. “Solar energy is very important to reach Nigerians living in various communities that are difficult to reach by the Disco. READ: Evans, others plead not guilty…

The government of Lagos State has re-arraigned billionaire kidnapper Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike (a.k.a. Evans) and others before Justice Hakeem Oshodi of an Ikeja High Court for alleged kidnapping of Dunu Donatus. In the amended charge, the defendants are again facing a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and kidnapping. Evans and his co-defendants changed their guilty plea to “not guilty” after the amended charge was read to them. He was re-arraigned with five other suspected members of his gang, including a woman, Ogechi Uchechukwu, who is the third defendant. Others are Uche Amadi, Okwuchukwu Nwachukwu, Chilaka Ifeanyi and Victor Chukwunonso Aduba –…

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has fired Lulu, an adorable black Labrador, from a training program after refusing to become a bomb-sniffing dog. In a series of tweets, the CIA explained that Lulu, who was being trained for the Fairfax County Police Department in Virginia, “began to show signs that she wasn’t interested in detecting explosive odours.” In spite of attempts to motivate her with food and toys, Lulu showed zero interest in sniffing for explosives and “was clearly no longer enjoying herself,” CIA said. “Sometimes, even after testing, our pups make it clear being an explosive detection K9 isn’t…

The Management of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Friday resolved its labour issues with members of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, NEMA unit, ending its three-day warning strike immediately. A statement signed by Mr Sani Datti, Head of Media and Public Relations, made this known on Friday in Abuja. Also, Mr Sa’ad Bello, Chairman, National Association of the Senior Civil Servants in Nigeria, NEMA unit, confirmed the suspension of the strike to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja. He said that the labour union and the management of NEMA reached an agreement after…

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, on Thursday in Lagos called for the collaboration of all stakeholders to tackle traffick gridlock, port congestion and other problems in Apapa and its environs. Fashola made the call at a stakeholders meeting on the ongoing Apapa Wharf Road reconstruction project in Surulere. The stakeholders at the meeting included the three financiers of the project, AG Dangote Construction Company Ltd, Flour Mills of Nigeria Ltd and Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). Others were National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) and National Association…

• NFF budgets N6.38 billion for World Cup, others • To begin talks with team, names foreign coach for Falcons The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)’s 2018 budget of N6.38 billion was approved yesterday at its Annual General Assembly (AGA) in Jos, Plateau State capital. The budget is with a deficit of N3.32 billion. In Lagos, a former Special Assistant on Media to ex-Sports Minister Bolaji Abdullahi, Olukayode Thomas has described as ‘big scam’ passionate plea by the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung to the National Assembly to speedily appropriate funds for Super Eagles’ preparation for the 2018…

No Premier League games will take place on Christmas Eve after none of the scheduled 23 December games were moved there for live television coverage. It had been thought that Liverpool’s trip to Arsenal was under consideration to be moved from 23 to 24 December. Instead, it will be played on Friday, 22 December, with a 19:45 GMT kick-off. Three other fixtures have been moved from the 15:00 slot on 24 December – Everton v Chelsea, Burnley v Tottenham and Leicester v Manchester United. Chelsea’s trip to Goodison Park will be a 12:30 kick-off and the other two games will…

A superb strike from Olivier Giroud snatched a late win for Arsenal as they edged past Red Star Belgrade 1-0 in the Europa League on Thursday. The victory sees the Gunners maintain their perfect record in the competition as they top Group H with the maximum nine points, but had to wait for a moment of magic from Giroud to seal their third successive win. Five minutes after Red Star had Milan Rodic sent off for a second yellow card in the 80th minute, the French striker produced an acrobatic overhead kick to snatch the win for Arsenal. Thursday’s hosts…

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari and Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday vowed to ramp up security and and economic cooperation between Ankara and Africa’s most populous nation. Speaking after talks at Erdogan’s palace, Buhari and the Turkish leader vowed to increase investment and cooperate in the fight against extremist groups including Boko Haram jihadists. “There are a lot of potentialities in terms of investment. Already a lot is being done in the education and the health sectors,” said Buhari. “This will be strengthened and Nigeria is prepared to receive Turkish business people to come and explore more of Nigeria’s…