Author: Chronicle Editor

Nigeria’s acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo has stated that the most populous black nation in the world, Nigeria, is one of the greatest countries. Osinbajo’s remarks were made at the palace of the Emir of Gusau, Alhaji Ibrahim Bello, during a one-day visit to Zamafara State on Tuesday. He stated that a great country like Nigeria should be protected by all its citizens. “It’s important that everywhere in our country is safe for our people to work and live and I am especially pleased to see that His Royal Highness has maintained this within this kingdom and anyone can approach…

Barcelona forward Neymar, 25, has accepted an offer from Paris St-Germain after the French club triggered his £195m release clause. (Esporte Interativo via Daily Mail) But Barcelona’s vice-president, Jordi Mestre, has insisted Brazil international Neymar will not leave the Spanish giants any time soon. (Star) Arsenal are close to signing 16-year-old Feyenoord forward Joshua Zirkzee, having won the battle with Ajax.(SoccerNews via Sun) South American football expert Tim Vickery says Neymar could leave Barcelona to step out of team-mate and Argentina forward Lionel Messi’s shadow. (BBC Radio 5 live) READ: Antonio Conte signs improved two-year deal at Chelsea Everton midfielder…

Powerful multiple explosions rocked Maiduguri on Tuesday night barely 24 hours after suicide attacks in the city killed 12 persons, including the bombers. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that at least six explosions occurred between 10:45 pm and 11:00 pm on Tuesday. About four heavy sounds were heard simultaneously while two other powerful explosions that shook the roofs were recorded some 15 minutes later. Unlike the previous explosions, the current blasts had a deafening sound, across the metropolis. Details of the explosions are sketchy at the time of this report. It is not clear where the blast occurred…

An 86-year-old serial US jewel thief, whose crimes date back to the 1950s, has again been charged with theft. Doris Payne was arrested at a Walmart store in Chamblee, in Georgia, with $86.22 (£66) worth of items, police say. She has been released on bail. She was found wearing an ankle monitor from a previous arrest for shoplifting. Payne has served multiple jail terms for her crimes. She is thought to have stolen $2m in jewellery and was profiled in a 2013 documentary. A shop employee observed her stealing several items from the pharmacy, electronics and grocery departments. READ: Trump,…

US President Donald Trump met Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin at a second, previously undisclosed meeting at this month’s G20, it has emerged. They held talks after a formal sit down but the White House has not revealed details of what they discussed. President Trump dismissed suggestions of a “secret dinner” as “fake news”. The two leader’s relationship is under intense scrutiny amid allegations of collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign. US intelligence believe Russia helped Mr Trump in last year’s presidential election, something denied by Russia. Mr Trump has rejected any collusion. NCC approves Etisalat Nigeria name change to…

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has approved Etisalat Nigeria’s name change to 9Mobile after its Middle East parent pulled out following regulatory intervention to save the local company from collapse due to debt, the company said. Nigeria’s telecoms regulator has been notified of the new name, 9mobile, the company said, adding that Etisalat Nigeria had started the process of rebranding. The company is due to unveil the new brand on Wednesday. “Etisalat Nigeria wishes to inform its over 20 million subscribers, government, regulatory agencies … the telecommunication company has changed its name to 9mobile,” 9mobile said. READ: Kano, Bayelsa, Delta…

Kano, Bayelsa, Delta and Akwa Ibom States got the biggest chunk of the latest tranche of Paris loan refund that was shared to all states in Nigeria. The four states got N10 billion each. Only Kano is not an oil-producing state among the lot. The Federal Government has released a state-by-state breakdown of another tranche of refund amounting to N243.8 billion being over-deductions on Paris Club, London Club Loans. The Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, in a statement on Tuesday, said that the debt service deductions were in respect of the Paris Club, London Club and Multilateral debts of…

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has signed an improved two-year deal with the Premier League champions. The new deal does not extend Conte’s commitment to the club, as he signed a three-year contract on his arrival in west London in the summer of 2016. “I am very happy to have signed a new contract,” said the Italian, 47. “We worked extremely hard in our first year to achieve something amazing, which I am very proud of. Now we must work even harder to stay at the top.” The decision to sign a new contract without extending the terms runs counter to…

Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva has completed his £5m transfer to Lazio. Lucas, 30, was Liverpool’s longest-serving player, having joined in 2007 for the same fee from Brazilian side Gremio. He played 345 games for Liverpool, including 247 in the Premier League. “Liverpool is one of the greatest clubs in the world, and my intention had always been to spend the rest of my career here,” the 24-times capped Brazilian said. “But the less I have been able to play, the more I have realised that I need to go to another club if I want to play as much as…

Manchester City and England goalkeeper Joe Hart has completed a season-long loan move to West Ham. Hart had been told he could find another club by City boss Pep Guardiola after spending last season at Torino. The 30-year-old made it clear to City his preference was to join West Ham, and they facilitated that. There is no option to buy in the deal and, should West Ham want Hart next summer, they will have to bid for him like any other club. READ: Man Utd table £60m for Dier, Chelsea desperate for Aguero City have agreed to fund part of…