Author: Chronicle Editor

The Federal Government today released details of what each state got from the first tranche of Paris Club refunds, showing Rivers State as the biggest beneficiary. It got N34.9billion. Delta followed with N27.6b, Akwa Ibom got N25.98billion and Bayelsa N24.89b. Cross River and Edo states got about N12.1 billion each. The refund was based on over deductions from the accounts of the 36 states and the 774 local councils between 1995 and 2002. These payments which totalled N516.38bn were made to the 36 States plus FCT upon the approval of Present Muhammadu Buhari on November 21st 2016 in partial settlement…

The Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir, has said that Nigeria will continue to remain one in spite of its multi-ethnic diversity and recent calls for breakup. Speaking at his palace in Katsina on Friday while addressing leaders of Igbo community and other Nigerians residing in Katsina State, he said he would give his blood to ensure peace. “I am responding to the quit notice given to some Nigerians residing in the North by some group of people who are enemies of peace. “Here in Katsina, I am ready to sacrifice my last drop of blood to ensure peace and…

The Northern Elders Forum (NEF), on Friday expressed support to the call by the Coalition of Northern Youth Groups for Igbos to leave the region within three months. The forum expressed “disappointment” with the Northern Governors’ Forum for disowning the youth groups. Prof. Ango Abdullahi, the NEF spokesperson told newsmen in Zaria on Friday, that it was hypocritical for the Igbos to continue to live in other parts of the country while agitating for Nigeria’s break up. Ango said: “I am disappointed in the decision taken by Northern Governors’ Forum disowning and condemning the agitation by this young agile and…

The Appeal Court sitting in Benin on Friday upheld the election of Governor Godwin Obaseki of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) and dismissed the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Mr Osagie Ize-Iyamu. The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) reports that the Election petition tribunal, headed by Justice Ahmed Badamasi, had in April upheld Obaseki’s election as governor of Edo as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The election was held on Sept. 28, 2016. The PDP candidate, Ize-Iyamu was not satisfied by the verdict of the lower tribunal, and he filed an appeal…

As the 8th National Assembly marks its second anniversary, the President of the Senate Dr. Bukola Saraki has said that the unity of Nigeria was not negotiable. Saraki who spoke at a special valedictory session to mark the anniversary of the Senate warned those who are insinuating Nigeria’s breakup to desist. Saraki’s called followed remarks by other lawmakers urging the senate to take a position on the matter. While commending lawmakers for their cooperation in ensuring that challnges faced at the onset were overcome, he added that the Senate would in the same unity ensure that Nigeria was not divided.…

Inter Milan have appointed former Roma boss Luciano Spalletti as their new first-team coach. Spalletti led Roma to the runners-up spot in 2016-17 before leaving on 30 May after 16 months in charge. Hull City appoints Leonid Slutsky as manager The 58-year-old has signed a two-year contract with Inter, who dismissed Stefano Piolo on 9 May. An Inter statement said Spalletti will take first-team training from 3 July with the three-time champions of Europe. CONFIRMED! Luciano #Spalletti is the new #Inter coach ? https://t.co/xhu5vExIIe#InterIsComing #WelcomeLuciano #FCIM pic.twitter.com/wt81o8RjOt— F.C. Internazionale (@Inter_en) June 9, 2017 Inter’s ambitious Chinese owners, the Suning Group,…

Championship club Hull City have appointed former Russia boss Leonid Slutsky as their new head coach. Previous Tigers boss Marco Silva left to take over at Watford after Hull were relegated from the Premier League in May. Slutsky won three Russian titles with CSKA Moscow and managed the national side at Euro 2016. He recently told BBC World Service he had been learning English for the past five months. Slutsky, who is friends with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, will arrive in East Yorkshire next week and is Hull City’s fourth boss in less than a year. FA fines David Moyes…

Theresa May has visited Buckingham Palace to seek permission to form a new government, despite losing her Commons majority. She is seeking to stay in office on the understanding that the Democratic Unionists of Northern Ireland will support her minority administration. With one seat left to declare, the Tories are eight seats short of the 326 figure needed to command a majority. Labour’s Jeremy Corbyn urged her to quit, saying he is “ready to serve”. Lib Dem leader Tim Farron said she “should be ashamed” and should resign “if she has an ounce of self respect”. After a disappointing night…

Sixteen staff of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, would be trained in the art of effective communication, as part of efforts by the United States Government, to assist the anti-graft agency in taking its anti-corruption crusade to the grassroots. At the formal launch of the project tagged, “Effective Communication and Public Relations for Nigeria Law Enforcement Agencies”, in Abuja, on June 6, 2017, Aruna Amirthanayagam, Counsellor, Public Affairs of the US Mission to Nigeria, noted that the project was expected to strengthen criminal justice law in the country. “The project is structured to help enhance cooperation and build…

Former Sunderland manager David Moyes has been fined £30,000 after telling BBC reporter Vicki Sparks she might “get a slap” in March. In April, Moyes was charged by the Football Association over the sexist comments. He told Sparks after a post-match interview that she might “get a slap”. The FA has alleged that the remarks were “improper and/or threatening and/or brought the game into disrepute”. Bayern offer Alexis Sanchez £350k a week, AC Milan table £40m for Costa Although Moyes later apologised to Sparks and she accepted his apology, an FA fine was always in the offing. At a press…