Author: Chronicle Editor

The Nigeria Customs Service, Western Marine Command, (WMC), on Tuesday said its officers seized 941 bags of rice estimated at N6, 830,791 being smuggled into the country. The new Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Sarkin Kebbi, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the seizure was barely a month after he assumed duty at the command. “As you are aware, I took over the helm of affairs in this command on Tuesday, 25th April, 2017. “My first official assignment was on the 27th April, 2017 where I led a team of inspectors from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture…

Nigeria’s acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo has stated that the Federal Government has started a N100 billion Family Home Fund – an initiative of the Federal Government’s social housing project that provides inexpensive mortgages to Nigerians who can afford N30, 000 per month. Prof. Osinbajo who spoke about this at the May 29 Democracy Day Broadcast and at the Social Investment Programme’s score card presentation yesterday organized as part of activities to mark the 2017 Democracy Day celebration, said “already the project has started in 11 States.” He noted that, “there is also an aspect of the SIP that has…

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Lagos State Chapter on Tuesday denied involvement of the wife of the State Governor, Mrs Bolanle Ambode in the sacking of former Presiding Chaplain of Chapel of Christ the Light, Alausa, Venerable Femi Taiwo, saying that the allegation was not only untrue but unjust and erroneous. A newspaper had alleged in its series of reports that Taiwo was sacked for allegedly disrespecting Mrs Ambode by failing to accord her due recognition during an anointing service But addressing a press conference at the church premises on Tuesday, CAN leadership in the State, denied the allegation,…

Liverpool are set to sign striker Dominic Solanke from Chelsea according to reports in the media. The 19-year-old has failed to agree terms on a new contract with Champions Chelsea, and will opt to join Jurgen Klopp at Anfield instead, the Press Association reports. The Reds have beaten off competition from a number of Premier League clubs, Celtic and RB Leipzig. A fee will be decided by a tribunal and Solanke will initially go into Liverpool’s Under-23 side. Arsene Wenger agrees two-year contract at Arsenal As Solanke is over 17 and in line to sign a professional contract, the club’s…

First Bank Holdings led a rally of Nigerian banking stocks on Tuesday, fuelled by hopes that Africa’s biggest economy will emerge from recession soon, dealers said. First Bank Holdings, the parent company of Nigeria’s oldest commercial lender First Bank, rose 10.02 percent in early trade to 5.38 naira ($0.0171), a level last seen on October 10, 2015. “The market as a whole is reacting to a favourable economic indication. Everybody is now saying the recovery has started, that the economy is on the path of growth,” said Rasheed Yusuf, a senior stockbroker. Democracy Day: Ambode thanks Muslims for standing by…

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has agreed a new two-year contract, extending his 21-year reign at the club. Wenger and club owner Stan Kroenke met on Monday to determine the Frenchman’s future, with the decision relayed to directors at a Tuesday board meeting. Arsenal are planning to make an official announcement on Wednesday. The Gunners were fifth in the Premier League this season, the first time they have finished outside the top four since the Frenchman joined in 1996. They finished 18 points behind champions Chelsea, but beat the Blues 2-1 to win the FA Cup at Wembley on Saturday. Wenger’s…

Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday evening seized the occasion of his second year anniversary in office and Democracy Day commemoration to thank the Muslim Community for standing by and supporting his administration. Speaking while joining some Islamic leaders and groups to observe Iftar (breaking of fast) at the Lagos House in Ikeja, Governor Ambode said he chose to use the occasion of Democracy Day to felicitate with Muslim faithfuls on the Ramadan period. He commended religious leaders and groups for the harmonious relationship in the State, saying that the peaceful atmosphere had brought about significant development. He said:…

Every artist wants their work to outlive them. And not just outlive them; the serious artist wants to create a piece of work that would keep people talking. How do you keep people talking about your work? Artist Abolore Sobayo asked. Make a statue that personifies the essence of one of the most recognisable musicians to have walked on the face of the earth. When Sobayo’s proposals for “Liberation” and “Community” were approved as installation art pieces to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the creation of Lagos State, little did Lagosians know that they would be getting a statue of…

Three young women took turns raping a man over several days in South Africa, after they drugged him and held him against his will, say police. Detectives said the man, aged 23, was left severely traumatised after he was abducted from a taxi and gang raped for three days. He told police he lost consciousness after being injected with a substance and woke up in a room where he was raped several times a day. Police launched a hunt for the women and driver, and appealed for information after the man was freed by his captors. The man, from Pretoria,…

The acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has appealed to Nigerians to eschew violence and division as the country is big enough to accommodate all differences, an appeal that appears targeted at pro-Biafra groups fanning secessionist moves in the country. Osinbajo made the appeal in his message to the citizens to mark 18 years of unbroken democracy in the country and the second anniversary of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. Although he did not mention any group or anyone in his speech, his appeal was unmistakably directed at secessionist groups, such as Indigenous People of Biafra and MASSOB, planning a sit-at-home protest…