Author: Chronicle Editor

Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State is has reaffirmed his commitment towards ensuring safety and security for the indigenes and inhabitants of the State. In a statement issued by his media office, he reiterated his firm commitment to ensuring continuous security and safety of lives and properties in the State as he vows not to relent in his administration’s lofty strides to taking the fight to the enemies of the State. The Governor noted that he is fully aware of the antics of those enraged by the audacious move of his administration to destroy criminal hideouts and properties of criminals…

The Senate on Thursday passed the much anticipated Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) after 17 year of consideration: The bill has been passed as the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIGB). The Bill which has gone through 5 sessions of the National Assembly beginning from the 4th Assembly which was inaugurated in 1999 under President Olusegun Obasanjo. Attempt to pass the bill by the 7th Senate presided over by Sen. David Mark met with a lot of controversy and rejection of certain clauses in the bill which forced the Senate then to drop the bill at the point of passage. However, the…

Nigeria’s acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo attended Forum on Biafra, 50 years After which held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja. Osinbajo who gave the keynote on the theme “Biafra, 50 years After” urged the country to pursue unity as it continues to develop economically and politically. Also in attendance were Olusegun Obansajo, Former President of Nigeria; Mr. Innocent Chukwuma, Ford Foundation; Jacqueline Farris, D.G Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre; and Chief Dubem Onyia. Here are pictures from the forum. BIAFRA Biafra, officially the Republic of Biafra, was a secessionist state in Nigeria, that existed from 30 May 1967 to…

Ports play an important role in shaping the economy of countries when the potentials are well harnessed through efficient operations. Singapore’s maritime industry, for example, contributes 7 percent of the nation’s GDP with revenue in excess of $3 billion as at 2012. Nigeria in contrast barely made $500 million in revenue in 2015 through the Nigerian Ports Authority. This among other reasons informed the decision of President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint in July 2016, Hadiza Bala Usman as the Managing Director of that agency. Since her appointment, Hadiza Bala Usman has instituted a number of key reforms with focus on…

British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Thursday she would tell US President Donald Trump that intelligence shared between their two countries had to remain secure after leaks to U.S. media about the Manchester attack. British police stopped sharing information about the suicide bombing with the United States, a British counter-terrorism source told Reuters earlier, after police chiefs said the leaks to media risked hindering their investigation. Police are hunting for a possible bomb-maker after the 22-year-old attacker, British-born Salman Abedi, detonated a sophisticated device at a concert venue packed with children on Monday night, killing 22 people. May said…

Manchester City and Manchester United have jointly pledged £1m to an emergency fund set up to support the victims of Monday’s attack in the city. The fund was set up in the wake of the suicide bomb attack at Manchester Arena which killed 22 people and injured 64. “It is right that we present a unified response to this tragedy,” said Ed Woodward, United’s executive chairman. Rooney dropped from England squad “We have been humbled by the strength and solidarity shown by Manchester,” said City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak. “The hope of both our clubs is that our donation will…

Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney has been left out of the England squad for June’s matches against Scotland and France. The 31-year-old, who has 119 caps, has only started 15 league matches for Manchester United this season. Tottenham right-back Kieran Trippier is called up for the first time for the World Cup qualifier in Glasgow and friendly at the Stade de France. Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland returns, having recovered from the ankle injury suffered against Germany in March 2016. Rooney’s United team-mate, striker Marcus Rashford, is once more included in coach Gareth Southgate’s party. Ajax 0-2 Manchester United: Paul Pogba…

After a highly anticipated meeting, Pope Francis appears to have left his mark on President Donald Trump. “Thank you. I won’t forget what you said,” Trump told Pope Francis, before leaving the Pope’s private study after a half-hour private meeting. Neither Trump nor the Pope revealed what their conversation entailed, but readouts from the White House and the Vatican highlighted terrorism, climate change and peace as agenda items covered. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, briefing reporters on Air Force One after the meeting, said terrorism and climate change came up. He said the Vatican’s secretary of state raised climate change…

A pair of suicide bombers struck a bus station Wednesday in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta, police said. At least three officers were killed, national police spokesman Setyo Wasisto told reporters. Six other officers and five civilians were wounded. Aluminium, nails, buckshot and receipts for purchasing rice cookers were found at the scene of the bombing, Inspector General Setyo Wasisto told reporters Thursday afternoon. It’s not clear who carried out the attack but Indonesian police spokesman senior commissioner Martinus Sitompul said authorities suspect ISIS involvement, according to CNN-affiliate CNN Indonesia. In the past, ISIS has claimed responsibility for terror attacks…

Egypt has banned 21 websites, including the main website of Qatar-based Al Jazeera television, for “supporting terrorism”, state news agency MENA and security sources said on Wednesday. Reuters tried to access five websites named by local Egyptian newspapers and broadcasters, including the Al Jazeera website, and found them all inaccessible. There was no immediate official comment available. An official from the National Telecom Regulatory Authority could not confirm or deny the news, but said: “So what if it is true? It should not be a problem.” MENA cited a senior security source as saying the websites, which also included some…