Author: Chronicle Editor

Midfielder Mesut Ozil eased the pressure on himself and Arsene Wenger by leading Arsenal to an eventually comfortable win over West Ham. Mesut Ozil fired back a response to his critics with a goal and an assist as Arsenal overcame a resilient West Ham 3-0 at Emirates Stadium in the Premier League. Germany international Ozil – making his 150th Arsenal appearance – has come under fire for lacklustre displays this season and the ire aimed in his direction increased during a run the Gunners took into Wednesday’s game that had seen them win just three times in their last 10…

Eden Hazard scored either side of Sergio Aguero’s equaliser as Chelsea brought the Premier League title closer by beating Manchester City. Chelsea took a huge step towards the Premier League title as Eden Hazard’s first-half brace saw off Manchester City 2-1 at Stamford Bridge. Hazard opened the scoring and restored Chelsea’s lead 10 minutes before the break after Sergio Aguero levelled for the visitors, converting at the second attempt after Willy Caballero saved his tame penalty. City pressed for a leveller throughout the second half but Chelsea held out for the ideal response to Saturday’s shock loss to Crystal Palace,…

One person has been confirmed dead following a case of Cerebral Spinal Meningitis (CSM) outbreak in Cross River while 23 others are currently receiving treatment at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH). Dr Inyang Asibong, the State Commissioner for Health, who visited the hospital on Wednesday, said that the disease had been on the increase in the state. Asibong said that the deceased, Master Paul Ogar, 12, was brought from Ogoja Local Government Area of the state with the disease which eventually led to his death. According to her, the ministry was doing its best to curb the outbreak,…

The Naira on Wednesday, weakened against the Dollar at the parallel market, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. The Nigerian currency lost 8 points to exchange at N398, weaker than N390 recorded on Tuesday, while the Pound Sterling and the Euro closed at N485 and N415. At the Bureau de Change (BDC) window, the Dollar was sold at N362 to the dollar, while the Pound Sterling and the Euro closed at N483 and N430. Trading at the interbank window saw the Naira closed at N306.2 to the Dollar. Traders at the market said that they expected the Naira to…

The Federal Executive Council has approved $1.3 billion credit facilities to support the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN). Addressing State House correspondents after the council meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari, Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun said the World Bank had already given $500m loan repayable over 21 years at concessional rate. She said the African Development Bank would provide $450 million loan; KfW Development Bank, $200 million and the French Development Agency, $130m. She explained that the credit facilities would enable the Development Bank of Nigeria to lend to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises over much longer periods at much…

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) has set up a committee to investigate the use of funds disbursed by Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to universities. The Commission’s Chairman , Mr Ekpo Nta, made this known in Kaduna, on the sideline of a five-day strategic action plan implementation retreat organised for officials of the commission. Nta told newsmen that the committee would identify the extent of use of such fund, short falls and abuse of the processes. He explained that the goal was to tackle corrupt tendencies and ensure transparency. The chairman noted that corruption thrives…

An economic expert, Prof Uche Uwaleke, on Wednesday urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN ) to ensure the economy was sufficiently diversified before considering the option of floating the naira. Uwaleke said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja. He also urged the apex bank to sustain its intervention in the Forex market as it had resulted in increased supply of Forex in the economy. “In the light of the favourable international oil market condition, the CBN interventions in the Forex market should be sustained. ” As long as the source of the…

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday inaugurated the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) 2017-2020 with a call on Nigerians to support its smooth implementation to change Nigeria for good. The President, who inaugurated the plan in the Presidential Villa, Abuja, assured that with its inauguration, his administration was approaching the solution to the nation’s economic challenges with the same will and commitment it had demonstrated in the fight against corruption, terrorism and militancy. He noted that the ERGP had brought together all the sectoral plans for agriculture and food security, energy and transport infrastructure, industrialisation and social investments together in…

North Korea fired a projectile (missile) into the Sea of Japan, also known as the East Sea, on Wednesday morning, U.S. and South Korean officials said. The United States believes the projectile was likely a ballistic missile, according to a U.S. official. It is one of several the country has test-fired in recent months. The test elicited a terse response from the U.S. State Department, unlike the standard diplomatic condemnations that usually follow Pyongyang’s missile tests. “North Korea launched yet another intermediate range ballistic missile. The United States has spoken enough about North Korea. We have no further comment,” U.S.…

China has offered Nigeria a $4.5 billion loan for agricultural machinery and infrastructure, a Nigerian state governor said on Tuesday. Zamfara state governer Abdulaziz Yari said the loan had a 20-year repayment period at an interest rate of 1 percent. “China is giving us a credit line of $4.5 billion for the procurement of strategic machinery for rural development and agriculture,” Yari, who chairs the forum of Nigeria’s state governors, told reporters after a meeting with the president and agriculture minister. Nigeria, Africa’s biggest economy and an OPEC member, is in its first recession in 25 years largely due to…