Author: Chronicle Editor

The Vice Chairman of Lobi Stars FC of Makurdi, Tama Aondofa, has said the club will undergo a major restructuring before the resumption of the 2021/2022 Nigeria Premier League in April. Aondofa made this known in Awka on Sunday, saying they had a good away match with Rangers International FC, at Awka Township Stadium on Saturday but lost to tactical indiscipline. Rangers beat the Makurdi side 5-3 in their Week 19 encounter at their new temporary home ground in Awka. Rangers scored three goals in the first half and another two after the break while Lobi stars managed to score…

Germany centre-back Antonio Rudiger, whose contract at Chelsea runs out in the summer, has agreed to join Juventus on a four-year contract. (La Gazzetta dello Sport, via Mail) Juventus are to target a move for Manchester City’s Brazil striker Gabriel Jesus, 24, if the English side manage to sign Norway striker Erling Braut Haaland, 21, from Borussia Dortmund.(Star) Newcastle United are interested in signing 30-year-old Brazil forward Neymar, who has a deal with Paris St-Germain that runs until 2025. (Fichajes, via Teamtalk) Barcelona coach Xavi says former team-mate Lionel Messi, 34, will “always be welcome” at the Nou Camp club.…

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) on Saturday said that ignorance was still driving human trafficking to thrive in the country. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the agency said this at the sensitisation programme organised by NAPTIP in partnership with SARASOL Nigeria Limited, a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) in Warri, Delta. Mr Josiah Emerole, Director, Public Enlightenment, NAPTIP, Abuja, said this during the sensitisation campaign to curb human trafficking and irregular migration. Emerole said that human trafficking was costing parents, society and communities a lot, therefore, there was the need for constant…

The Department of State Services (DSS) has uncovered a plot to cause violence in parts of the country particularly in the North Central. Dr Peter Afunanya, Public Relations Officer of the DSS, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja. He, however, said that measures had been taken to forestall the plot by some unscrupulous elements in the society. “While the Service views the machination as unpatriotic, it is on the trail of the agents of destabilisation who are desirous of using violence to achieve ulterior goals. “Though it has emplaced measures to disrupt these tendencies, it warns the…

A Peoples Democratic Party chieftain, Chief Bode George has stated that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, a presidential aspirant will empty Nigeria’s treasury if elected in 2023. The former chairman of the Nigerian Ports Authority on Saturday also said he will leave Nigeria if Tinubu becomes president. Speaking at a press conference, George insinuated that Nigeria will become ‘Tinubu’ country with all his family members empowered to rule the country. Bode George also acknowledged the newly signed Electoral Bill by President Muhammadu Buhari. “I am happy the President has signed the new electoral bill,” he said. Speaking on Tinubu, he said, “If…

Romelu Lukaku scored his 12th goal of the season as Chelsea beat Championship side Middlesbrough to reach the FA Cup semi-finals. Middlesbrough had knocked out Manchester United and Tottenham on their way to the quarter-finals but their hopes of claiming another Premier League victim were dealt an early blow when Lukaku tapped in from Mason Mount’s cross after a quick Chelsea counter. Hakim Ziyech made it 2-0 midway through the first half with a superb dipping effort from the edge of the box before Lukaku was denied a second when Anfernee Dijksteel cleared off the line. Middlesbrough showed plenty of…

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has played down speculation linking him with Manchester United, saying the Stamford Bridge club “has everything it needs to make me happy”. (Metro) Real Madrid are losing hope of beating Manchester City to the signing of 21-year-old Norway striker Erling Braut Haaland from Borussia Dortmund. (Goal) Manchester City and Portugal midfielder Bernardo Silva, 27, says he is pining for a return to his homeland and Benfica in the next two years. (Mail) Manchester City are expected to offer Spain midfielder Rodri a contract extension, with the 25-year-old’s current deal running until 2025. (Telegraph – subscription required)…

The office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice says it will proceed to delete Section 84 (12) from the Electoral Act following a court order. In a statement signed by Dr. Umar Jibrilu Gwandu, Special Assistant on Media, the Electoral Act will be gazetted thereafter. “The office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice will accordingly give effect to the Court judgment in line with the dictates of the law and the spirit of the judgment,” the statement said. “The judgment of the Court will be recognized by the Government printers…

Former military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, says that Nigeria deserves to be led by its very best in 2023 and beyond. Gowon said this on Friday in Abuja when officials of the Progressive Consolidation Group (PCG) paid him a visit at his Asokoro, Abuja residence. He emphasised that while he had no partisan involvement with politics, he believed that leaders and citizens at all levels had a duty to sustain peace, progress and national unity of the country. He also affirmed his conviction that no matter the level of intrigues and circumstances, God would ultimately decide the final…

Political appointees to resign 30 days to election A Federal High Court in Umuahia, Abia state has today struck down Section 84(12) of the newly amended Electoral Act which President Muhammadu Buhari had written to the National Assembly to delete. The court in a judgment delivered by Justice Evelyn Anyadike held that the section was unconstitutional, invalid, illegal, null, void and of no effect whatsoever and ought to be struck down as it cannot stand when it is in violation of the clear provisions of the Constitution. It would be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari had while signing the amended…