Author: Chronicle Editor

The Lagos State Task-Force on Environment says it has arrested 43 persons over adulteration of diesel meant for public consumption. The suspects were arrested at Alausa, Ikeja, with 2.5million litres, equivalent of 76 fully loaded tankers, of the fake product. The chairman of the task force, SP Olayinka Egbeyemi, confirmed the arrest to newsmen on Sunday. “Adulterated diesel of about 2.5 million litres was fully loaded inside gallons and six different trucks marked FST 615 XR, EPE 672 XC, DKW 05 XA, KTU 750 XN, BDG 717 XA, FKJ 327 XH and XR 95 LSD. “The Lagos State Commissioner of…

The Federal Government is to take new biometric database of 16 million farmers to enable them benefit from intervention packages during the 2017 cropping season. The Managing Director, Bank of Agriculture, Prof. Danbala Danju, said this on Sunday while signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for Public Private Partnership (PPP) with Trans- Sahara Consortium, Nigeria. Danju said the Federal Government would ensure that the registered farmers received all the needed inputs and loan facilities in record time to enhance production. He said that the move would effectively address the challenge of food security, tackle poverty and create employment opportunities for…

Interviews for recruitment into the Federal Civil Service will begin on 27 March in Abuja. They will end on 3 April. A director of the Federal Civil Service Commission Mustapha L. Sulaiman, acting for the chairman announced this in Abuja. He said candidates already shortlisted under Batch A of the recruitment programme last year are expected to cross-check their names on the portal of the commission, using their state of origin. Shotlisted candidates are from the 36 states and Abuja. The interviews will hold at the Public Service Institute on Murtala Mohammed Express Way, Kubwa, Abuja. The recruiting ministries are…

Manchester United moved up to fifth in the Premier League as Middlesbrough’s first game since sacking manager Aitor Karanka ended in defeat. Ashley Young’s deep cross found Marouane Fellaini at the back post to head past Victor Valdes, before Jesse Lingard’s terrific strike doubled United’s lead after the break. Boro, with caretaker boss Steve Agnew in charge, were invited to apply pressure and when Chris Smalling made a mess of an easy clearance in the box, substitute Rudy Gestede pounced. But former Manchester United keeper Valdes slipped in stoppage time and Antonio Valencia’s tap-in secured the three points. Jose Mourinho’s…

Dr Bodeno Ehis, Consultant, Public Health, University of Benin Teaching Hospital says no fewer than 100,000 new cases of cancer are diagnosed yearly in Nigeria. In a speech entitled: “Cancer Awareness and Prevention’’ at a lecture in honour of the late Mrs Omawunmi Udoh, a lawmaker in Delta State House of Assembly on Sunday in Warri, he observed that the figure accounted for 12.5 per cent globally. The medical expert who is also a Fellow, National Post Graduate Medical College, Lagos, said more than 16 million new cases of cancer would be diagnosed globally by 2020. He advised Nigerians to…

The Federal Government has clearly spelt out the irresistible benefits that await whistleblowers as it also pledges protection for them. The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said any whistle-blower whose information leads to the recovery of up to 1 billion Naira will receive 5 per cent of the amount. According to him, the reward for any amount between 1 and 5 billion Naira will be 5 per cent for the first 1 billion Naira and 4 per cent of the remaining 4 billion Naira, and that any amount over 5 billion Naira will attract 2.5% reward. According…

Months after paying N522.74 billion Paris Club loan refund to 36 states, the federal government has concealed details of the disbursements, frustrating Nigerians keen about knowing how their governors spent the huge amount. For months, Finance Minister, Kemi Adeosun, and other senior officials blocked attempts by Nigerians, civil society and the media, including this newspaper, to obtain details of the payments, amid allegations of misuse by governors. In authorising the payments in November 2016, President Muhammadu Buhari advised the money be used in settling arrears of workers’ salaries, retirees’ pension and gratuities. Few states applied the funds as advised. Last…

President Muhammadu Buhari has urged graduates of Nigerian universities to take advantage of their energy for entrepreneurship and creativity. He assured of the federal government commitment to putting in place an enabling environment for the sustenance of entrepreneurial spirit and challenged graduates to key into the engaging opportunities. Speaking through the Minister of State for Education, Professor Anthony Anwukah, during the 11th convocation ceremony of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka yesterday, Buhari described education as the fulcrum through which the socio-economic development of any society could be leveraged and assured that his administration will continue to give prime place to…

Four Nigerians have been named in the 10-man shortlist of poets in the running for the 2017 Brunel International African Poetry Prize with the winner taking away a cash prize of £3000. The prize which, according to the organisers, is aimed at the development, celebration and promotion of poetry from Africa is sponsored by Brunel University London and Commonwealth Writers and is open to African poets worldwide who have not yet published a full poetry collection. According to the list issued by the judges, after due deliberation, Nigerian poets, Saddiq Dzukogi, Rasak Malik Gbolahan, Kechi Nomu and Romeo Origun are…

Uppermost on the mind of Hajara Haruna is to return to the place she has always known as home, Ile-Ife, a town faraway from Unguwar Ayagi in Kano city, where she fled to a few days ago. The widow and mother was among dozens of others who fled the ancient town of Ile-Ife in the wake of an attack which took a heavy toll on lives and property of the Hausa community there. Fearing for their safety, Hajara and six of her children and grandchildren first escaped to Akure in Ondo State before finding their way to her father’s house…