Author: Chronicle Editor

President Muhammadu Buhari told Nigerian state governors today that their priority when they receive the second tranche of Paris loan refund should be to pay salaries, pensions and gratuities. “I will not rest until I address those issues that affect our people. One of these basic things is the issue of salaries. It is most important that workers are able to feed their families, pay rent and school fees, then other things can follow,” Buhari said, according to a statement by the president’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu. The National Economic Council is made up…

The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday ordered the remand in Kuje Prison of Andrew Yakubu, former Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). The court also fixed March 21 for ruling on bail application. Yakubu was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a six-count charge bordering on non-disclosure of assets and fraud, charges to which he pleaded not guilty. Yakubu was alleged to have, as “Group Managing Director of NNPC, between 2012 and 2014, within the jurisdiction of this court, with intent to avoid lawful transaction, transported to Kaduna $9.7million and €74,000.’’ He was…

The Edo State Government has declared Friday as public holiday in honour of the late Dr Samuel Ogbemudia, former Governor of the defunct Mid-West Region and Bendel. Mr John Mayaki, the Chief Press Secretary to Gov.Godwin Obaseki said this in a statement he issued on Wednesday in Benin. He said the holiday was to enable the people of the state pay their last respect to the elder statesman. Ogbemudia, 84, will be buried on Friday after an interdenominational service at the Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin. Mayaki said students are expected to line up in their uniforms at the Samuel Ogbemudia…

Roger Federer played superbly to claim a third straight win over Rafael Nadal for the first time in his career and reach the last eight in Indian Wells. The Swiss, 35, won 6-2 6-3 to follow up his Australian Open final victory over the Spaniard two months ago, when Federer won his 18th Grand Slam title. He will next face Australia’s Nick Kyrgios, who upset world number two Novak Djokovic 6-4 7-6 (7-3). Svetlana Kuznetsova was the first player into the women’s semis. The eighth seed saw off fellow Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-3 6-2 and will meet Czech third seed…

Police have arrested a boy of 17 in the southern French town of Grasse after three people were hurt in a shooting at a school, BBC reports. The boy, who is said to have been armed with three guns and two grenades, launched the attack at Tocqueville high school, where he was a student. The school’s headteacher and two pupils were injured, with five others reportedly treated for shock. Anti-terrorist commandos from the elite Raid force were sent to the scene. Regional president Christian Estrosi said the “precise circumstances” around the shooting remained unclear, amid a number of conflicting reports.…

The moment a group of Nigerian contractors met executives from Italian oil major ENI to discuss unpaid wages they started shouting, calling them fraudsters and liars until a police commander restored calm. Wenenda Mpi, local manager of ENI unit Agip, blamed the payment delays on debts owed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and said the government had promised to sort the problem out. The heated meeting, called after hundreds of ENI contractors threatened a protest that police feared could turn violent, highlights the challenge of stabilising the Niger Delta oil region, even though attacks on oil facilities have…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested one Saheed Omoniyi posing as a Sheikh over alleged N11 million fraud perpetrated through the Internet. Ayo Oyewole, the Head of Public Affairs, EFCC Ibadan Zonal Office, told newsmen in Ibadan on Thursday that Omoniyi, 24, lured his victims to defraud them by posing as a renowned Islamic cleric. He said that the suspect had impersonated a popular Lagos-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Sulaiman Onikijipa on the internet seeking donations from his unsuspecting followers. Oyewole said that the suspect had lured the unsuspecting followers of the popular cleric to pay donations into…

Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe has been recalled to the England squad. The 34-year-old has 55 England caps and played his last international match against Chile in November 2013. Uncapped Southampton duo Nathan Redmond and James Ward-Prowse are included, as is 19-year-old Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford. Gareth Southgate’s side face Germany away in a friendly on 22 March before a World Cup qualifier against Lithuania at Wembley on 26 March. West Brom midfielder Jake Livermore, who made his sole international appearance against Italy in 2012, is included. Burnley defender Michael Keane and West Ham winger Michail Antonio are the other…

The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina said the president will communicate his reaction to the Senate after receiving an official letter from them on his rejection. Mr Adesina made this known on his Twitter handle while reacting to rejection of EFCC Acting Chairman, Ibrahim Magu, during his screening yesterday at the plenary. The Presidency will respond to the non-clearance of Magu as EFCC boss, after it receives official communication in writing from the Senate.— Femi Adesina (@FemAdesina) March 16, 2017 “The Presidency will respond to the non-clearance of Magu as EFCC boss, after it receives official communication…

Versatile female entertainer, Helen Paul has been announced as the new ‘Face of the Telecom Consumer’ by the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC. She signed the contract yesterday, Wednesday at the commission’s head office in Abuja. A statement from the NCC reads that “Helen Paul, the renowned comedian and actress who also signed on alongside Ali Nuhu as the NCC’s Face of the Telecom Consumer, visited the Commission’s Head Office in Abuja today (Wednesday) where she met the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta and other members of the Management team. “By these engagements, both Ali and…