Author: Chronicle Editor

US House Republicans have unveiled a long-awaited plan to replace the signature health care law of former US President Barack Obama. The proposed legislation would repeal penalties for those who do not buy health insurance. It would also replace income-based subsidies to help with the cost of premiums with age-based tax credits. Democrats immediately criticised the plan, saying it would drive up the costs of health care. The Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare, helped 20m previously uninsured Americans get health insurance. However increases in insurance premiums have irked many Americans. The plan from Republicans in the US House of…

The exploration and production arm of Shell in Nigeria – Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo) has announced the shutdown of its flagship facility, the 225,000 barrels per day (bpd) Bonga oil field, for maintenance. With this development, Nigeria’s oil production that ramped up to 2.1 million bpd has dipped to 1.875million bpd. A statement by Shell’s spokesperson in Nigeria, Bamidele Odugbesan, said the shut down was for maintenance of the oil field. He said: “SNEPCo has commenced turnaround maintenance at Bonga, executing statutory activities that will ensure continuous optimum operations at the deepwater field which began producing…

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo will today swear in Justice Walter Onnoghen as Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN). Presidency sources disclosed yesterday that the inauguration would take place at 9:00am inside the Council Chambers of the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja. Justice Onnoghen’s nomination was last week confirmed by the Senate. President Muhammadu Buhari, who is on extended vacation in the United Kingdom, had last November inaugurated Onnoghen as acting CJN sequel to the retirement of Justice Mahmud Mohammed. The acting president had on February 7 forwarded Onnoghen’s nomination to the Senate. Onnoghen will be the 20th person to occupy…

Diego Costa and Eden Hazard scored as Chelsea beat West Ham to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to 10 points. It was the Blues’ 21st victory of the league season and another big step towards winning the title in Antonio Conte’s first season as manager. The Italian was once again spot on with his tactics – nullifying the predictable aerial threat of the Hammers’ 6ft 4in frontman Andy Carroll early in the match. And then in the 25th minute his attackers cruelly exposed the hosts’ defence with a devastating counter-attack. N’Golo Kante read a pass…

A Yola High Court on Monday sentenced a former Governor of Adamawa state, Mr James Bala Ngilari, to five years in prison without the option of fine. He was found guilty of the corruption charge filed against him by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. The case was filed in September 2016. The court presided over by Justice Nathan Musa, acquitted the former Secretary to the State Government, Mr Andrew Welye, and Former Commissioner of Finance, Mr Sunday Lamurde, who stood trial with the former governor on same offenses of 17 count charges. Delivering judgement, Justice Musa, said that the prosecution…

Manchester United’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Bournemouth defender Tyrone Mings have been charged with violent conduct by the Football Association. The pair clashed during the 1-1 draw between their sides on Saturday when Mings, 23, landed on the United forward’s head with his studs. Moments later, Ibrahimovic caught Mings in the face with his elbow at a corner. Both players have until 18:00 GMT on Tuesday to reply to the charge. “The players were involved in two separate incidents in or around the 44th minute which were not seen by the match officials at the time but caught on video,” said…

Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) halted production at Nigeria’s Bonga oil field on March 4 for maintenance that will last at least a month, Reuters report. SNEPCo said in a statement that Bonga, which has capacity to produce 225,000 barrels per day (bpd) of oil and 150 million standard cubic feet (scf) of gas, is expected to resume production at at some point in April, without giving further details. Market sources had expected work on the field because there were no exports planned in March, compared with typical exports of roughly 200,000 barrels per day (bpd). Bonga produced…

The Federal Government has urged former President Goodluck Jonathan to stop engaging in finger-pointing over the issue of the Chibok girls who were abducted under his watch. Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, called Jonathan’s action an unnecessary distraction from ongoing efforts to secure the release of the girls who remain in captivity, almost three years after they were abducted. Alhaji Mohammed stated Government position following the former President’s reaction to the report by a British newspaper that the British armed forces’ offered to attempt to rescue the girls, but were rebuffed by President Jonathan. ”While former President…

The founder of Auchi-based Omega Fire Ministries, Apostle Johnson Suleiman, has been sued by a Canadian based lover, Stephanie Otobo, who is claiming N500 million as damages, but the “Man of God” has denied her allegations. His mistress, Otobo filed the suit against the Apostle for allegedly getting her pregnant and dumping her. Her Counsel, Festus Keyamo chambers has also written a letter to the Inspector General of police, Pulse reported. According to Court papers, Suleiman and Stephanie met in 2016 in Canada and allegedly began a secret affair. She claimed he informed her of his plan to divorce his…

Nigeria has warned citizens who have no compelling or urgent reason to travel to the US to postpone their travel plans until the new administration’s policy on immigration is clear. Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Abike Dabiri-Erewa gave this warning on Monday in a statement issued by her Special Assistant on Media, Abdurrahman Balogun. Dabiri-Erewa said that the warning became imperative due to series of reports received by the office of the SSA. The statement read thus,”In the last few weeks, the office has received a few cases of Nigerians with valid multiple-entry US…