Author: Chronicle Editor

The President of Ghana, Mr. Nana Akufo-Addo, has promised that the government will introduce free secondary education beginning from September. President Akufo-Addo said the government would fund the cost of public Senior High Schools (SHS) for all those who qualify from the 2017/2018 academic year. “By free SHS, we mean that, in addition to tuition which is already free, there will be no admission fees, no library fees, no science centre fees, no computer laboratory fees, no examination fees, no utility fees. “There will be free textbooks, free boarding and free meals, and day students will get a meal at…

At least 15 houses either belonging or rented by immigrants, especially Nigerians, have been burnt by angry residents in Rosettenvile, south of Johannesburg. The residents are reported to be angry that foreign nationals had turned the neighbourhood into a drug haven. Africa Review reports on Sunday that some shops belonging to foreign nationals in the area were also looted. South African residents in the area claim Nigerians had illegally taken over most properties and turned them into drug and prostitution dens. The African Diaspora Forum (ADM) chairperson, Mr Marc Gbaffou, confirmed the attacks and blamed Johannesburg Mayor Herman Mashaba, for…

Chelsea missed the chance to move 12 points clear at the top of the Premier League as they were held to a draw by a resilient Burnley at Turf Moor. The hosts had won all four of their previous homes games without conceding but fell behind early on when Pedro finished off a sweeping attack. The visitors dominated possession and it seemed only a matter of time before they added to their advantage. However, Burnley’s record signing Robbie Brady – making his full debut following a January move from Norwich – equalised with a stunning free-kick. The Clarets almost extended…

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed says the Federal Government’s Whistle blowing policy has yielded $151 million and N8billion in looted funds. In a statement signed by Segun Adeyemi, the Special Assistant to the Minister, Alhaji Mohammed said the looted funds were recovered via the clues provided by three whistle blowers who gave actionable information to the office of the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation. The biggest amount of $136,676,600.51 was recovered from an account in a commercial bank, where the money was kept under an apparently fake account name. This was followed by the recovery…

Manchester United moved one point behind fourth-placed Manchester City as Anthony Martial marked his return with a goal and an assist in a victory over Watford. The Red Devils have now won 2000 Premier League points more than any other club in the history of the top division. United, now unbeaten in their past 16 Premier League games, took the lead when Martial set up Juan Mata to finish from close range. Watford keeper Heurelho Gomes then made fine saves to deny Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Today's win over Watford also brings up a @PremierLeague milestone… #MUFC pic.twitter.com/EUBMG6z4Zz— Manchester…

Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari has stated that he will not be returning to the country contrary to widely circulated report that he will be return today. “… I am extending my leave until the doctors are satisfied that certain factors are ruled out,” Buhari said in a February 5 letter to the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, informing the National Assembly of the extension of his vacation. The letter was exclusively obtained by PREMIUM TIMES on Saturday. Although snippets of the letter were publicised by the presidency and the Senate on February 5 and 6 respectively, this is the…

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Eket field office, said it sealed 27 filling stations for selling above government’s approved pump price of N145 per litre in the state. Mr Bassey Nkanga, the Operations Controller of DPR, gave the figures on Saturday in Eket when Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) officials, visited the department. He said that the filling stations were sealed within January and February in the state. Nkanga, who frowned at their action, threatened to sanction marketers that do not sell petroleum products at government’s approved pump prices of N145 per litre. “We are aware that…

Alexis Sanchez scored twice as title-chasing Arsenal beat relegation-threatened Hull in controversial circumstances in the Premier League. The hosts had been on top when the ball came off forward Sanchez’s hand and ended up in the net on 34 minutes. He added a penalty in injury-time which was awarded after Sam Clucas was sent off for handball from Lucas Perez’s header. In between, Hector Bellerin and Sanchez both failed to hit the target and Mesut Ozil volleyed over the crossbar for Arsenal. Striker Oumar Niasse had Hull’s best chances – his header and low strike forced Petr Cech into sharp…

Donald Trump is considering a new executive order to ban citizens of certain countries from travelling to the US after his initial attempt was overturned in the courts. Mr Trump told reporters on Air Force One that a “brand new order” could be issued as early as Monday or Tuesday. It comes after an appeals court in San Francisco upheld a court ruling to suspend his original order. It barred entry from citizens from seven mainly Muslim countries. It is unclear what a new US immigration order might look like. Mr Trump said that it would change “very little”, but…

Nigeria’s anti-corruption watchdog has seized $9.8 million in cash from the former head of the state oil company, a spokesman said on Friday, as the government continues to battle endemic corruption. Graft, particularly in the oil sector on which Nigeria relies, has taken large sums from the country’s coffers. President Muhammadu Buhari rode to victory in 2015 on an anti-corruption platform after widespread anger at the plundering of the state under his predecessor Goodluck Jonathan. But some have criticised the current administration’s efforts as ineffective. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) raided a building belonging to the former head…