Author: Chronicle Editor

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) have agreed to forge a partnership to combat the menace of pipeline vandalism and other sundry challenges in the petroleum industry. The two organisations came to this position during a visit to the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr Maikanti Baru, by the management of NAN led by its Managing Director, Mr Bayo Onanuga. Addressing the NAN delegation, the GMD said NNPC would tap into the rich array of services offered by NAN, particularly the dedicated reporting and SMS service, to help in the Corporation’s anti-pipeline vandalism…

Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja on Friday, February 3, 2017 granted Shamsudeen Bala, son of a former minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Bala Mohammed, bail in the sum of N100million with two sureties who must be private businessmen or public servants of the rank of assistant director and above. The sureties must have landed properties in Abuja or within Lagos metropolis excluding satellite towns. The defendant must produce three years tax clearance and must not travel without the consent of the court. However, the defendant is to remain in Kuje prison…

The Nigeria Army has confirmed that 112 persons were killed in January’s accidental airstrike at the Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDPs) camp in Rann, Borno State. The Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj-Gen. Lucky Irabor, in Maiduguri, said 97 persons were injured in the attack but did not specify the number of IDPs killed. He also revealed that 26 foreigners that had contacts with Boko Haram were apprehended in the last one month by the troops of the Command. Addressing a press conference in Maiduguri, Irabor said of the foreigners caught were 17 Chadians and nine Nigeriens. Added to the 26…

Not deterred by the Lagos State Police directive ordering that the #IStandWithNigeria protest be cancelled, Nigerians have taken to social media to begin the protest. The protest which was initiated by popular musician, TuFace Idibia popularly referred to as TuBaba has enjoyed endorsements from heavyweights including Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State. “We know that Tuface does not have the capacity to contain such a crowd and we will not fold our hands and watch while things go out of hand,” Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni was quoted to have said. Owoseni said the police command was not…

President Donald Trump, who was strongly backed by Evangelical Christian voters, has promised to “totally destroy” a 1954 U.S. law barring churches from politics. Trump promised to equally put an end to the ban on other religious institutions from political activity, if they wanted to keep tax-exempt status. He made his comments about a measure called the Johnson Amendment during remarks at the annual National Prayer Breakfast. “I will get rid of and totally destroy the Johnson Amendment and allow our representatives of faith to speak freely and without fear of retribution. “I will do that, remember,’’ Trump told an…

Former Delta State governor, James Ibori is appealing against his British conviction for corruption, claiming the Metropolitan Police investigation was itself mired in corruption. Ibori was released in December after four years in a British prison, but prosecutors have since admitted they have documents suggesting police officers involved in the case took bribes. The UK government spent years and millions getting Ibori out of Nigeria and into a British court in one of the most expensive and complex police investigations undertaken. Ministers wanted to prove their determination to tackle corruption in Africa. ‘Unfairly treated’ Ibori, a former London DIY store…

Cameroon will face Egypt in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations final after two second-half strikes saw off Ghana. Both sides had gone close to breaking the deadlock before Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui took advantage of atrocious defending from a free-kick to lash in the opener in the 72nd minute. With seconds remaining Christian Bassogog sealed victory when he applied a deft finish to a counter-attack. Ghana went close through Wakaso Mubarak and Christian Atsu. Panathinaikos midfielder Wakaso tested keeper Fabrice Ondoa will a brilliant bending free-kick, and Newcastle’s flying winger Atsu saw his angled strike drift past Cameroon’s upright by inches.…

The Commissioner of Police in Imo, Mr Taiwo Lakanu, said the command and the Nigeria Prisons Service had intensified efforts to re-arrest Henry Chibuzor aka “Vampire”, a notorious gang leader and kidnapping kingpin. Lakanu disclosed this in a statement issued in Owerri on Thursday by the command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Andrew Anwerem. Chibuzor escaped from an Owerri High Court on Friday, after his gang stormed the premises to free him and two others in a commando–style operation. Chibuzor was the first to be arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) in 2015 after about five…

By Okey Ndibe On January 21, I was having drinks and talking literature with some friends at 805 Restaurant in old Kent Road, London when my phone rang. The caller was a friend resident in Sweden. “Is it true that President Buhari died?” he asked the instant I answered his call. “It’s news to me,” I said. “Where did you hear it?” He’d seen it from an online British newspaper called the “Metro,” he said. The “newspaper” reported that the Nigeria High Commission in London had confirmed the news. I suspected that the whole affair had to do with one…

Lagos State Governor Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday said his administration has awarded contract for the construction of eight new blocks of classrooms as well as the renovation of 174 existing blocks of classrooms and the construction of perimeter fence in various schools to enhance security. The Governor, who spoke at the Foundation Laying ceremony of the New Model School in Awori College, Ojo, said the government has also commenced the supply of over 40,000 students’ furnitures on a quarterly basis to clear the identified shortfall of 160,000. Governor Ambode, who was represented at the ceremony by his Deputy, Dr.…