Author: Chronicle Editor

The Buhari administration has done it again, by fulfilling another campaign promise to the poor, vulnerable Nigerians. On the heels of the payment of N30,000 stipend to graduates employed under the N-Power programme and N1.2 million micro credit scheme, the Buhari administration has now started the payment of N5, 000 monthly stipends to the poorest and the most vulnerable in the country. This is being done, according to a statement from Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s office, through the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) of its Social Investment Programmes, SIP. Under the CCT, one million Nigerians would receive N5000 monthly payments as…

Dark clouds lie overcast in The Gambia as the deadline for its long serving leader, Yahya Jammeh, to quit gets nearer. There is so far no sign that he plans to go any where on 19 January as he appears to be digging in. The latest action by his government was the closure of two private radio stations, Teranga FM Radio and Hilltop Radio, based in Banjul. The closure came amidst an escalating political crisis caused by President Yahya Jammeh’s refusal to accept his election defeat, by real estate businessman Adama Barrow. Jammeh, who seized power in a 1994 coup,…

Burnley have re-signed Joey Barton for the remainder of the season despite the threat of a Football Association ban. The 34-year-old, who played for the Clarets from 2015-16, left Scottish Premiership side Rangers in November. In the same month, he was given a one-match ban for breaking Scottish FA rules on gambling and has since been charged with misconduct by the FA. Barton is available for Saturday’s FA Cup tie against Sunderland, registering in time to serve his ban on Monday. The midfielder joined Rangers on a free transfer in the summer but only made seven appearances for the Ibrox…

Nigeria’s government has proposed closing the airport in its capital, Abuja, for six weeks to repair runways that some airlines have described as dangerous. The government wants to close Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, the country’s second busiest, for most of February and March. Work by German construction company Julius Berger will continue after the airport reopens and is expected to take six months. Flights would be diverted for six weeks to Kaduna city, which is 250 kilometers (155 miles) from Abuja on a road frequented by bandits. A government statement Monday says officials will meet stakeholders on Thursday, realizing the…

Everton boss Ronald Koeman enjoyed a win over former club Southampton thanks to goals from Enner Valencia, Leighton Baines and Romelu Lukaku. The match had lacked quality and chances until substitute Valencia scored his first goal for the club, driving in a shot from close range after Lukaku’s header had been saved. He was also involved in the second goal as he won a penalty when he was fouled by Maya Yoshida. Baines stepped up to score calmly from the spot before Lukaku latched on to a Tom Davies pass and smashed a shot into the top corner. Everton stay…

Two Jermain Defoe penalties saw Sunderland twice come from behind to earn a point against second-placed Liverpool at the Stadium of Light. The Reds took a deserved lead when Daniel Sturridge flicked in a header after Dejan Lovren’s mishit shot. Sunderland equalised six minutes later as Defoe scored from the spot following Ragnar Klavan’s trip on Didier Ndong, before Sadio Mane put Liverpool back ahead with a close-range finish. However, Mane then handled in his own 18-yard box and Defoe converted the penalty to snatch an unlikely point. Liverpool’s missed opportunity The result leaves Liverpool five points behind Premier League…

Ten-man Manchester City moved up to third as they withstood a spirited Burnley fightback in front of a relieved Etihad Stadium. Fernandinho was dismissed towards the end of an even first half for a two-footed challenge on Johan Gudmundsson. But the hosts improved after the break as Gael Clichy squeezed home a shot before Sergio Aguero, on as a substitute, fired home from a tight angle. Ben Mee smashed home via the underside of the bar shortly after but Burnley could not force a leveller despite a fine chance for Andre Gray late on. City take the hard road Beginning…

Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi is mulling over a move to Valencia after holding Christmas Day talks with the Spanish club. Mikel, 29, is an outcast at Stamford Bridge having failed to make an appearance this season and with his contract expiring in the summer. The Nigeria international is free to talk to foreign clubs about a summer move and Chelsea allowed him to discuss a January exit with Valencia, who are believed to be offering a potential four-year deal. Valencia sporting director Jesus Garcia Pitarch has revealed he met with Mikel to put forward a proposal a little over…

Oscar dos Santos Emboaba Júnior popularly known as Oscar has arrived China after signing for Shanghai SIPG from Chelsea for a fee believed to be around £52m. Chelsea had earlier announced on its official website that it had agreed terms for the permanent transfer of Oscar. “The 25-year-old will join the Chinese Super League team at the beginning of the January transfer window,” Chelsea said in a statement. “He has been a Chelsea player for four-and-a-half years, helping us lift the Premier League, League Cup and Europa League as well as scooping two Chelsea Goal of the Season awards after…

Nigeria’s senate president, Bukola Saraki has launched a three-month contest to promote made in Nigeria products. The contest scheduled for three months is aimed at showcasing the process and raw materials used in producing such locally made goods. In a statement signed by Saraki, he said that the contest will identify the good products that could be matched with investors and government agencies. He said that such agencies or investors would drive the products to the extent that they compete favourably with any similar product being imported. “Today, as promised, we kick-start the soft launch of the #MadeInNigeria Challenge. “This…