Author: Chronicle Editor

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved release of N10 billion to the National Population Commission (NPC) for continuation of the Enumeration Area Demarcation (EAD) in the remaining 546 Local Government Area of the country. He also approved an additional N4.5 billon to be included in the 2021 Budget for completion of the exercise as part of the preparations for the next census. The acting chairman of NPC, Dr. Eyitayo Oyetunji, disclosed these in Abuja while briefing reporters on the release of the funds and the update on the EAD at the NPC headquarters. Buhari approves new salary for teachers, increases years…

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday has approved a special salary scale for teachers and has also increased years of service from 35 to 40. The approvals were in commemoration with the World Teachers Day celebrated yearly on October 5. Mr Buhari disclosed the new development in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital as part of celebration for the 2020 World Teachers Day. The education minister, Adamu Adamu, who represented President Buhari, said the implementation of the new salary scheme is to encourage teachers in delivering better service. The 2020 theme of the World Teachers’ Day is Teachers: leading in crisis, reimagining the future.…

Medical experts are questioning Donald Trump’s decision to greet supporters in a drive-past outside the hospital where he is being treated for Covid-19. There are concerns the US president, who wore a mask, may have endangered Secret Service staff inside the car. White House spokesperson Judd Deere said the trip on Sunday had been “cleared by the medical team as safe”. Questions remain over the seriousness of Mr Trump’s illness after conflicting statements over the weekend. The president has been in hospital since Friday, after he announced hours earlier he had tested positive for the virus. Covid-19 has infected nearly…

Following the passing of the 18th Emir of Zazzau Alhaji Shehu Idris and as required by Law and tradition, eligible Prince’s of the ruling houses of the Zazzau emirate have indicated interest for the vacant and revered stool. The people of the Emirate and Nigerians as a whole are currently awaiting the final choice of the new Emir to be appointed by Governor Nasiru Ahmed El Rufai as required by law. It is understood that 13 Prince’s had indicated interest and are all waiting with their various supporters for the outcome of the selection process to conclude. The last few…

Everton have signed defender Ben Godfrey from Norwich City in a deal worth an initial £25m, potentially rising to £30m. Godfrey, 22, joins the Toffees on a five-year contract. He is Everton’s fifth signing of the summer after midfielders Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure, playmaker James Rodriguez and left-back Niels Nkounkou. “It is an honour to sign for Everton and to be part of a huge club,” said the England Under-21 centre-back. “This is a club full of history that has an exciting team full of world-class players who will help me kick on to the next level. I am looking…

Chelsea and England striker Tammy Abraham has apologised “for the naivety shown” after he was reported to have breached coronavirus guidelines. The Sun reported about 20 people, including England team-mates Ben Chilwell and Jadon Sancho, attended a surprise party for Abraham’s 23rd birthday at his home on Saturday. Gatherings of more than six people are banned in England. Abraham said he was unaware the party was planned but “deeply regrets” it. The party happened hours after Abraham played in Chelsea’s 4-0 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday and before he was due to join up with the England squad this…

Following wide spread speculations on social media in the last week of the submission of an irregular list of three candidates ‘against the rules of convention’ to the executive Governor of Kaduna State for selection of 1 as Emir by the Kingmakers committee of the Zazzau emirate council tension started rising in the city of Zaria. If this is true it would be highly surprising and uncharacteristic of highly respect elders and religious leaders of the Emirate in an unprecedented move never before witnessed to exclude 2 ruling houses including one that even belongs to the first Emir of Zazzau…

The Quramo Festival of Words, (QFest2020) climaxed with the unveiling of the winner of the Quramo Writers’ Prize 2020. The prize, which is awarded to the author of an unpublished fiction manuscript, comes with a N1m cash prize and a book publishing contract with Quramo Publishing. The three day virtual and live literary and artistic excursion which ran from Friday October 2 – Sunday October 4, 2020 featured master classes, book chats, panel discussions and exciting poetry performances. The winner was picked by apanel of judges made up of A. Igoni Barrett and Molara Wood with Toni Kan as head…

Arsenal’s French midfielder Matteo Guendouzi, 21, is set for a move to Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin, after falling out of favour at Emirates Stadium. (Mirror) Tottenham Hotspur are to make a final effort to sign Inter Milan’s 25-year-old Slovakia defender Milan Skriniar. (Mirror) Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman refused to rule out forward Ousmane Dembele, 23, leaving on deadline day. The France international has been linked with Manchester United. (Evening Standard) Netherlands forward Memphis Depay, 26, has agreed terms to join Barca from Lyon and could complete a move on Monday. (Telefoot via Goal) Juventus are preparing a loan bid for Chelsea’s Italy left-back Emerson Palmieri, 26. (Calciomercato – in Italian) Arsenal are not prepared to met the £45m buyout…

Oil companies are to put aside 2.5 per cent of their annual expenditure for the development of their host communities, going by the proposed Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). The firms are to deploy 75 per cent of the budget to implement capital projects in such communities with an understanding that the beneficiaries would watch over the projects. The proposed PIB states that the special vote would be used to fix damaged facilities in any community that allows vandalism of oil installations in its domain. It was learnt that the Federal Government came up with the stick-and-carrot approach as a strategy…