Author: Chronicle Editor

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers have rejected the 30 slots per lawmaker allocated to them in the ongoing recruitment of 774,000 artisan youths for public works jobs. President Muhammadu Buhari initiated the programme to keep some of the unemployed busy doing public works for three months, beginning from October. One thousand people are to be recruited from each of the 774 local government councils to participate in the programme. They are to earn N20,000 monthly per person. N52 billion has been voted for the programme in the 2020 budget. Governors, senators, House of Representatives members and ministers have been allocated…

APC Mandate Defenders has reacted to claims by the publisher of Sahara Reporters, Mr. Omoyele Sowore claiming that the Federal Government choose to lift the ban on international flights because the children of the elites need to return back to schools in abroad. In a statement released to newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday by the National Publicity Secretary of APC Mandate Defenders, Mr, Ifeanyi Emeka, the group denied the allegation saying, Sowore is a known blackmailer, fake news manufacturer and mischief maker who want to use lies, disinformation and empty propaganda to hoodwink unsuspecting Nigerians in to supporting his unpopular…

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says the Buhari administration is making progress tackling the problem of malnutrition in the country through the implementation of various intervention programmes, and increased funding. The Vice President disclosed this on Tuesday at the 2020 Virtual Conference on Nutrition in Nigeria, organized by the Aisha Buhari Foundation in collaboration with development partners. Speaking on the progress made by the Federal Government, the Vice President said though Nigeria has distinct factors that has exacerbated the situation, the Federal Government has in the past few years demonstrated commitment towards addressing the problem through increase budgeting for nutrition activities…

Arsenal are hopeful of completing a £22m deal for Lille defender Gabriel Magalhaes. Everton and Napoli are also interested in the Brazilian, 22. (ESPN) Chelsea will finalise a deal for Bayer Leverkusen playmaker Kai Havertz, 21, within the next 10 days. The German wants a five-year deal at Stamford Bridge. (Bild, via Express) Juventus may use forward Paulo Dybala, 26, as part of a swap deal with Manchester United to bring Paul Pogba to the Serie A side. Argentine Dybala has two years left on his Juventus contract. (Tuttosport – in Italian) Meanwhile, Man Utd are watching Juventus’ 29-year-old Brazilian winger Douglas Costa. (Sky Sports) Watford have rejected Everton’s initial bid for midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure. The Hornets want £25m for the 27-year-old…

President Muhammadu Buhari has mourned the passing of a close ally, friend and associate, Malam Wada Maida, 70, whose stewardship and loyalty to the President and the country over many years had been with great distinction. In a condolence statement, President Muhammadu Buhari said: “I am profoundly shocked by the sudden death of Malam Wada Maida, my former press secretary, a man who possessed one of the highest qualities of professional integrity throughout the course of his journalistic career.” According to the President, “Wada Maida was a very dedicated, hardworking and loyal professional for whom I have the deepest respect and…

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday received his immediate predecessor in office, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, at State House, Abuja. Dr Jonathan, who is ECOWAS Special Envoy to the Republic of Mali, briefed on the political situation in the West African country, as corollary to efforts by West African leaders to restore stability to the country. President Buhari and four other ECOWAS leaders had visited Bamako, Mali, last month, followed by a virtual extraordinary summit of the sub-regional body. Dr Jonathan, who was in Mali from Monday to Thursday, last week, recounted his meetings with the stakeholders, including political and religious leaders,…

Ronald Koeman will be the new manager of Barcelona, the club president Josep Maria Bartomeu has said. The 57-year-old, who is currently in charge of the Netherlands, is set to join the La Liga runners-up this week. Speaking on Tuesday night, Bartomeu said: “Koeman is the one we’ve chosen. If nothing goes wrong he will be the head coach next season.” Former Netherlands and Barca defender Koeman flew to Barcelona on Tuesday to finalise a deal with the club. There have been rumours that the team’s star Lionel Messi could leave but Bartomeu said: “Messi wants to end his career…

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has announced 410 confirmed new coronavirus cases in the country on Tuesday. The 410 cases announced by the Centre for Disease Control takes the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases to 49,895. The NCDC also announced the discharge of 410 patients from isolation centers across the country with four new deaths reported. Nigeria announces 417 new coronavirus cases Lagos state, the epicentre of the virus in Nigeria reported 210 new confirmed cases taking the total number of confirmed cases in Lagos alone to 16920. Federal Capital Territory reported 45 new cases, Ondo recorded…

The Presidency has distanced itself from allegations that it has anything to do with the invitation extended to former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Na’Abba by the Department of State Service (DSS) on account of his alleged comments at President Muhammadu Buhari. Preliminary feedback received by the Presidency seem to indicate that the invitation of Umar Ghali Na’Abba, was in no way connected to his utterances regarding the State of Affairs of the Country, President Buhari’s spokesperson, Garba Shehu said. “Mr. President realizes the value of having an active opposition party having emerged through that process as well.…

Former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has denied plotting to return to the position. Oshiomhole spoke on Monday while addressing State House Correspondents after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja. The former Edo Governor was reacting to a recent allegation by Director-General of the Progressives Congress Forum (PGF) Salihu Lukman that he was scheming to return as national chairman of the party. Oshiomhole wondered why anyone would imagine he would like to ‘resit’ a class he had passed, saying only ‘an empty brain’ would suggest that he was plotting…