Author: Chronicle Editor

The Southwest All Progressives Congress (APC) has praised Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai for saying power should shift to the region in 2023. It said the call followed earlier calls by former Zamfara governor, Abdulaziz Yari, on the same issue. Publicity Secretary Karounwi Oladapo, in a statement, said Southwest APC would continue to recognise strong voices in support of the southern presidency until it becomes a reality. He said: “We encourage other vocal, credible and influential northern figures to speak out and be counted. The call for southern presidency in 2023 resonated with the northern masses. None of those northern…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it will approach the Supreme Court over conflicting rulings by the Court of Appeal on its powers to deregister political parties. Its National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education, Festus Okoye, in a statement, said: “Faced with two conflicting judgments from the same court, the commission is not in a position to pick and choose which one of them to obey.” The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Monday reversed the deregistration of 22 political parties by the electoral umpire. A panel of the Court of Appeal, led by the…

President Donald Trump was abruptly led out of a news briefing by a Secret Service agent, after shots were fired outside the White House. The agent walked on stage as Mr Trump was speaking and whispered in his ear. Mr Trump was heard to say “Oh!” and “What’s happening”, as he left the room. The White House was placed on lockdown during Monday’s incident. The president returned nine minutes later to say the situation was under control and a man had been shot. The US Secret Service confirmed the incident, saying there had been “an officer involved shooting at 17th…

Lebanon’s government has resigned amid mounting anger over the explosion on Tuesday that devastated parts of Beirut and left more than 200 people dead. The announcement was made in a national TV address by Prime Minister Hassan Diab on Monday evening. Many people have accused the country’s leaders of culpability through their alleged negligence and corruption. Protesters have taken to the streets and clashed with police for a third straight day. The massive blast was caused by the detonation of 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate stored unsafely at the port for years. President Michel Aoun has asked the government to…

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has announced 290 confirmed new coronavirus cases in the country on Monday. The 290 cases announced by the Centre for Disease Control takes the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases to 46,867. The NCDC also announced the discharge of 290 patients from isolation centers across the country with five new deaths reported. Lagos state, the epicentre of the virus in Nigeria reported 82 new confirmed cases taking the total number of confirmed cases in Lagos alone to 15957. Nigeria announces 437 new coronavirus cases Plateau state reported 82 new cases, Oyo recorded 19…

Aaron Ramsey is not wanted by new manager Andrea Pirlo at Juventus and the 29-year-old Wales international midfielder is free to find another club. (Mirror) Manchester United will continue their pursuit of England winger Jadon Sancho despite Borussia Dortmund’s claim the 20-year-old will remain at the club next season. (Mail) Inter Milan have identified Manchester United’s 30-year-old defender Chris Smalling, on loan at Serie A side Roma this season, as a transfer target. (Gazzetta dello Sport) Juventus midfielder Blaise Matuidi, 33, will join MLS side Inter Miami pending the successful completion of a medical. (Goal) Barcelona are unlikely to pay more than 15m euros (£13.4m) for Manchester City’s wantaway Spanish defender Eric Garcia, 19. (ESPN) Chelsea have agreed a five-year…

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday gave strong assurances that security will be restored to Borno State, the Northeast and the nation at large, following the recent adoption of new strategies, and the acquisition of modern military equipment. Speaking at the State House in Abuja during a meeting with the five Northeast State Governors, attended by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police and the heads of intelligence agencies. President Buhari said: “Things will improve very soon. We are acquiring modern equipment; some are here, some are being cleared, and others still coming.…

President Muhammadu Buhari has signed the instrument of accession of the agreement for the establishment of the African Trade Insurance Agency. The Agreement and the Agency are registered with the Secretariat of the United Nations in accordance with Charter of the United Nations and is in cognizant of the fact that lack of adequate political, non-commercial and commercial risk insurance is a significant impediment to the availability of finance for investments in Africa and the expansion of African foreign trade and intra-Africa trade. The Agency when executed will acknowledge previous multilateral efforts made by African States towards regional economic integration…

By Onyema Dike A June 12 report by the BBC informs us that –“About 1.3m children in England will be able to claim free school meal vouchers in the summer holidays, after a campaign by footballer Marcus Rashford. The Manchester United forward, 22, welcomed the six-week voucher for eligible children, saying: “Look at what we can do when we come together.”…Prime Minister Boris Johnson praised Mr Rashford’s “contribution to the debate around poverty”. During the coronavirus lockdown the government was providing food vouchers to families whose children qualify for free meals. But the UK government had insisted that free meals…

Kostas Tsimikas believes he has joined “the biggest club in the world” after completing a move to Liverpool from Olympiakos. The 24-year-old has joined the Premier League champions for about £11.7m on a five-year contract and is expected to provide competition for Andy Robertson. “I’m very happy, I’m very proud to be here,” Tsimikas said. ???????? pic.twitter.com/Exw0xCevpS — Liverpool FC (Premier League Champions ????) (@LFC) August 10, 2020 “It’s an honour to be here and I will give my best. For me, [it’s] the biggest club in the world.” Tsimikas, who says his brother made him support Liverpool as a…