Author: Chronicle Editor

Early morning travellers and motorists using Lagos-Ibadan Expressway had a horrendous time on Sunday following explosions caused by three oil tankers on Kara Bridge, Ogun state. Lagos State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission, Mr Olusegun Ogungbemide, said a body burnt to its bones was recovered from the scene. But eyewitnesses put the number of deaths at four. One of the tankers laden with fuel was said to have lost control and rammed into an articulated truck, resulting in an explosion around 12. 30am. Two other tankers, one loaded also with fuel and the other with gas, ran…

A report by the Nigeria Ministry of Aviation has shown that the aviation sector has lost over N63 billion to the ravaging effects of coronavirus pandemic. The report said over 90 per cent of operations and activities were adversely affected resulting in monthly losses valued at N21 billion. It also described the air transport value chain as the hardest hit by COVID-19. The report said the effects of the virus on the sector has forced government to consider working out a recovery plan aimed at providing financial support where necessary to sustain air connectivity for passenger operations and cargo flights.…

The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary in Edo state will hold Monday in the 192 wards across the 18 local government areas. Two aspirants – Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and Dr. Pius Odubu – are participating in the direct primary election, which a Court of Appeal in Benin on Thursday technically cleared to hold. Ize-Iyamu, the 2016 governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) defected to APC in December and was on May 21, cleared by the ruling party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to contest the shadow election. Odubu served as deputy governor in Adams Oshiomhole administration. Chairman of…

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has announced 436 confirmed new coronavirus cases in the country on Sunday taking the new total past 20,000 cases. The 436 cases announced by the Centre for Disease Control takes the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases is now put at 20244. The NCDC also announced the discharge of 161 patients from isolation centers across the country with 12 new deaths reported. Lagos state, the epicentre of the virus in Nigeria topped the number of confirmed cases with 169 new cases taking the total number of confirmed cases in Lagos alone to 8576.…

Chelsea returned to Premier League action by coming from behind to beat relegation-threatened Aston Villa and strengthen their bid for a top-four finish. The Blues dominated the first half but fell behind when Kepa failed to hold Anwar El Ghazi’s shot and Kortney Hause was on hand to bundle in. Chelsea fought back after the break and turned the game on its head with two goals in as many minutes. First, substitute Christian Pulisic smashed Cesar Azpilicueta’s cross into the roof of the net at the far post before Olivier Giroud drove in from 15 yards with the help of…

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, founder of Christ Embassy, has lashed out as church leaders for complying with the COVID-19 ban on religious gatherings. He described the guidelines by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and Lagos State Government as “wicked”, stating they were initiated to muzzle the body of Christ. Some of the guidelines, according to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), include wearing of face masks, suspension of Holy Communion, social distancing and body temperature check, among others. He also berated church leaders for compliance with government directives on religious gatherings. UK sanctions Oyakhilome’s Loveworld over 5G comments In his…

At least seven people have died in two separate bomb attacks in southern and central Somalia. Three militants blew up themselves up in a car at a military checkpoint in Galmudug state, killing three soldiers. Separately, two bombs were detonated outside the home of a military official in Wanlaweyn, killing four people. The Somali Islamist militant group al-Shabab has said it carried out the attack in Wanlaweyn, according to the Somali Memo news website. Al-Shabab kills six ‘spying for Somalia’ No-one has come forward to say they were behind the attack in Galmudug. In the suicide attack, militants set off…

Chairman of Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), Mr. Tony Okoroji, has described as unenforceable some of the provisions in the broadcast code recently released by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC). In a tweet on his official Twitter account, the copyright activist said the intents behind the new code are good, but some of the provisions are unworkable while others are unconstitutional. He stated that the NBC is attempting to overreach itself by assuming powers of the National Assembly and called for a revisit of those amendments. “I understand the good intents of the new NBC Broadcast Code, but some of…

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against Dr Osagie Ehanire, Minister of Health and Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Director General, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), over “their failure to account for the public funds and other resources so far spent and used to combat the spread of COVID-19 in Nigeria.” In the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/616/2020 filed last week at the Federal High Court, Abuja, SERAP is seeking: “an order for leave to apply for judicial review and an order of mandamus to direct and compel the Minister of Health and the NCDC to publish details of the funds…

US President Donald Trump has held his first campaign rally since the US coronavirus lockdown began, in front of a smaller than expected crowd. Mr Trump had boasted earlier this week that almost a million people had requested tickets for the event at Tulsa’s Bank of Oklahoma Center. But the 19,000-seat arena was far from full and plans for him to address an outside “overflow” area were abandoned. There had been concerns about holding the rally during the pandemic. Republicans are the party of LIBERTY, EQUALITY and JUSTICE for ALL. We are the Party of Abraham Lincoln and the party…