Author: David Great

Former Minister of Education and CEO of Human Capital Africa, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, has described the ongoing constitutional amendment process by the National Assembly as a wasteful exercise that fails to address Nigeria’s core structural problems. Speaking at the 7th Penpushing Anniversary and Annual Lecture in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Wednesday, Ezekwesili criticised the amendment efforts, calling them “a charade and sheer waste of resources.” “The ongoing constitutional amendment cannot work, it cannot address our problem, it is a charade and sheer waste of resources. The demand for a new constitution is a matter of life and death,” she said…

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has relieved two commissioners of their duties and announced their replacements as part of a recent cabinet shake-up. The development was made known on Thursday in a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Mallam Dauda Iliya. According to the statement, the commissioners affected by the reshuffle were those in charge of the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Intergovernmental and Special Duties. While acknowledging the contributions of the outgoing officials, Governor Zulum stated, “We appreciate their services and wish them success in their future endeavours.” He thereafter named Engr. Mohammed Habib and…

The Ebonyi State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of four individuals from the Akpoha Autonomous Community in the Afikpo Local Government Area of the state. According to reports, the victims were kidnapped on July 24 while working on their farms by unidentified assailants. Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer, Joshua Ukandu, said the Divisional Police Officer of the Afikpo Division verified the incident and visited the crime scene for further assessment. Ukandu stated, “When I called the DPO to confirm the information, he told me that they had visited the scene of the incident to ascertain what…

West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta has been cleared of all four alleged breaches of the Football Association’s (FA) betting regulations, following a hearing before an independent Regulatory Commission. The 27-year-old Brazilian was accused of deliberately seeking yellow cards in four Premier League matches — against Leicester City, Aston Villa, Leeds United, and Bournemouth — between November 2022 and August 2023. The FA claimed that Paqueta had attempted to influence the course of those matches to manipulate the betting market for others’ gain. In a statement on Thursday, the FA confirmed that the charges were “not proven” by the Commission.…

Paris St Germain have been fined by UEFA for misconduct by their fans during the Champions League final win over Inter Milan in May, the European soccer governing body said on Thursday. The French champions, who thrashed Inter 5-0 at the Allianz Arena in Munich, were charged after a pitch invasion by supporters, the setting off of fireworks, throwing of objects, damage to property and the display of an inappropriate message. Thousands of PSG fans flooded onto the field after the whistle to celebrate the club’s first European Cup triumph, with a large number of supporters from behind the goal…

The Government of Ghana has issued a stern warning to protesters following a viral social media video that threatened demonstrations against Nigerians living in the country. This development comes in the wake of a two-day official visit by Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu, who met with Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, to address growing concerns about the safety and welfare of Nigerians and their businesses in the West African nation. During a joint press briefing, Bianca Ojukwu reassured the public, saying, “There is no cause for alarm,” and noted that, “since her arrival the situation…

Rasmus Hojlund’s time at Manchester United may be coming to an end, with indications that he could be on the move this summer despite a solid pre-season performance in the club’s tour of the United States. The Danish striker has featured in friendly matches, but Manchester United’s aggressive pursuit of Benjamin Sesko signals a clear intention to bring in a new lead forward. The Red Devils have already secured Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, but are still actively pushing for another top-tier striker. Hojlund’s inconsistency in front of goal has reportedly become a point of concern for the club, with…

The Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Maitama, has sentenced one Jonathan Wallang to seven years in prison for defrauding the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas, NLNG, Staff Bonny Cooperative Investment and Credit Society Limited of N700 million. Wallang, the Managing Director of Swift and Hay Limited, was convicted and sentenced by Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, after a decade-long trial. According to a statement by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Wallang was found guilty on multiple counts bordering on conspiracy, forgery, and obtaining money under false pretenses. Count six of the…

A Kwara State High Court in Ilorin has sentenced Abdulrahman Bello to death by hanging for the brutal murder of 24-year-old Hafsoh Yetunde Lawal, a final-year student of the Kwara State College of Education. Justice Hannah Ajayi delivered the verdict on Thursday, marking the end of a four-month-long trial. Bello, who described himself as an Islamic cleric, was found guilty of the killing, which reportedly took place after he lured the victim—whom he met on Facebook—to his residence under the pretext of a visit. The court acquitted and discharged four others initially charged alongside Bello: Ahmed Abdulwasiu (41), Suleiman Muyideen…

Manchester United have opened talks with Paris St-Germain for Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, 26, after an earlier enquiry in the summer, but Chelsea and Manchester City remain interested. (Telegraph – subscription required) Donnarumma was part of the PSG team that made history last season winning the Ligue 1 side’s first Champions League trophy. (Chronicle NG) Crystal Palace have informed Arsenal they would have to pay at least £35m in advance to sign Eberechi Eze, with the rest of the 27-year-old England attacking midfielder’s £67.5m fee due in instalments. (Guardian) Palace are ready to offer £27.6m to sign Germany centre-back Yann…