Author: David Great

Granit Xhaka has joined Sunderland on a three-year contract, returning to the Premier League two years after he left Arsenal for Bayer Leverkusen, the English club said on Wednesday. The 32-year old Switzerland midfielder spent seven years at Arsenal before joining Leverkusen, where he won the Bundesliga and reached the Europa League final in his debut season. Reports in the English media say that Sunderland signed Xhaka for 17.3 million pounds ($23.14 million). The move to the newly-promoted Premier League club comes a week after Leverkusen manager Erik ten Hag said Xhaka was too important for the club to let…

Amid ongoing strategic political maneuverings ahead of the 2027 general elections, signs are growing stronger that former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, may be on his way back to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. This comes as the PDP, in a major move to rebuild its fractured ranks, has zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to Southern Nigeria—a decision many see as a calculated invitation to Obi. The PDP’s internal reconciliation process, led by former Senate President Bukola Saraki, is intensifying efforts to bring back high-profile members who left the party due to past disagreements. Among them is Obi, who…

The Nigerian public relations community has voiced strong concerns over the recent travel advisory issued by the United States, describing it as a significant blow to the country’s global image and an act that undermines Nigeria’s reputation. This sentiment was echoed at the annual retreat of the Nigeria Reputation Management Group, where stakeholders gathered in Abuja to address persistent negative perceptions of the country. The travel warning from the US government, published on the website of the US Mission in Nigeria, had advised Americans to avoid Nigeria due to security threats ranging from terrorism and kidnapping to crime and insufficient…

English goalkeeper James Trafford has rejoined Manchester City on a five-year contract after helping Burnley earn promotion to the Premier League with the fewest goals conceded in the Championship last season. Trafford, who won the golden glove with 29 clean sheets in the Championship last season, has returned to the club where he spent eight years as a youth player for 27 million pounds ($36 million), English media reports said. “Rejoining City is such special and proud moment both for me and my family. I always dreamed that one day I would be able to come back to Manchester City,”…

The Nigerian Senate has given the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mr. Bayo Ojulari, a three-week deadline to respond to audit queries concerning an unaccounted sum of N210 trillion. The directive was issued on Tuesday by the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, chaired by Senator Ahmed Wadada Aliyu (Nasarawa West), following a meeting with Ojulari. The audit queries, which cover financial statements from 2017 to 2023, were derived from reports by the Auditor-General. Clarifying the Senate’s position, Wadada emphasized that the committee was not suggesting that the funds were stolen or missing but…

The Olakulehin Royal Family has officially announced the burial programme for the late 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, who passed away at the age of 90 on Monday, July 7, 2025, after a brief illness in Ibadan, Oyo State. According to a statement by the monarch’s first son, Olasunmbo Olakulehin, the late traditional ruler will receive a state burial on Friday, August 8, 2025. The event, approved by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, will include a church service and interment at the Cathedral of Saint Peters, Aremo, Ibadan, starting at 10 a.m. Olakulehin said the burial will be…

Former Osun State Governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, has voiced strong criticism of the current Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration, stating that the promises of “Renewed Hope” made during the 2023 campaign have instead translated into “renewed agony” for the Nigerian people. Speaking on a radio programme monitored by Chronicle NG, Oyinlola, a retired Army general who governed Osun State from May 29, 2003, to November 26, 2010, lamented what he described as a deteriorating national condition under Tinubu’s leadership. “When he was campaigning, he promised a Renewed Hope. What we are seeing now is nothing short of bad governance. The economy is…

Portuguese forward Joao Felix has officially signed a two-year contract with Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr, where he will play alongside international teammate Cristiano Ronaldo. The club confirmed the transfer on Tuesday. Felix, 25, was once one of Europe’s most exciting young talents following his record-breaking €127.7 million (£110.5m) move from Benfica to Atletico Madrid in 2019. However, his career has struggled for consistency since then. After underwhelming stints at Barcelona, AC Milan, and most recently Chelsea, Felix has not managed to score more than 10 goals in a season since his breakout years at Benfica. Despite this, the…

Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals has officially withdrawn its legal action against the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), and several oil marketers over the issuance of petroleum import licences. In a notice of discontinuance filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja and signed by the refinery’s counsel, Ogwu Onoja (SAN), the company stated, “Take notice that the plaintiff herein discontinues this suit against the defendants forthwith.” No reason was provided for the decision to terminate the proceedings. Previously, in an originating summons marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1324/2024 dated September 6, 2024, the…

The number of lives lost in the devastating flood that swept across parts of Adamawa State has increased to 25, according to officials of the Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency (ADSEMA). Rescue teams have continued recovery operations amid concerns over missing persons and growing humanitarian needs. Dr. Celine Laori, Executive Secretary of ADSEMA and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, confirmed the updated death toll on Tuesday afternoon in an exclusive interview with PUNCH. “As of now, the death toll has increased from 23 on Monday to 25 on Tuesday afternoon, but the rescue operation is still going on…