Author: David Great

Congo captain Chancel Mbemba was subjected to a torrent of racist abuse on social media after leading his team to a 1-1 draw against Morocco at the Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday. Mbemba’s Instagram account was targeted by many users who replied to his latest posts with monkey or gorilla emojis, or wrote racist comments. The 29-year-old Mbemba, who is Black plays for top-tier French club Marseille. Mbemba had a heated exchange with Morocco coach Walid Regragui after the match. It led to a melee between players and officials from both teams that continued as they left the field and went…

Joseph Boakai will be sworn in as Liberia’s president on Monday (today) following his election victory over former football star, George Weah, with the challenge of tackling poverty and corruption. The 79-year-old narrowly beat former Ballon d’Or winner Weah in November’s run-off poll with 50.64 per cent of the votes to 49.36 per cent. Weah conceded defeat in November 2023. He will be sworn in for a six-year term during a ceremony in parliament in the capital Monrovia from 10:00 am (1000 GMT) in the presence of several foreign leaders and diplomatic delegations. Boakai has 40 years of political experience already behind…

The Lagos State Government has imposed an absolute ban on the use and distribution of Styrofoam, sometimes known as takeaway packs, and other single-use plastics throughout the state, effective immediately. In a statement that he personally signed on Sunday, Tokunbo Wahab, the State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, made the announcement. According to Wahab, the decision was made in response to the environmental damage caused by single-use plastics, particularly non-biodegradable Styrofoam. Wahab stated that most drainage channels in the state are daily clogged up by Styrofoam and other plastics through its indiscriminate distribution and usage despite the regular cleaning…

By Toni Kan Nonye Ayeni, incumbent Chief Executive Officer at the Nigerian Export Promotions Council (NEPC) was upbeat on Thursday, January 18, 2024, as she reeled out figures and statistics at her first major press briefing since taking over the reins at the Council. “Since I assumed office on the 16th of October 2023, the performance of the non-oil export sector has shown clearly that the sector offers massive potentials for growth and is pivotal for economic development and diversification.” For years, Nigeria has paid lip service to diversifying the economy away from the mono-cultural reliance on oil as our…

The air component of the special joint military task force “Operation Whirl Punch’’ neutralised a notorious terrorist and kidnapper, “Janari”, and several members of his syndicate on Saturday. Spokesman of the Nigerian Air Force, AVM Edward Gabkwet, stated in Abuja on Sunday that Janari and his cohorts had been responsible for attacks and abductions within Kaduna State and along the Abuja-Kaduna Highway. He stated that the airstrikes were authorised and executed after Janari and his gang were sighted at a location near Gadar Katako in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Gabkwet added that reconnaissance trips showed that the…

The Police Command in Lagos State says its operatives have arrested three suspected cultists in the Ishashi area of the state. The command’s spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday. The Commissioner of Police in Lagos, Mr Adegoke Fayoade, had promised to rid the state of criminals. Hundeyin said that the three suspects were arrested on Saturday at about 6:30 am by the police. Report anyone seen with ammunition ‘groundnuts’, Police urge Nigerians “The police got information that some boys were seen in military uniform disturbing the peace of the Oke-Odan community in…

Unilever Nigeria says it has halted manufacture and sales of home care and skin cleaning products, Sunlight, Omo and Lux, 10 months after announcing plans to depart both markets. The company stated this in its unaudited interim financial results for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023, which were published on Wednesday by the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX). Unilever Nigeria said on March 17, 2023, that it would halt production of its homecare and skin-cleansing products, including Omo, Sunlight, and Lux. Unilever Nigeria stated in its financial report that production and sales “ceased in December 2023”. Unilever added that the…

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and 20 concerned Nigerians have filed a lawsuit against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas “for unilaterally and arbitrarily increasing the allocation for lawmakers from N197bn to N344bn, their highest since the return of democracy in 1999.” Mr Akpabio and Mr Abbas are sued for themselves and on behalf of all members of the National Assembly. The lawmakers had last month raised their allocation from N197bn proposed by President Bola Tinubu for them in the budget to N344bn. The lawmakers will in total draw N514bn from…

Newcastle United have rejected an approach from Bayern Munich for 33-year-old defender Kieran Trippier. (Sky Sports) Trippier is keen to join Bayern this January if they can agree a deal with the Magpies. (Times – subscription required) Newcastle have also rejected a loan enquiry for England striker Callum Wilson from Atletico Madrid but could sell the 31-year-old if a permanent offer is made. (Mail) Manchester City are ready to reward Belgian midfielder Kevin de Bruyne with a contract extension, with the 33-year-old attracting interest from the Saudi Pro League. (Mirror) Former Chelsea and Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho is in talks with Saudi club Al-Shabab about taking over as their manager following his sacking by Roma. (Sportitalia -…

Sierra Leone’s ex-president Ernest Bai Koroma left the West African country by plane and flew to Nigeria on Friday, two Reuters reporters said, after a court allowed him to travel abroad on medical grounds despite treason charges. On Jan. 3, 70-year-old Koroma was charged with four offences for his alleged role in a failed military attempt to topple the government in November, but a high court on Wednesday ruled he could leave the country. The decision came amid concerns his indictment could stoke domestic tensions linked to the 2023 election, which saw President Julius Maada Bio reelected for a second…