Author: David Great

Warns fake news peddlers Jim Obazee, a special investigator appointed by President Bola Tinubu to probe the activities of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has warned those on a smear campaign against him over some imaginary financial impropriety, describing it as ‘outrageous falsehood’. Obazee, a former chief executive officer of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN), through his lawyer, Anayo Mbah, gave the warning in Lagos on Thursday while expressing concerns about how media outfits allow themselves to be used by those behind the campaign of calumny. Following the announcement of Obazee’s appointment, there have been series of…

Chelsea’s hopes of swapping Belgium forward Romelu Lukaku, 30, for Juventus and Serbia striker Dusan Vlahovic, 23, in a player-plus-cash deal, are being hit by the Italian giants’ demand of a £35m fee. (Fabrizio Romano, via Star) Everton have leapfrogged Tottenham and West Ham in the race to sign Manchester United and England defender Harry Maguire, 30. (Football Insider) Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui is considering his position as manager. (Mirror) Chelsea and Manchester City are increasing their efforts to sign Crystal Palace’s French winger Michael Olise amid confusion over a release clause in the 21-year-old’s Eagles deal. (Mirror) Paris St-Germain are closing in on bringing 22-year-old Benfica and Portugal forward Goncalo Ramos to the club. (L’Equipe – in French) Clement…

Chelsea have announced the signing of France international Axel Disasi from Monaco for a fee believed to be around £38.57m. The centre-back signed a six-year deal at Stamford Bridge after making 130 appearances in Ligue 1. Axel Disasi have featured four times for the French national team, and was part of his country’s squad for last year’s World Cup in Qatar. “Axel Disasi has showcased his quality over several seasons in France and that has deservedly led to recognition on the international stage,” Co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley told Chelsea website. “He is ready to take the next…

President Bola Tinubu has replaced a ministerial nominee, Maryam Shetty, choosing two others, including Festus Keyamo and Dr Maigari Mahmud. Festus served as APC campaign Director of Public Affairs in the 2023 election. Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced this when he read out a letter by the President at Friday’s plenary session.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has threatened to embark on a nationwide strike on August 14, 2023, if the Federal Government fails to withdraw a lawsuit filed against organized labor. The NLC reached the decision during its National Executive Council meeting held in Abuja on Thursday, according to a statement signed by the National President, Joe Ajaero, and the National Secretary, Emanuel Ugboaja. They accused the Ministry of Justice and the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) of allowing themselves to be used as “anti-democracy” agents. NLC suspends protest after Tinubu consensus While confirming the union’s suspension of its protest…

Brighton goalkeeper Robert Sanchez is expected to undergo medical at Chelsea have both clubs agreed a deal worth £25m plus add-ons. Sanchez, 25, is expected to challenge Kepa Arrizabalaga for the number one spot. The Blues have been looking to add a goalkeeper to their squad following the sale of Edouard Mendy to Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia. Robert Sanchez will be familiar to the coaching staff at Chelsea as goalkeeping coach Ben Roberts worked with him while at Brighton. The Spaniard has been with the Seagulls since the age of 15, having joined their academy from Levante in 2013. After…

President Bola Tinubu has adjudged the 2023 elections that brought him to power as the most credible ever in the history of Nigeria. The President stated this on Thursday at the National Executive Committee meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC).He said, “Yes, we are facing challenges in court, but I think this is the most credible election in Nigeria. So, we must congratulate ourselves. As a democrat, those who cannot accept the results of a free and fair election do not deserve the joy of victory.”Speaking on the state of the party, which has produced the former governor of…

The Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has sent a delegation to the Niger Republic with a mandate to expeditiously resolve the current political impasse in the country. The action was in tune with the resolution reached at the end of the extraordinary summit of the ECOWAS held last weekend in Abuja. According to a statement by the president’s spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, the delegation, headed by former Nigerian Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (Rtd), left for Niamey on Thursday following a briefing by President Tinubu at the State House in…

A vessel suspected to be carrying stolen crude oil has been intercepted in the Koko area of Delta State by men from Tanita Security Services. The interception took place on Wednesday while the 1117-ton vessel carrying about 8,100 barrels of crude was being escorted by some naval officers. Tanita Security Outfit is a private security company owned by Government Ekpemupolo, popularly called Tompolo, an ex-Niger Delta agitator who recently got a contract from the Federal Government to protect oil pipelines. Operatives of the Tanita Security say the vessel, with the name MT Praisel, was flying a Togolese flag and was…

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has halted the operations of Airport Taxi Services at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja with immediate effect. In a statement released by its director, public affairs and consumer protection, Yakubu-Funtua, FAAN said the decision followed the lingering factional crisis among the car hire operators which the authority stated, had been affecting airport car hire service operations.The statement read: “The FAAN wishes to inform the general public that the airport car hire service at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja has been suspended with immediate effect. “This is as a result of…