Author: David Great

President Muhammadu Buhari has described the 2022 Christmas as ‘unique’, in his message to Nigerians, noting that, in “whatever circumstances we find ourselves, Christmas is a period we come together to rejoice and set aside our differences”. “I heartily rejoice with our Christian brothers and sisters on the occasion of this year’s Christmas. “Many of us look forward to this festive season as a time to travel, share gifts, spend quality time with family and friends, attend special carols and events, and generally relive the good moments of the year. “In whatever circumstances we find ourselves, Christmas is a period…

Nigeria will restructure a total of N23.7 trillion naira in short-term loans owed to the central bank to 40-year debt at 9% interest, President Muhammadu Buhari said in a letter to parliament seeking approval for the transaction. Nigeria has struggled with low revenues due to crude theft in its oil-producing region. Oil theft cost it more than $2 billion during the first eight months of this year, a Senate investigation found in November. Economists say the Nigerian government is spending more on debt repayments than on education and health, but Buhari has said his government had no choice but to…

The Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arrested one Irabor Kennedy Osasogie for alleged fraud. The 21-years old was arrested recently by the Commission following a petition by one Antje, a German citizen, complaining that the suspect defrauded her of €17,000. The petitioner claimed that she met Osasogie through social media after she was defrauded of €68,000 by one Michael Patrick. EFCC arraigns ex-Union Bank staff, two others for N1.4bn fraud She alleged that Osasogie offered to assist her in recovering the money but further defrauded her of €17,000. Upon arrest, the suspect claimed…

A gunman shot dead three people at a Kurdish cultural centre and nearby Kurdish cafe in central Paris on Friday, prompting scores of protesters to take to nearby streets. French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said the suspected assailant had clearly wanted to target foreigners, but there was no evidence yet that he had picked out Kurds specifically. Multiple gunshots were fired on Rue d’Enghien at about midday, sowing panic on a street lined with small shops and cafes in the French capital’s busy 10th district. All three of the deceased victims were Kurdish, a lawyer for the Kurdish cultural centre…

Fidelity Bank’s market leadership in the trade finance space has been asserted as the leading financial institution that received the Bilateral Trade Ambassador award from the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce (NACC) at its 2022 end-of-year dinner event. Held at the Oriental Hotel, Lekki, Lagos on Tuesday, 20 December 2022, the well-attended dinner featured a keynote address by the guest speaker and Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, His Excellency, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo as well as goodwill messages from several dignitaries from the political and business sectors. Commenting on the award, Managing Director, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mrs. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe said,…

Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate says no matter how long Nigerians protest against the removal of fuel subsidy, he will go ahead and remove it. He also promised to work towards creating better security in the country to allow them an enabling environment to do their businesses. Tinubu was speaking at the business luncheon with business owners titled “Business Forward” on Thursday at the Wings, Victoria Island, Lagos. The APC candidate said since it is the responsibility of government to secure lives and properties of citizens, if elected, his administration would make that its priority, the…

The Federal Government has declared December 26 and 27, 2022 as public holidays to mark Christmas and Boxing Day. It also declared Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, as a holiday to mark the New Year. The announcement was made by Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, in a statement by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, on Thursday in Abuja. The minister felicitated Christians and all Nigerians at home and in the diaspora on the Christmas and New Year celebrations. Aregbesola enjoined Christians to emulate virtues of Jesus Christ in deeds and follow his teachings, especially on faith, hope…

Arsenal are trying to sign 27-year-old France midfielder Adrien Rabiot, who will be out of contract at Juventus in the summer. (Repubblica, via Mail) Rabiot was a key member of the French team that lost to Argentina in the World Cup final in Qatar. Arsenal are yet to decide whether to let Portugal defender Cedric Soares leave in January, with Fulham leading the chase for the 31-year-old who is also attracting interest from Bayer Leverkusen and Villarreal. (Evening Standard) Soares’ weekly wage of around £75,000 is proving a stumbling block in proceedings. (Sun) England midfielder Jude Bellingham’s preference is to join Real Madrid from Borussia Dortmund, despite interest in the 19-year-old from Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United. (AS -…

Bright Okpocha, popularly known as Basketmouth announced split from his wife, Elsie Uzoma Okpocha after 12 years of marriage. The Nigerian comedian and actor announced the split on his Instagram account on Thursday asking that people respect their privacy. “As much as it pains me to bring my personal life to the public space, this is an unavoidable situation,” he said. “After much deliberations, my wife and I have made the difficult decision to end our marriage. “As we move forward separately, we will continue to work together to give our beautiful children all the care, love, guidance, and, support…

Zambia have appointed former Chelsea, West Ham, and, Ghana manager Avram Grant to take charge of their national team. The Israeli agreed a two-year contract, the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) announced on Thursday. “I was looking for the right challenge and that’s why I chose Zambia,” Grant said at a press conference in Lusaka. “I came here because of the challenge and I hope when I leave here I will look around and say we did a good job and made a good foundation for the future. “I think Zambia has the potential, we have set the targets of…