Author: David Great

Enner Valencia scored his third goal of the World Cup before being taken off on a stretcher as Ecuador drew with the Netherlands to leave Group A wide open. PSV Eindhoven forward Cody Gakpo had given the Netherlands the lead after just five minutes and four seconds – the quickest goal so far in Qatar – when he struck a shot beautifully into the top of the net. But the Dutch struggled to build on their lead, with Ecuador’s Pervis Estupinan having a goal disallowed on the stroke of half-time. Ecuador fans were bouncing with excitement throughout the second half…

Five days after the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu demanded that ThisDay apologise to him, he announced that he will shun the Arise TV town hall meeting. ThisDay newspaper and Arise Television are both owned by Nduka Obaigbena, who Tinubu also demanded an apology from. Announcing his decision to shun the town hall meeting, Tinubu said he was not contacted before he was listed for the town hall, describing the advertisement as professionally wrong and reckless. In a press statement by Bayo Onanuga, the director of media and publicity for the APC presidential campaign council they urged Arise…

By Bright Okuta Ninety days to the 2023 presidential election, the political drama is only just unfolding. Supporters and even position holders of political parties are decamping in exodus. Kinsmen writing diatribes the size of a Korean dictionary. Character assassination and defamation here and there. Overgrown babies throwing tantrums with ad hominem attacks on social media. Structureless parties spreading wings to far ends. Campaign council spokespersons ridiculing their principals with disgraceful antics. Comical displays in campaign rallies and the many goofs and gaffes by candidates. And of course, the dishonesty of INEC. All these are ineluctable in a grotty democracy like Nigeria’s. A…

A Lagos Federal High Court on Friday convicted and sentenced a freight forwarder, Omoniyi Ajibola Isaac, to a five year-imprisonment, for unlawful export of 27.250 kilograms of cannabis sativa, also called marijuana. Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa, who presided over the court, handed the 37-year-old the jail terms after he pleaded guilty to a count charge made against him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). The convicted freight forwarder, who is a father of three, according to the prosecutor, Mr. Augustine Nwagu, was arrested with marijuana on January 11, 2022, during the examination and clearance of a cargo for export…

Chinese-Canadian pop star Kris Wu has been jailed for 13 years after being found guilty of sex crimes. A court in Beijing convicted the 32-year-old singer and actor of raping three women and assembling a crowd to engage in an orgy. He was arrested last year after being accused of date-rape by a student, before 24 more victims spoke out. The court said he would be deported – although deportations in China usually take place after sentences are served. Beijing’s Chaoyang district court said on Friday that Kris Wu would serve 11 years and six months for raping three women…

The Federal Government says Nigeria requires $410 billion to achieve its energy transition plan by 2060 to address challenges and policy flexibility in the sector. Mr. Timipre Sylva, the Minister of state for Petroleum Resources, said this at the 7th meeting of National Council on Hydrocarbons in Minna, Niger State. NAN reports that the theme of the meeting was: “Roadmap and Strategic Option Towards Achieving Energy Transition in Nigeria”. Sylva, who was represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Gabriel Aduda, said that Nigeria was committed to achieving carbon neutrality. “This will end energy poverty as it will lift 100 million…

Host nation Qatar are perilously close to crashing out of the World Cup after they slumped to a 3-1 defeat by Senegal at the Al Thumama Stadium on Friday, despite Mohammed Muntari netting a first-ever World Cup finals goal for the Qataris. A win or a draw for Netherlands against Ecuador, who beat Qatar in the tournament’s opening game, later on Friday will see the Qataris become the first side mathematically eliminated from the tournament. The Senegal fans brought colour and noise with rhythmic drumming throughout, while the home supporters turned out in maroon shirts, with many of the men…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday approved the publication and release of the guidelines for political campaigns as well as election expenses of political parties, candidates and aspirants. In a statement issued by INEC’s Festus Okoye, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee in Abuja, he said the political parties have obligations too. Okoye said that INEC met on Thursday and deliberated on several issues including the publication and release of the guidelines as well as deliberated on the appointment of a secretary to INEC. “The commission approved the publication and release of the guidelines for…

Wales’ first World Cup for 64 years looks set to end at the first hurdle after a heartbreaking – but deserved – last-ditch defeat by Iran in Qatar. Substitute Rouzbeh Cheshmi struck from 20 yards deep into stoppage time, before Ramin Rezaeian finished off a counter-attack to seal victory for a revitalised Iran side, who have renewed hope of reaching the knockout stages for the first time in their history. As they did in their opening draw with the United States, Wales started poorly and had the video assistant referee (VAR) to thank for disallowing a goal from Iran’s Ali…

Nigerian gospel singer and music producer, Sammie Okposo, has died aged 51. The cause of his death cannot be ascertained as of the time of this report but Leadership Newspaper said his passing was disclosed by a  source close to the Okposo family. Okposo reportedly slumped and died on Friday morning but there is no official confirmation. The international Nigerian gospel artist and psalmist is also the CEO of Zamar Entertainment. He released his first album Addicted in 2004. Sammie Okposo apologises for infidelity, suspends ministry activities Born 30 May 1971, Okposo has collaborated with many other artists in the…