Author: David Great

No candidates have yet declared their intention to run Doubts Johnson can reach the target of 100 lawmaker nominations Sunak is the bookmakers’ favourite Winner would be fifth British PM in six years Boris Johnson and his former finance minister Rishi Sunak were leading potential contenders to replace British Prime Minister Liz Truss on Friday, with candidates canvassing support to become Conservative Party leader in a fast-tracked contest. Truss quit on Thursday after six weeks in power. Those who want to replace her must secure 100 votes from Conservative lawmakers by Monday to run in a contest which the party…

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has said there “has to be consequences” after confirming Cristiano Ronaldo refused to come on as a substitute against Tottenham on Wednesday. Ronaldo, 37, left Old Trafford before full-time after leaving the bench and walking down the tunnel in the 89th minute of United’s 2-0 win. He has been dropped for Saturday’s game at Chelsea and is training alone. Asked directly whether Ronaldo refused to come on, Ten Hag said: “Yes.” He added that after the Portugal international did the same at half-time of the friendly against Rayo Vallecano in pre-season, he felt he…

Kogi state finally joined the league of oil-producing states in Nigeria and has received its first derivation allocation from the Federation Account. Mr. Kingsley Fanwo, Information Commissioner, disclosed this shortly after the State Executive Council Meeting at Government House, Kogi. Fanwo said that Governor Yahaya Bello, who dropped the cheering news during the meeting, assured residents of his administration’s determination to continue to record more wins for the state. “It’s on record that this administration has recorded many giant strides in various sectors covering the thematic areas of our governor’s New Direction Blueprint. “This new breakthrough in the “derivation allocation…

Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC), says it has begun aggressive metering under the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) and National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP) Scheme to bridge the metering gap within its operational network. Godwin Idemudia, general manager, media communications, EKEDC, told NAN in Lagos on Friday. Idemudia said that the scheme had enabled the company to have higher metered population than post-paid. He said the company had ensured that distribution transformers were metered, to allow a robust calculation for customers on estimated billing, pending metering of all customers. According to him, NMMP is currently suspended as Phase 1 is yet…

In a move to explore how to provide further financial succor for States regarding repayment of the Federal Government’s Budget Support Facility, the National Economic Council (NEC) has decided to review the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) plan to commence deductions from State governments’ share of the monthly federal allocations. At a meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the Council resolved to set up a committee with representatives of the Federal Government and the States to review the matter. According to the Vice President, “bearing in mind all of the financial difficulties, we take the position to review…

AC Milan are also keen on Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech, 29, and are hoping to secure a six-month loan deal for the Morocco winger starting in January.  (Calciomercato – in Italian) Chelsea are ready to allow Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku, 29, to remain on loan at Inter Milan next season before writing off millions of pounds by selling him. (Gazzetta dello Sport, via Mirror) Crystal Palace are considering a January move for Blackburn and Chile forward Ben Brereton Diaz, 23. (Sun) Alternatively, Sevilla are leading Everton, Leeds and Fulham in the race to sign Brereton Diaz in January. (Football Insider) Arsenal could try to sign French left-sided centre-back Evan Ndicka, 23, from Eintracht Frankfurt in January. (Standard) AC Milan are interested…

Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo will not be in their squad for Saturday’s Premier League game at Chelsea, the club said in a statement on Thursday. Ronaldo, an unused substitute in Wednesday’s 2-0 home win over Tottenham Hotspur, walked down the tunnel with a few minutes of the match remaining after being left on the bench again by manager Erik ten Hag. Ten Hag said after the game that he would deal with the matter on Thursday, adding that his focus was on the team. “Cristiano Ronaldo will not be part of the Manchester United squad for this Saturday’s Premier…

President Muhammadu Buhari will lead governors, national working committee members, and, other leaders of the All Progressives Congress to the inauguration of the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) of the party on Friday afternoon at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja. At the event which signals the formal launch of the party’s campaign season, the presidential candidate of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and his running mate Senator Kashim Shettima will unveil their Action Plan for the transformation of the country. The 80-page document, containing a multi-sectoral policy options, is tagged “Renewed Hope 2023 – Action Plan for a Better…

Clashes between herdsmen and farmers in the Nigerian state of Benue left at least 23 people dead, a local official said on Thursday, the latest deadly incident fuelled by growing pressure on land resources in Africa’s most populous country. Violence between farmers and pastoralists has become increasingly common in recent years as population growth leads to an expansion of the area dedicated to farming, leaving less land available for open grazing by nomads’ herds of cattle. Kertyo Tyounbur, chairman of the Ukum local government area of Benue where the violence took place, gave a death toll of 23. Local resident…

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) on Thursday launched its Digital Certificate platform in Lagos. The Head, National Office (HNO), Mr. Patrick Areghan, in his welcome address at the unveiling of the platform, said that the development was to meet up with the constant demands of a changing world. According to him, with the advent of technology, there is the need to integrate technology with students’ lifestyles. The HNO said WAEC’s new digital platform was developed in conjunction with one of the world‘s foremost security technology providers. He said it was being implemented to streamline the issuance and verification of…