Author: David Great

The Amalgamated Arewa Youth Groups on Monday stormed the headquarters of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, to demand the cancellation of a multi-million dollar pipeline contract awarded to former militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo known as Tompolo. The demonstrators, a coalition of 225 youth groups in the North, warned that they would paralyse activities at NNPC headquarters if the contract is not revoked in seven days. The protesters brandished banners with inscriptions, reading: “How can a fugitive be in charge of national assets’, ‘Chief of Defence Staff militarising other zones but romancing Niger Delta militants’, ‘revoke the pipeline contract…

Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau state has called for stiffer action against illegal mining in the north and other parts of Nigeria. Lalong made the call at the Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association in Lagos . In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Dr Makut Macham, on Monday in Jos, he decried that illegal mining had continued to cause economic and security challenges in the nation . He described the impact of illegal mining as similar to oil bunkering and called for urgent steps to address the menace. Lalong expressed concern on the huge loss of solid…

The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) has lauded the National Economic Council (NEC) for endorsing the $750million World Bank-backed State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) programme. This was made known in a statement by Dr Jumoke Oduwole, Special Adviser to the President on Ease of Doing Business and Secretary PEBEC, in Abuja. According to her, the $750million financing amounts to 36 per cent of the two billion dollars government SABER programme (2022 – 2025), which represents the aggregate recurrent expenditure of key ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) at federal and state level across the country. “The SABER programme…

Manchester United are set to complete the signing of Ajax forward Antony, 22, within the next week, after reportedly agreeing personal terms with the Brazil international. (Sun)  United are also planning a bid for Newcastle’s French winger Allan Saint-Maximin, 25. (Media Foot – in French) Chelsea are confident they can seal a deal for 21-year-old Everton attacker Anthony Gordon this week, with talks over the transfer of the England Under-21 international ongoing. (Times – subscription required)  Chelsea are in advanced talks to sign Barcelona forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, 33, for a deal thought to be worth between £15m and £25m. (Sky Sports)  Chelsea have enquired about the availability of Porto’s 23-year-old Brazilian winger Pepe, who is valued at £59.1m. (Record…

Manchester United produced an outstanding display to defeat Liverpool and give manager Erik ten Hag his first Premier League victory at a thunderous Old Trafford. Ten Hag took the bold decision to drop captain Harry Maguire and Cristiano Ronaldo and was rewarded with a performance that lifted the mood of crisis around Manchester United and leave Liverpool still searching for a first win of the season. Full of praise for his team ????#MUFC || #MUNLIV — Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 22, 2022 Jadon Sancho showed superb control and composure to deservedly put United in front after 16 minutes before Marcus…

Casemiro was introduced as a Manchester United player before the club’s home game with rivals Liverpool on Monday after joining from Real Madrid. United will pay up to £70m for the Brazil midfielder, who has signed a four-year deal at Old Trafford. ✍️ It’s official. Welcome to United, @Casemiro ????????#MUFC — Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 22, 2022 Casemiro says he is joining “the biggest team in the world” after bidding an emotional farewell to Real. The 30-year-old becomes one of the top earners at Old Trafford but he says the move is not motivated by money. “If it was about…

seizes over 300 bikes in one week raids criminal hideouts on Cameron Road The Lagos State Taskforce have carried out numerous raids and operations in areas like Oko-Oba, Local Airport Road and Abeokuta Expressway where it had been reported that some commercial motorcycle operators popularly known as okada have been operating despite the ban on their activities in some parts of the Metropolis. Speaking on the recent activities of the agency, the chairman, CSP Shola Jejeloye highlighted that the enforcement of the ban on the activities of okada operations in the restricted areas would be a continuous one due to…

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has been charged by the Football Association for his comments about referee Anthony Taylor following his side’s controversial draw with Tottenham. The German suggested Taylor should not referee Chelsea matches in future. The Chelsea manager had previously received a one-match touchline ban and a £35,000 fine for his confrontation with Spurs boss Antonio Conte at the end of the game. The 48-year-old has until Thursday, 25 August to respond to the charge. A statement by the FA said Tuchel’s comments “questioned the integrity of the match referee”. “It is alleged that the manager’s comments in his…

Casemiro said his impending move to Manchester United is not motivated by money as he bid an emotional farewell to Real Madrid on Monday. The Brazil midfielder, 30, said he is joining “the biggest team in the world” after a nine-year spell with Real. United have agreed to pay up to £70m to sign Casemiro on a four-year deal which would make him one of the top earners at the three-time European champions. “If it was about money I would have left four or five years ago,” he said. “Those people who think that are wrong, they don’t know me…

Kenya’s veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga filed a challenge to the results of this month’s presidential election in the Supreme Court on Monday, his legal team said, sharpening a political clash that has gripped East Africa’s powerhouse. “What we did this morning is to file the online copy,” lawyer Daniel Maanzo told Kenyan television channel. “After today there will be four days for the other parties to reply.” A source at the judiciary confirmed they had received a copy of the file. Last week the election commissioner declared Deputy President William Ruto had won the election by a slim margin,…