Author: Opalim Lifted

Saudia Airlines will commence direct flights between Abuja and Jeddah in December, according to Festus Keyamo, Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development. Keyamo announced the development in a post on X after attending Saudi Arabia’s 96th National Day celebration in Abuja. The minister said Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Nigeria, Yousef Bin Mohammed Al-Balawi, announced the planned route during his speech at the event. “During his speech, the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Nigeria, His Excellency, Yousef Bin Mohammed Al-Balawi announced the start of direct flights from Abuja to Jeddah in December by SAUDIA AIRLINES, something we have all worked…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Halimat Adenike Tejuosho, the South-West zonal coordinator of the women’s wing of the City Boy Movement, over an alleged case of obtaining money by false pretence. EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale confirmed the arrest on Saturday, saying Tejuosho was taken into custody on September 8. “She is in our custody,” Oyewale said. The arrest comes months after the anti-graft agency declared Tejuosho wanted over an ongoing investigation into alleged fraud. In April, the EFCC said Tejuosho, 41, was wanted in connection with an alleged case of obtaining money by false pretence. The…

President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerians to give his administration more time, saying his government is correcting mistakes and missed opportunities inherited from past administrations. Tinubu spoke on Friday through House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas at a special prayer session at the National Mosque in Abuja to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary. The President said peace and development were gradually returning to the country, urging Nigerians not to lose hope. Tinubu: Nigeria on the right path According to Abbas, who delivered Tinubu’s message at the event, the country had reached a level of maturity after 66 years of independence…

Chelsea have been charged by the Football Association (FA) over alleged discriminatory behaviour by supporters during their Premier League victory at Fulham. The charge relates to the ninth minute of Chelsea’s 3-2 win at Craven Cottage on 24 August. Chelsea contacted supporters after the match, acknowledging that it had received “multiple reports of sectarian chanting from a small portion” of its fans. The club said it does not condone discriminatory chanting and warned that supporters found guilty would face “the strongest possible action”. FA charges Chelsea An FA spokesperson said Chelsea had been charged with breaching FA Rule E21. “Chelsea…

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has urged football fans and the public to study the independent commission’s report before drawing conclusions over Manchester City’s (Man City) reported verdict in the Premier League’s long-running financial case. Burnham, speaking to ITV Granada, said the dispute between City and the Premier League had been a “quite a contested process” and should not be reduced to simple conclusions. “I would have to look at the report of the independent commission, and people shouldn’t jump to those kinds of conclusions,” Burnham said. “I know this has been a long process between the club and the Premier…

Former Manchester City midfielder Rodri has backed the club’s position over its financial charges, saying he will continue to believe in its innocence unless it is proven otherwise. City have been found guilty of breaching the majority of the 115 financial rules brought against them by the Premier League. The club is expected to appeal the findings. Speaking at a news conference ahead of Spain’s UEFA Nations League meeting with England at Wembley, Rodri said City’s players trusted the club’s repeated assurances that it had done nothing wrong. “They always express the confidence that they never did something wrong and…

The Premier League and three of Europe’s leading domestic leagues have called for “fundamental” reforms to the way FIFA is governed, accusing president Gianni Infantino of promoting what they describe as “exploitative ideas”. The English top flight joined Spain’s La Liga, Germany’s Bundesliga and Italy’s Serie A in demanding changes to make world football’s governing body more “transparent, objective, proportionate and inclusive”. In a joint statement, the four leagues said they were speaking out because FIFA’s “relentless expansionism” affects football stakeholders worldwide. They also argued that global growth in football cannot be sustained if the sport’s governing structures are weakened.…

Manchester City have reportedly been found guilty of 114 of the 115 Premier League financial regulation charges brought against the club, according to The Athletic and The Times. The reported verdict, which emerged on Friday, has not yet resulted in any sanction, while City are expected to appeal the findings. The Premier League has declined to comment, saying the process is confidential. The independent commission’s decision marks a major development in a case that has overshadowed English football for years. Manchester City were referred to an independent commission by the Premier League in February 2023 over alleged financial breaches dating…

Morocco led the list of heavyweight contenders who got their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaigns off to a winning start, with Algeria and Nigeria also victorious on Friday, while Senegal were held to a draw in Mozambique. Patrick Vieira’s debut as Senegal coach ended in a frustrating 1-1 stalemate away in Maputo as Geny Catamo thrashed home a long-range equaliser for the home side after Nicolas Jackson had put Senegal into a 32nd-minute lead in Group J. There was also a surprise home draw for Egypt, who have a record seven African titles, but were held 0-0 by Angola…

Nigeria is targeting September 2028 to end price regulation in the domestic gas market as the country moves towards a fully established willing-buyer, willing-seller framework. Rabiu Umar, chief executive officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), disclosed this on Thursday at a gas market maturity workshop organised under the Decade of Gas initiative at the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) in Abuja. Umar said the transition would take place within 24 months, subject to the market meeting defined maturity conditions. “The journey we are starting should lead us to a place where we should target a…