Author: Opalim Lifted

Nigeria is withdrawing civil claims totalling $1.1 billion against energy producer Eni SpA, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday. The West African country’s justice ministry will waive the claims before Italy’s highest court “unconditionally” and “with immediate effect” no later than Nov. 17, the report said citing a letter seen by Bloomberg. Chronicle NG reported that Eni SPA sold its Nigerian onshore subsidiary to local company Oando to divest onshore assets in the West African country. The Italian group agreed to keep offshore activities in Nigeria with the deal on its Nigerian unit, Agip Oil Company Ltd. (NAOC). Bayelsa community shut…

No fewer than 340 husbands reported incidents of their wives beating them in the last ten months, the Lagos State Government reveals. The report on domestic violence incidences was compiled between September 2022 and July 2023. Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, Executive Secretary of the Lagos Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), said this while delivering the agency’s quarterly reports. Furthermore, Vivour-Adeniyi disclosed that the agency has seen an increase in the reporting of domestic violence by males since last year. She expressed concerns over the rising cases, saying the agency “is currently handling the cases to find an amicable resolution.” Taskforce…

The Lagos State Taskforce has again continued its mop-up exercise of impounding bikes in pursuit of safety and serenity in the metropolis. Chronicle NG reports that Okada operations have been banned in Lagos metropolis as defaulters risk being jailed. Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, Lagos State Taskforce Director, Press and Public Affairs, said in a statement on Thursday. The statement said, “In continuation of the Lagos State Taskforce’s bid to rid the state of the menace of Okada, the agency has raided major routes along Festac, Apple Junction, Badagry Expressway and Berger axis where recalcitrant Okada operators have attempted reinitiating operations despite the…

Hyundai Motor unveiled its first high-performance electric vehicle (EV), an N-Sport variant of its IONIQ 5 crossover SUV. The South Korean automaker stated that more electrified N models will follow the IONIQ 5 N, which will be available at its dealers in March 2024. The N brand is the company’s high-performance brand, akin to AMG for the Mercedes and the M lineup for the BMW. Dual motors producing 641 horsepower will power the IONIQ’s N variant, nearly doubling the output of the most potent version of the current standard model. Hyundai unveiled the performance EV in Los Angeles on Wednesday,…

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, apologized on Wednesday to the organised labour over the attack on President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, in Owerri, Imo State capital, on November 1. Ajaero, who stormed Owerri to lead a protest, was severely beaten and detained for hours. Consequently, the labour gave the government an ultimatum to meet some demands, including arresting those behind the attack on Ajaero and threatening to begin a nationwide strike if the demands were not met. The Federal Government had gone to court to restrain labour, but the strike commenced on Monday, paralysing…

UEFA unveiled the official ball for Euro 2024 on Wednesday with its colourful pattern designed to reflect the energy of the event and with built-in technology to assist in VAR decisions. Tournament director Philipp Lahm, along with others including Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, led the reveal of the Adidas-made “Fussballliebe” (love of football) on the Maifeld, next to Berlin’s Olympic stadium, where the final will be played on July 14. The tournament will start on June 14 and will be held across ten cities in Germany. UEFA said the design, featuring black wing shapes with colourful edges, curves and dots,…

The Chairman of the Board of Directors and Advisory Board at the Africa Private Sector Summit, Professor Kingsley Moghalu, has said that when fully implemented, the African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA, would bring 30 million Africans, including Nigerians, out of poverty by 2035. Moghalu disclosed this while speaking yesterday at the AfCFTA Joint Private Sector Session during the 2023 Afreximbank Intra-African Trade Fair in Cairo, Egypt. “As of August 2023, 47 out of 54 African countries have ratified the treaty. When fully implemented, the AfCFTA will boost intra-African trade by 52%, lift 30 million people out of poverty, and…

Referees body (PGMOL) chief Howard Webb said there was no conclusive evidence available for the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) to disallow Anthony Gordon’s goal for Newcastle United against Arsenal earlier this month. Gordon’s goal at St. James’ Park on Nov. 4 was allowed to stand following a lengthy VAR review to check if the ball went out of play, whether there was a foul in the build-up, and for offside. Arteta gave a scathing assessment of the match officials after the 1-0 defeat ended their unbeaten run in the league, with Arsenal backing the Spaniard’s stance. “We know the ball…

Video assistant referees (VAR) have been asked to be more proactive in challenging officials following a series of controversial decisions. This includes Wolves’ Hwang Hee-chan being incorrectly penalized for a foul on Newcastle’s Fabian Schar during their 2-2 draw. Premier League refereeing chief Howard Webb said VAR should have intervened. “We are asking VARs to have a look, and if they don’t like the decision, ask the referee what they saw,” said Webb. With the game at 1-1 in first-half stoppage time, on-field referee Anthony Taylor awarded a spot-kick when Hwang challenged Schar for the ball in the Wolves area,…

Senator representing Edo North District, Adams Oshiomhole, said on Tuesday that the striking labour unions are not prioritizing the interests of Nigerian workers. As he said, the rationale for the commencement of Tuesday’s nationwide strike is misplaced, arguing that organized labour is better off mobilizing states to monitor the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding it signed with the Federal Government on October 2, 2023. “I will publicly support an action against any government that thinks that we should lament our hunger. Unfortunately, this strike is not about those issues. We have to be careful not to mix our political…