Author: Vincent Osuwo

The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, has advised health authorities to activate heightened alert systems in response to the recently discovered XEC COVID-19 strain, which is fast spreading over the world.  XEC is the latest in a long line of past and present COVID variations being tracked as the COVID-19 virus evolves naturally. This warning comes after the strain, which was first discovered in Australia, has now been confirmed in 29 nations. This was stated in a letter dated December 5 but made available to Chronicle NG on Saturday. It was addressed to the…

President Bola Tinubu has appointed chief executive officers for the National Universities Commission (NUC), the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), the Solid Minerals Development Fund/Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Initiative (SMDF/PAGMI), and the New Partnership for Africa Development (NEPAD). Prof. Abdullahi Yusuf Ribadu, a visiting professor at the NUC, was also appointed by Tinubu as the organisation’s executive secretary. Ribadu is an expert in veterinary reproduction and was a vice chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Yola, and the Sule Lamido University, Jigawa State. Tinubu also announced the appointment of Prof. Salisu Shehu as Executive Secretary of the…

Lionel Messi has been named as Major League Soccer’s Most Valuable Player after leading Inter Miami to a record-breaking regular season campaign. The Argentine was handed the accolade on Friday after his performances helped Miami to a record regular season points tally, earning the club its first-ever Supporters Shield. The 37-year-old finished the regular season with a league-leading 36 goal contributions after netting 20 goals and 16 assists. His MVP award comes despite an injury-hit campaign that saw him make only 19 appearances this year. Inter Miami and Messi’s season came to an end when the team suffered a shock…

Nigerian Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke, popularly called Davido, has emphasised the critical role of effective leadership in propelling Nigeria to greater heights. Speaking in an interview with Elevate Africa published on Thursday via YouTube, the global sensation shared his thoughts on the resilience of Nigerians and the potential for the nation to achieve unprecedented growth if led by the right people. “We can’t go forward without…We need the best leaders now first; that’s the most important thing,” Davido said. ‘Nigeria made Davido,’ singer under fire over ‘economy is in shambles’ remark He stated that, while Nigerians are remarkably adaptable and…

French President Emmanuel Macron has stated that he will choose a new prime minister “in the coming days” after Michel Barnier resigned following a no-confidence vote in parliament.  In a 10-minute address to the nation on Thursday, he rebuffed opposition calls to step down, vowing to remain in office “fully, until the end of the mandate” in 2027. He thanked Barnier for his service as prime minister and accused the French far right and hard left of forming an “anti-republican front” to destabilise the government. On Wednesday, French MPs voted decisively to fire Barnier, just three months after Macron appointed…

A judge has ruled that mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor must pay the legal costs of a woman who accused him of raping her. In a civil case brought by Nikita Hand, a jury found McGregor liable for sexual assault and ordered him to pay nearly €250,000 (£207,000) in damages. He has now been ordered to pay her legal costs in a further hearing on Thursday. James Lawrence, of Rafter’s Road, Drimnagh, in Dublin, who was also accused of rape by Ms. Hand but found not liable, will not be awarded any costs. The judge deemed it a “singular…

A fan of English football club Arsenal was reportedly shot dead by a security officer in Uganda while celebrating the team’s victory over Manchester United. Another fan was hurt when a guard opened fire on a large gathering of happy fans at a restaurant in Lukaya town, central Uganda, around 100 kilometres (62 miles) from the capital Kampala. It occurred near the end of the contest, which Arsenal won 2-0. A local journalist told the BBC that the building’s manager was enraged by the happy supporters’ noise and requested that the guard intervene. However, the fans ignored a caution to…

A gunman in California who shot and injured two children aged six and five at a school before killing himself used a “guise” to gain in.  The children are in critical but stable condition and are being treated at a trauma hospital, officials said Thursday. The attack occurred on Wednesday at a Seventh-Day Adventist Church-affiliated school near Oroville, California, approximately 55 miles (89 km) from Sacramento. Investigators suspect the gunman targeted the school because of its church affiliation and was motivated by the war in Gaza. On Thursday, the sheriff announced the discovery of a note describing the gunman’s motivation.…

Worshippers were forced to evacuate an Australian synagogue after it was set on fire in an “act of hate” denounced by the prime minister.  Firefighters were called to Melbourne’s Adass Israel synagogue soon after 04:00 local time on Friday (17:00 GMT Thursday), and when they arrived, the building was totally in flames. Community leaders told local media that “a few people” were inside for morning prayers and reported seeing firebombs thrown. One person was hurt, and the fire caused significant damage. Police said they believe the fire was deliberately started, but they are keeping an “open mind” about the motivation.…

The Okuama community in Delta State’s Ughelli South Local Government Area has been plunged into grief after the community President General, Pa James Achovwuko Oghoroko, one of the community leaders imprisoned by the Nigerian military since August 2024, was reported to have died in detention.  On Wednesday, Pa Oghoroko died in military custody “following torture and alleged inhumane treatment.” The sad news of Pa Oghoroko’s death was revealed by Okuama leaders at an emergency meeting held on Thursday in the community, where it was also revealed that another Okuama leader in the military detention, “Pa Dennis Okugbaye, is presently battling…