Author: Vincent Osuwo

Senator Ned Nwoko has questioned the Federal Government’s strategy to alleviate economic hardship by delivering cash handouts and palliatives to Nigeria’s poor and vulnerable citizens.  Nwoko stated that the Federal Government’s existing method of distributing palliatives was not only incorrect but also insufficient to address the country’s current economic crisis. The federal legislator revealed this in an open letter to President Bola Tinubu on Friday. Nwoko referred to charitable handouts and palliative distribution as a “temporary bandage on a deep and festering wound,” claiming that while they provide temporary respite, they do not address the core reasons of poverty and…

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has appointed Augustine Eguavoen, a former player and Technical Director of the Super Eagles, as head coach for the team’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda.  This decision follows the unexpected withdrawal of German coach Bruno Labbadia from the role. LabBadia was previously named as the successor to Finidi George earlier this week. The NFF revealed late Friday via a statement on X that these tax concerns were the main obstacle to finalising the agreement. NFF President Ibrahim Gusau explained, “We have been on the tax issue for the…

X, previously Twitter, has been banned in Brazil after failing to satisfy a Supreme Court judge’s deadline for naming a new legal agent in the country.  Alexandre Judge Moraes ordered the social media platform’s “immediate and complete suspension” unless it complies with all court decisions and pays outstanding fines. The controversy began in April, when a judge ordered the suspension of dozens of X accounts for allegedly spreading misinformation. Elon Musk, X’s owner, responded to the judgement by saying, “Free speech is the bedrock of democracy, and an unelected pseudo-judge in Brazil is destroying it for political purposes.” According to…

In a shocking twist in the 2024 summer transfer saga, Victor Osimhen’s highly anticipated move to Chelsea has fallen through.  The deal fell through with only two hours left before the transfer window closed, after the Nigerian forward and the Premier League club were unable to reach an agreement. Osimhen’s chances of transferring to Saudi Arabia have also faded. Al Ahli, a prospective contender for the Nigerian striker, opted to sign Brentford’s Ivan Toney on deadline day instead. The loss of the Chelsea transaction is exacerbated by a serious breakdown in Osimhen’s relationship with Napoli. According to Romano, if no…

No fewer than 1,425 international students, including Nigerians, who gained admission to universities in the United Kingdom (UK), were denied entry at the country’s airports between 2021 and 2023. A total of 161 Nigerians were affected, as they were deported upon arrival at airports around Britain. According to data obtained exclusively from the UK Home Office under the Freedom of Information Act, India topped the list of affected international students with 644, accounting for 45 percent of the total, followed by Nigeria with 11.3%. Ghana is third on the list with 92 (6.46 percent), while Bangladesh is fourth with 90…

Premier League giant Manchester United have signed midfielder Manuel Ugarte from Paris St-Germain for a fee that could reach £50.5m. The 23-year-old Uruguayan has agreed to a five-year contract with the option to extend it for a further 12 months. He joins for an initial cost of £42.1 million, with the option for an extra £8.4 million. Ugarte becomes the club’s sixth signing of the summer transfer window, bringing their total outlay to a little over £190 million. He made 37 appearances in all competitions for PSG last season, after coming from Sporting Lisbon for a reported £50.5 million, and…

The Police have resummoned the Nigeria Labour Congress, President Joe Ajaero, and General Secretary Emma Ugboaja to appear at the Force Headquarters on September 5, 2024.  The new summons comes less than 24 hours after Ajaero met with the police to discuss alleged criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime charges. According to an invitation letter dated August 28, 2024, issued by the Commissioner of Police, Operations, Ibitoye Alajide, on behalf of the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Intelligence Department, FID, Abuja, entitled “Investigation activities,a Invitation letter,”  this time the NLC President and General Secretary are to…

The Nigeria Police Force’s Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, has decried the practice of “arrest by proxy,” calling it immoral and wicked.  Arrest by proxy refers to a circumstance in which one person is arrested on behalf of another, typically without the detained person having any involvement in the claimed crime. Adejobi responded to a question concerning the legality of arrest by proxy on Friday, saying, “arrest by proxy is unprofessional, illegal, and unacceptable. Re-echoe it. “You can’t arrest the mother in place of her son for an offence she knows nothing about. Except if the mother has been…

Seven people have been confirmed missing following a flooding disaster in two local governments in Niger State on Friday morning.  Flooding caused by torrential rainfall in Sabon Pegi, Mashegu LG, and Nassarawa, Magama LG, lasted from 2 a.m. to 12 p.m., destroying over 89 houses and three vehicles and hundreds of hectares of agriculture. Abdullahi Baba-Arab, the Director General of the State Emergency Management Agency, confirmed the tragedy on Friday and said search and rescue activities were still on to locate the victims. The agency’s spokesman, Hussaine Ibrahim, the Director General, stated that seven persons had already been declared missing.…

A Federal High Court in Abuja issued an order on Friday freezing 13 bank accounts linked to Henry Okocha, a suspected terrorist.  Justice Peter Lifu granted the order in response to an ex parte application brought by the Department of State Services, represented by attorney Yunus Umar. The ex parte application, FHC/ABJ/CS/1036/2024, was filed under Sections 5 and 81 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022. In an 8-paragraph statement supporting the ex-parte motion, the DSS informed the court that the defendant had received considerable sums of money in the accounts, amounting to millions of naira, which were suspected…