Author: Samuel Akpenpuun

Iran was behind a recent hack targeting Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, US security agencies said Monday, accusing Tehran of seeking to influence the 2024 election. The statement from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) confirmed the Trump campaign claim from earlier this month that it had been targeted, potentially by Iran. “We have observed increasingly aggressive Iranian activity during this election cycle, specifically involving influence operations targeting the American public and cyber operations targeting presidential campaigns,” the security agencies said. “This includes the…

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman as the Executive Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON). Professor Usman is a renowned scholar with qualifications from two Islamic centres of excellence — the University of Madinah and Peshawar University, Pakistan. He is also well-grounded in Hajj operations, having served as the Chairman of Kano State Pilgrims Board, and successfully superintended the operations of the largest quota of state pilgrims in the country. The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Senate. The President expects the new Chairman of NAHCON to discharge his duties…

Governor Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State has approved payment of N70,000 national minimum wage to workers on the state and local government payrolls. The State Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Emmanuel Fashe, revealed in an interview with newsmen shortly after a closed door meeting with Governor Fintiri on Monday. According to him, the state government workers will start receiving their salaries with the new minimum wage from August, 2024 while their counterparts at the local government level will benefit from September. Comrade Fashe explained that the template to be used is the consequential adjustment table that was used…

Abia State Government says it has recorded one incident of Monkeypox in the state. This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, who chaired the state’s executive council meeting on Monday. He noted that there were 13 suspected cases, one of which was positive, nine negative, and three uncertified, with no death recorded yet. He also said the case was in Isialangwa and that the state has opened centres, including Abia State University Teaching Hospital, and that “more centres are coming soon.” Speaking, the Special Adviser on Health, Dr. Ngozi Azodo, explained that there is a synergy…

President Bola Tinubu has departed Abuja for France. The Airbus A330 business jet carrying the President and his key aides took off from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at 4:08 pm. Sources with knowledge of the trip confirmed that the aircraft had landed in Abuja at 8:30 pm on Sunday, following a nearly five-hour flight from EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg in France. “The plane arrived yesterday, and the President will be using it to travel to France today,” said a Presidency official who requested anonymity. On Sunday evening, Tinubu’s spokesperson, Mr. Ajuri Ngelale, issued a statement confirming that the President’s fourth trip…

Thierry Henry has decided to step down from his role as coach of the France under-21 football team after guiding the side to a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, the French Football Federation (FFF) announced Monday. The all-time leading goalscorer for Premier League giants Arsenal took over as coach of the French youth side last summer and was under contract until June 2025 but decided to step away for “personal reasons”, according to the FFF. Earlier in July, former France international Henry oversaw Les Bleuets’ first run to the final of an Olympics men’s tournament since winning gold…

The Ogun State Government has declared Tuesday, August 20, a public holiday to celebrate this year’s Isese Day, in line with the Dapo Abiodun-led administration’s commitment to religious inclusivity. According to a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, the work-free day will allow traditional worshippers across the state to commemorate their special day. The statement added that Ogun State remains an exemplary federating unit with an enviable level of religious cohesion and harmony, even in the face of diversity. It urged traditional worshippers in the state to celebrate in moderation and…

The All Progressives Congress APC in Oyo state has described the passing of its Chairman, Barrister Isaac Omodewu, as a devastating blow and a colossal loss, not only to the party but the entire Nigeria. The Otu-born lawyer, Omodewu, reportedly died in the late hours of Sunday in the United States where he had been receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness since November 2023. In a statement issued today and made available to journalists in Ibadan by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, Oyo APC expressed utmost shock and disbelief over the transition of Omodewu who served in various ministries as…

Switzerland goalkeeper Yann Sommer announced his retirement from international football on Monday after a 12-year career in which he made 94 appearances for the national side. The 35-year-old played all five of Switzerland’s matches at Euro 2024. His last international game was the quarter-final defeat by England on penalties. “My time with the national team has meant a lot to me,” Inter Milan’s Sommer said in a statement released by the Swiss football association. “I look back with pride on the many unforgettable moments, the exciting matches, the victories celebrated together and the challenges we have overcome together.” Sommer has…

The Supreme Court of Nigeria has commenced hearing on electoral disputes that arose in the conduct of the governorship elections in Bayelsa and Kogi States in 2023. At the centre of the disputes are Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State and Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi State who were declared winners of the poll by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, last year. A former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Muritala Ajaka of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) are challenging the declarations made by INEC on the outcome of the elections. However,…