Author: Samuel Akpenpuun

Steve Cooper has been appointed as the new manager of Leicester City on a three-year deal. In his first job since being sacked by Nottingham Forest in December 2023, Cooper takes over from Enzo Maresca at the King Power Stadium – after the Italian moved to Chelsea. Cooper was reportedly on a shortlist for the job alongside former Brighton and Chelsea boss Graham Potter and West Brom head coach Carlos Corberan. With Cooper prevailing as the first choice, the club said: “Leicester City Football Club can today confirm the appointment of Steve Cooper as our new first team manager ahead…

Luis de la Fuente said on Wednesday he was struck by the similarities between his Spain team and Italy as the pair aim to secure qualification for the knockout stage of Euro 2024. La Roja and champions Italy have undergone a change in playing personnel over the last year, and have young blood throughout their squads. Spain are more direct than under previous coach Luis Enrique while Luciano Spalletti is attempting get Italy to play a high-intensity attacking style with which he won the Serie A title for Napoli. “They’re very similar to us, they have changed coach and they…

The presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar has visited former military rulers, Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar in Minna, the Niger state capital. Atiku released photos of the visit in a post via his X handle on Wednesday. The former Vice-President said he visited the former military heads of state at their residences to pay them a “Salah homage.” He stated, “Today, I paid Sallah homage to former Heads of State Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (rtd) and Gen. Abdusalami at their residences in Minna, Niger State. -AA.”

The Police yesterday retained control of the 23 local government secretariats in Rivers State. It was to prevent a further escalation of violence that broke out on Tuesday over the tenure of chairmen and councillors. The caretaker chairmen appointed and inaugurated by Governor Siminalaiyi Fubara and protesting council helmsmen insisting on tenure extension were denied access to the offices. The death toll from Tuesday’s violence rose to three yesterday with the reported death of an ex-student leader during the mayhem. The dead are Police Inspector David Mgbads, vigilante member, Samuel Nwigwe, and Endwell Ejindu, a former student union leader. Police…

Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde has approved the appointment of Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin as the 43rd Olubadan of lbadanland. The Governor gave the approval in a memo dated June 14, 2024, in exercise of the powers conferred on him by Section 19 (Cap 28) Law of Oyo State 2000 as amended. According to a statement by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Olusegun Olayiwola, the approval is a culmination of a series of processes stipulated by the extant laws of the state regarding ascension to royal thrones. The statement added that the Governor congratulated the new Olubadan, praying…

Albania left Croatia in danger of a group-stage exit from Euro 2024 after a thrilling 2-2 draw on Wednesday as Albania’s Klaus Gjasula scored at both ends, including a dramatic injury-time equaliser. After a disappointing 3-0 loss to Spain in their opener, Croatia were behind again when Qazim Laci gave Albania an early lead in Hamburg. But Croatia improved after making two half-time substitutions and Andrej Kramaric levelled with 16 minutes remaining, before Gjasula put through his own net. The Albania midfielder became the last-gasp hero, though, slotting into the bottom corner in the fifth minute of injury time to…

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has extended the deadline for the sale of forms for its 2024 congresses from June 17 to June 28. National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Debo Ologunagba, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday. Ologunagba said that the extension was approved by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) pursuant to its power under the party’s constitution. Ologunagba added that the deadline for the submission of completed states’ executives forms had also been extended from June 21 to July 5. He advised all party leaders, stakeholders and members to note the extension…

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that UN sanctions on the North Korean regime should be “reviewed” as he visited Pyongyang and signed a strategic agreement with leader Kim Jong Un. “I am noting that the indefinite restrictive regime inspired by the US and its allies at the UN Security Council towards the DPRK should be reviewed,” Putin said. Putin stated this in Pyongyang, where he and Kim Jong Un have signed a new agreement. He alled for the “indefinite restrictive regime inspired by the US and its allies at the UN Security Council” towards North Korea to be…

The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a landmark initiative to send its first citizen into space. This pioneering effort was disclosed by Dr Mathew Adepoju, Director General of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), during a press conference held in Abuja. Dr Adepoju revealed that Nigeria has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Space Exploration and Research Agency (SERA) to facilitate this ambitious project. He emphasised that this collaboration signifies a major milestone in Nigeria’s 25th anniversary of space exploration, positioning the nation among countries actively engaged in human spaceflight. “This initiative opens up…

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed a fresh application the detained Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP, Abba Kyari, who is facing drug trafficking charge, filed to be released on bail, pending the conclusion of his trial. The court, in a ruling that was delivered by Justice Emeka Nwite, on Wednesday, held that the application lacked merit, stressing that the suspended DCP failed to establish any exceptional circumstance that would warrant the exercise of judicial discretion in his favour. Speed Painting, like medicine, leaves no room for error — Dr. Ojeabuo, A Speed Painter0:00 / 1:07 Justice Nwite…