Author: Samuel Akpenpuun

The Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Prof. Saleh Usman, has announced an extension of the deadline for registration for the 2025 Hajj to February 10, 2025. The decision, according to a statement signed by NAHCON’s Assistant Director of Information and Publication, Fatima Usara, followed appeals on behalf of intending pilgrims who were unable to complete their registration before the earlier given January 31, 2025 deadline. While announcing the extension during a Zoom meeting between NAHCON and key Hajj stakeholders on Tuesday night, the chairman urged Executive Secretaries of State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards to cooperate with the Commission…

The Premier League is actively addressing the challenges posed by Video Assistant Referee errors, having recorded 13 mistakes in the first 23 match rounds of the current season—a notable decrease from 20 errors at the same point last term. These errors comprise four incorrect VAR interventions and nine missed interventions, as identified by the Key Match Incidents panel, BBC reports late Tuesday. In response, the league has unveiled a six-point plan aimed at enhancing the accuracy, speed, and transparency of VAR decisions. A central component of this initiative is the potential introduction of semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) before the season…

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has unveiled the 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, forecasting early rainfall in many southern states. The minister made this announcement on Tuesday in Abuja during the official presentation of the 2025 SCP. The document predicts that most parts of the country will experience significant rainfall at the beginning of 2025, with some rains likely arriving before the expected onset. Keyamo said, “The onset of rain is predicted to be delayed over the northern and central states, including Plateau, as well as parts of Kaduna, Niger, Benue, Nasarawa,…

The case of a British nurse sentenced to life imprisonment for killing seven newborn babies is being reviewed as medical experts Tuesday argued there was no evidence to support her conviction for murder. Lucy Letby is serving 15 whole-life sentences for the deaths of babies at neo-natal units in the northwest of England, where she worked between 2015 and 2016. Letby was convicted of murdering seven newborn babies and attempting to kill seven others at the Countess of Chester Hospital neo-natal unit, making her Britain’s most prolific child serial killer in modern UK history. But her defence team on Tuesday…

Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has congratulated his son, Seni, on his victory at the 67th Grammy Awards. Seni earned his first Grammy for his contribution to the Bob Marley: One Love soundtrack, which won Best Reggae Album. In a post on X, Saraki expressed his joy at seeing his son’s passion recognised on a global stage, adding that he is “super proud” of him. “Congratulations, Seni, on winning your first Grammy last night for your work on the Bob Marley: One Love soundtrack, which took home the award for Best Reggae Album!” he wrote. “Seeing you pour your heart…

Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has declared himself the best-ever player in the game, rating himself above bitter rival Lionel Messi; Argentina’s Diego Maradona; and the legendary Pele of Brazil.  Debates over who will be regarded as the Greatest of all Time (GOAT) in football have been raging over the years, pitting mostly Ronaldo and Messi. Both have won 13 Ballon d’Ors – five for the Portuguese and eight for the Argentine football wizard. Before now, Ronaldo and Messi have been compared with Pele – who won three World Cups – and Maradona who scooped the 1986 edition of the competition.…

Napoli announced on Monday the signing of AC Milan attacker Noah Okafor following the departure of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia last month. Switzerland’s Okafor arrives at the Serie A leaders on loan until the end of the season, with an option to buy. Georgia’s Kvaratskhelia left Napoli in January for Paris Saint-Germain in a deal worth a reported 70 million euros ($72 million). “Welcome Noah,” Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis said on X. De Laurentiis had attempted to sign Borussia Dortmund’s Karim Adeyemi and Fenerbahce’s Allan Saint-Maximim before turning his attention to Okafor. The 24-year-old has scored just one goal in 11…

The Naira weakened against the dollar at the official market on Monday, closing at N1,495.60 per dollar, according to data from the FMDQ Security Exchange. This marks a depreciation of N20.82, representing a 1.4% decline from the previous trading day on Friday, January 31, when the currency closed at N1,474.78 per dollar. The decline highlights continued volatility in the foreign exchange market as demand for the dollar remains high.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to pay N1.12bn in compensation to the family of one Mike Madu, killed by an INEC driver in Imo State. Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a judgment on Friday, ordered INEC to pay the N1.12bn with 10 per cent interest per annum from the date of judgment until the final or full payment is made. In addition, the judge ordered  INEC, its Chairman, Prof. Yakubu Mahmood, and other defendants to send a letter of condolence to the late Madu’s family. “An order is hereby made for the defendants…

South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, who has been arrested and suspended from duties over his declaration of martial law, was in court again Tuesday for hearings to decide whether to remove him from office officially. Yoon, a former prosecutor, plunged democratic South Korea into political turmoil when he declared martial law on December 3, suspending civilian rule and sending soldiers to parliament. His attempt to impose martial law only lasted around six hours as the opposition-led parliament defied armed troops to vote it down and later impeached him over the move. As part of a separate criminal probe,…