Author: Samuel Akpenpuun

French superstar Kylian Mbappe’s “ups and downs” are to be expected because of Real Madrid’s demanding season and the nature of players of his quality, said coach Carlo Ancelotti on Saturday. The striker performed poorly against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League and previous La Liga match against Real Betis, just days after scoring a hat-trick against Manchester City. Mbappe struggled in his first few months at Madrid after joining last summer from Paris Saint-Germain before bursting into form, but his last couple of appearances have caused concern among fans. “What we saw is that against Atletico he did not…

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Friday named a new finance minister to help steer Latin America’s second-largest economy through challenges including the threat of sweeping US tariffs. Edgar Amador, previously a deputy finance minister, will replace Rogelio Ramirez de la O, whom Sheinbaum appointed as her economic advisor for international affairs. Ramirez de la O, who was named to the post in June 2021, has been given “a very special task” given the importance of Mexico’s relations with the United States, Sheinbaum said in a video posted on social media. The change comes as Mexico seeks to calm investor concerns…

The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation has informed all federal workers of ongoing salary deductions following salary overpayments in December 2024 due to a system error. In a Friday statement signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Bawa Mokwa, the OAGF explained that overpayments are currently being recovered through deductions from affected workers’ salaries. The OAGF said there were no shortfalls in salaries paid to federal workers in January and February 2025, adding that the amounts received during this period reflected normal salaries after the exhaustion of various arrears paid in the last quarter of…

The Edo State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of two suspects for kidnapping. A statement by The Command’s spokesman, CSP Moses Yamu, confirmed the development. According to him, the arrest of the suspected kidnappers is a testament to the effectiveness of the strategies deployed by CP Betty Isokpan in combating crime in the state. While assuring residents of improved safety, he appreciated them for cooperating with the police, and soliciting more useful information. The statement read “On 05/02/2025 at about 0945hrs, upon receipt of credible information that suspected kidnappers were sighted somewhere at Ugonoba village in Uhunmwode LGA. “The…

The Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Resources Authority (NMDPRA) has issued refining licenses to three companies to build new refineries in Abia, Delta, and Edo States. According to an X post by the NMDPRA on its official page, the proposed refineries that have been issued licenses are a 100,000 bpd refining license to Eghudu Refinery Ltd in Edo state, MB Refinery and Petrochemicals Company Ltd license to establish a 30,000 bpd refinery in Delta State, and a 10,000 bpd refinery issued to HIS Refining and Petrochemical Company Ltd. in Abia. Upon completion, the three proposed refineries will have a combined…

South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol was released from detention Saturday, AFP reporters saw, walking out of the detention centre smiling before bowing deeply in front of waiting supporters. His supporters cheered as the suspended president walked past, an AFP reporter saw, before getting into a convoy of vehicles. “I bow my head in gratitude to the people of this nation,” Yoon said in a statement released through his lawyers. AFP

The Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) has explained that there were no shortfalls in salaries paid to federal workers in January and February 2025. The OAGF said the salaries that workers received in January and February 2025 were their normal salaries after the various arrears that were paid from October to December 2024 were exhausted. The OAGF said it was imperative to make clarifications on the purported shortfall in January and February 2025 salaries in order to ease any anxiety in the minds of workers. According to the OAGF, “Various salary arrears were paid in the last…

Two teachers at Ibru College, Agbarha-Otor in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State have been suspended for fighting in the school and ordered to clean the staff toilet for one month. The school’s disciplinary committee in its report found both guilty of fighting within the school premises. The report condemned the fight as a violation of professional ethics and imposed a series of penalties on the teachers involved, Mr. Agofure R. and Mr. Etuh G. In addition, both teachers have been recommended for transfer to other public schools, a move aimed at maintaining discipline at the secondary school.…

The federal government has issued a stern warning to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), urging its officials not to compromise national security by issuing e-visas to terrorists, persons of interest, or any other criminals. This is even as it emphasised that the NIS must prioritise the nation’s security if it truly has the country’s best interests at heart. The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, while officially opening a two-week intensive training session on electronic visa applications for selected 162 NIS officers, underscored the critical role of visas not only as a tool for migration but as an essential element…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Professor Attahiru Muhammadu Jega, former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC), as adviser and coordinator of the Presidential Livestock Reform. President Tinubu announced the appointment Friday, hoping to drive meaningful progress in the livestock sector and further strengthen national development efforts. Jega, former vice chancellor of Bayero University, co-chaired the Presidential Livestock Committee with President Tinubu. The committee delivered comprehensive recommendations that underscored sustainable livestock reforms. One recommendation was the creation of the Livestock Ministry, which now has a minister. Jega, 68, is a member of the International Elections Advisory Council and the…