Author: Samuel Akpenpuun

Egypt has requested the right to host a set of group-stage matches for the 2034 World Cup which will be held in Saudi Arabia, the African country’s football federation president said on Wednesday. “Saudi Arabia will stand up and organise a historic edition of the World Cup, and we wish our Saudi brothers every success,” Hany Abo Rida said during the 14th CAF extraordinary general assembly in Cairo. “But at the same time we hope that (FIFA president) Mr. (Gianni) Infantino will grant us, as Africans and Egyptians, the honour of hosting and organising one of the World Cup groups…

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday met with members of the Lagos State House of Assembly members, including Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and Deputy Speaker Mojisola Meranda in the State House. The lawmakers arrived in two white buses with Deputy Speaker Meranda while the Speaker Obasa arrived separately some minutes later. This meeting, which is coming after a leadership crisis in the house, held behind closed doors. After the meeting, lawmakers were seen singing joyfully “On your mandate we shall stand”— and hailing the president as he walked off to his office. READ ALSO: Group Alleges Plot To Invalidate Obasa’s Impeachment As…

The immediate-past governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, says heaven will not fall if the Martins Amaewhule-led House of Assembly impeaches his successor Siminalayi Fubara. At a media parley in Abuja on Wednesday, Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), said there is nothing wrong if the lawmakers decide to sack Fubara for alleged impeachable offences including withholding their salaries for months. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) powerbroker said, “If you have committed an offence to be impeached, what’s wrong? Is it a criminal offence? It’s provided in the constitution. Am I a member of the Assembly? “If…

Oando PLC has won a partnership to operate the Pointe-à-Pierre Refinery in Trinidad and Tobago, the Caribbean. The refinery, a key energy asset in the region, has operated for over a century and plays a central role in Trinidad and Tobago’s oil industry. With a processing capacity of 175,000 barrels per day and a Nelson Complexity Index of 8.0, it is well-equipped to refine regional crude oils and supply domestic and regional markets with petroleum products. The deal highlights Oando’s growing presence on the global energy stage and reinforces Africa’s expanding influence in international markets. The company’s involvement in the…

South African Patrice Motsepe has been re-elected unopposed as the President of Confederation of African Football (CAF). This means he would serve a second four-year term as CAF boss. He secured a second term during CAF’s extraordinary general assembly held in Cairo on Wednesday, with FIFA president Gianni Infantino in attendance. Motsepe was elected by acclamation in Morocco four years ago, succeeding Malagasy Ahmad Ahmad, who had been suspended by FIFA over financial misconduct. CAF secretary general Veron Mosengo-Omba is among those who have credited Motsepe with improving the finances and governance of the organisation. “Patrice was a gift for…

Nine surveyors abducted last week in Ilu-Abo, a community in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State about a week ago have been released after the payment of ₦20 million ransom. The surveyors were abducted while working on site when the abductors swopped on them. Subsequently, the abductors demanded ₦100 million ransom before the victims could be released. It was gathered that market women pleaded with the kidnappers to reduce the ransom to ₦50m but they initially rejected the offer. A High Chief in the Akure kingdom, Oluwole Omotayo, confirmed their release in a telephone conversation with our Correspondent…

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has criticised Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara for writing a letter to the state House of Assembly. The letter, which sought a meeting with lawmakers about the Supreme Court’s decision on the state’s political situation, was dismissed by Wike as “useless.” Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, Wike expressed his disapproval of Fubara’s approach. He emphasised that Speaker Martins Amaewhule and the lawmakers are not under Fubara’s control and should be treated with respect. Wike argued that instead of writing a public letter, Fubara should have directly contacted Amaewhule and…

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, was on Wednesday denied access to the official quarters of the state House of Assembly along Aba Road, Port Harcourt, where lawmakers loyal to his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, have been holding their sittings. Fubara, who arrived at the complex in the company of top government officials, including the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, and his Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie, met a locked gate, effectively preventing his entry. Speaking to journalists at the scene, the governor accused Speaker Martin Amaewhule of deliberately avoiding him, stating that several calls placed to the lawmaker…

The Federal Road Safety Corps on Wednesday detailed how its rescue operatives swiftly collaborated with the Fire Service and other emergency responders to contain a burning gas truck at the Otedola Bridge on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Tuesday. The FRSC, in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Olusegun Ogungbemide, noted that their prompt action prevented further destruction and potential fatalities. The crash, which occurred during peak traffic hours, involved 11 male adults, with five individuals injured and two fatalities reported. The incident, which caused a massive traffic jam, was believed to have been triggered by a mechanical failure in one…

The Nigeria Police Force has abolished regulations that previously mandated the dismissal of unmarried female officers who became pregnant while in service. The Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Aishatu Baju, who is the most senior female officer in the Force, confirmed this development on Wednesday during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief. Baju explained that all discriminatory sections of the Police Act, including Section 127, which was used to justify the dismissal of pregnant unmarried officers, had been expunged in line with ongoing police reforms. She said, “That section, along with any other part of the Police Act that…