Author: Samuel Akpenpuun

Russian forces said Tuesday they had captured another village in their offensive in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region. The defence ministry said Russia had “liberated” the village of Pivdenne, on the outskirts of Toretsk, a larger town which Russian forces have advanced towards in recent months. Before Russia launched its full-scale military offensive in 2022, the village had a population of around 1,400, according to Ukrainian government estimates. Moscow has claimed to have taken a string of villages in the Donetsk region in recent weeks — many consisting of just a few streets. Russia claimed to have annexed the Donetsk region…

The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen has appealed to the planners of the nationwide protests, especially the Nigerian youth, to shelve their actions in the interest of the country and its citizens. A statement signed by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Speaker, House of Representatives, Musa Krishi, said Abbas, who noted the frustrations and reservations of the Nigerian youth, said President Bola Tinubu’s administration is not relenting in its efforts to bring succour to Nigerians. The speaker also said the House of Representatives has taken measures to continuously engage the youth…

Chelsea want £30million for Lukaku, with the Blues aiming to sell permanently following loan stints at Inter Milan and Roma. Napoli hope a deal to send coveted Nigeria hitman Osimhen to Stamford Bridge could whittle down the fee on Lukaku. Paris St Germain were in pole position to sign free-scoring frontman Osimhen, but talks over a fee have stalled with Napoli. The Italians are now thought to be mindful of the difficulties of securing a permanent transfer on Osimhen’s release clause, understood to be in excess of £100m. The hitches with PSG have left Napoli reassessing their options, and the…

A former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Uche Secondus, has voiced his support for the planned #EndBadGovernance protest in Nigeria, while also challenging President Bola Tinubu’s stance on the matter. Secondus, in a statement released on Tuesday by his media aide, Ike Abonyi, reminded the President of his history with protests, stating, “President Tinubu while in opposition was a notable arrowhead leading protests against the government.” He questioned why the President should now take a different position on civic action. Secondus emphasised the importance of peaceful protests in addressing Nigeria’s current challenges. “The state of anomie where we…

Nollywood, actress Destiny Etiko has expressed displeasure over the excitement displayed by fans of Big brother Naija (BBN) desspite economic challenges Nigerians are facing. The ninth season of the annual reality show started on July 28, featuring 28 housemates who appeared in duos. The ace actress, in a post on her Instagram page on Monday, wondered why people can be happy about a TV show when Nigerians struggle to survive. She lamented that people were hungry, adding that attention should be focused more on the country’s problems. She wrote: “E don red for our country and I still dey see…

The Olympic men’s triathlon was postponed just hours before it was due to get under way on Tuesday after last-ditch water quality tests in the River Seine revealed unhealthy pollution levels, organisers said. In a blow to Olympic officials who have repeatedly vowed that the Seine would be safe for athletes to swim in, organisers said the men’s event would be delayed by 24 hours and take place immediately after the women’s race on Wednesday. A joint statement from Paris 2024 and World Triathlon blamed the excessive pollution on the heavy rain that deluged the French capital on Friday and…

Labour Party, LP, governorship candidate in the September 21, poll in Edo State, Mr. Olumide Akpata, has expressed support for the August 1, 2024, protest, but asked the protesters to be peaceful in articulating their grievances. He also called on the security agencies to be restraint and professional in managing the protests. Akpata in a statement, yesterday, said: “The recent surge of discussions across news outlets and social media platforms regarding planned protests by citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria set to commence on August 1, 2024, has drawn significant attention. “These protests, aimed at addressing perceived inadequacies in…

Yoruba Nation agitator, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has kicked against the nationwide protests planned for August 1 over the hardship in the country. Igboho in a statement issued late last night, said: “I, Chief Sunday Igboho, am issuing this press release in response to the planned protests by some unknown and faceless individuals, who are working to disintegrate the country. ‘’Since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s assumed office on May 29, 2023, he has implemented revolutionary policies, which his predecessors lacked the political will to pursue. ‘’These bold steps have, unsurprisingly, unsettled those who believe it is…

Gunmen have ambushed and killed four policemen in the Irete community along Onitsha Road in Owerri, the Imo State capital. According to sources, the gunmen attacked the policemen who were on stop-and-search duty in the area. A Point of Sale (PoS) operator was also reportedly killed in the ambush by daredevil gunmen. Police spokesman in the state Henry Okoye confirmed the unfortunate incident. He said four policemen were killed and not six. The attack is the latest in the spate of attacks against security agents by non-state actors in Imo State and the South-East geopolitical zone which has experienced scores…

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has called on the government and the organisers and supporters of the planned hardship demonstration to call off the protest and embrace dialogue to turn around the plight of the Nigerian people for good. The NBA also called on members of the National and State Houses of Assembly to immediately engage with their constituents based on the plans of government at the federal and subnational levels to address the demands of the people. In a letter dated July 29th and signed by its President, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Yakubu Maikyau, the NBA further recommended that…