Author: Samuel Akpenpuun

The Acting National Chairman, the Peoples Democratic Party, Umar Damagum, stated that the party played a key role in shaping the political career of the 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso. During an interview with BBC Hausa Service on Tuesday, Damagum stated that the PDP was crucial in shaping Kwankwaso into who he is today. He also mentioned that even if the NNPP merges with three other parties, they will not win an election without the PDP. Recall that in an interview with BBC Hausa Service on Monday, Kwankwaso criticized the PDP and its…

The Australian government has issued a stern travel warning, urging its citizens to reconsider the need to take a trip to Nigeria. In a statement obtained on Tuesday, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) cited a volatile security environment marked by terrorism, kidnapping, and the potential outbreak of civil unrest as reasons for the advice. The travel advisory read “Reconsider your need to travel to Nigeria overall due to the volatile security situation and threat of terrorism, kidnapping, violent crime, and the risk of civil unrest. “There’s a high risk of terrorist attacks across Nigeria by various…

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on Tuesday, described the restoration of the Warri Refinery as a significant breakthrough for the nation’s petroleum industry and a New Year gift to Nigerians. Okpebholo also congratulated President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited for the successful restart of the 125,000 barrels per day (bpd) Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Company. These were contained in a statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua. Okpebholo hailed Tinubu for his reform in the sector, which he said has started yielding positive results for the advancement of the economy and called on…

Benue State Governor,  Hyacinth Alia has signed the 2025  budget of N550 billion into law. The governor signed the budget into law late Monday a few hours after the State Assembly passed the budget into law. The budget tagged ‘Human Capital Development, Food Security, and the Digital Economy was estimated at N550,112,988,930.45 . Benue State House of Assembly had earlier on Monday, December 30th, 2024, passed the 2025 appropriation bill into law, during the plenary presided by the Speaker, Hon. Hyacinth Aondona Dajoh. The signing of the bill into law which coincided with the launch of the State’s  10-year Development…

Former Manchester United star Wayne Rooney stepped down as Plymouth manager on Tuesday after just seven months in charge of the Championship strugglers. Rooney leaves with Plymouth rooted to the bottom of the second tier following Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at relegation rivals Oxford. Plymouth sit four points from safety after winning just four times and losing 13 of their 23 league games following Rooney’s appointment in May. Plymouth have been thrashed 6-1 by Norwich and lost 4-0 against both Bristol City and Coventry in recent weeks to heap the pressure on the former England captain. “I would like to take this…

The dance world mourned Tuesday the internationally acclaimed South African dancer and choreographer Dada Masilo, who died in hospital at the weekend aged 39. Masilo died unexpectedly on Sunday after a brief illness, a spokesperson for her family said in a statement. Born in Soweto, she was described as a sprite-like, energetic dancer and a fearless rule-breaker, who brought African dance motifs to classic European roles in a career that spanned two decades. “Deeply respectful of European and contemporary music traditions, but unafraid to go bare on stage and voice her own opinions, she effectively changed the shape and appearance…

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, celebrating his 40th birthday Monday, said he could play another five to seven years in the NBA at a high-caliber level — though he conceded he would probably retire before then. The basketball superstar, speaking after a Lakers practice session, also said he plans to finish out his NBA career with the Lakers, and would not make a comeback after leaving the league — whenever that is. Asked what might be the deciding factor about when to retire, James declared a lack of competitiveness would not be his reason. “It won’t be because I…

South Korean authorities began releasing the bodies of plane crash victims to families Tuesday, as investigators raced to determine why the Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 crash landed and burst into flames. US investigators, including from Boeing, arrived at the crash site in southwestern Muan, officials said, as South Korean authorities began assessing two black boxes retrieved from the burned-out wreckage of the aircraft. The plane was carrying 181 people from Thailand to South Korea when it made a mayday call and belly-landed before crashing into a barrier and bursting into flames. Everyone aboard Jeju Air Flight 2216 was killed, save…

The Senate President and Chairman of the 10th National Assembly, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has called on Nigerians, particularly the people of Akwa Ibom State, to continue supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as he works to address Nigeria’s economic challenges. Speaking at his 2024 Constituency Briefing and Empowerment Programme held at the Ikot Ekpene Township Stadium, Akpabio, who represents Akwa Ibom Northwest Senatorial District, described the country as being on “life support” when President Tinubu assumed office. “Nigeria Was on Life Support” Akpabio recounted a conversation with President Tinubu about the state of the economy inherited from the previous administration: “Nigeria…

Chelsea coach, Enzo Maresca, has stated that his side’s 2-0 defeat to Ipswich Town on Monday was ‘a strange game’, acknowledging that there are some football games that do not go according to plan. Reacting to defeat in a post obtained from the club’s website on Tuesday, the Italian said the Blues created plenty of chances in either half at Portman Road, adding that there was an offside goal for Joao Felix and Cole Palmer hit the post during the opening period, but ultimately it was Ipswich who left with all three points after Liam Delap’s penalty on 12 minutes…