Author: Samuel Akpenpuun

Argentina shrugged off the injury absence of Lionel Messi to maintain their perfect start at the Copa America on Saturday with a 2-0 victory over Peru in Miami. Lautaro Martinez scored twice at the Hard Rock Stadium to seal a win that ensured Argentina advance to the quarter-finals as Group A winners. With Messi sidelined after complaining of a sore right hamstring, and coach Lionel Scaloni serving a one-game suspension, Argentina made nine changes to their starting XI at the Hard Rock Stadium. But despite the makeshift-looking line-up, Argentina were always in control against a disappointing Peru side who managed…

No fewer than 30 persons died, with over 100 injured when suicide bombers attacked wedding and funeral ceremonies in Borno state. The First Class Emir of Gwoza Local Government Area in Borno state, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Mohammed Shehu Timta, on Saturday, confirmed that multiple suicide attacks were carried out at various locations, including a wedding reception and a burial ceremony in Gwoza town. The coordinated incidents, which took place in the afternoon, caused pandemonium as people scamper for safety. Reliable sources said: “More than 30 innocent civilians were killed, while over 100 sustained various degrees of injuries. “Many of…

The Federal Government has debunked claims that it is running four budgets in a fiscal year. This was stated in a post on X by Senior Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Media and Publicity, Mr. Temitope Ajayi. The media aide responded to a thread of tweets by former Anambra Governor, Peter Obi, allegingthe government was running four budgets concurrently. Ajayi wrote: “Yesterday, @BudgITng raised a false alarm on the basis of rumours that FG is planning a 2024 supplementary budget. It is important to state that the FG is not planning to run 4 budgets within a fiscal year…

Switzerland dumped reigning champions Italy out of Euro 2024 with a stunning 2-0 victory on Saturday to reach the quarter-finals for the second time in their history. Murat Yakin’s supremely well-drilled side outplayed the flat two-time winners in the last 16 clash in Berlin and will face England or Slovakia in the next round. Ruben Vargas teed up Remo Freuler for Switzerland’s 37th minute opener before curling home superbly himself right at the start of the second half to deservedly double their lead. A new-look Italy, short on star power and without many of the key figures that led them…

Police in Lagos State have arrested a 25-year-old man, Toibu Hassan, for alleged possession of a pistol. Police spokesperson in the state, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the arrest in a post he shared on his X handle @benHundeyin on Saturday. He said that the suspect was arrested on Saturday at the Agege area of the state. “Today, at 6: 00 a.m., under the Agege Pen-Cinema bridge, Toibu Hassan, aged 25, was arrested by officers from Elere Division. “When searched, one locally made pistol and one expended cartridge were recovered, ” the spokesperson said. According to the image maker, investigation is…

Patience Jonathan, the wife of former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has said since leaving the presidential villa, she has become younger. She added that she would never return to the villa as the stress was too much. Patience Jonathan said these while delivering a speech on ‘Public relations, value reorientation, and economic transformation’. The former first lady was speaking, on Thursday, at a colloquium organised to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, NIPR. Patience said: “The stress of Nigeria is too much. If you call (on) me now for the villa, I won’t go there.…

Brazil’s Vinicius Jr scored twice in a 4-1 victory over Paraguay in a Group D clash at the Copa America on Friday in Nevada, marking a significant turnaround from his underwhelming performance in Brazil’s 0-0 draw against Costa Rica in their opening match. With this win, Brazil now sits in second place in Group D with four points, trailing Colombia, who have already secured a quarter-final spot with six points from two matches. Costa Rica is third with one point, while Paraguay, without any points after two defeats, has been eliminated from the tournament in the group stage for only…

The Federal Government (FG) yesterday, disclosed that investors have mobilised $50 million in the past six months to support infrastructure development for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) adoption in the transportation sector. Additionally, the government said it is also offering a 50 percent discount on conversion kits, priced between N1.2 million and N1.5 million to encourage transporters to switch to CNG, which can save up to 77 percent in energy costs. Speaking at a stakeholders meeting on the benefits of adoption of CNG as a sustainable and economical energy alternative for transporters, the Programme Director, Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas…

Lionel Messi will miss Argentina’s final Copa America group game against Peru after complaining of muscle tightness, team officials said on Friday. Assistant coach Walter Samuel told a press conference that the Inter Miami superstar was “day-by-day” following an injury to his right adductor muscle. “Leo had a problem in the last game, he won’t be there for this game,” Samuel said. “We are going to go day-by-day waiting for its evolution.” Samuel, meanwhile, played down the impact of Messi’s absence on the rest of the team. “The team has always proven to be up to the task before when…

Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has rejected the suggestion by governors that they should be allowed to determine the wages of their workers, saying among others, that it is not only dictatorial but against the concept of the minimum wage. NLC, in a statement, warned the state governors against further inflammatory statements concerning the minimum wage to avoid provoking industrial unrest. In the statement by Mr Benson Upah, NLC’s Head of Information and Public Affairs, Labour contended that it may no longer be able to withstand the pressure for industrial action should the minimum wage issue continue to be prolonged. NLC…