Author: Samuel Akpenpuun

Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho won the Puskas Award on Tuesday, December 17, for his impressive overhead goal. He scored the remarkable goal against Everton in a Premier League match last season, which was also named Premier League Goal of the Season. The award was presented during the Best FIFA Awards, which took place at the Aspire Academy in Doha, Qatar. Despite his remarkable achievement, he and Marcus Rashford were excluded from the from the matchday squad for the Manchester derby last Sunday by coach Ruben Amorim due to concerns over their training performances. After receiving the prize, the player expressed,…

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the promotion of 78 senior police officers, including 21 Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs) to Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs), and 57 Chief Superintendents of Police (CSPs) to ACPs. The promotions were approved during the second Plenary Meeting of the PSC, held on Tuesday, December 17, 2024. The meeting followed the approval on Monday, December 16, 2024, for the promotion of 11 Commissioners of Police to Assistant Inspectors General and 16 Deputy Commissioners to substantive Commissioners. Among the newly promoted Commissioners is former DCP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, who served as the Deputy Commissioner…

The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has criticised the media, stating that they thrive on bad news, emphasising that only negative stories are deemed newsworthy. According to Akpabio, while security agencies prevent numerous criminal activities, these successes are rarely reported, as only bad news makes headlines. Akpabio made these remarks during a debate on an urgent motion regarding the ongoing banditry and killings in Billiri Local Government Area of Gombe State, moved by Senator Anthony Siyako Yaro (PDP, Gombe South). In response to contributions from former Senate Deputy Leader, Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central), Akpabio stated, “When…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has secured the conviction of 18 internet fraudsters in separate court proceedings held in Bauchi and Yola. Justices Aminu Garba and Aisha A. Ibrahim of the Federal High Courts 1 and 2 in Bauchi, and Justice Ahmed Isa of the Adamawa State High Court in Yola, handed down various jail terms to the convicts. The convicts, including Fumi Joshua, Nathan Timothy Aruku, Femi Johnson Adelowo, Chimieze Alajemba, Jeremiah Pam Samuel, Emmanuel Shadrach, Ibrahim Yusuf, Shikaan Martin’s, Mishack Daniel, Jerry Moses, Joseph Yagat Baye, Emmanuel Pontiff, Godiya Simon, Noble Max, Perfect Nuhu, Agbande A. Bature,…

DR Congo on Tuesday filed a criminal case against European subsidiaries of tech giant Apple, accusing them of illegally using “blood minerals” in its supply chain. The Democratic Republic of the Congo alleges that Apple has bought contraband supplies from the country’s conflict-racked east and Rwanda, zones in which the materials are alleged to be mined illegally and then integrated into global supply chains before ending up in tech devices. Apple’s French and Belgian units also deployed deceptive commercial practices to persuade consumers that its supply chains were clean, according to a statement from lawyers representing the DRC. AFP has…

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has reiterated his commitment to using state funds for projects that will benefit the majority of the people rather than yielding to pressures to satisfy a select few. The governor made this assertion on Monday during the State Executive Council Ministerial Briefing and End-of-Year Review themed “Showcasing Achievements: Signposting the Future” at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Uyo. Eno dismissed claims suggesting that he personally possesses vast wealth, clarifying that the funds at his disposal belong to the state and are held in trust for the people of Akwa Ibom. “I would…

The Naira yesterday appreciated to N1,660 per dollar in the parallel market from N1,662 per dollar last weekend. However, the Naira depreciated to N1,550 per dollar in the official foreign exchange market. Data from the Daily Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) published by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, showed that the indicative exchange rate for the naira rose to N1,550 per dollar from N1,540 per dollar last weekend, indicating N10 depreciation for the naira. Data from FMDQ showed that the indicative exchange rate depreciated to N1,545.1 per dollar from N1,533 per dollar last week Friday. Consequently, the margin between…

The Economies of West African States (ECOWAS) has intensified efforts on practical arrangements for the launch of the single currency, ECO for the region following consensus reached in the implementation of the directives issued at its 65th Ordinary Session. This was revealed in a communiqué issued at the end of the 66th ordinary session of the authority of the head of state and government meeting held in Abuja on Sunday. The ECOWAS bloc of 15 countries had previously planned to launch the currency in 2020, but the coronavirus pandemic caused delays. The new launch date is 2027. The Authority said…

Super Eagles and Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman has been named the 2024 CAF African Footballer of the Year. The 27-year-old clinched the prestigious award at a glittering ceremony held at the Palais des Congrès in Marrakech, Morocco, on Monday. The Nigerian star edged out tough competition from Achraf Hakimi (Morocco/PSG), Simon Adingra (Ivory Coast/Brighton), Serhou Guirassy (Guinea/Borussia Dortmund), and Ronwen Williams (South Africa/Mamelodi Sundowns) to claim the prestigious title. Lookman’s victory adds his name to the illustrious list of Nigerian footballers who have won the award, joining legends such as Rashidi Yekini (1993), Emmanuel Amuneke (1994), Nwankwo Kanu (1996 and…

The winners of the Nations League quarter-final between Italy and Germany will host the last four of the tournament from June 4-8, UEFA announced on Monday. Juventus and Torino’s grounds will be used if Italy win the two-legged quarter-final in March, while Munich and Stuttgart will stage the semi-finals and final if Germany progress. The Italian football federation said Juventus’ Allianz Stadium would host both semi-finals and the final, with the third place play-off to be played at Torino’s stadium. Italy take on Germany in the first leg of their tie on March 20 in Milan. The return is scheduled…