Author: Samuel Akpenpuun

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has flagged off the construction of the 4.7km Utteh Palace Road in Benin, fulfilling a campaign promise to the residents of the area. The flag-off ceremony, held on Monday evening, marked the commencement of a key infrastructure project located in Edo South Senatorial District. Okpebholo reaffirmed his commitment to the “Renewed Hope” agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, vowing to prioritize road construction and other sectors across the state. The governor emphasised that the road, once completed, would link Ikpoba-Okha and Uhunmwonde Local Government Areas, improving accessibility and boosting economic activities in the region.…

Norwegian energy giant, Equinor has announced the decision to end its almost 31-year business partnership with Nigeria, after finalising the sale of its oil assets. A statement by the company on Monday said the sale of its assets was completed on December 6, 2024. “With this exit, we realise the value and execute on our strategy to focus the international portfolio, and in combination with recent acquisitions and investments in our competitive projects, we seek to sustain long-term production and profitability,” says Philippe Mathieu, executive vice president for international exploration and production in Equinor. The value of the transaction amounted…

South Korean authorities banned more top officials from leaving the country Tuesday, Yonhap reported, in the wake of President Yoon Suk Yeol’s bungled attempt to impose martial law. A day after Yoon himself was hit with a travel ban, his party was forging a “resignation roadmap” that reportedly could see him step down in February or March before fresh elections. Yoon suspended civilian rule a week ago and sent special forces and helicopters to parliament, before lawmakers forced him to rescind the decree in a country assumed to be a stable democracy. Investigators are probing the president and a cabal…

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said star forward Vinicius Junior will be back from injury quicker than expected to face Atalanta in the Champions League on Tuesday. The Brazilian winger suffered a hamstring injury in November which was expected to keep him out until the Intercontinental Cup final on December 18. However Vinicius was able to train on Friday and Ancelotti said he would return next week, missing Saturday’s La Liga visit to face Girona. “Vini has recovered from his injury very well, he will not be ready for tomorrow but he will be for the next Champions League game,”…

Jose Mourinho has delivered a sharp retort to Pep Guardiola after the Manchester City manager highlighted his superior Premier League title count, claiming his own trophies were won “fairly and cleanly.” The exchange began after Guardiola raised six fingers to Liverpool fans following City’s 2-0 loss at Anfield last weekend, referencing the six Premier League titles he has won compared to Mourinho’s three. The gesture evoked memories of Mourinho’s infamous three-finger salute to Chelsea and Tottenham fans during his final days as Manchester United manager in 2018. When asked if he could suffer the same fate of being sacked like…

Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State on Friday presented the 2025 budget to the state House of Assembly. The governor made the budget presentation on Friday at the Main State Assembly Hall, Dutse, the state capital. The budget focuses on key areas such as agricultural development, infrastructure development and economic empowerment. In his remark, while presenting the budget, the governor outlined the administration’s fiscal strategies, priorities, and resource allocations for the coming year. The governor emphasised his government’s commitment to industrialisation, citing its potential to bring employment, income generation, improved internally generated revenue, development, and prosperity. He said, “The state…

The Police Service Commission has approved the dismissal of 19 senior police officers, which comprised ten assistant superintendents, six deputy superintendents, two chief superintendents, and one superintendent. The commission also approved the reduction in the ranks of 19 other senior police officers, one assistant commissioner of police, one chief superintendent, two superintendents, two deputy superintendents, and 13 assistant superintendents. Two Assistant Inspectors General of Police also received some punishments: one, a punishment of reprimand for refusal to carry out lawful instructions, and the other, a letter of warning for negligence. The PSC’s spokesperson, Ikechukwu Ani, who disclosed this in a…

The National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC) will introduce a ranking system for senior secondary schools nationwide, based on the minimum benchmark standards for such schools. According to the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Iyela Ajayi, the ranking will help monitor schools’ compliance with the standards set by the federal government. It will also assist parents and guardians in making informed decisions about the schools they choose for their children and wards. “Just like the National Universities Commission releases ranking for universities, we at NSSEC will also release our ranking for senior secondary schools in the country from next…

There is confusion in Kano as security operatives take over Kano Emir’s palace. According to unconfirmed reports, it was gathered that Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II was supposed to address some economists on the issue of the tax reforms bills. Police vehicles have blocked entrance into the palace as of the time of filing this report.

Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Ola Olukoyede yesterday admonished youths to unite and take the lead in the fight against corruption. Olukoyede made the call in Abuja on Wednesday while addressing stakeholders at a Town Hall Meeting in preparation for the commemoration of the 2024 International Anti-Corruption Day. The 2024 International Anti-Corruption Day will be held on Monday. It has “Uniting the Youths Against Corruption” as its theme. He decried the adverse impact of corruption on the prospects of young people and the urgent need for collective action. According to him, corruption limits the opportunities for…