Author: Amina Mohammed

The number of Nigerians denied Schengen visa applications has reached its highest point in four years, following the implementation of stricter visa policies and increased scrutiny by the European Union. According to data from SchengenVisaInfo.eu, an independent Europe-based platform for Schengen visa-related information, Nigerian visa rejections rose by 9.97% in 2023, totaling 42,940 rejections compared to 39,189 in 2022. The financial impact of these rejections has also grown, with the cost of denied visas escalating to €3.44 million in 2023 from €3.14 million the previous year. Schengen.News attributes this increase to the more stringent visa policies and checks adopted by…

Italian giants Juventus on Wednesday named Thiago Motta as their new coach, replacing Massimiliano Allegri who was sacked last month. “It’s official, the next Juventus coach will be Thiago Motta. The Italian-Brazilian has signed with Juventus until June 30, 2027,” the club said in a statement. Motta, 41, was previously in charge at Serie A rivals Bologna. “I am really very happy to start a new experience at the helm of a big club like Juventus,” said Motta who, according to the Italian press, will earn an annual salary of 3.5 million euros ($3.8 million). Motta made his coaching name…

Fans at Euro 2024 will be given more detailed information on video assisted refereeing decisions than before, organisers UEFA said Wednesday. The head of UEFA’s refereeing committee Roberto Rosetti said screens at stadiums across Germany will provide “technical explanations” of VAR calls in order to improve spectator understanding. One of various criticisms of VAR technology since its widespread introduction has been the difficulty match-going fans have in understanding why certain decisions are made. “After the video assistance, the technical explanation of the decision will be shown on the giant screens in the stadiums,” explained Rosetti at a press briefing at…

Organised Labour has denied claims that it reached an agreement with the federal government on minumum wage. President Tinubu has said in his Democracy Day speech that an executive bill with an agreed minimum wage would soon be taken to the National Assembly for formalisation. However, Prince Adewale Adeyanju, the acting vice president of the Nigeria Labour Congress, stated in a statement on Wednesday, June 12, that at the time negotiations finished on Friday, June 7, the Tripartite Committee on the National Minimum Wage had not reached an agreement. The statement reads: “The NLC would have expected that the advisers…

Organised Labour has demanded thorough investigation into the transactions and activities that caused the collapse of Heritage Bank PLC. Under the aegis of the Association of Senior Staff of Banks Insurance and Financial Institutions, ASSBIFI, Labour also called on the regulatory agencies to invoke appropriate actions to recover debts while applying sanctions and penalties against any Institutions or persons found guilty. In a statement by its President, Olusoji Oluwole, ASSBIFI blamed the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and other regulatory agencies for the failure and liquidation of the Heritage Bank PLC, and called for clear and practical steps to settle…

The largest painting portrait in the world has been presented to President Bola Tinubu at the 25th Democracy Day celebration at the Eagles Square, Abuja. The portrait had a painting of President Tinubu adorned in cultural attire and beads. Opeyemi Alaba, the innovator of the painting, described it as a message of hope for Nigerians and Africa. He said that the painting was created by 37 different painters representing the 36 states and FCT.

Award-winning Afrobeat artist Burna Boy visited the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital and reportedly paid the medical bills for all patients in one of the hospital wards. A video showed Burna Boy exiting the hospital, surrounded by happy fans and nurses. The news received widespread admiration and praise on social media, with many hailing Burna Boy as a true leader and a champion of goodwill. The scene depicted fans, including some nurses on duty, surrounding the singer with jubilation and gratitude.

On Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu experienced a stumble as he tried to step onto the parade vehicle during the Democracy Day festivities at Eagle Square in Abuja. Video clips of the incident quickly spread across social media, sparking concern among viewers. The President’s misstep occurred just after his arrival at the venue for the June 12 celebrations. While attempting to get on the vehicle, he briefly lost his balance. Fortunately, his aides promptly came to his assistance, and President Tinubu was able to continue participating in the ongoing ceremony without further issue. This incident took place amidst a series of…

Euro 2024 tournament director Philipp Lahm hopes the event will “bring people together” at a time of division and disunity across Europe. In an interview with AFP subsidiary SID, the 2014 World Cup-winning captain said the true test of the tournament’s success was “when I sense greater solidarity in our society, in Germany and in Europe.” Full-back Lahm played at the 2006 World Cup, the last time Germany hosted a major football tournament. That World Cup, known domestically as the ‘Summer Fairytale’, was credited with bringing the country together as well as helping change Germany’s reputation abroad and the country’s…

Shettima paid tribute to Tinubu, describing him as the unsung hero of Nigeria’s democratic journey. He praised Tinubu’s commitment to democracy, his sacrifices during the military era, and his role in providing a political alternative to the ruling party. The Vice President highlighted Tinubu’s support for opposition candidates, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and his role in the emergence of President Muhammadu Buhari as the All Progressives Congress (APC) flag bearer in 2015. Shettima described Tinubu as a unifying leader who has demonstrated a penchant for sacrificing his comfort and wellbeing for the enthronement of…