Author: Amina Mohammed

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Professor John Obafunwa as the new Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR). Professor Obafunwa succeeds Professor Babatunde Salako, whose tenure expires on July 23, 2024. A statement by Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity), Chief Ajuri Ngelale, on Monday, said the appointment takes effect from July 24, 2024. President Tinubu then extended his gratitude to Professor Salako for his service to the nation. Professor Obafunwa qualified in medicine from the University of Lagos in 1980, following which he specialised in Anatomic Pathology (morphological study of diseases), graduating…

Aston Villa has completed the high-profile signing of Belgian midfielder Amadou Onana from Everton, as confirmed by renowned football journalist Fabrizio Romano and officially announced by the club. Romano said on Monday via X, “Official, confirmed. Aston Villa have signed Amadou Onana as a new midfielder from Everton. Deal signed for £50m fee plus add-ons and sell-on clause, while Onana has signed long-term contract.” The 22-year-old joins Villa in a deal worth £50 million, with additional performance-related add-ons and a sell-on clause included in the agreement. Onana has committed his future to the club by signing a long-term contract. In…

LeBron James, the NBA’s all-time leading points scorer, will be the male flagbearer for Team USA at the Paris Olympics, the USOPC announced on Monday. James, 39, was picked by his fellow US Olympians for Friday’s ceremony on the river Seine. The female flagbearer will be announced on Tuesday. “It’s an incredible honor to represent the United States on this global stage, especially in a moment that can bring the whole world together,” Los Angeles Lakers power forward James said in a statement from the USOPC. “For a kid from Akron, this responsibility means everything to not only myself but…

President Bola Tinubu has extended his congratulations to Nigerian doctor and artist Fola David for achieving a new Guinness World Record for the largest painting by an individual. Over the course of six days at Onikan Stadium in Lagos, David surpassed the previous record of 629.98 square meters, held by Ravi Soni from India, by creating a 1000 square meter artwork. In an Instagram story post on Sunday, Tinubu wrote, “Congratulations to Dr. Fola David for completing his attempt at making the world’s largest hand-drawing by an individual, ‘Unity in Diversity.’ This is a remarkable achievement, and we are filled…

The Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos has upheld the conviction of a Dane National, Peter Nielsen who was sentenced to death in 2022 for killing his Nigerian wife, Zainab and their daughter, Petra. The appellate court dismissed the appeal filed by Nielsen for lacking in merit. Delivering the judgment, the appeal court held that the Respondent, the Lagos State Government proved the offence of murder against the Appellant, Nielsen, beyond reasonable doubt. It resolved the appeal in favour of the Respondent and dismissed the appellant’s case. The appellate court said, “The corroborative evidence of DNA also strengthened the circumstantial…

President Bola Tinubu has extended his congratulations to Mazi Afam Josiah Osigwe (SAN) on his election as the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). The President also congratulated all newly elected officers of the NBA and members of the association on the successful conduct of the elections. President Tinubu, in a statement by his spokesman, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, commends the outgoing NBA President, Mr. Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau (SAN), on his stewardship of Nigeria’s foremost legal association. The President assured the new leadership of the NBA of his administration’s support in addressing challenges affecting the association and the legal profession…

Veteran highlife singer, Gentleman Mike Ejeagha, has been moved to tears by the unexpected resurgence of his 1983 song, “Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche”. The song, which had been largely forgotten over the years, gained new life after skit maker, Brain Jotter used it in one of his videos, creating a catchy dance move that synchronises with the music. The song has since gone viral, garnering over 659,000 likes on Instagram and an impressive 11 million views on TikTok. Its popularity has transcended borders, with the song being used in content from Nigeria to Asian countries. The viral sensation…

A Federal High Court in Abuja has declined to bar Governor Siminalayi Fubara from spending government funds pending the hearing and determining the suit filed by the Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly. Ruling on the motion ex parte marked FHC/ABJ/CS/984/24, Justice Emeka Nwite declined to grant the prayers, though he ordered the plaintiffs to put the defendants on notice. Justice Nwite however granted the motion ex parte to serve the 5th to 10th defendants in the matter by substituted means saying “the leave is hereby granted to the plaintiffs/applicants, to serve the 5th to 10th defendants/respondents with the…

A former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, arraigned for N33bn fraud, has spent nine days at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja. Mamman was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on July 12 and was granted N10bn bail by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja. Nine days after being granted bail, Mamman remained in custody, indicating that he had yet to meet the record N10bn bail imposed on him by the court. The spokesman for the Nigeria Correctional Service in the Federal Capital Territory, Adamu Duza, confirmed that the ex-minister was still in custody…

Some associates of former Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole have debunked reports that his marriage to his wife, Iara has crashed and both have gone separate ways. Last week, a netizen had posted in a Facebook group named ‘Edo Political Forum’ where he claimed that both Oshiomhole and Iara haven’t been seen together since his tenure ended as the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Another Facebook user, Uwahame Daniel responded ” Yes, the marriage has been dissolved a long time ago but they are keeping it private. The woman is a very private person who couldn’t…