Author: Amina Mohammed

West Ham sacked manager Julen Lopetegui on Wednesday after just 22 games in charge, with former Chelsea boss Graham Potter expected to replace him at the London Stadium. The Hammers are 14th in the Premier League table, seven points above the relegation zone, after just six wins in 20 league matches during the Spaniard’s tenure. A 4-1 hammering at champions Manchester City on Saturday was the final straw for club chiefs. Lopetegui, 58, took training as usual on Tuesday and reported for work on Wednesday to be officially told his spell in charge was over. “West Ham United can confirm…

The planned 10 January 2025 election for a new President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo has been thrown into uncertainty following an order by an Enugu High Court directing all parties involved to maintain the status quo until a ruling is made. The pan-Igbo socio-cultural organisation had scheduled fresh elections for its executive positions, with Rivers State proposed to produce the next President-General. This move, intended to recognise Rivers as an Igbo state, has sparked debates about inclusivity and representation within the group. The tenure of the late Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, currently held in an acting capacity by Nze Ozichukwu Chukwu, is…

The APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, alleged he and his family have received death threats over his remarks about Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi. Morka stated that the threats were triggered by Obi’s accusation that his remarks during a Sunday interview on Arise Television constituted a threat to the LP candidate’s life. During another appearance on Arise News on Wednesday, the APC spokesman disclosed that he had recorded over 400 threats, including approximately 200 explicit death threats, many of which were described in graphic detail. Morka said, “Peter Obi’s allegations that my words in that interview threatened his…

Assistant Commissioner of Police, Daniel Amah, renowned for rejecting a $200,000 bribe, has embraced Islam in a ceremony held at the palace of the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II. During the private event held on Tuesday, Amah was formally welcomed into the faith. He adopted Muhammad as his new name. Speaking in Hausa, the Emir urged Amah to seek Islamic knowledge and diligently observe the five pillars of Islam: belief in Allah, the five daily prayers, fasting during Ramadan, pilgrimage to Mecca, and Zakat (charitable giving). The Emir prayed for Allah’s guidance so that Amah could become one of…

The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) has shut down 619 facilities, including worship centres, hotels, and other establishments, for various environmental infractions in 2024. The General Manager of LASEPA, Dr Babatunde Ajayi, made this known during an interaction with journalists at Alausa, Ikeja on Tuesday. He said noise pollution accounted for 528 of the closures as the agency intensified its enforcement of environmental laws. According to LASEPA GM, the agency conducted a record 352 enforcement operations in 2024, tripling the number carried out the previous year. The operations targeted households, hotels, and worship centres under the Environmental Management and…

The Group Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mallam Mele Kyari has disclosed that he went from being an Almajiri school pupil to becoming the head of the national oil company. Kyari stated this on his X handle, @MKKyari, on Wednesday as he celebrated his 60th birthday. He expressed profound gratitude to Nigeria for the opportunities that came his way from his humble beginnings to the height he has attained. He thanked Nigeria and particularly former President Muhammadu Buhari and incumbent President Bola Tinubu for the opportunity to serve as the last GMD of the NNPC and…

Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior was banned for two La Liga matches on Tuesday after his red card last week against Valencia. The Brazilian winger shoved goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski in the back of the neck after he had been pushed by the Los Che stopper. Spanish champions Real Madrid came from behind to beat Valencia 2-1 on Friday after Vinicius’ red card, moving top of the table. Vinicius will miss upcoming league games against Las Palmas and Real Valladolid but is able to play in the Spanish Super Cup this week in Saudi Arabia, with Madrid facing Mallorca on Thursday…

France head coach Didier Deschamps will step down from the role when his current contract ends after the 2026 World Cup, a source close to the team said on Tuesday. Deschamps led Les Bleus to the 2018 World Cup title, becoming only the third man to win the tournament as a player and a manager. He took over from Laurent Blanc in 2012 and has taken France to three major finals in total, losing the Euro 2016 final to Portugal and the 2022 World Cup showpiece to Argentina. Deschamps was captain when Les Bleus won their first World Cup on…

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed the appointment of  Éric Sékou Chelle as Head Coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles. This was reached at its ”meeting held in Abuja on Thursday, 2nd January 2025, the NFF Technical and Development Sub-Committee had recommended the appointment of the former Coach of the senior men national team of Mali as the new Head Coach of the Super Eagles.” ”This recommendation was on Tuesday, 7th January endorsed by the NFF Executive Committee,” the federation’s website revealed. His appointment is with immediate effect, and he has the responsibility of guiding the Super Eagles to earn a…

Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka says she and her American rapper boyfriend Cordae have split up just days ahead of the Australian Open. The couple have been together since 2019 and share a young daughter, Shai. “Hi everyone, just wanted to say that Cordae and I are no longer in a relationship,” the four-time Grand Slam champion wrote on Instagram late Monday. “No bad blood at all, he’s a great person and an awesome dad. “Honestly really glad our paths crossed because my daughter is my biggest blessing and I was able to grow a lot from our experiences together.”…