Author: Amina Mohammed

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, has suspended the Permit for Non-Commercial Flights, PNCF, of 10 private jet operators. The operators, including Azikel Dredging Nigeria Ltd, Bli-Aviation Safety Services, Ferry Aviation Developments Ltd, Matrix Energy Ltd, Marrietta Management Services Ltd, Worldwide Skypaths Services, Mattini Airline Services Ltd, Aero Lead Ltd, Sky Bird Air Ltd and Ezuma Jets Ltd, were said to have violated regulations prohibiting the use of aircraft for commercial purposes. Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, NCAA, Mr Michael Achimugu, said in a statement that the agency had directed all PNCF holders to undergo a mandatory re-evaluation…

Emiliano Martinez saved two penalties to spare Lionel Messi’s blushes as Argentina advanced to the Copa America semi-final. Argentina, once again, had goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez to thank as they beat Ecuador 4-2 on penalties in their Copa America 2024 quarter-final on Friday morning. After not conceding a goal during the group stages, Argentina were put under defensive pressure early as Ecuador had two efforts in the 15th minute. Lionel Scaloni’s side grew into the contest, however, and they opened the scoring after 35 minutes. A corner from Lionel Messi was flicked on by Alexis Mac Allister with Lisandro Martinez on…

The Naira yesterday depreciated in the parallel market to N1,535 per dollar from N1,520 per dollar on Wednesday. Similarly, the Naira depreciated to N1,520.24 per dollar in the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market, NAFEM. Data from FMDQ showed that the indicative exchange rate for NAFEM fell to N1,520.24 per dollar from N1,512.61 per dollar on Wednesday, indicating N7.63 depreciation for the naira. The volume of dollars traded (turnover) in the market rose by 51 percent to $173.51 million from $114.91 million traded on Wednesday. Consequently, the margin between the parallel market and NAFEM rates widened to N14.76 per dollar from…

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) on Thursday, July 4 2024 said it has mobilised no fewer than 4000 staff to track promoters of violence in the country. The agency in a statement by Paul Odenyi, deputy director of press, NOA said it has activated its civil intelligence network, ordering its 812 offices around the country to identify incident spots and individuals nationwide involved in the planned protest. The statement reads: “This directive comes as the EFCC reported that certain individuals, especially those being investigated by the Commission, are mobilising youths, including school children, to stage a nationwide protest against the…

The Samoa Agreement signed by Nigeria at the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) Secretariat in Brussels, Belgium is in the country’s interest, the Federal Government has said. Information and National Orientation Minister Mohammed Idris, who clarified Nigeria’s stand, said the agreement is about sustainable economic growth and development and other beneficial protocols. The minister’s clarification came against the backdrop of the controversy generated by the pact. Idris said Nigeria made it clear that any provision that is inconsistent with the laws of Nigeria shall be invalid, by ensuring that none of the 103 Articles and Provisions of…

Jeremy Corbyn has won Islington North, the constituency he has represented since 1983 – but for the first time has been elected as an independent MP. The former leader of the opposition beat Praful Nargund, a local Labour councillor selected by the party’s executive committee as its candidate in May. Corbyn won 24,120 votes, with Nargund securing 16,873 votes. Turnout for the election was 67.5%, down from 71.6% in 2019. In his victory speech, Corbyn said he had fought a “positive campaign”. The political system must produce answers for social problems, he said, adding that demonising asylum seekers was not…

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann said his side had more than enough attacking quality to match Spain’s offensive firepower in Friday’s blockbuster Euro 2024 quarter-final in Stuttgart. “My focus is less on (Lamine) Yamal, more on Jamal (Musiala),” the coach said, adding “we can do something in attack ourselves”. “We want to have the ball, that’s the clear focus for us. We want to attack and make life difficult for them.” Musiala, 21, returns to his hometown of Stuttgart having scored in three of Germany’s four games at Euro 2024. Led in attack by the 16-year-old Yamal and Nico Williams, 21,…

The Senate has approved the appointment of Abdullahi Usman Bello as Chairman of the Code of Conduct Burea, CCB. The confirmation on Thursday was sequel to consideration of the report of Senator Neda Imasuen, LP, Edo South led Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions for the Confirmation of Abdullahi Usman Bello for Appointment as Chairman Code of Conduct Bureau. in presenting the report, Imasuen said, “That the Senate do receive and consider the report of the Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions on the confirmation of Abdullahi Usman Bello for appointment as Chairman…

Arsenal have signed goalkeeper David Raya from Brentford on a permanent basis in a deal worth approximately £27 million. Raya, who excelled during his loan spell at Arsenal last season, has now formally joined the Gunners, fulfilling an agreement made with Brentford last year. David Raya’s initial move to north London in August was structured as a loan deal, costing Arsenal £3 million, with the expectation that it would transition into a permanent transfer worth £27 million. This payment structure was designed for financial reasons, rather than any uncertainty on Arsenal’s part. At the start of a new financial cycle,…

Inter Milan will begin the defence of their Serie A title at Genoa while ambitious Como take on Juventus in their first top flight fixture in over two decades, after the 2024/25 season fixture list was announced on Thursday. Simone Inzaghi’s Inter strolled to last season’s Scudetto and will try to retain their crown under new ownership after US investment fund Oaktree acquired the club in May. Oaktree assumed ownership of Inter days after they were officially crowned Italian champions, as previous owners Suning missed a deadline to repay a three-year loan which matured at 395 million euros ($428 million).…