Author: Festus Adeloye

Lionel Messi has broken his silence following Argentina’s loss to Morocco in what was a controversial match. Despite being one of the tournament favorites with a squad featuring Julian Alvarez, Nicolas Otamendi, and Enzo Fernandez, Argentina found themselves 2-0 down in Saint-Etienne due to two goals by Soufiane Rahimi. Giuliano Simeone managed to pull one back for Argentina in the 68th minute, and it seemed that Cristian Medina had leveled the score in the 106th minute. The referee added 15 minutes of stoppage time, during which Medina scored what looked like the equaliser in the 16th minute of added time…

Former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, on Wednesday weighed in on the disagreement between the Dangote Refinery management and the Nigerian regulatory authorities. Nigerian regulatory authorities had accused Dangote Refinery of rolling out sub-standard petroleum products, a claim the company has refuted. Reacting via his X handle, Kwankwaso blamed what he described as ‘unnecessary fuss’ on vested interests, saying it could damage investor confidence in the Nigerian economy. “The creation of unnecessary fuss around its integrity by some vested interests is very unfortunate, and it stands to undo all the years of hard work to maintain the fragile investor confidence…

Fifty-seven local council chairmen in Lagos State under the umbrella of Conference 57 have urged Lagos, residents, to shun the nationwide protest by some Nigerians. There have been reports that some Nigerians, under various bodies, are planning a nationwide protest between August 1 and 10 against the rising cost of living and the economic hardship in the country. This development has prompted police and other security operatives to be on red alert over the planned nationwide protest. Recall President Bola Tinubu had also called on youths to cancel their planned protest and await the government’s response to their concerns. The…

Former spokesman to the Atiku Abubakar presidential campaign, Daniel Bwala, has alleged that there may be a foreign connection to the protest being planned by some Nigerians against the rising cost of living in the country. He made the assertion in a chat with correspondents after meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday. Bwala, who said he was on a solidarity visit to the president on information, said the administration is already addressing the hardship in the country through various initiatives. The ex-PDP campaign spokesman reiterated that he was on his way to joining…

Shareholders have criticised the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, for a deliberate attempt at demarketing Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals. The Pragmatic Shareholders Association of Nigeria (PSAN) in a statement by its National Coordinator, Mrs. Bisi Bakare, expressed dismay over recent allegations from the petroleum regulatory agency regarding the quality of diesel produced by Dangote Petroleum Refinery. NMDPRA boss Ahmed has faced backlash for suggesting that the diesel produced by the $20 billion Dangote refinery is of inferior quality compared to imports into the country. Bakare commended Africa’s foremost industrialist,…

Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum, Hope Uzodinma, has said the planned nationwide protest is coming at the wrong time. Uzodimma cited the EndSARS movement of 2020, emphasising the fragile political environment and warning about the potential for hijack by criminals. Speaking with State House correspondents on Wednesday after meeting with President Bola Tinubu, the governor urged citizens to protect the nation’s stability and avoid actions that could worsen economic hardships. His appeal follows growing public outcry and calls for nationwide protests from August 1-10, in response to economic hardship and policy decisions. So far, no…

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, explained on Wednesday why the Federal Government opposed planned protests over prevailing economic realities in Nigeria. He said while Nigerians have the constitutionally guaranteed right to protest, the government was aware some people were planning to hijack the demonstration to cause trouble. Idris, who stated this when he received the Charismatic Bishop Conference on a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja on Wednesday, said the President Bola Tinubu-led administration acknowledges the rights of every Nigerian to engage in protests. According to him, the government is equally committed to ensuring that…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has received former Senate President, Pius Anyim, who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressive Congress (APC). Senator Anyim was led to President Tinubu at the State House, Abuja by the chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum (PGF), Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, and Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State. On why he defected to the ruling party, Anyim said: “Given the challenges the country is facing, there’s a need to put our hands on deck. The country is passing through turbulent times and it is the duty of all…

Netflix has announced an increase in its subscription fees in Nigeria. The Premium Plan will now cost ₦7,000 per month, up from the previous ₦5,000. This adjustment follows a previous price increase implemented in April of this year, making it the second adjustment in just three months. As of now, it is unclear whether users were notified in advance about this price change. However, the updated prices are already reflected on Netflix’s subscription page. Additionally, the Standard Plan has also seen a price increase, rising from ₦4,000 to ₦5,500.

The Cross River State chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Mr Ogar Osim, has been suspended from office over allegations of embezzlement and anti-party activities. Osim who is also accused of inability to maintain a State secretariat and other sundry issues, was suspended alongside the State Secretary, Mr Felix Etim on Tuesday. Their suspension, which is contained in a press statement by the Chairman and Secretary of the State disciplinary committee, Bonnie Adie and Ibiang Igri respectively, announced the appointment of an acting Chairman and Secretary. According to the statement, Eugene Obia and Allen Ekpe are to remain in acting…