Author: Festus Adeloye

In a significant political development, former chieftains of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra State, citing neglect by the present administration. The former APGA leaders, who include former ward chairmen and executives, announced their decision at a meeting in Umueri, Anambra State. They claimed that despite their efforts in delivering victories for APGA in the past, they were neglected and abandoned by the present administration. The 21 over 21 Support Group, which comprises these former APGA chieftains, said they were instrumental in the re-election of former Governor Willie Obiano and…

President Bola Tinubu has expressed strong support for Nigeria’s bid for re-election into the FIFA Council. The President’s support for the county’s candidate for re-election was contained via a statement issued by his spokesman, Chief Ajuri Ngelale. The FIFA Council is the principal decision-making organ of the organization in the intervals of the FIFA Congress. The Council comprises 37 members elected by the FIFA Congress for a renewable term of four years. Mr. Amaju Pinnick, two-term President of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), was elected into the Council in March 2021 – the third Nigerian after the late Oyo Orok…

The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed for a second reading a bill seeking to make room for Nigerians living outside the country to vote during general elections. The bill was sponsored by the Speaker of the House, Tajueen Abass, and the lawmaker representing Sabon Gari Federal Constituency, Kaduna State, Sadiq Abdullahi. Abdullahi, while leading the debate on the bill’s general principles, argued that Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) grants citizens the fundamental rights of freedom of expression and opinion. He noted that regardless of the locations of Nigerians, it is their fundamental right to exercise civic…

Ten Hag had to wait over two weeks for United to decide to retain him after guiding them to FA Cup final victory over Manchester City on 25 May. On 4 July, following conversations with the Dutchman, the club confirmed they had triggered the additional year option in his contract, which now runs to 2026. In his first interview since that was announced, Ten Hag told in-house channel MUTV he would not have agreed to extend his deal if he was not “very” excited about the future. United have made significant structural change since Ineos’ co-ownership was confirmed in December.…

Rwanda has stated that it will not refund the £270million paid by Britain for the controversial asylum seeker programme, despite the new UK government cancelling the initiative. Dr. Doris Uwicyeza Picard, a representative from the Rwandan Ministry of Justice, affirmed that Rwanda had fulfilled its obligations under the agreement, which aimed to assist the UK in addressing its own asylum seeker issues. Kigali considers the matter a “UK problem” and expects no reimbursement. She told the BBC World Service: “We are under no obligation to provide any refund. We will remain in constant discussions. However, it is understood that there…

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG and its Petroleum and Natural and Senior Staff Association, PENGASSAN, have written to President Bola Tinubu, demanding a high powered investigation into the allegation that the International Oil Companies, IOCs, are plotting to undermine and destabilize the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals. In a written through the Chief of Staff to the President, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, dated July 1, 2024, the oil workers demanded among others, that the findings of such investigation must be made public to ensure transparency and maintain public trust. The letter signed by the NUPENG’s General Secretary,…

The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to save lives by providing alternative power to teaching hospitals, medical centres and universities in the country, owing to the epileptic power supply across the country. The resolution of the House followed the adoption of a motion on urgent public importance moved by the member representing Ede North/Ede South/ Egbedero Federal Constituency, Osun State, Mr Bamidele Salam during Tuesday’s plenary. Titled, “Matter of urgent public importance on the need for the Federal Government to devise means to support teaching hospitals, medical centres and universities with mini solar grids and other alternative…

Members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), on Tuesday, July 9, staged nationwide protests within campuses of public universities to demand the immediate release of their withheld salaries. NASU national president, Makolo Hassan, had on Monday said there was no going back on Tuesday’s demonstrations as both unions claimed that the federal government had failed to address their demands following their warning strike some months back. At the Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, Kaduna state, placard-carrying non-academic staff members had several inscriptions on their placards as…

Craig Bellamy has been appointed as the new head coach of the Wales national football team on a contract until 2028, the Football Association of Wales (FAW) announced Tuesday. Bellamy has replaced Rob Page, who was sacked following Wales’ failure to qualify for Euro 2024. The 44-year-old former Liverpool, Newcastle and Wales striker leaves Burnley, where he was assistant to former manager Vincent Kompany last season as they were relegated from the Premier League. “I will give my full commitment to develop this team and I am passionate to bring continued success into Welsh football,” Bellamy told the FAW website.…

Canada face one of the biggest games in their football history when they take on world champions Argentina in the Copa America semi-finals on Tuesday with coach Jesse Marsch eyeing a “special victory”. American Marsch only took over Canada in May and has led them in their impressive run to the last four in what is their first appearance in the Copa Amerca. But true to his upbeat, positive approach, the former Leeds United and RB Leipzig coach says there is no question of him or his team being satisfied or overawed by the occasion. “My mind is wrapped totally…