Author: Lanre Akilu

The Federal Government has inked a deal with Saudi Arabia’s Halal Products Development Company (HPDC) to make Nigeria a leading player in the global halal market valued at $7.7 trillion. At the signing of the deal in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, Vice President Kashim Shettima said the agreement is a game-changer. According to him, it will transform Nigeria into a global halal economic powerhouse. “This agreement aligns perfectly with the Renewed Hope Agenda by creating new jobs, attracting foreign direct investment, and diversifying our economy. “The halal economy extends beyond Muslim consumers. Non-Muslim majority countries like Brazil, Australia, and Thailand…

Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court Abuja on Tuesday restrained the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) from tendering a DNA test result against Kabiru Turaki, former Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs Minister. Turaki is involved in a paternity dispute with a lady, Hadiza Baffa. Justice  Ekwo gave the order after counsel for the NPF, Inspector-General of Police and DCP Rita Oki Oyintare, M.L Anthony, who are 1st to 3rd respondents respectively, sought an adjournment to enable them to comply with the earlier court order. Turaki, through his lawyer, Abdulaziz Ibrahim (SAN) had told Justice Ekwo that the police were…

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said Erling Haaland remains a doubt for Sunday’s Premier League clash against Liverpool after sitting out his side’s Champions League exit to Real Madrid. The Norwegian was named on the bench at the Santiago Bernabeu but did not make an appearance as City were outclassed in a 3-1 defeat on Wednesday to crash out 6-3 on aggregate. “Tomorrow we will know,” said Guardiola at his pre-match press conference on Friday. The January signing of Omar Marmoush at least means Guardiola does have a back-up option should Haaland fail to recover in time to face the…

Manchester United were drawn Friday to play Real Sociedad of Spain in the last 16 of this season’s Europa League, while Rangers will take on Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce, and Tottenham Hotspur face AZ Alkmaar. Ruben Amorim’s United are struggling in the Premier League this season but finished third in the league phase of the Europa League. They will travel to San Sebastian for the first leg on March 6 before returning a week later against a Real Sociedad side who reached this stage after beating Midtjylland of Denmark in the play-off round. The clubs have met several times in European…

The UEFA Champions League Round of 16 draw was concluded on Friday, setting the stage for exciting clashes among Europe’s elite clubs. French giants Paris Saint-Germain will face off against English side, Liverpool, in a highly anticipated matchup. Belgian club, Club Brugge, is set to take on Aston Villa, while record-holders, Real Madrid, will meet domestic rivals, Atlético Madrid, in a thrilling Spanish showdown. In another eye-catching tie, Arsenal will go head-to-head with Dutch side, PSV Eindhoven. Over in the other half of the bracket, Feyenoord will lock horns with Italian powerhouse, Inter Milan, and Bayern Munich will battle Bayer…

Former Netherlands international and Feyenoord legend Robin van Persie has reportedly been appointed as the new head coach of Feyenoord, signing a contract that runs until June 2027. The Dutchman, who enjoyed a successful playing career with clubs such as Feyenoord, Arsenal, and Manchester United, now takes on the managerial role at the Eredivisie side, marking a new chapter in his football journey. According to a post by football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano on Friday via X, Van Persie, as part of his coaching team, will be joined by Rene Hake, who previously served as an assistant to Manchester United…

Real Madrid secured a commanding 3-1 win over Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League knockout round play-offs on Wednesday, sealing their place in the next stage with an aggregate score of 6-3. Kylian Mbappé delivered a stellar performance at the Santiago Bernabéu, netting a hat trick to dismantle City’s hopes of a comeback. The French forward wasted no time, opening the scoring in the 4th minute with an assist from R. Asencio. He doubled Madrid’s lead in the 33rd minute after a well-placed pass from Rodrygo, putting the Spanish side firmly in control. Manchester City struggled to break down…

Tension escalated in the Lagos State House of Assembly as Speaker Mojisola Meranda dramatically tore her resignation letter while lawmakers urged her to remain in office. This comes amid heightened security, with officials of the Directorate of State Services (DSS) sealing her office and those of her deputy and the House clerk. Sources confirmed that armed security personnel had taken over the Assembly complex in Alausa, Ikeja, fueling speculation that former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa might be reinstated following President Bola Tinubu’s intervention. The crisis, triggered by Obasa’s impeachment on January 13 over allegations of corruption and abuse of office, has…

Brighton defeated hapless Chelsea 3-0 as Japan forward Kaoru Mitoma produced a contender for Premier League goal of the season and Yankuba Minteh bagged a brace on Friday. Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea side delivered one of their worst performances of the season in their second defeat in the space of seven days at the Amex Stadium. Mitoma scored the winner when Brighton knocked Chelsea out of the FA Cup fourth round with a 2-1 victory last weekend. He tormented the Blues again with a breathtaking piece of skill in the first half before Gambia winger Minteh netted either side of the…

The National Examination Council (NECO) has announced the release of the 2024 Senior Secondary School Certificate External Examination results. According to the Registrar and Chief Executive of the Council, Professor Dantani Wushishi, 57,114 candidates secured credits in English and Mathematics, representing a 67.53% pass rate. A total of 86,067 candidates sat for the examination, which saw a significant reduction in malpractice cases. The number of candidates booked for various forms of malpractice decreased by 27.7% compared to 2023, with 6,160 cases recorded. The results were released just 62 days after the final examination, marking a notable improvement in the council’s…