Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Concerns Grow Over Delayed Implementation Of Oronsaye Panel Report. One year after the Federal Executive Council (FEC), led by President Bola Tinubu, approved aspects of the 2012 Stephen Oronsaye panel report for implementation, concerns are mounting over the lack of progress. Nigerians are increasingly demanding updates on the status of the report’s execution, with the Federal Government remaining silent despite repeated inquiries. The FEC gave its approval for implementation on 26 February 2024, in what was described as a bold move to reduce the cost of governance. Following the decision, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris,…

Real Madrid Keep Title Race Alive With Victory Over Rayo Vallecano. Real Madrid moved level on points with Barcelona at the top of La Liga after securing a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Rayo Vallecano. Two quickfire goals in the first half put Los Blancos in control at the Estadio de Vallecas. Kylian Mbappe opened the scoring with a well-placed shot into the bottom corner after cutting inside, before Vinicius Jr doubled the lead moments later with a similar finish, which took a slight deflection off Rayo defender Andrei Ratiu. However, Rayo Vallecano responded just before the break, with Pedro…

Arsenal’s Title Hopes Fade Further After Draw At Old Trafford. Mikel Arteta’s 200th Premier League game as Arsenal manager ended in disappointment, as the Gunners could only manage a 1-1 draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford. The result all but extinguishes their slim hopes of challenging for the title, leaving them trailing league leaders Liverpool by 15 points. Despite dominating possession with 68.2%, Arsenal struggled to create clear-cut chances against a United side low on confidence. Bruno Fernandes opened the scoring for the hosts with a trademark free-kick in first-half stoppage time, before Declan Rice equalised in the 74th…

Abacha Family Rejects Babangida’s Claims On June 12 Annulment. The family of the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, has dismissed claims by former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, that their late father played a significant role in the annulment of the 12 June 1993 presidential election. In a statement issued yesterday, Abacha’s son, Mohammed, criticised Babangida’s recently published autobiography, *A Journey in Service*, stating that the former leader missed an opportunity to provide a truthful and objective account of past events. Abacha Family Challenges Babangida’s Narrative The family insisted that General Abacha was neither Head of…

Trump Administration Pressures Ukraine For Ceasefire As High-Level Talks Begin In Saudi Arabia. The Trump administration believes Ukraine’s leadership is prepared to move forward with negotiations on a ceasefire with Russia, according to a senior US State Department official. The remarks come as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz are set to arrive in Saudi Arabia for talks with Ukrainian officials on Tuesday. US President Donald Trump has intensified pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to accept a swift ceasefire with Moscow. However, despite the push for peace, the US has not offered…

Mark Carney Becomes Canada’s Prime Minister, Pledges Strong Stance Against US Trade Threats. Mark Carney has won the race to succeed Justin Trudeau as Canada’s prime minister, vowing to stand firm against US President Donald Trump’s trade policies. Carney, a former governor of both the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, secured a landslide victory in the Liberal Party’s leadership contest, defeating three rivals. The 59-year-old leader delivered a powerful victory speech in which he criticised Trump’s recent tariffs on Canadian goods and dismissed the US president’s controversial remarks about making Canada the 51st American state. “Americans…

Supreme Court Upholds Death Sentence In Self-Defence Case In Nigeria. The Nigerian Supreme Court has recently upheld the death sentence of Sunday Jackson, a farmer from Adamawa State, for the killing of a Fulani herdsman in an incident he claimed was an act of self-defence. The ruling, delivered on 7 March 2025, has ignited widespread discussion and criticism regarding the legal interpretation of self-defence in Nigeria. Jackson’s case has drawn significant attention, particularly from human rights advocates and figures within the Christian community, who have expressed deep concerns. They argue that the decision represents a potential miscarriage of justice, highlighting…

Nigeria Boosts Energy Sector With Approval Of Three New Petrochemical Refineries. In a significant step towards energy self-sufficiency, the Federal Government of Nigeria has granted licences for the construction of three new petrochemical refineries, a move set to bolster the nation’s refining capacity and reduce its reliance on imported fuel. The announcement, made on Sunday, has been hailed as a landmark decision in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to harness its vast oil resources for domestic benefit. The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) confirmed that the licences were awarded to three companies: Eghudu Refinery Ltd, MB Refinery and Petrochemicals…

Manchester City Face Unprecedented Challenge Following Loss To Nottingham. Manchester City find themselves in unfamiliar territory under Pep Guardiola after a 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest, marking their ninth league loss of the season. This equals their worst-ever record for league defeats in a single campaign since the Spaniard took charge. More concerning for City is the growing uncertainty around Champions League qualification, a scenario that seemed unimaginable when they secured their fourth consecutive Premier League title last May. Champions League Spot at Risk For the first time in Guardiola’s tenure, City’s place in Europe’s elite competition is in…

Magomed Ankalaev Stuns Alex Pereira To Claim UFC Light-Heavyweight Title. Magomed Ankalaev secured the UFC light-heavyweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Alex Pereira at UFC 313 in Las Vegas. The Russian fighter dominated much of the contest, pressuring Pereira and limiting the Brazilian’s ability to land his signature powerful strikes. Ankalaev’s composed and strategic approach earned him the judges’ scores of 48-47, 48-47, and 49-46. “I can’t put it into words, it’s been such a long wait to reach my dream – the title is on my waist,” said Ankalaev. “I don’t think anything surprised me. I…

Andrea Berta Set To Join Arsenal As Sporting Director. Arsenal Football Club is poised to welcome Andrea Berta as their new sporting director after the 53-year-old Italian reached an agreement with the Premier League side. Berta, who parted ways with Atlético Madrid in January, emerged as the frontrunner among several candidates considered by the Gunners during an extensive recruitment process. The highly regarded football executive, known for his sharp transfer acumen and strategic vision, reportedly prioritised Arsenal over other top-tier opportunities across Europe. Sources close to the club indicate that contracts are now being finalised, with an official announcement expected…

Barcelona-Osasuna Match Postponed Following Tragic Loss Of Medical Staff Member. In a sombre turn of events, the highly anticipated La Liga clash between Barcelona and Osasuna has been postponed, both clubs confirmed earlier today. The decision comes after the heartbreaking news of the passing of a key member of Barcelona’s medical team, prompting players to request the delay of the fixture. According to reports from Spanish radio station SER, the players were deeply affected by the loss of Carles Miñarro Garcia, the doctor for Barcelona’s first team. The club officially confirmed his passing in a statement released this afternoon,…