Author: Alade Adisa

Manchester United had to settle for a point at Ipswich in Ruben Amorim’s first game in charge despite striker Marcus Rashford providing the perfect start with his 81-second opener. Omari Hutchinson levelled for Ipswich before the break, with United keeper Andre Onana twice denying Liam Delap with stunning saves. It was a disappointing outcome for Amorim as his side struggled to contain Ipswich at times and found the home defence in defiant mood when it did seem an opportunity would come. Skipper Bruno Fernandes flashed a late free-kick wide but Ipswich fully deserved their point and without Onana would have…

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has said that the country has saved $20bn by abolishing the petrol subsidy and adopting market-based foreign exchange pricing. Edun said this at an event in Abuja marking the first 100 days in office of Esther Walso-Jack, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation. President Bola Tinubu had in May last year announced the removal of fuel subsidy effective June. This led to an increase in petrol prices across states in the country. Speaking on the development, Edun said that subsidies were costing the country about five…

Ojochenemi Onje, a BusinessDay newspaper’s defence correspondent was on Friday abducted. She was abducted by kidnappers commonly called “one chance operators” on her way from office in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Meanwhile, she has regained her freedom from the kidnappers. The female journalist’s freedom was confirmed on Saturday morning by some of her colleagues. Though, it is not clear whether any ransom was paid to secure her release. No statement on the development from authorities as at the time of filing this report.

… Dismantles drug syndicate run by Chinese man The head of a cocaine distribution cartel, Ndive Maxwell Obinna, has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA. The 42-year-old was arrested with five of his associates at Ago Palace Way in Okota, Isolo, Lagos. A total of 2.412 kilograms of cocaine were recovered from them. Other members of the drug trafficking organization arrested along Obinna include: Okeke Gloria Ifeoma who is the syndicate’s stash keeper; Ikechebelu Emmanuel Chibuzor; Okorie Onyedikachi; Okonkwo Nnabugo Prince; and Okafor Blessing Anita. Chinese man’s cartel dismantled In a related development, another…

IA good news has come the way of Nigerians as the Dangote Petroleum Refinery announced on Sunday that it has reduced the price of its Premium Motor Spirit from N990 per litre to N970/litre. According to a Punch report, this is the amount marketers would buy the product from the refinery. The Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer of the Dangote Group, Anthony Chiejina, in a statement released on Sunday, said the reduction was to appreciate Nigerians as the year ends. The statement read, “As the year comes to an end, this is our way of appreciating the good people…

The founder of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele has alerted Nigerian security operatives about an impending attack on traditional rulers in the country. In a statement signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, Primate Ayodele revealed that the terrorists are planning to kidnap Emirs and attack palaces across the country between December and February 2025. He added that there would also be a high influx of attacks on farmers. “There will be attacks against Emirs, farmers, and palaces across the country. They are planning to kidnap Emirs and farmers between December and February next year,” the cleric stated.…

The oldest cleric in Nigeria, Thomas Oleghe, is dead. Oleghe, a Catholic priest, died at the age of 104. According to a statement by Gabriel Dunia, the Bishop of Auchi, Oleghe passed away at approximately 2:30 am on Sunday and will be buried on Wednesday, November 27, 2024. The statement read: “With gratitude to God for a life well lived on earth, I hereby inform you of the passing of the Rt. Rev. MSGR Thomas Oleghe, the oldest Catholic priest in Nigeria as of today, to the great beyond at approximately 2:30 am this morning, November 24, 2024. “He was…

Despite ongoing internal disputes within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed has reaffirmed the party’s unity, describing it as an indivisible entity dedicated to delivering good governance in Nigeria. Speaking during a strategic meeting of PDP governors held in Jos, Plateau State, on Friday, Mohammed, who also serves as the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, praised party stakeholders for their steadfast support. He emphasized that despite challenges, the PDP remains united and positioned to offer Nigerians hope and effective leadership. Similarly, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang reassured party supporters that PDP governors and key stakeholders…

The Ebonyi State government has arrested six employees of the Ministry of Health for allegedly stealing government property. The suspects were reportedly apprehended on Saturday night at the ministry’s premises while attempting to move the items to points of sale. The governor of the state, Francis Nwifuru disclosed the arrests in a statement issued on Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Monday Uzor. Part of the statement read, “Ebonyi State Governor, Chief Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, has ordered the arrest and prosecution of one Mr Ndukwe Ayansi and five others for allegedly diverting materials meant for the State’s Ministry of Health.”…

The Auditor-General of the Federation’s ‘Annual Report on Non-Compliance and Internal Control Weaknesses’ has exposed irregular payments for contracts totalling over N197.72 billion across various ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), raising serious concerns about systemic lapses in financial compliance and procurement processes. The report covers activities between 2020 and 2021. They reveal violations of established financial regulations and procurement laws, with irregularities affecting multiple MDAs. The report was released to assist stakeholders, including the Public Accounts Committees of the National Assembly, in addressing these lapses and recovering the lost funds. One of the key findings in the report revealed irregularities…