Author: Alade Adisa

Football icon, and Brazil’s highest goal scorer, Neymar Jnr has disclosed that his decision to join Barcelona instead of Real Madrid was guided by his heart rather than logic. In an exclusive interview with another Brazilian football legend, Romário, published on Friday, Neymar opened up about the pivotal days leading to his career-defining move. He expressed his deep affection for Barcelona and the emotional connection that ultimately influenced his choice. “I don’t regret my choice to pick Barcelona over Real Madrid. I went with my heart there,” Neymar said. The forward explained that he had been a long-time admirer of…

Newly-enthroned Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mojisola Meranda, has pledged to collaborate with other arms of government to achieve the vision of a “Greater Lagos.” Presiding over her first session as Speaker on Friday, Meranda announced the appointment of new principal officers to steer the affairs of the House. The Lagos Speaker named Temitope Adedeji, representing Ifako/Ijaye Constituency 1, as the Majority Leader, while Richard Kasunmu, representing Ikeja Constituency 2, was appointed Deputy Majority Leader. David Setonji assumed the role of Chief Whip, with Ganiyu Sanni, representing Kosofe Constituency 1, as Deputy Chief Whip. The Speaker also…

The President, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has lavished praises on state governors under the platform, Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) following their unanimous endorsement of the Tax Reform Bills currently being deliberated upon by lawmakers at the national assembly. The president, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga on Friday, commended the governors for “their bold leadership and commitment to fostering unity among leaders nationwide.” The statement is titled ‘President Tinubu commends Nigeria governors for supporting tax reform initiatives.’ Tinubu said the consensus transcends regional, ethnic and political barriers to advance Nigeria’s development. NEW DAILY PRIME…

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief economist, Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas, has said incoming United States President Donald Trump’s economic plans risk reigniting US inflation, just days before the president-elect is set to return to the White House. Gourinchas spoke with AFP at the IMF’s headquarters in Washington, ahead of the publication of its key World Economic Outlook (WEO) report on Friday. The president-elect’s proposals to increase tariffs and restrict immigration could constrain the supply side of the economy and drive up prices, Gourinchas said in the interview. Other plans floated by the president-elect, such as reducing regulations and cutting taxes, could…

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has refuted rumours of an impending increase in petrol prices nationwide. The association assured the public that local refineries are now operational, a development that will contribute to a reduction in fuel prices. Recall that there have been fresh concerns over a potential increase in the pump prices of petrol after the cost of Brent, the global benchmark for crude, crossed $80 per barrel. On Monday, private depots increased the loading cost of petrol and other refined petroleum products to N950 per litre. However, in an interview with the Voice of America…

The Dangote Refinery has raised the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) for bulk buyers from N899 to N955 per litre. The refinery disclosed this development in a notice issued, which read, The notice titled, “Communication on PMS Price Review”. “Dear Esteemed Customer, Trust this email finds you well. “Kindly be advised that effective from 5:30pm today, an upward adjustment has been implemented on the gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit. on Friday, January 17, 2025.” The statement added that marketers buying between 2 million – 4.99 million litres will now buy at N955 per litre while five million litres…

The budget defence session between the Joint Police Affairs Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives and the Nigeria Police Force led by its Inspector-General, Kayode Egbetokun, turned rowdy yesterday as the lawmakers engaged in war of words. It began with disagreements on the police’s proposed budget presentation and escalated into a rowdy exchange that led to Senator Onyekachi Nwoebonyi (Ebonyi North) ‘s dramatic walkout. Confrontations began when Egbetokun started his presentation on the proposed activities of the Police in 2025 and was explaining plans for the construction of five zonal police headquarters. He was interrupted by a member…

The Federal Government has addressed concerns over the exclusion of the Lagos-Calabar Highway from the 2025 budget. The coastal road, one of the signature projects of President Bola Tinubu which has generated a lot of controversy since its commencement last year, is expected to gulp around N16 trillion. Questions have been raised about the funding of the project which the federal government hitherto stated would be through a public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement. In February of last year, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved a N1.07 trillion contract for the construction of the first phase of the project. The Minister of…

The Edo State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Jarret Tenebe has been accused of leading an invasion of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secretariat in Benin City Thursday afternoon. The incident reportedly involving armed individuals, left PDP Chairman, Anthony Aziegbemi battered and forced to flee for his life. Video footage from inside the secretariat shows a verbal confrontation involving Tenebe, APC Youth Leader and self-confessed cultist, Tony Kabaka, and Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abang, during which Tenebe refused to vacate the premises. “There is nothing on earth that will make me leave this place,” Tenebe was heard…

The Presidency has confirmed that local government areas across Nigeria will begin receiving their allocations directly from the Federal Allocation Account Committee (FAAC) starting from the end of January. Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare confirmed the development in an interview on Arise News on Thursday night. The spokesman said the move is a testament to President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to implementing the Supreme Court’s landmark judgment in July 2024.The judgment declared state control over local government funds unconstitutional, paving the way for direct federal allocations to local governments. The Supreme Court’s ruling, delivered…