Author: Chief Editor

Gareth Bale is blocking out Denmark’s new status as neutrals’ favourites ahead of Saturday’s Euro 2020 last 16 clash in Amsterdam as he attempts to recreate Wales’ magnificent run to the semi-finals of Euro 2016. Denmark overcame the emotional trauma of seeing Christian Eriksen suffer a cardiac arrest on the field during their first match of the tournament against Finland to reach the knockout stages thanks to a 4-1 thrashing of Russia on Monday. The Danish players’ reaction to surround Eriksen as he received medical treatment at the Parken Stadium and shield him from cameras drew widespread plaudits. Bale is…

President Muhammadu Buhari says the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been revived, energized and repositioned for its national convention and future elections. The president stated this at a meeting with members of the National Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) led by Gov. Mai Mala Buni of Yobe, in Abuja on Friday. The president said the fortunes of the party had been brightened by the re-organisation and reconciliation of members across the party, saying “with the work done by the committee the party has bounced back to life.’’ He added: “I have listened with great interest the remarkable job you have…

Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand said Friday he hoped the strong links between Ajax and Danish football would give his team an extra advantage against Wales in their Euro 2020 last 16 tie in Amsterdam. The Danes managed to qualify for the knockout phase, overcoming the trauma of Christian Eriksen’s cardiac arrest during their opening game against Finland to develop into the tournament’s feel-good story. “We’re here at the Johan Cruyff Arena and if there’s a club that means something for Danish football and has meant something for Denmark, it’s Ajax,” Hjulmand said ahead of Saturday’s game. Three players in the…

I have listened to and read various things said and written about Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Governor of Lagos State. Most of them have dwelled on how well he has performed as governor in two years under very harsh economic challenges. Most of the accolades have come from successful management of COVID-19 pandemic by Governor Sanwo-Olu, who saved Nigeria from what could have resulted in monumental catastrophe. Like a gallant soldier, Sanwo-Olu rose up to the occasion and gave COVID-19 a good fight. This feat ultimately left no one in doubt as to Governor’s Sanwo-Olu’s managerial and administrative skills. No…

If the news or information reaching us is to be taken seriously and very seriously indeed then we must get set for another round of strikes in our public universities. How necessary or how wise will any impending strike be to all the parties: the universities and working unions attending to the needs of the workers, academic and non-academic; the students and their union attending to their concerns; parents and professionals who detest all forms of restlessness in our universities; and of course this central government that forbids itself from responding favourably to jointly agreed positions and agreements reached with…

• Indicts Nigerians of attempting to defraud scheme Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo, has said N24,000, 817,800 had been disbursed to beneficiaries of the 774,000 Special Public Works scheme as at June 24, 2021. The minister, who reeled out the statistics yesterday at a media briefing coordinated by the Presidential Media Team in Abuja, pointed out that 413,630 Nigerians, drawn from rural communities and mostly itinerant workers, had been paid. He argued that contrary to insinuations that the project had failed following initial delays in effecting payment, the programme has, instead, achieved a 60per cent success…

The Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Abia, Rev. Augustine Ehiemere, says the party has fully repositioned its structures to take over power in 2023. Ehiemere said this on Thursday in Umuahia, while briefing newsmen on the recent developments in the party at the national and state levels. He said: “God has a definite time for every event that takes place on planet earth. “APGA is destined to take over power from the Peoples Democratic Party and 2023 is our time.” The party chairman said the State Working Committee “has initiated robust and pragmatic measures to strategically…

• Ex-prosecutor accuses Malami of frustrating NEXIM Bank’s probe The House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee on Recovered Loots and Assets of Government, yesterday, heard of how $300 million belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) was “hidden in a Polaris Bank account and remained unattended to for years.” At the resumed public hearing of the panel in Abuja, the lawmakers sought to know from the financial institution the interest that accrued to the money from 2012 till date. But the bank’s Acting Managing Director (MD), Innocent Ike, insisted that the fund was not hidden, but deposited appropriately by…

Says all hands on deck to secure the country Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has expressed optimism that the current security challenges facing Nigeria will soon become a thing of the past. He also stressed that the federal government has intensified efforts aimed at adequately securing the country with the recent supplementary budget sent to the National Assembly for approval for the procurement of military hardware for the use of the military and other security agencies. Speaking while receiving in audience the Oluyin of Iyin Ekiti, Oba Adeola Adeniyi Ajakaiye, at the State House, Abuja, the vice-president emphasised that all and sundry…

To be back mid-July President Muhammadu Buhari will on Friday travel to London, the United Kingdom for a scheduled medical follow-up. According to a two-paragraph statement issued on Thursday by presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, the President is due back in the country in the second week of July, 2021. This is the second medical trip of the President to London within four months as he had earlier gone on medical check up to the UK from March 30 to April 16, this year. Details later… [ThisDay]