Author: Chief Editor

The Lagos State Government and the State Police Command on Thursday warned against the planned protest tagged #OccupyLagosLekkiTollGate. The state government gave the warning during a joint press conference held at Ikeja by the Commissioner for Justice/Attorney General of Lagos, Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, and Commissioner of Police, Mr Hakeem Odumosu. The Commissioner of Police issued a stern warning to various groups planning to embark on protests at the Lekki Toll Plaza on Saturday, Feb. 13, advising them to shelve the plan. Odumosu said that the security intelligence gathered by the police command…

The Federal Government on Thursday warned those planning a fresh #EndSARS protest at the Lekki Toll Gate, Lagos on Saturday to desist. It said it would not allow any further resort to violence in the name of #EndSARS protest. The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, handed down the warning at a press conference in Abuja. While admitting that peaceful protests are the constitutional rights of Nigerians, the minister said violent protests are not. He said the chances that any peaceful protest would be hijacked at this time were very high. The minister claimed that based on the intelligence…

A Nigerian court recently ordered the seizure of $40 million worth of jewelry and a customised gold iPhone belonging to a former minister of petroleum resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke. According to a statement from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the items, including hundreds of bangles, rings, earrings, necklaces and watches, were found at a property owned by Diezani. When I first saw the news, I did not even think about it – we are used to profligate (former) politicians. But a few days ago, I saw something that made me realise that our society needs to actually restructure the psychology…

No one should scare Nigerians with the expectation that the world’s migration from use of fossil fuel will plunge the Nigerian people into a desperate low. Only government revenue will be adversely affected. When CEO Ben van Beurden, threatens that international oil company, Royal Dutch Shell Plc, may exit Nigeria’s oil sector, only public servants need fret. Their livelihood depends on revenue from upstream oil subsector. They should fret when oil prices dip, Niger Delta militants lock up oil flow taps, or Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries reduces the barrels of crude oil that the country can produce in a…

niranadedokun@gmail.com But for just one sentence, which tends towards an uneven appreciation of citizens’ discontent with the Nigerian establishment, I am with Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi in his most recent interventions on Nigeria. In an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation, Pidgin English, during the weekend, the Kaduna-based cleric opined that most Nigerians want a united country.  He gave instances of peaceful co-existence amongst peoples across the country and explained that only a few disgruntled elements desire the end of the country. Gumi told the BBC that: “So, all these youths that are making noise, whether Abubakar Shekau of…

aadelakun@punchng.com The first sign that the Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, had been the dupe of the murderous brigands terrorising the country was when he attempted to moderate the language we use to describe them. He asked us to refer to them as “insurgents” rather than “bandits.” He could no longer see them for what they were, and he wanted to circumscribe our thoughts by urging us to rename the monster. Whatever he chooses to call them only addresses the superficial at the expense of the fundamental; faeces called by any other name will still smell. As media reports stated,…

Everton upped the pressure on Jose Mourinho with a thrilling 5-4 victory over Tottenham after extra-time to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals, as Manchester City eased into the last eight by beating Swansea on Wednesday. Tottenham face a daunting trip to City in the Premier League on Saturday and defeat after a draining 120 minutes was the last thing Mourinho wanted. Spurs have now lost four of their last five games and one of three chances to end the club’s 13-year wait to win a trophy in cup competitions is now gone. Mourinho’s men made a bright start at Goodison…

Neymar walked off the pitch without waiting to be substituted after being on the receiving end of a series of fouls during Paris Saint-Germain’s 1-0 French Cup win at second-tier Caen on Wednesday. The Brazil attacker, captaining PSG with Marquinhos and Presnel Kimpembe absent, was fouled twice in the space of three minutes. He was visibly upset after the second foul, by Steeve Yago, exchanging words with the Caen player. As the game resumed, Neymar continued to complain before walking down the tunnel to the dressing room in the 57th minute. The world’s most expensive player was replaced three minutes…

UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov has revealed discussing with Cristiano Ronaldo his desire to play professional football. The Russian also revealed that Real Madrid are his dream club. Khabib Nurmagomedov, who fought in the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s lightweight division, is among the greatest fighters in the history of mixed martial art. The Russian retired in October 2020, with 29 wins and no defeats. His love for football and Real Madrid helped him build a friendship with Cristiano Ronaldo during the Portuguese’s time at the Santiago Bernabeu. The pair have remained friends since. Khabib Nurmagomedov had always nurtured a love for football. Since his retirement, he has been spending time…

Paris Saint-Germain star Angel Di Maria has compared his former club teammate Cristiano Ronaldo with Lionel Messi, with whom he shared a dressing room during their Argentina national team stints. Di Maria, who has enjoyed trophy-laden spells with Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, was appreciative of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Cristiano Ronaldo and Di Maria were teammates at Real Madrid, and the forwards played key roles as Los Blancos lifted the UEFA Champions League in 2014. When questioned about Cristiano Ronaldo in 2020, Di Maria’s answer was simple. “Cristiano is a monster.” said Di Maria. As far as Lionel Messi…