Author: Chief Editor

Last year was, no doubt, a year many Nigerians were eager to bid farewell to, in view of all its challenges, including insecurity in the form of banditry, kidnapping, killings, insurgency and #EndSARS protest. Of course, there were also raging Coronavirus (COVID-19), which led to lockdown and disruption of economic and social activities, as well as stifled economy, loss of jobs and businesses, and crisis in the education sector as a result of the nine-month strike by federal universities lecturers, which kept many students at home for a long time. As Nigerians look forward to a better 2021, many expect…

As part of efforts to make Ekiti safe for investment and living in 2021, the Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi is to launch a safety City Project to tackle kidnapping, banditry, robbery and other social menaces in the state. To bolster harmonious government, workers’ relationships, Fayemi said he would fulfill promises to recruit over 1,500 new employees into the teaching, healthcare and various cadres of the civil service, as well as pay all outstanding salaries, promotion and pension arrears due to active and retired civil servants. Fayemi spoke in Ado Ekiti in a statewide broadcast to Ekiti residents…

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye has said it would take the intervention of God to free the world of the Coronavirus and its variants. Pastor Adeboye, who stated this in his “Prophecies for 2021” released after the church’s virtual crossover service, said for every COVID-19 vaccine discovered, a new variant of the virus will emerge until the high and mighty admit that safety is of God. Scientists are presently contending with the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines on all the variants of the virus, and according to Adeboye, “This will continue until…

Liverpool will start 2021 in a familiar position at the top of the Premier League but with a rejuvenated Manchester United leading a pack of challengers who are all within striking distance. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side would join the champions on 33 points if they beat Aston Villa on Friday, with Jurgen Klopp’s men not in action until Monday. But just seven points separate Liverpool from their next opponents Southampton, all the way down in ninth spot, giving clubs a chance to dream. AFP Sport looks at some of the main talking points ahead of the weekend action in the…

Neymar laughed off controversy Thursday over reports he was throwing a mega New Year’s party for 500 guests, posting a video online of preparations for what he called a “low-key dinner” with family and friends. The superstar footballer has faced a flood of criticism in his native Brazil and beyond over reports that despite the coronavirus pandemic he was ringing in 2021 with a week-long bash for hundreds of people at his mansion outside Rio de Janeiro. However, he took to Instagram several hours before midnight to show his New Year’s Eve plans, which he described as small-scale. The 28-year-old…

Manchester City will be without five players for Sunday’s Premier League trip to Chelsea due to positive tests for coronavirus, Pep Guardiola has confirmed as he defended the decision to postpone Monday’s clash with Everton. City revealed there had been four positive cases at the club on Christmas Day, including for players Kyle Walker and Gabriel Jesus. A further round of testing found three more cases among the City squad on Monday, leading to the match being called off just four hours before kick-off. “Five players are isolating for 10 days,” said Guardiola on Friday. “Some of them, the first…

Chelsea’s form on the pitch may have fallen away of late but the future looks rosy, according to chairman Bruce Buck, as the Premier League side posted a profit of £32.5million ($44.4 million) for the year ended June 30, 2020. The figures reflect the impact the halt to the Premier League season in March had due to the coronavirus pandemic as overall turnover for the group fell from £446.7 million to £407.4 million. Broadcasting and matchday revenues decreased by £17.6 million and £12.2 million respectively largely due to the suspension of the campaign. However, qualification for the Champions League and…

Steven Gerrard says Rangers fans should stay away on Saturday despite the emotional pull of it being the 50th anniversary of the Ibrox tragedy that resulted in 66 fans dying. Gerrard can relate to their loss as his cousin Jon-Paul Gilhooley, 10, was the youngest victim of the Hillsborough disaster in 1989 when 96 Liverpool fans died. However, the Rangers manager said it would be foolhardy for fans of the Premiership leaders to come and pay their respects due to the coronavirus pandemic. Rangers are planning a scaled-back tribute to remember the fans who lost their lives on January 2,…

Mikel Arteta says Arsenal’s priority in the January transfer window is to trim their bloated squad as he seeks to build on a mini-revival at the Premier League club. The Gunners were able to offload Emiliano Martinez and Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the summer window while Matteo Guendouzi and Lucas Torreira departed on loan. But forgotten man Mesut Ozil remained at the Emirates along with Shkodran Mustafi and Sead Kolasinac, who have barely featured in the Premier League this season. Arsenal has been linked with a loan move for Real Madrid playmaker Isco next month, but first of all technical director,…

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says players cannot “fake” their way into the Manchester United team, pointing to fierce competition for places and a stronger mentality as factors in their rise. The Old Trafford giants will kick off against Aston Villa on Friday second in the Premier League, just three points behind leaders Liverpool and with a game in hand. Solskjaer has so far been coy on talk about a push for a first Premier League crown since 2013 but was more forthcoming when it came to the advances made in his two years in the dugout. The United boss said the…