Author: Chief Editor

•Osinbajo praises ban After defying the earlier directives by former Inspector General of Police (IG), Mr. Ibrahim Idris, the operatives of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) and other police tactical squads have again been barred by the IG, Mr. Mohammed Adamu, from routine patrols, wearing mufti and engaging in stop-and-search. The latest directive followed the extra-judicial executions, intimidation and general abuse of the rights of citizens by the operatives of the FSARS. A citizen-led twitter campaign tagged: “End SARS” was launched against the killings and arbitrary arrests by FSARS personnel and had trended for some time without a satisfactory…

The Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI) has called on the federal government to intervene in the ownership dispute between HealthPlus, a pharmaceutical retail concern and its equity investment partner, United Kingdom’s Alta Semper Capital. NASSI made the call in a statement signed by its Director-General, Mr. Ifeanyi Oputa. According to the association, there is a need for the federal government to promote and protect business founded by Nigerians who, in spite of the country’s notoriously difficult business environment, have created thriving concerns. While admitting that it is yet to have full details of the events leading to the…

A former Governor of Jigawa State, Mr. Sule Lamido, has criticised the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum and other elected leaders in the country for allegedly talking about cracks and division of the country under their watch. Lamido also came hard on some elder statesmen including Chief Edwin Clark, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, General Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), Chief Nnia Nwodo, and Prof. Ango Abdulahi for “entertaining dividing the country” that helped them to succeed. Lamido stated these in his message to mark Nigeria’s 60th Independence Anniversary. Recounting the pleasant memories of the past about the…

•Claims enemies of Nigeria sponsoring discord •ACF recants, calls for referendum on Nigeria’s future •APC has not abandoned restructuring, says Fayemi The presidency in a veiled reference to renewed agitations for restructuring of Nigeria yesterday said the President Muhammadu Buhari administration would not be intimidated into making any hasty decision over the matter, claiming that the country’s enemies were actively sponsoring discord in the polity. There have been renewed agitations for the country to be restructured to avoid its break-up, with the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, joining the fray at the…

Barcelona technical director quashes rumours of Ousmane Dembele’s exit. Manchester United are desperate to land Dembele and are seeking to sign him on loan. According to Barca Blaugranes, Barcelona technical director Ramon Planes has played down the exit rumours of winger Ousmane Dembele. Dembele has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United this summer. Manchester United spent most of their summer chasing Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho, but have failed in their pursuit after refusing to meet Dortmund’s £108 million valuation of Sancho. United have therefore switched their focus to alternative options, and have identified Ousmane Dembele as their second option. Ousmane Dembele joined…

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has come under fire for Manchester United’s shaky start to the new campaign. However, the Norwegian shouldn’t be blamed for being forced to work miracles with a squad that has barely changed. Barely months after Manchester United played some of their best football in the years since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement, things seem to be derailing at Old Trafford once again. With barely two days to go for the summer transfer window to close, Dutch midfielder Donny van de Beek remains the only new signing at Manchester United. The management is reluctant to meet the asking prices for other…

Chelsea are open to loaning Callum Hudson-Odoi, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Fikayo Tomori, as per reports. Frank Lampard stated that the Blues are looking to approach the situation player-by-player. The final few days of the summer transfer window are here, and every club is trying to get deals over the line. Some are looking to sign the players they desperately need while others are trying to sell or loan the ones that are surplus to requirements. Chelsea are in the middle of the two things as they are looking to bring in a player while also trying to loan and sell…

Sadio Mane has tested positive for COVID-19 and is currently self-isolating according to the necessary guidelines. The forward, who started and scored in Monday’s 3-1 victory over Arsenal, has displayed minor symptoms of the virus but feels in good health overall. However, like with Thiago Alcantara, Liverpool Football Club are – and will continue to – follow all protocols relating to COVID-19 and Mane will self-isolate for the required period of time. [Liverpool]

Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, former head of state, says it is silly to blame the military for Nigeria’s problems. In an interview with Channels TV, Babangida faulted the argument that the military’s intervention in Nigeria’s governance did more harm than good to the country. Six years after independence, some Nigerian soldiers led by Chukwuma Nzeogwu carried out a coup which failed. Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi emerge as the first military head of state afterwards. Subsequent coups resulted in a prolonged military rule. Babangida, who was one of the longest-serving military rulers, led Nigeria from 1985 to 1993. In the interview broadcast on Friday…

DELE MOMODU Fellow Nigerians, I was one of those who celebrated Nigeria’s 60th Independence anniversary in the grandiloquent Ovation International style. Many had queried me on social media asking what was there to celebrate? My response was easy and straightforward. LIFE. One word that encapsulates the whole essence of our existence. I will never take LIFE for granted. This is more so when we consider the corona virus pandemic now ravaging the world. The latest person to fall victim to this insidious, but utterly dangerous and dreaded ailment is the omnipotent President of the United States, Donald Trump, who like…