The hottest and most trending news articles for this week in all categories are captured in one shot. Find articles ranging from News to Sports, to Politics, to Entertainment, to Economy, to Metro plus, and many other categories. See below the top news for the week:
NEWS
- Airlines Threaten To Shutdown Services On Monday Over Price Of Jet Fuel
The Airline Operators of Nigeria have announced suspension of their operations from Monday, May 9, following a rise in cost of jet A1 and other costs. The airlines – Azman Air, Max Air, United Nigeria Airways, Ibom Air, Arik Air, Air Peace, Dana Air and Overland Airways – made this known in a letter addressed to the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika while copying the Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Captain Musa Nuhu.
Aviation fuel price (JetA1) has risen from N190 per litre to N700 and the airlines have revolted, stressing that no airline in the world can absorb the astronomical hike. The airlines said with the current fuel hike, it has increased its fuel cost component from 40% to 95% in Nigeria and also affected the cost of a seat per head which should be at least N120,000. The operators appealed to passengers for understanding as the situation is currently biting.
- UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres Arrives Nigeria On First Official Visit
The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has arrived Nigeria on a two-day official visit to Africa’s most populous country. He proceeded to Borno, the state ravaged by a decade-long insurgency as Nigeria makes concerted efforts to wipe out terrorism.
According to the United Nations information center in Nigeria, Guterres is expected to meet with the Borno State governor, Babagana Zulum in Maiduguri, the state capital before embarking on a field mission where he will meet families affected by the Boko Haram conflict ravaging the region for more than 12 years.
The UN chief will also evaluate the impact of climate change on vulnerable communities and assess progress made as well as the challenges to the COVID-19 recovery. From there, he is scheduled to head to Abuja to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osibanjo and other top cabinet officials.
- UN Chief Visits Borno IDPs, Says Reintegrating Repentant Terrorists Critical For Peace
The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has proposed the reintegration of repentant terrorists to ensure the absolute return of peace in Nigeria’s north-east region. He gave the recommendation on Tuesday while addressing a gathering in Borno after visiting a camp housing people displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency in the state.
Guterres, who is on a two-day official visit to Nigeria – the first of such, believes the reintegration of persons forced to join terrorist groups during the over a decade-long insurgency will go a long way in bringing back peace in the region. “The best thing we can do for peace is to reintegrate those, that in a moment of despair, became terrorists but want to become now citizens and to contribute to the well-being of their brothers and sisters,” he said.
His tour of an Internally Displaced People’s (IDP) camp, according to him, shows that the people affected by terrorism want above all to go back home in safety and dignity. Thousands of people have been killed and millions forced out of their homes in the wake of the insurgency that has lasted over a decade. While the Nigerian government says it is winning the war against the terrorists, hundreds of Boko Haram and Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) have surrendered their arms to the military.
- You’re worst of all our enemies, IPOB replies Wike
The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, yesterday, replied the Rivers State, Governor Nyesom Wike, saying that he is the worst of all the enemies of Biafra and IPOB. The pro-Biafra group alleged that Governor Wike has a short memory, adding that his alleged recent statement that he (Wike) supports IPOB’s agitation against terrorists is an indication that he speaks from both sides of the mouth.
A statement by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, entitled ‘Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike is worse than all Biafran and IPOB enemies’, wondered if it is not the same Rivers State Governor Wike, that classified IPOB as a violent organisation and ordered that its members should keep off from Rivers State.
IPOB statement read in part, “The attention of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, under the command and leadership of our great leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has been drawn to the recent statement by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, claiming that he supports IPOB agitation, he is against Fulani terrorists in Nigeria.
- We Didn’t Designate IPOB As Terrorist Organisation – UK
The United Kingdom has clarified that it did not designate the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as a terrorist organisation.
The clarification comes after it emerged that the UK sought to exclude IPOB members who have committed human rights abuses from its asylum program.
A statement signed by presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu, had stated that “Nigeria welcomes the decision by the United Kingdom to proscribe the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as a terrorist group.” But the British High Commission in Abuja, in a statement on Friday, said this was not the case.
- Buhari to Igbo Leaders: Only court can decide Nnamdi Kanu’s fate
President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday declared that the ongoing treason trial of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu would run its full course, clearing doubts about the possibility of the government letting him off the hook. Buhari, responding to latest pleas from South East leaders for the release of the arrowhead of the agitation for Biafra, said Kanu’s matter should be allowed to be properly adjudicated in court.
He spoke at a meeting with the leadership of the pan-Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze, and other eminent South Easterners in Abakaliki on the second day of his visit to Ebonyi State.
Unknown gunmen, apparently disappointed that Buhari made the trip in spite of the sit-at-home protest ordered by some groups, took out their anger on a motorist and a motorcyclist in the Ebonyi State capital: the vehicles were set ablaze. However, two armed bandits suspected to be members of the proscribed IPOB and its affiliate Eastern Security Network (ESN), were killed on Tuesday in an encounter with the police at Agwa in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State.
- 2023: Nigeria’s vault no longer safe, sack Emefiele now, lawyer tells Buhari
A human rights lawyer, Festus Ogun, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently sack the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele. The lawyer made the call in response to a report that the All Progressives Congress Expression of Interest and Nomination forms have been purchased for Emefiele to contest the 2023 presidential election by his supporters.
A coalition comprising Rice Farmers Association, Emefiele Support Group and Friends of Godwin on Friday reportedly obtained the forms for him. The CBN governor had denied having an interest in the presidency but has yet to speak on the collection of forms. Ogun expressed fear that the treasury of Nigeria is no longer safe in the hands of Emefiele.
POLITICS
- Fayemi Officially Declares For Presidency
Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State has formally declared his intention to contest for president in 2023 on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress. He made the declaration on Wednesday in Abuja.
Fayemi promised to ensure youth empowerment when he becomes the president. He also pledged to “retool the Armed Forces and security agencies”. He also promised decentralisation for the government to be brought closer to the people.
The event was attended by many dignitaries including a former Governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun; former Senate President, Ameh Ebute; former Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Prof. Modupe Adelabu; and many traditional rulers.
- Dumping rotational presidency’ll cause crisis – Akeredolu, Senators
The Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum and Governor of Ondo State, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, has insisted that the southern part of the country must produce the next president of the country.
Akeredolu, in a statement on Tuesday, warned the national leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress against giving the presidential ticket to a northern aspirant so as not to put the party in a crisis.
While the Southern Senators supported their governors, saying the presidential aspirations of politicians from the South were legitimate, the Coalition of Northern Groups described Akeredolu’s statement as a threat to the unity of the country. The National Chairman of the APC, Senator Adamu Abdullahi, had on Friday in Abuja said the party had yet to zone the 2023 presidency.
A member of the House of Representatives, Rotimi Agunsoye (APC, Lagos), warned the APC against retaining power in the North as it would be counterproductive for the party. Agunsoye said, “Of course, it has to come to the South. They cannot retain power in the North. They are doing their eight years. Fair is fair.”
- APC, PDP PRESIDENTIAL SLOTS: Be fair, cede tickets to South – Clark, Southern govs insist
Southern governors, senators and elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, yesterday, insisted that power must shift to the South, next year, to ensure equity, justice and fair play in the country. The Southern governors urged the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, to end the guessing game, tread the path of equity and zone its 2023 presidential ticket to the Southern part of Nigeria. The governors spoke on a day Southern Senators Forum also declared that rotational presidency is legal and constitutional and that it is the turn of the South to produce the country’s next president.
This is even as Elder Statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, specifically said the APC and other parties should cede their presidential tickets to the South-East, saying former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, retd, should have allowed the Igbo to leave Nigeria in 1967 if they were not to be integrated into the country.
He added that there might be no Nigeria without zoning in response to those urging the APC, and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to throw the presidential race open to all parts of the country.
- North retaining Presidency could spell doom for Nigeria – Middle Belt group
The Middle Belt Movement for Justice and Peace, MBMJP has advised the two dominant political parties, the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, against retaining the presidency in the north in 2023 warning that such could spell doom for the country.
The group warned that the fallout of that move might be too much for those plotting it to handle because the country would be plunge further into an unimaginable political crisis. The Convener MBMJP, Comrade Joe Bukka in a statement Tuesday in Makurdi appealed to the political class to desist from deliberate acts that could further endanger the unity of the country.
He said it was unimaginable that politicians were pondering with the idea of retaining the presidency of the country in the north at the end of the tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari who is a northerner, warning that those behind the plot might not be able to stand the consequences of their “ill-conceived political adventure.”
- 2023: Enugu youth group begins door-to-door campaign on voter registration
A group under the aegis of Enugu Youth Organisation on Tuesday, embarked on a door-to-door sensitisation campaign for the residents, especially the youths, to get involved in the election process to ensure that credible people are elected in 2023 general elections.
The youth group matched major streets from Okpara Square through Independence layout to ESBS, IMT to Nkponkiti to Presidential road, Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium to Holy Ghost, Chris Chemist to Okpara Avenue to ShopRite, and Ogui Junction to Otigba Junction through New Haven Junction to Enugu State Government House. They carried banners and shared flyers to people with inscriptions ‘Your PVC is your power’, ‘Get involved in the election process’, ‘Get your PVC now!!!’, among others.
Addressing journalists during the sensitisation rally, the president of the organisation, Godwin Eya, said they chose to embark on the sensitisation exercise that would be taken to all the communities in Enugu State, because of the low participation in the ongoing INEC Continuous Voters Registration exercise in the state.
- 2023: Amosun Declares, As Osinbajo, Nnamani, Bakare Pick Nomination Forms
Former Ogun State Governor and Senator representing Ogun Central, Ibikunle Amosun, formally declared his presidential ambition on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.
At the International Conference Centre in the same Federal Capital Territory, Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, former vice presidential candidate in the defunct Congress for Progressive Change in the 2011 general elections, Pastor Tunde Bakare; former Senate President, Ken Nnamani and Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi picked the Nomination Forms ahead of the party presidential convention.
Senator Amosun while declaring his ambition commended the incumbent President, Muhammadu Buhari for the latter achievements in the last seven years and promised to “consolidate on the ongoing processes by broadening and deepening, and where necessary, rebuilding the all-encompassing, coherent and comprehensive security structure to confront the numerous security challenges facing the country.”
The former governor described his aspiration as “a historic call and duty to lead the next phase of our collective journey to national glory. It is a duty to re-energise our faith in the future of this country even in the face of the threats to our national sovereignty by insurgents and terrorists; a duty to renew hope in our collective destiny even in the light of some doubts expressed and mobilised in some quarters about our shared fate.”
- 2023: Imams Warn Politicians Against Disrupting Nigeria’s Peace, Security
The League of Imams and Alfas in Ogun State has appealed to politicians to shun all acts that are capable of disrupting the peace and security of Nigeria as the 2023 general elections draw near. The league urged those seeking elective offices to participate in the election processes according to the guidelines.
The president of the league, Sheikh Sikirullahi Babalola, made the appeal in a statement signed by the General Secretary, Sheikh Tajudeen Mustapha, to commemorate the end of this year’s Ramadan fast. Babalola also urged Nigerians to sustain the fear of Allah which they exhibited during the fasting period.
- Akeredolu Asks CBN Governor To Resign Over Presidential Ambition
Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has asked the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele to resign over the latter’s move to join the 2023 presidential race. The Ondo governor’s comment came hours after a group of supporters purchased the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential nomination form for Emefiele.
In a statement on Friday night, Akeredolu argued that Emefiele cannot combine his work with partisan politics. “Consequently, we admonish Mr Emefiele to leave the office, immediately, for him to pursue his interest,” he said. He cannot combine partisan politics with the very delicate assignment of his office. Should he refuse to quit, it becomes incumbent on the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces to remove him forthwith.”
The governor said before the purchase of the form, Emefiele had been linked with partisan politics. He said while the CBN governor is constitutionally qualified to belong to any group, Emefiele’s position makes the recent move “brazen”.
- 2023: Tinubu Endorses Sanwo-Olu, Hamzat For Second Term
Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has endorsed Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his deputy Femi Hamzat for a second term. Mr Tinubu held up both men’s hand after a Lagos APC stakeholders meeting held at the Adeyemi Bero in the Alausa area of the State. There had been speculations that Mr Sanwo-Olu wasn’t guaranteed a second term ticket of the party.
But Mr Tinubu’s endorsement may have put paid to such rumours. Mr Tinubu, who is also vying to fly the APC’s flags in the upcoming presidential elections is a former Lagos State Governor and popularly believed to be the state’s ultimate political godfather.
ECONOMY
- Fertiliser shortage: Nigeria imports Canadian potash to replace Russian supply
Nigeria had to import emergency supplies of potash from Canada in April after the country’s inability to get the fertiliser from Russia due to the impact of Western sanctions against Russia.
Reuters reported that the Managing Director, Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, Uche Orji, disclosed this in Lagos but declined to comment on prices.
It, however, reported that spot prices on Tuesday were up more than 250 per cent for deliveries to West Africa compared to last year, according to commodities pricing agency Argus Media, dealing a further blow to the country’s finances. The move shows one of many unintended negative consequences of sanctions to punish Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.
The International Monetary Fund said last week that the invasion had delivered a further “huge negative shock” to sub-Saharan Africa, driving food and energy prices higher and putting the most vulnerable people at risk of hunger. The extra pressure comes as many countries are still reeling from the protracted COVID-19 pandemic.
Nigeria has for years been battling double-digit inflation, which quickened to 15.92 per cent last month, and its population of 200 million will face even higher food costs this year and the next as the agricultural sector passes on the higher costs of imported wheat, diesel and fertiliser.
- Nigerians to pay more as GSM operators plan 40% tariff hike
Telecommunication companies are proposing a 40 per cent increase in the cost of calls, SMS, and data to the Nigerian Communications Commission as a result of the rising cost of running a business in the nation. Based on their proposal, the price floor of calls will increase from N6.4 to N8.95 while the price cap of SMS will increase from N4 to N5.61.
This was revealed in a letter titled, ‘Impact of the Economic and Security Issues on the Telecommunications Sector,’ which was sighted by newsmen. The letter was written by the telecommunications companies under the aegis of the Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria to the NCC.
In the letter, the telecom companies said there had been a 40 per cent increase in the cost of doing business in the nation. According to them, the telecommunication industry has been financially impacted following the nation’s economic recession in 2020 and the effect of the ongoing Ukraine/Russia crisis. They said this had resulted in an increase in energy costs, increasing their operating expenses by 35 per cent.
BUSINESS
- US Increases Interest Rate By 50 Points, Biggest Hike In Two Decades
The Federal Reserve on Wednesday made its biggest rate hike since 2000 with a half percentage point increase meant to crush soaring inflation in the United States. After a quarter-point hike in March, the US central bank’s policy-setting Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) pushed the rate above 0.75 percent as it works to cool the economy while noting more increases “will be appropriate.”
That will raise the costs of all types of borrowing, from mortgages to credit cards to car loans, cooling demand and business activity.
Inflation has become an overriding concern after the world’s largest economy saw annual consumer prices jump 8.5 percent over the 12 months to March — the biggest jump since December 1981.
HEALTH
- How to reduce risk of food poisoning —Experts
Health experts have called for regular health screening of food handlers in Lagos State, noting that it will help reduce the risk of food poisoning and deaths from contaminated food. The experts, who are researchers at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Lagos, stressed that it is necessary to conduct health screening for food vendors before they are contracted to render services.
They noted that unhealthy food vendors could constitute a vehicle through which diseases could be transmitted from person to person.
The researchers made the call during the Official Flag-off of Comprehensive Health Advocacy and Screening of Food Handlers and Consumers in selected Local Government Areas of Lagos State held at the NIMR auditorium on Thursday.
The Director-General of NIMR, Prof. Babatunde Salako, in his welcome address at the event, said food could be a way of introducing diseases and infections to the human body. The NIMR boss maintained that food must be safe for consumption no matter how little.
- US limits use of J&J COVID-19 vaccine due to rare blood clot risk
The US said on Thursday that only adults who “have personal concerns” about mRNA vaccines, access issues or medical reasons for refusing them may now receive the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 shot, which has been linked to a rare but serious clotting condition. The vaccine, which was authorised as a single shot, is less protective than those developed by Pfizer and Moderna, and in December, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advised the public to steer clear.
Thursday’s decision by the Food and Drug Administration builds on that recommendation by limiting the J&J vaccine’s emergency use authorization. Sixty US cases of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS), which produces rare and potentially life-threatening blood clots with low levels of blood platelets, had been reported by March 18, with nine deaths.
Symptoms begin approximately one to two weeks following administration, and the condition — which can cause life-long impacts even when not fatal – occurs more frequently in premenopausal women. Concerns over the vaccine have already limited uptake: Only 18.7 million doses have been administered in the United States, or about 3.2 per cent of the total 577 million.
- Shortage of midwives may increase to 1m by 2030, WHO warns
The World Health Organisation says that the shortage of midwives could increase to one million by 2030, noting that this has serious implications for the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals.
Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, World Health Organsation Regional Director for Africa, said this in a message to mark the International Day of the Midwife 2022 which is celebrated every May 5. The theme is “100 years of progress’’.
She said the shortage would make a serious implication for the Sustainable Development Goals target of reducing the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 deaths before 2030.
According to her, if current trends persist, only 300,000 midwifery jobs are likely to be created in low-income countries.
Moeti said that midwives had been strengthening Primary Health Care for decades, acting as a critical link between women and the health system, and making pregnancy and childbirth safer and more secure.
She said that the contributions made by midwives towards achieving the SDGs and Universal Health Coverage could not be overestimated because they strengthened Primary Health Care for decades.
EDUCATION
- Return to negotiation with ASUU, students’ group urges FG
The National Association of Nigerian Students, Osun chapter has urged the Federal Government to return to negotiation with the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities to end the ongoing strike. This was contained in a statement co-signed by Oyelayo Oyewole and Salahudeen Adisa, NANS Chairman and Secretary, Osun chapter respectively, obtained in Osogbo on Thursday.
The group also declared support for the national body of NANS’ plan to disrupt all presidential primaries, if the government failed to proffer a solution to industrial action.
The statement read in parts, “NANS Osun Axis is using this solidarity period to implore the Federal Government to call for another negotiation between the two parties in a bid to put an end to the ongoing inglorious Strike. “We are using this period to charge the ‘’ASUU Leadership ’’ to employ and adopt flexibility during the cause of negotiation, as excessive rigidity may cause the process to reach yet another Dead-End.
- ASUU Strike: Nigerians Express Anger As Vice Chancellors’ Wives Plan To Attend Course In Turkey
Some Nigerians, on Thursday, expressed anger over alleged plan by the wives of Vice-Chancellors across Nigerian universities to travel to Istanbul, Turkey, for a five-day leadership course while country’s universities are shut down by the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
However, the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVCNU), said the five-day leadership course scheduled to hold in Istanbul, is to build the capacity of Women in Academics and Higher Education Leadership in Africa and not targeted at wives of vice-chancellors alone.
A letter addressed to vice-chancellors dated May 5, 2022 and signed by the Committee’s Secretary-General, Professor Yakubu Ochefu, was titled: ‘Invitation to the Istanbul Five-Day Leadership and Management Masterclass, Fellowship Induction for Spouses of Vice-Chancellors, Women in Academics and Higher Education Leadership’.
According to the letter, each of the VCs’ wives would pay a sum of N1.5 million as a course form to attend the programme.
- ASUU Strike: FG To Resume Talks With Varsity Lecturers
The Federal Government will resume talks with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) by next week as part of moves to end the lingering strike by the lecturers. Labour and Employment Minister, Chris Ngige, said this on Friday in his opening remark at a meeting with the striking National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).
He said that strikes in the education sector could have been averted if the unions embraced his open-door policy. The minister believes the strikes in the sector were mainly due to economic reasons and he says with dialogue, the solution would be reached.
The move is the government’s latest effort to end the strike which was embarked on by ASUU on February 14, 2022. Following the industrial action, students recently protested in Benin City, calling for the reopening of schools.
WORLD
- Biden Appoints First Black White House Press Secretary
US President Joe Biden on Thursday named Karine Jean-Pierre as the next White House press secretary, the first Black person to hold the high-profile post. Jean-Pierre, who will also be the first openly LGBTQ+ person in the role, will replace Jen Psaki, under whom she served as deputy, from May 13. Biden in a statement praised Jean-Pierre’s “experience, talent and integrity,” saying he was “proud” to announce her appointment.
The outgoing spokeswoman, bringing Jean-Pierre behind the podium for the traditional briefing of accredited journalists at the White House on Thursday, praised, in a voice sometimes choked with emotion, the qualities of her deputy, whom she hugged several times.
Jean-Pierre “will be the first Black woman, the first out LGBTQ+ person to serve in this role,” said Psaki, who said from the outset that she would step down during Biden’s term. Jean-Pierre’s promotion is “amazing because representation matters and she is going to give a voice to so many and show so many what is truly possible when you work hard and dream big,” Psaki added, opting not to comment on media reports that she will be joining TV channel MSNBC after leaving the White House.
ENTERTAINMENT
- 2baba, Mr Macaroni, Toyin Lawani, others attend NEC Live 9
TOP entertainment personalities including 2baba, Toyin Lawani, ID Cabasa, Mr Macaroni, and Iyabo Ojo were present at the ninth edition of the Nigeria Entertainment Conference (NECLive).
Themed ‘Sustaining the Africa Momentum,’ the annual event examined how creatives can get their contents beyond the shores of Africa to get global recognition. Welcoming guests, the convener, Ayeni Adekunle, noted that Africa’s success in entertainment should translate into economic buoyancy.
- Silence not golden, Justin Dean stole my $5000, Korra cries out
Popular Nigerian singer and dancer, Korra Obidi, has cried out bitterly on social media, alleging that her husband, Justin Dean, had stolen a sum of 5000 dollars from her. Obidi, who had said that she mistakenly sent the money into their joint account said Dean immediately emptied the account.
The singer said in her Facebook live video on Saturday that she could no longer be silent over her marriage, saying that the reason she had been silent over the marriage was that she knew the “internet never forgets”. “I did not want to speak about my divorce in public, it was a decision I made, knowing that the internet never forgets and considering that I’m putting my children first.
Obidi lamented that she had gotten a lot of bills to pay including a $21,000 meant for the lawyer over their divorce case, saying Justin had not been responsible for any bills even though he caused all of them. Korra said Justin stole from her and her girls, adding that she had messaged him to refund the money, but she didn’t understand what Dean was saying.
SPORTS
- Chelsea Confirm $5.2b Club Sales To Todd Boehly-Led Group
Chelsea FC said a group led by Los Angeles Dodgers co-owner Todd Boehly would acquire the London club after agreeing to terms in a deal worth £4.25 billion ($5.2 billion). “The sale is expected to complete in late May subject to all necessary regulatory approvals,” the football club said in a statement late Friday. More details will be provided at that time,” it added.
Chelsea’s Russian owner Roman Abramovich put the Premier League club on the market in March, just days before he was sanctioned by the British government following the invasion of Ukraine. After a lengthy bidding process involving several groups, Boehly and his fellow investors were picked by Raine Group, the New York bank overseeing the Blues’ sale.
Boehly’s group of investors includes fellow Dodgers co-owner Mark Walter, Swiss billionaire Hansjoerg Wyss and US investment firm Clearlake Capital.
- FIFA Sanctions Nigeria Over MKO Abiola Stadium Invasion
FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee on Monday imposed sanctions on Nigeria for the misconduct of its fans during the world cup qualifying tie in Abuja on May 29. Displeased football fans had vandalised facilities at the MKO Abiola National Stadium following Super Eagles’ 1-1 draw with the Black Stars of Ghana. The tie had ended Nigeria’s bid to qualify for the global football tournament scheduled to start in November 2022 in Qatar.
The world football ruling body in a statement on its official website detailed the reason for these sanctions as “order and security at matches (failure to implement existing safety rules and failure to ensure that law and order are maintained in the stadium, invasion of the field of play and throwing of objects”. “In line with FIFA’s zero-tolerance stance against discrimination and violence in football, a number of member associations have been punished due to the abusive behaviour by their respective supporters,” the communique also read.
FIFA imposed a 150,000 Swiss Franc (N63,996,216.90) fine on Nigeria as a result of the unruly behaviour of its fans, FIFA also ordered the country to play their next international match behind closed doors. FIFA, however, gave room for appeal. Last month, the Senate invited the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare; NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, and other agencies involved in the maintenance of the MKO Abiola Stadium to determine the extent of the damage to facilities at the national arena.
- Spurs Sharpshooters Pose Huge Test For Liverpool, Says Klopp
Jurgen Klopp has warned Liverpool that Tottenham forwards Harry Kane and Son Heung-min will pose a “massive” challenge for his quadruple-chasing team. Klopp’s side, one point behind Premier League leaders Manchester City with four games left, can go top of the table if they beat Tottenham at Anfield on Saturday, with City facing Newcastle 24 hours later.
But fifth-placed Spurs are battling to finish in the top four and Reds boss Klopp is concerned about the potential damage that Kane and Son — with 43 goals between them in all competitions this season — could do. Liverpool are on a high after sealing their place in the Champions League final against Real Madrid by beating Villarreal this week.
In contrast, City were left reeling by Real’s astonishing escape act in the other semi-final, eventually losing 6-5 on aggregate. But Klopp is wary about writing off City too soon, expecting them to respond this weekend. With the League Cup already in the trophy cabinet and an FA Cup final to come against Chelsea next weekend, Liverpool are in contention to become the first club to win all four major trophies in a single season.
METRO PLUS
- Oyetola inaugurates rehabilitation of N3.2bn township roads
The Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, on Thursday, flagged off rehabilitation of roads in Osogbo Federal Constituency with an assurance not to neglect governance for politicking. Oyetola gave the assurance in Ilobu during the flag off of rehabilitation work on three selected roads cutting across the Osogbo, Ilobu, Ifon and Egbedore local government areas of the state, a project that would cost the government a sum of N3,265,623,449.00.
The repair work on the roads, namely: Osogbo (LAMECO)-Okinni-Ilobu-Ifon Osun Market with Spur to Olobu’s Palace (9.8km); Osogbo/Ilobu Road-Ire Akari-Erin Osun Round About-Erin Osun LCDA Junction Road (3.21km); and Post Office-Aiyetoro-Jamodo-Olufon Palace-Janta Road, Ifon Osun (2.1km), Oyetola said was to fulfil the promise by his administration to continue to provide good infrastructural amenities in all parts of the state. The governor further said, “I stand to confirm to you that as we gravitate towards completing this term, politics and governance will go hand in hand.
