Author: statereporter

President Bola Tinubu congratulates Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, former Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, on her unanimous re-election today as the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The renowned development economist and global finance expert made history in 2021 as the first African and first woman to lead the 164-nation-member WTO. Her first term as the seventh Director-General of the WTO will expire on August 31, 2025, while the second term begins September 1. The Nigerian leader notes with delight that Dr Okonjo-Iweala’s unanimous appointment for a second four-year term demonstrates the trust and confidence the…

Ademola Lookman, William Troost-Ekong, and Asisat Oshoala have been nominated in various categories of the prestigious 2024 FIFA Best awards. The nominations were announced by FIFA on Friday, further highlighting Nigeria’s growing influence in global football. Ademola Lookman, who ranked 14th in the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony, is shortlisted in the Best Attacker category. He joins an elite lineup that includes Vinicius Junior, Lamine Yamal, Bukayo Saka, Erling Haaland, Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo. William Troost-Ekong is a nominee for the Best Defender category, competing against players such as Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rüdiger, William Saliba, Achraf Hakimi, and Jonathan Tah.…

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have fallen eight places in the latest FIFA rankings, dropping from 36th to 44th globally. The update, released on Thursday by the world football governing body, also places Nigeria as the fifth-best team in Africa, down from their previous fourth position. The ranking reflects the Super Eagles’ underwhelming performance in their final matches of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. Despite having already secured a spot in the tournament due to Rwanda’s victory over Libya, the Eagles struggled to a 1-1 draw against the Benin Republic, managed by their former coach, Gernot Rohr.…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has lauded the amicable relations with French President Emmanuel Macron, appreciating his interest in Africa. Tinubu expressed confidence that Macron’s goodwill would foster stronger bilateral ties, benefiting the entire continent. . At the State Dinner organised by the French government for President Tinubu at Palais des Elysée in Paris on Thursday night, the Nigerian leader encouraged both Nigerian and French citizens to uphold the cordial relationship shared by their nations.. First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu accompanied the President to the dinner, along with Nigerian government officials, businessmen, and the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Dr…

Mali’s ruling junta, led by General Assimi Goita, has signaled preparations for elections that could mark a transition to civilian rule, though no timeline has been set. The announcement was made during a council of ministers meeting on Wednesday, as recorded in an official statement. Goita called on the government to “create the necessary conditions for the organisation of transparent and peaceful elections,” a rare acknowledgment of a potential end to military rule. The junta has largely avoided discussing the return to civilian governance since taking power in consecutive coups in 2020 and 2021. The statement referred to elections that…

The Federal Government has revealed that N8.8 billion has been spent on repairing and restoring power transmission towers across the country, following widespread attacks by vandals and bandits. This disclosure was made by Engr. Suleiman Ahmed Abdulaziz, Managing Director of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), during the Quarterly Power Sector Working Group meeting in Abuja. Abdulaziz, represented by Engr. Olugbenga Emmanuel Ajiboye, TCN’s Executive Director for Transmission Service Provider, noted that between January 2024 and now, 128 transmission towers have been damaged. Abdulaziz lamented the inefficiencies in prosecuting vandals, stating that many of those apprehended are often released on…

The House of Representatives has commenced the screening of Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, the acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS), following a formal request by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his confirmation as the substantive army chief. Oluyede appeared before the House Committee on Defence and Army on Tuesday to address lawmakers and outline his qualifications for the position. The screening session comes weeks after his appointment as acting COAS on October 30, 2024, following the illness and eventual death of his predecessor, Taoreed Lagbaja. In his address, Oluyede highlighted his extensive military career, spanning over three decades. Before his current…

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola reacts to UEFA Champions League match between Manchester City and Feyenoord. City manager Pep Guardiola says he did not intend “to make light” of self-harm when he answered a question about scratches on his face. City blew a 3-0 lead to draw 3-3 with Feyenoord in the Champions League on Tuesday and Guardiola was later seen with several scratch marks on his forehead during his post-match interview with broadcaster Amazon Prime. Asked by reporters during his news conference about a mark on his nose, Guardiola made a scratching motion and said: “With my finger, my…

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has suspended his Senior Special Assistant on Print Media, Mr. Wale Ajetunmobi, following a controversial tweet about the aftermath of the 2020 #EndSARS protests. The suspension was confirmed in a statement issued on Tuesday by Gboyega Akosile, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity. Akosile said the decision was necessitated by Ajetunmobi’s misrepresentation of facts on his personal “X” account. “The Governor wishes to state categorically that his administration frowns at any form of extrajudicial punishment and will not be a part of any such action. That is not who we are.…

Airtel Nigeria has announced the appointment of Dinesh Balsingh as its new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, effective November 1, 2024. The announcement was made in a statement on Tuesday by Femi Adeniran, the company’s Director of Corporate Communications and CSR. Balsingh succeeds Carl Cruz, who stepped down at the end of October to return to the Philippines. “Balsingh has extensive experience across the telecommunications industry and returns to Nigeria following his appointment as Managing Director and CEO of Airtel Tanzania in 2022,” the statement read. Prior to his role in Tanzania, Balsingh served as Chief Commercial Officer at…