Author: statereporter
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…
Napoli are ready to sell Khvicha Kvaratskhelia this summer if the Georgia striker does not sign a new contract, with Manchester United keen on the 23-year-old. (Sportmediaset – in Italian), external. New Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim has sent scouts to watch 17-year-old Portugal U21s winger Geovany Quenda, 26-year-old Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres and Portugal winger Pedro Goncalves, 26, play for Sporting against Arsenal on Tuesday. (Mail – subscription required), external. Real Madrid want to sign a new right-back and see Tottenham’s 25-year-old Spain defender Pedro Porro as a potential target. (Sport – in Spanish), external. Brighton have made 20-year-old…
Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, has expressed optimism that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will order the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Speaking on Tuesday during the 13th memorial anniversary of the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu in Owerri, Ojukwu emphasized that Kanu’s release is critical to identifying and isolating criminal elements exploiting his detention to perpetrate violence in the Southeast. “The release of Nnamdi Kanu is paramount to separating genuine freedom fighters from criminals causing mayhem in the Southeast. Our people face existential threats, and we…
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced a reduction in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, to ₦970 per litre for oil marketers. In a statement issued on Sunday, the company’s Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, highlighted the reduction as a gesture of appreciation to Nigerians for their steadfast support in bringing the refinery’s vision to life. This new price marks a ₦20 decrease from the refinery’s earlier ex-depot price of ₦990 per litre, introduced earlier this month. “The adjustment is also our way of expressing gratitude to the government for their support, as…