Author: Prince Ade ADe

The Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki says he could not risk backing Philip Shaibu to succeed him as the leader of the state. Shaibu and Obaseki, former allies, fell off in the former’s quest to become the governor of Edo State. The former deputy governor was later impeached by the Edo State House of Assembly for leaking government information. Despite claims in some quarters that the Edo State governor betrayed his former ally, Obaseki said the political permutations in the South-South state did not favour his former deputy to take over the reins of office at the Dennis Osadebay House…

A Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT) sitting in Abuja, has restrained Multi-choice Nigeria Limited from increasing its tariffs and cost of products and services scheduled to begin on May 1. The three-member tribunal, presided over by Saratu Shafii, gave the interim order on Monday following an ex-parte motion moved by Ejiro Awaritoma, counsel for the applicant, Festus Onifade. In a ruling, the tribunal restrained multi-choice from going ahead with the impending price increase schedule to take effect from May 1, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed before it. She also directed all parties in…

Former international Finidi George has been announced as the new head coach of Nigeria, succeeding Jose Peseiro. The 53-year-old was placed in interim charge of the Super Eagles after the departure of the Portuguese following Nigeria’s defeat by Ivory Coast in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final in February. George, also coach of club side Enyimba, oversaw two friendly matches last month, beating Ghana 2-1 before a 2-0 loss against Mali. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed his appointment on Monday after approving a recommendation from its technical and development committee. Former Ajax and Real Betis winger George spent…

The Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has approved a new minimum wage of N70,000 for civil servants in the state. The governor revealed this while commissioning the new Labour House in Edo state on Monday. According to him, the new wage comes into effect on May 1st, 2024. This is as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) battles the Federal Government over increasing the minimum wage to match increasing national inflation and skyrocketing food inflation. The inflation rate for March 2024 hit 33.2 per cent from 31.70 per cent in February, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). Food…

Rafael Nadal is into the last 16 of the Madrid Open after a hard-fought victory over Argentina’s Pedro Cachin. The Spaniard, 37, came through 6-1 6-7 (5-7) 6-3 after three hours and six minutes on court. Five-time champion Nadal is playing on the Madrid clay for the final time, in what he expects to be the last season of his career. Nadal will play 30th seed Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic on Tuesday for a place in the quarter-finals. But Great Britain’s Cameron Norrie is out after losing to fifth seed Casper Ruud in straight sets. The Norwegian, who…

Premier League clubs have voted in favour of developing plans to introduce a spending cap. Sixteen clubs approved proposals for the Premier League to complete the final economic and legal analysis needed to create a spending-cap model. The model might be presented to clubs at June’s annual general meeting (AGM), and if voted through it would replace the current Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) from the 2025-26 season onwards. Manchester City, Manchester United and Aston Villa opposed the possible introduction of a spending cap on Monday, while Chelsea abstained. The league’s current financial rules, under which Everton and Nottingham Forest…

Paris Saint-Germain were confirmed as Ligue 1 champions on Sunday without playing after closest challengers Monaco lost 3-2 away to Lyon. Monaco’s defeat gave PSG an unassailable 12-point lead at the top of the table with three games remaining and means they are champions for a French record-extending 12th time. PSG could have clinched the title on Saturday with a win at home to struggling Le Havre, but in the end they needed a 95th-minute equaliser to snatch a 3-3 draw. However, after that game coach Luis Enrique insisted his side had won the league “without any doubt”, as they…

Leaders Enugu Rangers defeated Plateau United 2-0 on Sunday to retain top spot in the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL as Week 32 matches were decided. Goals by Chiedozie Okorie and Godwin Obaje were enough for the hosts to secure all three points. Elsewhere, defending champions Enyimba International kept pressure on their oriental rivals in the title race. The People’s Elephants secured a 1-0 win over Katsina United in Aba, courtesy of a Chijioke Mbaoma goal in the hour mark. Former champions Akwa United boosted their survival hopes with a 3-0 victory over Kano Pillars at the Godswill Akpabio International…

Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen was at his best mettle as he netted a goal in Napoli’s 2-2 draw against Roma in Sunday’s Serie A game. The Nigerian international, who was making his 22 appearances for Napoli, has scored 13 goals and bagged three assists this ongoing season. Paolo Dybala scored the opening goal in the 59th minute to silence the home supporters before Olivera leveled parity for Napoli in the 64th minute. Osimhen made it 2-1 for the visitor after he calmly converted a penalty in the 84th minute. But Roma equalised in the 89th minute through Tammy Abraham.…

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, said yesterday that the petrol scarcity currently spreading to more states across the country will take at least two weeks to normalise. This is even as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NPCL insisted yesterday that it has adequate stock of the product. However, the Public Relations Officer of IPMAN, Chinedu Ukadike, said the product is not available in the country. He said it has become a bit of a challenge to source the product because most refineries in Europe are undergoing turnaround maintenance. Ukadike also blamed the acute shortage in supply…