Author: Prince Ade ADe

The Rivers State Police Command has taken decisive action in response to an incident of extortion involving its personnel. Inspector Michael Odey, implicated in the act, has been formally dismissed, while two other operatives, both Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASPs), have been issued queries and recommended for dismissal in accordance with established procedures. The alleged misconduct occurred in December 2023 when the three operatives, including the two ASPs, were apprehended and detained on charges of kidnapping and extorting $3,000 from two unidentified travelers. This prompted swift action from the police command to address the breach of professional conduct. Grace Iringe-Koko,…

In an effort to address the escalating cost of cement and other building materials and to bolster the provision of affordable housing in Nigeria, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, has initiated a meeting with manufacturers of cement and building materials in the country. The primary objective of this meeting is to gain a comprehensive understanding of the challenges within the sector, formulate effective measures to counter the upward trajectory of building material costs, and explore sustainable solutions to alleviate these challenges. Expressing concern over the persistently high costs of building materials, despite the abundance of raw…

The prospect of establishing state police is under active consideration by the Federal Government and the governments of all 36 states, marking a significant development after an emergency meeting between President Bola Tinubu and state governors at the Aso Rock Villa on Thursday. This deliberation stems from recent concerns over the surge in food prices, prevailing economic challenges, and pockets of insecurity observed nationwide. Following the meeting, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, addressed State House correspondents, shedding light on the ongoing process. He emphasized that the initiative is in its early stages and will evolve further…

Kylian Mbappe made a triumphant return from injury, securing a goal for Paris St-Germain and shifting the balance in their favor in the Champions League last-16 clash against Real Sociedad. Despite an initially lackluster performance, Mbappe’s well-timed strike at the back post, following a corner, provided the breakthrough. Bradley Barcola extended PSG’s lead with a skillful finish past Real Sociedad keeper Alex Remiro. Earlier, Remiro had thwarted Mbappe’s attempt for a second goal by tipping it onto the crossbar. While PSG, seeking their first Champions League title, struggled in the first half, Real Sociedad’s Mikel Merino hit the bar just…

Former world number one, Rafael Nadal, has opted to delay his return to competitive tennis by withdrawing from the Qatar Open. Having recently made a comeback at the Brisbane International, marking his return after nearly a year of injury hiatus, the 37-year-old encountered a setback with a hip injury, leading to his absence from the Australian Open. The 22-time Grand Slam champion, in a statement to X, clarified that he currently isn’t prepared for competitive play and intends to concentrate on regaining fitness for upcoming events. Specifically, Nadal is aiming to participate in an exhibition match against compatriot Carlos Alcaraz…

Enyimba International star midfielder Daniel Daga headlines a 30-man roster of Nigeria’s under-20 national team, the Flying Eagles that will begin preparations on Thursday in Abuja for the 2024 African Games Football Tournament. Flying Eagles Coach Ladan Bosso is expected to draw up a final squad from the list of invited 30, who will represent Nigeria at the Games. The country will aim to go one step better after winning the silver medals at the Rabat 2019 Games in Morocco. Bosso led the Flying Eagles to the quarter-finals of last year’s FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Argentina with Daga playing…

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has announced the formation of a comprehensive constitution review committee, consisting of over 45 members, tasked with reviewing the 1999 constitution. This committee, chaired by the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, will include six lawmakers from each geopolitical zone and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. The primary focus of the committee is the review of laws related to artificial intelligence, state police, and other pertinent matters. The inauguration of the committee is scheduled for next week Tuesday. The urgency for constitutional review, especially in the context of state police, stems from the…

Former world number one Naomi Osaka has advanced to the quarter-finals of the Qatar Open, marking her first quarter-final appearance in almost two years. The 26-year-old reached this stage after her opponent, Lesia Tsurenko, withdrew from the match due to injury. Osaka, who made a return to tennis last month following the birth of her daughter Shai in July, is experiencing her most successful run since reaching the final of the Miami Open in April 2022, where she lost to Iga Swiatek. A four-time major winner, the Japanese player is set to face the in-form Karolina Pliskova in the quarter-finals.…

Nigeria’s William Troost-Ekong, Ademola Lookman, and Ola Aina earned spots in the recently unveiled AFCON 2023 Team of the Tournament by CAF on Wednesday. William Troost-Ekong, in addition to being named in the team, clinched the prestigious Man of the Tournament award, underscoring his pivotal role as Nigeria’s standout player. His robust leadership skills both on and off the pitch, coupled with a stellar defensive performance, played a crucial role in guiding the Super Eagles to the final. Ademola Lookman made a significant impact during the tournament, contributing crucial goals against formidable opponents like Cameroon and South Africa. Similarly, Ola…

Sixty members of the House of Representatives introduced a bill on Wednesday seeking to amend the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, proposing a shift from the current presidential system to a parliamentary one. Wale Raji, an influential lawmaker from Lagos State in the All Progressives Congress, prominently sponsored the bill, which received its first reading in the House of Representatives. The lawmakers highlighted the imperative to reduce government expenditure and encourage vigorous policy debates as key motivations for advocating a return to the parliamentary system. A pivotal distinction between the two systems lies in the method of leadership selection. While a…