Author: Opeyemi Ogabi

Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen was mobbed by enthusiastic Galatasaray fans at the Istanbul Airport, as he arrived in Turkey ahead of his loan move from Napoli. The 25-year-old was greeted with chants and applause as he stepped off the private jet that brought him from Italy. Osimhen reciprocated the affection, joining in the celebration with the fans. Osimhen is set to sign a one-year loan deal with Galatasaray, with a break clause in January that allows him to leave for another club if a fee is received. Napoli have also reduced Osimhen’s release clause to €75m. The warm welcome is…

The launch of $Jota Coin, endorsed by popular skitmaker Brain Jotter, has ended in disaster, with the coin crashing just hours after its debut on the TON network. Crypto analysts and social media users have criticized the project, mocking its rapid failure and warning others about the dangers of such ventures. Experts say the rise in fraudulent schemes tied to celebrity endorsements underscores the need for greater regulatory scrutiny in the crypto space. Investors are advised to conduct thorough research before investing in any cryptocurrency, regardless of its celebrity endorsements. The failure of $Jota Coin has sparked strong reactions online,…

The Federal Government is set to arraign organizers of the recent hunger protest today, Monday, before the Federal High Court in Abuja. The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, filed a six-count charge against the defendants, including a British citizen, Andrew Wynne. The defendants are accused of treason, destabilizing the country, intimidating the President, and destroying property. The IG alleged that they acted in concert to commit a felony, to wit: treason, between July 1 and August 4, 2024. The #EndBadGoveranceInNigeria protests, which took place from August 1 to 10, were in response to economic hardship. According to human rights lawyer…

In a significant development, Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru has announced the approval of a N70,000 minimum wage for civil servants in the state. This announcement was made during the grand finale of the Ojiji Izhi New Yam Festival on Saturday. Governor Nwifuru directed relevant government authorities to draft modalities for the payment of the new minimum wage, which will commence in September. He stated, “I have directed relevant government authorities to draft out modalities for the payment of the new minimum wage commencing in September.” The governor expressed disappointment over the slow pace of government projects, particularly the housing…

The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has announced October 8, 2024, as the tentative date to commence vaccination against mpox in Nigeria. This follows the donation of 10,000 doses of the Jynneos vaccine by the United States government on Tuesday. Remi Adeleke, Head of the Public Relations Unit at NPHCDA, revealed that vaccine deployment will begin from October 3 to 6, 2024. He explained that the deployment timeline aligns with the regulatory procedures of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). Adeleke stated that the target population for vaccination includes close contacts of mpox…

Afrobeats sensation, Rema, has been bestowed with a royal plaque by the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, in recognition of his contributions to promoting the Benin legacy and Edo State culture. The presentation took place on Thursday at the Oba’s palace, ahead of Rema’s homecoming concert at the Ogbe Stadium in Benin City. This gesture underscores the Oba’s appreciation for Rema’s efforts in showcasing the rich heritage of the ancient Benin empire through his music. Rema, who hails from Benin City, has consistently demonstrated pride in his roots, highlighting Edo State and its legacy in his songs and performances.…

The Federal Government has pleaded with the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) to suspend their seven-day warning strike, as negotiations continue to secure the release of their kidnapped colleague, Dr. Ganiyat Popoola. Dr. Tunji Alausa, Minister of State for Health, made the appeal during a visit to the National Eye Centre in Kaduna, stating, “We are on top of the matter and have been in talks with the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, regarding the issue.” Alausa revealed that he had met with NARD leadership on Monday to urge them to call off the strike, as it would exacerbate…

A crucial meeting between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is underway in Abuja, aimed at resolving the lingering issues that have sparked a threatened nationwide strike by university lecturers. The union’s threat follows the Federal Government’s alleged failure to meet its demands, including improvements in welfare, university funding, and halting the proliferation of universities. ASUU’s national executive council meeting on August 19, 2024, resolved to down tools if their demands were not met. Education Minister Tahir Mamman acknowledged that most of the contentious issues date back to 1981 but assured that letters of invitation…

Richard Teng, CEO of cryptocurrency trading platform Binance, has called for the immediate release of his employee, Tigran Gambaryan, who is standing trial in Nigeria. Gambaryan was arrested and detained in February alongside another executive, Anjarwalla, after the Nigerian government banned Binance’s website. Teng stated that the government had no valid reason to detain an innocent employee to advance discussions on outstanding issues. He denied allegations of money laundering and terrorism financing activities conducted on the Binance currency exchange platform. Teng said, “There is no need to imprison an innocent employee to address any allegations against Binance. We have resolved…

Former Chelsea and Nigerian international, Mikel Obi, has responded to criticism from Chelsea striker Nicholas Jackson with a sharp retort, saying “Keep scoring and I’ll shut up.” This statement, made on his podcast, The Obi One, is likely to fuel the ongoing debate between the two. The tension between Obi and Jackson began when Obi criticized Jackson’s goal-scoring ability during Chelsea’s 2-0 loss to Manchester City last weekend. Obi had said, “We created chances, we haven’t taken them. And just an example of how Jackson finishes.” Jackson responded to Obi’s criticism with a fiery Instagram post, saying “Mikel Obi, shut…