Author: Akintayo Adams

The Chief Imam of Ogbomoso, Sheikh Taliat Yunus Ayilara, has clarified to the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye, that the position of Chief Imam is not a traditional title. Ayilara emphasized that as Chief Imam, he is not under the authority of the Soun of Ogbomoso, and therefore the Soun lacks the jurisdiction to issue a query to him. Ayilara conveyed these assertions in a letter responding to the query issued by the traditional ruler. In the letter signed by his secretary, Ogunleye Sulaimon Ajasa, Ayilara insisted that as a Muslim and the spiritual leader of the Muslim…

According to reports in the UK, Manchester United is contemplating selling the naming rights to either a renovated Old Trafford or a newly constructed stadium as part of efforts to secure funding for the project. In February, Mail Sport unveiled Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s £2 billion proposal to transform Old Trafford into a ‘Wembley of the North’. The plan aims to create an iconic venue that would rival England’s national stadium in London, with a capacity of 90,000 spectators. The minority owner expressed a preference for the project to be publicly funded shortly after his purchase was confirmed. However, this request…

President Luis Arce of Bolivia has condemned a “coup” attempt against the government and appealed for international support. Bolivian armed forces withdrew from the presidential palace in La Paz on Wednesday evening, and a general was arrested following earlier dramatic events. Earlier that day, military units under General Juan Jose Zuniga, who had recently been relieved of his command, assembled in Plaza Murillo, the central square housing the presidential palace and Congress. According to a Reuters witness, an armored vehicle was seen ramming a door of the presidential palace, after which soldiers entered hastily. “Today the country is facing an…

The Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government, on Wednesday, pledged to mobilise funds in support of the NDLEA fight against drug abuse and trafficking in the country. Senator George Akume, representing President Bola Tinubu at this year’s “International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking” celebration, assured the government’s commitment to supporting efforts to reduce drug abuse in Nigeria. Speaking at the banquet hall in Abuja, he pledged, on behalf of the President, to mobilize funds to assist agencies in tackling substance abuse and improving related statistics nationwide. “I enjoin all and sundry to support the War Against Drug Abuse initiative,…

The group stage of Euro 2024 has concluded, determining the 16 teams advancing to the knockout phase. Each group’s top two teams qualified directly, supplemented by the four best third-placed teams. Following a two-day break, the round of 16 matches will commence on Saturday, continuing daily until Tuesday. Here’s a preview of the fixtures to watch and the teams that progressed from each group. What are the last 16 fixtures? All kick-off times BST Get instant and latest news updates via Our WhatsApp Community or Google News online channel.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Rivers State reported seizing a shipment of codeine-laced cough syrup valued at approximately ₦4 billion in the past two weeks. Speaking at the 2024 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking event on Wednesday, Onne Port NDLEA Commander Stella Ngwoke noted that the seizure of ₦4 billion worth of codeine-laced cough syrup reflects significant demand and supply in Rivers State. She urged stakeholders to help combat the abuse of codeine-based cough syrup, prevalent among youths aged 15 to 24. Get instant and latest news updates via Our WhatsApp Community or Google News online channel.

Kenyan police fired rubber bullets and tear gas at demonstrators in Nairobi on Thursday. This was after protesters returned to the streets despite President William Ruto scrapping contentious tax hikes after deadly clashes. The protests—largely led by young Kenyans—caught the authorities off-guard as President Ruto’s government alternated between a hardline approach and calls for dialogue. Dozens of protesters gathered in Nairobi’s central business district, where soldiers and police in anti-riot gear blocked roads leading to State House and parliament, according to AFP journalists. Officers fired rubber bullets and tear gas at small groups of protesters and arrested at least seven…

The Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye, has issued a query to the Chief Imam of Ogbomoso, Sheikh Taliat Yunus Olusina Ayilara, for traveling to Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj without prior notification to him (Soun). In the query, the Soun of Ogbomoso stated that the Chief Imam undertook a journey to Saudi Arabia without prior notification to him. The traditional ruler emphasized that this action contradicted the agreement the Chief Imam had signed before assuming the position. The query, dated June 10, 2024, was signed by the palace Secretary, Toyin Ajamu, on behalf of the Soun of…

Gov. Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom has approved the release of ₦4.7 billion for the payment of gratuities to retirees, bonuses and wardrobe allowance for civil servants. Mr Ekerete Udoh, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, disclosed this in a statement to newsmen in Uyo on Thursday. Udoh announced that the governor’s approval is a significant step towards fulfilling his campaign promises to Akwa Ibom residents. He detailed the allocation: ₦2.3 billion for retired civil servants’ gratuities, ₦1.1 billion for public school teachers’ wardrobe allowances, and ₦1 billion for public service workers’ bonuses. Additionally, ₦79 million has been released…

The House of Representatives, earlier today, engaged in a heated debate over President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s request to extend the implementation period for the capital component of the ₦21.83 trillion 2023 budget and the ₦2.17 trillion 2023 supplementary budgets to December 2024. Reports indicate that the letter detailing this request was read by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, after which the executive bills seeking the extension were introduced. House Leader Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, however, moved for the second reading of the bills to extend the 2023 budget and supplementary budgets to December 2024, House Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda opposed the request, arguing…