Author: straightnewsng.com

War of words. Accusations and counter-accusations. Barbs and canticles of allegation rent the air. Some elders stoke political fire in Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District of the state. In what appears like a dog-fight among the major contenders, the bout is seemingly for political supremacy of the oil-endowed district. Like in a boxing ring, Ephraim Inyang-eyen, the state Commissioner for Works, is in the red corner while Chief Nduese Essien, a former Member of the National Assembly and ex-Federal Minister of Lands and Housing, is squaring up in the blue corner. As the bout begins, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, secretary to…

Lucas Moura scored a dramatic 96th-minute winner to cap a brilliant hat-trick as Tottenham fought back from three goals down on aggregate to stun Ajax 3-2 on Wednesday and set up a Champions League final against Liverpool. After a 1-0 victory in London last week, Ajax appeared in total control after first-half goals from Matthijs de Ligt and Hakim Ziyech. But Moura scored twice in four second-half minutes before the Brazilian sent Spurs into only the second ever all-English final, against Liverpool in Madrid on June 1, on away goals with his last-gasp effort. AFP

Some Nigerian celebrities have taken to Instagram to sympathise with Annie Idibia, wife of Nigerian music legend 2baba, over the death of her father. Annie on Wednesday announced the death of her father, Macaulay as a result of an unsuccessful battle with cancer. The 34-year-old Ibadan born actress, model and mother of two from Eket, Akwa Ibom state took to her Instagram handle @annieidibia1 to wish her father farewell. “RIP Daddy, You fought Hard #cancersucks #thepainsIsGone,’’ she wrote. Meanwhile, some Nigerian celebrities took to the comment section of her Instagram to express their condolences. Talented singer @officialwaje wrote, “RIP it…

Like in a film trick, some permanent secretary hopefuls in Ebonyi failed to sing the national anthem and mention the Nigerian state capitals in an interview session on Tuesday. NAN reports that the oral interview, which came after a written test was supervised by David Umahi, Ebonyi governor and his deputy, Kelechi Igwe, who was the chairman of the interview committee. The interview session was televised live by the state’s television network. Two of the permanent secretary hopefuls, who are top civil servants, failed to recite the national anthem while another two could not recite the states in Nigeria and…

The Federal Government has dragged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Amaju Pinnick, and four others to court for allegedly misappropriating $8,400 belonging to the football body. The four other suspects are NFF Secretary, Sunusi Mohammed; the 1st Vice-President, Seyi Akinwumi; the 2nd Vice-President, Shehu Dikko and an Executive member, Yusuff Fresh. The charges against them were filed by the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property (SPIP), led by Okoi Obono-Obla, In a 17-count charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/93/2019, filed by that panel before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday, the $8,400 in question was said…

MTN Nigeria’s tax battle with the country’s Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) is planned to be heard on 26 June, after the Federal High Court ruled to dismiss the application filed by the AGF in response to the lawsuit. The Nigerian Attorney-General is demanding $2 billion (R29 billion) in taxes relating to the importation of foreign equipment and payments to foreign suppliers since 2008. The hearing was first scheduled for November 8, 2018, then moved to December 3 and then February 7, 2019, and then to March 26, 2019. MTN was handed the tax bill last September, however, it previously…

Liverpool produced one of the most stunning comebacks in Champions League history as Divock Origi and Georginio Wijnaldum scored twice to beat Barcelona 4-0 and progress to the final for the second consecutive year 4-3 on aggregate on Tuesday. The Reds not only had a mountain to climb on the scoreboard, but were deprived of two of their most potent attacking weapons in Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino due to injury. However, Origi and substitute Wijnaldum were the unlikely heroes as Barca surrendered a three-goal first-leg lead to exit the Champions League for the second straight season. Despite the despondency…

The National Assembly Elections Tribunal sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Tuesday dismissed the application filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its senator-elect, Mr Chris Ekpenyong, objecting the forensic inspection of electoral materials by Senator Godswill Akpabio of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Justice W. O. Akambi, the Tribunal Chairman, wondered why the second respondent (Ekpenyong) would argue that the petitioner (Akpabio) should not inspect materials in election he was involved in. “The argument does not appeal to the tribunal and as such, the application is merely an academic exercise,” Akambi noted. The tribunal also criticised the…

President Donald Trump, Monday, awarded Tiger Woods the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House for his relentless will to win, win, win. The honour came weeks after the legendary golfer staged an epic comeback victory in the Masters. Presenting the golfing great with the nation’s highest honour, Trump praised Woods winning mentality. “These qualities embody the American spirit of pushing boundaries, defying limits and always striving for greatness,” the president said. Trump congratulated Woods on “your amazing comeback and your amazing life and for giving sports fans a lifetime of memories. “We can’t wait to see what’s next,…

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has challenged stakeholders to rack their brains and proffer solutions on how best to finance small business outlets in the country. This is as Federal Government has extended by three months the 50 per cent discount it offered operators of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to register their company names. Osinbajo announced this on Monday during the first quarter MSMEs stakeholders’ meeting held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. “Having listened to all the issues raised in the report and from your various contributions about funding, I think you should come up with suggestions on better funding…