Author: straightnewsng.com

Vladimir Putin won a landslide election victory on Sunday — the fourth anniversary of the annexation of Crimea-extending his presidency by another six years as he easily breezed past a field of minor candidates left by the disqualification of his only credible rival. If Putin serves to the end of his new fourth term, which expires in 2024, he would become the longest-serving leader of Russia since Soviet dictator, Josef Stalin. Anti-corruption campaigner Alexei Navalny, an outspoken critic of Putin who was considered his strongest potential rival was barred from Sunday’s vote following his conviction on fraud charges that are…

Matthew Kukah, Catholic bishop of Sokoto diocese, has accused northern Muslim elite of using religion to hold on to political power. Speaking at the burial of Joseph Bagobiri, former Catholic bishop of Kafanchan diocese, Kukah said “It is sad that the northern Muslim elite have used religion to hold on to power to the detriment of even their own people and the larger society,” he said. Kukah lamented that the north is still the “poorest part of the country” despite many Nigerian leaders coming from there. “For despite holding power for all these years, the north is still the poorest…

Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, has lost Inam Udoma, his immediate elder brother. The minister, who hails from Ikot Abasi local government area in Akwa Ibom State, has confirmed the death. The sad incident occurred last Tuesday morning, March 13, after a brief illness. Aged 66, Inam was a University of Ibadan trained geologist. A businessman, he had several business interests and served on a number of boards, including that of Linkage Assurance Plc. Son of the pioneer Supreme Court judge in Uganda, the late Dr. Herbert Udo Udoma, he was married with three…

Juan Martin del Potro ended world number one Roger Federer’s 17-match unbeaten run to claim the BNP Paribas Open title at Indian Wells. The eighth-ranked Argentine beat the Swiss 6-4 5-7 (8-10) 7-6 (7-2) in a thrilling encounter. Federer had been searching for a record sixth title in California, but it was Del Potro who powered to his first ATP Masters 1000 title. He is the first player to beat Federer in 2018. Del Potro saved three match points before closing out victory in two hours 42 minutes. The 29-year-old has been hampered by wrist problems in recent years and…

Some big stars in the Nollywood and entertainment industry on Sunday shut down Uyo for the dedication of little Zoe, child of comic actor, Ime Bishop Umoh also known as Okon Lagos. The event held at Insight Bible Church, Nsikak Eduok Avenue, Uyo was attended by comedian cum actor AY, John Okafor aka Mr Ibu, Francis Duru, Ibinabo Fibresima, former AGN President; Emeka Rollas, Emeka Rollas, AGN President; Klint d’Drunk, the comedian and a host of other dignitaries. The reception took place at Emerald Events Centre, Edet Akpan Avenue, Uyo. The home-based politicians shuttled between Bishop’s event and the 40th…

Akwa United of Uyo Sunday qualified for round 16 of CAF Confederation Cup after thrashing Al ittilhad of Tripoli by 4-3 goals aggregate. In the first leg played two weeks ago in Tripoli, Libyan capital, Al ittilhad through Abdullah Abdelsala beat Akwa United by 1-0 goal in the 67th minute. But in the second leg played Sunday, March 18 at Godswill Akpabio Internatiional Stadium, Uyo, Aniekeme Asuquo scored the first goal for Akwa United in the 47th minute, bringing the score to 1-1 goal aggregate. Though the match was draw, both teams went into penalty shoot-out after full time. At…

An Afghan, who thought naming his son after the then Republican Party presidential candidate now US President, Donald Trump would bring him good fortune, has regretted “It has not.” When his wife gave birth to their third child in a tiny village in rural Afghanistan, Asadullah Poya said “I had become inspired after reading a Dari translation of Trump’s How To Get Rich book.” “I thought, ‘This is a great man’. So, when my baby came into the world in August 2016, I saw that the boy had unusually blond hair. I named him Donald Trump, hoping it would bring…

A 25-year-old man who recently wedded his 17-year-old sister in Agba village, Ekwulobia in Aguata local government area of Anambra State has quit the union. Chiadikobi Ezeibekwe, a Mathematics teacher in Community Secondary School, Isuofia, also in Aguata and the sixth of 10 children (eight boys and two girls) had earlier made the news for his bizarre marriage to his own sister, a student of the Federal Government Technical College, Awka in February this year. The marriage between two blood relatives born of the same parents seen as incestuous had caused uproar in the village, though Chiadikobi and his sister claimed…

Rev. Fr. Patrick Henry Edet, popular Uyo-based cleric and radio preacher, ​​is a married man. At a colourful ceremony attended by crème de  la crème of the society, Edet tied the knot with his hearthrob, Inyene Sampson Akpan at Ibom Hall, Uyo, Akwa Ibom capital on Saturday, March 17. Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, the State Secretary to Akwa Ibom Government, commissioners, clergymen and other notable figures in and outside the state graced the colourful ceremony. The hall well-decorated with ceremonial trappings was a beautiful sight to behold while the premises witnessed exotic cars of different makes. The traditional marriage was held…

The Akwa Ibom government has no longer hidden its intention to introduce contributory pension scheme to civil servants in the state, and has therefore begged the Nigeria Labour Congress to encourage the workers to accept the scheme. Mr. Udom Emmanuel, who stated this Friday after swearing in five new permanent secretaries at the Executive Council Chambers of Government House, Uyo, expatiated that the scheme has numerous advantages including enabling civil servants retire into an economic cycle or to own their houses. The scheme hitherto introduced by the erstwhile administration of Victor Attah hit the rock during implementation. Based on this, Godswill Akpabio administration refunded…