Author: straightnewsng.com

Lionel Messi, the Argentina International, wept as he confirmed his departure from Barcelona after 21 years at the club. Messi, 34, has been a free agent since July 1 when his contract at Camp Nou expired, though he had verbally agreed on a new deal on reduced wages only for the Catalan club to pull the plug. Barcelona confirmed Thursday, August 5, that Messi would not sign a new contract with the Spanish club amid financial concerns “and structural obstacles” which prevented Messi from renewing. Speaking at a press conference at Camp Nou, which was attended by the entire first-team…

Big Brother Naija Season 6 known as Shine Ya Eyes, Sunday, evicted three housemates and introduced four new ones into the television reality show. Medical Doctor, YERINS was the first to be kicked out from BBNaija Season 6 house. Adeniyi Lawal aka Niyi has been evicted from the BBNAIJA 2021 house. A former basketballer from Oyo State and married with one child, he said, ‘’I am also a businessman and I run fantasy game platform and event business in Cape Town, South Africa.’’ The 6″6 tall was the second evicted housemate from BBNaija Season 6. Beatrice Nwaji was the third housemate…

MTN plans to raise about R15 billion ($1 billion) from shareholding sales in markets outside Africa, proceeds which will be used to reduce its huge debt of nearly R50 billion ($3.5 billion) for the year to December 2020 as well as allocate more capital investments in Africa by 2025. In Nigeria, MTN, through its local unit, has earmarked N600 billion ($1.5 billion) over the next three years to expand broadband access in the country. For MTN Nigeria, half-year 2021 results show that service revenue increased by 24.1 percent year-on-year, despite the number of its mobile subscribers declining by 7.6 million…

A former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo has begun diplomatic moves to save Sunday Adeniyi Adeyemi alias Igboho from being repatriated to Nigeria for trial. Igboho who is in Benin if repatriated may face treason and other criminal offences bordering on his agitation for the Yoruba to break away from Nigeria. As a first step towards achieving his goal to get soft-landing for the Yoruba agitator, the former president on Sunday travelled to Cotonou and met with President Patrice Talon. Obasanjo pleaded with him to save the Yoruba nation separatist leader, Sunday Igboho, by resisting the entreaties by Nigeria to get…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) may soon conduct a referendum for the creation of 20 new states in Nigeria. This follows the recommendation by the Senate Committee on Constitution Review as agitation for the creation of more states in the country is about to enter a new phase.  Already, Nigeria has 36 states including Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The Nation gathered Saturday that the committee’s decision was reached after considering various factors including the ability of civilian administration to create states. To check tax evasion, the Senate panel also approved the amendment of the 1999 Constitution to allow for the creation of…

President Muhammadu Buhari has described the departed former General Overseer of Foursquare Church in Nigeria as “a dedicated servant of God.’’ Aged 74, Dr. Wilson Badejo who had led Foursquare Gospel Church for 10 years died recently. In a statement on Sunday morning by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, Buhari noted that the late clergyman was committed to praying for not just the church but also Nigeria. “President Muhammadu Buhari sends heartfelt condolence to the Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, and Christendom in general, over the passage of the former General Overseer, Rev Dr Wilson Badejo,”…

Lions killed three Tanzanian children who were searching for lost cattle in a forest near Africa’s Ngorongoro conservation area, according to the Agence France-Presse reported. The children between the ages of nine and eleven of the Maasai tribe had just come home from school on Monday when they went in search for the missing cattle, AFP reported. “That is when the lions attacked and killed three children, while injuring one,” Arusha police chief Justine Masejo said, according to AFP. A fourth child reportedly escaped the attack, according to The Citizen, a Tanzanian newspaper. She continued: “I would like to urge the nomadic communities around the…

Operatives of the Nigerian Navy, Forward Operating Base Ibaka, in the Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom have impounded 61 bags of rice allegedly smuggled into the state. This was as Navy arrested Ben Etim, 28, along the Mbo River during a routine patrol by the operatives and seized his engine boat on August 5, 2021. The Commanding Officer, FOB, Navy Capt. Suleiman Abdullahi, stated this to newsmen while handing over the suspect and the seized items to the Nigeria Customs Service on Friday. He reiterated the commitment of the Base to putting an end to illegal smuggling in line…

After wobbling start, Team USA have secured a fourth straight Olympic gold medal as they beat France 87-82 in Tokyo. It was the second time the two teams had met in the competition, with France having inflicted the USA’s first Games loss since 2004 in the group stage. However, Gregg Popovich’s favourites, who under-performed in the build-up, hit their stride when it mattered most. Kevin Durant was the USA’s standout player yet again, scoring 29 points. France made a late, fourth-quarter run, but came up just short as the US made their shots at crucial moments to claim a seventh…

Concerns have been raised as many vaccinated people hit by COVID-19 Delta variant have been hospitalised in England, scientists said on Friday. In its latest COVID-19 update, Public Health England (PHE) also warned there were early signs that people who have been inoculated may be able to transmit the Delta strain as easily as those who have not received any jabs. From July 19 to August 2, 55.1 percent of the 1,467 people hospitalised with the Delta variant were unvaccinated, PHE said, while 34.9 percent – or 512 people – had received two doses. Dubbed “freedom day”, July 19 was…