Author: straightnewsng.com

Akwa Ibom, one of Nigeria’s states, is among the first 10 leaders on the medals haul during the National Sports Festival 2020 holding at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City in Edo State. Akwa Ibom is occupying the seventh position after hauling 17 Gold, 21 silver and 40 bronze bringing the total to 78 prizes as at Tuesday, April 13. Delta State after winning139 Gold, 98 silver and 92 bronze is leader on the medals table. Delta Governor Ifeanyi Okowa had announced N1 million prize for each winner of Gold medal during the competition, meaning that the winners of the state…

Chelsea and PSG have qualified for the UEFA Champions league semi-finals after triumphing over FC Porto and Bayern Munich respectively. PSG avenged Bayern Munich, the defending champion, after a losing in the finals last season. Kylian Mbappe’s brace and Marquinhos’ strike in the 1st leg gave them a cushion as the French side wins 3-3 on away goals. Chelsea’s match against Porto was a game of few chances, with the Blues staying strong in the defensive until Mehdi Taremi scored an absolute belter with an overhead kick from Nanu’s cross. Thomas Tuchel made three changes to his team that started…

Senator Rochas Okorocha representing Imo West Senatorial District has reportedly been arrested by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Okorocha who is also a former Imo State governor is said to have been petitioned by a one-time governor of the state. Officials of the Commission laid siege to the former Governor’s private office at Nkwerre Street in Garki area of Abuja and picked him up shortly after he returned from a trip Tuesday, April 13. EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, who confirmed the arrest to the Nation but did not give reasons for the action. Though it is rumoured…

The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday, April 13 suspended its plenary over the death of two lawmakers, shortly after resumption from a two-week recess.  The lawmakers held a minute of silence in honour of Haruna Maitala, who represented Bassa/Jos North federal constituency of Plateau, and Suleiman Lere, who represented Lere federal constituency of Kaduna. The lawmakers suspended all items for consideration on the senate’s order paper and will sit on Wednesday, April 14.  The decision to suspend the plenary was done in line with the tradition of the National Assembly following a motion moved by the Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi, and seconded by…

In utter defiance of US tall order, China sent 25 warplanes into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone on Monday. This is the largest breach of that space since the island began regularly reporting such activity in September, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said. The Chinese flights came a day after the US secretary of state warned Beijing that Washington was committed to the defense of the democratic, self-governed island, which China considers part of its sovereign territory. The 25 planes dispatched by China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) forces included 14 J-16 fighter jets, four J-10 fighter jets, four H-6K bombers, two anti-submarine…

Ramadan fast has begun following the sighting of the moon, the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, has confirmed. The Islamic holy month Ramadan 2021 will begin Tuesday evening of April 13 in Nigeria and end on Wednesday, May 12. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is marked by Muslims around the world fasting for 30 days. In a live broadcast held from his palace on Monday evening, April 12, the Sultan urged Muslims to ensure strict adherence to the COVID-19 protocols during the Ramadan period. “Reliable reports of moon sighting were received from Muslim leaders and…

Twitter has chosen Ghana to establish its headquarters in Africa, the co-founder and CEO of Twitter, Jack Dorsey. In an announcement on Monday on Twitter, Jack tweeted: “Twitter is now present on the continent. Thank you Ghana and Nana Akufo-Addo.” Responding, President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo on his official Twitter page revealed that the partnership was agreed upon after a virtual meeting with Jack. His tweet read: “The choice of Ghana as Headquarters for Twitter’s Africa operations is EXCELLENT news. The government and Ghanaians welcome very much this announcement and the confidence reposed in our country.” President Nana Akufo-Addo while…

The G7 foreign ministers, Monday, urged Russia to “cease its provocations” on the Ukraine-Russia border. The foreign ministers — from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States and the High Representative of the European Union — stated that they are “deeply concerned by the large ongoing build-up of Russian military forces on Ukraine’s borders and in illegally-annexed Crimea.” The ministers said Russia’s actions represent “destabilizing activities”  “We call on Russia to cease its provocations and to immediately de-escalate tensions in line with its international obligations,” the statement read. “In particular, we call on Russia to uphold…

The Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Isa Pantami, has tried to absolve himself from a link with Boko Haram founder, Muhammad Yusuf as captured in a viral YouTube video. In a retweeted post, Isa Pantami stated “defied Muhammad Yusuf (Pioneer Boko Haram Leader) using his vast insight on Islam on why the Boko Haram Ideology is of no religious connotation as far as Islam is concerned.” This was against the report that the Communication Minister, Alhaji Isa Ali Ibrahim, also known as Sheikh Pantami, was placed under the watch list of Boko Haram by America’s Intelligence Service. Pantami’s tweet described the report…

United Kingdom government has commissioned an independent inquiry into the lobbying scandal involving David Cameron and Greensill Capital, the collapsed finance company. Downing Street, Monday, said that the Cabinet Office had launched a wide-ranging investigation after acknowledging that there was “significant interest in this matter”. Prime Minister Boris Johnson wanted to ensure the government was “completely transparent.” The inquiry will be led by Nigel Boardman, a former partner at Slaughter and May and a non-executive director at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. He is also chair of the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee. Johnson’s spokesperson said the…