Italian top seed Jannik Sinner secured a 6-4, 6-4 victory over American Taylor Fritz to edge closer to the ATP Tour Finals semi-finals. The 23-year-old world number one fought off strong resistance from Fritz, clinching his second win in front of a home crowd in Turin. Sinner, who triumphed over Fritz in the US Open … Read more
Nigeria’s formidable squad arrived confidently at Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny on Tuesday, with only Spain-based forward Sadiq Umar expected to join them. A total of 22 players were set to begin the team’s first training session ahead of their highly anticipated Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against neighbouring Benin Republic on Thursday. EDITOR’S PICKS ‘I Feel … Read more
The Nigerian military has identified Lakurawa as a new terror group infiltrating Sokoto and Kebbi states via the Niger Republic, following the recent coup in Nigeria’s neighboring country. However, investigations by Premium Times reveal that Lakurawa, an al-Qaeda-linked organization, has been active since before last year’s coup in Niger. Last week Thursday, EKO HOT BLOG reported that … Read more
Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has appointed Musa U. Ikhilor as the new Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Samson Osagie as Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, and Dr. Cyril Adams Oshiomhole as Commissioner for Health. This announcement was made on Tuesday in a statement issued by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred … Read more
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) has accused Israel of committing “collective genocide” in Gaza, marking some of his most severe criticism of the country since the conflict began last year. Speaking at a gathering of Islamic leaders in Riyadh on Monday, MBS said: “The Kingdom reiterates its condemnation and absolute refusal of … Read more
The Federal Government’s Committee on Local Government Autonomy has concluded its work and signed a technical document supporting financial independence for local governments, which will soon be presented to President Bola Tinubu. EDITOR’S PICKS Electricity Meter Costs Rise Again As Deregulation Takes Effect Biden, Harris Set To Congratulate Trump On Presidential Win Thousands Of ‘Trained’ … Read more
Popular Korean actor Song Jae-Rim, widely recognized for his role in the K-drama The Moon Embracing The Sun, has tragically passed away. According to Korean news reports, Jae-Rim was found dead in his residence in Seoul’s Seongdong district on November 12. He was 39 years old at the time of his death. A two-page note was … Read more
Troops of the Nigerian Army on Tuesday morning engaged in a fierce battle with bandits led by Turji Bello. The heavy gun duel took place near Bakin Gulbi, close to Tungar Yakuba in Sokoto State. Disclosing this, counter-terrorism publication focused on the Lake Chad area, Zagazola Makama, said the duel also involved residents of Gatawa. … Read more
The Nigerian Army has outlined the burial arrangements for the late Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, who passed away at the age of 56 after a brief illness. Onyema Nwachukwu, the Army’s spokesperson, shared the details on Tuesday in a post on X (formerly Twitter). EDITOR’S PICKS Electricity Meter Costs Rise … Read more
The House of Representatives is set to debate a bill aiming to establish a sustainable funding source for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), intended to enhance corps members’ training and empowerment initiatives. The proposed legislation, titled “The NYSC Trust Fund (Establishment) Bill 2024,” was recently read in the House and is sponsored by the … Read more
President-elect Donald Trump revealed on Tuesday that Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will head a newly created “Department of Government Efficiency” in his second term. Trump praised the two men, stating, “Together, these two wonderful Americans will pave the way for my administration to dismantle government bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure … Read more
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Tuesday raised concerns over a concerted effort to undermine Nigeria’s public universities. At ASUU’s 2024 Heroes Day celebration in Abuja, ASUU National President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, accused the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) of pursuing policies detrimental to the nation’s public education system. According to … Read more
A delegation from the Nigerian Army, led by Major General Kamal Yusuf, announced on Tuesday that President Bola Tinubu has ordered a state burial for the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja. This announcement was made during a condolence visit to the Olobu of Ilobu, Oba Ashiru Olaniyan, at his palace in … Read more
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, has cautioned Afenifere Chieftain, Dr Femi Okurounmu, to avoid getting involved in matters capable of ridiculing his status as an elder statesman. Olayinka said this while reacting to Dr Okurounmu’s statement, accusing President Bola … Read more
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has announced that its members can now purchase petrol directly from Dangote Refinery at rates of N990 per liter for loading at depots and N940 per liter when transported by vessel. This landmark agreement, aimed at providing a steady and potentially cheaper fuel supply across Nigeria, signals … Read more
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has highlighted that the controversy surrounding popular cross-dresser Idris Okuneye, known as Bobrisky, reveals deeper systemic challenges within Nigeria’s institutions. Reports indicate that Bobrisky, recently jailed over naira abuse, allegedly received special treatment in prison by paying Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) officials. Viral audio clips claimed that bribes secured … Read more
Lebanon reported that Israeli airstrikes killed 33 people across the country on Tuesday, many of whom were displaced by the ongoing conflict. The strikes targeted several areas, including the southern regions, the outskirts of Beirut, and the north. According to Lebanon’s health ministry, a raid on a town in the Chouf region south of Beirut … Read more
President Bola Tinubu has returned to Abuja Nigeria after attending the extraordinary joint Arab-Islamic Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The summit focused on the current situation in the Middle East. The presidential air plane touched ground at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International airport at about 8 O’ clock this Tuesday evening. He was received on arrival … Read more
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, has assured that the Federal Government will soon begin payment of pension backlog. Edun gave this assurance on Tuesday in Abuja during a peaceful rally by the Nigeria Union of Pensioners Contributory Pension Scheme Sector, NUPCPS, at the Federal Ministry of Finance. … Read more
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has announced his decision to step down following a critical report regarding a notorious child abuser connected to the Church of England. The review concluded that Welby, 68, “could and should” have reported the abuse committed by John Smyth against boys and young men in 2013. EDITOR’S PICKS ‘I … Read more