In a surprising turn of events, Roma has parted ways with manager Jose Mourinho, citing the club’s current standing in Serie A as the primary reason for the decision. Despite leading Roma to the Europa Conference League title last year and the Europa League final in 2023, Mourinho’s tenure has been cut short.
The club, currently ninth in Serie A, is five points away from the Champions League qualifying position, and a recent exit from the Coppa Italia fueled the decision. Owners Dan and Ryan Friedkin expressed gratitude for Mourinho’s passion and commitment but deemed immediate change necessary for the club’s best interests.
Mourinho’s recent red card in the Lazio defeat, coupled with a 3-1 loss to AC Milan, further contributed to the decision. The Portuguese manager compared himself to Harry Potter after the Lazio match, suggesting that his high profile was raising unrealistic expectations for Roma.
Despite winning the 2022 Conference League and gaining substantial support from the fanbase, Roma’s poor start to the current Serie A campaign, sitting 16th at one point, triggered concerns. Mourinho had previously rejected tempting offers to leave last summer, emphasizing his commitment to the club.
While Mourinho’s contract was set to expire at the end of the current season, the immediate change reflects the club’s determination to salvage their Serie A campaign and secure a Champions League spot.
In a strategic move, Shell Plc has announced the sale of its Nigerian onshore subsidiary, The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC), for a staggering $2.4 billion. The decision, revealed in a statement on Tuesday, emphasizes the preservation of SPDC’s operational capabilities under new ownership.
The consortium set to acquire SPDC is Renaissance, comprising four Nigerian exploration and production companies alongside an international energy group. The deal, however, remains contingent on approvals from the Federal Government of Nigeria and other necessary conditions.
The statement affirms that SPDC’s staff will seamlessly transition to the new ownership structure. Shell will retain a role in supporting the management of SPDC Joint Venture facilities, crucial in supplying a significant portion of feed gas to Nigeria LNG (NLNG).
Zoë Yujnovich, Shell’s Integrated Gas and Upstream Director, commented on the significance of the agreement, stating, “This marks an important milestone for Shell in Nigeria, aligning with our previously announced intent to exit onshore oil production in the Niger Delta.” She highlighted the company’s commitment to streamlining its portfolio, focusing on Deepwater and Integrated Gas positions in Nigeria.
The statement also acknowledged the historical contribution of SPDC to Nigeria’s energy sector, noting that the company would enter its next chapter under the ownership of an experienced and ambitious Nigerian-led consortium.
As part of the unincorporated joint venture, SPDC JV comprises SPDC Ltd (30%), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (55%), Total Exploration and Production Nigeria Ltd (10%), and Nigeria Agip Oil Company Ltd (5%). The move aligns with Shell’s vision for a positive investment outlook in Nigeria’s energy sector, strategically supporting the country’s growing energy needs and export ambitions in line with their broader strategy.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported a steady decline in adult tobacco users globally, with about one in five adults using tobacco in 2022, compared to one in three in 2000. While 150 countries are successfully reducing tobacco use, WHO warned of ongoing challenges, including the tobacco industry’s efforts to reverse progress.
Key points from the report:
Positive Trends: Smoking rates are decreasing in most countries, and 56 nations are on track to achieve the goal of a 30% reduction in tobacco use by 2025.
Missed Goals: The world is set to miss the target of a 30% reduction in tobacco use between 2010 and 2025, with six countries experiencing an increase in tobacco use since 2010.
Persistent Deaths: Despite declining smoking rates, tobacco-related deaths are expected to remain high for years, with over 8 million people, including 1.3 million non-smokers exposed to second-hand smoke, estimated to die annually.
Tobacco Industry Influence: WHO emphasizes the tobacco industry’s determination to manipulate health policies and sell their products, urging countries to fight against “tobacco industry interference” and strengthen control policies.
Adolescent Tobacco Use: The report highlights the need for better data on tobacco use among adolescents, emphasizing that current data is an underestimate due to the lack of information from more than 70 countries. Gathering accurate data is crucial to combat industry claims and shape effective policies.
The WHO’s call to maintain and strengthen control policies underscores the importance of continued efforts to counter the influence of the tobacco industry and protect public health.
President Bola Tinubu has sought to allay concerns over the mass exodus of young professionals, known as “Japa,” from Nigeria to other countries. While on an official visit to Imo State for the inauguration of Governor Hope Uzodimma’s second term in Owerri, Tinubu reassured Nigerians that more individuals would be trained to fill the vacancies created by those seeking opportunities abroad.
In local parlance, “Japa” refers to the phenomenon of skilled professionals leaving their home country in search of better prospects elsewhere. Tinubu’s statement acknowledges the challenges posed by the brain drain but emphasizes a commitment to addressing the issue by investing in training programs to prepare more individuals to meet the demands of various sectors.
“Don’t worry about what you are hearing about Japa syndrome. We will train more people and supply them,” Tinubu affirmed during his visit.
This assurance underscores the need for strategic efforts in education, skill development, and job creation to retain and harness the potential of skilled professionals within Nigeria. The government’s focus on training programs aims to counteract the negative effects of the “Japa” trend and ensure a sustainable and competent workforce to contribute to the nation’s growth and development.
Renowned political economist, Professor Pat Utomi, has revealed that three prominent figures in Nigerian politics—Alhaji Atiku Abubakar (Peoples Democratic Party), Mr Peter Obi (Labour Party), and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (New Nigeria People’s Party)—have agreed to form a mega party aimed at challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections.
Utomi made this disclosure during an interview on Channels TV on Sunday night. When asked if Atiku Abubakar, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Peter Obi, and Okey Nwosu had agreed to unite, Utomi responded with a simple “yes.”
Pressed on the name of the coalition, Utomi stated, “We’re not talking about names yet.” He clarified that the initiative involves not only politicians but also leaders from social movements and the labor movement.
Utomi further highlighted the need for a clean start, emphasizing that Nigeria has not had a political party since 1999. He criticized the existing political landscape, characterizing it as a platform for machine politics aimed at capturing power without genuine alignment with the Nigerian people to improve their lives.
Reflecting on the state of the country, Utomi expressed concern about the deterioration of Nigeria, citing its status as the poverty capital of the world and the increasing prevalence of violence. He emphasized the importance of creating a new political order built on values that promote progress, transparency, and accountability.
The move towards a mega party signals potential shifts in the political landscape as key figures seek to forge a new path with the aim of addressing the challenges facing the nation.
Barr. Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has spoken out about the security issues that certain areas of the FCT are experiencing, especially in Bwari, and has reassured locals that the administration of the FCT is actively working to resolve the issues.
Speaking to reporters before to an emergency security meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, Wike advised locals not to become alarmed and stressed that steps are being taken to address the security concerns.
Wike said, “Yes, I am aware that sometimes too, the press overblows what is happening, but all of us are concerned, and we owe a duty to make sure that FCT is safe.” Wike was acknowledging the press’s role in drawing attention to security problems.
The security meeting aimed to examine the security challenges and formulate practical solutions. Wike emphasized the involvement of all Area Council Chairmen in addressing these challenges, emphasizing their crucial responsibility in their respective councils.
“We will put our heads together to come up with solutions. We are not sleeping; the security agencies are not sleeping, and we provide every support that they require to allay the fears of the residents,” he assured.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the frequent travels of Area Council Chairmen during challenging times, Wike deemed such actions unacceptable. He stressed the need for council chairmen to fulfill their responsibilities and not evade accountability by traveling out.
Highlighting a recent teachers’ strike in response to challenges under the jurisdiction of area councils, Wike underscored the importance of council chairmen addressing their responsibilities promptly.
In an effort to resolve the teacher’s strike, the minister disclosed that he had invited the striking teachers for a meeting later in the day.
Wike concluded by urging council chairmen to fulfill their responsibilities diligently, reminding them that not every issue would be attributed to the ministers, but collaboration and swift action were imperative in ensuring the safety and well-being of FCT residents.
The Supreme Court, on Tuesday, reserved judgment in the appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party against the appeal court judgment reinstating the Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule.
The five-member panel led by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun adjourned the matter for judgment after listening to the counsel’s arguments on the appeal.
Kekere-Ekun noted that parties would be notified when judgment is ready.
The state election petition tribunal had sacked the governor and declared David Ombugadu, candidate of the PDP the winner of the March 18, 2023 election.
The tribunal led by Ezekiel Ajayi, in a split decision of two-to-one, held that having evaluated the evidence before the panel, the PDP candidate substantiated his claim that the poll results were manipulated in favour of Sule.
But the appeal court reinstated Sule and held that the tribunal wrongly relied on the evidence of eight of the PDP witnesses, whose statements on oath were not front-loaded alongside the petition.
Ombugadu, however, appealed the judgment at the apex court.
In a horrifying incident that unfolded around the Federal Low Cost area in Makurdi, the capital of Benue State, a retired nurse, Mrs Esther Amali, and her housemaid, Mercy Mwuese, fell victim to a fatal stabbing carried out by a young man who invaded their residence.
The grim event occurred on Sunday at approximately 4:30 pm, according to an eyewitness account shared with our correspondent. The assailant, described as a young man, entered the compound and launched an attack on the housemaid, Mercy Mwuese, who was in her 20s, during the absence of the retired nurse.
Conflicting versions of the motive behind the attack have emerged. One account suggests that the housemaid may have been impregnated by a member of a rival cult, leading to a gruesome retaliation. Another version implies a personal dispute between the housemaid and the suspected murderer regarding the paternity of her child, accusing the assailant’s friend.
The suspected murderer had allegedly warned the deceased housemaid to cease associating his friend with her child’s paternity, creating an atmosphere of tension prior to the tragic incident.
The assailant gained access to the house by scaling a fence, targeting the housemaid in the absence of the retired nurse. As the attacker stabbed the housemaid, the retired nurse, Mrs Esther Amali, returned to the house and witnessed the horrifying scene.
Despite Mrs Amali’s desperate pleas for the assailant to stop, he continued the brutal attack, stabbing both the housemaid and the retired nurse multiple times. The attacker managed to escape before help arrived.
Neighbours promptly arranged for transportation to convey the victims to the hospital. Mrs Amali, although gasping for breath, managed to narrate the incident en route to the hospital. Tragically, she succumbed to her injuries and passed away before reaching medical assistance.
The remains of Mrs Esther Amali and Mercy Mwuese have been deposited at the Federal Medical Centre in Makurdi. Meanwhile, a compassionate neighbour has taken custody of the baby left behind by the deceased housemaid.
As the community grapples with the shock of this senseless act, the Benue State Police Command spokesperson, SP Catherine Anene, has promised to provide further information on the incident. The investigation into this tragic event is ongoing.
In a tragic incident along the bustling Airport Road in Lugbe, Abuja, Nigeria Info 95.1 FM presenter, Deborah Ohamara, lost her life in a collision involving a heavy-duty truck laden with sand and her moving vehicle.
Details of the accident, which claimed the life of the beloved radio personality, remain limited. According to a Facebook user, Nten Ekpang, who shared information about the incident, Ohamara was hit from behind by another vehicle while driving, leading to a collision with a moving trailer.
In a Facebook post, Ekpang wrote, “A car hit Deborah Ohamara from behind while she was driving and she rammed into a moving trailer. She died from injuries sustained from the crash,” alongside a video capturing the aftermath of the accident.
Nigeria Info 95.1 FM confirmed Ohamara’s passing, expressing deep sorrow at the loss of a brilliant and beloved broadcaster. Fondly known as the “golden voice of Naija Info” due to her captivating on-air presence, Ohamara had an illustrious career. She began as a newscaster with the Cross River Broadcasting Corporation (CRBC) TV and later served as a presenter on 105.5 Paradise FM in Calabar.
The radio station shared the sad news on social media, stating, “We sadly announce the passing of Deborah Ohamara (Debbie), a brilliant and loved broadcaster with Nigeria Info Abuja. We opened a condolence register below.”
As the news of Deborah Ohamara’s untimely demise spreads, the radio community and her listeners are left in mourning, remembering her as a talented and cherished voice on Nigeria Info FM. The circumstances surrounding the accident are still under investigation, and condolences pour in for the family, friends, and colleagues of the late presenter.
The surge in abductions, previously concentrated in the North-West, has now infiltrated major cities across Nigeria as criminal elements extend their operations beyond highways and rural areas. Recently, assailants have intensified attacks in Lagos, Abuja, and other urban centers.
Tragically, the killing of four victims from Sagwari Estate Layout in Abuja’s Bwari Area Council ignited public outrage. The criminals demanded a staggering N700 million ransom for the release of seven family members, resulting in the death of Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar, a 400-level student at Ahmadu Bello University.
As of Monday night, five sisters, including Najeebah and Nadherah, remain captive, with kidnappers escalating the ransom demand to N100 million per captive, set for Wednesday.
In a desperate plea for financial support, the Al-Kadriyar family turned to the public, emphasizing the urgency of securing the release of their loved ones.
Simultaneously, other cases have emerged nationwide, including the tragic killing of 13-year-old Folashade Ariyo, further emphasizing the severity of the situation. Her father, Oladosu Ariyo, a lawyer, has implored the Nigerian Bar Association to intervene urgently.
The alarming statistics from the 2023 Nigeria Security Report reveal a grim reality: 9,754 deaths and 4,049 abduction cases between January and December 2023.
Security reports indicate a shift in kidnapping trends, with criminal activities spreading to the South-West, particularly in Lagos and Ogun states. Recent incidents in these regions include the abduction of a 13-year-old schoolgirl, Miracle Adereti, and a car dealer known as Ejike Conversion.
The epidemic is not confined to the South; Ogun State reported the abduction of a 70-year-old piggery farmer, Pa Adeife Ifelaja, and other incidents unfolded in Enugu, Imo, Edo, and Zamfara states.
Expressing concern over the escalating crisis, public figures like the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar have called for urgent government action. Atiku, in a Facebook post, highlighted the role of poverty and hunger in exacerbating the security menace.
However, the apparent silence from government officials and security agencies on the rising cases of kidnappings across major cities has left citizens disillusioned and anxious.
The Nigerian Bar Association and security experts are also expressing their concerns, emphasizing the need for swift and effective measures to address the insecurity crisis. The Chairman of the NBA Bwari FCT chapter, Paul Dauda, urges the government to tackle the issue promptly, while security expert Chidi Omeje criticizes the government’s apparent inaction.
As the nation grapples with this abduction epidemic, there is a growing consensus that immediate and decisive action is imperative to ensure the safety and security of citizens across Nigeria.
