Author: starconnect
By Emmanuel Ukudolo I Wednesday, January 07.26 PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria — For over a decade, the promise of a bridge connecting the bustling waterfronts of Port Harcourt to the historic hub of Okrika has remained largely a blueprint, stalled by the shifting sands of Nigerian politics and erratic funding. But this week, officials signaled that one of the Niger Delta’s most ambitious infrastructure “legacy projects” is finally moving toward the finish line. The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) announced on Wednesday that it would begin immediate compensation payments to residents of the Ibifaka Polo community in Borikiri. The…
Admin I Wednesday, January 07.26 VLADIMIR Putin has sparked a terrifying high-seas standoff after sending a nuclear-powered submarine to intercept US forces attempting to seize a rogue oil tanker. The Kremlin’s underwater predator was scrambled to escort the empty vessel after American warships spent weeks hunting it across the ocean. US media reports say the Pentagon has been locked in a high-stakes game of cat-and-mouse to capture the tanker, which has been playing hide-and-seek in international waters. But just as US commanders moved in for the kill, the Russian sub emerged from the depths to act as a deadly…
Admin I Wednesday, January 07.26 ABUJA, Nigeria – The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) is excited to announce the launch of an Inter-Agency Innovation Competition & Awards aimed at harnessing innovation, promoting collaboration and creativity among Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government. NASENI has the statutory mission “to develop and maintain a dynamic infrastructure to drive Nigeria’s indigenous industrialization, job creation and national progress for the country.” This specific initiative amongst the MDAs seeks to harness innovative ideas that can drive technological advancement and address pressing challenges facing the nation amongst…
Former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami By SCM REPORTER NIGERIA’S former top lawman Abubakar Malami is tonight behind bars in a notorious high-security prison after being slapped with a massive N500 million (£450,000) bail bill. The former Attorney General—once the most powerful legal figure in the country—was hauled before a federal judge in Abuja to face a staggering 16-count money laundering charge. Prosecutors claim Malami was involved in a “dirty money” scheme totalling an eye-watering N9 billion (roughly £8.2 million). In a dramatic twist, Malami isn’t the only one in the dock. His son, Abdulaziz…
By SCM REPORTER I Wednesday, Jan.07 BRITAIN and France have been left holding the baby in a cut-down “Coalition of the Willing” after Europe’s heavy hitters sensationally ruled out sending boots to Ukraine. In a hammer blow to Kyiv’s hopes for a massive security shield, Germany, Italy, Poland, and Romania have all flatly refused to deploy troops for any post-conflict mission. The move leaves Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron as the only major leaders ready to put their soldiers on the line to guard a future peace. The split emerged as a draft declaration for…
By SCM REPORTER WASHINGTON – DONALD TRUMP has sensationally lifted the lid on a “complex” operation to kidnap Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro that allegedly left 75 people dead in a ferocious gun battle. The former President described the midnight raid on Maduro’s fortified compound in Caracas as an “incredible thing,” despite the high death toll and reports of the city being plunged into total darkness. As bullets flew between rival factions, the only source of light for terrified residents was the flickering glow of handheld candles. ”It was so complex,” Trump said, reflecting on the scale of the…
BY BLAISE UDUNZE I Tuesday, Jan.07.26 LAGOS, Nigeria – When the Federal Government approved the write-off of about $1.42 billion and N5.57 trillion in legacy debts owed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) to the Federation Account, it was rightly described as a landmark decision. After years of disputes, reconciliations, and contested figures, Nigeria’s most important revenue institution was, at least on paper, given a cleaner slate. The World Bank, has repeatedly flagged NNPC as a major source of revenue leakages. It further noted that the persistent gaps between reported earnings and actual remittances…
BY OUR MAN AT THE LONDON STADIUM MORGAN GIBBS-WHITE proved he is the king of the East Midlands as he coolly slotted home an 89th-minute penalty to leave West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo staring at the exit door. On a night of pure Premier League theatre, the Forest talisman stepped up when it mattered most to complete a sensational turnaround and leave the Hammers’ season in tatters. The 2-1 victory moves Sean Dyche’s Forest seven points clear of the drop zone, while West Ham are now winless in ten and sinking fast. The evening started like a dream…
By SCM FOOTBALL REPORTER, Marrakech MANCHESTER UNITED star Amad Diallo was the architect of a West African masterclass as Ivory Coast dismantled Burkina Faso 3-0 to storm into the AFCON quarter-finals. The Old Trafford whiz-kid put on a Marrakech clinic, scoring the opener and turning provider on a night where the defending champions finally looked like the tournament’s true heavyweights. Diallo, who has flourished under the bright lights of the Premier League this season, brought that same spark to the Stade de Marrakech. In the 20th minute, he ghosted into the box to lift a delicate finish over the onrushing…
BY OUR FOOTBALL REPORTER IN RABAT FORMER Manchester City king Riyad Mahrez and his Algerian brothers are dreaming of AFCON glory tonight after a 119th-minute thunderbolt broke DR Congo’s stubborn resistance. In a game that looked destined for the lottery of penalties, super-sub Adil Boulbina became a national hero with a rocket that nearly tore the net off at the Moulay Hassan Stadium. The 22-year-old Al-Duhail starlet, who had barely seen a minute of action this tournament, was thrown on by boss Vladimir Petković as a last-ditch gamble. And boy, did it pay off. Cutting inside former Manchester United…
