Author: starconnect
Titus Eleweke, Editor, South East AWKA, Anambra – The Anambra Internal Revenue Service (AIRS) on Thursday dismissed five enforcement officers who were indicted for various corrupt practices. The affected officers are:Imo Okechukwu, Chibuzo Nwana (a.k.a. DPO),Anthony Anwuru (a.k.a. Timaya),Afamefuna Olinya, and Ebere Anike (a.k.a. Holy Water). In a statement issued by Hon. Juventus Chukwunweike Okoli, Head of the Transport Department, AIRS, Awka, the Service said the action was taken to restore sanity in the transport sector and protect commercial transport operators across the state. “In a decisive move to restore sanity and protect commercial transport operators, the Anambra Internal…
By SCM Football Correspondent ATLANTA, Georgia — It was a night of blistering heat, raw tension, and high-stakes drama under the roof of the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where South Africa’s World Cup dreams were rescued from the absolute brink. For 77 agonizing minutes, it looked as though Czechia’s early brilliance would send Bafana Bafana packing. But in this tournament, you can never count out the fighting spirit of Hugo Broos’ men. Thanks to a late moment of VAR madness and the icy veins of midfield maestro Teboho Mokoena, the points were shared in a breathless 1-1 draw that keeps Group A…
By Our Man in Los Angeles MURAT YAKIN pulled off a tactical masterclass from the bench to leave Bosnia broken and bleeding under the Hollywood lights. For over an hour, this tense World Cup clash in front of a raucous crowd of 70,026 fans in Los Angeles was a total snooze-fest. A dreadful, cagey first half saw just seven shots produced between both sides, generating a pathetic expected goals (xG) rating of just 0.24. Bosnia’s veteran icon Edin Džeko spent more time arguing than attacking, picking up a yellow card in the 61st minute as the physical battle…
Admin I Thursday, June 18, 2026 IJEBU-ODE, Ogun – The council of ilamuren kingmakers in Ijebu-Ode, led by the Olisa, Chief Rasheed Adeoye Adesanya, has approved the nomination of five princes for the Awujale throne. In a letter addressed to the state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, and personally signed by the Olisa, he said the kingmakers acted under Section 4(2) of the Chiefs Law 1957, and the Customary Law regulating the selection and succession to the Awujale of ljebuland. The letter further listed the nominees as Prince Ademorin Aliu Kuye, Prince Isiaq Ayodele Adewale Adekoya (Eleruja), Prince Onabanjo Abimbola…
Admin I Thursday, June 18, 2026 LAGOS, Nigeria – Leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc, has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable social impact and economic inclusion through the empowerment of women and schoolchildren in Anambra State. The landmark intervention, held recently in Awka during the 2026 Fidelity Empowerment Programme, featured the distribution of 200 sewing and grinding machines to women entrepreneurs, N25 million in seed capital support, 1,500 food packs to vulnerable households, and 250 solar-powered school bags to schoolchildren. The initiative was implemented in partnership with Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo, a Non-Governmental Organisation led by the Wife…
Admin I Thursday, June 18, 2026 LAGOS, Nigeria – FirstBank, West Africa’s premier financial institution and financial inclusion services provider, is pleased to announce its upcoming SMEConnect Webinar scheduled to hold on Thursday, 25 June 2025. Through SMEConnect, FirstBank delivers capacity building of its value propositions to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The virtual event, which holds every quarter, equips business owners with practical knowledge, tools, and resources to compete and scale in today’s fast-changing economy. This quarter’s edition, themed “Funding Your Growth: How SMEs Can Access Finance and Scale Faster,” will deliver actionable insights on securing funding, leveraging…
Admin I Thursday, June 18, 2026 ABUJA, Nigeria – The Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, capital of Delta State will play host to this year’s grand finale of men’s and women’s competition of the President Federation Cup. In the men’s competition, Ikorodu City and three-time champions El-Kanemi Warriors on Wednesday emerged the finalists, defeating Nasarawa United and Wikki Tourists respectively. The women’s competition has reached the semi finals, with FC Robo Queens, Heartland Queens, Sunshine Queens and Nasarawa Amazons reaching the last four. President Federation Cup: Women’s Quarter-Final Results Rivers Angels 0-1 FC Robo Queens Heartland Queens 2-2…
Admin I Thursday, June 18, 2026 ABUJA, Nigeria – There were representatives of the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, representatives of three serving governors, two former governors, two serving ministers, a former sports minister, representatives of serving ministers, the incumbent and one former director-general of the National Sports Commission, top-flight public officers, representative of the NFF President, former parliamentarians, the incumbent and a former NFF General Secretary, renowned academics, religious leaders, NFF management and former Nigeria international players in attendance as incumbent NFF Deputy General Secretary, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme publicly unveiled his book, Perspectives on…
Admin I Thursday, June 17, 2026 LAGOS, Nigeria – First HoldCo Plc (“FirstHoldCo” or “the Group”) hereby notifies the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), its shareholders, and the investing public that it has successfully completed the ₦45 billion second tranche of its ongoing ₦350 billion Private Placement programme, having secured all requisite approvals from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The proceeds will be injected into First Bank of Nigeria Limited (“FirstBank”), the Group’s flagship subsidiary, as part of its capital restoration plan and broader balance sheet strengthening programme. This capital action further…
By Our Foreign Desk I June 18, 2026 ISLAMABAD — In a stunning diplomatic breakthrough, the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran have signed a sweeping preliminary framework agreement to immediately halt their direct military conflict, reopen the critical Strait of Hormuz to global shipping, and dismantle the monthslong American naval blockade of Iranian ports. The agreement, officially titled the “Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding,” was finalized and executed digitally by President Donald J. Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, bypassing the need for a volatile face-to-face summit. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, acting as the primary mediator,…