Author: Chronicle Editor

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema says he is a “Formula 1 car” while former France team-mate Olivier Giroud is just a “go-kart.” Benzema, 32, has not played for France since 2015 while Giroud started the most recent European qualifying win over Albania in November. Chelsea’s Giroud also played in all of France’s World Cup matches in 2018, helping them to be crowned champions. Benzema said: “You can’t confuse an F1 car with a go-kart and I’m being kind.” During a Q&A on Instagram, he added: “I know I’m a Formula 1 car. It works because he’s there, that’s it. It’s…

Nigeria’s Finance Minister, Zainab Ahmed, has stated President Muhammadu Buhari has allowed for skeletal operations in the financial system and money markets during the lockdown in Lagos, Abuja and Ogun. In a circular on Monday titled, “Notice to affected stakeholders and general public regarding COVID-19 and restrictions in movement of persons”, bankers are expected to be handed new directives. “In light of the devastating effects of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) on many countries around the world, we applaud and appreciate the appropriate and proactive restrictions in personal and vehicular movement directed by President Muhammadu Buhari in his speech of Sunday…

In demonstration of its commitment to make sustainable living commonplace through its operations, Unilever Nigeria has donated its hygiene portfolio brands – Lifebuoy, OMO, Sunlight soaps and detergents to Ogun and Lagos state governments in complementing their efforts to combat the coronavirus challenge. While making the donations to the government of both states, the Director, Corporate Affairs & Sustainable Business, Ghana and Nigeria, Mrs. Soromidayo George commended the states for leading effectively in the crisis and demonstrating capabilities to stem the spread of the virus with adequate preparation of the right infrastructure set up for affected people to be treated.…

The Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Mallam Abba Kyari has assured Nigerians that he is doing better and have made arrangements to avoid burdening public healthcare system. In a letter on Sunday, Mallam Kyari said he would be transferred to Lagos state for further tests and observation. “I am writing to let you know that on medical advice, I will transfer to Lagos later today for additional tests and observation. This is a precautionary measure: I feel well, but last week, I tested positive for coronavirus, the pandemic that is sweeping the world. I have followed all the…

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos has assured residents of the state that they will beat the coronavirus pandemic that is seeping through the country. Sanwo-Olu explained that the 14-day lockdown declared by President Muhammadu Buhari will affect all residents of the state except for those providing essential services. “As we enter an initial 14 days lockdown announced by President Buhari, I understand the uncertainty that a lot of you are feeling at the moment but I want to encourage you to be resilient, we will beat COVID-19. “Today, The President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces placed our…

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described President Muhammadu Buhari’s ‘long awaited address’ on coronavirus pandemic was empty and failed to address the demands of the impact of the scourge on our nation. In a press statement after the President’s nationwide broadcast, the PDP noted that outside the social distancing and isolation, which Nigerians had already imposed on themselves, Mr. President had no new solutions to offer our nation. “The PDP regrets that the address did not touch on the real necessities of majority of Nigerians who reside in the states where President Buhari had ordered a lockdown. “It is…

Kwara state governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, has donated his 10-month salary to help provide palliative measures to the vulnerable people in his state as Nigeria grapples with coronavirus. With no known case in Kwara, the governor has put in precautionary measures to combat the virus that is ravaging the world. In a statement on Sunday, the governor who has never received salary since he was inaugurated in May 2019 said he has now donated all of his salary to the vulnerable poor people in his state. “Since I was inaugurated, I have not taken my salary. I’m now donating the accumulated…

US President Donald Trump has suggested during a news conference that hospital staff in New York city, the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic in the US are stealing hundreds of thousands of surgical masks. Trump asked how the numbers of masks requested could shoot up from 10,000 to 300,000 overnight and said: “Are they going out the back door?”. Trump also lashed out at reporters who asked questions he did not like about his previous statements, telling, PBS NewsHour’s Yamiche Alcindor: “Don’t be threatening. Be nice” “Many of the states are stocked up, some of them don’t admit it,” the…

President Donald Trump says the US will not foot the bill for Prince Harry and Meghan’s security amid reports that the pair have moved to the US from Canada. Mr Trump tweeted he was “a great friend and admirer of the Queen and the United Kingdom”, but added: “They must pay!” The couple said they had no plans to ask for publicly funded security in the US. They have reportedly relocated to Meghan’s home state of California amid the intensifying coronavirus outbreak. They will formally step down as senior royals on 31 March and will no longer carry out duties…

Justice Sherifat Solebo of a Special Offences Court, Ikeja-Lagos state, has issued a bench warrant against a Lagos Socialite, Waheed Gabadamosi Eletu Odibo, for his failure to appear before the court to take his plea on alleged N250 million fraud. Others affected by the order is one Yemi Idowu and two companies; Aircom Nigeria Limited and STB Building Society. Justice Solebo’s order was sequel to an application for the defendants’ arrest, filed and argued by the counsel to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Ahmed Yerima. In asking Justice Solebo to grant the application, Yerima told that request for…