Author: Chronicle Editor

On Monday, Nigeria and other African states failed to halt the work of the first United Nations independent investigator appointed to help protect gay and transgender people worldwide from violence and discrimination. The 47-member UN Human Rights Council, based in Geneva, created the position in June and in September appointed Vitit Muntarbhorn of Thailand, who has a three-year mandate to investigate abuses against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people. In an unusual move, African states put forward a draft resolution in the 193-member UN General Assembly third committee, which deals with human rights, calling for consultations on the…

Liverpool are lining up deals for Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk, 25, and midfielder Sam McQueen, 21, which will cost the Reds £40m in January. (Daily Star) Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, 36, has rejected the chance to manage League One MK Dons – and wants a coaching role at Anfield. (Daily Mirror) Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew, 55, faces the sack if his team loses to Swansea City on Saturday. Former England manager Sam Allardyce and Wales boss Chris Coleman could replace him. (Sun) Forward Alexis Sanchez, 27, and midfielder Mesut Ozil, 28, are both seeking a wage well…

Talks between Steven Gerrard and MK Dons have ended, with the League One side continuing their search for a new manager with other candidates. Positive initial talks took place between the Dons and Gerrard, 36, who will leave LA Galaxy in December. But the League One side will now continue their search to replace Karl Robinson elsewhere, having already spoken to other candidates. Gerrard has been linked with Celtic, Inter Milan and a return to Liverpool. Richie Barker will continue in caretaker charge of the Dons for Tuesday’s match against Chesterfield, with the club in the relegation zone of the…

Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara said 155 persons had been killed by bandits in less than a month in the state. Yari disclosed this on Monday in a statewide broadcast on the security challenges facing the state. He also said that over 50 persons had been kidnapped during the period. He explained that 53 people were killed in Shinkafi Local Government Area; 50 in Maru Local Government Area; 37 in Maradun Local Government Area and 15 in Zurmi Local Government Area. The governor said even though the Federal Government launched a military operation against the bandits in July, the criminals…

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Lionel Messi are three of the 40 players shortlisted for Uefa’s team of the year. Also on the shortlist is Leicester City’s Riyad Mahrez and ex-team-mate N’Golo Kante (now at Chelsea) who both featured during Leicester’s Premier League win. The other Premier League players included are Aaron Ramsey, Toby Alderweireld, Laurent Koscielny, Paul Pogba, Kevin de Bruyne, Dimitri Payet, Joe Allen, Sergio Aguero and Alexis Sanchez. Champions League winners Real Madrid are the most represented club with goalkeeper Keylor Navas, defenders Sergio Ramos, Dani Carvajal and Pepe, midfielders Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, and forwards…

The Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ali Ahmad has said that the ruling All Progressives Congress ( APC) has what it takes to ensure smooth and effective constitutional review. According to the Speaker, it is very easy for the ruling party to achieve the objective with required machineries in place since it has twenty three (23) State Legislatures out of the 36 states of the federation as well as untapped control of the National Assembly. He stated this in his remarks at the Progressive Governors Forum and Legislative Parley in Kano, Kano state on…

Lagos will experience the ultimate in alfresco style music on Friday and Saturday November 25 and 26 2016 when the 7th edition of the annual Lagos Jazz Series holds first at the Muri Okunola Park and then Moorhouse Sofitel. Announcing the line-up, Oti Bazunu, convener of the Lagos Jazz Series said “Lagos is in for something amazing this time around as the Lagos Jazz Series happens again. Old time music lovers who are familiar with Hamish Stuart from The Average White Band are in for a treat and then there is British soul legend Omar who will be bringing his unique…

Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode on Sunday said no fewer than 50,000 athletes from across the world are expected to participate in the second edition of Access Bank Lagos City Marathon billed to hold on February 11, 2017. Governor Ambode, who stated this at Lagos House in Ikeja while addressing a world press conference on the marathon, said necessary logistics have been put in place to make the event hugely successful, and as well promote the tourism potentials of the State. The Governor said about 33, 753 runners including 65 elite marathoners from different parts of the world and over…

President Muhammadu Buhari will attend the 4th Africa-Arab Summit in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea on Wednesday. The summit, which will be attended by Heads of State and Government from Gulf and African countries, is expected to endorse the Malabo Declaration and Action Working Plan for 2017-2019 to promote trade and economic ties. The two-year plan seeks to implement priority projects in trade, investment, transportation, communication and energy in Africa. In Malabo, President Buhari is also expected to hold discussions with Arab leaders, aimed at reviewing agreements to strengthen partnerships that bolster agriculture and infrastructure development in Nigeria through long term concessionary…

Nigerian military has unveiled photographs of another 55 Boko Haram terrorists declared wanted, bringing the number of wanted terrorists so far to 257. It had earlier declared 202 insurgents wanted in two batches in 2015. Unveiling the photographs at the terrorists on Monday, the Theatre Commander, and Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin, called on Nigerians to join in search for the terrorists. Olonisakin said that counter insurgency was a field operation which required adequate awareness by the stakeholders. “With this launch of additional photographs of wanted Boko Haram terrorists, it is hoped that the public and other peace…