Author: Joy Ananias

Atalanta have made their stance crystal clear. Ademola Lookman will not leave this summer unless a compelling offer meets their valuation. The Italian side have placed a €45 million to €50 million price tag on the Nigerian international. who was recently crowned the 2024 African Footballer of the Year. According to Italian outlet Le Bombe di Vlad, Atalanta are not against selling the forward, but only if a substantial bid arrives. The club reportedly won’t entertain any offer below €30 million. Citing Lookman’s consistency and high-impact performances in decisive fixtures as justification for the valuation. Several European heavyweights Arsenal, Liverpool,…

A devastating flood in Minna, Niger State, has claimed the lives of two children. Leaving the Tunga community in deep mourning. The incident occurred on Tuesday following heavy rainfall that caused severe flooding across the area. According to eyewitnesses, a nine-year-old girl and her 11-year-old brother had been sent to the Tunga Market. About two kilometers from their home, to buy ingredients for soup. Although the rain had been light earlier in the day. It intensified suddenly while they were returning home, causing widespread flooding and overflowing of drainages. Reports reveal that the girl, the only daughter among three children,…

South African Airways SAA is ramping up efforts to position Mauritius as a premier travel destination for Nigerian tourists, with a focus on leisure, honeymoons, weddings, and adventure holidays. The airline made this known in a recent statement following a strategic engagement with leading travel industry CEOs in Nigeria. The event, held as part of SAA’s broader expansion plans beyond Johannesburg, showcased Mauritius’ unique attractions, serene environment, and diverse activities. During the meeting, SAA’s Country Manager for Nigeria, Mrs. Leke Bamtefa, emphasized the airline’s commitment to offering seamless connections and quality travel experiences for Nigerians heading to the island. “This…

Veteran Nigerian shooting guard Sarah Ogoke may be on the verge of making a long-awaited return to the court after months of absence. The 35-year-old D’Tigress star recently sparked speculation about a comeback with a social media post suggesting she’s ready to compete again. Ogoke, who skipped the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris for personal reasons, had previously stated that her absence wasn’t permanent. In a 2023 statement, she clarified, “I haven’t retired. This is not the last you’ll hear of me playing basketball. It wasn’t an easy situation or an easy decision.” Now, the experienced guard seems to…

C & I Leasing Plc has reported a strong financial performance for the year ended December 31, 2024, with gross earnings rising to N36.7 billion, marking a significant 64% increase from N22.4 billion in 2023. The company disclosed these figures in its audited financial statements filed with the Nigerian Exchange Limited on Monday. According to the report, profit after tax for the group soared to N1.6 billion in 2024, compared to N273.3 million in the previous year—an impressive 487% jump. The growth was driven largely by a solid increase in lease income, which climbed to N31.1 billion from N18.7 billion…

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, 61, and media personality Lauren Sánchez, 55, officially tied the knot in a lavish, three-day wedding celebration from June 26 to 28, 2025. The couple exchanged vows on June 27 at the stunning San Giorgio Maggiore basilica, a private island venue in Venice, Italy, after changing from their original location due to local protests. The ultra-luxurious event, dubbed the “wedding of the century,” attracted around 200 high-profile guests and reportedly cost between $48 million and $50 million. Each guest experience was valued at approximately $50,000, with top-tier accommodations provided at venues such as Aman Venice, Gritti…

Ajax Amsterdam has come under fire after brutally informing Chuba Akpom and six other players that they were no longer part of the club’s plans via a WhatsApp message. The Dutch players’ union, VVCS, condemned the move. Calling it an act of “improper employment” and a clear violation of professional standards. In a strongly worded statement, VVCS criticized the club’s handling of the matter. Describing the WhatsApp dismissal as shocking and disrespectful. The affected players were reportedly excluded from all first-team activities without prior consultation. Instead, Ajax grouped them in a chat and informed them to start searching for new…

Sterling Financial Holdings Company Plc has recorded a remarkable 102% growth in profit after tax, hitting ₦43.68 billion for the 2024 financial year up from ₦21.58 billion in 2023. This impressive performance was disclosed in its audited full-year financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2024. The Group’s gross earnings soared to ₦337.19 billion from ₦221.77 billion in 2023, driven by robust growth in interest income, non-interest revenue, and strategic cost efficiency. Earnings per share also more than doubled, rising to 151 Kobo. Net interest income grew by 62% to ₦134.81 billion, while fee and commission income increased to…

Commissioner for Health Ekiti State, Dr. Oyebanji Filani, has urged residents in rural communities to prioritise the use of government-owned healthcare facilities for their medical needs. This appeal was made during a strategic one-day engagement meeting held in Ado Ekiti with local government chairmen, traditional rulers, and religious leaders. Dr. Filani commended the dedication of stakeholders to healthcare delivery and called for increased mobilisation of residents to sustain improvements recorded across the health sector. He highlighted the state’s notable progress in health indicators, including service utilisation and patient outcomes, stressing the need to build on these successes. “Ekiti has witnessed…

Chelsea Team stormed into the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup with a thrilling 4-1 extra-time win over Benfica on Saturday, in a match heavily disrupted by severe weather at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. The game, which lasted nearly four hours and 40 minutes, was halted for almost two hours due to a weather delay. Despite the interruption, Chelsea team returned sharper and more clinical, sealing a deserved victory in extra time. Initially, Reece James had put the Blues ahead with a smart free-kick late in the second half, seemingly securing the win with just…