Transfer speculations swirling around Nigeria International striker Victor Osimhen has yet assumed another dimension after each of the trio, Arsenal, Chelsea and PSG, are reportedly ready to table a staggering €90m (about N138,974,356,080.00) for the Napoli star striker.

Several Italian outlets claim Napoli President, Aurelio De Laurentiis, could accept a bid below the striker’s release clause, said to be around £113 million ($143m) when the Nigerian ace signed a one-year extension last December.

But citing a report in Il Mattino newspaper, Football Italia has reported that Napoli are prepared to part company with Osimhen at the end of the season with Chelsea, Arsenal and PSG each ready to offer €90m for the Nigeria international.

According to the report, Osimhen is ‘fed up’ with Serie A and is looking forward to leaving the Stadio Maradona.

Intermediaries are already working with the striker’s agent, Roberto Calenda, to find a new club for the ex-Lille striker, who has scored 72 goals in 125 appearances with the Partenopei since 2020.

The 25-year-old recently signed a contract extension until June 2026 and the new deal includes a release clause of €120-130m.

However, Il Mattino claim De Laurentiis could accept an offer below the release clause, given that Osimhen has already decided to leave the club with words rife that his next destination is Chelsea.

In fact, Italian journalist Rudy Galetti was quoted as saying that Osimhen has agreed to personal terms with Chelsea, signalling a potential move to the London club in the upcoming summer transfer window.

Galetti, via his X account (formerly Twitter), disclosed that Chelsea are prepared to activate Osimhen’s release clause once the 2023/24 season ends.

”Victor Osimhen is always a main target for Chelsea to strengthen their attack,” Galetti said.

The naira yesterday appreciated to N1,350 per dollar in the parallel market from N1,430 per dollar on Monday.

Similarly, the naira yesterday appreciated to N1,382.95 per dollar in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM). Data from FMDQ showed that the indicative exchange rate for NAFEM fell to N1,382.95 per dollar from N1,408.04 per dollar on Monday, indicating N25.09 appreciation for the naira.

Consequently, the margin between the parallel market rate and NAFEM widened to N32.95 per dollar from N21.96 per dollar on Monday.

Over the past month, the Nigerian naira has surged by 18.28 percent to reach N1,408.04 on Monday, up from its low of N1,665.50 recorded on February 23, 2024, as per data compiled from the FMDQ Securities Exchange.

The recent appreciation of the naira against the dollar can be attributed to foreign exchange reforms implemented by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Key reforms include the consolidation of exchange rate windows, liberalization of the FX market, resolution of FX backlog obligations for banks and airlines, implementation of a Price Verification System (PVS), imposition of limits on banks’ Net Open Position, removal of the daily cap on remunerable Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) to N2 billion, and restructuring of the Bureau De Change (BDC) segment.

The additional measures implemented are aimed at promoting a market where both the buyer and seller are willing participants. These measures include the removal of margin limits for International Money Transfer Operator (IMTO) remittances, the introduction of a two-way quote system, and comprehensive reforms within the BDC segment to bolster stability, transparency, supply, and price discovery in the Nigeria Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) sold dollars to Bureau De Change (BDC) Operators at a rate of N1,251.

In a circular issued by the CBN, the BDCs were directed to sell to eligible customers at a rate that does not exceed 1.5 percent above the purchase price.

The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit has uncovered 27 cells belonging to the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra in 22 countries across the globe, including the United State of America and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The NFIU said the US and the UK house the largest numbers of these IPOB cells per country, with seven and six operating IPOB cells respectively in both countries.

Details of the development were revealed in a newsletter exposing the funding of terror activities in Nigeria by IPOB, bandits, and other terror groups through global crowdfunding and on sports betting platforms.

The Federal Government had in 2017 proscribed IPOB and designated the self-determination group a terrorist organisation. Its leader, Nnmadi Kanu, is currently being tried on terrorism charges by the government.

The NFIU, in the document, titled “Counter Terrorism Financial Newsletter,” linked the running of IPOB to 54 individuals across the globe.

The document revealed: “The NFIU confirmed that the diaspora affiliates of the IPOB group have spread over 22 countries across the globe. Further analysis exposed 27 entities across the globe registered in the name of the group, the US and the UK had the highest number of registrations, having seven and six registered entities, respectively.

“The analysis further indicates that the group has several bank accounts in different countries where funds are being received from various contributors with the narrations ‘Monthly Dues, Services and for ESN’, among others, then later disbursed for various operations.

“It was confirmed that one of the major sources of revenue for the group is crowdfunding by several individuals abroad, mostly Nigerians.

“It was observed that over $160,000 was disbursed to Transmission, Media, and Broadcasting companies in Bulgaria, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. The analysis profiled the leader of the group, his addresses, and mobile numbers abroad with other 53 individuals associated with the dissident group. The report was forwarded to Law Enforcement for further investigation.”

The NFIU further revealed that a betting platform, simply identified as ‘XC’, filed a Suspicious Transaction Report on a 24-year Nigerian customer from North-Central, Nigeria.

“This 24-year-old from Nigeria’s North-Central region received over N350,000 in his betting wallet, believed to be ransom money from a kidnapping,” the NFIU said.

In another case, the financial intelligence unit exposed a terrorist attempting to evade being detected. It noted that the individual made structured cash withdrawals from different Automated Teller Machines and purchased flight tickets to high-risk areas, using credit cards.

The NFIU explained that whenever the individual exceeded his withdrawal limit, he would adopt alternative methods of travel.

“The terrorist then attempted suspicious transfers exceeding €1,000 to a local charity with potential links to terrorism. These transactions, along with others for luxury goods and escort services, raised red flags,” the newsletter stated.

The NFIU urged law enforcement agencies to investigate transactions by individuals linked to known terrorists or financiers; unauthorised tax collection or forced donations in terrorism-prone areas and Bureau de Change operators facilitating transfers within suspected networks.

Other areas the unit wants security agencies to beam their searchlights are multiple cash deposits in bank accounts; Point of Sale operators receiving large deposits followed by cash withdrawals; money transfers from Nigeria to high-risk countries; recruitment of individuals to open multiple bank accounts; and financial transfers to charities linked to terrorism.

Controversial Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has said there was “no cause for alarm” after he was invited by the security agents on Monday over the nation’s insecurity, especially banditry in the North.

The Kaduna-based cleric said he had a fruitful discussion with Nigerian security agents who invited him over security issues.

Recall that the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, had on Monday told reporters at the State House, Abuja, that Gumi had been invited by the security agencies.

Reacting to the invitation, Gumi issued a statement on his Facebook page that there was no animosity in the meeting with the security agents, but respect.

“Last night I got many frantic calls from well-wishers and journalists about a news item that I was interviewed by security. There is no cause for alarm,” Gumi wrote.

“Yes, we had a productive interaction on how to curb banditry as we are all trying -each in his sphere – to tackle the monster bedevilling the nation. There was no animosity but courtesy and full of respect.

“We all need as a nation to unite and work in synergy to achieve an everlasting peace. Thank you for your concern. May Allah continue to protect us all from all evil. Amin.”

Gumi has appeared as a controversial personality following his disposition in persuading the federal government to have negotiations with the bandits terrorising the North West of the country.

The scholar had said many times that the government should give amnesty to bandits so that they can drop their arms, as it was done by former President Musa Yar’Adua to the former militants in Niger-Delta.

While Nigerians decried the worsening insecurity in the North in which bandits kidnap women and children for ransom, Gumi said negotiating with bandits is the solution to the problem.

President Bola Tinubu has condemned the reprehensible acts perpetrated by kidnappers across the country, declaring that individuals involved in such despicable crimes must be treated as terrorists.

The President made the declaration on Tuesday at a Ramadan dinner with members of the Federal judiciary led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.

The dinner was attended by serving and retired judicial officers, including two former CJNs, Justice Mahmud Mohammed and Justice Walter Onnoghen.

Reiterating the government’s resolve to defeat banditry, the President said those who resort to kidnapping children are cowards, incapable of confronting the might of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

President Tinubu, in a statement by his spokesman, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, was quoted as saying, ”We must treat kidnappers as terrorists. They are cowardly. They have been degraded. They look for soft targets. They go to schools and kidnap children and cause disaffection. We must treat them equally as terrorists in order to get rid of them, and I promise you we will get rid of them.”

On the review of salaries of judicial officers, the President pledged that his administration would continue to implement necessary reforms to improve the welfare and working conditions of judicial officers.

He said, ”I recognize that the judiciary has one of the most unrewarded responsibilities. They are yet to modernize equipment and recordkeeping, and their progress towards improvement is slow.

”When you look at the career path of a judicial officer, they cannot practice the vocation for which they were trained after retirement.

”While the framers of the law may have their reasons, I perceive this differently and see this from a fair compensation angle that should benefit all.”

President Tinubu expressed gratitude to the judiciary for their dedicated service to the nation, acknowledging their role in upholding the respectability of the judicial arm of government.

“We will continue to support one another and bring Nigeria to that glorious dawn,” the President concluded.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria commended the President for the honour of hosting judicial officers to a Ramadan dinner, his commitment to judicial reforms, and for improving the welfare of judicial officers in the country.

“May the Lord continue to bless you and your administration. Let your ship land and berth beautifully. We shall continue to pray for your administration because there are many good things in the pipeline for Nigerians,” he prayed.

Justice Ariwoola commended the administration for achieving a significant milestone by appointing a full complement of 21 justices to the Supreme Court, a feat he described as unprecedented.

Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, expressed gratitude to the President for forwarding the executive bill titled, “Judicial Office Holders, Salaries and Allowances, etc, Bill 2024” to the National Assembly.

Highlighting the stagnant state of judges’ salaries and emoluments since 2007, Fagbemi commended the President’s courage, determination, and compassion in taking decisive action.

”It takes a man with a great heart, determination, and consideration to do what the President did. More than 300.3 percent increase has been given to the judges. The President has done his own part, never mind that the bill is still with the National Assembly.

”In my short stay as the Attorney-General, I have come to observe that anything that concerns the judiciary, you are very much interested in it, and I thank you for your abiding interest in the judiciary,” the Minister of Justice said.

The Mali national football team completely outplayed the Super Eagles of Nigeria in an international friendly on Tuesday night, March 26.

Ahead of the international friendly, most football enthusiasts expected that it would be an easy one for the Super Eagles given their 2-1 win over Ghana barely four days ago.

Unfortunately for the Nigerian team, they couldn’t record a successive back-to-back win at the Grand Stade de Marrakech in Morocco as coach Finidi George’s 3-4-3 formation fell flat to the lowly rated Malian team.

During the game, Mali proved to be more composed and had better passing accuracy than the Eagles’ side who were loaded with Europe-based players. The attacking trio of Alex Iwobi, Kelechi Iheanacho, and Moses Simon were starved of killer passes in the eighteen-yard box.

22-year-old El Bilal Touré opened the scoring in the 18th minute as the Malian dominated most of the first half.

Moses Simon was replaced by Cyriel Dessers in the 34th minute after suffering a knock in Mali’s penalty box which the referee didn’t deem worthy of a spot-kick.

While the Super Eagles were trying to put passes together and attempt a comeback, Mali grabbed the ball and launched a counter which 21-year-old Kamory Doumbia completed to make it 2-0 in the 87th minute.

The goal sealed the victory for Mali as coach Finidi George failed to convince the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) beyond a reasonable doubt that he deserves to be named Eagles’ permanent coach.

Former African Footballer of the Year, Victor Ikpeba, has said Super Eagles interim coach Finidi George is on the right track to becoming the team’s substantive coach.

Finidi took charge of the team for a 2-1 win over Ghana in an international friendly last Friday.

This follows the exit of Jose Peseiro, who led Nigeria to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year.

Ikpeba, speaking on Monday Night Football, said: “I am happy with what Finidi is doing with the Super Eagles. I am in the system and I know what he’s doing. Don’t forget that I am in the committee set up to do the right thing.

“From what I have seen from the players’ comments, it’s looking good for Finidi George.

“As I speak right now, I think it’s looking good for him. Mind you. I am not the decision-maker, I am one of the people who will advise the NFF. but it’s looking good for Finidi.”

Finidi will be in charge again on Tuesday night when the Eagles play Mali in another international friendly.

Romelu Lukaku’s time at Stamford Bridge could be coming to an end.

According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, Chelsea is looking to sell the striker to a Saudi Arabian club for a reported £34 million fee.

While AS Roma was interested in the Belgium international, they were unwilling to pay the hefty £40 million price tag that Chelsea placed on him.

With interest from the Middle East, the Blues are hoping to cash in on Lukaku who appears to have no future in London.

It is not the first time that Lukaku, who is currently on loan at Roma from Chelsea, has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia club Al Hilal had reportedly made an offer for the former Manchester United star last summer, which he ultimately rejected.

Six out of the 137 Kuriga students who were rescued by troops from their abductors have been hospitalized.

In a statement issued on Monday, the General Officer of 1 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Mayirenso Saraso, stated that the hospitalized students will be handed over to the state government once they are deemed medically fit by the doctors.

Saraso revealed this information after delivering 131 Kuriga children to the Kaduna State governor, Uba Sani, at the Government House.

The unfortunate incident occurred on March 7, 2024, when bandits invaded the LEA Primary School and Government Secondary School in Kuriga, Chikun Local Government Area, Kaduna, and abducted the students.

Fortunately, the military successfully rescued the students in Zamfara State on Sunday morning.

It could be recalled that the bandits had demanded a ransom of N1 billion for their release and set a deadline of March 27.

Nevertheless, the federal government clarified that no ransom was given to secure the students’ freedom.

During a speech at the Kaduna Government House, General Saraso mentioned that a combination of kinetic and non-kinetic strategies were utilized to rescue the students, who were held captive for 16 days.

He also informed me that one of the abducted teachers, Mr Abubakar, passed away while in captivity.

The general further elaborated that 131 students were physically brought to the Government House on Monday, as six were receiving medical treatment at a military facility in the state.

“In all, there were 137 children and one staff member, making 138 persons altogether, that were abducted from the co-located schools on the ill-fated day. But unfortunately, the staff member, Mr Abubakar, is not here with us today because he died while in captivity,” he said.

The Nigerian Army has reportedly cleared 200 suspects accused of having links with deadly terrorist group, Bokoharam.

According to reports, the detainees who were arrested by the military in the heat of insurgency would be released to the Borno State government today.

According to Daily Trust, Governor Babagana Zulum’s led government will receive the suspected terrorists today for proper reintegration into society.

It was reported that the event will occur on Tuesday morning at Giwa Barracks in Maiduguri, the state capital.

“Not fewer than 200 cleared Boko Haram suspects are being cleared of any wrongdoing by security operatives, and they will be handed over to the Borno State Government for rehabilitation and reintegration.

“The handing over ceremony is set to be this morning (Tuesday) at 10: am at Giwa Barracks,” a source, who spoke with the news platform, revealed.

The source further disclosed that the State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Zuwaira Gambo, and her Information and Internal Security counterpart, Prof Tar Umar, will receive the clear detainees on behalf of the state government.