The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has reported a significant increase in Premium Motor Spirit’s (PMS) national average retail price, commonly known as petrol. In May 2024, the price rose by 223.21% year-on-year, reaching N769.62 per litre, compared to N238.11 per litre in 2023. The price increased by 9.75% month-on-month, up from N701.24 per litre in April 2024.

The NBS report, titled “Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol) Price Watch for May 2024,” highlighted that Jigawa State had the highest price at N937.50 per litre. This was followed by Ondo and Benue States, where prices were N882.67 and N882.22 per litre, respectively. Conversely, Lagos, Niger, and Kwara States recorded the lowest average retail prices at N636.80, N642.16, and N645.15 per litre, respectively.

Analyzing the data by region, the North-West Zone had the highest average retail price of N845.26, while the North Central Zone had the lowest average price of N695.04.

Additionally, the average retail price of Automotive Gas Oil (Diesel) paid by consumers increased by 66.29% to N1403.96 per litre in May 2024, up from N844.28 per litre in May 2023. However, on a month-on-month basis, there was a slight decrease of 0.78% from N1415.06 per litre in April 2024.

The report detailed the state-by-state variations in diesel prices. Adamawa State recorded the highest average price at N1709.00 per litre, followed by Sokoto State at N1675.00 per litre and Bauchi at N1657.92 per litre. The lowest prices were observed in Niger State (N1140.20), Kano State (N1153.33), and Oyo State (N1236.92).

The zonal representation of diesel prices showed that the North-East Zone had the highest average price at N1605.91, while the South West Zone had the lowest price at N1303.60.

Furthermore, the average retail price per litre of Household Kerosene (HHK) increased by 0.74% to N1,450.35 in May 2024, up from N1,439.64 in April 2024.

Manchester United are considering signing Dutch forward Joshua Zirkzee, who currently plays for Bologna in Italy.

The 23-year-old, whose mother is Nigerian, had an impressive debut season with Bologna, helping them secure qualification for the Champions League for the first time in their history. 

Manchester United is in the market for a new forward following Anthony Martial’s departure. They face competition from the Italian club AC Milan, which is prepared to meet Zirkzee’s release clause of €40 million (£33.7m) and has reportedly agreed on personal terms with the player.

Zirkzee had to cut short his holiday in Florida recently after being called up last-minute by the Netherlands for their Euro 2024 campaign. He was on the bench for the Netherlands’ 2-1 victory over Poland in their Group D opener.

In a recent interview with Corriere Di Bologna, Zirkzee commented on his future: “At the moment, my focus is solely on Bologna. I will decide based on what is best for the club. I will only make decisions that feel right to me.”

During the previous Serie A season, Zirkzee scored 11 goals in 34 appearances for Bologna.

Crystal Palace have offered a new deal to Michael Olise, amid interest from Chelsea.

This is according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

The Italian journalist revealed that the new deal comes with higher salary and new release clause for 2025.

He stated that despite this, Chelsea are still confident as they push to agree on personal terms; it’s up to the player.

Aside Chelsea, Bundesliga heavyweight Bayern Munich and Newcastle are also allowed to talk to Olise.

The 22-year-old scored 10 goals and made six assists in 19 league appearances for Palace last season.

He is currently with the French U-23 squad for the Paris Olympic games.

Former Nigerian international, Julius Aghahowa has alleged that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) doesn’t have the financial capacity to pay a foreign coach if appointed to manage the Super Eagles.

Recall that a few days ago, the NFF opted to bring in an expatriate technical adviser for the Super Eagles, marking a significant shift from Finidi George’s tenure as head coach.

The decision, announced following a draw with South Africa in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers and a defeat to Benin Republic, worsened the situation, prompting calls for change from both fans and government officials.

However, with plans to appoint a foreign coach on the card, Aghahowa stated in a chat with Brila FM that the NFF is cash strapped and won’t be able to pay an expatriate.

He also advised the NFF to look inward and appoint a local coach that will help in the development of the homegrown players in the Super Eagles.

“I think it’s what they want. So they will usually go for what they want, irrespective of what people will see or what people’s opinions will be, but I feel we have gone past that.

“Right now, we should be looking inward. First of all, we don’t have money to pay foreign coaches right now. I remember how they struggled in the past,” the former Bendel Insurance striker told Brila.

“We should look inward and allow our homegrown coaches to coach the national team, but in the long term, if you look at the national team in the past couple of years, we don’t have the homegrown players included in the call-up.

“So, I feel that if we have our homegrown coaches, that should be an opportunity for the homegrown players to be invited to the national team, so we can make our league stronger,” the 42-year-old concluded.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has denied reports that the football-governing body has slammed a ban on Napoli and Super Eagles’ forward, Victor Osimhen from the team, for his social media outburst few days ago.

Naija News recalls that Osimhen had last week knocked Super Eagles former head coach, Finidi George, after reports claimed that the coach had singled him out for condemnation during a meeting with the NFF and Nigeria’s Minister of Sport, John Enoh.

In a statement on Wednesday, NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, described reports of Osimhen’s ban as outright falsehood.

According to him, the Federation has neither instructed a process nor has a process been concluded to ban the player from the National Team.

He said: “The NFF hereby implores the media to join hands with the body to positively resolve issues and then focus on the big picture all the time, rather than needlessly escalate certain matters. There was no official communication from the NFF, yet some persons have gone to town to talk about a ban on Osimhen from the National Team. This is not good at all.

“Our focus presently is to resolve all matters around the Super Eagles and be able to look ahead with confidence to the 2025 AFCON qualifiers and the remaining six matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification series.

“This is not the time to spread falsehood and foul the public space the more.”

A lawmaker representing Oke-Igbo/Ile-Oluji/Odigbo Federal Constituency of Ondo state in the House of Representatives, Festus Adefiranye has said that he did not receive the ₦300 million he was expecting when he resumed at the lower chamber.

The lawmaker lamented that the housing allowance he received for four years could not cover his one-year rent in the federal capital territory.

Adefiranye stated this during an interview with Premium Times.

He explained that his earlier impression was that after resuming in the National Assembly, one would receive ₦300 million.

However, he stated that the information was totally wrong.

According to him, “And here, the impression they have is that immediately you resume at the National Assembly, you are going to collect N300 million. When I came, I was expecting N300 million.

“I was expecting my N300 million, I’m still expecting it till today.”

Adefiranye said the impression that lawmakers have collected a lot of money is incorrect.

“If I tell you the housing allowance they gave us for the four years you will not believe it. The house that I rented, the money they gave me is not enough to pay for that house.

“You know I am saying it on camera now. The money they gave us for four years, because they gave us once, is not enough for the one year of the house I rented, but the impression is that they have collected a lot of money; they have collected this, they have collected that,” he added.

The first-time lawmaker in the lower chamber said he receives many requests about people in the hospital, people who want to pay school fees, house rents, marriages, etc.

He explained that the requests are based on the impression that lawmakers will collect ₦300 million immediately after they resume at the national assembly.

Governor Seyi Makinde has given his approval for the appointment of Owolabi Olakuleyin as the 43rd Olubadan of lbadanland.

This was made known in a statement by the Oyo State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Olusegun Olayiwola.

The statement noted that the approval is a culmination of a series of processes stipulated by the extant laws of the state regarding ascension to royal thrones.

The governor gave the approval in a memo signed on June 14, 2024, in exercise of the powers conferred on him by Section 19 (Cap 28) Law of Oyo State 2000 as amended.

Governor Makinde congratulated the new Olubadan and prayed that his tenure would birth greater developments in Ibadanland and Oyo State as a whole.

Meanwhile, the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Rashidi Ladoja, on Sunday, condemned the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, over his comments on the health status of the Olubadan-Designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin.

According to Ladoja, Makinde was wrong to have said Olakulehin would be enthroned when he is fit, adding that only the town (Ibadan people) can enthrone the Olubadan not the Governor.

Recall that the Oyo State Governor at the state burial ceremony for the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, said Olakulehin will be enthroned when he is fit for the throne.

Ladoja, however, while speaking with newsmen at his Bodija, Ibadan residence, said Makinde could only present staff of office and instrument of office to the Olubadan-designate, not enthrone him.

He maintained that the role of government was just to give the staff of office and instrument of office to the Olubadan-Designate.

The Euro 2024 tournament has lit up the sporting world with giant slaying clash, mouthwatering goals and record-breaking performances all in the first round of games that have recorded 34 goals so far with FIFA top-ranked Belgium suffering an early defeat to low-ranked Slovakia.

Real Madrid youngster, Arda Guler broke Cristiano Ronaldo’s record to become the youngest player to score on their Euros debut against Georgia. The ‘Turkish Messi’ did it in style by netting a worldie that has been nominated for goal of the round.

Amidst the series of entertaining games at the EURO 2024, Nigeria has found a way to squeeze itself into the tournament and for some Nigerians, it is a distraction from the recent poor performance of the Super Eagles in the World Cup qualifiers.

Among the standout players are some players with Nigerian roots, who, while representing their respective European nations, carry the heritage and legacy of Nigeria.

Footballers of Nigerian descent who have openly embraced their Nigerian roots have pivotal roles to play for teams like Germany, Netherlands, England, and Italy.

The tournament is not just a celebration of Europe’s finest football talent but also a testament to the global diaspora that has shaped modern football, and that includes Nigeria.

See the Nigerian-born players at EURO 2024 below:

Jamal Musiala- Germany

Jamal Musiala has emerged as one of the standout players in Germany’s squad. The Bayern Munich prodigy, renowned for his agility, vision, and technical prowess, might have played in the Africa Cup of Nations had he chosen to represent his father’s country, Nigeria. Musiala’s father hails from Nigeria’s Yoruba tribe, while his mother is German with Polish roots. His diverse background is mirrored in his versatile playing style.

Musiala’s football journey began at Chelsea’s academy, where he honed his skills before joining Bayern Munich. Despite playing for both England and Germany at the youth levels, he committed to Germany in 2021, a decision that has proven fruitful for Die Mannschaft. His Nigerian heritage adds a rich cultural layer to his already impressive profile.

Bukayo Saka- England

Bukayo Saka’s impact on the England national team has been profound. With Nigerian roots, Saka brings a unique blend of speed, creativity, and tactical intelligence to the squad. At just 22, the Arsenal winger has rapidly become one of football’s most exciting young talents. His journey from the youth ranks at Arsenal to becoming a key player for both club and country is a testament to his dedication and skill.

Saka’s versatility allows him to excel in multiple positions, whether as a winger, wing-back, or even a central midfielder. This adaptability, combined with his Nigerian heritage, provides a rich narrative of talent and cultural pride, making him a fan favourite and a vital asset to Gareth Southgate’s team.

David Alaba- Austria

David Alaba, another player of Nigerian descent, anchors Austria’s defence with his experience and leadership. Born to a Nigerian father and a Filipino mother, Alaba’s multicultural background is reflected in his versatile playing style. Whether playing as a centre-back, left-back, or even in midfield, Alaba’s presence is a cornerstone of Austria’s strategy at Euro 2024. Although he would not be playing at the Euro 2024 due to injury, however, he would be on the bench as a “non-playing captain”.

Manuel Akanji- Switzerland

Manuel Akanji, a key player for Switzerland, boasts Nigerian roots through his father. Known for his strength, composure, and tactical awareness, Akanji has been instrumental in Switzerland’s solid defensive performances. His journey from the youth ranks in Switzerland to becoming a mainstay in the national team highlights the influence of Nigerian heritage in shaping top-tier European talent.

He made a winning start to Euro 2024 as Switzerland beat Hungary in their Group A opener in Cologne. The City defender played a full 90 minutes as the Swiss took a significant step towards qualification for the knockout stages with a 3-1 victory

Eberechi Eze- England

Eberechi Eze, the talented midfielder from Crystal Palace, has cemented his place in England’s Euro 2024 squad, impressing manager Gareth Southgate with his exceptional skills. Born to Nigerian parents in England, Eze’s journey to the top is a testament to his perseverance and dedication, reflecting the resilience and passion of his Nigerian heritage.

Despite being released by four English clubs, Eze never gave up on his dream, and his determination paid off with his success at Crystal Palace. His impressive performances, scoring 11 goals and providing six assists, caught Southgate’s attention, leading to his selection for the national team. Eze’s inclusion came at the expense of Marcus Rashford, a notable omission from the squad.

With a point to prove, Eze is determined to secure his spot in the team and make a lasting impact at the Euros, proudly representing both England and his Nigerian roots. His unique street-style football, influenced by his Nigerian heritage, has captured the attention of fans and pundits alike, earning him a reputation as one of the most exciting players in the Premier League.

Noah Okafor- Switzerland

Noah Okafor, the talented attacker of Nigerian descent, is making waves in Europe with his impressive performances for AC Milan. Born to Nigerian parents in Switzerland, Okafor’s speed and skill on the wings have earned him a spot in the Swiss National team, alongside fellow Nigerian-Swiss player, Manuel Akanji.

With six goals and three assists for the Rossoneri in all competitions, Okafor’s contributions have been invaluable. His Nigerian heritage has undoubtedly influenced his playing style, bringing a unique flair to the pitch. Despite representing Switzerland internationally, Okafor’s roots remain strong, making him a source of pride for Nigerian fans worldwide.

With 22 appearances for the Swiss National team, Okafor is ready to take the international stage by storm, proudly representing both Switzerland and his Nigerian heritage. His success serves as an inspiration to young players of Nigerian descent, showcasing the potential for greatness that lies within. As Okafor continues to soar, his Nigerian roots will remain an integral part of his journey to the top.

Michael Folorunsho- Italy

Michael Folorunsho, the talented defender of Nigerian descent, has made a significant impact in the world of football. Born to Nigerian parents in Italy, Folorunsho’s impressive skills have earned him a spot in the Italian National team, making his debut in June.

Following a stellar loan season with Hellas Verona from Napoli, Folorunsho’s performances caught the attention of coach Luciano Spalletti, securing his place in the squad as they aim to defend their title in Germany. Folorunsho’s Nigerian heritage has undoubtedly influenced his playing style, bringing a unique perspective and flair to the pitch.

Joshua Zirkzee – Netherlands

Joshua Zirkzee, another talented footballer of Nigerian descent, is part of the Netherlands national team at Euro 2024. Born to a Nigerian mother and a Dutch father, his full name is Joshua Orobosa Zirkzee. Zirkzee graduated through Bayern Munich’s system and had spells with Parma and Anderlecht before joining Bologna in the summer of 2022.

The forward, who is strongly linked to Manchester United, received limited game time in his first campaign in Serie A, scoring only two league goals from 808 minutes. However, in the just-concluded season, he scored 11 league goals.

The presence of players of Nigerian descent at Euro 2024 highlights the global nature of modern football and the profound impact of African heritage on the sport. Jamal Musiala, Bukayo Saka, David Alaba, Manuel Akanji, and others exemplify the blend of talent, culture, and heritage that defines contemporary football. As the tournament progresses, their contributions will continue to showcase the enduring legacy of Nigerian influence on the world’s most beloved sport.

South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa hailed “the beginning of a new era” on Wednesday as he was sworn in for a second full term as president after his weakened African National Congress (ANC) struck a hard-won government coalition deal to remain in power.

Lawmakers voted overwhelmingly to re-elect the 71-year-old last week after a May 29 general election produced no outright winner for the first time in three decades.

“The formation of a government of national unity is a moment of profound significance. It is the beginning of a new era,” Ramaphosa said, after taking the oath of office during a ceremony at the Union Buildings, the seat of government, in Pretoria.

“The voters of South Africa did not give any single party the full mandate to govern our country alone,” he added, speaking before lawmakers, foreign dignitaries, religious and traditional leaders and cheering supporters.

“They have directed us to work together to address their plight and realise their aspirations.”

Ramaphosa is expected to announce his cabinet in the coming days, as talks with coalition members continue.

Numerous heads of state, including Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Angola’s Joao Lourenco, Congo Brazzaville’s Denis Sassou Nguesso and Eswatini’s absolute leader King Mswati III attended the inauguration.

Guests in suits, fancy dresses and coats to keep warm in the chilly winter weather started to arrive early in the morning amid a heavy police presence.

VIPs, some singing anti-apartheid struggle songs, were allowed into a small amphitheatre within the imposing, sandstone government building.

Other attendees, some holding South African flags, sat on a lawn outside as dancers and musicians performed on a big stage.

After Ramaphosa was sworn in, a band played the national anthem, followed by a 21-gun salute and a fly past by the air force.

Third time lucky

It was the third time Ramaphosa has taken the oath.

The former trade unionist turned millionaire businessman first came to power in 2018, after his predecessor and rival Jacob Zuma was forced out before the end of his term under the cloud of corruption allegations.

Ramaphosa was then re-appointed for a full five-year term in 2019. In South Africa, voters elect the parliament, which then votes for the president.

Ramaphosa promised a new dawn for South Africa, launched an anti-graft drive and started to reform a collapsing energy system.

But under his watch, the economy languished, blighted by power cuts, crime remained rife and unemployment increased to 32.9 percent.

In May, he led the ANC into yet another vote, but the historied party of the late Nelson Mandela came out bruised.

It won only 40 percent — down from 57.5 percent five years earlier.

For the first time since the advent of democracy in 1994, it lost its absolute majority in parliament and was left scrambling to find coalition partners to remain in power.

It has since agreed to form what it calls a national unity government with several other parties.

A Gambian national based in Sweden, Bai Malick Ceesay, has asked his ex-wife to return the sum of D10 million, which he reportedly spent on her in the course of their six-year marriage.

In an audio message sent to local media, Bai Malick also accused his wife of extramarital affairs.

“I am the CEO of BMC Transportation and BMC Apartments. My wife of six years began an affair with a man she met for business some months ago,” he said.

According to him, during their marriage, he spent D10 million on her including a D1.2 million plot of land in Sanyang, a luxury vehicle worth over D700,000, and a Louis Vuitton bag valued at more than €218,000.

Bai Malick also claimed to have financed her estranged wife's business venues.

"I intend to hire a lawyer to take her to court and recover all the money I spent on her," he declared.

"The total amount exceeds D10 million, covering loans and bills I paid on her behalf. I will calculate everything."

Bai Malick emphasised his determination to reclaim his funds.

"I will contact top lawyers. I cannot let her leave with all my money. I have all the evidence."