Former Arsenal chairman Sir Chips Keswick dies at 84.

Former Arsenal chairman Sir Chips Keswick has died at the age of 84. Keswick, a successful merchant banker, first joined the Gunners board as a director in 2005 before going on to take the mantle of chairman in 2013. He served in that role until retiring in May 2020, though he maintained an interest in the club. A club statement read: "It is with great sadness that the club reports the death of former Chairman, Sir Chips Keswick. A lifelong Arsenal supporter, he was a regular at Highbury after first standing in the boys’ enclosure in 1949 and listed his early heroes as the Compton brothers and Jimmy Logie but, above all, goalkeeper – and later manager – George Swindin, as young Chips was a budding schoolboy keeper himself. "But it was in the banking industry Sir Chips made his name, where he was a very senior figure for many years, rising to become Chairman of Hambros Bank and also a Director of the Bank of England. It was during his successful banking career that he became good friends with our former Chairman, Peter Hill-Wood – a former Vice-Chairman of Hambros – and Peter recognised that his business acumen, common sense and love of the Gunners would make him an ideal board member at Highbury." Former Arsenal chairman Sir Chips Keswick dies at 84 It was during Keswick's reign as chairman that the Gunners clinched four FA Cups, along with runner-up finishes in the Premier League, Europa League and Carabao Cup.

2024 Federation Cup: Key Fixtures To Watch Out For In Men’s Round 64.

The Nigerian FA has completed the Federation Cup round 64 draw and the draw produced some mouth-watering fixtures to watch out for in 2024. The 2024 Federation Cup draw took place at the Nigeria Football Federation secretariat in Abuja on Thursday, April 18. PauseUnmute Fullscreen Arguably, the biggest fixture in the Federation Cup round 64 is the game between last season’s runners-up Enugu Rangers, and fellow Nigeria Premier Football League giants Kano Pillars. The reigning champions of the tournament, Bendel Insurance have been given a relatively less competitive fixture. They will commence their title defense against Ogun State-based Nigeria National League side, Stormers FC. The reigning NPFL champions, Enyimba of Aba will commence their Federation Cup campaign against Warinje FC of Bauchi. National League League side, Solution FC of Anambra have paired to take on Oyo state-based NPFL club, Shooting Stars. Other key fixtures in the Federation Cup round of 64 include Akwa United Vs Cynosure FC of Abakaliki, Sunshine Stars Vs Jedo Academy of Sokoto, Plateau United Vs Ekiti United, and Abia Warriors Vs Ilaji FC of Oyo state. Also, the games featuring Ogun State winners, Beyond Limits, against National League One side Hammola FC will be interesting to watch, just like the game between Lagos State champions Ikorodu City and Green Berets of Kaduna. Note that the NFF are yet to announce the dates and venues for the men’s round 64 matches and the women’s round 32 games.

Nigerian Influencer, Nickie Dabarbie Calls Out Skiibii, Mayorkun After Escaping Ritual Attempt.

Nigerian influencer, Precious Kingsley, also known as Nickie Dabarbie, has accused singers, Abbey Toyyib Elias, popularly known as Skiibii, and his colleague, Adewale Mayowa Emmanuel, better known as Mayorkun, of attempting to kill her for money rituals. Naija News reports that in a series of posts shared on her Instagram page on Friday morning, April 19, Nickie accused the singers of using various girls for money rituals. PauseUnmute Fullscreen According to Nickie, she escaped being used for ritual by Skiibii. However, it’s unclear what transpired between the trio. She wrote, “I just escaped from being used for rituals by Skibbi. Also Mayorku and some other Nigerian artists are all ritualists. It was all God.. You guys might not belive but it was all God. I just fought a spiritual battle and I’m a winner… I don’y know how to eplain but there is powersssss. The evil powersssss I didn’t use to belive until now.” Why I Dumped Acting For Music – Tiwa Savage Reveals In other news, Nigerian female sensational singer, Tiwa Savage, has revealed what inspired her journey into the music industry. Naija News reports that the Afrobeats star, in a recent interview with MTV, said she had always wanted to be in the film industry. According to the ‘Koroba’ crooner, she delved into the music industry because of a man she had a crush on. Tiwa said her crush was always around musicians, so she ditched acting for music.

I’m The Only ‘GOAT’ In Nigeria – Davido Boasts.

Grammy-nominated Afrobeat singer, David Adeleke, better known as Davido, has claimed he is the greatest musician of all time in the Nigerian music industry. Naina News reports that music enthusiasts have always argued about the biggest Nigerian artist, Davido, Wizkid, or Burna Boy. PlayUnmute Fullscreen Despite the argument, the ‘If’ crooner has continued to downplay any comparison between him and his colleagues. In a video shared on TikTok by British-Nigerian content creator, Shopsydoo, Davido could be heard bragging about being the only “GOAT” in Nigeria. He said, “There is only one GOAT in my country and it’s me.”

Davido Reacts To Arrest Claims, To Take Legal Action Meanwhile, Davido has debunked reports that he was arrested after his show in Kenya. In a statement released on his official X account, Davido debunked the rumour, stating that he has never been arrested and described the reports as untrue. Naija News reports that he disclosed that he completed his show in Uganda and Kenya and had since returned to Nigeria. The ‘Unavailable’ crooner further disclosed that he will seek legal recourse against the media platform from which the fake news emanated. The statement by Davido read, “Fam, it has come to my attention that false reports regarding an arrest circulated online on April 1st, which has since led to a barrage of calls. I want to assure my fans that these re- ports are entirely untrue. I successfully completed my scheduled shows in Uganda and Kenya and have since re- turned home to Nigeria.”

Naira Abuse: EFCC Wants To Arrest Me – Portable Claims.

Controversial singer Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has alleged that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is planning to arrest him upon his return to Nigeria. Naija News reports that the ‘Zazu’ hitmaker, currently abroad, aired these allegations during a recent Instagram live session with fans. PlayUnmute Fullscreen Portable’s troubles stem from a call to action by a self-proclaimed social media activist, known only as VeryDarkMan, who has reportedly urged the EFCC to investigate the singer for his treatment of the national currency. This callout follows Portable’s public plea for forgiveness from the EFCC, where he asked for leniency if found guilty of any wrongdoing regarding his handling of the Naira. In the live session, Portable expressed his fear of being detained upon his arrival in Nigeria. “The EFCC is planning to arrest me when I return to Nigeria because VeryDarkMan name-dropped me,” he claimed, addressing his over 700,000 Instagram followers. Adding to his defensive stance, Portable criticized VeryDarkMan’s credibility and influence, questioning his motivations and qualifications to speak on legal matters. As the EFCC has not yet officially responded to these claims, the authenticity of Portable’s allegations remains unconfirmed. However, the agency is known for its strict enforcement of laws against currency abuse, a standing policy that could potentially affect Portable upon his return.

Police Seal Off Benue APC Factional Secretariat.

Tensions rose in Makurdi, the capital city of Benue State, as armed policemen sealed off the secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) led by Austin Agada. The office, located along JS Tarka Way opposite the Railway Market, was closed off early on Friday morning, creating a stir among party members and local residents. This police action coincides with the planned inauguration of members of the zoning committee by the Agada-led faction, which was scheduled to take place at the secretariat on the same day. The Publicity Secretary of the Agada faction, Daniel Ihomun, expressed his concerns, suggesting that the sealing off “may not be unconnected with the inauguration of members of the zoning committee for the forthcoming local government election.” According to Punch, policemen along with an Armored Personnel Vehicle were deployed to the site as early as 6 AM. Efforts to reach the state Police Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene, for comments were unsuccessful as her phone was not answered at the time of reporting. The political atmosphere in Makurdi has been further complicated by the existence of two APC secretariats, each claiming legitimacy. The other secretariat, led by Benjamin Omakolo, is located along Kashim Ibrahim Way. In response to the developments, Terseer Agber, the Publicity Secretary of the Omakolo-led faction, issued a statement urging party members and the public to disregard the zoning committee constituted by the Agada-led group.

Nigerian Navy Arrests 14 Suspected Oil Thieves, Others In Akwa Ibom.

The Nigerian Navy’s Forward Operating Base (FOB), Ibaka in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom state, conducted a review of its anti-crime operations in the first quarter of 2024. The Commanding Officer of the base, Capt. Uche Aneke, noted in a report made available to journalists that a total of 14 suspects were apprehended for various crimes during this period. PlayUnmute Fullscreen According to him, the suspects were arrested for offences such as smuggling, oil theft, cultism, economic sabotage, sea robbery, and other criminal activities within the joint operations area (JOA). Aneke emphasized the Navy’s unwavering stance against maritime crimes and economic sabotage in Nigeria’s waterways. The suspects have been transferred to relevant security agencies for further investigation and prosecution. Aneke mentioned that the arrests and confiscations during this timeframe are not merely individual triumphs but rather accomplishments achieved through operational implementation and tactical execution, ensuring that the overall security situation in the operational area has been relatively calm. The Commander stated that the Base has successfully minimized criminal activities over the years through extensive operations in collaboration with security stakeholders within the joint operations area. He also revealed that Operation Delta Sanity, which includes FOB, Ibaka, has been strengthened by the dedication of FOB, Ibaka and other bases participating in the operations. Additionally, he shared that the base has hired 35 civilian employees who receive compensation and three meals daily to demonstrate their dedication to intelligence tasks for the base and foster a positive relationship with the local communities. He praised the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, for his role in providing the Nigerian Navy with the resources and moral support required to safeguard the waterways. Naija News understands that the FOB Ibaka is responsible for monitoring Nigeria’s Eastern flanks, which include sea approaches from Calabar to the new international maritime boundaries with the Republic of Cameroon. This area also encompasses land territories in Mbo, Udung Uko, and Oron LGAs of Akwa Ibom.