The Compass

By Irikefe Oghenetega Victor  Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has confirmed that star forwards Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman will miss Nigeria’s upcoming international friendlies against Poland and Portugal in June. The decision comes shortly after Nigeria’s successful Unity Cup campaign, where the team defended their title. Chelle revealed that both players have been granted permission to sit out the matches as part of careful squad management ahead of a busy period. Osimhen has been given time off to focus on resolving his club future and ongoing transfer negotiations. The Galatasaray striker is currently one of the most sought-after forwards in Europe, and the coaching staff felt it was best to allow him to handle his club matters without the added pressure of international duty. Lookman, on the other hand, has been excused by both Atlético Madrid and the Super Eagles coaching team to manage workload and recover from fatigue after an intense European season....

By Irikefe Oghenetega Victor  The Super Eagles successfully defended their title as they clinched the 2026 Unity Cup with a convincing 3-0 victory over Jamaica in the final at The Valley Stadium, London on Saturday, May 30, 2026. Alhassan Yusuf opened the scoring in the 3rd minute and added a second goal in the 91st minute to complete a brace. Captain Terem Moffi sealed the win with a well-taken goal in the 59th minute. This victory marks Nigeria’s fourth Unity Cup title, as they have won every single edition of the tournament (2002, 2004, 2025, and 2026). It was also a repeat final against Jamaica, whom they defeated on penalties last year. Coach Éric Chelle used the tournament to test an experimental squad, deliberately leaving out several established stars like Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman to give opportunities to fringe players and debutants. Standout performers included Millwall winger Femi Azeez, who impressed throughout the competition, and Wrexham goalkeep...

By Irikefe Oghenetega Victor  Nigeria Set to Adopt VAR as Government Unveils Major Stadium Upgrades Nigeria is taking a major step towards modernizing its football with the planned introduction of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology across key stadiums in the country. The Federal Government, in partnership with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the National Sports Commission (NSC), has approved significant infrastructure upgrades that include the installation of VAR systems. This move positions Nigeria as one of the latest African nations to embrace the technology. The plan includes the complete rehabilitation of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, which will feature VAR installation alongside other modern facilities such as upgraded tracks, floodlights, medical infrastructure, training pitches, and a High Performance Centre. The project also involves the redevelopment of the stadium’s athletes’ hostel into a hotel facility. Furthermore, the NSC C...

By Irikefe Oghenetega Victor  Senegal advanced to the final of the 2025 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations after defeating hosts Morocco 7-6 on penalties following a thrilling 1-1 draw in regulation time at the Prince Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat. The Young Lions took the lead in the 23rd minute through Mouhamed Wagne, who reacted sharply to finish from close range after a parried cross. Morocco pushed hard for an equaliser and thought they had found it in the 41st minute, but Adam Al-Laki’s effort was ruled out by VAR. Deep into stoppage time, the hosts were awarded a penalty in the 9th minute of added time. Although goalkeeper Assane Sarr saved Ismail El Aoud’s initial spot-kick, El Aoud reacted quickest to score the rebound, sending the home crowd into wild celebrations and forcing the match to penalties. In the shootout, Senegal held their nerve, with Assane Sarr making crucial saves as the Teranga Lions triumphed 7-6. Senegal will now face Tanzania in the final after the...

By Oghenetega Victor  Turkish club Fenerbahçe makes move to Sign Calvin Bassey Turkish giants Fenerbahçe are intensifying their move in the pursuit of Fulham and Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey ahead of the summer transfer window. Presidential candidate Aziz Yıldırım, former president of Fenerbahçe who is actively campaigning, has identified the Nigerian international as the club’s number one defensive target. Yıldırım has reportedly travelled to London to hold direct talks with Bassey’s representatives as he pushes to strengthen the squad significantly if re-elected. Bassey, who joined Fulham from Ajax in 2023, has made over 100 appearances for the Cottagers. The 26-year-old is entering the latter stages of his contract which is ending in 2027, attracting interest from several European clubs. Fenerbahçe view his physicality and left-sided profile as ideal for their backline as they aim to end a long title drought and challenge rivals Galatasaray. According to Turki...

By Emmanuel Uduak-Obong Esther  The Lagos State Government has unveiled a new tenancy bill targeting exploitative rent practices like arbitrary rent increases, illegal agency fees, and fraudulent estate agents. Commissioner for Housing Moruf Akinderu-Fatai disclosed this at the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing in Alausa, Ikeja. The proposed bill, currently at the committee stage in the Lagos State House of Assembly, will make registration with the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA) mandatory for all estate agents, with penalties for non-compliance. The bill also targets unregistered agents involved in inflated charges, fake transactions, and multiple property sales. Weekend and public holiday court sittings will be introduced to fast-track tenancy dispute resolution. Akinderu-Fatai said the law will apply across the entire state. Tenants filing cases must present proof of rent payment and updated utility bills. LASRERA recovered over N270 million from...

By Irikefe Oghenetega Victor  The Super Eagles of Nigeria will face Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz in the final of the 2026 Unity Cup on Saturday, May 30, 2026. The highly anticipated championship match will kick off at 7:30pm WAT at The Valley Stadium in London. This sets up a repeat of last year’s final, which Nigeria won on penalties. Nigeria booked their place in the final with a 2-0 semi-final victory over Zimbabwe, inspired by a brace from debutant Millwall winger Femi Azeez. Jamaica advanced by beating India 2-0, with goals from Courtney Clarke and Kaheim Dixon. As defending champions, the Super Eagles are aiming to retain the title and secure their third consecutive Unity Cup triumph. Jamaica will be looking to avenge last year’s defeat and claim their first title in the competition. The Unity Cup, a FIFA Tier 1 event featuring nations with large diasporas in the UK, promises to deliver another exciting showdown between the two sides.

By Irikefe Oghenetega Victor  Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has delivered a mixed verdict on Femi Azeez’s impressive debut despite the Millwall winger scoring a brace in Nigeria’s 2-0 Unity Cup semi-final win over Zimbabwe. Azeez opened the scoring in the 5th minute and added a second in the 62nd minute to send the Super Eagles into the final. However, Chelle was far from fully satisfied with the 24-year-old’s overall performance. Speaking after the match, Chelle said: “The first objective was that he was supposed to run a lot today… The second thing was to make high pressure during 90 minutes. They did not. So now we have to analyze Azeez’s performance specifically. Also, he scored two goals, congratulations to him. But he also lost a lot of balls technically, so I'm not happy.” The French coach added that while Azeez won the ball back several times, there were moments he failed to recover it properly. When asked if the debutant had done enough to earn a place in the ...

By Adenuga Toheeb Ayoola  Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde promised safe return of the abducted students,teachers by bandits,assuring that his administration is making serious efforts to secure their release. During the Eid-el-Kabir celebration, Makinde promised during Eid prayer alongside other Muslim faithful at his residence in Ibadan. The governor stated that the challenges in Oyo with the abducted students and teachers,made it clear that he is working round the clock to ensure that the children are reunited with their families. He expressed sympathy with families of the abducted victims and prayed for divine intervention during these difficult moments. According to reports made by the Punch, Teachers and students were abducted Friday at 9:30 a.m. during attacks . The governor called for unity and tolerance.However, faithful Muslims gathered in large numbers at the Agodi Eid praying ground to observe the Eid-el-Kabir,as well as praying for peace, unity, and tightene...

By Irikefe Oghenetega Victor  Millwall winger Femi Azeez made a dream debut for the Super Eagles, scoring a brace as Nigeria defeated Zimbabwe 2-0 in their opening match of the 2026 Unity Cup at The Valley, London on Tuesday. The 22-year-old wasted no time making an impact, firing Nigeria ahead with a powerful left-footed strike in the 5th minute. He then sealed the victory with his second goal in the 62nd minute, calmly finishing off a swift counter-attack assisted by Terem Moffi. Coach Eric Chelle handed several debutants starting roles, including goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, defenders Chibueze Oputa, Kenneth Igboke, and Chibuike Nwaiwu, with Terem Moffi captaining the side. The team showed strong defensive organisation, especially in the second half when Zimbabwe pushed forward. Nigeria, the defending champions, will now face the winner of the Jamaica vs India semi-final match to be played on Wednesday in the Unity Cup final on May 30 at The Valley. Azeez’s impressive ...

By Adenuga Toheeb Ayoola  Gridlock hits Ikorodu-Sagamu on Tuesday evening as pedestrians streamed  through the road in large numbers, alongside commuters and a fleet of vehicles on the road ahead of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.  Adenuga Toheeb reporting from Lasustech second gate, stated that the road became heavily occupied at about past 6 p.m., experienced intense movement of travelers heading to different destinations for the Sallah festivities, movement of vehicles and pedestrians struggled through the congestion as many rushed to complete last-minute preparations before the celebration. As at the time of reporting this news,business activities around Second Gate equally increased as salons recorded high patronage while tailoring shops remained busy with customers picking up or adjusting their festive clothes. In second gate neighborhood,despite the busy activities, some parts of the neighborhood appeared less crowded as some residents already travelled t...

By Adenuga Toheeb Ayoola "Dark Days Are Over, Light Is Here,” Says President Tinubu    The President of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu stated that Nigeria’s economic hardship is over.  In his Eid-el-Kabir message to Muslims in Nigeria, the President said that the walk through the dark tunnel is over, and the light is here. Also Tinubu stated that he is aware of the security situation in the country, and intelligence agencies are working to eliminate evil forces including the recent elimination of a wanted ISIS leader, but despite the fact, heartless terrorists and bandits still attack some communities. “I assure you that you are not ignored nor forgotten. We will ultimately defeat all the evil forces in the country ” the President said.    Addressing the religious and community leaders,he urged them to pray for peace and for the country’s leadership, and to extend charity to the less privileged during the celebration. Moreso, In his message to Mu...

By Adenuga Toheeb Ayoola  The Abuja Federal High Court clears former President Goodluck Jonathan to participate in the 2027 presidential race after series of commentaries from various political stakeholders. In a judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, he upheld a N20 million fine against the lawyer, Johnmary Jideobi, who instituted the case.He also fined the plaintiff the amount of one-million naira and in favour of the Attorney-General of the Federation. The Justice also held that the lawyer lacked the legal right to have instituted the suit, having not suffered any loss from his perceived Jonathan’s intention to contend for the next year’s poll. The judge, who said that a Federal High Court in Yenagoa and an Appeal Court had already held that Jonathan was eligible to run, said he was bound by the appellate court’s decision. He Also, described the lawyer’s suit as “an abuse of court process” while dismissing it for being petty.

By Igwe Grace  Former Skye Bank Chairman, Tunde Ayeni, has been granted 200 million naira bail by an Abuja High Court over an alleged 15.7 billion naira fraud case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. Ayeni is facing a 17-count charge bordering on alleged fraud and pleaded not guilty when the charges were read in court. Justice Jude Onwuzuruike said the main purpose of bail is to ensure the defendant appears throughout the trial. The judge also ruled that claims by the prosecution that Ayeni could influence the case were speculative and not strong enough to deny him bail. He added that every accused person remains innocent until proven guilty. As part of the bail conditions, Ayeni must provide two federal civil servant sureties with proof of employment, national identity cards, and properties worth at least N500 million each. One of the sureties must also provide a N15 billion bank guarantee. The court further directed correctional centre officials to ...

By Enakaye Peculiar  Social media has created a culture where people feel forced to look happy even when they are emotionally exhausted. Many individuals now hide their real emotions behind beautiful pictures, expensive lifestyles, and fake smiles just to appear perfect before others online. Every day, people post cheerful moments while silently battling stress, loneliness, depression, heartbreak, or family problems in private. The internet has made pretending easier, causing many people to suffer quietly behind their screens. Many young people feel pressured to appear successful and happy because they fear being judged or ignored. They compare themselves with others online and believe they must maintain a perfect image to gain attention, validation, and acceptance. As a result, people rarely show their pain, weakness, or personal struggles on social media. Sadly, this culture of pretending has affected mental health greatly. Some people suffer in silence because they b...

By Irikefe Oghenetega Victor  The Department of Mass Communication at Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH), Ikorodu, partners with Dataphyte Academy to train 300-level students in data journalism and data visualization. According to a press release issued by the department and signed by the  Course Representative Oshuniran Sheriff Ola, the intensive two-day training took place on May 21 and 22, 2026, at the university’s ICT Centre. The programme equipped students with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in data-driven storytelling, infographics, data visualization, and the full data journalism workflow, from sourcing and verification to analysis and presentation using real-world datasets. Dr Zannu Prosper, Head of Department, said the training was organised in response to the growing demand for data-literate journalists in the modern media landscape. Lead facilitator Mr. Kehinde Ogunyale from Dataphyte Academy emphasi...

By Igwe Grace  The Lagos State Government  commends the Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH), Ikorodu,  after the institution secured full accreditation for 13 academic programmes, with one additional programme receiving interim accreditation status. The commendation was contained in an official statement released by the Ministry of Tertiary Education.The government praised the university for its commitment to academic excellence, its modern facilities, and the hard work of both its teaching and administrative staff. The Ministry noted that the accreditation result strengthens LASUSTECH's reputation as a top institution for science and technology education in Nigeria. It added that the university continues to play an important role in driving innovation and developing skilled manpower for Lagos State and the country at large. The government expressed its confidence in the university's future and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting L...

 By Irikefe Oghenetega Victor  Nigeria’s U-17 Women’s team, the Flamingos, produced a dominant performance as they thrashed Guinea 5-0 in the first leg of their 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifier on Saturday. Chidi Harmony stole the show with a superb first-half hat-trick, scoring in the 1st, 12th, and 36th minutes. Oluwakemi Adegbuyi added the fourth goal in the 39th minute, while Mary Dunstan completed the scoring in the 56th minute. The emphatic away victory puts the Flamingos in a commanding position ahead of the second leg, scheduled for Saturday, May 30, 2026, at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State. Coach Akeem Busari’s side now hold a massive five-goal advantage and are firmly on course to advance to the next round of qualifiers for the tournament in Morocco.

By Emmanuel Uduak-Obong Esther  THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD BEGINS WITH YOU "What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead." — Nelson Mandela Everyone agrees that no one is irreplaceable. Until they try to replace Mandela. Until they try to replace Awolowo. Their names alone still move people to act, to rise, to refuse to be silent. That is not legacy. That is immortality. The world does not manufacture that kind of person twice. It builds them once, releases them, and waits to see who dares to follow. On the 18th of July 1918, Rolihlahla Mandela was born into the Madiba clan. He grew up on stories of resistance and sacrifice. He dreamed of contributing to the freedom of his people. But while dreaming, he understood one thing: to experience change, you must first make a move of determination. Change is not as inevitable as d...

By Adenuga Toheeb Ayoola Slain Oyo Teacher Buried Amid Tears Tears flow today as the teacher killed during last week’s deadly attack on schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Mr Adesiyan Adegboye laid  to rest today at his residence after burial service. The deceased was laid to rest at his residence after a funeral service held at Ayegun Baptist Church, Ogbomoso, amid tears and calls for justice over the attack which has increased fears over insecurity in the state. At the funeral service, the atmosphere was mournful as tributes poured in for the late teacher, described by many as dedicated, humble and passionate about education. Delivering a sermon,the Reverend, Paul Olaleye of Ayegun Baptist Church, urged the bereaved family to have faith in God, noting that death remains inevitable for all mankind. “Life is fragile and unpredictable. We must always be prepared because no one knows when death will come,” he stated. The elder brother of the dece...

By Irikefe Oghenetega Victor  Chelle Adds NPFL Star & Ex-Flying Eagle to Unity Cup Squad Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle has expanded his squad for the 2026 Unity Cup, adding two new players to the initial 27-man list he released earlier this week. The fresh call-ups are Belgian-based winger Collins Yira Sor, a former Flying Eagles star, and Shooting Stars defender Tijani Al-Ameen. This brings the total squad size to 28 players as Nigeria prepares to defend their Unity Cup title in London later this month. Yira Sor is expected to add pace and creativity to the attacking options. The winger had an impressive campaign with KRC Genk in Belgium and will be looking to impress Chelle after struggling for impact during the March friendlies. Tijani Al-Ameen’s inclusion boosts the number of home-based NPFL players in the squad to eight, giving the domestic league stronger representation. The Super Eagles will face Zimbabwe in the semi-final at The Valley (Charlton Athle...

By Irikefe Oghenetega Victor  Onyedika Wins Second Belgian Pro League Title with Club Brugge Super Eagles midfielder, Raphael Onyedika has added another major honour to his collection after helping Club Brugge clinch the 2025/26 Belgian Pro League title. Club Brugge were crowned champions on Thursday night, 21st of May, following a tense 2-2 draw away to KV Mechelen. The result kept them at the top of the standings and secured the title with one game to spare in the Championship Playoffs. This marks Onyedika’s second Belgian league title with Brugge, having also won it in the 2023/24 season. The 25-year-old has now won six major trophies in his senior career; four with Club Brugge (two league titles, one Belgian Cup, and one Super Cup) and two with former club Midtjylland in Denmark (league title and Danish Cup). Onyedika, who has been a key figure in Brugge’s midfield this season, making 30 league appearances (22 starts), scoring once, and maintaining a high pa...

By Irikefe Oghenetega Victor  “We Won’t Let Nigerians Down” – Flamingos Coach Busari Nigeria’s U-17 Women’s National Team coach Akeem Busari has vowed that the Flamingos will not disappoint fans as they begin their quest for a 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup ticket. The Flamingos face Guinea in the first leg of the second-round qualifier on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire (kick-off 5:00 PM WAT). The second leg is scheduled for May 30 at Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne. Busari, who recently took over the team, declared that qualification to the World Cup in Morocco is the main target. The Flamingos received a bye into this round as one of Africa’s highest-ranked teams, while Guinea advanced with an impressive 8-2 aggregate victory in the previous round. The winner of this tie will progress to the final qualifying round in July. Nigeria have qualified for eight of the last nine editions of the tournament and are determin...

By Irikefe Oghenetega Victor  Afrobeats superstar Rema has collaborated with South Korean pop icon LISA (BLACKPINK) and Brazilian singer Anitta on Goals, the latest single from the Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Album. The track, released on Thursday via SALXCO UAM and Def Jam Recordings, blends Afrobeats, K-pop, and Latin pop influences. It was produced by Grammy-winning producer Cirkut. FIFA described the song as a celebration of unity, stating it brings sounds from three continents together. Rema called the collaboration “a big moment for music on the world stage.” The trio is set to perform Goals live for the first time at the FIFA World Cup 2026 opening ceremony on June 12, 2026, at the Los Angeles Stadium, ahead of the United States’ opening match. Goals is the fifth release from the Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Album, following previous singles Lighter, Por Ella, Echo, and Illuminate. The 2026 tournament will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, r...

By Irikefe Oghenetega Victor  Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan hosted Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen and the entire Galatasaray squad at the Presidential Complex in Ankara to celebrate their 2025/26 Süper Lig title victory. The players, dressed in formal suits, were warmly received by the President as Galatasaray celebrated their 26th league championship, finishing three points ahead of rivals Fenerbahçe. Osimhen played a major role in the title success, scoring 15 league goals and providing 5 assists in 22 appearances, despite missing several games through injury. He also contributed 7 goals in the UEFA Champions League before the team’s elimination by Liverpool. During the visit, Galatasaray president Dursun Özbek presented President Erdoğan with a personalised club jersey. The triumph marked Galatasaray’s fourth consecutive league title. If they win the Süper Lig again next season, they will become the first club in Turkish football history to win five tit...

By Enakaye Peculiar  The crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries deepened on Wednesday as Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and several governorship aspirants across the country withdrew from their races, citing party unity, political stability and alleged irregularities in the primary process. Fubara, in a statement, said his decision to step aside from the Rivers governorship contest followed consultations with supporters, political associates and family members. He said the move was necessary to ensure peace and unity in the state, insisting that his withdrawal was not out of fear or weakness. The governor also thanked his loyalists for their support throughout the political struggle. The development came amid reports that many of Fubara’s loyalists contesting for National and State Assembly tickets were disqualified from the APC primaries, while aspirants linked to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, gained dominanc...

By Irikefe Oghenetega Victor  Super Eagles striker Paul Onuachu has been crowned joint winner of the 2025/26 Turkish Süper Lig Golden Boot after finishing the season with 22 league goals for Trabzonspor. The 31-year-old shared the prestigious award with Eldor Shomurodov of Istanbul Başakşehir, becoming the sixth Trabzonspor player in club history to win the Golden Boot. Onuachu achieved the feat in just 30 league appearances, underlining his clinical finishing and importance to Trabzonspor’s attack. This marks the second Golden Boot of his career, having previously topped the scoring charts in the Belgian Pro League with KRC Genk during the 2020/21 season. The towering forward now joins an elite group of Nigerians who have won top scorer awards in major European leagues, alongside the likes of Victor Osimhen (Serie A 2022/23), Joseph Akpala, and Tosin Dosunmu. Onuachu’s achievement further enhances his reputation as one of Nigeria’s most prolific strikers in European fo...

By Irikefe Oghenetega Victor Chelle Snubs Nwabali for Unity Cup and Europe Friendlies Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has omitted goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali from both the 27-man squad for the 2026 Unity Cup and the squad for upcoming friendlies against Poland and Portugal. Nwabali, who has been Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper since the 2023 AFCON, was left out due to his lack of club football. The shot-stopper has been without a club for over three months, raising concerns about his match fitness. The Unity Cup squad features a mix of established European-based stars like Wilfred Ndidi and Francis Uzoho, alongside several home-based players. Nigeria will defend their title at The Valley in London, facing Zimbabwe in the semi-final on May 26, with the final against either Jamaica or India on May 30. For the tougher June friendlies, Chelle named a 24-man squad. The Super Eagles will face Poland in Warsaw on June 3 before taking on Portugal on June 10. These matches are ...

Oyo Private School Proprietors Pray, seek Tighter Security  The National Association of Private School Proprietors (NAPPS) seek heightened security around schools and rural communities as prayers were held during the intercession Programme following the recent attack in a school in Ahoro-Esinle Community and neighbouring areas of Ogbomoso. The PUNCH reports that the victims were abducted during coordinated attacks on Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School; and L.A. Primary School, Esiele, in Oriire Local Government Area of the state on Friday around 9:30 a.m. The district Secretary, Olawale Ojewumi; Public Relations Officer, Tope Olaniyan; and the District Chairperson, Bosede Ajala, stated during the period programme that the disturbing wave of attacks on schools has created fear among parents, teachers and school owners. According to the Punch reports, the association on Tuesday said, “NAPPS wants to use this period to urge the Federal Go...

By Irikefe Oghenetega Victor  Super Eagles new goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo has expressed immense pride after receiving his first senior call-up to the Nigeria national team. The 24-year-old Wrexham shot-stopper, who recently had his switch from England to Nigeria approved by FIFA, was named in Éric Chelle’s squad for the upcoming 2026 Unity Cup in London. Speaking in an exclusive NFF video, Okonkwo said: “It is an honour to play for your country. I am so excited, I can’t wait. To finally have the opportunity is incredible.” The former Arsenal academy graduate will be hoping to make his senior debut during the tournament as Nigeria defend their Unity Cup title against Jamaica, Zimbabwe, and India. Okonkwo enjoyed an impressive 2025/26 season with Wrexham in the English Championship, making 39 appearances and keeping 10 clean sheets. His call-up is seen as a major boost for the Super Eagles’ goalkeeping department ahead of bigger assignments later in the year. The Unity Cup...

By Irikefe Oghenetega Victor  Super Falcons defender Shukurat Oladipo has been named the Best Defender of the 2025/26 Serie A Femminile season after an outstanding debut campaign with AS Roma. The 21-year-old centre-back played a pivotal role in Roma’s title-winning season, anchoring a formidable defence that helped the club secure their third Serie A championship in four years. During her 18 league appearances (15 starts), Roma remained unbeaten in every match she featured in and recorded eight clean sheets. Oladipo, who joined Roma from Robo Queens in February 2025, received the award at a gala ceremony on Monday night. She was also named in the official Serie A Femminile Team of the Season. Her impressive performances saw Roma concede just nine goals in the matches she played, underlining her rapid rise as one of the most reliable defenders in Italian women’s football. The award caps a dream first full season in Europe for the Nigerian international, further boosting...

By Irikefe Oghenetega Victor  Former Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong served as one of the draw assistants at the official qualifying draw for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which took place on Tuesday at the Egyptian Football Association headquarters in Cairo, Egypt. The ceremony determined the groups for the qualifiers, as Nigeria and 47 other nations begin their journey towards the tournament co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda from June 19 to July 17, 2027. Troost-Ekong was joined by other African football legends including Max-Alain Gradel (Ivory Coast), Essam El Hadary (Egypt), and Trésor Mputu (DR Congo). The 2027 edition will mark the first time AFCON is jointly hosted by three countries and returns to East Africa since 1976. A total of 48 teams were drawn into 12 groups of four, with the top two teams from each group qualifying for the finals. For the Super Eagles, the draw marks the beginning of their campaign as they aim to bounce back strongly...

By Igwe Grace  Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has retained the arrest warrant issued against former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Umar Farouq, over an alleged fraud involving $1.3 million and N746.7 million. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Farouq alongside Bashir Nura Alkali and Sani Nafiu Mohammed on charges linked to criminal conspiracy, abuse of office, and alleged diversion of public funds.  The court had earlier issued a bench warrant on April 16 after the former minister failed to appear for arraignment. During Monday’s hearing, EFCC counsel Rotimi Jacobs informed the court that Farouq was absent again without any official explanation. He noted that the second defendant had already submitted himself to the commission following the court’s earlier order and urged the judge to keep the arrest warrant in place. Counsel to the former minister explained that he was informe...

By Adenuga Toheeb Ayoola  Arsenal secured their first Premier League title in 22 years after Kai Havertz’s first-half goal sealed a 1-0 victory over Burnley on Tuesday night in the Emirates stadium. According to a video released on Arsenal social media channel,Arteta said,"We made history again, together. I cannot be happier, prouder for everybody that is involved in this football club. Let's enjoy the moment." Arsenal's success follows three consecutive seasons in which they finished as runners-up, including in 2023/24 when they finished an agonising two points behind Man City. Arsenal have now won four Premier League titles, putting them two clear of Liverpool and only one behind Chelsea. Mikel Arteta, Arsenal's head coach, becomes the first former Premier League player to win the trophy as a manager. He was appointed in December 2019, having played for the club between 2011 and 2016. According to the full history of the English top flight, Arsenal h...

By Igwe Grace  The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed the killing of two suspected kidnappers and the arrest of two others during a police operation carried out in the state. According to the police spokesperson, Oluseyi Babaseyi, the operation was carried out by officers of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit after investigations into the kidnapping of three people in the Ipojo area of Atan-Ijebu on May 11, 2026. The victims were later released unharmed after the kidnappers reportedly collected ransom. After their release, police officers tracked the suspects to their hideout along the Ijebu-Ode/Ibadan Road area in the early hours of May 15. The police said the suspects opened fire when they saw the officers, leading to a gun battle. Two of the suspected kidnappers were killed during the exchange, while others escaped into a nearby forest with gunshot injuries. Police later arrested two suspects identified as Seriki Mohammed Abdullahi, believed to be the gang leader, and Moh...

By Irikefe Oghenetega Victor. Super Eagles striker Kelechi Iheanacho played a vital role as Celtic came from behind to defeat Hearts 3-1 and win the 2025/26 Scottish Premiership title on the final day of the season. Hearts had taken the lead through Lawrence Shankland’s 43rd-minute header, but Celtic responded strongly at Celtic Park. Arne Engels equalised from the penalty spot in first-half stoppage time (45+4), Daizen Maeda put Celtic ahead in the 87th minute, and Callum Osmand sealed the victory deep in stoppage time (98th minute). The dramatic win saw Celtic finish with 82 points, two clear of Hearts, securing their 56th Scottish league title and fifth consecutive championship. Manager Martin O’Neill, who returned mid-season and engineered the turnaround, was emotional afterwards, saying: "Never in my wildest dreams did I think that I could experience those lads up there [lifting the trophy]. The players and the coaching staff have given me a reason to live." ...

By Irikefe Oghenetega Victor  The Super Falcons will play a double-header international friendly against Senegal Women’s National Team during the June FIFA international window. Both matches will be played at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, on Friday, June 5 and Monday, June 8, 2026. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) organised the fixtures as crucial preparation for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, where Nigeria will be aiming for an 11th continental title. The double-header comes after the proposed friendly against Jamaica was cancelled due to logistical and scheduling issues. The announcement was made via the Super Falcons Show on X, stating: “Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, the Super Falcons, will take on Senegal Women’s National Team in a double-header international friendly scheduled for June 5 and 8.” Justine Madugu’s team were last in action in March, where they defeated Cameroon 3-1 in a friendly. The Super Fa...

By Irikefe Oghenetega Victor  Super Falcons duo Rinsola Babajide and Shukurat Oladipo have won the 2025/26 Serie A Femminile title with AS Roma in their first season at the club. Roma clinched the Scudetto on Saturday, May 2, after a 2-0 victory over Ternana, securing the title with two matches to spare. The win took them to 49 points, six clear of second-placed Inter Milan. Babajide made an instant impact in attack, scoring 2 goals and providing 3 assists in nine appearances, while Oladipo was outstanding at the back, featuring in 16 league matches and playing over 1,200 minutes. The triumph marks Roma’s third league title in four seasons and crowns a superb debut campaign for both Nigerians, who also contributed to the club’s UEFA Women’s Champions League campaign. Attention now turns to the Coppa Italia final against Juventus on May 24, where Babajide and Oladipo will aim to complete a domestic double.

By Igwe Grace  An Ilorin High Court in Kwara State has sentenced a church founder, Prophet Ajiboye Olayinka, to life imprisonment. Olayinka, the General Overseer of his church, was found guilty of sexually assaulting three underage girls inside the church’s mission house in Ilorin. In his judgment, the trial judge, Justice H.A. Gegele, ruled that the prosecution team successfully proved that the defendant committed the offenses of rape, unlawful sexual relations with minors, and performing illegal abortions. Aside from the life sentence, the court sentenced Prophet Olayinka to 14 years in prison for organizing illegal abortions that ended several pregnancies resulting from the abuse. The Prophet faced an eight-count charge including criminal conspiracy, unlawful sexual relations with minors, illegal abortion, and unlawful possession of firearms, violating the Penal Code, the Robbery and Firearms Act, and the Kwara State Child Rights Law. During the proceedings, the pros...

By Enakaye Peculiar  Suspected hoodlums on Saturday disrupted the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election in Somolu area of Lagos State, attacking some party leaders at Ward A and Ward B Somolu polling centres. The incident reportedly caused panic among party members and temporarily interrupted the exercise. Among those allegedly attacked were former APC Ward D chairman, Ajibade Ajayi; former Ward B chairman, Primate Abraham; former Somolu APC LGA chairman, Yomi Olubamide; and former Ward B chairman, Samuel Oluyida. Witnesses said the victims were assaulted and humiliated during the invasion by the suspected hoodlums. Chairman of Somolu Local Government, Abdulateef Asimi, condemned the incident, describing it as unfortunate and unacceptable in the council area. He assured residents and party members that the matter would be thoroughly investigated in collaboration with security agencies to identify and arrest those responsible. Asimi stated that the council had...

By Irikefe Oghenetega Victor  Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH) has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with SGH Warsaw School of Economics. The partnership was signed at the SGH campus in Warsaw.  Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olumuyiwa Odusanya, signed the agreement while SGH Rector, Professor Piotr Wachowiak, signed for the Polish institution. The LASUSTECH delegation, which included Professor Olumuyiwa Olamade, Dean of the College of Applied Social Sciences, and Dr Ayo Eso of the Department of Economics, visited SGH from May 11 to 14, to finalise implementation plans. The partnership grants LASUSTECH access to SGH’s prestigious Triple Crown accreditation (AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS) standards and global networks. It will facilitate student and faculty exchanges with credit transfer and opportunities for European research funding including Horizon Europe and NAWA programmes. Speaking on the development, Professor Olumuyiwa des...

By Enakaye Peculiar  Parenting plays a vital role in shaping a child's behavior, character, and emotions. While discipline is necessary in every home, excessive strictness can lead to fear instead of respect. Many parents believe harsh rules and constant control will keep children obedient, but in reality, it often pushes them into secrecy. Children raised under very strict parenting often becomes secretive over time. Fear of punishment makes honesty difficult most especially in homes where children are constantly shouted at or severely punished for mistakes. Instead of explaining themselves, they begin to hide to avoid trouble. Over time, fear replaces trust in the parent-child relationship. Strict parenting can also weaken communication within the family. Some parents focus so much on control that they forget to listen. When children feel unheard or misunderstood, they stop sharing their thoughts and feelings. They either keep everything to themselves or turn to outsi...

By Irikefe Oghenetega Victor  Nigeria’s U-20 women’s national team, the Falconets, have been drawn into Group F for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland. The Falconets will face strong European side Spain, Asian representatives China PR, and debutants New Caledonia in the group stage of the tournament, which runs from September 5 to 27, 2026. The draw was conducted at the EC1 Cultural Centre in Poland, with Falconets head coach Moses Aduku in attendance. Nigeria’s opening match is expected to be against Spain on Monday, September 7, 2026, in Sosnowiec. Spain are considered one of the strongest teams in the group due to their excellent youth development system, while China PR bring experience from Asian competitions. New Caledonia will be making their first-ever appearance at the tournament. The Falconets remain one of Africa’s most consistent performers at this level, having reached the final in both 2010 and 2014. They will be aiming to go one step further in...

By Irikefe Oghenetega Victor  Team Nigeria won the gold medal in the mixed 4x400m relay at the 2026 African Senior Athletics Championships in Accra, Ghana, on Thursday.  The quartet of Ezekiel Asuquo, Toheebat Jimoh, Victor Sampson, and Patience Okon-George clocked a 42.94 seconds to finish ahead of Liberia and host nation Ghana. The performance also made Nigeria the first women’s team to run under 43 seconds at the African Championships. This latest triumph further cements Nigeria’s dominance in relay events. The country remains the most successful nation in African Championships relay history, with 12 gold medals since 1989. Nigeria has now won gold consecutively in this event in 2018, 2022, 2024, and 2026. The victory adds to Tobi Amusan’s gold in the women’s 100m hurdles and boosts Nigeria’s medal tally as the championships continue in Accra. It also comes on the back of the women’s 4x400m team winning gold at the 2024 edition in Douala, Cameroon. This performa...

By Emmanuel Uduak-Obong Esther O! Hail the baby of a poor mother Taken captive and left to mourn Behold the little one that saw his mother murdered Tears in face, second to none. Demons everywhere even on streets How can you kill a mother in the arms of her child? No peace for the less all is strict As sun and gun grows wild I will go deeper, but have you seen our land? The poor is prey to the rich Even by the sweat and the works of their hands Now, the poor drops blood to cross the bridge Abandon you say, but there's more to it Have you seen the poor in the circle of the rich? Watch well there's never a chair to sit The poor is slave and never made rich The lions and the leopards scream O! Allow the poor to breathe Yet their laughter flows by like stream The poor is drown and can't breathe Metal rattling sound around all corners Sound of war and never of peace Preaching like the fore runner I mean the beheaded John the Baptist Do you remember the era of Lord Fr...