The Compass

Adenuga Toheeb Ayoola Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, on Friday applauded President Bola Tinubu for the significant progress made in tackling insecurity across the country during a visit to the Office of the National Security Adviser in Abuja. Following the recent attempted abduction of schoolchildren in Kogi State, Bello said the successful foiling of the attack highlighted the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening security nationwide. This was contained in a statement issued by his media office. The former governor stated that the operation demonstrated improved coordination and intelligence sharing among the nation’s security agencies. Bello said, “I want to use this opportunity to commend Mr President and our leader, President Bola Tinubu, for his relentless efforts in tackling insecurity across the nation. “I also want to hail him and your humble self on the recent foiling of an attempted abduction of schoolchildren in Kogi State.” He further attri...

Adenuga Toheeb Ayoola The family of Nigeria’s first military Head of State, Major General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, has urged the Federal Government to compensate the family and issue a formal apology over his killing during the July 1966 counter-coup. Speaking during an interview conducted by Arise News, the head of the Aguiyi-Ironsi family, Imo Aguiyi-Ironsi, said the family had waited for decades for justice, insisting that the late military leader deserved to be remembered for his service to the country rather than the circumstances of his death. According to him, Aguiyi-Ironsi had no involvement in the January 15, 1966 coup and only became Head of State because he was the most senior military officer at the time. “He wasn’t killed because of any offence he committed. He had nothing to do with the January coup. He simply accepted the responsibility of leading the country when he was asked to do so, and that decision eventually cost him his life,” he said. He called on the ...

Adenuga Toheeb Ayoola The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has directered lawyers and court officials from using the title “Barrister” as a prefix to their names in official engagements at the Supreme Court. The directive was conveyed in a memorandum dated July 13, 2026, and signed by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir Akanbi. It was addressed to litigation staff, legal practitioners, court registrars and other lawyers, directing them to discontinue the practice with immediate effect. According to the circular, the decision was taken to promote professionalism and maintain the standards expected within Nigeria’s apex court. The memo stated that the use of “Barrister” as a name prefix is considered inappropriate for official engagements at the Supreme Court. It also instructed officers to remove the title from official correspondence, records, documents, identity materials and every other official communication. Heads of departments a...

Tinubu to Govs: Stop Building unnecessary Flyovers By Adenuga Toheeb Ayoola President Bola Tinubu on Thursday urged state governors to stop constructing flyovers in areas with low traffic volume and instead invest the increased allocations from the Federation Account in road networks that would improve residents’ living standards and enhance security operations.  The advice, which was given by the President while receiving a delegation of traditional rulers from Oyo State at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The monarchs were at the Villa to congratulate him on the successful rescue of victims abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of the state after spending 56 days in captivity. Tinubu noted that states now receive four to five times the allocations they previously received from the Federation Account, stressing that the funds should be deployed to projects that directly benefit the people.  “Do more instead of building flyovers where there is no significant traff...

Igwe Grace Chiamaka   The United States on Wednesday carried out heavy airstrikes on several Iranian military targets after Iran allegedly attempted to attack American troops in the Middle East a day earlier. The US military said the operation targeted dozens of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) facilities, including missile, drone and military command centres. According to the US Central Command (Centcom), Iran fired ballistic missiles at American bases in Jordan and targeted ships in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday. The US said all the missiles were intercepted before causing damage. President Donald Trump also warned earlier on Wednesday that the United States would respond strongly to the attempted attack. Meanwhile, Iran's Revolutionary Guard said it had targeted a US air base and command centre in Jordan in response to what it described as American aggression. The group also claimed responsibility for attacking three oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, acc...

 Emmanuel Uduak-Obong Esther I remember sitting in a lecture hall with a question quietly sitting on my tongue. I could feel it, that small urge to raise my hand and ask. But I didn't. I told myself it was probably a "stupid" question, that everyone else already understood, that asking would only expose how much I didn't know. So I kept quiet, nodded along like the rest of the class, and hoped the confusion would somehow sort itself out. It didn't. Later that day, a coursemate, someone I actually respect, leaned over and asked me to explain the very thing I didn't understand. Turns out she was confused too. Turns out half the class was. We had all sat there, silently struggling, each of us assuming we were the only one who was lost, each of us too afraid to be the one who asked. That moment stayed with me because it showed me something I've come to realize about a lot of us. Many of us remain where we are, not because we aren't capable of m...

Tinubu Not Too Tired for Office, APC Chairman Fires Back at Obi By Adenuga Toheeb Ayoola The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has fired back at former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi over his claim that President Bola Tinubu is too tired to continue leading the country. The APC chairman, who spoke on Channels Television’s Politics Today, rejected Obi’s suggestion that Tinubu should step aside ahead of the 2027 general election. “Is he going for boxing or the 100 metres?” the APC chairman asked, questioning Obi’s remarks. Yilwatda’s remarks were in response to comments made earlier by Peter Obi during an interview on the same programme, where the former Labour Party presidential candidate said Tinubu should retire at the end of his current tenure.        “The Bola Tinubu that was governor is not the one that is president today. He’s tired. He should be allowed to retire in peace and then go ho...

LAWMA Assures Lagosians Swift Waste Evacuation By Emmanuel Uduak-Obong Esther The Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has assured Lagos residents of swift waste evacuation across the state, saying ongoing efforts to expand disposal capacity will help clear the growing waste backlog and restore cleaner roads. The agency's Managing Director, Muyiwa Gbadegesin, gave the assurance on Tuesday during the commissioning of the rehabilitated Road E and newly constructed disposal platforms at the Olusosun Disposal Facility in Ojota. "By opening this place, we've created more space. Over the next few days, there won't be refuse on our roads," Gbadegesin said. Furthermore, He explained that the newly created disposal space would ease operational bottlenecks, improve access within the facility, and enhance the efficiency of waste evacuation across Lagos. Gbadegesin described the accumulation of refuse on Lagos roads as unacceptable, noting that the addit...

Adewusi Aisha The pain was never an invitation. It arrived unannounced, wearing familiar faces, breaking things that should have been protected. No one asks to carry memories that make silence louder than any room, or to learn fear before learning peace. What happened to you was never the debt you were meant to pay. But healing that quiet, difficult journey cannot be walked by someone else’s feet. It is found in choosing yourself on the days you would rather disappear. In asking for help when pride says, “Stay quiet.” In believing that your past does not own your future. Some days, healing looks like progress. Other days, it simply looks like surviving. Both are victories the world rarely applauds. You cannot rewrite the chapter that wounded you, but you can decide how the next page begins. Your trauma was never your fault. But your healing, however slow, however messy, is the greatest act of love you can offer yourself.

Igwe Grace Chiamaka  At least 13 people have died after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture in southwestern Japan on Tuesday, leaving several others trapped under collapsed buildings. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said rescue teams were in a "race against time" to save people still waiting for help. Rescue workers continued search operations at the collapsed Aeon Mall in Kashima and the Nippon Paper factory in Yatsushiro. The government deployed about 4,600 emergency workers, including police officers, firefighters and members of the Self-Defence Forces, to search for survivors and assist victims. Meanwhile, the earthquake caused serious damage to homes, businesses and historic buildings across Kumamoto Prefecture. Nearly 10,000 people were forced to leave their homes, while thousands of households lost electricity. Authorities also advised residents and rescue workers to protect themselves from heat as temperatures were expected to reac...

Irikefe Oghenetega Victor  Super Falcons star Asisat Oshoala has apologised to Nigerian fans after the team’s shock 3-2 loss to debutants Malawi at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. Reacting after the match, the six-time African Women’s Footballer of the Year said: “Smaller nations are closing the gap, but it’s also a wake-up call for Nigeria. We have to understand that other teams want to win this trophy as well.” Oshoala stressed that the tournament is still far from over and expressed belief that the team can recover. “It’s still a long competition, and all we need to do is prepare well for the next game. We are sorry for losing the opening game to Malawi,” she added. With qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup also on the line, Oshoala appealed for continued support from Nigerians. “We need the support of all Nigerians right now. A World Cup ticket is at stake, to be honest. This is the time we really need everyone to support the Super Falcons.” Nig...

Irikefe Oghenetega Victor Super Falcons head coach Justine Madugu described Nigeria’s shock 3-2 loss to Malawi as a wake-up call following the team’s opening match at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. Speaking in a post-match interview with Ademola Victor, Madugu admitted the result served as an important reality check for his side. Malawi, making their debut at the tournament, stunned the 10-time African champions with a dramatic late victory. Temwa Chawinga opened the scoring in the 69th minute before her sister Tabitha Chawinga made it 2-0 five minutes later. Captain Rasheedat Ajibade pulled one back from the penalty spot in the 90+1st minute, but Temwa Chawinga struck again in the 90+5th minute. Uchenna Kanu scored a late consolation in the 90+8th minute. The result marks a historic moment for Malawi, who defeated the defending champions in their very first appearance at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. Nigeria’s title defence has begun with a difficult setback....

Tinubu Vows to Wrestle Political Opponents to the Finish By Adenuga Toheeb Ayoola President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday vows he would not hand over victory to his political opponents in the 2027 general election without a fight, declaring that he was prepared to “wrestle” with anyone seeking to unseat him. The President made the remarks while receiving members of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. “No, we will wrestle each other to the finishing point. That’s the truth. That is fair in politics. Those who would take it from me will try. They will try. All is fair in politics, and there is equal opportunity,” Tinubu said. “I won’t offer them a red carpet. I won’t offer them the leash to tie me at home,” he added. The President also defended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), dismissing allegations of bias against the electoral body, saying "INEC is neutral, It has never intimidated anybody.” Speaking on his admini...

The Weight of Tomorrow By Adewusi Aisha  Tomorrow sits quietly at the edge of my bed, asking nothing, yet expecting everything. It borrows my sleep, fills my pockets with questions, and teaches my heartbeat to count possibilities. I carry dreams like fragile glass, careful not to drop them on the hard floor of doubt. Some days, the road stretches farther than my courage can see, and even the sun seems unsure of my name. But seeds do not apologize for taking time. Rivers do not rush to prove they are moving. The moon wears its scars without hiding its light. So I gather every broken promise, every unanswered prayer, every silent goodbye, and build a staircase toward becoming. If fear follows, let it walk behind me. If failure calls, let it echo without becoming my language. I was never created to bloom only when the weather agrees. I will rise through ordinary mornings, through crowded streets, through lonely nights where hope feels expensive. Tomorrow is not a mountain ...

Irikefe Oghenetega Victor  National Sports Commission Chairman Shehu Dikko and Nigeria Football Federation General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi were in Rabat on Tuesday to hand the Super Falcons the federal government’s reward package for their 2025 WAFCON triumph, just hours before the team kicked off their title defence. The handover took place just hours before Nigeria opened their title defence against Malawi at the Al Madina Stadium, and was confirmed through the NFF’s official X account with accompanying photographs of the ceremony. Dikko had spent recent weeks reassuring both players and the public that the rewards were still moving through official channels. Although full details of what each player received remain limited, the presentation was widely viewed as a welcome resolution ahead of the tournament. For a squad that had publicly flagged concerns over unfulfilled promises in the buildup to the tournament, receiving the reward package on matchday morning could...

Irikefe Oghenetega Victor  The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) has unveiled extensive broadcast arrangements for the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026, responding to growing international interest in the tournament. CAF has added its official CAF TV channel on YouTube in select international markets, including the United Kingdom, to meet the significant increase in global demand. The foundational decision to expand the tournament to 16 teams was earlier finalised during a CAF Executive Committee meeting in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. Commercial broadcast and media distribution agreements for the 2026 edition were completed and announced from CAF Headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, just on the eve of the competition. The deals were finalised in collaboration with tournament partners and stakeholders. Additional coverage has been secured across several key markets. DAZN will broadcast all matches in Germany, Austria, and Switzerl...

Irikefe Oghenetega Victor  Nigeria’s U-20 national team, the Flying Eagles, opened their WAFU B U-20 AFCON Qualifying Tournament campaign with a convincing 4-2 victory over Ghana’s Black Satellites at the Stade Charles Konan Banny in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire. Olayemi Ayinla put Nigeria ahead in the 6th minute with a clinical finish, setting the tone for a dominant performance. Oraro Lucky doubled the lead in the 30th minute before Muiz Adeleke converted a penalty in the 40th minute to give the Flying Eagles a comfortable 3-1 advantage at half-time. Ghana managed to reduce the deficit, but Nigeria remained in control throughout the second half. Adeleke sealed the win by converting another penalty in the 89th minute, completing his brace and ensuring a strong start for the Nigerian side. The Flying Eagles looked sharp, clinical, and full of confidence, displaying an impressive attacking performance against their West African rivals. Coach and technical staff will be pl...

Irikefe Oghenetega Victor  Super Falcons midfielder Esther Okoronkwo has issued a defiant yet graceful response after facing intense online and racist abuse following her public complaint about the hotel theft in Casablanca, Morocco. Taking to her Instagram Story on Sunday, the AFC Toronto midfielder wrote: “Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that. We move forward with prose, unity and determination. See you on the pitch.” Okoronkwo had earlier revealed that cash was stolen from the rooms of several players, including herself, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, defender Michelle Alozie, and captain Rasheedat Ajibade, while the team stayed at the Marriott Hotel in Casablanca. Following her disclosure, Okoronkwo’s Instagram page was overrun with aggressive, racially motivated messages and xenophobic insults, among them monkey emojis and other derogatory remarks aimed at the Nigerian star. Nigerian journalist Colin Udoh condemned the attacks and called on football’s g...

Suspect Arrests Over Super Falcons Hotel Theft in Casablanca By Irikefe Oghenetega Victor  A suspect has been arrested and confessed to stealing cash belonging to several Super Falcons players at the Marriott Hotel in Casablanca, Morocco, just days before Nigeria’s opening match at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. The incident occurred on the final day of the team’s training camp in Casablanca before the Super Falcons relocated to Rabat for their Group C matches. Midfielder Esther Okoronkwo revealed on social media that she, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, defender Michelle Alozie, and captain Rasheedat Ajibade were among those affected, with more than $1,000 allegedly taken from their rooms. According to Okoronkwo, hotel staff failed to properly address the matter when the players first reported the theft. Nigerian journalist and former Super Eagles media officer Colin Udoh later confirmed the breakthrough, writing: “I have been informed that a suspect has been ar...

“ The Weight We Never Name” Adewusi Aisha Some of us smile with storms folded beneath our tongues. We answer, “I’m fine,” because explaining feels heavier than carrying. The world celebrates the loud victories, but forgets the quiet ones the mornings you got out of bed when your heart wanted to stay hidden. No one applauds the battles that leave no bruises. No one sees the dreams stitched together after disappointment pulled them apart. Still, we keep going. Not because we are fearless, but because hope has a strange habit of returning, even to the people who swore they had none left. And maybe that is what makes us human not that we never break, but that, piece by piece, we learn how to become our own sunrise.

Irikefe Oghenetega Victor  Super Falcons players have reported alleged theft of cash from their rooms at the Marriott Hotel in Casablanca, Morocco, just days before the start of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. Forward Esther Okoronkwo revealed the incident via her Snapchat account, claiming that cleaning staff entered the players’ rooms while the team was away and stole money from their wallets. She reported losing $700, stating: “The cleaning people stole the money, they waited while we weren’t in the room to clean, and stole the money. I reported and neither of them seemed shocked.” Defender Osinachi Ohale reported $100 missing, midfielder Halimatu Ayinde claimed $100, while Joy Omewa said £120 was taken from her. There are also unconfirmed reports that captain Rasheedat Ajibade lost about $200. The total amount allegedly stolen exceeds $1,250. Players claim hotel staff entered the rooms under the guise of cleaning and removed cash left in wallets and personal...

Adenuga Toheeb Ayoola The Independent National Electoral Commission has urged eligible Nigerians to complete their voter registration before the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise closes on Sunday, July 26, ahead of the 2027 general elections. The Independent National Electoral Commission on Saturday reminded eligible Nigerians to complete their voter registration either online through its Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) portal or physically at designated registration centres nationwide. “You can complete your voter registration online from start to finish via cvr.inecnigeria.org. If you need assistance, visit any INEC State Office, LGA Office, or designated registration centre to complete your registration in person,” the commission stated.     The commission also stated that all registration centres would remain open daily, including weekends, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. until the exercise ends. “Your future won’t wait. Neither should you. The Conti...

Igwe Grace   Chiamaka India's Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, resigned on Saturday after weeks of nationwide protests over exam paper leaks and irregularities in the country's testing system. The demonstrations, led by the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), grew into one of the biggest public protests against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government in recent years. Pradhan announced his resignation in a public statement, saying he respected the hopes and expectations of India's young people and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the opportunity to serve. His resignation came just before another round of talks between government officials and protest leaders. The protests began over allegations of exam paper leaks and later expanded into demands for reforms in India's education system. Thousands of protesters camped in New Delhi while demonstrations spread across the country. Public anger also grew after activist Sonam Wangchuk was tak...

Igwe Grace U.S. President Donald Trump called for respect for press freedom while criticising sections of the media during the White House Correspondents Association (WHCA) dinner on Saturday. The event returned three months after its first gathering was cut short by a shooting at the venue. Speaking before journalists, Trump said disagreements should be settled through open debate rather than violence. He also honoured U.S. Secret Service officer Victor Gonzalez for his actions during the April shooting, in which a gunman was stopped before reaching the ballroom where the dinner was taking place. Although Trump praised many journalists for their work, he also repeated his criticism of what he called the "fake news" media and joked that the dinner brought together the largest group of people with "Trump Derangement Syndrome." He also said news organisations would struggle for stories once he leaves office and jokingly suggested he could seek another term...

Adenuga Toheeb Ayoola The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, assured Nigerians on Friday that their votes would count in the 2027 general elections while receiving visitors during a courtesy visit in Minna. Prof Joash gave the assurance during a courtesy visit to former Head of State and Chairman of the National Peace Committee, General Abdulsalam Abubakar (retd.), at his residence in Minna, Niger State, on Friday.Discussing with the  former head of state,the INEC chairman told Abubakar that, regardless of the pressures confronting the commission, it remained committed to ensuring that the will of Nigerians as expressed at the polls would prevail.   Amupitan said, “The Commission’s determination under my leadership was to see ordinary Nigerians go out and vote, confident that their votes would be duly counted and reflected in the outcome of elections.” The INEC chairman said the commission regarded the former Head of St...

Adenuga Toheeb Ayoola The  Inspector-General of Police,Olatunji Disu during a stakeholders’ meeting in Makurdi, Benue State, has ordered policemen to shoot on sight anyone with illegal firearms as part of intensive efforts to tackle insecurity in the country. Following President Bola Tinubu’s order to end persistent violence in the country,Disu  gave the directive during a stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House in Makurdi of Benue State.He emphasized that only authorised security personnel are legally permitted to bear firearms, warning that the era of passive policing was over. IGP said, "You cannot move around freely carrying arms as if there is no law and order in this country. It will not be tolerated.”Disu revealed that police officers had been empowered under Force Order 237 to respond decisively to armed threats without waiting for superior orders. During the meeting,the IGP stated , “We have given them instructions. We have a Force Order 237. Police ...

Enakaye Peculiar  Commercial transport fares have increased in several parts of Nigeria following a fresh rise in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), with petrol selling for as much as ₦1,400 per litre at some filling stations. The increase has placed additional financial pressure on commuters and heightened concerns over the rising cost of transportation. The development follows Dangote Petroleum Refinery's decision to increase its ex-depot price of petrol from ₦1,075 to ₦1,215 per litre after resuming sales in naira. The adjustment has led many marketers to review pump prices upward, with motorists in some locations paying up to ₦1,400 per litre for fuel. The higher fuel price has also compelled many commercial transport operators to increase fares to offset rising operating costs. The adjustment has affected both intra-city and inter-state travel, leaving many commuters spending more on their daily transportation. Enakaye Gabriel, a commuter, said he recently pa...

Irikefe Oghenetega Victor  The Super Falcons of Nigeria secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Tanzania’s Twiga Stars in a closed-door pre-WAFCON 2026 friendly at the Lenoria Sports Complex in Casablanca, Morocco. Rasheedat Ajibade opened the scoring in the 15th minute, finishing brilliantly after being set up by Rinsola Babajide. Tanzania equalised late through Opah Clement in the 85th minute, but substitute Esther Okoronkwo scored the winner in the 89th minute to secure the win for Justine Madugu’s side. The match served as Nigeria’s final preparation before the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, where they begin their title defence against debutants Malawi on July 28 in Group C. The friendly was played behind closed doors to allow the technical team to focus on tactics and combinations without external pressure. All invited players are now in camp, with Deborah Abiodun and Gift Monday expected to join shortly. Nigeria will open their WAFCON campaign agai...

Cooking, Less of a Man? Or an Ego Problem? Igwe Grace Chiamaka  Many people still believe that house chores belong to women alone. A man who cooks, washes dishes, or helps carry market bags is sometimes seen as "less of a man." But does helping at home really reduce a man's masculinity, or is it simply an ego problem? Shaped by long term beliefs?  According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), women perform 76.2% of all unpaid care and domestic work worldwide, more than three times as much as men. UN Women reports that women spend about 2.8 more hours each day on unpaid domestic and care work than men. The figures show that women still shoulder most of the responsibilities at home. Much of this thinking starts from childhood. In many homes, parents and caregivers unknowingly reinforce these beliefs by telling boys, "Leave that for your sister," or, "The kitchen is not for boys." As the saying goes, charity begins at home. These e...

ICPC uncovers 908 ghost workers, Police Top List By Adenuga Toheeb Ayoola The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has uncovered 908 suspected ghost workers during a payroll verification exercise, with the Nigeria Police Force and five federal ministries and agencies recording the highest number of suspected fake workers. According to a BBC Pidgin report on Wednesday, the ICPC Chairman, Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN), discovered the findings while speaking on the commission’s investigation into payroll fraud across Federal Government institutions. The commission stated that 908 ghost workers was discovered in at least 50 ministries, departments and agencies, recovering about N942m allegedly paid as fraudulent salaries. According to the ICPC, ghost workers are fictitious names inserted into government payrolls to receive salaries fraudulently. In some cases, salaries are allegedly diverted by officials who add relatives or associates to the payr...

Trump Praises Tinubu’s Fight Against Terrorism, Protection of Christians.  By Adenuga Toheeb Ayoola    United States of America President, Donald Trump praised President Bola Tinubu for his intensive effort in tackling terrorism and insecurity in Nigeria, particularly attacks on Christian communities. Trump stated this in a letter to Tinubu, the details of which were made public on Wednesday in a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. Trump praised Tinubu’s efforts to address security challenges and reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to supporting Nigeria’s fight against terrorism. “Thank you for your thoughtful letter. Your kind words mean a great deal to me, and I appreciate your decisive leadership on behalf of the Nigerian people. I applaud your resolve to tackle the issues plaguing your nation, especially the violence affecting Christian communities, and it is a true honour to stand with you i...

‘I Can’t Stay Single Forever’ — Cardi B Tells Fans Amid Rumours With Maduka Okoye By Irikefe Oghenetega Victor  American rapper, Cardi B has addressed her relationship status in a conversation with her fanbase as speculation continues to surround her and Nigerian goalkeeper Maduka Okoye. Speaking to members of the Bardi Gang on X Spaces this Wednesday, the 33-year-old rapper appeared to push back against the expectation that she should remain single, telling fans: “BG, I know y’all be expecting me to sometimes be single, be this, be that… I’m not going to stay single forever. I’m sorry, I’m just not. The p***y need love too.” Cardi B did not mention Okoye by name and did not confirm that the two are romantically involved. However, the timing of her comments has inevitably drawn attention to the 26-year-old Udinese goalkeeper, with the pair at the centre of growing dating speculation following a series of public appearances together. Neither Cardi nor Okoye has publicly ...

Emmanuel Uduak-Obong Esther I once watched an elderly woman struggle to carry two heavy bags across a busy road. People walked past as though they didn't notice. Then a young man stopped, helped her across, smiled, and quietly went on his way. It lasted less than a minute, but it reminded me that every one of us survives because, at some point, someone chooses to help. In a world where envy, hatred, comparison, and unnecessary competition seem to be everywhere, a question keeps coming to mind: should we put human relationships on hold? Should we guard our hearts so tightly that we stop letting people in? Or should we find better ways to build meaningful connections despite the flaws we see around us? Imagine a world where everyone believed they could do everything alone. No helping hands. No one to learn from. No shoulders to lean on. Such a world would hardly move forward because none of us is designed to carry life by ourselves. There's an adage that says, "A...

Aisha Adewusi  We all carry invisible things. A smile that arrived before the healing. A laugh borrowed from yesterday so today would not ask questions. We have all stood in front of mirrors, searching for someone we thought we’d become by now. We’ve celebrated people while secretly wondering when life would remember our names. We’ve lost things we never told anyone we loved. Time. Sleep. Versions of ourselves. And somehow, morning still finds us, asking us to begin again. Maybe that’s what makes us human. Not that we never break, but that we keep introducing hope to hearts that have every reason to stop believing. So if today feels heavy, remember there are millions of strangers walking through different storms with the same quiet prayer: “May tomorrow be kinder than today.” Perhaps that hope, more than anything else, is what has been keeping the whole world alive. @⁨Adult Esther Emmanuel⁩

Irikefe Oghenetega Victor  Super Eagles midfielder Frank Onyeka has disclosed that coventry City is the right place for him after completing a permanent transfer from Brentford for an undisclosed fee. The Nigerian international initially joined the Sky Blues on loan in January with an obligation to buy. He quickly established himself as a key player, scoring once in 14 Championship appearances and helping the club secure promotion. Onyeka described the move as a perfect fit, saying: “It’s really nice. From the first day I came in, I felt the beauty of the people and the club. I just felt, this is for me, I’m in the right place to be.” The 28-year-old praised his teammates and club staff for making his transition seamless. He revealed his main goals upon arrival were to help Coventry gain promotion and compete for the Championship title. “It’s nice because I came here for two goals, which is to get promoted to the Premier League and win the Championship. So the goal that...

Irikefe Oghenetega Victor  Former Nigeria women’s national team players have warned that the Federal Government’s failure to fulfil promises made to the Super Falcons could undermine the team’s bid to win a record-extending 11th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title in Morocco and qualify for the next FIFA Women’s World Cup. Members of the United Ex-Super Falcons Worldwide, at a recent meeting in Chicago, United States, expressed concern that the Federal Government has yet to fulfil its promise of $100,000, land allocations and other rewards for each player, one year after the team’s success. United States-based former Super Falcons player Patience Avre said the uncertainty surrounding the unfulfilled promises had affected the morale of the players currently preparing for the tournament in Morocco. “The United Ex-Super Falcons Worldwide feel the pain the present players are facing. They may be training ahead of the WAFCON, but complaints over the unfulfilled promises are ...

  Emmanuel Uduak-Obong Esther I remember when a keypad phone felt like the peak of technology. Owning one made you feel like you had arrived. Then touchscreen phones became the standard. Overnight, the phone everyone admired became something people tucked away in drawers. It wasn't because it had stopped working. The world had simply moved on. That's what growth does. It doesn't wait for you to be ready. It doesn't stop simply because you've reached one milestone. It just keeps going, and you either move with it or you become the keypad phone in someone's drawer, still functional, still fondly remembered, but no longer where the world is looking. Growing from where you are to where you ought to be will always cost you something. There's no way around it. Every version of you that you're proud of today was built on days you didn't feel like showing up, but you did anyway. So stay committed. Keep pushing. And when you finally arrive, don...

Igwe Grace   The House of Representatives has given Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) 48 hours to appear before its ad hoc committee investigating the alleged Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC). The committee warned that agencies that fail to honour its invitation could face legal sanctions. Chairman of the committee, Yusuf Gagdi, said some government agencies had ignored previous invitations, describing the action as a disregard for the National Assembly's constitutional oversight powers. He directed all affected agencies to appear on Thursday with the required officials and relevant documents. The committee is investigating the legal status, funding and operations of the PFIPC following allegations that it operated as a government agency without proper legal backing. Lawmakers are also examining how the organisation appeared in official government records and whether public institutions played any role in its activities. Meanwhile, the...

Irikefe Oghenetega Victor  Nigeria’s U-20 national team, the Flying Eagles, have arrived in Ivory Coast ahead of the 2026 WAFU B U-20 Championship, where they will begin the defence of their title this weekend. The defending champions landed in Abidjan on Monday before travelling by road to the tournament host city of Yamoussoukro. They are currently camped at the Trio Corridor Hotel as they prepare for their campaign. Coach Aliyu Zubairu’s side will open Group B against Ghana’s Black Satellites at the Lycée Scientifique on Monday. They will then face Togo’s Sparrow Hawks on Thursday before concluding their group stage matches against Burkina Faso’s Young Stallions on Sunday, August 2. The WAFU B Championship, running from 26 July to 9 August 2026, serves as a key qualifier for the 2027 CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana. Strong performances could also pave the way for qualification to the 2027 FIFA U-20 World Cup co-hosted by Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. Nigeria are...