The Compass

Anakwue Urges Nigeria to Tackle Pollution to Protect Hearts By Khadijat  Awojobi   Professor of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Pharmacology at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Raphael Anakwue, has urged the Nigerians to treat environmental pollution as a major cardiovascular health concern and urgently reduce exposure to toxic substances. Anakwue made the call during his inaugural lecture, saying the fight against heart disease should go beyond familiar risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol, smoking and physical inactivity. He identified generator fumes, vehicle emissions, industrial pollutants, gas flaring, heavy metals and pesticides as major environmental threats. The professor said millions of Nigerians are exposed to these pollutants daily, while weak infrastructure, inadequate monitoring and poor enforcement of environmental regulations have worsened the situation. He called for coordinated action involving government, regula...

Irikefe Oghenetega Victor  Nigeria Football Federation President Ibrahim Gusau has resigned from office, announcing his decision during a press conference at the NFF headquarters in Abuja on Thursday. Gusau was joined by members of the NFF Executive Committee and General Secretary Dr Mohammed Sanusi, who also stepped down from their positions in a major leadership shake-up. According to Gusau, the decision followed intense pressure from football stakeholders and consultations with his family and close associates. The resignations come after a series of setbacks for Nigerian football, most notably the Super Falcons’ failure to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The first time Nigeria will miss the tournament since it began in 1991. The leadership had also come under heavy scrutiny following the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and ongoing investigations into the management of a ₦17 billion intervention fund released to settle outstan...

Irikefe Oghenetega Victor  Nigeria’s Falconets will face Poland’s U-20 women’s team in an international friendly on Friday, August 28, as part of their final preparations for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. The match is scheduled to take place at the Municipal Stadium in Brzeg, Poland, with kick-off set for 12:00 WAT. The friendly offers coach Moses Aduku’s side a valuable opportunity to fine-tune their tactics and integrate new players following recent squad changes. The Falconets were forced to replace captain Joy Igbokwe and defender Faridat Abdulwahab after both players were denied visas. The clash against the host nation will allow the technical crew to assess the team’s readiness, test different combinations, and address any remaining issues before the tournament begins. It also provides the newly called-up players with crucial game time to settle into the squad. With the World Cup just days away, the Falconets will be looking to use the friendly as a final ...

Irikefe Oghenetega Victor  Nigeria’s Falconets have replaced captain Joy Igbokwe and defender Faridat Abdulwahab with Vivian Kachi and Alaba Olabiyi ahead of the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland. According to the NFF Communications Department, both players were ultimately not granted visas and will miss the tournament. The replacements have now joined the squad as the team continues its preparations in Poland. Igbokwe had been named captain of the side and played a key role during Nigeria’s qualification campaign. Her absence, alongside that of Abdulwahab, represents a setback for the Falconets as they look to make an impact at the global stage. Nigeria remain one of only three countries, alongside Brazil and the United States, to have appeared in every edition of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup since the tournament began in 2002. The Falconets have been drawn in Group F with Spain, China PR and New Caledonia. The team will now focus on integrating the new pla...

Irikefe Oghenetega Victor  Nigeria are set to become one of only three nations to compete in all 12 editions of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, a record that few countries in the world holds.  Since the tournament was first held in 2002, only Nigeria, Brazil and the United States have maintained an unbroken appearance at every edition. The Falconets are currently in Poland for the 2026 competition, continuing their remarkable streak. However, the team will compete without their captain, Joy Igbokwe, who was unable to travel due to visa issues. Her absence comes as a setback for the side as they prepare to begin their campaign. Nigeria remain the only African country to have featured at every FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. The Falconets have previously reached the final twice, finishing as runners-up in 2010 and 2014. Drawn in Group F alongside Spain, China PR and New Caledonia, Nigeria will be aiming to build on their historic consistency and make another strong imp...

Salako Abimbola   The Federal Government initiate a ₦365 million annual prize to reward outstanding academic research, innovation and intellectual excellence across Nigeria’s tertiary institutions. A ₦30 million price was named in honour of Dr Stella Adadevoh, the late Nigerian physician, Ameyo Stella Adadevoh, who has helped to curb the spread of the 2014 Ebola outbreak in Nigeria. National Laureate Prize award scheduled for November 2026, announced in Abuja on Wednesday by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, “Nigeria has exceptional intellectual capacity across our universities, polytechnics, monotechnics and colleges of education, but outstanding research and innovations require greater recognition and support to achieve national impact,” Alausa said. Tunji Alausa said the initiative was designed to strengthen the link between academic research and practical solutions and support more innovations.The reward covers six thematic areas: Engineering and Technol...

Nigeria to Face DR Congo or Mauritania in U-23 AFCON Qualifiers By Irikefe Oghenetega Victor  Nigeria’s Olympic Eagles will face either DR Congo or Mauritania in the second round of the 2027 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The draw, held in Cairo on Tuesday, placed Nigeria among the 14 teams handed a bye into the second round. The Super Eagles’ next opponents will emerge from the first-round contest between Mauritania and DR Congo. However, the two-legged second-round ties are scheduled to take place between 9 and 17 November 2026. The winner of Nigeria’s tie will then advance to the third round in March 2027, where they will face the winner of the Sierra Leone/Burkina Faso versus Zambia contest. The 2027 U-23 AFCON, to be hosted by Egypt, will also serve as Africa’s qualifying tournament for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Seven teams will join the hosts at the final tournament. Head coach Eric Chelle, who is also in charge of the senior Super Eagles, now...

Irikefe Oghenetega Victor  The Nigeria Football Federation Fact-Finding Committee has submitted its official report on the Super Falcons’ failure at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and their subsequent inability to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The report, dated 21 August 2026 in Abuja, was prepared by a six-member panel chaired by former NFF General Secretary Ambassador Fanny I. Amun (MON). Other members of the committee include Dr Alex Mana, Desire Oparanozie, Ladan Bosso, Mutiu Adepoju, and Nasiru Jibril as Secretary. In its findings, the committee identified multiple systemic challenges, ranging from governance and finance to technical development, grassroots football, and league management. While it found no evidence of individual players influencing team selection, the report highlighted serious concerns over camp management, difficulties with player releases, and communication gaps between the federation and clubs. Furthermore, the panel exa...

Irikefe Oghenetega Victor  Former Nigeria Football Federation General Secretary Ambassador Fanny Amun has resigned with immediate effect after submitting the fact-finding committee’s report on the Super Falcons’ failure at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and their inability to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Speaking at a press conference at the National Stadium in Lagos, Amun explained that his resignation was a deliberate move to protect the integrity of the report. “I did not want anyone to influence the report before I submitted it to the NFF. That was why I submitted it and resigned,” he said. According to Amun, the committee was originally given a two-week deadline after its inauguration on 17 August 2026. However, he deliberately completed the assignment in under seven days and stepped down from both the Fact-Finding Committee and the NFF Ethics Committee to prevent any form of post-submission interference. He further revealed that identical c...

Awojobi Khadijat  The Lagos State Government has announced plans to temporarily close the Oke-Afa Bridge in Isolo Local Government Area for three weeks to allow rehabilitation works on the facility. The Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, announced this on Monday, saying the closure will run from Friday, August 28, to Friday, September 18, 2026. He explained that the rehabilitation will be carried out in two phases, with the first phase covering the outbound Isolo-to-Ejigbo section from August 28 to September 11, while the second phase will focus on the inbound Ejigbo-to-Isolo section from September 12 to September 18. Osiyemi said during the first phase, motorists travelling from Isolo towards Ejigbo would be diverted onto the Isolo-bound carriageway at Pako Roundabout, where traffic would move in both directions before rejoining the main carriageway at Mobil Filling Station. During the second phase, motorists from Ejigbo heading towards Isolo would sim...

Tinubu Surpasses Past Presidents in First Term — APC Spokesman By Adenuga Toheeb Ayoola The National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Felix Morka, has claimed that President Bola Tinubu has surpassed all of Nigeria’s democratically elected presidents in terms of performance during their first terms in office. During an interview on Channels Television on Monday, Morka made the statement while defending the administration’s performance. He noted that when Tinubu came into office, the nation’s economy was in a “mess”.      “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has outperformed any president in his first term. He has outperformed any democratically elected president in this country in their terms,” he stated. Morka described Tinubu’s predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari, as a “stopgap president”, saying he “really came to keep the country from tipping over the precipice, from 16 years of horrific maladministration by the PDP government”. “President Buhari se...

Irikefe Oghenetega Victor  Super Falcons defender Oluwatosin Demehin has completed her move to Portuguese champions SL Benfica Women, signing a long-term contract that will keep her at the club until June 2029. The Nigeria international joins Benfica on a free transfer from Turkish side Galatasaray, where she spent the past two seasons. Demehin made 41 appearances and scored two goals during her time with the Turkish club. The 24-year-old centre-back now begins a new chapter in Portugal, joining one of the leading women’s clubs in the country. Her arrival strengthens Benfica’s defensive options as the club prepares for another campaign at domestic and European level. Demehin will also link up with fellow Nigerian international Flourish Sabastine, who is already part of the Benfica squad. The move gives the defender an opportunity to continue her development in European football while competing for major domestic and continental honours. The transfer is a free move, with...

Irikefe Oghenetega Victor  Nigeria’s Falconets departed Abuja on Monday night for the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland, but the team will travel without their captain, Joy Igbokwe, due to visa issues. The Nasarawa Amazons midfielder, who was named captain of the 21-player squad, was not among the players who left Nigeria. Reports indicate that her visa was not approved, casting serious doubt over her participation at the tournament. Igbokwe played a key role in Nigeria’s successful qualification campaign, captaining the side during crucial matches, including the final-round clash against Malawi. Her absence would represent a major blow to the Falconets just days before the competition begins. Nigeria qualified for the tournament after defeating Rwanda 5–0 on aggregate, Senegal 3–1 on aggregate, and Malawi 3–2 on aggregate. The Falconets have been drawn in Group F alongside Spain, China PR and New Caledonia, with their opening match against Spain scheduled for ...

Trader Loses ₦21m as Fire Destroys Nine Shops in Ibadan A trader at the Nigerian Railway shopping complex in Ibadan, Oyo State, has lost goods and equipment estimated at ₦21 million after an early-morning fire destroyed nine shops at the complex. The fire, which occurred along the Aleshinloye Market axis, reportedly started at about 5am on Saturday and had already spread across the affected shops before firefighters were alerted. Speaking with one of the victims, an interior decoration business owner, Busari Olayemi, said the fire destroyed window blinds, curtain fabrics, industrial sewing machines, tools and materials belonging to customers. The Oyo State Fire Services Agency said it received a distress call at 5:58am and immediately deployed a firefighting crew to the scene, while a second fire truck with a 10,000-litre water capacity was later brought in as reinforcement. Furthermore, the agency said firefighters found nine shops engulfed in flames and thick smoke but we...

Joy Omewa Makes BK Häcken Debut in 4-1 Win Over AIK By Irikefe Oghenetega Victor  Super Falcons forward, Joy Omewa has made her debut for Swedish side BK Häcken in their 4-1 victory over AIK Women. The Nigerian striker came off the bench in the 75th minute to make her first appearance for the club, marking the beginning of a new chapter in her career in the Damallsvenskan. Omewa joined Häcken in July 2026 on a three-year contract after a short spell at Nottingham Forest, where she scored three goals in nine appearances. Prior to moving to England, she enjoyed a highly successful period with Danish club Fortuna Hjørring, scoring 52 goals in 85 appearances and finishing as one of the league’s top scorers. At international level, Omewa featured for the Super Falcons during the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, where she scored in Nigeria’s dominant 6-2 group-stage victory over Egypt. The 23-year-old will now be looking to build on her debut and establish herself as a key...

Salu Fatimoh  Veteran Nollywood actor and filmmaker, Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, has died after battling stage-four cancer.  His death was announced on Sunday, August 23, 2026, by his daughter, Kira Taiwo, during an emotional Instagram Live session. Kira was seen crying and appealing to family members for help. Reports of Ogogo’s health condition first emerged on Monday, August 17, when his daughters, Lima and Kira Taiwo, took to Instagram to appeal for urgent medical assistance for their father. Lima said his condition had deteriorated and that some hospitals were no longer willing to treat him. In an emotional video, Lima said the family was “not asking for money” but needed help finding medical professionals and facilities that could treat the actor. The development came days after the family debunked reports of his death on August 18, with Lima describing the reports as fake and urging the public to disregard them. However, on Sunday, Kira confirmed...

Awojobi Khadijat A 101-year-old great-grandmother, Esther Ogunmabo, has been granted bail by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, after she was arrested for allegedly selling cannabis in Ilisan, Ogun State. Ogunmabo was arrested on August 15 with 90 grammes of skunk, a strain of cannabis. The NDLEA said she admitted selling the substance in small quantities. During questioning, the centenarian reportedly explained that she turned to the illegal trade after a fire destroyed her provisions shop, leaving her without a source of income.She also told investigators that her daughter, who resides in Lagos, supplied her with cannabis every four days. Following her arrest, the NDLEA Chairman, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), directed that Ogunmabo be granted bail and given counselling due to her advanced age. The agency subsequently arrested her daughter in connection with the case.

Adeyemi Fareedah  Moferewa Maiye was arrested by Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) in Abuja for allegedly disguising as a DSS operative and using the identity to intimidate and collect money from motorists and commuters. According to investigations, Maiye was tracked down by the DSS to a hideout around NITEL Junction, along Adetokunbo Ademola Way, Wuse II, Abuja, following his alleged activities. He was arrested on Wednesday night while allegedly wearing a DSS tactical uniform and carrying a toy pistol. During questioning, Maiye claimed that the DSS uniform and other items found in his possession belonged to his late brother, Monday Maiye, who he said had been a DSS operative before his death. However, the DSS is still investigating how Maiye obtained the uniform and how long he had allegedly been involved in the impersonation and extortion of motorists.

Irikefe Oghenetega Victor  Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen scored a brace and provided an assist as Galatasaray defeated Erzurumspor 4-0 in the Turkish Süper Lig on Friday. Osimhen played a key role in the victory, first setting up Yunus Akgün for Galatasaray’s second goal in the 20th minute. He then scored just before half-time after pressing the defence and capitalising on a poor back pass to slot into an empty net. The Nigerian completed his brace in the 79th minute, finishing off a cross to seal the dominant win. Roland Sallai had earlier opened the scoring for the Turkish champions. The performance takes Osimhen’s tally to four league goals in just two matches this season. He has now scored in three consecutive Süper Lig games and contributed a goal or assist in each of his last 14 league appearances for Galatasaray. The result gives Galatasaray their first three points of the season as they continue their title defence, with Osimhen once again leading the line...

Irikefe Oghenetega Victor  Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has said reclaiming his position as Nigeria’s first-choice shot-stopper is not currently his main concern as he settles into a new chapter with South African club Chippa United. Nwabali rejoined the Eastern Cape side last month after previously leaving in February and spending about six months without competitive football. He made an impressive return, keeping a clean sheet and making six saves to earn the Man of the Match award in Chippa United’s opening Betway Premiership match of the 2026/27 season. Speaking to SABC Sport, the goalkeeper said: “I feel positive coming back to the club, not just for me but also for the team. The relationship and the agreement is all good. I just want the team to succeed this season.” In his absence from the national team setup, Maduka Okoye and Arthur Okonkwo have emerged as the increasingly likely options between the posts for the Super Eagles. Nwabali will now focus o...

Salako Abimbola  Former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso has called for urgent reforms in Nigeria's education and healthcare sectors, while advocating greater transparency in the management of public resources amid rising economic hardship and insecurity. Kwankwaso, who is seeking the vice-presidential ticket alongside Obi stated this in a statement released on Thursday. He said Nigeria had reached a critical point, where the cost of living is now high, Stating that insecurity had continued to threaten communities, and all other forms of violence affecting families and livelihoods. On the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket, Kwankwaso stated that it was not based on region, religion nor personal ambition but for the good of the people. Kwankwaso urged Nigerians, particularly young people, women, workers, farmers, entrepreneurs and professionals, to participate actively in the political process. “Let us move beyond politics of division and focus on the issues that affect our daily l...

Adenuga Toheeb Ayoola The Federal Government has unveiled plans for a new National Baseline Survey on small arms and light weapons, 10 years after the country conducted its first survey in 2016. The development was disclosed at a one-day workshop on Wednesday in Abuja to review lessons from the 2016 exercise, organised by the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons. Speaking at the event, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, represented by the Director of External Affairs, Solomon Fehintola, said the spread of illicit weapons was directly linked to insecurity across the country. He said such arms sustain banditry in the North-West, fuel farmer-herder clashes in the North-Central, arm criminal gangs in cities and support terrorist groups in the North-East. He said, “Government’s response to this threat cannot be based on guesswork. It must be built on evidence.The next survey must therefore be designed to draw on all these sources of knowledge ...

Irikefe Oghenetega Victor  Nigerian forward Peter Olayinka has completed a move to Saudi Arabian club Al Wehda, joining the Red Giants as a free agent on a two-year contract after leaving Cypriot side APOEL Nicosia.  The 30-year-old winger spent the first half of 2026 without a club before joining APOEL in February on a short-term contract until the end of the season. He made 14 league appearances and scored two goals for the Cypriot side.  Olayinka is valued at €2.5 million. The Nigerian, who primarily operates as a left winger, has built an extensive career across Europe, with previous spells at Bylis, Yenicami, Skënderbeu, Gent, Dukla Prague, Zulte Waregem, Slavia Prague, Red Star Belgrade and APOEL Nicosia.  Olayinka enjoyed his most productive spell at Slavia Prague, where he made 115 appearances and scored 33 goals, while he also recorded 46 appearances and 14 goals during his time with Serbian giants Red Star Belgrade. Across his professional caree...

Falcons Technical Crew Forced to Step Down After World Cup Exit By Irikefe Oghenetega Victor  The Nigeria Football Federation has directed members of the Super Falcons technical crew to step down from their positions with immediate effect. The directive was issued by the NFF Executive Committee on Monday, August 17, following a disappointing campaign by the women’s national team. The Super Falcons exited the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations at the quarter-final stage after a 1-0 defeat to Cameroon. They later suffered a 2-1 loss to South Africa in a play-off, which ended their hopes of reaching the inter-confederation play-offs and securing a place at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The result marked the first time Nigeria will miss the Women’s World Cup since the tournament began in 1991, bringing an end to their unbroken appearance record. However, the NFF is yet to announce a replacement for the technical crew or provide further details on the next steps for the S...

Super Eagles Begins Preparation for International Matches By Irikefe Oghenetega Victor   Nigeria Super Eagles have begin preparations for their international fixtures, with the technical team focusing on improving the squad and building a winning mentality. Tactical and administrative preparations have officially started, with head coach Eric Chelle finalizing his squad selection and the National Sports Commission (NSC). The preparations also provide an opportunity for the coach to assess his players, test different tactics and identify areas that need improvement before more competitive fixtures.  According to Coach Eric Chelle, he said the team is working towards creating “a culture of winning,” stressing that the players must remain focused and work hard ahead of their matches.  Captain Wilfred Ndidi also described the team's clash with Portugal as “a very good test,” saying such matches are important for the growth and development of the squad. The super e...

Irikefe Oghenetega Victor  The National Sports Commission (NSC) has cancelled the Nigeria Football Federation Elective Congress scheduled for September 27 in Lafia, Nasarawa State. The decision is aimed at paving the way for a major reorganisation of Nigerian football. According to reports, the NSC is set to appoint a three-month normalisation committee to oversee the affairs of the federation and prepare the ground for fresh elections. The move comes after a difficult period for Nigerian football, most notably the Super Falcons’ failure to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The women’s national team’s exit has intensified calls for structural reforms within the NFF. The cancellation has dealt a significant blow to the current Ibrahim Gusau-led executive committee, which was seeking a second term in office. The NSC is expected to announce the composition of the normalisation committee in the coming days. The interim body will be responsible for managing the fe...

Irikefe Oghenetega Victor  The Nigeria Football Federation has constituted a six-member fact-finding committee to investigate the recent poor performances of the country’s national teams, with particular attention on the Super Falcons’ failure to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The committee is chaired by former NFF General Secretary, Ambassador Fanny Amun, MON. Other members are former Nigeria U-20 coach Ladan Bosso, former Super Falcons captain Desire Oparanozie, former Super Eagles captain Mutiu Adepoju, and former FIFA referee Dr Alex Mana. Mallam Mohammed Nasiru Sa’idu, Chairman of the Sokoto State Football Association, will serve as secretary. According to the NFF, the panel has been tasked with examining the overall decline in the performances of Nigerian national teams in international competitions. Special focus will be placed on the Super Falcons’ exit from the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and their subsequent 2-1 play-off defeat to South Af...

Adenuga Toheeb Ayoola A faith-based organisation, Victorious Prayer Network, has commenced weekly prayer meetings in support of President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027. Evangelist Victoria Agori, founder of the organisation, stated that the decision to pray for Tinubu’s re-election was divinely inspired, as the achievements of the President during his first tenure had made it expedient to pray for his return. “Every Wednesday we used to meet; today I was given direction by the Almighty God to gather Nigerian children, women, widows, orphans to pray for the nation, for our President Bola Tinubu, to come back for second tenure,” she said.     Victoria said this at the group’s weekly prayer meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, as she cited the peace in the Niger Delta region and the ongoing war against insurgency as reasons for supporting the President for a second term in office. Agori further highlighted that the prayer sessions held every Wednesday were ...

Irikefe Oghenetega Victor  Nigeria’s Super Falcons will miss the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time in history after their 2-1 play-off defeat to South Africa in Casablanca on Thursday. The result brings an end to Nigeria’s unbroken record of appearing at every edition of the tournament since it began in 1991. For 36 years, the Super Falcons had been the only African team to maintain continuous participation at the global stage. That proud run has now been broken following a disappointing campaign that saw Nigeria eliminated in the WAFCON quarter-finals before falling short in the play-off against Banyana Banyana. The failure to qualify has intensified scrutiny around the structure and management of Nigerian women’s football. Stakeholders and former players have called for deeper reforms within the Nigeria Football Federation, citing issues of preparation, administration, and long-term planning. Attention now turns to the future of the Super Falcons. Questions ar...

THE WEAKNESS YOU KEEP PERFORMING By Emmanuel Uduak-Obong Esther  There’s a boy who used to speak in class every single day, his hand going up before the teacher had even finished asking the question. Then one day, he got it wrong. Loudly. The whole room laughed. Not the cruel kind of laughter. Just the careless kind that lasts five seconds for everyone except the person at the centre of it. He didn’t stop raising his hand immediately. He tried again the next day, and the day after. But each time, his voice became a little smaller, a little more careful, a little more prepared for the moment it would happen again. Eventually, he stopped raising his hand altogether. Not because he stopped knowing the answers. He knew them better than most. He just couldn’t shake the feeling that the room was still waiting for him to get it wrong. Years later, someone who sat in that class described him the same way whenever his name came up: “He never really spoke much.” Not shy. Not quie...

When Love Meets Expectations: Are We Asking Too Much From Relationships? By Enakaye peculiar Aghogho Have you ever noticed how we sometimes have a whole picture of what a relationship is supposed to look like before we even get into one? We imagine the constant calls, the thoughtful messages, surprise gifts, endless attention and a partner who somehow knows exactly what we are thinking. Then reality happens, and suddenly we start wondering, “Is something wrong with this relationship?” But maybe nothing is wrong. Maybe we just expected real life to look like the version of love we created in our heads. I think one of the biggest problems is expecting our partners to always understand us without us actually communicating. We get upset because they didn't notice that something was wrong, didn't reply the way we wanted or didn't do something we expected them to do. But honestly, how is someone supposed to know what you need if you don't tell them? Loving someone...

Obi blames Religious Leaders for praying for 'criminal politicians' By Adenuga Toheeb Ayoola Peter Obi, the Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate for the 2027 election, has blamed religious leaders for praying for politicians he described as criminals, saying the development is part of the crisis facing Nigeria. Speaking at the 2026 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Democracy Dialogue in Bauchi, the Bauchi State capital, Obi criticised the country’s electoral system and judiciary, describing their standards as declining. Obi also recalled spending three years in court challenging the outcome of his election, noting that five judges he had never met ruled in his favour. “I was in court for three years challenging my election; five judges that I never met for one day gave judgment in my favour. It cannot happen in Nigeria of today,” he said. Moreso, he criticised the weakening of electoral safeguards, alleging that lawmakers had removed forgery as an electoral...

CAF Announces New Dates for 2026-27 Competitions Calendar By Irikefe Oghenetega Victor  The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) has announced significant progress in stabilising its competitions calendar, providing clearer schedules for member associations, clubs, and fans across the continent. The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2027, to be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, is scheduled to take place from 19 June to 17 July 2027, while qualification for the tournament will begin in September 2026. In club football, the TotalEnergies CAF Super Cup will be held in Tshwane, South Africa, on 8 November 2026, featuring Champions League winners Mamelodi Sundowns against Confederation Cup holders USM Alger. CAF has also confirmed hosts for its youth competitions. Ghana will stage the Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations in February and March 2027, while Morocco will host the Under-17 edition in April and May. Egypt has been selected to host the U-23 Africa...

Irikefe Oghenetega Victor  Super Eagles striker Rafiu Durosinmi marked his official debut for Genk with a goal as the Belgian side began their 2026/27 Pro League campaign with a 2-1 defeat away to Zulte Waregem on Sunday. The powerful centre-forward rose highest to head home a curling cross in the 39th minute, giving Genk a 1-0 lead just before half-time. It was a perfect individual start for the club’s record signing. However, Genk were unable to hold on to the advantage. After Durosinmi was substituted in the 62nd minute, Zulte Waregem fought back strongly, equalising in the 82nd minute before completing the turnaround four minutes later. Durosinmi joined Genk from Italian side Pisa and arrives with a strong reputation after an impressive spell at Czech club Viktoria Plzeň, where he scored 35 goals in 86 appearances. Overall, the 23-year-old has recorded 54 goals in 150 professional matches. The Nigerian striker will now prepare for his home debut when Genk host Weste...

Salu Fatimoh  Nollywood actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has unveiled the star-studded cast of her latest cinematic project, The Four: No One Fights Alone, set to hit cinemas globally on December 11, 2026. The movie brings together some of the biggest names in Nollywood, alongside prominent figures from the music and entertainment industry. The cast features Funke Akindele, Waje, Chioma Akpotha, Bisola Aiyeola, John Ekanem, Wunmi Toriola, Lateef Adedimeji, Ali Nuhu, Lolo1, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Timini Egbuson, Uzor Arukwe, Shoday, and others. The Four is described as an emotionally charged drama that explores friendship, motherhood, resilience, and the strength of ordinary women. Set between the Odu Community and the city, the story follows Esosa and three fiercely loyal women whose determination to secure a better future for a young man puts their courage, faith, and loyalty to the test. Speaking in an interview with BellaNaija, Akindele said, "Audiences have grown...

Iheanacho Makes Instant Impact on Bursaspor Debut By Irikefe Oghenetega Victor   Super Eagles forward, Kelechi Iheanacho made an immediate impression on his Bursaspor debut, scoring and providing an assist as the Turkish second-tier side began their 2026/27 campaign with a 2-0 away victory over Bodrum on Sunday. Iheanacho opened the scoring in the 27th minute with a composed close-range finish before setting up teammate Lincoln just before half-time to double the lead. The result gave Bursaspor a solid start to their promotion push in the TFF 1. Leg. The 29-year-old player completed a free transfer to the club in July on a three-year contract after spending last season on loan at Celtic, where he scored nine goals and contributed to a domestic double despite injury setbacks. Speaking about his decision to join the club, Iheanacho said: “When I heard about their project, that they wanted to climb up to the Super Leg and also play in Europe, I said this is a big project a...

Peller Spends Over N300m on Wedding, Fans React By Fatimoh Salu  Nigerian content creator, Habeeb Hamzat, popularly known as Peller, has disclosed that he spent over N300 million on his wedding. Peller made the revelation in a TikTok post, where he wrote, “300million plus gone for wedding.”  However, his disclosure drew comments from followers who questioned whether the massive spending was eventually offset by the financial gains and other benefits associated with the wedding. One TikTok user, Larry_X, commented, “You spend 300 million and collect 400 million house who gain now.” Similarly, another user, Armstrong, wrote, “You gain pass that 300m Guyyy,” while Bella also reacted, saying, “300 million gone 1 billion recovered 😏.” The comments suggest that some followers believe Peller may have received benefits from the wedding that could have exceeded the amount he spent. This is because real estate mogul King Ochacho reportedly gifted the couple a ₦400 million m...

Super Falcons Exit WAFCON After Narrow Defeat to Cameroon By Irikefe Oghenetega Victor   The Super Falcons of Nigeria suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Cameroon in the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Casablanca on Sunday. Cameroon’s Myriam Maéva Nyadjou scored the only goal of the contest in the 19th minute, a strike that ultimately proved decisive. Despite dominating large periods of the match and creating several chances, Nigeria were unable to find an equaliser. Cameroon goalkeeper Michaely Bihina produced a series of important saves to preserve her side’s lead, denying the Super Falcons on multiple occasions as they pushed for a way back into the contest. The result brings an end to Nigeria’s title defence at the continental championship. As one of the defeated quarter-finalists, the Super Falcons have also missed out on automatic qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. Only the four semi-finalists at WAFCON secure dire...

Salako Abimbola Mosunmola  The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has cautioned parents to closely monitor their children’s craving for cookies and gummies, warning that some of the products may contain illicit substances being smuggled into the country. The NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, said recent seizures by the agency’s officers had revealed attempts by criminal elements to smuggle prohibited substances into the country disguised as ordinary snacks. According to Babafemi, “As parents, if your kids and young ones always crave for cookies and gummies, you may have to pay a little more attention. There may be more to it than ordinary cookies and gummies."  Images released by the agency showed colourful packages of Delta-8 gummies in different flavours, including Hawaiian Rain Pineapple Guava and Thai Mango, alongside the actual gummy products The products were labelled as vegan and hemp-derived.  The warning follows a major seizure by...

Salu Fatimoh  Content creator Samuel Adegbeyi, popularly known as Baami, has recounted his ordeal on a loan he took on behalf of his Ex-girlfriend that nearly destroyed his life. Speaking during an interview with Punch, Baami said he borrowed about N30,000 from an online loan app and added his savings to help his girlfriend start a business. He said, “I genuinely loved her and wanted to support her.” However, after receiving the money, her attitude towards him changed completely. According to him, the loan had a short repayment period, and his inability to repay it on time caused the interest to increase drastically. He said, “Eventually, a loan of about N30,000 grew to more than N300,000.” Baami revealed that he resorted to borrowing from other loan apps to repay the initial debt, which eventually trapped him in a cycle of borrowing. He said, “For almost a year, I struggled financially and emotionally. There was a period of about four months when I could barely functio...

Broda Shaggi Breaks Silence, Promises Comeback By Fatimoh Salu After months of staying out of the public eye, Nigerian skit maker and actor Samuel Perry, popularly known as Broda Shaggi, has finally spoken up assuring his fans that his silence was not a sign of abandonment. The comedian, who has been noticeably absent from shows, events, and social engagements in recent months, took to his WhatsApp channel to share an emotional note addressing his long absence. In the message, he expressed deep gratitude to followers who consistently reached out to check on him during his time away. Shaggi admitted that maintaining the connection he once had with his audience had become difficult, but insisted that his absence was not born out of forgetfulness or disregard. "I wish I could tell y'all everything right now… but I can't. Not yet. Just know I haven't forgotten about you, and I haven't stopped thinking about the day I can finally come back and really be ME w...

Adenuga Toheeb Ayoola The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has disclosed that it is investigating 18 states over alleged fund mismanagement as part of its efforts to promote accountability and safeguard public resources. The disclosure was made on Thursday by the EFCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Wilson Uwujaren, during an interview on Arise Television, although he declined to identify the states involved. Uwujaren made the revelation while responding to questions about the commission’s decision to restrict an Osun State Government account, explaining that the move was one of several enforcement actions the agency had taken. According to him, investigations are ongoing in about 18 states, but revealing their identities at this stage could undermine the process. He added that the restriction placed on the Osun State account was not unprecedented, recalling that the commission had taken a similar step against the Edo State Government before Governor Monday Okpebholo ...

 Igwe Grace Chiamaka  Four women allegedly raise concern over sexual abuse and harassment at the Army Foundation College (AFC) in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, saying they were assaulted while training at the military college as teenagers. The women, who attended the college over the past five years, shared their experiences publicly for the first time, raising fresh concerns about the safety of young recruits. The women said they were 17 years old when the incidents happened. One of them alleged that she was raped by several fellow junior soldiers, while others said they were sexually assaulted or repeatedly harassed during their training. They also described what they called a culture of misogyny and abuse at the college. According to figures obtained through a Freedom of Information request, North Yorkshire Police received 16 reports of sexual offences linked to the college in the year leading up to June 2026. In addition, Ministry of Defence data showed that 176 ...