Author: Damilola

FIFA has sanctioned Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo following incidents involving supporters during their 2026 World Cup qualifying playoff clash in November. In its latest disciplinary report, FIFA said both football federations were found to have violated provisions of its disciplinary code due to the behaviour of their fans during the African playoff final, which DR Congo eventually won via penalties. The global football body stated that Nigerian supporters threw objects onto the pitch during the encounter, an action that breached Article 17 and Article 17.2.b of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. Consequently, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)…

Security operatives have apprehended four suspected bandits around Akure Airport in Ondo State following a coordinated operation involving aviation authorities and multiple security agencies. In a statement issued late Sunday, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) said the suspects were arrested after security personnel detected suspicious movements close to the airport perimeter, particularly behind the facility towards the Eleyewo community. According to FAAN, the sighting prompted an immediate joint search operation involving aviation security officers and other security outfits. The statement, signed by Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at FAAN, Henry Adegbire, explained that several security agencies…

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has said the cost of petrol in Nigeria has surged by almost 500 percent since President Bola Tinubu assumed office in May 2023. For more updates, follow the latest in economics In a statement issued on Sunday, by the National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi, made the claim while responding to criticism from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The APC had accused the opposition party of attempting to incite Nigerians through its comments on the economic reforms implemented by the current administration. Abdullahi said the party was merely drawing attention to publicly available…

Nigeria’s Wahid Enitan Oshodi has been appointed to the board of World Table Tennis (WTT), making history as the first African to serve as a full director on the organisation’s governing board. WTT oversees the commercial arm of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), managing professional competitions and global promotion of the sport. The appointment was ratified during a meeting of the ITTF executive board on March 1 at WTT headquarters in Singapore. After portfolio responsibilities were assigned, ITTF president Petra Sörling and executive vice president Oshodi were selected to represent the federation on the WTT board. Sörling was subsequently…

The government of the United Kingdom has announced the official schedule for the upcoming state visit of Nigeria’s president, Bola Tinubu, set to take place from March 17 to 19. According to the programme, the visit will be centred at Windsor Castle and will feature ceremonial activities, bilateral meetings, and interactions with members of the Nigerian diaspora in the UK. Preparatory activities will begin on March 17. These include security sweeps, road closures, and rehearsals for the presidential procession ahead of Tinubu’s arrival. The president is expected to arrive on March 18, where he will be welcomed by Prince William…

The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, says the period he spent outside the state following his removal from the throne helped shield him from possible humiliation and gave him the opportunity to pursue further academic studies. He said this while speaking on resilience during difficult times at the Fola Adeola annual Ramadan lecture. Reflecting on his personal experiences, the monarch said people often place too much importance on individuals, forgetting that circumstances ultimately change by the will of God. Drawing from his own life, he said faith helped him navigate the difficult moments surrounding his suspension as governor of…

Pope Leo XIV has renewed his call for peace in the Middle East, urging an immediate end to ongoing hostilities and the restoration of dialogue among the parties involved. Speaking during his weekly Angelus prayer at the Vatican on Sunday, the pontiff lamented the humanitarian toll of the conflict, which he said has caused immense suffering across the region. “Dear brothers and sisters, for two weeks the peoples of the Middle East have suffered the atrocious violence of war,” the US pontiff said at his weekly Angelus prayer at the Vatican. “Thousands of innocent people have been killed, and countless…

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have reportedly killed a senior commander of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), identified as Bako Gorgore. According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, Gorgore — also known as Abou Mustapha — died during a confrontation with troops in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State. His death was reportedly verified through intelligence sources after security operatives intercepted communications among ISWAP fighters confirming the development. Gorgore, believed to be around 60 years old, was considered one of the longest-serving members within the insurgent organisation. Over time, he held several strategic roles in the group, including membership…

Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, has criticised Peter Obi, over his comments regarding the recent increase in fuel prices in Nigeria. Olusegun’s reaction followed a statement released by Obi on Thursday, where the former governor of Anambra State argued that Nigeria’s vulnerability to global oil price shocks stems from the absence of a strategic petroleum reserve and inadequate government planning. Posting on X on Saturday, the presidential aide dismissed Obi’s position, describing it as misleading and inaccurate. Earlier, Obi had observed that petrol prices, which sold below N1,000 per litre weeks ago, had…

The Lagos State Government has announced plans to reintroduce the monthly environmental sanitation exercise beginning April 25. The Commissioner of Environment Tokunbo Wahab disclosed the decision on Saturday shortly after Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and deputy Obafemi Hamzat carried out a symbolic street cleaning to mark the return of the programme. The statewide exercise, which involves residents cleaning their surroundings, is being reinstated nine years after it was halted in November 2016. The suspension followed a judgment by the Court of Appeal (Nigeria) which ruled that restricting movement during sanitation hours violated citizens’ rights to personal liberty and freedom of movement.…