Author: Damilola

Former FC Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández has alleged that the club’s president, Joan Laporta, prevented the return of club legend Lionel Messi in 2023 to avoid internal tensions. Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, left Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain in 2021 before later joining Inter Miami CF two years later. Speaking to Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia, Xavi said discussions had begun early in 2023 after Messi led Argentina to victory at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. “Leo was signed in January 2023 after winning the World Cup, we got in touch, and he told me he wanted to come back,”…

A fire outbreak at the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation in Abuja on Monday morning caused severe traffic congestion around the Federal Secretariat, leaving many commuters stranded and forcing several to continue their journeys on foot. The blaze reportedly started around 8:00 a.m., prompting emergency responders to rush to the scene as thick, dark smoke rose from an upper floor of the multi-storey building. Videos shared on social media showed heavy smoke billowing from a section of the complex, believed to be Section C of the building located within the Federal Secretariat. As…

President of the United States, Donald Trump, has warned that whoever emerges as the next supreme leader of Iran may struggle to remain in power without the approval of Washington. Trump made the comment during a Sunday interview with ABC News as the Islamic Republic moves closer to announcing a successor to its late supreme leader, Ali Khamenei. Khamenei was reportedly killed last Saturday in strikes carried out by the United States in collaboration with Israel. Addressing the issue of Iran’s leadership succession, Trump suggested that the next supreme leader would need acceptance from the US to remain in office.…

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Oyo State has urged the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to prevent further violence following clashes that occurred during the party’s congress in Ibadan on Saturday. State chairman of the SDP, Michael Okunlade, made the appeal in a statement issued on Sunday, stressing the need to maintain the peaceful reputation of Oyo, popularly known as the Pace-Setter State. Okunlade said preserving peace in the state is crucial, particularly as the country approaches the 2027 general elections. According to reports, suspected political thugs disrupted local government congresses organised by a faction of…

Southampton FC booked their place in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup after securing a dramatic 1–0 victory over Fulham FC at Craven Cottage on Sunday. The Championship side sealed the fifth-round upset deep into stoppage time when striker Ross Stewart calmly converted a penalty to silence the home crowd. It proved a disappointing afternoon for Fulham manager Marco Silva, whose decision to rotate his squad heavily did not pay off. The Portuguese coach made nine changes to the side that had suffered a 1–0 defeat against West Ham United in the Premier League earlier in the week. The decisive…

The House of Representatives has reiterated its commitment to promoting policies and reforms that support the rights, inclusion and welfare of women and girls across Nigeria. This was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the spokesman of the House, Akin Rotimi, to commemorate the 2026 edition of International Women’s Day. Observed globally every March 8, the day celebrates the achievements, resilience and leadership of women while also highlighting the continued need to address gender inequality. Rotimi said the lower chamber joined Nigerians and the international community in marking the occasion and acknowledging the contributions of Nigerian women at…

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has formally registered as a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Obi completed his registration on Saturday in his hometown of Agulu in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State. Speaking during the exercise, the former governor of Anambra said he plans to challenge the recently enacted Electoral Act 2026 in court, alleging that some of its provisions could undermine the credibility of the 2027 general elections. He claimed that aspects of the law appear designed to manipulate the electoral process and benefit the ruling party. Obi also criticised…

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Segun Showunmi, has criticised Al Jazeera journalist Mehdi Hasan over his conduct during a recent “Head to Head” interview with presidential aide Daniel Bwala. Bwala, who serves as special adviser to President Bola Tinubu on media and policy communication, appeared on the programme on Thursday to discuss the administration’s policies and his previous remarks about the president. During the interview, Hasan confronted Bwala with several past statements and video clips from when he was aligned with the presidential campaign of former vice-president Atiku Abubakar. The journalist also referenced comments critical of Tinubu…

The Nigeria Police Force in Sokoto State has confirmed that one person lost his life while five others were abducted during a bandit attack on Mallamawar Yari village in Gawakuke Ward of Rabah Local Government Area. The attack occurred on Saturday night when armed men stormed the community, sending residents into panic as they carried out the assault. Earlier reports circulating on social media had alleged that the attackers disguised themselves in women’s hijabs to evade suspicion before launching the attack. However, the police dismissed the claim. The spokesperson for the Sokoto State Police Command, Ahmed Rufai, confirmed the incident…

Presidential aide Daniel Bwala has responded to the reactions trailing his appearance on Al Jazeera’s “Head to Head,” saying he remains prepared to defend the administration of President Bola Tinubu on any platform globally. Bwala, who serves as special adviser to the president on policy communication, featured on the programme hosted by Mehdi Hasan, where he answered questions about the policies of the Tinubu administration and comments he made in the past while he was in the opposition. The episode, titled “Nigeria: ‘Renewed Hope’ or ‘Hopelessness’?”, saw Hasan present old statements and video clips of Bwala from the period when…