Author: Damilola

Countries battle for final spots in World Cup playoffs ‎ ‎By Boluwatife Kehinde ‎ ‎With six spots still up for grabs in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, teams and nations around the world are keeping their dreams alive. While 42 of the 48 competing nations are already confirmed, the tournament field won’t be finalized until March 2026. ‎ ‎The remaining places will be decided through playoffs: 12 European group runners-up and four top-ranked Nations League group winners who didn’t finish in the top two of their qualifying groups will compete. ‎ ‎These 16 teams will be divided into four paths,…

The Supreme Court has overturned the clemency granted to Maryam Sanda and affirmed the death sentence earlier handed to her for killing her husband, Bilyamin Bello. Sanda was originally convicted on January 27, 2020, after an Abuja High Court found that she stabbed Bello to death during a dispute at their Maitama residence in 2017. She was sentenced to death by hanging and remained in Suleja Correctional Centre for nearly seven years. Her sentence was later reduced to 12 years by President Bola Tinubu. The Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), defended the presidential pardon at the time, saying…

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has announced a nationwide protest scheduled for December 17, citing what it described as the worsening security crisis across the country. In a notice circulated to state councils on December 10, following its NEC-in-session meeting held on December 4, the union condemned the escalating attacks by bandits and kidnappers. It highlighted the November 17 abduction of female students from a boarding school in Kebbi State as a particularly troubling example. The NLC criticised the reported withdrawal of security personnel from the school before the attack, calling the development a “dastardly and criminal” action that must…

The Senate on Thursday received the 2026–2028 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper from President Bola Tinubu, officially setting the stage for work on the 2026 federal budget. In his letter to the upper chamber, Tinubu said the document meets statutory obligations and provides the fiscal foundations for drafting the 2026 Appropriation Bill. He noted that the MTEF/FSP spells out the economic assumptions, revenue outlook, and spending priorities that will guide the country’s fiscal policy over the next three years. Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin (APC, Kano North) read the President’s communication during plenary and encouraged lawmakers to…

Ghana’s economy grew by 5.5% in the third quarter of 2025, buoyed largely by stronger performances in agriculture and services, according to data released by the national statistics office on Wednesday. The latest figures, however, reflect a slowdown compared to the revised 7.0% recorded in the same period last year, with the industrial sector expanding by just 0.8%. Government statistician Alhassan Iddrisu attributed the weaker industrial output to subdued activity but noted that other sectors remained resilient. Agriculture saw an 8.6% boost, supported mainly by fishing and crop production. The services sector which includes finance, insurance, trade and education also…

The United States House Appropriations Committee has renewed its warning about rising religious persecution worldwide, placing Nigeria at the centre of its concerns. In a statement shared on its official X handle, the committee vowed that the U.S. “will not look away as innocent lives are stolen,” emphasising that safeguarding religious freedom remains a cornerstone of its National Security and Related Programs (NSRP) bill. “Directed by @POTUS, Appropriators led an on-the-ground mission to inform a report on Christian persecution in Nigeria and guide policy recommendations,” the committee noted, adding that “religious freedom and atrocity response are central to our NSRP…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has brought former Aviation Minister Stella Oduah before an Abuja High Court, accusing her of involvement in a multi-billion-naira fraud said to date back to 2014. Oduah was arraigned on Wednesday alongside Gloria Odita on a five-count charge that includes conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretence, and criminal breach of trust. According to the EFCC, the pair allegedly worked together in January 2014 to secure N2,469,030,738.90 from the Federal Ministry of Aviation through two companies: Broad Waters Resources Nigeria Ltd and Global Offshore Marine Ltd, under claims the agency says were fabricated. The prosecution stated…

Governor Ademola Adeleke has emerged as the official flagbearer for the Accord party in Osun State. This development follows his recent resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The primary, conducted on Wednesday in Osogbo, the state capital, saw Adeleke secure a landslide victory. According to Secretary of the Electoral Committee, Abdulazeez Salaudeen, Adeleke received 145 out of 150 possible votes, with only five votes recorded as invalid. The election involved 150 delegates representing all 30 local government areas in the state. Confirming the legitimacy of the process, Salaudeen noted that “the electoral committee has delivered on its mandate, after…

The screening committee of the Accord Party has cleared Governor Ademola Adeleke to participate in the party’s governorship primary, ongoing on Wednesday in Osogbo. The development was confirmed in a statement by the chairman of the screening committee and National Organising Secretary of the party, Ibe Thankgod. Thankgod said Adeleke met all the requirements for nomination and was subsequently cleared as the sole aspirant for the party’s governorship ticket. He also described the governor as a “worthy gubernatorial aspirant” of the party. The certificate of clearance was presented to Adeleke by the committee chairman. In response, the governor thanked the…

Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, spent Monday night at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as investigators expanded their probe into his activities while in office. Malami honoured the EFCC’s invitation on Monday but arrived later than expected, prompting officials to keep him overnight so he could continue answering questions the following day. 46 bank accounts believed to be linked to the former minister are now central to the investigation. Malami has been instructed to report to the agency daily as the probe widens, TheCable reports. After an earlier interrogation…