Author: Damilola Olufemi

A tragic incident occurred during the UEFA Nations League final between Portugal and Spain in Munich on Sunday, as a fan died after falling from the stands, UEFA has confirmed to AFP’s German subsidiary, SID. The incident happened during the first half of extra time, when the individual fell from the middle tier of the stadium down into the press area located below. Emergency responders, including paramedics and police, quickly arrived at the scene to assist. UEFA later released a statement describing the incident as a “medical emergency,” confirming that a spectator had “sadly” passed away during the match. Following…

Portugal clinched their second UEFA Nations League title on Sunday night in Munich after a dramatic 5-3 penalty shootout victory over Spain, following a 2-2 draw in regular and extra time. Rúben Neves scored the decisive penalty, sealing the win after Spain’s Álvaro Morata saw his effort saved by Diogo Costa. It was a historic moment, marking just Portugal’s second competitive win over their Iberian rivals. The match saw Portugal come from behind twice. Spain took the lead in the 21st minute through Martín Zubimendi, who capitalised on slack Portuguese defending to smash the ball into the net after a…

The Ojude Oba Festival is a vibrant cultural spectacle celebrated annually by the Ijebu people in Ogun State, Nigeria. Regarded as one of the country’s most prominent cultural events, the festival blends tradition, religion, pageantry, and community pride. “Ojude Oba,” meaning “The King’s Court,” began as a simple gesture by Ijebu Muslims in the 19th century, who would gather shortly after Eid-el-Kabir to pay homage to their traditional ruler, the Awujale of Ijebuland. What started as a modest act of reverence has evolved into a nationally and internationally recognised event, drawing participants and spectators from across Nigeria and beyond. Under…

A fire broke out at a hotel housing 484 Nigerian pilgrims in Mecca on Saturday, according to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON). The incident occurred around noon local time on Shari Mansur Street, however, no casualties were recorded. In a statement released by NAHCON spokesperson, Fatima Sanda Usara, the blaze was quickly brought under control thanks to the swift intervention of Saudi emergency services and the hotel management. All the affected pilgrims have since been relocated safely to Mina. “Thanks to the prompt response from Saudi authorities and hotel staff, the fire was swiftly contained, preventing further damage…

Former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, has revealed that Nigeria lost approximately $450 million to petroleum subsidy fraud under the Petroleum Support Fund (PSF) between 2006 and 2012. In his new book, The Shadow of Loot & Losses: Uncovering Nigeria’s Petroleum Subsidy Fraud, Bawa chronicles the extensive corruption that plagued the subsidy regime. He was a central figure in the EFCC team that investigated the fraud before becoming the agency’s chairman in February 2021. He served in that role until June 2023, when he was suspended by President Bola Tinubu. “Our investigations revealed that,…

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has reacted to the deliberation of a single-term tenure for political office holders in Nigeria, proposing a five- or six-year term in place of the current two-term limit of four years each. Makinde, who is now in his second term, argued that a single, longer term would allow leaders to focus fully on governance without the distractions of re-election campaigns. The governor made these remarks on Friday at his Ikolaba residence in Ibadan while receiving Muslim leaders and political stakeholders after Eid-el-Kabir prayers. “I’ve spent six years in office, but when you think about it, 2020…

Cristiano Ronaldo has weighed in on the Ballon d’Or debate, suggesting that the prestigious award should go to a player who has helped their team win the UEFA Champions League. Speaking at a press conference in Munich ahead of the Nations League final between Portugal and Spain, the 40-year-old star emphasised the importance of team success in deciding individual honours. “In my opinion, whoever wins it should be on a team that has won trophies. The Ballon d’Or winner should be in a team that has won the Champions League,” Ronaldo told reporters on Saturday. The Ballon d’Or, presented by…

The Super Eagles of Nigeria played out a 1-1 draw with Russia in a spirited international friendly at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. Russia went ahead in the first half after a defensive miscue saw Nigerian centre-back Semi Ajayi inadvertently score an own goal. Russia hosted the Super Eagles on Friday evening, marking the first senior-level encounter between the two countries. Though a friendly on paper, the match shaped up to be a high-stakes encounter for both sides, navigating very different footballing landscapes. Despite the early blow, the opening half remained tightly contested, with both sides creating chances in an…

Organisers of the yearly popular Ojude Oba Festival have expressed that no fewer than 100 million people are expected to participate in the 2025 edition of the event. The Coordinator of the Ojude Oba Festival Committee, Dr Fassy Yusuf, the festival was scheduled to be held on Sunday, in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun state, in honour of the Awujale of Ijebuland. He noted that the festival, which has been on for over 100 years, “is expected to draw Ijebu sons and daughters from across the world, along with tourists and dignitaries eager to witness the vibrant celebration of culture, fashion, and tradition…

The relationship between former allies Donald Trump and Elon Musk unravelled spectacularly on Thursday, playing out hour by hour across social media and the White House. What began as subtle criticism quickly spiralled into a full-blown public feud, with barbed comments and sharp accusations flying back and forth. “We had a great relationship…” – Trump Speaking to reporters from the Oval Office, Trump acknowledged the rift: “Look, Elon and I had a great relationship. I don’t know if we will anymore. I was surprised.” His comments came in response to Musk’s earlier attack on Trump’s flagship tax and spending legislation,…