Author: Olukayode Oke

The Ogun State Government, led by Governor Dapo Abiodun, is taking decisive action to combat cultism and bring peace to the state. During a meeting at the Akarigbo Palace in Sagamu with Paramount Ruler Oba Babatunde Ajayi, Governor Abiodun made a significant announcement on Tuesday, September 19, 2023. Expressing deep concern over the pervasive destruction of lives and the peace of Sagamu and its surrounding areas, Governor Abiodun declared his government’s unwavering commitment to bringing an end to the reign of unscrupulous individuals perpetrating these heinous crimes. “We will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that we bring any person directly,…

Most of the Spain team have agreed to end their boycott, says secretary of state for sports Victor Francos. The agreement was reached at 05:00 local time on Wednesday after more than seven hours of meetings. Francos said the Spanish football federation (RFEF) had committed to “immediate and profound changes”. Two of the 23 players named in the squad for this month’s Nations League games – Mapi Leon and Patri Guijarro – have left the squad. The rest of the players began the boycott after then RFEF president Luis Rubiales kissed forward Jenni Hermoso following Spain’s triumph over England in…

Goalkeeper Ivan Provedel scored a 95th-minute equaliser as Lazio held Atletico Madrid to a draw in their Champions League opener. With just seconds remaining, Provedel went up for a late corner and glanced a fine header into the net from Luis Alberto’s cross. It prompted wild celebrations from the Lazio players, who raced to hug their unlikely goalscoring hero. Pablo Barrios’ deflected strike had given Atletico a first-half lead. After Alvaro Morata hit the post, Provedel made several excellent saves to keep Lazio in the match before providing the crucial contribution at the other end of the pitch to earn…

The management of Ojaja More, a business support scheme, says it contributed over ₦250 million to support Micro and Small Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Ojaja More, Orioye Gbayisemore, stated this in an interview with newsmen on Tuesday in Akure. According to the statement, the programme is an initiative of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi Adeyeye, first for Osun residents but is now extending to other states, Akure inclusive. The statement said that the traditional ruler, in a bid to increase the socio-economic lifestyle of Nigerians, especially residents of Osun State, has contributed over ₦250…

The World Bank says the coup d’état in Niger may put additional pressure on Nigeria and other West African nations’ food markets. According to the global bank, “The Nigerien coup d’état puts an additional seven million people at risk of falling into severe food insecurity in the region against a backdrop of soaring commodity and staple food prices, and severe food insecurity already affecting 3.3 million people during the lean season.” In its September ‘Food Security Update’, the bank stated that the coup d’état in Niger might put additional pressure on West African food markets. The Washington-based bank stated that…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu delivered his first address at the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in the early hours of Wednesday, September 20, 2023. The President spoke about the recent wave of military coups in Africa and his commitment to re-establish democratic governance in Niger as the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Tinubu also urged the international communities to see African development as a priority for investments, saying Africa is not a problem to be avoided nor is it to be pitied. Below is the President’s full speech: Mr. President, Heads of…

Manchester City came from behind and Julian Alvarez scored two second-half goals as Pep Guardiola’s men began the defence of their Champions League title with a win against Serbian champions Red Star Belgrade. European Cup winners themselves in 1991, Red Star threatened a famous win when Osman Bukari put them in front at the end of the first-half. But City took less than 90 seconds to level after the restart as Alvarez raced onto Erling Haaland’s return pass, rounded Red Star keeper Omri Glazer with a superb piece of deception and squeezed the ball home from a tight angle while…

A penalty from Kylian Mbappe and a brilliant goal from Achraf Hakimi gave PSG an ultimately comfortable win over a game but under-powered Dortmund. Paris dominated possession in the first half with Vitinha excellent – he hit the post with a clever shot – but otherwise they created little, while Dortmund, who came close through Donyel Malen, looked a threat on the counter. The game changed, though, in the first minute of the second half, Mbappe skewing a shot that hit the arm of the unsighted Nikolas Sule. Somehow, the referee appraised a penalty which was dispatched by Mbappe with…

Barcelona made a dominant start to the new Champions League campaign with a thumping 5-0 victory over Royal Antwerp. Both teams contributed to a fast start to proceedings, but Barcelona took control as Felix finished off an excellent passing move with a fierce strike ten minutes in. Felix turned creator moments later as his cross found the boot of Lewandowski, who tapped home at the back post to double Barcelona’s advantage, and Raphinha was off celebrating a goal of his own almost immediately after as his deflected cross soared into the back of the Antwerp net. The shots weren’t exactly…

Nigerian winger Samuel Chukwueze got his first AC Milan start in the UEFA Champions League draw vs Newcastle United on Tuesday September 19. The former Villarreal man was handed a starting spot by Stephan Pioli in one of the changes from this weekend’s 5-1 loss to Inter Milan in the Serie A. Chukwueze lasted for 61 minutes as AC Milan dominated proceedings but failed to find a way past English goalkeeper, Nick Pope who was hero for Newcastle United who were making a return to the Champions League after a 20-year abscence. Just after the hour mark, Samuel Chukwueze was…

The German national team have appointed former Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann to take over until the upcoming European Championship.  The former Bayern manager has been out of work since being sacked by the German titans last season, to be replaced by ex-Chelsea and PSG coach Thomas Tuchel. There were reports linking Nagelsmann to the then-vacant role at PSG, only for Luis Enrique to be named new manager in the French capital. According to German outlet BILD, the German manager is set to forego around £17million in wages that he would earn at Bayern until 2026 in order to take the hot seat for the German national team. That…

Still the second-most successful side in the history of the European Cup, this will be AC Milan’s 20th campaign in the competition since it was rebranded to the Champions League. Last season, AC Milan made it all the way to the semi-finals before losing to bitter rivals Inter Milan. Newcastle, meanwhile, are back in the Champions League for the first time since 2002/03 and just the third time overall. It’s now been 20 years and 184 days since Newcastle’s last Champions League game, the longest gap between two matches for an English side in the competition. Team News Pierre Kalulu…