Author: Olukayode Oke

The Lagos State House of Assembly has rejected three of the eighteen cabinet nominees presented before it by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for screening and clearance. The state lawmakers screened and confirmed 15 cabinet nominees, among whom was the former Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso. Omotoso had been rejected earlier by the Assembly before he was represented by the governor for a second time before his clearance. Among those rejected in the final clearance by the assembly were former Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Sam Egube who was rejected in the first list presented by Sanwo-Olu. Also, former Commissioner for…

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has said he respects the judgement of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) but refuses to accept it because it lacks justice. The former Vice President stated this on Thursday at a press conference held at the PDP National Secretariat in Abuja. Though the judgement of yesterday is respected, it is a judgement I refused to accept. I refused to accept the judgement because I believe it is bereft of substantial justice,” Atiku said Atiku stated that the “war” over the 2023 Presidential election is still on and has directed his lawyers…

Nigerian striker Taiwo Awoniyi has made the six-player August English Premier League player of the month shortlist as revealed on Thursday September 7. The Super Eagles player started the 2023/2024 season in red hot form for Nottingham Forest, scoring three goals in as many Premier League outings in August, before registering an assist for Anthony Elanga in Saturday’s 1-0 away win at Chelsea. Taiwo Awoniyi began the season by coming off the bench to score a late consolation against Arsenal, before scoring three minutes into Forest’s 2-1 home win over Sheffield United. The striker also scored early on in Forest’s…

Super Eagles Opponent Sao Tome and Principe national team landed in Uyo on Thursday for their AFCON qualifying match up. The match is scheduled to take place at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium Uyo on Sunday September 10. The game is considered a dead-rubber game by fans of the Super Eagles seeing that Nigeria has already qualified for the tournament taking place in Ivory Coast. Sao Tome and Principe have not any hope of qualifying left as they sit bottom of the group with one point from five games after losing all of their matches save for a 2-2 draw…

Clubs that fail to qualify for UEFA’s competitions are set to receive a greater share of revenue from the European governing body from next season. The arrangement is under a new distribution model announced on Wednesday by UEFA. UEFA and the European Club Association (ECA) signed a renewed working agreement until 2030 which will “bolster long-term stability and sustainable growth in European club football,” the governing body said in a statement. The change will be effective from the start of the 2024-25 season, coinciding with a new format in UEFA’s Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League. Under the…

Cristiano Ronaldo says he and Lionel Messi “changed the history of football” but their rivalry is now “gone”. “We are respected all over the world, that’s the most important thing,” Ronaldo said. Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo has been left off the shortlist for the first time since 2003, while Messi could win it for the eighth time. “He makes his way, I make mine. He’s done well, from what I’ve seen. It’s about continuing, the legacy continues,” added 38-year-old Ronaldo, who now plays in Saudi Arabia for Al-Nassr. When asked if hatred was a feature of their rivalry, he said: “Those…

Demarai Gray has left Everton to join Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq. The fee has not been disclosed but reports suggest the 27-year-old Jamaica winger has moved for £8m on a four-year deal. Gray was rebuked by Everton boss Sean Dyche after seeming to criticise his manager on social media after a switch to Fulham failed to go through. Gray wrote in an Instagram post on Thursday: “The truth is I gave my all to this club on and off the pitch.” He added: “There has been a lot of speculation about my situation all summer. I was ready to play as much football…

Victor Osimhen has been nominated for the 2023 Ballon d’Or. The striker who plies his trade in Italy with Napoli made the 30-man list -announced earlier today- of the back of an impressive 2022/2023 season where he scored 31 goals and made 5 assists across all competitions including 26 goals in the Serie A which made him top scorer in the league. He was nominated alongside fellow teammate and last season’s Serie A MVP Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and former Napoli defender Kim Min-jae who has now moved to Bayern Munchen. The former LOSC Lille striker is the first Nigerian since Nwankwo…

Kylian Mbappe, Pedri and Gavi have previously won the prize, but who will pick it up this year at the ceremony in Paris on October 30? It’s not just the men’s and women’s Golden Balls that will be handed out the Ballon d’Or ceremony, as a swathe of new prizes have been added to the roster by organisers France Football. One of those is the Kopa Trophy, which is awarded to the best player under the age of 21 in the previous season. The 2022-23 campaign saw a number of youngsters thrive at the highest level, with some of the defining…

Jenni Hermoso has filed a legal complaint over the kiss by Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales. Rubiales kissed Hermoso on the lips after Spain’s World Cup final win, which she says was not consensual. Rubiales claims the kiss was “mutual and “consensual”, but has been provisionally suspended by football’s world governing body FIFA. The complaint means the 46-year-old could face criminal charges. On 29 August, Spanish prosecutors opened a preliminary investigation into whether the incident amounts to a crime of sexual assault. At the time, Spain’s top criminal court said it was opening its investigation in light of the “unequivocal…

The Super Eagles camp is bubbling with life following the arrival of Victor Osimhen, William Troost-Ekong and nine others players. The eleven new Eagles in camp are , Jamilu Collins, Taiwo Awoniyi, Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika, Calvin Bassey, William Troost Ekong, Ola Aina, Semi Ajayi, Joseph Aribo, Lookman Ademola, Victor Osimhen. This brings to twenty-two the number of Super Eagles players that have been received at the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo on Wednesday September 6, 2023. Enyimba FC skipper Ojo Olurunleke is the other player and is said to be in camp already leaving Head Coach with a full…

The kickoff date for the 2023/2024 Nigeria Premier Football League season has been postponed AGAIN. This was conveyed in a letter signed by the Chief Operating officer of the NPFL Davidson Owumi on Wednesday September 6, 2023. The 2023/2024 Nigeria Premier Football League season was scheduled to kickoff with a flagoff game between Shooting Stars Sports Club and Plateau United FC on September 9, but that will not hold as earlier scheduled due to the postponement. According to the NPFL board, a new date will be fixed and announced for the commencement of the season. Kickoff date for the 2023/2024…