Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

World football-governing body, FIFA has appointed Portuguese official Luis Godinho as referee for the international friendly match between three-time African champions Nigeria and Asian giants Saudi Arabia, coming up at the Estadio Municipal de Portimão next week Friday. Godinho will be assisted by compatriots Bruno Jesus (assistant referee 1), Tiago Costa (assistant referee 2) and Miguel Noguera (fourth official) at the match kicking off by 5pm Portugal time (same time as in Nigeria). Also appointed are Helder Carvalho to head the situation in the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) room, to be assisted by Bruno Vieira. It is the second-ever clash…

The abducted Benue State Commissioner of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mathew Abo, has regained freedom after spending 10 days in captivity. Abo was abducted at his hometown in Zaki-Biam of Ukum Local Government Area of the state on Sunday, September 24, 2023. Family sources disclosed that his abductors released him in the early hours of (Thursday) and he has already reunited with his family. The sources however did not state whether the N60 million or any money demanded as ransom was paid for the commissioner freedom. But he was said to have returned in good health A former media aide…

The UK and Republic of Ireland will now bid unopposed for Euro 2028 after Turkey withdrew to focus on a joint bid with Italy for Euro 2032. Turkey agreed to merge their Euro 2032 bid with Italy in July and that has now been approved by governing body Uefa. While Italy had only bid for the 2032 tournament, Turkey had bid to host both Euro 2028 and 2032. Both bids still need official approval by Uefa at a meeting of its executive committee on Tuesday. “These are exciting times and we have a very compelling Euro 2028 proposal for Uefa,” read…

The House of Representatives, on Wednesday, expressed commitment to secure proper compensation and royalties for the late Nigerian singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, from his musical works. Chairman of the House Committee on Justice, Olumide Osoba, representing the Abeokuta North/Odeda/Obafemi-Owode Federal Constituency of Ogun State, stated this during an interactive session on the rights and royalties of the 27-year old rapper. Recall that Mohbad passed on September 12, 2023, and was buried the next day. The singer’s corpse was exhumed on September 21 by the Lagos Police for autopsy due to circumstances surrounding the death. Speaking during the interactive…

The Senate has launched a probe into the circumstances surrounding the incarceration of 250 Nigerians in Ethiopian prison. This followed a motion by the senate minority leader, Simon Mwadkwon, at the plenary yesterday. A report making the rounds on social media said over 250 Nigerians are facing inhumanity and maltreatment in Ethiopia without committing any offense. The report called on the Nigerian government to intervene in the illegal incarceration of its citizens. Mwadkwon while presenting his motion during the plenary said the reported incarceration of Nigerians was disturbing because it had no legal basis in the provision of international courts…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it plans to transmit results of the November 11 Bayelsa governorship election manually. The state INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Obo Effanga, stated this in Yenagoa on Wednesday, during an interactive section with religious leaders and faith based organisations. Effanga said that INEC was ready to conduct free, fair and credible election and only voters accredited by BVAS would be allowed to vote. “Immediately you are given the ballot paper you can start voting. “We are in the fourth week of collection of PVCs and it will end on Oct. 11. Those who have…

The Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU), Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, says a section of an 8,000-bed student hostel in the Ojo Campus of the university has been completed and is ready for allocation. Olatunji-Bello made this known at a news conference with student journalists and influencers, to mark the second anniversary of her assumption of office as LASU vice-chancellor. The event was held on Wednesday in Lagos. She said that students would start getting hostel spaces from the next academic session. “LASU management expresses its commitment to addressing concerns raised by students. “I approved the provision of free transportation for…

Substitutes Julian Alvarez and Jeremy Doku scored late goals as Manchester City recovered from back-to-back defeats to beat Leipzig in the Champions League. Defending champions City, who came into the game on the back of losses to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup and Wolves in the Premier League, looked in complete control in the first half. Phil Foden gave them a deserved lead with a difficult shot on the bounce following a cutback by Rico Lewis, who impressed in a central midfield role. Leipzig scored with their only shot on target, as Lois Openda raced onto a through ball before…

Newcastle United moved to the top of Champions League Group F with a famous 4-1 win over French champions Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday night. Newcastle went ahead after just 17 minutes with their first Champions League goal at St James’ Park since 2003 as Miguel Almiron slotted home after reacting brilliantly to Gianluigi Donnarumma’s save from Alexander Isak. The second goal arrived just before the break as Dan Burn’s header – after a lengthy check by VAR – was given despite a great attempt by Donnarumma to keep it out. Sean Longstaff then added the third just after the re-start as he…

Chelsea captain Reece James has been handed a one-match suspension after the right-back admitted to verbally abusing a match official in the tunnel following a 1-0 home defeat to Aston Villa last month, the English Football Association (FA) said on Wednesday. Chelsea were reduced to 10 men when Malo Gusto was sent off in the 58th minute of the Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge on Sept. 24. Villa eventually took advantage and scored in the 73rd minute as Chelsea had their worst start to a season for more than 40 years. James, who was charged by the FA last week, was also fined £90,000 ($108,954). “The defender admitted…

A unique 2030 World Cup is set to be played in Europe and Africa with the surprising addition of South America in a deal to allow the men’s soccer tournament to start with a 100th birthday celebration in Uruguay. FIFA reached an agreement Wednesday between soccer’s continental leaders to accept only one candidate for hosting the 2030 tournament, the sport’s governing body said. The Spain-Portugal bid grew to add Morocco this year and now also includes long-time bid rivals Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. A key lure of the unprecedented three-continent project will open in the Uruguayan capital of Montevideo, where the Centenario…

The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Balarabe Abbas Lawal (Kaduna), Dr Jamila Bio Ibrahim (Kwara) and Ayodele Olawande (Ondo) as ministers. Majority of senators supported their confirmation in a voice vote immediately after their screening exercise on Wednesday during plenary. Mr Balarabe from Kaduna collapsed at the Senate chamber when he appeared before the senators. Balarabe, who was the second nominee to be screened after Dr Jamila, collapsed more than 15 minutes into his screening exercise. Standing on the podium, he collapsed when Kaduna South Senator, Sunday Marshall Katung, was speaking about Balarabe’s administrative experience in Kaduna. After Balarabe…