Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF), in partnership with global sports brand PUMA, have officially revealed the match ball for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations – AFCON 2025, which is set to be held in Morocco from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026. 1. Name, Inspiration & Cultural Roots The ball is called “ITRI” – a name meaning “star” in the Amazigh (Berber) language. It not only pays homage to the star on the Moroccan flag, but also echoes the star-patterns seen in the traditional Moroccan mosaic art form known as zellij. The design draws heavily from Morocco’s…

Alex Iwobi is currently part of the Super Eagles squad as they prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Playoffs via the African route, hosted in Morocco. The team will face stiff opposition, including Gabon, DR Congo, and Cameroon national football teams, with one winner earning a spot at the inter-continental playoff stage. The Lodging Controversy While in camp in Rabat, Morocco, in preparation for the playoffs, Iwobi posted a short video on social media showing the hotel room and surroundings allocated to the Nigerian squad. In the video, he pans the camera to the window revealing what appears to…

In a new development in anti-corruption fight, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reportedly declared former Governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, wanted in connection with alleged fraudulent transactions totaling approximately US$14.8 million. Timipre Sylva served as the Governor of Bayelsa State from 2007 to 2012. During his tenure and thereafter he has been under investigation by the EFCC for a number of alleged financial mis-dealings and money-laundering offences. In May 2015 the EFCC re-arraigned him on a six-count charge alleging the conversion of about N2.45 billion belonging to the state between October 2009 and February 2010. The…

Abdulmumin Jibrin represents Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency in Kano State in the House of Representatives. Over the years he has moved between political parties. He was once in the APC, then moved to the NNPP via the Kwankwasiyya movement. He has played notable roles in Kano politics. Expulsion from NNPP On 6 September 2025 the Kano State chapter of the NNPP announced Jibrin’s expulsion, citing alleged “anti-party activities” and failure to pay his statutory party dues. The state party chairman, Hashim Sulaiman Dungurawa, claimed Jibrin had repeatedly attacked the party in the media, aligned publicly with rivals, and failed to remit…

Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, has made a significant appeal for unity among Nigerians as the country continues to wrestle with mounting security threats. Speaking at his palace in Oke Aremo, Ibadan North Local Government Area of Oyo State, during a chieftaincy promotion ceremony, the Olubadan urged Nigerians of all faiths and ethnicities to come together in the fight against terrorism. His message rests on two key pillars: Solidarity and Internal Cohesion — He emphasised that terrorism affects all segments of society, irrespective of religion or ethnicity. “Terrorists don’t know the difference between Muslims and Christians,” he…

The Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), continued its thrilling 2025/2026 season with Match Day 12 delivering a mix of high drama, tight contests, and standout performances. From hard-fought draws to commanding victories, the latest round of fixtures offered a clear glimpse of which teams are asserting themselves in the race for the title, and which clubs are battling to climb away from the relegation zone. Fans across the country were treated to an intense weekend of football that once again showcased the unpredictable and fiercely competitive nature of Nigeria’s top-flight league. Below are the results and a recap of Match Day 12…

Awka, Anambra State — The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally declared Professor Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the winner of the November 8, 2025 governorship poll in Anambra State. The Returning Officer, Edoba Omoregie, announced at the INEC office in Awka on Sunday that Chukwuma Soludo scored 422,664 votes, defeating his nearest rival, Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who secured 99,445 votes. The candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), Paul Chukwuma, came third with 37,753 votes. Key Figures & Voter Statistics Registered voters – 2,788,864 Accredited voters – 598,229 Votes cast – 595,298 Valid…

In a significant step toward overhauling public service operations, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) of Nigeria has launched a series of transformative policies and initiatives aimed at repositioning the federal civil service for enhanced efficiency, accountability and digital‑readiness. The reforms are part of the broader Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021‑2025 (FCSSIP 25), and align with the government’s “Renewed Hope” agenda under the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. Key Policies and Frameworks The reforms include the following four foundational policies recently unveiled by the Head of Service, Didi Esther Walson‑Jack: A Rewards…

Today, some 2,802,790 registered voters in Anambra State will cast their ballots in the governorship election, a high‑stakes event seen as the inaugural test for Joash Ojo Amupitan, the newly appointed Chair of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). A First Assignment Under the Spotlight Amupitan was sworn in as INEC Chairman on 23 October 2025, succeeding Mahmood Yakubu. At his inauguration, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu – explicitly declared the Anambra election his first “litmus test”. Amupitan has accepted the challenge, proclaiming that his mandate is “credible elections” and that no eligible voter should be disenfranchised. Stakes and Significance The…

In a sharply worded statement on Friday, 7 November 2025, the African Union Commission (AUC), made clear its position: the Federal Republic of Nigeria is a sovereign state whose internal affairs must be respected — and unilateral military threats from the United States of America (USA), risk destabilising regional peace. The current diplomatic tension stems from a series of actions by the United States: President Donald Trump designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over what he described as the “mass slaughter” of Christians, and warned that the US might intervene militarily if the Nigerian government did not act…

When U.S. President, Donald Trump labeled Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” on October 31, 2025, over alleged religious freedom violations, Washington’s intentions came under scrutiny. Was it a principled stand for human rights, or another instance of America flexing its geopolitical muscle under the guise of morality? Critiquing The Declaration From Policy Summary The Trump administration’s designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) and its discussions about possible U.S. military involvement in Nigeria’s anti-bandit and counterinsurgency operations reflect a complex interplay between humanitarian concern, counterterrorism strategy, and geopolitical interest. This policy brief examines the rationale behind…

Nigeria’s drive to modernise cross-border trade processes has taken a decisive step forward as the Federal Government confirmed plans to roll out the National Single Window (NSW) platform — a unified electronic portal designed to streamline import and export procedures — by the first quarter of 2026. What is the National Single Window? The NSW initiative is a flagship trade-facilitation reform championed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his economic team. Launched in April 2024, the platform aims to consolidate trade-related agencies and functions—licensing, customs clearance, regulatory approvals, permits—into a single digital interface. By replacing multiple, paper-based and fragmented processes…