Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Ivan Rakitić Bids Farewell To Football With Heartfelt Retirement. Croatian football legend Ivan Rakitić has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 37, bringing an illustrious career to a close. The midfielder, renowned for his stints at Barcelona, Sevilla, and the Croatian national team, confirmed the decision via an emotional social media post, stating, “Thank you, football,” after amassing 16 major trophies, 993 appearances, and 297 goal contributions across his career. Rakitić’s journey began at FC Basel in Switzerland, where he won the Swiss Cup in 2007, before moving to Schalke 04 in Germany. His…

Anambra Police Nab Suspect with Severed Breast, Rescue Kidnapped Driver. The Anambra State Police Command has made significant strides in combating crime, with the arrest of a 25-year-old man found in possession of a severed female breast in Awada, Obosi. The suspect, Samuel Eze, was detained on 6 July by a joint security team comprising officers from the Awada Police Station and Anambra Vigilante operatives during a routine patrol along Jude Onyekwere Street at approximately 3:30 p.m. According to DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, the command’s spokesperson, the recovered body part was promptly deposited in a morgue for preservation, and Eze is…

ASUU To Begin Nationwide Strike Over Unpaid Salaries. The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has instructed its members across Nigeria to commence an indefinite nationwide strike, citing the Federal Government’s failure to pay June 2025 salaries. The directive, issued on 7 July 2025, aligns with the union’s “No Pay, No Work” policy, which mandates the withdrawal of services if salaries are delayed beyond the first three days of a new month. ASUU branches at the University of Jos and the University of Abuja have already begun industrial action, suspending lectures and statutory meetings. ASUU National President, Professor Chris…

Nottingham Forest Appoint Edu Gaspar As Global Head Of Football. Nottingham Forest have unveiled former Arsenal sporting director Edu Gaspar as their new Global Head of Football, marking a significant coup for the Premier League club. The announcement, made on 7 July 2025, confirms the 47-year-old Brazilian’s appointment to a newly created role overseeing all football-related operations, including recruitment, performance, squad strategy, and player development, as the club prepares for their first European campaign in three decades. Edu, a key figure in Arsenal’s resurgence under manager Mikel Arteta, resigned from his role as the Gunners’ sporting director in…

Pope Leo XIV Declares: “Marriage Is Only Between A Man And A Woman”. Vatican City, 7 July 2025 – In a significant statement, Pope Leo XIV has reaffirmed the Catholic Church’s longstanding doctrine on marriage, declaring that it is “only possible between a man and a woman.” The pronouncement, made during a recent address, underscores the pontiff’s commitment to traditional teachings as he begins his papacy. Speaking to an audience of Vatican diplomats, the first American pope articulated the Church’s position that the family is founded on the “stable union between a man and a woman.” This aligns with core…

Enugu Air Takes Flight: New State-Owned Airline Launches Domestic Operations Across Nigeria. Enugu Air, the state-owned airline of Enugu State, officially commenced domestic flight operations today, marking a historic milestone for Nigeria’s aviation sector. The launch, held at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, signals the state’s ambition to transform Enugu into a major aviation hub, boosting connectivity, trade, and tourism in the Southeast region. The airline, a cornerstone of Governor Peter Mbah’s vision for a modern, integrated transport system, began operations with a fleet of three Embraer jets—two E170s and one E190—acquired through a partnership with XEJet, a Nigerian carrier providing…

Manchester United Push To Secure Bryan Mbeumo Transfer From Brentford. Manchester United are intensifying their efforts to sign Brentford’s star forward Bryan Mbeumo, with negotiations set to continue this week, according to sources close to the club. Despite failing to reach an agreement with Brentford last week, the Red Devils remain steadfast in their pursuit, with the 25-year-old Cameroon international reportedly prioritising a move to Old Trafford. Mbeumo, who enjoyed a standout 2024-25 Premier League season, scoring 20 goals and providing eight assists, has emerged as a key target for United’s head coach, Ruben Amorim. The versatile forward, capable…

Trump Imposes Additional 10% Tariff On Nigeria Over BRICS Alignment. US President Donald Trump has announced that Nigeria will face an additional 10% tariff on its exports to the United States, citing the country’s alignment with what he terms the “anti-American policies” of the BRICS economic bloc. The declaration, made via a post on Truth Social on Sunday, 6 July 2025, has sparked concerns about escalating trade tensions and their potential impact on Nigeria’s already strained economy. The announcement comes as Nigeria, a partner country of the BRICS group since January 2025, attended the 17th BRICS Summit in…

2027 Nigerian Election: APC Faces Nigerians, Not Just Parties, Says ADC Chieftain. Dr. Peter Okeh, a prominent figure in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has declared that the 2027 Nigerian presidential election will be a defining battle between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Nigerian people, rather than a mere contest between political parties. Speaking to journalists in Abakaliki on Sunday, Okeh highlighted the growing momentum of a coalition movement, driven by widespread dissatisfaction with the current socio-economic challenges facing the nation. Okeh attributed the coalition’s rising support to the economic hardships, insecurity, and governance issues…

Peter Obi Confirms 2027 Presidential Bid, Denies Atiku Running Mate Rumours. Peter Obi, the former Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 Nigerian elections, has announced his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election, firmly rejecting speculations that he would serve as a running mate to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. Speaking at a virtual interactive session with supporters, Obi declared, “This is not in play; nobody has ever discussed that. People assume so many things. Nobody has ever discussed with me whether I am going to be A or B or C.” His announcement has galvanised his supporters,…

Ebonyi Governor Urges Rotational Presidency To Address Southeast Marginalisation. Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has called for the presidency of Nigeria to rotate among the country’s six geopolitical zones to ensure equity and fairness in national leadership. Speaking at his office in Centenary City, Abakaliki, during a visit from the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, the governor described the exclusion of the Southeast geopolitical zone from the presidency since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999 as a profound injustice. Governor Nwifuru argued that the current geopolitical structure, which divides Nigeria into six zones—Northwest, Northeast, North Central,…

Breaking: Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, Passes Away At 90. The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, has sadly passed away in the early hours of Monday, 7 July 2025, at the age of 90. The monarch, who ascended the throne in July 2024, died after a brief reign of just one year, leaving behind a legacy of unity, wisdom, and cultural preservation in Ibadanland. Oba Olakulehin, born on 5 July 1935, was celebrated for his remarkable leadership and dedication to fostering peace and progress in Ibadan. His reign, though short, was marked by significant contributions to the…