Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Amaju Pinnick Appointed Special Adviser To CAF President. Former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Amaju Melvin Pinnick has been named Special Adviser to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) President, Patrice Motsepe, in a move that marks his return to the continental football stage. The appointment, announced on 5 July 2025 during CAF’s executive committee meeting in Rabat, Morocco, was ratified immediately, granting Pinnick the privilege of attending all CAF executive meetings in his new advisory role. Pinnick, who served as NFF president from 2014 to 2022, brings a wealth of experience to the position. His tenure at the…

Minister Of Power Adelabu Announces Bid For Oyo Governorship In 2027. Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has declared his intention to contest the Oyo State governorship election in 2027 under the All Progressives Congress (APC) banner. The announcement was made on Friday, 4 July 2025, during consultative meetings with APC leaders and stakeholders in Ogbomoso and Oyo zones, held at the residence of prominent party chieftain Ayoade Adeseun in Ogbomoso. Addressing party members, Adelabu outlined his ambition to lead Oyo State, emphasising his readiness to draw on experience gained from previous electoral contests in 2019 and 2023. “I’m…

Nigerian Pastor Jailed In US For $4.2m COVID-19 Relief Fraud. A United States court has sentenced Nigerian pastor Edward Oluwasanmi to 27 months in prison for orchestrating $4.2 million fraud involving COVID-19 relief funds. The verdict, delivered on 2 July 2025 by Judge Christopher Boyko at the US District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, marks a significant development in a case that has drawn international attention. Oluwasanmi, alongside his co-accused, Oba Joseph Oloyede, the Apetu of Ipetumodu in Osun State, Nigeria, was charged with 13 counts, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, and engaging in…

Nigerian Clubs To Receive $100,000 Boost For CAF Inter-Club Competitions. Four Nigerian football clubs—Remo Stars, Rivers United, Abia Warriors, and Kwara United—are set to receive a significant financial uplift of $100,000 each from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to aid their preparations for the 2025/26 CAF inter-club competitions. This marks a substantial increase from the $50,000 provided to participating clubs last season, reflecting CAF’s commitment to enhancing the quality of its premier tournaments. Remo Stars and Rivers United, having finished first and second respectively in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), will represent Nigeria in the prestigious CAF…

Naira Poised To Break Below N1,500/$ Barrier In Positive Economic Shift. The Nigerian naira is on the cusp of a significant milestone, with market analysts predicting it will soon break below the N1,500 per US dollar resistance level, signalling a potential strengthening of the currency. This development, reported by Nairametrics, has sparked optimism among investors and economists, who see it as a sign of improving economic conditions in Nigeria. The naira’s anticipated breach of this key threshold comes after months of volatility in the foreign exchange market. Data from recent trading sessions indicate the naira has been gaining ground,…

Nigerian Universities Grapple With High Dropout Rates In 2025, Prompting Urgent Calls For Reform. A recent report has shed light on the alarming dropout rates at several Nigerian universities in 2025, highlighting systemic challenges that are pushing students away from completing their degrees. According to data from educational sources, the dropout rate among Nigerian university students is estimated at 22%, with financial difficulties, inadequate infrastructure, and security concerns cited as primary reasons for this troubling trend. The findings have sparked widespread concern and calls for immediate action to address the crisis in higher education. Among the institutions facing…

Liverpool FC To Honour Diogo Jota’s Legacy With Heartfelt Gesture. Liverpool Football Club has announced a poignant decision to pay the remaining two years of Diogo Jota’s contract to his family, following the tragic passing of the beloved Portuguese forward and his brother, André Silva, in a car accident in Spain on 3 July 2025. The gesture, confirmed by Portuguese outlet Record, has been widely praised as a testament to the club’s values and its deep respect for Jota’s contributions both on and off the pitch. Jota, who signed a five-year contract extension with Liverpool in 2022, was…

Rauf Aregbesola Urges Nigerians To Focus On Issues In Political Discourse, Champions ADC As Alternative. Former Nigerian Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, has called for a shift in the country’s political dialogue, urging citizens and leaders to prioritise substantive issues over personal attacks. In a recent statement, Aregbesola encouraged Nigerians to challenge political opponents with critical questions about the nation’s well-being, focusing on measurable realities such as food inflation, the economy, rising living costs, and deepening poverty affecting millions. Aregbesola emphasised the need for constructive debate, advising against resorting to abuse or name-calling. “When others resort to abuse or name-calling,…

Nigerian Police Launch ₦1.9 Million Electric Bike Loan Scheme To Support Officer Welfare. The Nigerian Police Force has unveiled a new welfare initiative designed to enhance the well-being and operational efficiency of its personnel. The programme, recently announced, offers officers access to a ₦1.9 million loan scheme to acquire electric bikes, a move aimed at improving mobility and supporting the force’s modernisation efforts. Under this scheme, eligible police officers can obtain loans to purchase eco-friendly electric bikes, which are expected to facilitate quicker navigation through urban areas plagued by traffic congestion. This initiative is part of the Nigerian Police…

European Transfer Buzz: Newcastle Target Scalvini, Arsenal Set Gyokeres Deadline, And Barcelona Eye Diaz. Newcastle United have pinpointed Italy’s Giorgio Scalvini as their top defensive target this transfer window. The 21-year-old Atalanta centre-back, valued at around £30 million, is seen as a key addition to bolster the Magpies’ backline, with manager Eddie Howe keen to secure the promising defender’s signature. Meanwhile, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has issued a tight deadline of less than two weeks to finalise a deal for Sporting’s 27-year-old Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres. Should negotiations falter, the Gunners have identified RB Leipzig’s 22-year-old Slovenian forward…

Abia State Government Introduces Biometric Attendance To Tackle Teacher Absenteeism. The Abia State Government has announced stringent measures to address absenteeism among public school teachers, including the introduction of a biometric attendance system. The initiative, aimed at improving accountability and enhancing the quality of education, was revealed by Lydia Onuoha, the Executive Chairman of the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), during a press conference in Umuahia. Onuoha expressed concern over the rising trend of irregular attendance and negligence among some teachers, despite significant improvements in their welfare under Governor Alex Otti’s administration. She emphasised that such misconduct would…

Nigerian Cyclist Emmiwuks Reaches Cotonou On Epic Lagos-to-US Journey. Emmanuel Myam, popularly known as Emmiwuks, has arrived in Cotonou, Benin Republic, on the fifth day of his audacious solo bicycle journey from Lagos, Nigeria, to the United States. The 25-year-old cyclist, who began his trip from the Lagos State University gate on 30 June 2025, is pedalling to raise funds and awareness for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and orphaned children across Africa. His arrival in Cotonou, announced via Instagram on 4 July 2025, was met with widespread admiration for his resilience and purpose-driven mission. Emmiwuks, a Benue State…