Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

South Africa Faces Potential Points Deduction In World Cup Qualifiers Over Ineligible Player Controversy. South Africa’s journey to the 2026 FIFA World Cup has hit a dramatic snag, with the nation’s football team, Bafana Bafana, at risk of losing three crucial points in their African qualifying campaign. The controversy centres around midfielder Teboho Mokoena, who is alleged to have been ineligible to play in their recent 2-0 victory against Lesotho on Friday, 21 March. Reports emerging today indicate that Mokoena, a key figure in the South African midfield, had accumulated two yellow cards in prior qualifying matches—first in a 2-1…

Five Escaped Inmates Recaptured As Authorities Intensify Search In Kogi. Security forces in Kogi State have recaptured five of the inmates who escaped from the Koton Karfe Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC) on Monday morning. However, seven others remain at large, prompting an intensive manhunt. The spokesperson for the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Abubakar Umar, confirmed that all the escapees were Awaiting Trial Inmates (ATI). He assured the public that efforts are in full swing to apprehend the remaining fugitives. Security Agencies Mobilised for Search  Umar revealed that a search operation involving all security agencies, including local vigilantes, has…

South Sudan National Team Stranded In Libya As Passports Seized. In a troubling repeat of past incidents, the South Sudan national football team found themselves stranded at an airport in Libya for three hours on Monday, with their passports confiscated by local officials. The team, who had arrived in Benghazi from Cairo at 10:12 AM local time, faced a frustrating ordeal that echoes similar experiences endured by Nigeria and Benin in the North African nation. According to reports, no representatives from the South Sudan Football Association were present at the airport to facilitate the team’s entry, leaving the players and…

Governor Umo Eno Secures 30,000 Free Tickets For Super Eagles’ World Cup Qualifier. Football fans in Akwa Ibom State are set for an electrifying experience as Governor Pastor Umo Eno has purchased 30,000 tickets for supporters ahead of the Super Eagles’ crucial 2026 World Cup qualifying match against Zimbabwe. The match is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, 25th March 2025, at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo. This generous initiative is part of the governor’s commitment to rallying massive support for the Nigerian national team as they push for a place in the prestigious tournament. The free tickets will…

Suspected Vandal Arrested As PHED Warns Against Electricity Theft. The Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Plc (PHED) has confirmed the arrest of a suspected vandal, Moses Joel, who was caught attempting to steal critical power assets worth millions of Naira. The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, March 15, in Eteo, Eleme Local Council, Rivers State. The suspect, a young man in his twenties from Delta State, was apprehended by vigilant residents who had been keeping watch due to rising criminal activities in the area. Joel was caught pulling down poles insulated with copper, allegedly intending to…

Police Arrest Three For Breaching Curfew In Osun. The Osun State Police Command has arrested three individuals for violating the dusk-to-dawn curfew imposed on warring communities following ongoing boundary disputes. The curfew, declared by Governor Ademola Adeleke, aims to curb violence between Ifon, Ilobu, and Erin-Osun communities, which have suffered significant loss of lives and property due to persistent clashes. Confirming the arrests, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Adeola Adeoye, assured residents that law enforcement agencies, in collaboration with sister security agencies, would ensure the strict enforcement of the curfew. He reiterated the commitment of security operatives…

Emir Sanusi Urges Peace Amid Emirate Dispute, Warns Against Unrest. The Emir of Kano, Lamido Sanusi, has urged residents to remain law-abiding and avoid actions that could provoke unrest in the city, as tensions surrounding his reinstallation continue to rise. In a voice statement in Hausa, shared by Premier Radio Kano on Facebook, the Emir cautioned those opposing his return to the throne, stating that their resistance was against the will of God and would not end well. “We are calling on the people to be law-abiding citizens. This conflict is not about me; they are fighting what…

Youth Minister Dismisses Alleged Threats Against NYSC Member Raye, Confirms New Allowance Payment. The Nigerian Minister of Youth, Ayodele Olawande, has refuted claims that a young critic of President Bola Tinubu’s administration was threatened, assuring that the government upholds freedom of expression. He also confirmed that the new National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) allowance will take effect by the end of this month. Speaking on a popular television programme this evening, Olawande addressed concerns regarding Raye, an NYSC member recently posted to Lagos, who had criticised government policies. He clarified that Raye was merely exercising her fundamental right to…

Mia Love, First Black Republican Congresswoman, Dies At  49. Mia Love, the first Black Republican woman elected to the United States Congress, has passed away at the age of 49 in Utah. Her family confirmed that she died peacefully on Sunday at her home in Saratoga Springs, surrounded by loved ones. A daughter of Haitian immigrants, Love made history in 2014 when she was elected to represent Utah in the US House of Representatives. She served two terms before narrowly losing her re-election bid in 2018. Her daughter, Abigale, had revealed earlier this month that Love’s condition had…

Tiger Woods Confirms Relationship With Former Trump’s Daughter-In-Law Vanessa. Golf legend Tiger Woods has officially announced his relationship with Vanessa Trump, the former daughter-in-law of former US President Donald Trump. Woods, 49, shared the news on social media on Sunday, posting photos of himself with Vanessa, 47, and expressing his happiness. “Love is in the air and life is better with you by my side! We look forward to our journey through life together,” he wrote. He also requested privacy for those close to them during this time. Vanessa was previously married to Donald Trump Jr. for 13 years,…

Nigerians Spend Over N509 Billion On Electricity In Fourth Quarter Of 2024. Nigerians spent a total of N509.84 billion on electricity in the final quarter of 2024, reflecting a modest increase from the N466.69 billion recorded in the third quarter, according to the latest report from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). Despite the rise in revenue, power distribution companies (DisCos) still suffered a combined loss of N139.08 billion due to inefficiencies in billing and revenue collection. The NERC report stated that the electricity sector billed customers N658.40 billion in Q4, up from N626.02 billion in the previous quarter.…

EFCC Cracks Down On Ponzi Scheme Academy, Arrests 133 Suspects In Abuja. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has dismantled a Ponzi scheme operation in Abuja, arresting 133 suspects linked to the fraudulent enterprise. The operation took place on Monday, March 24, 2025, at the Compensation Layout in Gwagwalada, Federal Capital Territory, following credible intelligence on the activities of the scheme. The fraudulent academy, known as Q University (also called Q-Net), specialised in recruiting unsuspecting young Nigerians, training them to lure more individuals into the scheme with promises of unrealistic profit returns. According to the EFCC,…