Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

CAF Announces Key Dates For Major 2025 Football Events. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially confirmed the schedule for a series of key tournaments and events set to take place in 2025. These announcements highlight the organisation’s commitment to providing clarity and preparation time for participating teams and fans across the continent. The highly anticipated draw for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will be conducted on 25th January 2025 in Rabat, Morocco. Following the draw, Morocco will play host to the AFCON 2025, with the tournament set to commence on 21st December 2025. CAF has…

Lagos State To Develop Odonla-Odogunyan Housing Estate With Modern Amenities. The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has announced the commencement of the Odonla-Odogunyan Housing Estate Project, a collaborative effort between the Lagos State Government and Access Bank Plc. Speaking on the initiative, the governor explained that the project aims to provide high-quality housing while improving the living standards of residents in the state. Governor Sanwo-Olu disclosed that the estate would cover 9.98 hectares of land and feature 704 units of modern two-bedroom apartments spread across 44 blocks. The development would also include a cinema, a playground, a water treatment plant,…

Chelsea’s Mykhailo Mudryk Faces Doping Allegations. Chelsea’s €70 million signing, Mykhailo Mudryk, is facing allegations of doping after a routine urine test reportedly flagged irregular results. The 23-year-old Ukrainian winger, who joined Chelsea in January, has firmly denied any wrongdoing and pledged his full cooperation with the relevant authorities. In a statement, Mudryk said, “I know I’ve done nothing wrong,” expressing confidence in his innocence. Chelsea have also released a statement, voicing their support for the player and committing to work closely with the authorities to resolve the matter. The situation has raised concerns within the football community,…

Powerful Earthquake Strikes Vanuatu, Triggering Widespread Destruction. A devastating 7.3 magnitude earthquake has struck near Vanuatu’s capital, Port Vila, causing landslides, crushing vehicles, and flattening multiple buildings, including a complex housing several Western embassies. The full extent of the damage remains unclear as power and mobile networks across the country are down. Early reports suggest casualties, with Dan McGarry, a journalist based in Port Vila, confirming at least one death as reported by hospital authorities. He described seeing “several people who were visibly, seriously injured” outside the emergency unit at Vila Central Hospital. The death toll is expected…

Ukrainian Operation Kills Russian General In Moscow Explosion. A high-ranking Russian general, Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, has reportedly been killed in an explosion in Moscow, according to sources in Kyiv. The blast, which occurred on Tuesday morning, took place at the entrance to a residential building when a device concealed in an electric scooter detonated. Lt Gen Kirillov had recently been charged by Ukrainian authorities for the alleged use of banned chemical weapons during the conflict. On Monday, Kyiv accused him of deploying Chloropicrin, a gas initially used in the First World War, against Ukrainian troops in trenches. He…

Teacher And Student Killed In Wisconsin School Shooting. A tragic shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, has claimed the lives of a teacher and a teenage student, leaving six others injured. The incident, carried out by a 15-year-old female student, marks a rare and shocking event in the history of school shootings. Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes identified the attacker as Natalie Rupnow, also known as Samantha, a student at the school. Rupnow is believed to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, and her motives remain unclear. Police received an emergency call at 11:00…

ICPC Chairman Urges Lawyers To Avoid Frivolous Petitions Against Judges and Anti-Corruption Agencies. The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, has cautioned members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) against submitting baseless petitions targeting anti-corruption agencies and judges. Dr Aliyu issued this warning during a meeting with the Chairman and members of the National Litigation Committee (NLT) of the NBA at the ICPC Headquarters in Abuja on Monday. He emphasised that such petitions undermine efforts in the fight against corruption and do little to foster cooperation between lawyers…

FG Renames University Of Abuja To Yakubu Gowon University. The Federal Government has approved the renaming of the University of Abuja to Yakubu Gowon University, in honour of the former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, who recently marked his 90th birthday. The Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, made the announcement on Monday after a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu. Idris explained that the decision reflects the government’s recognition of Gowon’s contributions to Nigeria’s unity and development. He stated, “The Federal Executive Council has resolved to rename the University of Abuja in honour…

PSC Promotes 27 Senior Police Officers To Higher Ranks. The Police Service Commission (PSC) has announced the promotion of 27 senior police officers to higher ranks, reflecting its commitment to merit-based career advancement within the Nigeria Police Force. Among those promoted are 11 Commissioners of Police elevated to the rank of Assistant Inspectors General (AIGs) and 16 Deputy Commissioners of Police promoted to the rank of Commissioners of Police. The promotions were finalised on Monday, 16 December, following rigorous written and oral examinations at the PSC Corporate Headquarters. PSC Chairman, retired Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Hashimu Argungu, stated…

Ademola Lookman Crowned African Football Player Of The Year 2024. Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman has been named the African Football Player of the Year 2024 at a grand ceremony in Marrakesh, Morocco, on Monday, 12th December 2024. The 27-year-old, who plays for Atalanta FC and the Nigerian national team, received the prestigious trophy from FIFA President Gianni Infantino after being warmly embraced by CAF President Patrice Motsepe. Lookman succeeds his compatriot, Victor Osimhen, who won the award last year, continuing Nigeria’s dominance in African football. Dressed in a striking bottle-green Yoruba aso oke with agbada, Lookman captivated the audience as he…

Senator Shekarau Calls For Credibility In Leadership Ahead Of 2027 Elections. Former Kano State governor and senator, Ibrahim Shekarau, has urged Nigerians to prioritise the credibility of presidential candidates over regional considerations in the upcoming 2027 general elections. Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics Shekarau emphasised that debates over a president’s origin hold little relevance to effective governance. “All parties should focus on producing credible candidates, allowing Nigerians to choose the best leaders. The concern is not where the president comes from but whether they are capable and credible,” Shekarau stated. Reflecting on past election…

CBN Imposes N150 Million Fine On Banks For Aiding Currency Mismanagement. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has imposed a fine of N150 million on Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) found to be facilitating the illicit flow of mint naira banknotes to currency hawkers and unscrupulous economic agents. The penalty was announced in a circular issued on 13 December 2024 by Solaja Mohammed J. Olayemi, the Acting Director of Currency Operations. The circular, with reference number COD/DIR/INT/CIR/001/025, followed an earlier notice issued on 13 November 2024, highlighting the apex bank’s dismay at the continued commodification of the naira. According…