Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Lookman’s Late Heroics Propel Atalanta To Serie A Summit. Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman delivered another match-winning performance on Friday night, scoring a dramatic late header to secure Atalanta’s 2-1 victory over AC Milan and restore their position at the top of the Serie A table. Lookman’s decisive goal, which came in the dying moments of the match, earned him his fifth Man of the Match award this season. It also highlighted his pivotal role in Atalanta’s pursuit of the Scudetto. The winning moment unfolded when Sead Kolasinac flicked an Atalanta corner to the back post. Lookman, perfectly positioned,…

EFCC Launches Investigation Into NFF Over Alleged Fund Mismanagement. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has initiated an investigation into allegations of abuse of office and fund diversion within the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). In a letter dated 28 November 2024, addressed to the National Sports Commission (NSC), the EFCC requested detailed information on the NFF’s financial dealings and sponsorships. The letter, signed by Farouk Dogondaji on behalf of the EFCC chairman, emphasised the need for transparency to conclude the investigation. The anti-graft agency has asked the NSC to provide: – A list of sponsors for the NFF…

Everton Vs Liverpool Postponed Due To ‘Storm Darragh’. The highly anticipated Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool, set to be the final meeting at Goodison Park, has been postponed due to safety concerns caused by severe weather conditions brought on by Storm Darragh. Authorities made the decision to call off the match, citing risks to public safety, as the storm continues to batter the region with high winds and heavy rainfall. The game, originally scheduled to take place this weekend, will be rescheduled, with a new date to be announced soon. Both clubs are expected to release official…

Ruben Amorim Aims To Rebuild Manchester United. Newly-appointed Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has described the club as “a massive club but not a massive team,” underscoring the challenges he faces in restoring the team’s status as a Premier League contender. Since Amorim’s arrival on 11 November, following the dismissal of Erik ten Hag, United have shown improvement but remain far from their glory days. Their recent 2-0 defeat at Arsenal left them 13th in the Premier League table, offering a sobering reminder of the work ahead. “We’re not one of the best teams in the league,” Amorim…

Lionel Messi Crowned MLS Most Valuable Player. Argentine football legend Lionel Messi has been named Major League Soccer’s (MLS) Most Valuable Player (MVP), capping off a remarkable debut season with Inter Miami. The 37-year-old forward, who joined Miami after leaving Paris Saint-Germain, played a pivotal role in transforming the club’s fortunes. Despite injuries limiting him to just 19 regular-season games and two play-off appearances, Messi led the league with an outstanding 36 goal contributions, comprising 20 goals and 16 assists. Under Messi’s influence, Inter Miami achieved a record points tally during the regular season. However, their campaign ended…

Governor Nasir Idris Of Kebbi Appoints 200 APC Youths As Special Assistants. In a move aimed at fostering inclusivity and youth empowerment, Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, has appointed 200 members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as Special Assistants. The appointees, comprising both men and women, received their appointment letters at the APC Secretariat in Birnin Kebbi on Thursday. During the presentation, the state APC Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Kana-Zuru, praised Governor Idris for delivering on the promises made during his election campaign. He noted that the governor has fulfilled approximately 80% of his commitments, with plans to complete the…

Dele Farotimi’s Book Becomes Amazon Bestseller Amid Controversy. Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System, authored by retired Nigerian lawyer Dele Farotimi, has soared to the number one spot on Amazon’s bestseller list in the global politics category. The book’s newfound popularity comes in the wake of Farotimi’s recent arrest, which has sparked widespread outrage and reignited public interest in his work. Farotimi was arrested earlier this week in Lagos by armed police on the orders of renowned lawyer and businessman Afe Babalola. He was subsequently transported to Ado Ekiti, where he remains in custody pending a bail hearing scheduled…

Governor AbdulRazaq Urges Kwara South Stakeholders To Prioritise Unity. Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has called on stakeholders in the Kwara South Senatorial District to maintain unity and collaboration to advance the socio-economic development of the region. Speaking via Zoom during a one-day summit organised by the Kwara South Development Initiative (KSDI) in Abuja, the governor expressed his full support for the initiative and highlighted his administration’s efforts to transform the state from a consumption-based economy to a productive one. The summit, themed on fostering socio-economic growth, reviewed the administration’s achievements in the district and encouraged further collaboration…

NFF Sparks Controversy With Re-appointment Of General Secretary. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has courted controversy with its decision to re-appoint Mohammed Sanusi as General Secretary for another three-year term, defying both presidential directives and civil service regulations. The move has raised questions about governance and accountability within Nigerian football. Sanusi, who has held the position since 2015, has faced allegations of corruption, mismanagement, incompetence, and nepotism throughout his tenure. Despite expectations that his term would conclude, the NFF extended his contract from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2027, a decision that has been met with widespread criticism.…

Troops Halt Movement Of 174 Suspected Men At Niger Border Amid Security Concerns. Troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), operating under Sector 4 in Diffa, Republic of Niger, have intercepted 174 Nigerian men attempting to cross into Niger’s border communities. The men were stopped at Gueskeru, a crucial border town connecting Yobe State, Nigeria, with Niger. According to a statement from Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, spokesperson for the MNJTF, the group claimed they were travelling to the Lake Chad region for fishing activities. However, the situation raised security concerns due to the porous nature of the…

Mourinho Responds To Guardiola’s Premier League Title Comparison. José Mourinho has delivered a sharp response to Pep Guardiola’s recent comments highlighting the disparity in their Premier League title wins. Guardiola, who has won six Premier League trophies during his tenure at Manchester City, noted that this total is double Mourinho’s three titles, achieved during his stints with Chelsea. Speaking to reporters, Mourinho addressed the claim with a pointed remark: “He said something to me yesterday. He won six trophies, and I won three, but I won fairly and cleanly. I don’t want to win by dealing with 150 lawsuits.”…

Lagos State Pioneers Energy Revolution With 2024 Electricity Law. In a historic move to address its energy challenges, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has signed the Lagos State Electricity Law 2024 into effect. This groundbreaking legislation aims to transform the state’s power sector, ensuring reliable and sustainable electricity for over 24 million residents while fostering economic growth across key industries such as ICT and telecommunications. Tackling Lagos’ Energy Crisis Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial hub, has long struggled with an unreliable national electricity grid that has collapsed six times in 2024 alone. These disruptions have caused significant financial losses, particularly in…