Author: Yemi Sodeeq

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume has reportedly been appointed to lead a Presidential delegation to support the Super Eagles in their opening 2023 AFCON Group A match against Equatorial Guinea on Sunday. Akume among other top government officials,will be joined by the Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh and the Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah. The Super Eagles will begin their quest for a 4th Continental title with a clash against Equatorial Guinea on Sunday, 14th January, before facing host nation, Cote d’voire on Thursday, 18th January, and later wrap up their group’s game…

No fewer than 111 cooks were dismissed in Kogi State over alleged fraud in school feeding programmes. This was revealed by the Kogi State Focal Person of National Social Investment Programme (NSIP), Abdulkareem Onyekehi Suleiman at a public hearing held at the Kogi State house of assembly on a Bill for a law for the establishment of Kogi State social investment programme agency. The dismissed cooks, according to onyekehi were engaged in sharp practices after receiving payment from the federal government to prepare meals for school pupils. He revealed that Kogi State Government had engaged 3000 cooks for the School…

The African Cup of Nations is the most glamorous football tournament on the African continent. Its 34th edition will begin on Saturday, January 13 and run through to February 11 with 24 country teams. Apart from the prize money that comes with winning the tournament, the winner also have the opportunity to the coveted trophy. Like every sports, a trophy symbolises champion spirit and also comes with a lot of history. What is the worth of the AFCON trophy. The AFCON trophy is among the most expensive trophies in the world as it is currently estimated to be worth around…

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have landed safely in the Ivorian capital Abidjan for the Africa Cup Of Nations AFCON 2023. The Nigerian contingent departed via the Muritala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos on Wednesday and flew for 1hour 30 minutes Cladded in long white kaftans with green caps to match the National colours, the team was welcomed amid pomp and pageantry of a traditional troupe at the airport in Abidjan. In the company of the team who were received by officials of the Nigerian Embassy in Cote d’ivoire was the Head Coach Jose Paseiro and other backroom staffs of…

The Nigerian Television Authority(NTA) has announced that it will air all 52 games of the forthcoming African Cup of Nations(AFCON). This was contained in a post by NTA on Wednesday on X, formerly Twitter. It said that it had signed a memorandum of understanding with AfroSports TV, a cross-continental Free-To-Air (FTA) sports channel. “NTA signs a memorandum of understanding with Afro Sports TV for transmission of 52 games of African Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire,” the post read. The announcement by NTA follows a few weeks of confusion after MultiChoice, the parent company of DStv and GOtv, said that it had…

Following a revealing investigation documentary produced by BBC news Africa on the alleged sexual crimes and horror committed by late Prophet TB Joshua, his television station, Emmanuel TV have exited DStv, GOtv and Paytv. The popular Emmanuel TV (DStv 390) announced its withdrawal from MultiChoice’s DStv and GOTV, as well as other pay-TV services, effective January 17, 2024. The pastor, who died on June 5, 2021, is the subject of a three-part documentary produced by BBC news Africa eye with at least 30 former members and workers of TB Joshua’s Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) accusing him of abuse,…

In an unprecedented move and a new chapter of history, France President Emmanuel Macron has announced the appointment of a 34-year-old Gabriel Attal  as the new Prime Minister of the country. The new appointment became necessary following the resignation of former Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne on Monday. Now regarded as the youngest Prime Minister in the whole world, Attal was until his appointment the Education Minister of France. Before he was appointed as the education ministry, he was formerly the government spokesperson and later served as minister of public works and public accounts. Attal is also the first openly gay…

A former Captain and coach of Kwara United, Tunde Sanni Salihu has been appointed as the Chief Coach of the club. His appointment, which was done in a bid to change the fortunes of the club in the ongoing NPFL season according to a statement from the club was ratified on Monday, January 8, 2024 at a meeting held at Kwara FA Office to review the performance of the club after the three match ultimatum earlier given to technical crew led by Coach Kabiru Dogo. It would be recalled that the technical crew led by Coach Dogo were given three…

A special dinner and send forth for the Nigeria Super Eagles ahead of their departure to AFCON 2023 in Cote ‘d ivoire will be held on Tuesday in Lagos. Governors Babajide Sanwoolu of Lagos State will be the chief host of the event while Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa,Douye Diri of Bayelsa, Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta and Godwin Obaseki of Edo State are among the top dignitaries expected to be at the event. Nigeria’s Sports Minister, Senator John Owan Enoh is expected to be the co-host of the special dinner for the Eagles. Host of the event…

The camp of Nigeria Super Eagles has been shaken to its ground with two major blows on Monday. One was the 2-0 defeat to Guinea in a pre AFCON friendly test game in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the second was another injury blow to one of its Striker Victor Boniface. The Bayern Leverkusen striker picked up an injury in the game against Guinea and has been declared unavailable of Nigeria’s 20th outing to the Nations Cup. The 2-0 loss to Guinea has raised a lot of concerns from fans who were earlier encouraged by the Eagles’…

It was a poor show for the Kwara United on Sunday as the team lost to visiting Lobi Stars in the NPFL matchday 17. The Harmony boys showed glimpses of ambition in the early minutes of the game but a defensive error saw them going behind the visitors in the 21st minute with Godwin Oshagbemi’s own goal. Kwara United tried to fall back to the but their cutting edge failed to muster the needed accuracy. Sadiq Yusuf almost got them an equaliser in the 28th minute but his effort went wayward. Again, the visitors before the end of the first…

Lateef Atoyebi Bamidele (BAMBAM) Foundation, a subsidiary of Prosocial Care for Stranded NGO, has released its Annual Report for 2023, showcasing impactful initiatives and transformative outreach. In a statement signed by its Director of Press, Isiaq Kamaldeen Atanda, the foundation said BAMBAM Foundation emerged as a beacon of hope, reaching out to widows, the sick, the elderly, and vulnerable individuals across communities. Riding on the achievements of 2023, the foundation in the statement aims to make more diverse impacts in the new year. From educational support, food provision, empowerment, widow support and social investment, the foundation made indelible footprints on…

The stake of the 2023 African Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire has risen with the announcement of increment in the prize money. The Confédération Africaine de Football (“CAF”) on Thursday announced a 40% increase in the Prize Money for the Winner of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (“AFCON”) Côte d’Ivoire 2023. The Winner of the TotalEnergies AFCON Côte d’Ivoire 2023 will receive USD 7 000 000, while the runner-up will get USD 4 000 000. Each of the two Semi-finalist will receive USD 2 500 000 and each of the four Quarter-finalist, USD 1 300 000. The President…

Leicester city and Super Eagles midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi has been ruled out of AFCON in Cote D’ivoire due to an injury. Ndidi had earlier been left out of Leicester City squad that defeated Huddersfield on Monday night due to injury. According to an update from the camp, Alhasssan Yusuf will now replace Ndidi. Yusuf who has had a decent season with Royal Antwerp of Belgium will join the team who are currently camping in Abu Dhabi. Ndidi will be greatly missed in the middle of the park by Super Eagles who seek their fourth AFCON title

As at 10am on Wednesday, there are seventeen players in Super Eagles Camp. The Super Eagles Camp opened yesterday in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates(UAE). According to the media officer of the team, Babafemi Raji, he noted that the team is currently in a closed camping and information will be limited till January 6th. “Dear Colleagues,Happy New Year once again. Please note that we are currently in a closed camp and information will be limited till the 6th of January. Bear with us as we intensify preparations in our bid to have a continent conquering the AFCON campaign” Raji…

Wayne Rooney has reacted to his sacking as Birmingham City FC Manager. The former Manchester United striker was shown the exit door at the club after another unsuccessful coaching attempt. Rooney in a statement shared on his X account, expressed gratitude to the club’s executives and acknowledged the support received during his brief stint. While noting the demands for result, he admitted the team’s performance fell short of his aspirations but stressed that time were not enough to implement changes. “I would like to thank Tom Wagner, Tom Brady, and Garry Cook for the opportunity to manage Birmingham City FC…

Some players of the Super Eagles have arrived at the United Arab Emirates as the training for the African Cup of Nations begins today. Super Eagles will camp in Dubai before flying back to Lagos from where they will storm Cote D’Ivoire to contest for the fourth AFCON title. Super Eagles Captain Ahmed Musa, Moses Simon, Kenneth Omeruo and Olorunleke Ojo were part of the National team contingent that departed Nigeria for Dubai via EgyptAir at about 3:30pm on Tuesday Afternoon. The contingent also included team officials such as NFF Assistant Secretary General, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme, Kit manager and assistant,…

Wayne Rooney is one of the former Players who are taking to football coaching. He effectively began his coaching career at Derby where he moved from his playing role at into the manager’s seat. Earlier on Tuesday, his recent attempt to find his footing at the dug out was cut short as Birmingham City sacked him. As a Manchester United player, Rooney etched his name in the history of the club- scoring a total number of 253 goals for United in all competitions ,thus making him the club’s top Goalscorer of all time. He also won 16 trophies with the…

Wayne Rooney’s calamitous reign as Manager in Birmingham City has been brought to an end. Rooney was sacked earlier on Tuesday just after 83 days he was appointed. The fans had called for his sack after a 3-0 defeat to Leads United on New Year’s Day. For record, Rooney only won two games out of 15 matches in charge since he took over from John Eustace at the beginning of October. The club also parted ways with the first team Coach, Carl Robinson Statement on the club website reads; “Despite their best efforts, results have not met the expectations that were…

The Senator representing Kwara Central Senatorial District, Senator Saliu Mustapha has presented his six-month scorecard in the red chamber. According to the Chief of Staff to the Senator, Tunji Buhari while speaking on a Radio programme on Monday in Ilorin said the Senator has sponsored five bills within six months in the Senate. These bills according to Tunji Buhari are geared towards strengthening the nation’s financial sector and advance the use of technology in agriculture to enhance food productivity and security in the country. He stated that the Senator, who is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agricultural Production…

The Chairman of the committee set up by President Bola Tinubu to implement end-of-the-year transportation subsidy programme has revealed the number of the beneficiaries. Dele Alake, the minister of solid minerals development who is the Chairman in a statement issued on Monday by his aide, Kehinde Bamigbetan, said about 163,878 Nigerians have benefited from the programme. The Federal government on December 19, announced free transportation on the routes of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) and a 50 percent subsidy on transport fares for passengers travelling on 30 routes serviced by bus operators under the umbrella of the Association of Luxury Bus…

The Israeli military has confirmed that it will withdraw thousands of its soldiers from the war-torn Gaza Strip. In a statement on Monday, the military said that five brigades, or several thousand troops, were being taken out of the enclave for training and rest. The pull out of troops has been linked to the pressure the Israeli military has received from US with the call to “move to a more low-intensity war that has fewer civilian casualties”. Aljazeera reports that the Israeli Army spokesperson Daniel Hagari did not say whether the decision meant the war was entering into a new…

Nigerian veteran Journalist and the Publisher of the Premium Times, Dapo Olorunyomi has commended The Informant247 for its accountability journalism drive in strengthening democratic principles. Olorunyomi made the remarks during a courtesy visit to the main office of The Informant247 on Friday in Ilorin, Kwara State Capital. Stressing the need to keep the government accountable, the ace publisher stated that the cause for quality journalism is not negotiable if democracy was to survive in Africa. While commending the The Informant247 for its vision and policy thrust, he promised to leverage some of the existing structures and avenues for supporting news…

Three-time champions Nigeria have picked a team of 25 players for their onslaught for a fourth Africa Cup of Nations title. According to the list, Head Coach Jose Peseiro settled for usual suspects in a roster that has three goalkeepers, nine defenders, five midfielders and eight forwards. Captain Ahmed Musa returns to the squad after he was left out of the starting games to the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification series, while South Africa-based goalkeeper Stanley Nwabili is picked alongside Francis Uzoho and Olorunleke Ojo. 2009 U17 World Cup star Kenneth Omeruo (the only other candidate in the team apart…

…..as team lost to Pillars in Kano Following Kwara United’s 2-1 loss to Kano Pillars in the NPFL matchday 16 clash on Thursday, the Technical Adviser of the Harmony Boys, Coach Kabiru Dogo has disregarded the three match ultimatum that was activated by the management of the team after their home draw against Niger Tornadoes. In response to the club poor run of form where they had managed three wins, seven draws and four losses from 14 games, the management had handed the Technical crew a three match ultimatum starting from their last match against Plateau United. Speaking to Journalist…

The acting governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa has officially been sworn in as the governor, succeeding the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu. The swearing-in which was held at the government house, Alagbaka in Akure, the state capital. It was administered by the chief judge, Justice Olusegun Odusola at 5:18pm. Recall that Akeredolu was pronounced dead at the early hours of Wednesday after a long battle with prostrate cancer and leukemia. Earlier, the late governor had on December 13, passed on the baton to Aiyedatiwa on an acting capacity following his last medical trip to abroad. A political crisis has ensued…

The ex-Kwara State House of Assembly Speaker, Professor Ali Ahmad on Sunday was commended for donating the sum of N5 million at the launching of a book titled “Kitab al-Fiqh Al-Muyassar” (Islamic Jurisprudence Simplified). Adjudged to be world-class by scholars from the International Association of World Peace Advocates, the book which remarkably, has its chapters composed entirely in symmetric Arabic poetry was launched at an exclusive event on Sunday in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital city. The book was authored by renowned Islamic scholar Sheikh Muhammad Sahibul Qur’an, supported by a Kuwaiti national, and published in Cairo, Egypt. A Professor…

A former speaker of the Nigerian house of representatives, Ghali Umar Na’abba is dead. Na’abba, who was the 4th speaker of house of representatives died at the National Hospital in Abuja around 3 am on Wednesday. Na’Abba was born on September 27, 1958 in Tudun Wada, Kano state. He was speaker of the house representatives, as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), from 1999 to 2003. Na’abba obtained a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1979 and completed a postgraduate programme on Leadership and Good Governance at the Kennedy School of Government,…

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State is dead after a prolonged battle with illness. Akeredolu reportedly died of Leukemia and prostate cancer. According to premium times, Mr Akeredolu died at about 2 a.m. on Wednesday at a German hospital where he was receiving treatment. Details later…..

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has finally acquired a 25% stake in Manchestser United following a long time negotiation. The stake is worth around £1.3 billion ($1.6bn) in a deal that will also see the British Billionaire take responsibility for football operations at United. Ratcliffe will acquire 25% of the club’s Class B shares, previously exclusively held by the Glazer family, and up to 25% Class A shares, which are traded on the New York Stock Exchange. The 71-year-old Ratcliffe was born in Failsworth, Manchester, and grew up a United fan. He already owns French club Nice and Swiss outfit FC Lausanne-Sport and had…