English Championship side Norwich and Ligue 1 club Lens are interested in signing Super Eagles defender Bright Osayi-Samuel next summer, Soccernet.ng reports. And even though Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho just took over in the summer, the Nigerian has kept his starting shirt. And according to Haber Ekspres, Norwich and Lens have shown interest in acquiring his services. The French side have been impressive in the past two seasons and could even qualify for the Champions League. Nonetheless, the summer is still a long way from now, and other top clubs could show interest in signing Osayi-Samuel.

President of the Nigerian Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, has backed the Super Eagles to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Soccernet.ng reports. With three points from three games, the Super Eagles are 5th in a group of six nations, four points behind South Africa, Rwanda, and the Republic of Benin. “I have much confidence we will qualify for the next World Cup in 2026. Everybody knows what is at stake and we are surely going to do our best to support the team. In the meantime, Augustine Eguavoen will lead the team in their two-legged AFCON 2025 clash against Libya.

Ambassador Nma Ahmed, the State Director General of RAMP, disclosed this information during an interactive session with newsmen in his office in Minna, the state capital, last weekend. He noted that this aggressive rural development initiative is unprecedented since the creation of Niger State in 1976. He further explained that rural roads with higher networks and significant agricultural productivity impacts are prioritised for upgrading. A total of 99.24 kilometres of rural roads have been identified for rehabilitation. The Director General reiterated RAMP’s commitment to exploring additional rural roads in the state to enhance the transportation and marketing of agricultural produce.

The other defendants are Mubarak Adepoju, Tunde Badmus (popularly known as Uptown), Adelakun Gideon, Abdul-Rasaq Akinola, Muhammed Yahaya and Abdul-Hakeem Mudathir Kewudirorun. “They were surprised and embarrassed that there was a pending charge against them before the Federal High Court, Lagos before Justice Deinde Dipeolu, before the Charge was reassigned. It is on record that Justice Nicholas Oweibo was the trial Judge over the case,” the group explained. Mukuolu, strangely appeared before Justice Oweibo to take over the charge on behalf of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF). According to him, the merit of the charge should be left in the hands of the court to decide.

Nigeria’s Flamingos played out a 1-1 draw against Mexico in a friendly match on Monday as part of their preparations for the upcoming 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, Soccernet.ng reports. The match, held in the Dominican Republic, served as a valuable warm-up ahead of the global tournament set to take place later this month. Nigeria have been drawn in Group A alongside hosts Dominican Republic, Ecuador, and New Zealand. At the 2022 edition of the U-17 Women’s World Cup in India, Nigeria finished in third place, marking a successful run for the Flamingos. This year, they will be hoping to go even further and challenge for the title as they kick off their journey in the Dominican Republic.

Arokodare has been in free-scoring form at Genk this season. The 23-year-old hitman has produced six goals in ten Jupiler League appearances this season. His impressive returns ensures that he sits pretty at the top of the Jupiler Pro League goalacoring charts alongside Tjarron Chery and Daan Heymans. But despite his impressive showing this season, Arokodare was not invited to Nigeria’s squad for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Lybia. I just need to have patience and work harder.”If Arokodare continues with his impressive performances, he could get his time under the sun.

People are silently complaining bitterly about economic hardship facing them. President Tinubu should use his good office to end economic hardship facing Nigerians before the 31st day of December, 2024. The presidency must not allow Nigerians to enter 2025 with economic hardship. President Tinubu should not rest until he puts smiles on the face of Nigerian masses. He needs to do something that could cushion the effect of economic hardship facing Nigerians.

Abia State Governor Alex Otti has, through the state Ministry of Education, approved funds as running costs for heads of institutions in the state. “Before now, we are used to hearing stories of illegal collections of fees and so on, occasioned, maybe by pressure on the heads of institutions. Abia State, through its achievements in this regard, has been scheduled as one of the 5 states to benefit from Nigeria’s Solar-for-Health project, an EU-sponsored initiative. The state government will provide counterpart funding to the tune of 30% while the EU will provide 70%”. The Commissioner further disclosed that the state government, through the state Ministry of Works, have completed 124 roads across the state, principally at Aba and Umuahia.

In 2023, a World Health Organization (WHO) report titled “Maternal Mortality: The Urgency of a Systemic and Multisectoral Approach in mitigating maternal deaths in Africa”gave a morbid analysis of the landscape of maternal health and revealed that maternal mortality remains a significant public health issue worldwide. However, the report fails to highlight obesity, which is a significant contributor to maternal mortality. However, the rising prevalence of obesity has been proven to bea critical risk factor for maternal mortality and other adverse pregnancy outcomes. The study proposes the need for targeted interventions to address obesity as part of Nigeria’s broader strategy to reduce maternal mortality. In the fight against maternal mortality, obesity should not be the Trojan horse that slips through unnoticed.

The Federal Government has launched a new loan program through the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation to provide financial relief to Nigerians facing the impact of recent fuel price hikes. CREDICORP, a Development Finance Institution (DFI), was established to democratise access to consumer credit for Nigeria’s working population. The loans are being offered through participating financial institutions to help households meet urgent needs and ease the burden on their budgets. I can’t thank CREDICORP and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu enough.”This loan program comes at a critical time as Nigerians struggle with soaring fuel costs. “Capital to provide funding and credit guarantees to financial institutions that expand consumer credit access and cultural re-orientation, majorly to educate the public on responsible credit usage and encouraging institutions to improve consumer credit underwriting.

The 2024 Ballon d’Or is fast approaching, with football’s brightest talents competing for the sport’s most prestigious individual accolade. When and Where Is the 2024 Ballon d’Or Ceremony? The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner will be announced on Monday, 28th October, at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. The Favourites for the 2024 Ballon d’OrThis year’s Ballon d’Or race promises fierce competition. How to Watch the 2024 Ballon d’Or CeremonyFans eager to watch the drama unfold can catch the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony live on L’Équipe’s YouTube channel, which will stream the event for free.

The anniversary comes with Israel still fighting in Gaza and engaged in a new war to the north in Lebanon against Hamas ally Hezbollah. In the early hours of October 7, 2023, Hamas launched its attack by firing thousands of rockets towards Israeli border communities. In retaliation for the attack, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged to crush Hamas and to bring home all the hostages. In the north of the Palestinian territory, the Israeli military said it had encircled the Jabaliya area after indications Hamas was rebuilding there. Despite the sheer scale of the destruction and loss of life, Hamas on Sunday called the October 7 attack “glorious”.

Disu is the immediate past Police boss in charge of Rivers State Command. Disu was born in Lagos Island, Lagos State on April 13, 1966. He attended Holy Cross Cathedral Primary School and completed his primary school education at Mayflower Junior School in Ikenne, Ogun State in 1979. Disu obtained a post-graduate Diploma in International Relations and Strategic Studies from Lagos State University, and a certificate in Personal Protection from the United Kingdom. He served severally as Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Ago Iwoye (Ogun State), Ikare (Ondo State), Owo (Ondo State), Elimbu, and Elelenwo, both in Rivers State.

Lobi Stars have appointed former Super Eagles assistant coach Daniel Amokachi as their new head coach, replacing Eugene Agagbe, Soccernet.ng reports. Agagbe’s dismissal comes after a poor run of form, with Lobi Stars securing just one win and sitting 17th in the table. The 51-year-old won the FA Cup and the FA Charity Shield with Everton in 1995 and lifted the Turkish Cup and Turkish Super Cup with Beşiktaş in 1998. His arrival sparks a reunion of 1994 Super Eagles teammates now coaching in the NPFL, joining Finidi George (Rivers United) and Emmanuel Amunike (Heartland). Lobi Stars hope that Amokachi’s leadership will turn their fortunes around as they aim to climb up the NPFL standings.

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the immediate withdrawal of police personnel stationed at the secretariats of the 23 local government areas in Rivers State, marking a decisive end to a months-long security presence at the facilities. The Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Bala Mustapha also directed the immediate unsealing of the 23 local government secretariats across the state. During that period, the facilities were secured by police personnel to maintain order amidst the political crisis. “Emergency measures will be swiftly implemented in the event of any breakdown of law and order,” the command assured. The Rivers State Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining peace and urged residents and political stakeholders to remain calm and law-abiding.