Author: Press Room

US President Donald Trump has confirmed that American missionary Kevin Rideout, who was released after more than nine months in captivity in Niger, is preparing to return to the United States. Trump confirmed Rideout’s release in a post on his Truth Social platform on Sunday, saying the former hostage was preparing to return to the United States after being reunited with his wife, Krista. “I am happy to reveal that former hostage Kevin Rideout is getting ready to fly home to the United States after having been reunited with his beautiful wife, Krista,” Trump wrote. He said Rideout’s release marked…

By Isah Ojo Young women who got married as teenagers between the ages of 13 and 16 in Tashan Kangele community, Maiduguri, Borno State, have appealed to the government to expand access to education to enable them to redefine their future aspirations and contribute more meaningfully to society. The women, most of whom said they were not aware of the existence of adult and second-chance learning centres in the state, also lamented the issue of proximity, noting that the government could improve access through increased awareness, the establishment of more centres and measures to address mobility challenges. Speaking with our…

Nigeria is intensifying efforts to strengthen its indigenous defence industry with plans to establish local production lines for armoured vehicles, anti-drone systems and other specialised military equipment. The initiative is being driven by the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria–D7G in partnership with Eagles International for Defence Systems, to increase technology transfer, expand domestic manufacturing capacity and reduce the country’s dependence on imported military hardware. Chief Executive Officer of DICON-D7G, Mr Osman Chennar, disclosed this in a statement following a two-day inspection tour of factories and military production facilities in Cairo, Egypt, by the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle,…

Nigeria’s football crisis has reached another worrying point after the Super Falcons failed to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, continuing a difficult period for the country’s national teams, Soccernet.ng reports. The Super Falcons suffered a 2-1 defeat to South Africa in their decisive World Cup play-off in Casablanca, ending Nigeria’s hopes of featuring at the tournament in Brazil. It was a painful outcome for Africa’s most successful national team. The setback also came after the Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Nigeria losing to DR Congo on penalties in the African…

Millwall winger Femi Azeez was forced off with a hamstring injury during their 2-0 Championship victory over Bristol City on Saturday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. Azeez started the season opener at Ashton Gate Stadium but lasted only 30 minutes before being replaced by Kyrell Lisbie after feeling discomfort in his hamstring. The extent of the injury is yet to be established, with Millwall manager Alex Neil saying the club would have to wait before determining the severity of the problem. “He just says he felt something in his hamstring,” Neil told NewsAtDen in quotes revealed by Southwark News. “We’re hoping…

Akor Adams made an instant mark on the new Coppa Italia campaign as his two goals and one assist helped Venezia beat Modena 3-2 at the Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo on Saturday, Soccernet.ng reports. The Nigeria striker scored once in each half and then helped create the winning goal as Venezia recovered from a 2-1 deficit.Adams, who only moved to Italy this summer after his time at Sevilla, delivered a performance that gave Venezia a place in the last 16 of the Coppa Italia. Their reward is a meeting with Udinese, which means the next round will bring a Nigeria-versus-Nigeria…

The Universal Basic Education Commission has said no child should be denied access to quality education because of difficult circumstances, stressing that every Nigerian child deserves an opportunity to learn, develop their abilities and fulfil their potential. The Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr Aisha Garba, stated this during the formal inauguration of the rehabilitated Alternative High School for Girls, Agboju, Lagos State, according to a statement by Garba on Saturday. The intervention comes against the backdrop of persistent challenges affecting access to basic and secondary education in Nigeria, including school dropout, poverty, displacement and other social and economic circumstances that…

No fewer than five have died, and 10 others were rescued after two separate building collapses in Kumbotso and Fagge Local Government Areas of Kano State. PUNCH Metro learnt that the incidents occurred on Saturday at Gaida in Kumbotso and Kurna in Fagge, with the Kano State Fire Service receiving distress calls at about 2:34 pm and 2:40 pm, respectively. This was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the Public Relations Officer of the Kano State Fire Service, ACFO Saminu Yusif Abdullahi. According to the statement, the first incident occurred at Gaida, near Salbas Filling Station, where an…

The Super Eagles have been handed an early injury concern ahead of their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign after Femi Azeez was forced off during Millwall’s Championship victory over Bristol City, Soccernet.ng reports Azeez started Saturday’s 2-0 win at Ashton Gate Stadium but lasted only 30 minutes before being replaced by Kyrell Lisbie after feeling discomfort in his hamstring. The injury could further compound things for the two-cap Nigerian international, who has already set his mind on a move to the Premier League amid interest from Hull City. Nigeria forward Femi Azeez. Copyright: ImagoxToyinxOshodix Get Our Sports News…

Manchester City are closing in on a deal to sign Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille as the club prepare for life after Rodri. City have been in negotiations with Lille over the 18-year-old, with personal terms already agreed. The French club are understood to value Bouaddi at around £85 million (€100m). Fabrizio Romano on X on Sunday said, Manchester City are now set to close Ayyoub Bouaddi deal with Lille after selling Rodri to Barcelona. The agreement on personal terms was reached days ago and the decision has been made: Bouaddi joins NOW, not in 2027.” The move has…