Author: Press Room

Newly promoted Serie A club Venezia have joined the race to sign Super Eagles midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru as they prepare for life in Italy’s top division, Soccernet.ng reports. The Nigerian international is one of the players attracting attention this summer after spending the last two seasons with Lazio, where he showed his talent but struggled to become a regular starter. According to Lazio insider Damiano Er Faina, Venezia are closely monitoring the 25-year-old as they look to strengthen their midfield before the new Serie A season begins. Lazio are willing to listen to offers for Dele-Bashiru after he managed seven…

The Plateau State Government has expressed concern over the rising cases of human trafficking following the rescue and return of three young women who were allegedly trafficked to Mali and forced into prostitution. The victims were handed over by the Global Anti-Human Trafficking Organisation to officials of the Plateau State Liaison Office in Lagos on Sunday for onward rehabilitation and reintegration by the state’s Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission. The victims, identified as Victoria, 23, from Delta State, and Joy and Janet, both 22 and 23 respectively from Plateau State, recounted how they were lured with promises of legitimate employment…

The Gombe State Government has commissioned a modern Obstetric Fistula Centre and a Paediatric Stabilisation Centre at the General Hospital, Deba, in the Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area. Speaking on Saturday at the commissioning ceremony, the State Deputy Governor, Dr Manassah Jatau, said the facilities demonstrate the administration’s resolve to prioritise the health and well-being of the people. He noted that since assuming office in 2019, the present administration has placed healthcare delivery service at the forefront of its development agenda through the establishment of 24-hour health clinics across the state’s 114 political wards, expansion of healthcare infrastructure, and implementation of…

Nigeria’s under-17 national team, the Golden Eaglets, fell to a 3-2 defeat against Tanzania in their opening match of the China International Youth Football Tournament on Sunday, Soccernet.ng reports. ​The match was the debut for head coach Uwejamomere Eboboritse, though the result was not the start he had envisioned. ​Tanzania established a two-goal lead before halftime, courtesy of strikes from Issa Chole and Hamisi Chenga. Although Nigeria pulled one back shortly after the restart, the East Africans restored their two-goal cushion just minutes later. Despite another late rally from the Eaglets, they were unable to find an equalizer, and the…

President Donald Trump on Sunday thanked football’s world governing body FIFA for suspending the red card issued to USA’s Folarin Balogun, paving the way for the striker to play in a last-16 World Cup showdown against Belgium. Balogun was set to miss the match on Monday after being shown a straight red card in the last-32 game against Bosnia-Herzegovina for stepping on the foot of defender Tarik Muharemovic as the co-hosts won 2-0. FIFA said Sunday the ban will be suspended for a year. “Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!” Trump wrote on…

Serie A clubs Bologna and Fiorentina have joined the race to sign Super Eagles winger Samuel Chukwueze this summer amid uncertainty over his future at AC Milan, Soccernet.ng reports. Chukwueze has become the subject of intense transfer speculation this summer following his return to the San Siro after a season-long loan spell at Premier League side Fulham. The 27-year-old impressed during several spells of his time in England and was open to extending his stay at Craven Cottage. However, Fulham ultimately decided against making the move permanent, forcing the Nigerian international to return to Milan, where his future remains uncertain. Turkish Cup winners Trabzonspor…

The Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party has called for an independent and comprehensive investigation into recent allegations and counter-allegations involving senior officials in the Presidency, warning that the controversy underscores deeper concerns about transparency, accountability, and governance within the current administration. The Turaki-led Interim NWC, in a statement released by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, warned on Sunday that failing to investigate the alleged corruption could further erode public trust in government institutions, stressing that the matter demands more than internal reviews or official rebuttals. The PDP faction urged President Bola Tinubu to demonstrate leadership by…

By Umar Sani The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, has inaugurated a Clinical Trial Centre at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, to strengthen clinical research, innovation and evidence-based healthcare in Nigeria. According to a statement made available to PUNCH Online on Sunday by the hospital’s Head of Public Relations and Protocol Unit, Usman Koli, the state-of-the-art facility was established to boost clinical research and support the development of innovative healthcare solutions in the country. The statement said the inauguration took place on Saturday during the minister’s official visit to the hospital, where…

Talks about Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle signing a lucrative new contract worth $100,000 per month have been thrown into doubt following fresh comments, Soccernet.ng reports. Last month, National Sports Commission (NSC) chairman Shehu Dikko revealed that Chelle’s contract had been extended following Nigeria’s third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The Franco-Malian tactician, who was appointed in January 2025 on an initial two-year deal, was also handed responsibility for Nigeria’s U-23 side as part of the new arrangement. His monthly salary also doubled from $50,000 to $100,000, while his assistants were also handed individual contracts. Nigeria’s…

The University of Benin on Saturday launched a N100bn Trust Development Fund to provide quality infrastructure, strengthen teaching and learning, and expand research capacity. Speaking as the special guest of honour at the launch, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, said the initiative aligns perfectly with the Federal Ministry of Education’s Nigerian Education Sector Renewal Initiative, which, he added, seeks to reposition education through innovation, strategic partnerships, improved governance, quality assurance, digital transformation, expanded access and sustainable financing. The minister, who was represented by the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of the National University of Science and Technology, Abuja, Prof. Joseph Ahaneku,…