Author: Press Room

Convention will bring turnaround for party, says Makinde I’m disappointed in Lamido for taking PDP to court, says George PDP is an Iroko tree that cannot be uprooted, says Ogini The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday proceeded with its National Elective Convention in Ibadan despite multiple court rulings seeking to halt the exercise. The 10,000-capacity Adamasingba Stadium and adjoining areas were packed with delegates, officials and supporters from across the country. The convention opened with the presentation of flags to key party leaders. PDP National Chairman, Ambassador Ilya Damagum, received the party flag, while Chairman of the Convention Committee and…

Nigeria’s date with destiny arrives on Sunday night in Rabat, where the Super Eagles meet DR Congo in the final of the FIFA World Cup African play-off. Win, and the three-time African champions advance to next year’s intercontinental playoff. Lose, and a nation will feel the sting for years. The expectations are sky-high. The tension is volcanic. And somewhere in the middle of Eric Chelle’s tactical whiteboard sits one name in thick black marker: Chidozie Awaziem. Nigeria Super Eagles and Nantes defender Chidozie Awaziem. Photo by IMAGO The FC Nantes defender has spent the early part of the 2025-26 season…

Operatives of the Edo State Police Command have arrested 21 students of Ogioma Public Secondary School, Benin City, for suspected cult activities. The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, who disclosed this in a statement, said the students were between 14 and 17 years old. According to Yamu, the arrest was made following a foiled attack on Osemwende Public Secondary School, located at Oghoghibi, off Benin–Sapele Road, Benin City, by the suspects. The statement reads, “The Edo State Police Command has arrested 21 students of Ogioma Public Secondary School located at Limit road off Benin-Sapele road, aged between 14…

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday expelled 11 members during its ongoing Elective National Convention. Those expelled include the incumbent Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike; former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose; former National Secretary, Emmanuel Anyanwu; Umar Bature; Adeyemi Ajibade, SAN; Mohammed Abdulrahman; Senator Mao Ohuabunwa; Austine Nwachukwu; Abraham Amah; George Turner; and Chief Dan Orbih. Announcing the expulsions, former Deputy National Chairman, Chief Olabode George, condemned the members for acting against the interests of the party. He alleged that some of them, in collaboration with Wike, deliberately worked to prevent the 2025 National Elective Convention…

By Ayoola Olasupo Endocrinologists have called for more public awareness to encourage early detection of diabetes, saying delayed diagnosis exposes patients to life-threatening complications. The call was made on Friday during the free diabetes screening exercise organised by the Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Unit of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital to commemorate World Diabetes Day. The free screening started with a 10-minute walk of public sensitisation to raise awareness, educate the public, and promote early detection of diabetes. Speaking with Saturday PUNCH during the exercise, the Deputy Chairman of the Medical Planning Committee at the College of Medicine, Lagos State…

Photo credit: Mrmoney/Instagram At this point, Asake can basically do no wrong when it comes to style. He has been giving back to back looks for a while now. First it was the braids, then the locs, then a short afro, then cobalt blue. And now he has gone completely bald and fans are taking it all in. Last night at GQ’s Man of the Year event, he showed up looking sharp. He wore an all black suit with a slightly oversized blazer that sat well on him without feeling overdone. What really lifted the look was the haircut. The…

Nigeria, who looked dead and out of the race for the 2026 FIFA World Cup a few months ago, have now muscled their way into the playoff final against DR Congo on Sunday, Soccernet.ng reports. The Super Eagles clash with the Leopards in Rabat in a fixture that will decide Africa’s solitary spot in next year’s intercontinental playoff. Both sides arrive with confidence. Nigeria required extra time to tame Gabon 4–1 after a cagey 1–1 regulation period, while DR Congo stunned the more fancied Cameroon with a disciplined 1–0 victory. World Cup qualifying playoffs Nigeria vs Gabon Akor Adam, Victor…

A pan-African think tank, the African Sociocultural Harmony and Enlightenment Foundation (ASHE Foundation), has advised U.S. President Donald Trump and the global community to address the root causes of the Christian genocide in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, noting that without doing so, the violence will continue as part of ongoing Abrahamic imperialism across Africa. Prince Justice Faloye, president of ASHE, explains that the genocide is linked to British colonisation. The British divided the original African civilisation and placed the Middlebelt under the Northern Afro-Asiatic Islamic Protectorate rather than the Southern Protectorate, weakening indigenous groups politically and socially. This policy, according to…

DR Congo have received a significant lift from FIFA just hours before their decisive World Cup playoff final against Nigeria in Rabat, Soccernet.ng reports The continent’s lone ticket to next year’s intercontinental playoffs will be decided on Sunday, and while Nigeria entered the fixture as slim favourites, the balance may be shifting after a late eligibility development. FIFA has officially approved change-of-association requests for three dual-national players named in the Congolese squad for this month’s international window. Photo Credit: DR Congo FA/X The move clears Celtic midfielder Michel-Ange Balikwisha, Anderlecht sensation Mario Stroeykens, and Standard Liège goalkeeper Matthieu Epolo to…

The Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, has apologised to the House of Representatives over the unruly behaviour of a senior Board official during an investigative hearing. Oloyede rendered the apology when he appeared before the House Committee on Basic Education and Examination Bodies to submit documents earlier requested by lawmakers. It was his first engagement with the committee since the October incident that triggered outrage among members of the House. The controversy began when a JAMB Director, Mr. Mufutau Bello—who represented the Registrar at the previous hearing—walked out on the committee after unsuccessfully…