Author: Press Room

Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey believes France will be the team to beat at the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite the presence of reigning champions Argentina and European giants Spain, Soccernet.ng reports. The Fulham centre-back made his choice during a light-hearted question-and-answer session organised by his Premier League club. Players were asked to predict which nation would win the next FIFA World Cup, scheduled to take place across the United States, Canada and Mexico between June 11 and July 19, 2026. While several players backed their own countries, France emerged as the most popular choice among Fulham’s squad. Bassey, whose…

The National Association of Nigerian Students has urged the Federal Government to include representatives of students in the national Ebola Emergency Response Committee, saying their participation would strengthen awareness and sensitisation efforts across tertiary institutions nationwide. The appeal was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the association’s Public Relations Officer, Obidah David, on behalf of the NANS leadership. The student body commended President Bola Tinubu for establishing an Ebola Emergency Response Committee, describing the move as a proactive step towards safeguarding the health and well-being of Nigerians. NANS President, Akinteye Babatunde in the statement said the inclusion of…

Delta State Governor, Sheriff F.O. Oborevwori The Okpe Peoples’ Forum (OPF), a pan-Okpe socio-political and cultural organisation, has endorsed Delta State Governor, Sheriff‎ Oborevwori, for a second term in office. The forum said its decision is based on the governor’s achievements in infrastructure, healthcare, education and economic empowerment over the past three years. The group also called on Deltans across ethnic and political divides to support the governor’s re-election bid in the 2027 governorship election. In a statement signed by its President, Comrade Igho Akeregha, and Secretary, Pastor Edward Emoyadua Agba, the forum congratulated Oborevwori on his emergence as the…

Janet Ogundepo Families from underserved communities in Abuja have received one year of comprehensive health coverage through an initiative by BAS and ALLY in partnership with the Ojiudu Foundation and the Ojiudu Pride Initiative. The initiative was part of efforts to improve health access and remove financial barriers that often prevent low-income households from accessing quality healthcare services. In a statement sent to PUNCH Healthwise, the organisers stated that many families in underserved communities are frequently forced to choose between seeking recommended medical care and meeting other pressing financial needs. It noted that the initiative will provide beneficiaries with access…

Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has assured the people that he will hand over a more stable, secure, and economically prosperous state to the next administration in May 2027. Zulum gave the assurances on Monday when he received prominent sons and daughters of Gubio Local Government Area, led by an Elder statesman, Alhaji Gambo Gubio, who paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Maiduguri, alongside the APC gubernatorial candidate, Engr. Mustapha Gubio. The delegation also included the Chairman of the Borno State Civil Service Commission, Dr. Bulama Mali Gubio; a former member of the House of Representatives, Hon.…

Trabzonspor president Ertugrul Doğan has addressed speculation surrounding the future of Super Eagles forward Paul Onuachu amid reported interest ahead of the summer transfer window, Soccernet.ng reports. Onuachu has emerged as a major transfer target ahead of the window, with interest coming mainly from Saudi Arabia. Al Ahli are reportedly eyeing him as a replacement for Ivan Toney, who could leave the club this summer as he considers a return to European football. The 32-year-old returned to Trabzonspor for a second spell last summer after spending the 2023–24 season on loan at the club. He enjoyed a stunning campaign last season, scoring 26 goals…

Somali referee Omar Artan, who was denied entry to the United States for the World Cup, returned to a hero’s welcome in Mogadishu and vowed to take part in the next tournament in 2030. More than 100 supporters lined up outside the VIP section of Mogadishu’s main airport, waving national flags as Artan disembarked from a Turkish Airlines flight to cheers. “I will be at the next World Cup and will continue to make Somalia proud… Despite what has happened to me, I am not discouraged,” Artan told journalists. Artan’s rejection has sparked outrage at home. “They wronged him in…

A major political crisis is brewing within the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as a massive coalition of party stakeholders from Eti-Osa Constituency I has launched an urgent appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the party’s national leadership to protect the democratic mandate of incumbent lawmaker, Noheem Adams. The appeal follows growing anxiety over an alleged plot by certain forces to overturn and disregard the outcome of the party’s primary election in the constituency. Speaking at a packed press briefing, the leader of the coalition, Alhaji Owolabi Yisa, called on President Tinubu, the national leadership…

African Democratic Congress (ADC) The gubernatorial candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kaduna state for the 2027 elections, Isa Ashiru, has pledged to provide good governance in the State, and deliver the citizens from the hands of undemocratic leadership. He expressed his gratitude to all members of the party for their support during the just concluded ADC party’s Primaries. Ashiru commended the leadership of the party for allowing true democratic process to take place before and during the primaries across the 255 electoral wards in the state. While also saying that the affirmation of his candidacy by the…

Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi has expressed his disappointment over the team’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Soccernet.ng reports. ​The tournament is set to kick off in less than 48 hours, with 48 nations from six continental federations preparing to battle for the title of the world’s best footballing nation. Although Africa is represented by ten teams, Nigeria is conspicuously absent, having failed to progress from a qualification group that included Benin, South Africa, Lesotho, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe. Victor Osimhen, Semi Ajayi and William Ekong Troost for Super Eagles (Photo by Nsidibe AkpanxImago) ​Despite a second…