Author: Press Room

Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen is in a race against time to be fit for Nigeria’s crucial World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Benin Republic, Soccernet.ng reports. The Super Eagles forward, who joined Galatasaray on a free transfer in the summer, did not take part in full training on Thursday as the Turkish champions stepped up preparations for their derby with Beşiktaş. According to Fanatik, Osimhen worked individually away from the main group, raising fresh doubts about his availability for both club and country. Nigeria and Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen. Photo by IMAGO The 26-year-old has already endured a frustrating start…

  The National Freedom Party has faulted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for rejecting its application for registration as a political party, citing similarities between its logo, a zebra, and the horse logo of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). The party held a press conference at its national secretariat in Abuja, where it raised concerns about the procedural mechanism used by INEC to reject its application. According to Engr. Donnie Oluwafemi Akingbade, the National Publicity Secretary of the National Freedom Party, the party applied for registration in July 2023 and received an acknowledgement from INEC. However, after more than…

Manuel Akanji has spoken candidly about his Nigerian roots, admitting he still carries his father’s homeland with him despite pledging his international future to Switzerland, Soccernet.ng reports. The 30-year-old centre-back, now on loan at Inter Milan from Manchester City, revealed the pride he feels in his dual identity during a wide-ranging interview with Inter TV. Born in Wiesendangen to a Swiss mother and a Nigerian father, Akanji said his bond with the West African nation remains strong, even though he chose to represent Switzerland in 2017 after coming through the youth ranks at Winterthur, Basel, and later Borussia Dortmund. Inter…

Atiku Abubakar has denied claims that he would step down for a “younger candidate” in the 2027 presidential election. His spokesman, Paul Ibe, stated on Thursday that Abubakar’s comments were misrepresented, emphasising that it has become necessary to clarify the context of the interview granted by his principal to the BBC Hausa Service contrary to what is being quoted by some sections of the media,” Ibe said “After a thorough review of both the video and transcripts of the interview – in the original Hausa and the English translation – it is evident that at no point did the former…

The Police Command in Zamfara on Thursday confirmed that suspected gunmen abducted two councillors and an Imam in Tsauni community, Gusau, on Wednesday night.The command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Yazid Abubakar, confirmed the incident to newsmen via telephone. He said the councillors, representing Gidan Gona and Tsibiri wards in Maradun local government areas of Zamfara, and the Imam of the community were taken away by the suspected bandits.According to him, the victims were abducted in front of their houses in the Tsauni area at about 7:00 pm on Wednesday evening, shortly after prayers.The Tsauni community is located behind the…

Bauchi was recently plunged into sorrow following the death of a middle-aged woman who set herself ablaze inside the family home of Nigeria’s late Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. The woman, reportedly the daughter of a former Sharia court judge in the state, was rescued by bystanders and rushed to Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), where she succumbed to severe burns. Eyewitnesses recounted that the woman arrived at the residence on September 26, 2025, in a commercial tricycle, carrying a gallon of liquid believed to be petrol. She asked to see Yelwa Abubakar Balewa, one of the…

Super Eagles and Hull City centre-back Semi Ajayi has been stepping up his progress in recovery from a hamstring injury, Soccernet.ng reports. The former Arsenal man has suffered subsequent hamstring injuries in the past year, playing just three ninety-minute games since the turn of the year. With South Africa suffering a three-point deduction, Ajayi’s return to full fitness is a boost for Eric Chelle’s side as they look to reclaim a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Semi Ajayi on the ball during the EFL Sky Bet Championship match between Coventry City and Hull City at the Coventry Building…

Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, has urged Nigerians to demonstrate a stronger commitment to the fight against insecurity. Reflecting on Nigeria’s 65th independence anniversary in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Abubakar Bawa, in Sokoto yesterday, the governor described insecurity as one of the greatest obstacles to the nation’s progress. Aliyu implored citizens to emulate the virtues of the country’s founding fathers, whom he praised for their sacrifice and patriotism. “Our founding fathers saw themselves first as Nigerians before anything else, and that was why they succeeded in building a strong, indivisible nation,” he said. He also paid tribute to…

Victor Boniface is set to feature for Werder Bremen this weekend despite missing Thursday’s training session, easing fears over his fitness before Saturday’s Bundesliga meeting with St. Pauli, Soccernet.ng reports. The Nigerian striker, on loan from Bayer Leverkusen, was absent from the main group after taking a knock to the foot earlier in the week. Werder staff, however, confirmed the 24-year-old had been given a lighter schedule as a precaution rather than because of injury. Super Eagles and Werder Bremen star Victor Boniface. Photo by IMAGO Head coach Horst Steffen said Boniface is expected back in full training on Friday…

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has been plunged into mourning following the unexpected death of its Deputy Publicity Secretary in Imo State, Hon. Ugochimereze Chinedu Asuzu. Asuzu, who was also the convener of Ikoro Ndigbo and a prominent voice in Igbo sociocultural discourse, reportedly slumped and died in the early hours of Wednesday. The circumstances surrounding his sudden passing are yet to be fully disclosed. In a statement issued by the party’s State Publicity Secretary, Chief MacDonald Amadi, the ADC described Asuzu’s death as “a devastating loss” and praised his contributions to both politics and community service. “He was a…