22nd National Sports Festival: Flamingos Reach Final as Golden Eaglets Lose to Team Ogun

The Golden Eaglets will contest for the bronze medals of the male football event of the ongoing 22nd National Sports Festival, after they lost 1-2 to Team Ogun in the second semi finals of the event in Ikenne-Remo on Sunday. In the first semi final, Team Kwara defeated Team Kaduna by a lone goal to qualify for the final of the male football event, which will be held on Tuesday at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex. In the female event, Nigeria’s U17 boys, Flamingos flew their way into the final after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Team Ogun. Shakirat Moshood made no mistake from six yards after the 2022 FIFA World Cup bronze medallists were awarded a penalty with minutes left in the encounter. They will now face Team Delta in Tuesday’s grand finale, after the latter dismissed Team Osun 4-1 in the first semi final. The third-place matches will take place at the Remo Stars Stadium, while the final of the male and female events will hold at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta. The Golden Eaglets and Flamingos are participating in the 22nd National Sports Festival as part of the praiseworthy Invited Junior Athletes (IJA) initiative of the National Sports Commission.

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Peter Obi: I’m Not Desperate to Be President, Just Desperate to See Nigeria Work

Peter Obi: I’m Not Desperate to Be President Just Desperate to See Nigeria Work

Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, has declared that he is not desperate to become Nigeria’s president, but rather driven by a desire to see the country function effectively for its citizens. Speaking at a special anniversary service marking Governor Alex Otti’s two years in office, Obi emphasized the need for integrity and accountability in leadership. At the event held at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Umuahia, Abia State, on Saturday, Obi urged Nigerians to consistently pray for their leaders, stressing that governance is a difficult task, especially for those determined to do the right thing. “It is difficult to govern Nigeria or any of its states, especially when you are determined to do the right thing,” Obi noted. “When I say I am not desperate to be President, I am desperate to see Nigeria work.” He also commended Governor Otti’s administration for what he described as “two years with a difference,” stating that transformational leadership does not necessarily require an extended tenure.“People always say they need eight years, ten years, or even twenty years to make an impact. But I have always said that one day can make a difference. What is happening in Abia today, we want to see it happen everywhere in Nigeria,” Obi said. Governor Alex Otti, in response, attributed the achievements of his administration to divine guidance and strength from God. He expressed gratitude to Obi for his unwavering support and thanked the Abia State legislature, judiciary, and members of the church for their prayers and encouragement. Obi’s remarks have sparked renewed conversations around leadership and the future of Nigeria as the country approaches another election cycle.

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BREAKING: NDLEA Busts International Drug Syndicate at Lagos Airport Seizes 51kg of Loud and Millions in Cash

In a major breakthrough, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled an international drug syndicate operating through Lagos, arresting two British nationals and two Nigerians in a sting operation at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja. The suspects — Mhizha Jordan Alexander Tatendra, Ayedipe Andrew Adejuwon (both British nationals), along with Shonowo Oluwaseun Imole and Ofuoma Omokaro Ayobami (Nigerians) — were caught red-handed with 92 bags of “Loud,” a potent strain of cannabis, weighing 51.10kg. According to a statement released by the NDLEA’s Director of Media & Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the arrests followed an intelligence-led operation on Thursday, May 15, 2025. Alexander arrived on a Qatar Airways flight from Doha, where NDLEA operatives allowed him to pass security while monitoring his movements. He was intercepted at the airport car park, where Adejuwon, Shonowo, and Ayobami were waiting in an SUV to collect the consignment. The suspects were arrested while attempting to leave the airport, with the drugs concealed in the vehicle. Alexander confessed that he had been recruited during a recent vacation and was promised £1,300 for the delivery. Adejuwon, identified as the ringleader, admitted that he had flown into Nigeria via South Africa and Ghana a day before. A subsequent raid on their apartment in Lekki led to the recovery of ₦3.81 million in cash, an Apple laptop, an iPhone 14 Pro Max, and four canisters of laughing gas (Nitrous Oxide). Additionally, ₦93,000 and 17,200 South African Rand were found on Adejuwon during his arrest. The NDLEA has vowed to continue its crackdown on international drug trafficking networks, warning that no syndicate will escape the long arm of the law.

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Premier League Showdown: Nottingham Forest Aim to Dash Chelsea’s Champions League Hopes

As the 2024/25 Premier League season reaches its climax, all eyes turn to the City Ground, where Nottingham Forest host Chelsea in a decisive battle for Champions League qualification. Both teams are vying for a coveted top-five finish, with Forest needing a win and favorable results elsewhere, while Chelsea can secure their spot with a victory. Under the guidance of manager Nuno Espírito Santo, Forest have emerged as one of the season’s surprise packages. Key players like Callum Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga have revitalized their careers, contributing significantly to Forest’s push for European football . Despite a recent dip in form, including just two wins in their last seven matches, Forest remain formidable at home. Chelsea, led by Enzo Maresca, have found form at a crucial juncture, winning four of their last five games. However, their inconsistent away record poses a challenge, with only one away victory in 2025 . Key players like Enzo Fernández and Cole Palmer will be instrumental as the Blues seek to secure Champions League football. Betting odds suggest a closely contested match, with Chelsea slightly favored. Experts predict a high-scoring affair, given both teams’ attacking prowess and the stakes involved . The match kicks off at 16:00 BST on Sunday, May 25, 2025. Fans can expect a thrilling encounter as both teams battle for a place among Europe’s elite.

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Salah Wins EPL Golden Boot, Playmaker Awards

Mohamed Salah capped off his incredible season by winning the Premier League Golden Boot and Playmaker of the Season awards as well as breaking the record for the most combined goals and assists in a 38-game season. The Egypt international scored 29 goals and contributed 18 assists to help Liverpool clinch the title in Arne Slot’s first season as manager. Salah finished six goals clear of second-placed Alexander Isak and registered six assists more than Isak’s Newcastle United teammate Jacob Murphy. The 32-year-old’s feats have seen him become the first player to win the Premier League’s Golden Boot, Golden Playmaker and Player of the Season awards in a single campaign. Salah was also named the men’s Footballer of the Year by the Football Writers’ Association. He now has the joint-highest number of Golden Boot wins (4) along with former Arsenal forward Theirry Henry. The 32-year-old has become the first player to complete the Golden Boot-Playmaker double for a second time — he also achieved the feat in 2021-22. Andrew Cole finished as the Premier League’s top scorer and highest assist contributor in 1993-94, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink in 1998-99 and Harry Kane in 2020-21. Salah made more Premier League history on Sunday when his 47th goal involvement against Palace saw him level the record amount of combined goals and assists registered in a single season. His 84th-minute goal during Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Anfield rounded off what has been a remarkable individual campaign. He moved level with Alan Shearer (1994-95) and Cole (1993-94) for the most combined goals and assists in a single Premier League season. Both players registered 34 goals and 13 assists in their respective 42-game seasons. Salah got his hands on the second Premier League trophy of his career after the game against Palace on the final day of the season.

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Drama in Court! Peter Okoye Accused of Lying to EFCC, Falsifying Testimony in N1.3bn Fraud Trial Against Brother Jude Okoye

The high-profile legal battle between Nigerian music star Peter Okoye of P-Square and his elder brother, Jude Okoye, took a sensational twist on Friday as Peter was accused of misleading the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with false statements in the ongoing N1.3 billion fraud trial. In a heated session at the Lagos High Court, Ikeja, presided over by Justice Rahman Oshodi, the defence counsel, Clement Onwuenwunor, SAN, shredded Peter’s testimony, exposing what he called “lies, inconsistencies, and deliberate fabrications” aimed at tarnishing Jude’s reputation and misleading the anti-graft agency. Peter had previously testified before the EFCC, claiming that Jude and their former company, Northside Music Limited, defrauded him of $767,544.15. He painted himself as a victim, alleging he had no access to company finances and wasn’t a beneficiary of deals under Jude’s management. But Onwuenwunor, during a fiery cross-examination, brought receipts—literally. He revealed Peter’s claim of being a graduate of the University of Abuja was false. Peter admitted under pressure that he had only attended the university but dropped out—contradicting his sworn EFCC statement. The defence also shocked the courtroom by presenting bank mandates showing Peter and his twin brother Paul were signatories to Northside Entertainment accounts, directly refuting Peter’s claims that Jude alone had control over the finances. Bank statements further showed that Peter had made multiple withdrawals, in both naira and dollars, from the company’s account. As if that wasn’t enough, Onwuenwunor tackled Peter over his royalty claims from Mad Solutions, the company managing P-Square’s music catalogue. Peter had testified he only received $25,000 and $20,000, but the defence showed bank records revealing much lower amounts—$4,330.47 and $5,837.35—and proved that Peter was fully aware of the contract terms, having signed alongside Jude and Paul. “This is not forgetfulness—this is an orchestrated attempt to mislead investigators and this honourable court,” Onwuenwunor declared. Justice Oshodi, after admitting several bank documents and EFCC statements into evidence, warned the defence to share all documents with the prosecution to avoid delays. He adjourned the trial to October 10 and 17, 2025. This case, which has captivated the Nigerian entertainment industry, continues to unfold, exposing not just legal battles but deep family fractures and explosive secrets in the P-Square empire. 👉 Read Full Story Here: Peter Okoye Accused of Lying in N1.3bn Fraud Case Against Brother Jude

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Tinubu’s Nigeria Worse Than Buhari’s Elections Are a Scam – Omoyele Sowore Fires Back in Explosive Interview

In a no-holds-barred interview, fiery activist and opposition figure Omoyele Sowore has unleashed a stinging critique of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, branding it as worse than Buhari’s and declaring that elections in Nigeria are “rigged and irrelevant.” Sowore, speaking ahead of Nigeria’s Democracy Day celebrations, dismissed the occasion as meaningless, stating: “There’s nothing to celebrate. Tinubu has done irreparable damage—economically, socially, politically. Buhari killed Nigeria in eight years; Tinubu came, in two years he is burying it.” He described Nigeria’s current system as a “shambolic democracy” where the ideals of free speech, credible elections, and freedom to choose have been “completely destroyed.” On the controversial proposal by the House of Representatives to make voting compulsory, Sowore scoffed at the idea, arguing: “If you have to force people to vote, democracy is dead. It’s not about participation; it’s about cooking up numbers to create fake legitimacy.” Responding to critics who label him as “too radical,” the former presidential candidate shot back: “I don’t think I’m radical enough. Every meaningful change came through radicals. I will not water down my convictions to please people who want me to fit into a box.” Sowore also took a swipe at the so-called opposition, saying most of them are “political mercenaries” with no ideology, just waiting to jump ship for the right price. “There’s no real opposition in Nigeria. They’re all fighting for a share of the loot, not to serve the people,” he stated. On whether he plans to run in 2027, Sowore replied with characteristic defiance: “I’ve never stopped running. But the ballot system is a scam. The only thing that can change Nigeria is rebellion—an uprising, not another sham election.” He ruled out any political alliance with Labour Party or Peter Obi, insisting: “The alliance I care about is with the oppressed. The 50 million voters who don’t show up at the polls—they’re my alliance.” Sowore also blasted Tinubu’s much-touted economic reforms, warning Nigerians not to be fooled: “They say removing fuel subsidy and floating the naira is the ‘hard road to prosperity.’ I say it’s a road to destruction. Prices are rising, the naira is crashing, and the suffering is unbearable.” On former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Sowore dismissed his relevance in Nigerian politics, saying: “Atiku’s time has passed. He’s just hanging around, hoping to be President. That’s all he cares about.” Sowore’s message to Nigerians? “Forget about 2027 elections. Organise, mobilise, and resist. That’s the only way forward.” As Nigeria marks another Democracy Day, Sowore’s blistering critique serves as a stark reminder of the deep political discontent in the country—and a warning that without systemic change, the cycle of dysfunction and decay will continue.

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Community in Distress as Labour Party Chairman, Okasime Olowojoba Remains in Captivity One Month After Abduction Despite Ransom Payment

The family of Okasime Olowojoba, the Labour Party (LP) chairman for Ward I in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, has raised fresh concerns over his continued captivity, one month after he was abducted along the Auchi-Igarra-Ibillo road. Olowojoba was kidnapped on Friday, April 26, 2025, while travelling with his family. He had gone to Auchi to pick up his wife, children, and housemaid in preparation for the children’s school resumption, when their vehicle was ambushed at a notorious bad spot near Sasaro. Despite paying a ransom of over N5 million, Olowojoba’s captors have yet to release him. His family says they have not heard from the kidnappers in over a week. Speaking to journalists, his younger brother, Omozame Olowojoba, expressed the family’s deep distress. He said: “Today is eight days since they last called us. They collected ransom on upper Tuesday and called us the next day to demand an additional N30 million, claiming the N5.3 million we paid was for feeding. The following day, they called again, asking for another N5 million, which we couldn’t raise. Since then, there has been no word from them. I spoke directly with my brother the day before they requested the N5.3 million.” The family has appealed to the Edo State Government, security agencies, and the public to intervene and help secure Olowojoba’s release. Omozame pleaded: “We are appealing to his abductors to please release him. He is a young man struggling to care for his family.” The people of Igarra and the entire Akoko-Edo community have joined the family in calling for urgent action to rescue Olowojoba.

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