June 2025 | Page 33 of 37

Nigeria’s Flamingoes to Know FIFA U17 World Cup Foes Today

Fola Badmus4 months ago4 months ago01 mins

The draw ceremony for this year’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals will take place in Rabat, Morocco’s administrative capital, on Wednesday, 4th June. For the very first time, 24 countries will take part in the tournament, which is the ninth edition since the competition was launched in New Zealand 17 years ago. In Pot 1 will be hosts Morocco (one of Africa’s five flag-bearers), Spain, Japan, North Korea (Cup holders), USA and Nigeria (which is making its eighth appearance in the competition). Pot 2: Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Canada, New Zealand, Ecuador Pot 3: China, Cameroon, South Korea, Italy, France, Zambia Pot 4: Paraguay, Costa Rica, Netherlands, Norway, Cote d’Ivoire, Samoa

FIFA Club Professionalisation and Management Program Begins in Abuja

Fola Badmus4 months ago4 months ago13 mins

A two-day FIFA Club Professionalisation and Management Programme workshop began in the Federal Capital, Abuja on Tuesday with President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau (MON) charging the participants to devote attention to the various sessions in order to improve their wisdom, knowledge and understanding towards improving the lot of the country’s domestic game. “The Nigeria Football Federation has been intentional in impressing it on the Clubs that they must work hard towards financial sustainability, and generally contribute to making the football ecosystem better for all stakeholders to be proud of the industry. “This workshop will go a long way in getting the message across in more profound manner, that the leagues and club football are the lifeblood of a nation’s sport, and that significant contributions to the Gross Domestic Product of our country can only happen through the activities and the gravitas that the leagues and clubs are able to establish to generate direct, indirect and induced income.” Gusau’s message was delivered by the NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi (MON), who also implored the participants to be ready to implement the knowledge that they stand to gain in the two-day workshop for the good of the nation’s game. The vice chairman of Nigeria Premier Football League board, Alhaji Mohammed Nasir Saidu, represented the NPFL Chairman, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, who is also the NFF 2nd Vice President. Participants include Chairmen and CEOs of the 20 Clubs in the Nigeria Premier Football League, Chairmen and CEOs of the NPFL, NNL, NWFL and the NLO, as well as some top officials of the NFF. The sessions on Tuesday focused on strategic planning and finance. Wednesday’s sessions will be on governance and commercial and marketing.

Int’l Friendly: Super Falcons Daze Lionesses in Abeokuta

Fola Badmus4 months ago4 months ago01 mins

Women Africa Cup of Nations-bound Nigeria sailed over Cameroon’s Indomitable Lionesses in a friendly encounter at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta on Tuesday. Captain Rasheedat Ajibade scored both goals, first in the 28th minute from the penalty spot, and then in the 43rd minute after capitalizing on a swift team move, assisted by Rinsola Babajide. Coach Justine Madugu said the victory is a good psychological boost for his squad as they continue preparations for the 13th Women AFCON taking place in Morocco, 5th – 26th July. Nigeria will be aiming for a 10th triumph in the competition, having won the trophy nine times since it was launched as a tournament in 1998. The Super Falcons also won in 1991 and 1995, when it was staged only as home-and-away FIFA World Cup qualifying games.

Fubara Visits Tinubu in Lagos

Fola Badmus4 months ago4 months ago01 mins

Suspended Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara has paid a courtesy visit to President Bola Tinubu in Lagos. The Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy to the President, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed the visit. Tinubu, in a nationwide broadcast on March 18, 2025 declared a state of emergency citing the need to restore law and order as the crisis between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike festered. He also announced the suspension of Fubara, his Deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu and all elected members of the Rivers Assembly for an initial six months. This was followed by the nomination of retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas administrator to steer the affairs of the state, during the period of the emergency rule. Onanuga on his verified Facebook page on Tuesday said: “Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers, now on suspension from office visited President Bola Tinubu in Lagos on Tuesday.”

Lagos Court Jails Eight Filipinos for Cyber-terrorism, Internet Fraud

Fola Badmus4 months ago4 months ago03 mins

Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, convicted and sentenced eight Filipinos to one year imprisonment each for cyber-terrorism and internet fraud. The convicts are: Beverlyn Casino, Mae Eribal, Mary Grace Dela Cruz, Jamal Polea, Tricia Castro, Rai Camara, Cherry De Leon and Danica Jarapan. They were arraigned on Tuesday by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on separate charges of possession of fraudulent documents. One of the counts reads: “That you, Beverlyn Casino sometime in December 2024, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, willfully caused to be accessed, computer systems organized to seriously destabilize and destroy the fundamental economic and social structure of Nigeria when you procured/employed Nigerian youths for identity theft and to hold themselves out as persons of foreign nationality, with the intent to gain a financial advantage for yourselves and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 18 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015 (As amended 2024) and Section 2(3)(d) of the Terrorism (Prevention, Prohibition) Act, 2022.” They all pleaded “guilty” to the charges when they were read to them. In view of their pleas, the prosecution counsel, N.K. Ukoha, prayed the court to convict the defendants as charged. Justice Owoeye convicted and sentenced the defendants to one year imprisonment each, with a fine of N1,000,000.00( One Million Naira). The Judge also ordered the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service NIS, to ensure that the convicts are repatriated to their country of origin within seven days upon completion of their sentences. The devices recovered from the defendants were also ordered forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The convicts’ journey to the Correctional Centre began when they were arrested by operatives of the EFCC for cyber-terrorism and internet fraud. They are among the 792 suspects rounded up in December 2024 in Victoria Island, Lagos. They were charged to court and jailed.

Ondo Deputy Speaker, Majority Leader Resign

Fola Badmus4 months ago4 months ago04 mins

The Deputy Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Abayomi Akinruntan has resigned his position, citing the need to align with the conventional arrangement of elective position in the state. The resignation letter of the former deputy speaker – representing Ilaje Constituency 1, – who is the son of the Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom, Oba Fredrick Akinruntan, was read at the floor of the Assembly by the Clerk, Benjamin Jayeiola. Akinruntan, who was absent during the plenary, was elected as the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly in June 2023, a position he occupied until his resignation. The resignation letter read: “I hereby tender my resignation from the office of the Deputy Speaker effective from today, 2nd June, 2025. Recall the House was inaugurated June, 2023 and I was unanimously elected as Deputy Speaker by members as stipulated in our standing order. “My resignation is borne out of the need to align with the conventional arrangement in power sharing of elective positions in the state. I want to appreciate all members and staff for their contributions and support.” Following Akinruntan’s resignation, the lawmaker representing Okitipupa Constituency 2, Ololade Gbegude was subsequently nominated by Oluwatoyin Japheth (Akoko North East Constituency) and seconded by Chris Ayebusiwa (Okitipupa Constituency 1) as the new Deputy Speaker. Following the nomination of Gbegudu, which was not contested, he was subsequently sworn in as the Deputy Speaker with the pledge that he will serve in his new role with due diligence. Similarly, the Majority Leader of the Assembly, Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, also stepped down from his position, with the lawmaker representing Ose Constituency, Olatunji Oshati, announced as the new Majority Leader. Also, Muritala Sulaiman, representing Akoko South East, was announced as the new Chief Whip, while Fabiyi Olatunji, Odigbo Constituency 1, becomes the Whip of the Assembly. The Speaker, Olamide Oladiji, commended the former deputy speaker and the erstwhile majority leader for their maturity. He said: “He (Akinruntan) has been a peaceful ally. He has support the house. I want to appreciate him for the maturity displayed for ensuring a peaceful transition. “The same thing goes to the former majority leader. He has been a stabilizer in the House and also a good and dependable ally.” It was gathered that the change of the positions of the principal officers became imperative in order to balance the unwritten elective political arrangements in the state. Akinruntan and Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa hail from the same Ilaje Local Council Area of the state, while the erstwhile Majority Leader, Ogunmolasuyi is from Owo Local Council, where the Deputy Governor, Olayide Adelami hails from.

TV Host, Biola Adebayo, Husband Part Ways

Fola Badmus4 months ago4 months ago02 mins

Nollywood actor and producer, Dr. Abiola Adebayo Akinrinde has revealed seperation with her husband 14 months after. The ‘Talk To B’ talk show presenter cum producer, on her official Instagram field on Monday made the revelation while send birthday wishes to her ex-husband. The thespian wrote; “Happy birthday to my Ex-husband and my baby daddy. “I pray that grace will abound unto you, I pray you find peace in all your ways, may God continue light your path abd bless you beyond your expectations in Jesus name. “Yes you heard me right! “My husband and I have beedn decided to maturely and peacefully co-parent our dear son who means everything to us. “To everyone that feels disappointed, I’m sincerely sorry, I wished it worked but it’s better to stay alive to tell the story. “Please keep us in your prayers. “While I go about making other people happy in the day, my pillow is drenched with my own tears almost every night for the past 14 months but I gain strength from Christ who loves me eternally and gave himself for me. “Let’s learn to be kind to people, you have no idea what others are going through until they say it. “Say unto the righteous all is welll. “Peace.” Checks revealed that she married Oluseyi on April 7, 2021, and assured fans that she would manage her home despite any flaws and differences.

Bill Gates Pledges $200bn Fortune to Transform Health and Education in Africa by 2045

Fola Badmus4 months ago4 months ago06 mins

Microsoft founder Bill Gates says that most of his $200bn (£150bn) fortune will be spent on improving health and education services in Africa over the next 20 years. The 69-year-old said that “by unleashing human potential through health and education, every country in Africa should be on a path to prosperity”. Speaking in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa, he also urged Africa’s young innovators to think about how to build Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve healthcare on the continent. Gates announced last month that he would give away 99% of his vast fortune by 2045, by when his foundation planned to end its operations. “I recently made a commitment that my wealth will be given away over the next 20 years. The majority of that funding will be spent on helping you address challenges here in Africa,” he said in an address at the African Union (AU) headquarters. Mozambique’s former First Lady Graça Machel welcomed his announcement, saying it came in a “moment of crisis”. “We are counting on Mr Gates’ steadfast commitment to continue walking this path of transformation alongside us,” she said. The US government has cut aid to Africa, including programmes to treat patients with HIV/Aids, as part of US President Donald Trump’s “America First” policy, raising concerns about the future of healthcare on the continent. Gates said his foundation, which has a long history of operating in Africa, would focus on improving primary healthcare. “What we’ve learned is that helping the mother be healthy and have great nutrition before she gets pregnant, while she is pregnant, delivers the strongest results,” he said. “Ensuring the child receives good nutrition in their first four years as well makes all the difference.” In a message to young innovators, the tech billionaire noted that mobile phones had revolutionised banking in Africa, and argued that AI should now be used for the continent’s benefit. “Africa largely skipped traditional banking and now you have a chance, as you build your next generation healthcare systems, to think about how AI is built into that,” he said. Gates pointed to Rwanda as an example, saying it was already improving services using AI-enabled ultrasound to identify high-risk pregnancies. The Gates Foundation said it had three priorities: ending preventable deaths of mothers and babies, ensuring the next generation grows up without having to suffer from deadly infectious diseases, and lifting millions of people out of poverty. “At the end of 20 years, the foundation will sunset its operations,” it said in a statement. Last month, Gates said he would accelerate his giving via his foundation. “People will say a lot of things about me when I die, but I am determined that ‘he died rich’ will not be one of them,” he wrote in a blog post. Giving away 99% of his fortune could still leave the fifth-richest person in the world a billionaire, according to Bloomberg. Along with Paul Allen, Gates founded Microsoft in 1975, and the company soon became a dominant force in software and other tech industries. Gates has gradually stepped back from the company in recent decades, resigning as its chief executive in 2000 and as chairman in 2014. He said he had been inspired to give away money by investor Warren Buffett and other philanthropists. However, critics of his foundation say Gates uses its charitable status to avoid tax and that it has undue influence over the global health system.