July 2025 | Page 13 of 48

Nwaneri: Arsenal Will Keep Working Hard

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago02 mins

Ethan Nwaneri played his part in Arsenal’s 1-0 win over AC Milan in the Singapore National Stadium on Wednesday, and afterwards said he is excited for what is to come this season. Three of our summer signings all made their first outings for the side, while several academy players were also involved. After the game Ethan said: “I think it’s a good start from the team, we’re ready to keep pushing and training and working hard. “It was hard, it was tough, but you need to do it in pre-season to get fit, so I think it was good and I enjoyed it.” Ethan came close to opening the scoring in the first half, with a crisp drive that was well saved just as it was heading into the bottom corner. Arsenal got the winner in the second half though, by which time Martin Zubimendi and Kepa Arrizabalaga had come on for their non-competitive debuts, after Christian Norgaard had impressed in the first-half. Ethan said the squad is are shaping up well ahead of the new campaign. “Yes, I think all the signings we’ve made have been brilliant and sharpening the team and making us even stronger. We’ve got some more back at home coming, so we’re ready for them to all come and build together.”

The Federal Government has launched the National Palm Oil Traceability Framework alongside an Inter-Agency Committee to enhance palm oil production, ensure product integrity, and boost export competitiveness. Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Marcus Olaniyi Ogunbiyi, announced this during the inauguration ceremony in Abuja. He noted that the framework aims to address challenges such as adulteration, poor processing standards, and inadequate packaging. “The establishment of a national traceability system for palm oil is a clear demonstration of our determination to modernise agricultural value chains, enhance global competitiveness, and promote responsible production and sourcing,” Kyari said. The committee, operating under the National Initiative for Sustainable and Climate-Smart Oil Palm Smallholders (NISCOPS), will coordinate efforts among federal and state agencies, private sector players, farmers’ cooperatives, and development partners. Solidaridad Nigeria, through its Oil Palm Programme Manager, Kennechukwu Onukwube, reiterated its commitment to guiding and promoting the traceability policy for a sustainable future.

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Abubakar Kyari

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago02 mins

The Federal Government has launched the National Palm Oil Traceability Framework alongside an Inter-Agency Committee to enhance palm oil production, ensure product integrity, and boost export competitiveness. Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Marcus Olaniyi Ogunbiyi, announced this during the inauguration ceremony in Abuja. He noted that the framework aims to address challenges such as adulteration, poor processing standards, and inadequate packaging. “The establishment of a national traceability system for palm oil is a clear demonstration of our determination to modernise agricultural value chains, enhance global competitiveness, and promote responsible production and sourcing,” Kyari said. The committee, operating under the National Initiative for Sustainable and Climate-Smart Oil Palm Smallholders (NISCOPS), will coordinate efforts among federal and state agencies, private sector players, farmers’ cooperatives, and development partners. Solidaridad Nigeria, through its Oil Palm Programme Manager, Kennechukwu Onukwube, reiterated its commitment to guiding and promoting the traceability policy for a sustainable future.

Nigerian Goalkeeper Bags Two-Month Ban

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago03 mins

Super Eagles and Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, who had been accused of match-fixing, has been cleared of all charges but given a two-month ban by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), the Serie A club said. The FIGC National Federal Court, which met on Tuesday to discuss the charge against Nigerian Okoye, “has excluded any involvement of the player in sports offences, after accepting the arguments of his lawyers”, Udinese said in a statement. “During the trial, all charges of alleged sporting misconduct were dropped, and the decision to impose a two-month ban was based solely on a violation of the general principle of fairness (Article 4 of the Federal Sports Justice Code). “The club has stated that it is satisfied with the court’s conclusion that the player was not involved in the infamous match-fixing theory. The club wishes to reiterate its full support for Okoye, who is awaiting the reasons for the decision. Udinese Calcio reasserts that it is firmly convinced of Maduka’s proper conduct.” The 25-year-old Nigerian international was alleged to have deliberately collected a booking during his team’s Italian league match against Lazio in March 2024. The German-born goalkeeper received a yellow card for time-wasting, after an alleged deal reached with a friend who won 120,000 euros ($140,000) as a result of a bet. The FIGC investigation established that there was no intention to fix the match, which would have been punishable by a four-year fine. However Okoye, who has been with Udinese since 2023, will be suspended from August 18 to October 19. He will therefore miss seven of his team’s matches — six in the league and one in the Coppa Italia.

WTT Contender Lagos: Top Seeds Begin Hunt for Points, Top Prize

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago03 mins

With the two-day qualifying rounds concluded, the main draw of the 2025 WTT Contender Lagos kicks off on Thursday, July 24, at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, where top seeds will begin their quest for world ranking points and the tournament’s top prize. While international stars are eyeing the title, the absence of Nigerian legend Quadri Aruna opens the door for local talents like Olajide Omotayo, Matthew Kuti, Abdulbasit Abdulfatai, and Taiwo Mati to make a strong impression. Tunisia’s Wassim Essid and Cameroon’s Ylane Batix are also among the contenders hoping for a breakthrough performance in Lagos—the second WTT Contender event hosted in Africa. In the Women’s Singles, defending champion Sreeja Akula of India faces a tough field, including top seed Hina Hayata and Honoka Hashimoto of Japan, Egypt’s rising star Hana Goda, and France’s Prithika Pavade. “I won the Women’s Singles title last year, and I’m aiming for another this year,” said Akula. “The competition is much stronger, but I just want to give my best and enjoy the tournament.” Also drawing attention is John Oyebode, who represents Italy but has Nigerian roots. The son of former Nigerian international Michael Oyebode, John, is eager to make his mark on home soil. “What makes WTT Contender Lagos unique is the massive support from the fans, regardless of where the players come from. They love the sport, and that’s a big motivation. Nigeria is home to me, and I want to enjoy myself by giving my best against the best,” he said. Meanwhile, 2024 Men’s Doubles runners-up Olajide Omotayo and Azeez Solanke are back with renewed determination to go one step further this year.

Senate Consider Yusuf Muhammad Yusuf as NLRC Commissioner

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago01 mins

President Bola Tinubu has nominated Professor Yusuf Muhammad Yusuf as a commissioner of the Nigerian Law Reform Commission (NLRC), replacing Professor Fatima Alkali, who declined her earlier nomination. The nomination was conveyed to the Senate in a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary. Tinubu urged the lawmakers to confirm Yusuf swiftly, citing Section 2(1) of the Nigerian Law Reform Commission Act, 2022. “Professor Yusuf Muhammad Yusuf is to replace Professor Fatima Alkali, whose nomination was earlier presented through my letter dated 22nd June 2025, but did not appear for screening and confirmation,” the President explained. Akpabio referred Yusuf’s nomination to the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters for further legislative action. In June, Tinubu had appointed Dakas Dakas as chairman, alongside Uchenna Okolocha and Alkali as commissioners of the NLRC. Alkali, who was meant to represent the North-East, later turned down the appointment.

EFCC Withdraws ₦12.3bn Fraud Case Against Otudeko, Onasanya After Settlement

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago02 mins

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has officially withdrawn the 13-count charge filed before the Federal High Court in Lagos against Chief Oba Otudeko, CFR, Chairman of Honeywell Group, and three other defendants. The case, which began in January 2025 over alleged non-performing loan transactions, has now been formally discontinued following a directive by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF). During Tuesday’s proceedings, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, representing the EFCC, told the court that after a comprehensive review of representations from all parties—including First Bank of Nigeria—the AGF concluded that continuing the case was not in the public interest. Otudeko, a renowned industrialist and philanthropist, welcomed the development, reaffirming that the matter was a civil transaction resolved over eight years ago. In a statement, Honeywell Group’s counsel, Olasumbo Abolaji, praised Dr. Otudeko’s decades-long contributions to Nigeria’s economy, adding that there was no finding or admission of wrongdoing, and the withdrawal reinforces his unblemished record of service and leadership. The EFCC’s withdrawal is seen as a positive signal for financial market stakeholders, strengthening confidence in Nigeria’s judicial and institutional processes.

FIFA Appoints Match Officials for U-20 World Cup Chile 2025

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago03 mins

The FIFA Referees Committee has announced the match officials who will oversee games at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025, which will take place from 27 September to 19 October. A total of 54 match officials (18 referees and 36 assistant referees) from 22 FIFA Member Associations are set to take charge of the matches. “Following the success of the FIFA Club World Cup, we look forward to another exciting tournament, for which we have once again appointed a very strong Team One line-up. From a refereeing perspective, it’s very important that the officials have the opportunity to be involved at a tournament featuring the stars of tomorrow and for us to carry out further testing of Football Video Support (FVS), which has been a great success so far,” said the Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, Pierluigi Collina. The use of Football Video Support (FVS) at the tournament follows on from the trials implemented last year at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia and the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic. The FVS trials followed numerous requests from member associations for an alternative, cost-effective way of using technology to support match officials. Unlike the video assistant referee (VAR) system, FVS does not use dedicated video match officials and therefore does not check all match-changing incidents. Instead, the onus falls on the respective head coaches, who are allowed to make a limited number of review requests per game when they feel that a clear and obvious error has been made in match-changing incidents, such as goals, penalty decisions, direct red card incidents or cases of mistaken identity. The players can also recommend that their coaches request a review. “Chile is a football-loving country, and we have an excellent opportunity to ensure that this year’s edition of the FIFA U-20 World Cup leaves a legacy on a refereeing level. The (FIFA) U-20 World Cup is a highly competitive tournament that requires officials to have a sound reading of the game,” noted FIFA Director of Refereeing Massimo Busacca.

US Issues Fresh Travel Advisory Warning Against Travel to Nigeria

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago02 mins

The United States government has issued a new travel advisory cautioning its citizens against travelling to Nigeria due to a combination of security threats and inadequate healthcare services. The advisory, released as part of the US security review for Africa, cited kidnapping, terrorism, armed gangs, and violent crime as major risks. It also flagged the poor availability of healthcare services and warned travellers to make provisions for all necessary medications and emergency care before visiting. Nigeria was listed alongside 11 other high-risk African countries, including Somalia, Libya, Burkina Faso, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Burundi, Mauritania, Guinea-Bissau, Niger, and Chad. The US State Department categorised Nigeria under Level 3: “Reconsider Travel”, with 18 states placed under Level 4: “Do Not Travel”. These include: The US Mission in Nigeria highlighted the prevalence of violent crimes such as armed robbery, assault, carjacking, roadside banditry, and kidnappings for ransom, warning that terrorists may strike with little or no notice at public places, hotels, markets, and transportation hubs. Additionally, the advisory underscored Nigeria’s high malaria risk, unreliable healthcare services, lack of emergency response infrastructure, and counterfeit pharmaceuticals, urging travellers to secure comprehensive travel and medical evacuation insurance.