2025 | Page 248 of 262 | Trendbrio.com

Boniface in talks to leave Leverkusen -Alonso

Fola Badmus8 months ago8 months ago03 mins

Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso confirmed Tuesday striker Victor Boniface is in talks to leave the club in the current transfer window. Sky Germany have reported Boniface, 24, is set for a move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, to play alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, for a transfer fee in excess of 50 million euros ($52 million). Boniface arrived in Leverkusen from Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise 18 months ago for 20 million euros. He has scored 29 goals and laid on 11 assists in 49 matches for the club, but has not played since picking up a hamstring injury on international duty in November. The Nigeria striker missed training ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Sparta Prague. “There are discussions with the club and we need to wait. We’re preparing without Boni,” Alonso told reporters Tuesday. “We will see. We need to wait a bit more but our preparation is with the rest of our squad who are ready and fit and in good shape at the moment. “It’s the last Champions League game and that’s our focus.” Alonso revealed Leverkusen were “getting close” to signing more players during the winter window and added: “I’m very satisfied with the squad and with our quality… and will be (at the end of the window).” In Boniface’s absence Patrik Schick has returned to form for Leverkusen with 13 goals in his past nine league games. Schick said Tuesday a possible Boniface departure “doesn’t change very much… I’ve always been focused on myself and I’m not looking at anyone else. “I’ll keep going like I have and whether Victor is here or not.” The 29-year-old Schick came through the youth system at Sparta Prague and said with a smile he was looking forward to some extra attention from the visiting fans. “It will be fun — I expect them to insult me from the stands.”

Breaking: Obesere gifts bandmembers house, landed property

Fola Badmus8 months ago8 months ago22 mins

Prominient Fuji musician Abbas Akande popularly known as Obesere gifts his bandmembers house and landed property on his 60th birthday anniversary. Mr. Sharafadeen Salawudeen was the lucky owner of the house, while other members of the band got landed property for their loyalty and dedication to the group over the years. In addition, Salawudeen got the sum of N250,000 from one of Obesere’s fans who was present at the birthday bash held on Tuesday in Lagos. In a brief speech, Obesere said the gesture was to encourage his boys for their unwavering support and dedication over the years. His words; “I did this not to impress anyone but to show appreaciations to these guys. They have been wonderful and they deserve all they got as rewards. “It is my prayer that they all make good use to the plots of land.” Shortly before the close of the event, the Music icon handed the landed property’s documents to the new owners.

Dele Farotimi, Amnesty Int’l, SERAP condemn Sowore’s detention

Fola Badmus8 months ago8 months ago02 mins

Amnesty International Nigeria and Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) have condemned in its entirely the incarceration of human rights activist Omoyele Sowore by the Nigeria Police Force. Both organisations on Tuesday took to their official X handle formerly Twitter to condemn the act and demand for his unconditional release. “Amnesty International condemns the arbitrary detention of activist Omoyele Sowore who is being targeted by the police for exercising his right to freedom of expression. “The bail conditions imposed on him by the police are unconstitutional and contrary to the right to liberty,” Amnest International Nigeria pointed out. The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP also urged the Police authorities to withdraw charges against the human rights activist. “The Tinubu administration must immediately release journalist Omoyele Sowore who is arbitrarily detained solely for peacefully exercising his rights. “The police must rescind the punitive bail conditions as they are inconsistent with the right to liberty,” SERAP stated. Human rights activist and lawyer Dele Farotimi has also joined his voice to those calling for unconditional release of Sowore. “When will the Nigerian Police learn to leave Sowore alone?,” Farotimi queried. Meanwhile, Sowore is expected to appear before a Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, 29 February at 8am.

British-born Nigerian defender joins Hellas Verona

Fola Badmus8 months ago8 months ago02 mins

Daniel Oyegoke has left Hearts and completed a move to Hellas Verona. The defender joins the Serie A side on a permanent transfer for an undisclosed fee, subject to Scottish FA approval and international clearance. 22-year-old Daniel arrived at the Jambos last summer from Brentford and would go on to wear the maroon jersey 26 times, scoring once – a memorable long-range screamer against St Mirren at Tynecastle Park. Speaking about the move, Head Coach Neil Critchley said; “Daniel has shown improvement in the short period of time since his arrival at Hearts. “I’ve enjoyed working with Dan over this short period, and we wish him well at his new club. “It’s a good move for him, it’s a good deal for the club, and it makes sense for all parties involved. “It opens up opportunities for other players to step forward as we enter an exciting second half of the season.”

ICD 2025: Nigeria Customs showcases milestones in trade facilitation, security, economic growth

Fola Badmus8 months ago8 months ago04 mins

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has commemorated International Customs Day 2025 on Monday, 27 January, at the Customs House in Abuja, highlighting its achievements in trade facilitation, border security, and economic development under the theme, “Customs Delivering on its Commitment to Efficiency, Security, and Prosperity.” The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, in his remarks lauded the Service’s record-breaking ₦6.1 trillion revenue collection in 2024, which exceeded its target by 20.2% and marked a 90.4% year-on-year increase. He attributed this milestone to strategic reforms, innovative processes, and the adoption of advanced technologies such as the indigenous B’Odogwu customs clearance platform, which has processed transactions worth billions of naira. Adeniyi also highlighted trade facilitation initiatives, including the Advanced Ruling System and the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme, which have reduced clearance delays and disputes, contributing to a 66.9% reduction in cargo clearance time for certified AEO companies. On security, the CGC noted the Service’s success in tackling global risks, including anti-money laundering, drug trafficking, and wildlife protection. In 2024, he stated that the NCS seized narcotics worth billions of naira, intercepted illegal wildlife shipments valued at ₦5.93 billion, and deployed geo-spatial integration and enhanced risk assessment protocols to strengthen border security. “Our trade facilitation efforts managed imports valued at ₦60.29 trillion and exports worth ₦136.65 trillion, while strategically granting ₦1.68 trillion in concessions to promote industrial growth,” Adeniyi added, reaffirming the NCS’s commitment to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic agenda. The Special Guest of Honour, Chief of Defence Staff, Nigeria defense academy, General Christopher Musa, commended the NCS for its innovation and adaptability in addressing evolving trade and security challenges. “The Armed Forces will continue to support the NCS in promoting national security and prosperity,” Musa assured, while congratulating award recipients for their contributions to the Service. Representing the World Customs Organization – Organisation Mondiale des Douanes (WCO), Secretary-General Ian Sanders praised global customs administrations for advancing trade facilitation, security, and sustainability. He urged members to transform commitments into measurable actions and emphasised the importance of modernisation, data-driven operations, and public-private cooperation in achieving the WCO objectives. Assistant Comptroller-General Dera Nnadi, in charge of Strategic Research and Policy, noted the alignment of the WCO theme with the NCS’s focus on collaboration, consolidation, and innovation. The event attracted senior Customs officers, stakeholders, and representatives from other security agencies, showcasing the NCS’s resolve to strengthen its operations and contributions to Nigeria’s economic development.

Nigerian Army raise alarm on online scammers

Fola Badmus8 months ago8 months ago01 mins

The Nigerian Army has uncovered fake social media accounts created by fraudsters to deceive unsuspecting Nigerians, mainly through recruitment scams. These scammers, according to the Nigerian Army have been using fake accounts to defraud people, and while some have been caught, efforts are ongoing to apprehend more, assuring that the Nigerian Army is committed to protecting the public from these malicious activities. “To clarify, the Nigerian Army doesn’t have any official social media accounts on TikTok. If you come across any suspicious activity or requests for funds related to recruitment, report them immediately to the Nigerian Army’s toll-free number 193 or through our four verified social media handles:“X: https://x.com/HQNigerianArmy, Facebook: https://facebook.com/HQNigerianArmy, Instagram: https://instagram.com/HQNigerianArmy, YouTube: https://youtube.com/HQNigerianArmy, and official website: https://army.mil.ng.”

Al-Nassr opens Victor Boniface talks

Fola Badmus8 months ago8 months ago02 mins

Al-Nassr representatives are in Germany to discuss a potential deal for Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface, according to Fabrizio Romano. The delegation will undergo talks with both the club and the player as they try to negotiate a deal to bring the forward to the Saudi Pro League. It’s been heavily reported that the Nigerian international is top of Al-Nassr’s transfer list alongside Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran. As previously reported by GGFN, Leverkusen are open to selling Boniface leave this month for a fee of around €50m. The Nigerian is currently on the way back from a thigh injury that he picked up during the November international break. Boniface was in great form before his injury however since then, he has lost his place to Patrik Schick who is looking back to his best. Boniface was one of the Bundesliga’s leading goal scorers last season but has since been plagued with several injuries.

Ibadan stampede: Court adjourns Oriyomi Hamzat, Ooni’s ex-wife’s trial

Fola Badmus8 months ago8 months ago03 mins

A Magistrate Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Monday has adjourned the case of former wife of the Ooni of Ife, Naomi Silekunola; an Ibadan-based broadcaster and Chairman of a radio station, Oriyomi Hamzat; and the Principal of Islamic High School, Basorun, Abdulahib Fasasi until March 24, 2025. The trio face four charges related to conspiracy, murder, manslaughter and negligence in connection with the deaths of 35 children during a stampede at a Christmas funfair held in Ibadan, Oyo State on December 18, 2024. Previously arraigned on a holden charge—a temporary legal mechanism not recognised under Nigerian law—they were remanded in custody but later released on bail following a High Court ruling. Speaking to journalists after the court session, Hamzat’s counsel, Dapo Akinosi, provided an update on the legal proceedings: “The matter was actually slated for mention because when they were arraigned initially, it was on a holden charge, which is not recognised by our law. They were remanded in prison as a result of that charge. “We subsequently applied to the High Court, where bail was granted to the defendants. Legal advice has now been issued, and the proper information has been filed against them. However, they are yet to be served with the information. “Today, we came to court so that the charge here could be withdrawn. Since their plea has not yet been taken at the High Court, we requested a longer adjournment to allow proper proceedings, including plea-taking at the High Court, before the case can be concluded at the Magistrate Court.”