2025 | Page 27 of 69 | Trendbrio.com

Manchester Derby Headlines Weekend’s Premier League Clashes on GOtv

Our Reporters3 weeks ago3 weeks ago03 mins

All eyes will be on the Manchester Derby this weekend, as the Premier League hits the home stretch. Manchester United host their city rivals, Man City, on Sunday after United’s struggles continued midweek with a 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest, leaving them in 13th place. City, currently sixth, are locked in a tight race for Champions League qualification and will be desperate for three points. Kick-off at Old Trafford is 4:30 PM live on GOtv Channel 65. Action begins on Saturday, with Arsenal travelling to take on Everton. The game kicks off at 12:30 PM. The Gunners remain 12 points behind leaders Liverpool and must win every game in the run-in to have any hope of catching them. Later that evening, Aston Villa, pushing for a top-four finish, host third-placed Nottingham Forest at 5:30 PM in what promises to be a high-stakes battle. Also, on Sunday, Liverpool will be guests of Fulham. Kick-off is at 2:00 PM. Liverpool will be looking to extend their winning streak to five games and move another step closer to the title. Brentford with take on Chelsea at 2:00 PM in an encounter that could prove crucial in the race for Champions League places. The round of matches ends on Monday, when Leicester City take on sixth-placed Newcastle United at 8:00 PM. With a game in hand, Newcastle could move into the top four if results go their way, while Leicester desperately need points to avoid relegation. Catch all the Premier League action live on GOtv Channel 65. Subscribe or reconnect via the MyGOtv app to ensure you don’t miss a moment.

Rivers Hoopers Seek Better Performance at Basketball Africa League Season Five

Our Reporters3 weeks ago3 weeks ago05 mins

Rivers Hoopers Head Coach, Ogoh Odaudu, has stated that his team has what it takes to do better than last year’s outing, at the Basketball Africa League (BAL) Season 5..Rivers Hoopers will be involved in the first game at BAL season five, when they take on Stade Malien in the Kalahari Conference opener in Rabat, Morocco on Saturday, 5th April. The reigning Nigerian champions, who have been in closed camping for two weeks, arrived Rabat on Wednesday, ahead of Saturday’s opening game. Speaking on the team’s preparations so far, the BAL season four Coach of The Year, said “Training has gone well so far, we’ve been working very hard for the past two weeks and we’ve made tremendous progress.” Rivers Hoopers became the first Nigerian side to score a podium finish at BAL when they placed third last year, and while the team aims to do better this season, Coach Ogoh Odaudu insisted that the team’s immediate focus is to qualify for the playoffs which takes place in South Africa later this year. “Every tournament is just like an examination, you want to do better than the previous year. We came third last year, but we do not want to jump far ahead of ourselves. Our goal right now is to qualify from Morocco to the finals in South Africa, and then afterwards we can dream of something else. But right now we’re not thinking so far ahead, we want to be one of the two teams to qualify for South Africa at the end [of the Kalahari Conference].” he said. He however acknowledged the level of difficulty posed by the other teams at BAL by saying “It’s really difficult, right from qualifying from Nigeria. Now everybody knows our name in Africa now, the Rivers Hoopers, so it’s going to be twice as difficult as it was last season. Nobody’s going to underrate Nigeria anymore. They know what we can do. We drew a huge target on our back [last season] and people will be aiming for us now. But we’re just going to play our basketball and hopefully at the end of the day, qualify [for the playoffs].” As part of BAL requirements, Rivers Hoopers secured the signatures of Point Guard, Maxi Shamba (Congo DR), Forwards Madut Akec (South Sudan) and Raphiael Putney (USA), while retaining the services of Kelvin Amayo and Peter Olisemeka who helped the Kings Men win the Nigeria Premier Basketball League title last year, and BAL elevate youngster David Ugonna, who was also part of the Rivers Hoopers team at BAL season four. Despite the absence of sharpshooting Will Perry, the tireless Devine Eke, and the experienced John Wilkins who were among the team’s top performers last year, Coach Ogoh Odaudu thinks his current crop of players are equal to the task. He said “It’s a quite different team; we have a new point guard (Maxi Shamba), we have Rahpiael Putney who’s almost 7-foot tall and can shoot the lights out every court. We also have Madut Akec who I think is an upgrade of what we had last year. So I think the team is good to go. I am not one to single out players, I’m a team player, and the whole team is equally important for what we hope to achieve.”

Akpabio To Natasha, Abbo: Apologize And Compensate Me Or Face Legal Action

Akpabio To Natasha, Abbo: Apologise And Compensate Me Or Face Legal Action

Our Reporters3 weeks ago3 weeks ago05 mins

The Senator President Godswill Akpabio has condemned the unfounded, false, and inflammatory claims made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, for being involved in a plot to assassinate her. During a public statement in Kogi State on April 1, 2025, the suspended Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan recklessly and maliciously alleged that Senator Akpabio had “recruited” former Governor Yahaya Bello to “assassinate her in Kogi State instead of Abuja.” These allegations are not only completely false but are also a dangerous and irresponsible attempt to stir public unrest, attract media attention, and discredit the Senate President for personal motives. “It is important to note that this same individual had previously made an unsubstantiated accusation of sexual harassment against Senator Akpabio, a claim which she later abandoned without explanation. After this narrative failed to gain traction, she has escalated her campaign of misinformation to a more sinister level with these false assassination claims. “This pattern of deliberate falsehoods and manipulative tactics highlights her apparent willingness to exploit public sensitivities through recurring victimhood stories. Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has previously made similar assassination accusations against former Governor Yahaya Bello and others in 2019 and 2023, alongside multiple unfounded sexual harassment allegations. This consistent campaign to tarnish reputations through baseless allegations must not be allowed to succeed. “Additionally, just 24 hours after these accusations, former Senator Elisha Abbo appeared on Arise Television to revive a previously retracted claim, accusing Senator Akpabio of “manipulating the judiciary” to secure his removal from the Senate. Nigerians will recall that Mr. Abbo publicly apologized in 2023 after retracting these claims, acknowledging they were based on incorrect assumptions. His removal was the result of a constitutionally sound judicial decision by the Court of Appeal, which ruled he was not properly elected to represent Adamawa North,” the statement read. Senator Abbo also falsely claimed he was denied his entitlements by the Senate President. This allegation is categorically untrue, as salaries and allowances are processed through strict administrative and legal procedures, and the Senate President does not have the power to unilaterally approve or deny such requests. “The timing and similarity of these coordinated attacks point to a politically motivated smear campaign. These individuals, likely supported by undisclosed interests, appear determined to undermine the credibility of the Senate and its leadership to distract from their own political shortcomings and failures. “Senator Godswill Akpabio remains undeterred. As a committed statesman devoted to national unity, institutional integrity, and the rule of law, he will not be distracted by malicious falsehoods or inflammatory rhetoric. “Legal action, including formal letters of demand seeking immediate public retractions, apologies, and compensation for reputational damage, will soon be served to both Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Mr. Elisha Abbo. “We urge the Nigerian public and the international community to reject these baseless and provocative narratives. Under Senator Akpabio’s leadership, the Senate remains focused on its constitutional duties: promoting legislative excellence, safeguarding democratic values, and driving meaningful progress for Nigeria.”

GOtv Boxing Night 33: Shogbesan, Gbobaniyi Set for Explosive Showdown

Our Reporters3 weeks ago3 weeks ago02 mins

The stage is set for another thrilling night of boxing as GOtv Boxing Night 33 takes centre stage on April 26 at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Indoor Sports Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium. The night’s headline bout will see Sikiru “Omo Iya Eleja” Shogbesan square off against Segun Gbobaniyi in a highly anticipated lightweight clash. GOtv Boxing Night 33 takes place on April 26 at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Indoor Sports Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium. Shogbesan, with 20 wins in 24 professional fights, is regarded as a top dog in his division, while his opponent brings a strong record of eight wins from 10 fights, making this contest a battle between experience and resilience. With both fighters known for their knockout power, fans can expect an action-packed encounter. The fight card also features exciting match-ups, including William “Kaki” Amosu against Emmanuel “Ability Famous” Abimbola in a light welterweight contest, while national super featherweight champion Lateef “Latest” Azeez faces Sodiq Oyakojo. Other bouts include Tosin “Soldier Boy” Osaigbovo against Ghana’s Emmanuel Otoo and Durotimi Agboola taking on Sodiq Adeleke in the super bantamweight division. Organizers, Flykite Productions, have promised an unforgettable night of boxing, with elite fighters looking to stake their claim for national and continental titles.

Hakeem Baba-Ahmed Steps Down As Tinubu’s Political Adviser

Our Reporters3 weeks ago3 weeks ago07 mins

Impeccable sources in the presidency confirmed yesterday that the former spokesman of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) tendered his resignation about two weeks ago. The sources said Dr. Baba-Ahmed did not provide details of the reasons for his decision, only stating that it was on personal grounds. However, as of the time of filing this report, it was unclear whether the presidency had accepted his resignation. Baba-Ahmed was appointed Special Adviser on Political Matters in the Office of Vice President Kashim Shettima in September 2023. Over the past 17 months, he has represented the presidency at several public fora, including a recent national conference themed: “Strengthening Nigeria’s Democracy: Pathway to Good Governance and Political Integrity”, which held from 28th to 29th January, 2025 in Abuja. Clash with Matawalle over NEF Dr. Baba-Ahmed’s role in the presidency drew criticism at certain points. A notable criticism came from the current Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle. In April 2024, Matawalle appeared to have taken an aim at Dr. Baba-Ahmed, when he said northern appointees must not remain silent in the face of intimidation or misrepresentation of the Tinubu administration. His remarks came after Baba-Ahmed criticised Matawalle’s dismissal of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) as a “political paperweight”. That position by the minister was in reaction to the group’s statement that the North had made a mistake voting for Tinubu in 2023. Baba-Ahmed had argued that the Tinubu administration would have been better served if Matawalle had highlighted his own achievements as a minister—along with those of other northern appointees—rather than attacking the NEF. “Scathing criticism of NEF by the junior minister of defence, Matawalle, is ill-advised. He could have done a better job for this administration if he identified contributions of especially northern ministers and other appointees like me to improving security and reducing poverty in the North,” Baba-Ahmed wrote. Matawalle fired back, insisting that government appointees had a duty to defend and promote the administration they served. “Dr Baba-Ahmed’s relationship and affinity with the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) is well known,” Matawalle said, adding that: “As an appointee of this administration, it is his responsibility to work for its success, protect and defend the government against unjust and vicious attacks from those who hide under ethnic and other primordial interests to heat up the polity for myopic reasons”. The minister stressed further that: “Every appointee of President Tinubu, including Dr. Baba-Ahmed, owes the government a duty to promote, elucidate, and advance its good works and commendable efforts across all sectors. “As appointees from the North, we must take a stand, be unequivocal, and be counted among those working for the success of this administration. This is not the time to keep quiet in the face of intimidation and misrepresentation of the efforts and achievements of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu”, the junior minister maintained. Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed at a glance Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed (born September 11, 1955) is a Nigerian retired senior civil servant and former Chief of Staff to ex-Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki. He hails from Kaduna State. A practising Muslim, he has held several key positions in public service and governance. Baba-Ahmed studied at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, the London School of Economics, and the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree. He began his career as a lecturer at the then University of Sokoto (now Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto) before joining the Kaduna State Civil Service. He later transferred to the Federal Civil Service, where he rose to the rank of Permanent Secretary. During his career, Baba-Ahmed served as Permanent Secretary in various capacities, including in the Presidency and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. He also held the position of Secretary to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). A reform-minded public servant, he also served as Secretary to the Kaduna State Government. His contributions to governance earned him the national honour of Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR). Baba-Ahmed is regarded as an elder statesman in Northern Nigeria. Before his appointment as Special Adviser on Political Matters to the President in the Office of the Vice President, he was the Director of Publicity and Advocacy for the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), where he spoke openly against policies that were perceived to be against the interests of the North, and of the various parts of Nigeria.

Kevin De Bruyne To Leave Man City

Our Reporters3 weeks ago3 weeks ago02 mins

Kevin De Bruyne says he will leave Manchester City – confirming these are his “final months” with the Premier League champion. The Belgium playmaker, who is out of contract this summer, announced the news in an emotional post on X on Friday. “Nothing about this is easy to write, but as football players, we all know this day eventually comes. That day is here,” he wrote. De Bruyne joined City from Wolfsburg for around $71 million in 2015 and has gone on to win every major honor with the club, including six Premier League titles and the Champions League. In all he has won 14 major trophies at City and established himself as one of the all-time Premier League greats. “This city. This club. These people… gave me EVERYTHING. I had no choice but to give EVERYTHING back! And guess what — we won EVERYTHING,” he wrote. “Whether we like it or not, it’s time to say goodbye.”

Court Bars Interviews in Natasha’s Case Against Akpabio

Our Reporters3 weeks ago3 weeks ago03 mins

Justice Binta Fatima Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a directive barring all parties involved in the ongoing lawsuit filed by suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and three other defendants from granting press interviews or making public statements regarding the subject matter of the case. The ruling, delivered on Friday, came in response to a complaint by Akpabio’s legal counsel, Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), who raised concerns that the plaintiff, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, had been actively granting interviews to various television stations. These interviews focused on the details of her case, which is currently before the court, and were seen as potentially influencing public perception of the legal proceedings. In her decision, Justice Nyako emphasized the importance of ensuring that the case proceeds without undue external interference. She stated that no party, nor their lawyers, should engage in public discussions or give interviews regarding the ongoing case, in order to maintain the integrity of the judicial process. The ruling reflects the court’s commitment to preventing any actions that could prejudice the case or undermine the fairness of the trial. This injunction aims to safeguard the legal process from being influenced by public opinion or media portrayal, ensuring that the case is decided based solely on the facts and legal arguments presented in court. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding the rule of law and ensuring that justice is not swayed by outside factors. The decision has drawn attention to the potential impact of media coverage on high-profile cases and reinforces the principle that court matters should be determined in the courtroom, not in the court of public opinion. As the case continues, it remains to be seen how this ruling will affect the strategies of the parties involved.

Akpabio Punished Natasha, But Saraki Never Punished Him for the Same Offense

Akpabio Punished Natasha, But Saraki Didn’t for Same Offense -Senator Abbo

Our Reporters3 weeks ago3 weeks ago04 mins

Former Adamawa North senator, Ishaku Elisha Abbo, has accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of acting like an “emperor” in handling the sexual harassment allegation raised by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Speaking on Arise TV on Wednesday, Abbo criticised Akpabio for allegedly ordering Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension from the Senate, contrasting it with his own past encounter with Akpabio in the 8th Senate. He recalled a verbal altercation between Akpabio and then-Senate President Bukola Saraki over seat arrangements, emphasising that Akpabio was not suspended. “In Natasha’s case, Akpabio acted like an emperor and ordered her suspension for six months,” Abbo stated. The former senator also revisited his ousting from the Senate, calling it an act of “judicial banditry.” He alleged that the judge who ruled against him knew the decision was unjust, revealing that an intermediary was later sent to his house to plead with him. “The judge ruled that elections took place in five local governments but cancelled results in two, affecting 203 polling units, without ordering a rerun. That was outright robbery,” he said. Abbo further criticised the National Judicial Council (NJC) for its inability to discipline appellate-level judges, advocating for restructuring the body to ensure accountability. When questioned about his controversial past, including an incident where he was filmed slapping a store owner in Abuja, Abbo claimed the video excluded the part where his sister was allegedly assaulted. In 2019, Abbo faced widespread criticism after being filmed assaulting a woman in a intimacy gadget shop in Abuja. The court subsequently imposed a fine of N50 million on the lawmaker for the assault. Some months later, Abbo was again caught on camera, this time assaulting a man named Silas Daniel in his hometown of Mubi. Silas, a former Personal Assistant (PA) to Abbo, was reportedly attacked with machetes, daggers, and clubs by thugs acting under the lawmaker’s orders. On January 4, 2023, SaharaReporters revealed that policemen from the Federal Capital Territory, acting under Senator Abbo’s orders, detained freelance journalist Yau Saeed Mubi. Mubi was arrested on December 27 following a publication criticising the lack of good governance in Adamawa North, which Abbo represented at the time.