2025 | Page 37 of 137 | Trendbrio.com

NFF, Ogun State Seal Pact on Football Matches and Events!

Our Reporters4 weeks ago4 weeks ago04 mins

Ogun State, the Gateway State, has signed up to be a strategic partner of the Nigeria Football Federation in delivering events, programmes and activities of the football-governing body, in a way that will strengthen the football economy as the country strives to create a vibrant sports economy to support the New Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This pact was sealed in Abeokuta on Sunday after the President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau and a delegation paid a courtesy visit to the Governor of Ogun State, His Excellency Prince Dapo Abiodun. The Gateway State, renown and applauded for the excellent serenity it offers, alongside remarkable sporting and social infrastructure, has over the years and decades played host to matches of the various National Teams, as well as matches of major tournaments that Nigeria has hosted, including the FIFA U17 World Cup finals in 2009. The State has also hosted matches of Confederation of African Football club competitions. Recently, the magnificent facility in Ikenne-Remo (Remo Stars Stadium), built by billionaire football investor and philanthropist, Hon. Kunle Soname, has played host to matches of the senior women national team, Super Falcons, and the U17 girls, Flamingos. Few days to the commencement of the 2025 National Sports Festival which the State is hosting, Gusau led a delegation of the NFF to inform His Excellency that, as a result of Ogun State’s ever-growing sporting and cultural relevance in the Nigerian, African and global context, the NFF has decided that the State host the forthcoming friendly matches of the Super Falcons against their Cameroonian counterparts, Indomitable Lionesses. The first match will take place at the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne-Remo on Saturday, 31st May while the second match will take place at the newly-renovated MKO Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta on Tuesday, 3rd June. Ogun State has also been handed the hosting right for the WAFU B U17 Boys Championship that Nigeria will stage in September this year. Gusau’s delegation included the NFF 2nd Vice President/Chairman NPFL, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye and; Members of the NFF Executive Committee, Alhaji Ganiyu Majekodunmi, His Excellency Silas Agara and Ms Aisha Falode.

Mali’s Military Dissolves Political Parties Amid Crackdown on Opposition

Our Reporters4 weeks ago4 weeks ago02 mins

Mali’s military leader, Assimi Goita, has formally approved the dissolution of all political parties in the country, according to a statement read on state television Tuesday. The decision follows recommendations from a recent national dialogue that also proposed extending Goita’s rule by five more years, raising fears of deepening authoritarianism in the West African nation. The move comes after protests in the capital, Bamako, on May 3 and 4, where demonstrators rallied against military rule, chanting pro-democracy slogans and denouncing dictatorship. In response, the junta suspended all political activities nationwide ahead of a planned May 9 protest, forcing opposition groups to cancel the demonstration. Human rights organizations have raised alarm over reports of opposition figures disappearing in recent days. Human Rights Watch said Abba Alhassane, Secretary-General of CODEM, was abducted by masked men claiming to be gendarmes, while El Bachir Thiam, leader of the Yelema party, was seized by unidentified individuals in the town of Kati. Goita, who first seized power in a 2020 coup, initially promised to hold elections by February 2022, a pledge that remains unfulfilled. With political repression intensifying, critics warn that Mali is veering further away from democratic governance under the guise of security and stability.

Navy Dismantles Nine Illegal Refineries in Rivers Seizes 175,000 Litres of Stolen Products

Our Reporters4 weeks ago4 weeks ago02 mins

Port Harcourt, May 14, 2025 — The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder has dismantled nine illegal refining sites and seized approximately 175,000 litres of suspected stolen petroleum products in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State. The operation, carried out on May 12, exposed an extensive network of illicit activities, including 45 refining ovens, 30 storage reservoirs, and 75 dugout pits, according to a statement by Commodore Cajethan Aniaku, Commander of NNS Pathfinder. Details of the Seizure: The illegal facilities were destroyed on-site to prevent further exploitation and environmental harm. The Navy also discovered two wellheads connected via underground pipes used by oil thieves to siphon crude directly to their camps. The pipes were dismantled as part of the operation. “The Nigerian Navy, under the leadership of Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, remains committed to combating crude oil theft and illegal bunkering,” said Commodore Aniaku. “These activities pose grave threats to our national economy and energy security.” No arrests were made as the perpetrators fled before the arrival of the tactical squad. Aniaku praised the personnel for their bravery and professionalism, reaffirming the Navy’s commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s oil infrastructure through ongoing anti-theft and bunkering operations.

Taiwo Awoniyi in induced coma after surgery

Our Reporters4 weeks ago4 weeks ago05 mins

Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi has been placed in an induced coma after urgent surgery on a serious abdominal injury sustained in Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Leicester. Awoniyi had surgery on Monday evening and while there is no suggestion his condition is life-threatening, it could have been if left untreated. The coma has been induced to restrict his movement and regulate his heart rate in order to aid his recovery, with further treatment expected on Tuesday. The 27-year-old slid into the post late in Sunday’s match, in a passage of play after Anthony Elanga had been clearly offside, before continuing to play after several minutes of treatment. This injury has placed renewed scrutiny on the Premier League’s regulation to continue play in the case of goalscoring opportunities even if a player is noticeably offside in the build-up. Owner Evangelos Marinakis confronted head coach Nuno Espirito Santo on the pitch after the game, which the club have claimed was regarding the medical team’s treatment of Awoniyi. In a statement released on Monday, Forest said: “The seriousness of Awoniyi’s injury is a powerful reminder of the physical risks in the game and why a player’s health and well-being must always come first. “This principle is not just policy for us, it is the deeply held belief and conviction of our owner. To Marinakis, this isn’t just a club, it’s family, and he instils that message in all of us. “That is why he was so personally and emotionally invested in the situation. His reaction was one of deep care, responsibility and emotional investment in one of our own. “He didn’t just see it as an isolated incident, but something that reflected the values and unity of the entire team.” The club then went on to praise their owner’s character and behaviour, saying: “In moments like that he demonstrates his leadership, not just through words, but through action and presence.“When he saw our player clearly in discomfort it became increasingly difficult for him to stay on the sidelines. “It was instinctive, human, and a reflection of just how much this team and its people mean to him. He would do the same again if such an unfortunate event were ever to reoccur. “There was no confrontation, with Nuno or others, either on the pitch or inside the stadium. There was only shared frustration between all of us that the medical team should never have allowed the player to continue.” The statement finished with a plea which appeared to target Gary Neville, who had called for Nuno to resign on Sunday after Marinakis’s on-pitch outburst. They said: “In light of this, we urge former coaches and players, and other public figures in the game, to resist the urge to rush to judgment and fake news online, especially when they do not have the full facts and context. “Baseless and ill-informed outrage for the purposes of personal social-media traction serves no one, least of all the injured player. We call on these influential voices to show the same respect for player welfare that they often demand from others. Let concern come before commentary.”

Atlanta Through The UEFA Champions League As They Beat Roma

Our Reporters4 weeks ago4 weeks ago02 mins

Atalanta clinched a spot in the UEFA Champions League on Monday, defeating Roma 2-1 and securing their place in Serie A’s top four. The win, which moved Atalanta to third, came thanks to a 76th-minute goal from Ibrahim Sulemana. With two matches left in the season, Atalanta is now seven points ahead of fifth-placed Lazio. The match saw Ademola Lookman put Atalanta ahead early, before Bryan Cristante equalized for Roma in the 32nd minute. However, Sulemana’s late strike ended Roma’s 19-match unbeaten streak and dashed their hopes of catching Lazio and Juventus, who currently occupy the fourth spot. Roma will still fight for a Champions League spot, but face a tough challenge next weekend against AC Milan, while Juventus hosts Udinese. Reaching the Champions League would be a huge triumph for Ranieri as Roma looked like relegation candidates when he came out of retirement in November to take charge of his boyhood club for the third time. Gasperini has been tipped to take over Ranieri after nine hugely successful years in the Atalanta dugout, winning the Europa League last season.

New Jersey-Based Nigerian Woman Sentenced to 45 Months for Forced Labor and Human Trafficking

Our Reporters4 weeks ago4 weeks ago05 mins

Camden, New Jersey – A Nigerian-born U.S. citizen residing in New Jersey, Bolaj Bolarinwa, has been sentenced to 45 months in federal prison for orchestrating a coercive forced labor scheme involving two women she brought into the United States to work in her home under abusive conditions. The U.S. Department of Justice announced the sentencing on Friday, May 9, 2025, following Bolarinwa’s conviction on multiple charges, including two counts of forced labor, alien harboring for financial gain, and two counts of document servitude. Bolarinwa, 51, of Moorestown, was found guilty after a two-week trial before U.S. District Judge Karen M. Williams, who also imposed three years of supervised release, a $35,000 fine, and $87,518.72 in restitution to the victims. Exploitation and Abuse According to court documents and trial evidence, Bolarinwa recruited two women from Nigeria between December 2015 and October 2016 and subjected them to forced domestic labor and childcare in her home. Once in the U.S., Bolarinwa confiscated the victims’ passports, isolated them, subjected them to constant surveillance, and threatened them with physical harm — including threats against the family of one victim. The first victim, brought to the U.S. in December 2015, was coerced into working around-the-clock for nearly a year, with no freedom of movement and under continual verbal and psychological abuse. The second victim, who arrived on a student visa in April 2016, was physically assaulted and similarly exploited until she managed to inform a college professor, who then alerted the FBI. Both women were held in Bolarinwa’s home until October 2016, when federal authorities intervened. Federal Response Officials condemned the case as a stark example of human trafficking and exploitation. “The defendant exploited her relationship with the victims to lure them to the United States with false promises,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “She subjected them to threats, physical force, and mental abuse to coerce them to work long hours for minimal pay.” “Today’s sentence vindicates the rights of two vulnerable women,” said U.S. Attorney Alina Habba for the District of New Jersey. “Forced labor and human trafficking are atrocious crimes that have no place in our society.” “Bolarinwa lured women with false promises, held them captive, and physically abused them,” added Acting Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly of the FBI Newark Field Office. “This case is a reminder that human trafficking can happen anywhere, even in plain sight.” Ongoing Efforts The case was prosecuted under the auspices of the District of New Jersey’s Human Trafficking Task Force, established in 2025. The task force comprises multiple federal and state agencies, including the FBI, Department of Homeland Security, IRS, and the New Jersey Office of Attorney General, aimed at combating trafficking and supporting survivors. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Bender and Trial Attorney Elizabeth Hutson of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit led the prosecution. Anyone who suspects human trafficking is encouraged to contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text “HELP” to 233733 (BEFREE).

Boko Haram Kills Over 300 in Five Weeks Report Warns of Failing Counterinsurgency Strategy

Our Reporters4 weeks ago4 weeks ago03 mins

Abuja, Nigeria – Over 300 people, including more than 100 military personnel and 200 civilians, have been killed in renewed Boko Haram attacks over a five-week period, according to a new report by security research firm Nextier SPD. The report, titled “Re-thinking Nigeria’s Counterinsurgency Strategy: The Aftermath of the Boko Haram Resurgence”, highlights a troubling increase in both the frequency and lethality of terrorist attacks in northeastern Nigeria between November 2024 and April 2025. Authored by Dr. Ndu Nwokolo and Dr. Chibuike Njoku, the findings reveal that 252 terrorist incidents were recorded during the six-month span. January 2025 alone saw 92 deaths, despite a relatively average number of attacks that month. “Military victories do not necessarily translate to improved community security and stabilisation,” the report notes. The report links the resurgence of violence to the two main Boko Haram factions — Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) — which have ramped up their operations with more sophisticated tactics including ambushes on military convoys, use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and raids on internally displaced persons (IDP) camps. In a worrying development, the insurgents have reportedly seized control of three local government areas in Borno State, further undermining state authority and disrupting humanitarian operations. The report also raised alarm over growing military fatigue, deteriorating civil-military relations, and a surge in kidnappings, particularly in April 2025. Despite continued military offensives, Nextier SPD argues that Nigeria’s current approach — heavily focused on military operations — has failed to address the underlying drivers of insurgency, such as poverty, unemployment, and lack of access to education. The authors call for a comprehensive, people-centred counterinsurgency strategy, combining military efforts with socioeconomic reforms, inclusive dialogue, and community-based interventions. “The current strategy is reactive rather than preventative,” the report warns. “Without urgent reforms, Nigeria’s fight against terrorism may continue to flounder, leaving millions vulnerable to extremist violence.” The resurgence of Boko Haram comes as Nigeria faces mounting security challenges across several regions, with many analysts now urging a fundamental rethink of national security policy to address the root causes of violence rather than its symptoms.

CBN Launches Non-Resident BVN Opens Nigeria’s Financial System to Diaspora

Our Reporters4 weeks ago4 weeks ago06 mins

Abuja, Nigeria – May 13, 2025The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has taken a major leap toward bridging the financial gap between Nigeria and its diaspora population with the official launch of the Non-Resident Bank Verification Number (NRBVN). The initiative, unveiled yesterday in Abuja, is being hailed as a historic move that will allow millions of Nigerians abroad to access and participate in Nigeria’s financial ecosystem without the previous bureaucratic and logistical barriers. Speaking at the launch, CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso described the program as a “transformational milestone” that reflects the Bank’s commitment to full financial inclusion for Nigerians, regardless of their geographical location. “This is not the final destination, but the beginning of a broader journey,” Cardoso stated. “Every Nigerian, no matter their location, remains connected and empowered to contribute to Nigeria’s vibrant future.” Eliminating Key Barriers for the Diaspora The NRBVN initiative tackles several longstanding obstacles that have hindered the financial participation of Nigerians living overseas. Here’s how it addresses seven critical pain points: 1. Mandatory Physical Presence for Banking Services Before: Nigerians abroad had to travel home to open or manage accounts.Now: With NRBVN, digital verification replaces the need for physical presence, saving time and money.Impact: “Considerable costs in terms of time and financial resources” are now eliminated, Cardoso said. 2. Limited Access to Financial Institutions Before: Distance restricted diaspora Nigerians from accessing banking services.Now: A new digital platform connects users to Nigeria’s entire banking ecosystem from anywhere in the world.Impact: A “single digital gateway” now ensures seamless service delivery to all Nigerians, according to the CBN. 3. Restricted Investment Opportunities Before: Bureaucratic bottlenecks locked diaspora Nigerians out of investment markets.Now: With the NRBVN and the complementary Non-Resident Nigerian Investment Account (NRNIA), full access to stocks, bonds, real estate, and pension products is unlocked.Impact: Investors can now participate with ease—and repatriate profits freely. 4. High-Cost, Insecure Remittance Channels Before: Fees as high as 7% and unreliable channels made remittances costly and risky.Now: Formal, regulated remittance pathways now ensure lower costs and higher security.Impact: Remittance inflows are expected to surge, supporting the CBN’s $1 billion monthly target. 5. One-Size-Fits-All Banking Products Before: Few financial products were designed with diaspora lifestyles in mind.Now: Banks have been directed to develop customized products like diaspora mortgages, savings, and investment bundles.Impact: Financial offerings now reflect the unique needs of cross-border customers. 6. Inconsistent Regulatory Framework Before: Unclear rules discouraged long-term diaspora engagement.Now: A stable regulatory model inspired by India and Pakistan ensures consistency and clarity.Impact: Greater confidence among diaspora investors, with Nigeria aiming to replicate India’s $160 billion diaspora deposits. 7. Disconnection from Nation-Building Before: Lack of formal mechanisms limited diaspora contributions to development.Now: New investment channels allow Nigerians abroad to support local infrastructure and job creation.Impact: Strengthened economic ties and social impact, even from thousands of miles away. A Global Vision with Local Impact The launch of the NRBVN represents a strategic pivot in Nigeria’s efforts to unlock diaspora capital and involvement. With over 15 million Nigerians living abroad, the CBN sees enormous potential for boosting the economy through improved remittances, investment flows, and community development. Governor Cardoso emphasized that the initiative would be refined based on ongoing feedback, underscoring the Bank’s commitment to a dynamic, inclusive financial system. “Your financial connection to Nigeria should be as strong as your cultural one,” he said.