Hoffenheim agrees Gift Orban deal

Hoffenheim has agreed a deal with Olympique Lyonais to sign Gift Orban. The club were handed a provisional relegation to Ligue 2 by the DNCG in November and in order to avoid that fate, they must sell players before the end of the campaign. Orban is one of the players earmarked for a departure and there is interest in the striker. The Nigerian has been on the periphery at Lyon ever since his arrival last January for a fee of €14m. L’Équipe rpeorted earlier this week that Hoffenheim had submitted a bid of €10m, which was close to OL’s €12m valuation of the player. An agreement has now been reached. Personal details must now be agreed for the Nigerian to complete the move to the Bundesliga. RC Lens and Galatasaray had both been strongly linked with a move for Orban, however, it appears that the striker is now Germany bound.

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Dele Farotimi wins Man of The Year award

Nigerian Lawyer and Human Rights activist, Dele Farotimi has been named Man of the Year. The Editorial Board of Atlantic Digest, an online media publication on Thursday, adjudged the frontline legal luminary as their Man of the Year. “Dear Mr. Farotimi, we cherish you and all you do for public advocacy. “You remain a towering inferno against oppression and the primus inter pares amongst patriots who intend to liberate Nigeria,” the Editorial board Atlantic Digest stated. Farotimi was arrested in Lagos State on December 3, 2024, and extradited to Ekiti State by the Nigerian Police Force in connection with his book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System. The arrest followed allegations of defamation brought against him by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Afe Babalola. Farotimi’s detention sparked widespread outrage, with activists, legal practitioners, and civil society organisations condemning the action as an attempt to stifle free speech and dissent.

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Rivers: Fubara signs N1.1trn budget into law

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has appended his signature to the State’s N1.1 trillion appropriation budget into law. Fubara signed the bill into law at the River State House of Assembly on Thursday. Shortly after the exercise, the Governor wrote on his X handle (formerly Twitter), “Today, I signed into law the 2025 Rivers State Appropriation Bill. Tagged; “Budget of Inclusive Growth & Development.” “The bill is estimated at N1.1 trillion. “I deeply appreciate the Rivers State House of Assembly for their diligence and my executives for their unwavering commitment to service. “Together, we are setting the pace for a prosperous year ahead, focusing on education, healthcare, agriculture, and infrastructure. “Let me, on this note, thank everyone and once again wish you a happy and prosperous New Year ahead as we continue the journey of making Rivers State great again.”

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Super Eagles’ goalie, Nwabali becomes orphan

Super Eagles goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali has lost his mother barely one month his father. He shared the sad news of his mother’s passing on X (formerly known as Twitter) on Wednesday evening. “Rip mom,” he wrote, describing it as the “worst year of my life already.“ Before that, Nwabali had posted, “A very very crazy world indeed”. Nwabali, however, did not give further details on how his mother died. Just over a month ago, he lost his father, with the heartbreaking news coming just hours before the Super Eagles’ match against Rwanda in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification game in mid-November. The South Africa-based goalkeeper gained widespread recognition early last year for his standout performances with the Super Eagles at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). He played in every match as the three-time African champions made it to the final, where the hosts, Cote d’Ivoire, defeated them.

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Portable begs Ibadan fans over POP rants

Controversial Nigerian singer Habeeb Okikiola Badmus popularly known as Portable has apologised to Ibadan fans following his burst up with his ex-lover Queen Dami. Last December, Portable and Queen Dami broke up which led to the musician berating the Oyo people, saying their houses lack Plaster of Paris (POP). The singer also accused the Late Alafin of Oyo Queen for being promiscuous, he alleged that while going through her phone, he came across the names of top fuji singers who had slept with her. Portable however made swift U-turn in a viral video on Thursday, he apologised to the Ibadan fans following the invitation by Fuji musician Taiye Current for Concert in Ibadan tonight. The Zaazu crooner, who spoke in vernacular said; “My fans in Ibadan should forgive me over the POP issue. Please don’t be angry with me. “Taiye Currency, a top Fuji musician has transfered money to me. He want me to be at his concert in Ibadan. “You guys should not be angry. “You owned me. “I’m also an Ibadan indigene. “Taiye Current has paid for the show and it is not easy to return the money. “Please forgive me.”

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Anthony Joshua presents autographed glove to Tinubu

Two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua on Wednesday paid a courtesy visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at his residence in Lagos. The British-born Nigerian pugilist, who had on Monday visited the Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun, this time took an autographed glove to Mr. President. “I just had the honour of hosting our very own Anthony Joshua, a true champion and worthy ambassador of Nigeria. “Anthony Joshua’s dedication and achievements continue to inspire millions daily. Thank you for the autographed glove—it is a symbol of perseverance and excellence. A symbol of what Nigerians are known for. “We are Nigeria. Proudly Nigerian,” the President wrote on his X handle.

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