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Year: 2026

CAF African Schools Football Championship: CAF Officials Conclude Inspection of Facilities

Fola Badmus04 mins

A seven-person team of inspectors from the Confederation of African Football on Wednesday concluded the assessment of facilities that Nigeria is putting up to host the Final Phase of the 2025/26 CAF African Schools Football Championship.   The delegation, led by Omar Amr (Safeguarding), evaluated available facilities and equipment at the Remo Stars Sports Institute, the FC Ebedei Stadium and facilities and equipment within, the Babcock University Teaching Hospital and the Babcock University Guest House.   The CAF African Schools Football Championship, launched four years ago, is an annual U15 tournament with the objective of developing youth football and promoting education across the African continent. It is supported by a $10 million investment from the Foundation owned by CAF President, Dr Patrice Motsepe, and features zonal qualifiers leading to the continental final tournament.   Amr told NFF officials and the management of Remo Stars Sports Institute that a total of 24 teams are expected at what will be the biggest CAF African Football Championship Final Phase since the competition started in 2022. There will be eight boys’ teams and eight girls’ teams from across the continent, with eight other teams to be invited from another confederation of FIFA.   CAF officials Omar Amr (Safeguarding), Fatima Elmissaoui (ASFC officer), Herve Dassoundo (Marketing & Branding), Mahmoud Amer ((Travel/Logistics), Diabate Zakarhiya (Safety & Security), Hend Thabet (Travel & Accommodation), and the Executive Director of WAFU B, Philippe Tchere conducted the inspection that took place on Tuesday and Wednesday. NFF officials led by Dr Ademola Olajire and Coach Abdulrafiu Yusuf were joined by Mrs Oyinkansola Ajibola (GM, Beyond Limits Football Academy) and Mr. Michael Onikute to conduct the inspectors round the facilities.   The 2024 finals were held in Accra, Ghana where Tanzania’s boys and Ghana’s girls emerged victorious. Winners receive up to $300,000 in infrastructural development, and the tournament involves partnerships with organizations like United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and World Health Organization (WHO), for health education.   The Final Phase of the 2025/26 CAF African Football Championship is slated for the month of April.   At the end of their assessment, the inspectors minced no words in stating how impressed they were with the facilities, with a member telling the President of Remo Stars FC and proprietor of the Institute, Hon. Kunle Soname that the facility remains the best he has ever seen in the whole of West Africa.

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Attractive Football Matters More Than Trophies to Me – Liverpool Boss Arne Slot

Wale busari03 mins

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has said that playing exciting, entertaining football is more important to him than simply winning trophies at Anfield. Speaking during The Reds Roundtable, the Dutch coach reflected on last season’s Premier League title triumph, noting that the team’s style of play brought him as much fulfilment as lifting the trophy itself. Slot explained that while managers are often judged by silverware, his greatest satisfaction comes from producing football that fans genuinely enjoy watching. “You can win the league, the Champions League, the FA Cup or the League Cup, but the biggest thing you can win is playing the nicest football to watch,” he said. He acknowledged that some supporters may disagree with his viewpoint but insisted that his philosophy remains unchanged, stressing his desire for possession-based, high-intensity football that excites the crowd. “I always want to have the ball, I want intensity, and I want the fans to like what they see,” Slot added. The Liverpool boss admitted that failing to entertain supporters during matches frustrates him more than poor results or league standings. “That bothers me the most — even more than results or the league table — when not all our fans feel we are a joy to watch throughout the game,” he said. Slot also showed empathy toward fan criticism, admitting he often shares their frustrations. “I understand them, because I agree with them,” he noted. While he recognises the importance of trophies, Slot believes a club’s identity and philosophy ultimately matter more in the long run. “Trophies are important, but being a team or a club that stands for something — especially good football — is, in the long term, worth even more,” he concluded.

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Fave

Fave Raises Alarm Over Alleged Ban on Music Shows During Ramadan

Wale busari02 mins

Nigerian singer Chidozie Godsfavour Ugochinyere, professionally known as Fave, has expressed concern over a reported directive discouraging artistes from staging concerts in Nigeria during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. The Baby Riddim hitmaker disclosed that plans to host a live show on her birthday, March 13, have faced repeated obstacles because the date falls within the Ramadan period, during which music events are allegedly not permitted. Taking to her X (formerly Twitter) account, Fave said she was confused by the situation, noting that she had been informed that concerts could not hold during Ramadan. She further revealed that several promoters had declined to work on the proposed show, repeatedly citing the same reason — its clash with Ramadan. Fave questioned why the religious observance should affect her work, explaining that she is a Christian and had little exposure to Ramadan practices while growing up in southern Nigeria. While stressing her respect for all religions, the singer maintained that she simply wants to celebrate her birthday with her first independent show in the country. She also appealed publicly to any promoters willing to collaborate with her despite the timing, saying she would be happy to move forward with the event if given the opportunity.

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US Troops

US Deploys Small Team of Troops to Nigeria After Renewed Security Cooperation

Wale busari02 mins

The United States has confirmed the deployment of a “small team” of troops to Nigeria, marking a renewed on-ground military presence following recent joint security cooperation between both countries. The disclosure was made by Dagvin Anderson, the General in charge of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), during a press briefing on Tuesday. Anderson explained that the deployment is part of ongoing collaboration between the US and Nigerian authorities aimed at strengthening security cooperation and addressing shared threats, particularly in counterterrorism operations. This development represents the first official acknowledgment of US boots on Nigerian soil since the administration of former President Donald Trump authorised airstrikes against terrorist targets in Sokoto State on Christmas Day during his tenure. While details of the troops’ mission, size, and duration were not disclosed, AFRICOM stressed that the presence is limited and focused on cooperation rather than combat operations. The announcement has sparked renewed public interest in the scope of US–Nigeria security relations, especially amid ongoing efforts to combat terrorism and insecurity across parts of the country.

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Maina

Ex-Pension Task Force Boss Abdulrasheed Maina Hospitalised After Slumping in Abuja

Wale busari03 mins

Former Chairman of the now-defunct Pension Reform Task Force, Abdulrasheed Maina, has been hospitalised after slumping while attempting to access his office in Abuja. The incident occurred on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, according to a statement released on Wednesday by his media assistant, Emmanuel Ekwe. Ekwe explained that Maina’s collapse was caused by complications arising from an untreated knee injury, which led him to lose balance and fall, hitting his head on a staircase. “Dr Abdulrasheed Maina, former Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team, slumped on the evening of Tuesday, February 3, 2026, while attempting to access his office premises,” the statement read. “The incident followed complications from an untreated knee injury, which caused him to lose balance and fall, resulting in his head hitting the staircase.” According to the statement, medical personnel on ground immediately administered first aid before rushing him to a private hospital in Abuja for urgent treatment. Maina is said to be receiving intensive medical care and remains under close observation. One of the attending doctors reportedly advised that air ambulance evacuation be considered if his condition does not stabilise within a short period. “The family appeals to the public for prayers, understanding, and respect for their privacy at this critical time. Further updates will be communicated as developments unfold,” Ekwe added. Maina is a controversial figure in Nigeria’s public space, best known for his role in the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms and the high-profile corruption case that followed. In November 2021, a Federal High Court in Abuja convicted him on money laundering charges involving ₦2.1 billionlinked to pension funds and sentenced him to eight years in prison. His appeal was dismissed in May 2023, when the Court of Appeal upheld both the conviction and the forfeiture of assets. Despite the sentence, Maina was released from Kuje Correctional Centre on February 25, 2025, after benefiting from statutory remission for good conduct, with his sentence calculated from his arrest in October 2019. Since his release, he has largely kept a low profile, though developments surrounding him continue to attract public attention due to the scale of the pension scandal.

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APC Chairman Yilwatda Yet to Resign Ministerial Post, Sparking Legal Concerns

Wike–Fubara Rift Not Party’s Business – APC Chairman, Yilwatda

Wale busari03 mins

National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has clarified the party’s position on the lingering political tension involving Rivers State Minister Nyesom Wike and Governor Siminalayi Fubara, stressing that the dispute does not fall within the APC’s jurisdiction. Speaking on Channels TV’s Politics Today on Tuesday, Yilwatda explained that both actors belong to different political parties, making the conflict outside his scope as APC chairman. “When it comes to the issue between Wike and Fubara, it’s not within my purview as the national chairman of APC. Wike is in PDP, Fubara is in APC,” he said. Addressing the reported impeachment moves in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Yilwatda noted that the matter concerns APC lawmakers and should be treated strictly as an internal party affair. “The issue of impeachment is not about Wike now; it concerns APC House of Assembly members. That is something I can discuss. It’s an internal matter, and we have mechanisms within APC to resolve such issues,”he added. The APC chairman also emphasized the importance of restraint and maturity in managing party disputes, insisting that sensitive discussions should not be played out in public. “We don’t put these discussions in the public. Issues can be resolved through in-house activities that require maturity to address. Wike is not a problem in APC,” Yilwatda said. His remarks come amid heightened political tension in Rivers State, as internal power struggles and impeachment talks continue to dominate public discourse.

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Super Eagles would have qualified for 2026 World Cup if i were still NFF President — Amaju Pinnick

Tammy Abraham Once Agreed to Play for Super Eagles But Changed His Mind – Pinnick

Wale busari04 mins

Former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Amaju Pinnick has revealed that Tammy Abraham had initially agreed to represent the Super Eagles before ultimately choosing to play international football for England. Abraham, who recently returned to the Premier League after completing a four-and-a-half-year move to Aston Villa in the January transfer window, was eligible to play for Nigeria through his father despite being born in London. According to Pinnick, extensive efforts were made by the NFF to convince the striker to switch allegiance to Nigeria before he was capped by England. Speaking on The Playzone and Dangolo Way podcast, Pinnick disclosed that discussions with Abraham had reached an advanced stage before the forward changed his mind at the last minute. “Tammy Abraham, we sat like this. We had agreed that he would come to play, but at the last moment he changed his decision,” Pinnick said. The former NFF boss noted that he believed his personal relationship with Abraham’s father would help influence the decision, but the plan did not materialise as expected. Pinnick used the situation to highlight the long-term benefits of committing to one’s national team, stressing that international football can sustain a player’s career even when club opportunities decline. “Iwobi is playing for the Super Eagles today. I know the role we played. If Iwobi had played for England, he would have stopped playing for England five or six years ago,” he explained. “If your football club doesn’t support you, your national team will. The display at the last Africa Cup of Nations was notable.” Expressing regret over Abraham’s decision, Pinnick suggested the striker’s career trajectory might have been different had he chosen Nigeria. “Now he’s 28 and has returned to Aston Villa, but I can tell you that I regret it. I spoke to his father, we grew up together.He would have played for Nigeria. Agbonlahor played three games and that was it.” Abraham eventually committed to England and has earned 11 caps, scoring three goals for the Three Lions. However, he has not featured for England since a UEFA Nations League match against Italy in June 2022. The revelation adds to ongoing conversations around Nigeria’s efforts to attract foreign-born talents and the difficult decisions players face when choosing between heritage and birthplace on the international stage.

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Death Has Been Unkind to Us In The Senate – Akpabio

Wale busari04 mins

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Senator Okechukwu Ezea, who represented Enugu North, describing the loss as another painful blow to the 10th Senate. Akpabio made the remarks on Tuesday at a tribute night held in honour of the late lawmaker at the National Ecumenical Centre, Abuja, where he reflected on the heavy toll death has taken on the Senate in recent years. He recalled that within the last two years, the Senate has lost three serving members in quick succession — Senator Ifeanyi Ubah (Anambra South), Godiya Akwashiki (Nasarawa), and now Senator Ezea. “The last two years have been particularly heavy for us in the Senate. We have lost colleagues in quick succession — men of intellect, courage and vision.Each loss reminds us of our own mortality and the urgency of service,” Akpabio said. Describing Ezea’s passing as especially painful, the Senate President noted that death struck just as the nation was preparing to enter a new year. “Just days to the New Year, and only hours before the clock would usher in another chapter, death paid another painful visit.It was a cruel reminder that time does not wait for any man,” he added. Akpabio urged politicians to remain grounded in humanity, stressing that lasting legacies are built on compassion and service, not power or wealth. “History teaches us that what truly endures is not power, position, or wealth, but love, compassion, and the good we do for others.Politics must never make us lose our humanity.” Also speaking at the event, Senator Nenadi Usman, Interim National Chairman of the Labour Party, described Ezea as a principled and loyal party man, noting that he remained committed to the Labour Party despite intense pressure. “Despite pressures from various quarters, he remained committed to the Labour Party on whose platform he was elected… Until his passing, he remained the only Labour Party member in the National Assembly from Enugu State who, on principle, kept faith with the party that entrusted him with that mandate,” she said. Usman added that Ezea’s loyalty to the party dated back years before the 2023 elections, recalling his 2007 governorship bid under the Labour Party as evidence of his political strength and consistency. Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi also paid tribute, offering condolences to the late senator’s family, friends, and colleagues, and urging them to draw comfort from the legacy he left behind. The tribute night drew several prominent figures, including former Senate President Ken Nnamani, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, Senator Victor Umeh, and former Voice of Nigeria Director-General Osita Okechukwu, among others.

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