Fola Badmus, Author at Trendbrio.com

WAFU-B U17 Boys Tourney: olden Eaglets Pass MRI Tests

Fola Badmus18 minutes ago18 minutes ago01 mins

All 20 players of the U17 Boys National Team, Golden Eaglets, to this year’s WAFU-B U17 Boys Tournament in Yamoussoukro, Cote d’Ivoire have scaled the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) hurdles. The tests were conducted on the players in the early hours of Thursday by the CAF Medical Team. The Eaglets will play their first match of the competition on Wednesday, 24th September against their counterparts from Benin Republic. They will also play Burkina Faso in group B. Hosts Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Niger Republic and Togo make up group A.

2026 U20 World Cup Race: Falconets Battle-Ready for Rwandan Opponents

Fola Badmus21 minutes ago21 minutes ago02 mins

The Falconets have commenced training in Kigali ahead of Sunday’s 2026 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup second round, first leg clash with the Rwandan U20 girls. The match will take place at the Kigali-Pele Stadium, formerly known as the Stade Regional Nyamirambo. On Friday morning, the players had a recovery training session at the gym of their hotel. They were full of energy, zeal and motivation as they went through the routine under the guidance and encouragement of the technical crew, showing great spirit and determination. The Confederation of African Football has appointed match officials from Sierra Leone and Liberia to take charge of proceedings of the encounter in Kigali. Aminata Fullah will be the referee, with Liberian Hannah Lydia Moses as assistant referee 1 and another Sierra Leonean, Fatmata Mansaray as assistant referee 2. The fourth official is Love Tuu Wehyee from Liberia. Militna Ivanete Amrie from Seychelles will be the commissioner while Amegee Aissata Ameyo will be the referee assessor. Sunday’s match will kick off at 3pm Rwanda time (2pm in Nigeria).

Peter Obi Surprises Charly Boy with Ghana Must Go Bag Full of Fruits

Fola Badmus3 hours ago3 hours ago03 mins

By Kamal Yalwa | September 19, 2025 Veteran Nigerian entertainer and activist, Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, has shared a lighthearted and touching account of an early morning visit from former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi. In a post shared on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, Charly Boy narrated how he received a surprise call from Obi at around 1:00 am, informing him of a planned courtesy visit by 5:00 am the same morning. Despite the unusual timing, the singer and socio-political commentator said he obliged — only to be met with an unexpected gift. “As I come downstairs to meet him, na so I see one big Ghana Must Go [bag] by the entrance of my sitting room,” Charly Boy wrote in his signature blend of English and Pidgin. “I look at the bag, I just dey wonder, wetin fit dey inside this bag?” According to Charly Boy, the two spent nearly two hours discussing Nigeria, politics, and family matters before Obi finally gestured to the bag, saying: “See small thing I bring for you.” Initially, Charly Boy didn’t open it. But after Obi left, curiosity got the better of him. What he found inside left him in stitches. “Inside the bag was three bottles of roasted groundnuts, many alligator pepper, kolanuts, pawpaw, oranges, agara, mangos, bananas, etc — wey Obi pack by himself.” He called Obi to thank him, only to receive a humble reply: “Senior, I no fit give you money, but I fit give you this one — na my hand pick.” Reacting to the gesture, Charly Boy wrote: “Which kind of native intelligence pass this one?” The moment has since resonated with many online, seen as a reflection of Obi’s often-praised simplicity and grassroots approach. Charly Boy, a vocal supporter of Obi and prominent figure in the “Obidient” movement, was one of the high-profile advocates of the Labour Party’s campaign during the 2023 presidential election.

Outrage as NURTW Official Shamsideen Adio Seen Brutally Assaulting Dispatch Rider in Lagos

Fola Badmus3 hours ago3 hours ago03 mins

By Kamal Yalwa | Published: September 19, 2025 A disturbing video circulating on social media has sparked public outrage after showing Shamsideen Adio, a senior official of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), violently assaulting a dispatch rider in broad daylight. The incident took place on Wednesday, September 17, on Tapa Street in Lagos Island, and was reportedly triggered after Adio’s vehicle was allegedly blocked by the rider. Adio, popularly known as “Shamelon,” was seen in the video — shared by journalist Chris Nwandu — viciously punching the rider, joined by a group of men believed to be his colleagues. The assault continued as the rider was thrown to the ground, stripped of his belongings, and nearly undressed by the attackers, while a crowd of bystanders looked on without intervening. “This is not the first time,” Nwandu wrote on Facebook, alongside the footage. “He’s notorious for beating up Marwa (commercial tricycle) operators. Just days ago, he assaulted another rider so badly the man ended up in the general hospital.” According to sources familiar with Adio’s conduct, the NURTW official has a long history of violence against road users — particularly commercial riders who cross his path. The recent attack has raised serious concerns about the safety of dispatch and commercial riders in Lagos, many of whom already face risks from traffic accidents, harassment, and extortion. “This is a cry for justice,” Nwandu added. “We don’t know who his next victim will be. State authorities must act now.” Calls are growing for the Lagos State government to open a formal investigation into the incident and ensure those responsible are held accountable. Advocacy groups are also urging the leadership of the NURTW to address the allegations against Adio and take disciplinary action if confirmed. Dispatch riders remain a critical part of Lagos’ transportation and logistics network, especially in a city plagued by gridlock. However, Wednesday’s incident underscores the ongoing vulnerability of frontline workers who often operate with little protection. As of press time, neither the Lagos State government nor the NURTW has released an official statement regarding the attack.

Barrack Obama: Is the U.S. Government Crossing a First Amendment Line?

Fola Badmus4 hours ago4 hours ago01 mins

After years of railing against so-called “cancel culture,” the current U.S. administration appears to be engaging in a far more troubling version of it — leveraging its power to pressure media organizations into silencing voices it disapproves of. According to recent reports, officials have repeatedly hinted at or directly threatened regulatory action against networks unless certain commentators or journalists are fired. This escalation marks a potentially dangerous shift: from cultural backlash to alleged government coercion. The First Amendment was explicitly designed to prevent this kind of state interference in the free press. If media outlets continue to cave to these threats, the precedent set could have chilling effects far beyond partisan politics. Now more than ever, media organizations must defend their independence — not just for themselves, but for the integrity of democratic discourse. Read more here →

Five Key Takeaways from Trump-Starmer Meeting in the UK

Fola Badmus4 hours ago4 hours ago05 mins

Aylesbury, UK – September 18, 2025 — U.S. President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer presented a united front on major global issues during a joint press conference at Chequers, wrapping up Trump’s three-day visit to the United Kingdom. Despite recent tensions between Washington and European allies, the meeting underscored strong transatlantic ties as the two leaders discussed Ukraine, NATO, Gaza, Afghanistan, and more. 1. Trump Says Putin ‘Let Him Down’ Over UkrainePresident Trump expressed frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the prolonged war in Ukraine, admitting he underestimated the challenge of resolving the conflict.“I thought it would be easiest because of my relationship with President Putin, but he’s let me down,” Trump said.PM Starmer reiterated the UK’s commitment to supporting Ukraine, vowing to increase pressure on Russia and push for a lasting peace deal. 2. Divergence on Gaza, But Unity Against HamasWhile both leaders condemned Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, they differed on the broader approach to the Gaza conflict.Trump avoided criticizing Israel’s ongoing military campaign, which has killed over 65,000 Palestinians, calling October 7 “one of the worst days in the history of humanity.”Starmer’s previous pledge to recognize a Palestinian state was noted as a “point of disagreement,” but Trump praised the UK leader’s strong stance against Hamas. 3. Trump Praises NATO and Increased Defense SpendingOnce a vocal NATO critic, Trump struck a different tone, applauding the alliance’s commitment to boost defense spending.“I want to thank NATO and our wonderful head of NATO, Mark [Rutte]… They’ve done a great job,” he said, highlighting a new pledge for members to spend 5% of GDP on defense.Trump emphasized U.S. support in supplying weapons to NATO allies, stressing that the alliance was now “paying its fair share.” 4. Bagram Airbase Back in FocusTrump hinted at possible negotiations with the Taliban for the U.S. to regain access to the Bagram airbase in Afghanistan, which was vacated in 2021 during the Biden administration’s withdrawal.“We’re trying to get it back,” Trump said, citing its strategic location near China’s nuclear facilities.The Taliban, however, quickly dismissed the proposal, stating they welcome engagement with the U.S. but will not allow any foreign military presence. 5. Trump Weighs in on Kimmel FiringTrump also addressed the firing of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel by ABC, following political controversy over remarks involving conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.“Jimmy Kimmel was fired because he had bad ratings… He’s not a talented person,” Trump said, dismissing concerns about free speech and framing the firing as a business decision. Conclusion:The Trump-Starmer meeting reflected a broad effort to reinforce U.S.-UK ties amid ongoing global crises. While areas of disagreement remain, particularly on Middle East policy, both leaders signaled alignment on Ukraine, NATO, and global security cooperation.

Afghanistan Rejects Trump’s Call for US Return to Bagram Airbase

Fola Badmus5 hours ago4 hours ago03 mins

Kabul, Afghanistan – September 19, 2025 — Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government has firmly rejected former U.S. President Donald Trump’s renewed call for American forces to return and reclaim the Bagram airbase, a former U.S. military hub north of Kabul. A senior Afghan foreign ministry official stated on Friday that while Kabul is open to dialogue with Washington, any form of renewed U.S. military presence in the country is “non-negotiable.” “Afghanistan and the United States need to engage… without the United States maintaining any military presence in any part of Afghanistan,” said foreign ministry official Zakir Jalal in a social media post. He added that future relations must be based on “mutual respect and shared interests.” Trump, speaking Thursday, reiterated his belief that Bagram holds significant strategic value due to its proximity to China. “We’re trying to get it back,” he said, criticizing the 2021 withdrawal that led to the airbase falling under Taliban control. “We gave it to them for nothing,” Trump said, claiming Bagram is “exactly one hour away from where China makes its nuclear missiles.” The comments come as reports indicate Trump’s team has reinitiated dialogue with Taliban officials. Over the weekend, U.S. envoys Adam Boehler and Zalmay Khalilzad met with Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Kabul, reportedly discussing detained American citizens and possible areas of cooperation. While the U.S. has not formally recognized the Taliban government since it regained control in 2021, recent diplomatic engagement suggests a possible shift in tone. Still, any effort to reestablish a military foothold appears firmly off the table for Kabul. Bagram, once the largest U.S. base in Afghanistan, was the center of American operations during the two-decade war and also housed a controversial detention facility. The site was abandoned in July 2021 as part of the U.S. military withdrawal. Trump has long argued that the U.S. should have retained Bagram, not for Afghan security, but due to its regional strategic value — particularly in regard to China and access to Afghanistan’s untapped mineral wealth.

Newcastle 1-2 Barcelona: Marcus Rashford Stuns St James’ Park with Champions League Brace

Fola Badmus17 hours ago17 hours ago04 mins

Marcus Rashford reminded Europe of his elite finishing ability with two sensational goals as Barcelona edged past Newcastle United 2-1 in their opening game of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League group stage. On loan from Manchester United, Rashford became the first English player to score for Barcelona in European competition since Gary Lineker in 1989, delivering a match-winning performance that silenced a spirited St James’ Park. Despite being the more aggressive side for much of the match, Newcastle were made to pay for a string of missed opportunities. Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes failed to make the most of several inviting deliveries from Anthony Elanga, while Barcelona were ruthlessly efficient at the other end. Rashford Makes His Mark The breakthrough came in the 36th minute when Jules Kounde whipped in a precise cross from the right, and Rashford rose between two defenders to steer a composed header past Nick Pope. Just nine minutes later, the England international produced a moment of brilliance. Picking up the ball outside the box, Rashford unleashed a powerful dipping strike that clipped the underside of the bar before nestling in the top corner — a goal worthy of the occasion and a clear message to doubters following a mixed final season at Manchester United. England manager Thomas Tuchel was in attendance to witness Rashford’s performance first-hand, no doubt taking note of the forward’s clinical display ahead of next month’s international fixtures. Newcastle Fight Back, But Fall Short To their credit, Newcastle didn’t give up. The Magpies created 19 shots in total and had more efforts on target than the visitors, but their finishing lacked the sharpness shown by Rashford. Their persistence paid off late on when Anthony Gordon, who had been Newcastle’s liveliest attacking outlet all evening, finally found the net in the 88th minute with a composed finish after a slick passing move. But it was too little, too late. Barcelona held firm in the final moments, with Ronald Araújo and Frenkie de Jong standing tall under pressure to help the Spanish giants secure a valuable three points on the road. What It Means The result gives Barcelona their first Champions League away win of the season and puts them in strong early contention in their group, while Newcastle will rue missed chances in what could prove to be a crucial fixture. For Rashford, it was a night to savour — not just for the goals, but for proving that on Europe’s biggest stage, he still has the tools to change a game.