Fola Badmus, Author at Trendbrio.com

Mission X: Super Falcons Impressive in Scoreless Draw With Portugal

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago04 mins

Reigning Africa’s best goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie had a game to remember forever as Nigeria’s Super Falcons provided both flair and steel in a 0-0 draw with hosts Portugal in a pre-WAFCON friendly match in Lisbon on Monday. The nine-time African champions, aspiring boldly for a 10th title, only arrived in Portugal less than 24 hours before the encounter, but advertised no signs of fatigue or lassitude as they stood up to the Portuguese in a game that indicated readiness to battle for the continental crown in Morocco. A back pass by Christy Ucheibe allowed Diana Silva sight of the Nigeria goal in the 6th minute, but her shot spurned the ball away from goal. In the 9th minute, Nnadozie plucked the ball off the air from a pull-out, and at the other end, the fabulous Francisca Ordega cut into the box and found captain Rasheedat Ajibade, whose smart turn and shot nearly wrong-footed goalkeeper Ines Pereira. Nnadozie pulled off another epic save in the 24th minute, and as the home girls launched onslaught after onslaught, only Nnadozie’s heroics and stonewall defending by the Falcons kept the scoreline even. Just before half time, Nigeria could have taken the lead against the run of play, but Rinsola Babajide overhit the ball from an opportunity that presented itself after Ordega had been foiled with a last-ditch effort. In the second stanza, Africa’s number one pulled off three world-class saves within a spate of four minutes, denying the dangerous Jessica Silva, Fatima Pinto and Andreia Norton. The injection of Ifeoma Onumonu, Ashleigh Plumptre and Halimatu Ayinde rejuvenated Nigeria’s game, and as the Falcons took control, Ordega’s brilliant move and pass into the box in the 64th minute went begging. The Falcons revved the engine to dominate the final 20 minutes, during which the vibrant Ordega rattled the crossbar from distance and Onumonu just fell short of squaring past the goalkeeper from another inspired Ordega cross. At the end, the Super Falcons gave a good account of themselves, and left the Portuguese fans stunned with an elegant outing at the Estádio José Gomes. The Nigeria contingent will depart from Lisbon for Casablanca on Wednesday, where they will take on Ghana’s Black Queens in another friendly match on Sunday. Their first match of the 13th Women Africa Cup of Nations comes up on Sunday, 6th July against Tunisia in Casablanca.

What to Know About the US’s Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar After Iran’s Missile Attack

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago03 mins

Doha, Qatar – Iran’s missile attack on Al Udeid Air Base marks a significant escalation in regional tensions following the United States’ direct strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Located just outside Doha, Al Udeid is the largest US military base in the Middle East and a strategic hub for American and allied operations across the region. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps confirmed the strike late Monday, in what it dubbed the “Annunciation of Victory” operation, targeting the base as part of Iran’s promised retaliation. Home to over 10,000 troops, Al Udeid hosts the US Air Force, UK’s Royal Air Force, and Qatar’s Emiri Air Force. The 24-hectare facility serves as the forward headquarters for US Central Command, overseeing military operations from North Africa to Central Asia. Qatar has invested more than $8 billion in its development, making it a pillar of Western military readiness in the Gulf. The base played a central role in past US-led campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan, and was instrumental during the 2021 Kabul evacuation. Before the strike, satellite imagery and US military movements suggested that Washington anticipated potential Iranian retaliation. Reports showed a dramatic reduction in visible aircraft at the base by June 19, compared to earlier images. US military officials confirmed that non-sheltered aircraft and Navy vessels had been repositioned as part of “force protection” efforts. Although Al Udeid was not used in the US’s Iran strikes, its symbolic importance made it a prime target for Iranian response. Qatar has condemned the missile strike as a “flagrant violation” of its sovereignty. The country had already taken precautionary steps earlier in the day by temporarily suspending air traffic and advising foreign nationals to shelter in place. Its Ministry of Defence said air defence systems successfully intercepted incoming missiles, and no casualties were reported. However, the attack has raised questions about further escalation, with both the US and Iran now openly targeting each other’s military infrastructure in the region.

Petrol Price Hits ₦945/Litre at NNPC Stations Amid Soaring Global Oil Prices

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

Abuja, Nigeria – The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has increased the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, to ₦945 per litre in Abuja and ₦915 per litre in Lagos, reflecting a new wave of cost hikes across the country’s deregulated fuel market. The upward revision follows Dangote Petroleum Refinery’s decision to raise its ex-depot price from ₦825 to ₦880 per litre, sparking a ripple effect. NNPC retail stations in Kubwa and Obasanjo Way in Abuja, as well as Igando and Badagry in Lagos, reflected the updated pricing on Monday, further compounding pressure on consumers amid steep living costs. Private fuel stations have also raised their prices in response. MRS now sells at ₦925 per litre, while TotalEnergies has adjusted to ₦910, and smaller independent marketers like Oluwafemi Arowolo Petroleum in Iba have gone as high as ₦920. Depot sources confirmed that major supply hubs, including Wosbab and NIPCO, are now selling PMS at up to ₦925 per litre, citing rising international crude prices and operational costs. Experts warn the price could cross ₦1,000 per litre if global crude exceeds $80 per barrel, amid heightened geopolitical tensions following US-Israeli strikes on Iran. “Unless Dangote keeps prices stable, depot owners will hike rates,” said Olatide Jeremiah of PetroleumPrice.ng. With inflationary pressures mounting, Nigerians now brace for deeper economic strain.

Team Nigeria Unveils Squad for 23rd African Fencing Championships

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago03 mins

The Nigeria Fencing Federation has announced a 12-member squad for the 23rd African Fencing Championships, scheduled to take place at Charterhouse Lagos from June 25 to 29, 2025. This marks only the third time the continental tournament will be hosted in Sub-Saharan Africa, following previous editions in Senegal (2002) and Mali (2009, 2019). Leading the Nigerian team is U.S.-based Inkosi Brou, the first Nigerian fencer to win a medal at an international event. Brou, who recently clinched bronze at the 2025 African Junior Championships in Angola, brings valuable experience to the squad despite being just 17 years old. He has competed in several international tournaments this year as part of his journey toward qualifying for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. Notably, he is the grandson of the late NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Dora Akunyili. Joining Brou is UK-based Oluwafolayemi Akinyosoye, alongside homegrown talent including Wisdom Okanlawon; siblings Mahatir and Mahadi Idongesit, Olumuyiwa Ige, Oritsematosan Egbesemirone, Alex Chizim Aninyei, and Babade Adegbola. The women’s squad features Peluola Akinbamiro, Somto Eribenne, Sara Idongesit, and Adebodunrin Thomas. Team Nigeria will compete in both individual and team events across the three fencing disciplines: foil, epee, and sabre. National coach Ibrahim Alogba expressed confidence in the youthful team, noting their potential to surprise more experienced opponents. “Our team is the youngest in terms of age and experience, which reduces the pressure on them. This could work in our favor. We may be young, but we are not intimidated by records or reputations. We are ready to break Nigeria’s medal drought in this tournament,” he said. Italian coach Riccardo Bardin, who has been training the team since his arrival a week ago, also praised the athletes’ potential but urged patience as they continue to develop. In addition to host nation Nigeria, other participating countries include Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco, Kenya, Benin Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Algeria, Senegal, Mauritius, Angola, Rwanda, Niger, South Africa, Guinea, Libya, Burkina Faso, and Cape Verde. The tournament will feature 12 events made up of six individual and six team events in foil, epee, and sabre.

MRA Calls for Stronger Legal and Institutional Protections for Whistleblowers in Nigeria

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago06 mins

Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has called on the Federal Government to take urgent and concrete steps to strengthen legal and institutional protections for whistleblowers in recognition of their critical role in exposing corruption, human rights abuses and other wrongdoing, describing them as a cornerstone of transparency, accountability, and good governance. In a statement issued today in Lagos to mark this year’s World Whistleblowers’ Day, MRA stressed that whistleblowers serve the public interest by courageously disclosing information that would otherwise remain hidden, often at great personal risk, noting that in Nigeria, they continue to operate in a climate of fear, retaliation, and legal uncertainty, which deters many others from coming forward with information about wrongdoing. Ms Ayomide Eweje, a Programme Officer at MRA, said in the statement: “We note that the current whistleblower protection framework in Nigeria remains weak, fragmented, and largely ineffective. The Federal Government continues to threaten whistleblowers with prosecution despite the whistleblower protection provisions in Section 27(2) of the Freedom of Information Act. Besides, the Whistleblower Policy adopted by the Government in 2016 was not designed to provide protection for persons who risk everything to expose corruption, misconduct, human rights violations, threat to public safety, or other wrongdoing, but is merely aimed at assisting the government to recover looted public funds.” According to her, the absence of a comprehensive legal framework for the protection of whistleblowers has left them vulnerable to threats, harassment, job losses, and physical harm, adding that successive governments in Nigeria have failed to acknowledge the immense value that whistleblower bring to the society and the important role that they play in combating corruption, and ensuring transparency and accountability. Ms Eweje argued that whistleblowers are often motivated by a patriotic duty and a commitment to the greater good, noting that “whistleblowers are the eyes and ears of our society; they step forward so that the rest of us can see and act. When whistleblowers speak up, everyone benefits; public funds are better managed, there is more efficient delivery of public services, trust in institutions grows, and we have better governance. Yet without reliable channels to report wrongdoing, we risk enabling critical information about wrongdoing to stay hidden.” She lamented that despite the essential role that such courageous individuals play in ensuring that powerful actors in the society are held accountable, they continue to face harassment and intimidation, legal hurdles, retaliation instead of protection, sometimes paying for their selfless acts with their lives or liberty. Ms Eweje therefore urged the National Assembly to prioritize the passage of a robust whistleblower protection legislation that guarantees confidentiality in reporting in appropriate cases, shields whistleblowers from reprisals, and establishes secure reporting channels while also establishing an independent whistleblower protection agency with the mandate to investigate reprisals, support whistleblowers, and enforce sanctions against those who retaliate against them. She highlighted the importance of public education and awareness in fostering a culture that values and protects whistleblowing and called on civil society organisations, the media, and professional bodies to work collaboratively to de-stigmatise whistleblowing and ensure that those who speak out are not isolated or vilified. Ms Eweje said: “On this World Whistleblowers Day, we stand in solidarity with whistleblowers in Nigeria and around the world who have paid a high price for speaking out, particularly against powerful individuals in society. We reaffirm our commitment to advocating for their rights and working towards a society where exposing wrongdoing is not only protected but also celebrated as a courageous act of public service.” The theme of the 2025 World Whistleblowers’ Day is “Protecting the Truth-Tellers”, and the Day focuses on raising awareness about whistleblowing, combating corruption, and encouraging a positive culture of speaking up within organisations. This year’s campaign, “we’re all ears,” seeks to highlight the importance of whistleblowing and support those who speak up against wrongdoing.

WTT Contender Lagos 2025 Unveils Stellar Lineup

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago04 mins

The star-studded line-up for the 2025 WTT Contender Lagos has been officially unveiled, with the tournament set to take place from July 22 to 26 in Nigeria’s bustling commercial capital. Widely regarded as one of the most thrilling events in the WTT Contender Series, this year’s edition promises a showcase of elite talent from across the globe. Among the headline acts are women’s world No. 9 Hina Hayata of Japan, African champion Hana Goda of Egypt, and rising French sensation Prithika Pavade. Making her debut in Lagos, the 24-year-old Hayata is seen as a formidable challenger to China’s dominance in women’s table tennis. Ranked as the fourth-highest Japanese player in women’s singles, she is a key figure in Japan’s golden generation. A silver and bronze Olympic medallist, Hayata has consistently delivered top-tier performances, earning multiple podium finishes at both the World and Asian Championships. Known for her powerful left-handed play, Hayata was also the most successful athlete in the ITTF Challenger Series—the precursor to the WTT Series—demonstrating her ability to dominate competitive fields. She enters the Lagos tournament as the highest-ranked women’s singles player and a strong favourite for the title. In the men’s singles category, Danish star Anders Lind returns to Lagos, where he enjoys strong fan support. Lind will be aiming to end his title drought but will face stiff competition from Nigerian ace Quadri Aruna, who missed the 2024 edition due to club commitments. Also joining the men’s line-up are Croatian powerhouse Tomislav Pucar, Japanese prodigy Yuta Tanaka, and Africa’s top junior player, Wassim Essid of Tunisia, who will be looking to make his mark against the world’s best. Meanwhile, Tournament Director Kweku Tandoh has reaffirmed the organisers’ commitment to elevating the event’s profile. “We are determined to keep raising the bar in hosting a world-class tournament. Our goal is not just to maintain standards but to introduce fresh ideas that continue to attract top talent to Lagos,” Tandoh said. He added, “With some of the world’s best players returning and others making their debut based on the tournament’s growing reputation, it’s clear we’re on the right path. We will keep innovating to enhance the sport.” In a major boost, the prize money has been increased to $100,000, up from $75,000. Players will compete across five categories: men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles, and mixed doubles. Winners in each event will earn 400 ranking points.

Continental Fencing Heavyweights Storm Nigeria for 23rd African Championships

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago03 mins

Egypt and Tunisia, two of Africa’s fencing powerhouses, have arrived in Nigeria ahead of the 23rd African Fencing Championships, which will take place at Charterhouse Lagos from Wednesday, June 25, to Sunday, June 29. The five-day, 12-event tournament will feature top fencers from across the continent, all vying for the 12 gold medals up for grabs in both individual and team events. Egypt, the most decorated nation in African fencing, has arrived with the largest contingent. Their squad is headlined by the El-Sayed brothers—Olympic bronze medallist Mohamed El-Sayed and world junior champion Mahmoud El-Sayed. Mohamed, 22, claimed bronze at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and also won gold at the 2022 Mediterranean Games. His younger brother, Mahmoud, recently clinched gold at the 2025 Junior World Championships in Wuxi, China, and currently holds the world No. 1 junior ranking. The Egyptian team, which landed in Lagos aboard an EgyptAir flight from Cairo, is determined to defend the overall title they secured in 2024. Tunisia, another fencing powerhouse, has also touched down in Lagos with a strong squad led by Paris 2024 Olympic silver medallist Farès Ferjani. The 27-year-old is the reigning champion in the individual men’s sabre and will also lead Tunisia’s men’s sabre team. Other participating nations, including Mauritius, Angola, Rwanda, South Africa, Guinea, Morocco, Libya, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Senegal, are expected to arrive on Tuesday, June 24, ahead of the tournament’s opening day. Meanwhile, the Nigeria Fencing Federation has expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support received from corporate sponsors and individuals, particularly Charterhouse, the host venue, which also staged the 2024 World Cup. Federation President Adeyinka Samuel stated: “We are truly grateful for the support from government agencies and corporate bodies in helping to put Nigeria on the global fencing map through the hosting of this continental championship. Charterhouse has been a steadfast partner since the 2024 World Cup, and their continued support is deeply appreciated. We hope this inspires other institutions to follow their lead.”

Iran Vows Retaliation Against US as It Launches More Strikes on Israel

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

Tehran, Iran – Iran has vowed a decisive response to the United States following Sunday’s airstrikes on its Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear sites. As tensions spike in the region, Iran launched a fresh wave of drone and missile attacks on Israel, with explosions reported in Ashdod, Lachish, and several other areas. Iran’s military leaders say the US has now fully entered the conflict. General Abdolrahim Mousavi accused Washington of violating Iran’s sovereignty and warned of further retaliation. Meanwhile, Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesperson for Iran’s retaliatory efforts, said the attacks on Iran were designed to prop up a “dying Zionist regime,” adding that Tehran will expand its range of legitimate targets. Israel responded with extensive air raids across Iran, striking airports, missile storage sites, and even central Tehran. Key sites hit included Mehrabad Airport, parts of Shahid Beheshti University, and a technical facility used for live TV broadcasting. Over 400 Iranians, mostly civilians, have been killed in the escalating conflict, according to Iran’s health ministry. Following US President Trump’s claim that Iran’s nuclear sites were “obliterated,” Iranian officials warned they may target American military bases and are debating exiting the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Lawmakers have signalled support for suspending ties with the IAEA, pending a decision by Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.