Fola Badmus

NFF Concludes Arrangements for FIFA MA Courses for Technical Instructors, Young Talents

All is set for the annual double-salvo FIFA Member Association courses for technical and physical fitness instructors, and for young talents in refereeing, with a total of 80 participants to undergo classroom andfield drilling from June 8 – 19 at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja. The programme for technical and physical fitness instructors, who are 40 in number, will commence on Monday, June 8 with the objective of bringing Nigeria’s technical and physical fitness instructors up to speed with current trends, tendencies and ideals, for them to imbibe global best practices in the refereeing business. World football-governing body, FIFA, is sending Technical Instructor Ali Mohamed Ahmed, as well as Fitness Instructor Boubaker Hanachi to superintend the programmes, alongside Nigerian instructors Felicia Okwugba, Peter Edibe, Emmanuel Imiere and Stella Emoji, and IT/Video Instructor Promise Uwaeme. For the technical and physical fitness programme, participants will be taken through the course objectives, challenges and tactical fouls, and preparation of practical training on day one, with new law changes, tactical approach, handball, offside, penalty area incidents and use of new FIFA red among other presentations. Practical training with referees and players will kick off each day’s programme. For the young talents programme, there will be presentations on challenges and tactical fouls, penalty area incidents, modern refereeing, positioning and reading, fitness test analysis, among others. The exercise for technical and physical fitness instructors will end of Friday, 13th June, exiting the stage for the Young Talents program that will last between 15th and 19th June also inside the MKO Abiola National Stadium. Participants for Technical and Physical Fitness Course: Uwaeme Promise, Baba Abel, Alex Mana, Austin Eyeroli, Alfred Saiki, Aundugh Robert, Patrick Ishaya, Ben Neji, Wokoma Innocent, Umoh Sylvanus, Nasiru Ibrahim, Aliyu Jingi, Isaac Bolatito, Bukola Olisa, Kelechi Mejuobi, Victor Ijeremen, Ikechukwu Okpechi, Adamu Gambo, Uhumnwang Mike, Babatunde Irukera, Philip Alkali, Nicholas Achikasim, Friday Awugo, Mohammed Bala, Aku Margaret, Ibrahim Budah, Hanson Paris, Grace Obaze, Sesan Odukoya, Ahmad Rufai, Apeh Paul, Surakar Mahmoud, Umuago Paul, Fatimo Oyeniyi, Bethel Nwanesi, Innocent Egwutora, Folusho Ajayi, Joshua Dogo, Abdulrashid Oyakhire, Michael Oladeni Participants for Young Talents Programme: Mansur Mahmud Ngaski, Gbemisola Solihat Yusuf, Bashir Moukhtar, Dominion Chisom Kalu, Ibrahim Adams Boyi, Emmanuel Ajewole, Kwanga Eric Terhile, Asakpi Oritsetsolayemi, Esther Joseph, Patience Abi Azi, Ehinola Aanu Paulina, Omowunmi Adeola Oluwole, Adepoju Michael Oluwajuwonlo, Suleyman Sani, Semiat Opeyemi Mustapha, Stephanie Tse Henbafan, Alohan Uzoma Osakpamwan, Isah Nagogo, Ruth Ogunrombi, Andrew Iorkon, Jamilu Hamisu, Rachael Onyekwere, Adie Emmanuel Unimike, Umar Musa Anukpo, Yakubu Aliyu, Ismail Ishaq, Idowu Stephen Omolade, Al-Ameen Kabiru Yusuf, Scholastica Amalachukwu Ikeobi, Dahiru Mustapha, Baffa Usman Usman,Uzaifa Abubakar Ilela, Ebenezer Folaesho, Muhammad Bin Lawal, Aminu Kabiru, Habibu Salihu, Idris Ibrahim Buba, Aminu Muhammed Yakubu, Aziz Ahmed, Capehas Hamen.

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Osimhen Rejects Al Hilal Move

Serie A giants Napoli were close to selling Victor Osimhen to Al Hilal but the move will now not go through. Earlier today, it became clear that the Saudi Arabian club will trigger the player’s release clause and they were only waiting for the Nigerian’s go-ahead for a transfer. It seems as if the move will not go through after all. Gianluca di Marzio has reported that the striker has made it clear that he will not join Al Hilal. This has happened after the Napoli player made some final assessments about the potential transfer. Initially, the Saudi club had offered a fee that was slightly lower that the player’s release clause. But that wasn’t enough for Napoli, who wanted a higher fee and the release clause was triggered. Alfredo Pedulla has revealed that Al Hilal had offered Osimhen a wage of over €30 million per season but the player’s ‘no’ is quite decisive.

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Basketball: Rivers Hoopers Suffer Defeat to US Monastir in Seeding Game

Rahpiael Putney scored a Basketball Africa League (BAL) career-high 28 points along with 7 rebounds to lead the charge for Rivers Hoopers, but the Nigerian champions succumbed to an 89-81 defeat by Tunisia powerhouse US Monastir in the final seeding game on Saturday. Putney stole the show in a tightly contested first quarter during which both teams exchanged leads nine times, as he led from the front with 10 points to his name, before Madut Akec scored a 3-pointer in the final seconds of the 1st quarter to hand Rivers Hoopers a 2-point lead at 16-14. Ahmed Doumbia scored 7 points in 2 minutes midway through the 2nd quarter to stretch the KingsMen’s lead to 6 points at 27-21. Michael Okiki then found Madut Akec on a fast break for the South Sudanese forward to net an easy score with one of the best plays of the first half as Rivers Hoopers led by 4 points at Halftime with the score at 36-32. Rahpiael Putney, who scored 16 first half points, stayed hot at the start of the 3rd quarter, sinking back-to-back threes to stretch the lead to 9 points. But Monastir responded quickly with hot hands from Andrew Edogi, Patrick Hardy Jr., and Osiris Eldridge who scored in quick succession from the bench to rattle the KingsMen and steal a 4-point lead at the end of the 3rd quarter. US Monastir scored a whopping 41 points from the bench, compared to Rivers Hoopers’ 19. The fourth quarter belonged to BAL elevate star, Babacar Sane who ran the show for Monastir as the 2022 Champions opened up a 13-point lead and never looked back. Ahmed Doumbia brought some cheers to the crowd when he drilled in a buzzer-beating 3-pointer from deep to cut the deficit to 8 points, as Monastir held on for an 89-81 win. Peter Olisemeka was again efficient for the Rivers Hoopers, scoring the team’s only double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds, with Madut Akec who notched 15 points the only other player to hit double figures for the KingsMen. Speaking after the game, Rivers Hoopers Head Coach, Ogoh Oduaudu blamed the defeat on a loss of concentration in the third quarter. He said “Well, I think it’s [due to] a loss of concentration. We were up there in the first two quarters and then in the 3rd quarter everything broke down. We’re happy it happened in a game that was just a seeding game. Despite the loss, the BAL Season four coach of the year was however pleased with the performance of his team and was adamant of a better showing in the quarterfinals. “We didn’t want this to happen in the quarterfinals. So it gives us the opportunity to go back and try to clean it up tomorrow before we come back for the quarterfinals on Monday. But in all, I think we played a very good game and except for that break in the 3rd quarter I’m impressed with what they did.” he added. The outcome of the game means Rivers Hoopers will square up against Rwanda’s APR in the BAL Season 5 quarterfinals on Monday, 9th June, while US Monastir face defending champions Petro de Luanda.

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Governor Otti to Commission 18 Key Projects in Abia Launches New Infrastructure Healthcare Drive

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, is set to commission a total of 18 critical infrastructure and healthcare projects across the state this week, in a major push under his administration’s “New Abia” transformation agenda. According to a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, the commissioning ceremonies will take place between Tuesday, June 10 and Wednesday, June 11, 2025, covering Abia South and Abia Central Senatorial Zones. Governor Otti will on Tuesday commission 12 completed road projects in Aba, the state’s commercial capital, under the supervision of the Greater Aba Development Authority and the Ministry of Works. The roads include: A public rally will follow the commissioning at St. Joseph’s College (CKC), Asa Triangle, Aba. On Wednesday, June 11, the focus shifts to Abia Central, where the Governor will inaugurate four fully equipped Primary Health Care Centers (PHCs) in Isiala Ngwa South, Umuahia South, and Umuahia North LGAs. These fall under the Project Ekwueme PHC Program, which aims to establish functional health centers in all 184 wards across Abia State. Two major road projects will also be commissioned: Both road projects were executed by the Ministry of Works. A rally will be held afterward at Ibeku High School, Umuahia. This marks the first phase of Governor Otti’s larger plan to commission and initiate 55 key projects across the state in the coming weeks, reinforcing his commitment to transparent governance, infrastructure renewal, healthcare enhancement, and socioeconomic revitalization.

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Gowon: Civil War Was Most Difficult Chapter of My Life Not Driven by Hatred

Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, has described the Nigerian Civil War as the most challenging period of his life, stating that his actions during the conflict were driven by the burden of national unity, not by hatred. Gowon made this revelation in Abuja on Saturday after receiving a Lifetime Integrity and Achievement Award at the 5th Convention of the Christian Men’s Fellowship of the Abuja Anglican Diocese. “I always remember the Civil War. It was the most difficult period of my life. It was not my choice, but I had to be there, and had to do what I did in order to keep this country together. It was never a hatred against any people, I can assure you,” Gowon said. He emphasized the importance of forgiveness, reconciliation, and truth, urging Nigerians to work together in promoting peace and unity across religious and ethnic lines. Reflecting on his leadership style, Gowon explained that he had always leaned on prayer and integrity in decision-making. “As far as this heart is concerned, everything that I do, it is through prayers. I ask God to help me to do the right thing the way He thinks it should be done, with love and respect for all the people. That is why, at the end, what do we have to say? As they say: no victor, no vanquished,” he added. Commending Nigeria’s post-war progress, Gowon urged citizens to continue supporting government efforts to sustain peace, tolerance, and mutual respect. Representing former President Goodluck Jonathan, John-Kennedy Opara, who chaired the occasion, praised the awardees for living with integrity. “These men have touched lives, and God has used them in different ways to touch the nation,” he noted, citing Psalm 25:14 to encourage men to uphold integrity in all circumstances. Also speaking at the event, Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Reverend Henry Ndukuba, urged Christians to stand boldly for truth and righteousness, starting from their families to the broader society.

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White House Aides May Intervene as Elon Musk-Trump Feud Escalates Over Epstein Allegation, EV Policy

White House Aides May Intervene as Elon Musk-Trump Feud Escalates Over Epstein Allegation, EV Policy

Tensions between tech billionaire Elon Musk and former U.S. President Donald Trump have reached a boiling point, prompting reports that White House aides may attempt to mediate the feud on Friday. Sources told Fox News that while a direct conversation between Musk and Trump is unlikely today, members of the Trump team could reach out to Musk in a bid to defuse the situation. The public spat escalated after Musk alleged on X (formerly Twitter) that Trump appears in sealed Jeffrey Epstein court documents — a claim that reignited political and media firestorms. “@RealDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files,” Musk posted. “That is the real reason they have not been made public. Have a nice day, DJT!” He followed up with, “Mark this post for the future. The truth will come out.” The White House has distanced itself from the dispute. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described Musk’s comments as “an unfortunate episode” rooted in his dissatisfaction with the administration’s latest legislation, nicknamed the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” Leavitt said the president remains focused on policy, not personal drama. Trump, for his part, fired back on Truth Social, accusing Musk of lashing out after losing influence over electric vehicle mandates. “Elon was ‘wearing thin,’ I asked him to leave,” Trump wrote. “I took away his EV Mandate that forced everyone to buy Electric Cars… and he just went CRAZY!” Trump also took aim at Musk’s financial ties to the government: “The easiest way to save money in our Budget… is to terminate Elon’s Governmental Subsidies and Contracts.” Amid the feud, a red Tesla reportedly purchased by Trump during a White House EV demonstration remains parked near the premises, with reports suggesting it may soon be given away or sold. The fallout marks a significant break between two high-profile figures whose previous interactions were seen as occasionally aligned on business and technology fronts.

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