Fola Badmus

Usman Dominates Buckley to End Losing Streak, Declares UFC Return at Full Strength

Nigerian-American UFC fighter Kamaru Usman returned to winning form on Sunday morning, defeating Joaquin Buckley by unanimous decision in the main event at State Farm Arena, Atlanta. The 38-year-old former welterweight champion snapped a three-fight losing streak with a tactical and dominant performance, earning judges’ scores of 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47. The victory marked Usman’s first in nearly four years and his return to the octagon after a 20-month layoff. Usman showcased vintage form, controlling the bout with wrestling and ground control. He scored takedowns in each of the first four rounds, maintained 13 minutes of control time, and landed 137 total strikes to Buckley’s 51. “Sometimes when you’re going up against a young, hungry guy like that… you’ve got to pull out the skills and use your experience,” Usman said post-fight. “And that’s what I did tonight.” Buckley entered the fight on a five-match win streak but was outclassed by Usman’s experience and cage control. Addressing concerns about his health and longevity, Usman dismissed criticism over his fitness: “It’s a running joke, ‘Oh, his knees, his knees.’ Well, I can still do what I do—and I could do that to anybody in the welterweight division.” Usman’s professional UFC record now stands at 16 wins and 3 losses, reinforcing his position as a top-tier contender in the division. 🔗 Read Full Details Here

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Israel’s War on Gaza: 23 Killed Today, Including Aid Seekers

Death toll surpasses 55,000 as Israeli attacks continue Gaza – June 15, 2025Israeli military operations in Gaza continue at full intensity, with at least 23 Palestinians killed since dawn today, according to medical sources speaking to Al Jazeera. Among the dead are 11 people who were reportedly waiting to receive humanitarian aid, highlighting the growing risks faced by civilians amid the ongoing conflict. The Gaza Health Ministry now reports that at least 55,297 people have been killed and 128,426 wounded since the war began. The death toll includes thousands of women and children, with hospitals and emergency services overwhelmed or non-operational in many parts of the besieged territory. The humanitarian crisis deepens daily as Gaza remains largely cut off, with food, fuel, and medical supplies running dangerously low. International calls for a ceasefire have so far failed to halt the violence.

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Berlin Says Germany, Oman Agree Middle East Escalation Should Be Avoided

Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz has spoken to Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, according to a German government statement, as regional tensions rise following Israel’s attacks on Iran. They both agreed that the conflict should not escalate and expressed their willingness to help end it through diplomatic means, the statement said. “The chancellor thanked [the sultan] for Oman’s mediation efforts towards ending Iran’s nuclear programme. He emphasised that Iran must never have nuclear weapons,” it added. Iran has pursued a nuclear programme for decades but insists it only wishes to use nuclear power peacefully.

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Gombe Gets N60 Billion for Agro-Livestock Zone as FG Launches Industrial Transformation Plan

Gombe Gets N60 Billion for Agro-Livestock Zone as FG Launches Industrial Transformation Plan

Gombe State has received ₦60 billion from the federal government to commence the establishment of a 184-hectare agro-livestock industrial zone, Governor Inuwa Yahaya announced during a groundbreaking ceremony held on Saturday in Gombe. Yahaya said the funding is part of the ₦120 billion approved by President Bola Tinubu for the project, with the initial 50% already disbursed. “This project is not just infrastructure; it is a bold step towards building a prosperous and sustainable future in livestock development,” Yahaya stated. Key Project Features The agro-livestock zone will house: Each facility is expected to be equipped with cutting-edge infrastructure to ensure hygienic, efficient, and globally compliant processing, supporting both domestic and international markets. “The Gombe Ultramodern Abattoir will transform meat processing not only in Gombe State but across Northern Nigeria,” Yahaya noted.“It eliminates the unsafe and costly transport of live animals, paving the way for a smarter, safer livestock economy.” Economic Impact The governor emphasized the project’s potential to: He also expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for prioritizing livestock sector development as part of Nigeria’s broader economic transformation agenda. Federal Support & National Strategy Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, reiterated the federal government’s commitment, linking the project to Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda aimed at scaling Nigeria’s animal processing capacity. Maiha added that once operational, the facility will be capable of processing 500 bulls, 1,000 small ruminants, and 3,000 poultry birds daily, positioning Gombe as a major livestock processing hub in the region.

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IGP Summons Kano Governor’s Spokesperson Over Criminal Defamation Allegations

IGP Summons Kano Governor’s Spokesperson Over Criminal Defamation Allegations

Abuja, Nigeria – June 15, 2025 — The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has again summoned Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa, spokesperson to Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, to appear before the Force Headquarters over allegations of criminal defamation, impersonation, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace. According to a police summons dated May 23, 2025, with file number CR/3000/IGP-SEC/MU/ADM/14/ABJ/VOL 118/57, Dawakin-Tofa is expected to report to SP Mojirode B. Obisiji of the IGP Monitoring Unit at Louis Edet House, Abuja, by 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 29, 2025. The letter, signed by Deputy Commissioner of Police Akin Fakorede, head of the IGP Monitoring Unit, stated that the police are investigating a case in which Dawakin-Tofa “featured prominently.” Allegations Linked to Ganduje Suspension The allegations are believed to be connected to the 2024 suspension of APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, by executives of his Ganduje Ward over alleged anti-party activities and non-payment of dues. Dawakin-Tofa, who hails from the same area as Ganduje, was accused of orchestrating the move—a claim he has repeatedly denied. This marks the second time in less than a year that Dawakin-Tofa has been summoned by the police. In December 2024, officers from the IGP Monitoring Unit attempted to arrest him, prompting him to secure an interim court order barring security agencies from arresting or harassing him. Legal Proceedings and Appeal On December 12, 2024, a Kano High Court issued a restraining order under suit number K/M2500/2024, protecting Dawakin-Tofa from arrest by the IGP, DSS, NSCDC, and several top police officials. The order cited concerns over violations of his constitutional rights to liberty and freedom of movement. However, the court later dismissed his suit against the APC’s Acting National Chairman and the IGP. His lawyer, Barrister H.M. Muhammad, has since filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal, Kano Division. Political History Tensions between Dawakin-Tofa and Ganduje trace back to 2015, when the latter, as governor-elect, allegedly ordered Dawakin-Tofa’s arrest over political opposition during the election period. Dawakin-Tofa has since become a prominent critic of Ganduje and a key opposition voice in his hometown.

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Nigeria Poised to End Medal Drought at African Fencing Championships

As Nigeria prepares to host the 23rd African Fencing Championships from June 25 to 29 at Charterhouse Lagos, the Nigeria Fencing Federation is confident that the nation is ready to end its long-standing medal drought at the continental event. With a promising lineup of athletes, the Federation believes this year’s tournament could mark a turning point for Nigerian fencing. According to Federation President Adeyinka Samuel, the sport is experiencing a resurgence, driven by a new generation of talented fencers who have gained valuable experience at international competitions. “On a personal note, as a former athlete, I vividly remember competing at the Senior African Championships in Morocco in 2008, where I narrowly missed a medal,” Samuel said. “To now host this very event as President is the culmination of years of sacrifice, dedication, and a shared vision for Nigerian fencing. This is a gift to our entire fencing community and a legacy moment for our young, aspiring athletes.” While Nigeria has yet to secure a medal at the African Fencing Championships, Samuel expressed strong optimism about the team’s prospects this year. “Our athletes are more prepared than ever before. We’ve invested heavily in coach development, international exposure, and high-performance training camps. With the support of the home crowd, our fencers are mentally and physically ready to make history,” he added. Team Nigeria has brought in an international coach from Italy, held joint training camps with other African nations, and provided targeted support in areas such as nutrition, conditioning, and mental preparation. Samuel emphasized that the goal extends beyond winning medals—it’s about inspiring the next generation of Nigerian fencers. He specifically predicted that Nigeria is on track to win at least two medals, despite the strong competition expected from across the continent. Among the athletes to watch is U.S.-based Peluola Akinbamiro, who will be competing in her first tournament on home soil. The 13-year-old, who participated in the 2025 African and World Junior Championships in Angola and China, expressed confidence in the team’s preparation under the guidance of the Italian coach. “I’m excited to finally compete in Nigeria. We’ve trained hard, and I believe we’re ready to break the medal drought,” Akinbamiro said. Homegrown talent Wisdom Okanlawon also shared his enthusiasm: “It won’t be easy facing some of the best fencers in Africa and the world, but I’m hopeful. This is my first senior tournament, and I believe we can make our presence felt.” Over 200 fencers from more than 26 African countries are expected to compete in 12 events during the five-day tournament. This marks the third time the African Fencing Championships will be hosted in a Sub-Saharan country, following previous editions in Mali (2019) and Senegal (2003 and 2009).

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Chaos Erupts at APC North-East Meeting Over Shettima’s Snub in Tinubu Endorsement

By: Kamal Yalwa – Gombe, Nigeria – June 15, 2025 A meeting of All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders from the North-East descended into chaos on Sunday after Comrade Mustapha Salihu, the party’s National Vice Chairman for the region, failed to mention Vice President Kashim Shettima while endorsing President Bola Tinubu for a second term. The incident occurred during a consultative forum held in Gombe State, attended by key party figures including APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje. Salihu’s omission of Shettima’s name during his endorsement speech sparked immediate backlash from delegates, leading to heated protests and verbal confrontations. Security personnel had to escort Salihu from the venue to prevent further escalation. To restore order, Deputy National Chairman Bukar Dalori intervened, publicly endorsing both President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima for a second term. This move was aimed at quelling tensions and reaffirming party unity ahead of the 2027 general elections. The incident highlights ongoing divisions within the APC, particularly in the North-East region, where Shettima’s leadership has faced criticism from some party members. Earlier, the North-East APC Youth and Stakeholders Forum had accused Shettima of undermining their efforts and threatened to withdraw support, citing perceived neglect after his selection as vice-presidential candidate. The Gombe meeting underscores the delicate balance the APC must maintain to ensure cohesion among its diverse factions as it prepares for the upcoming elections.

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NPFL Sets August 22 Kickoff for 2025/26 Season, Vows Calendar Stability

NPFL Sets August 22 Kickoff for 2025/26 Season, Vows Calendar Stability

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has announced that the 2025/26 season will begin on August 22, 2025, and conclude on May 24, 2026. This move marks a significant step toward establishing a consistent football calendar, according to NPFL Chairman Gbenga Elegbeleye. Speaking at a press briefing, Elegbeleye emphasized the league’s commitment to schedule integrity: “This is the first time in many years—perhaps since the start of the new-era NPFL in 2005—that a kickoff and ending date will be faithfully implemented. That is a commitment we made and a promise delivered.” Elegbeleye also praised the standard of officiating in the just-concluded season, which saw Remo Stars claim their first-ever NPFL title. He lauded Nigerian referees as among the best in the world, noting their growing international presence. “I’ve travelled around the world and witnessed some shocking officiating decisions—something you hardly see in the NPFL.” Referees awarded 76 penalties, issued 1,380 yellow cards, and handed out 56 red cards across 380 games last season. He highlighted the participation of Nigerian referees in international tournaments such as the U-20 Championship in Egypt and the upcoming WAFCON. While acknowledging there is still work to be done, Elegbeleye called on media and stakeholders to continue holding the league accountable, citing visible progress in Nigerian football.

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