Fola Badmus, Author at Trendbrio.com

Super Falcons’ Okobi welcomes new baby

Super Falcons and Levante Las Planas of Spain midfielder Ngozi Okobi has welcomed a new baby. The player revealed this as she displayed the baby bump on her X handle on Tuesday. She wrote; “Congratulations to me. “I am in my new season.” Okobi has played for the Nigerian team albeit the under 17 squad since 2008 and got her first senior call up immediately after the U-17 tournament in 2010. The forward registered her first international goal against Zambia where she aided Nigeria trounce the hosts 6–0 at the 2014 African Women’s Championship.

Tinubu visits Borno, pledges more support, creation of relief fund

Fola Badmus1 year ago1 year ago06 mins

Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced a disaster relief fund Monday in Maiduguri, Borno State, to assist Nigerian citizens impacted by floods and other disasters. He said the relief fund is already expedient as the climate becomes more unpredictable and many places in the country are vulnerable to its vagaries. President Tinubu announced this at the Borno Government House when he visited the state to sympathise with the government and people over the recent flooding from Alau Dam. He urged the private sector to contribute to the fund. Senate president Godswill Akpabio, who accompanied the President on the visit, said the National Assembly will collaborate with the executive to establish the Fund. Tinubu visited the Shehu of Borno, an Internally Displaced Persons camp at the Government Secondary School in Maiduguri and had a drive-through of the areas affected by the disaster. President Tinubu said: “After my visit to the Shehu of Borno and the IDP camp, I have been reflecting on how to tackle this kind of disaster and the effects of climate change. “There must be a disaster relief fund. I will invite the private sector to team up with us and help rebuild the affected areas. “If we take a small percentage from FAAC and put it as disaster relief fund, which will include all of you, we will be activating and strengthening our sense of belonging,” he said. The President thanked Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State, who is also Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, Bauchi State governor Bala Mohammed, Sokoto State Governor Ahmad Aliyu; and Kogi State governor Ahmed Usman Ododo; and other governors who look beyond party lines to bear the burdens of others. He said that Nigeria’s diversity should spur prosperity. The President extended his sympathy to the government, the people of Yobe State, and all the states affected by flooding and pledged his government’s continued support for victims of natural disasters. “For all the people of Yobe State, I sympathise with you. We will create an outstanding programme for Nigeria to recover from this calamity. We will build our nation together,” the President assured. The President commended the Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Zulum, for prompt intervention and the Theatre Command of the Nigerian military for the evacuation that saved many lives. “I am glad that Prof. Zulum has been a very active governor. Let me assure you that we will be with you, Borno State and share the burden. “This disaster was a natural one. It was not the making of anybody. We cannot pass the blame. We pray that the Almighty Allah will receive the souls of the departed and grant them eternal rest. “May God also overlook their shortcomings and misdeeds on earth,” he added. President Tinubu commended all the ministries, agencies, and security outfits, particularly the military, involved in evacuation and relief and recognised the international organisations working in the state. The Governor of Borno State thanked the President for the visit and commended the prompt intervention of Federal Government agencies, particularly NEMA and the military’s Theatre Command, in evacuating stranded victims. At the palace, the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garba El-Kanemi, thanked the President for the honour of visiting the state after the Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima, had earlier represented him. The Shehu of Borno urged the President to investigate the cause of the Alua dam collapse and overflow into the town to prevent a recurrence.

BBNaija 2024: Handi, Wanni, Kassia, Shaun nominated for eviction

Fola Badmus1 year ago1 year ago01 mins

Handi, Wanni, Kassia and Shaun have been nominated for possible eviction from Big Brother Naija ‘No Loose Guard’ house. The nominations on Monday night took a new twist as housemates this knew who nominated them for eviction. On Sunday, at least one of the four nominated housemates will be leaving the Big Brother house. Fourteen housemates were left in the house following eviction of Ben and Chizoba on Sunday.

Joshua, Fury fight must happen in 2025 – Hearn

Fola Badmus1 year ago1 year ago05 mins

The much-awaited heavyweight bout between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury must “definitely” take place by the end of 2025 or it will never happen, said promoter Eddie Hearn. A super-fight between two generational stars of British boxing has been mooted for several years but always stalled during negotiations. Joshua, 34, challenges Daniel Dubois for the IBF belt at Wembley Stadium on Saturday and Fury, 36, takes on Oleksandr Usyk – who holds the three other recognised world titles – in December’s rematch. “I do think AJ-Fury will happen regardless of whether Fury wins or not, but the size of the fight depends on their next two results,” Hearn told BBC Sport. In June, Joshua urged Fury to fight him while both boxers are still “fresh” but said he will not “sit around and wait” for his fellow British heavyweight. Asked whether there is a deadline of next year, Matchroom’s Hearn replied: “Yes, definitely.” With substantial investment into boxing from Saudi Arabia, there is new hope the bout will finally materialise. “If AJ beats Dubois and Fury beats Usyk, you’ve got the biggest fight in the history of the sport ever. If one loses and the other wins, it’s still a monster fight,” Hearn added. Joshua broke down in tears after a second consecutive defeat by Usyk in 2022, but worked himself back into a world-title mandatory challenger position with a four-fight winning streak. If he beats Dubois he will emulate greats Muhammad Ali, Lennox Lewis, Vitali Klitschko and Evander Holyfield by becoming a three-time heavyweight world champion. “The magnitude of the achievement will be something incredible if he can pull it off,” Hearn said. “We’re two wins away from undisputed and one win away from getting a fight to be undisputed. I truly believe he will still do it.” Joshua must first come overcome Dubois in front of a British post-war record of 96,000 fans, which will top the 94,000 set by Fury v Dillian Whyte in 2022. After Saturday’s event, around 480,000 spectators will have watched Joshua headline in six UK stadium fights. “People always ask me where the next AJ is coming from. You have to understand, this person is a one-off and there will never be another one,” added Hearn. “Whatever you think of his boxing ability, in terms of how he has transcended the sport, changed boxing by opening up stadium fights as part of the norm, it will never be repeated.” Joshua became world champion in 2016. He lost the title to Andy Ruiz Jr in June 2019 before winning the rematch just six months later. Dubois, 27, will make a first defence of the title he won after he was upgraded from interim to full world champion when Usyk vacated the IBF belt. Although Dubois challenged Usyk in front of 40,000 fans in Poland last year, Hearn feels it “takes a specific kind of individual” to handle the pressure of topping a Wembley Stadium bill. “The media attention and frenzy, all the moments before the bell on fight night – you’ve got to hold your nerve when you walk through that tunnel in front of 96,000 people,” said Hearn. “For AJ this is bread and butter. He’s been there before and done it but he’s got the hunger and the desire. “Forget the money in the bank, he badly wants to become world champion again.”

TikTok in court over potential US ban

Fola Badmus1 year ago1 year ago04 mins

Lawyers for TikTok and parent company ByteDance will square off with the Justice Department in a Washington courtroom over the fate of a law that could ban the short video app used by 170 million Americans as soon as January 19. A three-judge panel of the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia will hold oral arguments on a legal challenge filed by TikTok and Chinese-parent company ByteDance that seeks an injunction barring the law from taking effect. TikTok and ByteDance argue the law is unconstitutional and violates Americans’ free speech rights, calling it “a radical departure from this country’s tradition of championing an open Internet.” Circuit Judges Sri Srinivasan, Neomi Rao and Douglas Ginsburg will consider the legal challenges brought by TikTok and users against the law that gives ByteDance until January 19 to sell or divest TikTok’s US assets or face a ban. Driven by worries among US politicians that China could access data on Americans or spy on them with the app, the US Congress passed the law overwhelmingly in April just weeks after it was introduced. Biden could extend the January 19 deadline by three months if he certifies ByteDance is making significant progress toward a sale. The hearing could put TikTok’s fate in the middle of the final weeks of the presidential campaign. Both Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are active on TikTok seeking to court younger voters. The Justice Department says TikTok under Chinese ownership poses a serious national security threat because of its access to vast personal data of Americans, asserting China can covertly manipulate information that Americans consume via TikTok. “The serious national-security threat posed by TikTok is real,” the department said. ByteDance says divestiture is “not possible technologically, commercially, or legally” and without a court ruling will lead to an unprecedented ban. TikTok and the Justice Department have asked for a ruling by December 6, which could allow the US Supreme Court to consider an appeal before any ban takes effect. The White House says it wants to see Chinese-based ownership ended on national security grounds, but not a ban on TikTok. Trump, who unsuccessfully tried to ban TikTok in 2020, said recently if elected, he would not allow TikTok to be banned.

Nigerian Army reaffirms commitment to upholding Citizens’ right in operations

Fola Badmus1 year ago1 year ago04 mins

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, has affirmed the Nigerian Army’s (NA) dedication to protecting citizens’ rights during the planning and execution of military operations. This statement was made during the Third Edition of the Nigerian Army Human Rights Seminar, held recently in Lagos. The seminar, centered around the theme “Human Rights and National Security: A Strategic Balance,” was organized by the Army Headquarters Department of Civil-Military Affairs (DCMA) at the 81 Division Officers’ Mess, Victoria Island Lagos. Representing the COAS, Major General Farouk Mijinyawa, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division, opened the seminar by emphasizing the importance of human rights in military operations. He stressed that the NA consistently conducts its operations in a professional manner, ensuring the protection of Nigerian citizens from insurgents, criminal elements, and other security threats, while upholding human rights. General Lagbaja also highlighted the Army’s commitment to engaging stakeholders in the multidimensional operating environment. He noted that by fostering collaboration with civil society and the broader public, the Army aims to gain the confidence and support of the civilian population while maintaining a strong focus on human rights. Lagos State, a hub for human rights organizations, civil society, and the media, was deliberately chosen as the seminar’s venue due to its significance in the national and global discourse on human rights. The COAS expressed optimism that the seminar would lead to the development of strategies that align national security objectives with the upholding of human rights during military operations. The Special Guest of Honour, Hon Justice (Prof) Mojeed Adekunle Owoade (Rtd), praised the Army’s leadership for addressing the evolving security landscape by organizing this crucial seminar. He noted that as security challenges increase, particularly in areas where the Army is deployed, it is vital for military institutions to remain adaptable while ensuring human rights are prioritized. Justice Owoade emphasized the importance of balancing individual freedoms with the protection of others’ rights, highlighting that society functions best when these principles are upheld. In his welcome address, the Chief of Civil-Military Affairs (CCMA), Major General Nosakhare Ugbo, emphasized that respect for human rights is integral to the Nigerian Army’s code of conduct and rules of engagement. Moreover, the Army continues to take disciplinary measures against violations while raising awareness among troops on the importance of upholding human rights, particularly in counter-insurgency and internal security operations. The seminar attracted senior Army officers, legal experts, government officials, human rights activists, media representatives, and leaders of civil society organizations. Highlights of the event included presentations by prominent speakers, interactive discussions, and the presentation of souvenirs. The seminar concluded with a group photograph to commemorate the day’s insightful and impactful proceedings.

Real Madrid wonderkid marries at 18

Fola Badmus1 year ago1 year ago02 mins

Real Madrid star Endrick has married his model girlfriend Gabriely Miranda. The pair posted pictures on Instagram of their big day. Miranda, 23, quoted the bible as she wrote: ‘Matthew 19:6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what GOD has put together no one can separate’. Endrick, 18, joined Real Madrid this summer from Palmeiras. It was previously reported that Endrick and Miranda had a relationship contract including several bizarre clauses. These included Endrick being banned from having a virtual girlfriend on Grand Theft Auto and also being forbidden from commenting on other girls’ Instagram accounts. It is also claimed that Endrick and Miranda must say ‘I love you’ to each other in all situations. Endrick and Miranda first met less than a year ago. Miranda is also an influencer and has partnerships with brands including New Balance. She has more than one million followers on Instagram. A deal for Endrick to join Real Madrid was agreed in December 2022, with the move taking place this summer. Since joining Real, Endrick has made four appearances, scoring once. He has netted three times in eleven senior games for Brazil, with the forward viewed as one of the most talented youngsters in world football. During his time at Palmeiras, Endrick scored 21 goals in 82 games. Endrick could make his first appearance in the Champions League when Real Madrid host Stuttgart on Tuesday night.

CAF Beach Soccer AFCON Draw holds on Thursday

Fola Badmus1 year ago1 year ago02 mins

The final draw for the CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations, Egypt 2024 will take place in Cairo on Thursday, 19 September 2024. The Draw will be conducted at 17h00 local time (14h00 GMT) and will be live-streamed on CAF Digital Platforms including CAF TV (YouTube) and CAFOnline.com. The sixth edition of the CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations is scheduled from 19 to 26 October 2024 in Hurghada, Egypt. The participating teams are Egypt (hosts), Senegal, Ghana Morocco, Tanzania, Mauritania, Mozambique and Malawi. The tournament, which will see the eight (8) nations divided into two groups of four, is expected to be another thrilling African beach soccer experience, with all eyes on reigning champions Senegal, as they aim for their fifth championship title. The Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations is a qualifying competition for the the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2025 set to be hosted by Seychelles next year. Egypt is hosting the final event for the second time, after the 2018 edition in Sharm El Sheikh.