Fola Badmus

Ola Aina makes history with Forests over Liverpool 

Nigerian defender Ola Aina starred for 90 minutes in Nottingham Forest win over Liverpool on Saturday.  His compatriot Taiwo Awoniyi was on the bench for the entire duration of the tie. Liverpool dropped points for the first time this season after a second-half stunner from Callum Hudson-Odoi earned Forest their first victory at Anfield in 55 years. Arne Slot’s side were yet to concede a league goal this term, before the introduction of Hudson-Odoi from the Forest bench, with Nuno Espirito Santo masterminding the unlikely 1-0 win. The substitute scored the winner in the 72nd minute after Liverpool’s retreating backline offered him the time and space to measure a shot from 20 yards. He obliged, bending a perfectly precise strike beyond Alisson at full stretch into the far corner. Ryan Yates was a workhorse in the Nottingham Forest midfield Liverpool, with lofty ambitions in Slot’s first season in charge, created plenty but lacked any cutting edge as every final pass or attempted finish failed to hit the mark. Their 14 shots at goal – five on target – were a sign of the home side’s obvious dominance, but unlike the opening three weeks of the campaign where they scored seven times, they were unable to convert such superiority into goals.

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Bundesliga: Boniface fires brace in Leverkusen win 

Super Eagles striker Victor Boniface netted a brace in Bayer Leverkusen’s 4-1 drubbing of Hoffenheim on Saturday.  The Nigerian forward returned to Bundesliga action after failing to score during the international break.  Before the break, the Boniface had reclaimed his starting shirt in the team, and he started for them against Hoffenheim alongside compatriot Nathan Tella. Die Werkself were the favourites to claim the win, and they enforced their authority early on. They created the better chances from the start, and it took them just 17 minutes to get the opener.  Boniface was the creator, as he sent a nice pass to Martin Terrier, who converted calmly to make it 1-0.

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Tinubu hails Military on North-West operations, pledges sustained support 

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu receives with relief the news of the strings of successful operations against security threats in the north-west by troops of the Nigerian military. He said the success of the operations gives further assurance that our security operatives are up to the task of  of ensuring the peace and security of the nation. Troops of Operation Hadarin Daji, on Thursday, neutralised a wanted bandit leader, Halilu Sububu, who had been unleashing terror on citizens in Zamfara, Sokoto, and other parts of north-western Nigeria. The troops also killed  another terrorist Sani Wala Burki in a Joint Operation in Katsina, and  busted a terrorist enclave in Kaduna, where 13 kidnapped students were freed. The successful operations follow the President’s directive to the service chiefs to relocate to the zone until normalcy is restored.  President Tinubu commends the military high command, the intelligence agencies, and the troops for their valiant efforts, synergy, and dedication, which have resulted in the recent laudable outcomes. The President also commended the entire security apparatus for the improved security in the nation and enjoins them to sustain their efforts until immediate and latent threats are permanently removed. President Tinubu reassured the security agencies of his continued support in achieving the priority objective of keeping the nation safe and secure.

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Olukoyede tasks Nigerians on monitoring of Constituency Projects

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede has called on Nigerians across the country to rise up to the task of monitoring constituency projects being embarked upon by their elected leaders in order to drive positive changes and development in their environments.  He gave the charge in Kano  while speaking at a “One -Day Stakeholders’ Consultative Meeting on Fostering Transparency, Accountability and Citizens’ Participation In The Implementation Of Constituency Projects In Nigeria” hosted by the Aminu Kano Centre for Democratic Studies.  According to him, sustainable development can only come when Nigerians take initiatives to interrogate projects being embarked upon by politicians in their respective constituencies. “We must recognize that true and lasting change comes when communities are empowered to hold their leaders accountable, particularly in the monitoring of constituency projects”, he said. Speaking on “Imperatives of Community Driven Anti-Corruption Fight: Enhancing Constituency Project Service Delivery in Nigeria” the EFCC boss took both politicians driving the projects and the people to task. To this end, he highlighted five crucial areas that will enhance accountable project delivery. They are “Community Engagement, Transparency in Funding  and Execution, Strengthening Oversight Mechanisms, Public Access to Information and Partnership with Anti-Corruption Agencies”. “There must be deliberate efforts to involve communities in the identification of their priority projects. This ensures that projects are aligned with actual needs rather than being imposed or politically motivated”,  he said.  He also stressed that constituency project funds must be fully disclosed to the public and the details of the contractors, timelines, and budgets should be made available for community scrutiny. “This will not only promote transparency but also give communities the tools to monitor progress effectively”, he said. He equally stressed. the need for availability of public data on constituency projects in order for communities to have easy access to relevant information to help them make informed decisions about the projects in their areas.  “When communities report discrepancies or suspected cases of corruption, these reports must be promptly investigated. By working together, we can build a feedback loop that ensures prompt action is taken against any corrupt practice”, he said.  Olukoyede explained that corruption remained the bane of development  in all sectors of the economy,   stressing  that it  erodes public trust in government. “Corruption undermines development, erodes public trust, and stifles the very projects designed to uplift communities. Across the country, many Nigerians have voiced concerns about constituency projects  that are meant to bring direct benefits to local communities through infrastructure, education, healthcare, and more. Unfortunately, the impact of corruption has, in some cases, hindered the full potential of these initiatives.”

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Victor Moses resumes training at Luton Town 

Former Super Eagles midfielder Victor Moses has resumed training with his new club, Luton Town FC.  The 33-year-old posted pictures of his training at the new club on Friday. Moses said: “I’m looking forward to it. “I had a few offers from Europe, but I said to my agent that I set my mind on staying over here, and here we are. I’m very pleased and honoured to be at this club and I just can’t wait to get going. “I spoke to Rob before I came, I spoke to the directors and they told me the plan and the history of the club, and I just want to be part of the success. “I want to come here and enjoy my football, work hard for the club and for the team, and get back to where we belong in the Premier League.”

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PDP suspends Dino Melaye 

The Kogi State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has suspended former Senator from the state, Dino Melaye from the party. Melaye was suspended by the PDP exco in Ayetoro Gbede, Ward 1 following his refusal to honour a summon. The Ward exco explained that Melaye was suspended for anti-party activities and alleged misconduct. The resolution to suspend the former Kogi West senator was taken by the Ward party executive committee during a meeting in Aiyetoro/Luagba Ward 1 on Friday to review the report of the disciplinary committee set up to investigate alleged anti-party activities against him. It was signed by the Ward Chairman, Abayomi Osamika and Ward Yodson Dayo, Secretary. The resolution sighted by DAILY POST reads: “Senator Dino Melaye’s conduct has brought embarrassment and disrepute to the party and his continued membership is no longer tenable. “Therefore, the Ward party exco hereby suspends Dino Melaye from the Peoples Democratic party, effective and immediately. “The suspension is in line with provisions of Article 59 (1) of the PDP constitution which empowers the Ward party excos to take disciplinary actions against erring members.”

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Maradona medical team’s trial postponed until 2025

An Argentine court on Thursday delayed to March 2025 the long-awaited criminal trial of seven of the eight medical professionals accused of negligence in the death of Argentina football legend Diego Maradona. The trial was set to start next month, after a previous postponement in May, but is now on track to begin on March 11 next year, according to a ruling seen by AFP. Maradona died in November 2020 at age 60 while recovering from brain surgery for a blood clot, after decades of battling cocaine and alcohol addictions.  He was found dead in bed two weeks after going under the knife, in a rented house in an exclusive Buenos Aires neighborhood where he was brought after being discharged from hospital.  He was found to have died of a heart attack.  In 2023, an Argentine appeals court said that neurosurgeon Leopoldo Luque, psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov and six others, including nurses, would stand trial in the matter, rejecting an appeal. One of the nurses, Gisela Dahiana Madrid, has asked to be tried by jury separately, and her trial will proceed as planned on October 2. Prosecutors have accused the eight medical professionals of providing “reckless” and “deficient” home treatment to Maradona. A panel of 20 medical experts convened by Argentina’s public prosecutor concluded in 2021 that Maradona “would have had a better chance of survival” with adequate treatment in an appropriate medical facility. They risk prison sentences ranging from eight to 25 years. 

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Joshua, Tyson Fury, Usyk battle for British Boxing Award

Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Okeksandr Usyk have been shortlisted for the British Boxing Awards next month. The awards ceremony will host some of the biggest names in British boxing and the celebrity world on November 8 in London as it celebrates the achievements in the sport. It is the first time that all levels of British boxing, from the grassroots gym volunteers to the international superstars, will be recognised at one flagship event. Former Team GB and professional boxing star Nicola Adams has been named as the host for the event, with some breakthrough stars also bidding to win some of the awards on offer. Now, the shortlist has been revealed for the awards up for grabs, with the categories sweeping through multiple levels of the sport. In some of the top awards, Joshua and Fury are among those shortlised to win Male British Boxer of the Year, as well as the likes of Jack Catterall, Callum Smith and Lawrence Okolie. Also in the running for the award are Chris Billam-Smith, Liam Smith, Joshua Buatsi, Nick Ball and Chris Eubank Jnr. In the Women’s Award, Katie Taylor is the lead name, with the likes of Natasha Jones, Savannah Marshall and Chantelle Cameron also hopeful. The other names on the list include Caroline Dubois, Ellie Scotney and Sandy Ryan. Usyk comes into the conversation in the International Boxing Champion of the Year category, with Joshua, Fury and Deontay Wilder also shortlisted. Canelo Alvarez, Billam-Smith and Imane Khelif are also on the list.   There are plenty more commendations up for grabs in the Grassroots Boxing Hero, Out of the Ring Award, Best Brand of the Year, Inspirational Role Model and a Lifetime Achievement Award categories. Michael Buffer and Lennox Lewis are both shortlisted in the British Boxing Broadcaster or Journalist category, while Lewis is again mentioned, alongside the likes of Amir Khan and David Haye in the Insprational Role Model shortlist. Khan and Frank Bruno are shortlisted for the Out of the Ring Award for their work with their foundations, and Misfits make the Business of the Year shortlist alongside the likes of Queensberry and Matchroom – Frank Warren and Eddie Hearn are also sortlisted for the Promoter of the Year Awards. ‘This is an incredible shortlist,’ host Adams said following the announcement. ‘The British Boxing Awards is shining a light on the people and organisations contributing to the phenomenal growth of the sport. Boxing champions, both in and out of the ring, will be recognised. ‘This is a major first for the sport in the UK and I am incredibly excited to be hosting this event. It is going to be a special night. Good luck to all of the nominees.’

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