Fola Badmus, Author at Trendbrio.com

Top Boy Actor Micheal Ward Charged with Rape and Sexual Assault

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago03 mins

British actor Micheal Ward, known for his role as Jamie in the Netflix hit series Top Boy, has been charged with multiple sexual offences, including two counts of rape. The 27-year-old has also been charged with two counts of assault by penetration and one count of sexual assault, all relating to a single alleged victim. The offences are reported to have occurred in January 2023 . Ward, who lives in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, is scheduled to appear at Thames Magistrates’ Court on 28 August, according to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). In a statement released through his representatives, Ward denied the allegations, saying, “I recognise that proceedings are now ongoing, and I have full faith that they will lead to my name being cleared.” Catherine Baccas, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS London South, emphasised the seriousness of the matter: “We remind all concerned that proceedings against the suspect are active and he has a right to a fair trial. It is vital that there should be no reporting, commentary, or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.” Detective Superintendent Scott Ware, who is overseeing the Metropolitan Police investigation, stated that specialist officers continue to support the complainant. Ward rose to fame with critically acclaimed roles in Blue Story, The Old Guard, and Empire of Light. He was awarded the BAFTA Rising Star in 2020 and received Best Supporting Actor nominations for his performances in Small Axe (2021) and Empire of Light (2022). He is also set to appear in the upcoming American film Eddington, starring alongside Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal, scheduled for release in the UK this August. Beyond acting, Ward has a significant public profile, with over a million followers on Instagram. He participated in last year’s Soccer Aid charity match and gave a reading at the Christmas Eve carol service hosted by the Princess of Wales in 2023.

NPFL: Shooting Stars Appoint New Head Coach

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago01 mins

Nigerian Premier Football League side, Shooting Stars Sport Club of Ibadan also known as 3SC has appointed Nurudeen Aweroro as the new Head Coach of the Oluyole Warriors. The club announced the appointment via her official Twitter now X on Friday. The club wrote; “Nurudeen Aweroro is the new Head Coach of Shooting Stars SC “A CAF Licensed tactician with experience from Remo Stars, MFM FC & Ikorodu City, Coach Aweroro is set to lead the Oluyole Warriors to glory. “Welcome to Ibadan, Coach! “Let’s all rally behind him.” The young tactician left his role at Ikorodu City to take charge of the Oluyole Warriors. The tactician guided Ikorodu City to fourth position in the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, last season. Aweroro took charge of the Oga Boys midway through the season following the sacking of Mike Ozegbage.

Mission X: Super Falcons Set to Lift 10th African title in Rabat

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago04 mins

Nigeria will take the battle to Morocco from the blast of the whistle as they intend to give no inches or allow room for error in Saturday’s 13th Women AFCON Championship Match inside the Olympic Stadium in Rabat. The presence of hosts Morocco guarantees a full house at the magnificent facility in Morocco’s administrative capital, but the Super Falcons will be in no mood to be brow-beat or shouted out of sync as they fight to notch up their superlative numbers, including picking up a record-extending 10th continental title. Captain Rasheedat Ajibade is firmly on track for the Player of the Tournament award, and forward Chinwendu Ihezuo is also in contention for the Top Scorer’s award with her three goals, one behind Morocco captain Ghizlane Chebbak. Both teams boast title-loving veterans and ambitious young blood, and there is no dearth of motivation or encouragement from both Governments and the football fraternity. Like most championship games of this nature, the match may be decided from the dugout. Morocco’s Spanish coach Jorge Vidal led his country to win the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Down Under two years ago, and there is hardly a bigger line that can be included in a coach’s resume than a World Cup triumph. He has led the Atlas Lionesses with a firm hand and injected pace and purpose into their game, and they appear even stronger than the team that defeated nine-woman Super Falcons after a penalty shootout in a semi final match in Casablanca three years ago. Yet, the attention of pundits across the globe has been drawn to the person of Coach Justine Madugu, previously seen only as assistant at major competitions, who is now dictating the pace of things at Africa’s flagship women competition. Madugu has brought to enduring reality the tactical philosophy of ‘take it one game at a time’, playing to his team’s strength in each game, and despite loads of cynicism about his capabilities before the commencement of the tournament, four of his five opponents (bar the Lady Fennecs of Algeria who played the Super Falcons when the nine-time champions had already secured passage to the knockout stages) have left for the dressing room with bleary eyes. Surely, he will play to his strength in this final match as well, meaning that all calculations, expectations and projections of the opposition will be blown to smithereens. The Confederation of African Football, on Thursday, appointed Namibian official Antsino Twanyanyukwa as referee for Saturday night’s potentially-explosive encounter.

Upsets, Thrills as Top Seed Crashes Out at WTT Contender Lagos

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago05 mins

The main draw of the 2025 WTT Contender Lagos burst into life on Thursday, July 24, with fireworks and a major upset that sent shockwaves through the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall at Teslim Balogun Stadium. Japan’s Hina Hayata, the women’s top seed, bowed out of the $100,000 prize money championship in a stunning opening-day defeat. The day was packed with excitement and powerful rallies as top seeds launched their campaigns. India’s Sreeja Akula, the defending women’s singles champion, made her intentions clear with a commanding performance, while Egypt’s former African champion Dina Meshref also advanced to the second round after a solid first-round win. Akula, who claimed her first WTT Contender title in Lagos in 2024, approached her match with caution and tactical discipline. Her strategy paid off as she delivered the tournament’s first major upset, defeating Hayata in straight sets, 3-0 (11-7, 11-8, 11-3), to move into the second round. “I was well-prepared for the match, even though it was my first time playing against her,” Akula said. “She’s the top-ranked player, but I didn’t focus on rankings. I just concentrated on my game, and I’m happy with how I played.” Seeded ninth, Akula described Lagos as a lucky venue, having made history as the first Indian to win a WTT title. “Being the defending champion gives me a lot of confidence. I won both the women’s singles and doubles titles last year. Lagos has been a good hunting ground for me, and I’m really happy to be back. I just want to play my best and enjoy the tournament,” she added. Meanwhile, Egypt’s Hana Goda also made a strong start to her campaign. The 17-year-old, who won her first continental title in Lagos in 2022, came from behind to defeat India’s Roy Krittwika 3-1 (8-11, 11-9, 11-8, 11-7), securing a spot in the round of 16 where she will face Chinese Taipei’s Yi-Tian Yeh. Reflecting on her comeback, Goda said: “My opponent played better than I expected, and I was a bit shocked at the beginning. She took the lead and gained momentum. I’m glad I managed to turn things around, although I’m not satisfied with my performance. I hope to play better in the next round. It’ll be interesting facing Yi-Tian again — we played each other as kids, and maybe this is my chance to get some revenge from those early days.” As the tournament’s third seed, Goda expressed her joy at returning to Lagos: “I love being in Lagos. I have many friends here, and I always feel supported. I was sad I couldn’t come last year, and my 2023 performance wasn’t my best. But Lagos is special to me — it’s where I won my first African title. I hope to put on a better show for the fans this time.”

NFF Appoints Manu Garba, Moses Aduku for Golden Eaglets, Falconets

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago02 mins

The Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation has approved the recommendation of the Federation’s Technical and Development Sub-Committee for the appointment of experienced strategist, Manu Garba, as Head Coach of the U17 Boys National Team, Golden Eaglets. Garba was Head Coach of the U17 Boys that won the FIFA U17 World Cup trophy for Nigeria – for the fourth time – in the United Arab Emirates in 2013, and has also led the team on two occasions since then, including qualifying the team to the 2019 FIFA U17 World Cup finals in Brazil. The Executive Committee also endorsed the proposal by the Technical and Development Sub-Committee for the appointment of experienced women’s football tactician, Moses Aduku, as Head Coach of the U20 Girls National Team, Falconets. Aduku takes over from Coach Chris Danjuma. Aduku is highly respected in women football coaching circles, having led Bayelsa Queens and Edo Queens football clubs with distinction in recent years. He was also assistant coach of the Nigeria U20 girls, Falconets, as they reached the quarter-finals of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals in Costa Rica in 2022. Both Garba and Aduku will officially resume on Sunday, as their different teams have important upcoming engagements. The U20 girls have a 2026 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifying fixture against Rwanda in September, while the Golden Eaglets will take part in the WAFU B U17 Boys Tournament that Nigeria is set to host the same month.

Iyabo Ojo Becomes Grandmother as Daughter Priscilla Welcomes Baby Boy with Juma Jux

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago01 mins

Popular Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo has officially become a grandmother following the birth of her daughter Priscilla’s first child with Tanzanian musician and husband, Jumma Jux. The joyful news was shared by fellow actress Tawa Ajisefini-Ali via her verified Instagram handle, @tawaajisefinni. https://www.instagram.com/p/DMgSyKhyQX9 In her post, delivered in Yoruba, Tawa congratulated Iyabo Ojo, Priscilla, and Jumma Jux on the arrival of their baby boy. She also offered prayers for the couple, wishing them continued blessings in their new journey as parents. Tawa further expressed heartfelt joy for her senior colleague Iyabo Ojo, celebrating her new status as a grandmother.

Presidency Refutes Kwankwaso’s Claims of Northern Marginalisation

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago02 mins

The Presidency has dismissed recent claims by former Kano State governor and 2023 NNPP presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, alleging that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is marginalising northern Nigeria. Kwankwaso, speaking during a stakeholders’ dialogue on the 2025 constitutional amendment held in Kano on Thursday, accused the federal government of concentrating resources and development efforts in the South, while poverty and insecurity continue to escalate in the North. He also decried the poor condition of infrastructure in the region, citing a recent journey from Abuja to Kano via Kaduna. The trip, he said, was a “hellish” experience due to the deteriorating state of the federal highways. In response, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, took to his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Friday to counter the accusations. Dare described the allegations as unfounded and insisted that the Tinubu administration is committed to inclusive and equitable development across all regions of Nigeria. He reaffirmed that no section of the country is being neglected or treated unfairly in the current dispensation. “The North has not been sidelined,” Dare said, adding that the administration’s infrastructure and economic policies are designed to benefit the entire nation, irrespective of geography or political affiliation.

FG Sets 12 Years as Minimum Age for JSS1 Admission in New Policy for Private Schools

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago04 mins

The Federal Government has officially set 12 years as the minimum age for admission into Junior Secondary School 1 (JSS1), as part of new guidelines released in a policy document on non-state (private) schools. The new directive, introduced by the Federal Ministry of Education and launched last week, mandates that children must first complete six years of primary education before transitioning to junior secondary school. By implication, this age requirement aligns with the expectation that students will complete their secondary education around age 18. The policy lays out a clear structure for early childhood education, stating:“Nursery education shall be of three years’ duration. Children shall be admitted into Nursery One at age three, Nursery Two at age four, and Kindergarten (one year of compulsory pre-primary education) at age five.” It continues:“Basic education shall be of nine years’ duration—six years of primary and three years of Junior Secondary School (JSS). Children shall be admitted into Primary One at age six and then into JSS1 at age twelve, following the completion of primary education.” Although the age of 18 was previously announced as the minimum for university entry by former Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, the current minister, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has revised the university admission age back to 16 years. The new policy document also highlights the increasing role of non-state schools in the country’s education sector. These schools, which are privately operated and often funded through tuition, donations, and community or religious support, have seen substantial growth in recent years. According to the Nigeria Education Digest 2022, non-state schools now outnumber government-run schools at the junior secondary level in at least 26 states. However, at the primary level, state schools remain dominant in 19 states. The report also reveals faster growth in the number of private schools between 2017 and 2022: The new policy is expected to standardize age-based progression in the Nigerian education system and improve oversight of private education providers across the country.