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NCC Orders Telecom Operators to Notify Nigerians of Major Service Outages, Offers Compensation Guidelines

Fola Badmus34 mins

Abuja, Nigeria – May 26, 2025 | The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has directed telecommunications operators to notify consumers of major service outages, including their causes, affected areas, and estimated downtimes, using media platforms. The directive, which took effect on Sunday, also mandates that customers must be informed at least seven days ahead of any planned service disruptions. The policy applies to all mobile network operators (MNOs), internet service providers (ISPs), and other last-mile service providers. This was contained in a statement signed by the Commission’s Acting Head of Public Affairs, Mrs. Nnenna Ukoha, and follows NCC’s efforts to improve transparency and consumer protection in the telecoms sector. Under the new rules, operators must compensate customers — for example, by extending service validity — if an outage lasts more than 24 hours, in line with the Consumer Code of Practice Regulations. The NCC defines a “major outage” in three categories: Operators are required to report major outages through the NCC’s Major Outage Reporting Portal, available via the Commission’s website, www.ncc.gov.ng. The portal will also disclose the identity of any saboteurs involved in the disruption. NCC’s Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity, Engr. Edoyemi Ogor, said the portal has been tested with operators over the past few months, aligning with broader efforts to improve transparency and hold saboteurs accountable. “By providing consumers and stakeholders with timely and transparent information on network outages, we are entrenching a culture of accountability,” Ogor said. “This also reinforces the need to protect telecommunications infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII), in line with the Executive Order signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.” Ogor emphasized that safeguarding telecom assets is essential for national security, economic stability, and the daily lives of Nigerians

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Chelsea Clinch Champions League Spot with Narrow Win Over Nottingham Forest

Fola Badmus61 mins

Levi Colwill’s second-half header sealed a vital 1-0 win for Chelsea over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground, securing their place in next season’s UEFA Champions League. In a tense encounter, Colwill rose highest to meet a corner and nod home the winner shortly after the break. The goal was enough to hand Chelsea all three points and guarantee their top-four finish, completing a remarkable turnaround under Mauricio Pochettino. Forest, on the other hand, had golden chances to draw level, with Chris Wood spurning two clear-cut opportunities that could have altered the outcome. Despite their loss, Forest will compete in the UEFA Conference League next season, marking their return to European competition after a long absence. Chelsea’s win marks a significant step forward in their rebuild, while Forest can take pride in a campaign that sees them secure a spot on the continental stage.

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Oliseh Bags Int’l Football Association Board Appointment

Fola Badmus31 mins

Former Super Eagles manager and captain Sunday Oliseh has been appointed a member of the International Football Association Board (IFAB). Oliseh broke the cheering news on his official twitter handle now X on Monday. He wrote; “Thrilled to announce my appointment to the International Football Association Board (IFAB)! “IFAB is the global guardian of football’s laws, responsible for determining the laws of football, shaping the beautiful game for players and fans worldwide. “Honoured to contribute to its mission!” Recalled Oliseh played 55 international matches and scored 4 goals for Nigeria, and played at the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cups. Oliseh was also part of Nigeria’s Olympic gold medal winning team of 1996.

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SERAP urges NASS to reject bill punishing non-voters.

SERAP Sues CBN Over Failure To Disclose LG Allocations

Fola Badmus511 mins

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) “over the failure to disclose the details of any direct payments to the 774 local government councils in Nigeria including the amounts sent to each council.” SERAP’s suit followed a landmark judgment by the Supreme Court last July, which held that allocations from the Federation Account with the CBN must be paid directly to democratically elected local government councils, and that no governor has the power to keep, control or use the money meant for the councils. In the suit number FHC/L/MSC/521/2025 filed last Friday at the Federal High Court, Lagos, SERAP is asking the court to “direct and compel the CBN to disclose the details of any direct payments to the 774 local government councils in Nigeria including the amounts sent to each council since the Supreme Court judgment.” SERAP is also asking the court to “direct and compel the CBN to disclose whether any direct payment has been made from the Federation Account with the CBN to the local government councils in Rivers State and to explain the rationale for any such payment. In the suit, SERAP is arguing that, “The CBN should make it possible for citizens to have access to the details of any direct payments to the 774 local government councils to ensure transparency and accountability, and judge whether the CBN and other agencies are complying with the Supreme Court judgment.” SERAP is also arguing that “Granting the reliefs sought would go a long way in promoting the values and principles that underlie the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and are inherent characteristics of an open democratic society.” According to SERAP, “State governors are starving local governments of funds and putting them in peril, despite the Supreme Court’s binding orders. State governors’ blatant disregard for the Supreme Court’s orders undermines the integrity of the court and poses a direct challenge to the rule of law.” SERAP is also arguing that, “The CBN ought to act in the public interest to ensure that the 774 councils in the country directly get their own money from the Federation Account, as ordered by the Supreme Court.” SERAP is arguing that, “The CBN also has the constitutional and statutory duty to ensure that no part of the Federation is governed contrary to the Nigerian Constitution or by anybody that is not constitutionally empowered to do so.” The suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare and Ms Oluwakemi Oni, read in part: “The CBN should be facilitating compliance with the Supreme Court’s orders. If state governors get away with ignoring the court, it will undermine the ability of the bank to credibly perform its statutory duties. “States and the FCT have continued to undermine and endanger the existence of local governments and their ability to effectively function as the third tier of government as envisioned under the Nigerian Constitution. “The CBN has a constitutional and statutory duty to protect the allocations in the Federation Account and the public funds disbursed from that Account directly to each of the constitutionally recognized three tiers of government. “The CBN also has the constitutional and statutory duty to protect any tier of the federal governance structure from going extinct or being destroyed. “Local government councils are legitimate owners of their allocations from the Federation Account. “Ensuring that all restrictions against direct disbursement of allocations from the Federation Account to the 774 councils will comply with the orders by the Supreme Court and stop states and the Federal Capital Territory from tampering with the allocations ahead of the 2027 general elections. “States and the FCT no longer have the right to retain the allocations for local governments in the Federation Account as they have persistently failed to use the allocations for the benefit of the local government councils and Nigerians. “The disbursement of the allocations meant for the 774 councils to states would be at the expense of poor Nigerians and continue to undermine the rights and well-being of those at the bottom of the economy and exacerbate the growing poverty in the country. “The CBN could play an important role in revitalising the 774 councils in the country and improving opportunities for Nigerians who reside in those councils. The CBN should not allow states to act in breach of the Supreme Court judgment and do whatever they like with the public funds meant for local government councils. “The CBN has a responsibility to comply with the Nigerian Constitution and the country’s international human rights and anticorruption obligations in the exercise of its statutory powers and functions “Local government councils are entitled to a direct payment from the Federation Account of the amount standing to its credit in the said Federation Account. States should not be collecting, receiving, spending or tampering with the local government council funds from the Federation Account meant for the benefit of the councils. “The Supreme Court in a groundbreaking judgment declared that the Freedom of Information Act ‘is applicable and applies to the public records in the Federation’, including those kept by the CBN. “By the combined reading of the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, the Freedom of Information Act 2011 and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, applicable throughout Nigeria, there are transparency obligations imposed on the CBN to widely disclose the information sought by SERAP. “The Nigerian Constitution, Freedom of Information Act, and the country’s anti-corruption and human rights obligations rest on the principle that citizens should have access to information regarding their public institutions’ activities. “Nigeria’s Supreme Court in the July 2024 judgment declared unconstitutional and unlawful the retaining and using by the 36 state governors and FCT minister of allocations in the Federation Account meant for the 774 local governments in the country. “Following the judgment, the 774 local governments have reportedly opened dedicated accounts with CBN for the direct disbursement of allocations to them from the Federation Account. “Former president Muhammadu…

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PDP Crisis Deepens: Wike Withdraws from Party Agreements, Accuses Makinde, Mbah of Betrayal

Fola Badmus44 mins

Abuja, Nigeria — May 25, 2025 | The ongoing crisis rocking the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a dramatic turn as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, announced his withdrawal from all previous agreements reached within the party. In a detailed statement released on Sunday, Wike accused Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, of being the “chief architect” of the party’s internal turmoil, citing breaches of trust and dishonesty among key stakeholders. Wike, who has been a major figure in the PDP’s internal wrangling since the 2023 general elections, revealed that efforts to stabilize the party through a series of high-level reconciliation meetings have been sabotaged. According to him, a critical meeting of the G5 Governors held in Lagos ended with a resolution to move forward, but these agreements were not upheld. He particularly fingered Makinde and Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, for allegedly orchestrating moves to replace Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the party’s National Secretary, despite a Supreme Court judgment affirming Anyanwu’s position. Wike further alleged that a scheduled PDP Zonal Congress in Jos was aborted because the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) refused to attend, citing an invalid invitation signed by the Deputy National Secretary instead of Anyanwu, in violation of legal and procedural norms. “It is disheartening that even before the Bukola Saraki-led Reconciliation Committee could begin its work, the gentleman’s agreement we reached was already being violated,” Wike said. He added, “I have now firmly decided to pull out of all agreements hitherto reached. I have decided to fight on until justice is attained.” The former Rivers State Governor expressed his disappointment in PDP leaders, noting that he had worked tirelessly for the party since 1998 and had contributed to the electoral successes of several governors, including those now undermining him. Wike’s decision is likely to deepen the crisis within the PDP, coming at a time when the party is grappling with leadership disputes and internal factionalism, particularly in the build-up to upcoming elections in Anambra and the North-Central region. The PDP is yet to officially respond to Wike’s latest statement.

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SWAN Hails Kunle Soname’s Drive To Transform Nigerian Sports, Remo Stars’ Maiden NPFL Win

Fola Badmus56 mins

The National leadership of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has paid a courtesy visit to business mogul and sports philanthropist Mr. Kunle Soname, Chairman of Remo Stars FC, Bet9ja, ValueJet, and Portuguese club CD Feirense, to commend him for his leadership, sports development efforts, and the recent historic achievement of Remo Stars Football Club clinching their first-ever Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title. The courtesy visit to Mr. Soname’s office at the Remo Stars Sports Complex in Ikenne, Ogun State, on the sidelines of the Gateway 2024 National Sports Festival on Saturday. This reflects SWAN’s resolve to collaborate with key stakeholders in the private, public and corporate sectors to drive professionalism, visibility, and sustainable development in the Nigerian sports ecosystem. In his remarks, SWAN National President, Mr. Isaiah Benjamin, applauded Mr. Soname not only for his club’s title-winning success, but also for his broader impact on Nigerian sports, youth empowerment, and investment in sports media infrastructure. “Mr. Soname’s influence on Nigerian sports is profound. His vision and investments go beyond club football to grassroots development, sports business, and media innovation. Through brand initiatives like Valuejet, Bet9ja, Team 33 Productions, he continues to shape the way Nigerian sports are presented, broadcast, and consumed,” said Mr. Benjamin. Mr. Benjamin also acknowledged Mr. Soname’s unwavering support for sports journalists across the country, noting his significant role in helping to raise professional standards and build capacity within the industry. “You have also expanded your footprint to the global stage through CD Feirense in Portugal, this stands as an enduring testament to what vision, courage, and consistency can achieve. “In you, we see not just an inspiring story, but a lasting legacy, one we are proud to be associated with. Beyond your support for countless young talents and your establishing one of Nigeria’s leading production firms, Team 33 Production, we are equally excited by your recent launch of a new radio station,” he said Benjamin said SWAN was proud to identify with Soname’s impacts and glad to bestow him with one of the highest honours of the association in recognition of his good works. He said SWAN, as the voice of Nigerian sports would continue to advocate for growth of the sector, and partner with those who believed in its limitless potential. “It is in this spirit that we formally extend to you our invitation to serve as Grand Patron of SWAN. It signífies a bridge between professional sports journalism and transformative private sector leadership anchored in mutual respect, national pride, and a commitment to excellence. “Among our national priorities are the launch of a welfare driven cooperative for journalists, the establishment of our permanent National Secretariat in Abuja, and the celebration of SWAN’s 60th Diamond Jubilee Anniversary. “In particular, we are enthusiastic about the possibility of adopting Valuelet as SWAN’s official airline at a subsidised, negotiated rate alleviating the burden on our hardworking, card carrying members,” he said. In response, Mr. Soname expressed gratitude to SWAN for the recognition and reiterated his belief in the power of sports journalism to drive positive change in the sporting landscape. He further acknowledged the importance of strengthening partnerships with the sporting media umbrella, particularly as Nigeria continues to build its reputation in global sports. “I’m humbled by this visit and the kind words from SWAN. Remo Stars’ journey is a result of commitment and collective effort, and I truly value the role the media has played in amplifying that story,” Mr. Soname said. “I am committed to working with SWAN, within my capacity, to support efforts aimed at rebuilding and repositioning the image of the sports media in Nigeria. I also deeply appreciate the media for their tireless efforts in promoting not just Remo Stars, but Nigerian sports as a whole.”

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Gateway Games 2024: Teams, Players Battle for 46 Gold Medals in Table Tennis

Fola Badmus43 mins

Participants in the table tennis event of the 22nd National Sports Festival, tagged Gateway Games 2024, will be vying for a total of 46 gold medals up for grabs. The table tennis competition features athletes across three categories: able-bodied, para-athletes, and deaf athletes. Seven gold medals are available in the able-bodied category, while deaf athletes will contest for five gold medals. Para-athletes will compete for a whopping 34 gold medals across various events, including singles, doubles, mixed doubles, and team events. In the able-bodied category, athletes will compete in singles (for men and women), doubles (for men and women), mixed doubles, and team events (for men and women). Deaf athletes will contest in singles (men and women), doubles (men and women), and mixed doubles. Para-athletes will participate in four team events—men’s classes 1–5 and 6–10, and women’s classes 1–5 and 6–10. There will also be 18 singles events for men and women, eight doubles events, and four mixed doubles events. Delta State dominates the seeding lists for both able-bodied and para-athlete categories. Fatimo Bello of Delta State is the top seed in the women’s singles, while Bayelsa’s Olajide Omotayo leads the men’s singles. Lagos and Oyo States top the seedings in the deaf singles events. According to the tournament referee, Lajide Ranti, this year’s tournament promises to be thrilling, especially with the inclusion of Invited Junior Athletes (IJA) by the National Sports Commission (NSC). Lajide said: “We are going to witness top-class table tennis, especially from players who recently featured in the ITTF World Championships in Doha, Qatar. The knockout format of this year’s tournament will make it even more exciting and competitive. I hope we can conclude all matches before the closing ceremony on May 29,” Ranti said. “The turnout of teams has been impressive, even from states that haven’t traditionally featured in the table tennis events of the NSF. Beyond the medals, I believe the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) will be able to discover new talents for future development,” he added.

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French-Guinean Guard Ahmed Doumbia Joins Rivers Hoopers

Fola Badmus53 mins

Ahmed Doumbia, a French-Guinean guard, has joined Rivers Hoopers for the 2025 BAL playoffs in Pretoria, bringing experience from France’s Pro B league and international qualifiers. Doumbia, 35, brings extensive experience playing in France’s Pro B league, most recently with Union Basket Chartres Metropole. The Frenchman has represented Guinea internationally, featuring in the 2025 AfroBasket qualifiers in February, where he averaged 10 points across three games, contributing to two wins. He also participated in the FIBA AfroBasket Championship qualifiers in 2021, averaging 13 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game. The 6’5″ combo guard’s club career includes stints with several French teams, such as Angers BC, JSA Bordeaux, Gries Oberhoffen, ADA Blois, Union Tours Metropole, and CEP Lorient. Doumbia’s signing is the second major addition to Rivers Hoopers’ roster for the BAL playoffs in June, following the recent announcement of power forward Garba Chingka from Orion Basketball Club in Rwanda. The team finished runners-up at the Kalahari Conference in April and aims to improve on their third-place finish in the previous BAL outing in 2024.French-Guinean Guard Ahmed Doumbia joins Rivers Hoopers Rivers Hoopers have added French-Guinean guard Ahmed Doumbia to their roster for the 2025 Basketball Africa League (BAL) playoffs in Pretoria. Doumbia, 35, brings extensive experience playing in France’s Pro B league, most recently with Union Basket Chartres Metropole. The Frenchman has represented Guinea internationally, featuring in the 2025 AfroBasket qualifiers in February, where he averaged 10 points across three games, contributing to two wins. He also participated in the FIBA AfroBasket Championship qualifiers in 2021, averaging 13 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game. The 6’5″ combo guard’s club career includes stints with several French teams, such as Angers BC, JSA Bordeaux, Gries Oberhoffen, ADA Blois, Union Tours Metropole, and CEP Lorient. Doumbia’s signing is the second major addition to Rivers Hoopers’ roster for the BAL playoffs in June, following the recent announcement of power forward Garba Chingka from Orion Basketball Club in Rwanda. The team finished runners-up at the Kalahari Conference in April and aims to improve on their third-place finish in the previous BAL outing in 2024.

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