Nigeria Archives | Page 18 of 51

Bayelsa Queens Crowned NWFL Premiership Champions

Fola Badmus4 months ago4 months ago06 mins

Bayelsa Queens have emerged as champions of the 2024/2025 Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership following a dominant 4-1 victory over Naija Ratels on the final day of the Super Six playoffs held at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne. Their triumph capped an extraordinary finale that saw an unprecedented four teams — Bayelsa Queens, Nasarawa Amazons, Edo Queens, and Remo Stars Ladies — in contention for the title going into the final day, showcasing the increasing competitiveness of the league. The Prosperity Girls produced a commanding display to secure their sixth league title in history. Vera Samuel starred with a brilliant hat-trick in the 28th, 61st, and 67th minutes, while Mega Cynthia added a fourth in the 47th minute. Tumininu Adeshina had momentarily brought Naija Ratels level in the 42nd minute, but Bayelsa’s quality proved decisive. In another Super Six clash, Rivers Angels defeated hosts Remo Stars Ladies 2-1 as Titilayo Aweda struck twice in the 27th and 48th minutes for the Port Harcourt side, while Aisha Animashaun scored a consolation goal for Remo Stars in the 70th minute. Remo Stars ended fifth on goal difference, tied on points with Rivers. Meanwhile, Nasarawa Amazons and Edo Queens battled to a goalless draw, a result that saw Nasarawa finish as runners-up with nine points, while Edo placed third with eight points after an intense five-day contest. The final Super Six standings saw Bayelsa Queens on top with 10 points, followed by Nasarawa Amazons (9), Edo Queens (8), Rivers Angels (7), Remo Stars Ladies (7), and Naija Ratels (0), who finished without a point. For their triumph, Bayelsa Queens received a ₦10 million grand prize. Nasarawa Amazons earned ₦6 million as second-place finishers, while Edo Queens were rewarded with ₦4 million. The remaining teams—Rivers Angels, Remo Stars, and Naija Ratels—each received ₦1.5 million. The trophy presentation was conducted by Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, wife of the Ogun State Governor, alongside NWFL board members, the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Sports, and President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Daniel Igali, as well as hosts and chairman of Remo Stars, Kunle Soname. NWFL Chairperson Nkechi Obi hailed the competition as the most fiercely contested Super Six yet and praised Bayelsa Queens for their championship-winning effort and consistency throughout the season. “This was arguably the most competitive Super Six we’ve witnessed. Bayelsa Queens showed experience, grit, and attacking flair. The NWFL continues to set new benchmarks, and this season proves we are moving in the right direction,” she said. Honourable Kunle Soname, President of Remo Stars and host of the tournament, lauded the organisation and atmosphere of the Super Six, describing it as a milestone in the growth of women’s football in Nigeria. “Hosting the Super Six has been a landmark moment for us. The energy, organisation, and quality of play have been incredible. We’re proud to have contributed to this historic phase of women’s football in Nigeria,” he said. Bayelsa Queens will now go on to represent Nigeria at the CAF Women’s Champions League Zonal Qualifiers in Côte d’Ivoire, with aspirations of returning to the continental stage and qualifying for the inaugural FIFA Women’s Club Championship. Individual honours from the tournament included Jenat Akekeromowei of Nasarawa Amazons, who was named Most Valuable Player after netting 13 goals this season, including four in the Super Six. Remo Stars Ladies’ Bolaji Olamide finished as Top Scorer with 15 goals in 19 matches, while her teammate Charlotte Adjei was named Best Goalkeeper of the Season. Adjei’s stellar performances were further rewarded with a ₦200,000 cash prize from the Judith Chime Foundation.

Tinubu Arrives Rome For Pope’s First Mass

Fola Badmus4 months ago4 months ago02 mins

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu arrived in Rome, Italy, on Saturday to join other world leaders at the solemn mass marking the beginning of the Pontificate of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, the 267th Bishop of Rome and the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church. The installation mass will take place on Sunday, May 18. President Tinubu was received at the Mario De Bernardo Military Airport by Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, and officials from Vatican City and the Nigerian Embassy after the plane touched down at 6 pm local time. President Tinubu is in Rome to honour the new Pope’s invitation, conveyed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State. The Papal invitation underscored the need for President Tinubu’s physical presence “at this moment of particular importance for the Catholic Church and the world afflicted by many tensions and conflicts.” “Your great nation is particularly dear to me as I worked in the Apostolic Nunciature in Lagos during the 1980s,” Pope Leo XIV further said in the invitation. President Tinubu’s entourage includes the Archbishop of Owerri and President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, Archbishop Lucius Ugorji, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja, and Alfred Martins of Lagos. Mathew Hassan Kukah, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, is also in the president’s entourage.

JAMB Admits to Technical Glitch In 2025 UTME

Fola Badmus4 months ago4 months ago06 mins

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has admitted that there were errors that affected the performance of candidates during the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination held across different centres in the country. The Registrar of the board, Ishaq Oloyede, who made the admission during a media briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, also broke down in tears while admitting to the error. “Once again, we apologise and assure you that this incident represents a significant setback…. We remain committed to emerging stronger in our core values of transparency, fairness and equity. “It is our culture to admit error because we know that in spite of the best of our efforts, we are human; we are not perfect,” Oloyede said as he wiped tears off his eyes with a white handkerchief. He also announced that about 379,997 candidates in the just concluded 2025 exercise would retake the examination. This followed widespread complaints of technical glitches, unusually low scores, and alleged irregularities in the questions and the answers during the exercise. However, in a post on its X handle on Wednesday, the examination body said it established that a technical glitch affected 157 centres out of the 887 centres. This, it said, was responsible for the general low performance of the candidates. It said, “Man Proposes, God Disposes! It has been established that a technical glitch affected 157 centres out of the 887 centres in the 2025 UTME. This was basically responsible for the general low performance of the candidates scheduled to sit the examination in those centres. “As such, all the affected candidates will be contacted to reprint their examination slips towards retaking their examinations starting from 16th May, 2025.” JAMB had released a statistical breakdown of the 2025 UTME, where it revealed that over 1.5 million of the 1.95 million candidates who took the examination scored below 200. In a post on its official X on May 5, it highlighted that a total of 1,955,069 candidates sat for the examination, and of this number, a significant 1,534,654 candidates—representing 78.5 percent —scored below the 200 mark. A breakdown of the results showed that only 4,756 candidates (0.24 percent) achieved scores of 320 and above, while 7,658 candidates (0.39 percent) scored between 300 and 319. In total, just 12,414 candidates (0.63 percent) scored 300 and above. For the 250-299 score range, 73,441 candidates (3.76 percent) were recorded, while a larger proportion, 334,560 candidates (17.11%), scored between 200 and 249. The category with the highest number of candidates was the 160 to 199 range, with 983,187 candidates (50.29 percent). Further down the scale, 488,197 candidates (24.97 percent) scored between 140 and 159, and 57,419 candidates (2.94 percent) scored between 120 and 139. A percentage of candidates, 3,820 (0.20 percent), scored between 100 and 119, while 2,031 candidates (0.10 percent) fell below the 100 mark. In addition to the overall results, JAMB also disclosed that 40,247 underage candidates were allowed to participate in the examination due to their “exceptional abilities.” However, only 467 of these candidates (1.16 percent) achieved scores that met the defined threshold for “exceptional ability.” In 2024, over 1.94 million candidates registered for the UTME, with 1,904,189 candidates taking the examination across 118 towns and more than 700 centres. JAMB also said that only 0.4 percent of candidates who took the 2024 examination scored above 300, while 24 percent scored 200 or higher. JAMB also reported that 97 candidates were involved in examination infractions in the 2025 UTME, while 2,157 others were under investigation for “suspected malpractices.” The board further noted that 71,701 candidates were absent from the examination, and those facing biometric challenges were being investigated. JAMB also noted that those cleared would be rescheduled for examination at designated centres. It added that some results, including those of blind candidates and candidates in the JEOG category, are still being processed and will be released once finalised. JAMB had assured that candidates who faced biometric challenges or were involved in investigations would be given fair treatment, with rescheduling for those cleared.

Nigeria Pulls Out of World Relays Amid Visa Issues

Fola Badmus4 months ago4 months ago05 mins

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has confirmed they will not be competing at the 2025 World Relays in Guangzhou, China set to begin today. The AFN cited delays in visa issuance by the Chinese authorities as the reason behind their withdrawal. “The Athletics Federation of Nigeria announces with deep regret the withdrawal of team Nigeria from the 2025 World Relays in Guangzhou, China, despite visas finally being issued today, far too late for meaningful participation,” the statement read. The withdrawal follows a worrying trend for Nigerian athletics’ relationship with China as the federation fielded a heavily reduced contingent at the World Indoors Championships held in Nanjing, China in March, again due to visa issues. The AFN has laid the blame at the feet of the Chinese authorities who they believed had caused undue delays in the visa processing. “This last-minute issuance, occurring on the very day our team was scheduled to arrive in Guangzhou, renders participation logistically impossible and demonstrates a fundamental failure of the Chinese administrative processes,” the AFN stated. AFN President Tonobok Okowa also voiced his discontent with the situation. He believes the situation was a deliberate attempt to exclude team Nigeria and maintains the AFN had complied with all protocols required of them. “Today’s last-minute visa issuance by Chinese authorities represents a diplomatic failure that has profound sporting consequences,” the AFN president said. “Our athletes submitted all required documents in good faith and well in advance, yet were subjected to delays and obstacles that made participation impossible. “The timing of this visa issuance, on the very day our team was scheduled to arrive in China, can only be interpreted as either gross administrative incompetence or a deliberate attempt to exclude Nigerian athletes from the World Relays.” When The Gleaner reached out to the sport’s governing body, World Athletics, the organisation denied any reports that visas for Nigerian athletes and personnel were delayed or denied. “Following the correct visa process and timelines is of paramount importance for all stakeholders to ensure their visas are issued in time, and as far as we have been informed, no visas were denied to athletes or support personnel from Nigeria,” World Athletics told The Gleaner. World Athletics also stated that all countries scheduled to compete were informed of the requirements for their visa applications and the deadlines for complete the process. The governing body maintained while visa requirements differ based on the country, their local organising committee had been ‘extremely collaborative’ with all countries involved. “Visa entry criteria differ country by country. The Local Organising Committee for World Athletics Relays Guangzhou 25 has always been very clear with all stakeholders regarding the specific requirements to acquire a visa in time for the competition and have been extremely collaborative throughout the process.” The World Relays will begin today and serve as the qualifying event for teams wishing to compete in relays at the 2025 World Athletics Championships set to be held in Tokyo, Japan in September.

Egypt 2025: Flying Eagles Set Up Quarterfinal Clash Against Senegal

Fola Badmus4 months ago4 months ago02 mins

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles will on Monday, May 12 slug it out with the defending champions Senegal in the quarter-final stage at the ongoing CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt. Senegal sealed a tense 2-0 win over DR Congo to finish second in their group and set up a high-stakes clash with Nigeria in the last eight. Goals from Cheikh Thiam and Ibrahima Dieng ensured the Young Teranga Lions edged past DR Congo on goal difference, keeping their title defence alive. Nigeria, who finished second in Group B with five points after drawing 2-2 with Kenya in their final group match, now face one of the tournament’s most formidable teams. Senegal’s win, coupled with Ghana’s 1-0 victory over Central African Republic, confirmed the standings in Group C, with Ghana finishing top on seven points and Senegal second with four. The quarter-final meeting between Nigeria and Senegal promises to be one of the tournament’s standout fixtures. While the Flying Eagles boast a rich history with seven U20 AFCON titles, they now face a team with recent pedigree and strong momentum. Both sides come into the tie unbeaten in their last two matches. Nigeria showed resilience against Kenya, twice coming from behind, while Senegal proved clinical under pressure against a spirited DR Congo side.

VeryDarkMan Regains Freedom

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago01 mins

Popular social media activist, Martins Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan, has regained freedom from the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. VDM has been in the custody of the anti-graft agency since he was arrested in Abuja on Friday. There has been uproar across the nation with Nigeria youths demanding his immediate and unconditional release. EFCC said on Tuesday that the arrest followed a series of petitions against the activist, claiming that several invitations were communicated to him but he failed to honour them. In an update on his official Facebook page on Wednesday evening, an activist cum politician, Omoyele Sowore, said “VDM Released”!

Egypt 2025: Flying Eagles Reach Quarter-Finals

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago03 mins

Nigeria reached the quarter finals of the ongoing CAF U20 Championship in Egypt despite having to force Kenya’s Rising Stars to a 2-2 draw in the last match of group B on Wednesday. In the event, the Flying Eagles finished second on the table with five points, two behind group leaders Morocco who drilled Tunisia 3-1 in the other match of the pool and will remain in Cairo for the quarter finals, against the second-placed team in group A. Group A is made up of hosts Egypt, South Africa, Sierra Leone, Zambia and Tanzania. Seven-time champions Nigeria will now have to make the trip to Ismailia for their quarter-final game on Monday, against the second-placed team in group C. Group C is made up of title-holders Senegal, bitter-rivals Ghana, Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Kenya’s Rising Stars made the game difficult for the Flying Eagles, as the wards of Aliyu Zubairu had to come from behind twice to salvage the encounter. Kevin Wangaya put the Rising Stars ahead after only five minutes, scoring from the penalty spot after a Nigerian defender stopped the ball with his hand in the box. Nigeria restored parity seven minutes later, after Kparobo Arierhi waltzed his way through the defence to place the ball firmly beyond the reach of the opposition goal-tender. The East Africans were back in front in the 68th minute, as the Flying Eagles’ rearguard ball-watched a freekick from the left and allowed William to blast the ball past goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt from Lawrence’s in-swinger. Five minutes later, Nigeria were level again, with captain Daniel Bameyi sending the goalkeeper the wrong way from the spot after substitute Mendos Rickson was upended in the box. The Flying Eagles’ match on Monday will be the first quarter-final, starting at 3pm Egypt time (1pm Nigeria time) in Ismailia.

Guinness Brings Premier League Trophy to Nigeria

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago02 mins

As part of its commitment to provide its consumers and Nigerian football fans with unmatched experiences and memories, Guinness Nigeria, in partnership with the Premier League, today announced that it is bringing the prestigious English Premier League trophy to Nigeria. This visit will see the trophy visit Enugu on May 16th and Lagos on May 17th and 18th; providing football fans the opportunity to interact up close and personal, with the ultimate prize of the best football league in the world. The three-day, two-city tour will provide football fans around the world with a chance to be in proximity of the iconic Premier League™ Trophy and the heroes of the game. Both iconic cities- will also host Guinness MatchDay events; an elevated football viewing experience featuring multiple viewing screens to ensure fans don’t miss a moment, a replay and highlight corners with noise cancellation headsets, an iconic 360-degree Guinness ar serving an array of Guinness nspired cocktails, on-site customization of football jerseys, and other wonderful experiences that puts fans at the center of the football action. Marketing Director, Guinness Nigeria, Olayinka Bakare, further reiterated this: ”Our association with Football is a key platform to engage & elevate the experiences of our consumers. This is more than a tour. It is an iconic, unmissable experience. Besides the unique excitement of seeing the Premier League silverware in Nigeria, it’s about celebrating football’s power to unite us, whilst delivering unmatched football moments that only Guinness can offer.”