Author: Akintayo Adams

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has revealed the 2024 Men’s Player of the Year shortlist, which includes Nigerian players Ademola Lookman and William Troost-Ekong. However, Victor Boniface and reigning winner Victor Osimhen are surprisingly absent. The ten-man list features stars like Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, Algeria’s Amine Gouiri, Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra, and DR Congo’s Chancel Mbemba. Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra also features after a stellar club season, while DR Congo’s Chancel Mbemba and Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy have earned their places following outstanding performances throughout the year. Completing the list are Burkina Faso’s Edmond Tapsoba and South Africa’s Ronwen Williams,…

The Canadian government has announced a reduction in the number of permanent residents it will accept in the coming years to better manage population growth. Starting in 2025, the annual intake will drop to 395,000, then to 380,000 in 2026, and 365,000 in 2027. Immigration Minister Marc Miller explained the move aims to ensure sustainable, well-managed population growth while balancing economic needs. Temporary resident volumes will also be limited, with plans to reduce their share to 5% of Canada’s population by 2026. “Specifically, compared to each previous year, we will see Canada’s temporary population decline by 445,901 in 2025; 445,662…

Award winning Nigerian songstress, Simi has advised parents on how to train the girl child. In a video shared on Instagram, singer Simi advised parents to empower their daughters to take control of their financial futures. “Parents raise your daughters to be self sufficient and not to think that when they grow up, all they have to do is rely on someone to take care of them. “There is security in being independent. A woman’s economic power is in fending for herself and being able to confidently acknowledge that she’s a complete person. Let them know that you are standing…

Three people have died as a result of a helicopter crash in Rivers State. The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, confirmed the helicopter crash involving a Sikorsky SK76 operated by East Wind Aviation. The accident occurred around 11:22 am on Thursday near Bonny Finima in the Atlantic Ocean while en route to the NUIMANTAN oil rig. Eight people were on board, and search and rescue efforts are ongoing. “While no Emergency Locator Transmitter signal was received, manual efforts to determine the accident location are underway. All available resources, including the military and low-flying aircraft, have been deployed…

An Ekiti State High Court has ordered the removal of Oba Femi Olugbesoye as the Oluloro of Iloro Ekiti due to his failure to adhere to traditional coronation rites. The ruling stemmed from a lawsuit filed by Prince Olakunle Fadare and four others, who argued that Olugbesoye did not perform the necessary rituals. The judge, Justice Jide Aladejana, pronounced, “I consequently declare that the failure and refusal of the first defendant to present himself for coronation rites by the Aoropare in line with the Native Law and Custom of Oluloro of Iloro Ekiti is wrongful. “I also order the second…

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has approved the sum of ₦80,000 as the minimum wage for the state’s workers. He made the announcement on his social media page and said it takes effect immediately. “Today, I’m happy to announce a new minimum wage for workers in Enugu state, reflecting our fidelity to their welfare in regard of which we’ve been resolutely committed,” he wrote. “We’ve approved the sum of 80,000 Naira to take immediate effect as the new minimum wage in Enugu State,” he said. Get instant and latest news updates via Our WhatsApp Community, X/Twitter or Google News online channel.

The House of Representatives has instructed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to start gradually withdrawing old naira notes from circulation. This is coming ahead of the January 1, 2025, deadline, when these notes will cease to be legal tender. During a plenary session, Hon. Afam Ogene raised concerns about the CBN’s lack of public awareness initiatives regarding this change. The House resolved to “Urge Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to issue more new ₦200, ₦500 and ₦1,000 notes and begin the gradual withdrawal of the old notes from circulation before the deadline of December 31, 2024; “To urge the…

Atalanta manager, Gian Piero Gasperini has revealed the reason behind his decision to substitute Ademola Lookman in Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League clash with Celtic. The gaffer said Lookman wasn’t fully fit since resuming from the International break and had to be taken off. “I tried to make a change with the substitutions, bringing in fresh players like Samardzic and Cuadrado, but it wasn’t easy,” the Italian was quoted by SOS FANTA. “We perhaps overdid it with the crosses in the first half and weren’t precise enough in finishing. Retegui and Lookman, for example, gave a lot, but they were coming…

Suspected armed cultists attacked an area known as Ifite-Awka near the Nnamdi Azikiwe University gate in Anambra State, killing at least six people. Eyewitnesses reported that the gunmen targeted members of a rival group early Thursday, causing widespread panic. One student recounted seeing over six bodies, and a lecturer had to turn back after witnessing the scene. The Anambra State Police Command confirmed the incident, stating that four victims were rushed to the hospital and empty bullet shells were recovered. Police operations are ongoing in the area for further investigation. Get instant and latest news updates via Our WhatsApp Community, X/Twitter or Google News online…

Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced that Iran is now a full member of BRICS, officially joining Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. This development, made during a BRICS summit, signals a major geopolitical shift, enhancing the bloc’s influence in global matters, particularly in economic and political discussions. Iran’s inclusion reflects the bloc’s growing appeal to countries seeking alternatives to Western-dominated economic systems. Analysts expect further expansion of BRICS, positioning it as a central force in reshaping global power dynamics. In a similar development, 13 new countries, including Nigeria, joined BRICS as partner countries. Get instant and latest news…