The chances of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Saturday governorship election have been strengthened after nine political parties unanimously collapsed into the party in Edo State.

The Chairman of the Edo State chapter of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), Sam Arase, announced on behalf of the Assembly of Registered Political Parties in Edo State that the parties prefer the APC candidate and are confident of victory.

The parties include the Social Democratic Party of Nigeria (SDP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Action Democratic Party (ADP), All Peoples Party (APP), Accord (A), Young Progressive Party (YPP), Action Alliance (AA), and National Rescue Movement (NRM).

The parties demand a violence-free election and urge Edo citizens to come out en masse and vote for APC.

The parties mandated their members to work towards the enthronement of the APC candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, as the next governor of Edo State.

Seventeen parties are vying for the Edo State governorship, scheduled for Saturday, September 21, 2014, with a winner expected to emerge after voting procedures.

Okpebholo and other governorship candidates in the state would be hoping to succeed the outgoing Governor of the state, Godwin Obaseki, who supports the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Asue Ighodalo.

Former Nigerian international, Taribo West believes that Augustine Eguavoen always fails with the Super Eagles when it matters the most because he lacks “grace.”

Taribo West argued that Eguavoen lacks a certain grace that is essential for achieving success with the Super Eagles despite possessing strong coaching techniques.

Eguavoen, who also serves as the Nigeria Football Federation Technical Director, took charge of the senior men’s national team after the deal with the proposed German coach, Bruno Labbadia, fell through. This marks Eguavoen’s fourth stint in leading the team.

During his previous coaching stints, Eguavoen achieved a third-place finish at the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations and led the team to win all three group games at the 2021 AFCON, but were eliminated in the round of 16 by Tunisia with a lone goal.

Despite his efforts, Eguavoen’s tenure has seen some near misses, such as narrowly failing to qualify for the 2022 World Cup and facing challenges in major tournaments.

Taribo West acknowledged Eguavoen’s tactical prowess in bringing out the best in the players but noted that consistent results have been elusive.

“Anytime Eguavoen leads the team, he brings a certain touch, taking the team back to those glorious days”, Taribo West, who is the founder of the Shelter in The Storm Miracle Ministry, said on Brila FM’s ‘No Holds Barred with Ifeanyi Udeze.

“In major tournaments, where you expect them to cross the line, something always happens. What Eguavoen is lacking is only grace.

“The team will play well, but the results won’t favour them.”

He added, “I don’t see why we go for foreign coaches when we can invest more in our local coaches.”

The Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of fuelling internal divisions in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Mohammed claimed that the ruling party had deliberately planted moles within the PDP in Rivers State.

He stated that the APC picked the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to serve in its administration because they do not have people who can perform better than PDP members.

The governor stated this when the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) paid him a visit on Wednesday.

He expressed concern over the power struggle between Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State and his predecessor, Wike.

According to him, “We have to close ranks. It is something that is baffling some of us but any challenge is not insurmountable; it will be surmounted by the grace of God and we will find a solution to that and that is why there is a problem.

“It is only PDP with the experience of governance that is being challenged. And you will notice that this is a creation of the other side (APC).

“They want us to be in disarray; it (the crisis) is the creation of the APC. They always want to have moles within us; they want to have the knowledge of what is happening within us

“And you can see that even Wike who is in the APC and in the PDP is performing very well. They (APC) don’t have people who can perform like our members and that is why they chose to pick him and give him a state-like structure to run, and to us, it is a commendation.”

However, Mohammed assured that efforts are underway to take decisive action to unify the party, stating, “We cannot compromise the peace and unity of our great party.”

The Emir of Minna, Alhaji Umar Farouk Bahago, has stated that the economic challenges currently faced by Nigerians were inherited from the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. The Emir made these remarks during a sensitisation event on federal government intervention programmes, organized by the Office of the Minister of Information and National Orientation in Minna, Niger State.

Represented by Alhaji Maikudi Achaza, the Hadinin Minna, the Emir praised President Bola Tinubu for his efforts in addressing the issues caused by past corruption. He pointed out that many citizens remain unaware of Tinubu’s initiatives due to inadequate communication, particularly in local languages.

Former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar also expressed concern about the worsening hardships faced by Nigerians. He urged the Tinubu administration to take urgent action to alleviate the suffering of the people. During a courtesy visit from the Campaign for Democracy and Human Rights, a Minna-based civil society group, Abdulsalami criticized the distribution of palliatives, stating they are not an effective solution to the rising cost of living.

He emphasized that leaders need to connect with ordinary citizens and understand their struggles, noting that high transportation costs, increased fuel prices, rising school fees, and lack of financial resources are making life difficult for many.

Abdulsalami proposed that the government should sell essential food items at reduced prices to help citizens cope with inflation, rather than relying solely on palliatives. He also urged Nigerians to remain peaceful ahead of the planned #EndBadGovernance protests on October 1, 2024, and advised the government not to take citizens for granted.

The Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, represented by Asabe Sule Garba, emphasized that the event aimed to raise awareness about the federal government’s efforts to improve the lives of citizens. He reiterated President Tinubu’s commitment to accountability and transparency and called for public support.

Nollywood actress Elma Godwin has joyfully announced the arrival of her second child with her husband.

The excited mother took to her Instagram page to share the delightful news with fans and colleagues, posting adorable photos of herself and the newborn.

In the heartwarming post, Elma introduced her baby girl, Aninoritse Bridget-Chimereya Ludart, born on September 13, 2024.

What captivated many was the striking similarity between mother and daughter, with the little one sporting a distinctive patch of white hair on her forehead, just like Elma.

The actress referred to her newborn as her “twin,” expressing her gratitude to God for the blessing.

She wrote:

“I gave birth to my twin!! Aninoritse Bridget-Chimereya Ludart arrived on the 13th of September 2024. We @ludart_solutions and @ariludart are so over joyed and grateful to God.”

Fans and fellow celebrities quickly flooded the post with congratulatory messages, celebrating the joyful occasion with the star.

The Kwara State environmental task force has sealed off 14 buildings for violating environmental regulations, specifically for failing to provide adequate toilet facilities. The buildings affected are located in the Sabo-Oke (8 buildings) and Onikun-Kewu Street, Adabata (6 buildings) areas within Ilorin South and Ilorin West local government areas.

Hajia Nafisat Musa Buge, the Commissioner for Environment, disclosed this during a press briefing on Wednesday. She highlighted the state government’s dedication to ensuring a hygienic environment to prevent the spread of cholera and other health issues.

“Our Environmental Health Officers have begun house-to-house inspections of toilet facilities to promote healthy living among residents,” Buge said. Recent inspections found buildings with exposed human waste due to faulty soakaway systems, which posed serious health risks. As a result, these buildings were sealed.

Buge assured the public that inspections would continue across all 16 local government areas to enforce compliance with environmental laws. She urged landlords to provide proper toilet facilities in their properties and warned that failure to comply would result in prosecution under Section 5, Subsection 2 of Kwara State Environment Laws.

The commissioner also called on residents to support the government’s efforts in maintaining a clean and safe living environment for everyone.

Nollywood’s resilient star, Bisola Badmus, has been inundated with an outpouring of love and support following her heart-wrenching revelation about her ongoing battle with a brain tumor.

The actress, recently opened up about her struggles during a candid appearance on Biola Adebayo’s show.

In that revealing interview, Bisola laid bare the painful realities of her estranged relationship with her alleged baby daddy, Fuji icon KWAM 1 (King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall).

With raw emotion, she detailed how the singer has allegedly neglected his responsibilities towards their son, Malik, leaving her to shoulder the overwhelming burden of parenthood alone.

However, amidst the heartache came a beacon of hope. Following her passionate outcry, Biola Adebayo joyfully announced that Bisola’s son had just been awarded a scholarship from a kind-hearted Nigerian, a generous gesture that brought a sigh of relief to the struggling mother.

Biola expressed her gratitude to everyone who has rallied around Bisola, offering love and support since the interview aired.

Adebayo also shared the heartbreaking losses Bisola has endured: the passing of her mother, father, and younger brother, all while now battling her own sickness.

She wrote;

“THANK GOD WE FINALLY GOT A SCHOLARSHIP FOR MALIK! OLUWASEUN” God continue to help her, I pray she will never lack money and the gift of good people around you Thank you to everyone who has been supporting us since yesterday. Im grateful.,

“Within a few years, she lost her dad, mum and her younger brother. Now she has a Brain Tumor sad she has spent quite a fortune and she’s still spending. Thank God she’s getting better, but she needs all the love she could get now”

SEE HER POST BELOW

In the comments section of Biola’s announcement about the scholarship, fans seized the moment to voice their frustrations with KWAM 1, dragging him for his apparent lack of involvement and responsibility.

SEE REACTIONS BELOW

Nollywood’s vibrant comic actress and filmmaker, Ariyo Oluwakemisola Apesin, widely known as Kemity, recently dropped a bombshell about her chaotic romantic life that left jaws dropping.

In an electrifying live session with the fiery content creator Neecee Boss, streamed on her page, Kemity opened up about the tumultuous realities of love, marriage, and the men who have come and gone in her life.

Kemity, a mother of two, with a voice heavy with emotion, revealed a heart-wrenching experience involving her baby daddy that shattered her world.

According to her, while she was in the throes of labor at the hospital—teetering between life and death and fighting to bring her daughter Ifeoluwa into the world—her baby daddy, the very man who was supposed to be her pillar of support, was caught in a scandalous act of infidelity.

This follows the Yoruba movie star’s December 2023 announcement that she is officially off the market after sharing a video of herself proudly wearing her engagement ring.

Kemity revealed that she said “yes” to her boo and promised to share more details about their engagement.

In the heartwarming proposal video shared by one of her colleagues, Kemity looked stunned as her partner popped the question beside their Christmas tree, both dressed in matching Christmas pajamas.

Celebrating with her on Instagram were stars like Funke Akindele, Biola Bayo, Omowunmi Ajiboye, Yetunde Barnabas, Afeez Owo, Itele, and Bukola Adeeyo.

As the 2024 CAF African Footballer of the Year award slowly approaches, debates on who will win the men’s category have surfaced on social media.

With that in mind, we have compiled five reasons why Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman is guaranteed to win the prestigious African Footballer of the Year 2024 award.

Following the impressive form of Victor Osimhen in 2023, the Nigerian international became the fifth Nigerian footballer ever to clinch the award and the first in the 20s era to ever do so.

It is safe to say that Nigeria is returning to being the dominant force in African football as another Nigerian international, Ademola Lookman is perfectly poised to clinch the award making it back-to-back wins for Nigeria.

Questions as to what qualification Ademola Lookman possesses to win such an award have been asked and given his impressive run in the Serie A and also at AFCON 2023, it is safe to say that the winger is definitely not far from winning the award.

Can Ademola Lookman win the African Footballer of the Year 2024?

As things stand, Ademola Lookman is in the best position to be crowned the African Footballer of the Year 2024. The major prerequisites to clinch the award have been ticked by the Nigerian international at both club and national level.

Ademola Lookman’s individual stats

Ademola Lookman’s individual stats as a footballer for Atlanta in the 2023/2024 series A and Europa League season were exceptional and the Nigerian international has also carried the form into the 2024/2025 season at the club.

The winger has been exceptional and is not shy of creating chances and also converting them himself.

One performance that would not be forgotten for days or years to come would be his trailblazing performance at the UEFA 2023/2024 Europa League final fixture Atalanta vs Bayer Leverkusen where he became the first African footballer in the history of any UEFA competition to score a hattrick in the finals.

Ademola Lookman’s Serie A stats (2023/2024)

• Matches Played: 31
• Goals Scored: 11
• Assists: 7
• Shots on Target: 25
• Yellow Cards: 4
• Red Cards: 0

Ademola Lookman’s UEFA Europa League stats (2023/2024)

• Matches Played: 11
• Goals Scored: 5
• Assists: 1
• Shots on Target: 9
• Yellow Cards: 2
• Red Cards: 0

Lookman’s Ballon d’Or 2024 nomination

Ademola Lookman became the only African player to be shortlisted in the final 30 nominees for the Ballon d’Or 2024 Men’s Player of the Year award. This is a huge booster for his quest for the African Footballer of the Year 2024, as him being the only player with a nod in the men’s category recognizes his exceptional abilities in the 2023/2024 season. It remains to be seen if he would make the final top 10 shortlist at the award ceremony but Lookman seems to be focused now on working hard in the 2024/2025 season.

Ademola Lookman at AFCON 2023

Ademola Lookman was a game-changer for Nigeria at AFCON 2023 in Ivory Coast. It is safe to say he played a huge role in Nigeria’s progression to the finals of the tournament against all odds.

AFCON performance of both the player and his country would also be a huge decider in determining the winner of the African Footballer of the Year and as of the moment, the Atalanta forward ticks the two boxes with ease.

Ademola Lookman delivered an impressive performance during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), with the following key stats:

• Goals Scored: 3
• Netted twice in the Round of 16 against Cameroon.
• Scored the decisive goal in the quarter-final clash with Angola.
• Assists: 1
• Matches Played: 4
• Man of the Match Awards: 1 (in the match against Cameroon)
• Big Chances Created: 2
• Chances Created: 7
• Key Passes: 6

Importance in both the national team and at club level

The importance of a player at both national and club level would also play a huge role in selecting the African Footballer of the Year in the Men’s category.

The importance of a player in any team can be determined by the number of appearances such a player makes for his side and how much of a game-changer he is in such a team.

Over time Ademola Lookman has exerted his dominance in both the national and the club level making it almost impossible for both teams to function effectively in his noticeable absence.

Whenever Lookman is on the field of player there is always an extra spring in the gameplay of both Nigeria and Atalanta as he can be found opening spaces and creating chances during an attack.

Ademola Lookman titles won

Recognizing football as a team sport is also important which is why aside from what you have achieved as an individual on the field of play, what your team has achieved also plays a huge role in determining the winner of the Footballer of the Year award.

With Ademola Lookman’s side Atalanta picking up the UEFA Europa League title in the 2023/2024 club football season with him being a major contributor in guaranteeing his side the title in the finals, the scales of the African Footballer of the Year 2024 have officially tipped in his favour.

These five key reasons could tip the scales in favour of Ademola Lookman for the highly coveted African Footballer of the Year awards 2024.

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has disclosed that Nigerians living abroad contribute $20 billion annually to the country’s economy, representing 6.1% of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

This was announced by NIDCOM Chairman/CEO, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, during her presentation at the “Africa Diaspora Day on the Hill” event, part of the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C.

Dabiri-Erewa highlighted the remarkable achievements of Nigerians in various sectors globally, commending their role as strategic partners in the country’s growth. She noted that the remittances have played a crucial role in supporting families, boosting local economies, and aiding national development.

The Chairman also emphasized NiDCOM’s efforts to engage the diaspora through the National Diaspora Policy, which seeks to harness the resources, skills, and expertise of Nigerians abroad. This policy aims to create opportunities for increased participation in the nation’s development, including investment in key sectors such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

She stated, “Nigerians abroad continue to significantly impact both the Nigerian economy and their host countries. Their contributions in areas such as technology, medicine, education, and business have elevated Nigeria’s global profile.”

The “Africa Diaspora Day on the Hill” event provided a platform for discussions on how African diasporas can drive positive change in their home countries. Dabiri-Erewa stressed the importance of stronger ties between the Nigerian government and its diaspora community to ensure continued contributions to Nigeria’s economic growth.

The statement issued by Gabriel Odu of NIDCOM’s Media, Public Relations, and Protocols Unit also highlighted the need for more initiatives to mobilize resources from the diaspora for national development, as well as fostering collaboration between Nigeria and other African countries with large diaspora populations.