Former African Footballer of the Year, Victor Ikpeba, has said Super Eagles interim coach Finidi George is on the right track to becoming the team’s substantive coach.

Finidi took charge of the team for a 2-1 win over Ghana in an international friendly last Friday.

This follows the exit of Jose Peseiro, who led Nigeria to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year.


Ikpeba, speaking on Monday Night Football, said: “I am happy with what Finidi is doing with the Super Eagles. I am in the system and I know what he’s doing. Don’t forget that I am in the committee set up to do the right thing.

“From what I have seen from the players’ comments, it’s looking good for Finidi George.

“As I speak right now, I think it’s looking good for him. Mind you. I am not the decision-maker, I am one of the people who will advise the NFF. but it’s looking good for Finidi.”

Finidi will be in charge again on Tuesday night when the Eagles play Mali in another international friendly.

Romelu Lukaku’s time at Stamford Bridge could be coming to an end.

According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, Chelsea is looking to sell the striker to a Saudi Arabian club for a reported £34 million fee.

While AS Roma was interested in the Belgium international, they were unwilling to pay the hefty £40 million price tag that Chelsea placed on him.

 

With interest from the Middle East, the Blues are hoping to cash in on Lukaku who appears to have no future in London.

It is not the first time that Lukaku, who is currently on loan at Roma from Chelsea, has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia club Al Hilal had reportedly made an offer for the former Manchester United star last summer, which he ultimately rejected.

Bishop Matthew Kukah has challenged the government of President Bola Tinubu.

The Catholic Diocese of Sokoto called for a thorough interrogation of individuals who claim to have close ties with bandits, stating the need for decisive action by the Federal Government to address the insecurity plaguing the northern regions of Nigeria.

While speaking in an interview with newsmen during a function in Rivers State, he expressed concern over the government’s failure to investigate those claiming connections to bandits.

“It is clear that the Federal Government at the highest level knows what is going on, at least the intelligence community has an idea.

“There are key Nigerians who are saying openly that they know more than they think the rest of us know, and I think that it is the business of the Federal Government to find out those who claim to know where the bandits are, those who are collaborating with the bandits,” Kukah said on Tuesday.

His remarks come shortly after the news that influential Islamic cleric Ahmad Gumi was invited for questioning by security agencies over his comments regarding the activities of bandits.

Kukah’s concern extends to the recent spate of school kidnappings, including the abduction of 137 schoolchildren in Kuriga, Kaduna State, who were recently freed from captivity.

While celebrating their release, he stated the need to consider the psychological impact of such abductions on the children.

The bishop stated the importance of collaboration between security agencies and individuals with relevant information, reiterating the government’s capacity to apprehend perpetrators of such crimes.

Popular Nollywood actress, Liz Anjorin has revealed why singer Davido is hated in the industry.
 
She claimed the reason is because of his workaholic nature despite his wealthy background.
 
She described Davido as the most hardworking Nigerian artist, adding that his musical success can’t be credited to his wealthy background.
 
Speaking in a video message shared via her social media page, Ajorin said, “You cannot tell me Davido became a superstar because of his rich father. No artist is more hardworking than Davido despite his dad being rich and that’s the reason he has so many haters.”
 
The movie star berated those who troll the singer for having a husky, stressing that despite his husky voice he has achieved so much in the music industry.

47-year-old Chinese national, Frank Geng-Quangrong, has been sentenced to death by hanging over the murder of his Nigerian girlfriend, Ummukulsum Sani.

The Kano High Court sitting on Tuesday, gave the sentence after he was found guilty of stabbing the deceased to death.

 

Frank, who lives in Railway Quarters Kano, was convicted on one count charge of culpable homicide.

Delivering judgment, Justice Sanusi Ado-Ma’aji, held that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt.

“The defendant’s testimony is inconsistent. I hereby find him guilty.

“I hereby recommend mercy by the Kano State Governor on behalf of the convict
,” he ruled.


Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, the Attorney-General of Kano State, Haruna Dederi, had informed the court that the convict committed the offence on September 16, 2022, at Janbulo Quarters, Kano.

He said on the same date at about 9 pm, the convict stabbed the deceased with a knife in her house situated at Janbulo Quarters Kano for an undisclosed reason.

“The victim was rushed to the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital Kano where she was confirmed dead by a medical doctor,” he said.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecution presented six witnesses to prove their case against the defendant and four exhibits.

According to the prosecutor, the offence contravenes the provision of Section 221(b) of the Penal Code.

The defence counsel, Muhummad Dan’azumi, presented the defendant to defend himself, and one other witness and tendered five exhibits.

Dan’azumi urged the court to recommend the defendant for a prerogative of mercy pursuant to Section 313 of ACJL.

In his testimony, Frank said, “I didn’t kill Ummulkhulsum intentionally but stabbed her in self-defense after she grabbed my testes”.

He pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy in its judgment.

Speaking with NAN shortly after the judgment, the victim’s mother, Hajiya Fatima Zubairu, expressed satisfaction with the judge’s decision.

A Zimbabwean-British pastor, Uebert Angel Mudzanire has left tongues wagging with his online course.
 
He's offering a course for £999 to teach people how to work miracles.
 
 
The pastor took to his page on Facebook to share the flyer with the information and encouraged everyone to register because spots were filling up quickly.
 
He wrote; “Register now and Learn how to perform signs miracles and wonders, online, directly from Prophet Uebert Angel. Places are filling fast.” 
 
Pastor Uebert encouraged individuals who were interested to register through his website, as he was listed as one of the 20 most prominent pastors in 2024.
 
According to the flyer he held up, the online course would be available from April 1 through April 3, 2024. The website link he advertised leads to the product of the church when clicked. The course costs £999, equivalent to N1,438,939.62 as stated on the webpage.
 

Last modified on Wednesday, 27 March 2024 11:08

Pelumi Nubi, the content creator who embarked on a solo road trip from London to Lagos, has survived a car accident.

In an Instagram post on Tuesday, she shared a picture of her now-wrecked car, revealing severe damage to the front and a shattered windscreen. The accompanying video shows her being carried in an ambulance, with the caption: “Say a prayer for me.”

Details about the accident’s location, cause, and the extent of her injuries remain unclear. Pelumi began her journey on January 31, 2024, facing various obstacles along the way.

These challenges included a 24-hour hold at the Liberian border and being denied entry to Sierra Leone last week. As a result, she has postponed her original return date from March 23, 2024, to April 7, 2024

Drummer Kunle Ayanlowo has pleaded with Nigerians to come to his rescue.

He claimed to have worked for K1 De Ultimate for 32 years with nothing to show for it.

He also accused the musician of maltreating them.

In a new video posted online, he accused his former employer of threatening his life.

Kunle urged Nigerians to come to his assistance, claiming that he has been repeatedly harassed and bullied by those sent to him by his ex-boss K1 De Ultimate.


The drummer said he can’t sleep with his two eyes closed adding that if anything happens to him, his wife or children, K1 De Ultimate should be held responsible. He concluded that he doesn’t want his case to be like that of the late Mohbad.

In his words; ‘Nigerians please help me. Since last week I don’t have peace of mind anymore. I have been attacked twice and my phone has been destroyed. Different strange numbers have been calling me. Everyone should please save me from Wasiu Ayinde. My life is no longer safe.

Nothing must happen to my wife and children. If I lied against him in the interview, God should judge me. Pls don’t let my case be like Mohbad’s own. I am speaking out now, HELP ME! If I d!e today, Wasiu Ayinde k!lled me.”

The legal counsel of controversial activist, Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, has revealed the individuals behind his client's arrest.

He alleged that Nollywood actresses,Tonto Dikeh and Iyabo Ojo teamed up with music producer, Samklef to take legal action against VeryDarkMan.


Recall that VeryDarkMan was arrested by the police following a petition by actress Tonto Dikeh over allegations of cyberbullying and threats to her safety.

Before his arrest, VeryDarkMan had accused Tonto Dikeh of involvement in the formation of the GistLover blog, resulting in numerous d3ath threats directed at her by the blog’s detractors as claimed.

Although VeryDarkMan was expected to be released from custody on Monday, the stringent bail conditions imposed have made securing his release challenging.

The bail terms mandate possession of property and a business in Abuja, along with the involvement of a government official and the surrender of his international passport for a year, in addition to a financial bond of N200 million.

In a video, VeryDarkMan’s lawyer revealed that they had complied with the requirement of two high-ranking government officials but were still unable to secure his release due to the unavailability of the overseeing authority.

He expressed confidence in the professionalism of the police force to grant his client bail. However, he warned that legal recourse would be pursued if bail was not granted.

He emphasized that due process would be followed, asserting the right to peaceful protest both online and offline in accordance with the law.

Furthermore, the lawyer conveyed VeryDarkMan’s gratitude for the support received since the onset of his legal ordeal, affirming their commitment to navigating the legal proceedings diligently.

See Video Below;

Media

Last modified on Wednesday, 27 March 2024 11:08

Five suspects, Favour Chukwu, 29; Desmond Umeh. 25; Godwin Amos, 22; Bineace Galion, 38; and Goodnews David, 23, have been arrested as the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad, uncovered an illegal oil refining site at a forest in Odagwa Community in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The site comprises over 10 illegal refineries with an estimated 500,000 litres of crude oil contained in about 50 illegally constructed reservoirs.


The spokesman for the NSCDC, Rivers State Command, Olufemi Ayodele, disclosed this while parading the suspects and conducted newsmen around the site on Monday.

Ayodele said the discovery was based on credible intelligence.

He said, “The Commandant-General of the NSCDC, Dr Ahmed Audi, has reiterated over time that all acts of economic sabotage would be fought to a standstill as suspects arrested would face the full wrath of the law, irrespective of their sponsors.

“In furtherance, the CG gave a marching order to the Special Intelligence Squad, charging them to be more thorough and results-oriented in their operations

“Based on credible intelligence, the CG’s SIS swung into action and uncovered 10 illegal local refineries in a forest located at Odagwa Community in Etche LGA of Rivers State where five suspects were caught in the act of illegally refining of crude oil.

“While conducting an operational tour across the large thick forest, about 10 different cooking pots of 50,000 litres capacity were seen with one big pumping machine, receiver tanks, 25 rubber hoses used for pumping crude oil and many long galvanised pipes with unquantified litres of crude oil and illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) stored in six large reservoirs and other 20 smaller reservoirs drugged in the ground.”


While noting that further investigation is ongoing, the state NSCDC spokesman said the suspects would face prosecution.

Meanwhile, the Commandant of the NSCDC, Rivers State Command, Basil Igwebueze, has condemned what he termed the ‘’unrepentant’’ act by these ‘’unscrupulous elements’’ who tapped into the Oil Well Head of Heirs Energies Limited and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited located around Imo River 2 Oil and Gas field at Odagwa in Etche.

Igwebueze said through different channels, the criminals inserted their galvanised pipes and siphoned crude oil while processing the same within the premises without recourse.

He emphasised that the site would be destroyed to ensure the perpetrators don’t return there to continue the illicit business.

“The uncovering of this massive illegal oil bunkering site is a landmark achievement and an indication that the NSCDC, as the lead agency in the protection of all critical national assets and infrastructure, will continue to combat crude oil theft with a renewed vigour even as we work in synergy with sisters security agencies to salvage the nation’s economy from saboteurs,” Igwebueze said.


He added that a “thorough investigation has commenced to unravel those behind the scene while all suspects arrested in connection with this act of vandalism and crude oil theft would be charged to a court of competent jurisdiction and their sponsors or cartels would be trailed and brought to book without compromise. ”

Punch reports that several pipes were connected to tapping points with high-pressure crude oil flowing therein, while a crude-laden abandoned wellhead was destroyed by the miscreants.

See Photos Below;

refinery

refinery

refinery

Refinery