The Nigeria Football Federation has expressed anger at the mix-up by the Beninoise Football Federation in playing the old Nigeria national anthem before Monday’s FIFA World Cup qualifying match in Abidjan.
NFF’s Head of International Competitions, Dayo Enebi Achor, said the NFF handed a recording of the new national anthem of Nigeria to the Benin FA authorities at the Match Coordination Meeting in Abidjan on Sunday evening.
He said: “We gave them the recording of our new national anthem, only for them to play the wrong one at the beginning of the match. We protested strongly, and insisted that the Super Eagles would not start the second half until the new national anthem of Nigeria was played.”
The Benin FA authorities eventually played the new national anthem of Nigeria before the commencement of the second half of the match.
The match ended 2-1 in favour of Benin Republic, which propelled them to the top of the Group C with seven points from four games.
The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, has demanded a detailed technical report from the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) following the Super Eagles’ poor performances during the June FIFA window.
The Super Eagles managed to secure only one point from a possible six, following a 1-1 draw with South Africa in Uyo and losing 2-1 to Benin Republic in Abidjan in its third and fourth game respectively in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying series.
These results leave the Super Eagles with a total of just three points from a possible twelve of the four games played thus far in their quest to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be jointly hosted by USA, Canada, and Mexico.
Senator Enoh expressed his dissatisfaction with the outcomes, especially considering the substantial support the NFF has received from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration in addition to the open and positive working relationship between the Ministry and the NFF.
He said, “The recent results are unacceptable. Despite the immense support from President Tinubu and the high expectations of Nigerian football fans, the Super Eagles have underperformed.
“The NFF must provide a comprehensive technical report explaining the reasons behind this poor showing and give cause why there mustn’t be consequences for the disappointment caused both Government and the generality of Nigerians.”
Senator Enoh emphasized that Nigerian football fans demand and deserve answers and accountability from the NFF.
He said: “Our supporters are passionate and devoted. They deserve an explanation for why our national team has not been performing to the expected standards since after the last AFCON.”
If You Can Spend ₦17 Trillion On A Project, Then Any Amount Can Be Paid As Minimum Wage – Lamido To FG
AFOLABI
The former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido has stated that the Nigeria Government is rich enough to afford any amount as the new national minimum wage.
Recall that Organised Labour, which initially demanded ₦494,000, later reduced its demand to ₦250,000, while the government offered ₦62,000.
Amid the ongoing negotiations, state governors had declared that they couldn’t pay the ₦62,000 proposed by the government.
Reacting to the development on Monday during an appearance on Channels Television, Lamido argued that if the government could spend ₦17 trillion for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway without passing through the National Assembly, then it can afford to pay any amount as minimum wage.
He said, “Nigeria is very rich with resources and can overcome any problem and pay any amount we feel is responsible for Nigerians.
“If the government can embark on an N17 trillion project that is not in the budget, not advertised, not tendered for, or did not go through due process, it means that Nigeria got the money.
“How can a government execute a budget of N17 trillion without a budget or passing through the National Assembly, it means the money is there; there is money in Nigeria.
“If they can carry out such a project then they can pay any minimum wage.”
Some passengers travelling along the Maiduguri/Kano highway have been kidnapped by suspected Boko Haram insurgents.
Reports obtained by Naija News on Tuesday morning revealed that the insurgents carried out the abduction between Garin Kuturu and Mannanari village near Auno, which is located along the Damaturu highway, at approximately 5:50 pm on Monday.
Daily Trust quoted a source to have disclosed that the terrorists barricaded the highway and forcibly took away several passengers.
As a result of this incident, numerous travellers and commuters found themselves stranded on both ends of the usually bustling road.
Consequently, many of the commuters were left with no choice but to return to Benishek and Auno, respectively.
“There was an incident between Mannanari and Garin Kuturu where some Boko Haram fighters came out to block the upcoming vehicles and some passengers were abducted.
“We are not sure of the number as we speak but certainly there was an abduction on Monday evening,” the source noted.
Some residents who spoke to journalists on the development narrated how many commercial drivers took refuge in their community momentarily when the insurgents were operating between Garin Kuturu and Mannanari villages.
“They came out with three wheelbarrow and I believe they were looking for food stuff. We don’t know how many people abducted but some commercial drivers came back and later returned to Maiduguri before reinforcement of military arrived,” the residents noted.
A passenger, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told reporters that he, alongside others were stranded for hours.
“We were heading for Kano from Maiduguri when the driver got hinted about the attack and took a detour.
“We have been waiting for the military to clear the road but we don’t know when. We are stranded here,” he said.
Children Of Politicians Spraying Dollars In Parties Is Anti-Democratic – Ex-President Jonathan
AFOLABI
Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan has said the continuous spraying of foreign currencies like the US dollar during parties is anti-democratic and sends wrong signals in the direction the country’s democracy is headed.
Jonathan stated this on Tuesday while speaking at the 25th Anniversary Democracy Day Public Lecture in Abuja.
Jonathan advised actors to stick to the rule of the game noting that citizens cherish and prefer civilian rule to military rule.
He advised that Nigerian democracy must be protected at all costs and commended the country for 25 years of unbroken democracy.
Details later…
Police Begin Investigation Into Death Of Self-Styled Businessman Ochekwo Wanted In UK, Accused Of Luring Married Woman With N1m
AFOLABI
The Nigeria Police Force said it has commenced a thorough investigation into the alleged killing of self-styled British/Nigerian businessman, Andrew Ochekwo accused of luring a married woman and a young girl with N1m, whose whereabouts have been unknown for the past 45 days.
The official reaction from the police on Monday night followed the controversies and varying narratives surrounding the disappearance of the ladies who left their base in Port Harcourt to visit Ochelwo in Aba, Abia State for the weekend on the condition of paying the said sum.
Since April 27, when the duo left for Aba, their whereabouts have been unknown even as the major suspect was allegedly killed while being transferred in the company of police operatives to Abuja.
The police said, “In light of the public interest and the gravity of the allegations, the IGP has deemed it necessary to institute a meticulous investigation into the roles played by the team which carried out the initial investigation in Abia State, and the Force Intelligence Department Intelligence Response Team (IGP-IRT), to unravel the veritable facts of the matter.”
“The Monitoring Unit has been given a two-week timeframe to complete its investigation and present a comprehensive report.”
Despite the call to investigate the death of Ochekwo and the disappearances of the ladies, the suspect was reportedly declared wanted by the United Kingdom government in June 2019 over sexual assault on a woman.
He, however, returned to Nigeria and settled in Aba city where he conveniently flaunted his wealth on social media with claims to run a company that recruits people.
Meanwhile, when the said ladies appeared to have been missing, the case was reported to the police in Aba, where Ochekwe was arrested and detained for the possession of the missing ladies’ belongings.
While in detention, the suspect was said to remain mum on the whereabouts of the ladies but had allegedly functioned freely.
He was then transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit in Aba, then to Umuahia, and then to Abuja following a petition to Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun requesting the suspect’s transfer to Abuja.
Sadly, Ochekwo was allegedly gunned down for attempting to escape while en route to Abuja in the company of police officers. Those who allegedly killed him are said to be in police custody.
While many Nigerians have called for a thorough investigation of all parties including the police in Abia State on the matter, his death has also raised eyebrows on the possibility of a syndicate who may have wanted him dead.
Reports revealed that he attempted to escape in Benue State where he was killed, and his body was later deposited in a mortuary.
Residents in the suspect’s vicinity told security operatives during a search operation that a dismembered human was disposed of in a deserted area and covered with a curtain which was later discovered to match the design of curtains at Ochekwo’s apartment.
However, the Nigeria Police has assured that the case will be handled with the utmost professionalism and integrity, urging Nigerians to remain calm and allow the investigation process to proceed without interference.
“Similarly, all persons/groups with relevant information regarding this case are encouraged to come forward and assist with the investigation, and all such information provided will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality, reach us via email at pressforabuja@police.gov.ng, and our social media accounts.
“The Nigeria Police Force appreciates the cooperation and support of the public and hereby reassures that timely updates will be provided as the investigation progresses,” the police said.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria head coach, Finidi George, has stressed that there is “no special formula for winning” after leading the team to suffer an unexpected 2-1 defeat at the hands of Benin Republic.
Finidi George, who spent over 20 months as the assistant coach of the Super Eagles, was expected to have it easy as the head coach since he is conversant with the team.
However, the former Enyimba of Aba manager has proven to be finding it difficult to come up with a winning strategy for the highly talented and star-studded Super Eagles squad.
Recall that when he served as the interim coach of the Super Eagles in March, he beat Ghana in an international friendly and then lost 2-0 to Mali in another friendly match.
Despite the defeat to Mali, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) deemed him fit for the permanent coaching role.
Under his watch as the team’s head coach, the Nigerian team came from behind to draw 1-1 with South Africa at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday, June 7.
As if that was not bad enough for Nigeria’s hope of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Finidi George and his boys allowed Benin Republic to come from behind to defeat them 2-1 in Abidjan.
After the defeat, coach Finidi George said: “There is no special formula for winning, we have to see how we can get the best out of the players.
“Everybody must be committed and with that commitment, I believe we will win games and if we can win games, the battle will still be there. We can’t throw in the towel because we have only three points, we have to find a way to get these players back in a way they can perform.”
Note that the Super Eagles of Nigeria are currently sitting in the 5th spot out of 6 teams in Group C of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. They are four points away from first placed Benin Republic.
Canadian singer, Celine Dion, has disclosed that she has been battling with Stiff Person Syndrome for 17 years before revealing it to the public.
Naija News reports that the ‘Think Twice’ crooner made the revelation in an interview with Hoda Kotb on the Today Show this week.
The singer revealed that she was secretly battling the illness while managing her late husband, Rene Angelil’s cancer battle and raising their children.
According to the 56-year-old singer, who first opened up about her ailment in 2022, she had been experiencing symptoms way back in 2008 but was holding on to her dreams.
Celine Dion explained that she eventually spoke about her illness because keeping it from “the people who got her to where she was” was a huge “burden”.
She said, “We did not know what was going on [with me]. I did not take the time… I should have stopped, took the time to figure it out.
“And like it wasn’t enough, my husband as well is fighting for his own life.
“I had to raise my kids, I had to hide, I had to try to be a hero – while feeling my body leaving me, ‘[I was] holding on to my own dreams.”
Meanwhile, Celine Dion recently stated that her Stiff Person Syndrome feels like she is ‘being strangled,’ adding she often suffers from cramps and even has broken some ribs.
The Nigerian Customs Service, Sokoto/Zamfara Command has intercepted vandalised train tracks in kajiji along kebbi road.
The train tracks which were vandalised from Kaduna were being transported in a 20- feet loaded container vehicle
While addressing newsmen over the interception, Comptroller of Customs, Sokoto/Zamfara Command, Kamal Muhammed, said three suspects were arrested by the command’s monitoring team at Kajiji along Kebbi Road.
He said the suspects could not tender evidence of allocation from the Federal Ministry of Transport, instead made an overture to bribe the officers with N1.5m while making an advance cash offer of N300, 000.
He said the officers rejected the brive “out of patriotism and integrity.”
He stated that the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence is the agency mandated to secure critical national assets, conforming with the collaboration policy thrust of the CGC, the Area Command will hand over the suspects, the truck, and its content and the N300,000cash to the Commander of NSCDC Sokoto Command for further investigation and prosecutions.
The Commandant, NSCDC Sokoto appreciated the synergy between the two security agencies and assured of his agency’s readiness to make the suspects face the law
In another development the
Nigerian Customs Service, Sokoto/Zamfara Area Command said, its officers of the whirlwind tactical team intercepted 11,270 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol).
According to the Controller Kamal Muhammad, the gesture is in compliance with the orders of the Comptroller General of Customs to seal up routes used by smugglers to smuggle contraband,
“The maritime and cross border smuggling of PMS has a negative impact on the overall supply chain of the product in addition to the possibility of funding of criminal activities with the proceeds”.
The seized PMS has been auctioned to residents of Sokoto at a paltry price of N180 per litre.
Famous Nigerian singer Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has opened up on the qualities she seeks in a potential partner for a relationship.
During an interview on Korty EO’s YouTube show, the Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter shared her insights into what she values most in a man.
According to the Grammy-winning singer, her top priorities in a relationship include humor, emotional intelligence, and spiritual maturity.
She revealed that these traits are non-negotiable for her when considering a romantic partner.
“You have to be emotionally intelligent, very funny, and spiritually adept. Just on that journey of your own,” Tems said.
Tems went on to express her skepticism about the intentions of many men she encounters. She mentioned that she often perceives their motives as transparent and singular, which makes it challenging for her to trust the authenticity of their words.
In her words;
“The thing is I know their intentions, most of the times they have one intention, as most guys do [Laughs]. They are very obvious, so how can I even trust this conversation we are having it’s not even real, everything you say is fake.
I have thing I am looking for, You have to be emotionally intelligent, very funny, and you have to be spiritually adept, inclined and mature. Just on that journey of your own. To boys that like me ‘show me’.”
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Popular social media influencer Saida Boj has taken to social media to lambast a Ghanaian prophet who forecasted a dark future for her.
Saida Boj, known for her bold and controversial persona, wasted no time in denouncing the prophet’s warnings, dismissing him as a fraud and accusing him of ulterior motives.
The saga began when the Ghanaian prophet took to the airwaves during a radio interview to share his foreboding insights about Saida Boj’s fate.
Claiming to have insider knowledge, he alleged that dark forces from her paternal lineage were plotting against her, advising her to remain vigilant to avoid falling victim to their schemes.
However, Boj swiftly hit back at the prophet’s claims, branding him a “charlatan” and questioning his credibility, particularly in his country Ghana.
She went on to accuse him of seeking to expand his dubious practices into Nigeria, warning him to steer clear of her path.
Saida Boj declared herself a “certified Igala lady” and proclaimed herself to be God’s favorite, citing grace as her shield against any threats.
She taunted the prophet, likening him to a “Ghana Masquerade” who squanders church funds on cosmetic enhancements, and cautioned his followers against blindly following him.
Saida Boj challenged the prophet to kneel before her and beg for fame if he so desired.
See below;
The Minister of Sports Development, John Enoh, has summoned the Nigeria Football Federation and demanded a detailed technical report on the Super Eagles’ following their last two disappointing performances during the 2026 World Cup qualifying series in the June window.
The Super Eagles managed to secure only one point from a possible six, following a 1-1 draw against South Africa at the Godswill Akpabio stadium in Uyo and losing 2-1 to Benin Republic in Abidjan in their third and fourth games of Group C.
These results leave the Eagles with a total of just three points from a possible 12 in their quest to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by USA, Canada and Mexico.
In a statement shared by the minister’s office, Enoh expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome, especially considering the substantial support the NFF had received from President Bola Tinubu’s administration and the positive working relationship between the ministry and the federation.
A female student has reportedly murdered her newly delivered baby in the Federal University Dutse, Jigawa State school hostel.
The student, whose identity remains undisclosed, was said to masterminded the infant’s death after being thrown from the top floor of a three-storey building, according to Leadership Newspaper.
A heart-wrenching scene unfolded as a viral video captured the aftermath, with fellow students grappling with the incomprehensible loss.
Reports suggest she gave birth in the hostel’s bathroom and questions arise concerning her unmarried status and the circumstances surrounding her pregnancy.
The varsity’s spokesperson, Abdullahi Bello, on Monday, confirmed the incident.
Bello assured all that the university promptly notified the authorities.
He clarified that the student’s pregnancy did not occur during her time at the university, highlighting the recent resumption of the academic session.
Immediate medical attention was provided to the student following the incident.
“The university administration is conducting a thorough investigation and taking necessary measures to address the situation,” Bello stated.
An American citizen who wanted to commit suicide on the Third Mainland Bridge has been rescued, the police in Lagos State have disclosed.
According to the police, the American, whose identity has not been divulged, was driven to the bridge by his baby mama at past 1:00 p.m.
The state Police command made the disclosure in a statement shared on X.com on Monday.
The statement revealed that the American, who is in his early 30s, had ordered his baby mama to stop her vehicle while he walked to a spot on the bridge, with the intention to jump into the Lagoon.
A passerby who noticed his suspicious behavior, quickly alerted patrolling Rapid Response Squad operatives, who persuaded him not to jump.
The officers then reunited him with his wife and daughter before taking them to the RRS Headquarters in Alausa.
The statement said, “An American citizen, name withheld was at 1:23 p.m. today restrained from committing suicide on the Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos.
“The American, who is in his early 30s was driven to the Third Mainland Bridge by his Baby Mama in company of his daughter. He directed the lady who was unaware of his motive to park somewhere while he walked to a spot for a leap into the Lagoon.
“A passerby who observed his movement quickly alerted patrolling RRS operatives who persuaded him from jumping, re – united him With his wife before taking them to RRS Headquarters in Alausa.
“The Commander, Rapid Response Squad (RRS), after advising the man and his family, directed that the case be transferred to Gender Department, Lagos Police Command for further counselling and necessary actions.”