By Ado Salisu A prominent football stakeholder, Ahmed Shuaibu Gara-Gombe, has defended President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, over the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, attributing the setback to internal sabotage and longstanding structural challenges within Nigerian football. The Super Eagles will miss the 2026 FIFA World Cup after losing to the Democratic Republic of the Congo on penalties in the African qualifying playoffs. The outcome marks Nigeria’s second consecutive absence from football’s biggest tournament, having also failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Speaking with journalists, Gara-Gombe…
Author: Usman Gwadabe
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From Joseph Asegba, Yola Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, has called for greater recognition of traditional institutions, describing them as vital centres of governance, conflict resolution, and community mobilisation. Mustapha, who served as Chairman of the occasion, made the remarks during the conferment of traditional titles and honours by the Hama Bachama, Dr. Daniel Shaga Ismaila, on distinguished sons and daughters of the Bachama Kingdom in Numan, Adamawa State. Speaking at the event, the former SGF stressed the enduring relevance of traditional institutions in promoting peace, security, development, and national cohesion. He described them…
By Ado Salisu A major crisis has hit Kano Pillars Basketball Club as about 70 percent of the team’s players have reportedly abandoned camp over alleged poor welfare and unpaid entitlements, raising concerns about the club’s participation in the second phase of the Nigerian Premier Basketball League. The club recently secured qualification for the next stage of the league, organized by the Nigeria Basketball Federation, after a successful outing in Jos, Plateau State. The second phase of the competition is scheduled to commence on June 17, 2026, in Minna, Niger State. Investigations revealed that despite the team’s impressive performance during…
From Musa Muhammad Kutama, Calabar The Cross River State Government has intensified its crackdown on quackery and unsafe medical practices with the closure of an illegal maternity facility in Calabar Municipality following the reported death of a patient after surgery. The facility, Safe Hand’s Maternity Clinic, was sealed by the Cross River State Task Force on Health Quality and Anti-Quackery after investigations uncovered multiple violations of healthcare regulations, including the conduct of surgical procedures in a substandard environment and operating without the necessary approvals. Acting on a petition linking the clinic to the death of a patient who reportedly underwent…
From Mu’awiya Bala Idris, Katsina A non-governmental organisation, the Lado Education Foundation, has disbursed over N700.2 million in scholarships to students from Katsina State studying in various higher institutions across Nigeria. According to beneficiaries, the scholarship scheme has supported 31,711 students between 2023 and 2026, providing financial assistance to students at different levels of education. Speaking at a press conference on behalf of other beneficiaries, Saratu Lawal Maska, a student of Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, described the scholarship programme as a major source of encouragement that enabled her to pursue her academic ambitions. She explained that the foundation’s scholarship scheme…
From Musa Muhammad Kutama, Calabar No fewer than 15 footballers of Nigerian descent are expected to represent other countries at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The development comes as Nigeria’s Super Eagles failed to qualify for the global football showpiece, marking their third absence from the tournament after also missing the 2006 and 2022 editions. Among the players is Michael Olise, who plays for Bayern Munich and will represent France. Also on the list is Bukayo Saka of Arsenal, who will feature for England. Former England youth international…
By Sule Aliyu, Bauchi A former Accountant-General of Bauchi State, Dr. Sa’idu Abubakar, has been remanded in a correctional facility by the Bauchi State High Court No. 5 over allegations of financial misconduct involving about N40 billion in public funds. Dr. Abubakar was arraigned before Justice Mu’azu Abubakar on a 16-count amended charge filed by the Bauchi State Government under Section 116 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Bauchi State, 2022. The former Accountant-General pleaded not guilty to all the charges brought against him. According to court documents in Suit No. BA/205C/2025, the prosecution alleged that between December…
By Sule Aliyu, Bauchi The President of the Bauchi Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (BACCIMA), Hon. Aminu Muhammad Danmaliki, has urged Nigerians to disregard an unverified online report alleging that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu plans to abolish Sharia criminal law, rename Nigeria as the “United States of Nigeria,” and embark on far-reaching constitutional restructuring without national consensus. Danmaliki, who holds the traditional title of Danmalikin Bauchi, made his position known in a statement personally signed and made available to journalists in Bauchi while reacting to the viral report circulating on social media. The former member of the House…
From Umar Danladi Ado, Sokoto The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Sokoto State, Hon. Manir Muhammad Dan’iya, has pledged to reposition the state civil service through comprehensive reforms aimed at restoring professionalism, efficiency, and merit-based administration if elected governor in 2027. Hon. Dan’iya, who holds the traditional title of Walin Sokoto, made the commitment while receiving a delegation of civil servants, including administrative officers, finance personnel, and local government workers, who paid him a Sallah homage and declared their support for his gubernatorial bid. Addressing the delegation, the ADC flagbearer described the civil service as the…
From Umar Danladi Ado, Sokoto The Save the Child Initiative (STCI) Nigeria has strongly condemned the recent abductions of schoolchildren in Oyo and Kwara states, describing the incidents as a serious threat to children’s rights and the nation’s future. Speaking at a press briefing held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Sokoto, STCI official, Rukayya Ibrahim, expressed concern over the increasing insecurity around educational institutions across the country. She said the incidents underscore the urgent need for government and security agencies to strengthen measures aimed at safeguarding schools and ensuring the safety of learners and teachers.…