Author: Vincent Osuwo

Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has issued a tough message to Group C rivals South Africa and the Benin Republic following Nigeria’s hard-fought 2-1 victory over Lesotho in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The center-back, who scored in the match on Friday night in Polokwane, took to social media shortly afterward to show his belief in Nigeria’s qualification chances. In a quick but forceful post on X on Friday, Ekong wrote, “It ain’t over till it’s over.” His message emphasized the Super Eagles’ trust in their chances, despite remaining third in Group C with 14 points, trailing Benin Republic…

Oyin Olugbile has emerged as the winner of the 2025 NLNG-sponsored Nigeria Prize for Literature, the Advisory Board for the prize announced. The Advisory Board for the prize, led by Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, announced Olugbile as the winner at a Grand Award ceremony held on Friday, October 10, 2025, at the Eko Hotels, Lagos. Olugbile won the prestigious award for her book ‘Sanya.’ She got a $100,000 cash prize for the competition, which is regarded as Africa’s most prestigious literary award. Olugbile topped two other competitors, Chigozie Obioma’s The Road to the Country and Nikki May’s This Motherless Land, to win…

No fewer than nineteen people are missing after an explosion at a military explosives manufacturing facility in Tennessee on Friday. According to Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis, four or five persons were transported to a neighboring hospital following the massive explosion that destroyed a factory, and several died. “There’s nothing to describe; it’s gone,” the man replied. The plant in Bucksnort, Tennessee, approximately 56 miles (90 kilometers) southwest of Nashville, specializes in explosive development, manufacturing, handling, and storage. The reason for the explosion remains unknown. Aerial video from the scene showed burnt rubble, smoldering vehicles, and nothing of the Accurate…

Israeli forces say it has partially withdrawn troops from parts of Gaza after a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas came into effect on Friday morning. The Israeli army stated that they had pulled back to an agreed position within the territory—though troops still occupy half of the Strip. Footage shows thousands of Palestinians making their way to the north of Gaza, which has been heavily bombarded by Israeli forces in recent times. The ceasefire came into effect after the Israeli government approved the first phase of US President Donald Trump’s ceasefire and hostage release deal on Thursday. The next…

No fewer than four soldiers were killed and five others injured when Boko Haram terrorists attacked a military post in Ngamdu, along the Damaturu–Maiduguri Road in Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State. The terrorist attack, which occurred around 2:30 a.m. on Friday, was repelled by troops of Operation Hadin Kai after a fierce gun battle. Confirming the incident in a statement on Friday evening, the spokesperson for Operation Hadin Kai, Lt. Col. Uba Sani, disclosed that the terrorists suffered heavy casualties during the attack. The statement read, “Troops of Operation HADIN KAI successfully repelled a coordinated terrorist attack in…

The Super Eagles revived their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification after beating Lesotho 2-1 at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, on Friday in a match that could prove decisive for Nigeria’s campaign. Troost-Ekong gave the Super Eagles the perfect start by converting a penalty following a handball in the Lesotho box, sending the home fans into jubilation. Akor Adams minutes later doubled the advantage with a clinical finish, seemingly putting Nigeria in control. Lesotho responded with a goal from Kalake, but the Super Eagles held firm to secure the crucial three points. However, the Republic of Benin secured a…

Real Madrid attacker Kylian Mbappe has defended Lamine Yamal and told critics to ‘stop intervening’ in the personal life of the Barcelona forward. Over the last few months, the Spanish forward has been involved in a number of scandals, most recently being accused of having a romantic relationship with 30-year-old influencer Fati Vasquez. The 18-year-old has also faced criticism for hosting a birthday party with midgets as entertainment for his guests. According to the Frenchman, Yamal is a terrific player, and Mbappe believes that people should stop talking about him. He said, ”It’s clear he has a lot of passion…

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado dedicated her Nobel Peace Prize on Friday to the Venezuelan people, as well as US President Donald Trump, for his “decisive support” of her country’s pro-democracy movements. “I dedicate this prize to the suffering people of Venezuela and to President Trump for his decisive support of our cause!” she wrote on X. “We are on the threshold of victory, and today, more than ever, we count on President Trump, the people of the United States, the peoples of Latin America, and the democratic nations of the world as our principal allies to achieve freedom…

Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore has disclosed that former President Goodluck Jonathan has agreed to engage President Bola Tinubu on the continued detention of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu. Sowore revealed this on Friday via his X handle after meeting with Jonathan in Abuja. According to the former presidential aspirant, their discussion centered on the “urgent and compelling need” to address Kanu’s case “decisively and justly.” Sowore said, “Earlier today in Abuja, I met with former President @GEJonathan (Goodluck Jonathan) to discuss the continued incarceration of Mazi @NnamdiKanu. “President Jonathan agreed that there is an…

The Nigerian Army Headquarters, 2 Brigade, Akwa Ibom State, has launched an investigation into the tragic death of one of its officers, the late Lieutenant Samson Haruna, in Uyo. On September 22, 2025, the officer died at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital due to burns sustained during a fire incident. In a statement published in Uyo on Friday, Captain Lawal Muhammad, Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 2 Brigade, Nigerian Army, stated that the investigation’s findings would be made public once completed. Muhammad stated, “An investigation was instituted at the onset of the incident to ascertain the circumstances surrounding it…