Author: Vincent Osuwo

Erling Haaland scored twice to help Manchester City defeat ailing West Ham United for their fifth consecutive Premier League victory, propelling them to the top of the table. City are one point ahead of Arsenal, although Mikel Arteta’s side may retake first place later on Saturday if they win against Everton (kickoff 20:00 GMT). Nuno Espirito Santo’s West Ham needed a good start to get anything out of their encounter at Etihad Stadium, but that went out the window just five minutes in when Haaland converted at the second attempt after his first effort was saved by Alphonse Areola. The…

President Bola Tinubu departed Abuja to Borno, Bauchi, and Lagos on Saturday in a 20-year-old Boeing 737 Business Jet that had been listed for sale in July but was delisted months later due to minimal buyer interest and lowball offers. Earlier, the Borno State Police Command claimed it had sent tactical teams, surveillance squads, and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit operatives to guarantee appropriate security in the state ahead of the President’s arrival. Tinubu left Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at 11:45 a.m. to begin a multi-state working visit and holiday trip that will include the inauguration of projects in Maiduguri,…

Chelsea saved Enzo Maresca from more embarrassing questions by coming back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Newcastle on Saturday. Newcastle’s Nick Woltemade scored twice in the first half at St. James’ Park, putting Maresca’s side in danger of a heavy defeat. Chelsea fought back after the break, thanks to Reece James’ brilliant free kick and Joao Pedro’s eye-catching solo goal. Chelsea is still fourth in the Premier League after just winning one of their last five games. But the Blues’ tenacious comeback was critical for Maresca following a tumultuous week that sparked concerns about the Italian’s long-term…

The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will be staged every four years following an edition planned for 2028 in a major change to what is currently a biennial showpiece, African football chief Patrice Motsepe announced on Saturday. The head of the Confederation of African Football announced the adjustment as part of a comprehensive restructure of the continent’s international game to better fit into a busy worldwide calendar. An AFCON every two years was a crucial source of revenue for African national associations, but Motsepe believes the advent of an annual African Nations League competition, similar to the UEFA Nations League,…

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has reiterated his long-held view that he will retire from active politics after serving as governor, stating that he has no presidential, vice-presidential, or senatorial ambitions after that. Otti said this on Friday at the Government House in Umuahia, in response to a viral video in which someone chastised him for his recent visit to Nnamdi Kanu at the Sokoto Correctional Centre, suggesting that he was harboring presidential or vice-presidential ambitions once his tenure ended. While conceding that disagreement is a natural aspect of democracy, the governor stated that everyone has the freedom to…

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has urged President Bola Tinubu to ensure that the proposed ₦58.18 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill delivers a measurable and positive impact on the lives of ordinary Nigerians. Speaking on Tinubu’s budget presentation at the joint sitting of the National Assembly on Friday, the senator described the session as significant but cautioned against an overemphasis on headline figures at the expense of outcomes. Natasha also warned that fiscal size alone cannot resolve the country’s deep-seated development challenges. “Of all the lengthy speeches, one line by Mr. President struck me deeply. “It’s not the size of the budget but…

Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City “must be prepared” to plan for his exit and eventual replacement but insists he is far from finished with the club. It is known that City has begun the process of selecting prospects to replace the Spaniard, despite uncertainty about his future with the club. Meanwhile, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, who was previously Guardiola’s assistant at City, has stated that stories portraying him as a potential successor to the Spaniard are “100% speculation.” Guardiola signed a new contract in November 2024 that will expire at the end of the 2026-27 season. Speaking on Friday, the…

Jake Paul went to the hospital with a possible broken jaw after being stopped by Anthony Joshua in their heavyweight fight in Miami. The American fought the two-time heavyweight world champion for six rounds but was unable to beat the count after multiple knockdowns. The YouTuber-turned-boxer was knocked down twice in the fifth and sixth rounds, and in his post-fight statements, he stated that he believed his jaw was “definitely” fractured. The 28-year-old was unable to attend the post-fight news conference, and Most Valuable Promotions chief Nakisa Bidarian said Paul had been hospitalized. “We think he broke his jaw. But…

British heavyweight Anthony Joshua required six rounds to defeat boxing newcomer Jake Paul, who spent a significant portion of the bout in defense mode in one of the most notable mismatches in the sport’s history. Joshua appeared more frustrated as Paul continually evaded him, circling the ring for extended periods, until the two-time world champion finally took control by flooring the YouTuber-turned-boxer twice in the fifth round. Paul was down once more in the sixth when Joshua delivered a strong and precise right hand that abruptly ended a surreal night at Miami’s Kaseya Center. The American failed to beat the…

The Bauchi State Government has announced the temporary closure and diversion of key main routes in the metropolis ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s condolence visit. According to the government, the president will visit Bauchi to sympathize with the family and followers of Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, a prominent Islamic scholar who died recently. Mukhtar Gidado, the governor’s special adviser on media and publicity, stated this in a statement issued late Friday. According to the announcement, main highways leading to the Sheikh’s mosque and other strategic places would be closed or redirected from 1pm to 6pm on Saturday for security and…