Author: Vincent Osuwo

The first shortlists for the 2026 Ballon d’Or awards have been announced, including the Men’s and Women’s Club of the Year nominees The announcement comes ahead of the major Ballon d’Or ceremony, which will take place in London on Monday, October 26. The annual awards recognize the best individual and team performances in football, with the shortlists for the major individual categories set to be revealed as the announcement process proceeds. Men’s Ballon d’Or Rodrigo Hernandez — Manchester City, Barcelona/Spain Lionel Messi — Inter Miami/Argentina Kylian Mbappe — Real Madrid/France Lamine Yamal — FC Barcelona/Spain Jude Bellingham — Real Madrid/England…

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has stated that, despite what former Labor Party vice-presidential candidate Datti Baba-Ahmed has said, none of the major opposition figures seeking to unseat President Bola Tinubu next year have the ability to improve Nigeria; he remains his ally and brother. The former Anambra State governor stated that none of Datti Baba-Ahmed’s beliefs can decrease their brotherhood, stating that while they may disagree politically, including on the path Nigeria’s future should take, those differences can never turn them into enemies. In a recent statement, Baba-Ahmed expressed alarm about the severity…

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has disowned a fuel truck with its old logo intercepted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) with 2,145 kg of cannabis concealed in a compartment in Ondo State. According to the firm, early inspections revealed that the truck, with registration number MKA 960 XC, was not owned by NNPC Ltd., nor was it part of its official fleet or that of any of its authorized dealers. Andy Odeh, Chief Corporate Communications Officer at NNPC, announced this in a statement issued on Monday. The corporation said it had taken note of media…

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, UNIZIK, Awka chapter, on Monday commenced an indefinite strike over the non-payment of the full August 2026 salary to its members. In a press statement signed by the Chairperson of the ASUU UNIZIK chapter, Innocent Nnubia, and the Secretary, Osita Nnajiofor, and released to journalists on Monday, the association stated that it had decided to withdraw its services in accordance with the standing “Resolution of ASUU National Executive Council” on non-payment of salaries. It consequently encouraged the university administration and visitor, President Bola Tinubu, to promptly address the matter by…

The world football governing body, FIFA, says it has yet to make a judgment on the future of the Nigeria Football Federation following the resignation of its president, Ibrahim Gusau; General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi; and other Executive Committee members. In a letter addressed to the NFF’s deputy general secretary, Emmanuel Ikpeme, on Monday, FIFA and the Confederation of African Football stated that they are currently assessing the legal, governance, administrative, and electoral implications of the NFF’s developments before deciding on the next step. Gusau led a mass resignation from the NFF on Thursday, August 27, in response to rising criticism…

Whitney “Nomy” Chukwu has been disqualified from the Big Brother Naija Season 11 ‘Show Ya Sef’ house for repeatedly defying Big Brother’s instructions. Nomy’s disqualification was declared on Monday after she persistently refused to obey instructions about a punishment given during a Head of House challenge. Big Brother Naija announced the development on its official Instagram page, saying it has removed Nomy’s right to participate in the reality show. “Nomy (@_officialnomy) has been disqualified from the Big Brother Naija Show Ya Sef house following repeated defiance of Big Brother’s instructions. “Big Brother revoked her privilege to participate in the game…

A building sealed by the Department of Development Control has collapsed on Abidjan Street, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja, with emergency agencies commencing search and rescue operations. The FCT Police Command stated that it received a distress call concerning the incident at about 7:45pm on Monday. A statement by the command’s spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, mentioned that a police response team was immediately deployed to the scene. Adeh disclosed that the team was joined by personnel of the National Emergency Management Agency, Federal Road Safety Corps, Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, Federal Fire Service, Security Service Department, Federal Capital Territory Administration, and other…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will deploy a real-time election readiness tracker to monitor preparations for the 2027 general elections across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The tracker, which will give the commission’s leadership instant access to updates on logistics, recruitment and training of ad hoc staff, technology and other election preparations, is part of efforts to prevent last-minute operational failures ahead of the polls. The INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, revealed this on Monday in Lagos at a two-day strategic operational workshop for administrative secretaries. “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is set to roll…

The Rivers State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has proclaimed that no politician in the state can win the approaching 2027 elections by boosting and sugar-coating the public with lies and foolish promises. Reacting to a comment attributed to Nyesom Wike made during a civic reception hosted in his honor by the City Boy Movement in Omagwa on Saturday that Rotimi Amaechi, the ADC’s vice presidential candidate, will be defeated before 12 noon on election day, the party stated that the boast does not win elections. Dr. Chukwudi Dimkpa, the state chairman of the ADC, stated in a…

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has warned that politicians and political parties who employ abusive, intemperate or inflammatory languages in their campaigns risk heavy financial penalties and possible imprisonment under the Electoral Act 2026, as the country grapples with a fresh wave of threats by political office holders against dissenting voters. Mr Adedayo Oketola, Chief Press Secretary/Media Adviser to the INEC Chairman, stated in a telephone interview with our correspondent on Sunday that campaign rhetoric crosses the legal threshold into electoral intimidation when it moves beyond robust partisan debate or policy critique and into the realm of coercion, hate…