Author: Vincent Osuwo

FIFA responded to critics on Friday, vowing to press ahead with an “open and democratic” consultation with stakeholders on a proposed private investment plan. The governing body of European football, UEFA, has stated that it is prepared to boycott the World Cup in protest at FIFA’s proposal to create a commercial subsidiary to run the organization’s major events and enable private investors to acquire holdings in the company. FIFA emphasized that all member associations should have the chance to evaluate the concept. the opportunity to assess the concept. “Nobody is selling football,” FIFA said in the statement. “This is not…

An explosion at a coal mine killed at least 34 workers in southern Pakistan, the provincial disaster agency said on Friday, adding rescuers were searching for more missing miners. The blast, caused by methane gas, tore through the mine near the capital of the resource-rich province of Balochistan on Thursday, sparking a rescue operation that ran into the night. “According to information received from the deployed teams, 34 dead bodies have been recovered,” southern Balochistan’s provincial disaster management authority said in a statement in the early hours of Friday. “The joint rescue operation is still underway to locate and recover…

The Accord Party has petitioned President Bola Tinubu, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, and other key stakeholders regarding the alleged harassment, intimidation, and arrest of its members and government officials by police ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State. The party also reaffirmed its call for the immediate resignation of Ibrahim Gotan, the Osun State Commissioner of Police, accusing him of partisanship and claiming that his continuing tenure could jeopardize the governorship election. In a statement issued on Thursday, the Accord Party’s National Chairman, Maxwell Mgbudem, stated that around “100 of its leaders, candidates, members, and…

Access Bank Plc has refuted reports circulating on social media stating that the bank is closing, assuring clients that it is still financially sound and fully operating. In a statement released by its management on Thursday, the bank described the viral message, which falsely impersonated its official communication channels, as “false and misleading.” “We wish to reassure our customers, partners, stakeholders, and the public that Access Bank is safe, financially strong, and fully operational across all our subsidiaries. Our services continue to run seamlessly, and we remain committed to serving our customers with the highest standards of excellence,” the statement…

The Osun State Police Command has released the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaiye. Igbalaiye’s release was disclosed by Pelumi Olajengbesi, the spokesperson for the Imole Campaign Council, the group leading the re-election campaign of Governor Ademola Adeleke. Olajengbesi shared the development on his verified Facebook page on Thursday. “We sincerely appreciate the Inspector General of Police and the Commissioner of Police, Osun State Command, for listening to the voice of reason despite pressure and for responding to the people’s demand regarding the unlawful arrest of the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Igbalaye Teslim. “The Nigerian Police Force…

Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford will not be making a summer move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reports. Rashford’s future has been a source of speculation since he returned to Manchester United after his loan spell at Barcelona expired, with rumors indicating that Al Nassr was interested in signing the England international. However, speaking on his YouTube channel on Wednesday, Romano denied the rumors. “In the last 24 hours on social media, there have been many rumors about Al-Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo’s team, the champions of Saudi Arabia, trying to sign Marcus Rashford from Manchester…

President Bola Tinubu has stated that his administration would not pay ransom to terrorists, insisting that the government would deploy strategic measures to defeat criminal elements across the country. Tinubu said on Thursday while receiving the Olubadan of Ibadanland and members of the Olubadan-in-Council at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The president, who applauded the armed forces for the successful rescue operation in Oyo State, said security challenges had continued to compel the government to review its strategies and operations. “Congratulations on the Oyo State’s rescue that succeeded. I think we succeeded with your support and prayers. I agree with you…

Families of 176 people kidnapped by terrorists in Kwara State’s Kaiama Local Government Area have repeated their call on the federal and state governments to swiftly secure their loved ones’ release after over six months in captivity. This came amid reports that the abductors threatened to marry the “beautiful” female prisoners while murdering the others. The victims’ relatives said they raised more than N155 million through community crowdfunding to secure the release of the prisoners, but the terrorists rejected the ransom, leaving the victims in captivity. In an interview broadcast by the BBC Hausa Service, Abdul Ibrahim, a Kaiama native,…

Billionaire business mogul Femi Otedola has boosted his interest in First HoldCo Plc by acquiring 1.77 billion shares through his investment vehicle, Calvados Global Services Limited. According to a regulatory filing acquired from the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), the N222.20 billion transaction took place on Thursday. The current transaction increases Otedola’s shareholding in First HoldCo from 9.99 billion to 11.77 billion shares, bringing his ownership interest from 21.96 per cent to 25.88 per cent. The purchase is Otedola’s second substantial investment in the bank since July. On July 22, he bought 706.13 million shares worth N77.58 billion, bolstering his position as…

Chelsea have finalized the acquisition of French defender Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace for a fee of £52 million. BBC Sport reports that the 26-year-old center-back has signed a deal with the Blues lasting until 2032, marking the club’s third signing of the summer transfer window. Lacroix, who has represented France seven times, transferred to Crystal Palace from Bundesliga club Wolfsburg in 2024 for a starting fee of £15.5 million and swiftly became a key player under manager Oliver Glasner. The defender played in 55 matches across all competitions last season as Palace triumphed in the UEFA Conference League, earning…