Author: Vincent Osuwo

Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo has encouraged the youth to back President Bola Tinubu’s administration, stating that the federal government’s reforms and empowerment initiatives aimed at young people are establishing the groundwork for long-term economic growth and collective prosperity. Ododo issued the call during the launch of the Kogi Youth Mining and Jewelry Craftsmanship Empowerment Program in Abuja, as per a statement released to the press on Monday. The program, a strategic effort by the Kogi State Government, aims to provide youth with competitive skills in the mining and jewelry sectors to utilize the state’s extensive solid mineral resources for…

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has backed the independence of world football’s judicial bodies amid widespread debate over the decision to overturn the suspension of United States striker Folarin Balogun. Despite admitting that he had addressed the topic with US President Donald Trump, he emphasized that the decision was reached autonomously through FIFA’s disciplinary processes. The controversy broke out after FIFA’s independent Disciplinary Committee overturned Balogun’s red card suspension, prompting criticism from sections of the football community over the decision’s timing and speculation about possible political influence after Trump publicly claimed to have intervened on the player’s behalf. Infantino responded on…

United Bank for Africa (UBA) has announced that its group chairman, Tony Elumelu, will retire from the board of directors on August 21, 2026. The bank reported this on Monday during its board meeting, claiming that the process was required after non-executive directors had completed the maximum 12-year tenure prescribed by the Central Bank of Nigeria. The financial institution has selected Emmanuel Nnorom, a current non-executive director on the board, as the new group chairman, effective the same day Elumelu leaves. In a statement issued shortly after the meeting, the bank stated, “The Board places on record its profound appreciation…

Peter Obi, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate in the 2027 election, has claimed that Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde informed him that President Bola Tinubu had not contacted him more than 50 days after the abduction of schoolchildren in the state, citing the development as evidence of a worsening leadership crisis. Obi criticized the president’s handling of insecurity in a post titled “Worsening Leadership Crisis in the Country Now Evident” on X on Monday, accusing the administration of lacking compassion and capacity. Obi stated that he had publicly appealed to the kidnappers twice to free the children and…

The aspirations of Brazil to end their lengthy quest for World Cup success faced a harsh conclusion following a 2-1 loss to Norway in the Round of 16, as Erling Haaland netted two goals to knock out the five-time champions. The consequences of the loss were filled with inquiries about why Vinicius Júnior did not execute Brazil’s first-half penalty while the score remained tied at zero. Instead, Bruno Guimarães took the penalty, but his shot was denied by Norway’s Ørjan Nyland, a pivotal moment that ultimately proved expensive as Haaland’s two goals propelled Norway into the quarter-finals. Following Brazil’s exit,…

Former FIFA President Joseph Sepp Blatter questioned the independence of the world’s governing organization on Monday, citing the drama surrounding the reversal of US forward Folarin Balogun’s red card, and warned that football “must never become a playground for political power.” Blatter’s remarks come only days after US President Donald Trump publicly hailed FIFA President Gianni Infantino for the decision that qualified Balogun for the Americans’ FIFA World Cup quarterfinal match. Trump’s words sparked extensive controversy in the football community, with some questioning whether politics had influenced a disciplinary procedure that FIFA claims is handled only by its independent judicial…

FIFA “crossed a red line” with its controversial decision to suspend US star Folarin Balogun’s one-game ban for a year, European football’s governing body UEFA said Monday. FIFA’s decision, which came after President Donald Trump’s intervention, allows Balogun to play in the co-hosts’ World Cup last-16 encounter against Belgium later on Monday. “Yesterday’s decision to suspend for a probationary period of a year the implementation of the one-match automatic suspension following the red card issued to the player Folarin Balogun crossed a red line,” read UEFA’s strongly worded statement. Football, like any other sport, relies on rules, which are the…

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti stated that Sunday’s devastating World Cup last-16 exit at the hands of Norway should be used as “fuel” for the future as he insisted their disappointing tournament is “the start of a new cycle.” “Obviously, everyone is deeply disappointed, considering what happened. I don’t think we have had a spectacular World Cup, but we had a good one. I think we even deserved to win the game today,” Ancelotti said after the 2-1 loss at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Erling Haaland scored two late goals for Norway in a game that came down to an…

Brazil star Neymar stated on Sunday that his international career was ended after the five-time World Cup winners were eliminated in the round of 16 by Norway. Neymar came on as a late substitute at MetLife Stadium and converted a penalty in injury time, but it was in vain because Norway’s Erling Haaland scored twice, and Brazil lost 2-1. The 34-year-old is Brazil’s all-time leading scorer, and curiously, he scored his first goal for his country in the same stadium, in a 2-0 victory over the United States, in 2010. “I tried, and I tried. Now it’s over. It began…

Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr have appointed former Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou as their new head coach on a two-year contract. The club confirmed the appointment on Friday via its official social media accounts, stating: “It’s official.” Mr. Ange Postecoglou is the new head coach of Al Nassr. He signed a two-season contract. “Hello, Gaffer!” Postecoglou succeeds Jorge Jesus, who resigned at the end of the title-winning season, and takes charge of an Al Nassr side led by Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo as the club seeks local and European trophies. Since Ronaldo’s arrival in late 2022, Al Nassr…