Author: Vincent Osuwo

Somali referee Omar Artan, who was denied entry to the United States for the World Cup, returned to a hero’s welcome in Mogadishu and promised to officiate in the next tournament in 2030. More than 100 supporters gathered outside the VIP section of Mogadishu’s main airport, waving national flags as Artan stepped off a Turkish Airlines flight to shouts. “I will be at the next World Cup and will continue to make Somalia proud… Despite what has happened to me, I am not discouraged,” Artan told journalists. Artan, who was selected men’s referee of the year by the Confederation of…

President Bola Tinubu has sent a high-level mission to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to ensure the quick repatriation of almost 300 Nigerian nationals serving prison sentences in the country. According to sources in the Presidency and the diplomatic service familiar with the directive, the convicts are being detained in deteriorating conditions at Kaliti, a maximum-security prison in Addis Ababa. Tinubu directed the delegation, which included the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ethiopian government, allowing the prisoners to be transferred to Nigeria to serve…

Iran attacked American bases in Jordan and Bahrain on Wednesday, telling its Gulf neighbors that it was their “responsibility” to prevent the US and Israel from exploiting their territory to strike the Islamic Republic. The strikes came after the United States launched attacks on Iran in retaliation for the downing of an American helicopter, straining a ceasefire that went into force in April. The exchange prompted international appeals for caution on the eve of the World Cup, which the United States is co-hosting and Iran is taking part in. It has also called into question US President Donald Trump’s claim…

FIFA President Gianni Infantino will address the media on the eve of the World Cup on Wednesday, as off-field distractions have plagued the tournament’s buildup. Infantino is sure to face stern questions about exorbitant ticket prices and an immigration crackdown that has prohibited a senior referee, fans, and club executives from co-hosting in the United States. The chairman of the world football governing body will hold a rare press conference in Mexico City, where co-hosts Mexico face South Africa in the opening match on Thursday at the Estadio Azteca. The 2026 men’s World Cup has been enlarged to 48 teams,…

Femi Awogboro, media aide to former Minister of Power and 2027 All Progressives Congress governorship aspirant in Oyo State, Bayo Adelabu, has warned those linking Adelabu’s personal assistant, Ajiboye Sangogade, to the kidnapping of the ex-minister’s younger sister and twin sons, to stop spreading the “fabricated narrative” or face legal action. In a statement made on Wednesday in Ibadan, the state capital, Awogboro stated that Sangogade had no participation in the kidnapping of Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, Adelabu’s younger sister, and her twin kids, Peter and Paul, and warned that “those peddling the rumor desist or face legal action.” He described…

Nollywood actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo has threatened to leak the secrets of the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, Peter Obi. Okonkwo made the threat while responding to the public apology demand and threats by Obi to file a lawsuit against him. Chronicle NG reports that Obi demanded N5 billion in damages and a public apology from actor-turned-politician over alleged defamatory statements made during a television interview. Obi also threatened Okonkwo with legal action and indicated that he could pursue higher damages if he does not meet the demands. In a letter dated June 9, 2026, lawyers of the former…

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, has demanded N5 billion in damages and a public apology from actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo over alleged defamatory statements made during a television interview. Obi also threatened Okonkwo with legal action and indicated that he could pursue higher damages if he does not meet the demands. In a letter dated June 9, 2026, lawyers of the former Anambra State governor, led by Alex Ejesieme (SAN), accused Okonkwo of making false, malicious, and defamatory allegations against their client during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily program on Monday, June 8. The…

The Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, arraigned Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, popularly known as Blessing CEO, a social media influencer and self-proclaimed relationship therapist, on Tuesday for an alleged N69.1 million fraud. Blessing’s CEO was brought before Justice R.A. Oshodi of the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, faces a two-count charge of collecting money under false pretense and stealing N69,150,000. At the start of the proceedings, the prosecution lawyer, C. C. Okezie, requested the court to proceed with the arraignment, claiming that the defendant had been properly served with the charge. However, defence attorney…

Gov. Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has issued a warning to those sponsoring insecurity in the country to desist and allow the presidency to focus on governance. Okpebholo made the statement on Tuesday in Benin during the launch of the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign for local government council elections in the Edo South Senatorial District. He said that insecurity has suddenly escalated across the country and was orchestrated to damage President Bola Tinubu’s leadership. Okpebholo stated that promoting insecurity would not guarantee the perpetrators seats in the Senate, House of Representatives, or the presidency, as there is no vacancy in…

An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) exploded along the Bagega-Anka road in the Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State, killing one person and injuring seven others. Aminu Bagega, a resident of the region, informed Vanguard by phone that the event occurred at 6:15 p.m. on Monday when a commercial Volkswagen Golf 3 Wagon transporting passengers from Bagega to Anka ran over the explosive device. According to him, the IED was purportedly set by suspected bandits in the vicinity. “The passengers were travelling from Bagega village to Anka town when the device detonated, killing one person on the spot. Seven others…