Author: Samuel Akpenpuun

England captain Harry Kane has confirmed he is a strong contender for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, but insists the final decision rests with the voters. In an interview with Owen Hargreaves set to air on HBO Max, the Bayern Munich striker addressed his standing among football’s elite, acknowledging the intense debate surrounding the sport’s most prestigious individual award. Kane is currently listed as a frontrunner for the prize alongside an illustrious field that includes Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe, Barcelona duo Lamine Yamal and Rodri, and PSG’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. While the 32-year-old recognizes his place in the conversation, he emphasized the…

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has said exit of global ride-hailing brand Uber from Nigeria, alongside the closure or scaling down of some major international companies, in the country was an indication that the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration is allegedly turning the country into a “graveyard of businesses.” The ADC, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the growing list of businesses shutting down, scaling down or leaving the country had exposed the widening gap between the government’s claims of economic progress and the reality confronting businesses and ordinary Nigerians. The party said it…

The management of Nigerian dancer and singer, Poco Lee, has addressed the sexual assault allegation involving the entertainer in the United Kingdom, urging the public to allow the legal process to run its course. In a statement issued on Tuesday, August 25, the management confirmed that the matter is currently before a UK court and cautioned against presenting the allegation as an established fact. The team stressed that Poco Lee, whose real name is Iweh Pascal Odinaka, has not been convicted of any offence. “Allegations are not evidence of guilt, and no conclusions should be drawn until the matter has…

The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the Osun State election, Bola Oyebamiji, has accepted the outcome declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), while raising concerns over alleged attacks on members and supporters of the party after the election. Oyebamiji said he respected INEC’s declaration and supported the decision of the APC to review the outcome of the August 15 governorship election. The incumbent governor and Accord Party candidate, Ademola Adeleke, was declared winner after polling 511,067 votes, while Oyebamiji secured 444,815 votes. In a statement posted on his X account on Tuesday, Oyebamiji thanked APC leaders,…

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has filed a fresh ₦10bn suit against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission over the alleged denial of access to his wife and son while he was in the commission’s custody. The suit, filed by his lawyer, Ubong Akpan, also names the ICPC chairman and the Attorney-General of the Federation as the second and third defendants. The originating motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1852/2026, was filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja on August 13, 2026. El-Rufai is asking the court to declare that his fundamental rights under Part IV of the 1999…

Jubilation erupted in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, following the declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of Governor Ademola Adeleke as the winner of the August 15 Osun governorship election. The governor’s supporters trooped onto the streets of the state capital, singing victory songs. INEC, in the early hours of Sunday, declared Adeleke, the candidate of Accord (A), the winner of the governorship election, securing his second term in office. Announcing the result at the INEC headquarters in Osogbo on Sunday, the governorship election Returning Officer, Prof. Joshua Olalekan Ogunwale, said Adeleke scored 511,067 votes to defeat the…

Four people have been taken to hospital and several homes damaged as fires tore through residential neighbourhoods in the West Midlands. A 16-hectare (40-acre) grassfire near a golf course in Stourbridge was one of several significant fires in the region on Thursday – the UK’s hottest day of the year. Twelve fire engines carrying about 60 crew were sent to the scene after West Midlands fire service was alerted to the fast-moving blaze just before 1.30pm on Thursday. Three firefighters and a child were taken to hospital for treatment, a fire service spokesperson said. A further six people were treated…

Nigeria’s Super Falcons have lost the opportunity to secure automatic qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup after suffering a 1-0 defeat to Cameroon in their WAFCON 2026 quarter-final clash. Cameroon’s Nyadjou scored the only goal of the encounter in the 19th minute, giving the Indomitable Lionesses an early advantage they managed to protect until the final whistle. The Super Falcons pushed for an equaliser but struggled to convert their chances, with Cameroon goalkeeper Michaely Bihina producing a strong performance between the posts. Bihina made eight saves as Nigeria repeatedly tested the Cameroonian defence but failed to find the…

President Bola Tinubu has paid tribute to former Kaduna State governor and former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ahmed Makarfi. This was contained in a statement issued yesterday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, to mark Makarfi’s 70th birthday today (Saturday). Tinubu described the celebrant’s seven decades of life as a testament to integrity, principled leadership and unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s democratic development. He stated that the statesman’s contributions to public service have earned him admiration across political divides. The president underscored his enduring value of integrity and civility in governance. He noted…

The Federal Government has directed vice-chancellors, rectors and provosts of tertiary institutions to dismiss, after due investigation, any student involved in kidnapping or related crimes. The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, gave the directive during a meeting with the Pro-Chancellor, Governing Council and management of the Federal University of Lafia, yesterday. In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Ikharo Attah, the minister said: “Any student found culpable, after due investigation, of planning or participating in the kidnapping of fellow students has no place in our tertiary institutions. Such individuals must be dismissed. Our campuses must never become…