Author: Amina Mohammed

The Super Falcons have maintained their position as Africa’s top-ranked women’s football team, holding onto 36th place globally in the latest FIFA rankings released on Thursday. Despite not playing any matches since December, the nine-time African champions remain unmoved in both continental and global rankings, while some of their African rivals dropped positions. Reigning WAFCON champions South Africa remain second in Africa but fell four spots globally to 54th. Morocco is third on the continent, ranked 60th worldwide, while Zambia dropped two places to 64th but remain Africa’s fourth-best team. The latest rankings come ahead of the 2024 WAFCON tournament,…

Dr. Doyin Okupe, a renowned Nigerian physician, politician, and former presidential aide, has passed away at the age of 72. According to sources close to the family, he had been critically ill in the weeks leading up to his death. His health reportedly deteriorated significantly, raising concerns among his loved ones and supporters. Okupe was first diagnosed with prostate cancer 16 years ago and later developed sarcoma in his right shoulder. In October 2023, he was hospitalised and traveled to Israel for treatment. However, his condition did not improve as expected. His passing marks the end of a long battle…

Pope Francis recorded and released an audio message on Thursday thanking those who have been praying for his recovery, his voice breathless as he nears three weeks in hospital with pneumonia. “I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers for my health from the Square, I accompany you from here,” Francis said in a message broadcast in St Peter’s Square. “May God bless you and the Virgin protect you. Thank you,” he said, taking laboured breaths as he spoke in his native Spanish, with some words fading away into nothing. It was the first time the…

The Federal Government has officially designated Simon Ekpa and 15 other individuals as terrorism financiers. The government also declared the Lakurawa Sect as a terrorist organization and a terrorism financier.  These actions were taken following their alleged involvement in funding and supporting terrorist activities. The announcement came on Thursday, March 6, 2025, after the Nigeria Sanctions Committee (NSC), an independent body led by the Attorney General, recommended the designation. The Chairman of the NSC subsequently directed the inclusion of Simon Ekpa Njoku and others on the Nigeria Sanctions List. According to the government, the decision was made in line with…

Kogi-West senator, Sunday Karimi, on Thursday pleaded for forgiveness over his role in the travails of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio. Karimi how he contributed to the travails of Akpabio, for coming under public criticism due to the misconduct of his Kogi State colleague, Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi-Central). The Senate slammed a six-month suspension on Akpoti-Uduaghan on Thursday after it endorsed the report of its Committee on Ethics and Privileges that probed her 20 February 2025 verbal exchange with Akpabio over the reallocation of her seat. The panel found her guilty of Order 6 of the Senate standing orders, which…

Justice Serifat Sonaike of the Lagos State High Court sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) in Lagos will on May 2, 2025, deliver judgement in the trial of a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) driver, Andrew Ominnikoron, accused of killing one of his passengers, Oluwabamise Ayanwole. The judge fixed the date after the prosecution led by the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Babajide Martins, and the defence counsel, Abayomi Omotubora, adopted their final written addresses. The state government had arraigned Omininikoron before the court on a four-count charge of conspiracy, murder and two counts of rape. The prosecution…

The Senate has suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti- Uduaghan for six months, effective March 6, 2025, over alleged misconduct and violation of Senate rules 2023 (as amended). Natasha however protested the suspension, describing it as an act of injustice that can’t stand. The controversy leading to her suspension dated back to February when a dispute over seating arrangements in the Senate chamber escalated into a confrontation between Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan who represents Kogi Central and Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The disagreement has since evolved into allegations of misconduct, raising concerns about decorum within the legislative body. However, Akpabio denied any wrongdoing, stating…

The Senate Committee on Public Conduct, Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, on Thursday, recommended the suspension of the Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, for a period of six months. The Committee’s chairman, Senator Neda Imasuen, who presented the panel’s report at plenary, said Senator Natasha was guilty of all allegations against her as she failed to submit herself to the legislative Committee for the review of her conduct. Senators are currently taking their turns to debate the report subject to further amendments of the Committee’s recommendations and final adoption. The Kogi Central Senator was referred to the committee to over…

The Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has been thrown into mourning following the sudden death of Professor Jimoh Olanipekun Famakinwa, a respected scholar in the Department of Philosophy. The tragic incident occurred during a departmental meeting on Wednesday, 5th March 2025, when the late professor was noticed breathing abnormally by his colleagues. Concerned about his condition, he was immediately rushed to the University Health and Medical Centre for urgent medical attention. According to a statement released by the Public Relations Officer of the University, Mr Abiodun Olarewaju, the medical team at the health centre promptly examined him and, upon assessing…

Omowunmi, the wife of late musician, Mohbad, has expressed her fury over Feyisayo Ogedengbe, the auxiliary nurse who administered the fatal injection to her husband. Mohbad died on September 12, 2023, following an injection given by Ogedengbe. He was buried the next day. However, on September 21, 2023, police exhumed his body for autopsy. In an interview with Arise TV, Omowunmi stated that she could not forgive Ogedengbe for her “nonchalant attitude” and “lack of remorse” while admitting that Mohbad reacted to the injection. She also vowed that if she sees Ogedengbe, “the only thing I will tell her is…