Author: Amina Mohammed

Jack Grealish was a shock omission from England’s Euro 2024 squad as Gareth Southgate axed the Manchester City winger on Thursday after his disappointing end to the season. Grealish paid the price for a significant dip in form in the second half of this season as he became the most high-profile star to be dropped from Southgate’s provisional 33-man squad. The 28-year-old was an unused substitute during City’s FA Cup final defeat against Manchester United in May after being left out of the Premier League champions’ title-winning game against West Ham. Grealish did feature for England as a substitute in…

Grammy-winning singer Tems said that a direct message from global pop icon Rihanna was the turning point in her perception of success. In a recent interview with popular YouTuber Korty EO, Tems shared that receiving a message from Rihanna made her realise her career had reached new heights, surpassing her expectations. Recall that Tems collaborated with Rihanna on “Lift Me Up” for the Black Panther 2 soundtrack and it further showcased her talent to a global audience. However, the DM from Rihanna solidified her recognition as a successful artist, validating her hard work and dedication to her craft. The host…

President Bola Tinubu has called on international development financiers to view Africa as a continent of opportunity and growth, rather than a region plagued by challenges. Speaking to a delegation from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, led by managing director, Makhtar Diop, President Tinubu emphasised the need for strategic investments in agriculture, infrastructure, research, and development. In a statement issued by his special adviser on media and publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, the president highlighted Nigeria’s potential, citing critical infrastructure projects like the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and Sokoto-Badagry Expressway, and encouraged the IFC to support…

Starship, SpaceX’s massive prototype rocket that may one day send humans to Mars, is poised for its next flight on Thursday. It will be the fourth test for the most powerful launch system ever built, vital to NASA’s plans for landing astronauts on the Moon later this decade and to SpaceX CEO’s Elon Musk’s hopes of one day colonizing the Red Planet. A two-hour liftoff window from the company’s Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas opens at 7:00 am local time (1200 GMT). Weather conditions look favorable, and the Federal Aviation Administration has given its green light. Three previous attempts have…

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested four intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia with cocaine consignments in Lagos. Mr Femi Babafemi, spokesman for the NDLEA, said this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja. Babafemi said NDLEA operatives had raided Emerald Hotel, Ladipo, Oshodi, Lagos State, on June 5. He said the intending pilgrims were caught in the act of ingesting wraps of cocaine ahead of their flight to the holy land. According to him, those arrested during the intelligence-led operation include Usman Kamorudeen, 31; Olasunkanmi Owolabi, 46; Fatai Yekini, 38 and a lady, Ayinla Kemi,…

Against the backdrop of a Political Party creating a directorate for the Obidient Movement, the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections and the Principal mentor of the Obidient Movement In Nigeria, Peter Obi has said that the group is beyond a political party and cannot be cubbyhole into one. Obi explained that membership of the Obidient Movement cut across a political party, sex, tribe, religion or geopolitical area pointing out that the driving force of the body is rescuing and building a new Nigeria that is POssible. Explaining further the size, scope and nature of…

James Maddison will not be included in England’s 26-man squad for Euro 2024, British media reports said. The Tottenham attacking midfielder was part of Gareth Southgate’s 33-man training group but has not made the cut for the final squad for the tournament in Germany, the BBC and Sky Sports said late Wednesday. The Euros start in just over a week’s time and England are among the favourites. The 27-year-old Maddison was introduced as a 61st-minute substitute in Monday’s 3-0 friendly win against Bosnia and Herzegovina at St James’ Park. But Maddison, whose form tailed off for Spurs following a strong…

Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi believes the Organised Labour’s strike on Monday has negatively affected the Super Eagles’ preparations for tomorrow’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in Uyo. Ndidi in an interview with NFF TV, decried the situation that hindered the full complements of the team to arrive on time at their Uyo camp with only 15 out of the 23 invited players training on Monday. “To be honest it(labour strike)has affected preparation because normally we ought to have started training on Saturday but few days have gone but we are yet…

The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) announced plans to pay 2.3 million depositors of Heritage Bank approximately N650 billion starting this week. This move follows the recent withdrawal of Heritage Bank’s operating licence. NDIC Managing Director Mr. Bello Hassan made this announcement during a briefing in Abuja. He explained that the majority of Heritage Bank’s depositors, 99.9 per cent, have less than N5 million in their accounts. This means the NDIC expects to process these insured deposits swiftly. There are about 4,000 depositors with more than N5 million in their accounts. Before losing its license, Heritage Bank had issued over…

The Federal Government and Organised Labour on Wednesday adjourned the minimum wage talks till Thursday (today) when the negotiation is expected to continue. The Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage postponed the session in anticipation of the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, submitting the salary template to President Bola Tinubu today. Tinubu had on Tuesday directed the finance minister to present the cost implications for a new minimum wage within two days. The President gave the order at a meeting with the government negotiation team led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, at the presidential…