Author: Lanre Akilu

With political calculations for the 2027 presidential election gaining momentum, the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina, has hinted at the possibility of contesting Nigeria’s top office. However, his potential candidacy has sparked mixed reactions from political figures and analysts. Adesina, who is in the final months of his second and last term as AfDB president, stated in an interview on Arise TV that he would be “available to serve” in any capacity, including in Nigeria. Referencing a popular song by Davido, he humorously noted that while the song says, “I’m unavailable,” in terms of service, he…

Man United came from behind to beat Leicester 2-1 on Friday, keeping their FA Cup defence alive and denying Ruud van Nistelrooy a fairytale return to Old Trafford. Bobby De Cordova-Reid put Premier League strugglers Leicester ahead in the fourth-round tie of the FA Cup in the final minutes of a first half in which the home side looked bereft of attacking ideas. But the introduction of Alejandro Garnacho at half-time gave United a different dimension and fellow substitute Joshua Zirkzee levelled midway through the second period. Ruben Amorim’s team pushed for a winner and it finally came when Harry…

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said the signing of Nico Gonzalez can help the struggling English champions compensate for the loss of Ballon d’Or winner Rodri. Spanish midfielder Gonzalez arrived from Porto on the final day of the transfer window earlier this week for a reported 60-million-euro fee (£50 million, $62 million). The 23-year-old’s father Fran previously worked as a coach at City’s academy and Guardiola was also aware of the player’s abilities as he began his career at his former club Barcelona. City have struggled without Rodri, who suffered a serious knee injury in September. A run of four…

Chelsea will face Manchester City in an all-English quarter-final in the Women’s Champions League, while holders Barcelona were drawn against Wolfsburg on Friday in a repeat of the 2023 final. Women’s Super League leaders Chelsea pipped City to the English title on goal difference last season and are on course for a sixth successive top-flight crown. Barcelona, who came from two goals down to beat Wolfsburg in the final two years ago, are chasing a fourth European title in five seasons. Arsenal, the 2007 champions, will play Real Madrid in the last eight while last season’s runners-up Lyon meet Bayern…

The Governor of Akwa Ibom, Umo Eno, has expressed the willingness of the state to ensure quality hosting of the maiden edition of the Niger Delta Sports Festival. Eno said this on Friday when a delegation of Niger Delta Development Commission led by its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, paid a courtesy visit to him in Uyo. The governor noted that sports remained a veritable source of strengthening the existing bonds, amongst Niger Delta states and its people. He conveyed the gratitude of the government and people of the state for the visit and particularly for…

Special Adviser to the President on Economic Affairs, Tope Fasua, has stirred reactions with his social media comments on UK Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch’s proposed immigration policy. Badenoch announced yesterday that immigrants would face tougher requirements before gaining UK citizenship, extending the qualifying period from six years to fifteen. She emphasised that citizenship should be reserved for those with a “meaningful connection to the UK.” Reacting to the policy, Fasua made controversial remarks, referring to Badenoch as a “wench” and accusing her of being against the Yoruba people. “I’m sure those who supported Karen Badenoch because she’s Yooba will be…

Nigerian lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanju, has petitioned the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and the European Union to impose a visa ban on Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Police Force. In a letter addressed to the U.S. Embassy in Abuja and shared on his Facebook page, Adeyanju accused ACP Adejobi of repeatedly cracking down on freedom of speech in Nigeria. The petition alleges that Adejobi has used his position to suppress dissent, facilitate unlawful arrests, and enable police brutality. The letter cites multiple incidents, including the alleged arrest and detention…

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim believes Marcus Rashford was unable to see football “the way I see it” before the unwanted England striker was shipped out of Old Trafford. The 27-year-old Rashford fell dramatically out of favour with the Portuguese boss and spent seven weeks on the sidelines until he was loaned to Premier League rivals Aston Villa during the transfer window. “I couldn’t put Marcus to see the way you’re supposed to play football and to train the way I see it,” Amorim said on Thursday. “And sometimes you have one player that is really good with one coach,…

A viral video shared on Facebook by a user identified as Adigun Abraham Tope has stirred controversy after showing President Bola Tinubu seemingly ignoring his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, while greeting others before departing. The footage, which has been widely circulated, captures a moment where Tinubu deliberately shakes hands with several individuals but appears to bypass Gbajabiamila. The incident has fueled speculation and debate over the relationship between the President and his Chief of Staff. Gbajabiamila, who has served as Tinubu’s Chief of Staff since 2023, is yet to comment on the incident. Meanwhile, social media users have been…

A federal judge on Wednesday blocked Donald Trump’s attempt to restrict birthright citizenship in the United States in a blow to the president’s bid to end a right enshrined in the Constitution for more than a century. The ruling indefinitely bans enforcement of one of Trump’s most controversial executive orders, which was due to come into effect nationwide on February 19. “The denial of the precious right to citizenship will cause irreparable harm,” District Judge Deborah Boardman was reported as saying during the hearing at a Maryland court. She noted that Supreme Court precedent protects birthright citizenship, adding that Trump’s…