Author: Editor

Ado Salisu Four Emirate Council football teams will battle for places in the final of the 2026 Gombe Emir’s Cup, tagged “Kings Cup,” as the competition reaches its semi-final stage. According to the fixtures released by the tournament’s Organising Committee, Funakaye Emirate Council will face Late Shehu Abubakar Emirate Council in the first semi-final on Monday, August 3, 2026, at the Army Barracks Football Pitch in Gombe. The second semi-final will see Nafada Emirate Council take on Dukku Emirate Council on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at the same venue, with kick-off scheduled for 3:00 p.m. Funakaye booked their place in…

Ado Salisu Sports administrator and football stakeholder, Ahmed Shuaibu Gara Gombe, has dismissed calls for the removal of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, insisting that attempts to unseat him will not succeed. Speaking with journalists in Abuja, Gara Gombe described Gusau as the legitimate leader of the NFF and expressed confidence that he would complete his tenure despite criticisms of the current football administration. He argued that Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the FIFA World Cup should not be blamed solely on the present NFF leadership, noting that previous administrations also failed to secure qualification but were…

The Kano State Zoological and Wildlife Management Agency (KAZOWMA) has commenced efforts to recover a large python captured by local hunters after it was sighted in a residential house at Daneji Ward in Kano Municipal Local Government Area. The Agency’s Managing Director, Musayyib Kawu Ungogo, led a team of officials on an assessment visit to the residence of the Head of Daneji Ward following reports that the reptile had entered the premises, causing anxiety among residents. Speaking during the visit, the Head of Daneji Ward, Abba Lawan, said his son first noticed what appeared to be a large python entering…

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Delta State Command, has decorated 116 newly promoted officers and personnel, urging them to uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and dedication in the fight against drug abuse and illicit trafficking. The colourful ceremony, held at the Command headquarters, marked a significant milestone in the careers of the beneficiaries and reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to rewarding excellence, discipline, and outstanding service. The event attracted representatives of sister security agencies, key stakeholders, as well as family members, friends, and well-wishers who gathered to celebrate the officers’ achievements. Speaking at the ceremony, the Delta…

Nollywood actor, Charles Okocha, emerged winner of celebrity boxing face-off of July 31 as Nigerian musician Habeeb ‘Portable’ Okikiola walked out of the ring in the first round. The bout held at Balmoral Convention Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, came to an abrupt end after Portable took down Okocha against the rule. The musician then got up and walked of the ring despite persuasion by his coach and fans. With Portable failing to return into the ring in the stipulated window, the referee declared Okocha winner of the bout. Portable had once defeated Okocha. Friday’s victory placed Okocha on the same…

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has caved in to pressure, withdrawing his proposal to sell stakes in the World Cup. In a statement on Friday, Mr Infantino said he would no longer continue with the proposal as was tearing the global football governing body apart. “Having listened carefully to all the views, it has become clear that the project has created divisions of a nature that, regardless of the level of support, are no longer in the interest of the objective set out in the first place,” Mr Infantino said. He added, “Our purpose has always been – and will always…

GoGreen has highlighted the importance of empowering women in agriculture as a key driver of sustainable development during the graduation ceremony of the Women in Poultry Initiative (WiPi) organised by Vet Konect. The organisation said equipping women with agricultural knowledge, practical skills and entrepreneurial opportunities improves household incomes, strengthens food security, enhances community resilience and promotes inclusive economic growth. The organisation noted that women remain central to building sustainable agricultural value chains and developing climate-resilient communities capable of addressing emerging environmental and socioeconomic challenges. The Women in Poultry Initiative (WiPi), an intervention by Vet Konect, is designed to equip women…

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has successfully airlifted the first batch of Nigerian troops deploying under the NIGCOY 5 ECOWAS Stabilisation Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau (ESSMGB), reaffirming its critical role in providing strategic air mobility for the Armed Forces of Nigeria and supporting the country’s commitment to regional peace and security. The contingent, comprising 86 personnel—12 officers and 74 soldiers—departed the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, aboard a NAF C-130 aircraft bound for Guinea-Bissau. The remaining members of the contingent are expected to be deployed in a subsequent airlift. Before departure, the troops were formally seen off at the Nigerian…

The Federal Government has flagged off the state-level Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinder distribution programme in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, with the free distribution of cooking gas cylinders to households across the state’s eight local government areas. The initiative is being implemented under the Decade of Gas National Grassroots LPG Penetration Programme (NGLPP), a flagship intervention designed to expand access to clean, affordable cooking energy and improve the socio-economic well-being of Nigerians. Speaking at the launch, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, described the National Grassroots LPG Penetration Programme as a key Federal Government initiative…

Professor Segun Aina has officially assumed office as the new Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), pledging to uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s admissions system and strengthen public confidence in the Board. Aina succeeds Professor Ishaq Oloyede, whose two-term tenure ended after 10 years of leading the nation’s examination body. Speaking during his inauguration at the JAMB headquarters in Abuja, the new Registrar reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to combating examination malpractice, stressing that every admission secured through fraudulent means denies a deserving candidate the opportunity to gain admission on merit. He pledged to leverage technology to improve…

The Zamfara State Community-Based Child Protection Structures (CBCPS) has launched a statewide school sensitisation campaign to educate and protect adolescent girls against child sexual abuse, exploitation, and other social vices that threaten their education, safety, and overall well-being. The campaign commenced at Sarkin Kudu Government Girls’ School in Gusau as part of efforts by the Zamfara State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, with support from UNICEF, to strengthen child protection across the state. The advocacy programme brought together education stakeholders, child protection advocates, and students to equip adolescent girls with the knowledge and skills to identify abuse, protect…

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kaduna Area Command, has commissioned the SG Hassan Fitness Hub following the successful conclusion of an Inter-Agency Games aimed at promoting physical fitness, teamwork and stronger collaboration among security agencies in Kaduna State. The sporting event, held on July 23, 2026, featured football, basketball, volleyball and badminton, bringing together personnel from the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Police Force, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Immigration Service. Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Sa’ad Hassan, said the fitness hub was established to encourage regular exercise, recreation and…

The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of two Chinese nationals, Zhang Hong Lin and Gao Pei Hai, for conspiracy and the illegal mining and exportation of solid minerals. The duo was convicted by Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, after pleading guilty to a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy and the unlawful possession and exportation of mineral resources without lawful authority. According to the EFCC, the defendants conspired to unlawfully export mica products, copper-bearing, and lithium-bearing mineral resources from Nigeria without the approval of the…

The Kano State Government has taken another major step towards the rehabilitation and modernization of the Jakara–Wasai Dam under the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) Project by hosting a Dam Safety Review Panel of Experts for a technical assessment of the proposed intervention. The technical mission enabled the panel to conduct a comprehensive field assessment of the dam, review the proposed engineering designs, and evaluate the state’s readiness for the implementation of the rehabilitation project approved by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf. During the visit, the Kano SPIN Project Implementation Unit presented its rehabilitation strategy, which includes dam safety…

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has directed the immediate extension of the Arterial Road S1 project under construction in Kaura District, Abuja, to connect directly with Arterial Road S20 (Oladipo Diya Way). Wike gave the directive on Friday during an inspection of the ongoing 2.4-kilometre road project, which is expected to be completed by December 2026. Speaking with journalists after the inspection, the minister said extending the road corridor would improve connectivity within Kaura District, ease movement, and stimulate socio-economic development in the area. “The first segment of this road involved building the…

The Kano State Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Programme has commenced a capacity-building training for selected landless youth and women beneficiaries under its International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) component, aimed at promoting inclusive agricultural development, sustainable livelihoods, and climate-smart farming practices. Declaring the training open, the State Project Coordinator (SPC) of the SAPZ Programme reaffirmed the programme’s commitment to empowering young people and women through skills development and sustainable agricultural interventions. The SPC welcomed the management and staff of Audu Bako College of Agriculture, resource persons, SAPZ technical staff, and other stakeholders, while appreciating the Kano State Government, the…

Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State has approved the constitution of a Local Organising Committee (LOC) to coordinate the successful hosting of the 2026 Nigeria Rights of Workers’ Summit. The approval was contained in a statement issued by the Office of the Head of Service, Alhaji Malami Shekare, and made available to journalists in Birnin Kebbi. According to the statement, the summit is scheduled to hold on August 6, 2026, at the Presidential Lodge, Birnin Kebbi. The Head of the Civil Service, Alhaji Malami Shekare, will chair the committee, while the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Kebbi State Ministry of Justice,…

Sani Dutsinma The Special Assistant to the Kebbi State Governor on New Media, Abuzaidu Abubakar Yari, has empowered 250 women and youths in his immediate community with ₦10,000 each to support their businesses and improve their livelihoods. Speaking at the flag-off of the distribution exercise in the Makera/Illela area of Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area, the State Commissioner for Finance, Alhaji Abubakar Muhammad Chika, disclosed that the intervention expanded significantly after donations from philanthropists increased the total fund to ₦6.9 million. According to the commissioner, his contribution enabled an additional 200 beneficiaries to be included in the programme, while the…

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the implementation of additional guidelines issued by the Federal Ministry of Finance to operationalise fiscal incentives under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Presidential Gas for Growth Initiative. The new measures, aimed at promoting cleaner energy alternatives and accelerating the adoption of sustainable transportation, provide exemptions from Import Duty and Value Added Tax (VAT) for the importation of specified environmentally friendly and gas-powered vehicles, equipment, and components. According to a statement issued on Friday by the National Public Relations Officer of the Service, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, the approved categories eligible for the…

The Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo, has described the Irrevocable Deregistration and Export Request Authorisation (IDERA) as a critical legal and commercial instrument that supports aircraft financing, operational efficiency, and Nigeria’s economic development. Capt. Najomo made the remarks through the Director of Legal Services and Company Secretary of the NCAA, Barr. Mary Tufano-Eche, at the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Business Law (NBA-SBL) Aviation Law Committee’s bi-monthly session held in Lagos. The session, themed “Aircraft Registration and Registrable Interests in Nigeria: All You Need to Know,” focused on Nigeria’s legal and regulatory framework for…