Author: John Ojoagbene

After the conclusion of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, attention now turns to the future of the Nigerian Super Eagles as they prepare for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin Republic in June. One key area that needs improvement is the midfield, according to Ochiba Football Club coach Emmanuel Brown. He believes that the Super Eagles need players who can dictate play and maintain possession in the midfield area. Brown also mentioned that the new goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, has shown promise but needs competition to ensure that there is someone to replace him in case…

Nigerians are facing increasing hardship and hunger due to inflation, food insecurity, and shrinking purchasing power under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The economic team, including the Minister of Finance, Olawale Edun, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Atiku Bagudu, and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso, appears overwhelmed by the country’s challenges, and current interventions have not been effective in addressing the growing hardship. The Naira has significantly depreciated against the US dollar, increasing from N460.702 per dollar in May last year to N1,534.39 currently. Additionally, removing fuel subsidies has led to…

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu expressed his disappointment in Nigeria’s 2-1 loss to Ivory Coast in the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Sanwo-Olu described it as a “very sad loss” in a series of tweets on Monday. He praised the Super Eagles for giving their all throughout the tournament, but acknowledged that the defeat came down to fine margins. During the tournament, Lagos State set up 25 viewing centres where thousands of people gathered to watch the matches. Sanwo-Olu highlighted the power of football in bringing people together and expressed his pride in the team’s performance,…

Nurses under the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives protested against new verification certification guidelines released by the Nigeria and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN). The nurses argue that the guidelines hinder their freedom to pursue career opportunities and called on the council to address critical issues affecting them, such as welfare, salary scale, and shortage of staff. The NMCN had issued a circular on February 7, 2024, revising the guidelines for requesting verification of certificates for nurses and midwives. Under the new guidelines, applicants must pay a non-refundable fee for verification, have a minimum of two years post…

The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) in Nigeria is committed to promoting a healthy and responsible celebration of love as Valentine’s Day approaches. The Director General, Dr. Gambo Aliyu, stressed the importance of prioritizing safety and well-being while expressing affection. NACA aims to encourage individuals to adopt a comprehensive approach to love, focusing on open communication, mutual respect, and responsible choices. Dr. Aliyu emphasized the importance of incorporating protection into intimate moments and regular HIV testing. He called on the public to have discussions about sexual health with their partners. NACA aims to provide resources, information, and…

Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, is expected to face significant opposition in his bid for reelection in 2025. Despite being an incumbent, Soludo will need to navigate several obstacles if he hopes to secure a second term. One of the key factors that may hinder Soludo’s reelection is religious politics. The Catholic Church has traditionally played a major role in determining the state’s governors, with every governor since 1999 being either Catholic or Anglican. Soludo himself was elected partly because of his Catholic background. However, his recent spat with Catholic priests, where he chastised a priest for staging an…

Former Premier League goalkeeper Ben Foster has backed Manchester City to win the Premier League title race between Arsenal and Liverpool. This comes after Arsenal defeated Liverpool in their recent match. Foster also suggested that Pep Guardiola’s side would have been delighted with Arsenal’s victory over Liverpool. Speaking on That’s Football, Foster stated that Man City would have been “buzzing” after the result, as they would want the team not considered as the favorite to win. Foster’s prediction aligns with current standings, as Manchester City currently sits at the top of the league table with 38 points, while Arsenal and…

In Nigeria, the price of cement has surged by 100% over the past three years due to high inflation and economic hardship. The cost of cement per 50 kg bag has increased from N3,300-3,500 in 2021 to a record high of N7,000 in February 2024. Last year, the Cement Producers Association of Nigeria warned that the government’s plan to implement concrete roads would further drive up cement prices, with estimates reaching as high as N9,000 per bag. Various parts of the country have already experienced high cement prices, with rates reaching up to N6,000 per bag during the rainy season.…

Last Saturday, the ward congresses for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were held in Edo State, and among the elected National Delegates were Chief Odion Olaye, the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Edo State, and Benin Chief Osaro Idah. Olaye and Idah were elected by ward delegates in Oredo and Egor local government areas, respectively. In addition to them, former senators Francis Alimikhena and Yisa Braimah, who previously represented the Edo North Senatorial District, were also elected as National Delegates. These ward and national delegates congresses were conducted in preparation for the PDP’s governorship primary, which is…

Access Holding Plc has confirmed the death of its Chief Executive Officer, Herbert Wigwe, along with his wife and son, in a helicopter accident in the United States. The news was announced by Sunday Ekwochi, the company secretary. Wigwe, who was 58 years old, had been a driving force with a “larger-than-life” personality. He had played a key role in the transformation of Access Bank Plc since joining in 2002. The bank described his passing as a “major loss” and extended its sympathies to his family and loved ones. The board will soon announce the appointment of an Acting Group…