Day: February 24, 2025

Osimhen in Top Form, Excited for World Cup Qualifiers

Editor

Victor Osimhen, the Galatasaray striker currently on loan from Napoli, is eager to participate in Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers under the leadership of new coach Eric Chelle. The Super Eagles are aiming to revitalize their campaign in their upcoming matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe in March. Osimhen, who has been in exceptional form this season, has scored 20 goals and provided five assists in 25 appearances across all competitions for his Turkish club. Having missed the initial four games of the previous qualifying series due to injury, the 26-year-old…

Okocha: Gasperini’s Reaction to Lookman Was Excessive

Editor

Former Super Eagles captain, Austin Jay-Jay Okocha, has publicly defended Ademola Lookman following the Nigerian forward’s contentious situation with Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini. The dispute stemmed from Atalanta’s Champions League exit against Club Brugge, where Gasperini attributed their elimination, in part, to Lookman’s missed penalty. Despite Lookman scoring early in the second half, his subsequent penalty miss proved detrimental, contributing to Atalanta’s 5-2 aggregate defeat. Instead of sharing collective responsibility for the team’s performance, Gasperini singled out Lookman, labeling him “one of the worst penalty takers” he had ever…

APC, PDP clash as El-Rufai woos opposition parties

Editor

The All Progressives Congress on Sunday attacked the immediate-past governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, as indications emerged that the former Federal Capital Territory minister was rallying northern leaders and bigwigs against President Bola Tinubu’s re-election ahead of the 2027 poll. The APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, accused El-Rufai of stoking ethnic agenda over his failure to get a cabinet appointment. The once-cordial relationship between the President and El-Rufai soured after he failed to secure a ministerial appointment. Though Tinubu nominated him for a ministerial position, the ex-governor was rejected…

Babangida justifies $12.4bn Gulf oil windfall mismanagement despite Okigbo report

Editor

Former military President, Gen Ibrahim Babangida, says Nigeria failed to maximise its oil boom years due to what he described as a nationwide “profligacy” and “conspicuous consumption” that undermined the economy’s long-term development. He also justified the spending of the $12.4bn oil windfall by his government. “What I have done is not unusual in this country. Somebody did it before me, but I won’t mention names. We did undertake the construction of various ports and other projects (including bridges). “That money could have gone into the Federation Account. Yes, but…