Author: Editor
Our Reporter, Abuja Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 world cup got a little boost on Monday as FIFA Disciplinary Committee has handed a major blow to the South African Football Association (SAFA) for fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, in the World Cup qualifying match against Lesotho on March 21, 2025. FIFA ruled that SAFA violated Article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code and Article 14 of the 2026 World Cup Preliminary Competition Regulations. Consequently, the match has been awarded to Lesotho with a 3-0 scoreline. In addition, SAFA was fined CHF 10,000, while Mokoena received a formal…
Our Reporter, Abuja The federal high court in Abuja has struck down the shadow government initiative recently announced by renowned political economist and former presidential candidate, Professor Pat Utomi, declaring it unconstitutional and without recognition under Nigerian law. Delivering judgment on Monday, Justice James Omotosho ruled that while citizens are entitled to hold government accountable through lawful civic platforms, the establishment of a parallel structure resembling a government is outside the scope of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). “The Nigerian Constitution vests executive authority solely in the elected President and recognised state institutions,” Justice Omotosho said. “Any attempt to create…
By Uche Ugboajah As a teacher, Professor Adeniran has been, and remains, a source of inspiration to countless students—many of whom are now professors in their own right or excelling in diverse fields of human endeavour. A living encyclopedia of International Relations and Strategic Studies, his pedagogical brilliance—especially in teaching Theories of International Relations—was legendary.” I woke up a few days ago to a text message that simply read: “Uche, call me as soon as you see this message.” It was from no less a personality than Professor Tunde Adeniran, former Minister of Education. In the good old days, we…
Our Reporter, Abuja The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has dismissed insinuations that he disrespected the newly crowned Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Royal Majesty, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, in his congratulatory message. Obi explained that his choice of words in addressing the monarch was borne out of affection and goodwill, stressing that no slight was intended. “I felicitated with my dear elder brother, the newly crowned, His Royal Majesty, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja,” Obi said in a statement on Sunday. He noted that some critics had raised concerns over what they considered an “improper address,” but clarified…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia One hundred and four athletes and 40 officials from 14 countries have arrived in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, for the International Para-Badminton Championship. The two-week championship, scheduled to begin on Tuesday, September 30, will be preceded by the African Para-Badminton Championship. Abia State Commissioner for Sports, Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba, who was represented by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports, Mr. Raymond Chima Ukwa, listed the participating countries as Brazil, Peru, India, Egypt, Tunisia, Rwanda, Cameroon, among others. He said the state was fully prepared to host the international competition, noting that facilities at the…
Our Reporter, Abuja The Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy & Development (FENRAD) has called for greater transparency in the appointment of a new chairman for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), warning that the credibility of Nigeria’s democracy depends on it. The rights group, in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, said the 2023 general elections, despite the introduction of new technologies such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal, were fraught with irregularities that undermined public trust in the process. FENRAD cited late arrival of election materials,…
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Igbo youths under the aegis of the Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) have called for the immediate implementation of the anti-open grazing law in all the states of the South-East geopolitical zone. According to COSEYL, this is the panacea to the incessant cases of farmland invasions by cows in parts of the South-East. The call follows Ikengaonline’s publication on the lamentation of Mrs. Felicia Nwokonte, from Umuana Ndume in Umuahia North Local Government Area, whose farmland and crops were recently destroyed by cows right inside the Abia State capital. According to the 53-year-old farmer and…
By Vitus Ozoke Wednesday will be ‘Octoberfest,” and as Nigeria once again raises the green-white-green flag – a banner that symbolizes injustice, hypocrisy, and selective oppression, while also representing freedom, justice, and self-determination – one uncomfortable and challenging question must echo across every hill and valley of Igboland: Who is afraid of Nnamdi Kanu? Because, make no mistake, this isn’t about law, nor is it about order. It’s not even about national security. This is about fear. Fear of one man’s voice, one man’s courage, and one man’s defiance. Fear of a truth that shakes the foundations of a fraudulent…
Ben Ezechime, Enugu Ifeanyi Anagwu, Chairman of the Enugu State Traditional Sports Association (ESTSA) Board, has said the association will popularize and sensitize people about traditional sports by organizing competitions across the 17 local government areas of the state. He explained that the initiative aims to discover sporting talents in traditional wrestling and other indigenous games that abound in the state. Anagwu made this known while addressing newsmen shortly after the inauguration of the board in Enugu. According to him, the board’s goals include creating strategic awareness about traditional sports and ensuring that Enugu State wins medals in them during…
By Chinedu Agu It is no longer news that on Wednesday, 17 September 2025, I honoured the invitation by the X-Squad Unit of the Nigeria Police Force, Imo State Command, over allegations of “Criminal Defamation of the Governor of Imo State” and “conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.” This account is not intended to sensationalize the matter, but rather to lay bare certain uncomfortable truths which I am prepared to stand by, as they are rooted in incontrovertible facts which demonstrate three clear points: The persecution against me was directly initiated by the Imo State Commissioner of…