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WCQ playoffs: Sunday Oliseh names most influential Super Eagles player in 4-1 victory against Gabon

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Former Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh has revealed his most influential player in Nigeria’s World Cup qualifier playoffs.

In a statement on X on Friday reacting to the Super Eagles’ 4-1 victory, Oliseh said Benjamin Frederic was the most influential player during the encounter.

This comes as Nigeria on Thursday thrashed Gabon 4-1 to qualify for the WCQ playoff final with DR Congo.

Reacting, Oliseh said, “I personally found Benjamin Frédéric to be the most influential player yesterday versus Gabon for Super Eagles.  Always well positioned, pacy, decisive and playing simple. Now let’s celebrate today. But from tomorrow, CONGO needs to be our next victim. Boy, it feels great in the morning when Naija do well, Sha! Abi, do I lie? 😂  Have a nice day, everyone.”

Frederic is a Brentford player, an English Premier League football club.

We won’t fail Nigerians on 2025 Asset Disposal Exercise – ICPC

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The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability, and due process in the conduct of its 2025 Asset Disposal Exercise.

In a statement by the commission’s spokesperson, Demola Bakare, the chairman of the commission, Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, made this known during his address to auctioneers at the official bid opening ceremony held at the ICPC Headquarters, Abuja, on Thursday.

Dr Aliyu, who was represented by the Director of the Systems Study and Review Department, Mr Olusegun Adigun, emphasised that the entire process would be guided by transparency, integrity, and merit.

He noted that the Commission’s credibility depends on how faithfully it upholds these core principles.

The ICPC Chairman further assured that the Commission would continue to ensure that all recovered assets are utilised for national development.

“As an institution, the ICPC remains resolute in ensuring that every kobo recovered on behalf of the Nigerian people is properly managed, transparently utilised, and ultimately channelled towards national development,” he said.

Dr Aliyu also emphasised that all submissions from the auctioneers would be evaluated strictly on merit, in accordance with laid-down criteria and without bias or favouritism.

In her remarks, the Director of the Proceeds of Crimes Department (POCD), Mrs Grace Aga-Ibe, echoed the Chairman’s position, reaffirming that the Commission remains deeply committed to ensuring that every process reflects integrity and fairness.

Similarly, the Executive Director of the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity (CeFTPI), Mr Umar Yakubu, commended the ICPC for conducting a transparent and credible process consistent with the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC).

Other auctioneers present at the event also applauded the Commission for its openness and professionalism. They were informed that only those who met the stipulated requirements would be invited to the next stage of the exercise.

Representatives from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) were also in attendance.

Recall that the Commission had, in October, publicised the recovery outcomes from its 2024 Asset Disposal Exercise.

After Fela, Wizkid greatest Afrobeats artist ever’ – Olamide ignores Davido, Burna Boy

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Ace Nigerian rapper Olamide has claimed that Grammy-winning singer Wizkid is the greatest Afrobeats artist after the late pioneer, Fela Kuti.

Baddo, as he is fondly called, made the claim while relishing his multiple collaborations with Wizkid at a recent press conference in Canada.

“I am blessed to have collaborated with Wizkid on multiple occasions. You know Wizkid is the greatest Afrobeats artist ever after Fela,” he expressed.

Olamide explained that his collaboration with Wizkid was beyond leverage, emphasising that it has more to do with their musical harmony.

Meanwhile, Olamide’s bold declaration of Wizkid as the greatest Afrobeats artist after Fela has sparked a debate on social media.

Another Nigerian artist, Burna Boy, had recently declared himself as the greatest African artist after Fela.

Also, Davido has repeatedly declared himself the “King of Afrobeats”.

Fans of Wizkid, Davido and Burna Boy have been debating on the topic of the greatest Afrobeats artist since Olamide’s declaration.

Tinubu extends NDLEA chairman Marwa’s tenure till 2031

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has renewed the appointment of Brigadier-General Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd) as the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA for another five-year term.

Marwa’s reappointment was announced on Friday in a statement by the President’s media aide, Bayo Onanuga.

Recalls that Marwa was first appointed by former president, late Muhammadu Buhari in January 2021.

Prior to his appointment by Buhari, Marwa was the Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee for the Elimination of Drug Abuse from 2018 to December 2020.

According to Onanuga, the reappointment means the Adamawa-born former military officer will remain at the helm of the NDLEA until 2031.

Marwa, a former military governor of Lagos and Borno States, is a graduate of the Nigerian Military School and the Nigerian Defence Academy, NDA.

“Your reappointment is a vote of confidence in your onerous efforts to rid our country of the menace of drug trafficking and drug abuse. I urge you not to relent in tracking the merchants of hard drugs, out to destroy our people, especially the young ones”, President Tinubu was

Cristiano Ronaldo faces ban for 2026 World Cup opener

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Portugal captain and one of the greatest footballers of all time, Cristiano Ronaldo, is facing suspension ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Ronaldo could miss at least the opening game of next year’s tournament after receiving a red card for violent conduct in the 2-0 defeat to the Republic of Ireland on Thursday.

The 40-year-old was initially shown a yellow card for elbowing Ireland defender Dara O’Shea in the 61st minute.

But, following a VAR review, the referee upgraded the decision to a red card.

It was Ronaldo’s first red card for Portugal in his 226th international appearance.

As per FIFA disciplinary rules, Ronaldo faces a mandatory one-match ban in competitive fixtures.

The regulations state that violent conduct could result in a ban of “at least three matches or an appropriate period of time for assault, including elbowing.”

The ban would apply to competitive games and cannot be served in pre-tournament friendlies.

2026 WCQ playoff: Nigeria beat Gabon 4-1 to qualify for final as Osimhen netted double 

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Super Eagles

2026 WCQ playoff: Nigeria beat Gabon 4-1 to qualify for final as Osimhen netted double

 

The Super Eagles have defeated Gabon 4-1 in their 2026 World Cup playoff semi-final on Thursday evening.

 

Nigeria qualified for the mini-tournament as one of the best runners-up in the main qualifying series.

 

Eric Chelle’s men finished behind South Africa who grabbed the automatic ticket from Group C.

 

Against the Panthers, the Eagles dominated the early exchanges of the game, but failed to find the goal that their dominance deserved.

 

They were also lucky not to concede a penalty, after Bright Osayi-Samuel’s tug on the shirt was scrutinized through the VAR pitchside monitor. But the referee decided not to award a spot-kick.

 

In the 78th minute of the match, with Adams Akor opened the scoring after he pounced on a loose ball to score into an empty net.

 

But Gabon levelled 10 minutes later, as Mario Lemina’s deflected effort crept in past Stanley Nwabali.

 

Early in extra time, Chidera Ejuke finished off Wilfred Ndidi’s pass to restore Nigeria’s lead, before Victor Osimhen added a brace.

 

Nigeria will now face the winner between DR Congo and Cameroon, to claim the ticket to represent Africa at the intercontinental playoffs in March 2026.

 

Wike finally breaks silence on clash with soldier, Lieutenant Yerima

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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has stated why he clashed with personnel of the Nigerian military over land access in Abuja.

Speaking to newsmen on the incident, Wike stated that he only intervened after top officials of the FCT Administration were assaulted while carrying out their official duties.

According to him, as a Minister, he would not sit in his office while those working with him are being attacked.

He added that the confrontation arose after FCT officials were allegedly assaulted while enforcing development control regulations on the disputed site.

The Minister stressed the importance of adhering to due process in resolving disputes over land ownership in Abuja, declaring that he will continue to respect all government institutions, including the military.

Wike urged Nigerians to learn to obey the laws, adding that the government will not tolerate any attempt to undermine approved land allocations.

“The land in question was properly allocated to Santos Estate Limited for park and recreational purposes, not residential development.

“When the Police had a similar issue, l personally visited the site where buildings were being constructed under the power line. The Inspector-General of Police ensured the stoppage of the construction,” he said.

 

2026 WCQ playoffs: Live Updates from Nigeria vs Gabon clash

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Super Eagles

 

Nigeria will face Gabon in the first semi-final of the 2026 World Cup playoffs on Thursday evening at 5 p.m.

The Super Eagles secured their spot as one of Africa’s best runners-up in the qualifying series and will now battle the Panthers in a one-off encounter in Rabat. A win would see Nigeria advance to the final stage, where they will face either DR Congo or Cameroon for a place in the next round.

The winners of Africa’s playoffs will qualify for a six-team intercontinental tournament scheduled to take place from March 23 to 31, 2026. That event will determine the final two nations to join the World Cup lineup.

Nigerian Newssphere will provide live coverage and updates from the Super Eagles’ crucial tie against Gabon.

The game is 10 minutes gone without a goal from either side.

In Nigeria’s strike, Victor Osimhen missed goal attempts at the 18th and 20th minutes.

The first 945 minutes ended 0-0.

An impressive goal by Akor Adams at the 78th minutes to place Nigeria ahead of Gabon.

 

Gabon equalized to make the score line 1-1.

 

Chimera Etuke gave Nigeria a 2-1 lead.

Osimhen came for Nigeria with a with goal to make the scoreline 3-1.

Osimhen changed the scoreline to 4-1.

 

Nigeria wins Gabon 4-1 to qualify to the next stage of 2026 World Cup Qualifier.

 

 

2026 WCQ Playoffs: Chelle releases Super Eagles’ XI against Gabon

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Super Eagles

Super Eagles coach, Eric Chelle has named his starting X1 for today’s 2026 FIFA World Cup playoffs with Gabon.

First choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali as expected will be between the sticks.

The two full-backs are, Zaidu Sanusi and Bright Osayi-Samuel.

Fulham defender Calvin Bassey will pair Benjamin Fredrick in central defence.

The trio of Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze, and Jerome Akor will play behind Victor Osimhen in attack.

Super Eagles’ XI against Gabon:

Nwabali
Osayi-Samuel
Fredrick
Bassey
Sanusi
Ndidi
Iwobi
Simon
Chukwueze
Akor
Osimhen

Onyedu- Loud cheers as Nnamdi Kanu storms Supreme Court, submits Letter to CJN Seeking Halt of Trial 

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Nnamdi Kanu

There was a loud ovation at the Supreme Court premises in Abuja on Thursday as the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, made a surprise appearance.

Kanu, who is currently facing terrorism-related charges, arrived under tight security to personally deliver a letter to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun. In the letter, he reportedly urged the apex court to discontinue his ongoing trial, citing that it was being prosecuted under a repealed law.

In a viral video circulating on social media, Supreme Court staff and onlookers could be seen hailing and cheering the IPOB leader as he walked into the court premises escorted by officials of the Department of State Services (DSS).

Nigerian Newssphere reports that Kanu’s visit forms part of his last-minute efforts to end the case ahead of the Supreme Court’s scheduled judgment on November 20.

📹 Watch video on X: https://x.com/NigAffairs/status/1988914384857403800?t=60K5gGj9C_sPIFA45UL6pQ&s=1

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