Head coach of Super Eagles, Eric Chelle has defended his decision to include Ademola Lookman in his squad to face Rwanda and South Africa in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Recall that Lookman made Chelle’s final 23-man squad for the qualifiers despite the Atalanta forward’s lack of competitive football in recent weeks.
The 27-year-old has not played for club or country since May 25 this year when he featured in Atalanta’s 3-2 defeat against Parma on the final day of the Serie A 2024/25 season.
The reigning African Footballer of the Year went on strike as he tried to force a move away from Atalanta during the summer transfer window but failed to secure a deal.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Chelle said he trust Lookman.
“About Lookman, I just want to say something. Can we do a list without the best player in Africa?” Chelle told reporters.
“It’s my job to decide if he can play – maybe five minutes, ten minutes, fifteen minutes, fifty minutes, sixty minutes.
“I can’t imagine making a list without this guy. I trust him, I am so confident about him.
“Tomorrow, after this training session, I will have a lot of choices to make, which is my responsibility and job.”
Germany head coach, Julian Nagelsmann has suggested he coul change some his quality players after their World Cup qualifying defeat to Slovakia on Thursday.
Nagelsmann watched as Slovakia stunned Germany 2-0, with goals from David Hancko and David Strelec.
Several top players like Florian Wirtz, Nick Woltemade and Antonio Rudiger all featured for the entire match.
Speaking after at his post-match interview after the defeat, Nagelsmann said: “We picked the best players in Germany, but maybe we have to put less importance on quality and more on players who will give it all out there.
“We didn’t show any emotionality in our game today. In terms of emotions, the opponents were miles ahead of us.
“We want to go to the World Cup, but today we were miles away from that.”
The defeat was the first time Germany has ever lost an away match in World Cup qualifying.
Germany will now face Northern Ireland in their next game on Sunday.
A young interior designer, Deborah Moses, popularly known as Deb’rah Porsche, has been allegedly murdered by her ex-boyfriend in Lagos, months after ending their relationship.
The suspect, identified as Lintex, from Otukpo in Benue State, allegedly tricked estate security on Wednesday night by posing as a dispatch rider before scaling the fence to gain access to Deborah’s residence.
According to activist Meddy Olotu, the suspect first attempted to cut her gas pipe in a failed bid to trigger an explosion.
When that plan failed, he reportedly broke into her apartment and stabbed her multiple times until she died.
Deborah’s sister revealed that she had broken up with Lintex over a year ago, but he persistently stalked her, often issuing threats like, “If I don’t have you, nobody will. If I don’t marry you, blood will flow.”
According to Benue Info-pedia, the 26-year-old, who had just completed her NYSC and was building a career in interior design, had reportedly been avoiding unwanted calls and advances from him.
Neighbors restrained the suspect after the attack and handed him over to the police, where he is currently in custody. Family members and rights activists have called for justice, stressing that the case must not be swept under the carpet.
The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) said it has initiated a strategic collaboration with both local and foreign investors to leverage the opportunities presented by the ban on shea nut exports.
Professor Nnanyelugo Ike-Mounso, the Director-General of RMRDC made the announcement while addressing journalists in Abuja on Thursday, with a view to creating jobs and boosting foreign exchange earnings through local processing.
The RMRDC boss highlighted that this collaboration would foster the development of industrial clusters and maximize the value chain of shea products.
“These products, derived from the raw materials, are essential for the production of butter, oil, medicines, cosmetics, and various other items.
“The establishment of these clusters is expected to stimulate economic activities in the shea-producing regions, creating a ripple effect that benefits local communities and businesses alike,’’ he said.
According to him, ” To ensure the success of this initiative, the RMRDC will undertake a comprehensive mapping of shea belts across the country and implement capacity-building programs for stakeholders in the sector.
He noted that these efforts are designed to optimize the nation’s benefits from the full potential of shea, aligning with the Council’s policy objectives.
The DG further revealed that Nigeria’s production capacity was in excess of one million metric tonnes, placing the country among the world’s largest producers of value-added shea products.
Prof. Ike-Mounso emphasized that the Council’s collaboration with investors would not only create employment but also reduce dependence on foreign exchange through raw material exports
“Nigeria’s current production capacity, exceeding one million metric tonnes, positions the country as one of the world’s leading producers of value-added shea products.
“With 10,000 hectares of land already allocated for shea cultivation, the RMRDC is urging the 21 states with favorable shea production conditions to contribute additional land, thereby further boosting production and economic opportunities,’’ he said.
“By prioritizing local processing, Nigeria can shift from exporting raw shea nuts to exporting higher-value processed shea products.
“This shift will not only increase export revenues but also stimulate the growth of local industries, foster innovation, and enhance the overall competitiveness of the Nigerian economy.
NAN reports that President Bola Tinubu recently approved a 6-month temporary ban on the export of raw shea nut to curb informal trade, boost local processing, protect and grow Nigeria’s shea industry
1. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will today depart Abuja to commence a 10-day working vacation in Europe, the State House has announced. A statement issued by his special adviser on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the President will spend the period between France and the United Kingdom before returning to the country.
2. The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA has said 58 passengers have been rescued and over 30 dead in the recent boat mishap at Gausawa community in Borgu LGA of Niger State. The Director General of, NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, directed the Agency’s Minna Operations Office on site to intensify the ongoing rescue efforts.
3. The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has approved the appointment of CSP Benjamin Hundeyin as the new Force Public Relations Officer, FPRO. CSP Hundeyin holds a BA (Hons) in English Language from Lagos State University and an MSc in Legal Criminology & Security Psychology from the University of Ibadan.
4. The immediate past governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, has been summoned by the Kaduna State Police Command. He was summoned alongside key members of the African Democratic Congress, ADC in Kaduna.
5. Former President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, said Nigeria’s political atmosphere was full of betrayals and lies. Jonathan stated this in Benin City, Edo State, during the 70th birthday ceremony of his former Chief of Staff, Chief Mike Oghiadomhe. Jonathan said Oghiadomhe was an ally that can be trusted all time.
6. A large number of retired Nigerian soldiers on Thursday blocked the entrance of the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja, protesting the alleged delay in releasing funds to the Military Pensions Board, MPB, for the payment of their outstanding entitlements.
The Biafra Republic Government in Exile has said the Finland Court and Nigeria are scared of Biafra, the reason for its Prime Minister Simon Ekpa’s six-year jail sentence.
This comes as BRGIE vowed to appeal the sentence on Ekpa.
The Acting Prime of BRGIE, Hon. Ogechukwu Nkere, disclosed this in an official statement on Thursday.
This comes after the Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland, a court on Monday, September 1, 2025, handed Ekpa a six-year imprisonment jail term for terrorism-related offences.
The sentence had attracted reactions from the Nigerian government and Nigerians in the last 48 hours.
However, BRGIE under Nkere has described the Finland Court judgement as a ‘biased conclusion of judicial authority controlled by pressure from above’.
It stated that judgement is devoid of clarity between legitimate political activism, global free speech and terrorism.
According to BRGIE, Ekpa was convicted by the Finnish court ‘primarily for his social media activities advocating for Biafran independence over decades of marginalisation post-Nigeria’s civil war.
BRGIE faulted the Finland court position that Ekpa’s online posts were ‘public incitement to commit crimes for terrorist purposes’.
According to BRGIE, it disagreed with the Finnish court’s assertions that Ekpa “equipped groups with weapons, explosives, and ammunition” through his networks, noting that such a stance lacks circumstantial evidence and the rhetoric is influenced by pressure from the Nigerian government.
BRGIE said that it would mount pressure in Washington DC, United States of America, over Biafra Independence.
According to BRGIE, the court verdicts will be appealed, and it is assured that Ekpa will be freed.
BRGIE added that Biafrans should be happy because Ekpa’s sentence in Finland has placed the PM and Biafra independence on the world stage.
BRGIE PM Simon Ekpa
“Now that Europe understands clearly our case, we shall mount more pressures in Washington, DC. We will appeal this court verdict, & our prime minister will join us later, convicting the Biafra independence icon. Simon Ekpa Njoku is guilty of committing terrorism offences because of standing up for the voices of over 80 million Biafrans yearning for Biafra’s independence restoration is a shame to Finland’s integrity.
“BRGIE being the legal entity for biafra independence wishes to tell biafrans globally that we have recorded another victory in european region, if you fight for independence and the country you are fighting against don’t gang up against you or get scared of you then it means you have not started yet, Nigeria got scared of biafra independence to the point that they have called on all international communities to stop biafrans abroad from hosting media discussions about biafra independence, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu a biafra leader was kidnapped in kenya by Nigeria government because of the fear of Nigeria against Biafra independence, amnesty international recorded that nigeria army killed over 150 peaceful IPOB members in 2016 and over 1000 killed between 2023-2025 all these reports are available in the media.
“At this point the Biafra independence declaration call has been heard in the European court; they are now aware of what Biafra means. Every Biafran should be happy that we have come this far. Reaching out to the international European Commission through the imprisonment of our BRGIE leader Ekpa Simon Njoku, Biafrans will increase momentum in making sure that our sovereignty is regained after this great victory in Finland with Nigeria working together. BRGIE PM” Simon Ekpa is just our voice and eye to the world, while Biafrans back home will restore Biafra fully – we are ready. Now that Europe understands clearly our case, we shall mount more pressures in Washington DC. BRGIE will appeal this court verdict, & our prime minister will join us late.
“The Päijät-Häme district court in Finland has sentenced Simon Ekpa, a former Lahti councillor, to six years in prison after convicting him of terrorism-related crimes, aggravated tax fraud, and breaching Finland’s Lawyers Act.
“The ruling, delivered on Monday 1 September, according to the court, adjudicated that Ekpa played a central role in promoting separatist violence in Nigeria’s Biafra region between August 2021 and November 2024. Judges concluded that he used his large following on social media to incite crimes with terrorist intent and to strengthen a movement seeking independence for Biafra.
“Brgie wishes to inform everyone that the verdict against Brgie PM Simon Ekpa represents a biassed conclusion of judicial authority controlled by pressure from above, lacking clarity between legitimate political activism and terrorism in a way that could cool free speech globally.
“You convicted Simon Ekpa primarily for his social media activities advocating for Biafran independence—a cause rooted in historical grievances from Nigeria’s civil war era of 1967-1970s—labelling his online posts and organisational efforts as ‘public incitement to commit crimes for terrorist purposes.’ This sets a dangerous precedent, equating separatist rhetoric with direct involvement in violence.
“Where in this 21st century has a call for Biafran independence sovereignty become a terrorist act? Finland court assertions that Ekpa ‘equipped groups with weapons, explosives, and ammunition’ through his networks lack circumstantial evidence. This rhetoric is influenced by pressure from the Nigerian government, which has long sought to silence Biafran voices using the Nigerian court, police, navy, army, air force, civil defence, Ebubeagu, Fulani Islamic jihadist terrorist groups, Udokachi, Akunechemba, recruited Fulani vigilantes, senators, governors & community chiefs.
“Recall that the Nigerian All Progressives Congress, a Peoples Democratic Party terrorist organisation, had kidnapped the Biafra leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from Kenya in June 2021 & till date held him incommunicado in Nigeria against all odds.
“There is no evidence of Ekpa ordering weapons during this trial; this alone exposes the reliability of the prosecution of our BRS PM Simon Ekpa. Charges of aggravated tax fraud and violating the lawyers act seemed tagged on him to accelerate the sentence to the happiness of the Nigerian government. Owing to the economic ties of Finland, it serves to drive attention from the main issue of why Simon Ekpa was taken to court, which was Biafra: whether advocating for self-determination and Biafra independence aggressively constitutes terrorism.
“Finland now prioritises their international relations with Nigeria, undermining the very democratic principles Finland claims to uphold.”
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with global cybersecurity leader Kaspersky.
The agreement, signed as a sideline activity of the GTIEX Nigeria in Lagos, marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey and its commitment to securing critical infrastructure through capacity building and collaboration.
It is also in alignment with the NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0) pillar five, which is to ‘Strengthen Cybersecurity and Enhance Digital Trust’, and a key pillar of the Renewed Hope Agenda of strengthening National Security for Peace and Prosperity.
The NITDA Director General, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, who signed the MoU on behalf of NITDA, emphasised that the foundation of cybersecurity lies in human capacity. “More than 95% of cyber breaches are caused by human error. “Our first line of defence must be the people. We need to build talent, raise awareness, and ensure fluency in how technology is used. This MoU is not just a formality; it is a springboard for action,” Inuwa stated.
He further stressed that while MOUs often generate media attention, the real value lies in implementation. “We have already started working with Kaspersky even before this signing. For us, it is about impact, not just paperwork. We want the media and the public to hold us accountable for delivering on this partnership.”
He said, “The cybersecurity aspects that should be considered for having a secure IT environment in the country range from the safe use of smartphones by children and older people to shielding the facilities of critical infrastructure. Our collaboration with Kaspersky, which has deep expertise in all these areas, will be another step in building multi-layered national security.”
In his opening statement, the General Manager of Kaspersky Africa, Chris Norton, expressed strong enthusiasm for the partnership and Nigeria’s digital potential. He said, “We are doubling down on the Nigerian market. Africa doesn’t need charity; it needs skills. Through public-private partnerships like this, we can accelerate value creation for communities and governments.”
He added that Kaspersky is committed to supporting Nigeria’s cybersecurity ecosystem and will also become a supporting member of the Nigerian Computer Society.
“This is the first step in a direction that I believe will lead to far bigger things for the Nigerian people and government. We are excited to work together to build a safer digital future.”
The scope of the MoU includes cybersecurity training and capacity building.
public awareness campaigns, information sharing and protection of critical national infrastructure.
According to the MoU, both NITDA and Kaspersky would be exchanging relevant technical information, threat intelligence and data feeds related to cyberthreats and cyberattacks affecting the citizens, businesses and government in Nigeria. Kaspersky will provide advice for NITDA’s consideration in the building of cybersecurity frameworks and standards for the critical information infrastructures of Nigeria.
The signing ceremony concluded with a shared commitment to begin implementation immediately, focusing on proactive measures to counter emerging cyber threats and build a resilient digital infrastructure.
This partnership builds on an earlier engagement at GITEX Africa in Marrakech, Morocco, where the initial groundwork for collaboration was laid. It also follows similar agreements Kaspersky has signed with other Nigerian institutions, including SMEDAN.
1. Nine persons were yesterday arraigned by the Department of State Services before a Federal High Court in Abuja over their alleged complicity in recent killings in Benue and Plateau states. The nine, named as defendants in six separate charges, took turn to enter their pleas to the allegations raised against them.
2. A couple died in an auto crash in Abuja on Wednesday when they were chased by roadside touts, popularly known as agbero. It was learnt that one of the touts also died in the incident. The crash happened on the Nnamdi Azikwe Expressway between Mabushi and Bannex, an area known for the activities of roadside touts.
3. Hon Abdulmumin Jibrin, a member of the New Nigerian Peoples Party in the House of Representatives, has said Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, National Leader of the opposition party, is open to joining the ruling All Progressives Congress. Jibrin, who has met President Bola Tinubu twice within few weeks, said this on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme.
4. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has blamed opposition parties for drawing the ruling All Progressives Congress into early political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, but insisted that he will not be distracted from providing good leadership for Nigerians. Tinubu said this when he met with governors from the North East region led by Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday.
5. 29 people have been confirmed dead in a boat mishap at Malale riverfront in Borgu LGA of Niger State. It was gathered that the boat with 90 passengers on board took off from Tugan Sule in Shagunu ward of Borgu LGA and en route Dugga for a condolence visit.
6. Over 300 persons have been displaced, and 30 houses destroyed, following a series of gunmen attacks in communities across Qua’an Pan LGA of Plateau State. Confirming the latest attacks, the spokesman of the Qua’an Pan LG Council, Danaan Cletus Sylvanus, said the chairman, Christopher Manship.
