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2026 World Cup: Ghana sacks Otto Addo

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The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has dismissed Black Stars head coach Otto Addo following back-to-back friendly defeats, just three months before the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The decision, announced in the early hours of Tuesday, came shortly after Ghana’s 2-1 loss to Germany at the MHP Arena in Stuttgart.

The defeat followed a heavy 5-1 loss to Austria last Friday, compounding concerns over the team’s form ahead of the global tournament.

In a brief statement, the GFA confirmed that Addo’s dismissal takes immediate effect, noting that a “new technical direction” for the national team will be unveiled soon.

Addo leaves his role after two years and 16 days in charge, during which he recorded eight wins, five draws, and nine losses.

EPL: Victor Ikpeba names greatest African player ever to have played in Premier League

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Former Nigerian international Victor Ikpeba has described Mohamed Salah as the greatest African player to have featured in the English Premier League.

This comes after Liverpool FC confirmed last week that Salah will bring his illustrious spell at the club to an end at the close of the current season.

 

The Egyptian forward leaves behind a remarkable legacy, having scored 255 goals in 435 appearances for the Reds. His trophy haul includes two Premier League titles, the UEFA Champions League, the FIFA Club World Cup, the UEFA Super Cup, the FA Cup, two League Cups, and the FA Community Shield.

 

Reacting, Ikpeba said Salah’s achievements and statistics set him apart from other African stars who have played in England’s top flight.

 

“Looking at the caliber of African players that have played in the Premier League, his numbers are outstanding. For me, he deserves to be recognized as one of the very best, if not the best,” Ikpeba said.

 

“I will say he is the greatest. Staying on for another season was commendable, possibly influenced by family considerations. Of course, age has affected his stamina compared to his early years at Liverpool.

 

“He has won the Premier League Golden Boot multiple times and lifted major trophies like the Champions League, FA Cup, and League Cup. His legacy will endure for a long time, even though this season has not been his best.”

 

Following confirmation of his impending departure, several clubs across Europe, Saudi Arabia, and the United States are reportedly monitoring Salah’s situation ahead of a potential move.

2027: This isn’t good—Bashir Ahmad reacts as Gawuna dumps APC for ADC

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A former Kano State governorship candidate, Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, has officially resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

PThe development was confirmed on Monday night by former presidential media aide Bashir Ahmad in a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account.

Reacting to the move, Ahmad described Gawuna’s exit as a setback, expressing disappointment over the decision.

“Unfortunately, we have lost the former Kano State gubernatorial candidate in the 2023 general elections, Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, as he has formally resigned his membership from the APC. This isn’t good!” he wrote.

Gawuna’s resignation from the ruling party comes just hours after he stepped down as chairman of the governing board of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN).

In a letter dated March 27, 2026, Gawuna stated that his resignation takes immediate effect, noting that it aligns with the president’s directive on compliance with electoral laws ahead of forthcoming political activities.

2026 World Cup: Six final qualification spots to be decided Tuesday

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The race for places at the 2026 FIFA World Cup reaches its final stage on Tuesday, with six remaining slots set to be filled through European and intercontinental playoffs.

Four of the available tickets will go to European teams, while the remaining two will be decided via intercontinental playoff finals.

In Europe, Kosovo will host Türkiye as they aim to qualify for their first-ever World Cup appearance. Italy, meanwhile, faces a must-win clash against Bosnia and Herzegovina to avoid missing out on a third consecutive tournament.

 

Elsewhere, Sweden will battle Poland, while the Czech Republic takes on Denmark in other decisive fixtures.

 

The intercontinental playoffs also promise intense action, with several nations seeking to end long absences from the global showpiece. Iraq, who last appeared in 1986, is set to face Bolivia, whose last outing was in 1994.

 

The Democratic Republic of Congo, formerly Zaire and last seen at the tournament in 1974, will take on Jamaica, while Türkiye, whose last appearance came in 2002, continues its bid via the European route.

 

By the end of Tuesday’s matches, the final lineup for the 2026 World Cup will be complete.

NELFUND finally speaks on increasing Nigerian students monthly stipends

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The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has dismissed reports suggesting an increase in the monthly upkeep allowance for student beneficiaries.

In a statement issued on Monday, the agency clarified that the stipend remains N20,000, contrary to widespread claims that it had been raised to N25,000.

The statement, signed by NELFUND’s Director of Strategic Communications, Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, reaffirmed the existing arrangement.

 

“The approved upkeep allowance remains N20,000 (twenty thousand naira) monthly and not N25,000 as being reported,” the statement read.

 

NELFUND urged students to ignore unverified information and rely solely on its official communication channels for accurate updates.

 

“Students are advised to disregard any contrary information and rely only on official NELFUND communication channels for accurate updates,” the statement added.

Dollar to Naira exchange rate Today, March 30, 2026— Local currency slips to begin the week negatively

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The Nigerian Naira began the week on a negative note, weakening against the US dollar at the official foreign exchange market on Monday, March 30, 2026.

Data released by the Central Bank of Nigeria showed that the local currency depreciated to N1,383.58 per dollar, compared to N1,380.58 recorded at the close of trading on Friday last week. This represents a decline of about N3.

 

In contrast, the naira recorded a marginal gain at the parallel market. Bureau de Change operators reported that the currency appreciated by N5 to close at N1,415 per dollar, improving from N1,420 exchanged on Friday.

 

The mixed performance comes amid a sustained drop in Nigeria’s foreign reserves, which fell to $49.44 billion as of March 27, 2026, slipping below the $50 billion level recorded earlier in the month.

 

The latest movement follows a brief rally last week, when the naira posted gains at the official market on both Thursday and Friday.

Plateau Palm Sunday killings: Nigerians react to Nollywood actor Zuby Michael’s call for Christians to leave Jos

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Nollywood actor Zuby Michael has stirred widespread debate on social media after urging Christians in Jos, Plateau State, to leave the city following a recent attack.

The actor made the statement while reacting to the deadly incident in the Angwan Rukuba area on Sunday, where dozens were reportedly killed by suspected terrorists.

 

Posting on his Instagram page, Zuby wrote, “Christians should leave Jos,” adding that those behind the violence would eventually face justice.

 

His comment, however, triggered mixed reactions from Nigerians, with many disagreeing with his stance and describing it as impractical.

 

Several users argued that abandoning ancestral homes is not a viable solution. One user, Jerryluck, questioned the suggestion, asking where residents would relocate to, and insisted that affected communities need support to defend themselves.

 

Another commenter, Riyanxeally, acknowledged the actor’s concern but pointed out that many residents have built their lives in Jos, urging the government to take greater responsibility for security.

 

RechealJoseph maintained that residents would not abandon their “God-given land,” expressing faith that they would overcome the challenges.

 

Similarly, Ifemeludike noted that the crisis goes beyond religion, calling on citizens to stand against violence and demand accountability from leaders.

 

Adding to the conversation, Ndagima Adu emphasized the need for unity, urging Nigerians to move beyond religious and tribal divisions in order to address insecurity and governance issues.

 

The incident has once again highlighted growing concerns over insecurity in Plateau State and the broader need for lasting solutions.

Plateau Palm Sunday killings: “Nigerians not angry enough” about insecurity—Paul Okoye, Macaroni, Kunle Remi react

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A number of Nigerian celebrities have strongly condemned the worsening insecurity across the country, expressing outrage following the recent attack on Christians during Palm Sunday in Jos, Plateau State.

Singer Paul Okoye, popularly known as Rudeboy, lamented what he described as a lack of sufficient public anger over the situation. Reacting to the incident in Jos—his birthplace—he wrote, X: “We are not angry enough!!! 😡 😡😡 Maybe not until God comes down to earth 💔❤️‍🩹💔❤️‍🩹💔❤️‍🩹💔❤️‍🩹💔❤️‍🩹💔❤️‍🩹.”

Comedian and activist Mr. Macaroni also criticized the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing it as “incompetent and irresponsible.” He further alleged that the president is “running the most useless government in the history of useless governments,” noting that Nigerians “wake up every day to lament one tragedy or the other.”

In another post, Mr. Macaroni questioned why the president had yet to address the nation despite reports that over 40 people were killed in the Jos attack. He added that the current administration shows “zero sense of accountability and responsibility.”

 

Similarly, actor Kunle Remi urged Nigerians to highlight the country’s insecurity and hardship in their birthday messages to the president, who recently turned 74.

 

Speaking in a video, he said, “There is a video of a woman in pain crying over the loss of someone; that is the image we should use if you want to wish President Tinubu a happy birthday. 15 hours ago there was a disaster in Plateau; that is the celebratory image we should use. Thank you. Happy birthday, Mr. President.”

 

Video: https://x.com/AsakyGRN/status/2038600452841898273?t=CGKUwroJeCXgQsDyfniXxA&s=19

 

The reactions come amid growing concern over persistent attacks and rising insecurity in several parts of Nigeria.

WAEC announces 2026 WASSCE timetable

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The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has released the official timetable for the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for school candidates.

The examination body made the announcement via its X (formerly Twitter) page on Monday, confirming the full schedule for the upcoming exams.

 

According to the timetable, the 2026 WASSCE will commence on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, and conclude on Friday, June 19, 2026.

 

The examination will kick off with practical planning sessions for Foods and Nutrition 3 as well as Home Management 3.

Candidates and stakeholders are advised to review the full timetable for detailed subject schedules and specific examination dates.

See timetable below:

BREAKING: Kwankwaso officially dumps NNPP for ADC

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Former Kano State Governor and 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, on Monday officially received his membership card of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kano as the plot thickens to stop President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election.

Kwankwaso’s formal entry into the ADC follows his resignation from the NNPP a day earlier, a decision he said was driven by the need for strategic political realignment amid shifting dynamics in Nigeria’s political space.

The former governor was welcomed by a host of prominent political figures who were present in Kano to receive him into the party.

Among them were the National Chairman of the ADC, David Mark; former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal; former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), John Odigie-Oyegun; and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi.

Also present was former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, who arrived in Kano earlier and was received by former Deputy Governor of Kano State Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo.

Kwankwaso’s defection is expected to reshape political alignments ahead of future elections, as the ADC continues to attract high-profile figures across the country.

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