“We are very grateful for your support during our time in Ivory Coast. We did our best until the final. I wish that we were here carrying the trophy for you.
News
AFCON 2023: Tinubu Confers National Honours On Super Eagles, Gifts houses, lands.
President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday honoured each player and official of the Nigerian Super Eagles with the Member of The Order of The Niger national award for securing the silver medal at the just-concluded 2023 Africa Nations Cup.

President-Tinubu-Super-Eagles
The Eagles, three-time African champions, lost the AFCON final 2-1 to hosts Ivory Coast in Abidjan on Sunday.
The President also announced the donation of a flat and a plot of land to each of them even as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, immediately distributed forms for land allocation to each player at a yet-to-be-disclosed location.
“‘It is not easy to absorb a loss, particularly when the expectations are high. But you have demonstrated sportsmanship, resilience and team spirit throughout the tournament,” Tinubu said, as he decorated each team member with the MON lapel pins at a reception at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.
Tinubu acknowledged the team’s role in fostering unity within the country through their remarkable performance and, despite finishing second, urged them to hold their heads high.
He emphasised the pride Nigerians felt in the Super Eagles’ remarkable journey throughout the competition, saying, “It is a great honour for me to receive you, our Super Eagles. As a team, you taught us lessons on resilience, togetherness, diversity, and excitement in competitive games. You started the tournament as if Nigeria would not assert itself, but you progressed to the finals.
“Through all the challenges and dealing with great humidity in the host country, you left your clubs and honoured your country. You gave us great excitement. You were determined.
“We salute your resilience. You lifted our spirits, and you made us proud. You made us smile as Nigerians…you have done a great job, and I am very proud of you.”
President Tinubu pledged to continue investing in sports and youth development, affirming, “As your President, I will go out to attract greater private sector investment in the Nigerian Professional Football League.
“We have to grow our local league, and I promise to be a super promoter of sports in our country. Many of you may in the future become managers of our local premiership system.”
On his part, the Minister of Sports Development, John Enoh, lauded the President for creating a separate Ministry of Sports Development.
“For the first time, we have gone through a major competition; we have come back without any crisis, without any complaint, without any issues whatsoever relating to allowances, bonuses or whatever. This kept the team focused on the matches in front of them with quality results,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the team, Eagles vice captain, William Troost-Ekong, promised to work hard to surpass their achievements by winning the gold medal in the next competition.
“In 2019, I was here with a bronze medal. Now, we are here with a silver medal. I have two gold-medal winners beside me here and all we can promise is that we will continue to work hard, and the next time we meet, hopefully, next year, we will be bringing home a gold medal,” the Vice-Captain said.
Super Eagles coach, Jose Peseiro, said in his 60 years alive, Tinubu was the first President to host him.
While expressing his appreciation to Nigeria’s President, he Portuguese football manager said, “First of all I like to say thank you to the President. I am 60 years old, this is the first time some president has invited me to his house.
“It is an honour and a pride to me and I thank the President of the Republic of Nigeria for the invitation to me.”
Meanwhile, Tinubu’s gesture was, however, greeted with mixed reactions from Nigerians. While a section of social media users commended Tinubu, others lashed out at the President.
Ashabul_Jannaah wrote, “Wow, that’s absolutely massive and amazing!
“President Tinubu’s gesture of gratitude towards the Super Eagles is truly commendable. This will surely motivate them even more to bring pride and glory to Nigeria!”
However, another section of Nigerians shared different opinion online.
Dr. Saint Dikachi tweeted, “It’s not bad to appreciate them after paying them for the matches including bonuses but why can’t we do the same to lecturers or our civil servants who are the engines of our economy and productive sectors? Minimum wage is low.”
Chief Omoteniola questioned the rationale behind the gesture.
“We channel our problems to things that are not necessary. These guys got $30k each just for a month’s tournament and still come with all these benefits. Tomorrow we complain the police are extorting us. Members of the armed forces sleep in bushes day in and day out no government official ever visited them to give them morals or gift them to motivate them.”
E.J Enwagboso added, “I think gifting players all these are too much. They play for the country in the same manner that other Nigerians work for Nigeria. As a matter of fact, public servants get very little over the 30 – 35 years they serve the country than what the footballers get.”
News
NDLEA warns public against fake auction offers using officials’ names
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has warned Nigerians to be wary of fraudsters impersonating its officials to defraud unsuspecting members of the public through fake auction offers for forfeited vehicles.
In a statement issued on Friday, the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said the scammers have been using the names of senior NDLEA officials, particularly the Secretary to the Agency, Barrister Shadrach Haruna, to circulate fraudulent letters and messages offering cheap forfeited vehicles for sale.
Babafemi described the offers as a deliberate scam aimed at swindling people of their money.
“The public is hereby notified that these offers are a complete scam. The Agency wishes to categorically state that these fraudulent offers are a malicious gimmick designed solely to defraud targeted individuals of their hard-earned money,” he said.
The agency stressed that no NDLEA official is authorised to privately allocate, sell or offer forfeited vehicles or any other seized assets to individuals.
According to the statement, all forfeited vehicles and assets are disposed of only through public auction processes conducted by government-approved auctioneers in line with legal and public procurement guidelines.
Babafemi added that legitimate auction exercises are always widely advertised in national newspapers and through the agency’s official communication channels.
He urged members of the public to disregard and report any letters, text messages or social media posts claiming to offer forfeited vehicles through Barrister Haruna or any other NDLEA official.
“The NDLEA remains committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in all its operations. Do not fall victim to these criminal elements. If you are approached with such fraudulent offers, please report immediately to the nearest NDLEA command or through our official communication channels,” the statement added.
News
Initiators Promise Big As NIGMA Gets August 2026 Date
The organisers of this year’s Nigeria International Gospel Music Awards ( NIGMA) have announced that the upcoming edition will celebrate the very best of the gospel music industry in an atmosphere of excellence, creativity, and inspiration.
The event is scheduled to take place on Sunday, August 9, 2026, at the prestigious Agip Recital Hall, MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos.
Speaking at a media briefing in Lagos, Kingsley Omoefe, Founder and Team Lead of NIGMA and Chief Responsibility Officer of Golden Heritage Limited, said the August event is designed to bring together gospel music ministers, industry stakeholders, fans, and supporters for a memorable celebration of talent, faith, and excellence.
He stated that attendees should expect an unforgettable experience featuring outstanding performances from leading gospel artists, alongside special recognitions for individuals and organisations that have made significant contributions to the industry.
The organisers also revealed that the event will feature meaningful conversations designed to inspire participants, promote collaboration, and foster the continued growth of gospel music.
The organisers said the August gathering would create memorable moments that would leave guests inspired, enriched, and motivated long after the curtains close.
They further called on corporate organisations, media outfits, and well-meaning individuals to take advantage of the opportunities available to support the event through sponsorships and strategic partnerships.
The organisers encouraged interested organisations and individuals seeking sponsorship, partnership, media accreditation, or participation to contact the event management for further information and registration ahead of the highly anticipated August programme.
International News
Nottingham Forest Sacks 5th Manager In 10 Months, To Wrap Up Oliver Glasner’s Deal
Oliver Glasner is in advanced talks to replace Vitor Pereira as Nottingham Forest head coach, a move which would see the Austrian become the club’s fifth manager in less than a year.
Pereira announced his departure from the club in a statement on Wednesday, saying that it came as a “complete surprise to me and without any warning”.
Glasner is a free agent after leaving Crystal Palace — where he won the FA Cup in 2024-25 and then the Community Shield and Conference League the following campaign — and is set to stay in the Premier League.
The 51-year-old confirmed in January that he would leave Palace at the end of the season after two years in charge.
On Thursday, Forest confirmed Pereira’s coaching staff Filipe Almeida, Luis Miguel, Bruno Moura, Marco Knoop and Pedro Lopes had all left the club alongside the head coach.
Pereira, 57, was appointed Forest head coach in February on an 18-month contract which runs until 2027.
The Athletic reported in May Forest had been planning to show their faith in Pereira by handing the head coach a new long-term contract, but those talks were subsequently put on hold.
“Today marks the end of my journey as head coach of Nottingham Forest,” he said in his statement.
“I want to say a sincere thank you to everyone connected with this incredible football club. Although this decision came as a complete surprise to me and without any warning, I fully respect the club’s right to make the decisions it believes are best for its future.
“Naturally, I am disappointed and saddened. I truly believed in what we were building together, and I leave with a sense of pride in everything we achieved over the past months.
“Together, we enjoyed a memorable end to the season. We secured the club’s Premier League status, reached the semi-finals of the Europa League, and created moments that will stay with me forever. Most importantly, I saw a group of players grow in confidence, belief and togetherness.
“I leave Nottingham Forest with no bitterness or resentment—only respect, gratitude and wonderful memories. Football is full of unexpected moments, and while this chapter has ended sooner than I expected, I will always look back on my time here with pride and affection.”
The Portuguese succeeded Sean Dyche and was Forest’s fourth permanent boss of the season following the departures of Nuno Espirito Santo and Ange Postecoglou.
Nuno had led Forest to Europa League qualification the previous season but he departed in September, less than three months after signing a new deal. Postecoglou was appointed his replacement but was dismissed just 39 days later. Dyche took charge of the team in October before his dismissal in February.
Forest were three points above the relegation zone when Pereira was appointed and he subsequently steered his side to Premier League safety with two games of the campaign remaining.
His appointment marked his second managerial spell in the Premier League after guiding Wolverhampton Wanderers to safety during the 2024-25 campaign.
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