News
Okun People Hail Enikanolaye’s Ministerial Nomination, Thanks Tinubu
The Okun Development Association (ODA), speaking for all sons and daughters of Okunland at home and in the diaspora, has warmly express appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for nominating Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
In a statement issued by the Publicity Secretary of ODA, Dayo Thomas, the group said President Tinubu’s decision is a defining statement in recognition of meritocracy and a resounding vote of confidence in Okun technocrats. By elevating another distinguished Okun patriot to the federal cabinet, ODA said, “Mr. President has reaffirmed that Kogi West remains a wellspring of exceptional competence, unwavering loyalty, and tested character available for national service at the highest levels”
The appointment, the group registered, “strengthens our people’s faith in the Renewed Hope Agenda and in a Federal Government that recognizes competence wherever it is found.”
The statement further read: The ODA President General, Amb Akenson Rotimi, wishes to celebrate Ambassador Enikanolaiye, a distinguished diplomat and seasoned public servant whose career spanning over four decades reflects discipline, intellectual rigor, and the finest in diplomatic practice. According to the ODA President General, Amb Enikanolaiye is a true patriot, and a consistent promoter of Okun interest, balancing global assignments with tangible community development in his homeland.
Ambassador Enikanolaiye brings to the office, over four decades of exemplary service in Nigeria’s foreign relations. He served as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and represented Nigeria with distinction in several diplomatic missions, including Addis Ababa, Belgrade, Ottawa, London, and New Delhi. Until this nomination, he served as Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and International Relations, where his policy insight and institutional memory were invaluable to the machinery of governance.
ODA said it is convinced that the nomination aligns with President Tinubu’s drive to reinvigorate Nigeria’s foreign policy architecture for greater output, strategic engagements, and stronger global presence adding, that Ambassador Enikanolaiye, a quintessential diplomat has protected Nigeria’s national interest with intellect, tact, and integrity across multiple administrations.
“We have complete confidence that Amb Enikanolaiye will advance Nigeria’s diplomatic engagements in regional stability, and safeguard the interest of Nigerians at home and abroad. At a time when global supply chains, security, and energy markets are facing challenges, his experience, and deep institutional knowledge are precisely what Nigeria needs” the statement reads in part.
International News
Transfer: Real Madrid , Cucurella Reach Verbal Agreement
Chelsea reliable defender, Marc Cucurella may join Spanish giant, Real Madrid before the end of the current transfer window.if information from transfer journalist, Fabrizio Romano are anything to go by.
Romano In a latest transfer update, said Real Madrid has reached verbal agreement to sign Marc Cucurella from Chelsea.
“Verbal agreement in place between all parties, player too — he’s the left back wanted by Mourinho” the update read.
News
Hakimi, Vinicius Barred From Speaking Spanish At World Cup
FIFA has come under scrutiny after several high-profile players, including Achraf Hakimi and Vinicius Junior, were discouraged from speaking Spanish during media engagements at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States.
The issue first surfaced ahead of Morocco’s Group C clash with Brazil when a Spanish-speaking journalist attempted to question Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi in Spanish.
Despite Hakimi, who grew up in Madrid and speaks the language fluently, indicating he was comfortable answering in Spanish, event officials reportedly insisted that questions be asked in English.
Hakimi attempted to reassure organizers that language would not be a barrier, but officials maintained that no Spanish translator was available for the session. A compromise was eventually reached, with the reporter asking the question in Spanish while Hakimi responded in English.
The controversy intensified during Brazil’s media session when Vinicius Junior was also interrupted while responding to a question in Spanish.
The Real Madrid forward, who is more comfortable speaking Portuguese or Spanish than English, was reportedly asked by organizers to switch languages.
Rather than continue in Spanish, Vinicius opted to answer in Portuguese before turning his attention back to Brazil’s World Cup preparations.
The incidents sparked widespread debate among journalists and fans, many of whom questioned why Spanish—a language spoken by millions across North America—was effectively restricted at a tournament being hosted largely in the United States.
According to Spanish media outlet El País, FIFA only provides Spanish-language translation services at World Cup press conferences involving Spanish-speaking nations such as Spain, Mexico, Argentina, Uruguay, Colombia, Ecuador, and Paraguay.
For all other teams, questions and answers are expected to be conducted either in English or the official language of the participating country.
The policy has generated criticism online, with many supporters arguing that multilingual communication should be encouraged at a global event like the World Cup.
The backlash was particularly strong in Vinicius’ case, as the Brazilian forward appeared visibly uncomfortable being asked to communicate in English.
The controversy overshadowed what was otherwise a highly anticipated encounter between Brazil and Morocco, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
With the issue now drawing international attention, FIFA may face increasing calls to review its media language guidelines as the tournament progresses.
News
It’s Illegal’…Falana’s Bombshell Indicts Govs, FG.
Human rights advocate, Femi Falana, has warned federal and state governments against negotiating with and rewarding terrorists.
According to Falana, the practice is illegal.
He stated this while delivering the keynote address at the Amnesty International Second Annual General Meeting in Abuja on June 13, 2026.
Falana claimed it is public knowledge officials of the Federal Government and some State Governments have been holding meetings and negotiating with terrorists and bandits, which has led to thousands of ‘repentant’ criminals being forgiven and given cash gifts of undisclosed sums of money.
Asserting that the “satanic Boko Haram sect and similar bodies have been proscribed” under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, Falana insisted that “their members and allies shall be prosecuted and not pampered and forgiven by the Nigerian State.”
Highlighting the legal consequences, he quoted Section 22 of the Act, stating: “A person who knowingly—(a) arranges, manages, assists in arranging or managing, participates in a meeting or an activity, which in his knowledge is concerned or connected with an act of terrorism or terrorist group, (b) collects, or provides logistics, equipment, information, articles or facilities for a meeting or an activity, which in his knowledge is concerned or connected with an act of terrorism or terrorist group, or (c) attends a meeting, which in his knowledge is to support a proscribed entity or to further the objectives of a proscribed entity, commits an offence, and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of at least 20 years.”
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