Author: gqSbgCfmna

Eleven-time WNBA All-Star and Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) president Nneka Ogwumike has announced that she will retire at the end of the 2026 season, bringing the curtain down on a magnificent 15-year career.

The 36-year-old forward, who was born to Nigerian parents in Texas, revealed her decision during an interview with Taylor Rooks for Boardroom Talks, explaining that her realization came during this spring’s training camp.

‘I feel very fulfilled with the 15 years that I’ve been able to play and compete at such a high level,’ Ogwumike said. ‘Even though I didn’t know what kind of player that I could be in this league, I never thought that I would play this long.

‘It’s a little bit my body. I still feel very good, but I also feel the comfort of slowing down a little bit. I find myself grateful, fulfilled, and at peace with everything this game has given me and everything I’ve poured into it.’

Drafted first overall by the Los Angeles Sparks in 2012, Ogwumike established herself as one of the most dominant forces in modern basketball. She led the franchise to a WNBA championship in 2016-the same year she claimed league MVP honors. Across her 15 seasons, including 12 years with Los Angeles and a two-year stint with the Seattle Storm before returning to the Sparks on a one-year deal, Ogwumike holds Sparks franchise records for most points, field goals made, steals, and double-doubles.

Over her storied career, the future Hall of Famer has averaged 16.7 points and 7.6 rebounds per game while earning eight All-WNBA selections.

Beyond her on-court dominance, Ogwumike’s legacy as WNBPA president has transformed the sport off the court. She spearheaded historic collective bargaining negotiations, including a landmark deal yielding over $1 billion in projected player salaries and benefits over seven years.

‘Nneka will retire at the end of this season leaving the WNBA much better than she found it – a testament not only to the player she has been, but to the person and leader she is,’ WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a statement.

Echoing those sentiments, WNBPA Executive Director Terri Jackson added: ‘Her leadership has been extraordinary. As President for the last decade, Nneka understood that leadership was not simply about having a seat at the table; it was about using that seat to move the game forward for every player.’

If the Sparks miss the postseason, Ogwumike’s final professional appearance will take place on September 24 against the Golden State Valkyries at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

‘I don’t want to treat any transition or any change like the end,’ Ogwumike reflected. ‘I am very proud and fulfilled in what I’ve been able to do on the court, but there are so many doors that will allow me to discover myself and transition on my own terms.’

‘Darkness returns to Long Bridge’. That was the screaming headline that introduced the story. The word ‘returns’ meant the place was in darkness before, that is; there was no light there and light was provided to illuminate one of the obvious dark spots on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

This was only last year.

Sadly, as at last week when the darkness on the bridge was reported, at least 168 of the solar lights installed on the about five-kilometre Long Bridge stretch connecting the OPIC end toward Wawa, had been stolen.

These were public facilities provided to illuminate the dark corridor, improve night visibility, and curb criminal attacks on motorists whose vehicles have the misfortune of developing faults on that part of the ever-busy expressway.

Of course, the next logical question is how? Long Bridge is not in any part of rural Nigeria.

The bridge is at the boundary between Ogun State and Berger Bus Stop in Lagos State, which is about 7.3 kilometres distance. It takes approximately 11 minutes travel time from Berger to the bridge.

Not only that, the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway is regarded as the busiest interstate highway in Nigeria. So, it is ever busy.

All of these should make one curious that some 168 solar lights could vanish from such a highway without anyone knowing.

One, such a number of lights could only have been stolen over a period.

Two, these lights are not within reach as the poles are very high. Therefore, removing the solar lights could only be possible with the use of special equipment that mainly those maintaining such facilities have access to.

It does not seem to us as something that can be done without the active connivance of some internal collaborators.

Unfortunately, we do not have a strong record of apprehending such criminals. That explains the impunity with which the criminals operate and the frequency of such crimes in the country.

Just imagine the vandalisation that has been occurring on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway that is still under construction, but which some miscreants and scavengers have been caught cutting and removing parts of its metal fencing, barbed wire, and structural iron fittings?

How do we explain the actions of rail vandals who remove rails or tracks, that is the metal path that guides the train safely along its route? This can lead to fatal accidents.

There is no reason for people to be so callous to the point that they can just strip public utilities without a thought for the lives of fellow Nigerians.

Mercifully, the Federal Government has swiftly responded to these thefts on the coastal highway by deploying a specialised security team – the Coastal Highway Guards- to patrol the corridor.

.People who vandalise public facilities do not deserve any pity. Apart from the economic loss to the country, they also make life difficult for fellow Nigerians. That is where the criminality of the vandals does not lead to the death of their compatriots.

Penalties for vandalism would seem stiff enough, ranging from 21 years in prison to life imprisonment, or even the death penalty under anti-sabotage laws.

Where the problem lies is in the arrest and prosecution of the suspects. This is where the government and Nigerians generally have to wake up.

The government must ensure that the facilities are well protected. It can deploy technology in monitoring such facilities. Like the coastal road that now has a security outfit after some of the road’s facilities had been stolen. There is need for proactiveness on the part of the government even as Nigerians must be vigilant, and report something when they see something.

The Edo State Government has denied reports that Governor Monday Okpebholo banned Nigerian musician David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, from entering the state.

The denial followed a viral video in which an aide to the governor, Pastor Kassy Chukwu, claimed that Davido had been barred from visiting Edo State.

However, Okpebholo, in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, dissociated his administration from the claim, describing the person behind the purported ban as an impostor.

The governor said Edo State remained open to everyone regardless of their beliefs, political affiliations or other interests.

‘Our enemies are at it again; we did not ban Davido from entering Edo State,’ the statement said.

The governor added that his administration would be willing to collaborate with the musician if he intended to perform in the state in the future.

He described Davido as ‘one of our illustrious sons’, noting that the singer’s mother is from Edo State.

‘Should he wish to visit Edo State, we would happily host and fete him,’ he said.

Okpebholo said the disagreement involving Davido after the recent Osun State governorship election was political and had no personal dimension.

He described Davido as a global ambassador for Nigeria and commended his achievements in the music industry.

‘As a government, we are pleased with his conduct, commitment and calculated conquest in the music industry. Indeed, we look forward to him being awarded a Grammy title,’ the governor said.

The Oyo State chapter of the National Prayer Support Group for Good Governance (NPSGGG) has urged members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the party’s governorship candidate in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, and other APC candidates in the 2027 general election.

The group also called on aggrieved APC members across the country to set aside their differences and unite ahead of the elections.

The Director-General of NPSGGG, Abdul-Hakeem Atilade, made the call in Ibadan during an interdenominational prayer summit for Tinubu, Vice-President Kashim Shettima, Alli and other APC candidates.

Atilade said while prayer was central to the event, members of the party must complement it with active participation and mobilisation.

He said the group was committed to mobilising APC members at ward, local government, state and federal levels to improve participation in elections and support candidates endorsed by the party.

Atilade urged APC members in Oyo State to rally behind Alli and other party candidates, saying the APC should end its status as an opposition party in the state after the 2027 election.

> ‘Our loyalty should be for the party and not just for the candidate. The party has given us a reputable, reliable and qualified candidate, Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli. So, let us work for them so that we can get a good result,’ he said.

Earlier, the Oyo State Coordinator of the group, Mariam Abiola, said the prayer summit was an opportunity to seek divine guidance for the country and its leaders.

She said the group would pray for wisdom, peace, stability and good governance ahead of the 2027 elections.

She said, ‘We particularly committed the leadership of our nation into the hands of Almighty God, praying for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and Vice President Kasshim Shettima, as well as all elected leaders at the federal, state, and local government levels for God to grant them wisdom to lead with justice, courage, compassion, and the fear of God.

‘As we look forward to the future, we also pray for peace, unity, credible leadership, and responsible participation in our democratic process. May God order our affairs as individuals, as a state, and as a nation, and may He continue to bless Oyo State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

A youth-led non-governmental organisation, Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative (BBYDI), launched the SheBuilds AI Fellowship on Thursday, a six-month intensive programme funded by the Government of Canada through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) to train young women in Kaduna State in artificial intelligence, data science, and digital entrepreneurship.

The launch, held at a press conference in Kaduna, also featured the public presentation of the organisation’s new issue brief, titled ‘Bridging the Gender Digital Divide: Artificial Intelligence as a Safe Driver of Economic Growth in Nigeria,’ which warns that the country’s fast-growing digital economy is leaving women behind.

Speaking at the event, the Global Director of BBYDI, Mr Olasupo Abideen Opeyemi, said the fellowship attracted 473 applications, of which 52 candidates were shortlisted for interviews and 20 young women were finally selected as the pioneer cohort. A second cohort of 20 will follow, bringing the total number of direct beneficiaries to 40.

‘This number alone is evidence that demolishes a dangerous myth – the myth that young women in northern Nigeria are not interested in technology. They are interested. What they lack is not ambition; it is access,’ Abideen said.

Citing figures from the organisation’s issue brief, Abideen noted that although the information and communications technology sector contributed 11.31 per cent of Nigeria’s real Gross Domestic Product in the first quarter of 2026, Nigerian women remain 26 per cent less likely than men to use mobile internet – one of the widest gaps in the world – while women hold fewer than one in five technology jobs in the country.

‘Analysts have warned that if this exclusion continues, Nigeria risks a gendered recession – a future in which the sectors driving growth draw on only half the nation’s talent. Nigeria does not face a choice between growth and inclusion. It faces a choice between inclusive growth and diminished growth,’ he said.

The BBYDI boss also raised the alarm over the safety of women online, referencing projections that as many as 70 million Nigerian women and girls could be exposed to AI-facilitated online abuse annually by 2030 if current trends continue. He stressed that ‘digital inclusion that is not safe is not sustainable.’

According to him, the fellows will learn Python programming, data analysis, machine learning, deep learning, and generative AI over six months, before building and pitching working AI solutions to real Nigerian problems in areas such as health, agriculture, education, and governance. He added that the curriculum was rigorously validated by AI practitioners and industry experts.

Beyond technical training, Abideen said the programme includes leadership development, communication skills, personal branding, CV writing, mental health support, excursions to technology hubs, and a rotating ‘Class Governor’ system designed to give every fellow hands-on leadership experience.

He further disclosed that after graduation, the organisation and its partners would connect the fellows to internships, jobs, and remote work opportunities within and outside Nigeria, sponsor their attendance at technology conferences and hackathons, and link them to national and international programmes for which their new skills qualify them.

In the issue brief, the organisation called on the Federal Government and the Kaduna State Government to embed clear gender targets, budgets, and sex-disaggregated reporting in the implementation of the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy and the Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme; urged the National Assembly to strengthen laws against technology-facilitated gender-based violence; and challenged technology companies to audit their algorithms for gender bias and set measurable targets for hiring women.

The organisation also appealed to parents, community leaders, and religious leaders to support the digital participation of their daughters, declaring that ‘every girl kept offline is a national asset kept idle.’

Abideen expressed gratitude to the Government of Canada and the High Commission of Canada in Nigeria for funding the project, and gave special appreciation to the Yandytech Community and other technology stakeholders for their support to the initiative and to the technology ecosystem in northern Nigeria.

Highlights of the event included the unveiling of the 20 selected fellows, goodwill messages from government representatives and stakeholders, remarks by the fellows, and a question-and-answer session with journalists. The fellows had earlier participated in an orientation programme on Monday, where they met their facilitators and mentors ahead of the commencement of classes.

The full issue brief, the organisation said, has been published on its website.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in last Saturday’s Osun State election, Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji, on Friday called on Governor Ademola Adeleke to rein in his supporters and halt alleged attacks on members of the opposition party in the state.

Oyebamiji, popularly known as AMBO, made the appeal while speaking with journalists at the State House, Abuja, shortly after meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The APC candidate alleged that attacks on members of his party had continued after the election, claiming that four or five people were attacked in his hometown, Ikire, on Friday morning.

He said the incidents had been reported to security agencies and urged Adeleke to prevail on his supporters to embrace peace and allow political actors in the state to coexist without violence.

‘I want to advise the governor that it’s important for him to talk to his people. Violence against our people is not too good, and he needs to talk to them so that each and every one of us can be on the same page’, Oyebamiji said.

Asked to shed more light on concerns he had earlier raised over alleged attacks on APC members following the declaration of the governorship election results, Oyebamiji said the situation had persisted.

‘Well, yes. Even as of this morning, in my own village, Ikire, some were attacked; about four, five people were attacked. We have informed the security operatives accordingly. That’s what I have to say about that’, he said.

Oyebamiji, however, appealed to APC members and his supporters across Osun State to remain calm and peaceful, stressing that electoral contests should not be allowed to undermine the peace of the state.

According to him, elections should be approached peacefully because the ultimate purpose of government is to serve the people.

‘The most important thing is to run every election with a peaceful mind. It is important for us Nigerians to know that government is about people, and because it’s about people, it is important that we be peaceful. I want to appeal to our people in Osun that they need to be peaceful,’ he said.

The APC candidate also said the party was still reviewing the outcome of the August 15 governorship election and had yet to make a final decision on its next course of action.

He said the party would make its position public after completing its examination of the election results and other relevant records.

‘For now, the APC is still examining the books, and by the time we spread our sheets, we’ll be able to get back to the public on what our own opinions are and what decisions we want to take, but the take-home is that they should be calm,’ Oyebamiji said.

Oyebamiji’s visit to the Presidential Villa came less than 24 hours after Adeleke met President Tinubu at the State House on Thursday.

Adeleke, who contested the August 15 election on the platform of the Accord Party, was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after polling 511,067 votes.

Oyebamiji, his closest challenger, scored 444,815 votes, leaving a margin of 66,252 votes between the two leading candidates.

Adeleke won 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji carried 11.

Following his meeting with Tinubu on Thursday, Adeleke had thanked the President for allowing what he described as a free and fair election in Osun, saying Tinubu’s conduct reflected his longstanding commitment to Nigeria’s democratic struggle.

Oyebamiji’s comments on Friday, however, indicated that the APC was keeping its options open on the election outcome, even as he urged party members to remain peaceful pending the conclusion of its review.

An old video of actress Shaffy Bello discussing respect and how younger people address elders has resurfaced online amid debate over a viral exchange between UBA Chairman Tony Elumelu and a young woman who called him ‘Tony’.

In the clip from a past podcast, Bello said she does not appreciate being called ‘Shaffy’ by people younger than her.

‘When a child calls me by my name, Shaffy, I pull them closer and tell them, ‘You haven’t earned the right, and you never will,” she said.

The actress explained that having children around the same age as those who address her casually makes it particularly uncomfortable.

‘I have a child as old as you are, and even if I do not have children, you have not earned the right, and you will never earn the right at your age to call me by name,’ she added.

Bello also questioned the use of casual greetings.

‘Whatever happened to Ma’am?’ she asked. ‘There is even something about this ‘Hi’; I can’t stand it.’

She attributed differences in address to upbringing and culture, noting that even children in the United States use respectful titles.

‘Even children in the U.S. call me ‘Ma,” she said, stressing that respect for elders remains important to her.

The video has gone viral again following the Elumelu clip, with many Nigerians debating generational etiquette and respect.

Geregu Power Plc has announced the full settlement of its outstanding bond obligations, as the company’s Chairman, Senator Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari, assuring investors and other stakeholders of the board’s commitment to meeting its financial obligations.

He described the development as an important step towards strengthening investor confidence and preserving shareholder value.

Speaking on the settlement, Yari said the board remained committed to meeting the company’s obligations to bondholders and trustees.

‘Our Board is fully committed to meeting Geregu’s financial obligations to its bondholders and trustees. I am pleased to confirm that payment has just been effected in line with our obligations,’ he said.

Yari assured bondholders and shareholders that the board would continue to take necessary measures to protect their interests while maintaining high standards of corporate governance.

The company also disclosed that it was working with relevant parties to resolve legacy administrative matters that predated the current board.

It said the issues would not affect its capacity to meet its bond obligations.

The Geregu chairman further reaffirmed the board’s support for the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly efforts to transform the power sector.

He said the company would continue to contribute to Nigeria’s power sector through reliable power generation.

Geregu Power said it would provide formal confirmation of the settlement upon completion of the payment process and continue to keep bondholders, trustees and other stakeholders informed of material developments.

The company added that it remained focused on sustainable and efficient power generation as part of its contribution to Nigeria’s economic growth and development.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has predicted a broader political realignment in the country ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying more politicians will soon join what he described as a ‘larger Rainbow Coalition’ in support of President Bola Tinubu.

Speaking on Friday in Abuja during an inspection of major infrastructure projects in the FCT, Wike said the recent visit of Osun State Governor-elect Ademola Adeleke to President Tinubu pointed to the emerging political configuration ahead of the presidential election.

The minister, who has remained one of the most vocal figures in the political camp supporting President Tinubu despite his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said the development should not be interpreted simply as an opposition alliance or partisan realignment.

According to him, the political landscape ahead of 2027 is changing rapidly, with politicians from different parties increasingly finding common ground around the Tinubu presidency.

Wike said Adeleke’s engagement with Tinubu showed that political actors can belong to different parties and still work together to secure the President’s victory in 2027.

‘What happened last night is a meeting to rebuild a larger Rainbow Coalition. And he (Adeleke) is supporting Mr President. He’s in a different party; I’m supporting Mr President, and I’m in a different party. So, it’s a larger Rainbow Coalition,’ Wike said.

He predicted the coalition would grow in the coming weeks, urging Nigerians to watch for further political moves ahead of the 2027 elections.

‘And in the next few weeks, watch what is going to happen. You will see a larger Rainbow Coalition in this country supporting Mr President,’ he said.

The FCT Minister’s comments come against the backdrop of growing political manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with politicians across party lines positioning themselves for the next electoral battle.

While opposition parties and political groups have continued efforts to build a formidable platform capable of challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Wike argued that the opposition was currently too fragmented and weakened by internal crises to constitute a serious threat to Tinubu.

He dismissed the notion of a clearly defined ‘leading opposition’ party, insisting that the political landscape had changed considerably.

‘When you say opposition, I’ve told you I don’t know what you call opposition, as far as there is no opposition now,’ he said.

The minister also took a swipe at members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) who, according to him, have claimed credit for Adeleke’s electoral success in Osun State.

Wike said such claims amounted to an attempt to reap political benefits from work they did not undertake.

‘All those ADC who are talking about ‘they helped Adeleke to win,’ they just wanted to go and harvest where they never planted,’ he said.

He maintained that Adeleke remained a member of the PDP despite securing his governorship ticket on the platform of the Accord Party, adding that the governor-elect’s political engagement with Tinubu was part of the wider realignment taking place across the country.

Wike’s remarks are significant coming from a senior PDP figure who has consistently supported Tinubu since the 2023 presidential election, despite the PDP being one of the major political platforms expected to challenge the President in 2027.

The minister has repeatedly justified his support for Tinubu on the grounds of political principles and national interest, while remaining critical of elements within his own party whom he blames for the PDP’s continuing crisis.

On Friday, he again argued that the PDP, which ordinarily should provide the strongest opposition to the ruling party, had been weakened by internal disagreements.

‘Ordinarily, it should have been PDP, but because of the crisis we’ve had, you can’t see a formidable party that you will call the leading opposition party,’ Wike said.

His comments appeared to be a direct response to questions about how opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, would interpret his interaction with Adeleke and the growing support for Tinubu.

Wike said he was not concerned about how political opponents viewed the emerging alliance.

He said, ‘I have told you when you say ‘leading opposition,’ I’ve told you that there’s no opposition.

‘What you have are people who are just trying to see whether they can be relevant’.

The minister further suggested that the political contest ahead of 2027 would be more favourable to Tinubu than some opposition figures might expect, given the fluidity of political alliances and the opposition’s inability to present a united front.

For Wike, the priority is victory, not political accommodation with opponents.

He said politicians should not expect him to make decisions based on whether such actions would be convenient for their political interests.

The minister’s position reinforces his increasingly prominent role in the political coalition backing Tinubu, despite his continued association with the PDP.

Wike was one of the five PDP governors who formed the G5 during the 2023 election cycle, demanding equity and internal reforms within the party.

The dispute eventually deepened divisions within the PDP, with Wike and his allies refusing to support the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

Since Tinubu assumed office, Wike has maintained a working relationship with the Federal Government and has repeatedly expressed support for the President’s administration.

His latest comments suggest he expects more opposition politicians to cross party lines in support of Tinubu as 2027 draws closer.

While opposition groups have been exploring possible alliances, Wike argued that the absence of a dominant opposition platform has created room for the President to consolidate support across party lines.

One of the projects inspected was the N5 Extension in Life Camp, being constructed by Julius Berger.

The minister expressed satisfaction with the progress of the work and said the road was expected to be completed and handed over in December.

He also inspected the N1 Road project being executed by Arab Contractors.

Wike praised the quality of work on the project and confirmed that it was also scheduled for completion and handover in December.

The minister subsequently inspected the IBB International Golf Club, which is undergoing rehabilitation following intervention by President Tinubu.

He said the rehabilitation had become necessary, particularly because of complaints from members of the diplomatic community over its prolonged closure.

Wike directed that the facility must be reopened before the end of the year.

‘This golf course must be ready and be reopened by December. So we are giving it to Julius Berger to ensure that everything is done. And by December this year, the golf course will be reopened,’ he said.

According to him, Julius Berger was re-engaged for the rehabilitation because the company originally constructed the facility and therefore possessed the necessary technical knowledge of its design and standards.

He said physical work was expected to be completed by November, paving the way for the official reopening of the golf club in December.

Wike explained that the golf club was shut following an internal crisis, which eventually led to the appointment of a caretaker committee headed by the President of the Court of Appeal.

He commended the committee for its role in resolving the crisis and creating the conditions for the facility’s rehabilitation.

The minister, however, warned that the government would not continue to fund the club’s operations after its reopening.

He said the management must develop a sustainable revenue model capable of funding maintenance and other operational expenses.

‘I would believe, this time around, that when this is done, they should be able to raise funds by themselves to run this place. The government should not use public funds to come back to do it,’ he said.

Wike assured that the FCT Administration would continue to facilitate payments to contractors to ensure that the rehabilitation programme remained on schedule.

He stressed that the December reopening deadline for the IBB International Golf Club was sacrosanct.

The race for promotion in the NWFL Nationwide 2026 will enter the decisive semi-final stage today with four teams battling for places in the final at the Enyimba Stadium, Aba.

Kwara United Queens will take on C2E Sports Academy in the first semi-final at 9am, while Onimarg FC will face Obosa FA in the second match at 11am.

Kwara United Queens topped Group A with four points from two matches after recording one win and a draw. They secured top spot following a 1-0 victory over Solo Wonders Babes.

C2E Sports Academy emerged as the dominant side in Group B, winning both matches to finish with six points. They scored 15 goals and conceded just one, including a 5-0 victory over Lakeside Queens.

Onimarg FC also finished with a perfect six points from two matches in Group C. They scored seven goals and conceded three, with a 4-2 victory over Ubakala Babes sealing their position at the top.

In Group D, Obosa Queens finished ahead of Osklean FA after both sides ended on four points with the same goal difference. Obosa took the group on goals scored.

With the group stage now completed, attention shifts to the two semi-finals as the four surviving teams fight for places in the NWFL Nationwide 2026 final.