Author: Nouman Ali

The leadership of the Amirah Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN) has commended the peace in the Southeast.

Dr. Sumaye Fadimatu Hamza spoke at a briefing in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, ahead of its 11th national conference taking place at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Umuahia.

She said, contrary to reports on social and mainstream media, the Southeast, especially Abia State, the host state of the national conference, was peaceful.

Hamza, who disclosed that members from all 36 states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), would be arriving in Abia State for the three-day event, thanked Governor Alex Otti and the people of the state for their support, hospitality and commitment to the successful hosting of the conference.

She said the theme for this year’s conference, ‘Faith, Resilience and Responsibility: Muslim Women Responding to Challenges,’ was carefully chosen because it reflects the realities of the time in the country.

According to her, the theme also reflects the urgent need for individuals, families, communities and institutions to respond positively to the challenges confronting the nation.

The FOMWAN national leader said the conference would provide an opportunity for Muslim women to dialogue, reflect, learn and network, adding that they also aimed to design an action plan that would strengthen families, communities and institutions.

The Muslim women’s leader, who highlighted some of the achievements and interventions the organisation had made in the past, disclosed that its interventions cut across education, politics, the economy and other sectors of the Nigerian state.

She reminded Nigerians that government alone could not address the challenges facing the country, emphasising that nation-building was a collective responsibility.

This is even as they called on the government and wealthy individuals in the country to massively invest in education and skills development, mental health and psychological support for communities, women’s employment and leadership, youth mentorship and responsible citizenship, among others.

They also prayed for peace, security, justice and a prosperous Nigeria where the government and citizens would work collaboratively.

Two persons lost their lives, while two others sustained varying degrees of injuries, in a tanker fire explosion along the Agu-Awka axis of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, Awka.

The incident, which occurred on Thursday night in front of a fuel station, involved a fully loaded diesel tanker belonging to Shafa Filling Station and a 911 truck loaded with bags of feed.

The diesel truck reportedly suffered brake failure and collided with the 911 truck, resulting in a fire.

Confirming the incident, the Chief Fire Officer of the State Fire Service, Engr. Chiketa Chukwudi, said two people lost their lives, while two others who sustained varying degrees of injuries were rescued and rushed to the hospital for medical attention.

Chiketa, who was personally present at the scene, commended the firefighters for their prompt response and urged motorists and other road users to exercise extreme caution, particularly when approaching sloping areas and when trucks are loaded with petroleum products.

While assuring the public that the situation had been brought under control, the Fire Chief encouraged them to remain calm and go about their normal activities.

He also reiterated a call to motorists to ensure their vehicles were properly maintained and that critical components, especially braking systems, are routinely checked to prevent avoidable accidents.

He said, ‘The Anambra State Fire Service has responded to a serious road traffic accident involving a fully loaded diesel tanker belonging to Shafa Filling Station and a 911 truck loaded with bags of feed along the Agu-Awka axis of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, Awka.

‘The incident occurred in front of Jezco Fuel Station, Agu-Awka, at 2326 hours on Thursday, 20th August, 2026, and was reported to the Anambra State Fire Service, which promptly mobilised its firefighters and firefighting equipment to the scene.

‘Preliminary information indicates that the accident occurred when the diesel truck reportedly suffered brake failure and collided with the 911 truck, resulting in a fire outbreak.

‘Sadly, two people lost their lives in the incident, while two others who sustained varying degrees of injuries were rescued and rushed to the hospital for medical attention.

‘As at the time of this report, firefighters remained at the scene, working to control the situation and prevent further escalation.’

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigeria National League (NNL), scheduled for Friday, August 21 at the Rockview Hotel in Owerri, has received a boost with confirmation that Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communications, will attend.

Dare, a former Minister of Youth and Sports who has continued to lend his weight behind sports, confirmed on Wednesday that he would be in Owerri to support the league.

‘I will be in Owerri to support the NNL where George Aluo and his team are doing a great job,’ Dare said.

Dare, a Chief from Ogbomosho and a communications expert, also praised Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma for his investment in sports.

‘My friend and brother, His Excellency Hope Uzodimma, is doing well on all fronts. He is giving good attention to every sector including sports. I was recently in Imo State and whoever visits the state cannot but give kudos to the governor,’ Dare said.

Some non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have called for better reporting of domestic child workers to avoid harm falling on them.

The NGOs, Freedom Fund, in collaboration with Street Project Foundation(SPF), and Cece Yara Foundation, among others, made the call yesterday during the launch of a document titled, ”Ethical Media Reporting guidelines,” in Ikeja, Lagos.

Founder, SPF, Mrs Rita Ezenwa-Okoro, lamented that images and words affect child domestic workers, adding that this is why the law disallows their being reported.

”I’m really excited that we get to do the document. It’s a step in the right direction in protecting child domestic workers from harm,” she said.

After the launch, Ezenwa-Okoro added, there would be follow ups with their media partners to see how the guidelines had been of help to them, adding that they would assess how effective they had been. ”And it will go to show, based on the kinds of reports that we get going forward, that it does protect the rights of the child.”

The book was the outcome of a year’s work involving SPF, Freedom Fund and their partners.

She thanked the Freedom Fund and their implementation partners for making the launch possible.

The Chief Operating Officer, SPF, Eduvie Olutimayin, reiterated on better reporting of cases of child domestic workers’ abuse.She said there was the need to mask the affected children.The guidelines, as the title implies, she said, would guide reporters to do their work better.

She frowned at the mentioning of names and places of victims of abuse as well as use of their photographs, saying that these could affect them in future

”We believe that when we change the narrative, we change the norm. And when we change the norm, we change the lives of these children.

”The children at the centre of this are denied school, denied rest, denied childhood, and in many cases, denied dignity and safety.Yet their stories are rarely told. And even when they are told, they are told wrongly.

”As journalists, you hold the pen, the mic, the camera. You decide what the public sees.You decide whether a story generates outrage, empathy, or indifference.That is why we cannot fight to end exploitative child domestic work without working with you, the media,” she said.

She recalled that for years in Lagos, and indeed across Nigeria, child domestic work has been normalised.We call them house helps, apprenticeships.We post media responses to them on WhatsApp groups, and in the process, we are hiding the face of exploitation behind family framing, culture, poverty, and silence.

She urged media partnership on the eradication of child domestic abuse.”We want to work with you on stories, data, and on campaigns. We want your newsrooms to be a safe space where ethical reporting thrives,”, she said.

The manual highlights privacy, dignity, non-identification child-safe language and responsible images for child domestic workers.

Head of Programmes, Cece Yara Foundation, Mr Damilola Adenusi, noted that issues of social violence are common in the society, calling for journalists’ support to expose and stop them.

Mavin Records boss Michael Ajereh, popularly known as Don Jazzy, has credited Afrobeats star Ayra Starr with changing his life, describing her as nothing short of a ‘dream Starrgirl’.

The record producer made the remark on X in response to a fan who praised his role in Ayra Starr’s career.

‘She has most definitely changed my own life too. I bless the day I was shown her Instagram freestyle o. And she has been nothing but a dream Starrgirl,’ Don Jazzy wrote.

The Mavin CEO discovered Ayra Starr through her viral freestyles on social media before signing her to the label in 2021.

Since then, she has become one of Afrobeats’ leading voices, with international collaborations and chart success.

Ayra Starr released her third studio album, Starrgirl, on August 14.

The 16-track project features Nigerian stars Wizkid and Rema, as well as international artists ZAYN, Leon Thomas, kwn, Theodora and Danny Ocean.

Wizkid appears on Gimme Dat, while Rema features on Who’s Dat Girl.

The President and Founder of HerGame Foundation, Dr Pat Ajuma Ayegba, says she expects the 2026 FCT FA Women’s Inter-Area Council Football Tournament to unearth a new generation of talented female footballers capable of progressing to the professional and international stage.

Ayegba, also a Board Member of the Federal Capital Territory Football Association (FCT FA), spoke ahead of the tournament, which kicks off on Friday, August 21, with six Area Councils competing for honours.

The competition, organised by the FCT FA, is designed to strengthen women’s football at the grassroots while giving young female players competitive exposure and a pathway into the professional game. Ayegba said the tournament has already proved its worth as a talent-discovery platform, pointing to promising players who emerged from last year’s edition.

‘We are hoping to see new talents. We are hoping to have new emerging professionals, international stars,’ she said. ‘I am excited because last year, we found some good talents from this particular tournament. We saw some newbies, and I want to see their progress this year. A lot more is expected.’

She commended the FCT FA for its preparation and support for the participating teams. ‘To be honest with you, FCT FA has come up, and they are doing well with the whole preparation,’ she said.

Ayegba also disclosed that HerGame Foundation contributed directly to last year’s competition, revealing she personally supported each participating team with ?120,000. ‘Last year personally, I supported the teams with ?120,000 each, of which I saw the FA taking it up from there. And this is a lot. This is a lot. The FA has supported us a lot to make this happen, so we are grateful,’ she said.

The 2026 tournament will feature all six FCT Area Councils, split into two groups. Bwari, Gwagwalada and AMAC make up Group A, while Abaji, Kuje and Kwali form Group B. The group stage will be played on a home-and-away basis, with the semi-finals set for September 2 and the final on September 5.

Ayegba confirmed that Hon. Hulayat Motunrayo Omidiran, Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, will attend the opening ceremony, describing her as a strong supporter of women’s football and girl-child development whose backing could help create further opportunities for young girls through the sport. Ayegba said her visit to the FCC chairman was aimed at building a stronger partnership around women’s football development, and she was pleased with Omidiran’s response.

‘She has done so much for us. To whom honour is due, honour should be given. I came here today to see her in person, and she is actually a jolly good fellow,’ Ayegba said. ‘She is more than what I have heard of-a true supporter, one who has heart for the game of football, like myself. Like I have heard, I saw it myself today.’

With the opening ceremony set for Friday, Ayegba believes the tournament can be more than a contest for Area Council bragging rights, serving instead as a scouting ground for players who go on to represent the FCT, professional clubs and the national teams.

The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM) Wealthy Place Church Iyanaipaja Lagos has intensified efforts to equip children and young people with the character, leadership skills and values needed to make meaningful contributions to society.

Speaking at the church’s annual programme with the theme: ‘Talents for the Master’s Use’ the pastor in charge of the church Rev. Rotimi Adekunle Olukorede said the church places strong emphasis on character, integrity, honesty and leadership as part of its mission to prepare the next generation.

Olukorede explained that the programme was designed to go beyond spiritual instruction by helping young people develop healthy relationships, leadership abilities and strong moral values

According to him, the initiative has been running for several years, with children brought together from different TREM branches and other churches to participate in Bible studies, character-building sessions, leadership training, music, dance, recitation and other activities.

He said the programmes also encourages children to learn tolerance, relationship, forgiveness and teamwork while developing the ability to relate positively with others.

‘We bring them together, and then we try to ensure that they are able to relate with each other, have tolerance for each other and forgive each other,’ he said.

Beyond the annual programmes, Olukorede noted TREM had over the years supported children in its community by helping them pursue further education.

He therefore urged parents to complement the efforts of the church by becoming positive role models for their children.

‘Children learn more from our actions than even from what we say,’ he said, advising parents to demonstrate prayerfulness, honesty, integrity, hard work and responsible living.

Prizes, medals, awards, and trophies were presented to first runner up, second runner up, third runner up, to encourage them.

The Leader of the Women and Children Department and one of the coordinators of the Programme Mrs. Ayodeji Olukorede charged the children to be bold, take control, showcase their talent and not be ashamed of what God has placed in them.

‘This programme is a way of engaging their minds, taking them away from bad influence. Of course, we know we are in a technology-driven society but we are not taking them away from the technology but to bring out the best in them.

‘The talent impacts the society greatly, because developing, bringing them out and showcasing them, not only help to bless the church, but also, wherever they find themselves, are useful to the society. A child that can play the violin, can not only play in the church, but can also play in school, can also play at concerts,’ Olukorede said.

Churches that participated in the programme were TREM Wealthy Place, TREM branches from Ishuti, Oko oba, Ejigbo, Iju, Ambassador Mega Zone, Igando, Ikotun, RCCG Great Expectation, RCCG Ark of God, Christ Gospel Church of Praise,

Go Ye Pentecostal Mission International and Hour of Touch Bible Ministry.

The event featured Bible recitation, dance competition, Bible quiz, music competition,

Bible Sword, among other. TREM Wealthy Place emerged winner in most of the competitions with RCCG Ambassador Mega Zone as first position for Bible Sword competition.

Barcelona have reportedly reached a verbal agreement with Fenerbahce to sign goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic for pound 2 million, plus pound 2 million in potential add-ons.

Livakovic is expected to become Barcelona’s backup goalkeeper from June 2027, when veteran goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny is set to leave the club.

The Croatian goalkeeper, who has established himself as an experienced international, is not expected to join Barcelona immediately despite the agreement between the two clubs.

Instead, Livakovic is set to spend the current season on loan before moving to the Spanish giants.

The agreement forms part of Barcelona’s long-term planning for their goalkeeping department, with Livakovic expected to provide experience and competition between the posts once Szczesny departs.

George Ilenikhena has opened his goal scoring account in Saudi Arabia in impressive fashion, but the young Nigerian striker could still leave Al-Ittihad before the end of the transfer window.

Ilenikhena scored twice as Al-Ittihad defeated Al Najma 3-0 in a King’s Cup tie, finding the net in the 16th and 39th minutes.

The 20-year-old striker joined Al-Ittihad from AS Monaco in February 2026 for a reported pound 30 million plus pound 3 million in bonuses.

Despite his recent brace, Ilenikhena is reportedly interested in returning to Europe, with several clubs showing interest in signing him.

Bologna submitted a loan proposal with a pound 22 million option to buy, but Al-Ittihad immediately rejected the offer.

Turkish club Trabzonspor also made a loan proposal containing a pound 15 million purchase option, which was similarly rejected.

Al-Ittihad are open to selling the striker but reportedly want around pound 20 million.

Spanish side Sevilla have also made an oral offer of pound 10 million, with a further pound 3 million in bonuses and a significant sell-on percentage.

Ilenikhena, who has chosen to represent Nigeria at senior international level after previously playing for France’s age-grade teams, initially struggled after joining the Saudi club.

His two-goal performance has, however, provided a timely reminder of his goal scoring ability as the transfer speculation surrounding his future continues.

WAPTV has reached another ground breaking milestone, as it will be the first TV channel in Nigeria, to broadcast the smash hit Indian Romantic Drama, Rajjo.

The move, according to an official statement from the channel, is an effort to ensure the TV channel maintains its apex position in ensuring premium programming for its millions of viewers worldwide, in the ever rising competitive world of broadcasting.

The show revolves around the trials and tests of an aspiring athlete Rajjo from Uttarakhand. Her mother, Manorama, has a dark past, and hence is against Rajjo’s dreams of turning an athlete.

Rajjo is a family drama, fully dubbed and subtitled in English Language.

Wale Adenuga Jnr, Director WAPTV, excitedly announced; ‘after years of painstakingly pursuing the broadcast license of the hit show: Rajjo, we were delighted when we acquired the rights, as the series is tailor-fitted to our core values at WAPTV, to provide wholesome family friendly entertainment, that will keep our audiences glued to their screens, both TV and Mobile.’ Rajjo will start showing from September 7 between Mondays and Fridays on the WAPTV channels.