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Super Eagles stars Victor Osimhen and Stanley Nwabali have been nominated for top honours at the 2025 CAF Awards, though Nigeria’s national team failed to make the shortlist for the National Team of the Year category.

CAF announced the nominations on Wednesday, with Osimhen making the final ten-man list for the Men’s Player of the Year award. The Nigerian forward will be competing against some of Africa’s biggest names, including Egypt’s Mohamed Salah, Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi and Oussama Lamlioui, Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy, Congo’s Fiston Mayele, Cameroon’s Frank Anguissa, Gabon’s Denis Bouanga, and Senegal’s Illimane Ndiaye and Pape Sarr.

Osimhen, who won the award in 2023, had a stellar season with Galatasaray, scoring 26 league goals to help the Turkish giants clinch the Super Lig title. His exploits also earned him a record-breaking pound 75 million permanent transfer from Napoli, the most expensive deal in Turkish football history.

His Super Eagles teammate, Stanley Nwabali, was also recognised for his outstanding performances, earning a nomination for the Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year category. Nwabali will face competition from Morocco’s Yassine Bounou, South Africa’s Ronwen Williams, and Cameroon’s Andre Onana.

Meanwhile, Flying Eagles captain Daniel Bameyi was shortlisted for the Young Player of the Year award, capping a strong representation for Nigeria in individual categories.

On the women’s side, Super Falcons stars Rasheedat Ajibade and Esther Okoronkwo are both in contention for the CAF Women’s Player of the Year award.

However, the Super Eagles were notably absent from the list of nominees for National Team of the Year, despite their impressive run in the 2025 World Cup qualifiers.

A high-powered delegation of the West African Elders Forum (WAEF), led by former Benin President Dr. Thomas Boni Yayi, arrived in Abidjan on Wednesday ahead of Côte d’Ivoire’s October 25, 2025, presidential election.

Joining him on the mission are former Nigerian President and WAEF Chair, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, and Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, former United Nations Special Representative for West Africa and the Sahel, alongside other eminent members of the Forum.

The delegation’s visit follows a pre-election assessment mission undertaken in September, during which WAEF representatives met key political actors to evaluate the electoral climate and promote peaceful preparations for the polls.

According to the Forum, the current observation and mediation mission reaffirms its commitment to fostering credible, transparent, and violence-free elections across the West African region.

During their stay, the team will hold strategic meetings with major stakeholders, including government officials, political parties, the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI), civil society groups, the media, and the diplomatic community to strengthen confidence in the electoral process.

Speaking on arrival, Dr. Jonathan said the Forum’s presence in Côte d’Ivoire underscores its solidarity with Ivorian citizens and its support for democratic institutions working to ensure a peaceful and credible election.

‘We return to Côte d’Ivoire with a message of solidarity and peace,’ Jonathan said.

‘We commend the preparations so far and urge all political actors and citizens to uphold democratic values, reject violence, and place national unity above all.’

The WAEF delegation will monitor the pre-election, election-day, and post-election phases, maintaining engagement until the electoral process concludes peacefully.

The Forum also expressed gratitude to the Ivorian government and people for their cooperation and hospitality.

Founded as a platform of former West African heads of state and distinguished personalities, WAEF promotes peace, democracy, and political stability through preventive diplomacy, mediation, and electoral support.

It has previously deployed missions to Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Senegal, and The Gambia.

Nigerian artist Michael Adebayo Olayinka, popularly known as Ruger has lamented over the increase in kidnap cases in the country.

Ruger, on his X handle on Wednesday, expressed his fears over the forthcoming festivities. He claimed that kidnapping has become a business in certain parts of the country and there may be more cases in the coming weeks.

The artist also stated that people coming to Nigeria from other parts of the world can become victims because the criminals believe they have a lot of money.

‘I’m scared for people this December. Kidnapping has become a full time business in some parts of Nigeria. And it’s only gonna get worse this festive season. People will travel back to their villages from abroad and from many other places in Nigeria. These bastards will strike hard,’ he wrote.

A tragic road accident has claimed eight lives in front of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) confirmed on Wednesday night.

According to a statement by the FRSC Sector Commander in Ondo State, Dr. Samuel Ibitoye, the accident occurred when a truck loaded with cement lost control after attempting to avoid a motorcycle, subsequently crashing into a barricade near the university entrance.

Dr. Ibitoye revealed that eight people – five male adults, two female adults, and one male child – died on the spot. The bodies have been deposited at a nearby hospital morgue.

He added that the incident highlights the dangers of reckless driving and urged all motorists to strictly adhere to traffic regulations to prevent further loss of lives.

‘Drivers must remain vigilant and disciplined on the road. Obeying traffic rules is not optional – it is a matter of life and death,’ he cautioned.

The Edo State Local Government Service Commission has ordered all Heads of Local Government Administration (HOLGAs) across the 18 local councils to proceed on a compulsory 30-day leave with immediate effect.

Chairman of the Commission, Hon. Kabiru Adjoto, made the announcement on Wednesday while addressing journalists in Benin City after the Commission’s inspection tour of the councils.

Adjoto said the decision was part of ongoing efforts to reform and strengthen administrative efficiency at the local government level.

‘The Local Government Service Commission has reviewed the existing administrative framework across the 18 local government councils,’ he said. ‘Consequently, the Commission hereby directs all Heads of Local Government Administration to proceed on compulsory leave with effect from today.’

He explained that the measure was necessary to allow for a thorough assessment of operations within the councils and to ‘encourage transparency, fairness, and a fresh administrative perspective.’

During the leave period, the Directors of Administration and General Services (DAGS) will take over the day-to-day running of the councils pending further directives from the Commission.

‘All concerned officers are advised to hand over properly and comply with this directive without delay,’ Adjoto added.

The chairman revealed that the ongoing digitalisation exercise within the local government system had already uncovered irregularities, including 382 shadow files and 132 retired files.

According to him, the development underscores the need for reforms to restore public confidence in grassroots governance.

Adjoto, who was sworn in by Governor Monday Okpebholo on August 16 as Chairman of the Commission, reaffirmed his commitment to repositioning the local government workforce and ensuring that the dividends of democracy reach the grassroots.

He assured that the Commission would continue to pursue a reform agenda that prioritises accountability, staff welfare, and improved service delivery across Edo’s 18 councils.

Chelsea produced a commanding performance at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night, demolishing Dutch giants Ajax 5-1 in their UEFA Champions League League Phase Round 3 encounter.

It was a night of ruthless finishing and high-tempo football from Enzo Maresca’s men, who dominated possession and punished every Ajax mistake.

The game took a dramatic turn early on when Ajax midfielder Kenneth Taylor was sent off following a VAR review for a reckless tackle, leaving the visitors to play with 10 men from the 17th minute.

Chelsea immediately capitalised on their numerical advantage. Marc Guiu opened the scoring in the 18th minute, poking home from close range after a well-placed header across goal by Wesley Fofana.

The hosts doubled their lead eight minutes later through Moises Caicedo, whose deflected strike left Ajax goalkeeper Remko Pasveer stranded.

Ajax briefly clawed their way back into the game when Wout Weghorst converted a penalty in the 33rd minute to make it 2-1, but that was as good as it got for the Dutch side.

Chelsea hit back with two quickfire penalties before half-time. Enzo Fernández restored the two-goal cushion with a calm finish in the 45th minute, before Estêvão converted another spot kick deep into first-half stoppage time to make it 4-1 at the break.

In the second half, Chelsea continued to dominate with slick passing and relentless pressure. Substitute Tyrique George added a fifth goal in the 48th minute, firing a deflected strike past the helpless Pasveer.

Young Brazilian winger Estêvão was the standout performer, dazzling with his flair and creativity, though he also picked up a yellow card for a late challenge in the second half.

Despite several substitutions from Ajax coach Johnny Heitinga, including the introductions of Davy Klaassen, Anton Gaaei, and Kian Fitz-Jim, the visitors struggled to contain Chelsea’s fluid attack.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca made effective use of his bench, introducing Andrey Santos, Josh Acheampong, and Tyrique George, all of whom injected energy and pace into the team’s play.

By full-time, Chelsea had registered 65% possession and over seven shots on target, underscoring their dominance.

The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Malam Shehu Mohammed, has said the tanker explosion that killed 35 people in Niger State on Tuesday was a painful reminder that fuel scooping remained one of the most dangerous and recurring causes of mass fatalities in Nigeria.

Mohammed said this while expressing deep sorrow over the incident in a statement on Tuesday by the FRSC spokesman, Mr Olusegun Ogungbemide,

He described the death of 35 people in the tragedy as a needless national tragedy that occurred as a result of ignorance, greed, and disregard for safety warnings.

‘This is not just a crash; it is a painful reminder that whenever people ignore safety advice and rush to scoop petrol, they gamble with their lives,’ he said.

The Corps Marshal condemned tampering with crashed tankers, warning that such reckless actions were tantamount to inviting death with open arms.

Mohammed recalled that most high-fatality incidents recorded in 2024 were caused by fuel scooping, even when the initial crashes had not claimed lives.

He called for collective responsibility among citizens, community leaders, and local authorities to end the deadly practice of fuel scooping.

He directed all FRSC formations nationwide to intensify community-based sensitisation, especially in rural and high-risk areas, on the dangers of approaching fallen tankers.

Mohammed also urged traditional rulers, religious leaders, and community heads to collaborate with the Corps in promoting grassroots road safety awareness.

He encouraged members of the public to report any crash involving tankers or hazardous materials through the FRSC toll-free number 122.

‘This should be done instead of taking reckless actions that could lead to avoidable deaths.

‘The Corps remains committed to ensuring safer roads and preventing tragedies of this nature through sustained enlightenment and collaboration,’ Mohammed said.

The reports that 46 other persons sustained injuries in the explosion, which occurred on Tuesday afternoon.

The crash happened at about 12:15 p.m. when a tanker carrying Premium Motor Spirit lost control and overturned along the Bida-Lapai route after Badegi.

Moments after the crash, residents reportedly rushed to the scene to scoop fuel from the fallen tanker.

Tragedy struck when the flammable substance ignited, causing an inferno that killed 35 people and destroyed properties.

The FRSC rescue team, led by the Unit Head of Operations, worked with the Niger State Fire Service, Bida Division, to extinguish the fire and evacuate the injured for treatment.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the extension of the tenure of the Surveyor-General of the Federation, Mr AbuduGaniyu Adebomehin, by two years.

This announcement was made by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga on Wednesday.

The extension, which takes effect from January 5, 2026, was necessitated by the recent transfer of the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation (OSGOF) to the Presidency.

The Surveyor-General has already initiated reforms across critical sectors of geospatial data systems, which Tinubu is keen to see completed.

The President expects Mr Adebomehin to consolidate the reforms within the next two years, focusing on national land management and administration, highways and abutting land infrastructure coordination, reclamation and erosion control programmes, and other related matters of strategic national importance.

Abdulganiyu Adebomehin was appointed the Surveyor-General of the Federation (SGoF) by the late President Muhammadu Buhari, on the 5th of 2022.

Nigerian Atunyota Akpobome also known as Ali Baba, has defended his opinion on polygamy, adding that such arrangements are easier when the wives live in different houses.

While speaking on the Clarity Zone podcast, Ali Baba stressed the need for such arrangements, claiming it reduces tension in the home.

‘It’s easier to marry women who don’t live in your house with you. Those ones don’t come to disturb the Iyale. This man has four wives, all four wives but one don’t work. The one that works is a medical doctor and she has a thriving business, makes good money, takes what she wants and gives the rest to Oga. Oga then distributes to the other ones. The man still adds his own to it, but everybody is okay,’ he said.

While explaining the analogy, he added that women easily get jealous and claim there is preferential treatment when they all live under the same roof.

‘Then one day the woman says, ‘Oh, my son wants to go to Canada, that’s where he wants to go to school.’ And the other women say, ‘My son is not going to Canada, your own is not going to Canada as well.’ So she calls the man and says, ‘I don’t understand what these people are saying, that my son will not go to Canada.’ She said ‘okay,’ then she stopped giving money to the man, and all the other women started fighting. Two left,’ he added.

A gender advocacy organisation, The Memunat Single Mother and Child Initiative, has urged the Federal Government to designate a National Day for Single Parenting in recognition of the rising challenges faced by single parents and the critical role they play in raising future leaders.

The call was made by the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the organisation, Mrs. Memunat Idu’Lah, at the 2025 National Conference on Raising Future Leaders held in Abuja.

The event, themed ‘Invisible but not Inconsequential: Shedding Light on the Socio-Cultural, Economic and Legal Realities of Single Parenthood in Nigeria’, brought together stakeholders to discuss the increasing socio-economic burdens faced by single parents.

Idu’Lah said dedicating a national day would foster awareness, empathy, and coordinated support for single parents, stressing that many are struggling to meet basic needs for their children due to social and economic barriers.

‘In the United States, National Single Parent Day has been celebrated since 1984 to honour and support single parents. It is time Nigeria adopts a similar approach,’ she said.

‘Single parenting affects both men and women. We must begin to address this issue as a nation to ensure children raised in such homes are not left disadvantaged.’

She further highlighted the dangers of remaining in abusive marriages, urging parents, especially women, to prioritise their safety and the well-being of their children.

‘Instead of enduring violence, it is better to walk away and raise your children in a healthy environment,’ Idu’Lah added.

Sharing her personal experience, Ms. Alheri Gotus, a participant at the conference, said she left her marriage due to persistent abuse and called on women not to sacrifice their lives in the name of societal expectations.

‘Our children need us alive. Motherhood is a lifelong responsibility and we must protect ourselves to care for our children,’ she said.

Representing the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Iman Ibrahim, Hajiya Aisha Sulaiman acknowledged the growing challenges faced by single parents, including social stigma, financial constraints, and legal hurdles.

She assured that the ministry remains committed to implementing policies and programmes aimed at empowering women and ensuring the welfare of children in vulnerable households.

‘This conference creates a vital platform for policy dialogue and strategic action,’ she said.

‘We believe the recommendations from this gathering will influence national decisions and drive positive change.’