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Nottingham Forest have sensationally sacked their manager, Ange Postecoglou, during their 3-0 Premier League defeat to Chelsea on Saturday, as the club’s winless run under the Australian extended to eight games.

The decision, confirmed immediately after the final whistle, ends Postecoglou’s turbulent 39-day reign – the shortest in Premier League history for a permanent managerial appointment.

Postecoglou was appointed in September as a replacement for Nuno Espirito Santo, but his time at the City Ground quickly unravelled. Under his leadership, Forest failed to secure a single victory, managing only two draws and six defeats across all competitions.

In the Premier League, Forest picked up just one point from five matches, leaving them 17th on the table, a point above the relegation zone.

A club statement released shortly after the Chelsea defeat read:

‘Nottingham Forest Football Club can confirm that after a series of disappointing results and performances, Ange Postecoglou has been relieved of his duties as head coach with immediate effect. The club will make no further comment at this time.’

Postecoglou’s brief stint saw Forest suffer a string of poor results, starting with a 3-0 defeat to Arsenal, followed by an early Carabao Cup exit to Swansea City. Draws against Burnley and Real Betis provided some hope, but back-to-back losses – including a 3-2 home defeat to Midtjylland, where fans chanted ‘you’re getting sacked in the morning’ – sealed his fate.

Owner Evangelos Marinakis is now seeking his third head coach this season, in a campaign that began with high hopes after the club’s return to European football.

Fulham manager Marco Silva and former Burnley and Everton boss Sean Dyche are among the early names linked to the vacant position.

Postecoglou’s sacking breaks Frank de Boer’s record of 77 days in charge at Crystal Palace in 2017, marking one of the swiftest managerial dismissals in Premier League history.

Members of Coalition of Oil Producing Youths of Ondo State (COPYOS) have threatened to embark on massive protest if President Bola Tinubu failed to sack Mr Otito Atikase-Ehinmore, the state representative on Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) board within two weeks.

COYPOS made the demand while accusing Atikase-Ehimore of abuse of office.

The group’s petition to Tinubu was signed by 47 members including Samuel Ikumapayi and Oluwole Fagbin, the President and Secretary respectively.

The coalition comprising youths, women, community leaders and other stakeholders, expressed disappointment over Atikase-Ehinmore’s alleged gross misconduct in the petition made available to journalists on Saturday in Okitipupa.

The group gave Tinubu two weeks to remove Atikase-Ehinmore, threatened massive protests at the state level and NDDC offices if the President refused to sack him.

According to the group, since assuming office, Atikase-Ehinmore has being inaccessible and unaccountable to youth groups, community stakeholders and traditional rulers in the mandate areas.

‘Atikase-Ehinmore has turned the state’s seat to a ‘ghost position,’ by depriving the state of visibility and developmental benefits from NDDC,’ the coalition stated.

The group also accused Atikase-Ehinmore of allocating the only four NDDC employment slots meant for the oil producing communities to his immediate family members.

According to the group, the benefiting family members are Mr Dare Ehinmore, Miss Dayo Ehinmore, Mr Babatumde Ehinmore and Mrs Taye Stella Olayemi.

The coalition also alleged that the NDDC board member diverted money allocated for the 2023 and 2024 NDDC Youth Empowerment Programmes.

‘Atikase-Ehinmore also diverted relief materials sent to the oil-producing communities by the NDDC to assist victims of environmental degradation.

‘These acts represent a betrayal of the Renewed Hope Agenda of Tinubu’s administration and a cruel exploitation of the people’s pain.

‘The NDDC was established to restore hope and drive development in the Niger Delta, not to serve as a personal treasury for selfish appointees.

‘We, therefore, demand his immediate removal and the appointment of a credible and people-oriented representative who will align with the President’s development vision for the Niger Delta region.

‘We warn that if no action within two weeks, we will be left with no choice but to embark on a peaceful but massive protests and demonstrations across the state and NDDC offices until justice is done,’ the coalition stated.

Reacting in a telephone interview, Atikase-Ehinmore neither confirm nor deny the allegations levelled against him by COPYOS.

‘Let them go and meet Mr President to remove me. That’s my reaction to the allegations,’ he retorted.

The Super Eagles achieved a universal spread of 10 different scorers in their 15-goal haul in Group C of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying series, with only ace forward Victor Osimhen scoring more than once.

The lanky marksman netted six times – in the process taking his Nigerian tally to 29 in 44 matches, only eight shy of legendary Rashidi Yekini’s record.

Defender Semi Ajayi, who will now miss the penultimate game of the CAF Play-off in Morocco next month after bagging two yellow cards in the series, scored Nigeria’s first goal in the series – the equalizer against Lesotho’s Crocodiles on Matchday 1 inside Uyo’s Godswill Akpabio Stadium on 16th November 2023.

Considering that Nigeria edged Burkina Faso only on goals’ tally at the end of the campaign to reach the Play-off, it means that Raphael Onyedika’s goal against Bénin Republic in Abidjan on Matchday 4 (even though Nigeria eventually lost 1-2) was as important as Ajayi’s equalizer against the Crocodiles in Uyo, just as Kelechi Iheanacho’s equalizer against Zimbabwe on Matchday 2 in Butare (Rwanda) on 19th November 2023 was as crucial as Calvin Bassey’s leveller against South Africa on Matchday 8 in Bloemfontein on 9th September 2025.

At the end of the qualifying campaign in Group C, the Super Eagles lost only one of its 10 matches, compared to South Africa’s Bafana Bafana that lost two (despite playing seven of its 10 matches on home soil) and Bénin Republic that lost three.

Chadian referee Alhadi Mahamat Allaou took charge of three of Eagles’ matches, viz the home draw with South Africa, the win over Rwanda in Uyo and the win over Lesotho in Polokwane.

Gabonese Pierre Atcho took charge of two (the defeat by Bénin Republic in Abidjan on Matchday 4 and the draw with South Africa in Bloemfontein on Matchday 8.

The three-time African champions played all home games at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, and also played in Rwanda’s Stade Huye, Abidjan’s Felix Houphouet-Boigny, Kigali’s Amahoro Stadium and South African venues Free State Stadium (Bloemfontein) and New Peter Mokaba Stadium (Polokwane).

On their way from their Matchday 9 encounter with Lesotho, the team’s chartered ValueJet Airline aircraft suffered a cracked windscreen mid-air, but the professionalism, expertise and diligence of Captain Kamal Marafa saw the airplane safely guided back to the Luanda Airport where it had taken off after a refueling stop.

Now, on to the CAF Play-off Tournament in Morocco next month!

The leadership of Encounter Jesus Ministries International has sounded a strong note of warning to the public after uncovering a wave of online impersonation schemes targeting the ministry and its founder, Apostle Michael Orokpo.

In an official statement signed by the Director of Legal Services, the ministry revealed that some individuals have been operating fake social media accounts and pages bearing the name ‘Apostolos Orokpo’ and other close variations, misleading unsuspecting members of the public into private conversations, fake prayer sessions, and fraudulent donation requests.

According to the statement, Apostle Orokpo does not operate or communicate privately with individuals on social media, nor does he request financial assistance or donations before any engagement. The ministry also clarified that the phone number +234 701 621 4488 and claims linking him to any orphanage are entirely false.

Members of the public have been urged to rely only on Apostle Orokpo’s verified social media pages and the official Encounter Jesus mobile application for authentic updates, teachings, and ministry information.

The ministry further adviced Nigerians to remain vigilant and report any suspicious pages or accounts impersonating Apostle Orokpo to the appropriate social media platforms.

Encounter Jesus Ministries International says it will continue to uphold transparency and integrity in all its digital engagements.

The Lagos State Police Command has recovered 75 mobile devices and five laptops abandoned by fleeing suspects during a routine patrol by the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) in the Ikeja area.

According to the Command, the operation forms part of ongoing efforts to enhance security and combat property-related crimes across the state.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, disclosed that the recovery occurred after two suspects abandoned two large ‘Ghana Must Go’ bags upon sighting police operatives near Allen Roundabout, Ikeja.

‘On Sunday, 5th October 2025, at about 5:30 a.m., operatives inspected the bags and discovered 32 iPhones of various models, 38 other smartphones including Samsung, Redmi, Tecno, and Honor brands, as well as five laptops, several smart wristwatches, AirPods, a Samsung Tab, and a Sorapad,’ the statement revealed.

Speaking on the incident, the Commander of the Rapid Response Squad, Shola Jejeloye, said: ‘Preliminary investigations indicate that the items were stolen property hastily abandoned by the suspects.’

Members of the public who may have lost similar devices are advised to visit the RRS Headquarters in Alausa, Ikeja, with verifiable proof of ownership for proper identification and possible recovery of their items.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh, praised the RRS operatives for their vigilance and professionalism. He reaffirmed the Command’s dedication to intelligence-led policing and proactive crime prevention strategies.

He further assured Lagos residents that the Command would continue to increase patrol visibility and maintain public safety across all parts of the state.

The Federal Government has given ?1 million each to 17 young Nigerian entrepreneurs under the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA) programme to support innovation and business growth.

The Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Ayodele Olawande, said the initiative shows the government’s commitment to helping young Nigerians develop skills and create businesses that can drive national development.

According to him, the Nigerian Youth Academy was created to equip young people with the knowledge, tools, and connections they need to succeed in today’s innovation-driven world.

Speaking at the NiYA Startup Pitch event, Olawande said the programme is not just a competition but a way to help young Nigerians turn their creative ideas into real and lasting impact.

‘This is part of our effort to build a complete support system for youth – from learning to earning,’ he explained. ‘With hard work and vision, these young people can create solutions that change communities and industries.’

The minister also reminded attendees that President Bola Tinubu launched the Nigerian Youth Academy to provide a national platform that encourages creativity and enterprise among young people.

He added, ‘When we combine government and private sector efforts, our youths can build thriving businesses and create jobs for others. This is more than training – it’s about giving them a chance to put their skills to use.’

The Group CEO of Sapphital, Mr. Amu Ogbeide, praised the programme, saying NiYA gives every young Nigerian a fair chance to showcase and grow their ideas.

‘We selected these young innovators based on merit. Our goal is to fund, mentor, and equip them with digital tools to succeed,’ he said.

The Director-General of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Mr. Charles Odii, revealed that $25,000 (about ?15-?20 million) was set aside for the competition, with each winner getting ?1 million.

He noted that the supported startups are in sectors like technology, logistics, and digital services, with high potential for growth and job creation.

‘When you provide funding to small businesses, especially tech startups, you boost innovation, growth, and employment,’ Odii said.

Also speaking, the Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr. Emomotimi Agama, said empowering young entrepreneurs is a major step toward building a stronger nation.

‘Young people are the future. Supporting them means investing in Nigeria’s progress,’ he said.

Agama added that the programme would help youths understand business management, prepare for investment, and eventually grow to compete on global stages.

He concluded that such empowerment helps spread wealth, promote inclusion, and inspire a new generation of innovative Nigerian entrepreneurs.

Nigerian gospel singer, Tim Godfrey, has set social media abuzz following the release of his latest single, ‘Infinity,’ featuring Afrobeats star Oxlade.

The song, which dropped this week as the seventh track on Godfrey’s forthcoming 12-track studio album titled ‘No Label,’ blends contemporary gospel sounds with the smooth R and B-Afrobeats flair that has defined Oxlade’s music career.

While many music lovers have praised the collaboration for its creativity and crossover appeal, the partnership has stirred controversy among sections of Nigeria’s Christian community, who argue that Oxlade – best known for secular hits like ‘Ku Lo Sa’ and ‘Away’ – should not feature on a gospel project.

In a statement announcing the new release, Tim Godfrey described ‘Infinity’ as a ‘magnificent song’ and part of his mission to reach a broader audience through inspirational, faith-driven music. The track follows his earlier single, ‘Praise the Lord,’ which opens the same upcoming album.

However, on social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, some Christian listeners have voiced discomfort with the collaboration, questioning whether a secular artist should feature on a gospel track.

One user wrote:

‘This came on my gospel playlist, and I wasn’t sure if it was Oxlade’s voice I was hearing. I have now confirmed it.’

Another commented:

‘The problem is people not understanding what gospel ministry really is. Tim Godfrey is an entertainer, not a minister, and that’s why he’s collaborating with a secular artist.’

Despite the backlash, others have defended Godfrey’s decision, arguing that gospel music should transcend boundaries.

‘If God could use Saul who persecuted Christians, who is Oxlade that He cannot use?’ one fan posted.

Industry watchers say the debate highlights a long-running tension in Nigeria’s gospel scene – between traditional worship-based gospel music and the newer, entertainment-driven gospel pop that appeals to wider audiences.

Music critics have described ‘Infinity’ as a melodic and uplifting song that fuses spiritual lyrics with polished production.

The track’s message, according to Godfrey, centres on divine blessings, faith, and perseverance, themes consistent with his previous releases.

As of press time, the song continues to trend across major streaming platforms and social media, generating both praise and pushback.

Whether viewed as a bold act of inclusivity or a controversial departure from gospel orthodoxy, ‘Infinity’ has undeniably succeeded in sparking a national conversation about faith, music, and the evolving face of Nigerian gospel artistry.

The World Bank has said that Nigeria’s population could rise to about 350 million people by the year 2050. This means the country may have around 130 million more people than it does today.

Nigeria currently has over 220 million people, making it the sixth most populated country in the world. The World Bank urged the government to create more jobs to match this growth.

At the 2025 World Bank-IMF Annual Meetings, World Bank President Ajay Banga said that job creation should be a key part of every country’s development and security plans.

He explained that by 2050, 85 percent of the world’s population will live in developing countries, and Africa will have one in every four people on Earth.

According to Banga, around 1.2 billion young people will enter the global workforce within the next 10 to 15 years, competing for only 400 million jobs – just one-third of what’s needed.

‘These young people have energy and great ideas,’ Banga said. ‘With the right investments, they can power the world’s future growth.’

He also shared the World Bank’s recent achievements:

20 million farmers now have access to better tools and markets.

60 million people have electricity connections.

70 million people have received education or job training.

300 million people now enjoy better health and nutrition services.

The bank has also partnered with the Asian Development Bank and developed a plan called IFC2030 to attract more private investments.

To fight corruption, the World Bank is helping governments use data, digital ID systems, and AI to track taxes, property, and financial records.

Banga said that in the past decade, the bank has helped 120 governments tackle corruption and is currently working with 26 more to stop illicit financial activities.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Saturday staged a massive rally at Murtala Square, Kaduna, to formally receive thousands of defectors from opposition parties, including prominent federal and state lawmakers, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Leading the charge were Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, and the APC National Chairman, Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda, who described the rally as a ‘victory march’ – a sign of the party’s growing dominance in the state.

The event attracted a large crowd of party faithful and supporters, with the venue transformed into a carnival of unity. Banners, party colours, and chants of ‘APC! Next Level!’ echoed across the square.

The rally marked the official defection of several political heavyweights from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and other parties into the APC.

Among the notable defectors were federal lawmakers representing Sabon Gari, Igabi, Kaduna South, and Ikara/Kubau constituencies, as well as Hon. Saidu Adamu, a former PDP Secretary in Kaduna and Chairman of PDP Secretaries in Northern Nigeria.

Other high-profile names included former Governor Ramalan Yero, Senators Shehu Sani, Andrew Malar, and Suleiman Hunkuyi.

Several former local government chairmen and members of the 8th Kaduna State House of Assembly also joined the ruling party.

Speaking at the rally, Governor Sani said the wave of defections was a clear endorsement of the APC’s inclusive leadership and development-focused governance in Kaduna State.

He said, ‘In APC Kaduna, we are one family. We don’t discriminate. Everyone has the same privilege and the same opportunity.

‘Since we assumed office, there has been no single ethno-religious crisis in Kaduna. That peace is a product of fairness, justice, and inclusive governance.’

The governor also acknowledged President Bola Tinubu’s support in driving key reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidy and tax restructuring, which he said had opened Kaduna to both local and foreign investment.

Sani added, ‘Everything we’ve achieved in Kaduna would not have been possible without the support of President Tinubu. His bold reforms have brought development and restored investor confidence in Nigeria.’

He declared that with the APC now firmly in control of the political landscape in Kaduna, the party was targeting 95 percent of the total votes in the 2027 elections.

‘Today in Kaduna, there is no opposition. APC is the party of the people, and I have no doubt that come 2027, the votes will speak for us loud and clear,’ Sani said.

The governor concluded by assuring all defectors and party members of equal treatment and a shared commitment to development.

‘Our goal is not politics for power, but politics for the people. Kaduna APC is united, stronger, and ready for the future,’ he said.

APC National Chairman, Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda, described the rally as a strategic turning point, noting that Kaduna has become a model for party cohesion and political realignment ahead of the next polls.

‘What we are witnessing today is the beginning of a broader movement. The APC is open to all Nigerians who believe in unity, progress, and inclusive governance,’ he said.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, also commended Governor Sani’s leadership style, crediting him with uniting diverse political interests and transforming Kaduna into a reference point for peace and progress in Northern Nigeria.

Also in attendance were the Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Hon. Yusuf Liman; Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas; members of the APC National Working Committee; and other party stalwarts.

Arsenal secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage in a tense Premier League encounter that kept fans on edge until the final whistle.

Leandro Trossard was the hero for Mikel Arteta’s men, scoring the only goal of the match in the 59th minute after reacting quickest to a loose ball inside the box. His rebound finish into the middle of the net gave Arsenal the lead their dominance deserved.

The Gunners controlled possession for much of the game, with over 60 percent of the ball, but were repeatedly frustrated by a resolute Fulham defence and the heroics of goalkeeper Bernd Leno, who denied Viktor Gyökeres and Riccardo Calafiori with two brilliant saves in the first half.

Fulham, however, were no pushovers. Alex Iwobi and Harry Wilson created chances of their own, with Wilson coming agonisingly close in the 26th minute when his drive whistled inches wide of the post.

The second half burst into life when referee Anthony Taylor awarded Arsenal a penalty in the 65th minute for a trip on Gyökeres. But after a VAR review, the decision was overturned, to the fury of the Arsenal players and bench.

Despite the setback, Arsenal held their composure and tightened their grip on the game. Substitutes Gabriel Martinelli and Christian Nørgaard added fresh energy in the closing minutes, as the Gunners defended their slender lead with discipline.

Fulham pushed hard for an equaliser in stoppage time, with Adama Traoré and Raúl Jiménez threatening on the break, but Arsenal’s backline – marshalled by Declan Rice and William Saliba, stood firm.

The final whistle was met with relief from the Arsenal bench as Arteta’s side extended their unbeaten run.

With the win, Arsenal are now top of the premier league table.