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Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen, has doubled Nigeria’s lead against Benin Republic in their crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.

The Napoli forward struck in the 37th minute after a well-coordinated team move that left the Beninese defence exposed, extending Nigeria’s advantage and sending fans at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, into wild celebration.

Osimhen’s goal came after Nigeria’s opening strike earlier in the first half, as the Super Eagles continued to dominate possession and create scoring chances.

Osimhen’s trademark pace and clinical finishing proved decisive once again, underlining his status as one of Africa’s most lethal forwards.

With the win now within reach, Nigeria will be looking to maintain their momentum and secure all three points to boost their standing in the World Cup qualifying campaign.

As the match progresses, all eyes remain on Osimhen and the Super Eagles to see if they can build on their impressive first-half performance and seal a convincing victory over their West African rivals.

Nigerian veteran comedian Ali Baba, has made a controversial statement about polygamy and how it helps marriages.

The comedian in an interview, stated that having multiple wives help manage households and maintain order and discipline.

Ali Baba also claimed that women become more respectful when the man has other wives.

‘Some people believe that if you have only one wife, you may not be able to control her. But if the wife knows you have more than one, she’ll calm down because she knows that if she misbehaves, another person will take her place,’ he stated.

The comedian further argued that traditionally, polygamy was encouraged by women as it helped prevent men from having concubines. He added that polygamy is a system that he believes in because it is practical and grounded.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has clarified why he was absent from the recent Council of State meeting where President Bola Tinubu nominated Prof. Joash Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Speaking on Tuesday during the commissioning of access roads in Sector Centre B, Dakibiyu District, Abuja, Wike said he had informed President Tinubu ahead of time that he would not be available for the meeting due to other official engagements.

He added that he asked the Minister of State for the FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, to represent him at the meeting.

According to The Punch, Wike dismissed reports that he boycotted the meeting because his preferred candidate for INEC Chairman was not chosen, describing such claims as ‘propaganda and blackmail.’

He said, ‘Last week Thursday, we had a flag-off event, and I told the Minister of State to represent me at the Council of State meeting. I already informed Mr President that I would not be available due to prior engagements. That is why I wonder when people carry unnecessary propaganda. They said I didn’t attend because my nominee wasn’t selected that’s not true.’

The Council of State meeting was held on Thursday, October 9, 2025, where Prof. Amupitan was nominated as INEC Chairman, pending Senate confirmation.

Wike also reacted to reports that he had fallen out with President Tinubu, calling the claims false.

‘I work for Mr President. His focus has always been on putting this country on the right path. When you deliver results, your achievements will silence critics. Today, they have nothing more to say,’ he added.

The Minister also praised President Tinubu for his leadership, saying it has made it easier for the FCT Administration to achieve visible progress.

‘When you have the right leadership, you achieve results. Mr President has shown that, and that’s why people are talking about the achievements in the FCT,’ Wike said.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu welcomes the news of Shell’s $2 billion Final Investment Decision (FID) on a new gas project in the shallow offshore HI Field, in OML 144.

The new Non-Associated Gas (NAG) development project will deliver approximately 350 million standard cubic feet of gas per day (mmscf/d) from 2028, equivalent to almost a third of the requirements of Nigeria LNG Limited’s Train 7 project.

The announcement brings total significant upstream investment commitments through Final Investment Decisions (FIDs) in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector to over US $8 billion since President Tinubu assumed office in 2023, underscoring the success of his reform agenda and the renewed confidence of global investors.

This investment decision is Nigeria’s third major oil and gas FID in the last 18 months, following the Ubeta Non-Associated Gas project and the Bonga North deepwater project. It marks yet another milestone in Nigeria’s journey to unlock its abundant gas resources for domestic and export use. The Ubeta and HI gas projects can supply up to 15 percent of the NLNG’s total feedgas requirements, covering Trains 1 to 7.

Since 2024, President Tinubu has issued targeted directives as part of the industry reform coordinated by the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Energy. These directives have introduced unprecedented fiscal incentives, regulatory clarity, operating process simplification, cutting contracting costs, and reducing approval cycle times.

These reforms, now embedded in legislation, have restored investor confidence and repositioned Nigeria as a competitive investment destination.

The three landmark FIDs-the HI and Ubeta gas projects, and Bonga North deepwater-represent blueprint projects selected and unlocked by the Federal Government to drive the implementation of the presidential directives. Specifically, the development of the HI gas field-discovered four decades ago, in 1985-is being enabled by Presidential Directive 40, which introduced a competitive fiscal framework for Non-Associated Gas in onshore and shallow offshore fields.

Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Energy, Olu Arowolo Verheijen, said: ‘With the Ubeta FID and now the HI FID, we have secured the gas supply needed to make NLNG Train 7 not just possible, but transformative. These projects will significantly strengthen the reliability of Nigeria’s LNG exports to global markets while expanding LPG supply for domestic use – reducing imports, boosting foreign exchange earnings, and advancing clean cooking access for millions of Nigerian households. And this is only the beginning; more FIDs are on the horizon, proving that with the right policies in place, investment and impact follow.’

Peter Costello, Shell’s Upstream President, said, ‘Following recent investment decisions related to the Bonga deep-water development, today’s announcement demonstrates our continued commitment to Nigeria’s energy sector, with a focus on Deepwater and Integrated Gas. This Upstream project will help Shell grow our leading Integrated Gas portfolio, while supporting Nigeria’s plans to become a more significant player in the global LNG market.’

The NLNG Train 7 project will expand Nigeria’s LNG production capacity by 8 million metric tonnes annually, 35 percent of current production. In addition to reinforcing Nigeria’s position in the global gas supply value chain, it will expand domestic gas supply, support job creation, catalyse economic growth, and stimulate SMEs in host communities.

President Tinubu reiterates his administration’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for Nigeria’s domestic and foreign investors.

‘This major FID announcement by Shell, their second in one year, is a clear validation of our wide-ranging reform efforts and a signal to the world that Nigeria is fully open for business and investment’, President Tinubu says.

Nigeria’s star striker, Victor Osimhen, was in sensational form on Tuesday as he netted a brilliant hat-trick to fire the Super Eagles to a commanding lead over Benin Republic in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying encounter.

The forward opened the scoring early in the first half before doubling Nigeria’s advantage in the 37th minute with a composed finish.

He scored his hat-trick shortly after the restart, latching onto a through ball and calmly slotting it past the Beninese goalkeeper to send the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo into wild celebration.

Osimhen’s clinical display highlighted his importance to the Nigerian side, as his pace, strength, and finishing proved too much for the Benin defence to handle.

His performance also underlined why he remains one of Africa’s most feared attackers and a vital figure in Nigeria’s quest for a place at the 2026 World Cup.

With his latest heroics, Osimhen continues to climb the ranks among Nigeria’s all-time top scorers, further strengthening his reputation as the talisman of the Super Eagles.

The goals also provided a huge boost for Nigeria’s qualifying hopes.

The Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2), operated by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), joined organisations around the world in commemorating this year’s Customer Service Week, celebrating the theme ‘Mission Possible.’

The week-long event showcased MMA2’s dedication to exceptional passenger experience and appreciation for the staff who drive service excellence across the terminal.

The Customer Service Unit of the Operations Department led a series of engaging activities for passengers and terminal users, reinforcing the terminal’s culture of empathy, responsiveness, and professionalism.

Acting Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Remi Jibodu, described the celebration as a reminder of BASL’s consistent pursuit of excellence.

‘At BASL, our commitment to customer satisfaction is unwavering. Customer Service Week reminds us that excellence is not occasional, it’s a daily standard we uphold across all areas of our operations,’ he said.

Similarly, Customer Service Unit Supervisor, Mrs. Ifeoma Azubuike, described customer service as the ‘heartbeat’ of MMA2’s operations.

She said the event was an opportunity to celebrate every staff member who ensures comfort, safety, and efficiency for travellers, adding that the terminal strives to make each passenger’s experience ‘memorable for all the right reasons.’

Head of Corporate Communications, Mrs. Ajoke Yinka-Olawuyi, noted that Customer Service Week has become an essential part of MMA2’s culture.

‘Excellent service begins with a motivated team. Customer care is one of our core values, and it guides how we engage with our passengers, partners, and colleagues daily,’ she stated.

In continuation of its three-year tradition, BASL honoured outstanding customer service personnel from airlines operating at MMA2 with gifts and certificates of recognition.

The recognition was also extended to Ground Service Agents (GSAs) at the terminal’s cargo facility, reflecting BASL’s broader commitment to rewarding excellence and promoting a culture of service-driven performance across all its operations.

Philomena Iroko, mother of the rescued sold 5-day-old baby boy in Ebonyi, has sought for help from individuals and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to enable her take care of the baby.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the baby boy, sold by his father, five days after his birth, was recovered by the Police from the buyer, Chinyere Ugochukwu, on Friday, Oct. 10.

The mother of three kids told NAN on Monday in Abakaliki that her live-in lover, Chukwuma Onwe, had threatened her before taking the child away from her.

She said, ‘The man who pretended to be my husband, lied to me after I gave birth to the boy, that he would give the child to his sister for adequate care.

‘I didn’t know that the woman he gave the baby was buying him. It was after some days that I discovered that the father of my son collected money in exchange of my child.

‘It was from that period that I raised the alarm and started crying until my baby was recovered with the intervention of the police on Friday.

‘Though, we are not yet married, I don’t know what prompted my son’s father to sell him off.

‘Onwe, the father of my child, has been arrested alongside with the buyer by the police. I am here alone, no one to assist me.

‘Yes, I have other kids, two of them, but they are from a different man, whose whereabouts. I can’t trace. I have been living here with him (Onwe), with my two kids.

‘Please, I need help from the government, individuals and NGOs, so, that my son can live in good health,’ Iroko begged.

SP Joshua Ukandu, Spokesman of the Police Command in Ebonyi, said that Onwe, the father of the child and the buyer are still in custody as they begin investigation.

Nigerian rapper and music executive, M.I Abaga, has revealed that he would prefer to raise his future children in Nigeria, citing the country’s rich communal values and strong family support system as key reasons.

In a recent interview, the award-winning rapper praised Nigeria’s family-oriented culture, describing it as an ideal environment for nurturing children.

He contrasted this with life in the United States, where relatives are often preoccupied with work, leaving parents with little external support.

‘There are a lot of things appealing about home, especially because we’re already ingrained in that system. There’s a lot of support as well. I feel it’s very difficult for parents abroad,’ he said.

M.I emphasized that the communal nature of Nigerian society allows parents to receive help from extended family members in child-rearing, something he believes is lacking in many Western countries.

‘You have enough people that can stay at home and support you. But it’s not easy abroad – everyone is a professional and busy,’ he added.

The rapper, who got married in 2022, explained that while raising children abroad has its advantages, Nigeria provides a strong cultural foundation for children’s early development.

He suggested a blended approach:

‘Maybe it’s a thing like early years here and then at a certain point, move abroad. There are some good things about Nigeria that make it ideal for the early days.’

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have received a boost in their World Cup hopes as Rwanda’s national team, the Amavubi, have vowed to give their best performance against South Africa in their next qualifier.

The match will take place in Mpumalanga, South Africa, as part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup CAF Group C qualifiers.

Rwanda, coached by German tactician Torsten Spittler, are looking to bounce back after losing 2-1 to Benin Republic. Earlier in the campaign, they made headlines with a shocking 2-0 victory over South Africa in the first leg.

Ahead of the clash, the Rwandan team trained in Mpumalanga and shared a message saying:

‘First training in Mpumalanga – not just drills, but redemption in motion. Amavubi rises for the pride and pulse of the nation.’

Rwanda’s players say they are determined to finish the qualifiers on a strong note, even though they are no longer in contention for a ticket.

For Nigeria, this match is crucial.

If Rwanda can stop South Africa from winning, and the Super Eagles defeat Benin Republic in Uyo, Nigeria will qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

The final round of matches will be played on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, with Nigeria’s game scheduled for 5:00 p.m. at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.