Category: PM News

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have retained their 26th position in the latest FIFA Men’s World Rankings released on Thursday, maintaining their place among the world’s top football nations despite mixed results in recent international matches.

The ranking comes after a busy period for Éric Chelle’s side, who participated in the Unity Cup invitational tournament held in London. The three-time African champions impressed at the competition, recording a 2-0 victory over Zimbabwe before following it up with a convincing 3-0 win against Jamaica.

The Super Eagles also featured in two international friendlies this month as part of their preparations for upcoming competitions. They played out an entertaining 2-2 draw with Poland in Warsaw before suffering a narrow 2-1 defeat to Portugal in Leiria on Wednesday night. Despite the loss, the team delivered a spirited performance against the European giants, providing encouraging signs for the coaching crew and supporters.

On the African continent, Nigeria remains the third-highest ranked nation, trailing only Morocco and Senegal. Algeria occupy fourth position, while Egypt complete the top five teams in Africa.

At the global level, there were no changes among the leading nations. Reigning world champions Argentina continue to sit at the summit of the rankings, with Spain, France, England, and Portugal rounding out the top five.

The latest rankings will serve as another benchmark for the Super Eagles as they continue their preparations for future international assignments, including the race for qualification to major tournaments.

FIFA is scheduled to publish its next set of world rankings on July 20, when teams around the world will learn whether their recent performances have affected their standing.

The House of Representatives on Thursday passed the State Police Bill, paving the way for the decentralisation of Nigeria’s policing architecture.

The resolution followed a plenary vote in which 289 lawmakers voted in favour, while one voted against and the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, abstained.

The voting took place during a session called to consider the bill following a spike in killings, kidnappings, and banditry across the country in recent months.

The plenary was not without drama. Kaduna lawmaker Bashir Zubairu, of the African Democratic Congress, raised a point of order, claiming that the document on the proposed state police, prepared by the House Committee on Constitution Review, was only made available to members on the day of the session.

‘Mr Speaker, this document was only made available to lawmakers in the chambers, and we are yet to go through it. We cannot do justice to it because we have not gone through it,’ Zubairu said.

The Speaker ruled the point out of order and proceeded to take members through the clauses. Despite intermittent shouts of ‘Point of Order’ from the chamber, the presiding officer continued with the debate.

Before the vote, Abbas noted that the electronic voting system was faulty, and the exercise was conducted based on attendance. Out of 290 members present, 289 supported the bill.

The passing of the State Police Bill marks a major step toward reforming Nigeria’s security architecture and responding to growing public concerns over rising insecurity.

Further details and implications of the bill are expected to be released in due course.

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited has appointed Mr. Bismarck Rewane as a Non-Executive Director and Chairman of its Board of Directors, following approval from the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Rewane is a respected economist and experienced leader in Nigeria’s financial sector, with more than 40 years of experience in macroeconomic research, investment banking, and strategic management.

He is the Managing Director at Financial Derivatives Company Limited, a top financial advisory and economic research firm. He is a Fellow of the Nigerian Economic Society and has held leadership roles at International Merchant Bank Nigeria Limited and First National Bank of Chicago.

He graduated from the University of Ibadan with a degree in Economics and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria and an Associate of the Institute of Chartered Bankers of England and Wales.

Rewane has served on the boards of blue-chip companies and multinationals, including Guinness Nigeria Plc., British American Tobacco, Henkel Nigeria Limited, Top Feeds Nigeria Limited, and Africa Infrastructure Plus Partners. He was a member of the Presidential Steering Committee for the Resolution of the Global Economic Crisis.

He has completed executive management programmes at top business schools, including the Oxford International Capital Markets programme, the Euromoney Institute of Finance, and IMD Lausanne, Switzerland.

The Board of Directors of First City Monument Bank welcomes Rewane. The Bank is confident that his expertise in macroeconomics, corporate governance, and strategic management, together with the Bank’s stronger capital base, will strengthen its leadership and help drive the next phase of growth while continuing to deliver value to stakeholders.

First City Monument Bank Limited is a member of FCMB Group Plc, a financial services company that provides banking, consumer finance, investment management, and fintech services.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 gets underway with an action-packed opening week that promises early drama, heavyweight clashes and crucial group-stage battles as the expanded 48-team tournament begins across the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Featuring a record 104 matches over 39 days, the competition opens with a series of high-profile fixtures that could immediately shape the race for qualification and establish early favourites for football’s biggest prize.

Fans in Nigeria will be able to follow every moment live on SuperSport through DStv and GOtv platforms.

The opening round begins on Friday, 12 June, with Korea Republic taking on Czech Republic at 3:00 am before Belgium face Egypt at 8:00 pm in a fascinating contest between European experience and African ambition.

Attention then turns to Saturday, 13 June, when hosts United States meet Paraguay at 2:00 am, while Qatar battle Switzerland at 8:00 pm. The day’s marquee fixture arrives at 11:00 pm as five-time world champions Brazil square off against Morocco, one of Africa’s most exciting teams following their historic recent achievements on the global stage.

Sunday, 14 June offers another intriguing lineup, with Germany facing Curacao at 6:00 pm before the Netherlands take on Japan at 9:00 pm in a clash expected to showcase tactical discipline and technical quality.

The schedule intensifies on Monday, 15 June, beginning with Ivory Coast versus Ecuador at midnight and Sweden against Tunisia at 3:00 am. Later in the day, Spain face Cape Verde at 5:00 pm, while Belgium and Egypt renew their rivalry at 8:00 pm in another compelling intercontinental encounter.

One of the standout matches of the opening week takes centre stage on Tuesday, 16 June, when France lock horns with Senegal at 8:00 pm in a contest that pits one of Europe’s traditional powerhouses against one of Africa’s most consistent performers.

Wednesday, 17 June brings further excitement as Argentina face Algeria at 2:00 am. The match is expected to draw global attention as Lionel Messi begins what many believe could be his final FIFA World Cup campaign. Later, England and Croatia meet at 9:00 pm in a heavyweight showdown between two nations with recent World Cup pedigree.

The first round of fixtures concludes on Thursday, 18 June, with Ghana taking on Panama at midnight before Uzbekistan face Colombia at 3:00 am, maintaining the tournament’s relentless pace and global appeal.

All matches will be broadcast live on SS World Cup Central (DStv Channel 202 and GOtv Channel 61), ensuring viewers have uninterrupted access to every major moment.

With the tournament’s expanded format placing greater importance on every group-stage result, the opening week is expected to deliver early storylines, defining performances and memorable encounters as teams begin their quest for World Cup glory.

Nollywood actress Mary Njoku has urged Nigerian and African Christians to not just depend on prayers as the solution to national issues.

The actress, while speaking on insecurity via her Instagram page, explained that physical problems demand physical solutions while spiritual problems demand spiritual ones.

She urged Christians to combine faith with practical effort, noting that issues like bad infrastructure and insecurity require action and not prayers.

“Physical problems require physical solutions. Spiritual problems require spiritual solutions. You cannot pray food onto your plate. Someone has to plant it, harvest it, transport it, cook it, or provide the means for you to get it yourself. Even in the bible, provision often came through people, work, and practical action. Good roads, quality healthcare, education, security, and economic growth will not appear simply because we pray about them. Prayer can guide us, strengthen us, and give us wisdom, but physical problems must also be addressed with physical action, planning, accountability, and hard work,” she stated.

Although Njoku did not dismiss the importance of prayer, she urged Christians to ensure that their faith works hand in hand with positive action.

“Dear African Christians, as we continue to pray, let us not confuse prayer with action. You cannot bind and cast away bad roads. You cannot rebuke a failing healthcare system into working. You cannot pray away the bandits who are terrorising our lives. Faith and action are not enemies. They work together,” she added.

Amid growing insecurity and relentless bandit attacks in parts of Kebbi State, the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Muhammad Samaila Mera, has urged communities under his domain to legally acquire weapons and prepare to defend themselves against criminal elements.

The monarch’s remarks came during a meeting with district heads, village heads and ward heads at his palace in Argungu, where he expressed concern over the vulnerability of many rural communities to attacks by bandits and other armed groups.

In a message that underscored the gravity of the security situation, the Emir advised residents to explore lawful means of protecting themselves, including raising communal funds to procure legally approved firearms for self-defence.

“If you acquire such weapons legally, make sure the bandits are aware that your community possesses the means to defend itself. This alone can serve as a deterrent and discourage attacks,” he said.

The traditional ruler lamented that many communities have become easy targets because they lack the capacity to resist attacks when criminals strike.

“When bandits attack, people start running, including village heads. This is happening because communities do not have adequate means of self-defence,” he stated.

The Emir said it was unacceptable for innocent citizens to continue to suffer killings, abductions and other forms of violence without any form of resistance.

“It is not right for a Muslim to remain passive while criminals kill people, kidnap innocent citizens and rape our women. Be prepared to defend yourselves, your families and your communities against any attack,” he declared.

However, the monarch was quick to clarify that he was not advocating lawlessness, vigilantism or ethnic violence. He stressed that any form of self-defence must be lawful and coordinated with security agencies.

According to him, the worsening security challenge has become too widespread for security agencies alone to tackle without community support.

The Emir also warned residents against revenge attacks and extrajudicial killings, noting that retaliatory violence only fuels further bloodshed.

“I will not support anyone carrying arms to attack other ethnic groups or engage in unlawful killings,” he cautioned.

Alhaji Mera further alleged that although many members of the Lakurawa group had reportedly left the area, armed bandits linked to the group and their collaborators remained active and continued to terrorise communities.

He therefore urged residents across the emirate to remain vigilant, cooperate with security agencies and uphold peaceful coexistence while taking lawful steps to protect their communities from criminal attacks.

By Nehru Odeh

There is something intriguing about Bishop James Ogwo, General Overseer of Oyoyo Jesus Ministry, Enugu. He is a clergyman with a difference.The episcopal robes, with a skullcap to match, which he always wears, singles him out. But, truly, the hood doesn’t make the monk. As behind his seemingly harmless smiles lurks something different.

Still, a leaked video has further stood him out amongst his peers. Not only is the visual of his alleged intimacy with female members of his church, including married women, making the rounds, he also heads a ministry in which sweetness is a given.

As the name of his church, Oyoyo Jesus Ministry, connotes, euphoric joy and sweetness abound there. The word “oyoyo” means unspeakable sweetness in Pidgin. Little wonder the shepherd and his flock allegedly help themselves with the sensuous pleasures that is the order of the day there.

And perhaps that also explains why the Bishop allegedly experiments with different female members of his church, including married women, to savour their sweetness.

The footage currently making the rounds has set the internet on fire and generated discourse on social media. Not only does it show that the pastor is adept at intimacy, it also showcases the different sides of the man’s expertise. And as many netizens acknowledge, he has a massive weapon of mass destruction to boot.

The clergyman is indeed a stylist when it comes to intimacy. The video, which comes in slides, shows him not only experimenting with different women but also showcasing many styles.

Aside from the fact that he experiments with different kinds of styles, including cowgirl, wheelbarrow, and doggy, he has an uncanny way of turning the familiar acts that are assumed to be given in intimacy into the unfamiliar

For instance, he defamiliarises intimacy in the video, the way he locks lips with the women and savours their seemingly sugar-coated tongues. Many netizens are still having a field day watching the trending video on social media, as they react to it.

Still, if the video is anything to go by, it shows that the clergyman is not only taking care of the spiritual needs of his church members but also their intimate needs. That is, indeed, the reason the abundance of sweetness in that church remains a given.

By Olajide Idowu

Osun governor, Ademola Adeleke of Osun and the state chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday traded accusations over alleged political attacks and shootings in parts of the state as tension continue to build up ahead of the governorship election in the state.

Osun Police Command Public Relations Officer said reports of the shootings have been confirmed from the Divisional Police Officers in Owode-Ede and Osogbo.

Ojelabi said that the perpetrators of the attacks had not been linked to any political party.

He, however, said the police were gathering intelligence and investigating the incidents

But while addressing a news conference at the Government House in Osogbo, Adeleke accused the APC of engaging in sporadic shootings and attacks on residents, an allegation the party denied.

The governor alleged that suspected thugs, in the early hours of Tuesday, fired gunshots sporadically in Ile-Ife, creating panic in the town.

He also alleged that suspected thugs launched attacks in Owode-Ede, leaving some residents injured.

“These attacks are outrageous, unprovoked and deliberate. The provocation is getting to an unbearable level.

“For the past few months, I have been calming my supporters to maintain peace despite persistent attacks.

“Just a month ago, a youth leader of the Accord Party was killed in Ikire.

“A few days ago, the Osogbo chairman of the Accord Party was shot in Osogbo.

“These attacks must stop. Our people should not be pushed to the wall.

“I call on the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the DSS and other top security officials to pay special attention to Osun.

“Deliberate sponsorship of violence should be condemned by all people of conscience.

“Elections are about the people. Voters should be allowed to make their choices in a peaceful atmosphere.

“This attack must stop. Enough is enough,” Adeleke said.

The governor thereafter led journalists to the University of Osun Teaching Hospital, where victims of the shootings were receiving treatment.

Reacting, the APC, through the Head of Media and Publicity Committee of its campaign council, Mr Remi Omowaiye, alleged that thugs loyal to the Accord Party attacked APC supporters.

Omowaiye, in a statement, said the increasing rate of politically motivated violence in the state, allegedly targeted at APC supporters and other innocent citizens, was becoming alarming.

“Only this morning, campaign buses belonging to the APC were attacked and vandalised by suspected Accord Party thugs in the Owode-Ede area.

“The attack left several supporters of the APC governorship candidate severely injured, while valuable campaign materials and property were destroyed,” he said.

Omowaiye said such acts of violence had no place in a democratic society and should concern every well-meaning resident of the state.

.(NAN)

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

A prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, on Wednesday told the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja that an aircraft belonging to Ethiopian Airlines was allegedly presented to Nigerians as the proposed national carrier, Nigeria Air, shortly before the end of the Muhammadu Buhari administration.

The witness, Christopher Odofin, an investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the 12th prosecution witness, made the revelation while testifying before Justice S.C. Oriji in the trial involving alleged abuse of office and misappropriation of more than N2 billion in public funds.

Sirika is standing trial alongside his daughter, Fatima Hadi Sirika, his son-in-law, Hamma Jalal Sule, and Al Buraq Global Investment Limited on an amended six-count charge filed by the EFCC.

According to Odofin, investigations revealed that the aircraft displayed as Nigeria Air at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on May 27, 2023, was chartered from Ethiopian Airlines solely for a ceremonial display and not for the commencement of operations by a functional national carrier.

The aircraft, adorned in Nigeria Air colours and branding, arrived in Abuja three days before the expiration of the Buhari administration and departed for Addis Ababa on the morning of May 29, 2023, the day President Bola Tinubu was sworn into office.

Reading from documents obtained during the investigation, Odofin told the court that the charter agreement explicitly stated that the aircraft would remain in Abuja for a static display of the Nigeria Air livery between May 27 and May 28 before returning to Ethiopia.

The agreement further indicated that the flight would be operated by Ethiopian Airlines crew members wearing Ethiopian Airlines uniforms, while local models dressed in Nigeria Air uniforms would participate in ceremonial photographs.

“The aircraft will stay at Abuja airport for static display of Nigeria Air livery until May 28, 2023, and leave early morning on May 29, 2023,” the witness told the court while reading from the agreement.

Odofin alleged that the display was deliberately timed to coincide with the end of Sirika’s tenure as aviation minister and create the impression that the long-promised national carrier had become operational.

He further stated that the EFCC established that the charter arrangement with Ethiopian Airlines was entered into on May 24, 2023 just five days before the minister left office and was solely for the temporary display of the Nigeria Air brand.

The witness also disclosed that the anti-graft agency obtained documents from Ethiopian Airlines following a response to an EFCC request for information dated June 12, 2023.

In a separate aspect of his testimony, Odofin told the court that the contract for the establishment of Nigeria Air was awarded to Tianaero Nigeria Limited on April 4, 2022, for over N299 million and was later extended to more than N599 million.

According to him, investigators traced communications suggesting that Sirika personally directed the award of the contract to the company.

“The investigating team arrived at this position after analysing the phone of a former Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Enitan Muyiwa Abel, which contained a voice note allegedly sent by the first defendant from Spain directing that the contract be awarded to Tianaero Nigeria Limited,” he said.

The witness added that Tianaero Nigeria Limited was linked to Gabriel Tilmann, whom he described as a close associate of the former minister.

During proceedings, the prosecution tendered several documents and exhibits, including a compact disc containing a voice note allegedly made by Sirika. The exhibit was admitted by the court without objection from any of the defence counsel.

Justice Oriji subsequently adjourned the matter until June 17, 2026, for continuation of trial and the playing of the audio recording in court.

US President Donald Trump has delivered a stark warning to Iran, saying the country “will have to pay the price” for delaying a deal and failing to act, as Washington launched retaliatory strikes following the downing of an American Apache helicopter.

Trump took to Truth Social, hitting Tehran for being “all talk and no action” and calling the Iranian military a “complete and total mess” whose Navy and Air Force “doesn’t even exist anymore.”

“The Bully of the Middle East is DEAD!!! They’ve taken too long to negotiate a deal now they will have to pay the price!!!” he wrote.

US Central Command said fighter jets targeted Iranian air defence systems, ground control stations, and surveillance radar sites near the Strait of Hormuz. Two US pilots from the downed Apache were rescued off the coast of Oman.

Iran responded aggressively, firing missiles at US bases in Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait. Jordan and Bahrain intercepted the attacks, while Kuwait engaged “hostile aerial targets.” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned the US and its allies to leave the region if they wanted to remain safe, saying Tehran would leave “no attack or threat unanswered.”

The escalation comes just a day before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which the US is co-hosting and Iran is participating in, raising fears of regional instability overshadowing the tournament.

Trump also slammed the media for not reporting on the effectiveness of the US naval blockade, describing it as a “steel wall” preventing Iran from receiving anything unless Washington permits it. He described Iran as a “failed nation” not paying its military or bills.

The latest strikes follow a weekend of missile exchanges between Iran and Israel. Iran fired nearly 30 missiles at Israel over Hezbollah-related attacks, prompting Israeli airstrikes that killed three Iranian personnel.

“The Strait of Hormuz is NOT international waters foreign forces in proximity to our territory are at constant risk,” Araghchi said, reiterating Iran’s hardline stance.

The Apache helicopter is the second crewed US aircraft downed by Iran since April, following the loss of an F-15 fighter jet. The strikes and counterstrikes have kept global markets on edge, as a fifth of the world’s oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz.