Category: The Nation – Nigeria

Sir: American comedian and talk show host, Bill Maher, recently stirred up a hornet’s nest when he claimed during a Friday episode of Real Time with Bill Maher that there is genocide of Christians in Nigeria. According to him, more than 100,000 Christians have been killed since 2009 and 18,000 churches have been burned.

There is a popular saying often attributed to Abraham Lincoln: ‘Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.’ Bill Maher did not just speak out of turn, he exposed his ignorance.

Every Nigerian knows that the killings by bandits and insurgents in Nigeria are across the board. They bear no religious colouration. Muslims have died, Christians have died, and traditional worshippers too have not been spared. Whole communities have been displaced irrespective of their faith.

From Katsina to Zamfara, Niger, and other northern states, bandits have attacked mosques, killing Muslim worshippers even while they prayed. That is what makes Bill Maher’s statement, and the claim of some Western commentators about a so-called jihad war in Nigeria, not just misleading but laughable.

Perhaps Bill Maher thought that by claiming a Christian genocide in Nigeria, Christians would rise up against Muslims and the country would collapse. After all, foreign experts once predicted that Nigeria would disintegrate in 2015. I am sure they are still surprised that the country remains standing strong despite its numerous challenges.

If there is anything I have deduced from Bill Maher’s fake news, it is that Nigerians are wiser now. Bill would be disappointed reading some of the comments from Christians in Nigeria rubbishing his statement on social media. We know who our common enemies are when we see them.

Those killing innocent citizens in Nigeria are not Muslims, they are not Christians, they are not traditional worshippers. In truth, they are not even human, because they lack humanity. The only name of their religion is cruelty. They exist to maim, to massacre, and to tear apart the very fabric of our society. The fight has always been less about religion or ethnicity and more about resource control and criminality. And it is just a matter of time before the wind blows and the fowl’s buttock is laid bare.

This is why it is dangerous when people like Bill Maher reduce a complex national tragedy into a simplistic religious headline. Such careless statements not only distort reality but also hand fuel to extremists and opportunists who thrive on division.

Bill Maher and his co-travellers in fake news want to feed off our ethnic and religious fault lines and sow more seeds of discord. We must resist this trap. Our story is ours to tell. If we allow foreigners to define our struggles, they will also define our destiny. Before they divide us further with their careless narratives, let us strengthen our unity, confront our challenges with honesty, and tell our story ourselves, because if we don’t, others will twist it against us.

As Chinua Achebe wisely said: ‘Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.’

Sir: The Afriland Tower fire of September 12, will be remembered not only for its immediate destruction but for the debate it has reignited about fire safety in Nigerian high-rises. In a city racing to build taller and faster, the question is no longer whether growth will continue, but whether that growth will be safe, sustainable, and resilient against preventable hazards.

As a Nigerian civil engineer practicing construction management in the United States, I have seen how fire hazards in tall buildings often stem from preventable lapses. The absence of sprinkler systems, reliance on combustible cladding, poor smoke compartmentalization, and neglected alarm or evacuation systems all magnify the danger. In too many cases, blocked or poorly marked exits leave occupants with little chance of survival when seconds can mean the difference between escape and tragedy.

The scale of the challenge is undeniable. Lagos, home to Africa’s fastest-growing skyline, is also one of its most vulnerable urban centers for fire risk. The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service records hundreds of outbreaks annually, many in commercial or multi-story buildings. A 2024 safety audit revealed that over 30 percent of inspected structures lacked adequate detection or suppression systems. In one reporting year, at least 82 lives were lost and property worth more than N25.37 billion was destroyed; in another, losses exceeded N19.5 billion. These figures demonstrate that fire is not just a safety concern but also an economic burden that undermines livelihoods and public confidence.

Global best practices point to clear solutions. Data from the U.S. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) shows that buildings with automatic sprinklers experience 89 percent fewer civilian deaths from fire than those without. More than 90 percent of fires in such buildings are contained within the room of origin, significantly limiting casualties and property loss. These statistics highlight a reality Nigeria cannot ignore: prevention saves lives and protects economies.

Unfortunately, research within Nigeria underscores significant shortcomings. A 2023 study of Abuja shopping malls, published in F1000Research, found that many lacked active fire protection devices such as smoke detectors and sprinklers, or had systems in poor condition. Passive protections, including fire-rated doors and compartmentalization, were often inadequate. Another study from Covenant University, published in the International Journal of Safety and Security Engineering, showed that many students did not know the location of fire exits or safety signage, underscoring the need for education, drills, and preparedness alongside better infrastructure.

Strengthening Nigeria’s fire safety framework requires collaboration. The Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), tasked with enforcing construction standards, plays a pivotal role, but its efforts must be reinforced by technical expertise and advocacy from professional bodies. Organizations such as the Nigerian Society of Engineers, the Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria (ISPON), the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) Nigeria Chapter, and the World Safety Organization (WSO) Nigeria can work in tandem with LASBCA to push for stricter enforcement, standardized certifications, regular audits, and ongoing professional training. Together, regulators and practitioners can embed fire safety into the DNA of Nigeria’s built environment.

Some stakeholders argue that advanced fire systems and fire-tested materials increase construction costs. Yet the cost of inaction is far higher: billions lost in property damage, delayed investments, and most devastatingly, human lives cut short. Safe buildings are not optional add-ons; they are the foundation of sustainable, resilient growth.

The Afriland Tower fire must not be remembered only for its destruction. It should mark a turning point in how Nigeria approaches building safety. By embedding fire prevention measures into design, construction, and maintenance, the nation can protect lives, safeguard investments, and ensure its skylines stand as symbols of progress rather than peril.

The founder of Ile-Ogbo Golf Course, Engr. Olanrewaju Abel Adeleke, his wife, Barrister Udochukwu Adeleke, former Osun State Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Asiwaju Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States, Alhaji Khamis Tunde Badmus have called for private sector participation in sports promotion and development in the country.

The concerned veteran golfers made the call at the ‘Independence Golf Kitty 2025’ organized and sponsored by the management of LanreLeke Sports Academy, Ile-Ogbo, Ayedire Local Government Area, Osun State.

Speaking during the event, Engr. Adeleke advocated improved participation in sports by more Nigerians to complement government efforts saying ‘for Nigeria to compete effectively globally, all hands must be on deck to support government at all levels.’

‘Today is Independence Day and for us here at LanreLeke Sports Academy, we celebrate the day with an annual golf kitty. We have competitions here to bring out the best from our people, both the professionals and the amateurs. We also have the kitty refresher course for golfers to encourage bonding among golfers.

‘To advance sports in the country, there is a need for more private sector participation in addition to government intervention . LanreLeke Sports Academy has young Nigerians in SS1 to SS3 taking courses in different sports like athletics, football, basketball, handball, Volleyball, among others.

‘We started with 20 members but today we have 105. The Academy is run by membership subscription and sponsorship.

‘We have seasoned personnel trained within and outside this country managing this course and whatever challenges we have encountered we have been able to tackle frontally with the experienced management in place.

‘While it is incumbent on the government to create enabling environment, it is private sector participation that will create more opportunities in sports. ‘, Adeleke advocated.

Former Governor of Osun State, Prince Oyinlola applauded the management of LanreLeke Sports Academy for their consistency and commitment to promoting sports in the country.

Oyinlola said: ‘the reason for being part of this event is to identify with the efforts of Engr Adeleke in the promotion of sports in Osun and Nigeria especially the game of golf. As an individual, the establishment of an academy here where the old are being taught and young ones are learning, there is no magic to producing world stars if not through this kind of effort.

‘We want to bring awareness to every Nigerian that there is a part to play in the promotion of sports in the country. No magic-wand will produce world stars but where there are facilities of this nature to groom our budding talents to represent us at world events so as to bring honour to our country. There is no magic to achieving success in sports other than what this academy is doing. Today we have Sunday Olapade who is a renowned golfer in the world and first in Africa. If not what the likes of Chief Tunde Ponle and Adeleke are doing, no one knows that a world class sportsman can come from there.’

Equally, Alhaji Badmus, also extolled the founder of LanreLeke Sports Academy for promoting sports in the country and beyond saying ‘we are proud of the tremendous contributions of this academy to local, national and international sporting activities.’

The co-founder, LanreLeke Sports Academy, Barrister (Mrs) Udochukwu Adeleke, said the purpose of the annual sports tournament is to celebrate the independence day with utmost goal of advancing sports in the country.

‘We always have a golf tournament on a significant day like this where we have champions all over the country come for the tournament. Apart from the golf course we also have educational facilities here, we have a world class secondary school. As you can see, indigent students are here. Many of them are on scholarship and it is our own way of giving back to humanity. We have realized that people depend so much on government that is why we have been doing this to give back to the society. We have a Non-Governmental Organization to support health sector too’, she stated.

The event was attended by notable golfers and sports stars such as, former Deputy Governor, Mr Benedict Alabi, Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Wale Egbedun, Justice Jide Falola (rtd.), world football legend, Mutiu Adepoju, Navy Captain Lateef Kolawole Jimoh (rtd.), Justice Kola Adegoke, Oba Dairo Jacob Olutayo, among others.

For community empowerment and academic excellence, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chapter of the Tiv Teachers’ Education Advancement Forum (TTEAF) paid a courtesy visit to the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Pius Uke Yima Akuta, in his Abuja office, and presented him award.

The union, which comprises teachers of Benue State indigenes of Tiv extraction drawn from both private and public schools across the FCT, said the recognition was conferred on Akuta in acknowledgment of his outstanding track record in education, human capital development, and community empowerment.

Speaking during the event, the leader of the TTEAF delegation, Mr. James Azua Tashi, explained that the award was not only in recognition of Akuta’s personal achievements in the field of education but also his contributions to nurturing the younger generation.

According to him, the CEO has consistently supported educational advancement by offering scholarships to students of the Moses Orshii Adasu University, Makurdi (MOAUM), formerly Benue State University, Makurdi.

Beyond scholarships, the union noted that Akuta has empowered various stakeholders by facilitating employment opportunities for qualified applicants in government agencies and parastatals, including the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, and the Nigeria Customs Service, among others. He was also lauded for appointing a former student leader as one of his aides-an action described as a strong demonstration of his commitment to youth inclusion in leadership.

TTEAF highlighted his sponsorship of a distinguished son of Benue who emerged as the first person from the North-Central region to become President of the Association of Colleges of Education in Nigeria. This, the teachers said, underscores Akuta’s consistent role in breaking barriers for the people of his community.

During the visit, the delegation also tabled a number of requests before the Shippers’ Council boss.

The teachers appealed to him to extend his generosity to the children of their colleagues who have passed away by providing customized educational materials and books. They further requested that he consider supporting less-privileged students of Tiv extraction in the six area councils of the FCT and in Benue State through People Upliftment Projects Initiatives (PUPIs).

The union also called on Akuta to intervene in the plight of their members who are yet to secure government employment and are currently working under Parents-Teachers Association (PTA) arrangements, where they receive what they described as ‘meager and unsustainable’ salaries.

Responding, Akuta expressed deep appreciation to the union for finding him worthy of the award, which he described as both humbling and motivating. He pledged to carefully consider their demands and assured them of his continued commitment to the cause of education and empowerment.

‘Teachers are the bedrock of every society. You are the ones who light the path for future generations. I encourage you to remain steadfast in this noble calling,’ Akuta said.

The Executive Secretary further urged the teachers to take their campaign of recognition and support to other well-meaning sons and daughters of Benue State, stressing that the burden of education development should not rest on one individual alone.

Akuta was accompanied at the event by Professor Simon Akaayar, a distinguished Professor of Law at the University of Lagos. In his remarks, Prof. Akaayar admonished the Tiv Teachers’ Education Advancement Forum (TTEAF) to remain focused, describing them as ‘the true light of the nation’ whose role in shaping minds and values cannot be overstated.

The event ended on a note of celebration as the teachers reaffirmed their commitment to quality education while pledging to continue their partnership with visionary leaders like Dr. Akuta in promoting learning, scholarship, and nation-building.

Popular Ondo cleric, Prophet Samson Oluwamodede of the Prayer Centre Church of God (PCCG), and the Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa-led administration have clashed over the ‘poor condition’ of roads, particularly in Akure South Local Government Area of the state.

In a viral video by his church on Thursday, Prophet Oluwamodede lamented the worsening state of the Akure/Idanre (Oke Aro) road, describing it as a death trap for motorists.

He alleged that several lives and vehicles had been lost due to the deplorable condition of the road, which he said had become nearly impassable.

‘Mr Governor (Aiyedatiwa), you remember there was a time I called your attention to how bad the road is, and you promised to contact your S.A. on Infrastructure.

‘But the road is now worse. If you see how people are dying on that road, particularly at Owe Akala, Idanre garage, and Abiodun junction to the new town area, it is terrible. Many commercial motorcyclists (Okada riders) are dying, lorries continue to fall, injuring people and destroying goods,’ the cleric lamented.

Oluwamodede, who said he had made several failed attempts to reach the Governor, added that if nothing was done by Sunday, he would mobilsee resources to carry out ‘surface repairs’ on the road himself to avoid further embarrassment.

‘I’m calling your attention to the road, Mr Governor, because we still have the confidence in you. Do something now because the road is very bad. Painfully, this is happening within the street of Akure. I wish the governor could try and drive down to see what we are facing here. Please, Mr. Governor, I am calling your attention to the bad road.

‘I have witnessed the administrations of Governors Olusegun Agagu, Olusegun Mimiko, late Rotimi Akeredolu, and now you (Aiyedatiwa) is the fourth. I want you to make a difference. This is not about politics but the suffering of people. If I don’t see action, I will bring in a grader for surface dressing,’ he stressed.

The Nation report that the Akure/Idanre road leads directly to Prophet Oluwamodede’s expansive church.

However, in a swift response, the Commissioner for Infrastructure, Lands and Housing, Mr Ayorinde Abiola Olawoye, attributed the delay in the project to incessant rainfall, noting that construction is a gradual process with defined stages.

‘At Oke Aro, the contractor, who began work less than six months ago, has already achieved over 8,000 meters of lined drains – about 4km out of the 10km stretch. This is an impressive milestone in such a short time,’ he said.

Olawoye explained that road construction begins with hydraulic works like drains and culverts, followed by earthworks and then pavement structure, stressing that skipping stages would compromise quality.

‘While the concerns raised by the prophet are valid, incessant rainfall has made grading or palliative works impossible. Such measures in the rainy season would worsen the situation. Now that rains are subsiding, the contractor has commenced palliative works to ease movement pending the completion of the full project,’ he added.

Aiyedatiwa in April flagged off the dualisation of the 10-kilometre Akure-Idanre road.

The project, designed to ease heavy traffic and boost economic activities, will feature a 28-metre-wide carriageway, modern traffic systems, and solar-powered streetlights.

The Partner for National Economic Progress (PANEP), a coalition of civil society organisations, has demanded an end to sabotage and other clandestine attacks against individual investments in the Nigerian petroleum sector.

Addressing a mammoth crowd at the Unity Fountain, Abuja, shortly after a rally on the theme ‘National Unity Against Sabotage: Reclaiming Our Petroleum Sector for the People’, Comrade Olayinka Dada Spike, who spoke on behalf of the Coalition, underscored the importance of the petroleum sector to Nigeria’s economy.

He wondered why a few elements are bent on hijacking it for personal gains.

The coalition said, ‘The Nigerian petroleum sector remains a critical component of the national economy. However, it continues to face persistent threats from internal and external saboteurs whose activities hitherto included product diversion, smuggling, pipeline vandalism, hoarding, round tripping, dumping, collusion to inflate prices, and worst of all, organised economic subversion targeted at frustrating efforts at making Nigeria an oil refining country.

‘With the removal of the criminal regime of subsidy by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the successful take-off of the world-class Dangote Refineries and Petrochemical Limited, the saboteurs mutated into launching defamation campaigns against Dangote Refineries, conniving with rogue unions and agencies to discredit Dangote Refinery and continue the importation of very low-quality petroleum products.

‘These actions directly sabotage government reforms, distort market stability, discourage real investments in the downstream petroleum sector, cause scarcity, and bring untold hardship to the Nigerian people.

‘Despite several policy interventions and regulatory reforms, including the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and subsidy reforms, the sabotage of downstream operations continues to undermine progress, encourage fuel corruption, and erode public trust in the system. This situation calls for urgent and coordinated civic action to support the federal government’s efforts in sanitising the sector and holding saboteurs accountable.

‘This is exactly what PANEP has risen to, especially in furtherance of the liberation spirit of the Nigerian 65th Independence Day Celebrations. Our mission is rooted in an unshakeable collective resolve that sabotage must stop, now and forever.’

The coalition lamented the sad situation following the collapse of Nigeria’s refineries, describing the importation regime, which lasted for decades, as one of the most criminal and economically debilitating ventures in the history of Nigeria.

The coalition urged, ‘Nigeria to break free from this mindless cabal and their agents in government agencies and those masquerading as labour unions,’ adding that the federal government should ‘intensify efforts to stop further acts of sabotage as Nigerians are happy with the drop in prices of petroleum products.’

The Coalition of Independent Online Media Platforms has faulted a recent report published by Sahara Reporters, alleging that relatives of top political figures secured jobs at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) without due process.

The coalition, in a statement signed by its chairman, Olubade Jimoh, and secretary, Ibrahim Umar, described the September 29, 2025, publication titled ‘EXCLUSIVE: How Relatives of Senate President Akpabio, Speaker Abbas, Other Political Elites Secured NCC Jobs Without Due Process’ as misleading, politically motivated, and lacking in credibility.

According to the coalition, the story is a recycled narrative that had been previously addressed by the NCC months earlier, adding that Sahara Reporters failed to include the commission’s response.

‘This report, which attempts to malign the person and office of the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, is not only factually shallow but reeks of a coordinated attempt to undermine his credibility, incite distrust in public institutions, and ultimately set him at odds with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration,’ the statement read.

The group further faulted the report for failing to provide verifiable documents or proof to back its claims, insisting that it amounted to speculation rather than journalism.

‘It is especially ridiculous and indeed laughable that the report suggests Dr. Maida is seeking political relevance by allegedly working against the same President who appointed him. What relevance would a technocrat gain by joining forces with an opposition that holds no power at the center? The claim lacks both political logic and common sense,’ the coalition stated.

The group linked the publication to attempts by entrenched interests to frustrate ongoing reforms at the NCC under Dr. Maida, who, since assuming office, has introduced transparency-driven measures, including merit-based staff training allocations.

The coalition urged any aggrieved party with credible evidence of wrongdoing to petition relevant anti-corruption agencies or the National Assembly, instead of sponsoring what it called ‘blackmail through unverified media reports.’

‘As online publishers, we believe in press freedom and responsibility. We urge Sahara Reporters and others to verify claims before publication, rather than weaponizing journalism for political vendettas,’ the group added.

Reaffirming its support for the NCC boss, the coalition said Dr. Aminu Maida remains a dedicated public servant committed to implementing the Federal Government’s telecommunications mandate under President Tinubu.

‘Attempts to discredit him through unsubstantiated publications will not stand. We reject this smear campaign in its entirety and commend the Presidency for remaining focused on performance, not propaganda,’ the statement concluded.

As Nigeria marks 65 years of independence, maritime journalists have urged policymakers to look seaward for solutions to the country’s economic challenges.

The maritime journalists under the aegis of the Maritime Correspondents Organisation of Nigeria (MARCON), in a statement signed by its President, Ismail Aniemu, and Secretary, Olamide Osho, said the blue economy holds the potential to create at least 100,000 jobs annually.

They, however, cautioned that such opportunities will remain elusive unless coastal communities are brought into the centre of implementation.

The group described Nigeria as a ‘maritime powerhouse’ whose potential has yet to meaningfully impact its citizens. It argued that while President Bola Tinubu has taken commendable steps by creating the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and approving a 10-year policy roadmap, grassroots inclusion remains the missing link.

‘Job creation through the maritime sector is not a mirage. It is easily realisable if the federal government and its agencies close gaps with states to explore untapped opportunities in fishing, boat building and repairs, as well as the local production of life jackets and other marine essentials,’ MARCON stated.

The group emphasised that bridging the gap between federal agencies and coastal states is critical for achieving the government’s ambitious employment targets.

It recommended quarterly engagements with traditional rulers and community stakeholders in maritime-endowed regions to ensure inclusivity, environmental sustainability, and safety compliance in water transport.

MARCON also stressed the importance of skills development at the grassroots level, calling for mass training in coxswain duties, fish processing, rescue operations, and maritime security.

‘We must begin to focus on training locals to become active participants in the maritime economy. Coastal communities should not only be beneficiaries but should also play critical roles in monitoring suspicious vessel movements and safeguarding our waters,’ the statement read.

The journalists further argued that state governments with marine resources must not limit themselves to federal allocations, but should instead seize the economic opportunities within the blue economy to empower their citizens.

‘State governments must, as a matter of urgency, key into the blue economy agenda. This will expand citizens’ participation in what is clearly Nigeria’s low-hanging fruit for economic diversification,’ the statement added.

As Nigeria reflects on its 65 years of independence, the message from maritime stakeholders is clear: the nation’s vast waters are more than just a boundary-they are a frontier for jobs, security, and sustainable economic growth, if only the coastal communities are given a seat at the table.

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara is set to send his list of commissioner-nominees to the House of Assembly, it was learnt yesterday.

He is likely to appoint the Secretary to the State Government and Chief of Staff in the next few days, it was further gathered.

Sources said because of the need to pave way for this step, he yesterday fired his pre-suspension executive council.

He announced the decision during a valedictory session, which coincided with the 65th Independence anniversary party at the Government House, Port Harcourt.

A statement signed by his spokesman Nelson Chukwudi said Fubara relieved all the commissioners and other public office holders affected by the Supreme Court judgment of their appointments during the event.

The statement reads: ‘The governor has relieved all Commissioners and other public officers affected by the recent Supreme Court judgment of their appointments with immediate effect’.

The governor called on all stakeholders to work with President Bola Tinubu in building a peaceful, secured and prosperous country.

The governor also thanked members of his Executive Council for their services and contributions to the development of the state in the last two years.

‘He (Fubara) called on all Nigerians to work together with Mr President to build a peaceful, secure and prosperous country and a brighter future for all,’ the statement said.

The governor also reiterated his commitment to serve the state with renewed vigor and thanked all citizens for their support, and wished all Nigerians a happy Independence anniversary.

In its February 28 judgment, the apex court among others declared the three-man factional House of Assembly led by Victor Oko-Jumbo as an unlawful assembly.

The court, while recognising the 27-member House of Assembly led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule as the only authentic legislative arm of government, nullified all legislative decisions made in favour of Fubara during the crisis, including the passage of budgets; screenings and confirmations of commissioners and other public office holders.

It was gathered that over 19 of Fubara’s commissioners, whose appointments were screened and confirmed by Oko-Jumbo-led House, were affected by the Supreme Court’s judgment.

The judgment rendered the appointment of Iboroma Dagogo, SAN, who was screened and confirmed as the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice invalid.

Other commissioners affected by the judgment are: Charles O. Beke, Collins Onunwo, Solomon Eke, Peter Medee, Elloka Tasie-Amadi, Basoene Joshua Benibo, Tambari Sydney Gbara and Ovy Orluideye Chinendum Chukwuma.

Others are: Illamu Arugu, Rowland Obed Whyte, Samuel Anya, Samuel Eyiba, Austin Emeka Nnadozie, Israel Ngbuelu, Evans Bipi, Otamiri Ngubo, Benibo Alabraba and Emmanuel Frank-Fubara, suffered a similar fate.

It was learnt last night that the governor could consider the inclusion of some of them in the list of fresh nominees he was preparing to send to the House of Assembly.

The Flying Eagles will be aiming for victory against Saudi Arabia on Matchday 2 in the ongoing FIFA U20 World Cup finals in Chile, after a painful loss to Norway in their first group game on Monday.

Despite dominating the game and creating a number of opportunities, the seven-time African champions were unlucky not to have equalized in the second half of the encounter, and probably taken the three points. On two occasions, their appeals for penalty awards were turned down by the referee.

Head Coach Aliyu Zubair is upbeat his wards have shaken off the defeat against Norway as their attention has shifted towards the confrontation with Saudi Arabia, to ensure the team gets the desired result. With the availability of all key players, Coach Zubair may stick to his usual 4-3-3 formation with more focus on attack and ball possession.

Israel Ayuma, Daniel Daga and Charles Agada have all been booked and will have to play with caution to avoid missing the last group game against the Colombians.