Asianet Pakistan Private Limited

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has called on Nigerians to remain hopeful about the country’s future, despite prevailing economic and security challenges.

In his goodwill message to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary, Jonathan described the occasion as a time for sober reflection on the nation’s journey from colonial rule to its current struggles with development.

‘Our nation marks another significant milestone in its journey to nationhood. As we celebrate 65 years of independence, this moment offers us an opportunity to reflect on our collective journey of nation-building; on the challenges we have faced, and on the vast possibilities that still lie ahead,’ Jonathan said.

Acknowledging the realities of insecurity, economic hardship, and weak institutions, he cautioned against despair.

‘It is true that we face challenges that could test our sense of hope. Yet, as citizens, we must not lose faith. We must continue to nurture hope and sustain belief in the nation’s enormous potential and the resilience of the people.’

The former President underscored Nigeria’s strengths, pointing to its natural endowments, cultural diversity, and the ingenuity of its citizens both at home and abroad.

Jonathan urged Nigerians to embrace patriotism and unity as a compass for national rebirth.

‘Let us hold firmly to optimism and faith, knowing that the greatness of our country is within reach if we remain united and steadfast. May our nation continue to rise in strength and purpose.’

The South African Football Association (SAFA) has strongly condemned FIFA’s decision to deduct three points from its tally in the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, describing the move as unfair and without precedent.

In a statement issued on Monday, the association expressed shock and disappointment, insisting that it was not given the opportunity to defend itself before the disciplinary ruling was handed down.

According to SAFA, the decision was reached by a single member of FIFA’s disciplinary committee and came without a clear explanation or justification.

‘We are deeply concerned by this development. It is unprecedented that such a weighty decision was made without affording us the chance to present our legal arguments,’ the association noted.

FIFA had earlier confirmed the much-anticipated sanction, cutting South Africa’s total from 17 points. The ruling has thrown Group standings into uncertainty and sparked debate among fans and stakeholders across the continent.

SAFA stressed that it will continue to pursue all available legal and diplomatic avenues to challenge the ruling, which it says undermines the principles of fair play and natural justice.

‘As custodians of South African football, we cannot stand by while decisions of this magnitude are imposed on us without transparency,’ the statement added.

The development has cast a shadow over Bafana Bafana’s qualifying campaign and raised questions about FIFA’s disciplinary processes, with analysts warning that the dispute could escalate if not swiftly resolved.

The Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, has threatened drag a company, Winhomes Global Services Ltd. to the EFCC over claims that Nigerians in the Diaspora invested $250 million in its estate affected by the realignment of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.

Umahi who made the threat during inspection of the highway on Monday also said he doubted the claim of Winhomes that it bought 12 hectares of land in the area for N50 million.

‘Winhoomes says it bought 12 hectares of land in 2022 for the sum of N50 million.

.

‘ I don’t know if the villagers have been terribly cheated, if the purchase went through the normal process for you to buy 12 hectares of land for N50 million in 2022 with all this development all around the place.

‘What we have done here, in passing the coastal highway, is that not more than four hectares have been taken; so, you still have eight hectares left,’ Umahi said.

He said that it was the Lagos State Government that had legal right over the land.

‘Our own is for Lagos State Government to give us the right of way where we need; so, it has revoked it, it has gazetted it. The matter has gone beyond the Federal Ministry of Works.’

He noted that Winhomes had taken the ministry to court over the matter.

‘The court has ruled that we are right.

‘Let me make it very clear that I never invited Win Homes for any negotiation, I never called it for any meeting. The matter is closed in court.

‘ I am going to be writing to EFCC to investigate; the woman (Winhomes chief executive officer) claimed that there was no MTN cable passing through the coastline that made us to divert.

‘We have the letters,’ he said.

The minister said that passing the road through the coastline would be more profitable for the ministry but it would mean destroying over 8,000 property.

‘The president directed me not to cut any cable of MTN or True Africa Network in the interest of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.’

He emphasised that Winhomes claimed that USD250 million was invested in Winhomes Estates located at Okun Ajah Town, Off Orchid Hotel Road in Lagos State.

‘Before infrastructure is developed in Lagos State, there must be proof of that – they have to stamp it.

‘Where are those approvals?

‘ Also, remittance from diaspora carries evidence through CBN. How did it pass?

‘Who and who paid this money? Can they publish those who paid and how much they paid?

‘If you are talking about 250 million U.S. dollars and we can’t locate where it is, we can’t locate those who paid it, we can’t locate the means by which they paid it, then, it is a fraud, to me.’

He demanded an apology from Winhomes within seven days if it would fail to provide relevant documents to support its claims.

In a commanding performance on foreign soil, Real Madrid crushed Kairat Almaty 5-0 in Almaty, with Kylian Mbappé delivering a clinical hat-trick that underlined his growing influence in Europe’s top competition.

Arriving after a bruising 5-2 derby defeat in La Liga, Madrid sought redemption.

The hat-trick, coupled with goals from Eduardo Camavinga and Brahim Díaz, ensured a spectacular response.

The opener came in the 25th minute, when goalkeeper Sherhan Kalmurza brought down Franco Mastantuono in the box. Mbappé stepped up and struck the penalty into the net, calming any early nerves.

Through the remainder of the first half, Kairat showed flashes of spirit, pressing along the left flank and probing Madrid’s high defensive line, but the visitors held control heading to the break.

Within minutes of the restart, Madrid doubled their lead. A long clearance from Thibaut Courtois bypassed Kairat’s back line; Mbappé timed his run perfectly to lob the advancing keeper and make it 2-0.

Kairat thought they’d been given a lifeline in the 69th minute when Dani Ceballos was penalised for a foul on Valeriy Gromyko, but after review, the referee overturned the decision following a VAR check.

Mbappé struck again in the 73rd minute, completing the hat-trick with a thundering mid-range strike into the top corner. He was played through by substitute Rodrygo, marking the Frenchman’s third goal of the night.

Ten minutes later, Eduardo Camavinga added Madrid’s fourth with a clean header off a Rodrygo assist. In stoppage time, Brahim Díaz capped the night by finishing off a move set up by Gonzalo García.

Madrid boss Xabi Alonso praised Mbappé’s impact, saying: ‘Mbappé is decisive in practically every game. He’s clinical in front of goal. We need his quality to flourish.’

The crisis afflicting the Ondo chapter of Nigeria’s main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP worsens on Tuesday with the resignation of its Director of Media and Publicity of Mr Leye Igbabo,

Igbabo dumped PDP barely 72 hours after the party elected Dupe Aisida as its Chairman in the state, alongside other executive members at a congress held in Akure, the state capital.

However, the former spokesperson cited ‘unfriendly and hostile environment’ in the state’s PDP secretariat for his action.

He also alleged utter deceit, huge compromise , gross indiscipline and lack of sincerity of purpose as reasons why he cannot continue to be the spokesperson of the party.

Igbabo stated all these in the resignation letter he addressed to the Ondo PDP secretariat of the party on Tuesday in Akure.

He alleged that the working environment has become ‘hostile’ to him, hence the need for him to resign.

‘It is disheartening to know that the secretariat has become hostile to me and this is affecting the effectiveness and efficiency of my duties as the Director of Media and Publicity.

‘I note with pains, utter deceit, huge compromise and gross indiscipline that there is no more sincerity of purpose and under such circumstances, I do not want to be labelled as an incompetent official.

‘My continuously staying in such an unproductive environment amounts to precious waste of my time and energy.

‘I, therefore, resign my appointment as the Director of Media and Publicity of PDP in Ondo State with immediate effect,’ he said.

Recall that many members of PDP Ondo had in the past few months defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

There have also been rumours that the party candidate in Ondo November 16 governorship election Agboola Ajayi is also getting set to join the APC.

Ajayi was not present at the congress of the party held last weekend, thus, further fueling the rumours of the impending defection.

Victor Osimhen proved decisive for Galatasaray in a tense European night clash against Liverpool, opening the scoring from the penalty spot before enduring a frustrating evening marked by injury concerns and missed opportunities.

The Nigerian striker calmly converted in the 16th minute, sending Alisson Becker the wrong way after Dominik Szoboszlai’s rash challenge gifted Galatasaray a penalty. His confident finish lifted the Istanbul side and gave them a dream start against the six-time European champions.

Osimhen, however, soon faced difficulties. He went down injured in the 27th minute and required treatment, sparking worry among the home fans. Though he returned to action, he was clearly struggling, often limping and fighting through visible discomfort.

Despite his physical setback, Osimhen nearly doubled Galatasaray’s lead in the 54th minute, weaving past two Liverpool defenders before unleashing a fierce low drive, only for Alisson to deny him with a sharp save.

The game’s drama continued into the closing stages when Liverpool thought they had a lifeline. In the 88th minute, Wilfried Singo’s heavy challenge saw referee Clement Turpin award a penalty.

Galatasaray players furiously surrounded the official, and after a VAR review, the decision was overturned, sparking wild celebrations inside the stadium.

Osimhen’s early strike ultimately stood as the match’s defining moment, showcasing his resilience and clinical touch despite his injury struggles.

Music legend Lionel Richie has lifted the lid on one of Michael Jackson’s lesser-known quirks and it’s wild.

In his new memoir, Truly, Richie recalls that the King of Pop, despite his global fame, often went days without changing clothes, earning him the teasing nickname ‘Smelly’ from producer Quincy Jones.

‘Michael would laugh, realizing he hadn’t changed or washed his clothes for a couple of days,’ Richie writes. ‘We all have our quirks.’

According to Richie, Jackson’s eccentric style of living was partly down to life on the road, performing in elaborate stage costumes or relaxing in loose pajamas and slippers at home.

But it didn’t stop there, the superstar reportedly wore his jeans and underwear until they were literally falling apart. Fans and staff often grabbed his outfits as souvenirs, leaving him with few options but to keep wearing them.

Richie recounts a hilarious moment when Jackson came to visit him looking particularly unkempt. The singer was handed clean jeans and underwear, encouraged to shower and left his old clothes behind.

‘There on the carpet were his old jeans and underwear, just lying there like roadkill,’ Richie writes. ‘What do I do but laugh? MJ was here.’

Even with his unusual hygiene habits, Richie reminds fans that Jackson was a musical genius, able to pick apart 15 different mixes of a single song. But off-stage, he was just like Richie says: ‘Winging it every minute.’

Police said they have rescued a man abducted by suspected armed hoodlums in Umuru Village, Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State seven hours after he was abducted.

The kidnappers had demanded a ransom of ?10 million before the rescue was carried out, Anambra Police Command spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Awka.

Ikenga said the victim was rescued by joint operatives from the Police Command and Tactical Team in a coordinated operation in the early hours of Sept. 30. in Oba/Ojoto, Idemili South Local Government Area, seven hours after his abduction.

‘The victim was rescued seven hours after he was abducted by armed criminals at Umuru Village, Nnobi,’ Ikenga said.

According to him, intelligence-led tactical teams were deployed immediately to comb the location extensively.

‘Under pressure from the advancing rescue team, the kidnappers hastily released the victim and fled into nearby bushes,’ he said.

The victim was rescued unharmed, debriefed, and has since been reunited with his family.

Ikenga said the command was pursuing leads for the possible arrest of the fleeing suspects.

He quoted the Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Ortugu, as commending the operatives for their swift intervention.

Ortugu reassured residents of the command’s commitment to tackling crime and safeguarding lives and property across the state.

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic chapter, Zaria, Kaduna State, has declared an indefinite strike effective Tuesday.

The branch Chairman, Malam Usman Suleiman, announced this in a statement issued on Monday in Zaria.

Suleiman said the decision followed a meeting with the Kaduna State Government where the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education appealed for patience, saying that Gov. Uba Sani had ‘impliedly approved’ their demands.

He explained that the union resolved to withdraw its services until a formal approval was granted by the Governor.

The chairman recalled that the congress had earlier mandated the leadership to embark on an indefinite strike should the Polytechnic Salary Structure (PSS) not be implemented after payment of the September 2025 salary.

The union’s demands include the implementation of CONPCASS/CONTEDISS salary structures for staff of state tertiary institutions and the extension of the 65-year retirement age to non-academic staff, as approved for academic staff.

‘After due deliberations, the unions unanimously resolved that members shall withdraw their services until the governor’s approval is officially granted,’ Suleiman said.

Former Super Eagles defender, Samuel Sodje, has said it is ’embarrassing’ for Nigerians to celebrate FIFA’s decision to punish South Africa.

On Monday, FIFA announced that Bafana Bafana lost three points and three goals for using an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, in their March 2025 World Cup qualifier against Lesotho.

The deduction means Nigeria, who are third in the group with 11 points, are now just three points behind South Africa. Some Nigerians celebrated the news, seeing it as a lifeline for the Super Eagles.

Sodje, however, disagrees. He told Soccernet:

‘South Africa broke the rules, and FIFA punished them. That is normal. What I find surprising is that Nigerians are treating this as a big achievement. To me, it is embarrassing.’