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Nigeria’s Flying Eagles are bracing up for a crucial Round of 16 showdown against tournament favourites Argentina at the ongoing FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile.

The encounter is scheduled for Wednesday, October 8, 2025, with kick-off at 8:30 PM Nigerian time. Fans can watch the match live on DStv (SuperSport), StarTimes, Sporty TV, FIFA+, and beIN SPORTS.

Argentina have been one of the most impressive sides in the competition, cruising through the group stage as Group D winners with a perfect record. The South Americans secured all nine points from three matches – defeating Cuba 3-1, Australia 4-1, and Italy 1-0 to seal their dominance.

Backed by a talented generation of young players, Argentina headed into the knockout round unbeaten and full of momentum.

The Flying Eagles, on the other hand, progressed to the Round of 16 as one of the best third-placed teams after finishing Group B with four points. They began their campaign with a narrow 1-0 defeat to Norway, but bounced back strongly with a 3-2 victory over Saudi Arabia before holding Colombia to a 1-1 draw in their final group match.

Having secured qualification after placing third at the 2025 CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, the Nigerian side will be hoping to pull off a major upset against the in-form Argentines and advance to the quarterfinals.

Confidence, determination, and resilience have been the driving forces behind Aliyu Zubair’s side, who battled their way out of the group stage with four points from matches against Saudi Arabia and Colombia. The Colombians, heavily favored before the encounter, were left stunned as Nigeria dominated large spells of the contest.

Coach Zubair will be forced to make at least one change to his attacking lineup, with forward Suleman Sani suspended after picking up two yellow cards in the group stage. A new partner will therefore join Tahir Maigana and Kparobo Arierhi up front.

The Flying Eagles arrived in Santiago from Talca on Monday evening and are set to hold a final training session on Tuesday night as they fine-tune preparations for their high-stakes clash against Argentina.

Flying Eagles Possible Line-up

Harcourt, Ochoche, Okoro, Daga, Akinyele, Bameyi, Arierhi, Ayuma, Achihi, Salihu, Maigana.

Match Information

Fixture:

Argentina U-20 vs Nigeria U-20

Competition:

2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup (Round of 16)

Date:

Wednesday, October 8, 2025

Time:

8:30 PM (Nigerian Time)

Venue:

Chile

Where to Watch:

DStv (SuperSport), StarTimes, Sporty TV, FIFA+, beIN SPORTS

Prediction:

Nigeria 2-1 Argentina

Popular skit maker Samuel Bankole, widely known as Samuel Banks, is facing a difficult time after losing his newly purchased iPhone 17 Pro Max at a concert.

Just days before the incident, the content creator who recently celebrated buying a new home had been actively promoting the Luli Concert organised by the Celestial Church of Christ, expressing excitement about the event and what attendees could look forward to.

In a promotional video for the concert, which took place on Friday at Tafawa Balewa Square, Samuel was seen dressed in his signature white garment.

However, a viral clip circulating online shows a distressed Samuel Banks searching for his missing phone alongside his partner and several others.

The comedian was seen pacing anxiously while discussing the situation with a man nearby, as his partner stood by looking visibly concerned.

Onlookers could be seen attempting to call his number in hopes of locating the device, but their efforts appeared unsuccessful.

This isn’t the first time a celebrity has suffered such a loss.

A few years ago, popular disc jockey Florence Otedola, famously known as DJ Cuppy, had her phone stolen in London after it was snatched from her hand while walking down the street.

Over 300 families, including artisans, farmers, students, and traders in Ikere-Ekiti, have benefitted from empowerment and support packages championed by the Nigeria’s youngest member of the governing council, Barrister Abimbola Daramola.

The event, held at the Ikere Pavilion, Ikere Ekiti featured distribution of food items and vocational items tailoring machines, grinding machines, fumigation as well as sprayers to support local households, artisans, and farmers.

Also, several indigent students received N50,000 scholarships grant each while educational materials were donated to St. Gabriel Catholic Secondary School, Methodist N/P School, and Aseyori School, all in Ikere-Ekiti.

The initiative, tagged: ‘Renewed Hope Grassroots Engagement,’ also provided free fuel to more than 100 commercial motorcyclists, reflecting a holistic approach to community upliftment and economic empowerment.

Daramola, who was recently appointed to the Governing Council of Usman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto, expressed gratitude to God, her family, President Bola Tinubu, Governor Biodun Oyebanji, and the people of Ikere for their support.

She said the initiative was designed to give back to the community by equipping individuals with working tools, resources and support to enhance their productivity and foster self-reliance.

‘Today is about home. Ikere raised me. I’m back to give thanks, give hope, and invest in the people who made me. Our people must be equipped not just with words, but with tools to work, learn, and build dignity,’ she stated.

She pledged to sustain and expand the empowerment drive, assuring that ‘this is only the beginning; we will do more, and Ikere will not be left behind.’

Daramola commended the Young Professionals 4 Tinubu and the Office of the Personal Assistant to the President (General Duties), Mr. Wale Fadare, for their supports, urging other leaders and corporate organizations to emulate such efforts toward grassroots development.

Governor Biodun Oyebanji, represented by his Deputy, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, lauded Daramola’s initiative, describing it as a demonstration of practical leadership that aligns with the administration’s vision for poverty reduction and inclusive growth.

‘This is true grassroots leadership in action. What we’ve witnessed today is not just generosity but capacity building. Barrister Daramola is a shining example of the kind of leadership we need in Ekiti,’ he said.

The Governor also used the occasion to encourage residents to collect or update their voter cards ahead of the June 20, 2026 gubernatorial election to ensure full participation in governance.

Trino Motion Pictures has unveiled the official poster for its family drama, Grandpa Must Obey, set for nationwide release on November 21, through FilmOne Entertainment.

The new poster captures the heart and humour of Grandpa Must Obey, a film that promises laughter, warmth, and the universal tug-of-war between generations. Designed with bold, playful energy, the artwork reflects the film’s spirit: grumpy meets mischief, all wrapped in love, chaos, and plenty of heart.

It also captures the heart of the film, the humorous yet touching bond that forms between generations. Veteran Nollywood icon Kanayo O. Kanayo (KOK) takes on an unexpected and refreshing role as a seventy-year-old man grappling with grief and resentment finds himself unexpectedly babysitting for his two mischievous grandchildren.

What begins as a clash of wills soon transforms into a moving tale of family, forgiveness, and rediscovering joy after loss.

Directed by Chibuzor Afurobi and written by Saviour Kings Bob, the film blends heartfelt emotion with laugh-out-loud comedy, a combination that’s sure to strike a chord with audiences of all ages.

‘We wanted to tell a story that feels deeply Nigerian but universally human – one that celebrates family, resilience, and the small moments that make life beautiful,’ said Uche Okocha, the Managing Director at Trino Motion Pictures and ‘Grandpa Must Obey’ producer.

The film features a robust ensemble of celebrated Nollywood stars and rising talents:

Kanayo O. Kanayo (KOK) delivers a career-defining performance as the strong-willed yet vulnerable Grandpa.

Darasimi Nadi and Fiyin Asenuga bring youthful energy and comedic brilliance to the family dynamic.

Yvonne Jegede and Bimbo Akintola add depth and heart to the emotional core of the story.

Produced by Uche Okocha, Grandpa Must Obey reaffirms Trino Motion Pictures’ reputation for delivering authentic, high-quality Nigerian storytelling that connects with local and global audiences alike.

Positioned as the family film of the festive season, Grandpa Must Obey is poised to light up cinemas nationwide this November. With its mix of humor, heart, and relatable storytelling, the film is a reminder that sometimes – obeying Grandpa isn’t as easy as it sounds.

Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting and assisting refugees, asylum seekers, migrants, and internally displaced persons (IDPs).

The commitment was made at the 76th session of the Executive Committee (ExCom) meeting of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) where over 150 countries presented their statement concerning refugee affairs in their countries.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Yakubu Kofarmata, with the support of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), highlighted Nigeria’s efforts to provide durable solutions for displaced populations.

According to Kofarmata, as of September 2025, Nigeria hosts over 142,000 refugees and asylum seekers and has received over 24,000 documented returnees and spontaneous returns.

He added that the country has a population of over 6.7 million internally displaced persons.

He however, noted that Nigeria was keen to adopt innovative measures to ensure efficient and quality service delivery to displaced populations.

He further hinted that significant progress has been made in promoting refugee protection and solutions by providing access to national services for refugees and asylum seekers and documenting refugees and asylum seekers.

‘In 2025, the government, with UNHCR support, has worked hard to complete the outstanding registration and refugee status determination backlogs, and hopefully by December 2025, all things being equal, this shall be done.’

On other measures to better the lives of the vulnerable, he said, ‘In 2025, state authorities across six Nigerian states, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, accompanied by UNHCR, provided agricultural land on lease, for use by IDPs, refugees and returnees.

‘These are in the states of Akwa Ibom, Nassarawa, Benue, Cross River, Katsina and Taraba, amounting to a total of 2,705 hectares of land, to be used for solar-powered irrigation crop production for the most part, fisheries and poultry breeding, amongst others.

‘This support will enable displaced populations not only to have a sustainable livelihood but to regain their dignity and ensure stability of movements. For IDPs and returnees, this promises to be a game-changer in terms of actively promoting solution initiatives. For refugees, they will not have to be subject to dwindling and fluctuating donor funding.’

He also hinted that efforts have been put in to ensure that refugees, asylum seekers, Stateless Persons, returnees, as well as IDPs and host communities, including those in the hard-to-reach locations, are enrolled on the National Identity Number (NIN).

He explained that the enrolment will enable them to freely open bank accounts, telecom services, school children registration and access to other social services like ordinary citizens of the country.

Nigeria, however, called on the international community to strengthen collective action in five critical areas.

‘We recognise that the magnitude of displacement today demands not only resilience from host countries, but also deeper global solidarity and innovative approaches. There is a need to ensure timely, people-centred responses and invest in digital innovation to develop secure and inclusive platforms that safeguard data while empowering refugees with direct access to their information.

‘We also need to encourage responsibility-sharing to ease the disproportionate burden on frontline host countries and advance durable solutions that foster education, livelihoods, and social cohesion, enabling displaced populations to contribute meaningfully to host societies.

‘Enhancing active engagement of private sector actors and the strengthened participation of development partners in advancing sustainable humanitarian solutions and related interventions is key.’

American rapper Offset has opened up about his separation from Cardi B, admitting that infidelity and bad decisions significantly contributed to their marriage ending.

‘I messed up, and it cost me my marriage,’ Offset revealed during a podcast interview with Keke Palmer.

Despite their split, he expressed deep respect for Cardi B, referring to her affectionately as ‘bro,’ and clarified that their divorce has not yet been finalised.

The rapper also reflected on his journey toward self-improvement and healing, sharing how he has been dealing with grief following the 2022 death of his cousin and Migos bandmate, Takeoff.

Offset credited therapy and faith for helping him overcome addiction and find peace, adding, ‘I’m focused on becoming a better man now.’

Addressing long-standing rumours about an alleged affair with rapper Saweetie, Offset firmly denied the claims, describing them as ‘completely false and unnecessary.’

‘That whole Saweetie thing was just weird,’ he said.

Despite record-high cocoa prices, millions of smallholder farmers across West Africa remain trapped in poverty, according to findings from the Cocoa Barometer 2025, released on Wednesday.

The biennial report paints a complex picture of the global cocoa industry, describing a sector simultaneously facing ‘bad, better, and with a lot of room for improvement.’

Produced by a consortium of civil society organisations, the report revealed that while Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, which account for over 60 percent of global cocoa production, continue to shape market prices, and Nigeria emerged as a rising producer projected to deliver 350,000 tonnes in the 2024/25 season, the benefits of soaring prices have not reached most farmers.

‘Farmer poverty is at the root of virtually all problems in the cocoa sector, from deforestation to child labour and gender inequality,’ the report states.

‘Paying farmers fairly is both a moral and legal obligation, thanks to new human rights and environmental legislation. But political resistance in Europe is threatening the hard-won progress in regulation.’

The report noted that forward-selling mechanisms have delayed the impact of price increases for farmers, even as yields fall due to aging trees, crop diseases, and erratic rainfall linked to climate change.

According to the report, the situation is compounded by weak governance and a lack of supply management, which leaves producers exposed to market swings.

The Cocoa Barometer 2025 further warned that high prices are driving new waves of deforestation as farmers expand into untouched forests to maximise profits, a trend that could trigger oversupply and another price crash similar to 2016.

In addition, the report highlighted ongoing human rights abuses, with 1.5 million children still working in hazardous cocoa farming conditions in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, and women who perform the majority of farm labour largely excluded from profit-sharing and decision-making.

Farm workers and tenant farmers, it added, remain consistently overlooked despite being central to cocoa cultivation.

It, however, attributed much of the sector’s fragility to weak governance and policy gaps.

It stressed that the absence of transparent farmgate pricing systems and limited accountability mechanisms continues to undermine progress.

Despite these challenges, the report stated that change is possible.

It calls for collective action by governments, companies, farmers, and civil society to achieve systemic reform through fair pay and commitment to a living income for farmers.

Others are environmental protection through a global moratorium on deforestation linked to cocoa. Inclusive governance, which will ensure both men and women farmers are co-decision makers.

The Cocoa Barometer concludes that while new regulations and collaborative initiatives show that progress is achievable, the window for meaningful reform is closing fast.

Without decisive action, it warned that the cocoa industry risks repeating its historical cycle of exploitation, inequality, and environmental degradation

Nigeria’s Flamingos have arrived safely in Casablanca, Morocco, ahead of the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

The team, comprising players and officials, departed Abuja at 7:18 a.m. on Wednesday and landed in Casablanca at 11:28 a.m. after a smooth four-hour, 20-minute flight. They are now lodged at the Ibis Hotel, Casablanca, and are scheduled to hold a light training session later this evening.

Head coach Bankole Olowookere’s side head into the tournament brimming with confidence after an impressive run in their build-up matches-winning all 10 friendlies, scoring 44 goals, and conceding none.

The Flamingos will play New Zealand in a friendly on Friday before facing Paraguay next Tuesday in another preparatory match.

At the World Cup, Nigeria have been drawn in Group C alongside France, Canada, and Samoa.

Thousands of residents received free medical care, including fibroid, hernia and eye surgeries at the Mountain Of Fire and Miracles Ministries, Bayelsa Mega Axis, with the headquarter at Okaka, Yenagoa during an outreach.

The free medical outreach backed up with healing prayers was aimed at giving hope to the medically challenged.

The health programme included general consultations and laboratory tests, surgical interventions in gynecological cases, obstetrics and ophthalmic, among others.

There was also general health education and counselling especially for communicable diseases like HIV/AIDS. Those with serious ailments that cannot be treated at the field offices were referred to tertiary health institutions for more comprehensive care.

At the week-long medical mission, the sick and infirm from several communities in Bayelsa state and beyond, came out in search of healing.

The church MFM Okaka, and designated Health facilities for the medical outreach and surgeries was swarming with activities as the sick and their caring relatives thronged the place for medical attention from the visiting medical team.

The crowd of the old and the young was attended to by medical team put together by the church’s medical professionals.

According to the Mega Regional Overseer (MRO), MFM Bayelsa Mega Regional Headquarter, Pastor Emmanuel Akinola, the free medical services fully sponsored by the church ensured that individuals/residents accessed quality healthcare.

He emphasised that those unable to afford medical care received the necessary attention, diagnosis, and treatment as well as surgeries and free recommended glasses.

He added the gestures were part of the Explosive Evangelism Initiative (EEI) of the church to capture more souls for Christ there by depopulating the kingdom of darkness.

Akinola, said gesture was in line with the vision of the General Overseer, MFM Worldwide, Dr. Daniel Olukoya, which was to touch lives beyond denomination and religious biases as well as to capture souls for Christ, added that the medical outreach along with other humanitarian programmes are part of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of the church.

He thanked Olukoya and wife for their utmost passion to ensure that souls are won for Christ, souls are delivered from the jaws of darkness, lives are transformed positively, while needs of the people are also met physically.

The MRO said Olukoya has given a marching order to the churches across the world to ensure that lives are touched physically through different corporate social responsibility programmes apart from the Biblical teachings and Deliverance prayers the church believes in.

Akinola informed the MFM Bayelsa Mega Axis has been involved in several CSR such as food evangelism, foodmart, scholarship to indigents but brilliant and different skills acquisition.

He said the church has empowered and engaged youths in taking them off the streets while teenagers have been empowered capturing them for Christ.

The medical outreach, according to Akinola, targeted the vulnerable members of the community, the state at large particularly women, children, men and youths as well as the aged who cannot afford the cost of medical attention.

Beneficiaries, thanked God as well as the church for bringing health care services closer to the people at no cost it .

Some stated that if not for the free medical outreach carried out in they would not bother testing for malaria or typhoid but would rather self diagnose and treat malaria and typhoid themselves.

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has said the NDLEA is not averse to the controlled and regulated export of cannabis oil to countries that want it, but remains opposed to its local consumption.

He said this at a stakeholders workshop themed ‘Cannabis Oil Debate: The Path Forward for Nigeria’, organized by the Nigerian Academy of Science in Abuja on Wednesday, according to a statement by the Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi.

Marwa said the dialogue on cannabis oil is a welcome development.

He said, ‘At NDLEA, our position on cannabis oil is simple: we welcome dialogue. We believe Nigeria must make informed choices, not choices driven by half-truths, commercial interests, or global trends.

‘Cannabis oil may have medicinal properties worth investigating, but it also carries health risks, potential for misuse, and implications for public safety.

‘This is why scientists, medical experts, policymakers, and regulators must be in the same room to bring facts to the table, scrutinise evidence, and weigh options carefully.’

He said the NDLEA was not opposed to science but was only being cautious.

‘Let me assure you that NDLEA is not opposed to science, nor are we indifferent to innovation. What we insist on is caution. Policy must protect lives, safeguard public health, and strengthen-not weaken-our fight against drug abuse.

‘As such, the Agency will not be averse to the idea of controlled export of cannabis oil to foreign companies and countries that desire it, as part of our drive as a country to enhance foreign earnings.

‘After all, some countries have approved the use of cannabis oil for therapeutic purposes while others, including Nigeria, have not. Our concern, however, is about its consumption in Nigeria.

‘In essence, we are not opposed to the idea of exporting the oil to those who desire it, but such must be strictly controlled, licensed, and monitored by NDLEA, with such a process located only within export-free zones’, he stated.

Explaining the position of the Agency, the NDLEA boss said the conversation is necessary because ‘we are talking about Cannabis, which is not just another plant. It is a substance with complex medical, social, and economic dimensions. For decades, the debate has been one-sided.

‘Advocates often highlight the supposed benefits of cannabis oil, while its risks and consequences are glossed over. This, no doubt, informs the decision by us at the NDLEA to commission an ongoing study on cannabis oil by this respected apex body of scientists, the Nigerian Academy of Science.’

‘In a country like Nigeria, which is already contending with a high burden of drug abuse, it is imperative that we approach this matter with sobriety, clarity, and balance. Till today, much of the public debate highlights the potential therapeutic uses of cannabis oil and the commercial value of its export.

‘What about the risks? Evidence shows that cannabis, including its oil extracts, can have adverse effects on mental health, especially among young people. The prolonged or uncontrolled use of cannabis and its extracts is linked to anxiety, depression, psychosis, and cognitive impairment.

‘In addition, dependence and addiction are real concerns as well. In reality, these side effects create additional social and economic costs for families, communities, and society at large.

‘Another fundamental issue that we must take cognisance of is that the lack of standardised production and regulation in many countries means products sold as ‘cannabis oil’ often vary in potency, contain contaminants, or are misused outside of medical supervision.

‘Already, Nigeria has one of the highest rates of misuse of cannabis worldwide. For a country already grappling with a 14.4 percent substance abuse prevalence rate as against the global average of 5.6 percent and a staggering figure of 10.6 million cannabis users based on the last drug use survey report of 2018, the risks associated with cannabis cannot be dismissed.

‘Rather, the reality should remind us that while cannabis oil may have medical potential, its dangers are real and must be addressed with strong safeguards before any policy shift is considered.’

He said that as part of efforts to mitigate the consequences of illicit drug cultivation and production is the decision by the Agency, as the first in Africa, to introduce an alternative development project in 2023.

According to him, ‘The Alternative Development Project demands ethical responsibility and commitment to develop transformative policies and humanitarian responses to mitigate drug-related problems and end the complexities and violence of the war on drugs in Nigeria and globally.

‘In Nigeria, the Alternative Development Project will focus on reducing the vulnerabilities of ignorance, poverty, hunger, unemployment, and underdevelopment that push people into illicit economies, particularly illicit drug cultivation.

Aside from its link to transnational organised crime, illicit drug cultivation fuels national organised crime that causes agricultural states to abandon food crop cultivation for cannabis plantations in some communities across Nigeria.

We intend to reduce these vulnerabilities both in urban centres and rural areas through the provision of functional mechanisms and facilities for sensitisation, skills acquisition, empowerment, and positive engagements for sustainable livelihoods.’

In his welcome remark, President of the Nigerian Academy of Science, Prof Abubakar Sambo, who was represented by the Vice President of NAS, Prof Friday Okonofua, noted that several research studies have considered various uses of cannabis and its side effects. He said the workshop was aimed at reaching a consensus on the contentious issue of the use of cannabis oil.

‘At the end of the day, we’ll have evidence-based consensus work, which will be properly documented, that will lead us to decide what we should be doing regarding the use of cannabis in this country’, he stated.

Chairman of the NAS study committee on cannabis oil use, Prof Musbau Akanbi, commended NDLEA for being proactive and working with the Academy to obtain a science-driven guide for Nigeria.

‘As we all know, cannabis oil is extracted from cannabis, and the legalisation of the use of the oil would translate to large-scale cultivation of the weed itself.

The Nigerian Academy of Science consequently constituted the consensus study committee on the cannabis oil debate, comprising experts in all fields that had to do with the study request.

‘The committee collected a lot of literature on the subject matter from all over the world, reviewed what is happening in other lands, and decided to arrange this workshop where experts from various related fields will come together with stakeholders and present evidence that will be collated to assist NDLEA in carrying out its honest responsibility.’

Also speaking at the workshop, Dr. Samuel Adekola who represented Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo state noted, ‘This all-important workshop will offer our great country, Nigeria, the opportunity to move from debate to design, from potential to policies and I urge all participants to contribute constructively so that together we can rise to craft a model that not only benefit the consumers of health, also the sunshine state and Nigeria, but also position our nation as a leader on the African continent in this emerging field. Let us proceed with vision, with courage, and with unity of purpose.’

In his keynote address, Prof. Oye Gureje, Director, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health, Neurosciences, and Substance Abuse, University of Ibadan, stated that cumulative evidence suggests that ‘cannabis has some limited medical use’, and ‘widespread recreational use is likely to lead to increased risk of psychosis’, while ‘public health may be moderately affected by increased use (e.g. road accidents)’