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HomeWorld Soccer Legends to partner NAN in fighting cancer

World Soccer Legends to partner NAN in fighting cancer

Victor Okoye

Jun, Tue, 2025

Sports

World Soccer Legends to partner NAN in fighting cancer

 

 

World Soccer Legends to partner NAN in fighting cancer

 

 

 

Cancer

 

 

 

By Victor Okoye

 

 

 

Abuja, June 24, 2025 (NAN) The Organisers of the World Soccer Legends (War Against Cancer) International Charity Football Match are set to partner the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in fighting cancer in the country.

 

 

 

Jacob Onu, the National Coordinator of the charity match, made the remarks during a courtesy call on NAN’s Editor-in-Chief, Mufutau Ojo by members of the Main Organising Committee (MOC).

 

 

 

NAN reports that the charity football match has been scheduled to hold at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja in Oct. 4.

 

 

 

The Charity football match is in collaboration witlh the Federal Miistry of health, National Institute for Cancer Rescarech and Treatnent (NICRAD), National Sports Comission (NSC) and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

 

 

 

Onu told the EIC that the goal of the event was to raise funds to combat the heinous pandemic ravaging the society called CANCER, using the instrumentality of Football.

 

 

 

He noted that in order to key into President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and great vision of combating health challenges, the MOC members have decided to seek for partnership with NAN.

 

 

 

“This war against cancer we believe is not just for the Federal Ministıy of Health, but for all well-meaning Nigerians who are in good healıh condtion in our rural and urban areas.

 

 

 

“It is this sngular commitment that has prompted us to combine forces to fight this menace of cancer spreading in Nigeria by using the instrumentality of Football to raise funds for awareness, treatment and research purposcs.

 

 

 

“To achieve this objective, it is our belief that NAN has a role to play to ensure the sustainability of this project as President Bola Tinubu is expected to be the special Guest for the football match come Saturdav, 4 October, 2020.

 

 

 

“The import of this request, therefore is to humbly seek the partnership and support of NAN in the coverage of the entire programmme,” he said.

 

According to Onu, football Legends like Abedi Pele, Didier Drogba, Samuel Etoo, Zinedine Zidane, Austin Jay Jay Okocha, Daniel Amokachi, Kanu Nwankwo among others are expected at the event.

 

 

 

Responding, Ojo assured the Organisers of the 2025 World Soccer Legends (War Against Cancer) International Charity Football Match of the agency’s full support.

 

He noted that NAN prides itself as the largest content provider in Africa, adding that it was also the national carrier of information in the country.

 

 

 

“Our slogan says, Talk to NAN, talk to all. This is because of our reach. There is no state in the country that you will go to where you will not see a NAN office.

 

 

 

“Beyond that, we also have 12 zonal offices and about 18 district offices because we also want the news from the grassroots,” he said

 

 

 

The EIC also explained that because NAN is a global institution, it has some foreign missions.

 

 

 

He noted that presently, NAN was the only resident West African Agency in the UN in New York.

 

 

 

“We also have an office in Johannesburg, South Africa and another one in Cote d’Ivoire. Before now we had about 12 foreign missions, but over the years, because of the challenge of paucity of funds, we could not sustain some of them.

 

 

 

“But now, we are planning to reopen some of these offices in London, China, and the rest of them.

 

 

 

“So, this is the place to be, especially for such iniatives like yours aimed at improving the human body and I can assure you that we will offer you all the support.

 

“This is the type of public interest journalism that we try to expose and I urge you to work closely with our Sports desk and whatever media support you need, will be given to you,” he

Strong indications have emerged that the Deputy.

Multiple sources within the Taraba State House of Assembly and senior government circles confirmed that the lawmakers have rallied behind the current Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, Alhaji Hamman Adama, as Alkali’s likely successor.

 

Though the House of Assembly is yet to initiate formal impeachment or replacement proceedings, a senior official revealed that discussions are ongoing to activate the constitutional process to remove Alkali.Governor of Taraba State, Alhaji Aminu Alkali, may soon be replaced following a prolonged illness that has kept him out of office for over nine months.

The deputy governor has been bedridden for months. We can no longer afford to operate without a fully active deputy in such a critical role,” the source said.

 

However, the state government has pushed back against the claims.

 

The Special Adviser to Governor Agbu Kefas on Media and Digital Communication, Emmanuel Bello, dismissed the speculation as baseless.

No one has nominated anyone to be Deputy Governor to Dr. Agbu Kefas. Disregard any fake news,” Bello said in a brief statement.

 

As of press time, the deputy governor’s office has not issued any official statement concerning his health condition or the alleged succession plot.

 

Nevertheless, a senior government official from the deputy governor’s office admitted knowledge of plans to relieve Alkali of his duties.

The National Opposition Coalition Group, led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has formally applied to the Independent National Electoral Commission for the registration of a new political party—the All Democratic Alliance.

 

The application, dated June 19, was acknowledged by INEC on Friday, signalling the coalition’s determination to float a new platform instead of aligning with any existing political party.

 

The formation of ADA, backed by some other key political heavyweights, including former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi and Umar Ardo, convener of the League of Northern Democrats and former aide to President Olusegun Obasanjo, seeks to capitalise on mounting public dissatisfaction and political realignments to stop President Bola Tinubu at the next poll.

 

The application comes just a few days after INEC warned political groups that no amount of pressure or public sentiment would override the need for strict compliance with constitutional and electoral guidelines.

The commission reiterated that party registration remains a rigorous constitutional process—not merely a political declaration.

 

With Thursday’s application, the national opposition coalition has now put an end to weeks of speculation about whether it would revive a dormant political platform or launch a fresh one altogether.

 

A copy of the application letter, obtained by our correspondent in Abuja, was jointly signed by the association’s Protem National Chairman, Chief Akin A. Rickets, and Protem National Secretary, Abdullahi Elayo.

 

The letter partly read, “We respectfully write to the Independent National Electoral Commission, requesting the registration of our association, the All Democratic Alliance, as a political party.

 

“This is a sequel to the decision taken by the Nigerian National Coalition Group to sponsor our association for full registration.

 

“The name of the party shall be All Democratic Alliance with ADA as our acronym and ‘Justice for All’ as our slogan.”

 

The coalition also submitted relevant documents, including the party’s constitution, manifesto, logo, and minutes of its foundational meetings.

 

The party’s symbol prominently features a maize (corn), which the applicants say represents abundance, resilience, and sustenance—core ideals they hope to promote.

 

“We have further attached our manifesto encompassing details of our party ideology and our constitution providing the legal framework that defines our identity, structures, and organisation,” the letter continued.

A fresh crisis is brewing in Osun State as local government executives of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lay conflicting claims to the control of council areas, following a recent court decision.

 

Recall that the Court of Appeal, on February 10, 2025, reinstated APC council executives previously sacked by two Federal High Court rulings. However, the appellate court also dismissed a subsequent application by the APC to relist an earlier appeal struck out on January 13 for lack of diligent prosecution.

 

In the wake of this development, PDP chairmen elected on February 22, 2025, backed by the Osun State Government, announced their intention to resume control of the councils.

They argued that the dismissal of the APC’s fresh appeal effectively upheld the sack of the previously reinstated APC executives. Reacting, the Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) for the APC, Abiodun Idowu, insisted that APC officials remain the lawful occupants of the council offices.

 

But the Osun State Police Command through its spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, yesterday confirmed that they have deployed their men at the councils to forestall breakdown of peace.

CDCFIB Debunks Recruitment Rumors, Warns Public Against Fraudsters

 

The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) has cautioned Nigerians to disregard false information about an ongoing recruitment exercise into the paramilitary agencies under its oversight, describing such claims as fraudulent.

 

In a statement issued Tuesday in Abuja, the Board’s Secretary, Maj.-Gen. A.M. Jibril (Rtd), said scammers were circulating fake recruitment notices on social media platforms to mislead the public.

 

Jibril clarified that while President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had approved the recruitment of 30,150 personnel into the four paramilitary agencies and an additional 209 into the CDCFIB Secretariat, the official recruitment process has yet to begin.

 

He explained that the Board was currently securing a waiver to shorten the standard six-week advertisement window to three weeks, which would fast-track the official launch of the recruitment drive.

For clarity, any legitimate recruitment process will be publicly announced in reputable national newspapers,” Jibril stressed. “The exercise will be transparent, based strictly on merit, and entirely free of charge.”

 

The breakdown of approved recruitment slots is as follows: Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) – 10,000; Federal Fire Service (FFS) – 10,000; Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) – 5,150; Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) – 5,000; and CDCFIB Secretariat – 209.

The Board urged the public, especially job seekers, to exercise caution and avoid falling prey to fraudsters who exploit the urgency and desperation for employment to scam innocent citizens.

 

“Report any suspicious individuals or solicitations for payment in exchange for jobs. Such offers are fake and criminal,” the statement warned.

 

The CDCFIB reiterated its dedication to ensuring fairness, transparency, and due process in all recruitment efforts under its jurisdiction

President Bola Tinubu has just commissioned the International Conference Centre in Abuja, renovated at the cost of N39 billion.

The President performed the commissioning shortly after he arrived from Lagos, where he had been to celebrate the Eid al-Kabir festivities.

 

The President is in Abuja to perfect preparations for the democracy day anniversary slated for June 12, 2025.

An elated Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, was seen dancing at the commissioning ceremony.

A fire incident has occurred at the Imaratus Sanan Hotel, accommodating over 480 Nigerian pilgrims performing the 2025 Hajj through private tour operators.

 

Imararus Sanan Hotel is located in the Sharamansur area of Mecca in Saudi Arabia.

 

The inferno, which tore through parts of the building on Saturday, caused significant damage, but no life was lost.

 

The pilgrims were not present at the hotel at the time of the incident, having departed earlier for Mina to partake in the symbolic stoning ritual, a central rite of the Hajj pilgrimage.

In a statement released by its spokesperson, Fatima Usara, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), confirmed the incident and expressed gratitude for the swift response of Saudi fire services and hotel staff, whose efforts helped contain the blaze and prevent any casualties.

 

NAHCON Chairman Abdullahi Usman promptly visited the site to assess the extent of the damage

Visibly shaken by the destruction, Mr Usman offered comfort to the affected pilgrims and praised the prompt intervention of local authorities.

 

“Our priority is the safety and comfort of our pilgrims,” he said. “We have arranged immediate relocation to alternative accommodations and will provide every support within our capacity to minimise their distress.”

 

Mr Usman also commended the Saudi fire service and the hotel management for their quick response to the incident.

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has proposed a constitutional amendment for a single term of five or six years for elected officials at all levels of government in Nigeria, moving away from the current system of two four-year terms.

He made the remarks during a visit from a delegation of Muslim faithful, including clerics, traditional rulers, and political leaders, at his residence in Ikolaba, Ibadan, following the Eid-el-Kabir prayers at Agodi Eid Ground.

The delegation, led by Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal, included prominent figures such as Senator Rashidi Ladoja, former Deputy Governor, Amb. Taofeek Arapaja, and Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Dawodu Makanjuola.

 

Governor Makinde congratulated the Muslim community on the 2025 Eid-el-Kabir and expressed gratitude for their prayers and continued support over the past six years.

He emphasised the need for a focused governance period, suggesting that a single six-year term would allow leaders to concentrate on their mandates without the distractions of re-election campaigns.

“I was just looking at the trajectory for me in government. I have spent six years already and due to no fault of anybody, we lost the year 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

By Adeola Badru

 

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has proposed a constitutional amendment for a single term of five or six years for elected officials at all levels of government in Nigeria, moving away from the current system of two four-year terms.

 

 

He made the remarks during a visit from a delegation of Muslim faithful, including clerics, traditional rulers, and political leaders, at his residence in Ikolaba, Ibadan, following the Eid-el-Kabir prayers at Agodi Eid Ground.

 

 

 

 

The delegation, led by Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal, included prominent figures such as Senator Rashidi Ladoja, former Deputy Governor, Amb. Taofeek Arapaja, and Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Dawodu Makanjuola.

 

Governor Makinde congratulated the Muslim community on the 2025 Eid-el-Kabir and expressed gratitude for their prayers and continued support over the past six years.

 

He emphasised the need for a focused governance period, suggesting that a single six-year term would allow leaders to concentrate on their mandates without the distractions of re-election campaigns.

“I was just looking at the trajectory for me in government. I have spent six years already and due to no fault of anybody, we lost the year 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

 

“We lost almost one year, campaigning all over the place for the second tenure. Now, people have started distracting us on what I want to do next and all of that. So, I feel that, effectively, the time we can say we are very serious with governance is just about five out of the eight years.

 

“That is why I feel if you remove all these distractions, a single tenure of five or six years is actually enough to focus and do the work that we are trying to do in eight years.

 

“Well, we shouldn’t be afraid to say the fact based on data that is available to us. It has nothing to do with me. If they say I should end it, so be it.

 

Makinde acknowledged the ongoing discussions around the issue in the National Assembly and urged for broader consideration of the proposal among the populace.

A former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mohammed Uwais, has died at the age of 88.

 

The former CJN died in the early hours of Friday, according to the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Ondo State, Dr Kayode Ajulo.

 

Uwais served as Chief Justice of Nigeria from 1995 until his retirement in 2006.

 

Following his retirement, he chaired the Presidential Electoral Reform Committee inaugurated by late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

The committee included prominent figures such as Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah and human rights lawyer, Dr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN.

 

Born on June 12, 1936 in Zaria, Kaduna State, Justice Uwais embarked on a remarkable journey in the legal profession.

 

He was called to the Bar at the Middle Temple, London, in 1963 and quickly earned a reputation for his commitment to justice and fairness.

Over the decades, he held numerous influential positions within and outside the judiciary.

 

During his tenure as the CJN, he championed judicial reforms aimed at improving the administration of justice in Nigeria.

 

He was also instrumental in establishing the National Judicial Council, which plays a critical role in maintaining the independence and integrity of the judiciary.