President Bola Tinubu on Monday extended warm congratulations to Dr. Awele Elumelu, Chairperson of Avon Healthcare Limited, on the occasion of her 55th birthday.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Nigeria’s Super Falcons will square off against Portugal’s senior women’s national team in an international friendly match later today in Lisbon, as part of their final preparations for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), set to kick off in Morocco from July 5 to 26.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The much-anticipated warm-up encounter is slated for 7:00 PM local time (same time as Nigeria) at the Estádio José Gomes, located in the Amadora district of Lisbon.

The nine-time African champions touched down in Portugal on Sunday night after traveling from Abuja via Casablanca. An initial group of ten players and backroom staff made the trip, with former Atletico Madrid forward Rinsola Babajide linking up with the team upon arrival. An additional thirteen players are expected to join the squad at the training base in Portugal.

Today’s fixture comes on the heels of Nigeria’s 2-0 victory over Cameroon earlier this month in Abeokuta. Head coach Justin Madugu had overseen several training sessions last week at both the MKO Abiola National Stadium and Turf Arena before the team jetted out to Europe.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation has announced a 24-player squad for the upcoming WAFCON. The list features the return of star forward Asisat Oshoala and Saudi-based defender Ashleigh Plumptre. However, the exclusion of in-form striker Gift Monday has stirred reactions among fans and analysts.

Also making the cut are goalkeepers Chiamaka Nnadozie and Tochukwu Oluehi; veteran defender Osinachi Ohale; midfield anchors Halimatu Ayinde, Jennifer Echegini, Toni Payne; and team captain Rasheedat Ajibade. The attack will be bolstered by Francisca Ordega, Esther Okoronkwo, and Chinwendu Ihezuo.

Following today’s showdown, the Falcons will head to Morocco for another high-profile friendly against regional rivals Ghana on Friday, June 29. The Black Queens have already begun a 14-day pre-tournament training camp in Benslimane.

Nigeria will begin their WAFCON campaign in Group B, where they will face Tunisia, Botswana, and Algeria. All their group matches will be played at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca, as they aim to clinch a record-extending 10th continental title.

Ose Anenih, son of the late Chief Tony Anenih, has accused Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu, of distorting the historical role his father played during the June 12, 1993 democratic struggle.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

He criticized Onanuga for not only misrepresenting facts but also for the combative and disrespectful tone he used in his remarks.

The controversy stemmed from a recent interview on Arise TV in which former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, alleged that President Tinubu supported the annulment of the June 12 election. Lamido also claimed that Tinubu’s late mother, Hajiya Abibatu Mogaji, mobilized market women from Lagos to Abuja to demonstrate support for then military ruler, General Ibrahim Babangida.

In response, Onanuga dismissed Lamido’s allegations as false, accusing him of trying to rewrite history. He also claimed that Lamido and Chief Tony Anenih had collaborated with the National Republican Convention (NRC) to deny Chief MKO Abiola his electoral mandate.

However, in a swift rebuttal shared on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, Ose Anenih rejected Onanuga’s assertions, calling them outright lies and expressing shock that such misinformation was issued in the name of the presidency.

“Your account of my father’s involvement in June 12 is, to put it politely, untrue,” Anenih stated. “It is disappointing that you chose to use uncouth language to describe Chief Tony Anenih, and in an official communication from ‘the Presidency,’ no less.”

He added: “I will rise above the emotional baiting that this conversation has clearly sparked and speak only to the truth. I will also assume that your mischaracterisation of historical events stems from ignorance, not malice.”

Contrary to Onanuga’s claims, Ose Anenih said his father had actually warned Chief Abiola that his close relationship with General Sani Abacha would harm his chances of reclaiming his presidential mandate.

He recalled that after the annulment of the June 12 election, Abiola initially fled the country but later returned. One of his first visits upon return, Ose said, was to Chief Tony Anenih, then the National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), in Benin City.