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More Away Wins Will Spur Growth, Says Shorunmu

Published

3 years ago

January 18, 2024

Shorunmu, the first-choice goalkeeper of the Super Eagles in the 1990s, said this in his interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos.He attributed the growth being experienced in the league to the dedication of the League Management Company (LMC) in partnership with the GTI Asset Management Company, sponsors of the league.

These days, you can’t predict who will win a match. It’s no longer a matter of whether a team is at home or away; this is so because our referees are more alive to their responsibility.

“It’s no longer business as usual, and I’m optimistic that with this development, our league will be better for it. These are the elements of a functional league.

“Paying referees’ indemnity as and when due has made it possible. Kudos to the leadership of the league and the sponsors. History won’t forget their dedication to the league,” he said.

He predicted that the NPFL would soon become a hub for international scouts to come pick talented players.

“Our league is a work in progress that will soon attract the attention of international scouts,” he said.

On the absence of domestic league players in the Super Eagles squad at the ongoing 2023 Nations Cup, he said, “I’d rather not comment on that. I wish the Super Eagles the best.”

NAN reports that the 2023–2024 football season started on Sept. 30, 2023. (NAN)

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You Don’t Understand Football If You Still Doubt Messi GOAT Status – Zidane.

Published

15 hours ago

September 9, 2026

NivoNews

French football icon Zinedine Zidane has strongly supported Lionel Messi in the perennial ‘Greatest of All Time (GOAT)’ discussion, arguing that anyone who continues to doubt the Argentine maestro’s supremacy lacks a true understanding of the sport.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Zidane additionally endorsed Messi for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, noting that he would cast his vote for the Inter Miami forward “100 times” if the opportunity arose. Highlighting Messi’s longevity, Zidane emphasized that maintaining a spot among the world’s elite players at 39 years old is an extraordinary feat worthy of high praise.

“I think people really don’t understand how incredible it is to still be among the best players in the world at 39 years old,” Zidane remarked, as reported by Marca.

At 39, Messi earned a spot on the 30-player shortlist for the 2026 Ballon d’Or following the announcement on Tuesday. As the most decorated figure in the history of the accolade with eight wins—his latest coming in 2023 after leading Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar—Messi continues to set records. Zidane argued that Messi’s high-level displays at his age position him as a legitimate contender for the prize.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if Messi won the award,” Zidane stated, questioning whether alternative nominees surpassed the Argentine’s contributions.

Recently, Messi disclosed his retirement from international competition, drawing increased attention to the closing phase of his legendary career, according to N. Regarding the ongoing GOAT controversy, Zidane took a definitive stance, firmly rejecting opposing views.

“If anyone still has doubts about the GOAT debate, honestly, that person does not belong in football society,” he asserted.

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Massive Relief Hits Campuses: FG Disburses Eight-Month Allowance Arrears To University And Polytechnic Lecturers.

Published

15 hours ago

September 9, 2026

NivoNews

The Federal Government has disbursed funds covering the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) for academic personnel across federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education spanning January through August 2026.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa shared this update on Wednesday right after inaugurating the Ministerial Committee on Accreditation. According to Alausa, this eight-month payment stems from the 2025 pact established between the government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities.

CATA aims to assist educators in acquiring essential supplies and gear required for teaching, research, and related duties. The minister noted that the impacted institutions should have already been notified and are set to begin disbursing the funds to qualified academic personnel.

“The Office of the Minister of Education is happy to announce that the full CATA payment has now been released by the Federal Government from January to August 2026 to all universities, all polytechnics and colleges of education,” Alausa stated. He further noted, “All these institutions should have received notification to start paying CATA to all academic staff”.

Although specific figures regarding the total disbursement or individual payouts were not disclosed by the minister, he mentioned that funds designated for non-academic personnel are currently undergoing processing. The administration anticipates these resources will become accessible within the coming weeks.

“And also, the payment to non-academic staff, we’re hoping that these funds will be made available, hopefully, in the next few weeks,” Alausa remarked.

Framing the move as part of President Bola Tinubu’s broader push to enhance public tertiary work environments, Alausa stated, “This is another indication of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to our academic and non-academic staff”, adding that staff welfare remains central to the administration’s educational strategy.

Beyond compensation, the minister highlighted that governmental interventions encompass expanded infrastructure funding across tertiary facilities, alongside targeted programs for basic and postgraduate learning.

“Beyond prioritising the welfare of our staff, he has also significantly invested in infrastructure at all our tertiary institutions and also basic and postgraduate education,” he explained.

Stressing that the ultimate goal is elevating educational standards for Nigerian youth, Alausa concluded, “This is a President that believes so much in education. He has delivered beyond his promises to ensure that every single child in this country gets the highest quality of education comparable to anywhere in the world”. He also praised Tinubu’s reforms and reaffirmed the administration’s dedication to honoring agreements made with school employees.

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Moroccan Woman Not With Gumi, Returned Home — Lawyer

Published

15 hours ago

September 9, 2026

NivoNews

The legal counsel for Moroccan citizen Khadija Diab has refuted accusations that Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi is harboring the woman, clarifying that she traveled back to Morocco in April 2026 to stay with her family.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Bilkisu Abdulrasheed Chedi, who serves as the Executive Director of the Women Aware of Rights Initiative, explained that Diab departed Nigeria using an emergency travel document issued in the wake of a domestic disagreement with her husband, Nasiru Idris Musa. Chedi released this statement in a video shared on Tuesday via Gumi’s official Facebook profile amid ongoing public debate concerning Diab’s location.

Previously, Musa claimed that Gumi had concealed his wife for roughly 11 months following interference in their marital issues. While Gumi firmly rejected these claims and asserted that Diab had gone back to her parents in Morocco, Chedi noted that her group assisted with the departure after Diab expressed her wish to leave Nigeria.

According to Chedi, Diab’s relatives verified her safe arrival in Morocco, where she has stayed for approximately half a year. “So all the allegations that she has been with Sheikh Gumi are false and unfounded because it’s not possible for a person to be in two different countries at the same time,” Chedi stated. Furthermore, she mentioned that both the Moroccan Embassy in Nigeria and immigration officials validated her safe return to her native country.

Background on the Marital Dispute

Outlining the history of the conflict, Chedi stated that Diab sought help from the Women Aware of Rights Initiative in October 2025. The lawyer claimed that Diab reported issues involving domestic violence, poor upkeep, and inappropriate marital practices. Following these complaints, Chedi’s group suggested that Diab undergo medical checks, which allegedly revealed sexually transmitted infections. These points represent unverified claims from Diab and her legal representative, as Musa’s perspective on these specific accusations was not included in the text.

Faced with ongoing emotional and physical abuse, Diab resolved to end the marriage. Legal steps were initiated on her behalf at the Area Sharia Court situated on Daura Road in Kaduna, with the initial hearing on October 3, 2025. The proceedings faced a postponement to November 11 after Musa’s attorney requested a reconciliation period. Further delays arose due to a change in Musa’s legal representation, challenges to the court’s authority, lawyer absences, and a strike by judicial employees in Kaduna.

Return to Morocco and Legal Actions

As the legal battles dragged on, Diab suffered emotional strain and resolved to go back to Morocco. Because Musa reportedly held her international passport, the Women Aware of Rights Initiative assisted her in securing an emergency travel document from Moroccan officials. Chedi confirmed that Diab flew to Morocco in April and granted her permission to manage the ongoing Nigerian legal matters prior to her exit.

The original lawsuit at the Daura Road Sharia Court was officially dropped on June 10, 2026, while a fresh petition seeking a divorce under Islamic law was filed in July. Chedi explained that she chose to address the public to dispel continuous rumors tying Gumi to her disappearance, advising everyone to ignore the claims since Diab remains safely with her family abroad.

Before these clarifications, Musa urged Gumi to clarify his role in the dispute, alleging that his wife cut off contact after attending counseling. Gumi has since dismissed these claims, branding them as defamatory and warning of potential legal consequences.