Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has stated that the country is gradually recovering from the severe economic challenges it inherited from the previous administration.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Speaking in an interview with Fox News Digital, Oluremi highlighted ongoing government reforms aimed at stabilising the economy.

She pointed to notable achievements such as local petroleum refining and a more stable exchange rate as evidence of progress.

The First Lady also accused critics of exploiting the upcoming election period to paint Nigeria in a negative light internationally. She specifically described allegations from some US lawmakers of a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria as politically motivated.

Oluremi said, “We’ve just come out of a significant economic crisis inherited from the past. This is the first time the Nigerian government has removed the fuel subsidy, and we were not producing or refining enough oil.

“We live in a democracy, and with the elections approaching, there will be attempts to present Nigeria in a negative light to the world.

“Now, we are refining our own petroleum products and no longer importing fuel like before. Our exchange rates are stabilising, and the country is moving forward.”

She further revealed that following President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency on insecurity in November 2025, the government recruited 50,000 police officers, 24,000 soldiers, and armed 10,000 forest guards.

Additionally, 11,566 police officers previously assigned to VIP protection have been redeployed to security hotspots, including Plateau, Benue, and Taraba states.

Oluremi stressed that Nigeria is actively seeking partnerships with countries willing to support its development, noting, “During Nigeria’s boom years, we didn’t invest wisely. These are the challenges we’ve inherited, and we are now working to address them.”

The Fusengbuwa ruling house has stated that it has fulfilled its role in the process of selecting a new Awujale of Ijebu land, emphasizing that the responsibility now rests with the kingmakers and the state government.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Lateef Owoyemi, chairman of the ruling house and former national president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, confirmed this on Monday when contacted by Punch for updates on the stalled selection process.

“We have completed our duties and handed over the nominated candidates to the kingmakers, whose responsibility is to choose the new Awujale from the list,” Owoyemi said.

He added that the ruling house’s role was strictly to nominate eligible princes and princesses for consideration.

“We are not the kingmakers, and we are not the ones to crown the king. We have done our part well, and no complaints have been raised regarding our actions. The rest now lies with the government and all other stakeholders,” he explained.

The selection process was halted for the second time last month by the state government. A statement from the governor’s spokesman, Hamzat, said the suspension followed numerous petitions from security agencies and other concerned parties.

The Awujale stool became vacant in July 2025 after the death of Oba Sikiru Adetona, who ruled for 65 years and passed away at 91.

During a nomination meeting last month at Bisrod Hall, GRA Ijebu Ode, the Fusengbuwa ruling house presented 95 candidates—94 princes and one princess—for consideration by the kingmakers.

The kingmakers, led by the Ogbeni Oja of Ijebu land, Dr. Sunny Kuku, were set to begin the selection when the government ordered the halt.

Meanwhile, the state police command has confirmed an ongoing investigation into allegations of bribery and corruption involving some kingmakers.

DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, the police spokesman, told Punch that the probe is ongoing but declined to disclose how many kingmakers had been summoned.

Last week, police disclosed that one of the invitations was sent to the Olisa of Ijebu Ode, Chief Rasheed Adesanya. The letter, signed by Deputy Commissioner of Police Gbenga Adeoye, head of the Criminal Investigation Department, requested Chief Adesanya appear before the command to clarify the allegations and noted he could be accompanied by a lawyer.

Rivers United head coach Finidi George has called for squad reinforcements following a disappointing CAF Champions League campaign that ended with their elimination from Group A after a heavy home defeat to Egypt’s Pyramids FC.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The former Nigerian champions sit at the bottom of the group with just one point from five matches, having lost four games and drawn once. They have scored only twice while conceding ten goals.

Their exit was sealed after a 4-1 loss to the defending champions at Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo. Rivers United had taken an early lead through Stephen Manu, but Pyramids dominated the second half, scoring four unanswered goals to secure a comprehensive victory.

Speaking after the match, Finidi acknowledged the gap in quality and intensity, emphasising the need to strengthen the squad for future continental competitions.

“Let us see how we can compete in the NPFL. If we win it, we will have time to prepare and bring in a few players to strengthen the team. We have seen our lapses and know we can do better next time,” he said.

“For the players, this is a learning process. They have now experienced a higher level of football. To match teams like this, we definitely need to improve and add reinforcements.”

Finidi dismissed suggestions that Rivers United were simply unlucky, insisting that Pyramids deserved their win.

“They were far better in the second half. This is another level of football, with a higher intensity. They were the better side, which is why they are the defending champions,” he said.

The coach identified indecision and defensive lapses after halftime as key factors behind the collapse.

“In the first half, we controlled the game and scored our goal. We pressed well and didn’t give them much space. But in the second half, there was indecision. Where we should have committed to tackles, we didn’t. Their players were faster and could exploit gaps easily,” he explained.

He added that experience and intensity ultimately made the difference.

“Football at this level is about maintaining intensity for the full ninety minutes. In the second half, they came out stronger and we couldn’t contain them. That’s why they dominated,” Finidi said.

Rivers United’s Champions League campaign also included defeats to Pyramids in Cairo, RS Berkane of Morocco, and Power Dynamos of Zambia, with their only positive result being a goalless draw in Ndola. They will conclude the group stage with an away match against RS Berkane in Morocco, playing for pride.

Despite their struggles in continental football, Rivers United remain joint leaders of the Nigeria Premier League (NPFL) with four games in hand, keeping their domestic title ambitions alive.