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Lookman Ends Dispute With Atalanta, Returns to Training Ahead of Juventus Clash

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BERGAMO, Italy— Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman has ended a two-month standoff with Atalanta and rejoined first-team training, giving the Serie A club a boost after its heavy 4-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Lookman, 27, had been absent from training since July after submitting a transfer request. The winger was frustrated over unfulfilled promises of a move abroad, with bids from Inter Milan and PSG reportedly turned down by the club. His absence created tension during the preseason and the start of the 2025-26 campaign.

On Thursday, Lookman met with new head coach Ivan Juric to discuss his future. The two reached an agreement for him to return, with Atalanta CEO Luca Percassi making clear the player must be fully committed to reintegration.

“Ademola is an important player for us. What matters now is focus, professionalism and helping the team move forward,” Percassi said in a brief statement.

The timing of his return is crucial. Atalanta has gone three matches without a win this season, raising pressure on Juric in his first weeks in charge. The club’s defeat to PSG on Tuesday underlined weaknesses in attack and defense, leaving fans concerned ahead of Sunday’s high-profile Serie A meeting with Juventus.

Lookman has been one of Atalanta’s most influential players since joining from RB Leipzig in 2022. He has scored 55 goals in 118 appearances, including a stunning hat trick in the Europa League final last season against Bayer Leverkusen that secured Atalanta’s first major European trophy.

His scoring ability and pace on the wings have made him a fan favorite in Bergamo and a regular starter for Nigeria’s national team. Supporters had voiced frustration over the dispute, with many urging both sides to find a solution.

Juric, who took over in July after Gian Piero Gasperini’s departure, emphasized the need for unity. “We cannot afford distractions,” he told Italian reporters. “Lookman is back, and now we must concentrate on Juventus. The team comes first.”

The forward’s decision to rejoin training also ends speculation of a possible late move before the January transfer window. While PSG and Inter remain interested, club officials have stressed that Lookman will not be sold during the current campaign.

Atalanta faces a demanding schedule with league matches, domestic cup commitments, and a tough Champions League group. Lookman’s presence is expected to ease some of the attacking burden on Gianluca Scamacca and Teun Koopmeiners.

For Lookman, the return marks a chance to rebuild trust with teammates and supporters. “I am happy to be back with the group. My focus is on working hard and helping Atalanta win,” he said in a statement released through the club.

The match against Juventus could offer an early test of his readiness. With Atalanta still searching for its first victory of the season, all eyes will be on Lookman to see if he can deliver the spark that has defined his time in Bergamo.

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AMVCA 2026 Shock: Funke Akindele Misses Out Despite Massive Online Hype

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Nollywood actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele missed out on the Best Supporting Actress award at the 12th Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), losing to her colleague Linda Ejiofor for her performance in The Herd.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Reports indicate that Akindele, despite widespread expectations, left the ceremony without a win even though her film Behind the Scenes received four nominations across major categories.

The movie, which grossed over ₦2 billion at the box office, was nominated for Best Movie, Best Lead Actress, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Supporting Actress.

However, Ejiofor clinched the Best Supporting Actress award in a highly competitive category that included top stars, with Akindele also among the favourites due to strong online buzz surrounding her performance.

Other nominees in the category included Bisola Aiyeola (Gingerrr), Sola Sobowale (The Covenant), Nadia Dutch (Aljana), Amal Umar (The Herd), Juliebrenda Nyambura (MTV Shuga Mashariki), and Olamide Kidbaby (Oversabi Aunty).

Ejiofor’s winning role in The Herd saw her portray the wife of a kidnapped man played by Daniel Etim-Effiong in a socially driven satirical drama focused on insecurity and societal challenges in Nigeria.

Although The Herd had a modest box office performance compared to Behind the Scenes, it gained stronger traction on streaming platforms and secured multiple AMVCA nominations.

Ahead of the awards, Akindele had topped several online prediction polls, but the final decision rested with the AMVCA jury chaired by veteran actress Joke Silva.

In the Best Supporting Actor category, Bucci Franklin emerged winner for his role in To Kill A Monkey, beating nominees including Lateef Adedimeji, Gabriel Afolayan, Femi Adebayo, Femi Branch, Uzor Arukwe, and Simileoluwa Hassan.

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“It Is A Lie” — Lere Olayinka Debunks Claims Of Supreme Court Ruling Against Wike-Backed PDP Faction.

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Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed reports claiming that the Supreme Court nullified the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) convention held in Abuja on March 29–30, 2026.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Reports suggest that Olayinka’s reaction follows claims tied to a Certified True Copy (CTC) of a recent Supreme Court judgment in the PDP leadership dispute, which allegedly favoured one faction over the other.

There were also claims that the apex court declared the Abuja convention invalid and upheld the suspension of key figures in the Wike-backed faction, including Senator Samuel Anyanwu and Kamaldeen Ajibade.

However, speaking in an interview with ARISE Television on Saturday, Olayinka insisted that such claims were false, stating that the issue of the March 29 convention was never before the Supreme Court.

He argued that the Supreme Court only dealt with matters that originated from the Court of Appeal, stressing that the apex court cannot rule on issues not presented before it.

Olayinka explained that the case in question concerned the suspension of Samuel Anyanwu, which he said was addressed at the appellate level and affirmed by the Supreme Court.

He further maintained that if a matter or individual was not referenced at the Court of Appeal, it could not suddenly become part of the Supreme Court’s judgment, insisting that claims about the convention being nullified were misleading.

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2027: Seriake Dickson Declares “Everyone Is Free To Contest Any Position” In NDC

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The National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Seriake Dickson, has stated that all aspirants in the party are free to contest any position in the 2027 elections without restrictions.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Reports indicate that Dickson made the remark on Saturday during the party’s first national convention held in Abuja.

He explained that the NDC does not have internal factions like other political parties in the country and is not facing any legal disputes or internal conflicts.

According to him, there is currently no court case or appeal against the party, and all members are at liberty to contest for any leadership position in the 2027 elections.

Dickson also emphasized that the party remains united, stressing that no group or bloc exists within its structure that could create division.

He further maintained that any actions taken in the past that appeared to challenge freedom of association were violations of constitutional rights.

Reaffirming confidence in the party’s future, Dickson said the NDC, despite early opposition, has come to stay and has gained unprecedented public acceptance within a short period.

He claimed that no political party in Nigeria’s history has enjoyed the level of trust and enthusiasm currently being shown toward the NDC.

The former Bayelsa State Governor also stressed the importance of sustaining multiparty democracy in Nigeria, noting that the NDC was formed after concerns that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had been weakened.

He recalled the legal and administrative challenges faced during the party’s registration, which was eventually approved by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following a court ruling.

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