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Lookman Ends Dispute With Atalanta, Returns to Training Ahead of Juventus Clash
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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2027 Election: Sowore’s AAC Writes Tinubu, Demands Aso Rock Venue, Food, Drinks.
The African Action Congress (AAC) has written to President Bola Tinubu, requesting permission to use the Presidential Villa in Abuja for the inauguration of its Presidential Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general elections.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The party has also asked the Presidency to provide food, drinks and other logistical support for participants at the ceremony scheduled for November 11, 2026.
The requests were contained in a letter dated October 21, 2026, and signed by the AAC National Secretary, Oshiokhai Ikpeminioghena, Naija News reports.
In the letter addressed to Tinubu, the party explained that the proposed event was part of its preparations for the 2027 general elections.
“On behalf of the African Action Congress (AAC), I respectfully write to request approval to hold the inauguration ceremony of our Presidential Campaign Council on the 11th of November 2026 at the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock, Abuja, in preparation for the 2027 general elections,” the letter stated.
The party said its request was motivated by the need to promote multiparty democracy, political inclusion and equal treatment of political parties.
It also called on the Presidency to provide refreshments and other logistical assistance, citing arrangements it claimed had reportedly been extended to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) during a similar political engagement.
“In the spirit of multiparty democracy, political inclusiveness, and equal treatment of political parties, we also request the provision of food, drinks, and other logistical support for participants at the event, consistent with the arrangements reportedly extended to the All Progressives Congress (APC) for a similar political engagement,” the party said.
The AAC maintained that approving its requests would demonstrate the Presidency’s commitment to fairness and equal treatment of political parties, irrespective of their affiliation with the ruling party or the opposition.
“We believe that granting this request would demonstrate the Presidency’s commitment to fairness, equal access, and the principle that public institutions must serve all Nigerians without partisan discrimination,” the letter added.
The party further expressed hope that Tinubu would approve its requests and asked the Presidency to communicate the relevant procedures and conditions for securing authorisation.
“We look forward to your favourable consideration of this request and would appreciate information on the applicable procedures and conditions for its approval,” the letter stated.
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Breaking: Military Pension Board Chairman Sacked After Dramatic Clash With Retired Officers
The Chairman of the Military Pension Board, Air Vice Marshal Mikail Abdulraheem, has reportedly been removed from his position following a dispute between the board’s management and retired military officers over pension payments.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The development came barely a week after retired military personnel staged a protest over alleged errors in the calculation of their pensions and other entitlements, Naija News reports.
According to sources familiar with the matter who spoke to Daily Trust, the incident was considered an embarrassment to the military high command and President Bola Tinubu, who serves as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
The disagreement reportedly escalated last Tuesday when a meeting between the board’s management and the retired officers ended in a heated exchange, with both sides failing to reach an agreement.
The meeting followed a protest by the veterans, who blocked the main entrance to the board’s headquarters to express their dissatisfaction with what they described as incorrect calculations of their pension payments and other benefits.
Led by retired Lieutenant-Colonel Innocent Azubuike, the protesters reportedly arrived at the headquarters around 8:30 a.m. and appealed to President Tinubu to intervene in the matter.
They accused the board of introducing unnecessary disparities in pension structures and payment arrangements, insisting that their grievances required urgent attention.
However, subsequent efforts to resolve the disagreement reportedly yielded no positive results.
A source quoted by the newspaper said the incident had also placed the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), and the Chief of Defence Staff in an embarrassing position.
Further findings on Wednesday indicated that Abdulraheem had been directed to step aside and hand over responsibilities to another officer who would take charge of the board.
A senior military officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, reportedly disclosed that the handover was expected to take place on Wednesday.
The source attributed the decision to the controversy surrounding the veterans’ protest.
“That last week protest by the veterans really embarrassed the Presidency and the military. I think that is the reason the Chairman is being asked to step aside,” the source said.
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Breaking: Oyebanji Appoints Four New Aides In Fresh Government Shake-Up.
Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has appointed four officials to key positions covering power infrastructure, road development, airport affairs and transportation.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The appointments were announced in a statement issued in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday evening by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode.
The development came hours after Oyebanji swore in the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Habibat Adubiaro, and the Chief of Staff, Oyeniyi Adebayo, for another term in office.
Those appointed include Philip Atere, who will serve as Technical Adviser on Power Infrastructure, and Tope Fatukasi, appointed Technical Adviser on Road Infrastructure.
The governor also named retired Air Vice Marshal Sunday Makinde as Technical Adviser on Airport Matters, while Tajudeen Alingbolu was appointed Director-General of the Ekiti State Transport Agency.
According to the state government, the appointments take immediate effect and are aimed at strengthening the administration’s efforts to improve critical sectors of the state’s economy.
Meanwhile, during the swearing-in ceremony for Adubiaro and Adebayo, Oyebanji urged both officials to draw on the experience they gained during his first administration as they resume their responsibilities.
The governor stressed that his second term would demand greater commitment, discipline and accountability from public officials.
He also warned that he would not tolerate poor performance, urging members of his administration to demonstrate dedication to delivering on the government’s promises.
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