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Ousmane Dembélé Wins 2025 Ballon d’Or After Leading PSG to Historic Treble
Ousmane Dembélé has won the 2025 Ballon d’Or, capping a remarkable season in which he led Paris Saint-Germain to a historic treble.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The 28-year-old forward received world soccer’s most prestigious individual honor Monday night at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. His award followed an outstanding campaign in which PSG lifted the Ligue 1 title, the Coupe de France, and the UEFA Champions League.
Dembélé scored 33 goals and delivered 15 assists in 49 appearances across all competitions during the 2024-25 season. His performances in Europe were especially decisive, earning him UEFA Champions League Player of the Season honors after inspiring PSG to their second-ever Champions League crown.
Sixth French Winner
With the victory, Dembélé becomes the sixth Frenchman to win the Ballon d’Or, joining an elite group that includes Michel Platini, Jean-Pierre Papin, Zinedine Zidane, and Karim Benzema. His triumph marks another milestone for French football as the country prepares to defend its European and world dominance on the international stage.
The French national team also celebrated Nations League success this year, with Dembélé playing a key role in the attack alongside Kylian Mbappé. His combination of speed, creativity, and finishing power has been widely praised by coaches and teammates.
Emotional Speech
Accepting the award in front of fellow players, coaches, and legends of the game, Dembélé grew emotional. He thanked his family, his coaches at PSG, and his former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi and Andrés Iniesta.
“They taught me what it means to play with joy and respect,” Dembélé said. “This award is for my family, for Paris, and for all the fans who believed in me, even during difficult times.”
Dembélé’s career has been marked by flashes of brilliance and long battles with injuries. At Barcelona, he struggled to meet expectations after a record transfer from Borussia Dortmund in 2017. But his resurgence at PSG has been hailed as one of the most inspiring comebacks in recent football history.
PSG’s First French Winner
Dembélé is also the first French player to win the Ballon d’Or while representing Paris Saint-Germain. While stars such as Neymar, Zlatan Ibrahimović, and Kylian Mbappé came close in the past, none had managed to claim the prize during their PSG careers.
Club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi praised Dembélé’s achievement.
“This is a proud moment for Paris Saint-Germain and for French football,” Al-Khelaifi said in a statement. “Ousmane has worked tirelessly, and his performances have inspired millions. His Ballon d’Or is a reward for his dedication and his incredible talent.”
Global Recognition
The Ballon d’Or, organized by France Football magazine, is awarded annually to the best men’s and women’s players in the world. It is decided by an international panel of journalists, national team coaches, and captains.
Dembélé’s victory breaks a decade of dominance shared mostly by Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and Luka Modrić. Messi, who retired earlier this year, won a record eight Ballons d’Or. Dembélé’s win highlights a new generation of stars who are stepping into the spotlight.
Looking Ahead
With his Ballon d’Or now secured, Dembélé is focused on continuing PSG’s dominance in France and Europe. The club has already started the 2025-26 season strongly, and fans hope the winger’s peak form will lead to another deep run in the Champions League.
France, meanwhile, looks ahead to next summer’s European Championship, where Dembélé is expected to play a leading role. His partnership with Mbappé could be central to Les Bleus’ bid for another continental title.
For now, though, Dembélé’s name is etched in football history as one of the world’s best.
“This is just the beginning,” he said. “I want to win more for my club, for my country, and for the game I love.”
Yakubu Gowon University (formerly University of Abuja) has graduated 17,300 students at its combined 29th and 30th convocation ceremonies held on Saturday at the main campus.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The university also conferred honorary Doctorate Degrees on Paul Odili, Founder and CEO of Paulo Group of Companies; Prof. Yusuf Ali, SAN; and Emmanuel Issa, in recognition of their contributions to society.
Vice Chancellor, Prof. Hakeem Fawehinmi, said the honourees were selected based on their character, achievements, and commitment to excellence.
He urged graduating students to focus on what they can contribute to national development, stressing that character, discipline, and integrity would determine their success beyond the classroom.
According to him, certificates may open doors, but personal values and conduct will shape long-term achievements.
The Vice Chancellor also reminded the graduates to uphold the reputation of the institution wherever they go.
Fawehinmi disclosed that the 29th convocation covered the 2022/2023 academic session, while the 30th covered 2023/2024, with thousands graduating across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
Speaking after receiving his honorary award, Dr. Odili dedicated the recognition to Nigerians with dreams and encouraged young people to remain persistent in pursuing their goals.
He also pledged support for the university, promising collaboration aimed at addressing key challenges facing the institution.
The Federal Government has released an updated list of items banned from importation into Nigeria, in a move aimed at protecting local industries and reducing pressure on foreign exchange.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The revised prohibition schedule, dated April 1, 2026, outlines 17 broad categories of goods that are no longer allowed into the country through any entry point.
According to the Federal Ministry of Finance, the policy affects a wide range of products, including food items, pharmaceuticals, household goods, and industrial materials.
One of the most notable aspects of the list is the ban on several widely used medicines under specified HS codes, including paracetamol, metronidazole, cotrimoxazole, chloroquine, aspirin, folic acid, and some vitamin supplements. The government says these are now to be produced locally.
The restriction also covers pharmaceutical waste, which remains completely prohibited.
In the agriculture and food sector, the importation of poultry, pork, beef, and eggs remains banned, although an exception was made for hatching eggs used for breeding and research purposes.
Retail-packaged vegetable oils, sugar products, cocoa derivatives, tomato paste, and certain bottled water products are also included in the import restrictions, with emphasis on encouraging local production.
The policy further bars detergents, soaps, ballpoint pens and refills, cement, certain fertilizers, packaging materials, and specific steel and glass products.
The Nigeria Customs Service has been directed to enforce the new rules strictly, with importers and businesses advised to comply fully to avoid seizure of goods and penalties.
ADC chieftain and publisher, Dele Momodu, has dismissed calls for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race, describing the push as unfair and politically motivated.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Momodu was reacting to comments by activist Zekeri Idris Jnr, a supporter of Peter Obi, who urged Atiku to step aside over concerns about his age, which would be about 80 by 2027.
In a post on his X handle on Saturday, Momodu said attention should be focused on holding the government accountable rather than targeting Atiku’s political ambition.
The exchange followed a viral video where Idris insisted that Atiku should support younger aspirants instead of contesting, arguing that voters would not back an elderly candidate.
Idris also suggested that Atiku should act as a statesman and support younger politicians such as Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and others.
Responding, Momodu cited several world leaders who held office at advanced ages, arguing that experience should not be dismissed in leadership discussions.
He questioned what should disqualify Atiku from contesting, insisting that age alone is not a valid reason.
Atiku, who lost the 2023 presidential election to President Bola Tinubu, is reportedly considering another run in 2027 under the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
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