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Why I Switched From England To Nigeria – Ex-Liverpool Star, Rinsola Babajide

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Former Liverpool F.C. forward Rinsola Babajide has explained why she chose to switch her international allegiance from England to Nigeria, revealing that her ambition to feature at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and reconnect with her heritage played a key role in the decision.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Born in London, Babajide previously represented England at several youth levels before receiving FIFA approval to change her national team affiliation. She was part of the Young Lionesses squad that secured bronze at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup and also featured for England’s U-18, U-19 and U-23 sides. She earned multiple caps across those age groups and even attended two senior Lionesses training camps.

Her senior breakthrough, however, came with Nigeria. The winger made her debut for the Nigeria women’s national football team in an Olympic qualifier against Ethiopia in October 2023.

In an interview with 49th Street, Babajide said Nigeria’s approach came at a turning point in her career.

“When I decided to move abroad after leaving Liverpool, Nigeria reached out to me, and it felt like the right choice,” she said. “It gave me the opportunity to represent Nigeria, which is a great honour, and also reconnect with my culture and identity.”

Babajide currently plays club football for AS Roma Women.

The Nigeria Football Federation had reportedly tracked her progress for years. Although her agent initially advised her to remain with England due to her prospects of breaking into the senior team, Babajide ultimately opted for Nigeria.

She first drew widespread attention in 2016 after netting 14 goals for the University of East London women’s team during a standout campaign that included a remarkable 40–0 victory over University College London.

Her decision has since proven rewarding. Babajide was part of the Nigerian squad that lifted the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title — her first major tournament with the Super Falcons. She scored her maiden senior international goal during the group-stage match against Tunisia and later paid tribute to the late Liverpool player, Diogo Jota.

Looking back on the triumph, she described winning the WAFCON trophy as the proudest moment of her career.

“I’m Nigerian. Winning the title was a huge achievement, and Mission X was a success, but lifting the WAFCON trophy in my first major tournament stands out as the best moment of my career so far,” she said.

With a continental title now to her name, Babajide has set her sights on competing at the Olympic Games and the FIFA Women’s World Cup. For her, representing Nigeria goes beyond football — it reflects identity, pride and a meaningful bond with her roots, a journey she considers the highlight of her rising career.

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‘President’s Job Is Not To Be High Jumper’ – Dele Momodu Fires Back At Makinde.

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Dele Momodu, Deputy Director-General of Media and Communications for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council, has reacted to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s comments on the importance of energy and stamina in a presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Makinde, who is the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), recently challenged his rivals to demonstrate their physical stamina after jumping off a stage during a campaign meeting in Akure, Ondo State.

The governor made the demonstration at the APM South-West Presidential Campaign Town Hall Meeting held at the Ondo State International Conference Centre, popularly known as The Dome.

Addressing supporters, Makinde said he would focus on candidates’ energy and ability to withstand the demands of leadership rather than make age a major consideration in the 2027 presidential race.

Reacting during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, Momodu argued that physical feats such as high jumping should not be used to measure a presidential candidate’s suitability for office.

According to him, effective leadership requires clear vision, experience, exposure, tolerance and the ability to manage people and public resources.

Momodu also described the ADC presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, as one of the strongest contenders in the 2027 election.

He said, “The job of a president is not to be a high jumper or long jumper. It is to think; it is to have clear vision; it is to have experience; it is to have exposure and be tolerant. Leadership is about managing people and resources. This is why the ADC presidential candidate is one of the best you can find in Nigeria.

“I want to make a statement of fact that Atiku has been the most deliberate and focused candidate I have known. He has never stopped anyone from contesting against him, or dictator. Even President Bola Tinubu knows this because he invited him on a joint ticket to run with him in the past.”

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Political Drama In Osun As Omisore Recognises Adeleke As Tinubu’s Campaign Boss.

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Former Osun State Deputy Governor and immediate past National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Iyiola Omisore, has recognised Governor Ademola Adeleke as the Osun State coordinator for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Omisore disclosed this on Thursday after attending the inauguration of the Osun State chapter of the APC Presidential Campaign Council in Osogbo.

He expressed confidence that Osun State would deliver an overwhelming number of votes for Tinubu in the January 2027 presidential election.

According to Omisore, the inauguration demonstrated that political leaders and supporters across party lines had united behind the President’s second-term ambition.

In a statement, he said, “Today, alongside eminent APC leaders in Osun State, I joined our Coordinator, His Excellency Governor Ademola Adeleke, for the inauguration of the Osun State chapter of the APC Presidential Campaign Council in Osogbo.

“We made a collective commitment to deliver Osun State overwhelmingly for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the January 2027 Presidential election.

“Our gathering shows that, beyond party lines, whether APC, Accord or PDP, we are united in our resolve to move Nigeria forward and to re-elect President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

Meanwhile, Adeleke has assured members of the coalition supporting Tinubu’s re-election that their alliance would not affect their parties’ chances in the National Assembly and state House of Assembly elections.

Speaking at the campaign council’s inauguration, the governor explained that the partnership was limited to the presidential election and would not extend to legislative contests.

He also set a target of securing more than 1.5 million votes for Tinubu in Osun State.

Adeleke’s clarification means that while the coalition partners are working together to support Tinubu’s re-election, individual parties remain free to campaign for their respective candidates in the legislative elections.

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‘You Will Cough Out Every Kobo’ – APC Challenges Makinde Over ₦100bn Loan.

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The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has vowed to hold Governor Seyi Makinde and members of his administration accountable for the state’s finances after the governor leaves office.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The party’s warning comes amid controversy over the approval of a fresh ₦100 billion loan by the Oyo State House of Assembly.

The Assembly, presided over by Speaker Adebo Ogundoyin, approved the loan during plenary on Wednesday.

The latest borrowing request has sparked reactions and renewed debate over the financial management of the state under Makinde’s administration.

The APC declared that Makinde, who is also the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) presidential candidate for the 2027 election, and officials who served under him would be held responsible for any alleged misappropriation of public funds.

The party stated its position in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Wasiu Sadare, and made available to Daily Post on Thursday.

Sadare also criticised the governor’s proposed expenditure of ₦4.2 billion on the forthcoming local government election in the state.

He insisted that Makinde and his associates would be required to account for any state funds allegedly misused before the end of the governor’s tenure.

“As a matter of fact, Engr. Makinde and his cronies shall be made to cough out every kobo of the money belonging to our dear state which they have misappropriated while in office immediately after the expiration of his final term in about seven months,” Sadare said.

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