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Zulum Shakes Borno Politics As He Rejects VP’s Candidate, Unveils Preferred Successor To Shettima.
Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, on Thursday presented the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship consensus candidate, Mustafa Gubio, to Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The development comes amid ongoing political consultations within the party ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Borno State. Reports suggest that Zulum did not endorse other candidates allegedly favoured by the Vice President, including Senator Kaka Shehu and Minister of Agriculture Abubakar Kyari, signalling emerging internal tensions over the APC ticket. In a statement by his spokesperson, Dauda Iliya, Zulum explained that Gubio’s emergence followed extensive consultations with key party stakeholders. He described the decision as a reflection of unity and consensus within the party structure in the state. The governor also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his leadership and continued support for Borno State and the APC. He further noted that the President played a significant role in the emergence of Gubio as the consensus candidate. Zulum also praised Vice President Shettima for his role in promoting party unity and supporting the consensus process in the state. He expressed appreciation to party leaders and stakeholders whose contributions, he said, helped secure Gubio’s nomination. Earlier, Zulum had publicly endorsed Gubio as his preferred successor after purchasing the APC nomination and expression of interest forms for the 2027 election. The presentation event was attended by prominent political figures, including former Governor Maina Ma’aji Lawan, Deputy Governor Umar Kadafur, Senator Ali Ndume, and other party stakeholders.
The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has appointed David Fizdale as the new head coach of D’Tigers, with the American expected to lead the national team’s quest to qualify for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The federation announced the appointment on Saturday, describing it as part of a broader long-term strategy to strengthen Nigeria’s technical framework and build a team capable of sustained success on the global stage.
Fizdale, a former NBA head coach with the Memphis Grizzlies and New York Knicks, most recently served as an assistant coach with the Phoenix Suns between 2023 and 2025.
According to the NBBF, his appointment reflects the federation’s desire to bring elite-level experience, strong leadership, and extensive basketball knowledge to the national team setup.
Fizdale’s immediate focus will be guiding Nigeria through the FIBA Basketball World Cup African qualifiers in Luanda, where D’Tigers are set to face Angola, Guinea, Tunisia, and Rwanda on the road to Olympic qualification.
Speaking after his appointment, the 51-year-old described the role as deeply personal, particularly because successful qualification would give him the opportunity to coach Nigeria at the Olympics in his hometown of Los Angeles.
He said the prospect of leading Nigeria to Olympic qualification and potentially competing for a medal in front of his family makes the challenge especially meaningful.
Fizdale noted that returning to a head coaching role brings renewed excitement, adding that the chance to achieve such a milestone on home soil would represent a full-circle moment in his basketball journey.
Nigeria has previously featured at three Olympic Games but has yet to win a medal.
NBBF President Musa Kida said Fizdale’s appointment aligns with the federation’s ambition to establish a globally competitive basketball structure while also supporting player development and coaching education in Nigeria.
Fizdale also acknowledged former D’Tigers coach Mike Brown for encouraging him to take on the role, revealing that discussions with Brown played a major part in his decision.
He is expected to begin preparations immediately as Nigeria intensifies its push toward the 2028 Olympics, while also contributing to broader basketball development initiatives across the country.
Maduka Okoye made history on Saturday after recording his 10th clean sheet of the Serie A season, becoming the first Nigerian goalkeeper since Vincent Enyeama 11 years ago to achieve that feat in any of Europe’s top five leagues.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The milestone came as Udinese secured an impressive 2-0 victory over Cagliari at the Unipol Domus.
Enyeama previously set the benchmark during the 2014/2015 season when he kept 17 clean sheets for Lille in Ligue 1. Okoye’s achievement has now reignited hope for Nigeria’s Super Eagles as the team continues its search for a reliable long-term first-choice goalkeeper.
The 26-year-old delivered a strong performance, making three crucial saves from five shots on target.
His defining moment came in the first half when he produced a superb full-stretch fingertip save to keep the score level, providing Udinese with the platform to take control of the match.
Adam Buksa opened the scoring in the 56th minute, while Idrissa Gueye sealed the victory deep into stoppage time in the 96th minute.
The win marked Udinese’s 14th league triumph of the season and moved the club up to ninth place in the Serie A standings.
Okoye’s latest clean sheet tally also equals his personal best from the 2020/2021 campaign with Sparta Rotterdam in the Dutch Eredivisie.
Since joining Udinese in 2022, the Nigerian shot-stopper has steadily rebuilt his reputation and established himself as a vital player for the club.
His impressive performances have reportedly drawn transfer interest from top clubs including Inter Milan, AC Milan, and Bournemouth ahead of the summer transfer window.
Nigerian ambassador-designate to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, has accused former presidential candidate Peter Obi of being politically unreliable, alleging that he would eventually abandon former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
It would be recalled that during its national convention, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to the South for a single four-year term, a move widely seen as creating an opening for Obi’s candidacy and reportedly supported by Kwankwaso.
Reacting to the development in a statement on Sunday, Fani-Kayode cautioned Kwankwaso against trusting Obi’s proposed one-term arrangement.
According to him, Obi has a history of falling out with political allies and
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