News
W’Cup Qualifiers: Super Eagles Defender Pens Apology To Nigerians
Super Eagles defender, Leon Balogun, has penned an apology to Nigerians after the team failed to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup holding in Qatar.
Nigeria had failed to qualify for the mundial after it succumbed to the away goal rule in the second leg playoff fixture against Ghana at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
Balogun noted that it was painful for the team to miss out on the World Cup, which everybody put in their best to achieve. He added that the Super Eagles recognised the role football played in the country’s unity and urged for calm among the fans.
He said, “For the support you’ve shown us from afar, in front of your TV’s, in Kumasi, but especially in Abuja. In my 8 years as Super Eagle, I have never seen so many hopeful and joyful faces supporting us, pushing us on relentlessly to reach our common goal and it was both, incredibly touching and overwhelming.
“Everybody tried, everybody wanted to qualify so bad and play at the World Cup 2022 – for the first, for another or one last time. The harder it is to accept that our best, individually as well as collectively, wasn’t good enough to make that happen – even more so given the rivalry. I will probably always remember this painful exit as my darkest hour with the national team.
“As players, we understand how much of an impact football can have on the mood of the nation – therefore we share your disappointment, frustration and the pain.”
READ ALSO: NFF Speaks After Super Eagles’ Failure To Qualify For Qatar 2022
After Nigeria failed to qualify, fans invaded the pitch of the National Stadium and destroyed some of the infrastructures which led to a ban on the use of the facility by the Confederation of African Football.
The defender who plies his trade with Scottish side, Rangers FC, called for Nigerian supporters to rein in their emotions and keep supporting the Super Eagles.
“Please let’s not allow emotions over what is out of our control now to get in the way of what there is to achieve in the future.
“Players and coaches will come and go, but remember: you and your support will always be needed as a vital part of the Super Eagles.
“Abeg Naija no vex, make WE move forward in Unity – The Super Eagles of Nigeria go soar again,” Balogun stated.
Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the World Cup is the second time since the Super Eagles’ debut a the 1994 edition. Nigeria missed out on its first World Cup in 2006.
News
Edo NLC Crisis: Caretaker Committee Drags Rival Exco, Govt To Court
The division in the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), took a new dimension on Wednesday as Prof. Monday Monday Lewis Igbafen-led caretaker committee approached the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Benin Judicial Division, seeking to affirm its authority and restrain a rival executive from parading itself as the council’s leadership.
Joined in the suit are the Edo State Government, the Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.
In a suit marked: NICN/BEN/12/2026, and filed before the court in Benin, the claimant, Igbafen, acting for himself and on behalf of the NLC Caretaker Committee in Edo State, is challenging the continued occupation of the union’s secretariat and control of its assets by members of the Bernard Egwakhide-led factional State Executive Council.
READ ALSO:Edo NLC Divided Over May Day Celebration
The claimants are asking the court to declare that the caretaker committee (Igbafen-led faction), constituted on August 11, 2025, by the NLC national leadership, remains the only lawful authority to administer the affairs of the Edo State Council pending fresh elections.
They further seek a declaration that the continued occupation of the NLC secretariat located at No. 1 Teboga Road, Benin City, as well as the retention of union assets, financial records, and official instruments by the defendants, is illegal and void.
The suit also prays for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from parading themselves as officials of the NLC Edo Council or interfering with the functions of the caretaker committee.
In addition, the claimants are seeking a mandatory order compelling the defendants to immediately hand over the secretariat, vehicles, financial documents, cheque books, and all other properties belonging to the union.
READ ALSO:JUST IN: NLC Begins Meeting With ASUU, Other Unions Over Strike
The caretaker committee further urged the court to restrain the state government and its officials from interfering in the internal affairs of the union, alleging undue support for the dissolved executive.
The claimants further demand N50 million as general and exemplary damages against the defendants for alleged unlawful usurpation of office and acts prejudicial to the administration of the council.
According to court documents made available to our correspondent, the crisis followed the dissolution of the Edo State Council by the NLC National Executive Council on February 27, 2025, over allegations of misconduct, anti-union activities, and constitutional violations.
However, the matter has yet to be assigned a hearing date.
News
Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru
Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.
Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.
READ ALSO:Film Premiere: Edo In Talks With Embassies To Promote Safe Migration —Agazuma
La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.
The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.
The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.
He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.
News
Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses
The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.
DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.
A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.
READ ALSO:Xenophobic Attacks: Oshiomhole Tells FG To Retaliate Against South African Companies In Nigeria
“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.
“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.
“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.
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