Author: Daily Post Nigeria

Arsenal has made the decision to dismiss head doctor, Zafar Iqbal, and they are also poised to lose Under-21s head coach, Max Porter.

The Gunners reportedly parted ways with Iqbal shortly after their defeat in the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain.

This decision followed a season plagued by numerous injuries to key players.

It remains uncertain whether the time spent with Acedo influenced the choice to let go of Iqbal.

When Arsenal received the Premier League trophy at Selhurst Park, Dr. Iqbal was seen celebrating alongside the players on the pitch. Just a few weeks later, he has been relieved of his responsibilities.

This represents a significant change for the Gunners, even with several months remaining before the new season begins. Additionally, they are set to lose Porter, the Under-21s coach, who has also contributed to the first team.

He is expected to join Stoke City after nine years of service in north London across various roles. He has been in the capital since July 2017, starting as an Under-9s football coach, and subsequently working with the Under-13s, Under-17s, and Under-19s, before becoming the Under-21s assistant coach in July.

Porter was appointed as the manager of the Under-21s last summer, following Mehmet Ali’s appointment as assistant first team coach at Brentford under Keith Andrews. Porter will join Stoke in a similar role.

He will arrive at the Championship club as part of Mark Robins’ backroom staff. Porter is highly regarded in north London, having also been involved with the first team setup.

He will need all of his experience and more to achieve success at Stoke. The Potters had a disappointing Championship season last year, finishing in 17th place.

Arsenal came very close to achieving a Premier League and Champions League double-winning season, but it now seems that the club is preparing for some personnel changes.

Transfer: Arsenal lose two key men with deal agreed

The Board of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has appointed Princess Oforitsenere Emiko as Interim Chairman of the governing board of the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), a move that anchors the Commission’s plan to reposition the Institute for the next era of Nigeria’s communications sector and digital economy.

She will be joined on the board by Engr. Abraham Oshadami, Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, and Ms. Rimini Makama, Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, who join as interim Board members. The interim leadership will work alongside the President/CEO, Mr. David Daser, and the remaining board members whose tenures are unexpired, to drive the Institute’s transformation.

Established by the NCC in May 2004, DBI was created as a specialized centre for training in telecommunications and information technology. In the two decades since, the sector it serves has grown from telecommunications into a broad, fast-moving digital economy, one where technology now advances quickly enough to demand continuous specialized training, and where communications infrastructure has become a matter of national sovereignty and oversight. Securing and advancing the future of communications and the digital economy is now a clear national and economic priority.

That future also rests on Nigeria’s young population. With 70 percent of Nigerians under the age of 30, the DBI transformation is designed to empower young people, equip them with advanced technical skills, and close the capability gap that currently slows the pace of technology adoption across the communications sector and the wider digital economy.

The repositioned Institute will concentrate on five areas: Education and Training, Research and Development, Innovation, Economic Impact and Growth, and Emerging Policy and Regulation. The strategy has been shaped through engagements beyond the NCC and the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, including consultations with the Federal Ministry of Education and TETFund, the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI).

The National Industrial Court sitting in Akure has ordered Osun State Government to reconsider the promotion of Mr Olabisi Abidemi to the position of Director on Grade Level 17.

The court also ruled that the decision not to consider him for promotion was unfair and inconsistent with principles guiding public service administration.

In a judgment delivered by Justice Kiyersohot Damulak, the court directed the Governor of Osun State, the Attorney General, the Head of Service and the State Civil Service Commission to reassess Abidemi’s candidature in line with the Osun State Public Service Rules.

The court ordered that any promotion arising from the reconsideration should take effect from the date it ought to have been implemented and awarded N500,000 as the cost of the action in favour of the claimant.

According to court records, “Abidemi joined the Osun State Civil Service in May 2004 and rose through the ranks to become a Deputy Director on Grade Level 16 in July 2021.”

The claimant told the court that despite being on an approved leave of absence, his name appeared on the list of officers eligible for a promotion interview to Grade Level 17 conducted in August 2025, and that he duly participated in the exercise.

Abidemi also stated that after the interview he waited for the outcome but received no communication regarding his promotion status, prompting him to write complaint and appeal letters to the Head of Service.

In their defence, the Governor of Osun State and the other defendants argued that “Abidemi was not denied promotion because of his leave of absence but because he did not satisfy requirements under the Osun State Public Service Rules, particularly those relating to continuous supervision by a reporting officer and annual performance evaluation reports covering four years.”

They further maintained that “Abidemi had rendered service to the Osun State Civil Service for only about eight months during the previous eight years and that officers on leave of absence are not under the supervision of reporting officers during such periods.”

Counsel to the claimant, I. A. Mikaheel, argued that neither the Public Service Rules nor the approval granted for his client’s leave of absence provided that such leave could be used as a basis for denying promotion.

Delivering judgment, Justice Damulak held that “although promotion is not an automatic right, the discretion exercised by public authorities in statutory employment matters must be fair, transparent, consistent and in accordance with established rules.”

The court noted that “the defendants failed to produce any written policy requiring an officer to remain under the supervision of a reporting officer for four years before promotion could be considered.”

It also observed that no report of the promotion committee, recommendation or documentary explanation for the claimant’s exclusion was presented before the court.

Justice Damulak said, “I therefore find that the defendants acted inconsistently and unfairly in refusing to consider the claimant for promotion after listing him as eligible for promotion.” 

The court added that Abidemi had earlier been promoted to Grade Level 16 while on leave of absence and that his subsequent shortlisting for the 2025 interview created a legitimate expectation that the leave would not automatically disqualify him from promotion consideration.

National Industrial Court orders Osun govt to reconsider promotion decision

A Somali referee widely regarded as one of Africa’s best officials has reportedly been denied entry into the United States and sent back to Istanbul after arriving at Miami International Airport ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Omar Abdulkadir Artan, 34, was reportedly stopped at the point of entry and placed on a return flight despite holding a diplomatic passport issued with the assistance of the Somali Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya. The embassy said the passport was provided to ease previous visa-related challenges.

Artan had travelled from Kenya and transited through Turkey before arriving in Miami, but was turned away on arrival. No official explanation has been given for the decision.

This comes after FIFA recently stated that his visa issue had been resolved, confirming that he “had been fully resolved and he will now be available to officiate at the FIFA World Cup.”

Somalia is included on President Donald Trump’s travel ban list. He was quoted last month describing Somali immigrants in the United States as “they’re all crooks,” and earlier in January referred to Somalia as “the worst country in the world.”

Artan was recently honored as Africa’s Best Referee for 2025 at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards held in November.

 

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) yesterday sealed the Lagos office of PWAN MAX Property and Business Solutions Limited over alleged regulatory non-compliance.

The commission’s action stemmed from a consumer’c complaint against the management of PWAN MAX Property and Business Solutions Limited for non-allocation of 20 plots of land fully subscribed to and paid for by the consumer in February 2025.

The FCCPC had initiated an investigation and invited the respondent.

The commission said the property firm declined all invitations, failing to comply with a compliance notice issued under Section 150 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018.

Subsequently, the commission carried out the enforcement action invoking its statutory powers under Section 150[4][a] of the FCCPA, which permits the closure of business premises where violations persist after a compliance notice has been ignored.

Speaking during the sealing of the firm’s office, the FCCPC’s Southwest Zonal Coordinator, Mrs. Olubunmi Otti, said the commission launched investigations into the company’s activities in February 2025 after receiving a complaint from a consumer who alleged that 20 plots of land that had been fully paid for were yet to be allocated.

Otti alleged that the company initially failed to honour two invitations from the commission and was subsequently summoned to appear before the agency.

She stated that PWAN MAX later undertook to allocate the 20 plots and provide all necessary documentation to the affected subscribers on or before June 30, last year.

“Following the expiration of the timeline, the commission issued a compliance notice in accordance with Section 150 of the FCCPA, clearly outlining the nature of the breach, the required remedial actions, the compliance timeline and the consequences of non-compliance,” Otti said.

The zonal coordinator stressed that the company’s failure to remedy the breach compelled the commission to invoke its statutory powers under Section 150(4)(a) of the FCCPA, which permits the closure of business premises where violations persist after a compliance notice has been ignored.

“The sealing of the premises will remain in force until the commission is satisfied that the breach has been fully remedied, after which a compliance certificate may be issued,” Otti said.

Beyond the initial complaint, the zonal coordinator said the commission was investigating other petitions against the company over land transactions, investments and allegations of non-allocation of properties paid for by subscribers.

She noted that affected consumers may be entitled to refunds, where necessary, and warned that failure by the company to comply could result in prosecution.

“If they fail to refund the money, the law empowers us to prosecute. We are issuing a summons, and they are expected to appear before the commission within seven days,” she said.

During the enforcement, no staff of the company was found within the premises.

A notice displayed at the entrance and signed by management informed clients and property business owners (PBOs) that the company was observing a five-day staff fasting and prayer programme from June 8 to June 12, with normal operations expected to resume on June 15.

The latest enforcement action adds to a growing crackdown by the FCCPC on real estate firms accused of violating consumer rights and failing to honour contractual obligations to property buyers.

Last month, the FCCPC sealed two real estate companies  over alleged refund and property-related complaints by consumers.

The enforcement, which was carried out alongside security operatives, followed by allegations that the companies failed to comply with compliance notices issued by the commission.

The Kwankwasiyya movement has dismissed rumours circulating on social media suggesting that its leader, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso is planning to leave the party.
Speaking on the issue to DAILY POST, the movement’s spokesperson, Habeeb Saleh Mohammed, described the claims as false and unfounded.

He explained that the group had followed due process in conducting its recent primaries, in line with the timetable of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“According to the law and the INEC timetable, we conducted our primaries on the 29th of last month across the nation. Before that date, there were processes that led to consensus, and candidates emerged for each position. There were no complaints from any segment of party members or contestants,” he stated.

He maintained that the exercise was successful and that the outcome had already been submitted to the party leadership for further action.

According to the spokesman, they have already forwarded the results to the party, which will now take the necessary next steps.

The spokesperson also stressed that at no time was there any discussion about the party leader leaving the platform.

“There was never a time it was discussed that our party leader is leaving the party. That is our position,” Mohammed said.

He urged the public to disregard the rumours, insisting that the movement remains united and focused.

The reaction comes on the heels of reports suggesting that Kwankwaso was threatening to pull his structure out of the NDC.

The tension reportedly started from allegations that the national leadership of the party had replaced several Kano candidates submitted by the Kwankwasiyya camp to enforce a pre-agreed 60/40 power-sharing formula meant to favor Kwankwaso’s bloc.

Recall that reports of Kwankwaso dumping the ADC went viral on social media on Monday. It claimed that the NDC Vice Presidential candidate had resolved to dump the party in protest over its refusal to accept the list of consensus candidates from Kano State.

Kwankwaso not leaving NDC – Spokesman makes clarifications on alleged disagreement over candidates list

 

A U.S. federal judge on Monday blocked President Donald Trump from imposing a $100,000 fee on employers filing visa applications for foreign highly-skilled workers.

The United States awards 85,000 H-1B visas per year on a lottery system. India accounts for around three-quarters of the recipients. H-1B visa fees previously cost up to $5,000.

District Judge Leo Sorokin ruled in a lawsuit filed by 20 Democratic-ruled states that the move usurped taxation powers held by Congress and the fee for the H-1B visas constituted an unlawful tax.

“The substance and application of the $100,000 payment reveal that it is a tax, regardless of what the payment is called,” Sorokin wrote in his 42-page ruling.

 

The Federal Government on Monday declared that it is displeased with the South African government’s failure to respond firmly enough to the renewed wave of xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerian nationals, warning that retaliatory diplomatic gestures, including a review of bilateral privileges, were being actively considered and were not off the table.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who briefed State House correspondents after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, also rejected outright claims by some South African authorities that the Nigerians under attack were illegal migrants.

She argued that Nigerian passport holders were being harassed, having their shops looted and set ablaze, and that their children were being intimidated in schools, all while South African police looked on.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu said, “Our citizens are being harassed. Our citizens’ properties are being looted. Criminal actions are being perpetrated, and the police refuse to do anything. The South African government has not come out strongly and firmly enough to condemn these incidents.

“To say that Nigerians who are in South Africa doing legitimate business are illegal migrants is absolutely untrue. People who are doing legitimate business have their shops looted, their shops set on fire. Children cannot go to school because they are intimidated in their schools.”

The minister cited Nigeria’s historical sacrifice for South Africa’s freedom, a sacrifice she argued makes the current treatment of Nigerians especially painful and unacceptable.

“Nigeria is not happy with South Africa. Nigeria sacrificed much for the South African struggle for independence. Nigeria committed funds, committed resources. In schools, seats were reserved for South African students.

“My own generation, we carried placards, we demonstrated in front of South African assets. Sometimes we even got arrested for doing this. Nigeria is a serious frontline state, and Nigerians are not happy about how they have been treated,” she said.

On the nature of the attacks, she said, “They are not asking other migrants to leave. They are only asking black migrants to leave.”

When asked whether Nigeria was considering retaliatory measures, including the suspension or review of privileges currently enjoyed by South African businesses and nationals in Nigeria, the minister said, “That is a situation that we are considering. This is a decision that has to be taken at the highest level of government. But it is not off the table.”

The House of Representatives had earlier recommended a temporary suspension of business permits for South African companies operating in Nigeria, and the Senate resolved to send a high-level delegation led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio to South Africa to formally express Nigeria’s displeasure.

On the evacuation exercise, Ojukwu confirmed that President Tinubu had approved five Air Peace evacuation flights and directed a crisis response unit to be immediately established within Nigeria’s consulate in Johannesburg and the mission in Pretoria.

As of Monday, June 8, 1,092 Nigerians had voluntarily registered for repatriation, with the screening exercise now extended to June 10 to accommodate all applicants.

Over 500 Nigerians have so far been screened and cleared for evacuation.

The first flight, which was to airlift approximately 270 passengers out of Johannesburg on Monday, was rescheduled to Wednesday due to logistical considerations, with the foreign ministry saying the delay was not caused by diplomatic setbacks but by operational issues requiring additional coordination.

The minister explained that the evacuation, being undertaken in coordination with the National Emergency Management Agency and other federal agencies, would be followed by rehabilitation support.

She stated, “This evacuation is being undertaken with NEMA. We are doing that with various government agencies and parastatals to ensure that once Nigerians come in, they can be rehabilitated.”

The current crisis was triggered by anti-immigration protests organised by groups including Operation Dudula and March for March in late April 2026, which generated widespread anxiety among foreign nationals across multiple South African provinces.

South Africa’s government has publicly objected to Nigeria’s evacuation plans, with South Africa’s foreign minister expressing concern and misgivings about the exercise during a call with Ojukwu on May 7.

Ojukwu said she held her ground, explaining to her South African counterpart, “I maintained that our government cannot stand by and watch the systematic harassment and humiliation of our nationals resident in South Africa as well as the extrajudicial killings of our people, and that the evacuation of our citizens who want to return home remains our government’s priority at this time.”

The Federal Government on May 4 summoned South Africa’s Acting High Commissioner, Lesoli Machele, for urgent talks at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja.

Waves of xenophobic violence erupted in 2008, 2015 and 2019, each time displacing and killing foreign nationals, many of whom are Nigerians, and straining the bilateral relationship between the two countries.

Amid severe attacks in 2019, Air Peace CEO Allen Onyema had offered free evacuation flights for Nigerians wishing to leave.

Nigeria had recalled its High Commissioner from Pretoria as several South African businesses in Nigeria faced retaliatory attacks.

Stakeholders from Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State have called for the release of 42 abducted schoolchildren, who have been in captivity for about three weeks.

The appeal was led by the Deputy Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdullahi Askira, during a meeting in Maiduguri on Monday.

Askira said the victims, abducted on May 16 from Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School, were innocent children and should be released unconditionally.

He added that the continued detention of the children had caused distress to their families and communities, describing the situation as painful given the age of the victims.

He urged the abductors to release the pupils, stressing that they were innocent children.

“These are children, not soldiers or politicians. They are the future of Borno and Nigeria. We appeal for their unconditional release,” he said.

He further stated that community leaders had remained patient, trusting that security agencies were working to secure their release, but said concern had increased due to the prolonged captivity.

He also called for improved security in Askira/Uba, noting its proximity to the Sambisa Forest and the need for stronger protection of schools and communities.

The 42 pupils were abducted on May 16 when suspected Boko Haram terrorists attacked Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira/Uba LGA.

The abduction has heightened concerns over renewed attacks on schools in parts of Borno State despite ongoing counter-insurgency operations.

 Borno stakeholders appeal for release of 42 abducted schoolchildren

The European Union has announced restrictive measures against two Iranians and one entity for disrupting maritime operations in the Strait of Hormuz.

The sanctions were approved on Monday under the extended legal framework targeting those involved in Iran’s actions impeding the freedom of movement in the Middle East.

They affect the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy’s Hormozgan Provincial Command, which screens vessels and determines which ones are allowed to sail through Hormuz.

Also listed is Mohammad Akbarzadeh, IRGC Navy’s Deputy Commander for Political Affairs. The spokesperson is accused of threatening to use missiles or drones against vessels.

The second individual is Hamid Hosseini, a member of Iran’s Chamber of Commerce and a representative of its Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Products Exporters’ Union.

Hosseini is designated for aiding Tehran’s “actions impeding lawful transit passage and freedom of navigation,” by promoting the policy of paying fees to Iranian authorities for safe crossing.

The EU said the obstruction of naval traffic contravenes international law and infringes upon established rights of both transit and innocent passage through international straits.

In May, the EU widened the scope of sanctions over Iran’s military support of regional armed groups and Russia’s war against Ukraine to include activities threatening Middle East navigation.

The latest restrictive measures increase the number of those affected by the amended framework to 26 natural/legal persons and 27 entities from different countries.

They are subject to an asset freeze and prohibited from receiving funds or economic resources, directly or indirectly. A travel ban to the EU applies to all natural persons listed.

EU sanctions Iranians over maritime disruptions in Hormuz