Category: Uncategorized

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has moved to clear the air following social media reactions to a viral video from the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting that he has nothing but love and respect for Nigeria.

The controversy began when popular American streamer IShowSpeed met football icons Zlatan Ibrahimović and Henry during the tournament opener.

A video that quickly circulated online showed the pair questioning Speed’s decision to wear a United States national team jersey with Nigerian national team shorts.

Spotting the mixed outfit, Ibrahimović remarked: “You have an American shirt, you have Nigerian shorts.”

Henry then told the streamer: “I love Nigeria, but today it is US for you.”

When IShowSpeed asked what was wrong with combining Nigeria and America in one outfit, Henry explained that, from a sporting superstition perspective, mixing parts of different kits could be considered bad luck.

“It is great. Nigeria is great,” Henry said. “But that’s you bringing bad luck. You have to wear a full combo. There’s nothing wrong, I love Nigeria, but you have to wear US shorts and US shirt.”

However, some social media users interpreted Henry’s comments as suggesting that Nigeria itself was “bad luck,” prompting criticism online.

In response, the former France international took to his official Instagram Story on Saturday to clarify his remarks and reaffirm his admiration for Nigeria and its people.

“I need to clarify something because I don’t think people understand when you say stuff sometimes or when a joke is a joke,” Henry said in a video seen by THE WHISTLER.

“So IShowSpeed yesterday had the shorts of Nigeria and the top of the US, and so I just said to him it is bad luck to break the set. It could have been the shorts of France, Italy or Spain, I would have said the same thing.”

He continued, “I was just having a little joke with him, saying that it will be bad luck; not Nigeria is bad luck, but to break the set is bad luck.”

Reiterating his affection for Nigeria, Henry added:

“And I even said I love, I love Naija, and by the way, I do. I have mad respect for Nigeria and the people there, a lot of Arsenal fans out there.

“Nigeria is never bad luck. I was just saying breaking the set is bad luck with any other shorts,” Henry added.

‘Nigeria Not Bad Luck’ — Thierry Henry Clarifies IShowSpeed W/Cup Joke is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

FIFA has officially named Côte d’Ivoire as the youngest squad at the 2026 World Cup being co-hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

FIFA named the squad on its official World Cup X handle on Sunday as seen by THE WHISTLER.

“Introducing Côte d’Ivoire… Youngest squad at the FIFA World Cup 2026” with “Average age: 25.8,” it wrote.

The announcement precedes the Elephants’ preparation for their first match in the expanded 48-team tournament.

The African giants will face Ecuador on Monday.

After the golden era led by legends such as Didier Drogba and Yaya Touré, coach Emerse Faé has built a dynamic, emerging side packed with talent from Europe’s top leagues.

He placed his faith in youth, while leaving out a couple of veterans, including forward Wilfried Zaha, 33, who is currently on loan at Charlotte FC from Galatasaray.

RB Leipzig forward Yan Diomande, born on November 14, 2006, is the youngest player in the Ivorian squad.

He is part of an exciting generation that includes Bazoumana Touré (TSG Hoffenheim), Christ Inao Oulai (Trabzonspor), Evann Guessand (Crystal Palace), Guela Doué (Strasbourg), Amad Diallo (Manchester United), Mohamed Koné (Charleroi), Oumar Diakité (Cercle Brugge), Elye Wahi (Nice), Simon Adingra (Monaco), Ange-Yoan Bonny (Inter Milan) and Ousmane Diomande (Sporting CP), all of whom are yet to celebrate their 25th birthdays.
Other nations with the most young players include Ecuador (26 years, 28 days), Morocco (26 years, 144 days), Bosnia and Herzegovina (26 years, 154 days), Tunisia (26 years, 235 days), Spain (26 years, 273 days), Norway (26 years, 293 days) and South Africa (26 years, 295 days).

FIFA Names Côte d’Ivoire 2026 W/Cup Youngest Squad is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

THE Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) Network Abuja has urged young people in the country to take deliberate steps to promote positive change and development within their communities.

The post YALI seeks positive change among young people appeared first on Tribune Online.

Operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, Kwara police command, have dismantled a suspected cult cell in Ijagbo, Oyun Local Government Area of the state, DAILY POST reports.

Those arrested included a suspected leader of Eiye confraternity, Idowu Akorede and three other associates.

‎

‎A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire Adeyemi, in Ilorin on Sunday, disclosed that the members of the notorious cult group were arrested “during a targeted operation in Ijagbo, Oyun Local Government Area of the State.

‎

‎”Acting on credible intelligence regarding the activities of suspected cultists and violent criminals operating within the area, operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) on Thursday, 11th June 2026, carried out a coordinated raid on identified criminal hideouts in Ijagbo.

‎

‎”During the operation, one Idowu Akorede, male, of Ijagbo, identified as the alleged Capon of the outlawed Eiye Confraternity, was arrested at a hideout in Ijagbo. Further operations led to the arrest of three others.”

‎

‎The spokesperson said preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects are members of a criminal gang allegedly involved in cult-related activities, robbery, and other violent crimes. 

“The group has been linked to incidents in which residents were reportedly attacked and dispossessed of their valuables in broad daylight, thereby creating fear and insecurity within the community.

‎

‎”Upon sighting the operatives, the suspects reportedly resisted arrest and launched an attack on the officers with broken bottles in a bid to evade capture.

” The operatives, however, exercised restraint, professionalism, and tactical superiority in subduing the suspects and taking them into custody without injury,” the statement added.

‎

‎The suspects have since been transferred to Ilorin and are currently in police custody while investigations continue. Efforts are also ongoing to identify and apprehend other members of the criminal network.

‎

‎State Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, commended the operatives for their courage, professionalism, and commitment to duty. 

He further reassured residents of the command’s unwavering determination to confront all forms of criminality and ensure the safety of lives and property across the state.

‎

‎The command urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue supporting the police with timely and useful information that will aid ongoing efforts to combat crime and maintain public safety.

‎

Four arrested as police bust suspected cult cell in Kwara community

YOUNG innovators have been urged to leverage digital technologies to tackle food security challenges and drive sustainable development across Nigeria and Africa.

The post Young innovators urged to leverage digital technologies to address food security, development, others appeared first on Tribune Online.

STAKEHOLDERS in the environment sector have urged youths to harness waste-to-wealth opportunities, particularly in plastic waste management, to drive economic growth and address environmental challenges.

The post Harness waste-to-wealth opportunities, stakeholders tell youths appeared first on Tribune Online.

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Osun State, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has urged Nigerians to remain calm and continue supporting the federal government and security agencies in the fight against insecurity.

Oyintiloye, who made the appeal while speaking with journalists on Sunday in Osogbo, expressed optimism that the nation’s current security challenges will become history with the support of all stakeholders.

He noted that the federal government is intensifying efforts to tackle all forms of criminality and ensure the safety of lives and property across the country.

According to him, “the government is deeply concerned about the prevailing security situation and is taking decisive steps to end all forms of insecurity.”

Oyintiloye said the resolve by President Bola Tinubu during his Democracy Day address, declaring zero tolerance for terrorists and their collaborators, was a demonstration of the administration’s commitment to restoring peace.

The former lawmaker added that the ultimatum issued by the President to bandits, kidnappers, and sponsors of terrorism to surrender or face the full force of the law signals that their days are numbered.

“We share the pain of parents, families, and relatives of victims currently devastated by mass abductions, especially of schoolchildren, and the ongoing killings by terrorists. It is a tragic situation, and no one would wish such experiences on themselves or their loved ones. We truly feel their pain.

“However, we must remain hopeful and continue to support government efforts to rescue those in captivity and bring perpetrators to justice.

“Intelligence and security operatives are actively working to identify, apprehend, and prosecute those responsible for acts of violence. No criminal element will be allowed to undermine the peace and stability of the nation.

“The government is doing everything within its power to secure the release of abducted victims and end the senseless killings across the country,” he said.

Oyintiloye expressed confidence in the professionalism, competence, and dedication of Nigeria’s security personnel, noting that they possess the capacity to flush out criminal elements and restore lasting peace.

“If necessary, service chiefs should review and adjust their operational strategies without hesitation, as time is of the essence,” he added.

He also called on state governors to complement the President’s efforts by providing adequate support and resources to security agencies within their jurisdictions.

While acknowledging the President’s constitutional role as Chief Security Officer of the country, Oyintiloye emphasised that governors and local government chairmen are closer to the grassroots and must take proactive measures to strengthen local intelligence and maintain peace.

He stressed that no nation can achieve meaningful development in an atmosphere of insecurity, noting that economic growth, infrastructure development, investment, and social services thrive only in a peaceful environment.

“A nation with a strong and effective security system is better positioned for accelerated development, economic prosperity, and sustainable social services,” he said.

He urged citizens to remain vigilant, cooperate with security agencies by providing timely and useful information, and continue to pray for peace, unity, and progress in the country.

Nigeria will overcome insecurity — Osun APC chieftain, Oyintiloye

 

A 41-year-old Sao Paulo Brazil based businessman, Abugu Oliver Ikechukwu has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for importing shirts and towels impregnated with 6.10 kilograms of liquid cocaine from the South American country into Nigeria.

Abugu was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja, Lagos upon arrival from Brazil via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia aboard an Ethiopian Airways flight on Thursday 11th June 2026. A thorough search of his luggage led to the recovery of 14 towels and shirts, all soaked in liquid cocaine, dried and well ironed.

In his statement, the suspect claims he has lived for over 14 years in Brazil where he runs an African restaurant. He added that he was in Nigeria to see his wife and buy food stuff in bulk for his restaurant.

Meanwhile, a 60-year-old woman Chidimma Sunday  and a 28-year-old man Abubakar Usman, both persons living with disability have been taken into NDLEA custody in Abia and Rivers state respectively following their involvement in illicit drug trade. While Chidimma was nabbed with 1.8kg skunk by Umuosu vigilante group in Umuna Autonomous community, Isialangwa North LGA Abia state and handed over to NDLEA on Wednesday 10th June, Abubakar was arrested at Rumuokoro Port Harcourt Rivers state with 400 grams of skunk, 5 grams of methamphetamine, 100 grams of tramadol, 5 grams of swinol and 18 grams of diazepam during a raid by NDLEA officers on Tuesday 9th June.

THE atmosphere was filled with worship, thanksgiving, and renewed spiritual commitment as members of the Church of God Nigeria gathered from across the country at the church headquarters in Beyaruka, Ibadan, for a landmark event that combined inauguration, ordination, and retirement ceremonies.

The post When Church of God Nigeria strengthens leadership, urges collective responsibility on security appeared first on Tribune Online.

Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency has commenced the screening of luggage, to ensure that they conform with the prescribed kilograms and to fish out any contraband. 

The Chairman of the Luggage Screening and Weighing Sub-Committee, Professor Muhammadu Mustapha Gwadabe, said that the exercise started on Thursday night.

A  statement issued on Sunday by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Uba Sani, Malam Ibraheem Musa, said that Prof Gwadabe commended Kaduna State pilgrims for complying with the  airline’s directives.

The Sub-Committee Chairman also said that the Agency has made available scales for pilgrims to weigh their luggage, on all the floors of the building, before coming for the official screening.

He said that the luggage of passengers on the first flight have already been successfully screened and their two 23 kilograms bags are being evacuated from the pilgrims’ residence.

Prof Gwadabe reiterated that pilgrims are allowed only 23 kilograms for each of their two bags, while their hand luggage should not exceed eight kilograms.

The Sub-Committee Chairman also pointed out that passengers are not allowed to carry sharp objects and liquids of any kind in their check-in bags, warning that large amount of perfumes is not allowed onto the aircraft.

Prof Gwadabe who also disclosed that the return flight will now commence on June 16, as against the previous date of June 15, called on the pilgrims to be patient.

The Sub-Committee Chairman advised them to use the extra day to pray for themselves, their families, Kaduna State and Nigeria as a whole.

Hajj: Kaduna commences screening of luggage