Category: Uncategorized

Ghana have appointed Carlos Queiroz as the Black Stars head coach ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Ghana Football Association, GFA, parted ways with Otto Addo last month following the Black Stars disappointing results against Germany and Austria.

The GFA did not specify the length of the Portuguese’s contract.

Queiroz will be participating in his fifth World Cup as manager.

Ghana are drawn in Group L with Panama, England and Croatia.

The Black Stars will open their campaign against Panama on June 18.

2026 World Cup: Ghana names Queiroz Black Stars head coach

By Ozioruva Aliu

NIGERIAN maverick musician and entertainer, Eedris Abdulkareem, on Monday visited Edo State, where he accompanied the governor on the inspection of some projects in Edo Central Senatorial District, lauding him for trying to make the state a reference point in the country.

A statement by Okpebholo’s Chief Press Secretary, Dr. Patrick Ebojele, quoted the entertainer as saying he came personally to see things for himself to confirm what he had been reading in the media.

He said, “I came to see for myself if Edo is truly working, and I must say the governor has done a lot. I have gone round and seen several projects. In the next one or two years, the achievements will be even more evident.”

The artiste also encouraged Edo indigenes, particularly those in the diaspora, to return home and witness the developments firsthand.

On his part, Governor Okpebholo reaffirmed his commitment to improving the state, declaring that his ultimate goal is to leave Edo better than he met it.

The governor said his administration remains focused on delivering tangible development in infrastructure, education and healthcare, driven by increased federal allocations under President Bola Tinubu.

Okpebholo said, “Eedris, thank you for coming to Edo State. When I say we will deliver 2.5 million votes for President Tinubu, people doubt it. But today, you have seen for yourself how people are coming out because of what we are doing.”

According to him, the state government is making effective use of federal allocations to deliver critical infrastructure, including roads, schools, and healthcare facilities, noting that such projects are essential to improving the quality of life for Edo residents.

“These roads are in Edo State. We must work for Edo people. You have gone round schools, roads, hospitals. These are the things our people want to see, and that is exactly what we are doing,” he added.

Also speaking, Edo State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, described the governor as a people-oriented leader with listening ears, highlighting instances of swift government response to public concerns.

He noted that the scale and quality of ongoing projects across the state demonstrate the administration’s commitment to development, adding that more progress would be recorded as the inspection moves to Edo South.

The post Eedris Abdulkareem in Edo, lauds Okpebholo on infrastructure, roads appeared first on Vanguard News.

Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has publicly endorsed Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, as his preferred successor ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

The governor made the declaration during a stakeholders meeting of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ogun State, where he described Adeola as the consensus choice to fly the party’s flag in the coming election.

“The decision reflects the collective will of party leaders in the state,” the governor said, adding that the APC had agreed on Adeola as the candidate “truly deserving” of leading Ogun State after his tenure.

He further expressed confidence in a smooth transition, noting his pride in participating in the emergence of successive governors within the party.

Senator Adeola currently represents Ogun West in the National Assembly.

2027: Gov Abiodun declares Sen Yayi as successor in Ogun

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has warned Nigerian banks to desist from granting loans without credible collateral, citing concerns over insider abuse and threats to financial stability.

The commission’s chairman, Ola Olukoyede, gave the warning during a courtesy visit by officials of First Bank of Nigeria Plc to the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 office in Ikoyi.

Speaking through the acting Zonal Director, Assistant Commander Bawa Usman Kaltungo, Olukoyede expressed concern over lending practices in the banking sector, particularly loans backed only by personal guarantees, which he said expose depositors’ funds to significant risk.

“We have issues with banks’ mode of giving loans. The process often shows insider abuse,” he stated.

He criticised the practice of “top-down loans”, noting that they lack proper security and should be discouraged.

“You cannot give a loan based solely on the personal guarantee of the Chief Executive. This is not security. Banks must not issue loans without verifiable collateral,” he said.

Olukoyede maintained that enforcing strict collateral requirements would help reduce the rising level of non-performing loans within the financial system.

He also stressed that banks act as custodians of depositors’ funds and must exercise due diligence in their operations.
“Giving loans without adequate collateral amounts to tampering with depositors’ funds,” he warned.

The EFCC boss further called for stronger due diligence frameworks, insisting that accountability must be ensured even when such processes are outsourced.

“Even in situations where you outsource due diligence, there must be a clause of liability,” he added.

Reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to collaboration, Olukoyede urged banks to cooperate fully with investigations, especially in cases involving suspected insider collusion.

“When we invite your staff, you must release them so we can jointly fight economic and financial crimes. We must work together to stay ahead of criminals,” he said, noting that cases may be escalated to foreign agencies when necessary.

Earlier, the Chief Audit Executive of First Bank, Mufutau Olawale Abiola, said the visit was aimed at strengthening collaboration with the EFCC.

He also called for expedited handling of cases involving the bank’s personnel and disclosed that a dedicated team has been established to manage requests from the commission.

The development highlights increasing regulatory pressure on Nigeria’s banking sector to strengthen risk management systems amid concerns over loan defaults and governance challenges.

EFCC warns banks against unsecured loans

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel, together with the United States, had dealt the “heaviest blow” Iran’s leadership had ever seen, as Israel began observing its annual Holocaust Remembrance Day.

“We delivered the heaviest blow in that regime’s history. It stands weaker than ever before,” Netanyahu said in remarks at a state ceremony held in the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial centre in Jerusalem and broadcast on Monday.

Israel has been engaged in a multi-front conflict since October 7, 2023, when Iran-backed Palestinian militant group Hamas attacked the country, triggering a deadly war in Gaza that ultimately drew in other allies of Tehran.

“For two-and-a-half years, we have been systematically crushing the Iranian axis of evil” in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and the occupied West Bank, Netanyahu said.

“Had we not acted, names like Natanz, Fordow, Isfahan and Parchin might have become synonymous with horror — like Auschwitz, Treblinka, Majdanek and Sobibor,” he added, comparing Iranian nuclear sites to Nazi-era extermination camps.

Israel will observe its annual Holocaust Remembrance Day from Monday evening until Tuesday evening, with memorials in honour of the six million Jews murdered by the Nazis during World War II.

The observance, held each year in April or May according to the Hebrew calendar, is separate from International Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 27.

This year’s commemoration comes in the midst of a two-week ceasefire with Iran in a regional war that began on February 28 with joint US-Israeli attacks on Iran.

Despite the ceasefire, Israel continues to engage in fighting with Hezbollah militants in southern Lebanon.

AFP

The post Netanyahu hails blow dealt to Iran as Israel commemorates Holocaust appeared first on Vanguard News.

By Adegboyega Adeleye

Veteran actor and renowned lecturer Kola Oyewo has opened up about his tough journey fighting prostate enlargement, noting that the health condition has prevented him from active movie roles.

The 80-year-old actor revealed this during a recent visit by actor Kunle Afod, as he reflected on his acting journey as well as the physical impact of the illness on him.

Kola Oyewo added that the condition has further weakened him and has forced him to turn down highly demanding acting roles.

“Before now, I could be here and there and play any role, but the sickness laid me back. I can’t play some roles anymore. Except for some minor roles. Well, thank God I am okay now. You can’t go through some kind of sickness and go back to how you’ve been before, but I thank God,” he said.

However, he expressed gratitude for his recovery and survival despite the health challenges.

Oyewo further emphasised that his early decision to seek medical help was crucial in saving his life and the recovery phase.

“I’m 80 years old, and we have so many people of my age that are still standing better than I am, but I thank God still. If I hadn’t taken decision to drive myself to the hospital as I did, then I might have died. They gave me a note to take to a hospital in Akure, but I thought to myself, who would take care/assist me there, so I went home first.”

“I told my wife, and we went to our family doctor. The symptoms I felt that made me go to the hospital were difficulty sleeping at night, frequent urine and sometimes urination on the body before I get to the toilet. After a series of tests, I was told I have an enlarged prostate, Oyewo added.”

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), also known as Enlarged prostate, is a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland common in men over 50, caused by ageing and hormonal changes. It causes urinary issues like frequency, weak stream, and urgency by compressing the urethra.

The pressure can cause symptoms such as difficulty peeing, while treatments include lifestyle changes, medications, or minimally invasive procedures.

Oyewo began his career in 1964 after he joined the Oyin Adejobi theatre group, and his first role was Adejare in ‘Orogun Adedigba’.

He is a veteran with over four decades of acting experience. He also lectured at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun state, from 1996 till his retirement in 2011.

Vanguard News

The post How battle with enlarged prostate affected my career – Actor Kola Oyewo appeared first on Vanguard News.

No fewer than 14 persons, including a mobile police officer, have been reportedly killed in fresh attacks by

Pope Leo XIV today visited the Great Mosque of Algiers (Djamaa el Djazair), one of the world’s largest mosques, during the first-ever papal trip to Algeria.

Upon entering the monumental complex, which features the world’s tallest minaret at approximately 265 meters and can accommodate up to 120,000 worshippers, the Pope removed his shoes as a sign of respect for the sacred Muslim space.

He was warmly welcomed by the mosque’s rector and toured the facilities, walking in his socks while engaging in brief conversations about peace and interfaith harmony.

The visit forms part of Pope Leo’s landmark 11-day apostolic journey to Africa (April 13–23, 2026), taking him to Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea.

It is the first time any Pope has visited Algeria, a Muslim-majority country where Catholics form a small minority.

In line with his emphasis on dialogue, Pope Leo used the occasion to promote coexistence between Christians and Muslims.

He has repeatedly stressed that “the future belongs to men and women of peace” and called for building bridges across faiths amid global conflicts.

The gesture mirrors a similar respectful act by Pope Leo during his 2025 visit to Istanbul’s Blue Mosque, where he also removed his shoes but did not pray inside.

The visit comes against the backdrop of recent tensions with U.S. President Donald Trump, who has criticised the Pope as “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy.” Earlier today, Pope Leo reiterated his “moral duty” to speak out for peace, particularly regarding the ongoing Middle East situation, while stating he has “no fear” of the Trump administration.

Pope Leo’s Algeria itinerary also included a stop at the Maqam Echahid Martyrs’ Monument and meetings with Algerian authorities and the local Catholic community at the Basilica of Our Lady of Africa.

This symbolic moment at the Great Mosque is being widely viewed as a powerful call for mutual respect and peaceful coexistence between the world’s two largest religions.

The story is developing as the Pope continues his African tour.

Pope Leo XIV Removes Shoes During Historic Visit To Algiers Mosque is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant for Public Communications and Social Media to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, has dismissed the letter seeking the use of Eagle Square, purportedly written by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) being circulated on social media. The circulated letter claims the FCT Administration via the office of […]

Abia State government has expressed sorrow over the death Mr. Kelechi Ejiofor, a truck driver who lost his life following a shooting incident involving a soldier at Uratta Timber Market a few days ago.

The government in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, on Monday, said it is engaging with the military high command to ensure a thorough, transparent and impartial investigation into circumstances surrounding the shooting.

“We wish to assure the family of the deceased and the general public that justice will not only be pursued but will be seen to be done.

“Any officer found culpable will face the full weight of disciplinary and legal consequences.

“The government urges residents to remain calm, law-abiding and peaceful as efforts are intensified to get to the root of this unfortunate incident,” the government said.

It reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the protection of lives and property, the rule of law, and the fundamental rights of every citizen.

It was gathered that the driver, Ejiofor, died on Monday in a hospital in Aba where he was receiving treatment for the gun shot injury he sustained.

Abia Govt vows to ensure justice as driver shot by soldier dies