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The second batch of Ogun State pilgrims who participated in the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage has successfully arrived at the Gateway International Airport, Iperu.

The 345 pilgrims, conveyed aboard an Airbus A330 operated by Flynas and arriving directly from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, landed in Ogun State on Friday at exactly 5:12 p.m.

Recall that on Thursday, the first batch of 345 pilgrims arrived in Ogun State at 10 p.m.

Receiving the second batch, the Amirul Hajj for the 2026 pilgrimage, Alhaji Shamsideen Apelogun, described the direct transportation from Saudi Arabia to the Gateway International Airport as a remarkable achievement in the history of Ogun State.

He expressed delight at being among the first pilgrims to utilise the international airport for an international flight.

Apelogun also appreciated the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, for his fatherly support and unwavering commitment to the successful completion of the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

He said, “Governor Abiodun was present throughout the pilgrims’ stay in Medina and Makkah, consistently reaching out to inquire about their welfare and well-being to ensure they were adequately cared for.”

He applauded the Ogun State pilgrims for their exemplary conduct in the Holy Land, noting that their discipline and adherence to regulations earned the state commendation among Hajj stakeholders.

Recall that the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria rated Ogun State pilgrims among the best-behaved contingents during the 2026 pilgrimage.

Apelogun, however, urged the pilgrims to sustain the values of patience, discipline and devotion they imbibed during the pilgrimage. He also thanked Almighty Allah for granting them a safe and successful Hajj, while commending the Ogun State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board for the success recorded throughout the sacred journey.

Second batch of Ogun hajj pilgrims arrive Gateway Airport

Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara has described the death of the ninth vice chancellor of the University of

The post Gov Abdulrazaq, Unilorin, others mourn Prof Ambali appeared first on Tribune Online.

No fewer than 49 people have died of thirst after a truck conveying them through a remote desert area in northern Niger Republic broke down, leaving the passengers stranded for several days without water. The victims were part of a group travelling from Mali to Niger to celebrate the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha with […]

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The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) has cleared former Governor of Cross Rivers State, Donald Duke, as the duly elected Presidential candidate of the party for the next election.

The party has also cleared 420 candidates across all positions for the 2027 general elections.

Comrade Muhammed Ishaq, National Publicity Secretary of the PRP, in a statement, said the decision was reached on Friday, following the review of the report of the primaries appeal committee.

He said following the review, former governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, was “validly elected as the party’s presidential candidate in 2027 general elections.”

The appeal committee also upheld four other primary election outcomes.

“All other candidates have been duly cleared to contest in the upcoming elections, with the exception of Tarauni Federal Constituency, whose election has been nullified.” the statement said.

Ishaq further said in line with “our commitment to active participation in the electoral process, the PRP is proud to field a total of 420 candidates across all positions in the 2027 general elections.

“We remain committed to principles of internal democracy and service and to delivering a credible and transformative leadership for Nigeria.” he said.

2027: PRP Ratifies Donald Duke As Presidential Candidate is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Rangers Chairman, Rangers Chairman Amobi Ezeaku has confirmed that technical adviser Fidelis Ilechukwu will remain in charge for the 2026-27 Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL.

Ezeaku gave the assurance during a chat with the media in Enugu.

The Flying Antelopes boss stressed that the club will do everything possible to back the tactician to achieve success next season.

Ilechukwu led Rangers to win their ninth NPFL title last season.

“I will be direct as the young tactician will stay with the club next season,” Ezeaku stated when the question of the plan to replace Ilechukwu was raised.

“I spoke with Ilechukwu on their arrival with the Super Eagles in Portugal, and he told me his challenges, and we have assured to address them next season.”

Ilechukwu is expected to lead Rangers in the CAF Champions League next season.

NPFL: Rangers confirm Ilechukwu remains technical adviser amid exit rumours

The Federal Government has approved its first National Policy on Menstrual Health and

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Iran on Saturday slammed World Cup co-host the United States over what it called “discriminatory treatment” in not granting visas for some members of the Iranian delegation to the tournament.

The Iranian embassy in Turkey said in a post on X, while referring to an earlier announcement by US envoy Tom Barrack that visas had been granted to players, described the denial of visas to a large portion of the managerial and executive staff, technical advisers, and others who are an integral part of any national football team as the highest level of discriminatory treatment.

On Friday, Barrack praised the US embassy in Ankara over its “work processing visas for Iran’s national football team” after the head of the Iran Football Federation, Mehdi Taj, said on the same day that the Iranian delegation had submitted passports for visas.

Iran’s ability to participate in the World Cup was further called into question after Taj was refused entry to Canada for the FIFA Congress in Vancouver last month because of his links to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

This year’s World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19 and will be co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico. All three of Iran’s group matches are in the US.

Of the three host countries, Mexico is the only one that does not classify the IRGC as a terrorist entity, whereas the US and Canada have both made it clear they will not admit people with links to the elite military force.

The Iranians relocated their World Cup base, which was initially planned to be in Tucson, Arizona, to the northwestern Mexican border city of Tijuana. The players are scheduled to land in Tijuana early Sunday morning.

Iran is due to play their first Group G match on June 15 against New Zealand in Los Angeles, where they will also face Belgium before taking on Egypt in Seattle.

Iran Condemns US Visa Denials For World Cup Officials is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Teenager Mirra Andreeva beats Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska to become the youngest woman to win the French Open since Monica Seles 34 years ago.

The 19-year-old tennis sensation and eight seed, lived up to the hype and came of age by sealing her maiden Grand Slam title by ending the fairytale-run of 114th-ranked Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska with a 6-3 6-2 victory at Roland-Garros.

The Russian became the youngest player to win the women’s singles title since Monica Seles, who was 18 when she landed her third straight French Open in 1992.

Chwalinska was attempting to become the first qualifier to capture the title in Paris.

Russia’s Andreeva, who lives and trains in France, may not have had the majority of the crowd behind her because of the political landscape and perhaps because of her opponent’s underdog status, but there is no doubt she is a phenomenal talent and a worthy Grand Slam champion. She is also the first Russian female grand slam singles champion since Maria Sharapova dropped to her knees in celebration in 2014.

“You’re a very tricky opponent. Wouldn’t want to play you one more time. No, it’s okay. I hope we play many more finals in the future,” Andreeva said during the trophy ceremony.

“It was a big dream of mine to ⁠win this tournament. I can’t believe that I’m holding this trophy.”, Andreeva added.

Andreeva Beats Chwalinska, Becomes Youngest French Open Champion is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The Gboko Local Government Health Authority in Benue State has evacuated 20,000 crates of expired Coca-Cola products from Gboko Main Market following a routine inspection that reportedly uncovered beverages that had expired since 2024.

The operation was conducted under the supervision of the Director of the Gboko Local Government Health Authority, Mrs Wede Victoria, alongside environmental health officers and market security personnel.

According to health officials, the expired products were still openly displayed for sale within the market despite having exceeded their recommended consumption dates.

Mrs Victoria stated that the action became necessary to protect consumers from potential health risks associated with expired beverages.

She noted that the consumption of expired carbonated drinks could result in stomach discomfort, food poisoning and other health complications.

As part of the exercise, health inspectors removed the affected products from traders’ stalls and transported them to a government storage facility pending destruction in accordance with applicable health and safety regulations.

Authorities also invited traders linked to the seized stock for questioning while investigations continue to determine how the products entered the market.

Officials said efforts are underway to trace suppliers and establish whether there were breaches in distribution, storage or retail practices.

Some traders reportedly claimed they were unaware the products had expired, while others expressed concern over the financial losses resulting from the seizure.

Residents of Gboko largely welcomed the intervention, noting that many consumers purchase packaged drinks without routinely checking expiry dates before consumption.

The health authority has warned traders to regularly inspect product expiry dates and adhere to proper storage standards.

Officials stressed that shops found selling expired or substandard products could face sanctions, including confiscation of goods and possible prosecution.

Health authority seizes 20,000 crates of expired Coca-Cola products

“The sponsors of terrorism are our real problem. Go after them. If the President cannot deal with them, he should…”

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