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Argentina’s head coach, Lionel Scaloni, is concerned about the fitness of several La Albiceleste players, including Lionel Messi, as he prepares to announce his final 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Lionel Messi requested to be substituted in the 73rd minute during Inter Miami CF’s 6-4 victory over Philadelphia Union. Supporters of the star player and the Argentina national team expressed concern over his potential participation in the upcoming summer tournament.

Subsequently, Miami issued a statement detailing the severity of the injury.

The Herons’ statement read: “Following additional medical examinations conducted this Monday, the preliminary diagnosis suggests an overload related to muscle fatigue in his left hamstring.

“The timeline for his return to physical activity will be contingent upon his clinical and functional recovery.”

Now, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has commented on Messi’s condition. In an interview with DSports, as reported by ESPN, he stated: “The initial updates are not entirely negative; we must wait to observe his progress, pending the outcomes of further tests to verify the initial medical assessments.”

Scaloni further noted that Messi will not be at full fitness when he rejoins the team prior to their friendly matches leading up to the World Cup. He also mentioned that the Argentina national team is facing additional injury concerns.

He said: “We all hoped Messi could join the squad in peak condition, but that is not the case. It is not only him; several players are still in the process of recovering from injuries. Our primary focus now is on their rehabilitation to ensure they arrive at the World Cup in optimal form.”

Argentina will be hoping that their star player, Lionel Messi, is fit for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Placed in Group J, La Albiceleste will face Algeria, Austria and Jordan in the group stage matches.

World Cup 2026: Argentina coach, Scaloni provides update on Lionel Messi’s injury

The Chief Imam of Benin, Sheikh AbdulFatai Enabulele, has said that the prevailing economic hardship, insecurity and political crisis in the country amount to a vote of no confidence in the nation’s ruling political class.

Enabulele stated this while speaking with newsmen shortly after the Eid-el-Kabir prayer at the Ikpoba Slope Eid Ground on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, in Benin City.

He, however, urged governments at all levels to formulate policies and programmes that would improve the living conditions of ordinary Nigerians, stressing that “Nigerians are suffering.”

He also linked the rising incidence of internet fraud and other social vices among young people to poverty, unemployment and the failure of good governance in the country.

According to him, “You can see what is happening. They are kidnapping our children, who are the leaders of tomorrow. So what do you expect if the children are not safe?

“This is a failure of good governance, a vote of no confidence in our leaders because you cannot imagine a situation where people have become so desperate as to kidnap our children,” he said.

He lamented that the worsening economic hardship in the country has made it difficult, if not impossible, for many parents to adequately cater for or feed their children.

He noted that when leaders introduce progressive and pragmatic policies, citizens are more likely to obey the law and contribute positively to society, but “when the leadership is lawless, the people will be lawless.”

He also urged leaders to focus on policies and programmes that would improve the lives of ordinary Nigerians and to conduct their affairs responsibly while avoiding actions that send wrong signals to citizens.

The cleric, who also took a swipe at the ongoing primary elections of political parties in the country, lamented that after over two decades of democracy, politicians still could not conduct free and fair elections devoid of rancour and acrimony.

“Most importantly, we also want to appeal to all our leaders, particularly our political leaders. They need to conduct their affairs well. The situation whereby you are sending the wrong signal to the generality of Nigerians will not augur well. People will lose hope; they will lose confidence.

“Imagine a primary election where you cannot conduct a free and fair process devoid of rancour and acrimony, and people are now beginning to cause problems everywhere.

“It is not the best thing. Let them put their houses in order and formulate policies and programmes that will improve Nigerians’ lives because Nigerians are suffering.

“Since 1999, when we began practising democracy, Nigerians have not had it good. There is lamentation in the land. There is hardship. Parents can no longer take good care of their children.

“They cannot feed their children again because of the economic hardship. That is why you see younger ones engaging in Yahoo Yahoo and other criminal activities because of the absence of good governance.

“When there are pragmatic, progressive and dynamic policies and programmes, people will key in and be law-abiding, but when the leadership is lawless, the people will be lawless.

“And so we pray that God should touch all our hearts, both the leadership and the followers,” he prayed.

He, however, charged political leaders to emulate the sacrifice and devotion exhibited by Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) for the betterment of the country.

“The message of Prophet Ibrahim is directed to humanity and not to a particular group, tribe or religion. It is a universal message.

“Let us continue to work so that we can have a better life. When we continue to work with what God has revealed, then God will be happy with us. For now, it seems that God has forsaken us. That is why we are in this desperate situation today,” he stated.

Eid-El-Kabir: Hardship, insecurity, political crisis amount to a no-confidence vote on political leaders — Chief Imam of Benin

Nine primary and secondary schools, as well as 14 health centres across Gombe State, have been selected for upgrades with climate-resilient features in five local government areas (LGAs) under a partnership between the Gombe State Government and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The benefiting LGAs and the number of facilities to be upgraded are: […]

The post Gombe: Nine schools, 14 health centres to benefit from UNICEF climate project appeared first on Tribune Online.

The governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, and his wife, Nonye, have praised children in the state, saying the government will continue to ensure quality education for them.

The governor, who was at Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, the state capital, where he took the salute during a march past by primary and secondary school pupils to mark this year’s Children’s Day celebration, said he was happy with the way children in the state were embracing education.

He said: “Anambra has the lowest out-of-school children rate in the entire country. Our out-of-school children rate stands at 2.6 percent. This is the lowest in Nigeria.

“This statistic is an old one, compiled before we declared full scholarships for primary and secondary schools.

“We stand at 2.6 percent in a country where some states have 60 percent out-of-school children. With our full scholarship policy, I’m sure the rate must have further dropped.

“But I want to assure you that we will not rest because our aim is to make it zero percent,” the governor stated.

Also, his wife, Mrs. Nonye Soludo, in a press release, assured that with the right education, mentorship and opportunities, children in the state would reach their full potential.

Mrs. Soludo said: “As we mark Children’s Day today, we celebrate the bold dreams, brilliance and limitless potential of every Anambra child.

“Our children are not just the leaders of tomorrow; they are the pride and future of Anambra State. With the right education, guidance, innovation and opportunities, there is no limit to what they can achieve.”

Children’s Day: Quality education can help Anambra children attain full potential – Soludo, wife

The National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), David Mark, has called on Nigerians to embrace peaceful coexistence and national unity as Muslims across the country celebrate Eid-el-Kabir.

In a goodwill message issued on the occasion of the festival, the former Senate President urged governments at all levels to intensify efforts at tackling insecurity and improving the living conditions of citizens.

In a statement signed by his Communication Adviser, Kola Ologbondiyan, Mark described Eid-el-Kabir as a period of reflection, sacrifice, obedience, compassion, and renewed commitment to peace and national unity.

He said the celebration serves as a reminder of the enduring values of love, tolerance, generosity, and service to humanity.

“At this critical moment in our national life, I urge Nigerians to continue to uphold these virtues while praying and working for a more united, peaceful, and prosperous nation. Our diversity should remain our strength and not a source of division,” he stated.

Mark, however, expressed concern over the growing insecurity and economic hardship facing Nigerians, noting that many communities across the country continue to grapple with violence, banditry, kidnapping, and communal conflicts.

“Across many parts of the country, lives and livelihoods continue to be threatened by violence, banditry, kidnapping, and communal conflicts, leaving families in fear and uncertainty,” he said.

The ADC chairman called for decisive and proactive measures to guarantee the safety of lives and property, stressing that security remains critical to national development.

“Security remains the foundation upon which development and national progress can thrive,” he added.
Mark also underscored the need for policies aimed at addressing poverty, unemployment, inflation, and the rising cost of living.

“Citizens deserve not only security but also access to opportunities, social welfare, and economic empowerment capable of restoring hope and dignity,” he said.

He further urged political leaders to govern with compassion, justice, and accountability while encouraging citizens to promote peace, unity, and mutual understanding.

“As we mark this blessed celebration, may the spirit of Sallah inspire our leaders to govern with compassion, justice, and accountability, while encouraging citizens to remain steadfast in promoting peace, unity, and mutual understanding,” he said.

He prayed that the celebration would bring renewed hope, divine blessings, and lasting peace to Nigerians and the country at large.

Eid-el-Kabir: Mark Calls For Peaceful Coexistence, Urges Action On Insecurity is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The Commission Chief Executive (CCE) of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, has stressed the need to curb the skills gap…

The post NUPRC moves to bridge skills gap in upstream sector appeared first on Tribune Online.

Nigerian singer and rapper, Panshak Henry Zamani, popularly known as Ice Prince, has opened up about how he spent N340m…

The post How I spent N340m on weed in six years — Ice Prince appeared first on Tribune Online.

The Federal Government says it is developing new policies to strengthen plastic waste management and support youth-driven recycling initiatives…

The post FG task force moves to develop policies on plastic waste management appeared first on Tribune Online.

Political leaders across the country have used the occasion of the 2026 Eid-el-Kabir celebration to call for

The post Eid-el-Kabir: Oyebanji, Soludo, Wike, others urge peace, sacrifice appeared first on Tribune Online.

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State on Wednesday reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to combating child labour…

The post Children’s Day: Ondo govt moves against child abuse, trafficking appeared first on Tribune Online.