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Nigeria’s national football team has confirmed the death of former striker, Michael Eneramo.

Eneramo reportedly collapsed and died while training on Friday morning in Kaduna.

Efforts to revive the 40-year-old ultimately proved abortive.

In the 10 times he played for the Super Eagles, Eneramo scored three times.

And in a post on their official X page, the Eagles wrote: “Rest in peace Michael.”

Eneramo played for Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, side Lobi Stars, before moving abroad, where he began his professional career with Tunisian giants, Espérance Sportive de Tunis.

He played mostly in Turkey for clubs like Sivasspor, Beşiktaş, Karabükspor, Istanbul Başakşehir, and Manisaspor.

Super Eagles confirm death of former striker Michael Eneramo

Veteran Nigerian actor, Don Richard, has debunked viral reports about his death.

DAILY POST reports that the actor was reported to have died on Thursday April 23, 2026, after a long battle with kidney failure.

Reacting in a post on his Instagram page on Friday, Don Richard dismissed the viral report, stating that he is hale and hearty.

“There’s nothing wrong with me, I appreciate my fans for the love and concern. I’m alive, hale and hearty. I dey alive ooo, the bloggers should continue their bad posting, God will judge them amen,” he said.

DAILY POST reports that the actor solicited financial help in July 2025 after selling his house and cars over his battle with kidney disease.

‘I’m hale, hearty’ – Actor Don Richard dismisses viral death reports

Chairmen of the six geo-political zones of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have unanimously endorsed Hon. Sarah Adidi as their preferred candidate to represent the AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The endorsement was reached during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting held in Abuja, where party leaders, grassroots mobilisers, and key stakeholders converged to deliberate on the political future of the constituency and the need for effective representation.

Speaking at the meeting, the zonal chairmen expressed confidence in Adidi’s leadership capacity, describing her as a credible and forward-thinking politician with a clear vision for inclusive governance.

They noted that her emergence reflects the collective desire of party stakeholders to support a candidate who understands the diverse needs of the constituency.

Speaking on behalf of the group, AMAC Chairman APC Forum North Central, Usman Mohamed highlighted Adidi’s commitment to championing the interests of non-indigenous residents within the AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency, noting that this demographic constitutes a significant portion of the population and has, over time, required stronger representation at the national level.

According to him, Adidi’s track record of community engagement and her grassroots-driven approach to politics make her well-suited to bridge existing gaps in representation and ensure that all voices within the constituency are heard.

The Zonal Chairmen further called on party members and residents across the constituency to rally behind her candidacy, emphasising the importance of unity and collective action in securing electoral victory for the APC in the forthcoming polls.

In her response, Hon. Adidi expressed gratitude for the support and endorsement by the Zonal Chairmen describing it as a vote of confidence in her vision and dedication to public service.

She reaffirmed her commitment to pursuing policies that promote inclusivity, development, and equitable representation for all constituents, regardless of origin or background.

She stressed the need for a representative who is competent, knowledgeable, and genuinely committed to improving the lives of constituents.

According to her, effective representation must be rooted in continuous engagement with the people. “You cannot lead in isolation,” she said, noting that she values feedback and collaboration in decision-making to ensure policies and actions reflect the true needs of the community.

Sarah further pledged that, if elected, she would ensure that all voices, especially those of non-indigenous residents are heard and not sidelined in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). She promised to work towards building a more equitable, prosperous, and united constituency within her first tenure.

She acknowledged that while she brings strong academic and analytical expertise, he would rely on the support and guidance of constituents to navigate the political landscape effectively.

“I may not know everything about politics, but I am willing to learn and work with the people. Together, we can achieve meaningful progress,” She said.

She therefore appealed for support and urged residents to join her on what she described as a collective journey toward stronger and more inclusive representation.

The endorsement by the APC FCT Zonal chairmen is expected to further strengthen her position within the party as consultations and political alignments continue ahead of the 2027 elections.

FCT APC Zonal Leaders Endorse Adidi For AMAC/Bwari Reps is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has questioned the Federal Government’s continued reliance on borrowing despite the removal of the petrol subsidy.

Earlier in April, the Federal Government increased its 2026 borrowing plan upward by N11.31tn, bringing the total projected borrowing for the year to N29.20tn.

President Bola Tinubu also sought the Senate’s approval on Thursday for a fresh $516m loan to fund the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway.

Speaking during an interview posted by News Central TV on Friday, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria said that while the removal of fuel subsidy and the liberalisation of the exchange rate were necessary, poor timing and a lack of fiscal discipline risk undermining their benefits.

“We’ve removed the subsidy. We’re now spending it. What we should not see is fiscal consolidation. You cannot remove wastages and continue borrowing. I’ve said this before. You need to see the benefits.

“If you’re not paying the subsidy and you’ve got the money, why are we still borrowing and borrowing? What are we borrowing for?” Sanusi questioned.

According to the monarch, Nigeria’s practice of supporting foreign refineries while its domestic refining capacity remained dormant was a systemic failure that needed to be addressed.

“I have always said the subsidy regime was unsustainable. We cannot continue supporting foreign refineries. We’re an oil-producing country. Keeping refineries open abroad while we’re not doing our own,” Sanusi said.

He, however, expressed optimism over the current shift toward domestic production, noting that the country has moved from a heavy importer of petroleum products to an exporter.

“Today, we have a situation where we have our own domestic refinery. We’re not importing petroleum products. We’re even exporting to Europe, and this is very good for the economy,” he added.

While backing the policy shifts, the former apex bank chief raised concerns over the timing and the sequence of the reforms.

“Artificial exchange rates, especially when you’re printing money, cannot work. There was going to be a devaluation.

“For me, removing subsidy or liberalising exchange rates, these are good interventions. Were they done at the right time? Those are certain questions. Were there other things that should be done that have not been done? These are other issues,” he said.

He argued that liberalising the exchange rate in a “loose monetary environment” contributed to the currency’s rapid depreciation.

“It’s not enough to say, oh, they removed subsidy. You had to. When you get to a point where 100 percent of your revenue goes into debt service, you cannot continue. Where is the money going to come from?

“However, if you decide to remove subsidy and liberalise exchange rates in an environment of very loose monetary conditions, before you have tightened money supply, the Naira drops to a bottomless pit. That was a timing issue,” he said.

Why Are You Borrowing? Sanusi Questions Tinubu’s Appetite For Loans is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Former Ivory Coast international footballer Aboulaye Traore has been sentenced to three years in jail for rape, an Ivorian women’s rights group reported.

Nicknamed Ben Badi, the striker won the 1992 African Cup of Nations with the Elephants and remains a very popular figure in the West African country.

In a statement, the Ivorian League for Women’s Rights said that the Bouake court handed down the three-year sentence on Wednesday, hailing a “significant advance in the fight against impunity for sexual and sexist violence”.

Besides the jail term, the court ordered “the payment of 15 million CFA francs to the victim” ($26,700) and a five-year ban on appearing in the central region, the rights group said.

According to a judicial source, the footballer was found guilty of having non-consensual sexual relations in March 2021 with a woman who was 21 years old at the time.

Before his retirement, Traore was a cult hero for Abidjan’s ASEC Mimosas, and also appeared for several European clubs, including FC Metz in France and Portugal’s Braga.

Ex-Ivory Coast Footballer Sentenced To Three Years For Rape is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

It was Marcus Garvey, the Jamaica-born British political activist, that said, “We have a beautiful history, but we will create one that will astonish the world.” But as things stand presently on the African continent, our leaders are not astonishing the world in positive ways, rather reenacting historical mistakes in their alliances and allegiances to foreign powers and interests.

The spirit of Ubuntu is severely weakened. Pan-Africanism that should be the glue to forging a common front is facing unprecedented assault on the continent. Pan-Africanism as a belief that Africans on the continent and in the diaspora share not only a common history, but also a common destiny, holds but little weight as leaders on the continent in their mistaken belief of forging new relationships tilt towards the Kremlin and Beijing with its broken record of democracy, rule or law and human rights. It is pertinent to stress that Pan-Africanism was developed at a time of crisis and tragedy, and anchored on the principle that unity among Africans is vital for their economic, social, cultural, and political progress. This thinking still remains valid and should be the basis on which our leaders should act. But the poser remains: Are there?

In the wake of their military seizure of power in their respective countries, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, immediately withdraw from the sub-regional body, ECOWAS, and in fits of anti-colonial rhetoric severed relationships with their European allies such as France, UK and the Americans with the allegations that they have stymied development on their countries and the continent as a whole. It would be imagined that such move would be tailored towards closer ties with other African countries, rather, it was merely replacing one hegemony with another – Russia and China.

Journalist Georges Dougueli surmises it succinctly when he argues that what has happened with the Alliance of Sahel States, AES, is their misunderstanding of the 2019 Russia-Africa summit in Sochi when forty African heads of state answered Vladimir Putin’s invitation to the Black Sea resort. The continent’s authoritarian powers in search of survival and their shared contempt for democracy, disdain for civil liberties and human rights, and a common taste for absolute, eternal power, alongside a habit of imprisoning – or assassinating – troublesome opponents and journalists, felt compelled to yield to Moscow’s mirage of security.

In so doing, they have capitulated to false guarantees as recent history has shown that Moscow is incapable of standing for its “friends” whether in the case of Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela or standing up for Iran. Take the case of Mali for instance, since it turned to Russia since 2021 first with Russia-backed Wagner fighters to the present Africa Corps, there has been no improvement in the worsening insurgency. Rather, their presence has also been linked to allegations of unlawful killings, torture and arbitrary detentions and killings like the April 2022 incident when at least 50 civilians were reportedly killed and hundreds detained after a roadside bomb killed a “Russian advisor” working with Malian troops. Who holds these fellows accountable?

What of Burkina Faso? Since Ibrahim Traore led a putsch in September 2022, it has been a litany of false promises and a stab on the Pan-African spirit. Only a few days ago, the military government significantly intensified its campaign against civil society by ordering the dissolution of 118 non-governmental organisations and associations. This move targets numerous groups dedicated to human rights defence. The Ministry of Territorial Administration and Mobility announced the decision on April 15, 2026. Authorities cited a July 2025 law regarding freedom of association as the legal basis. However, the government provided no specific justification for the mass closure beyond vague references to noncompliance. The situation is no better in Niamey.

A disdain for the failure of Western alliance shouldn’t serve as impetus for internal slavery which are evident not just in these countries, but across the continent fueled by friendships of convenience which have largely decayed under a pile of broken promises, frustrated expectations and diverging visions.

There is the compelling urgency for leaders on the continent to review the parlous state of affairs for the peoples of Africa, renew their commitments to goals of growth, inclusion and democracy, deepen human rights and discard the cowering and servitude of the propaganda of Beijing and Moscow. Over sixty years of post-independent continent, the youths of Africa —comprise the majority of its population — are desirous of a chance to mobilize, exchange ideas, and organise themselves into formations that promote cultural re-discovery and belonging; inclusion and equality; collective consciousness and decision-making; and solutions to some of the crucial problems citizens and descendants of Africa face today.

Amajama, a social commentator, writes from Abuja and can be reached via amajamaip@gmail.com

OPINION: The Urgency Of New Pan-Africanism is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The United States government and the United Nations have launched a joint training programme for drug enforcement officers from Nigeria and nine other West African countries, in a coordinated push to dismantle transnational drug trafficking networks that have increasingly used the region as a hub for smuggling narcotics into Europe and North America.

The U.S. Mission in Nigeria announced the initiative on Friday, April 24, 2026, saying the training was delivered through the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. Officers of Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency were among the participants, alongside counterparts from nine other West African nations.

According to the mission, the hands-on programme covered a range of critical areas including dismantling clandestine drug laboratories, sharpening investigative techniques, deepening intelligence sharing between regional agencies and disrupting criminal networks operating across borders.

“From dismantling clandestine drug labs to sharpening investigative techniques, the United States supports West African drug enforcement agencies in their fight against transnational drug traffickers that harm Americans and Africans alike,” the mission said in a statement.

The training is part of a long running collaboration between the U.S. and UNODC to strengthen West Africa’s capacity to combat drug crime. The two bodies have previously delivered joint programmes on cyber-enabled drug trafficking investigations, financial aspects of drug crime, and the detection and dismantling of clandestine laboratories, with Nigeria consistently at the centre of those efforts.

The urgency of the initiative is underscored by the scale of the problem. West Africa, once primarily a transit zone for cocaine moving from South America to Europe and North America, has in recent years also emerged as a production hub for synthetic drugs. Nigeria’s NDLEA has discovered 21 clandestine laboratories in the country since 2011, including illicit methamphetamine facilities. The drug, known locally as Mkpuru Mmiri, triggered an outbreak of abuse across Nigeria’s South East region in late 2021.

Beyond production, Nigeria remains a major transit point for heroin and cocaine bound for European, East Asian and North American markets, a role that has made building the NDLEA’s operational capacity a priority for both Washington and the UN.

The U.S. mission said the programme’s ultimate goal was to make both West Africa and the United States safer from the threat of transnational drug trafficking by stopping drugs at source and protecting communities across the region.

“This hands-on program strengthens the region’s ability to confront drug cartels by deepening cooperation and intelligence-sharing between NDLEA and its counterparts and boosting their capacity to disrupt criminal networks, stop drugs at source, and protect communities across West Africa, making the region and America safer,” the statement read.

US, UN Train NDLEA, Nine Others To Combat Drug Trafficking is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The United States Department of State has announced a reward of up to $10 million for any credible information that would lead to the location of a key figure in an Iran-aligned Iraqi armed group, Kataeb Sayyid al-Shuhada, KSS.

The American authorities made this announcement in a statement shared via social media on Thursday.

According to the US authorities, they are seeking details on Hashim Finyan Rahim al-Saraji, also known as Abu Alaa al-Walai, the leader of KSS which Washington has designated as a terrorist organisation.

The United States pointed out that the group has been involved in deadly operations targeting civilians and American interests in the region.

“The group has killed Iraqi civilians and attacked US diplomatic facilities in Iraq, as well as attacking US military bases and personnel in Iraq and Syria. We are therefore placing $10 million on him,” the US said.

DAILY POST reports that Al-Saraji is also reported to be a member of Iraq’s influential Coordination Framework, a Shiite political bloc that currently holds parliamentary dominance.

US places $10m bounty on Iraqi militia leader, Al-Saraji

The Sokoto State Police Command has arrested a suspected terror financier and intercepted stolen cattle in a renewed crackdown on banditry and criminal networks across the state.

The suspect, identified as Aminu Mai Roba, was apprehended along the Ruwa Wuri–Tangaza Road while transporting four cows allegedly linked to Lakurawa terrorist group operating in Tangaza Local Government Area.

The Sokoto state commissioner of police Hayyatu Shaffa disclosed that the arrest followed credible intelligence, leading operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit to trail and intercept the suspect.

He said that the suspect e confirmed receiving the cattle from the Lakurawa terrorist group with instructions to sell them and remit the proceeds to the network.

The recovered livestock has been registered as exhibits, while investigations are ongoing to dismantle the wider financing chain supporting banditry in the state.

The development was part of a broader operational update presented during a press briefing by the Command, which highlighted recent gains in the fight against violent crime.

The CP noted that the Command’s intensified operations align with directives from the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, particularly on proactive policing, discipline, and coordinated raids on criminal hideouts.

He said the Command has strengthened collaboration with the military, community guards, and vigilante groups, resulting in significant breakthroughs.

“Among the successes recorded was the repelling of a bandit attack on Kwarengamba and Gayya da Kwari villages in Sabon Birni Local Government Area on April 8, 2026. Police tactical teams, working with other security operatives, engaged the attackers in a gun duel, forcing them to flee with gunshot wounds”

“During the pursuit, the fleeing bandits abandoned a sack containing 167 rounds of live ammunition, which were recovered by security operatives.”

In a separate operation on April 15, 2026, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit carried out coordinated raids on suspected criminal hideouts in Dogon Daji (Tambuwal LGA), Mallamawa (Kware LGA), and Giyawa (Goronyo LGA), leading to the arrest of three suspects.

Shaffa said Items recovered during the raid included seven locally made Dane guns, an AK-47 magazine, a military uniform, cutlasses, and substances suspected to be Indian hemp, and the suspects have since been charged in court.

Reaffirming the Command’s commitment, the Commissioner assured residents that the police remain resolute and strategically positioned to tackle all forms of criminality in the state.

He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and support security agencies with timely and credible information, assuring that confidentiality would be guaranteed.

“The Command will continue to intensify intelligence-driven operations and community policing efforts to ensure that no criminal element finds safe haven in Sokoto State”

Police Nab Terror Financier, Intercept Stolen Cattle In Sokoto is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Former Minister of Youths and Sports, Solomon Dalung, says the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has declared itself an opposition against the African Democratic Congress, ADC.

Dalung, a chieftain of the ADC made this statement in an interview on Friday on Trust TV’s Daily Politics.

He said, “The worst of all, when we had INEC now declaring itself as the main opposition against the ADC, that was when we have the highest number of people joining the party.

“INEC is the opposition party in Nigeria, because INEC is the only institution that has failed to act within the confines of law.

“It behaves with impunity and recklessness, because up to now, as I sit as a lawyer, I still cannot find expression of where INEC derive the power it exercises and without remorse. It is still acting as if it has the moral high grounds to do that.

“There was a court verdict against a ruling confirming suspension of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP’s Samuel Anyanwu from the party. But today, INEC refused to obey that court order.”

2027: INEC has declared itself opposition against ADC – Buhari’s ex-minister