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Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola has said the appointment of Marco Rose to replace him in the summer will leave the club “in very good hands”.

Former Borussia Dortmund boss Rose, 49, will take over at the end of the season when Iraola’s contract expires.

Rose has been without a club since he was sacked by RB Leipzig in March 2025 and has not previously managed in England.

He led Red Bull Salzburg to two Austrian Bundesliga titles and the Austrian Cup, and won the German Cup and German Super Cup with Leipzig.

Rose was also one of the candidates considered by Tottenham Hotspur after the sacking of Thomas Frank in February.

Iraola said: “I think the club will be in very good hands. He’s a great manager.

“I praised him a few years ago, I always liked his teams and I hope he continues that.

“He’s a good manager with a lot of European experience. He looks very exciting. I don’t know him personally but I always like his teams.

“They should be happy because he’s someone who can definitely improve the team. I’m sure the players are happy they know what’s happening.”

Iraola has guided the Cherries to a 13-game unbeaten run in the Premier League and they are eighth before facing Leeds on Wednesday.

He could deliver European football for the first time in Bournemouth’s history before departing. His next job is not yet known.

“We are in a good place in the standings but it’s going to be so difficult for us,” Iraola said.

“We are competing against not one or two but a lot of teams.”

Bournemouth Will Be In Good Hands With Rose – Iraola is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Governor Usman Ododo has declared that his administration will not enter into negotiations with criminal elements, vowing instead to confront and defeat them.

Speaking on Tuesday at the Kogi State Security Summit and Fundraising in Abuja, Ododo said his government remains firmly committed to protecting lives and property, stressing that those who threaten the state’s peace will face decisive action.

“I was not elected to pamper the enemies of our peace. Those who disturb our peace will not enjoy peace. We will confront them, crush them, and defeat them,” he said.

The governor emphasised that security is fundamental to development, noting that economic growth and investment cannot thrive in an atmosphere of instability. He also highlighted Kogi’s strategic location as a gateway between northern and southern Nigeria, describing it as both an advantage and a security challenge due to increased movement of people and goods.

Ododo revealed that his administration has strengthened the state’s security framework through the provision of operational vehicles, deployment of surveillance and communication technologies, and acquisition of drones to boost intelligence gathering. He added that the efforts are already yielding positive results, including improved calm and disruption of criminal networks in parts of the state.

He explained that the restructuring of the Kogi State Security Trust Fund is aimed at ensuring transparency and encouraging support from individuals, corporate organisations, and institutions. He called on investors and the business community to contribute to sustaining security in the state.

Warning of broader implications, Ododo noted that insecurity in Kogi could have spillover effects on the Federal Capital Territory, urging collective efforts to maintain peace.

Also speaking, Vice President Kashim Shettima said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is prioritising security reforms as a key pillar of his administration. Represented by the Minister of State for Regional Development, Uba Ahmadu, Shettima said the Federal Government is adopting both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches to address security challenges, including strengthening operational capacity, enhancing intelligence, and improving inter-agency coordination.

He stressed the importance of proactive strategies, noting that effective security responses must be organised and adaptive to evolving threats.

Similarly, Governor Babagana Zulum highlighted the need for sustained investment in security, including the use of modern technologies such as drones, artificial intelligence, and robotics. Drawing from Borno State’s experience, Zulum said significant progress has been made in reducing insecurity, though at considerable cost.

He added that addressing underlying socio-economic issues such as poverty, illiteracy, and infrastructure deficits is critical to achieving lasting peace, noting that military force alone cannot resolve the country’s security challenges.

I Wasn’t Elected To Pamper Criminals — Gov Ododo Warns is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The Commission Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mrs. Oritsemeyewa Eyesan, has charged the Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG) to uphold industry standards, strengthen human capital development, and promote good corporate governance.

Eyesan gave the charge during a courtesy visit by the IPPG delegation led by its Chairman, Mr. Adegbite Falade, at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Monday, April 20, 2026.

In her remarks Eyesan described the IPPG as a significant force in the industry, particularly following the divestment of international oil companies. She noted that the Commission values its relationship with the group.

The CCE emphasised adherence to the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021, stressing the importance of human capital development and strong corporate governance.

She said, “One area I think we need to spotlight is human capital development. As the industry grows, there is a tendency of default and if we allow that to fester, it will hurt all of us.

“Because we are in a global market, the financiers are rating Nigeria; they are not rating companies, and if we do not bring our human capacity to par, then we will be creating a big problem for ourselves.”

Eyesan urged the IPPG to hold its members to the highest standards just like their foreign counterpart.

“As a pressure group, you should hold yourselves to a standard, I think that is one of the things the IOCs have done very well,” she stated.

Eyesan assured the IPPG delegation that the Commission remains committed to its mandate as a business enabler and will continue to be responsive to industry needs in line with the aspirations of President Bola Tinubu.

The CCE further announced that the Commission has gone paperless as part of its commitment to digitise.

“When I took over, we realised we needed to transform, and we set up a transformation team. We are happy to announce that on Friday, April 18, 2026, we went paperless, and everybody collaborated to make it happen,” Eyesan said.

Responding, the IPPG Chairman, Adegbite Falade, commended the CCE for what he described as “the renewed hope of your leadership in NUPRC,” noting that the industry has experienced noticeable changes since she assumed office in December 2025.

Falade said, “You have not been here for long, but the signs are very clear as to your dynamic leadership. We will not stop emphasising that because we do not take it for granted.”

Falade, who is also the CEO of Aradel Holdings, urged the Commission to regularly consult with the IPPG, adding, “You can always count on and trust that the Nigerian agenda is at the heart of our mandate.”

NUPRC Seeks Higher Operational Standards From Indigenous Oil Firms is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has expressed shock over the deaths of two prominent figures in Nigerian sports journalism, Oyeniyi Oyeleke and Temisan Okomi, describing their passing as a loss to the media industry and the country’s sporting community.

In a statement released on Tuesday by SWAN Secretary-General Ikenna Okonkwo, the association’s president, Isaiah Benjamin, paid tribute to the late journalists, highlighting their enduring contributions to the development and professionalism of sports reporting in Nigeria.

“The deaths of Oyeniyi Oyeleke and Temisan Okomi represent a painful and irreplaceable loss to the Nigerian sports media family. These were men who dedicated their lives to telling the stories of our athletes, leagues, and sporting heroes with passion, integrity, and excellence,” Benjamin said.

Okomi, a seasoned broadcaster, died after a brief illness, according to his employer, Classic FM Nigeria. He spent more than 12 years at the station, rising to Head of Sports.

Over the course of his career, he also worked with HiTV Nigeria and Lagos Television, earning recognition as a knowledgeable and engaging sports presenter.

“Okomi was a consummate professional whose voice resonated across the airwaves and into the hearts of sports fans. His dedication, insight, and mentorship inspired a generation of young broadcasters,” Benjamin added.

Oyeleke, a former chairman of SWAN’s Lagos chapter, has been laid to rest in Offa. A veteran journalist with the Nigerian Television Authority and SuperSport, he was widely respected for his leadership within the association and his efforts to promote unity and welfare among sports journalists.

“Oyeleke was not just a journalist but a leader and builder. His tenure as Lagos SWAN chairman was marked by purposeful leadership, advocacy for professionalism, and unwavering commitment to the development of sports journalism,” the SWAN president said.

SWAN also urged members of the sports community to honour the memory of the late journalists by upholding the values of professionalism, dedication and integrity that defined their careers.

SWAN loses two veteran journalists

The Supreme Egbesu Assembly(SEA) has taken legal action against the Federal Government of Nigeria and the National Assembly of Nigeria over the creation of additional local government areas in Bayelsa State and the control of natural resources in the Niger Delta.

The group confirmed in a press statement dated April 21, 2026, that it filed the suit at the Federal High Court Yenagoa following the expiration of a 21-day ultimatum issued to the federal authorities, which it said was ignored.

The Assembly said the demand for the creation of 24 new local government areas in Bayelsa predates the state’s formation, describing the continued existence of only eight LGAs as unjustifiable, particularly for an oil-producing state.

It argued that Bayelsa currently operates 24 Rural Development Authorities that could be upgraded to full local government status, thereby enhancing access to federal allocations and driving development at the grassroots.

The group also used the court action to revive its long-standing agitation for resource control, insisting that oil-producing communities should have greater authority over their natural resources.

According to the Assembly, Nigeria’s earlier regional system allowed producing areas to manage their resources and remit agreed percentages to the central government, a model it believes should be reconsidered.

The Assembly called on Ijaw communities, Niger Delta stakeholders and other interest groups to support the legal process by attending court proceedings and backing the push for what it described as equity and economic justice.

The case has already come up for its first hearing in Yenagoa and is expected to test key constitutional provisions on local government creation and resource ownership in Nigeria’s federal system.

Ijaw Group Drags FG, NASS To Court Over Resource Control is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The trial of Ali Bello, nephew to former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello, was on Tuesday stalled at the Federal High Court in Abuja following a request for adjournment by his new counsel.

The development was disclosed in a statement shared on the official page of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

According to the statement, the case is being heard before Justice James Omotosho, with Bello standing trial alongside Dauda Sulaiman on allegations bordering on misappropriation and money laundering amounting to over N10 billion.

It was gathered that the new defence counsel, Ahmed Raji SAN, informed the court that he had just been briefed on the matter and needed time to study the case file.

He said the request had been communicated to the prosecution, seeking adjournment to properly prepare for the case.

However, it was further noted that prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo SAN, opposed the application, arguing that due process was not followed in notifying the court about the change in legal representation.

“My lord, I urge the court not to concede to the request for adjournment on account of a speculative application that is yet to be filed,” he said.

Despite the objection, the court granted the request, citing the need to ensure fair hearing and adjourned the matter to May 5 and 6, 2026.

Alleged N10bn fraud: Court adjourns Ali Bello’s trial over new counsel request

The European Union has reached a political agreement to widen its sanctions regime against Iran, specifically targeting individuals and entities responsible for obstructing freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

According to two EU diplomats who spoke to Reuters on Monday, ambassadors approved changes to the existing Iran sanctions framework.

The new criteria will allow the EU to impose asset freezes and travel bans on those involved in blocking the vital waterway.

“There was a political agreement among ambassadors that we indeed would change the criteria in Iran’s sanctions regime so that we could also list persons and entities that are responsible for the obstruction of the freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz,” one diplomat said.

The European External Action Service (EEAS) is now expected to prepare the actual listings, a process that could take several weeks.

The move comes amid the ongoing U.S.-Israel war on Iran, which began on February 28, 2026. Iran has largely blocked the Strait of Hormuz for nearly two months in response to U.S. and Israeli military actions.

The strait is a critical chokepoint through which about one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies normally pass. The disruption has caused significant volatility in global energy markets.

Iran briefly allowed some tankers through on April 17, but traffic remains heavily restricted, with recent reports of only a handful of ships transiting in a 12-hour period.

A fragile two-week ceasefire is currently in place but faces uncertainty following the US seizure of an Iranian cargo ship near the strait.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas
has also urged strengthening the EU’s naval mission in the Middle East.

EU Expands Sanctions On Iran Over Strait Of Hormuz Blockade is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Karex Bhd, the world’s largest condom manufacturer, plans to raise prices by between 20 and 30 per cent as supply chain disruptions linked to the ongoing Iran war drive up production and logistics costs, the company’s chief executive has said.

The Malaysian-based firm, which produces more than five billion condoms annually and supplies major brands as well as global public health programmes, said it has been left with little choice but to pass rising costs on to customers amid what it described as a “fragile” operating environment.

Chief executive Goh Miah Kiat said the conflict, which began in late February, has disrupted key supply chains, leading to higher prices for essential raw materials such as synthetic rubber, nitrile, aluminium foil and silicone oil used in condom production.

The impact has been compounded by rising freight costs and prolonged shipping delays, which have significantly slowed global deliveries. Shipments to major markets in Europe and the United States now take nearly two months to arrive, compared to about one month previously, further tightening supply.

At the same time, Karex is experiencing a surge in demand, with orders increasing by about 30 percent as customers seek to replenish depleted inventories caused by logistical bottlenecks and reduced stockpiles.

“We have no choice but to transfer the costs right now to customers,” Goh said, noting that the combination of higher input costs and delivery delays has created significant pressure across the company’s operations.

Karex supplies condoms to leading commercial brands such as Durex and Trojan, as well as public health systems including Britain’s National Health Service and international aid programmes run by the United Nations.

The company warned that supply shortages are already being felt in some developing countries, where longer delivery times have slowed distribution and reduced access to essential health products.

Despite the challenges, Karex said it has sufficient raw material supplies to sustain production in the short term and is working to increase output to meet growing global demand.

The firm is among a growing number of manufacturers, including medical glove producers, grappling with supply chain disruptions as the Iran war continues to strain global energy and petrochemical flows, with wider implications for manufacturing costs and product availability worldwide.

Iran War: Karex Plans 30% Condom Price Hike is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has pledged N20m support for each of the three soldiers killed in a recent terrorist attack in Kaiama Local Government Area, alongside N5m each for six officers injured during the operation.

AbdulRazaq made the announcement during a get-well visit to the injured soldiers at the Intensive Care Unit of the Kwara State University Teaching Hospital in Ilorin on Tuesday.

“Several of the terrorists were eliminated in the fierce encounter in which three gallant soldiers paid the supreme price,” he said.

The governor, who commended the sacrifices of the security personnel as priceless, also lauded the quality of care and facilities at the hospital.

He described it as one of the key health projects of his administration, while appreciating security forces for their service to the country.

Earlier on Monday, AbdulRazaq confirmed the killing of three soldiers during an attack on a military camp in Kemanji community, Kaiama Local Government Area of the state.

He said, “At about 3 a.m. today, we lost three gallant soldiers as they courageously beat back a terrorist’s attack on their position in Kemanji, Kaiama. These brave men not only repelled the terrorists and prevented them from accessing the community, but they also ensured that no one was kidnapped as the terrorists had intended.

“My sincere condolences are with the families and loved ones of these great men who have paid the supreme price in the service of our fatherland. We will never forget them and others like them in various theatres across the country.

“We will also continue to support their families and loved ones, while no resource will be spared to protect the lives and property of the people. Adieu, valiant soldiers!”

The attack, which occurred around 3:00 a.m. on Monday, reportedly began with the detonation of an explosive device at the military camp, causing significant damage.

Residents said the incident had been preceded by a threat letter allegedly sent by the attackers, heightening tension in the area days earlier.

Sources said the bandits fired gunshots indiscriminately, forcing villagers to flee, while security operatives, including soldiers and local vigilantes, engaged them in a fierce gun duel that lasted until about 5:00 a.m.

“The survivors were rushed down to a Hospital in Ilorin, and a lot of bandits were also killed during the gun battle,” a community source said.

Eyewitnesses described the situation as chaotic and distressing, noting that several residents had fled their homes, while the attackers were also reported to have carted away military patrol vehicles and motorcycles before fleeing the scene.

Kwara Governor Pledges N20m Each For Soldiers Killed In Attack is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, on Tuesday upheld the judgment of the Federal High Court, which affirmed Senator Nenadi Usman as the national leader…

The post Leadership crisis: Appeal Court affirms Nenadi Usman as Labour Party leader appeared first on Tribune Online.