Nigeria’s Super Eagles will go all out for victory against Rwanda on Monday, even with leadership of group D and a ticket to the 35^th Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco secured, says Head Coach Augustine Eguavoen.

The three-time African champions are determined to sustain their recent form and spirit ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers that resume in four months, and Coach Augustine Eguavoen believes the absence of grieving goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, defender Olaoluwa Aina and in-form forward Ademola Lookman will not stop their momentum.

First-choice goalkeeper Nwabali has been excused from camp to visit family and relations following the demise of his father, and English Premier League side Nottingham Forest begged for wing-back Olaoluwa Aina to be allowed to fly back to the United Kingdom for a crucial tie, with Nigeria already qualified for the AFCON.

Rapid-raider Ademola Lookman, with two goals in the qualifiers like team mate Victor Osimhen, suffered a knock in the front end of this window’s double-header, against Benin Republic’s Cheetahs in Abidjan on Thursday, and left camp on Saturday.

The Super Eagles are not unaware of the fact that the Amavubi are in the same 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying group with them, and that they (Rwanda) are the next opponents when the World Cup qualifying campaign resumes in March 2025.

Monday’s encounter will see the return of former number one safe hands Maduka Okoye, and Bright Osayi-Samuel could start at right wing-back in the absence of Aina, with Bruno Onyemaechi at left wing-back, and Captain William Ekong and Calvin Bassey at centre-back.

Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka, Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Raphael Onyedika are still the options in the middle.

Victor Osimhen, whose goal earned the one point in Abidjan that took Nigeria to the top of the pool, will hope to score against the Amavubi, having come quite close a number of times when he joined the fray as a second-half substitute in Kigali in September.

He also has the target of overtaking former captain Olusegun Odegbami on the goals’ tally for Nigeria.

The absence of Lookman means so much will be expected from fit-fighting and usually-dependable Moses Simon, with Samuel Chukwueze, Sadiq Umar, Kelechi Iheanacho and Victor Boniface all in the race for slots in the fore.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the just-concluded governorship election held on Saturday in Ondo State.

Governor Aiyedatiwa emerged victorious after securing the highest number of votes in the keenly contested election.

The incumbent governor triumphed over several formidable opponents, including Ajayi Agboola of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olorunfemi Festus of the Labour Party (LP), and Abbas Mimiko of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), among others.

Announcing the final results on Sunday in Akure, the state capital, INEC’s Returning Officer for the election and Vice Chancellor of Federal University, Lokoja, Professor Akinwumi Olayemi Durotimi, stated that Governor Aiyedatiwa polled a total of 366,781 votes to secure his reelection.

His closest rival, Ajayi Agboola of the PDP, garnered 117,845 votes, while the Labour Party’s Olorunfemi Festus managed 1,162 votes. Abbas Mimiko of the ZLP, the younger brother of former Governor Olusegun Mimiko, also made an appearance in the race but failed to make a significant impact.

The election, which was largely peaceful across the 18 local government areas of Ondo State, saw a notable turnout of voters who trooped out to exercise their civic responsibility despite initial fears of low participation.

Security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Army, ensured adequate security at polling units and collation centers, thereby maintaining order throughout the electoral process.

In his acceptance speech, Governor Aiyedatiwa expressed profound gratitude to the people of Ondo State for renewing their trust in his administration.

He pledged to prioritize the continued development of the state, with a focus on infrastructure, healthcare, education, and youth empowerment.

The governor also extended a hand of fellowship to his opponents, urging them to join him in the collective task of building a better Ondo State.Ajayi Agboola, the PDP candidate, has yet to comment on the outcome of the election.

Political analysts, however, have noted that the APC’s victory reinforces its stronghold in the state, which has long been a battleground for major political parties in Nigeria.

INEC, on its part, commended the electorate, political parties, and security agencies for their roles in ensuring a credible and transparent election. Observers, including representatives from civil society groups, lauded the commission for its improved logistics and adherence to the guidelines outlined in the Electoral Act.

The 5th edition of the Janet Adowei Memorial Scrabble Classics (JAMSC), comes to a close later today at the Chevron Recreational Club Gbagada, Lagos, Nigeria.

Eight rounds of games will be played on the final day of competition to decide who takes the top honours in the three different categories of the Classics that has 124 record number of players in attendance.

The Mass Communication graduate from Yaba College of Technology, Joseph Okere, closed the day with 9 wins and a cumulative points of plus 873. Abdulmumin Jimoh with the same number of wins but with a lower cumulative points of 642 is second going into the final day.

Surprise package Shedrack Nwakaego is on 8 wins with the ‘King’ of African Scrabble Oluwatimilehin Doko, old war horse Dokun Esan, Surulere SC captain fantastic Olumide Oyejide, Tega Okiemuta, five times Kano National Opens Championship winner Segun Durojaye and Ayomiposi Akinfemisoye coach of Team Lagos.

Eleven other contenders with 7 wins is led by the runners up at the just concluded South West Championship in Akure, Cyril Umebiye. Umebiye is in company of Grand Masters John Aiyedun a ‘serial killer and winner’, as well as former Continental Champion Enoch Nwali, David Ojih, Hakeem Olaribigbe, Emmanuel Umujose, James Ewruje, Ogun State duo of Olufemi Gbadebo and Bukunmi Afolayan, Anthony Odok and Akhere Esangbedo complete the top 20.

Bukunmi Afolayan, winner of the All Nigeria Amazons Scrabble Championship is the highest ranked female with 7 wins and 217 cumulative points at number 18.

The top 20

1. Okere Joseph 9–1 +873
2. Jimoh Abdulmumin 9–1 +642
3. Nwakaego Shedrack 8–2 +676
   ★ Doko Oluwatimilehin 8–2 +600
   ★Esan Dokun 8–2 +520
   ★ Oyejide Olumide 8–2 +477
   ★ Okiemute, Tega 8–2 +343
   ★ Durojaye Segun 8–2 +329
   ★Akinfemisoye Ayomiposi 8-2 +159
   ★ Umebiye Cyril 7½–2½ +668
   ★ Aiyedun, John 7–3 +791
   ★ Nwali Enoch 7–3 +733
   ★ Ojih David 7–3 +692
   ★ Olaribigbe Hakeem 7–3 +600
   ★ Umujose Emmanuel 7–3 +558
   ★ Ewruje James 7–3 +484
   ★ Gbadebo Olufemi 7–3 +484
   ★ Afolayan, Bukunmi 7–3+271
   ★ Odok Anthony 7–3 +213
   ★ Esangbedo Akhere 7–3 +139

Twenty nine other big players that includes the defending champion Ryan Jacob are separated by cumulative points with 6 wins each.

Round 11 of games offers some tantalizing encounters.

Here are some of them:

1 Doko vs. Okere
2 Jimoh vs. Akinfemisoye
3 Aiyedun vs. Nwali
4 Nwakaego vs. Okiemute
5 Esan vs. Durojaye
6 Afolayan vs. Oyejide
7 Umebiye vs. Ojih
8 Thorpe vs. Ewruje
9 Ikolo vs. Umujose
10 Humbe vs. Olaribigbe

Meanwhile, the chairman of Lagos State Scrabbble and Monopoly Association, Engineer Dipo Akanbi who is also the captain of Pyramid Scrabble Club, as well as other members of Lekki Scrabble Club added some fillips to the competition with cash backing as part of the host of spot prizes.

750,000 Naira is the top prize money for the Masters category and lots of spot prizes will be up for grab at the end of the Classics that is supported by Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF), Mind Games Incorporated (MGI), Emmanuel Egbele Annual Scrabble Tournament (EEAST) and Lekki Scrabble Club (LSC).

Over 3.5 million naira will be shared as prize money.

Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo has lamented that the failing state status of Nigeria is glaringly evident.

Obasanjo issued a scathing critique of Nigeria’s current state under President Bola Tinubu, lamenting that the country is a “failing state” plagued by corruption and leadership failure.  

The former president made these remarks during his keynote address at the Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum held at Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.  

In a statement released by his media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo referred to President Tinubu with the epithets “Baba-go-slow” and “Emilokan,” the latter being a term popularised during Tinubu’s election campaign, what he described as lacklustre leadership. He stated that the nation’s dire situation is evident to “every honest person.”  

Delivering a lecture titled “Leadership Failure and State Capture in Nigeria,”Obasanjo warned that the nation is sinking deeper into insecurity, division, and underdevelopment. 

He attributed these issues to widespread corruption, mediocrity, and a lack of accountability.  

“The more the immorality and corruption of a nation, the more the nation sinks into chaos, insecurity, conflict, and disunity,” Obasanjo said. 

“The failing state status of Nigeria is confirmed and glaringly indicated for all to see.”  

Drawing inspiration from Chinua Achebe’s 1983 treatise, ‘The Trouble with Nigeria, Obasanjo reiterated that the nation’s challenges stem from a failure of leadership. He dismissed notions that cultural or environmental factors are to blame, stressing instead the inability of leaders to rise to the occasion.  

Obasanjo also accused political elites of engaging in state capture, a form of corruption where powerful groups manipulate national policies, laws, and resources for personal gain. 

He noted the sale of national assets at undervalued prices and the undue influence of interest groups in shaping Nigeria’s economic and political landscape.  

“State capture is one of the most pervasive forms of corruption,” Obasanjo explained. 

“What is happening in Nigeria – right before our eyes – is state capture, where public institutions are subject to undue influence from vested interests.”  

The former president criticised the intertwining of business and political elites through family ties, lobbying, and vote-buying, which he argued prioritises private gain over public welfare. 

He warned of the long-term implications on education, healthcare, infrastructure, and economic development.  

On a hopeful note, Obasanjo maintained that Nigeria’s challenges are surmountable, provided the nation’s leadership embraces accountability and reforms.  

In honouring Chinua Achebe, Obasanjo praised the late literary icon for his lasting contributions to Nigerian society, describing him as “a great and distinguished Nigerian.”

Nigerian music sensation Daniel Anidugbe, popularly known as Kizz Daniel, has revealed plans to take a break from music after the release of his upcoming EP.

The singer announced that following the release of his EP, Uncle K, on November 29, 2024, he would not be putting out new music until 2026.

“After this, I’m not dropping anything again until 2026,” he shared via his X handle on Friday.

Fans have since flooded his social media with messages, urging him to reconsider and expressing how much they will miss his music.

Kizz Daniel, who first gained recognition in 2016 with the hit single Woju, has remained one of Nigeria’s most consistent artists. Over the years, he has released five studio albums and numerous chart-topping songs, solidifying his place in the industry.

Ondo Decides 2024: Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa Leads in Governorship Election

Live results from the Ondo State governorship election indicate Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) maintaining a commanding lead over his closest rival, Ajayi Agboola of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

As Aiyedatiwa seeks reelection, the race sees other contenders from the Labour Party (LP) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) struggling to keep pace.

The tally of results across several wards has been consistent in favor of the APC, showcasing its strength in critical areas of Akoko North East and Irele Local Government Areas (LGAs).

Below are detailed results from various polling units:Oyinmo Ward, Akoko North East LGA1. Omotunwase/Mr. Giwa’s house (near late Pa Aliu Bakare’s house):

APC: 131PDP: 632. Osaniyi/Odenusi/Akinnugbagbe/Niyi (at Omowaye’s house):APC: 89PDP: 553. John Holt (at Oladugba’s opposite Total Filling Station):APC: 139PDP: 284. Atere/Owolabi/Alao/Aro/Aduloju/Sunday Compound (at Omojola’s house):APC: 140PDP: 475. Kowode Market/Suberu/Odeniyan’s House (at Chief Adunlu’s house):APC: 142PDP: 446. Okereo/Odose/Ode Ateti (in front of Chief Bada’s house):APC: 251PDP: 46Ajagba Ward 2, Irele LGA1.

Aggregated Results:ADC: 1ADP: 3APC: 1,136APGA: 4PDP: 588YP: 1Edo Ward, Akoko North East LGA1. Odeluke (in front of late Chief Odeluke’s house):APC: 164PDP: 412. Okereo/Odose/Ode Ateti (in front of Chief Bada’s house):APC: 251PDP: 463. Ode Odalure/Osoro/Ode Imoku/Ode Olori/Okegbede Barracks A.U.D Primary School III:APC: 115PDP: 40

Governor Aiyedatiwa’s dominance in these wards highlights APC’s robust grassroots support, particularly in Akoko North East LGA.

Meanwhile, the PDP, though trailing, has shown pockets of resistance in areas like Irele LGA. With votes still being counted across the state, the APC remains optimistic about a favorable outcome.

The Ondo governorship election continues to draw nationwide attention as voters await final results, with many commending the peaceful conduct of the polls so far.