Author: News Room

Rosario Central captain, Angel Di Maria, has identified Argentina captain Lionel Messi and Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo as the two players who could win the Ballon d’Or this year if they win the 2026 World Cup. Messi and Ronaldo are set for their sixth appearance in the World Cup. The pair have won the Ballon d’Or 13 times between themselves in the past during their playing days in Europe. Speaking with the official website of Ballon d’Or, Di Maria insisted that both forwards could win the individual award if they play a starring role in the World Cup tournament starting…

The International Finance Corporation, Nigerian Exchange Group, and the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry have unveiled the Nigeria Gender Country Programme at a high-level virtual CEO Roundtable convened to advance private sector action on gender equality and inclusive economic growth. The session brought together chief executives and senior business leaders from NGX-listed companies, IFC client organisations, and LCCI member companies to introduce the programme’s strategic framework, align stakeholders around a shared agenda, and mobilise support ahead of its formal launch. The NGCP builds on the momentum of Nigeria2Equal and other initiatives that have advanced workplace inclusion, women’s leadership, entrepreneurship,…

Armed men have kidnapped four residents and killed a vigilante in an attack on the Byazhin area of Kubwa, Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory. A resident, who identified himself as Aliyu, said the attack occurred in the early hours of Thursday, noting that the assailants were heavily armed. “The attack happened in the early hours of Thursday. The gunmen were about 28 who attacked the community. I think they might have camped in the area before they struck. Four residents were taken into the bush while one vigilante guiding the area was shot from behind and died…

When citizens exasperatedly say ‘Nigeria is a plane on autopilot’ or when they dismissively say ‘Nigeria na cruise’, they are disclosing much more than the words reveal. They are lamenting a nation whose humanity has shattered, leaving a truckload of iciness in its wake. Both expressions often stem from a place of discontent, subtly bemoaning a country’s slipping from the realm of Human Intelligence into a domain submerged by the mechanicality of Artificial Intelligence. With these two sentences, Nigerians are mourning the absence of empathy, that precious virtue Shakespeare christened “the milk of human kindness”, which is lacking in today’s…

From Ora to Ijebu Jesa and Waasinmi, communities along Osun State’s borders have increasingly come under the shadow of kidnappers and armed criminals. But beyond the rising cases of abduction lies another troubling concern — the lack of synergy between the state government and local council authorities over security management, reports BOLA BAMIGBOLA Osun State has had its fair share of violent crimes in recent times, with little breakthrough despite efforts by the state government and the management of the 30 local government areas to keep the state safe. While it may be an overstatement to describe the state as…

Maritime stakeholders have stressed the need for targeted training of dockworkers and workforce development to prepare workers for emerging technologies and sustainable port operations. Stakeholders also stated that dockworkers are an integral part of Nigeria’s transition to greener ports. This formed the thrust of discussions on Thursday in Lagos during the 2026 Dockworkers Day organised by the Shipping Correspondents Association of Nigeria. The event was themed “Green Ports: Sustainable Practices for Dockworkers”. In his keynote address, the President of the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping, Aminu Umar, said the success of green and smart ports depends largely on the readiness of…

Former Nigeria goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi believes Africa’s increased representation at the 2026 FIFA World Cup presents a genuine opportunity for more countries from the continent to make deep runs in the tournament, tipping Morocco and Senegal to lead the charge, The PUNCH reports. The 2026 World Cup, which kicks off in Mexico on June 11, will feature a record 10 African nations following FIFA’s expansion of the competition. The tournament is being hosted in the USA, Canada and Mexico, marking the first time three countries will host the FIFA World Cup. Nine countries secured qualification automatically, while the Democratic Republic…

Crypto exchange Bybit has added support for Western Union’s USDPT stablecoin, a move that brings the payments giant’s digital dollar onto a major crypto trading venue for the first time.The companies announced on Thursday that USDPT, Western Union’s US dollar-pegged stablecoin, is now available on Bybit for holding, trading and transfers. The integration expands USDPT beyond payments and into crypto trading while increasing the range of dollar-denominated stablecoins available to Bybit users.Bybit said it is the first major cryptocurrency exchange to support USDPT.Source: Western UnionWestern Union launched USDPT in May as part of its broader digital asset strategy. The stablecoin…

Lydia Plath is setting the record straight on her move to Colorado, claiming her husband, Zac Wyse, didn’t steal her away from her reality TV family. “My husband didn’t ‘take me away from my family,’” Lydia, 22, wrote via Instagram on Wednesday, June 3, alongside a video of herself exploring the Colorado mountains. “He brought me home.” The Welcome to Plathville star revealed, “I’m still pinching myself everyday. The mountains have always been calling and now I get to call them home.” Lydia chose to have Ella Langley’s “Loving Life Again” playing in the background of the outdoor video, seemingly…

Significant progress has been made towards establishing state police, with a constitutional amendment expected soon, following months of consultations among the Executive, the National Assembly and security authorities. The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, disclosed this on Thursday while briefing State House Correspondents after a consultative meeting on state police convened by the Presidency, held at the State House, Abuja. Mr Gbajabiamila said deliberations on the proposed state police framework began several months ago following a directive by President Bola Tinubu, noting that the process has gained considerable traction. He explained that establishing state police requires careful…