By Desmond Zamfara-born Nigerian referee, Abiola Kasimu Abdulsalam , has ended Nigeria’s 25-year wait for a centre referee at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup after being selected among the match officials for the 2026 tournament in Qatar. The 34-year-old is the only Nigerian named among the centre referees and one of four officials from Africa selected for the role. His appointment makes him only the second Nigerian centre referee in the history of the FIFA U-17 World Cup. Abdulsalam’s selection is a major milestone in his refereeing career. He earned his FIFA international referee badge in 2022 and has since maintained his status through annual evaluations. He has officiated at two CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and several WAFU competitions. He was also the only Nigerian referee selected for the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN), further adding to his growing international profile. His latest appointment comes as FIFA continues to use the U-17 World...

By Desmond Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Lagos State Command, have uncovered an alleged illegal juice production facility in Aradagun, Badagry, Lagos State, leading to the arrest of two women suspected of involvement in the production and distribution of the product. The operation, which followed intelligence received by the Corps, was carried out after about five days of surveillance around the facility located on Talabi Onilegbale Street, Aradagun, in the Olorunda Local Council Development Area. According to the NSCDC, the factory was allegedly producing a fruit drink branded “Barkas Juice” under Titi Alubarika Trading Stores Ltd. The two women arrested were reported to be 48 and 50 years old. The Corps alleged that the factory was unregistered and that the product carried a purportedly fake National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) registration number, 01-2166L . NSCDC spokesperson in Lagos, Oluwas...

By Desmond The Federal Government has suspended 20 officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in connection with the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died while in the Corps’ custody in Niger State. The suspension was announced on September 19, 2026, by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo. The affected officers include personnel involved in station guard duties, arrests, investigations, intelligence, legal services and custody. The Niger State NSCDC Commandant, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, had also been suspended earlier. The Federal Government has also constituted a 10-member independent committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths. The committee is expected to examine the identities of the deceased, their arrests and detention, the cause of death, and whether negligence, misconduct or other forms of responsibility were involved. The incident occurred after suspected illegal miners were arrested during enforcemen...

Source: Fortune — September 20, 2026 At an age when many people are enjoying a quiet retirement, 71-year-old Richard Brown is taking a very different path. The former nuclear medicine physician and university professor has moved from medicine and academia into entrepreneurship, developing a simple product designed to make frozen fruit—particularly bananas—easier to eat. Brown’s latest venture is called Poka Snack , a skewer-like product designed for freezing and eating fruit. According to Fortune , the idea came from Brown’s own experience with frozen bananas. Existing products, he said, could be difficult to insert into fruit, break easily and sometimes leave splinters behind. Rather than accepting the problem, Brown decided to try to solve it himself. He reportedly tested about 40 prototypes before settling on the current design, which uses a semi-helical structure. He is now working with a U.S. manufacturer while preparing the product and its packaging for the marke...

By Desmond ISANLU, Kogi State — Okun youths have endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, for second terms in office ahead of the 2027 general elections. The endorsement was made on Saturday, September 19, 2026, during the OYA 2027 Election Endorsement Rally , organised by the Okun Youth Alliance (OYA) Movement at the 1,500-capacity GYB Civic Centre in Isanlu, Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi State. The rally attracted youths and other stakeholders from across Okunland, with participants filling the civic centre and adjoining streets. Speaking at the event, Convener of the OYA Movement, Oladele John Nihi, said the group’s decision to endorse President Tinubu was influenced by what it described as interventions by the Federal Government in Kogi State, particularly in the Okun axis. Nihi cited infrastructure development and the appointment of Kogi and Okun indigenes to strategic positions in the Federal Government as some...

By Desmond Source: Reported information about Sadio Mané’s investment in a mango-processing factory in his hometown, Bambali, Senegal. Sadio Mané is once again attracting attention not only for his achievements on the football pitch, but also for his efforts to contribute to the development of his community. The Senegalese football star is reportedly investing $20 million of his own money in a mango factory in his village of Bambali. The investment is expected to support the local agricultural economy by creating a facility where mangoes can be processed and transformed into products with greater commercial value. Rather than allowing farmers to depend entirely on the sale of fresh fruit, a processing factory can create opportunities to preserve, package and market agricultural products. For a rural community, such a project could have wider economic implications. A factory requires workers, suppliers, transport services, maintenance and other forms of support. This ...

By Desmond Turkish authorities have intensified a nationwide crackdown targeting LGBTQ+ activists, rights organisations, protesters and journalists, with dozens of people detained and others placed in pre-trial detention. The operation has triggered criticism from human rights organisations and European officials, who have raised concerns about freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association in Turkey. The raids began on September 12 under an operation described by authorities as “My Family Is Safe.” Prosecutors say investigations are taking place across 15 provinces and involve 162 suspects, nine associations and 13 businesses. Turkish officials have said the operation is intended to protect children and family values while investigating alleged offences including prostitution and obscenity. LGBTQ+ rights organisation Kaos GL has been among the organisations affected. On September 16, Reuters reported that eight members of the group had been jailed pending t...

By Desmond. Nigeria’s entertainment industry is mourning the death of veteran actor and film executive, Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, popularly known as Olu Jacobs , who has died at the age of 84. The news of the legendary actor’s death was confirmed by members of his immediate family on Wednesday, September 16, 2026. Reports say his wife, veteran actress Joke Silva , and their son, Olusoji Jacobs , confirmed his passing and appealed to the public, bloggers and social media users to respect the family’s privacy during their period of mourning. Olu Jacobs was born on July 11, 1942, and built a remarkable career that stretched across theatre, television and film. He trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London before becoming a recognised figure in British television and later one of the most respected actors in Nigeria’s growing film industry. For decades, Jacobs became a familiar face to African audiences. His commanding voice, distinctive acting style...