Author: damazah@gmail.com

The President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF), Uyi Akpata, believes the progress recorded by Team Nigeria at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow offers valuable lessons for the future development of sports in the country. Beyond the medals won and the impressive performances delivered by Nigerian athletes, Mr Akpata said the emergence of new talent through structured grassroots programmes represents one of the biggest takeaways from Nigeria’s participation in the Games. Speaking with PREMIUM TIMES on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Mr Akpata praised the atmosphere within Team Nigeria, describing the unity and support system around…

…Says members must remain loyal, reject anti-party activities The Presidential Candidate of the Accord Party, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has called on Accord Party stakeholders and supporters in Osun State to close ranks, remain loyal to the party and mobilise massively for victory in the forthcoming governorship election. Hashim specifically noted that the actions of a few individuals must not derail the party’s mission. Hashim made the call after receiving the report of a seven-member committee of Accord Party stakeholders in Osun State, which consulted widely and briefed him on recent political developments and the state of the party. He urged members…

On the road to Downing Street, Andy Burnham promised to transfer power from Westminster to every postcode in the country. After his first two weeks in office, the size and complexity of this project are becoming clearer.With a date set for the autumn budget, the work of filling in the detail that will underpin his devolution plans begins – starting with his proposal to hand England’s regional mayors a share of income tax to support local economic development.Despite its history as a patchwork of nations, the UK is among the most fiscally centralised countries in the developed world. The Centre…

After he took his first win in Estonia, Pajari made it back-to-back WRC victories to move into second in the standings behind Evans.Pajari was the beneficiary when nine-time champion Sebastien Ogier crashed out of the lead on Saturday’s penultimate stage on a high-speed right-hand corner on the fast gravel roads.Both Ogier and co-driver Julien Ingrassia were taken to hospital after the accident but the French driver posted on social media on Saturday night that the pair would remain in hospital overnight as a precaution but “we both feel okay, which is the most important”.Oliver Solberg, who was battling back pain…

Popular Juju and Highlife musician Janet “St. Janet” Ajilore is dead. Nigerian gospel juju-tungba musician, composer and songwriter Akinola “Alayo Melody Singer” Michael broke the news on his Instagram page on Sunday. Publisher and socialite Femi Davies also announced, in a post on his Facebook page, that the singer died after a brief illness. Davies wrote: “St Janet (Iyun Janet Ajilore), a popular Nigerian Juju and Highlife musician known for her vibrant live performances, energetic stage presence and socially unfiltered party tracks, is dead. “She died after a brief illness on Saturday.” St. Janet St. Janet built a reputation for…

Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Jimoh Ibrahim, says Africa is a rich continent that does not require aid from other continents to develop. Mr Ibrahim spoke at a reception in honour of Nigeria’s Ahunna Eziakonwa, who was appointed a Senior Adviser on Africa to the UN Secretary-General António Guterres. The Nigerian diplomat criticised perceptions of Africa as a beggarly continent dependent on aid. “Africa consists of 25 per cent of the world population. The future of the world is in Africa. That’s something to talk about,” Mr Ibrahim said. “I will not be part of the people who are…

Donald Trump has said he cancelled planned military strikes against Iran on the basis of “rapidly” reaching a deal on its nuclear programme and the full reopening of the strait of Hormuz.The US president paused the strikes in expectation of a breakthrough and in response to requests from Iran and other countries in the region, he claimed on his Truth Social platform on Saturday.“Based on this request, I have agreed, for the future benefit of the WORLD and, likewise, the survival of a successful and prosperous Iran, to cancel the attack, subject to being able to rapidly make a DEAL.”The…

Fenix Flexin is best known as a member of Shoreline Mafia, a rap duo from Los Angeles. But he’s recently found solo success with the track “Rubberz,” which has climbed to number 58 on the Billboard Hot 100. Almost immediately, though, questions were raised about the song’s origins, with many speculating that it was largely, if not entirely, generated by AI. Fenix has denied those accusations, but done little to dispel them.Part of the suspicion is certainly due to the fact that the song is a dramatic left turn. Fenix has primarily trafficked in trap-influenced West Coast rap. “Rubberz,” on…

Five opposition political parties were last week heaved a sigh of relief when the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal set aside the June 15, 2026 perverse judgement delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister them ahead of the 2027 elections. The appellate court specifically declared the judgement that ordered INEC to deregister the parties “null and void”. Recall that Justice Lifu of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, had ordered the electoral body to deregister the party over its performance after the 2023 general elections.…

Brady HendersonAug 2, 2026, 06:00 AM ETCloseBrady Henderson is a reporter for NFL Nation and covers the Seattle Seahawks for ESPN. He joined ESPN in 2017 after covering the team for Seattle Sports 710-AM.Multiple AuthorsRENTON, Wash. — Late in practice Thursday, Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker Derick Hall and defensive tackle Rylie Mills stood face-to-face on the sideline as they engaged in a bout of “shadowboxing,” the quick-timing and reaction game that became a motif of the team’s tight-knit culture in 2025.It’s still popular among the reigning Super Bowl champions. Only this time there was an NFL Films camera nearby and…