2026 WCQ: NFF Blames Dessers, Troost-Ekong For Super Eagles’ Draw With South Africa The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has criticised Cyriel Dessers and captain William Troost-Ekong following the Super Eagles’ 1-1 draw with South Africa in Tuesday’s 2026 World Cup qualifier. Needing a win to boost their qualification chances, Nigeria fell behind in the 25th minute when Troost-Ekong turned the ball into his own net. Calvin Bassey restored parity before halftime with a powerful header. In a post-match statement, NFF Director of Communications, Dr Ademola Olajire, faulted Dessers’ display, describing it as ineffective. “Cyriel Dessers, who had an unimpressive game in Uyo where he was substituted after coming on, did not fare any better. He was too slow to latch onto passes, failed to win aerial duels and offered little to spark the Nigerian att+ck,” the statement read. Troost-Ekong also came under f+re for his costly error. “The Super Eagles’ fighting spirit was diminished after team captain William Ekong inadvertently swept the ball into his own net in the 25th minute, wrong-footing Stanley Nwabali and handing the Bafana Bafana the lead and momentum,” the NFF added. #Instablog9jaNews #TrendingStory #Awareness

Tinubu Orders Tighter Oversight of Crypto Transctons and Digital Payments President Bola Tinubu has directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other regulators to intensify monitoring of cryptocurrency and digital payment activities. Speaking through Finance Minister Wale Edun at the 18th Annual Banking and Finance Conference of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) in Abuja, Tinubu noted that the rapid adoption of stablecoins and digital currencies outside traditional banks poses challenges. “There is a digital revolution. Many people now make payments without using the banking system. To this end, I have directed capital market and banking authorities to track this trend while it is still evolving,” he said. He stressed that digital tools, AI, and open banking are no longer futuristic but essential for Nigeria’s economic growth. CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso also revealed that diaspora remittances, now at $600m monthly, could reach $1billion by 2026. CIBN President Prof. Pius Olanrewaju disclosed that since 2024, 16 banks have raised over N2.5 trillion in fresh capital, while private sector credit has surged above N82 trillion, boosting jobs and businesses. The renewed focus comes amid Nigeria’s ongoing legal battles with Binance Holdings Ltd. The government is demanding over $79.5 billion and ₦231m in damages, along with $2.001 billion in alleged unpaid taxes for 2022 and 2023. The crypto firm and its executives, Tigran Gambaryan and Nadeem Anjarwalla, face multiple charges including tax evasion, money laundering, and foreign exchange violations. The cases, currently before the Federal High Court in Abuja, also seek penalties for tax defaults, interest charges tied to CBN’s lending rate, and other sanctions. Authorities allege Binance concealed operations despite its significant presence in Nigeria. #Instablog9jaNews #TrendingStory #Awareness

Ghana Court Sentences Three Nigerians to 96 Years for Car Th+ft The Atasemanso Circuit Court in Ghana has sentenced three Nigerians Francis Friday, Linus Agwazie, and Russell Ekenze to a total of 96 years in prison for car th+ft in Kumasi. Police spokesperson Godwin Ahianyo said the trio was arrested on June 20 and arraigned on July 22. “On July 22, 2025, the suspects Francis Friday, Linus Agwazie, and Russell Ekenze were arraigned before the Atasemanso Circuit Court. “During proceedings, Russell Ekenze pleaded guilty to the charges and was immediately convicted and sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment in hard labour. The other two suspects, Francis Friday and Linus Agwazie, pleaded not guilty. “Subsequently, on July 23, 2025, the cases of Francis Friday and Linus Agwazie were heard at Circuit Court 3, where both were found guilty and each was sentenced to 8 years’ imprisonment on two counts, with the sentences to run concurrently.” He added, “On the same day, Circuit Court 1 also heard additional charges against all three suspects, resulting in 20-year IHL sentences each, also on two counts, and to run concurrently. “Finally, on July 24, 2025, Russell Ekenze was further convicted at Circuit Court 2, receiving an additional 10-year IHL sentence on two counts, to run concurrently with his existing sentence. “All three convicts, Francis Friday, Linus Agwazie, and Russell Ekenze, are currently serving their sentences at the Kumasi Central Prison.” This comes amid recent reports of Nigerians being linked to cr+mes in Ghana, including the May conviction of Patience Gold for human traff+cking and the July arrest of 50 Nigerians for alleged cyberfra¥d and traff+cking. #instablog9jaNews #TrendingStory #Stayupdated

K+dnppers Demand N15m Ransom for Edo Bus Passengers Abd¥ctors of passengers from an 18-seater New Edo Line bus and a Toyota Camry along the Owan–Auchi Road have reportedly demanded N15 million ransom for each victim still in captivity. The att+ck occurred on September 5, 2025, when g¥nmen intercepted the vehicles and forced passengers into the bush. The Edo State Police Command later rescued 16 victims, but several others remain held. Among those still in captivity is Gloria Ikhaghu, who was returning home after her father’s burial in Okpekpe, Etsako East LGA. A family member confirmed that k+dnappers had contacted them. “We are begging Governor Monday Okpebholo and everyone to help secure Gloria’s release, as we don’t have such money,” the relative said. “We just buried her father; raising N15 million is impossible.” Police spokesperson CSP Moses Yamu said he was unaware of any ransom demand but assured that security operatives were “still combing the bush” for the victims. The Owan–Auchi axis has long been a hotspot for abductions and armed att+cks, with criminals exploiting the dense forest terrain. The latest incident has renewed calls for stronger highway security in Edo State. In 2023 and 2024, frequent k+dappin along the Benin–Auchi and Benin–Ekpoma roads triggered protests from residents, who accused security agencies of failing to adequately protect travellers. #Instablog9jaNews #TrendingStory #Awareness #wStayUpdated

Pres. Tinubu Orders Employment, ₦250K Awards for 200 NYSC Honorees. President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate employment of 200 former National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members into the federal civil service and awarded them ₦250,000 each for outstanding performance during the 2020–2023 service years. Speaking at the NYSC Honours Award Ceremony in Abuja through Minister of State for Labour, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Tinubu also directed the employment of 10 physically challenged ex-corps members who sustained injuries while serving the nation. In addition to the cash rewards and job placements, all awardees will receive scholarships to pursue postgraduate studies in Nigerian universities. “These honorees have shown discipline, patriotism, and integrity. Their employment process will begin immediately,” Tinubu said, reaffirming his commitment to youth empowerment through education, innovation, and job creation. Top male awardees include Nunaya Polycarp, Okpogbo Alvin, Dr. Ugwa Obinna, and Rabiu Quadri. Female honorees are Akase Pati and Igwe Anne. Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, praised the President’s dedication to youth, citing the increase in corps members’ allowance from ₦33,000 to ₦77,000 and broader support for youth-led innovation and leadership. NYSC DG, Brig. Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, highlighted corps members’ impact on rural health, education, voter education, and tech development. In 2025 alone, over 6,000 medical corps members delivered free health services to 4 million Nigerians in underserved areas. He also noted that over 250,000 corps members are trained annually in entrepreneurship and tech skills and expressed optimism over the NYSC Trust Fund Bill, which he said will boost post-service opportunities. “You no longer wear khaki, but now carry the confidence of a grateful nation,” Nafiu told the honorees. Instablog9jaNews

Court Dismisses Mohbad’s Father’s Bid to Challenge DPP’s Clearance of Naira Marley, Sam Larry Others. A Lagos High Court in Ikeja has dismissed a suit filed by Joseph Aloba, father of late singer Ilerioluwa Aloba (aka Mohbad), challenging the legal advice that cleared Naira Marley, Sam Larry, and others of involvement in his son’s d+ath. Justice Taiwo Olatokun ruled on Wednesday that the advice issued by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), acting on the powers of the Attorney General, was valid and could not be overturned. “The powers of the Attorney General (through the DPP) to decide whether or not to prosecute were lawfully exercised and cannot be questioned,” Justice Olatokun held. Aloba, through his lawyer Wahab Shittu, had argued that the legal advice was premature since the coroner’s inquest into Mohbad’s death was still ongoing. He claimed the decision denied both him and the public a fair hearing. Reacting to the judgment, Shittu said they plan to appeal the ruling: “My client is ready to test the judgment on appeal.” In October 2023, the DPP cleared Azeez Fashola (Naira Marley), Samson Balogun (Sam Larry), Primeboy, and Opere Babatunde, citing a lack of evidence directly linking them to Mohbad’s d+ath. The legal advice clarified that they were discharged but not acquitted. Mohbad d+ed under controversial circumstances on September 12, 2023, just months after a public fallout with his former record label, Marlian Music, owned by Naira Marley. His sudden d+ath at age 27 triggered national outrage, with widespread accusations of b¥llying and ab¥se by his former associates. The Lagos State Government ordered a coroner’s inquest, while several suspects were arrested. At the resumed hearing in May, the DPP’s representative, Ayinde Ibrahim, stated that the advice was based strictly on the criminal case file and not dependent on the coroner’s inquest, which had no bearing on the decision. #Instablog9jaNews #TrendingStory #Awareness #StayUpdated#StayUpdated