FIFA Bars Moshood Abiola Stadium From Hosting International Matches

World football governing body, FIFA have slammed indefinite ban on Moshood Abiola National Stadium Abuja from hosting international matches.

The ban on Wednesday came after irate Nigerian fans invaded the stadium on Tuesday following their nation’s failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup finals in Qatar

On Tuesday, the newly renovated turf hosted the final leg of Nigeria vs Ghana World Cup play-off but the Ghanaians snatched the ticket from their host in a dramatic fashion through away goal rule.

Angry Nigerian fans invaded the pitch after a 1:1 draw against Ghana forcing players and officials to run for their life into the changing room.

FIFA medical officer Dr. Joseph Kabungo who had cardiac arrest on his way to the dressing room was rushed to hospital but he passed on

Joseph suffered a cardiac arrest during the commotion and was pronounced dead soon after.

Dr. Joseph Kabungo is CAF medical committee member who was also recently appointed to the FIFA medical committee. He served as the Zambian team doctor from 2003 to 2016.

It is not clear what other sanctions FIFA and the regional body CAF could mete out to the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF for failing to provide adequate security for the game but the too bodies frown at fans encroachment into the field of play

It could be recalled that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) disciplinary committee in May 2006 sanctioned Nigeria with a $5,000 for poor crowd control at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna, where the Super Eagles hosted Egypt in a Gabon 2017 African Nations Cup qualifier in March.

The organisers of the match allowed a crowd of over 40,000 inside the stadium designed to hold 25,000 spectators.

The Super Eagles and the Pharaohs drew 1-1 in that encounter, with the Egyptians subsequently defeating Nigeria 1-0 in the return fixture to stop the Eagles from qualifying for the competition.

4 Dead in Tanker Explosion in Lagos

No fewer than four people have been confirmed dead in the fire accident that occurred at Lekki, Lagos yesterday.

An official of the Lagos Fire Service who confirmed the number of casualties, said a

45,000 litre-tanker fully laden with petrol exploded after ramming into a heavy-duty vehicle conveying cement inward Lekki.

The accident occurred at the Kaiyetoro end of Lekki-Epe Expressway by Eleko Bus Stop, Ibeju Lekki Lagos.

Adeseye Margaret, the Director, of Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, said the accident happened at about 16:35 hours Sunday.

She noted that the vehicles involved burst into flames due to the impact of the collision.

Magaret added that; “The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Epe Station, on arrival at the scene discovered that both vehicles had head collision as the tanker travelled in opposite directions to Lekki and trailer from Epe.

The crew swiftly doused the raging fire from the accidental spillage of contents from the tanker and recovered four bodies suspected dead from both vehicles.

“Three of the bodies were recovered from the tanker and one from the trailer. The victims are all male adults and operatives of both vehicles

Ukraine Forces destroy 3 Russian helicopters, fighter jets

Ukraine has taken down three Russian helicopters, Su-25 fighter jet over Ukraine’s second city, Kharkiv.

Oleg Synegubov, the regional governor of Kharkiv, said that the Russian Su-25 fighter was destroyed by Kharkiv’s Air Defence Forces earlier today.

Footage obtained by newsmen revealed how the plane erupted into a huge fireball as it is struck by two surface-to-air missiles (SAM) over Kharkiv’s city centre, before it exploded again upon impact with the ground.

Synegubov mentioned that the plane was part of a squadron of between five and seven aircraft which have been conducting regular bombing runs over Ukraine’s second city.

The Armed Forces Air Command also reported early Monday morning that two Su-34 fighter-bombers, two Su-30 SM planes, and three helicopters were also shot down yesterday.

Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second largest city is one of the cities worst-hit by Russian bombing campaigns in recent days.

Ukrainian soldiers can be heard cheering at the sight of their occupiers’ burning aircraft streaking falling out of the sky, as the nation’s armed forces continue to put up a bitter fight against the Russian onslaught.

Russia has recorded considerable losses since the attack on Ukraine began, with the Ukrainian Armed Forces reporting that a total of 44 Russian planes and 44 helicopters have been brought down in the past eleven days.

Presidential Election To Hold On February 25-INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced a shift in date for general elections in 2023.

The Nigeria’s electoral umpire said presidential election formerly scheduled for February 18 2023 will hold on February 25, 2023.

Also governorship and state assembly elections will hold on March 11, 2023.

Fire Razes Finance Ministry's Inverter Room

A section of the Federal Ministry of Finance Headquarters located at the Central Area of the Federal Capital Territory was gutted by fire on Wednesday.

The incident was said to have been caused by an explosion from one of the batteries in the room where the ministry’s inverter was installed.

About 16 batteries were said to have been affected.

A staff of the Ministry of Finance told our correspondent that the fire incident occurred in the basement of the building.

He said, “There was fire but it wasn’t serious. It occurred in the basement of the building and was caused by a spark in the inverter room. The incident was minor and didn’t cause significant damage.”

Speaking with journalists on the premises of the ministry, the spokesperson of the Ministry, Olajide Oshundun, said smoke from the fire was first noticed by the staff of the ministry.

He said the fire was quickly put out even before the arrival of the Federal Fire Service

 Oshundun said, “At about 6.50am, some staff of the Ministry noticed smoke emanating from the room that housed the battery for the inverter.

“Necessary alarm was raised and the internally provided fire fighting equipment was deployed. Within about 15-20 minutes, the fire was put out.

“Information was also sent to the Federal Fire Service system. Before they came, everything had been brought under control.

“The fire emanated from an exploded battery which then affected other batteries; about 16 batteries were affected. It only affected the battery compartment at the base of the Ministry, it did not affect other parts of the building.”

Super Eagles Star, Etebo, Wife Welcome Third Child

Etebo Oghenekaro, a Super Eagles footballer and Watford star, and his wife Enjoys Bethel T  now have a third child.

The excited  father announced the arrival of his third child via his verified Instagram page @Etebo_karo as he commended his wife for her bravery and strength.

In his words:

Oops, we did it again, introducing our bundle of joy @isietebo. Thank God for your bravery and strength you put in bringing this cutie to the World❤️❤️.

In the same vein, the wife also posted her baby bump pictures on her Instagram page and she captioned the pictures: when @mercychinwo said " I don't but I like it, you're consistent in all your ways. I felt it in my soul because God came through for me anytime I'm in needs, I don't know why and I don't know how, I don't even deserve it but I am absolutely grateful.Our newest addition has arrived."

Etebo was named in Nigeria’s 23-man squad for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

He started all three of Nigeria’s group matches which saw them beat Iceland but lose to Argentina and Croatia which meant that they failed to progress to the knock-out stages

Congratulatory Messages Pour As Ay Comedian Welcomes 2nd Child After 13 Years

Congratulatory messages have continued to pour for Ace comedian, Ayo Makun for the arrival of his second child after 13 years.

AyComedian shared the news via his verified Instagram page @AyComedian and he disclosed that he has been praying and hoping to become a father again for 13 years. He expressed his satisfaction when his wife, Mabel gave birth to a baby girl in the US and shared a lovely video to make the announcement, hinting that the mother and child are doing well. 

 In the video that was shared on Instagram, the comedian went flowers, balloons, and teddy bear shopping for the new mom and baby as he praised God for the latest addition to his family.

 AY further thanked everyone that put his family in prayers while they were looking up to God for another child and declared that God's time is the best.

However, the post, has generated over six thousand congratulatory messages from celebrities and fans across the globe.

Read some of the messages:

Toyin_abraham:

 "Someone holdddddd meeeeeee❤️Yaaaaaay my Godddddddddd."

Adesua-etomi:

Awwww congratulations boss🙌🙌. God is great.

Annieidibia

 I literally cried all through the video 🥲🥲🥰🥰🥰🥰 oh my heart is filled with joy ❤️. I am beyond excited. God bless you guyx.

Officialwaje

God always come through for his own @realmabelmakun. Congratulations sis.