Author: starconnect
The By Our Man in Mexico City MEXICO CITY — The roof nearly blew off the iconic, sun-baked Estadio Azteca on Wednesday night as co-hosts Mexico did not just march into the World Cup knockout stages—they danced, sang, and rewrote the history books in a dazzling 3-0 demolition of a fragile Czechia side. On an evening defined by a perfect bridge between generation next and the ultimate old guard, Javier Aguirre’s green machine achieved what no Mexican side before them had ever done: a flawless group-stage clean sweep, pocketing all nine points in Group A. While the stands rocked to…
By Our Man in Monterrey History has been made in Mexico, and it has been painted in the vibrant green and gold of South Africa. On a night of pure, unadulterated sporting theater at the Monterrey Stadium in Guadalupe, Bafana Bafana defied the odds, ripped up the script, and secured passage to the World Cup knockout stages for the first time in their history. A single, brilliantly taken second-half strike from rising star Thapelo Maseko was enough to seal a famous 1-0 victory over South Korea. It sparked wild celebrations from Johannesburg to Cape Town, completing a truly miraculous…
Admin I Thursday, June 25, 2026 OSUBI, Okpe, Delta – Zenith Bank Plc has expanded its presence in Delta State with the official opening of a new branch in Osubi, Okpe Local Government Area, becoming the first commercial bank to establish a presence in the Osubi community. The move reaffirms the Bank’s commitment to financial inclusion by bringing world-class financial services closer to communities and businesses. The commissioning ceremony, held on Wednesday, 24 June 2026 in Osubi, was attended by the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, alongside senior government officials, traditional rulers, members of the business…
Admin I Thursday, June 25, 2026 ABUJA, Nigeria – The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved the appointment of Dr. Donald Ibe Ofili, as the Substantive Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria. A terse statement by the organisation describes Ofili as an accomplished laboratory professional, global biosafety leader, and champion of quality healthcare. Ofili is assuming office with a bold vision to strengthen regulation, promote diagnostic excellence, advance laboratory accreditation, and safeguard public health across Nigeria. The Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria is a federal regulatory agency established by Act 11 of 2003…
By Our Chief Football Correspondent at Seattle Stadium The ageless, peerless Edin Džeko may be forty years old, but inside the cauldron of Seattle Stadium, the Bosnian captain rolled back the years to inspire a majestic 3-1 victory over Qatar, keeping his nation’s FIFA World Cup knockout-stage hopes breathing. On a night filled with high-stakes tension in Group B, it was Bosnia and Herzegovina who displayed the clinical edge, leaving Qatar marooned at the bottom of the table and heading for an early flight home. This was a classic World Cup battle of survival, and under the brilliant Pacific…
BY OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT VANCOUVER — It was the night the Maple Leaf wilted under the cold, clinical glare of European execution. In front of a deafening, partisan sea of red at BC Place, co-hosts Canada saw their dreams of topping Group B shattered in forty-five minutes of tactical masterclass. Switzerland, marshalled by the timeless brilliance of midfield general Granit Xhaka, booked their place at the summit of the group with a fiercely contested 2-1 victory. Despite a late, breathless rally sparked by the home side’s superstar contingent, it was the Swiss who walked away with the ultimate prize,…
By Gboyega Akosile I Wednesday, June 24.2026 LAGOS, Nigeria – Every public leader eventually arrives at a moment when the conversation changes. The debates of the day begin to give way to the judgement of history; power gradually yields to legacy. History, after all, is often kinder to reflection than it is to politics. Like every public leader, Governor Sanwo-Olu’s years in office have attracted scrutiny, criticism and differing interpretations. As I often say to colleagues or those we hold conversations along this line, such debates are inevitable in a democracy and particularly so in a…
By SCM Reporter LAGOS — The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has presented two key prosecution witnesses before a Lagos State Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, in the ongoing trial of Ifoma Immanuel and his company, Intermediate Investment Holdings Limited, over an alleged $1.5 million fraud. The witnesses, Babatunde Adebayo (PW1), a financial adviser, and Paul Olufemi (PW2), a compliance officer with Providus Bank, gave their testimonies on Tuesday, June 23, and Wednesday, June 24, 2026, respectively, before Justice Mojisola Dada. The defendants are facing a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and forgery involving…
Titus Eleweke, Editor, Southeast AWKA, Anambra – The Anambra State House of Assembly Committee on Health on Wednesday expressed deep appreciation for the purposeful leadership and innovative reforms introduced by the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Amaku, Awka, Dr. Maureen Uche Umeakuewulu. The member representing Aguata II Constituency and Chairman of the House Committee on Health, Hon. Tony Mobike , led other members of the committee on a visit to the CMD in her office. He stated that the committee was highly impressed by the innovations and positive changes she has brought to…
Titus Eleweke, Editor, South East AWKA, Anambra – The First Lady of Anambra State, Dr. Mrs. Nonye Soludo, has expressed delight over the remarkable recovery of 10-year-old Chiziterem Franklin Ozuligbo, who was abused and maltreated by his guardian and is currently receiving medical treatment in the hospital. The Governor’s wife made this known during another visit to the young boy on Tuesday to assess his condition and offer support to him and his family. Dr. Mrs. Nonye Soludo, founder of Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo, said: “I paid another visit to young Chiziterem today to monitor his recovery and…