Author: starconnect
By Our Man at Wembley THE BRIGHTEST stars in the footballing universe descended on Wembley Stadium for a blockbuster FA Cup Final, but it was Manchester City’s glittering ensemble that outshone Chelsea’s solo acts. On a scorching afternoon under the famous arch, Pep Guardiola’s machine marched to a 1-0 victory, leaving a frustrated Chelsea to pick through the wreckage of what could have been. In a match billed as the ultimate battle of individual brilliance versus tactical perfection, it was City’s newly minted heroes who seized the day. All eyes before kick-off were fixed firmly on Chelsea’s talisman, Cole…
By Emmanuel Thomas l Saturday, May 15.2026 WASHINGTON — In a major escalation of counterterrorism operations in West Africa, U.S. special operations forces, acting in close coordination with the Armed Forces of Nigeria, conducted a lethal raid on Thursday night that killed Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, the second-in-command of the Islamic State globally. The operation, which also resulted in the deaths of several senior ISIS lieutenants, marks a significant milestone for the Trump administration’s re-engineered security strategy in sub-Saharan Africa. Pentagon officials described the raid as a highly synchronized, intelligence-driven strike aimed at disrupting the core operational leadership of the…
By abiodun KOMOLAFE I Saturday, May 16. 2026 IJEBU-JESA, Osun – South Africa has pursued post-apartheid policies, the consequences of which we are seeing today. The country has a terrifying, soft underbelly which is now completely hopeless and uncompetitive in today’s evolution; and therefore, it has to misdirect its aggression against soft targets such as fellow Black Africans. Due to flawed economic policies and a blurring of ideological focus within the post-apartheid ANC, income disparity in South Africa has metastasized. This inequality fuels a wave of criminality that the ruling party, bound by tactical political convenience, seems unable to…
By abiodun KOMOLAFE I Saturday, May 16.2026 IJEBU-JESA – Osun State is at a historic crossroads and must make a decisive choice on August 15. The state must either continue on the path of socioeconomic inertia or take a path less taken and dare to break the chain. In the conventional wisdom, Osun should be doing so much better. It has the natural positioning of being surrounded by six adjoining states. A strategic imperative should have been to act as a feeder to those six neighbouring states, all of which have – within the Nigerian context – an above-average ratio…
Admin I Saturday, May 16.2026 LAGOS, Nigeria – As economic realities continue to evolve, timely economic conversations become increasingly important for businesses, investors, and decision-makers. Alpha Morgan Bank continues to provide a clearer perspective on the forces shaping the economy, with renowned Economist, Bismark Rewane as it is set to host the 20th Edition of the Alpha Morgan Economic Review on Thursday, 21st May 2026, by 9AM (WAT). The webinar will feature analysis of Nigeria’s current economic direction, policy environment, market trends, and the broader implications for businesses and investors navigating today’s economic landscape. The session is also expected…
By Our Chief Football Correspondent at Villa Park VILLA PARK witnessed an absolute Premier League epic last night as Unai Emery’s Aston Villa edged out Liverpool 4-3 in a breathless, seven-goal thriller that will go down as an instant classic. On a night fueled by pure adrenaline, tactical chaos, and individual brilliance, it was Villa’s talismanic forward Ollie Watkins who stole the show. The England striker put on an absolute masterclass in front of a rocking home crowd, scoring a sensational double and setting up another to dismantle a fragile Liverpool backline and firmly ignite Villa’s Champions League ambitions.…
Admin I Friday, May 15. 2026 ABUJA, Nigeria – The fixtures for the men’s and women’s competition of this year’s President Federation Cup national competition have been released following the draw ceremony held today at the NFF Secretariat, Abuja. Speaking during the ceremony, NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, stated that this year’s draw process was consistent with previous editions, while noting that the competition structure would be more straightforward as no team received a bye into the next round. Dr. Sanusi assured participating teams, officials, and football stakeholders that the country’s oldest and most prestigious football competition would…
Admin I Friday, May 15. 2026 ABUJA, Nigeria – Head Coach Abdu Maikaba has called 35 players to the camp of Nigeria’s U20 boys, Flying Eagles, as the team begins a new life under the gaffer, and as preparations commence ahead of the WAFU B U20 Championship that Cote d’Ivoire will in the month of July. In the list are three goalkeepers, 10 defenders, 11 midfielders and 11 forwards. All invited players are expected to report to camp in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja on Saturday, 16th May. PLAYERS INVITED TO FLYING EAGLES’ CAMP FOR WAFU B U20 CHAMPIONSHIP:…
Titus Eleweke, South East Editor AWKA, Anambra – The Onitsha South Local Government Area of Anambra State has accused the Nigeria Police Force, Zone 13 Ukpo, of undermining the Anambra State Homeland Security Law by arresting and charging three Agunechemba operatives for alleged illegal possession of firearms before Federal High Court I, Awka. The Police from Zone 13 Ukpo on Friday arraigned three Agunechemba operatives, including the Commander of the State local security outfit, popularly known as Udo Ga-Achi, in Onitsha South, Mr. Echezona Joseph Ezeonyejekwe, alongside two other operatives, who were subsequently remanded at the Awka Correctional Centre…
By SCM Correspondent l May 15, 2026 The Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday arraigned popular social media influencer and self-styled relationship therapist, Okoro Blessing Nkiruka, widely known as “Blessing CEO,” before a Federal High Court in Ikoyi over an alleged ₦36 million fraud. Nkiruka was brought before Justice D.I. Dipeolu on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and stealing to the tune of ₦36,000,000. According to the charge sheet, the defendant allegedly obtained the sum from one Mrs. Ifeyinwa Nonye Okoye between July 14 and 17, 2024,…