INSTANT NEWS

 Nigeria's women's basketball team, D'Tigress, suffered a 77-63 defeat in a pre-Olympic friendly match against Germany on Friday.

 Despite the loss, the team showed a commendable performance, with forward Amy Okonkwo leading the charge with 16 points and two rebounds. Elizabeth Balogun also impressed with 14 points and five rebounds.

Germany's Alexis Peterson emerged as the top scorer of the game with 22 points. The friendly match served as a valuable preparation for D'Tigress ahead of the Olympics, where they will face stiff competition from Australia, France, and Canada.

 The team will continue to fine-tune their skills with upcoming friendlies against Serbia and Puerto Rico. With their determination and spirit, D'Tigress aims to make a strong impact at the Olympic Games.

Former Golden Eaglets striker Stanley Iheanacho has completed a transfer to Clube Deportivo de Mafra, a Liga Portugal 2 team. 

The 19-year-old signed a five-year contract with CD Mafra, committing his future to the club until June 2029.

Iheanacho joins CD Mafra from FC Midtylland, a Danish Superliga side. Although he impressed in a cup match against Aabenraa BK, scoring four goals on his debut in September 2023, he failed to make a league appearance for the club. 

Despite this, he played a crucial role in Midtylland's U-19 youth league triumph last season, scoring 12 goals in 22 appearances and featuring in four UEFA Youth League matches.

This move to CD Mafra presents a new opportunity for Iheanacho to develop his skills and gain valuable experience in Portugal. With his talent and potential, he is expected to make a significant impact at his new club.

 The University of Ibadan management has held a meeting with student representatives to address the ongoing protests on campus.

 The students, led by Students' Union President Bolaji Aweda, have been demonstrating against various issues, including the recent introduction of 10-hour daily electricity supply, fee hikes, compulsory GES textbooks, poor welfare conditions, inadequate security, and victimization of students who participated in earlier protests.

Aweda presented the students' grievances to the management, emphasizing the need for improved living and learning conditions on campus. 

In response, Professor Peter Olapegba, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), explained that the new electricity policy was necessitated by the high monthly bills paid to the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC).

The meeting aimed to find a resolution to the ongoing protests and address the students' concerns. The management's response and willingness to engage with the students' union may help to alleviate tensions and find a way forward for the university community.

The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has taken a significant step towards ensuring the health and well-being of schoolgirls in the state. A bill proposing the provision of free menstrual hygiene products to girls in public schools has been passed for second reading.

Speaker Rt. Hon. Danladi Jatau announced the passage of the bill during a plenary session, praising Hon. Hajarat Danyaro for sponsoring the initiative.

 The bill aims to improve the hygienic conditions and overall health of schoolgirls, and has been referred to the House Committee on Health, Education, and Women Affairs for further review.

The committees are expected to submit their report by August 6, 2024. Hon. Hajarat Danyaro Ibrahim, Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs, emphasized the importance of the bill in preventing cervical cancer, improving hygiene, and addressing issues like womb blockage.

 Other lawmakers, including Hon. Larry Ven-Bawa, Hon. Daniel Ogazi, Hon. Mohammed Omadefu, Hon. Yusuf Chunbaya, and Rt. Hon. Muhammad Oyanki, also expressed support for the bill, highlighting its potential to enhance the quality of education for girls and reduce menstruation-related stigmatization.

Former Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna has urged his old club to sign Nico Williams, the talented Spanish winger who impressed at Euro 2024. Sagna believes Williams would be a perfect fit for the Gunners, praising his technical ability and pace.

Williams, who currently plays for Athletic Bilbao, has been linked to several top European clubs, including Barcelona.

 Sagna, who also played for Manchester City, expressed his admiration for Williams, saying, "I would love to see Nico Williams at Arsenal. He represents the freshness and energy the club needs, and he's got the legs to make an impact."

Sagna continued, "He's very good technically, able to find passes and play between the lines. He would fit Arsenal perfectly." However, he believes Williams may ultimately join Barcelona, reuniting with his international teammate, Lamine Yamal, on the right wing.

 Despite this, Sagna hopes to see Williams in the Premier League, showcasing his skills at the highest level.  

Shooting Stars SC has officially kicked off preparations for the upcoming 2024-25 Nigeria Premier Football League season.

 The team resumed training on Wednesday, with a mix of returning players and new signings participating in a light session at the Otunba Dipo Dina Stadium in Ijebu Ode.

Following a impressive fourth-place finish last season, the Oluyole Warriors are gearing up for another competitive campaign. Their first test will come against Nasarawa United at the Lafia City Stadium on August 31, when the new season officially gets underway.

As the team begins its build-up to the 2024-25 season, fans will be eager to see how the new signings blend with the retained players to challenge for honors.

 With a few weeks to go before the season opener, Shooting Stars SC is poised to make a strong push for success in the upcoming campaign.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has dismissed speculation that he is in the running to become the next England national team manager.

 The Football Association is currently searching for a replacement for Gareth Southgate, who resigned from the position after England's loss to Spain in the Euro 2024 final.

Postecoglou's name has been mentioned as a potential candidate for the role, but the Australian coach has categorically denied the rumors. When questioned about the speculation, Postecoglou replied, "I was taking a nap this afternoon, I have no idea about it." 

He reaffirmed his commitment to Tottenham, stating, "I'm the Tottenham manager, and my focus is totally on bringing success to this club."

Postecoglou's response puts to rest any speculation about his potential departure from Tottenham, and he can now focus on the upcoming season with the Premier League club.

 Having only joined Spurs last summer, Postecoglou is determined to make his mark on the team and lead them to success.

Stanley Nwabali, the Super Eagles goalkeeper, has returned to pre-season training with Chippa United despite speculation surrounding his future at the club. The 28-year-old's impressive performances last season have caught the attention of several clubs both in South Africa and abroad.

Nwabali's outstanding displays at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where he kept four clean sheets and helped Nigeria finish as runners-up, have further enhanced his reputation. As a result, he has attracted interest from top clubs, including Saudi outfit El-Ettifaq and English Championship side Queens Park Rangers. Additionally, South African giants Orlando Pirates are also reportedly keen on acquiring his services.

Despite the interest, no concrete offers have been made for the former Enyimba and Katsina United goalkeeper, and he

The Delta State Police Command has successfully apprehended three suspected gunrunners who manufacture and supply weapons to armed robbers and kidnappers. The suspects, identified as Tega Dierunaba, Chibiuke Anuforo Cosmas, and Sunday Moses Pam, were arrested on July 16, 2024, following an intensive intelligence-led investigation.

According to Police Public Relations Officer SP Bright Edafe, the operatives arrested the suspects between 1 pm and 7:35 pm in Ughelli. Sunday Moses Pam, one of the suspects, was found to conceal and convey arms from Plateau State to Delta State. All three suspects have confessed to the crime, which was also admitted by Goodluck Sakutu, a previously arrested suspect from whom a fabricated AK-47 rifle was recovered.

The suspects are currently in custody, and the investigation is ongoing. This recent breakthrough is a follow-up to a previous recovery of a fabricated AK-47 rifle on June 8, 2024, which led to the arrest of three individuals. The Delta State Police Command's efforts to combat gunrunning and related criminal activities continue to yield positive results.

In a surprising turn of events, Nigerian aviation expert and youth activist, Isaac Balami, has defected from the Labour Party (LP) back to his former party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). Balami, who previously served as the National Deputy Campaign Manager for the Obi/Datti presidential campaign in 2023, made the announcement on Wednesday while addressing journalists in Abuja.

Balami had initially left the APC in 2023 due to the party's decision to field a Muslim-Muslim ticket, featuring President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima. However, he has now reversed his stance, stating that the current administration has proven him wrong. He acknowledged that the Muslim-Muslim ticket was the primary reason for his departure, but he has come to realize that it holds little significance.

Balami praised President Tinubu's administration for its efforts in promoting equity and appointing credible Nigerians to key positions. He highlighted the president's outreach to the Middle Belt region, stating that no previous administration has worked as closely with the region as the current one. Balami expressed his optimism for Nigeria's future under the APC's leadership, saying, "I can see a Nigeria that, in a few years, will thrive." Following consultations with leaders across Nigeria, his family, and the Middle Belt caucus, Balami resigned from the Labour Party and returned to the APC.

Chaos erupted in Rivers State on Wednesday as a group of individuals blocked the entrance to the Port Harcourt Refinery Complex in Alesa-Elema. A viral video posted by social media influencer Imran Muhammed showed the group dancing to music in a makeshift tent and slaughtering a cow.

The motives behind the protest remain unclear, but sources suggest that the group is determined to halt the refinery's operations. Despite attempts to reach out to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) for clarification,

Prophet Jeremiah Fufeyin, the founder of Christ Mercyland Deliverance Ministries (CMDM), has responded to criticism over his "miracle soap" product, stating that it has received approval from the Nigerian government. The product, which includes soap, perfume, and water, was launched by Fufeyin to promote spiritual growth and well-being.

However, Abel Damina, the founder of Power City International in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has condemned the product, accusing Fufeyin of being a businessman rather than a prophet. In a video response, Fufeyin defended his product, revealing that it has a registered number from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

Fufeyin claimed that he has personally used the soap and achieved success, stating, "I used it and succeeded with it. Something you don't know quite." He encouraged those suffering to try the soap, asking, "Are you not tired of suffering?" The controversy surrounding Fufeyin's miracle products continues to spark debate among Nigerians.