INSTANT NEWS

Real Madrid is delighted to find that Kylian Mbappe is a unique individual, distinct from club legend Cristiano Ronaldo. After years of pursuit, the La Liga club finally signed Mbappe as a free agent this summer.

Mixed Start to Life in Spain

Mbappe's start at Real Madrid has been a mixed bag. He scored on his debut in the UEFA Super Cup but then went three matches without finding the net in the league campaign. However, he broke his Spanish top-flight duck with a brace against Real Betis.

Adapting to a New Team

According to a club source, Mbappe's adaptation to his new team has been a work in progress. "It's as you would expect: an adaptation to a team that has changed a lot and in which he has to find his place. And he is finding it." While it hasn't been a seamless transition, the source emphasizes that it's not a cause for concern.

A Positive Outlook

The source's comments suggest that Real Madrid is taking a patient and realistic approach to Mbappe's integration. With time, they expect him to find his footing and become a key player for the team.

Dickson Ndiema, the man who allegedly set his girlfriend Rebecca Cheptegei on fire, has succumbed to his injuries. Ndiema passed away on Monday from severe burns sustained during the attack on the Ugandan athlete.

Recap of the Heinous Crime

On September 1, Ndiema had doused Cheptegei in petrol and set her ablaze while she was returning home from church in western Trans Nzoia County, Nairobi. The brutal attack left Cheptegei with burns covering 75% of her body.

Cheptegei's Untimely Death

Sadly, Cheptegei's injuries proved fatal, and she passed away due to the severe damage caused by the burns. The attack affected multiple organs in her body, leading to her tragic demise. She was being treated at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret City before her passing.

Justice Served?

While Ndiema's death may seem like a form of justice, it does little to alleviate the pain and suffering caused by his heinous act. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of domestic violence and the importance of seeking help and support.

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard was spotted on crutches while boarding a flight back to the UK on Tuesday, sparking concerns about his availability for the upcoming North London Derby. The midfielder sustained an ankle injury while representing Norway in their 2-1 win over Austria on Monday.

Injury Details

Odegaard's injury occurred in the 67th minute of the match when he was subjected to a slide tackle by Christoph Baumgartner. The severity of the injury was evident as Odegaard was seen in tears while being taken off the field.

Assessment and Diagnosis

The Arsenal captain has returned to London, where he will undergo a thorough assessment by the club's medical team. Manager Mikel Arteta will be anxiously awaiting the diagnosis, hoping for a positive outcome ahead of Sunday's highly anticipated match against Tottenham Hotspur.

Uncertainty Ahead of North London Derby

Odegaard's injury has cast a shadow of uncertainty over his participation in the North London Derby. The Gunners will be eager to have their captain back on the pitch, but his availability will depend on the outcome of the medical assessment. Fans will be keeping their fingers crossed for a speedy recovery.

Nasarawa United head coach, Kabiru Dogo, has appealed for increased fan support as the team seeks success in the Nigeria Premier Football League this season. Dogo believes that the team's performance will benefit significantly from the energy and motivation provided by their supporters.

Commendation for Players

Dogo praised his players for their effort in Sunday's 1-1 draw with Shooting Stars, acknowledging that they gave their best but lacked experience in certain areas. He noted that the team created more scoring opportunities than their opponents but failed to capitalize on them.

Atmosphere and Reception

The coach was impressed with the atmosphere and reception the team received from the fans, describing it as "overwhelming." He emphasized the importance of continued support from the fans as the season progresses, stating that it will be crucial in driving the team's success.

Experience and Luck

Dogo attributed Shooting Stars' equalizing goal to luck and experience, highlighting the difference it made in the game. Despite the draw, he remains optimistic about the team's potential and is eager to see them build on their performance with the backing of their fans.

Dorival Junior, the head coach of Brazil's national team, has made a bold prediction that his team will reach the final of the 2026 World Cup. The Selecao has a rich history in the tournament, having won five titles, with their last victory coming in 2002 when they defeated Germany in the final.

Confidence High

Junior expressed his unwavering confidence in his team's ability to go all the way in 2026, stating, "We will be in the 2026 World Cup final. We will be finalists." He emphasized his conviction, saying, "You can film me while I'm saying this. I have no doubts. We will be there."

A Return to Glory

Brazil's last World Cup title came 24 years ago, and Junior is determined to lead his team back to glory. With a talented squad and a strong team ethos, the Selecao will be a force to be reckoned with in 2026. Junior's prediction has set the bar high, and fans will be eagerly watching to see if his team can deliver on his promise.

Super Eagles caretaker coach, Augustine Eguavoen, has announced his starting lineup for the team's 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Rwanda. The lineup features one change from the team that defeated Benin Republic last weekend, with the same 3-4-3 formation being retained.

Goalkeeper and Defence

Stanley Nwabali will start in goal, protected by a solid defence consisting of captain William Troost-Ekong, Semi Ajayi, and Calvin Bassey. Ola Aina and Bruno Onyemaechi will operate as wing-backs, providing width and support to the attack.

Midfield Duo

In midfield, Lazio's Fisayo Dele-Bashiru has been preferred ahead of Alex Iwobi to partner Wilfred Ndidi. This duo will provide the engine room for the team, dictating the pace of the game and creating scoring opportunities.

Attacking Trio

Victor Boniface will lead the attack, supported by Ademola Lookman and Samuel Chukwueze. This trio will be tasked with breaking down Rwanda's defence and scoring crucial goals to secure victory for the Super Eagles.

Val Obienyem, the Media Adviser to Peter Obi, the Labour Party's presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, has categorically denied rumors that his principal was arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) at his home in Anambra State.

A False and Baseless Claim

In a statement released on Tuesday, Obienyem described the reports as entirely false and baseless. He emphasized that Peter Obi was not even in Anambra State at the time of the alleged incident, making it impossible for him to have been arrested.

Peter Obi's Whereabouts

According to Obienyem, Peter Obi was in Rwanda attending important engagements on Saturday and has since returned to Nigeria. He is currently in Edo State, where he is actively involved in party and national matters.

No DSS Operation or Arrest

Obienyem reiterated that there was no DSS operation at Peter Obi's residence, and no arrest was made. He urged the public to disregard the false reports and rely on credible sources for accurate information.

Former lawmaker, Senator Shehu Sani has said Senator Dino Melaye and the national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso, differed on the crisis plaguing the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Sani stated that while Melaye was of the view that the PDP was murdered, Kwankwaso submitted that the party died naturally and went on to declare himself as the ‘messiah’.

The former lawmaker, in a post on his X handle on Sunday, suggested that Kwankwaso’s comment on the PDP attracted angrier reaction than that of Melaye, his former colleague in the Senate.

He said: “Senator Dino lamented that PDP was murdered while Senator Kwankwaso submitted that PDP died naturally and declared himself as the messiah. The latter appears to attract more angrier reactions. A coroner is needed.”

Instantnews reported that Kwankwaso, the NNPP’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, who came fourth in the election, said he will win the 2027 presidential election.

Kwankwaso also claimed that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is already dead.

“I wish to remind you that Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is already dead, because we were in the party, since they have gone out of the line, we decided to check out,” he said.

Meanwhile, Melaye, a chieftain of the PDP, in a post on X recently decried the crisis plaguing the party, saying it has been destroyed by the acting chairman, Umar Damagun and others.

“End of the road for PDP as Damagun, Bature and Anyanwu irredeemably destroyed the party. We will talk about the commercialisation and privatisation of PDP. PDP is now once upon a time,” he wrote

The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS and the National Association of Ogun State Students NAOSS have said they will not be part of the planned nationwide protest against hunger and poor governance.

The nationwide protest tagged #EndBadGovernance, is scheduled to take place in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory from August 1 to 10.

The students who staged a rally against the planned protest on Wednesday in Abeokuta expressed concerns that the planned protest may be hijacked by hoodlums to cause chaos and disrupt the peace of the country.

Addressing journalists during the rally, the National President of NAOSS, Thomas Kehinde called on students to shun any calls to participate in nationwide protests.

He said, “We, the leaders of the collective students structures in Ogun State have staged this rally to emphasise that the student community in Ogun State will not be part of the planned nationwide protests.

“As you are aware, the organisers of the protests are mobilising across the country in preparation for the march against the current economic hardship in the country. Though we are not against any group or groups protesting, we are using this avenue to declare our intention and readiness not to be part of these protests.

“To this end, we are calling on students in Ogun State not to join any protest and to shun any calls to participate in anyone under the guise of nationwide protests.

“Though planners of the protests said that they would be organised in a peaceful manner; that is easier said than done. We want to caution that such protests could be hijacked by the hoodlums to perpetrate looting, robbery, and vandalisation of both public and private infrastructure as well as attacks on targeted personalities.

“Also, clandestine factors could come into play and thereby escalate the situation from just a peaceful protest to violence and ill wind which blows anybody good.

“As Nigerians, the bitter experience of the EndSARS protests is still lingering in our memories. Therefore, to avoid the replay of the wanton destruction and alleged killings that accompanied the EndSARS protests, we hereby emphasize that students in Ogun should stay away from the nationwide protests.

“Leaderships of student associations in Ogun State as organised associations dedicated to serving the interests of students will never drive their members to participate in activities that have a high propensity of leading in violence and destruction.

“Therefore, we urge students in the State to remain calm and continue to believe in the ability of their leaders to champion the cause of their welfare and well-being in manners devoid of violence

The Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun has explained why the introduction of Compress Natural Gas is a game changer in Ogun State and across the country.

The Governor, in this interview with journalists also explained that the conversion of the state’s buses to CNG buses was helping greatly to cushion the effect of the removal of fuel subsidy and also positively projecting the renewed hope agender of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Excerpts!

Your Excellency, you were one of the governors who led the private sector to meet with President Bola Tinubu after the fuel subsidy removal last year, where the president spoke about the introduction of the CNG alternative. On Wednesday, we saw you riding a CNG bike. Was that for pleasure, or is the CNG initiative here with us?

Yes, you saw me riding the CNG bike, but let us take some steps back. Sometime last year, we launched our CNG Mass Transit Programme, which was basically the conversion of some of our state-owned buses to become CNG powered. This was because we knew that the president was going to deregulate, and this was the posture of all the presidential candidates before the elections. Hence, the state government, as a responsible entity, had to move in that direction; Thus, we started that programme, knowing full well that as soon as the vision became a reality, it would affect the cost of transportation of people, goods, and services.

So, what we did last October was to actualize and domesticate the Renewed Hope Initiative to begin to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal. That was our Phase 1, and Wednesday was Phase II, which was our E-Mobility Launch, showcasing electric motorbikes, electric tricycles, CNG tricycles, and electric vehicles.

Yes, you saw me riding a bike; I used to ride one back in the day when I was much younger. More importantly, what we are trying to achieve is to drastically reduce the cost of transportation because when you deregulate, particularly at this period when our people are agitating about food prices, one of the major elements that contribute to inflation is the cost of transportation.

I recall today, Thursday, someone called to say he bought yam in Lagos at a particular price, which was quite higher than what it was at Ikire. You find that the difference between the price in Lagos and that of Ikire was because of the cost of transportation. This is what we set out to achieve, and I can see that we have been very successful in that objective. When we launched our CNG buses, it crashed the cost of transportation for our people within Abeokuta and between Ogun State and Lagos and actually forced down fares from the Mowe-Ibafo corridor to Lagos.

Now, let me give you a practical example so you can properly understand the impact. On Wednesday, we launched the e-bike, and those e-bikes have no engines. All they have is a battery that makes them practically noiseless. The emissions are zero, which means that we are not polluting the environment in terms of environmental impact.

We are now going to reduce the cost of transportation by around 45 per cent. All that these e-bikes need is to have their batteries charged. Once charged, they will power the bikes for about 75 kilometers on a single charge. We have charging stations located around the state where riders can charge within two to three minutes, thereby creating another small economy for those at the sub-stations. In one breath, we are reducing the cost of transportation; in another breath, we are reducing pollution and building a small economy for those who would be managing the substations.

Let me give you another example. We also launched on Wednesday a particular CNG-powered tricycle that previously travelled about 120 kilometres on fuel that would cost about N14,000. The one we launched will travel the same distance on CNG that will cost about N2,000 to power. As I said, all we do in Ogun State is to domesticate the Asiwaju solution, which means that regardless of the level of inflation, this will provide the cushioning effect that will reduce the cost of transportation.

Why is it that it is only Ogun State doing this? It is supposed to be done by all 36 governors and the FCT to ameliorate the effect of the subsidy removal?

Well, for us, we occupy a strategic position in the country. We are the closest to the financial capital of Nigeria. I also enjoy an advantage: I have a large number of gas stations in my state. The gas pipeline that goes all the way to Ibese, passes through my state, leading to the proliferation of industries in Ogun State because of access to power. So, for me, I took advantage of that.

It is not because of any special funding; we have not been given any special funding by the Federal Government. It is just because of the strategic location of my state and proximity to Lagos. I realized that it was important for me to immediately cash in on this initiative and provide an alternative means of transportation that will cushion the effect of the deregulation that was brought to a stop; the monster that consumed N500 billion to N600 billion a month in fuel subsidy as of then.

As far back as about two months ago, there was a report that the Federal Government was going to give N10 billion to each state for CNG mass transit to reduce transportation costs. Are you saying that the money has not been disbursed?

You see, the problem with the average Nigerian is that we are very impatient. From the announcement of a policy to its implementation, it takes a period of time. They are working assiduously to ensure that what we are doing in the state is replicated across the country. But let me tell you something: the CNG case is not like the COVID case, where one size fits all. It takes some time to identify the type, make, and model of vehicles, so it is taking that much time to put a system in place. I know they are working on it, such that they log onto their site and indicate the model of vehicle and where you are. At the appropriate time, they will allocate a time for you to bring your vehicle for conversion to CNG. So, as time goes by, it will become commonplace in Nigeria.

Rest assured that even though I am not trying to speak for them, I have knowledge of what they are working on. You can imagine what we have done in Ogun State, which is a state of about 5,000,000 people, compared to the whole of Nigeria, where we have a population of over 200 million. I am sure that in a few months, we will begin to appreciate the progress in many states. They are working on this CNG conversion, and the president is particularly keen on ensuring that this scheme is successful.

Apart from the CNG buses, we understand that some transport organizations and unions are supposed to receive some subsidy also for CNG-enabled vehicles to help them with their transport businesses, and about three million households are supposed to receive about N50,000 each. What are you doing to reduce the pressure on private individuals? Give us a sense of what is going on, especially with the hunger and the protests today?

What I will say to Nigerians today, boldly, is that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has only been in office for a year and perhaps three months. It takes more than 15 months to reverse a trend that has permeated for a few years before his assumption of office. He has declared his principles and policies, and as soon as he was inaugurated and assumed office, he began implementing these audacious policies. These are policies that previous administrations were perhaps not bold enough to implement.

These policies have been applauded by development banks and organizations all over the world. It will take time for their impacts to begin to be felt by the common man. He has promised, and on Wednesday, the Minister (of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy) told all Nigerians that the President is aware of the current realities and is working assiduously to ensure that he lives up to the expectations of our people.

When he assumed office and declared that there was no going back to deregulation, he immediately began giving wage awards to all public servants. Only recently, he signed the Minimum Wage Act. That is a serious commitment. He has begun implementing the Students’ Loan Scheme. When last in the history of Nigeria did we see the disbursement of students’ loans to students of tertiary institutions? The FG is also implementing schemes for the elderly across the entire country and wards, and these schemes are ongoing. The president is giving out food palliatives through us governors, knowing that the impacts of the policies are being felt. Now, the FG is removing import restrictions on certain food items, and as of this week, rice should begin to be sold to people at N40,000 per bag. He has provided agricultural inputs, fertilizers, maize, corn, sorghum, all within one year! What more do we expect from a man who has a proven track record? He was governor of Lagos State for eight years. Lagos is the size of many African countries put together.

You will agree that the current issue of inflation is not applicable to Nigeria alone. Yesterday, there was a protest in Ghana, a protest in the UK, and not long ago, in Kenya. Inflation is rising all over the world. As much as I appreciate that elected officials must look out for the well-being and welfare of our people, our President is doing his very best and is committed. I believe that what we must do is allow him time so that we can see the impact of these policies.

The Naira has stabilized, and with the recent intervention of Mr. President in the Dangote/NNPC issue, which was made to appear like a controversy, that crude must be sold to Dangote Refinery and other refineries in Naira, you will see the reduction of pressure on the Naira and Dollar, and I am sure that you will see instant relief. That will reduce the exchange rate, and over time, you will see the multiplier effect on the economy.

The truth is that what we are going through now is like the pain of a woman who is trying to give birth. She will go through a lot of pain, but at the end of the day, when she gives birth, everyone is happy. So, I want to plead with Nigerians to give Mr. President and all of us time as well. He is doing everything he can, knowing that his number one role is to put food on our table. They are the ones who brought him into office, and he has said it so many times that, ‘Look, don’t pity me. I asked for this job. I campaigned for it. I invested to be President, and this is the only job I have.’

There are those who would be asking whether the cost of governance is one of the areas where the people would know that the government is listening to the agitation of the poor. There is this belief that we spend far too much on those who are in power while poverty is high in the country. Is there anything the government of the day will be doing in that respect?

Well, without a doubt, the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration is a considerate one. This is the first time, and I am glad that my brother, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, who spoke with you earlier, alluded to such things, even though I do not agree with everything. He said that this government is a responsive one.

This is the first time there would be protests or civil disobedience, and the government would go all out to ensure that they engage with diverse groups, explaining to them what the government is doing, what it has done, and what it intends to do. By doing so, they are providing moral suasion, and different groups came out, dissociating themselves from the protests. That clearly indicated that this administration is responsive to the needs of the people. So, I don’t think I need to say anything other than that.

The voices and cries of our people are being heard from the local governments to the state governments and to the Federal Government, and we are all working together. Last week, we met with Mr. President; we hold the National Economic Council meeting once a month to discuss the economy of the country and review our activities. I can tell you that the Nigeria of our dreams is just on the horizon. So, regarding the cost of governance, we have heard that you, and Mr. President has directed that public servants should buy locally made vehicles, and such vehicles must be powered by CNG. Look, this is the first time we have a president who has his fingers on the button