IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana has been left out of Sunday's Premier League game at Newcastle. Onana was at fault for both Lyon goals in his side's 2-2 draw in the Europa League on Thursday - a day after he had been called "one of the worst goalkeepers" in United's history by former Red Devils player Nemanja Matic.

Sources confirmed Onana has been omitted from Ruben Amorim's squad for the game at St James' Park to allow the Cameroon international to "rest and disconnect".

It is expected he will be in contention to face Lyon in the return leg of the quarter-final tie at Old Trafford on Thursday and has been assured the change is not regarded as permanent.

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe will miss Sunday's match after he was admitted to hospital having "felt unwell for a number of days", the club has said. 

Effective April 21, 2025, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has approved comprehensive reforms in land administration to improve transparency, revenue, and development.

Key Highlights:

- Area Council Allocations Regularised:

  Over 250,000 pending land documents from Area Councils to be vetted; valid ones will get statutory titles. Allottees will have 60 days to complete payments or forfeit the offer.

- Mass Housing Titles for Buyers:

  Properties in Mass Housing estates to be titled directly in favour of buyers, not just developers. New framework begins April 21, 2025.

- Development Deadline Set:

  All land allottees must develop plots within 2 years of receiving the Right of Occupancy (R-of-O), or risk revocation.

- 21-Day Payment Window for New R-of-Os:

  Allottees must pay all required fees and submit acceptance within 21 days of offer. Late payments will be invalid.

These reforms aim to curb land speculation, eliminate racketeering, and fast-track infrastructure and housing delivery in the FCT. 

CONMEBOL President Alejandro Dominguez has proposed expanding the 2030 FIFA World Cup to 64 teams, highlighting the tournament’s centennial significance.

Speaking at CONMEBOL’s 80th Ordinary Congress, Dominguez said the expanded format would honor the 100-year anniversary of the World Cup, which will be hosted across six countries on three continents: Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay, Spain, Portugal, and Morocco.

The 2026 edition will already see an increase from 32 to 48 teams. 

A crowd of women on Friday flooded the Aba road area of Port Harcourt, demanding the reinstatement of the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Ngozi Odu. The protest, which began along the major road, and advanced to the Rivers State Government House, featured placards with bold inscriptions such as “Bring back Fubara”, “Save our democracy”, “Is the law different for Rivers State?”, and “God of justice, arise for Rivers State.”

Chanting songs of solidarity, the women, who described themselves as mothers and wives, appealed directly to President Bola Tinubu to lift the suspension on Governor Fubara and reinstate all democratic institutions in the state. They decried what they referred to as “unconstitutional military rule masked as a state of emergency,” insisting that Rivers people deserve better than what they termed an undemocratic arrangement.

Speaking to Channels Television, some of the protesters and leaders expressed their frustration over the ongoing political crisis in the state. They noted that despite the situation, Governor Fubara has continued to work, delivering the dividends of democracy. “We are a peaceful people and do not deserve this kind of injustice. The governor has been doing his job despite the distractions. What is happening now is not democracy,” one of the protesters said.

The demonstration remained peaceful, with women of all ages joining the march. Protest leaders emphasized that their movement was not about politics but about protecting the democratic values of the state. 

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has advised Senate President Godswill Akpabio to pursue a civil libel suit rather than involving the police in his defamation case against suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Akpabio had petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over remarks made by Akpoti-Uduaghan at a Kogi rally, alleging they constituted criminal defamation and incitement. He requested her prosecution, also copying the Attorney General of the Federation.

Responding, Falana described the matter as a politically motivated civil dispute, cautioning against criminalising free speech. Citing a 1985 Court of Appeal ruling, he stressed that public officials should seek redress through civil litigation, not state machinery.

“If defamed, Senator Akpabio should file a libel suit in the appropriate court,” Falana stated. 

Wife of the Ogun State Governor, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, has urged residents and stakeholders to intensify awareness efforts on the upcoming Measles and Rubella (M-R) vaccination campaign.

Speaking during a sensitisation programme for wives of Local Government Chairmen and other stakeholders in Abeokuta on Friday, Mrs. Abiodun emphasised the need to take the campaign to grassroots communities ahead of the nationwide rollout in October.

Highlighting alarming statistics, she noted that measles remains a leading cause of death among under-five children, with outbreaks still reported across Nigeria. She also warned of the dangers of rubella, which can cause severe birth defects if contracted during pregnancy.

Mrs. Abiodun described the introduction of the M-R vaccine as a vital step toward saving millions of lives and reducing the burden of preventable childhood diseases. She urged mothers and community leaders to prioritise children's health and support the vaccination drive.

Also speaking, Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Tayo Lawal, stressed the importance of public education and engagement, recommending workshops, informational materials, and digital outreach to promote vaccine uptake.