IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

Global sportswear brand PUMA has secured a major deal with the Premier League, becoming its Official Ball Supplier starting from the 2025/26 season.

Announced on Monday, this partnership sees PUMA take over from Nike, which has supplied match balls for the league for over two decades. The agreement will not only place PUMA’s ball at the heart of every Premier League match but also involve collaborations on grassroots programs, high-profile marketing campaigns, and events like the Premier League Summer Series in the U.S.

PUMA CEO Arne Freundt described the deal as a significant step in the company’s efforts to elevate its brand in elite football. "With PUMA’s ball at the center of attention during every match, we will create unforgettable moments for players and fans alike," he said.

Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters welcomed the partnership, emphasizing PUMA’s strong history in football and its alignment with the league’s values. "We are delighted to welcome PUMA as the Official Ball Supplier of the Premier League. Their global reach and commitment to excellence will help inspire fans worldwide," Masters stated.

With this landmark deal, PUMA expands its influence in top-tier football, strengthening its presence in the world's most-watched league. 

The Nigeria Wheelchair Basketball Federation (NWBF) has commended sports betting company BetKing for its unwavering support in fostering the growth of wheelchair basketball in the country. NWBF President, Seyi Johnson, lauded BetKing’s corporate social responsibility efforts, emphasizing the company’s commitment to Nigerian sports, particularly para-sports.

“BetKing has proven to be a true supporter of Nigerian sports,” Johnson said. “On behalf of the Nigeria Wheelchair Basketball Federation, its board, and all stakeholders, I want to personally appreciate their contributions. Words cannot fully express our gratitude for the kind of support they have shown.” He highlighted that when the federation initially approached BetKing, the company was highly receptive, demonstrating a deep understanding of Nigeria’s sporting history and the significant role of special sports in the country’s international success.

Johnson further called on more corporate organizations to follow BetKing’s example by supporting para-sports, especially as Nigeria undergoes a restructuring phase in its sports sector with the re-establishment of the National Sports Commission (NSC). “With more corporate players coming in to assist, just like BetKing, we will witness rapid growth in Nigerian para-sports,” he stated.

The NWBF president also expressed optimism about Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for its first-ever wheelchair basketball appearance at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow next year. He credited BetKing’s sponsorship as a key factor in helping the team prepare for the qualifiers set to take place later this year in South Africa.

As Nigeria continues to push for greater recognition in para-sports, the partnership between the NWBF and BetKing stands as a model for corporate involvement in driving inclusivity and excellence in sports. 

A High Court in Lafia, presided over by Justice Simon Aboki, has begun hearing the murder trial of 32-year-old gospel singer, Oluwatimilehin Daniel Ajayi, who is accused of killing and dismembering National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Salome Adaidu.

Ajayi, who was brought to court under tight security from the Nigerian Correctional Service, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Nasarawa State Government, represented by Attorney General Hauwa Samuel Jugbo, has officially taken over the prosecution from the police.

During the proceedings, prosecution counsel Raymond Umar requested an amendment to the defendant’s name, changing it from Timilehin Ajayi to his full legal name. Justice Aboki granted the request after verification.

Three witnesses, including the Divisional Police Officer of Karshi Police Station and the deceased’s uncle, Mr. Adaidu Samson, testified before the court.

During cross-examination, defense counsel Joseph Tuku Bisong questioned whether forensic investigations had confirmed the victim’s identity. In response, Mr. Samson stated that he immediately recognized his niece’s severed head when it was found inside a polythene bag.

Justice Aboki adjourned the case to Tuesday for further hearing.

Ajayi, also known as Timilehin Ajayi, was arrested on February 12 in connection with the brutal killing and dismemberment of the 24-year-old corps member. 

…Suspects Allegedly Targeted Petroleum Minister, Attempted to Infiltrate Tantita

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested 17 suspects linked to recent attacks on oil and gas facilities in the Niger Delta.

In a statement on Monday, NSCDC spokesperson Afolabi Babawale disclosed that the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CG’s SIS) apprehended the suspects following an assault on NSCDC operatives and personnel of Tantita Security Services, a private firm contracted by the Federal Government for pipeline surveillance.

During the attack, Assistant Superintendent Umar Aliyu (Service No. 6363) was killed, and a speedboat belonging to Tantita Security Services was stolen.

According to Commandant A.S. Dandaura, who led the operation, the suspects—a notorious syndicate of sea pirates—were captured on March 6, 2025, during a coordinated intelligence-led raid at Tonogbene, Ekeremo Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.

Arrested Suspects Include:

Ziakede Amatu

Aaron Ekogbene

Abilene Adeseotu

Toukekenme Emmanuel Police

Ken David Timiprey

Ekogbene Isaac Pius

Guy Tigan Victor

Timothy Ebibakote

Odebor Abade Joseph

Zikena Kingsley

Kelly Babylon

Dide Tuboukebuleye

ThankGod Ezu

Godwin Aseyapwayei

Timis Tokoni

Recovered Items:

One AK-47 rifle

Two empty AK-47 magazines

Charms

15 Tantita Security uniforms

15 Tantita Security T-shirts

15 black boots

Dandaura also recounted a prior attack on January 21, 2025, when suspected vandals and sea pirates ambushed a joint security team of NSCDC and Tantita personnel at their base in Torugbene II, Ekeremo LGA, Bayelsa State. Armed with sophisticated weapons, the attackers opened fire indiscriminately, killing ASC Umar Aliyu and seizing his AK-47 rifle. A Tantita operative, Ebikame Seimeneyefa, was shot, and the security firm’s speedboat was hijacked.

Through persistent operations, security forces tracked and arrested the 17-member gang led by Ziakede Amatu, a known vandal, kidnapper, and armed robber from Norgbene, Bayelsa State.

Link to Petroleum Minister’s Attack

Investigations revealed that the syndicate was behind an attack on the Minister of State for Petroleum, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, at his residence on January 1, 2025.

Amatu admitted to engaging in illegal petroleum refining in Abonema, Rivers State, in 2023 under a notorious figure known as "Emergency," who later disappeared, leaving behind seven AK-47 rifles hidden in the forest. He later relocated to Bayelsa State, where community elders advised him to retrieve the weapons for “protection.”

Further findings indicated that Amatu had attempted to join Tantita Security Services but was rejected. Frustrated by his failed attempt, he allegedly acquired Tantita uniforms to impersonate security operatives while carrying out attacks on oil installations.

The suspects are accused of attempting to sabotage Tantita Security’s operations and tarnish the image of its chairman, Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo), after failing to secure a surveillance contract. Their activities ultimately escalated into the deadly attack on NSCDC and Tantita operatives. 

Nigerian music star Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, has made history as the first African artist to be featured on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine.

The American publication, renowned for its coverage of music, politics, and pop culture, announced Rema as the cover star for its April 2025 edition. Mavin Records celebrated the achievement on Instagram, calling him the “Afrobeats Visionary.”

Following the announcement, Rema delivered an electrifying performance at the Rolling Stone concert, thrilling audiences with hits like Dumebi, Woman, and Calm Down.

This milestone further solidifies Rema’s influence in global music, coming shortly after his feature on Dazed magazine.

Since rising to fame in 2019 under Mavin Records, Rema has continued to push Afrobeats to new heights. His hit song Calm Down, featuring Selena Gomez, became the most streamed Afrobeats track in history, surpassing a billion streams on Spotify and earning multiple platinum certifications. It also became the first African-led track to top the Middle East and North Africa's official streaming chart, earning him a Guinness World Record.

Rema has also made history as the first African artist to perform at the prestigious Ballon d’Or ceremony in 2023, further cementing his status as a trailblazer for African music. 

The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) management to address a four-point demand related to workers’ welfare and alleged victimization of labor leaders.

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos on Monday, NASU General Secretary, Prince Peters Adeyemi, warned that all WAEC offices across the country would be shut down from Monday, March 24, if the demands are not met.