General news

• English FA says ‘deeply concerned’ over FIFA plans

  29-07-2026 12:28 via vanguardngr.com
  
  England’s Football Association said Wednesday it was “deeply concerned about the lack of process and governance” after FIFA confirmed plans to sell stakes in its major competitions.The sport’s world governing body on Tuesday announced proposals to set up a commercial subsidiary to run events, which would reportedly have links to the extended family of US President Donald Trump.The announcement produced a furious backlash from European football’s governing body
  
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• Oscar winner Jared Leto denies sexual assault allegations after BBC documentary

  30-07-2026 16:24 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Adegboyega AdeleyeOscar-winning actor and Thirty Seconds to Mars frontman Jared Leto has denied allegations of sexual assault and criminal sexual conduct after a BBC documentary featured accounts from 10 women, four of whom accused him of offences allegedly committed when they were teenagers.The documentary, “Jared Leto: Hollywood’s Dark Secret”, released by the BBC on Wednesday, includes testimonies from 10 women, with nine speaking publicly for the first time. The women a
  
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• Atletico complain to FIFA over Barca’s Alvarez approach

  30-07-2026 16:17 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Barcelona have received a complaint from Atletico Madrid filed with FIFA over allegedly tapping up Julian Alvarez, a source from the Catalan club told AFP Thursday.Argentina striker Alvarez said during the World Cup it would be “the best thing for everyone” for Atletico to let him leave, amid strong Barca transfer interest.Atletico believe Barcelona made prohibited contact with the 26-year-old attacker to encourage him to force his departure.Barca president Joan Laporta said at the
  
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• Man vandalises ex-lover’s apartment, docked

  30-07-2026 15:58 via vanguardngr.com
  
  A 35-year-old man, Samuel, on Thursday appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly breaking into his former lover’s apartment and damaging property worth N650,000.Samuel, whose address was not provided, is facing a three-count charge of malicious damage, unlawful entry and conduct likely to cause inconvenience.Read Also: Idi Amin’s grandson disqualified from Commonwealth boxing boutThe prosecutor, SP Josephine Ikhayere, told the court that the defendant
  
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• Tricycle ticket dispute: Pass distributor stabbed to death in Taraba, two arrested

  30-07-2026 15:55 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Femi BolajiJALINGO — Operatives of the Taraba State Police Command have arrested two suspects in connection with the killing of a commercial tricycle union pass distributor at Angwan Kassa junction, a suburb of Jalingo, the state capital.The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, caused panic among residents and commuters in the area.Vanguard gathered that the deceased was involved in an altercation with a commercial tricycle (Keke NAPEP) operator after he allegedly intercepted the ope
  
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• Adidas apologises for plethora of pink boots at World Cup

  30-07-2026 15:52 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Adidas on Thursday apologised for a surfeit of pink boots at the World Cup, saying that it was a coincidence that they were sported by a striking number of players.Asked by AFP about the unusual uniformity of boot colours during a press conference on the company’s quarterly results, Adidas CEO Bjorn Gulden said “it was an accident”.“I think it’s a coincidence, and I hope it will not happen again,” he added.It was not the colour itself but different brands all
  
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• Remi Tinubu seeks Western education for Almajiri children

  30-07-2026 15:50 via vanguardngr.com
  
  The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, has called for greater support to ensure that Almajiri and out-of-school children have access to formal education that combines Arabic instruction with Western education.‎Tinubu made the call on Thursday in Abuja while receiving the new Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Nigeria, Amb. Yousef bin Mohammed Albalawi, and the embassy’s Chief of Staff, Mr Mohammed Bukar.She said that formal education would improve the children’s standard of living and he
  
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• NMDPRA seeks West African benchmark for petroleum products pricing

  30-07-2026 15:50 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Obas Esiedesa, AbujaThe Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has called on petroleum regulators across West Africa to collaborate on establishing a regional pricing benchmark for refined petroleum products.The authority said a transparent West African pricing mechanism would strengthen market confidence, promote cross-border trade and attract investment into the downstream petroleum sector.The Chief Executive of NMDPRA, Rabiu Umar, made the call in Abuja
  
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• Otedola raises FirstHoldco stake to 26% with N222bn share purchase

  30-07-2026 15:48 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Peter EgwuatuFemi Otedola, Chairman of First HoldCo Plc, has increased his stake in the financial institution after acquiring additional 1.779 billion shares valued at N222.209 billion.The acquisition was disclosed in a statement signed by the company’s Secretary, Abiola Baruwa, and filed with the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) on Thursday.According to the statement, the shares were purchased through Otedola’s investment vehicle, Calvados Global Services Limited, at N124.90 per
  
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• FCCPC seeks unified consumer protection rules as states open electricity markets

  30-07-2026 15:47 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Progress GodfreyABUJA — The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has called for stronger collaboration and harmonised regulatory frameworks among electricity sector regulators as states begin to establish and operate their own electricity markets.The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of FCCPC, Mr Tunji Bello, said the implementation of the Electricity Act, 2023, had significantly altered Nigeria’s electricity regulatory landscape by emp
  
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• NAPTIP reunites 258 trafficking victims, records 78 cases in Jigawa

  30-07-2026 15:44 via vanguardngr.com
  
  The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), says it has recorded 78 cases, rescued and reunited 258 victims with their families in the last three years in Jigawa.The NAPTIP Commander in the state, Mr Abdulkadir Turajo, made this known on Thursday in Dutse in a statement to commemorate the 2026 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.Turajo said a total of 512 migrants who are indigene of the state were also returned from different countries by the International
  
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• Ebonyi warns against encroachment on government lands

  30-07-2026 15:41 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Jeff Agbodo, AbakalikiThe Ebonyi State Government has warned individuals encroaching on Development Centre lands and other government-owned properties in the state to desist or face legal action.The State Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Dr. Matthew Nwobasi, gave the warning during a meeting with coordinators of the 64 Development Centres in the state at his office in Centenary City, Abakaliki.Nwobasi disclosed that several Development Centre lands had been encroached upon and directed tho
  
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• PDP to Bode George: History is moving forward, remain behind if you wish

  30-07-2026 15:37 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Luminous JannamikeABUJA — The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on Thursday told former Deputy National Chairman, Chief Bode George, to accept that ‘history is moving forward’ and remain behind if he could not embrace the party’s new direction, escalating the war of words over his recent television interview.The latest exchange highlights the deepening divisions within the opposition party as its current leadership digs in over its legitimacy, internal reforms and prepar
  
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• Management has not abandoned Eastern Ports— Rivers Port manager

  30-07-2026 15:37 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Efe OnodjaeThe Manager of the Rivers Port Complex, Kenechi Okaeze, has assured stakeholders that the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has not abandoned the Eastern Ports, contrary to concerns expressed by some industry players.Okaeze gave the assurance while responding to questions from participants during an interactive session with members of the Maritime Correspondents Organisation of Nigeria (MARCON) in Port Harcourt where she represented the Minister of Marine and Blue E
  
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• ‘Where is the Tinubu we knew?’ Babachir Lawal questions President’s leadership style

  30-07-2026 15:33 via vanguardngr.com
  
  …Accuses FG of Lagos-centric projects, alleges judiciary has lost independenceBy Olayinka AjayiABUJA — Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership style, alleging that the President has departed from the inclusive governance approach he displayed during his tenure as Lagos State governor.Lawal, in a viral online interview, claimed that the Tinubu who governed Lagos demonstrated broader inc
  
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• Is FIFA selling the FIFA World Cup? 5 things to know

  30-07-2026 15:22 via vanguardngr.com
  
  FIFA has clarified that it is not selling the FIFA World Cup, following the unveiling of a proposal to create a new commercial subsidiary aimed at strengthening the financial future of global football.The governing body said the proposed entity, known as FIFA Football Enterprises (FFE), would remain fully owned and controlled by FIFA, while allowing external investors to provide commercial expertise and long-term capital to maximise the value of its commercial rights and events.Here are five ke
  
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• Atiku queries Tinubu’s allocation of N15. 13b for 39 SUVS, demands particulars

  30-07-2026 15:21 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Omeiza AjayiABUJA: Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress ADC, Atiku Abubakar, has dared President Bola Tinubu to publish the chassis numbers, suppliers and contract details of 39 Sport Utility Vehicles SUVs for which ₦15.13 billion was appropriated in the 2026 Federal Budget, or admit that Nigerians have been defrauded.In a statement on Thursday in Abuja, through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said an analysis by public ac
  
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• Rising insecurity: UNIJOS summons students to emergency meeting

  30-07-2026 15:17 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Golok NanmwaJOS — The management of the University of Jos (UNIJOS) has summoned all students to a crucial meeting over rising security concerns and recent incidents within and around the institution.The university has also declared a lecture-free period to enable students attend the meeting scheduled for Friday, July 31, 2026, at the Faculty of Social Sciences Auditorium by 9:00 a.m.The directive was contained in an internal memorandum referenced UJ/VC/55, dated July 29, 2026, and sign
  
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• ‘Nigerians condemned us’ — IGP on 56-day Oriire school rescue

  30-07-2026 15:17 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Enitan AbdultawabInspector-General of Police (IGP) Olatunji Disu has opened up about the challenges security agencies faced during the rescue of pupils and teachers abducted from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, saying authorities came under intense public criticism while carrying out the delicate operation.Disu spoke on Thursday while hosting leadership delegations from the National Defence College (NDC) and the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association
  
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• Ex-finance Minister, Alhaji Abubakar Alhaji dies at 87

  30-07-2026 15:15 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Former Minister of Finance and Sardaunan Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Alhaji, has died at the age of 87.Family sources confirmed that the elder statesman passed away in Abuja on Thursday.
  Details surrounding his death were not immediately disclosed.Alhaji held several key positions in Nigeria’s public service, including serving as Minister of State for Budget and Planning in 1988 before his appointment as Minister of Finance between 1990 and 1991 under the military administration of former Pre
  
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• LASTMA receives 2,843 calls in 30 days via toll-free line, opens complaint centre

  30-07-2026 15:13 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Olasunkanmi AkoniThe Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has disclosed that its newly introduced toll-free hotline received 2,843 public engagements within its first 30 days of operation as part of efforts to improve transparency and strengthen citizen participation.The figures, covering the period from June 28 to July 29, 2026, were released by the agency’s Digital Centre, which manages the 3367 toll-free call centre.According to LASTMA, the engagements comprised 1,047 e
  
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• ‘I enjoyed every moment’, Rashford bids farewell to Barcelona after loan spell

  30-07-2026 15:06 via vanguardngr.com
  
  England forward Marcus Rashford has bid an emotional farewell to FC Barcelona following the end of his time at the Catalan club.Rashford took to social media to thank the club, teammates and supporters for making his stay a memorable one, saying he would cherish the experiences he gained during his spell.“I’m very grateful to everyone at the club for making my time here such a positive and memorable experience. I’ve enjoyed every moment and will take many special memories with
  
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• Tinubu honours Aguiyi-Ironsi, hails him as symbol of unity, courage

  30-07-2026 15:04 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Kingsley OmonobiUMUAHIA — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has paid tribute to Nigeria’s first Military Head of State, the late General Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi, describing him as a symbol of patriotism, courage, discipline and selfless service to the nation.The President’s message was delivered by the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), during the 60th memorial celebration of the late General held in Umuahia, Abia State, on July 29, 2026.Represe
  
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• George and Amal Clooney flee French home due to wildfire

  30-07-2026 15:00 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Hollywood star George Clooney and his human rights lawyer wife Amal have evacuated their French home near the southeastern town of Brignoles after a fast-moving wildfire broke out nearby, authorities said Thursday.Over the past week, France has been battling some of the country’s worst forest fires in living memory.The largest fire has ravaged 42,000 hectares (103,000 acres)– an area larger than the US city of Detroit — in the southwest of France.The Clooneys, who have nine-ye
  
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• Seplat Energy to sell 10% NNPCL joint venture stake for $281.6m

  30-07-2026 14:58 via vanguardngr.com
  
  LAGOS/LONDON — Seplat Energy Plc has signed a binding agreement with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) for the sale of a 10 per cent working interest in the assets held by their joint venture for a transaction value of approximately $281.6 million.The energy company, listed on both the Nigerian Exchange and the London Stock Exchange, disclosed in a statement on Thursday that its subsidiaries, Seplat Energy Offshore Limited (SEOL) and Seplat Energy Producing Nigeri
  
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• WAEC drags NASU to court over strike; NYCN, union differ on causes

  30-07-2026 14:56 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo, Elizabeth Osayande & Ifunanya NdigweThe management of the West African Examinations Council, WAEC, has taken the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, NASU, to the National Industrial Court to stop a planned strike over unmet staff welfare promises.Read Also: SSCE fee hike: Examination bodies would have generated N175bn annually — InvestigationThe court order followed the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued by the union on Jul
  
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• 2027: Don’t repeat 2015 mistake, vote wisely, Eze urges Rivers electorate

  30-07-2026 14:50 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Says no individual can impose governor on the stateBy Daniel AbiaPORT HARCOURT — A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has urged the electorate in Rivers State to vote wisely in the 2027 governorship election, saying the state should not repeat what he described as the mistakes of the 2015 polls.In a statement issued on Thursday in Port Harcourt, Eze called on Rivers residents to carefully assess candidates before casting their votes, arguing tha
  
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• IATA, AFRAA, AASA oppose airline charges for border security

  30-07-2026 14:46 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Dickson OmobolaAfrican Airlines Association, AFRAA, the Airlines Association of Southern Africa, AASA, and the International Air Transport Association, IATA, have urged African countries to implement the Advance Passenger Information, API, and Passenger Name Record, PNR, systems in accordance with International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO, standards and global best practices.API and PNR systems provide governments with passenger information ahead of travel, helping to strengthen border
  
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• 2027: APC North-West rallies support for Tinubu, lauds Uba Sani’s vehicle donation

  30-07-2026 14:44 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Ibrahim Hassan-WuyoKADUNA — The North-West chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced plans to embark on a strategic tour of the seven states in the region to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.The decision was reached at a meeting of the party’s zonal leadership held at the APC North-West Zonal Headquarters in Kaduna, where members reviewed the political situation in the region and outlined strategies aimed at strengt
  
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• ATM transactions rise 208% to N89trn

  30-07-2026 14:42 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Elizabeth AdegbesanThe value of Automated Teller Machines (ATM) transactions grew sharply by 208.4 percent year-on-year (YoY) to N89.12 trillion in 2025 from N29.12 trillion in 2024.The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, disclosed this in its 2025 Annual Report noting that the increase in ATM transactions reflects user preferences, adoption of digital channels, growth in e-commerce, and infrastructure improvements.Analysing retail payments for the review period, CBN said that the volume of e-paym
  
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