Author: straightnewsng.com

Edi Umoh Stephen Estaquio’s late strike led Canada to a 1-0 win over South Africa in the 2026 FIFA World Cup round of 32 fixture, and send the co-hosts to the round of 16 at the California stadium on Sunday. NAN reported that the midfielder finished from just outside the area to send Canada to their first ever round of 16 appearance in the country’s World Cup history. In the first round of 32 match, and the first-ever competitive meeting between both nations, South Africa had more possession but Canada were better in front of goal and were only thwarted…

Akakan Umoh The Akwa Ibom State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to implementing programmes aimed at promoting the welfare and economic empowerment of vulnerable groups particularly the widows. The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs. Inibehe Silas Etukudo, who gave the assurance on Friday, June 26, during the 2026 International Widows’ Day celebration held at the Women Development Centre in Uyo, said this would be done through sustained collaboration with development partners and relevant stakeholders. Speaking on the theme Justice, Dignity and Economic Power for Widows, Mrs Etukudo acknowledged the numerous challenges confronting widows, noting that Governor Umo…

Edi Umoh The 2026 FIFA World Cup has entered its knockout stage, with a number of teams in Round of 32 matches officially confirmed following the completion of several group-stage fixtures. World cup debutants Cape Verde have set up a blockbuster meeting with defending champions Argentina after becoming the smallest nation ever to reach the World Cup knockout rounds. South Africa will face Canada in the first confirmed Round of 32 fixtures after finishing as runners-up in Group A. Also read Mexico Dims South Africa’s Light at 2026 World Cup opener USA Join Mexico to Book Place for 2026 World…

Aniefiok Christopher  Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly (AKHA) has agreed on uniform bride prices and marriage requirements across communities in the state to reduce the financial burden on intending couples and promote marital rites. This followed the adoption of a motion by the member representing Ikot Abasi/Eastern Obolo State Constituency, Hon. Selinah Ukpatu, who expressed concern over what she described as the growing commercialisation of traditional marriage practices. Presenting the motion during plenary, Hon. Ukpatu lamented that exorbitant bride prices and excessively long marriage lists have placed marriage beyond the reach of many young people, resulting in delayed marriages…

Akakan Umoh The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and Presidential candidate of NDC, Peter Obi have expressed shock as Federal High Court, Abuja overturned judgment against the party. A Federal High Court in Lokoja had set aside its earlier judgment delivered on December 10, 2025, which directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the NDC as a political party. Earlier this month, the Federal High Court in Abuja, had ordered the deregistration of five political parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The Court of Appeal in Abuja later halted the enforcement of the judgment. The NDC National Chairman, Moses Zuwoghe, said…

Aniefiok Christopher The Akwa Ibom Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare, has challenged senior police officers to embrace mentorship as a fundamental leadership responsibility and a critical tool in building the next generation of professional police leaders in the Nigeria Police Force. Azare described mentorship as one of the most powerful instruments for institutional growth, stressing that policing is not merely about enforcing the law but also about developing capable, disciplined, ethical, and service-oriented officers who will sustain the vision and values for the Force. He made the call while delivering a lecture titled “Mentorship in Policing: Building the Next…

The Federal Government has praised the recent sanction of three Nigerian bureau de change operators by the United States Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) for alleged terrorism financing.  “The Nigeria Sanctions Committee welcomes the recent inclusion of Mukthar Muhammad Adamu, Nine to Nine BDC, and Generation BDC Limited by the United States Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) yesterday. “These designations follow the inclusion of Adamu and his companies as part of a broader update to the Nigeria Sanctions List approved and published on 18th June 2026,” it disclosed in a statement by the committee made available to Channels…

Akakan Umoh  Nigeria’s Health Minister and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, has advised Akwa Ibom Government to make health insurance scheme mandatory for all people in the state. At the moment, Akwa Ibom civil servants (including junior civil servants whose enrollment was funded by the state), children aged 0 to 5 years, pregnant women, elderly persons aged 60 years and above, persons with disabilities (PWDs) and Internally displaced persons (IDPs) are beneficiaries of the scheme. Speaking at the unveiling of Ibom International Hospital, Uyo on Tuesday, Pate said making the scheme mandatory would ensure wider coverage and improved access…

Edi Umoh Argentina captain Lionel Messi has made history as the highest goal scorer in FIFA World Cup history after taking his tally to 17 goals in the Mundial. Messi became the highest goal scorer in World Cup history Monday, moving up to 18 with a superb double in Argentina’s Group J match against Austria and breaking a tie with Germany legend Miroslav Klose. He entered the day on 16 goals following a hat trick in Argentina’s opener, and missed a penalty early on against Austria which briefly denied him the outright record. Also read Men’s Ballon d’Or: Lionel Messi…

Israel Umoh The controversies, intrigues and endless delays that have trailed the take-off of Ibom Deep Seaport in Nigeria’s Akwa Ibom State are more like fairytale and nightmare. Conceived by Akwa Ibom ex-Governor Victor Attah with lofty promises more than 21 years ago to transform Nigeria’s Maritime economy and become a major shipping hub, the project has become a symbol of bureaucratic bottlenecks, political grandstanding and unfulfilled expectations. From the flimsy name change to location argument, the much-touted project remains on the drawing board with buck-passing, leaving prospective investors and major stakeholders to continue wallowing in the sea of uncertainty.…