Author: straightnewsng.com

Ademola Lookman and Williams Troost-Ekong, two Nigerians  who have joined made 2024 FIFA best Players award nominations. While Atalanta Lookman is nominated for the FIFA World XI in the attacking category, Troost-Ekong is in the defenders’ selection. Both join an elite list of nominees which include Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe, and Vinicius Junior. Read also: Morocco 2025: Ekong, Osimhen, Awoniyi Return to Super Eagles Others nominated for the prestigious award include Akram Afif, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, German Cano, Artem Dovbyk, Viktor Gyokeres, Lautaro Martinez, Jamal Musiala, Soufiane Rahimi, Goes Rodrygo, Salomon Rondon, Bukayo Saka, Luis…

By Agency Report Australia’s parliament on Thursday passed a ground-breaking law barring children under 16 from using social media, putting tech companies on notice to tighten security before a cut-off date yet to be set. The new law was drafted in response to what the Labor Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, described as a “clear, causal link between the rise of social media and the harm [to] the mental health of young Australians. “We want our kids to have a childhood and parents to know we have their backs,” Albanese told reporters afterwards. Also read: Most Promiscuous Nations: Australia tops, Nigeria…

Civil Society groups have tackled Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPCL) Ltd after announcing that Port Harcourt Refinery has commenced processing and supply of crude oil. The groups under the aegis of Concerned Citizens of Nigeria and Coalition for Accountability and Transparency in Energy Sector (CATES) have warned NNPCL against what they perceive as ‘grand deception’ of Nigerians. NNPCL had announced that trucks, on Tuesday, that it had commenced loading of petroleum products including Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) or petrol, Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) or diesel and Household Kerosene (HHK) or Kerosene and other product slates at its Port Harcourt refinery.…

Egypt’s Al Masry thrashed Nigeria’s Enyimba FC 2-0 in their CAF Confederation Cup Group D encounter in Ismaila Wednesday night. Mahmoud Hamada opened the scoring for the home team after five minutes. Hamada sealed the points for Al Masry 14 minutes from time. Enyimba failed to threaten the hosts’ defence for the better part of the game. Goalkeeper Ani Ozoemena pulled off several top saves to keep the scoreline more respectable. Enyimba will host defending champions Zamalek in their next game in the competition on Sunday, December 8.

Comrade Alhassan Yahaya has been elected as the new President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) for three years. Yahaya was elected at the 8th Triennial Delegates’ Conference of the union held from November 26 to 28 at Owerri, Imo State. The immediate National Deputy President of the union for three times succeeds Chris Isiguzo, who had been president in the last six years. Yahaya of Gombe State Media Corporation (GMCTv), Gombe, polled 436 votes to defeat others. Comrade Bamidele Atunbi, former National Treasurer of the Union, of Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Abuja, got 97 votes while Comrade Garba…

The Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court on Tuesday discharged and acquitted  a 35-year-old upholstery maker, Taiwo Opasina. Opasina was charged with alleged s3xual assault of his four-year-old daughter, (name withheld). Justice Rahman Oshodi in his judgment held that the prosecution failed to discharge the burden of proof against Opasina. Oshodi said the prosecution failed to present the vital witness, (alleged survivor) before the court to give evidence. He held that the absence of direct evidence of the alleged survivor creates an evidential gap that cannot be bridged by circumstantial evidence alone. The judge said the prosecution’s case faced…

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) says it is ready to shut down all polytechnics nationwide by December 2 due to the Federal Government’s failure to meet its demands.  The Chairman of the ASUP, Kaduna Polytechnic Chapter, Comrade Abubakar J. Abdullah, who announced this on Wednesday, explained that the union leadership had issued a 15-day ultimatum to the Federal Government on October 6, 2024. Abdullah outlined pressing demands aimed at resolving the systemic challenges that hinder the progress of polytechnics. However, he said the government failed to address the issues. Read also ASUP Suspends Two-Month-Old Strike FG, ASUP Meeting…

By Agency Report Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday November 26, that he is ready to implement a ceasefire deal with Lebanon. Netanyahu further said he would respond forcefully to any violation by Hezbollah, declaring that Israel would retain “complete military freedom of action.” Readily, a ceasefire between Israel and Iran-backed group Hezbollah will take effect on Wednesday after both sides accepted an agreement brokered by the United States and France, U.S. President Joe Biden said on Tuesday. Read also ICC issues arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant and Hamas Commander Again, Benjamin Netanyahu takes oath as Israel’s prime…

For a long time, governments and the private sector have been relying on the reports of National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) without much ado. However, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Nigerian Association of Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA) have regarded the recent report of  National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) as ‘a piece of lazy man’s job.’ NBS report released on Monday, November 25, Nigeria’s unemployment rate decreased to 4.3 percent in the second quarter (Q2) of 2024, down from 5.3 percent in Q1 2024. Additionally, the employment-to-population ratio rose to 76.1 percent, indicating an increase in…

By Akakan Umoh Akwa Ibom State Government, Tuesday, announced N955 billion 2025 budget proposal to the Akwa Ibom House of Assembly, appealing for its quick passage into law. The budget proposal, christened “Budget of Consolidation and Expansion,” includes N300 billion for recurrent expenditures and N655 billion for capital expenditures. The 2025 proposal is three per cent higher than the revised 2024 budget provision of N923.4 billion which is still before the lawmakers for consideration and approval. Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno who presented the budget proposal to the state lawmakers said the 2025 budget is “predicated on an oil benchmark…