Arsenal legend, Thierry Henry, has picked two countries as his dark horses in the 2026 World Cup tournament.
Speaking on Fox Sports, Henry singled out Senegal and Norway as his dark horses.
Senegal and Norway are in Group I, alongside France and Iraq.
“You have to think about Senegal and Norway, who are my two dark horses in this competition,” Henry said.
“It’s going to be tough for Iraq. I do think that the three teams [Norway, Senegal and France] will go forward, so I’m looking forward to that one, and there is another one.”
Henry won the World Cup with France in 1998 during his playing days as a professional footballer.
I did not receive security votes as Lagos governor – Fashola
A former Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, has revealed that he did not receive security votes at any point during his eight years as governor of the state.
Fashola made the disclosure on Friday while speaking at a June 12 Democracy Day event organised by The Platform, where he participated in a panel discussion alongside former Senate President, Bukola Saraki.
During the session, the former governor responded to questions regarding the use and impact of security votes allocated to state governments, particularly in light of Nigeria’s persistent security challenges.
Fashola dismissed the notion that governors routinely receive security votes directly, describing such assumptions as misplaced.
He maintained that throughout his tenure as Lagos governor, no security vote funds were paid to him personally.
According to him, all funds belonging to the state government during his administration were managed through established institutional channels rather than being placed under the direct control of the governor.
The former Minister of Works, Power and Housing under the administration of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari explained that revenues accruing to Lagos State while he was in office were domiciled within the state’s Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.
His remarks came amid ongoing public discussions about the management, transparency and accountability of security votes by state governments across the country.
‘No immigrant to blame for this’ — Nigerians troll South Africa after loss to Mexico
(Photo by Yuri CORTEZ / AFP)
Some Nigerians have taken to social media, particularly X, to mock South Africa after Bafana Bafana lost to Mexico in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup.
South Africa were defeated 2-0 by the Mexicans at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on Thursday.
Two South African players during the game and the overall performance of the South African team have made them the point of banter on social media.
Even other Africans joined in the mockery, with several of them pledging their allegiance to Mexico, even though the match was played.
Social media is awash with Africans clad in Mexico’s El Tri jerseys, dancing to Mexican music and giving themselves a Latin American name just to express their dissatisfaction with South Africa.
The harmless banters are reflections of growing anger at the xenophobic attacks against other black Africans
This post was originally published on this site.
‘No immigrant to blame for this’ — Nigerians troll South Africa after loss to Mexico
(Photo by Yuri CORTEZ / AFP)
Some Nigerians have taken to social media, particularly X, to mock South Africa after Bafana Bafana lost to Mexico in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup.
South Africa were defeated 2-0 by the Mexicans at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on Thursday.
Two South African players during the game and the overall performance of the South African team have made them the point of banter on social media.
Even other Africans joined in the mockery, with several of them pledging their allegiance to Mexico, even though the match was played.
Social media is awash with Africans clad in Mexico’s El Tri jerseys, dancing to Mexican music and giving themselves a Latin American name just to express their dissatisfaction with South Africa.
The harmless banters are reflections of growing anger at the xenophobic attacks against other black Africans
This post was originally published on this site.
June 12: Those who served Abacha still relevant, enjoying govt – Rufai Oseni
Arise Television anchor, Rufai Oseni has said that individuals who served under the late military ruler, General Sani Abacha, remain influential in Nigeria’s political landscape.
According to him, they have continued to benefit from government appointments decades after the end of military rule.
Oseni made the comment on Friday in a post on X while reflecting on Nigeria’s Democracy Day celebrations.
He wrote: “Those that served Abacha are still relevant today and enjoying government. They enjoyed the best of military and civilian. Happy democracy day.”
His comment comes as Nigerians mark Democracy Day on June 12, a date set aside to commemorate the struggle for democratic governance and honour the presumed winner of the annulled 1993 presidential election, Chief M.K.O. Abiola.
The Federal Government had also on Thursday declared June 12 as a public holiday in commemoration of Democracy Day.
The announcement was made
This post was originally published on this site.
Security forces, all Nigerians are victims of insecurity– Defense Minister
Minister of Defense, General Christopher Musa, rtd, has said that Nigeria’s security forces are not enemies of the country.
Speaking as a guest at the June 12, 2026 edition of ‘The Platform’ aired on Channels Television on Friday, Musa said all Nigerians, including the security forces, are all victims.
He appealed to Nigerians to cooperate with the government, noting that the fight against insecurity succeeds when citizens work together with institutions.
“The security forces are not the enemies of the state. In fact, what I always say is that we are all victims.
“As a commander, I had the privilege of being the commander in the theater Operation Hadin Kai for 19 months, and the worst thing that could ever happen to you is having to meet the families of those who have passed on, who were killed, to explain to them what happened to their
This post was originally published on this site.
Makinde: Abducted Oyo Students, Teachers Still Held in Old Oyo National Park
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has confirmed that schoolchildren and teachers abducted nearly a month ago in Oriire Local Government Area remain within the Old Oyo National Park, as security agencies intensify rescue operations.
In his Newsletter No. 140 released Friday, Makinde said intelligence reports indicate the victims are being held in the vast 2,500-square-kilometre park, which spans ten local government areas.
“Every credible lead is being pursued and every lawful measure is being deployed to secure the safe release of the abductees,” the governor assured.
The abductions, which occurred on May 15 during coordinated attacks on Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School, and L.A Primary School, Esiele, have left families in anguish for 27 days.
Makinde acknowledged the pain of affected communities, noting that while assurances of rescue have been given, the prolonged ordeal has deepened anxiety.
He explained that the difficult terrain of the park poses operational challenges, requiring patience
This post was originally published on this site.
Minister Calls for Support to Reintegration of 258 Returnees from South Africa
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard Doro, has appealed to Nigerians and institutions to assist in reintegrating 258 citizens recently evacuated from South Africa.
Speaking on Democracy Day, Doro emphasized that beyond celebrating democratic governance, the nation must demonstrate compassion and solidarity.
He noted that the returnees, who arrived at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport aboard a chartered Air Peace flight, need collective support to rebuild their lives.
“The government cannot do it alone. We welcome the support of the private sector, development organisations, philanthropic institutions, state governments and citizens who are willing to help restore dignity, rebuild lives and create opportunities,” he said.
The minister explained that while the Federal Government provided initial reception, profiling, health screening, and documentation, sustainable reintegration requires broader societal involvement.
Many of the returnees, he added, suffered disruptions to their livelihoods and will need emotional and economic support.Doro stressed that democracy is not only about
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Fashola: Elections Are Imperfect, Opposition Must Accept Results
Former Lagos State Governor and ex-Minister of Works, Housing and Power, Babatunde Fashola, has urged political actors to accept election outcomes despite inevitable imperfections, stressing that democracy thrives when institutions are strengthened rather than undermined.
Speaking at The Platform public policy forum in Lagos during Democracy Day celebrations, Fashola explained that the sheer scale of Nigeria’s electoral process makes flawless execution impossible.
“Elections are an imperfect event because they require a large logistical operation across a federation,” he said, noting that thousands of polling units must conduct the same procedures simultaneously under varying conditions.
He argued that even mature democracies acknowledge electoral shortcomings but continue to improve their systems while respecting results.
“In other jurisdictions, they accept these imperfections and aspire to improve, but they also accept the results,” Fashola added.
The former minister cautioned against the growing tendency of some politicians to reject outcomes, warning that such attitudes weaken democracy and prevent opposition parties
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Nigeria’s Education Funding Falls Short of UNESCO Standard — Alausa
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has sounded the alarm over Nigeria’s chronic underfunding of its education sector, warning that the nation’s future is at risk if urgent reforms are not implemented.
Speaking at the 65th anniversary of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Alausa revealed that federal allocations to education have consistently remained between 5 and 8 per cent of the national budget far below the 15–20 per cent benchmark recommended by UNESCO.
He stressed that this funding gap has led to decaying infrastructure, poorly equipped laboratories, and outdated libraries, while also limiting access to higher education.
“Nigeria has over 200 universities, but our carrying capacity is far below demand. Over 2 million qualified candidates apply for less than 500,000 spaces annually. This is a ticking time bomb,” Alausa warned.
The minister further highlighted the mismatch between university curricula and labour market needs, noting that many graduates lack critical thinking, digital skills, and
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