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AFCON Initiative drives stronger Nigeria Morocco cooperation

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Nigeria–Morocco Commerce and Development Forum (NM-CDF) has launched a support initiative for Nigerians in Morocco attending the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), using sports diplomacy to deepen bilateral relations between both countries.

The initiative, coordinated through the Office of the Vice President of the Forum, by Mohammed Tijjani Sabiu and backed by Barau Jibrin, the Forum’s President, is designed to ensure strong Nigerian representation at AFCON matches while promoting unity, cultural exchange, and people-to-people cooperation.

Under the programme, Nigerians resident in or travelling across Morocco are provided with free transportation from major cities to match venues, complimentary accommodation, daily feeding allowances, free Super Eagles jerseys, stadium entry tickets, and branded support materials such as flags, caps, and banners.

Speaking on the initiative, Sabiu in a statement described sports as a powerful tool for national cohesion and international engagement, noting that the Forum was committed to removing financial and logistical barriers that could limit fan participation.

“Our objective is to ensure that Nigerians in Morocco feel supported and included. Football unites our people and presents an opportunity to showcase Nigeria’s energy, culture, and resilience on an international platform,” he said.

On his part, President of the Forum said the programme aligns with NM-CDF’s broader mandate of strengthening economic, cultural, and diplomatic cooperation between Nigeria and Morocco.

According to him, sports diplomacy remains an effective avenue for building trust and fostering long-term partnerships.

“This initiative goes beyond football. It is about national pride, unity, and reinforcing the strong relationship between Nigeria and Morocco. We are proud to play a role in making this AFCON experience memorable for Nigerians,” Jibrin stated.

The support has had a significant impact on the Nigerian community in Morocco, particularly students, workers, and business travellers who might otherwise struggle to attend AFCON matches.

With logistics largely taken care of, Nigerian supporters turned out in large numbers, adding colour, music, and cultural flair to stadiums across host cities.

According to the statement, several beneficiaries have described the gesture as unprecedented, lauding the Forum for what they called a historic and inclusive approach to diaspora engagement.

The Forum has confirmed that the support programme will continue throughout the duration of AFCON 2025 and may be expanded if the Super Eagles advance to the later stages of the competition.

The Nigeria–Morocco Commerce and Development Forum is a bilateral platform focused on promoting trade, investment, tourism, cultural exchange, and diplomatic cooperation between Nigeria and the Kingdom of Morocco, with particular attention to diaspora welfare and engagement.

 

 

 

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Sports

Morocco defeat Nigeria on penalties, clinch AFCON final spot

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Hosts Morocco beat Nigeria 4-2 on penalties to reach the Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON final after their semi-final clash on Wednesday finished 0-0 at the end of extra time.

Morocco will play Senegal in Sunday’s showpiece after they defeated Egypt 1-0 in the other semi-final earlier thanks to a Sadio Mane strike.

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Sports

Burkina Faso sack coach Traore after AFCON exit

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Burkina Faso sacked their coach Brama Traore and all of his staff on Wednesday following their exit of the African Cup of Nations at the hands of bitter rivals Ivory Coast.

“The decision was taken after results well below what was expected of our national team at the continental tournament,” the Burkina Faso football federation leader Oumarou Sawadogo said.

Sawadogo spoke of “bitter disappointment” and an objective of reaching at least the semi-finals.

Burkina Faso, who also failed to qualify for this year’s World Cup, were beaten 3-0 by neighbouring Ivory Coast, who were defending champions, in Marrakesh last Monday.

Manchester United winger Amad Diallo struck the opening goal and created the second for Yan Diomande before half-time. Substitute Bazoumana Toure completed the scoring.

Burkina Fasio did beat both Sudan and Equatorial Guinea in the group phase but also lost to Algeria.

Traore, 63, took up the job in March 2024 replacing Frenchman Hubert Velud, who was sacked after a last-16 exit at the previous AFCON.

 

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Entertainment

Funke Akindele makes history as ‘Behind The Scenes’ crosses N2bn

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Nollywood filmmaker and actor, Funke Akindele, has further cemented her place in African cinema history as her latest release, Behind The Scenes, crossed the ₦2 billion mark at the box office, becoming the first Nollywood film to achieve the milestone.

The record-breaking performance was disclosed on Monday in a post on X by the film’s distributor, FilmOne Entertainment, which confirmed that the title has now grossed ₦2,103,039,706 in ticket sales.

Announcing the feat, the distributor said the film had “officially broken and shattered records,” noting that it is the first Nollywood production in Africa to cross the ₦2 billion box office threshold. FilmOne added that the achievement places Behind The Scenes as the highest-grossing Nollywood film of all time in Africa, as well as the top-grossing Nollywood release in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

The official announcement by the movie distributor, Filmone Entertainment…Credit: Filmone Ng

According to the distributor, the success of the film also reinforces Akindele’s status as Africa’s most commercially successful filmmaker, describing her as the highest-grossing writer, director and producer in West Africa’s history.

FilmOne further highlighted that Akindele has now become the first filmmaker to rank number one at the African box office for three consecutive years, a feat it described as unprecedented in the region’s film industry.

Reacting to the support from cinema audiences, the distributor thanked viewers for “believing in the magic of storytelling,” describing the film’s run as more than a commercial win but a cultural movement driven by audience loyalty and strong word-of-mouth.

The ₦2 billion milestone represents a significant leap from the film’s earlier box office records. Behind The Scenes had previously crossed the ₦1 billion mark before climbing to ₦1.77 billion, already positioning it among the most successful Nollywood titles of all time. Its continued surge in earnings has now placed it firmly at the top of the industry’s all-time rankings.

 

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Ruben Amorim
Sports

Manchester United Sack Head Coach Ruben Amorim

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

Manchester United have dismissed head coach Ruben Amorim, the club confirmed on Monday, January 5, 2026.

The Portuguese tactician, who was appointed in November 2024, was relieved of his duties following mounting dissatisfaction over the team’s performances, as well as recent public comments that reportedly strained relations within the club.

At the time of his dismissal, United were sixth in the Premier League standings.

Sources indicate that Amorim’s exit came less than 24 hours after he openly criticised the club’s hierarchy during a post-match press conference, following a 1–1 draw with Leeds United, a move understood to have accelerated the decision to part ways.

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Life Style

Ijebu-Ode gears up for major tourism boost

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

IJEBU-ODE is preparing to take centre stage in Nigeria’s fast-growing cultural tourism landscape as the ancient city gears up for the maiden edition of the Ijebu Shutdown Party, scheduled for December 20, 2025.

With its debut theme, “The Wonderland Experience,” the event is already being touted by tourism observers and entertainment enthusiasts as a potential game-changer for end-of-year travel and youth tourism in the South-West, according to a statement from the organisers on Tuesday.

Positioned as a fusion of music, art, fashion, and contemporary youth culture, the Ijebu Shutdown Party is targeting students, creatives, nightlife lovers, and young professionals from across Ogun State, Lagos, and neighbouring regions.

More importantly, it aims to reposition Ijebu-Ode as a December destination capable of drawing large visitor traffic, an ambition organisers say is long overdue.

Team Lead for the Ijebu Shutdown Party, Toyosola Amuludun, popularly known as Tall Dreaded Guy, said the initiative is part of a broader push to spotlight Ijebu-Ode as a city with untapped tourism and entertainment potential.

“Ijebu is ready for its spotlight. Our aim is to build a December culture that brings people home, attracts new faces, and firmly places our city on Nigeria’s entertainment and tourism map. This isn’t just a party — it’s a full-blown experience designed to redefine how December feels in Ijebu,” he said.

Tourism analysts note that events of this scale often become economic stimulators for host communities, especially in the festive season. Organisers project more than 2,000 attendees, including performers, DJs, influencers, fashion enthusiasts, and fun-seekers from across the South-West — numbers expected to translate into increased patronage for local hotels, restaurants, lounges, transport operators, fashion boutiques, and beauty vendors.

The Wonderland Experience will feature immersive stage and lighting design, a premium VIP zone, surprise performances, interactive games, a curated festival marketplace, and cinematic and photo zones — all elements typically associated with destination events that encourage visitor spending and extended stays.

For many residents, the growing buzz has revived memories of the pre-festival excitement associated with the globally celebrated Ojude-Oba Festival.

Some community members have even described the upcoming event as a new December signature for Ijebu, signalling a promising addition to the city’s cultural tourism calendar.

The statement stated that with sponsorship opportunities still open, brands looking to connect with the vibrant youth demographic are expected to leverage the platform as an entry point into one of the South-West’s emerging creative hubs.

 

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Entertainment

VeryDarkMan, Mr Jollof fights dirty on Aircraft

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

A dramatic confrontation erupted onboard a commercial aircraft on Monday after popular social media personality, VeryDarkMan, and entertainer, Mr. Jollof, engaged in a physical altercation in the presence of shocked passengers.

The clash, which eyewitnesses say began with a heated verbal exchange, quickly escalated into punches before cabin crew intervened.

According to passengers who filmed portions of the scuffle, tension started when both men exchanged insults while boarding the flight headed to Lagos from Asaba(United Nigeria). The argument intensified as they settled into their seats, with each accusing the other of past online provocations.

In one of the videos now circulating online, Mr. Jollof can be seen rising from his seat as VeryDarkMan stood to confront him. Moments later, both men lunged at each other, trading blows as stunned passengers shouted for security.

Flight attendants and airline security personnel rushed in to separate the pair. Several passengers reportedly appealed to the two internet personalities to calm down, but the confrontation continued until additional crew members stepped in.

It was not immediately clear whether either of them sustained injuries, but both appeared visibly agitated as security personnel escorted them to different parts of the aircraft.

VeryDarkMan has reacted to the matter and displayed bite mark injuries on his Chest from Mr. Jollof.

 

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Super Eagles
Sports

Super Eagles To Battle Gabon in Crucial World Cup Playoff

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will take on the Panthers of Gabon on Thursday, November 13, 2025, in Rabat, Morocco, in a decisive CAF playoff encounter for a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup inter-confederation playoff.

Nigeria secured their playoff berth as one of the top runners-up in the African qualifiers, following a commanding 4–0 victory over the Benin Republic, highlighted by a spectacular hat-trick from Victor Osimhen.

Gabon also earned their spot after finishing second in Group F behind the Ivory Coast, capping off a strong qualifying campaign.

The winner of the Nigeria–Gabon clash will advance to face either Cameroon or the Democratic Republic of Congo on November 16, with the victor of that tie progressing to the inter-continental playoff for a potential place at the 2026 World Cup.

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Wizkid
Entertainment

Wizkid’s Son Balogun Boluwatife Drops Debut EP

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

Boluwatife Balogun, the 14-year-old son of Afrobeats superstar Wizkid, has made his official entry into the music scene with the release of his debut EP titled Champion’s Arrival.

The five-track project, which dropped on Tuesday without prior announcement, showcases Boluwatife’s versatility across energetic tunes like Champion Montana and reflective numbers such as Grind. All tracks were produced by Lossless.

Within hours of its release, the 11-minute EP gained significant traction online, amassing over 250,000 engagements on X (formerly Twitter). The project also earned endorsements from top industry figures, including rapper Olamide, alongside a wave of support from Wizkid’s loyal fanbase, Wizkid FC.

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Lionel Messi
Sports

Lionel Messi Makes Secret Return to Camp Nou

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

Football legend Lionel Messi made a secret visit to the newly renamed Spotify Camp Nou on Sunday night, returning to the stadium where he enjoyed the most glorious years of his career with FC Barcelona.

In a video shared by football journalist Fabrizio Romano on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner expressed deep emotion about his visit.

“Last night I returned to a place that I miss with my soul. A place where I was immensely happy,” Messi said.

He added, “I hope one day I can come back, and not just to say goodbye as a player, as I could never do.”

Messi departed Barcelona in 2021 after more than two decades at the club, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of records, trophies, and unforgettable moments that defined an era in world football.

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