Author: DailyNaijaNews

Kidnappers of Rev. Fr. John Ubaechu, the Parish Priest of Holy Family Catholic Church, Izombe, Imo, are demanding for N2o million as ransom for the release of the clergyman. Ubaechu was abducted in Ejemekwuru on Sunday evening while on his way to attend the annual retreat of priests of the Owerri Catholic Archdiocese, Imo. His abduction was confirmed by the Owerri Catholic Archdiocesan Chancellor and Secretary, Rev. Fr. Patrick Mbarah on Monday in Owerri, in a statement. A source from the church, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on condition of anonymity, on Wednesday in Owerri, said…

In a strategic move to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare industry, the Federal Government has approved a two-year exemption from Value Added Tax (VAT) and import duties on critical raw materials used in the production of pharmaceutical products. This major policy shift, announced on Wednesday by the National Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Assistant Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, is aimed at reducing the cost of essential drug manufacturing and promoting local pharmaceutical production. Key Highlights of the New Policy: Two-Year Tax Exemption: Manufacturers of pharmaceutical products will benefit from a two-year waiver on VAT and import duties for key…

The Federal Government has officially commenced payment of N77,000 monthly allowance to National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members. The announcement of a pay increase by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu which earlier brought relief and excitement among corps members nationwide, was met with disappointment following delays in implementation of the new allowance. For almost six months after the announcement in September 2024, serving corps members were paid the previous N33,000 allowance introduced in 2020 under former President Muhammadu Buhari. Confirming the development to Tribune Online, a serving corps member in Kwara State, simply identified as Adepoju, said the scheme has commenced…

Super Eagles and Atalanta BC sensation, Ademola Lookman emerged winner of the Striker of the Year, and King of the Pitch at the 11th award ceremony of the Nigeria Pitch Awards. The ceremony, held after the World Cup Qualifier between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Warriors of Zimbabwe at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State also witnessed the crowning of Rasheedat Ajibade, Super Falcons and Atlético de Madrid Femenino forward as Queen of the Pitch. While welcoming guests and awardees, Mr Shina Philips, President of the Nigeria Pitch Awards reiterated organizers’ determination to sustain…

Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals suffered a setback on Tuesday after the Warriors of Zimbabwe scored a last-minute equalizer in their Matchday 6 encounter at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo. The result meant the Super Eagles are still stuck in fourth place in group C, as leaders South Africa put daylight between themselves and the rest of the pack with a matured 2-0 win over Benin Republic in Abidjan, that took them to 13 points. Benin Republic’s Cheetahs and Rwanda’s Amavubi are both on eight points, one more than the Super Eagles, with four…

The General Secretary of NFF, Dr Mohammed Sanusi has confirmed that the first 500 persons to buy match tickets for Tuesday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match between Nigeria and Zimbabwe at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo will get a Super Eagles’ home jersey. The Super Eagles will return home after the 2-0 home win over Rwanda in Kigali on Friday. Sanusi has called on Nigerians to go out en masse to support the team as they aim for victory against Zimbabwe. He said: “We are calling on Nigerians to come out in large numbers to support the Super Eagles on…

The Ozoya Football Foundation is making waves in Nigerian grassroots football and education with its upcoming project in Edo State. As the foundation continues its mission to empower youth through sport and education, this initiative promises to make a significant impact on local communities. In an exclusive interview, Monday Nas Ozoya, the visionary founder of the foundation, opened up about his passion for nurturing talent and his plans for the future. The foundation’s latest project—the School Exercise Books Initiative—is set to bring educational materials to children in Edo State, but the vision extends far beyond the distribution of books. It’s…

As part of preparations for the 2025 African Women’s Club Championship, the Nigeria Customs Service women’s volleyball team has embarked on a training tour in Benin Republic. The tournament is scheduled to take place from April 1 to 14 in Abuja, Nigeria. The team departed for Benin Republic on Wednesday. The Sports Secretary of the Nigeria Customs Service, Samuel Onikeku, appreciated the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi MFR, and his management team for approving the training tour. He emphasised that the tour would allow the players and coaching crew to assess their level of preparedness for the upcoming championship.…

The Lagos State Chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has rejected the imposed leadership of Olatutu Oladunni-led executive, insisting on a fresh election as soon as possible in line with the resolution of the 2024 SWAN full council meeting which dissolved all executive bodies and ordered for a fresh election in Lagos SWAN Chapter. In a letter to the National SWAN Executive, the Lagos SWAN stakeholders commended the current leadership for its efforts in addressing the challenges inherited from the previous administration under Honor Sirawoo, but expressed concerns that the reconciliation process in Lagos has not followed…

Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna has overtaken Egypt’s Omar Assar to become Africa’s highest-ranked player in the world, now sitting at 18th in the Week 12 rankings. Despite finishing as runner-up at the 2025 ITTF Africa Cup, Aruna’s impressive performances at the WTT tournaments this year have boosted his ranking, as per the latest update from the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF). Aruna remains the only African male player to have reached the semifinals of the WTT Contender Doha, repeating his 2023 feat earlier this year with another semifinal finish. This achievement has propelled him ahead of Assar, who was crowned champion…