Amuda Hafeez Kingsway Splashes Millions On Akinyele Mega Health Outreach •••Mobilises 58 Medical Experts For Over 1,000 Residents

  The Kingsway Health and Outreach Foundation has successfully concluded a large-scale community health programme across Akinyele Local Government, marking one of the most impactful medical interventions recently witnessed in the area. The health outreach initiative held on Thursday funded with millions of naira by Dr. Amuda Hafeez Kingsway, a 2027 Oyo State House of Assembly aspirant, recorded a massive turnout and delivered comprehensive healthcare services to residents at no cost. According to the foundation, 58 medical experts were on ground, attending to residents simultaneously across various medical units, ensuring swift, efficient, and quality service delivery throughout the programme. In the general health services unit, 840 residents received medical attention, including full-body check-ups, blood pressure and blood sugar screenings, health counselling, and free medications. Each beneficiary was assessed by trained clinicians, who provided tailored prescriptions and ensured drug quantities matched the appropriate dosage and usage duration for effective treatment. The dental unit also recorded significant results, attending to 92 individuals who underwent comprehensive consultations, scaling, polishing, and essential oral care procedures. Dental professionals provided guidance on oral hygiene while distributing required medications. At the eye care unit, 204 beneficiaries were screened and supported with free eyeglasses, eye drops, and other necessary medications. Specialists diagnosed various sight-related conditions and provided corrective solutions on the spot, ensuring that residents with impaired vision left with clearer, improved sight. The medical outreach also featured an atmosphere of warmth and hospitality where leaders, residents, and other beneficiaries enjoyed refreshments, while some went home with food packages, while entertainment, and a sense of communal togetherness enhanced the overall experience of the programme.

BREAKING: Court Stops PDP Convention, Orders Inclusion of Sule Lamido

  The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Friday ordered the Peoples Democratic Party to suspend its national convention scheduled to take place in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16. Delivering judgment in the suit instituted by former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, Justice Peter Lifu restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission from supervising, monitoring or recognising any convention conducted by the PDP without including the plaintiff as a contestant. Lifu held that the evidence before the court established that Lamido was unjustly denied the opportunity to obtain a nomination form to contest for the position of National Chairman of the party, in violation of the PDP Constitution and its internal regulations. The court affirmed that the PDP was duty-bound to create opportunities for its members to serve by adopting deliberate measures that enable them to pursue their political aspirations. As a consequential order, Justice Lifu directed that the planned convention be put on hold to allow Lamido to obtain the nomination form, mobilise supporters and conduct his campaign. “An order is hereby made that before any convention is held, the PDP is to make nomination forms available to the plaintiff. “In the light of the above, it is hereby held that the convention be put on hold for the plaintiff to obtain a nomination form, campaign and mobilise supporters,” the judge declared. Details shortly…

Soldiers Kill Terrorists, Arrest 94 Suspects

  Troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria have intensified operations across the country, neutralising scores of terrorists, rescuing 67 kidnapped victims, and arresting 94 criminal suspects within two weeks. The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Olatokunbo Bello disclosed this on Friday in Abuja while giving an update on military operations conducted between November 3 and 14. Bello said troops recovered large quantities of arms and ammunition, including automatic rifles, machine guns, RPG tubes, locally fabricated weapons, and IED-making materials, in addition to destroying criminal camps and logistics bases. In the North-East, he said troops of Operation Hadin Kai sustained offensive actions in Borno and Adamawa States, killing several Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters. According to him, “troops also apprehended 45 terrorists’ informants, collaborators and logistics suppliers, and rescued one kidnapped victim.” Bello said troops of Operation Fagge Yamma, in the North-West, killed several terrorists across Sokoto, Zamfara, Niger, Katsina, Kebbi and Kano States during the period. He added that troops arrested two suspects and rescued 13 kidnapped victims while recovering weapons, vehicles and livestock. In the North-Central, Bello said troops of Operation Enduring Peace responded to multiple attacks in Plateau and Kaduna States, killing extremists, arresting 16 suspects and rescuing five kidnapped victims. According to him, a notorious criminal, Ibrahim Wakili, was also arrested in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State on November 9. “Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke recorded further successes in Kogi, Kwara, Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba States, killing several criminals, arresting 10 suspects and rescuing 48 kidnapped victims. “Additionally, two gunrunners and two extremist collaborators were arrested in Nasarawa State,” he said. The defence spokesman further disclosed that troops of Operation Delta Safe foiled oil theft worth over N15.8 million in the Niger Delta region during the period. He added that several illegal refining sites were discovered and destroyed, as well as the arrest of nine suspected oil thieves in Bayelsa and Delta States. In the South-East, Bello said troops of Operation Udo Ka had sustained pressure on criminal elements, killing one terrorist and arresting seven others in operations conducted in Imo, Enugu, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States. He commended the troops for their resilience and urged the media to continue disseminating accurate and verified information in support of national security efforts. (NAN)

Akinyele Residents Benefit as Amuda Hafeez Kingsway Holds Free Medical Outreach

  In a renewed effort to promote community health and improve access to quality medical care at the grassroots, Dr. Amuda Hafeez Kingsway, a 2027 Oyo State House of Assembly aspirant, is set to host a free comprehensive medical outreach for residents of Akinyele Local Government Area, Ibadan. The initiative, organized under the Kingsway Community Health Outreach in collaboration with Grace For Impact, will hold on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at the Akinyele Local Government Secretariat, Funduk, Moniya, beginning at 9:00 a.m. prompt. This edition marks one of the most extensive health interventions under the Kingsway Community Health Outreach programme. Unlike previous editions that focused mainly on general consultations and basic medical services, this year’s outreach will feature a wider range of specialized care — including general health checks, professional counselling, dental and eye care. Residents will have access to free medical consultations, essential medications, and vital sign assessments such as blood pressure, blood sugar, weight, and height checks. In addition, dental and optical care units will operate on-site to provide expanded services. For the first time, beneficiaries will receive free dental screenings, scaling, and polishing, aimed at promoting better oral hygiene. The outreach will also include comprehensive eye examinations, free eye drops, and eyeglasses, bringing much-needed relief to residents suffering from untreated vision challenges, particularly among low-income earners. Speaking ahead of the event, Dr. Hafeez Kingsway reaffirmed his commitment to advancing community wellness beyond campaign promises. “Healthcare should not be a privilege but a right accessible to every citizen, regardless of social or economic status. “This outreach is not just about giving out free drugs or conducting tests; it is about restoring hope, building a healthier community, and ensuring that even the most vulnerable have access to quality medical care.” He said. Beyond treating illnesses, the programme will also provide health education and professional counselling, guiding beneficiaries on lifestyle changes, preventive care, and the importance of follow-up support. Dr. Hafeez emphasized that the broader goal is to foster long-term wellness through continuous community engagement and accessible healthcare delivery. It would be recalled that Hon. Amuda Hafeez, through his foundation, had earlier organized a health outreach for political party leaders, including ward chairmen, women leaders, and other stakeholders in Akinyele State Constituency 1 — a gesture that earned him commendations from beneficiaries and community leaders alike.

FG Seeks $150bn to Fund Vaccine Procurement — Edun

  The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Wale Edun, on Wednesday announced that Nigeria is seeking to raise nearly $150bn to fund vaccine procurement for 2025 and 2026. Edun revealed this at the 2025 Joint Annual Review of the Health Sector, themed “All Hands, One Mission: Bringing the Nigerian Health Sector to Light.” The Joint Annual Review is one of Nigeria’s most important accountability platforms for the health sector, convening stakeholders to review progress, assess performance, and align priorities for the year ahead. Edun said, “The health sector budget in 2025 rose by nearly 60 per cent, and the Basic Health Care Provision Fund has more than doubled from $31.5bn in 2024 to $298bn, nearly $299bn in 2026. “Similarly, with immunisation, we are actively seeking to raise additional funds, maybe around almost $150bn to cover vaccine procurement that is needed for 2025 and 2026. We also know that the budget for health is well over five per cent — 5.2 per cent of the national budget, up from just over three per cent a couple of years ago. So, health is being prioritised. “Our commitment is to close the gap between appropriation and the release of funds.” He added that it is crucial to maximise domestic resource mobilisation, as today’s world depends heavily on multilateral and global collective efforts. The minister, however, noted that reforms and funding would not be fully effective without the participation of state and local governments, urging them to increase spending on health and education to complement federal initiatives. On his part, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, said the Federal Government is intensifying efforts to reduce reliance on foreign aid, promote local solutions, and strengthen domestic production of medicines, vaccines, and health technologies. He added that the government aims to ensure state and local governments increase investments in health, education, water, sanitation, and nutrition. “This is consistent with the President’s ward-based development approach, which is perhaps the most practical strategy for lifting communities across Nigeria,” he said. The minister also highlighted innovative financing options under consideration. “We are exploring fiscal measures on sugar-sweetened beverages, public-private partnerships, and digital solutions that enhance transparency and accountability in the use of health funds. “By combining domestic resources, local engagement, and measurable outcomes, Nigeria is steadily building a health system that is resilient, inclusive, and responsive to the people it serves,” Pate said. He said the new initiatives build on tangible progress already achieved in the health sector. The minister noted that primary healthcare utilisation has surged from 10 million visits in the first quarter of 2024 to 45 million in the second quarter of 2025, reflecting renewed public confidence. “Nearly half of women of reproductive age now use modern contraception, while vaccination coverage for measles, rubella, and the newly introduced HPV vaccine has met or exceeded national targets,” Pate said. He emphasised that these achievements are the result of a deliberate move away from donor-led programming. “All 36 states and the FCT now have operational plans aligned with the National Health Sector Strategic Blueprint. “Seventy-two per cent of states have functional mechanisms for non-communicable diseases, and all 774 local government areas now host National Health Fellows and Public Financial Management Officers, surpassing our targets,” he added.

Military Misplaced Priorities Guarding Disputed Abuja Land — Sowore

  Human rights activist and the 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, has condemned the recent altercation between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and some military personnel who barred him from accessing a disputed parcel of land in Abuja. PUNCH Online reports that in a viral video of the incident on Tuesday, Wike was seen expressing outrage at the officer’s presence, insisting that no individual, regardless of their military affiliation, was above the law. The land in question is reportedly owned by a former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo (retd.), and the incident sparked public debate after a video showing the minister’s confrontation with the military personnel surfaced online. Reacting to the development in a post on his X handle on Tuesday, Sowore criticised the military authorities, describing the situation as a reflection of misplaced priorities and entrenched self-interest among public officials. He wrote, “The military’s primary responsibility is to safeguard the country’s borders, but instead, it is devoting resources to protect a parcel of land for a high-ranking officer, allegedly acting on ‘orders.’ “This pathetic scenario is the pervasive self-interest among officials who cater to the interests of a privileged minority at the expense of national protection, with @GovWike not being an exception.” Sowore further recalled a similar episode during Wike’s tenure as governor of Rivers State, accusing him of interfering with law enforcement operations. He stated, “As governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike @GovWike, too, once stood in the way of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission @officialEFCC officers, gun blazing, stopping them from arresting a corrupt judge friend of his. What a country!” The activist’s comments have drawn reactions on social media, with some users supporting his criticism of political impunity, while others faulted his tone, arguing that the matter between the FCT minister and the military should be investigated further. Similarly, social media influencer and political commentator Zara Onyinye, in a post on her Facebook account on Tuesday, also weighed in on the controversy. In her reaction, Onyinye slammed a former Minister of Aviation and Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Osita Chidoka, who urged Wike to apologise to the military officer who he said he insulted during the confrontation. In a statement posted on his Facebook post shared on his page on Tuesday, Chidoka declared that such behaviour undermines the principles of democratic governance. Reacting, Onyinye wrote, “I have seen the ignorant write-up by Chidoka Osita, who should know better. This is my problem with this category of pseudo-intellectuals — when it suits their interest, they swing right; when it doesn’t, they swing left. “His argument now is that all law enforcement officers are representatives of the President. Where does this come from? Which law says this? So, a drunk, reckless police officer extorting Nigerians in some tiny village in Ikot Ekpene is acting for the President and cannot be held accountable? “The same man knows that in a democracy, the civilian authority is the highest authority. The military is answerable to civilian authority, and the FCT Minister is the President’s direct appointee as Governor of the FCT. “In Osita’s twisted logic, a rude military officer obeying an illegal order is above the President’s direct appointee as Minister of the FCT — all because he has an axe to grind with Wike. Imagine if it were Soludo or a governor from the South-East that a military officer disrespected like this — would Osita maintain the same view?” she queried. Onyinye further lamented what she described as a trend of politicising issues involving the FCT Minister, saying, “Nobody actually cares whether the soldier is right or wrong. Anything against Wike is considered right. Whoever challenges Wike becomes a hero in Nigeria today. “Wike is a threat to the owners of Nigeria PLC. But pray for that young officer — his next posting and promotion will be interesting. This is Nigeria. “Do not forget, Wike is the landlord of Aso Rock. He can revoke anything revocable. Barracks and the war front are permanent abodes for soldiers, not land protection. This is not a boundary dispute.: She also criticised the military for interfering in civil matters, adding that the land dispute had long become a tool for intimidation. “They denigrate themselves by venturing into affairs outside their jurisdiction. This is democracy, not a military regime. And sadly, many lack information. “This case has been ongoing for over a year now. The retired officer has been using the military to intimidate government officials and other residents in the area. “When did it become the military’s duty to secure land that belongs to a retired officer? We just love illegality when it favours us or when it’s directed at someone we hate,” Onyinye stated. PUNCH Online reports that Tuesday’s confrontation comes weeks after the FCTA demolished 11 duplexes belonging to the Nigeria Police Force in Apo District for being built under high-tension power lines. Wike also reiterated that the FCTA’s Department of Development Control had denied approval for the contested land, vowing to escalate the matter to the appropriate authorities. As of the time of filing this report, the Navy has yet to react or issue an official statement on the incident. When contacted for a response, the Navy spokesman, A. Adams-Aliyu, simply said: “No reply for now.”

Family, Marriage Collapse Fuels Youth Crime — Alaafin

  The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, on Tuesday, said that an effective child protection system is a prerequisite for any nation aspiring to achieve growth and development. He also warned that the collapse of marriages and homes is fuelling youth crime. He stated this while addressing pupils from the Federal College of Education (Special) Basic School, Durbar, Oyo town. A statement by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, said that planning for development without an enforceable set of laws, policies, regulations, and services across social sectors could only amount to a futile exercise. He said, “Children represent the future and ensuring their healthy growth and development ought to be a prime concern of all. It is a fact that nations that experience prosperity are where family stability is jealously guarded. “To achieve global development goals, Article 19 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child provides for the protection of children in and out of the home. Similarly, Nigeria’s Child Rights Act 2003 provides for children’s rights. “This explains why, in spite of being regarded as precious gifts from God and best hope for the future, children are still subjected to abuses and neglect.” He lamented that today, the fundamental rights of children are being encroached upon daily without appropriate sanctions. “This is so, not because we do not have laws and policies on child protection, but due to a lack of social consensus and political will to successfully implement laws and policies. “It could be heartbreaking reading about inhuman and degrading treatment being meted out to Nigerian children both at home and at the institutional level. “In some schools, it is still usual to see children being subjected to all forms of corporal punishment. Child abuse also occurs at home when parents unduly yell, threaten, reject or ignore him or her. It could be shocking seeing the extent to which some parents rain curses on their children. Some even fail to provide basic needs, adequate food, clothing, hygiene and medical care or support for their children. “All these can lead to interference with the child’s normal social or psychological development, leaving the child with lifelong psychological scars. Also, sexual abuses, which include but are not limited to child marriage, are a form of child abuse that has become a scourge in our society. Cases abound where fathers, uncles, guardians, male teachers, clerics, among others, have sexually molested underage girls. “Some engage in child abuse for ritual purposes and most times this leads to mental disorder on the part of the abused child, with perpetrators escaping sanction.” Alaafin further explained that the only way citizens can cease to be prisoners of their historical and geographical spaces, times, and cultural boundaries is to completely revolutionise their historiography. “The key to national reconstruction lies in accepting the past as a source of generation, as this will enable our present to merge with our past and further into an enlarged future. “Only then can we really identify with what constitutes our real local resource base on which to build a virile, healthy future, for ourselves and our descendants.” Owoade, therefore, urged Nigerians to support and be patient with the present administration in its sincere and painstaking efforts to transform the country. “The increasing rate of family marriage breakdown and its attendant effect on the children and the society at large has become a ticking time-bomb because it has given rise to an increase in criminal activities by the children from broken homes. “It is important that we recognise the role of marriage in building a strong society, especially if we want to give children the best chance in life. What you learn from a very early age has a great deal to say about the person you will eventually become and the life you lead.”

No Teacher Beaten To Death In Oyo – Govt, NUT Clears Air On Fake News

  IBADAN – THE Oyo State Ministry of Education and the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Oyo State chapter, have cleared the air on the alleged beating of a teacher to death in Ogbomoso by students, describing the viral news story as fake and a complete misrepresentation of facts. Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Hon. Olusegun Olayiwola; Oyo State NUT Chairman, Comrade Raji Oladimeji and the Principal of Soun High School, Ogbomoso, Mr Ajayi Adeyinka, who spoke separately on Monday, gave detailed accounts of the incident. The trio noted that the claim that the deceased teacher, Mr Adegoke Fatai Abiodun, was beaten to death by some students is false and unfounded, stating that the incident in which he caught four students gambling within school premises happened on May 28, 2025, while the teacher died on November 4, 2025. The Oyo State Government and the Education family in Oyo State commiserated with the family of the deceased, praying for the repose of his soul, while also warning members of the public to be wary of fake news. Olayiwola, while speaking after a stakeholders’ meeting of the education family in the state, held at the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology’s Conference Room, said the Ministry’s investigations from the school showed that the deceased was not beaten by the students. He said that though it was true that the late Mr Adegoke caught four students gambling in school, he was not beaten by the students, but that he dislocated an arm while trying to beat one of the culprits. He added that the teacher made efforts to treat the dislocated arm through local bone therapist and a private hospital, but it was later discovered that he had bone marrow cancer and that it was already at Stage 4. He warned reporters and residents of the state to be wary of fake news, stating that the public needs to exercise caution with regards to unverified information. He said: “We have gone into the roots of the matter and found out that the information is false. We asked the principal to report to the Ministry and he is sitting down here. “The fact of the matter is that the late Mr Adegoke Fatai had been sick. But the actual disease was not diagnosed until recently. The principal of the school told me that he used to go for medical attention since the time he got sick up until the time he died. “We were told that he was admitted into the hospital two weeks ago and that was where he was diagnosed with bone marrow cancer. “I also spoke with the wife of the deceased, who is incidentally a staff member of TESCOM, and she told me that it was not a matter of some students beating her husband. “What happened was that Mr Adegoke apprehended four students, who were gambling within the school premises. One of the boys was enrolled into the school by the deceased, as he was his friend’s son. Upon seeing someone so close to him among the culprits, we were told that Mr Adegoke lifted his hand to beat the boy, but that boy ducked and the late teacher’s hand landed on the boy’s elbow. This led to the hand swelling and the teacher was given medical attention immediately. “It was while he was treating the hand that it was discovered that the local approach and the attention from a private hospital were inadequate and he was referred to a government hospital, where he was diagnosed with bone marrow cancer, which had sadly, reached Stage 4. “It is sad that some people are using the sad incident of his death to fabricate lies and peddle rumours that don’t exist. “For you to know how far we went to investigate this incident, we called for the TESCOM chairperson, who is here with us. The Chairman of the NUT in Oyo State, Comrade Raji Oladimeji, is here seated. The Oyo ANCOPPS President is here seated. The Secretary-General of the NUT in Oyo State is here. “We also have the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, the Permanent Secretaries/Tutors-General and the Inspectors-General of Education from Ogbomoso and other people who have one thing or the other to do with education in Ogbomosoland are here. “As part of my investigations, I have even spoken with the Majority Leader of the Oyo State House of Assembly, who is from Ogbomoso and he told me that he has been there and has seen the situation himself. I spoke with the LG Chairman of Ogbomoso North, and he told me that he was with the wife of the deceased this morning. “We shall be sending a powerful delegation to the wife tomorrow, which would be led by the TESCOM Chairman, to condole with her and the family of the deceased. I was even told that the boy who Mr Adegoke tried to reprimand, which led to his mishap, has been distraught since he passed away.” Speaking earlier, the Principal of Soun High School, Mr Adeyinka, said the incident was wrongly reported, saying that Mr Adegoke, a dedicated teacher, died after he had been down with bone marrow cancer, which was diagnosed late and not because he was beaten by students at the school. “The whole incident happened on May 28, 2025. But he was not beaten by the students. His attempt to beat one of the students made him dislocate an arm and he sought medical help. Along the line, I learnt that he visited a local bone therapist to mend the arm. On an occasion, I went to visit him, and I discovered that the local therapist could not take care of the bone. He was taken to a private hospital (names withheld). “It was at that hospital that it was discovered that his bones were weakened and the doctor called it brittle bones. I went to see him again at that hospital, but I discovered that his condition had not improved. I had … Read more

Genocide Claim: Nigeria’s Diplomatic Response Firm, says Presidential Aide

  Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has dismissed allegations of genocide against Christians, describing the country’s diplomatic response as firm, measured, and rooted in truth. Speaking in an interview with ARISE News on Monday night, Bwala said the Tinubu administration had launched a global media engagement to clarify Nigeria’s position and counter what he described as false and misleading narratives. He clarified comments attributed to United States President Donald Trump, who threatened military action over claims of Christian persecution in the country. The presidential aide said the claims of Christian genocide in the country by Trump and some US lawmakers were unfounded and misrepresented the country’s security challenges. “There is no genocide against Christians in Nigeria. What we have is insecurity that affects people of all religious and non-religious beliefs — Muslims, Christians, and others alike,” he said. He noted that Tinubu’s administration was fully committed to defeating terrorism and addressing insecurity through enhanced collaboration with international partners, including the United States. “Our engagements focus on intelligence sharing, mutual respect, and cooperation, while safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty,” he said. Bwala emphasised that insecurity should not be misconstrued as a religious conflict, warning that such mischaracterisation only deepens division and hinders collective national efforts to restore peace. “If we were to rank the nation’s priorities, this issue would come fourth. Our key focus areas remain security, food security, agriculture, and healthcare,” he said. Bwala explained that the government’s diplomatic approach was deliberately balanced and assertive enough to defend Nigeria’s image but cautious to preserve international goodwill. “This is about protecting Nigeria’s sovereignty and correcting misinformation. The government will continue to engage responsibly and transparently,” Bwala said. The presidential aide reaffirmed that every Nigerian, regardless of faith or background, deserves protection under the law. “Every Nigerian life matters equally,” he said. “This administration stands for peace, unity, and fairness across all faiths.”

2026 WC Qualifiers: 18 Players in Camp as Super Eagles begin Morocco Final Push

  The Super Eagles’ camp has officially opened in Rabat, Morocco, ahead of Thursday’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup CAF playoff against Gabon, with 18 players already on the ground as preparations intensify. The team confirmed the development in a post on its official X handle on Tuesday, sharing the full list of arrivals under the caption “Eagles in Camp.” Those in Morocco include Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi, Samuel Chukwueze, Tolu Arokodare, Olakunle Olusegun, Wilfred Ndidi, Moses Simon, William Troost-Ekong, Benjamin Fredericks, Chidozie Awaziem, Amas Obasogie, Stanley Nwabali, Semi Ajayi, Ademola Lookman, Akor Adams, Chidera Ejuke, Bright Osayi-Samuel, and Raphael Onyedika. Team officials and the first batch of players arrived at the Rive Hotel, Rabat, on Sunday afternoon, signalling the start of the final phase of preparations for the decisive fixture. The team’s media officer, Promise Efoghe, earlier confirmed that early arrivals included the trio of Bassey, Iwobi, and Chukwueze, alongside Arokodare and Olusegun. Head coach, Eric Chelle, had named a 24-man squad for the playoffs, featuring a blend of returning stars and consistent performers. Udinese goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye, and Sevilla winger, Chidera Ejuke, both earned recalls after strong club performances this season. Nigeria will face Gabon in Thursday’s semi-final clash, while Cameroon will battle the Democratic Republic of Congo in the other fixture at the El-Barid Stadium, also in Rabat. Winners of both matches will meet in the final on November 16 to determine who advances to the inter-confederation playoffs for a place at the 2026 World Cup in North America. The Super Eagles, who last featured at the global tournament in 2018, are aiming to reclaim their place on football’s biggest stage after missing out on the 2022 edition in Qatar.