“National Shame” — Peter Obi slams insecurity in schools on children’s day

 Nigeria’s former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has expressed deep concern over the continued abduction of schoolchildren across the country, describing the situation as a national tragedy and a sign of collapsing school safety.

In a strongly worded statement marking the celebration of Children’s Day, Obi said his thoughts remain heavy despite the occasion meant to honour Nigerian children.

He lamented that several schoolchildren have spent years in captivity, while their images continue to circulate on social media, reflecting unresolved insecurity.

Rising insecurity in schools and prolonged captivity crisis

Obi condemned the repeated attacks on schools and the inability of authorities to secure the safety of learners, warning that the trend has created fear among parents, teachers, and students nationwide.

He stressed that  education cannot thrive in an environment where children are no longer safe within school premises.

According to him, the prolonged captivity of abducted children represents a national shame and a painful reminder of the country’s security challenges.

He noted that many  families continue to live in anguish, waiting for news of their missing children without closure.Family

He further argued that a country unable to protect its children from criminal groups risks losing global respect and moral credibility.

He described the situation as unacceptable and urged urgent action to restore safety in schools.Education

Obi added that while Children’s Day should be a moment of joy and reflection, it has instead become a reminder of unfinished responsibilities toward protecting the nation’s youngest citizens.

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Fenerbahce intensify move for Supper Eagles defender Bassey

 Turkish giants Fenerbahce have stepped up efforts to sign Nigeria international Calvin Bassey from Fulham during the summer transfer window.

The Super Eagles defender has emerged as one of the club’s priority targets as Fenerbahce look to strengthen their squad following another disappointing domestic campaign.

Fenerbahce president set for transfer talks

According to reports in Turkey, Fenerbahce president Aziz Yildirim is expected to travel to London to open discussions over a possible deal for the 25-year-old centre-back.

The Istanbul club are aiming to rebuild after extending their Turkish Super Lig title drought to 13 years, with rivals Galatasaray continuing to dominate domestically.

Bassey is understood to be highly regarded by Fenerbahce’s recruitment team following his consistent performances in the Premier League with Fulham.

The Nigerian defender joined Fulham from Ajax in 2023 for a reported €22.5 million fee and has since become one of the club’s most reliable defensive players.

Bassey’s stock rises after strong Fulham spell

Since arriving at Craven Cottage, Bassey has made more than 100 appearances for Fulham, contributing four goals and one assist while establishing himself as a regular starter.

His physicality, pace and defensive awareness have earned praise in England, with many observers previously linking him with moves to bigger clubs across Europe’s top leagues.

Fenerbahce are reportedly confident they can afford a deal, with Bassey valued at around €28 million.

The defender’s contract situation could also influence negotiations, as he is believed to have just one year remaining on his current agreement with Fulham.

Super Eagles star could face major decision

Bassey’s relatively modest wages (€29,000 weekly) compared to top Premier League earners may also make a move financially attractive if Fenerbahce present an improved package.

Kylian Mbappe named Real Madrid Player of the Season again

 Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe has been named the club’s Player of the Season for the second consecutive campaign after another prolific year in Spain.

The France captain retained the individual honour following an impressive 2025-26 season in which he established himself as Real Madrid’s leading attacking figure despite the club’s wider struggles across competitions.

Mbappe dominates scoring charts

Mbappe finished as La Liga’s top scorer with 25 goals and also ended the UEFA Champions League campaign as the competition’s leading scorer after netting 15 times.

Across all competitions, the 27-year-old registered 42 goals and seven assists in 44 appearances, directly contributing to 49 goals during the season.

His performances further strengthened his status as one of world football’s most decisive forwards since joining Real Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain.

Individual brilliance amid team struggles

Mbappe’s personal success came during a difficult period for Real Madrid, with the Spanish giants enduring back-to-back underwhelming campaigns collectively.

While the club struggled to meet expectations domestically and in Europe, Mbappe remained one of the few consistent performers in Carlo Ancelotti’s squad.

The French forward is now expected to shift focus to international duty after being selected by France manager Didier Deschamps for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

France star eyes more World Cup history

Mbappe already won the World Cup with France in 2018 and will head into the upcoming tournament aiming to add a second title to his career achievements.

He is also closing in on another major milestone, sitting four goals away from becoming the competition’s all-time leading scorer.

Eric Chelle learns key lessons from Zimbabwe victory

 The Super Eagles of Nigeria secured a comfortable 2-0 victory over Zimbabwe in the Unity Cup semi-final, but for head coach Eric Chelle, the match provided more than just a place in the final.

The encounter at The Valley Stadium gave the Super Eagles boss an opportunity to assess several new players and tactical ideas ahead of future competitions, including the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Attack shows promise

Nigeria’s attacking performance was one of the biggest positives from the match, particularly the performance of debutant Femi Azeez.

The forward scored twice on his first appearance for the Super Eagles and immediately offered pace, directness and movement in the final third.

Despite praising the winger’s goals, Chelle admitted he still expected more from the player technically.

“He scored two goals, congratulations to him, but also lost a lot of balls technically, so I’m not happy,” Chelle said.

“He won the ball back many times, sometimes he didn’t recover the ball, so I’m not happy. But for the first time, we can say, ‘Azeez, congratulations.’”

Midfield balance still developing

Nigeria’s midfield trio of Tochukwu Nnadi, Alhassan Yusuf and Samson Tijani delivered a disciplined display, helping the team control possession for long periods.

The midfielders also pressed aggressively after losing the ball, limiting Zimbabwe’s opportunities to attack through central areas.

However, the game also exposed a lack of creativity from deeper positions, with Nigeria relying heavily on wing play and direct attacking transitions.

Defensive stability encourages Chelle

At the back, Nigeria produced one of their most organised defensive performances in recent outings.

The central defensive partnership of Chibuike Nwaiwu and Igoh Ogbu remained composed throughout, while debutant goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo impressed with his calmness and shot-stopping ability.

Okonkwo’s confidence provided further evidence that the Super Eagles may finally be developing stronger depth in goal and defence beyond the regular starters.

Overall, the Zimbabwe victory offered Chelle valuable insight into several emerging players as Nigeria continue building towards future international competitions.