Real Reasons I Am Quitting International Football - William Troost-Ekong

The weight of expectation and subsequent pressure to deliver is one that's now synonymous with international football.

Fans of all countries rest their dreams on a team of 11, a squad of 23 in total, and a manager tying it all together to achieve national pride.

When that doesn't happen, chaos ensues. Superstars who were once national heroes for their successes across the globe are quickly labelled villains and become the focal point of what can be an inescapable abuse.

Sometimes, the scriptwriters leave the fate of a nation to the finest of margins. A penalty shoot-out, a late goal, a refereeing decision. Or sometimes the issues tell a tale of wider infrastructural oversights.

For William Troost-Ekong, the now former captain of Nigeria after he decided to call time on a decade-long career as a Super Eagle, that "pressure was a privilege."

The centre-back will not be at the Africa Cup of Nations. His international retirement came as a shock to many Nigerians.

Most, who looked forward to righting the wrongs of the 2023 final defeat against Ivory Coast and their most recent failure to reach the World Cup for the second consecutive time, have been left bewildered by the timing. However, it's a decision that Troost-Ekong has battled with for some time.

"I just felt like the right time for me," Troost-Ekong told Sky Sports.

"It feels like a chapter is closing. But I also feel happy, I feel proud. I've had such a great run with the Super Eagles to be part of the team for over 10 years.

"It's been such a big part of my identity, something I've been so proud of. Just to be part of the team is one of the biggest honours that I've had in my life so far.

"For me to grow into becoming a captain of the team is something that I couldn't have even imagined at the start of it.

"It's bittersweet, but it just felt like the right time for me."

Troost-Ekong retires as Nigeria's ninth-most capped player, with 83 appearances to his name.

His time with the national team was a rollercoaster. There were highs interlinked with the lows, along with doubts and disagreements. Troost-Ekong was part of a Nigeria team that earned a bronze medal at the Rio 2016 Olympics before achieving third place at the 2021 AFCON.

In 2023, he led Nigeria to the AFCON final as captain, becoming the competition's highest-scoring defender ever while also being named Player of the Tournament. A career highlight, scoring in the final to open the scoring, became a low, shipping two goals to hosts Ivory Coast, and losing as favourites for the competition.

"It feels surreal," Troost-Ekong says as he describes the feeling of dragging his nation to an AFCON final.

"I think maybe because I already had the first thoughts about stopping at that time. I was probably more emotional.

"I wasn't in the best relationship with the coach that we had at the time, even though we made up afterwards and I went to the tournament.

"So to be there, I was just trying to enjoy it as much as I could because I kind of said to myself, 'this would be my last tournament'.

"It wasn't until we finished the tournament, and I thought, wow, that was something really special to be a part of. And I think I managed to show my best version and lead the team as well as I could."

Troost-Ekong was in tears after the final whistle blew in Abidjan. But as his sorrow turned to pride, anger from fans who felt their team should have won turned to abuse, platformed by a harsh Nigerian media.

Fulham duo Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi felt the full brunt of the abuse as their Premier League status came with expectation that they failed to deliver upon.

An unforgiving media alongside a passionate fanbase is a recipe for disaster when things don't go your way.

"Was the media scrutiny too much? Maybe at times. When I got older, I kind of had to learn how to deal with that.

"And I think the best way is through experiencing it. I think you have to share that. I don't think you've got to take that upon yourself because it's not just me playing in the team.

"But as a team, my role was definitely growing in that and change because you have to try and absorb that and try to keep everyone level-headed.

"It's difficult to do because there are so many moving parts, whether it's the manager, whether it's within the federation, or of course, the fans who want the best for the team and are so passionate, which is also the beauty of Nigerian football.

"It can be a lot sometimes. So, I think you just try to create a circle around the team and you treat that as a family."

Troost-Ekong has stepped away from the "family" in a playing capacity but believes the foundations have been laid to achieve success. However, Nigeria haven't won the tournament since 2013. Every year spent without the trophy since has spelt failure for a nation consistently among the favourites and among the competition's most valuable squads.

Having said that, players such as Iwobi and Bassey have grown more mature.

Victor Osimhen's performances at the height of the European game have sustained, while the likes of Ademola Lookman and Wilfried Ndidi will hope to play a key role this AFCON.

"I feel like there's been a gradual passing of the baton from where I am as one of the leaders and captain of the team," Troost-Ekong said.

"It's time to step away and let the next generation and the boys I've been playing with for the last years give them a chance to write their own story.

"The team are very well placed to achieve something at this AFCON.

"The last AFCON taught us so much. Of course, losing that, you learn a lot. You understand how to play that occasion better when it comes.

"I think the team will be unfazed now until that moment and they'll definitely want to put those wrongs right.

"I'll be there to support them as much as I can because I think if we have a chance to win the AFCON now in Morocco, I would still feel like I've been a part of that generation, the set of players, even though I wouldn't be there at that moment.

"It would be a beautiful way to kind of crown the generation of players that we've had now and also give them the respect that they, over the years, probably deserved. But you need to earn it. There's been a golden set before 2013 that won it."

Culled from Sky Sports

 

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Government Should Penalize Wives Who Provoke Their Husbands - Nollywood Actress, Esther Nwachukwu

Nollywood actress Esther Nwachukwu has called for sanctions against wives who habitually provoke their husbands. Speaking on the various marital crises in the entertainment industry, she said, “Women should not provoke men to anger. In fact, the government should start sanctioning women for their provocative behaviour in marriage.”

According to the actress, women should not only speak up when abused but also when men treat them well.

“Women speaking up when they are abused is fine. But they should also acknowledge when men do their best for them. Men are barely cared for. All fingers point at men when things go wrong, but nobody considers what women do. If things are good, women are applauded; if bad, men are blamed. No one cares for these men.”

She also explained her involvement in Regina Daniels and Ned Nwoko’s marriage controversy.

“Regina Daniels has nothing to lose; she’s young and may end up marrying a white man. But she has publicly disgraced Ned Nwoko and damaged his reputation. I am convinced Ned would lose the next election.”

 

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I Will Never Marry Again - Nollywood Actress, Regina Daniels

Nollywood actress Regina Daniels says she can never marry again, having lost faith in the marriage institution. Daniels said she feels “traumatised” by the idea of marriage following her ongoing marital crisis with her estranged husband, Senator Ned Nwoko.

Regina revealed this in a recently-uploaded video on her Facebook account which she captioned “God is my guyy shaaa, and I’m his special last born”. Her post prompted followers to ask questions about her future.

When asked if she would consider marrying another man, Daniels replied without hesitation: “Nopeee! Traumatized with that institution.”

On whether she misses her husband and children, she said, “I no get strength to add effort pepper person. My waking up every day na tatashe but yes I freakinggggg missssss my kids.”

The couple’s private troubles spilt into the public domain in October when a video surfaced showing Daniels in tears, alleging she was a victim of domestic violence. Nwoko swiftly denied the claims, insisting instead that his wife was battling drug and alcohol addiction.

Daniels later acknowledged her involvement with hard drugs but accused the lawmaker of engineering her dependency as a means of manipulation and control.

The movie star has two male children with Nwoko.

 

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Nobody Died, No Injuries Recorded In Ejigbo Hoodlums Attack - Police

The Lagos State Police Command has refuted media reports suggesting that a death and injuries were recorded when hoodlums invaded Ajebo community, near Agbowa in the Ikosi-Ejirin Local Council Development Area (LCDA).

In a statement on Friday, the Lagos police spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, said the reports were not only untrue and misleading but highly mischievous.

“The Lagos State Police Command wishes to categorically set the record straight and correct the mischievous, untrue, and misleading report by ‘Newtelegraphng’ alleging that Ajebo community was invaded by armed hoodlums who destroyed properties, injured residents, and fired gunshots indiscriminately,” Adebisi said.

She explained that the incidents that occurred are a land dispute between two families within the Ajebo community that led to chaos and confusion in the village.

Adebisi stated that upon receiving the report, the police joint intervention teams comprising the Tactical Squads, the PMF Anti-Riots Police personnel, conventional police personnel from Agbowa Division, Area N Command, and other special Police units from the Lagos Police Command Headquarters as well as others stationed at Agbowa were immediately deployed to the location.

According to her, normalcy was promptly restored, and the people of the community continued to go about their normal business and other activities of livelihood.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, has directed a prompt intervention and investigation into the incident.

Adebisi said preliminary investigation revealed that the disturbance and clashes within the village stemmed from a land dispute between two contending families, and not an attack by gunmen against the community.

“No life was lost and no injuries were inflicted on anyone or the people of the village before and during the clashes before normalcy was restored and is currently being sustained,” she clarified.

“The Command further wishes to reaffirm that there was no firing of any firearm or guns during the incident, contrary to the claims circulated in the report.

“No death or injury was also recorded, and there was no invasion of the community by any armed group from anywhere.

“The detachments of Police Officers and other tactical Squads intervened and acted swiftly, professionally, and immediately restored peace and tranquility throughout the community. Peace has since returned to the area.”

She added that the leadership of the two parties involved in the land dispute has been identified and served police invitations to report for investigation at the office of the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, immediately.

They have also been strongly warned to remain peaceful and that the police will not hesitate to apply the full weight of the law on troublemakers.

Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police, CP Jimoh, has implored and cautioned members of the public against spreading misinformation, and urged the writer of the story to desist from publishing reports that are incorrect, misleading, and capable of causing unnecessary fear and panic.

He has also stressed the need for responsible reporting for the benefit of the public, while reassuring residents of the affected community, and Lagos State in general, of the command’s unwavering commitment to maintaining peace, security, and order across Lagos State at all times.

 

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Police Burst Large Fake Drugs Manufacturing Company In Ojo

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Mr Olohundare Jimoh, has announced the successful discovery and shutdown of a large-scale fake drug manufacturing site in Ojo area of the state.

Speaking with newsmen on Wednesday at the raided building on Alhaji Oki Road, Mosafejo, in Ojo, Jimoh described the operation as a significant breakthrough in safeguarding public health.

He said that the illegal facility had been producing counterfeit pharmaceutical products intended for public consumption.

He said that many of the items recovered were orally administered drugs that posed serious health risks to unsuspecting buyers.

“Fake drugs injure and endanger the lives of thousands. The last floor of the three-storey building was where these items were being produced illegally.

“The machines used to alter drug expiry dates and repackage expired products were also recovered,” he said.

CP Jimoh stated that the operation was conducted in accordance with the powers granted to the police under Nigerian law, which mandates officers to investigate and arrest individuals involved in the production and distribution of counterfeit drugs.

He said that the police collaborated with relevant agencies throughout the investigation.

According to him, the alleged mastermind behind the operation is still on the run, and efforts are underway to track him down.

“We will extend our investigation to all his activities, we are not going to limit our work to this building, our collaboration with relevant agencies will continue until every person involved is brought to justice,” he said.

The police boss issued a stern warning, urging the public to exercise caution when buying medicines and to verify the authenticity of drugs before use.

He noted that counterfeiters often target unsuspecting buyers and encouraged people to report any suspicious activities.

“Consumers must be very careful about where they buy their drugs. If you have doubts, verify before you buy,” he said.

The commissioner also commended officers of the command, community leaders, and members of the public whose credible intelligence led to the raid.

“We appreciate the valuable information from the community. Once you give information to the police, we will protect you. This success came from actionable intelligence, and we want the public to have confidence in us,” he said.

He reiterated the command’s commitment to intensifying crime detection and prevention, adding that the fight against counterfeit drugs remains a priority.

Jimoh stated that investigations were ongoing, with more arrests expected as the command works to dismantle networks involved in distributing counterfeit medical products.

 

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How Driver Killed A 36-Year Old Man Over Parking Space In Lekki

A 36-year-old realtor, Yinka Agboola, has been killed after a yet-to-be-identified driver allegedly knocked him down during a dispute over a parking space at Royal Pine Estate on Orchid Road, Lekki.

It was gathered that the incident occurred on Monday evening.

An X user, @Ifeoluwaar, who raised the alarm in a series of posts, disclosed that the driver had earlier been offered an alternative parking spot after residents found his vehicle obstructing the road.

However, the driver reportedly became hostile and threatened to kill one of the residents.

The confrontation escalated into a scuffle, prompting Agboola, also a resident, to intervene.

“The situation began when the individual involved was politely asked to move his vehicle from the middle of the road to allow free movement.

“Despite being offered an alternative place to park, he responded to a resident with, ‘Do you know who I am? I will kill you right now.’

“When challenged, he became aggressive and engaged in a tussle. The victim, Olayinka Agboola, attempted to intervene,” the post read.

The X user further revealed that the suspect entered his vehicle and, rather than leaving the scene, allegedly drove forward and reversed in a threatening manner.

According to @Ifeoluwaar, Agboola attempted to restrain the driver, but the suspect sped off with him clinging to the steering wheel before knocking him against a pavement.

“While residents tried to stop him and prevent his escape, Yinka attempted to restrain him, but the suspect sped off with him hanging onto the steering wheel.

“He then slammed the brakes, throwing Yinka violently onto the pavement and into a gutter, leaving him unconscious,” the post read.

The footage of the incident, captured by a closed-circuit television camera and attached to the post, showed a white Mercedes-Benz reversing dangerously as it attempted to hit a group of people.

Another clip recorded the moment Agboola was knocked down as the vehicle sped off.

Another X user, @Omolomo, who also shared the story, provided Agboola’s sister’s bank account details to raise funds for his treatment.

In a follow-up post on Wednesday, the user announced that Agboola had succumbed to his injuries in the early hours of the day.

“Oh my God, we lost him. He died in the early hours of today,” the post read.

The videos have intensified public calls for the police to track down the suspect and bring him to justice.

@Omolomo also shared an account of the efforts made to apprehend the suspect, posting the vehicle’s number plate.

The victim’s sister, Agboola Oluwadamilola, told newsmen that the incident had been reported to the Ajah police station.

“I went to the Ajah police station. The witnesses have been there before, but I went there yesterday to give my own statement,” she said.

She added that the whereabouts of the suspect were still unknown at the time of filing in this report.

 

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The Officer Attacked At Oshodi Was Not A Thief - Lagos CP

The Lagos State Police Command has dismissed a viral video circulating on social media showing an Inspector of Police being beaten, alongside claims that he was caught stealing, describing the allegation as false and misleading.

In a statement signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, and posted on the Command’s official X handle on Thursday, the police explained that the officer in the video is attached to the Lagos State Taskforce and was on official duty enforcing the state government’s ban on wrong parking along Brown Street, Oshodi.

According to the statement, the Inspector had stopped a motorist attempting to park illegally when the driver became violent, leading to a confrontation.

During the incident, the officer accidentally discharged shots onto the road, causing debris to scatter.

Angry mob gathered immediately, the Inspector was violently attacked and sustained serious injuries.

The Command confirmed that the Inspector has been subjected to disciplinary procedures for unprofessional conduct.

Meanwhile, thirteen suspects seen assaulting the officer in the viral video have been arrested and are currently in police custody. They will be prosecuted upon the conclusion of investigations. The suspects include: Dele Oriade, 39; Adekunle Olalere, 40; Mudashiru Olamilekan, 28; Anayo Achusie, 34; Joshua Enwonyin, 24; Okoro Okechukwu, 26; Rilwan Lateef, 32; Damilare Odebode, 22; Haruna Aleshi, 25; Sodiq Omoniyi, 26; Chukwudi Patience, 25; Godstime Okafor, 26; and Chinedu Divine, 29.

The Commissioner of Police condemned the officer’s misconduct but also warned that attacks on police personnel performing lawful duties will not be tolerated.

He reiterated that assaulting law enforcement officers is a criminal offence and will not be condoned under any circumstances.

The Command urged the public to remain calm, desist from spreading misinformation, and cooperate with the police in maintaining law and order across Lagos State.

 

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Wheelchair Basketballer Musibau Shittu Establishes Disabled Sports Academy In Lagos

Nigerian wheelchair basketball player Musibau Shittu has established a sports academy for young disabled athletes in Lagos, seeking to provide opportunities he lacked during his early career.

The FOLMUS  Disabled Sports Academy, based at the National Institute for Sports, supports athletes across various para-sports beyond wheelchair basketball.

“The academy is my way of giving back,” Shittu told reporters in Lagos.

“Sports changed my life, and I want others to experience the same.”

Shittu explained that many young disabled people face limited opportunities, as their families often struggle to support them or doubt that sports can provide a viable future.

“We don’t have an official office yet, but we train athletes and help them build confidence,” he said.

“One of our players even won two gold medals in badminton at the last West African Games held in Abeokuta.”

The academy operates with minimal funding, relying on Shittu’s personal income and small contributions from friends. According to him, “We do what we can. Even if I cannot give them much, I give them knowledge and support.”

He appealed to the Lagos State Government and corporate organisations to partner with the academy to expand training and competition opportunities for young disabled athletes.

“Many talented athletes remain undiscovered because Nigeria does not have a strong system for identifying and developing para-sports talent,” Shittu said. “With proper support, Nigeria can become a leader in Africa. We have the talent. We just need to invest in the future.”

Segun Bailey, a basketball player and gym instructor, currently serves as the academy’s manager.

 

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My Leaving Christianity For Islam Has Left Me More Confused - Bunner Boy

Grammy Award-winning superstar, Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, says his leaving Christianity for Islam has left him more confused than ever. He recently spoke about his evolving spiritual journey, stating he was raised Christian but later explored and converted to Islam, though he still feels confused by organized religion. He said his spiritual journey has led him into finding more personal connection and peace in a higher power and universal protection rather than strict religious dogma, emphasizing that his search for truth is ongoing. He said religion is potentially confusing and controlling but feels a genuine, personal connection to something spiritual, leading him to study different faiths. 

In an interview with American streamer, PlaqueBoyMax, the artiste said his quest for truth has ultimately left him feeling more confused.

He said his transition from Christianity to Islam stemmed from a deep desire to understand the meaning of existence and the nature of creation.

“I grew up as a Christian, but then I converted to Islam and all types. It’s like I have studied it all. I am still out here trying to find what is really going on.

“Religion is a controlled mechanism. In all my research, there is always one scientific fact that goes against every book. Everything comes from the workshop of the sun.

“The more I researched, the more confused I got. All I know is that the truth is there is something up there protecting me. That I am in tune with. That’s why when I pray, I feel like I’m being heard.

“I am very spiritual. I believe we are creations. If we are creations, there must be a creator. Everyone is coming up with versions that are confusing me. That is what your parents believe in. That is what you are born into,” he stated.

Burna Boy, whose real name is Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, was born on July 2, 1991, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. He grew up in a middle-class family with a rich musical heritage. 

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Buildings And Other Structures Under High-Tension Power Lines By Third Mainland Bridge Will Soon Go Down, Lagos Government Warns

Lagos State government has restated its determination to remove all buildings and structures erected beneath high-tension power lines across the state, warning that such encroachments pose severe safety risks to residents.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Electronic Geographic Information System (EGIS) and Urban Development, Olajide Babatunde, gave the warning during an assessment tour of the Third Mainland Bridge corridor.

Babatunde was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Gbolahan Oki; the General Manager of the Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency (LASURA), Oladimeji Animashaun; and senior officials from other relevant agencies. The inspection covered areas from Oworonshoki to Adekunle and the Makoko axis of Ebute-Metta, where the team identified several shanties and illegal structures encroaching on the bridge setbacks and breaching the legally prescribed 50-metre right-of-way.

Babatunde stated that the state would no longer tolerate habitation or commercial activity beneath high-tension power lines or in restricted zones, emphasising that such practices endanger lives and property. He also mentioned that enforcement would be strengthened to guarantee full compliance with planning regulations, protect infrastructure, and improve public safety.

Speaking during the tour, Oki mentioned that the government had held several stakeholder meetings with residents of Makoko and other affected areas, warning them about the dangers of building directly beneath transmission cables and near the Third Mainland Bridge.

“As far back as February this year, we gave them 14 days to vacate the area, but as you can see, they refused. They are even extending towards the middle of the Third Mainland Bridge. We have warned them several times; the next step is to take the bull by the horns,” Oki said.

He explained that during various engagements, the government made it clear that after repeated warnings, there would be no further notice before enforcement begins. He added that while the government continues to collaborate with community leaders, it must prioritise public safety.

“If any of those cables fall and anything happens, the blame will be on the government. People’s lives are more important. They are also encroaching on the Third Mainland Bridge,” he said.

Oki also referenced similar enforcement carried out in Oworonshoki, which recently sparked protests and a temporary blockade of the Third Mainland Bridge. He noted that residents in the affected area were given a three-year amnesty period to regularise their buildings, yet only two households complied.

He reaffirmed Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to enforcing urban development laws and protecting lives, despite resistance from some quarters.

 

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Shakara Festival To Thrill Lagosians With 50 Afrobeats, Alté, Gospel And Other Artists At Elegushi

About 50 Afrobeats, Alté, gospel, and other artists will thrill music lovers at the maiden edition of Shakara Festival.

Shakara Festival is a comprehensive cultural experience built around four key zones: Shakara Junction, an ultimate marketplace for culture and commerce; Shakara Series, featuring deep-dive conversations and panels on the music industry and creative economy; Shakara Games Village, a dedicated space for competitive and casual gaming; and Shakara After Dark, the premier late-night party experience.

The organisers of the four-day music festival have unveiled a star-studded lineup and confirmed an electrifying Shakara After Dark takeover, solidifying its position as the must-attend event for Detty December.

The festival will run from Thursday, December 18, 2025, to Sunday, December 21, 2025, at the Nautica Beach Resort, Elegushi, Lekki, Lagos.

The festival’s musical curation showcases a powerful blend of established legends, Alté icons, and the fastest-rising stars in Afrobeats, Alternative, and Highlife music, guaranteeing a diverse and unforgettable sonic journey. The full lineup features lyrical heavyweights like BlaqBonez and Show Dem Camp, bringing Naija Rap and Alté fire, alongside soulful Afro Soul and R&B vibes from artists like J’Dess and Mich Straw.

The energy is set for the Afrobeats crew with fast-rising stars such as Mavo, Llona, Tar1q, and Morravey.

The alternative and indigenous sounds will be represented by Brymo and Johnny Drille with Folk-Fusion, while the legendary The Cavemen will deliver proper Highlife groove. The roster also connects the Diaspora with acts like Curtis J and Keys The Prince.

A key highlight of the festival will be the highly anticipated ‘Shakara After Dark’ late-night party series. The renowned nightlife brand, Obi’s House, will take over the late-night stage on December 20, 2025, promising the ultimate rave experience. Obi’s House will bring its A-team of heavy-hitting DJs, including WanniXHandi, DJ Shawn, and Bonamax, to keep the party pulsating after the main stage concludes.

The festival will climax on Sunday, December 21, 2025, with Shakara Gospel Day, an entire day dedicated to high-energy praise and worship featuring some of the biggest names in Nigerian gospel music. This powerful closing event will feature performances by Gbenga Akinfenwa, SMJ, Yinka Alaseyori, Bidemi Olaoba, Sinach, Noble G, Kingdom, Magpsalms, Ada Ehi, Gerald Bishung, and many more, offering a perfect, uplifting conclusion to the four-day cultural celebration.

When asked why gospel artistes will be performing, CEO of Shakara Festival, Godson Oriaku, said: “We have three days of performances before the gospel concert. There were clamours for a gospel concert.”

 “The primary goal of Shakara Festival is not to make money. I am not trying to compete with anyone, but to better the space. This is a legacy project, and we will do better next year,” he added.

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I'm Not The Problem Of Liverpool - Mohamed Salah

Mohamed Salah has accused Liverpool of throwing him “under the bus” after being left out of the starting lineup for the third game running as the champions drew at Leeds, saying he has been made a scapegoat for the poor start to the season and casting severe doubt on his future at the club.

“I can’t believe … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egypt international said. “The third time on the bench, I think for the first time in my career. I’m very, very disappointed. I have done so much for this club down the years and especially last season. Now I’m sitting on the bench and I don’t know why.

“It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus. That is how I am feeling. I think it is very clear that someone wanted me to get all of the blame.” He refused to specify who that person was.

Salah has been leading scorer in the Premier League four times and was both the Professional Footballers’ Association’s and the Football Writers’ Association’s player of the year last season as he helped Liverpool to his and their second Premier League triumph. But he suggested next week’s home league game against Brighton could be his last for the club. He will join up with the Egypt squad for the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco after that and he gave a strong hint that he could leave Liverpool in the January transfer window.

“I said many times before that I had a good relationship with the manager and all of a sudden, we don’t have any relationship,” Salah said after Liverpool’s 3-3 draw at Elland Road on Saturday. “I don’t know why, but it seems to me, how I see it, that someone doesn’t want me in the club.

“This club, I always support it. My kids will always support it. I love the club so much I will always do. I called my mum yesterday – you guys [journalists] didn’t know if I would start or not, but I knew. Yesterday I said [to my mum]: ‘Come to the Brighton game. I don’t know if I am going to play or not but I am going to enjoy it.’ In my head, I’m going to enjoy that game because I don’t know what is going to happen now. I will be in Anfield to say goodbye to the fans and go the Africa Cup. I don’t know what is going to happen when I am there.”

Asked directly if he thought that the Brighton fixture at Anfield next Saturday would be his last for Liverpool, he replied: “In football you never know. I don’t accept this situation. I have done so much for this club.”

Salah has scored only four Premier League goals this season, one of those a penalty, and has been widely criticised for his lack of defensive work as Liverpool have endured a stuttering start to their title defence. But he is clearly hurt that he is taking the blame for their poor form and feels the club have let him down after he agreed a two-year contract extension in the spring.

“I got a lot of promises and so far I am on the bench for three games so I can’t say they have kept the promise,” he said. “It is not acceptable for me. I don’t know why this is happening to me. I don’t get it. I think if this was somewhere else, every club would protect its player. How I see it now is like: ‘You throw Mo under the bus because he is the problem in the team now.’ But I don’t think I am the problem. I have done so much for this club.

“The respect, I want to get. I don’t have to go every day fighting for my position because I earned it. I am not bigger than anyone but I earned my position. It’s football. It is what it is. I am top goalscorer, best player, winning the league in such a style, but I am the one who has to defend himself in front of the media and fans.

“After what I have done for the club it really hurts. You can imagine, really. After going from home to the club and you don’t know if you are starting. I know the club too well, I have been here many years. Tomorrow [the Sky pundit Jamie] Carragher is going to go for me again and again and that’s fine.”

Salah did not feature in the win at West Ham last Sunday but came off the bench at half-time in the draw against Sunderland on Wednesday. However, he did not make an appearance at Elland Road, a situation he clearly finds extremely frustrating. “I have been at this club, scoring more than anyone in this generation, since I came to the Premier League. If I was somewhere else, everybody would go to the media and defend the players. I am the only one in this situation. Can I give an example?

“It’s silly but I am sorry. I remember a while ago, Harry Kane was not scoring for 10 games, and everyone in the media was like: ‘Oh, Harry will score for sure.’ When it comes to Mo everyone is like: ‘He needs to be on the bench.’”

There has been consistent interest from the Saudi Pro League for several months, but Salah would not be drawn on whether that was his likely destination. “I don’t want to answer this question,” he said, “because the club is going to take me to a different direction.”

Did he regret signing the new contract? “Imagine how bad I feel that I have to answer it, honestly,” he said. “That hurts, even the question hurts. This club, signing for this club, I will never regret it. I thought I’m going to renew here and end my career here, but this is not according to the plan, so I’m not regretting signing for the club for sure.

“Somehow it will end but the thing in my head is like: ‘Why it should end this way?’ Because I am too fit, just five months ago I was just winning every individual award so why should it go this direction?”

 

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Why I Am Married But Not Living With My Husband - Popular Gospel Artist, Shola Allyson

Popular Nigerian gospel artiste Shola Allyson has revealed that she is not currently living with her husband.

The 54-year-old singer made the disclosure during an interview on Oyinmomo TV while speaking about her love life.

Allyson, who rose to fame with her hit love-themed album Eji Owuro, said that although she is married, she and her husband do not live together.

“I’m married, but I’m not in my husband’s house. We live separately,” she said.

When asked by the interviewer, “You sang ‘Eji Owuro’, did you experience genuine love from your husband?”

Shola Allyson responded, saying her marital journey did not reflect the romantic expectations she once believed in.

“We lied before. Those older than us didn’t inform us that it’s tough. They made us believe that so long as you both love each other, you will live happily ever after, but it’s a lie. That’s not the experience I have. I didn’t have the experience of living happily ever after. I did all I could to make it work,” she said.

 

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Stop Pressurizing Me To Get Married, Nollywood Star Actress Nkechi Blessing Sunday Cries Out

Nollywood actress Nkechi Blessing Sunday has expressed her frustration over online strangers who pressure her to get married. The actress shared her experience during an interview on The Honest Bunch Podcast, where she opened up about her past, family background, and why she refuses to succumb to marriage pressure from the public.

Speaking about her upbringing, she said, “I have never dated anyone who has been violent toward me. I can say for a fact that my father used to hit my mum, but that didn’t make me feel like any man should hit me.”

She went on to recount a difficult relationship from younger years. “Even though one of my exes when I was growing up used to beat me—his name is Valentine. My mum would lock him up at the police station. And when she did, I would go there and tell the police, ‘It’s because my mother wants me to leave him for another man, that’s why she locked him up,’ even though it wasn’t true.”

According to her, her mother always took a firm stance. “The police would call my mum, and she would tell them, ‘Lock am join there.’ Before you know it, play-play, they would lock me too.”

She added that her mother was a strong-willed woman who believed no one should force marriage on her. “Do you know who my mother was? I would stay in the cell for two days, and on the third day, she would come herself and ask them to release us. She would say, ‘Leave man.’ Before she died, she never pressured me to get married.”

Nkechi stressed that marriage pressure has never come from her family but from outsiders who have no connection to her. “I didn’t come from that kind of family. It’s only these online people that are not related to me that will be telling me to go and marry. Like you’re my father or mother.”

 

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Ambulance Conveying Pregnant Woman On Oxygen Support Crashes At Maryland

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority has arrested a yet-to-be-identified ambulance driver who left a delivery motorcyclist with a limb fracture, during a traffic incident on the Odo Iya-Alaro Bridge inward Maryland along Ikorodu Road, Lagos.

This was disclosed today, in a Monday statement by Lagos State Traffic Management Agency spokesperson, Adebayo Taofiq.

According to Taofiq, the accident was caused by lingering traffic disruptions from an earlier truck fire at the same location.

“Preliminary security investigations at the scene revealed that the unfortunate occurrence was catalyzed by the residual disruptions following a truck inferno earlier in the morning at the same location.

“The aftermath of the fire incident had engendered a severe slow traffic impasse along the entire Ikorodu Road axis,” the statement partly read.

The agency reported that the private ambulance involved was transporting a pregnant woman dependent on oxygen support when the accident occurred.

“Amid the protracted slow vehicular movements, a private ambulance (BED 508 EA) conveying a pregnant woman dependent on oxygen support recklessly elected to traverse against traffic (one-way) at an imprudent and perilous speed.

“This dangerous manoeuvre culminated in a forceful collision with a delivery motorcyclist legitimately navigating his designated lane, instantly inflicting a grave and excruciating fracture to his right knee,” the statement added.

Taofiq stated that emergency response teams acted swiftly to assist the victims.

“The pregnant woman, along with her life-support apparatus, was safely transloaded into one LASAMBUS ambulance, while the second conveyed the severely injured motorcyclist to the nearest medical facility for immediate treatment,” LASTMA confirmed.

It was stated that the driver of the private ambulance was apprehended at the scene and handed over to law enforcement for further investigation.

“The driver of the private ambulance was apprehended on-site by LASTMA Officials and subsequently handed over to operatives of the Ogudu Police Division for comprehensive interrogation and potential prosecution in accordance with extant laws,” the statement said.

The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, also reaffirmed the agency’s stance on traffic safety.

“LASTMA has an uncompromising zero-tolerance posture towards the dangerous and unlawful act of driving against traffic,” he said.

 

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Dawn Accidents At Otedola And Third Mainland Bridges Claim Two Lives

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has warned motorists against reckless driving after two separate accidents claimed two lives and left two others critically injured in the early hours of today, Monday, December 8, 2025.

According to a statement issued by the agency today, the first incident occurred at about 2:30 a.m. on Otedola Bridge inward Berger along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway when an unregistered vehicle carrying two occupants collided with a heavily laden trailer while travelling at high speed. Both occupants died instantly, while the trailer driver fled the scene with the vehicle.

LASTMA’s night-duty team responded to the incident, evacuating the bodies from the carriageway and removing the wrecked vehicle to prevent secondary accidents. Officers from the Isheri Police Division provided security support, while personnel from the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit moved the remains in line with official procedures.

A second accident occurred at about 5:00 a.m. on the Third Mainland Bridge, near the UNILAG waterfront inward Lagos Island.

The crash involved an empty tanker and a pure-water distribution van with registration number SMK 67 XH. Two persons sustained serious injuries. Emergency responders from the Lagos State Ambulance Service administered first aid before conveying the victims to a health facility for further treatment.

The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, extended condolences to the families of the deceased.

He stated that the accidents underscored the consequences of excessive speeding and disregard for traffic regulations. “The tragic loss of life was preventable,” he said, stressing the need for strict adherence to speed limits prescribed by the government.

Bakare-Oki also commended the LASTMA night teams for what he described as diligence and prompt response. He noted that the Agency would maintain its 24-hour monitoring and traffic management operations across Lagos into the new year, in line with the state government’s commitment to public safety and orderly movement.

operations would continue across the state. He said the Lagos State Government remained committed to public safety and orderly mobility.

The accidents have renewed calls for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations in Lagos, where authorities continue to battle the consequences of speeding and dangerous driving on major highways.

 

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Lagos Getting Set For "Detty December"

The hotels are booked, and final preparations for the festivals and concerts are underway, as Lagos prepares for “Detty December”, Nigeria’s end-of-year frenzy.

Nigerians and tourists alike, especially members of the country’s massive diaspora, descend on the megacity annually to visit family and friends and observe the holidays — and party.

Never mind the recent state of emergency declared by the government last month over mass kidnappings in the north and centre of the country, or the brutal inflation that has squeezed the country for two years: in Lagos, the anchor of southern Nigeria and the nation’s economic capital, the music will be bumping and the drinks flowing.

A cultural staple, it’s also a crucial cash cow, raking in millions of dollars for the tourism, restaurant, and hotel sectors.

“I’ll call it a cultural pilgrimage,” Deola Art Alade, an events organiser who, with her husband, trademarked the phrase “Detty December” in 2019 and put together an annual festival mixing concerts, food, and clubbing events.

“Detty”, in Nigerian Pidgin English, is derived from “dirty” — calling to mind the, at times, wild and non-stop festivities that arise as the city swells past its normal 20-million or so residents.

– Millions in revenue –

Amid the street parties and high-profile concerts, the government is trying to take advantage of the annual homecoming by partnering with the Art Alades’ festival.

“Together we are moving Detty December from a social trend to a structured national asset,” declared Culture Minister Hannatu Musa Musawa.

Last year, the Lagos state authorities estimated that the month’s various festivities brought in some $71.5 million in government revenue, including $44 million just from the hotel sector.

That sum was welcome amid the country’s biting economic crisis, which saw inflation topping 30 percent throughout 2024.

Buoyed by the end-of-year tradition’s growth, the government this year promoted a “101 Days in Lagos” culture and tourism initiative, which has seen the last three months filled with exhibitions, conventions and festivals leading up to a “Detty December” finale.

– ‘Africa’s real summer’ –

It’s “Africa’s real summer”, Deola Art Alade’s husband Darey told AFP, and there’s evidence its popularity is expanding internationally beyond the traditional diaspora.

“People are coming to see their families, they’re bringing their friends,” Darey said, describing a “Dirty December fever”.

“This year, we have a lot of Americans living in America, you know, Black Americans now looking at coming out here and paying for packages, just to have a different kind of experience,” Iyadunni Gbadebo, sales director for Eko Hotels & Suites, told AFP.

For the hotel — Lagos’s biggest, with some 825 rooms and nine restaurants and bars — December represents some 15 to 20 percent of annual revenues.

People start booking rooms as early as July, and the hotel fills up by November.

As expected in Lagos, awash in both oil wealth and informal slums, the prices can be eye-watering: weekly packages for a family of four can range between eight and 13 million naira — $5,500 to $9,000, depending on the room.

But the ultimate holiday gift each year is the concert line-up, with globe-trotting Afrobeats stars as keen as their countrymen to take part in the homecoming.

This year, Asake and Davido are set to perform on Christmas Eve and Christmas, respectively.

Tickets are about four times the monthly minimum wage of 70,000 naira ($50).

 

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