Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has admitted it would be a “huge disappointment” if his side fail to secure qualification for the Champions League as they prepare for their final Premier League fixture of the season against Everton on Sunday.
Howe’s team knows that a victory at St James’ Park would effectively guarantee a top-five finish.
Currently fourth in the table on 66 points, Newcastle sit ahead of Chelsea and Aston Villa on goal difference, with seventh-placed Nottingham Forest a further point behind.
The Magpies are eager to cap a memorable campaign by returning to the Champions League after a one-year absence.
Howe’s squad has already ended a 56-year trophy drought with their victory over Liverpool in the League Cup final, and securing a lucrative place in Europe’s premier club competition would be the perfect crowning achievement.
“Football emotions swing so quickly. In that moment, it will feel like a huge disappointment because we have been in there fighting for two-thirds of the season,” Howe said on Friday.
“If we miss out, it will be a tough one to take. We know what we need to do and what we want to do. All our emotions are focused on that.”
When asked whether it was important for Saudi-owned Newcastle to compete in the Champions League due to the financial rewards, Howe replied: “Everyone talks about finances and I understand why because that is important.
“But for us, it’s about wanting to play against the best teams in the best competition. To try to win those competitions—that is why you compete in them.”
Newcastle’s hopes of overcoming Everton will be greatly enhanced if Sweden striker Alexander Isak returns from injury.
Isak missed last weekend’s defeat at Arsenal with a groin problem, and Howe said he was unsure whether his leading scorer would be fit to face Everton.
“We’d love him to be fit and available for the game,” Howe said. “He has to be free in his movement and everything because he’s that kind of player, he’s electric at his best. So let’s see.
“We’ll only play him if he’s fit to contribute, but at the moment he has an opportunity, potentially.”
The European Union on Thursday identified Nigeria among several countries posing significant concerns over intellectual property rights violations, placing it alongside China, India, Türkiye, Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Indonesia, and Thailand on its latest priority watch list.
The EU’s Trade and Economic Security Commission, in its biennial report on the Protection and Enforcement of IPR in Third Countries, warned that counterfeiting and piracy are causing serious harm to the European economy.
In 2023, EU customs seized 17.5m counterfeit items worth nearly €811m at its borders. Online piracy was also reported to be on the rise.
Highlighting the economic stakes, the commission noted that IPR-intensive industries contribute nearly half of the EU’s annual GDP and over 80 percent of its exports.
These industries are vital for sustainable job creation and economic stability.
The report classified China as the top concern for the EU, followed by India and Türkiye.
Nigeria, alongside Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Indonesia, and Thailand, falls into the third priority group.
“China remains a top priority for EU efforts to protect the Intellectual Property Rights of its businesses, innovators or creators, followed closely by India and Türkiye as second priority countries. Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Indonesia, Nigeria and Thailand are third priority countries,” it added.
The EU acknowledged some progress in Nigeria, including efforts to strengthen its IP regime through legislative reforms such as the new Nigeria Customs Service Act and the implementation of a national IP policy launched in 2022.
However, it expressed concern that these measures have yet to deliver sufficient results.
A significant issue cited was the failure to pass the Industrial Property Commission Bill introduced in 2016, which aimed to harmonise existing IP laws and establish a national industrial property commission.
The EU noted that without incorporating international agreements like the TRIPS Agreement into national law, Nigeria’s IP framework remains inadequate.
The report also criticised the slow and outdated administrative processes in the Nigerian Patents and Designs Registry, which hinder the registration of trademarks and certification marks.
It pointed out that Nigeria lacks a dedicated system for registering Geographical Indications, further complicating protection.
“Nigeria continues to implement its National Intellectual Property Policy And Strategy adopted in 2022, which seeks to promote a comprehensive IP ecosystem as a catalyst for harnessing the full potential of IPR for socio-cultural development and sustainable economic growth,” it stressed.
In the area of copyright enforcement, stakeholders noted high levels of online piracy and a lack of transparency among collective management organisations.
While legislative changes have introduced new measures such as the Online Copyright Inspectors Unit, their effectiveness remains to be seen.
The commission further highlighted Nigeria’s role as a gateway for counterfeit goods entering West Africa, particularly through its seaports.
These goods include counterfeit medicines, electronics, and fashion items, many of which originate from China.
“Nigeria’s major seaports serve as maritime gateways for the import of counterfeit products, including counterfeit medical products, mainly into West Africa. Nigeria is a transit point for fake electronics and electrical equipment manufactured in China for re-export to other West African countries,” it further stated.
Other obstacles undermining enforcement include limited funding, poor training of enforcement personnel, and insufficient infrastructure, especially within the judiciary.
Courts often lack the technological tools and expertise to handle complex IP cases, leading to inconsistent rulings, the reported noted.
The Coalition of United political parties has described the Thursday endorsement of President Bola Tinubu as the sole candidate for the 2027 presidential election by the forum of All Progressives Congress governors as a desperate bid for power and a panic measure.
The coalition, in a statement issued on Thursday night by its National Secretary, Peter Ameh, stated that the adoption had raised serious concerns among Nigerians.
“The recent motion at the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Summit, where the Governor of Imo State and Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum moved for President Bola Tinubu to be adopted as the sole candidate for the 2027 presidential election, seconded by Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, has raised significant concerns among Nigerians.
“This unprecedented move, just two years into President Tinubu’s term, signals deep unease within the APC camp amid widespread public dissatisfaction with the harsh economic realities facing the nation.
“The adoption of Tinubu as the sole candidate for 2027 does not reflect the will of the Nigerian people, whose votes will ultimately determine the outcome of the election,” he said.
He said the decision by APC elected officials appeared to stem from fear of rejection by the electorate, who he said were grappling with severe economic challenges.
“Nigerians across the country view this move as a troubling indication of the APC’s disconnect from the masses and an attempt to undermine the democratic process.
“We wish to make it clear that the events of the 2023 elections were merely a precursor to the collective resolve of the people. We stand united in our commitment to resist any attempts to manipulate, steal, or rig the 2027 elections.
“The Nigerian electorate will not be silenced, and we will ensure that our voices are heard through the power of our votes.
“We call on all Nigerians to remain vigilant and steadfast in defending our democracy. The 2027 elections will be a defining moment for our nation, and we will not allow the will of the people to be subverted,” he added.
President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, said he was expecting more politicians to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The President, who said he was happy with what his administration and the party had achieved, said he did not expect people to remain in “a sinking ship without a life jacket.”
He said defection was part of the game.
According to a statement on Thursday by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, the President spoke at the APC Renewed Hope Agenda Summit, held at the State House Conference Centre on Thursday.
Tinubu addressed party leaders, the National Working Committee, the leadership of the National Assembly, and the Progressive Governors’ Forum, which comprises 22 governors.
All of them collectively endorsed him for a second term.
The President said his administration’s focus on economic reforms for long-term gains has continued to receive positive reviews from within and outside the country.
“A one-party system is not suitable for democracy. We are one party ruling and carrying on with the aspirations of Nigerians.
“You don’t expect people to remain in a sinking ship without a life jacket. I am happy with what we have accomplished and expecting more people to come; that’s the game,” he was qouted as saying.
The President said citizens have the constitutional right to choose between associations.
“I thank every one of you. I am thoroughly inspired. We are just halfway through the journey that started 24 months ago,” he said.
The President thanked members of the Federal Executive Council for courageously pursuing the vision of a better Nigeria and the party leadership and National Assembly for their support.
“Together, we pledged to confront Nigeria’s challenges head-on by rebuilding the trust, fostering prosperity and restoring our nation’s economic quest.
“Today, I am proud to affirm that our economic reforms are working. Nothing good comes easy in life. All of you have been through life, and sometimes, only hard decisions can make things easy in the future.
“We couldn’t just afford to spend the future of our children and unborn babies.
“Through our Renewed Hope Agenda, our administration pledged to tackle economic instability, improve security nationwide, reduce corruption, reform governance, and lift our people out of poverty.
“How fast could you have rebuilt this country? If you allow the arbitrage in the exchange rate to continue, that is the grandfather of corruption. You could see EFCC recover over seven hundred and fifty-something houses from one person,” he said.
The President admitted that the reforms were tough decisions but assured Nigerians they were necessary.
“Yes, we encountered challenges when we assumed office in May 2023, but we have made progress by implementing difficult, long overdue but necessary economic reforms.
“We have eliminated the arbitrage-driven multiple foreign exchanges, and our far-reaching tax reforms are coming.
“Because of the reforms, our country now attracts foreign direct investments that will ultimately create jobs and produce much-needed goods and services that will significantly improve the standard of living of our people,” he said.
In his remarks, the Progressives Governors Forum Chairman and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, said the President had provided inspiring and visionary leadership and deserved a second term in 2027.
He thus moved a motion passing a vote of confidence in the President and endorsing him for the 2027 race, which was seconded by the Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, also praised the President for purposeful and inclusive leadership.
The leaders of the National Assembly said they would support the President for a second term in office and also moved a motion to endorse him.
The APC Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, who led the NWC members to endorse President Tinubu for a second term, said the President would be the party’s sole candidate for the 2027 presidential elections.
“I urge all members to reject internal sabotage. Engage communities, listen to citizens, and build a political structure beyond elections,” the former Kano governor added.
Ganduje urged members to renew their commitment to the principles that united the party and inspired its formation.
“Let us rally behind President Bola Tinubu, support our policies, and deliver the Renewed Hope Nigerians rightfully deserve,” he stated.
PUNCH Online reports that the ruling party convened the summit to review the administration’s two-year performance across key economic sectors, including health, infrastructure and security.
The Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited has given N531,000 each to 531 NYSC members in a bid to make them self-reliant.
The corps members were also empowered with starter packs to start their own businesses.
The items were presented to the corps members by the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd., Mr Bayo Ojulari, in Abuja on Thursday.
Ojulari was represented by the Group Chief Operating Officer of NNPC Ltd, Mr Roland Ewubare.
According to him, the initiative underscores NNPC Ltd’s commitment to youth development and national progress.
Ojulari described the gesture as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s future as well as a reflection of NNPCL’s values of integrity and excellence.
He praised the corps members, adding that they were selected from a highly competitive pool.
“You are exceptional candidates. We are proud to support your journey,” he said.
Ojulari urged the recipients to build purposeful businesses and uphold high standards.
“Use these resources wisely. They are seeds for your growth and transformation,” he advised.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the programme is a collaboration among NNPC Ltd. Foundation, NYSC, Corporate Affairs Commission, and Kudimata Nigeria Ltd.
The aim is to improve lives through financial empowerment.
The Managing Director of NNPC Ltd. Foundation, Mrs Emmanuella Arukwe, said the project began with a focus on financial literacy.
“More than 800,000 corps members have participated since August 2023,” she said.
Arukwe said the training covered branding, funding, project viability, and more.
The 531 finalists scored at least 70 per cent to qualify after a rigorous selection process.
“Even those not selected today have gained skills to access loans and grants. This is a long-term investment in economic resilience,” she said.
Kudimata founder, Kathleen Erhimu, hailed the initiative as a milestone.
“We are celebrating purpose and transformation. Our goal is to empower the youth for financial independence,” she said.
The Director-General of NYSC, Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, commended NNPC Ltd. for providing both training and tangible tools.
“Few partners offer such a complete package,” he said.
Nafiu praised the foundation’s contribution to youth entrepreneurship.
“This will go a long way in helping the beneficiaries realise their business dreams,” he said.
In his remarks, the Registrar-General of CAC, Hussaini Magaji, represented by Hajiya Amina Fika, congratulated the recipients.
“Your success is a testament to your resilience and creativity,” he said.
He encouraged the beneficiaries to register their businesses formally.
“Take advantage of our online platforms to access funding and grow sustainable enterprises,” he urged.
One of the beneficiaries, Ozigi Faith, described the programme as life-changing.
“It is our first step to financial freedom.
“Let us stay focused and make the most of it,” he said.
The University of Lagos has debunked online reports about the delay of NELFund loans reimbursement to students of the university who paid their obligatory fees prior to the university’s receipt of the loan.
The institution’s Head of Communication Unit, Mrs Adejoke Alaga-Ibraheem, debunked the report in a statement on Thursday.
Alaga-Ibraheem said, “Refunds are typically processed after reconciliation and verification with NELFund.
“So far, three tranches of NELFund loans have been received by the university, and beneficiaries across the first two batches have been successfully reimbursed.
“For the third batch, which was received towards the end of April, we are currently collating and reconciling students’ payment details.”
Alaga-Ibraheem assured all that refunds would be processed according to regulations.
“The university management remains committed to its core values of transparency, accountability, and student-centred service delivery.
“We implore our students to take advantage of the NELFund loan facility, and contact the NELFund help desk at our Student Affairs Division for prompt assistance and resolution on any complaint,” she said.
Error or Fraud? How GTBank Ruined a Corporate Customer’s Business and Life Over a Missing Deposit
While Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) continues business as usual—most recently celebrating its annual Food and Drinks Festival—one of its corporate customers has been left destitute, his business ruined and life upended after trusting the bank with his money. His ordeal began last year when he attempted to move his funds to another bank after discovering unauthorized transactions on his account during GTBank’s infamous system upgrade.
According to a source close to the victim, the problem began more than seven months ago during the bank’s system upgrade. Unauthorized transactions were being made from his account, yet he was locked out and had no access to monitor or prevent the activity. Alarmed by alerts showing withdrawals he didn’t authorize—and unable to access the account—the businessman, whose supply business operations depended entirely on that account, did what any rational person would do: he decided to move his funds to another institution.
When partial access was eventually restored, he initiated a transfer to move his funds. The account was debited, but the money never arrived at its destination. It has remained “pending” or “hanging” ever since.
The source revealed that the victim immediately rushed to the bank to fill out the necessary dispute forms, desperate to save his business. His corporate account held his entire capital, operational funds, and staff salaries. Despite assurances that the issue had been resolved, and despite repeated visits to the bank, the funds—several millions of naira—are still unaccounted for.
The only glimmer of hope came when his account officer reportedly informed him that the failed transaction had finally been marked as such and that the funds would be reversed into his account. That was nearly six months ago, yet nothing has been done.
Frustrated, he enlisted the help of a lawyer—also a personal friend—to write multiple letters to GTBank. When these yielded no result, he had no choice but to initiate legal proceedings against the bank.
A disturbing trend has emerged in how GTBank handles legal disputes. The bank, one of Nigeria’s most influential financial institutions, often engages Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) to stretch litigation indefinitely. A notable example is the long-standing case between GTBank and Innoson Motors, which has dragged on for nearly two decades despite what appeared to be a final Supreme Court judgment in 2019—later reversed due to technicalities.
GTBank’s reluctance to admit fault, even when evidence appears damning, suggests a strategy designed to frustrate and exhaust complainants. In this case, the aggrieved businessman now risks not only losing his business but also his entire livelihood.
One might expect the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), as the nation’s top financial regulator, to intervene in such situations. However, the CBN’s silence on past controversies involving GTBank casts doubt on whether the aggrieved party can obtain justice through that channel.
The broader implications are dire. If issues like this continue to go unchecked, they could undermine President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s campaign to attract foreign investment. No serious investor will commit funds in a system where depositors’ money can vanish without resolution or accountability.
In countries like the United States, banks face heavy sanctions and are required to compensate customers promptly for unauthorized or erroneous transactions. Nigeria must adopt similar standards if it hopes to restore public confidence in the banking sector.
Meanwhile, the customer’s life has deteriorated rapidly. He is reportedly preparing to withdraw his children from private school and move them to public institutions, having lost most of his clients due to his inability to fulfill transactions for over seven months. What initially seemed like a system error is increasingly looking like a case of corporate negligence—or possibly outright banking fraud.
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has approved the appointment of chairmen and members of governing councils/boards of tertiary institutions in the state.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Otunba Ogunwuyi, on Thursday.
See the list below:
Oyo State College of Education, Lanlate
1 Comrade Olusegun Oyewumi– Chairman
2 Alhaji Badmus Tajudeen Tunde– Member
3 Mr. Bamise Alabi– Member
4 Saliu Alao Jimoh– Member
5 Babarinde Sunday Ademola– Member
Oyo State College of Agriculture, Igboora
1. Dr. Amusan Damilare Gideon– Chairman
2. Alhaji Salami Lateef Adebayo– Member
3. Mr Oseni Abolade Olosun– Member
4. Dr Adekunle Onile– Member
5. Mr. Kareem Adesina Rashid– Member
6. Dr Saheed Adetunji Ige– Member
7. Mr. Joseph Oladapo Olaoye– Member
8. Mr Babatunde Akeem– Member
The Polytechnic Ibadan, Ibadan
1 Prof Lanre Nassar– Chairman
2 Prince Adeleke Akinboye Ajalah– Member
3 Prof. Odunola Olaitan Olutayo– Member
4 Prof.. (Engr.) Mudasiru Lateef Owolabi–Member
5 Mr. Abduljelili Sunmonu– Member
6 Engr. Tajudeen Bello Olori– Member
7 Mr Ogungbe Oludele Tunji– Member
8 Mrs Eniola Lucy Bola– Member
The Oke Ogun Polytechnic, Saki
1 Dr Bisi Ojebola– Chairman
2 Mrs Mojisola Olufunmilayo Ajayi– Member
3 Mrs Bose Morakinyo– Member
4 Adeyanju Noah Olusola– Member
5 Hon. Olajide Olusina Olatoye– Member
6 Mr Mudasir Niyi Salaam– Member
Oyo State College of Health Science and Technology, Eleyele, Ibadan
1 Dr Ganiyu Ajadi– Chairman
2 Mrs Dolapo Dosumu–Member
3 Fatai Usman Bolaji– Member
4 Mr Bodunde Adeosun– Member
While congratulating the new appointees, Makinde urged them to see their appointment as a call to service.
The appointments, according to Ogunwuyi, are with immediate effect.
South Africans voiced anger on Thursday at US President Donald Trump’s persistent false claim of a genocide against white farmers, that were repeated in talks with President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The talks between the two presidents on Wednesday were aimed at repairing relations that have nosedived since Trump took office in January, since threatening high trade tariffs and expelling the South African ambassador.
“I am not happy,” university student Nicole Mbhele told AFP. “He made it seem like we want to kill white people or white farmers for our land or want it back,” she said.
A video aired during the meeting showed the leader of a fringe, radical opposition party chanting a song from the anti-apartheid struggle about “killing” white farmers.
Trump also repeated baseless allegations that South Africa was expropriating land from the minority white Afrikaners, descendants of Dutch settlers who own more than three-quarters of commercial farmland.
“Donald Trump does not have facts about what is happening in South Africa,” said 25-year-old saleswoman Naledi Morwalle. He was making “false accusations about our country,” she said.
South Africans followed the meeting live on television and many were proud of the performance of the South African delegation, reinforced by four cabinet ministers and two top golfers.
While some said Ramaphosa could have been more adamant in rejecting Trump’s baseless claims of a “white genocide”, others noted his calm pushback that the black South Africans suffer most from the high crime rate.
“I think our country did well and put the facts out there,” said activist Ulrich Steenkamp. “Whether the world responds is up to them,” he added.
The video played during the meeting, which also showed rows of white crosses in what Trump falsely said were graves of murdered white farmers, clearly rattled Ramaphosa, said analyst Thelela Ngcetane-Vika, of the Wits School of Governance.
“In the first half of the session, President Ramaphosa was very well prepared, poised as a statesman, diplomatic… but when that video played, you could see his voice language change, he became uneasy,” she told AFP.
Ramaphosa should have provided data to disprove Trump’s disinformation, she said.
An Afrikaans father, Authur Williams, told AFP the success of the talks would only be seen in any trade deals reached between the two major trading partners.
“I sincerely hope that economically we will come to an agreement where it’s mutually beneficial and there are economic benefits for both parties,” he said.
Residents of Polobubo (Tsekelewu) in the Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State have blamed the incessant deaths of pregnant women and children in the locality on the abandoned cottage hospital in the community.
This was contained in an open letter signed by the President of Polobubo (Tsekelewu) Bloc Communities, Mr. Paul Toruwei, addressed to the Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, copies of which were made available to journalists in Warri on Thursday.
The open letter noted that the community’s cottage hospital which was inaugurated and fully equipped at the cost of ₦596m through a partnership between Chevron Nigeria Limited and the Egbema-Gbaramatu Community Development Foundation (EGCDF) under the Global Memorandum of Understanding, “was formally handed over to the Delta State Government in 2018 for management and operation.”
“Sadly, the hospital has remained non-functional due to inadequate staffing, lack of essential equipment, and total government neglect,” the letter stated.
The letter added, “The result has been devastating: community members continue to suffer from treatable illnesses, delayed diagnoses, and needless deaths daily.
“There are no resident doctors, nurses, or technical staff—no presence of the medical professionals needed to provide even the most basic healthcare services.”
It continued, “We have lost hundreds of souls—including children and pregnant women—as a direct result of this hospital not functioning.
“Conditions that should have been easily treated have become fatal due to the absence of prompt medical attention.
“The community mourns, not because help is impossible, but because it has been willfully withheld.
“Community leaders have repeatedly raised concerns over these operational failures and have called on the state government to fulfill its obligations by providing a fully functional healthcare facility with qualified personnel and modern equipment.
“The hospital, which should be a pillar of life-saving services, has instead become a monument of despair and neglect”.
The letter, however, maintained that “this failure is particularly unacceptable when viewed against the immense contributions of the Polobubo (Tsekelewu) community to the economic strength of Delta State and the nation at large”.
It recalled that “the community plays host to numerous major oil and gas operations including Chevron Nigeria Limited in Opuekeba, Olero Fields, and offshore flow stations; NPDC/Elcrest Joint Venture, operators of the Opuama Flow Station (OML 40); Tsekelewu/Polobubo Marginal Field with about five oil wells to be operated by Sahara Energy Limited; Tsekelewu/Polobubo Marginal Field – OML 130 Concession set to be operated by Conoil Nigeria Limited, among others.”
The letter then reminded Oborevwori of the need to rehabilitate the abandoned cottage hospital and to ensure “that Polobubo is not a forgotten outpost”.
“It is one of Delta State’s most vital economic assets. Its people deserve more than neglect; they deserve life, dignity, and access to basic healthcare”, the community emphasized.
The letter partly reads, “We call on the Delta State Government to urgently revive the Polobubo Cottage Hospital by deploying qualified medical professionals — doctors, nurses, technicians, and support staff; Restoring and upgrading medical equipment and diagnostic tools; Ensuring consistent medical supplies and funding for operational sustainability.
“The Polobubo (Tsekelewu) community has kept its part of the social contract — supporting the economy, enabling oil production, and accepting corporate presence. It is time for the government to honor its responsibility to protect and care for the people.
“Let the Polobubo Cottage Hospital live up to its purpose. Let it save lives, not be the reason lives are lost.”
