Archive January 26, 2026

President Tinubu Departs Abuja For State Visit To Türkiye

In an effort to improve bilateral relations between the two nations, President Bola Tinubu has left Abuja for a state visit to the Republic of Türkiye.

On Monday, the President made his way to the visit to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, arriving at around 2:05 p.m.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, stated in a statement on Sunday that the visit aims to intensify cooperation in key areas like security, education, social development, innovation, and aviation.

Onanuga noted that the trip comes in the wake of Recep Tayyip Erdoan’s earlier official visit to Nigeria in October 20 and 20, 2021, which boosted relations between Abuja and Ankara.

Read more:  Tinubu Will Take a Trip to Turkey On Monday.

Both nations are expected to engage in strategic political and diplomatic missions centered on interconnected financial, trade, and investment goals during President Tinubu’s visit.

Additionally, the program will feature senior government officials from both countries signing memoranda of understandings (MoUs) covering protocol, media and communications, energy, technical cooperation, and protocol.

The presidency noted that a business forum will be held on the day of the visit to discuss potential opportunities for reciprocal economic growth among Nigerian and Turkish investors.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, the Minister of Defense, General Christopher Musa (rtd), and Jimi Benson, the chairman of the House Committee on Defence, are all members of the President’s delegation.

The Minister of Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Mohammed Mohammed, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Suleiman-Ibrahim, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of Culture and Creative Economy, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, and the Minister of Culture and Creative Economy are also present.

President Tinubu Departs Abuja For State Visit To Türkiye

In an effort to improve bilateral relations between the two nations, President Bola Tinubu has left Abuja for a state visit to the Republic of Türkiye.

On Monday, the President made his way to the visit to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, arriving at around 2:05 p.m.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, stated in a statement on Sunday that the visit aims to intensify cooperation in key areas like security, education, social development, innovation, and aviation.

Onanuga noted that the trip comes in the wake of Recep Tayyip Erdoan’s earlier official visit to Nigeria in October 20 and 20, 2021, which boosted relations between Abuja and Ankara.

Read more:  Tinubu Will Take a Trip to Turkey On Monday.

Both nations are expected to engage in strategic political and diplomatic missions centered on interconnected financial, trade, and investment goals during President Tinubu’s visit.

Additionally, the program will feature senior government officials from both countries signing memoranda of understandings (MoUs) covering protocol, media and communications, energy, technical cooperation, and protocol.

The presidency noted that a business forum will be held on the day of the visit to discuss potential opportunities for reciprocal economic growth among Nigerian and Turkish investors.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, the Minister of Defense, General Christopher Musa (rtd), and Jimi Benson, the chairman of the House Committee on Defence, are all members of the President’s delegation.

The Minister of Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Mohammed Mohammed, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Suleiman-Ibrahim, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of Culture and Creative Economy, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, and the Minister of Culture and Creative Economy are also present.

‘I’ve never doubted mental resilience of this group’

Dewi Lake insists his team will “never give up fighting” despite the turmoil surrounding the domestic game in Wales.

Lake captains his country into the 2026 Six Nations on the back of major upheaval around regional rugby.

The squad begin preparations for their opening game against England days after news that the owners of Lake’s Ospreys side are bidding to take over Cardiff with one Welsh region to be culled by the WRU.

Europe’s Elite Jostle For Champions League Last-16 Places

As the league’s final round of the season approaches this week, clubs like Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, and Liverpool are all vying for direct passage to the Champions League’s last 16.

With all 18 games beginning on Wednesday, 15 teams have already secured their places in the knockout rounds, with 17 more vying for the top spots.

On January 21, 2026, Athletic Bilbao’s players celebrate after scoring their team’s third goal in the UEFA Champions League, league phase 7 football game between Atalanta Bergame and Athletic Bilbao at Bergamo’s Atleti Azzurri d’Italia stadium. (Photo by PIERO CRUCIATTI/AFP)

Although PSG demonstrated last year that there is no stopping PSG from lifting the trophy, the top eight receive a bye into the last 16 while the next 16 teams will enter Friday’s play-off draw.

What’s at stake on matchday eight is examined by AFP Sport:

qualified for the final 16

Bayern Munich and Arsenal, who have won seven of their seven matches, are the only two teams who are already guaranteed a spot in the last 16. Since the league phase was introduced last year, the Gunners could become the first team to win all eight games. They play Kairat Almaty, who has just one point and is at the bottom of the table.

In November, Bayern suffered only one defeat in Europe at Arsenal. In their final match, Van Kompany’s men travel to PSV Eindhoven.

Guaranteed knockout position

Real Madrid, a record 15-time champions, will defeat Benfica to seal a place in the last 16 with a victory. If Qarabag is defeated at Anfield, Liverpool will follow them, and Tottenham knows that despite their domestic struggles, they can avoid the play-offs if they defeat them at Eintracht Frankfurt.

Eight teams, including those who finished sixth and thirteenth, are tied for 13 points when PSG hosts Newcastle at Parc des Princes. Chelsea are currently in the top eight, but former Blues boss Antonio Conte is tasked with a challenging task at Napoli.

On January 21, 2026, FC Bayern Munich (GER) and Royale Union St-Gilloise (BEL) celebrate with Bayern Munich’s English forward No. 09 Harry Kane (L). (Photo by Karl-Josef HILDENBRAND/AFP)  

Manchester City and Barcelona rank ninth and eleventh, respectively. If any of the teams in the upper eight fall short, they could easily snag a spot in the top eight. At the very least PSG or Newcastle will lose points, if not both.

Inter, who have lost three games in a row, and Juventus are also included, while Atletico Madrid, Atalanta, and Sporting Lisbon are also included. Regardless of the results on Wednesday, all of those clubs will exit the league.

On track to win.

Borussia Dortmund and Galatasaray will almost certainly advance. After a last-gasp victory over Eintracht last week, Qarabag from Azerbaijan are now on a roll to knockout status.

The top 24 currently includes Marseille, Bayer Leverkusen, Monaco, PSV, Athletic Bilbao, and Olympiacos, but there are seven other clubs that could resurrect them.

Outside, looking in

The most notable team in danger of missing out on the knockout phase is Italian champion Napoli. Due to fewer goals scored, they are 25th overall, behind Olympiacos.

After winning their final game, FC Copenhagen travels to Barcelona with eight points. Former European champions Benfica and Ajax must win in order to qualify. Club Brugge, Bodo/Glimt, Pafos, and Union Saint-Gilloise all have similar policies.

Eliminated

Europe’s Elite Jostle For Champions League Last-16 Places

As the league’s final round of the season approaches this week, clubs like Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, and Liverpool are all vying for direct passage to the Champions League’s last 16.

With all 18 games beginning on Wednesday, 15 teams have already secured their places in the knockout rounds, with 17 more vying for the top spots.

On January 21, 2026, Athletic Bilbao’s players celebrate after scoring their team’s third goal in the UEFA Champions League, league phase 7 football game between Atalanta Bergame and Athletic Bilbao at Bergamo’s Atleti Azzurri d’Italia stadium. (Photo by PIERO CRUCIATTI/AFP)

Although PSG demonstrated last year that there is no stopping PSG from lifting the trophy, the top eight receive a bye into the last 16 while the next 16 teams will enter Friday’s play-off draw.

What’s at stake on matchday eight is examined by AFP Sport:

qualified for the final 16

Bayern Munich and Arsenal, who have won seven of their seven matches, are the only two teams who are already guaranteed a spot in the last 16. Since the league phase was introduced last year, the Gunners could become the first team to win all eight games. They play Kairat Almaty, who has just one point and is at the bottom of the table.

In November, Bayern suffered only one defeat in Europe at Arsenal. In their final match, Van Kompany’s men travel to PSV Eindhoven.

Guaranteed knockout position

Real Madrid, a record 15-time champions, will defeat Benfica to seal a place in the last 16 with a victory. If Qarabag is defeated at Anfield, Liverpool will follow them, and Tottenham knows that despite their domestic struggles, they can avoid the play-offs if they defeat them at Eintracht Frankfurt.

Eight teams, including those who finished sixth and thirteenth, are tied for 13 points when PSG hosts Newcastle at Parc des Princes. Chelsea are currently in the top eight, but former Blues boss Antonio Conte is tasked with a challenging task at Napoli.

On January 21, 2026, FC Bayern Munich (GER) and Royale Union St-Gilloise (BEL) celebrate with Bayern Munich’s English forward No. 09 Harry Kane (L). (Photo by Karl-Josef HILDENBRAND/AFP)  

Manchester City and Barcelona rank ninth and eleventh, respectively. If any of the teams in the upper eight fall short, they could easily snag a spot in the top eight. At the very least PSG or Newcastle will lose points, if not both.

Inter, who have lost three games in a row, and Juventus are also included, while Atletico Madrid, Atalanta, and Sporting Lisbon are also included. Regardless of the results on Wednesday, all of those clubs will exit the league.

On track to win.

Borussia Dortmund and Galatasaray will almost certainly advance. After a last-gasp victory over Eintracht last week, Qarabag from Azerbaijan are now on a roll to knockout status.

The top 24 currently includes Marseille, Bayer Leverkusen, Monaco, PSV, Athletic Bilbao, and Olympiacos, but there are seven other clubs that could resurrect them.

Outside, looking in

The most notable team in danger of missing out on the knockout phase is Italian champion Napoli. Due to fewer goals scored, they are 25th overall, behind Olympiacos.

After winning their final game, FC Copenhagen travels to Barcelona with eight points. Former European champions Benfica and Ajax must win in order to qualify. Club Brugge, Bodo/Glimt, Pafos, and Union Saint-Gilloise all have similar policies.

Eliminated

Ex-Minister Alison-Madueke’s Corruption Trial Stalled

Due to technical and legal issues, Diezani Alison-Madueke’s trial in London’s corruption case began on Monday, according to lawyers.

Also read: Ex-Minister Diezani Reappears In London Court for “£100, 000 Bribery” Trial.

The 65-year-old, who became the first woman to lead OPEC between 2010 and 2015, when Goodluck Jonathan was the country’s president, is accused of accepting five counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiring to commit bribery.

According to lawyers, the trial may not begin until Tuesday because both the prosecution and defense teams need to come to terms with specific evidence that may or may not be examined during the proceedings and decide who the jurors will be.

Between 2011 and 2015, Alison-Madueke is accused of accepting “financial or other advantages” from individuals connected to the SPOG Petrochemical and Atlantic Energy companies.

These included £100, 000 ($137, 000) in cash, staff costs at several London properties, furniture, chauffeur-driven cars, and a private jet flight to Nigeria.

Other allegations include receiving bribes, including school expenses for her son, Louis Vuitton and other high-end products from Harrods and other outlets.

According to the indictment, accepting these bribes constituted “improper performance” of her duties as oil minister.

Before the trial, which is scheduled to last 10 to 12 weeks, she made an appearance in a London court last week for preliminary proceedings, including jury selection and technical matters.

On bribery-related bribery-related charges, two others, Doye Agama and Olatimbo Ayinde, are also facing charges.

“Power Abuse”

Since her initial arrest in London in October 2015, Alison-Madueke has been on bail.

She has denied the accusations leveled at her.

According to the National Crime Agency (NCA), she was formally charged with accepting bribes in 2023.

Diezani Alison-Madueke allegedly misused her position in Nigeria and accepted financial rewards for signing multi-million-pound deals, according to the NCA at the time.

The NCA, which targets organized crime and serious international crime, announced earlier in 2023 that it had provided evidence to US prosecutors allowing them to recover assets worth $53.1 million related to Alison-Madueke’s alleged corruption.

According to the US Department of Justice, the documents included a 65-meter (213-foot) superyacht, the Galactica Star, as well as expensive real estate in California and New York, as well as.

Alison-Madueke studied architecture in the oil city of Port Harcourt in 1960 before working for Shell’s Nigerian subsidiary. She was born to a wealthy family in Port Harcourt.

She served three significant political positions, first as Minister of Mines and Steel Development and then as Minister of Mines and Steel Development in 2007.

In April 2010, Jonathan appointed her Minister of Petroleum Resources after Yar’Adua passed away.

She became the first woman to lead OPEC in 2014, a position she held for about a year.