Nigeria News (Standard)
FIDE Launches African Qualifier for World Schools Team Chess Championship in Cape Town
Winning school team from African stage to secure direct spot in December Grand Final under new continental format
Winning school team from African stage to secure direct spot in December Grand Final under new continental format
The International Chess Federation (FIDE) has announced the introduction of an African qualifier for the World Schools Team Championship, with the event scheduled to hold in Cape Town, South Africa, from July 6 to 11, 2026. The championship, which is now adopting a continental qualification structure, will see school teams from across Africa compete for a direct place in the Grand Final set for December.
The African stage follows the successful completion of the Asian Continental Stage held between April 7 and 10, 2026. According to FIDE, national chess federations across Africa are expected to select and enter their best school teams for this new phase. The winning team at the Cape Town event will automatically progress to represent Africa at the Grand Final.
This development marks a significant shift from previous years where international tournaments operated separately. The redesigned format now links regional qualifiers—such as those in Asia and Africa—to a unified global final. FIDE and the International School Chess Federation (ISCF) jointly organise the championship under this new system, with support from private partners like Freedom Holding Corp.
FIDE said that by involving national federations directly in the selection process and hosting qualifiers on the continent, it aims to strengthen chess infrastructure and development at grassroots level throughout Africa. The federation also stated that private sector involvement would help drive investment into chess education and facilities.
With preparations underway for the July tournament in Cape Town, stakeholders are optimistic that this approach will boost participation rates and raise the competitive standard of African school teams on the international scene. The Grand Final in December is expected to bring together top teams from different continents under one roof.
Source: https://guardian.ng/sport/wstc-expands-its-continental-model-with-an-african-qualifier/
Nigeria News (Standard)
Ogun Police Arrest Three Over Killing of Former OGTV Broadcaster and Security Guard
Commissioner Bode Ojajuni says arrests followed forensic probe after Olakitan Oyesiku and Pelumi Adetayo were found dead in Owode-Egba
Commissioner Bode Ojajuni says arrests followed forensic probe after Olakitan Oyesiku and Pelumi Adetayo were found dead in Owode-Egba
Police in Ogun State have arrested three suspects linked to the killing of former Ogun State Television (OGTV) broadcaster, Olakitan Oyesiku, and her security guard, Pelumi Adetayo. The incident occurred at Oyesiku’s residence in Owode-Egba, Obafemi Owode Local Government Area, where both victims were discovered dead on 21 June.
According to Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, the suspects were apprehended after detectives carried out intelligence gathering, technical tracking, and forensic analysis. Briefing journalists in Abeokuta on Thursday, Ojajuni explained that police officers attached to the Owode-Egba Division received a distress call around 4:00 p.m. on the day of the incident. They arrived to find the main entrance door partially damaged and the security post within the compound locked from outside.
“Preliminary information indicated that the front door of the residence had been partially damaged while the security house within the compound was found locked, prompting immediate police intervention,” Ojajuni said during the press briefing. He disclosed that Adetayo’s body was found inside the locked security post, while Oyesiku’s corpse was recovered within her apartment.
The double homicide has unsettled residents of Owode-Egba and media professionals in Ogun State, given Oyesiku’s status as a respected retired broadcaster with OGTV. Security concerns have heightened in recent months across parts of Ogun State as cases of violent crime continue to draw attention from government and civil society.
Ojajuni assured that investigations are ongoing to determine motives behind the killings and identify any additional conspirators. He urged members of the public to remain calm and provide useful information that could assist law enforcement agencies. As at press time, police have not released further details about the identities or confessions of those arrested.
Source: https://guardian.ng/news/nigeria/metro/police-arrest-three-over-death-of-former-ogtv-broadcaster/
Nigeria News (Standard)
Ibadan Parents Seek Review of UK Robbery Conviction as Nigerian Student Awaits Sentencing
Family of Oluwatobiloba Akinrinola claims evidence is circumstantial; sentencing set for July 27 in Nottingham prison
Family of Oluwatobiloba Akinrinola claims evidence is circumstantial; sentencing set for July 27 in Nottingham prison
The family of Oluwatobiloba Akinrinola, a Nigerian student convicted of robbery and blackmail in the United Kingdom, has called for an urgent review of his conviction, insisting their son is innocent. The appeal was made by his parents, Mr. Aderinkola Akinrinola and Mrs. Olayinka Akinrinola, in a statement released in Ibadan on Tuesday following the verdict delivered by a UK court on June 19, 2026.
Oluwatobiloba is currently being held in a Nottingham prison pending his sentencing, which has been fixed for July 27. His parents allege that the conviction was based largely on circumstantial evidence, including his association with the principal suspect and photographic as well as CCTV material presented during trial. According to them, prosecutors relied heavily on an image showing their son with the main suspect, Richile Vagnu, and CCTV footage said to have captured Oluwatobiloba entering the venue where the incident occurred on November 21, 2025.
The family maintains that Oluwatobiloba only met Vagnu shortly after he gained admission into Leicester University in September 2025 and described their relationship as casual. They argue that their son’s presence at the scene was coincidental and not indicative of any involvement in criminal activity. “Our son has no history of crime or misconduct,” Mr. and Mrs. Akinrinola stated.
The case has raised concerns among Nigerians at home and abroad regarding due process for citizens facing legal challenges overseas. Legal experts note that while UK courts generally uphold strict standards of evidence, appeals are possible if there are questions about the fairness of proceedings or reliability of proof presented at trial.
With sentencing scheduled for July 27, the Akinrinola family says they will pursue all available legal avenues to clear their son’s name. Advocacy groups have also urged relevant Nigerian authorities to provide consular support to ensure Oluwatobiloba’s rights are fully protected throughout the process.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Lagos Advocacy Group Urges Men to Back Girls’ Education with Tangible Action
Organisation says public support is not enough, calls for increased involvement of men in driving real change for female education
Organisation says public support is not enough, calls for increased involvement of men in driving real change for female education
An advocacy group in Lagos has called on Nigerian men to move beyond verbal support and take concrete steps towards advancing girls’ education. The appeal was made on Thursday, 25 June, during an event focused on promoting gender equality and access to quality education for girls across the state.
The group stated that while many men publicly endorse the importance of educating girls, there is a noticeable gap between this rhetoric and actual support in communities. Representatives at the event urged men—especially fathers, community leaders, and policymakers—to play active roles in ensuring more girls are enrolled in school and supported throughout their educational journeys.
According to the organisation, sustained progress in female education is crucial for Nigeria’s development, particularly as data from the United Nations shows that millions of girls remain out of school nationwide. Stakeholders at the event said entrenched cultural beliefs and financial barriers continue to hinder girls’ access to learning opportunities, especially in rural and low-income urban areas like parts of Lagos.
Speaking at the gathering, group leaders emphasised that visible participation by men can help dismantle stereotypes around gender roles. “It is not enough to say we support girls’ education; we must show it through our actions,” one representative said, urging fathers to prioritise their daughters’ schooling as much as their sons’. No government official had issued a statement as at press time.
The advocacy group plans further engagements with local communities and has called on relevant authorities to implement policies that will make schools safer and more accessible for girls. They also encouraged fellow civil society organisations to intensify awareness campaigns targeting both men and women.
Ogun Police Arrest Three Over Killing of Former OGTV Broadcaster and Security Guard
Ibadan Parents Seek Review of UK Robbery Conviction as Nigerian Student Awaits Sentencing
Lagos Advocacy Group Urges Men to Back Girls’ Education with Tangible Action
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