Nigeria News (Standard)
Lagos Hosts JOF U-13 Cup Grand Finale as Youth Football Talent Shines
Grassroots football tournament reaches final stage, boosting local talent development in Lagos sporting calendar
Grassroots football tournament reaches final stage, boosting local talent development in Lagos sporting calendar
The JOF U-13 Cup, a grassroots football competition for under-13 players, has reached its grand finale in Lagos, drawing attention to the city’s growing investment in youth sports. The final match, scheduled for Monday, 22 June 2026, is set to showcase emerging footballers from across Lagos State as they compete for top honours.
Organisers say the tournament has progressed through several knockout rounds featuring young teams from various parts of the state. The grand finale is expected to bring together football stakeholders and enthusiasts to witness some of the best youth talent Lagos has to offer. The championship aims to promote sportsmanship and provide a platform for discovering future stars who could represent Nigeria at higher levels.
The JOF U-13 Cup forms part of ongoing efforts by local authorities and private sponsors to strengthen grassroots sports development in Lagos. With growing interest in youth tournaments, stakeholders believe such events are crucial for nurturing the next generation of professional players while keeping young people engaged positively.
While official statements from tournament organisers highlight the importance of early talent discovery, some observers have called for increased funding and improved facilities at the grassroots level. “Competitions like this help us identify and mentor potential stars from a young age,” one organiser noted during preparations for the final match.
The grand finale of the JOF U-13 Cup is expected to draw scouts and representatives from major academies, with many hoping that standout performers will be given further opportunities within Nigeria’s competitive football system.
Nigeria News (Standard)
FNCCI Concludes Paris Business Mission to Boost Nigeria-France Trade Partnerships
Lagos-based chamber organises executive leadership training for Nigerian business leaders, aims to deepen cross-border investment opportunities
Lagos-based chamber organises executive leadership training for Nigerian business leaders, aims to deepen cross-border investment opportunities
The Franco-Nigerian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) has rounded off its maiden Executive Paris Leadership Training Programme and Business Mission in Paris, as part of fresh efforts to strengthen economic collaboration between France and Nigeria. The week-long event, which held recently in the French capital, brought together top executives from sectors such as fintech, oil and gas, energy, maritime services, hospitality, and enterprise development.
The initiative, organised in partnership with Bodik France and certified by Paris Graduate School, provided participants with executive-level training and direct access to European institutions championing economic cooperation with Africa. According to FNCCI officials, the programme was designed to equip Nigerian business leaders with strategies for navigating global challenges including technological disruption, sustainability requirements, funding constraints and evolving market conditions.
This year’s edition was themed “Advancing Sustainability Through Innovation: Project Funding, Digital Transformation, and Resilience.” Attendees took part in intensive workshops covering leadership development, organisational transformation, digital innovation, project financing and business resilience. Participants also engaged in strategic networking sessions with their French counterparts to explore new avenues for cross-border trade and investment.
FNCCI said the leadership programme is part of ongoing efforts to foster mutual growth for both countries’ private sectors. The chamber stated that strengthening Franco-Nigerian relations will support innovation in key industries and create more opportunities for job creation back home. “We are committed to providing Nigerian businesses with the tools needed to compete globally,” an FNCCI representative said during the closing session.
Organisers indicated that future editions of the business mission will include expanded sector representation and deeper collaboration with European partners. Stakeholders expressed optimism that continued engagement between Nigerian executives and French institutions will help drive sustainable economic growth on both sides.
Source: https://guardian.ng/news/nigeria/national/fncci-deepens-franco-nigerian-business-ties-2/
Nigeria News (Standard)
Messi Sets New World Cup Scoring Record as Argentina Defeats Austria 2–0 in Arlington
Guinness World Records hails Messi after historic brace sends Argentina into Round of 32 at 2026 FIFA World Cup
Guinness World Records hails Messi after historic brace sends Argentina into Round of 32 at 2026 FIFA World Cup
Lionel Messi broke the all-time FIFA World Cup scoring record on Monday as Argentina defeated Austria 2–0 in a group stage encounter at Arlington, United States. The Argentine captain netted twice, surpassing Germany’s Miroslav Klose to become the highest scorer in the tournament’s history and securing his team’s place in the round of 32.
The match saw Messi open scoring in the 39th minute with a trademark left-footed finish, giving Argentina a first-half lead. In added time of the second half, Messi capitalised on a rebound after Julian Alvarez’s shot was blocked, sealing his brace and ensuring victory for the defending champions.
Messi, who is featuring in his sixth World Cup campaign, had earlier equalled Klose’s record of sixteen goals after scoring a hat-trick against Algeria in Argentina’s opening game. With his two goals against Austria, Messi now stands alone atop the all-time scorers’ chart with eighteen goals at the FIFA World Cup.
The Guinness World Records organisation publicly celebrated Messi’s achievement following the game. The milestone further cements Messi’s legacy as one of football’s most prolific players on the global stage, particularly as he continues to deliver for Argentina at age thirty-eight.
With this result, Argentina secured safe passage into the knockout rounds and will await their next opponents. Meanwhile, Austria faces elimination from the tournament after failing to register a win in their group matches.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Abuja Court Judges Ask for Dismissal of ADC Official’s Bias Lawsuit
Judges argue lack of evidence as African Democratic Congress chieftain alleges unfairness in ongoing legal proceedings
Judges argue lack of evidence as African Democratic Congress chieftain alleges unfairness in ongoing legal proceedings
Judges serving at the Federal High Court, Abuja, have filed a motion seeking to dismiss a lawsuit brought against them by an official of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) who accused them of bias. The request was submitted on Monday, 22 June 2026, as the judges maintained that the claims lacked substantiated evidence and failed to meet legal standards for such an allegation.
The ADC official had approached the court alleging that certain judges were acting with prejudice in a matter involving the party’s internal affairs. In response, the judges named in the suit formally asked the court to strike out the case, insisting that their conduct has been impartial and in accordance with judicial ethics.
The development highlights ongoing tensions within some political parties over perceived fairness in court proceedings, especially during periods of heightened intra-party disputes. Legal analysts say such cases are becoming more frequent as political actors increasingly turn to the judiciary to resolve internal conflicts and contest leadership decisions.
In their written response, the judges argued that “no credible evidence has been presented to support claims of bias,” and urged the court to uphold judicial independence by dismissing frivolous suits. The ADC official’s legal team maintained their position but could not provide further documentary proof at Monday’s hearing.
The case has been adjourned for further mention. Observers say its outcome may influence how future allegations of judicial bias are handled, particularly in cases involving party politics in Nigeria’s courts.
FNCCI Concludes Paris Business Mission to Boost Nigeria-France Trade Partnerships
Messi Sets New World Cup Scoring Record as Argentina Defeats Austria 2–0 in Arlington
Records Tumble as Lionel Messi Nets Brace Against Austria in 2026 FIFA World Cup Clash
Rio Ferdinand Hails Lionel Messi After Record-Breaking World Cup Feat
Lagos Hosts JOF U-13 Cup Grand Finale as Youth Football Talent Shines
Ọrụ Mba Ọzọ N’Africa Na-achọ Usoro Dị Nsọ Maka Imepe Ahịa
Abuja Court Judges Ask for Dismissal of ADC Official’s Bias Lawsuit
Is He Even Human? Lionel Messi Sends Social Media Wild After Breaking 12-Year-Old World Cup Record
Ekiti PDP Candidate Oluyede Rejects Governorship Poll Result, Vows Legal Challenge
Messi Matches 56-Year World Cup Record as Argentina Defeat Austria
Environment Minister Urges Increased Investment in Nigeria’s Green Economy Ahead of Global Climate Summit
Gọvanmenti Nigeria Kwupụtara 53 Orù Anyanwụ Maka Ike Ọhụrụ N’iru Afọ 2050
Moniepoint Graduates Second DreamDevs Cohort in Lagos to Strengthen Nigeria’s Engineering Workforce
FG Launches $500m Abuja Formula 1 Bid, Targets Africa’s First Grand Prix Since 1993
Fresh Romance Rumours Trail Lando Norris as Alix Earle Sparks Drama in Monaco
Lagos Court Declares National Assembly’s ₦110bn Vehicle and Allowance Spending Unlawful
Lagos Police Arrest Doctor, Birth Attendant Over Alleged Sale of Newborn for ₦2.5m
Why More Nigerians Are Searching for Casino Bonuses—and What You Should Know Before Claiming
Lagos Residents Spend Over ₦50bn on US Visa Applications Amid Tighter Entry Rules
