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Nigeria News (Standard)

Super Eagles Set to Challenge Portugal in Leiria as Ronaldo Eyes Final Home Bow

Nigerian squad seeks morale boost after World Cup miss, faces Portugal team led by Cristiano Ronaldo at Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa

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Nigerian squad seeks morale boost after World Cup miss, faces Portugal team led by Cristiano Ronaldo at Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will take on Portugal today at Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa, Leiria, in a high-profile friendly widely seen as Cristiano Ronaldo’s last home appearance before the World Cup kicks off tomorrow. The match, scheduled for 10 June 2026, pits Nigeria’s national team against a Portuguese side captained by the legendary forward who has won every major football trophy except the FIFA World Cup.

Ronaldo, formerly of Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus, is expected to lead Portugal out in front of home fans eager to celebrate his illustrious career. The previous meeting between both countries ended in a 4–0 defeat for Nigeria, but the Super Eagles are keen to overturn that result and spoil what could be Ronaldo’s farewell party in Portugal. Still disappointed by their absence from this year’s World Cup, the Nigerian team enters the fixture buoyed by recent victories over Zimbabwe and Jamaica as well as a credible draw with Poland.

This match carries extra weight for both teams. For Nigeria, it is an opportunity to test themselves against one of the tournament favourites and restore confidence among players and supporters. Portuguese coach Roberto Martinez has made it clear that maintaining an unbeaten run is crucial for building momentum ahead of their World Cup campaign. On the other side, Super Eagles’ technical crew is focused on using this encounter to assess squad depth and fine-tune tactics ahead of future competitions.

Speaking ahead of the clash, Martinez said his team was determined not to lose focus so close to the global showpiece. “Every match is important for our mentality and preparation,” he stated during a pre-match press briefing. Nigerian officials have not released a formal statement but are understood to see this game as a vital test for the squad’s resilience and ambition after missing out on qualification.

With World Cup action set to begin tomorrow, attention will be on how both teams perform in Leiria. For Portugal, it is a chance to bid farewell to their football icon on home soil; for Nigeria, it represents an opportunity to rebuild confidence and signal intent ahead of upcoming continental engagements.

Source: https://guardian.ng/sport/portugal-vs-nigeria-super-eagles-plan-to-spoil-ronaldos-last-home-party/

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Nigeria News (Standard)

Senate Approves State Police Bill, Forwards Proposal to Constitution Review Committee

Move marks major step in restructuring Nigeria’s security framework as lawmakers weigh amendment of key constitutional provisions

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16 minutes ago

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June 11, 2026

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Move marks major step in restructuring Nigeria’s security framework as lawmakers weigh amendment of key constitutional provisions

The Nigerian Senate on Thursday passed the long-debated state police bill during plenary in Abuja and has referred the proposed legislation to its Constitution Review Committee for further consideration. The move is seen as a significant milestone in ongoing efforts to address insecurity across the country’s states and regions.

The Senate’s decision followed extensive debate on the floor, with lawmakers from both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition parties contributing to discussions about decentralising policing powers. Passage of the bill signals strong legislative interest in amending the 1999 Constitution to permit states to establish their own police forces, a demand that has gained momentum amid rising cases of banditry, kidnapping, and communal violence nationwide.

Calls for state police have persisted over the years as many stakeholders argue that Nigeria’s centralised policing structure is inadequate for tackling localised security threats. Proponents contend that empowering states with their own police formations will boost response times and improve intelligence gathering at grassroots level. However, critics warn that state police could be misused by governors against political opponents or lead to inter-state rivalry.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio described Thursday’s passage as “a bold move towards addressing insecurity within our federating units.” He noted that “the Constitution Review Committee will now engage with all stakeholders including state governments, civil society groups, and security experts before any final amendments are presented for a vote.” The opposition did not immediately issue an official reaction at press time.

The Constitution Review Committee is expected to hold public hearings in coming weeks, after which its recommendations will return to the full Senate for further debate. Any constitutional amendment must secure two-thirds support in both chambers of the National Assembly and approval by at least 24 state Houses of Assembly before it can become law.

Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/886930-senate-passes-state-police-bill-refers-proposed-law-to-constitution-review-committee.html

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Nigeria News (Standard)

Nigeria Exceeds OPEC Quota as Oil Production Hits 15-Month Peak in May

Recent figures show Nigeria’s daily crude output surpassed OPEC target, easing pressure on federal revenue and foreign reserves

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36 minutes ago

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June 11, 2026

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Recent figures show Nigeria’s daily crude output surpassed OPEC target, easing pressure on federal revenue and foreign reserves

Nigeria’s oil production climbed to its highest level in 15 months in May, with official data showing the country exceeded its Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) quota for the first time since early 2023. The increase marks a significant boost for Africa’s largest economy, which has been struggling with declining crude revenues and persistent dollar shortages.

According to industry reports released on Thursday, Nigeria pumped more barrels of crude daily than the quota set by OPEC for the month of May. The surge in production follows months of government efforts to curb pipeline vandalism and oil theft, particularly in the Niger Delta region.

The development is expected to provide much-needed relief for federal finances and strengthen the naira by increasing foreign exchange earnings. Nigeria’s oil sector accounts for over 70 percent of government revenue and nearly all export receipts, making production levels a key determinant of economic stability. In recent years, the country has faced repeated shortfalls due to operational challenges and insecurity along major pipelines.

Energy officials welcomed the new figures, describing them as evidence that government interventions are yielding results. No official statement has yet been released by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) or the Ministry of Petroleum Resources regarding how long the trend is expected to last. Oil market analysts noted that consistent output above OPEC quotas could support budget implementation but cautioned that global price fluctuations remain a risk factor.

Stakeholders are now watching to see if Nigeria can sustain these production gains amid ongoing security concerns in oil-producing communities. Further increases may also prompt renewed negotiations with OPEC regarding future output ceilings. For now, improved oil receipts are projected to ease fiscal pressures and support government programmes across all sectors.

Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/business/business-news/886925-nigeria-surpasses-opec-oil-quota-as-production-hits-15-month-high.html

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Nigeria News (Standard)

Minister of Interior Declares June 12 Public Holiday to Mark Democracy Day Nationwide

Tunji-Ojo urges Nigerians to uphold democratic values as government offices, banks and schools to close across all states

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46 minutes ago

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June 11, 2026

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Tunji-Ojo urges Nigerians to uphold democratic values as government offices, banks and schools to close across all states

The Federal Government has declared Friday, June 12, 2026, a public holiday across Nigeria in commemoration of this year’s Democracy Day. The announcement was made in Abuja on Thursday by Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, through a statement signed by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Magdalene Ajani.

According to the ministry, the decision is part of efforts to recognise the significance of June 12 in Nigeria’s democratic journey and honour those who contributed to the country’s return to civilian rule. All federal and state government offices, schools, banks and many private businesses are expected to remain closed nationwide on Friday as citizens observe the national holiday.

Democracy Day has been officially celebrated on June 12 since 2019, following a policy shift by the Federal Government to acknowledge the historic June 12, 1993 presidential election—widely regarded as the freest and fairest poll in Nigeria’s history. The day also pays tribute to the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, who is believed by many Nigerians to have won that election and became a symbol of the struggle for democratic governance.

In his Democracy Day message, Minister Tunji-Ojo congratulated Nigerians and called for reflection on the sacrifices made by pro-democracy activists. “As we mark this historic day, every Nigerian is encouraged to remain law-abiding… and remember that the strength of any democracy lies ultimately in the character of its citizens,” he stated. He further urged Nigerians to support ongoing efforts towards national unity, peace and development.

The minister assured citizens that Government remains committed to upholding democratic ideals including respect for rule of law and transparency. He added that security agencies would be working closely with his ministry during the holiday period to maintain peace and order throughout all geopolitical zones. The opposition could not be immediately reached for comment regarding the announcement.

Source: https://www.pulse.ng/story/fg-declares-june-12-public-holiday-democracy-day-2026-2026061117135419198

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