Entertainment
A private plane arrived with Millions of dollars – Mikel Obi reveals how Buhari settled Super Eagles’ unpaid 2018 World Cup Bonuses
Former Nigerian international footballer, John Mikel Obi has revealed how he escalated the issue of unpaid bonuses owed to Super Eagles players during the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Speaking on The Obi One Podcast, Mikel explained that the players were owed qualification bonuses for months, despite repeated assurances from officials of the Nigeria Football Federation that payment would be made once the team arrived in camp. As anxiety grew within the squad and delays continued, he decided to take the matter further.
Mikel disclosed that he contacted Abba Kyari, who was the Chief of Staff to late President Muhammadu Buhari at the time. According to him, the situation was resolved swiftly, as a private plane reportedly delivered millions of dollars in cash directly to the team’s hotel within 24 hours...TAP TO CONTINUE FULL READING.
“Talking about fighting for players’ bonuses, I went above the president of the NFF to get those bonuses, which is what I did a couple of times during the World Cup,” Mikel said.
He explained that the issue began well before the tournament, with players repeatedly asking about their unpaid bonuses. Officials assured him the matter would be resolved once the team assembled.
“Leading up to the World Cup, we were owed money. We had been asking for this money for months before the tournament. They kept telling me, ‘Oh, Mikel, don’t worry, the money will be sorted when you come to camp.’ I said, ‘Okay, no problem, but make sure the money is there because the players are asking me about their bonuses,’” he recounted.
After arriving in camp, Mikel said he followed up again with the team secretary and NFF president but received the same assurances. A week passed, and the players continued to express concern, fearing they might never receive the money once the World Cup ended.
“I called him and said, ‘Mr Chief of Staff, we have a serious issue in the national team. We need this money to settle the players. This is what was promised.’ Twenty-four hours later, a private plane arrived. The money was delivered to the hotel, hand to hand. Millions of dollars,” Mikel said.
He added that he personally handed the cash to the team secretary with strict instructions that it should not be diverted.
“I took the money and handed it to the team secretary and told him to hold it. I said, ‘Make sure this money does not go to the president or anyone else. This money belongs to the players.’”
The former Chelsea midfielder has long been praised for his leadership role with the Super Eagles, and his account highlights the behind-the-scenes challenges faced by players even at major international tournaments.
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Nollywood filmmaker Funke Akindele has called out Air Peace after passengers, including elderly travellers, were stranded at London’s Gatwick Airport for nearly 10 hours without luggage, hotel accommodation, or clear communication. Akindele said passengers had been waiting since 6:30 am after being told a bird strike caused the delay. “Air Peace, this is unacceptable,” she wrote on X. The airline attributed the disruption to factors beyond its control.
Key Points:
Elderly passengers were struggling, and families were worn out.
Akindele demanded luggage release and hotel accommodation.
Air Peace expressed empathy, citing safety as a priority.
No confirmation that luggage was released or hotel provided.
The delay lasted from 6:30 am to nearly 4 pm...TAP TO CONTINUE FULL READING.
Passengers remained stranded with no resolution as of filing.
Sources: X
Air Peace, this is unacceptable.
Passengers (including elderly people) have been stranded since 6:30AM at London Gatwick Airport with no proper communication.
After hours of delay, we were told there was a bird strike and promised a hotel. Hours later, people are still sitting…— Funke Akindele (@funkeakindele) May 1, 2026
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Entertainment
[VIDEO] Power Official Blames Residents for Electricity Outages: ‘They Consume a Week’s Energy in One Hour’
A power official in Bayelsa State has blamed residents for erratic electricity supply, saying they overload the grid by using too many appliances when power is restored. In a viral video, Innocent Lord-Douglas of the SSAEAC explained that once residents see light, they turn on freezers, washing machines, and pumping machines, consuming a week’s energy in just one hour. Nigeria’s grid struggles with only 4,000-6,000 megawatts for 200 million people.
Key Points:
The official’s comments have drawn widespread mockery online.
Bayelsa remains in darkness despite being an oil-rich state.
A new gas turbine was promised for Bayelsa by 2026.
Some defended the official’s explanation as a technical point on demand surges.
The video has sparked debate about Nigeria’s power sector crisis...TAP TO CONTINUE FULL READING.
Many Nigerians see the response as tone-deaf amid persistent electricity shortages.
Sources: X
https://twitter.com/ChuksEricE/status/2049554848517890253?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2049554848517890253%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=
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Nigerian singer Davido has launched a series of vitriolic tweets at DJ Tunez following the DJ’s recent physical fight with Burna Boy in Lagos. The altercation occurred at Obi’s House, a popular weekly Afrobeats party. Davido wrote: “Ur just a disgusting, nasty fellow … DEM USE BOOT CARRY UR STEEZE FOREVER .. idiot.” He also retweeted a video of Burna Boy dancing to DJ Tunez’s song and dramatically falling, seen as a jab at the DJ.
Key Points:
Wizkid reacted to the incident, calling Burna Boy a “coward” for attacking Tunez with ten other men.
DJ Tunez aimed a dig at Burna Boy, calling him a “coward” and posting “All Signs of Weakness.”
The exact cause of the dispute remains unclear, but speculation links it to industry rivalries.
A user confronted Davido, saying he never stood “10 toes down” without his father’s money.
Davido fired back, telling the user to “shut up n slide for TUNEZ.”..TAP TO CONTINUE FULL READING.
The feud has escalated online, with fans divided over the altercation.
Sources: The Cable (Hizat Oluwole)
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