President Bola Tinubu has spoken by telephone with former heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua and his mother following the fatal road accident on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway that claimed the lives of two of the boxer’s associates and left him injured.....TAP TO CONTINUE READING

According to a State House press release issued on Monday and signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Tinubu personally conveyed his condolences to Mr Joshua during the call and offered prayers for his recovery.

“I spoke with AJ on the phone to personally convey my condolences over the death of his two associates. I wished him well and prayed for him. He assured me that he is receiving the best care in the hospital,” Mr Tinubu said.

The president also said he reached out to Mr Joshua’s mother to express sympathy and offer prayers, noting her appreciation of the gesture.

“I also spoke with AJ’s mother and prayed for her. She was very appreciative of my call,” he said.

Mr Tinubu added that he spoke with Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, who was with the boxer at the hospital, and received assurances on the quality of care being provided.

“Additionally, I spoke to Governor Dapo Abiodun, who was in the hospital with them. The Governor assured me that he will do everything possible to ensure AJ receives the best possible attention,” the president said.

The telephone conversation followed an earlier public message by Mr Tinubu, who is currently abroad, in which he expressed sympathy with Mr Joshua after the accident on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State.

“I sympathise with you and your family as you bear the emotional weight of this unfortunate incident. As a sportsman, you have always shown courage, discipline, and unwavering love for our country. These are qualities that have made you a source of national pride,” the president said.

“In moments like this, we must encourage one another as brothers and sisters with a shared destiny.

“I pray for strength, wisdom, and grace for you during this painful period. May God grant you a speedy recovery and repose to the souls of the departed.”

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) had earlier confirmed that the crash occurred near the Sinoma area of the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, close to Sagamu. The accident involved a Lexus Jeep conveying Mr Joshua and a stationary commercial truck.

Five adult males were involved in the crash. Two persons died, one sustained injuries, while two others, including Mr Joshua, escaped with minor injuries. FRSC operatives said they arrived at the scene shortly after the incident was reported and carried out rescue operations, traffic control and evacuation of victims.

Preliminary findings by the FRSC indicated that excessive speed and wrongful overtaking were the likely causes of the crash, both of which remain among the leading factors in fatal road accidents on Nigerian highways.

Mr Joshua, a Nigerian-born British boxer, is a former unified heavyweight world champion and one of the most recognisable figures in global boxing. He has repeatedly spoken about his Nigerian heritage and remains a major source of national pride, with a strong following across the country.

The Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, one of Nigeria’s busiest highway, has continued to record fatal crashes, particularly during festive travel periods, prompting repeated warnings from safety authorities on speeding and dangerous driving.

Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi has revealed that he used to look up to former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel as an inspiration while growing up as a young footballer.....TAP TO CONTINUE READING

Ndidi made the remark at his pre-match press conference on Monday ahead of Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, Group C tie against Uganda on Tuesday.

Recall that Obi Mikel proudly captained the Super Eagles during his illustrious football career.

“Every player wants to be in the national team, but even the younger players, we’re the ones they look up to because I was once there, looking up to great players like [John] Mikel Obi and the rest,” Ndidi said.

“My dream also was to be part of it and I’m honored to be here,” the Besiktas midfielder added.

Ndidi has one goal in the 2025 AFCON, having scored against Tunisia over the weekend.

Portugal icon Cristiano Ronaldo has spoken about his future after winning an award for being the Best Middle East Player and the ex-Manchester United star has hinted he could leave Saudi Arabia....TAP TO CONTINUE READING

Cristiano Ronaldo has left the door open for a stunning return to Europe before calling time on his legendary career after confirming he will not hang up his boots until he hits 1,000 goals.

Ronaldo, 40, admitted earlier this year that his career would ‘soon’ come to a close, with the upcoming World Cup in Mexico, Canada and the United States to be his last. The former Real Madrid and Manchester United superstar currently plays in Saudi Arabia with Al Nassr and signed a new two-year contract with the club back in June.

That will keep him with the club until he’s 42. Ronaldo isn’t slowing down in the Middle East and has scored 13 goals in 14 appearances this season for Al-Nassr, who are four points clear at the top of the Saudi Pro League.

Despite bagging 112 goals in 125 appearances, Ronaldo has won just one piece of silverware with Al-Nassr, the Arab Club Champions Cup in 2023. And it now appears that Ronaldo – who has scored 956 goals – has designs on hitting another major career landmark.

Speaking after being named the Best Middle East Player at the Globe Soccer Awards Ronaldo said: “It’s hard to continue playing, but I am motivated.

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“My passion is high and I want to continue. It doesn’t matter where I play, whether in the Middle East or Europe. I always enjoy playing football and I want to keep going.

“You know what my goal is. I want to win trophies and I want to reach that number [1,000 goals] that you all know. I will reach the number for sure, if no injuries.”

Ronaldo also received attention at another point of the ceremony. The forward looked flattered after earning a compliment from Barcelona star Lamine Yamal.

During the 18-year-old’s acceptance speech after being named Best Forward and Best U23 Men’s Player on Sunday, he paid tribute to Ronaldo. When Yamal was asked who he’d like to be compared to, he gave an answer that Ronaldo enjoyed.

“In the end, it’s best not to compare yourself to anyone,” the 18-year-old replied. “Players like Cristiano Ronaldo did what they did because they wanted to be themselves and not compare themselves to others. I want to build my own path.”

The camera panned to Ronaldo, who was sitting with his fiancee, Georgina Rodriguez and the Al-Nassr striker couldn’t help but smile.