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Washington Hosts Historic 48-Team World Cup Draw With Trump Leading Event

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The United States capital, Washington D.C., will on Friday host one of the most anticipated events ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as President Donald Trump takes a leading role in a star-studded draw ceremony marking the beginning of the first-ever 48-team tournament.

The draw, scheduled for 1700 GMT at the prestigious Kennedy Center, will determine the group-stage pairings for what FIFA has described as the most logistically demanding World Cup in history.

ALSO READS: Canada Humble Nigeria’s Flamingos 4–1 In U-17 Women’s World Cup Opener

The expanded tournament jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada will run from June 11 to July 19, 2026.

Trump to Receive Inaugural FIFA Peace Prize

President Trump is set to be the central figure at the ceremony, where he will become the first recipient of the newly introduced FIFA Peace Prize.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who has built a close relationship with Trump through several visits to the White House, said the honour was created to recognise “individuals who unite people and bring hope for future generations.”

The U.S. leader has made the 2026 World Cup a flagship project of his second term and a key highlight of America’s upcoming 250th Independence anniversary.

However, his involvement has not been without controversy, as he recently threatened to relocate matches from cities governed by Democrats if he considers public safety insufficient.

The ceremony will feature prominent global figures in sports and entertainment.

Supermodel Heidi Klum and comedian Kevin Hart will co-host the event, while musical performances from the Village People, Robbie Williams, and Andrea Bocelli will electrify the audience.

Sports icons including NFL legend Tom Brady, NHL great Wayne Gretzky, and former NBA superstar Shaquille O’Neal are also expected to join the draw as guest assistants.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum will attend, representing their countries as co-hosts of the expanded tournament.

Tournament Kick-Off and Venues

Sixteen cities across North America will stage the 104-match event 11 in the U.S., three in Mexico, and two in Canada.

The opening match will hold at Mexico City’s iconic Estadio Azteca, while the grand finale is scheduled for the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Reigning champions Argentina, led by Lionel Messi who will turn 39 during the tournament are among the top seeds. Messi recently reiterated his desire to participate, saying, “I’d love to be there.”

Other top-seeded nations include Spain, Brazil, France, Germany, England, Portugal, the Netherlands, and Belgium. The three host nations complete the first pot.

The expansion has also paved the way for several debut nations such as Cape Verde, Jordan, and Curaçao.

Under the new 48-team structure, countries will be split into 12 groups of four.

The top two teams from each group and the eight best third-placed teams will progress to the round of 32.

For the first time, FIFA will ensure that the four highest-ranked nations Argentina, Spain, France, and England cannot meet until the semi-final stage, provided they win their groups.

Six final tournament slots remain undecided and will be filled through playoff matches, with Italy seen as the most dangerous unseeded nation in the draw.

Teams are expected to receive their full match schedules including venues and kick-off times on Saturday, a day after the draw.

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LASTMA Alerts Motorists to Traffic Delays on Ogunnusi Road

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The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has alerted motorists to traffic delays along Ogunnusi Road towards Ojodu-Berger due to ongoing rehabilitation work.

LASTMA disclosed this in a post on its official X account on Sunday, stating that the road rehabilitation was being carried out by the Lagos State Public Works Corporation (LSPWC).

According to the agency, “The ongoing work is affecting traffic flow, with vehicles moving at a slower pace in both directions.”

ALSO READ: Chaos On Lagos-Ibadan Expressway As LASTMA Shuts Otedola Bridge

To ease the situation, LASTMA said a contraflow arrangement had been introduced for motorists travelling from Omole Junction towards Vis Junction.

“A contraflow arrangement is in place for vehicles coming from Omole Junction towards Vis Junction to facilitate the movement of traffic,” the agency stated.

LASTMA added that its personnel had been deployed to manage traffic and ensure the continuous movement of vehicles around the affected area.

“Our personnel are on ground managing the traffic situation and ensuring the continuous flow of vehicular movement,” the agency said.

The traffic management authority advised motorists to remain patient and exercise caution while the rehabilitation work continues.

“Motorists are advised to exercise patience and drive with caution while the rehabilitation work continues,” LASTMA stated.

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Dangote Investments are Catalysts for Africa’s Economic Growth – AFC

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Leading economists, financial experts and industry stakeholders have described the Dangote Group’s investments as major drivers of industrialisation and economic transformation across Nigeria and Africa.

The experts cited the Group’s impact on job creation, import substitution, foreign exchange conservation and economic competitiveness.

They voiced their thoughts at the Lagos Economic Summit themed “The Real Deal: Africa’s Greatest Investment Opportunity,” where they urged governments to implement policies that strengthen local industries and accelerate economic diversification.

President and Chief Executive Officer of the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), Samaila Zubairu, commended the Dangote Group’s sustained investments across Africa, describing them as critical to unlocking the continent’s economic potential.

He noted that while recent economic reforms have improved foreign exchange stability, strengthened reserves and eased inflationary pressures, the focus must now shift to growth in industry, productivity and employment.

READ ALSO: NMDPRA Shares July Domestic Cooking Gas Supply Details

Also speaking, Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), Muda Yusuf, said industrialisation remains the most effective path to sustainable economic development.

He called for better alignment of trade and industrial policies, stressing that local manufacturers require strategic support to compete effectively and drive broader economic benefits.

Founder and CEO of Nairametrics, Ugodre Obi-Chukwu, said Africa’s growing population presents a significant industrial opportunity, noting that investments such as the Dangote Refinery are helping to retain capital within the continent while strengthening local production capacity.

In his keynote address, Managing Director of Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Bismarck Rewane, said Nigeria is gradually transitioning from a consumption-led economy to one driven by investment and production.

He added that sustained investments in productive sectors will continue to stimulate growth, create jobs and improve living standards.

Participants at the summit also advocated stronger credit infrastructure, improved national identification systems and increased investment in skills development to enhance the productivity and global competitiveness of Africa’s growing youth population.

Photo Caption: From Left – Chief Economist, Dangote Industries Limited, Dr. Hassan Mahmud; Lady Maiden Alex-Ibru; Chairman of Occasion/Special Guest of Honour, Samaila Zubairu; Key Note Speaker Session 1, Bismarck Rewane; during the Real Deal: Africa’s Greatest Investment Opportunity, Sponsored by Dangote Industry Limited in Lagos on Thursday 3, September 2026.

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VDM Fires Back at Police, Releases First ‘Evidence’ Over Kidnap Claims

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#Nigeria Decides: 10,000 Security Personnel Deployed In Plateau

Social media critic Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has released what he described as his first piece of evidence after the Nigeria Police Force challenged him to substantiate his allegations that some police officers allegedly collaborate with kidnappers.

VDM released a video on his Instagram handle on Thursday, August 27, 2026, shortly after the police invited him to provide evidence supporting the claims he made at the 66th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Port Harcourt.

SEE MORE: ‘Provide Evidence’ — Police React to VDM’s Explosive Kidnap Allegation

The activist captioned the video: “My evidence number 1.”

Recalled that VDM, who was a panellist at the NBA conference on Tuesday, had alleged that some police officers manning checkpoints along major highways provide kidnappers and bandits with information about travellers.

According to him, the officers allegedly relay details about the identities and movements of travellers to criminal groups, thereby facilitating abductions for ransom.

The allegation triggered a response from the Nigeria Police Force, which denied the claim and challenged VDM to substantiate his allegations.

The police invitation came as the force sought evidence to support the serious claims made by the social media critic.

In response, VDM released the video, describing it as his “evidence number 1”, signalling that he may provide further material to support his allegations.

The development has continued to attract attention, with the controversy placing renewed focus on allegations of possible collaboration between security personnel and criminal groups involved in kidnapping and banditry.

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