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Spain Spank Saudi Arabia 4-0 To Revive Group H Campaign
ATLANTA, USA – Three-time European champions Spain solidified their claims as bona fide 2026 World Cup contenders by dismantling Saudi Arabia 4-0 in a dominant performance at the Atlanta Stadium. That impressive victory allays fears surrounding their disappointing 0-0 draw against Cape Verde in their opening contest.
Luis de la Fuente’s troops went into Wednesday’s fixture under a spotlight from football analysts around the globe and those associated with Nigeria’s bid as they failed to demonstrate the potency they will surely need later in the tournament following their stalemate.
But a change of tactic and the return of a teenage wonder-kid changed everything for La Roja as they took centre stage at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The Spanish gaffer dispensed with a flat back four which featured three midfielders in favour of a more expansive 4-2-3-1, which immediately carved open the spaces the Asians worked hard to compress. Teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal bagged their opener just ten minutes into the encounter, this, his first start since picking up a hamstring problem in April.
The 18-year-old maestro coolly met a lofted cross from Mikel Oyarzabal at the far post with a firm volley after being picked out with precision. With his striking in the 10th minute Yamal joined the legendary Brazil king Pelé, who is the only other player in history aged 18 or below to have opened the scoring in a FIFA World Cup match, against Wales in 1958.
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The Green Falcons from Saudi Arabia who have demonstrated grit in their two earlier games and had no answer to Spain’s quick interplay and intense pressing as within two minutes they were 2-0 behind courtesy of Real Sociedad forward Oyarzabal.
Dani Olmo drove down the left flank before cutting inside and finding Oyarzabal inside the box who beat an outstretched Mohammed Al-Owais with a well placed effort. Just three minutes later Oyarzabal completed the Spanish quick-fire start.
Another raid down the flank saw Spain send in a ball which bounced off a Saudi defender and fell invitingly for Oyarzabal to slam home and establish a three-goal lead inside 25 minutes.
It’s a feat that would surely set a landmark with stats company Opta reporting that since 1966, Oyarzabal is only the second player ever to have scored and or assisted three goals within the first 25 minutes of a FIFA World Cup game.
There was no respite for the beleaguered Saudis in the second half as further attacking pressure from the Spaniards yielded an own-goal from Hassan Altambakti in the 49th minute. The Saudi defender under severe pressure headed over his own goal line under extreme threat from the Spain strike force.
With three points already secured, De la Fuente then introduced fresh legs in the form of Nico Williams and Mikel Merino in place of Yamal and Oyarzabal, with Ferran Torres even having an effort in stoppage time disallowed for a controversial marginal offside by VAR.
There was no denying though that this was entirely Spain’s night as they out-shot their rivals by a margin of 20 to just one in terms of shots on target.
This crucial triumph lifts de la Fuente’s men to the top of Group H table with four points from two matches, meaning the pressure is now on second-placed Uruguayan and Group H outsiders Cape Verde to respond in their respective fixtures.
Saudi Arabia retain their interest in progressing, but a comprehensive victory over one of those group rivals would surely be required.
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PAC Rejects Reps Minority Leader Agbedi’s Six-Month Ultimatum to Tinubu Over Insecurity
…Says Security Crisis Must Not Be Weaponised For 2027 Politics
The Parliamentary Advocacy Centre (PAC) has criticised recent comments by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Fred Agbedi, describing his remarks on the nation’s security situation and his call for President Bola Tinubu to suspend political activities as unfortunate and unhelpful.
In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its President, Dr. Itodo Vincent, the group said Agbedi’s comments amounted to political grandstanding at a time Nigerians expect leaders to rally around efforts to address security and economic challenges facing the country.
Agbedi had, while addressing journalists in Abuja, accused President Tinubu of focusing on re-election politics rather than the welfare and security of citizens. He also called on the President to suspend all activities related to the 2027 elections and declare a six-month national security and economic recovery plan.
Reacting, PAC said while concerns over insecurity are legitimate and deserve urgent attention, it was wrong for senior political leaders to exploit the situation for partisan purposes.
The organisation argued that the security challenges confronting Nigeria predate the current administration and require the collective efforts of government, security agencies, communities and political stakeholders.
“It is unfortunate that Hon. Fred Agbedi chose to politicise an issue as sensitive as national security. Nigerians expect practical solutions and constructive engagement from political leaders, not statements designed to score partisan points,” Vincent said.
The group said Agbedi’s ultimatum to the President was particularly disturbing given the constitutional responsibilities attached to leadership and governance.
“For a serving Minority Leader to issue what amounts to an ultimatum to the President and suggest that he should resign if security challenges are not resolved within six months is reckless and unbecoming of a statesman.
“We believe such comments are aimed more at advancing opposition political interests ahead of the 2027 elections than addressing the security concerns of Nigerians. To us, it appears that Hon. Agbedi is running errands for opposition figures such as former President Goodluck Jonathan and Mr. Peter Obi, rather than offering constructive solutions to the nation’s challenges.
“Security is a collective responsibility and should not be reduced to a platform for political posturing. What Nigerians need at this moment are ideas, cooperation and support for ongoing efforts to improve security and economic stability, not inflammatory comments.”
PAC expressed sympathy to families who have lost loved ones to insecurity across the country, including victims of kidnapping, banditry and violent attacks, noting that every Nigerian life matters regardless of political affiliation.
The group, however, insisted that addressing the country’s security challenges requires responsible leadership and national unity rather than divisive political statements.
According to Vincent, governance and politics are not mutually exclusive in a democracy, adding that political actors should focus on strengthening institutions and supporting efforts aimed at restoring public confidence in government.
The organisation further urged opposition leaders to offer practical policy alternatives and support measures capable of improving security outcomes instead of engaging in what it described as premature political campaigns ahead of the 2027 elections.
PAC reaffirmed its support for ongoing efforts by the federal government to tackle insecurity and revive the economy, while calling on all political leaders to place national interest above partisan considerations.
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From NASFAT to National Youth Council to Harmony Holdings — Malam Abdullahi AbdulMajeed’s Growth is UGLY-Latifah & Her Sponsors’ Impossible Dream
RE: THE EXPOSED INTELLECTUAL DEFICIT OF UGLY-LATIFAH, HER GHOSTWRITERS & POLITICAL SPONSORS
Your article is not rebuttal. It is a broadcast of ignorance masquerading as commentary, drafted by unexposed proxy writers deployed as political pawns by leaders threatened by Abdulmajeed’s growth and merit.
ABDULMAJEED’S CAPACITY: ALREADY GAINED MAXIMUM RECOGNITION BY THE STATE
For Malam Abdullahi AbdulMajeed to have grown from NASFAT Youth Leader, President, National Youth Council of Nigeria, and GMD/CEO, Harmony Holdings Limited as the last appointee before the holding company was dissolved by the state government. And for the fact that Malam Abdulmajeed was then also appointed to champion the Kwara Ease of Doing Business Council and the State Action on Business Environment Reforms (SABER) as its Focal Person and Reform Champion, both initiatives being the most imperative World Bank Reform programmes being implemented at sub-national level shows how much the incumbent Governor values his capacity and competence.
That record of trust cannot be erased by Ugly Looking blackmailer through unexposed writers and political sponsors who mistake proxy warfare for political strategy.
1. EXPOSING THE IGNORANCE GAP: TV INVITE ≠ APPEAL
This alone proves Ugly Looking Latifah and her team lack basic grounding in national party processes. Arise TV and Channels TV do not summon petitioners. They invite analysts. The APC National Chairman and National Secretary have stated publicly: no candidate is finalized until formal communication is sent to INEC and the official list is released. No appeal exists until then.
Yet Ugly Latifah’s ignorant writers, none with national platform experience, framed Malam Abdullahi AbdulMajeed’s analysis as “appeal.” That is the tragedy of political pawns: when you’ve never attained the pedestal, you mistake invitation for supplication.
You cannot interpret what you’ve never experienced. Blackmail cannot substitute for exposure. Every article you drop exposes a deficit of education and political literacy.
2. MALAM ABDULLAHI ABDULMAJEED’S TRAJECTORY: EARNED, NOT HANDED*
Your attack inadvertently highlights what terrifies your sponsors: a young leader whose growth exposes their own stagnation.
NASFAT Youth Leader → President, National Youth Council of Nigeria → Member, 2014 National Conference → D.G, Arewa Trade and Investment Promotion Council → GMD/CEO, Harmony Holdings → Focal Person/Reform Champion, Kwara Ease of Doing Business Council and The State Action on Business Environment Reforms (SABER): Each appointment followed performance and many were even held simultaneously. His record as National Youth Council President earned national recognition and the Governor’s trust to manage Harmony Holdings Limited — Kwara’s economic nerve center and while he was leading the efficient turnaround management process that kept most of the state owned enterprises he inherited in a state of comatose when he took over the reigns of leadership, the Governor further strengthened his impact and participation in his government with many more appointments including the leadership of the two most important sub national reform programmes being implemented at sub national level (Ease of Doing Business and SABER). All three roles and many more he handled simultaneously. No leader appoints a failure to exercise leadership over such critical levers of government all at the same time. The results of his stewardship speaks for itself.
*Turnaround, not collapse*: He inherited a comatose holding company. He executed a turnaround: restructured Kwara Express, initiated an intervention to reposition Kwara Hotel into a pride of all Kwarans. That process started with a concession in profess he chaired and eventually metamorphosed into the current turnaround and renovation processes still ongoing today, whil he restored viability to all other subsidiaries including Kwara Express which he not only revived, overhauled more than fifteen buses many that he met grounded, invited partners who provided modern SUVs to boost the company’s fleets, revived loading terminals across the country, digitised its operations, retrained staff and above all built a modern Customers Terminal, which today’s serves as the only visible evidence of the existence of that company. You cannot miss seeing that blue modern structure anytime you pass through the garage Offa axis of Kwara Express. We now you and your sadists principals who have continued to suffer from complex and frustration arising from the accolades that his performance heralded while he was in government will not acknowledge that because it’s your worst nightmare. Did you ever visit Harmony Advanced Diagnostic Centre (HADC) when he was in charge? You should have witnessed how his turnaround management recovered operational efficiency by overhauling all Radiology equipment and providing brand new clinical equipment for laboratory testing when the existing equipment he inherited proved difficult to manage. All the above and many more, he achieved with the active support of His Excellency Mal. Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq CON and that singular effort ensured that beyond making services available to Kwarans, kept thousands of Kwarans who were warming in numerous subsidiaries of Harmony Holdings Limited employed, engaged and contributing to the development of the state’s economy. Kindly provide your contribution and that of your principals beyond propaganda, lip service, ass picking and fanning the embers of discord. You are known crisis merchants who cannot have a place in a peaceful Kwara because merit will now become the basis for participation and not mediocrity.
Policy, not failure: Harmony Holdings was later dissolved by state government policy, with subsidiaries migrated to ministries and parastatals. He was not “removed for failure.” The entire structure was dissolved by executive decision.
Ignorantly blaming Abdulmajeed is like blaming a captain for decommissioning a ship ordered by the Admiralty. That is intellectual fraud.
If routine post-tenure EFCC scrutiny equals guilt, then every former President, Governor, Senator, Minister, and GMD in Nigeria is guilty.
He was incited to provide clarity on issues that happened under his stewardship, cleared, discharged, and never found to have abused the ethics of his stewardship. Your ignorant EFCC/DSS innuendo confuses investigation with conviction. Finally, you just landed yourself in a difficult trap where the burden of proof over your claims becomes inevitable. Be prepared to proof your accusations of his investigations and seizure of his international passport which he has continued to use for international travels and engagements since after his tenure in Harmony Holdings and currently in his possession. When we advised you that you lacked public communication skills , you refuted with insults now you will undertake that orientation the hard way.
3. THE FRAUDULENT TITLE & THE ISSUE YOU AVOIDED
No amount of fraudulent lies can vitiate the fact that the “Arẹwa Queen” title presently belongs to the duly crowned Queen of Offa, 2026 Ìjàkadì Arewa Offa Beauty Contest.
Hijacking it since the bad decision that led to your ugly choice in 2019 amount to fraud and using it for cheap political gains also expose your ignorance in APC constitutional processes.
SA Media, Offa LGA, should not be used to launder an impersonated brand.
Instead of addressing the substance, the reversal from Yahaya Seriki’s public endorsement to a primary process producing SYD without evidence of people’s participation , your article spent paragraphs ignorantly defending a contested title and attacking proxies.
That is deflection. Kwarans are interrogating process, not personalities. TV was analysis. Silence is sabotage.
FINAL VERDICT
Ugly Latifah and your sponsors, drop the impersonated title. Retract the distortions. Tell your ignorant writers to study APC constitutional processes before they type and prepare to prove your accusations and defamation against Mal. Abdullahi Abdulmajeed soon.
*The Governor who leads the party entrusted Malam Abdullahi AbdulMajeed with Kwara’s economic institutions based on track record.* That trust is the endorsement that matters.
Blackmail will never drag Malam Abdullahi AbdulMajeed down to the level of leaders using Ur ugly nature as political pawns, nor elevate unexposed writers to his pedestal.
Kwara deserves issue-based discourse, not theatrics from impersonators and sponsors with exposure deficit.
SIGNED
Comrade AbdulGaniyu AbdulRahman
Secretary General, Kwara Intelligentsia Initiative (KII)
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Wyndham Clark Leads U.S. Open; $22.5M Prize Pool
The stakes for the 2026 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills extend far beyond a trophy. This year’s event boasts a $22.5 million purse, putting it on par with the Masters as one of the biggest paydays in golf.
Wyndham Clark holds a commanding lead heading into Sunday’s final round, seven under par and six shots clear of his nearest pursuers.
The 2023 champion now aims to convert that advantage into a second consecutive U.S. Open victory, and the top prize of $4.5 million.
Among the group of chasers is World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler. A win for Scheffler would cap off a career Grand Slam and align perfectly with his 30th birthday.
Alongside Scheffler at one under par are Sahith Theegala, Tom Kim, and Sam Stevens.
Emiliano Grillo, Keith Mitchell, Sam Burns, and Xander Schauffele sit just back, at even par.
The second-place finisher at Shinnecock Hills will receive $2.43 million, while the golfer who comes in third will earn $1.53 million. Even a fourth-place finish brings with it a paycheck of over $1 million.
This allocation underscores the growing financial stature of golf’s major championships; last month’s PGA Championship winner, Aaron Rai, took home $3.69 million.
Even players further down the standings receive a significant return on investment: a 10th-place finish yields $532,572, and players who miss the cut are compensated with $10,000 each.
This distribution reflects the expanding commercial landscape of the sport, with sponsorships and broadcasting rights fueling escalating prize funds.
Clark himself acknowledged the difference between his current situation and the one he faced in 2023. “I’m definitely more confident now. In 2023, there were doubts because I hadn’t done it before,” Clark said after the third round.
“Now I know I can, and I’ll lean on that experience.”
The challenge, however, will be managing the immense pressure that comes with such a substantial lead. The history books are littered with stories of leaders faltering on the final day, and Scheffler’s hunt for a Grand Slam adds another layer of drama.
The financial implications of this year’s U.S. Open mirror the sport’s wider trend; overall purses at major tournaments continue to rise, with both the Masters and U.S.
Open now presenting identical prize money opportunities.
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