World Cup 2026 Finalists to Win More Than Just the Trophy

This Sunday, 19 July, Spain and Argentina will meet at New York New Jersey Stadium for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ final. But the stakes just got higher. For the first time in FIFA history, the team that lifts the trophy will also receive special championship rings.

It’s a new chapter for football, borrowing a tradition long loved in American sports. Only 2,026 rings will ever be made, each one numbered to mark the year. Thirty rings will go to the winning squad. The other 1,996 will be sold to fans around the world as Official Licensed Products.

One side of each ring features the World Cup trophy. The other side will be designed to show who won it. Every ring is made to fit its owner and comes with a certificate of authenticity.

After the final whistle, the winning captain and head coach will get temporary rings to mark the moment. The full set of 30 permanent rings will then be made to size and handed over later, so each player gets a perfect keepsake of their win.

With the final almost here, both teams are chasing two prizes: World Cup glory and a ring they can wear for life.

The Evolution Of Igbo Highlife Music: An Exclusive Interview With Professor Onye Egwu

H ighlife music is a genre that has been harmonizing culture and beats in Nigeria and across Africa for decades. In this interview, Nigerian highlife singer CHIBUIKE JOHNPAUL ANEKWE , best known by his stage name " PROFESSOR ONYE EGWU ", shares his journey, influences, and vision for Igbo highlife. As a visual artist, he brings a unique perspective to the genre, drawing inspiration from Igbo highlife legends. He also discusses his collaboration plans and reveals his plans to introduce Igbo highlife to new audiences. EGUNGWU CHUKWUKA brings excerpts. 1. Can you share a bit about yourself, and when did your love for highlife start? My full name is Chibuike Johnpaul Anekwe, though I am more widely recognized by my stage name, Professor Onye Egwu. Apart from music, I am a visual artist. I guess I was born with music, because I started playing as early as when I was in Primary School. I would always assemble all sorts of tins like in typical drums set up and play to my delight....

NANS Threatens to Shut Down MTN Over Attacks on Nigerians in South Africa

T he National Association of Nigerian Students has issued a final warning to South Africa over violent attacks on Nigerians, saying major businesses like MTN could be forced out of Nigeria, Sahara Reporters reported. NANS sent a letter to South African High Commissioner Thamsanga Dennis Mseleku in Abuja, expressing anger at what it called continuous and brutal xenophobic violence against Nigerians in South Africa. The letter, signed by NANS President Comrade Atiku Isah, said the association speaks for over 40 million Nigerian students. Isah said the group would no longer tolerate what he called the systematic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa. NANS said it was unacceptable for South Africans to attack other Africans. The group noted Nigeria’s key role in ending Apartheid, stating that Nigeria provided financial and diplomatic backing and made huge sacrifices for South Africa’s freedom. The association said the current violence go...

Unveiling '3 Cold Dishes': A Gripping Tale of Survival, Revenge, and Justice

BY- EGUNGWU CHUKWUKA BENJAMIN H uman trafficking has been a significant issue affecting millions worldwide, causing long term physical and emotional harm to victims. In this interview, Nigerian award-winning filmmaker Asurf Oluseyi Samson reveals how he started as a filmmaker and unveils what prompted him to shed light on the harrowing reality of human trafficking through the movie " 3 Cold Dishes ," which explores themes of trauma , revenge , and survival , showcasing women's strength and resilience in the face of human trafficking. Asurf Oluseyi, founder of Asurf Films Ltd ., directed the movie " A Day with Death ," which received 10 international nominations and won Best Short Film at AMVCA 2016 . He is also the director of the movie " Hakkunde ," which represented Nigeria at the 50th anniversary edition of the Pan-African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO) in 2019. EGUNGWU CHUKWUKA BENJAMIN brings excerpts. 1. How did yo...

SEPTEMBER TOP SCOOPS IN NIGERIA

BY- EGUNGWU CHUKWUKA BENJAMIN ✓ Afriland & Central Plaza Infernos: A Call to Action for Enhanced Fire Safety F ire outbreaks remain a persistent crisis in Nigeria, claiming lives and destroying properties. The two recent incidents in Lagos show how severe it can be. On September 16, 2025 , around 1:20 pm, a fire broke out at Afriland Towers on Broad Street, Lagos Island . The inferno was triggered by an electrical fault in the basement of inverter batteries in the building, which resulted in the tragic loss of ten lives due to smoke spreading via air-conditioning ducts. The deaths were caused by smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide poisoning . According to national dailies, at least 25 people were injured. The high-rise building harbored different firms, including United Bank for Africa (UBA), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), and United Capital Plc . Just hours later, between 7:00 and 8:00 pm, anothe...

16 Nigerian Directors Behind Afrobeats’ Global Visual Identity

A s Afrobeats has gone global and earned worldwide recognition, the directors behind its most watched videos have become key cultural figures. These Nigerian filmmakers turn hit songs into cinematic stories that reach millions, blending local culture with bold creative ideas. Their work has helped define how the world sees Afrobeats. The directors below are presented in no order of importance or ranking. Each has made a distinct mark on the genre’s visual growth. Director Pink P raise Onyeagwalam is one of the few prominent female directors in Afrobeats. She broke through with Chike and Simi’s “Running To You,” a video praised for its emotional storytelling. Through Pinkline Films and Pinkline Academy, she directs high profile work and trains emerging filmmakers. Kemzart A diukwu Daniel Nkemakolam, known professionally as Kemzart, is a Nigerian director recognized for concept-driven visuals. He gained prominence with Shallipopi’s “Cast” and has since directed high-impact videos f...

The IMOIFF Creatives & Film Festival Sets to Hold 2026 Edition with "Local 2 Global" Theme

BY- EGUNGWU CHUKWUKA BENJAMIN T he Imo International Film Festival (IMIFF) is set to make a significant impact on the global film scene with its 2026 edition, themed "Local 2 Global." Scheduled to take place from November 27 to 29, 2026, in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria, the festival is sponsored by Julob Entertainment, with professional roots connected to the British Council’s Film Lab Africa and local creative partners like Clifford and Stanford Igbo. In a brief chat, Izuchukwu Okafor , Founder of IMOIFF, stated that the festival aims to bridge the gap between local filmmakers and international distribution platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, and Apple TV. The festival will feature a diverse range of award categories, including Best Feature Film, Best Short Film (Narrative/International), Best Documentary, Best Student Film, Best Animation, and Best Experimental Film, among others. Technical awards for Best Screenplay, Best Actor, and Best Actress will also be high-profile h...

The Ogechi Effect: How BoyPee Became Afrobeat’s Newest Star

I n this exclusive interview Nigerian singer, Sopuru Precious Odunze , popularly known by the stage name, ‘ Boypee ’ talked about what triggered his collaboration with singers, Brown Joel and Hyce on his hit track “ Ogechi ”. His influences and the way he handles the pressure coming from the music industry. The original “ Ogech i ” track gained massive popularity initially, but the remix featuring popular Nigerian singer, Davido catapulted the song to a new height. The remix was released before the megastar’s wedding, it took over social media, with many users incorporating the track into their online content, further solidifying “Ogechi” as one of Nigeria’s biggest hit song in 2024. EGUNGWU CHUKWUKA brings excerpts. Tell us a bit about yourself and your family background. I hail from the vibrant state of Imo , but I was born and raised in Anambra . Growing up in a business-oriented family instilled in me a strong work ethic and a competitive spirit. It’s this foundati...

April Top Scoops In Nigeria

BY- EGUNGWU CHUKWUKA BENJAMIN ✓ The CBEX SCAM: Red flags and Lessons B arely a few days after the Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mr. Emomotimi Agama, revealed in an interview on Arise TV that the new Investment and Securities Act (ISA 2025), recently signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, empowers the commission to arrest and prosecute promoters of Ponzi schemes in Nigeria, with at least 10 years' imprisonment, the month of April brought pains and tears dripping from the eyes to the cheeks of people who invested in CBEX, organized under ST Technologies International Limited, which was said to be registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and was even listed with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission's (EFCC) Special Control Unit against money laundering. This well-coordinated scam became well-known after its crash, as it was revealed by the victims that they were lured into investing in the scheme with high returns after 30...

Translate

Search This Blog