₦airaland Forum

FIFA’s use of Kebbi stadium in banner sparks outrage, funding row

Global football body FIFA has stirred a storm of reactions across Nigeria after showcasing the Birnin Kebbi Stadium project in Kebbi State — a facility co-funded with the Nigeria Football Federation — on its official social media pages.

FIFA on Saturday used an image of the project, dating back to 2023, as the new profile banner on its official X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook accounts.

The image, showing a half-furnished stadium in Birnin Kebbi, quickly went viral.

Built under the FIFA Forward Programme, the stadium was meant to symbolise progress in grassroots football. But as the photo circulated online, fans flooded social media with outrage and speculation.

Some netizens interpreted FIFA’s post as a subtle jab at the NFF, following recent allegations of fund mismanagement.

The uproar comes just days after football critic Chinedu Mobike, via his official Instagram handle #c_mobike, on October 23, 2025, accused the NFF of squandering millions of dollars meant for infrastructure projects, including its twin project in Delta State.

Mobike, in his viral video, claimed that FIFA gave the NFF “1.2 million dollars for two stadiums” — one in Kebbi and another in Ugborodo, Delta State — which, he alleged, “till today did not see daylight.”

Comparing Nigeria’s FIFA-funded projects with those of other nations, Mobike alleged that while “other countries used the funds to truly develop football, Nigeria produced nothing to show.

“The NFF should sit up…There are no active projects promoting football or sports in Nigeria,” Mobike said.

2014 WORLD LARGEST ECONOMIES — TOP 20

1 🇺🇸United States — $17.6 trillion
2 🇨🇳China — $10.7 trillion
3 🇯🇵Japan — $4.9 trillion
4 🇩🇪Germany — $3.97 trillion
5 🇬🇧United Kingdom — $3.07 trillion
6 🇫🇷France — $2.86 trillion
7 🇧🇷Brazil — $2.46 trillion
8 🇮🇹Italy — $2.17 trillion
9 🇷🇺Russia — $2.05 trillion
10 🇮🇳India — $2.04 trillion
11 🇨🇦Canada — $1.81 trillion
12 🇰🇷South Korea — $1.56 trillion
13 🇦🇺Australia — $1.46 trillion
14 🇪🇸Spain — $1.38 trillion
15 🇲🇽Mexico — $1.36 trillion
16 🇹🇷Türkiye — $943.3 billion
17 🇳🇱Netherlands — $901.79 billion
18 🇮🇩Indonesia — $890.82 billion
19 🇳🇬Nigeria — $811.13 billion
20 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia — $787.15 billion

#Statisense
(IMF WEO Oct 2025)

Kano State Government deploys first batch of 380 marshals to fight Phone theft in the state

Watch the Moment Boko Haram Invaded Nigerian Army Base In Borno State as captured by Nigerian Army Surveillance Room who allegedly failed to alert their fellow soldiers. see the boko haram people on a straight line

Raymondfayowole:
@Seun please can we have an option for dark mode on Nairaland. Reading on Nairaland is strenous most especially at night and early morning. All the white background and light making it very difficult. Please find something to do.

Thank you,

After Spending 26 Years On Ð3ath Row At Kirikiri Maximum Prison, Lagos State For Buying A St0len Generator, Ogbonna Igbojionu Reunites With His Mother. He’s from Abia State, and was 22 years old as at the time of his impr!sonment in 1999.”

He bought the generator from Segun Ajibade. He sold it, thinking it was legit. Two weeks later, segun Ajibade returned with police, claiming the generator was stolen. They both got arrested at the spot.

What followed was a nightmare. Ogbonnaya alleges he was beaten and forced to sign a statement he couldn’t read. Remanded in 1999, he was sentenced to death in 2003 for allegedly buying stolen property. He was just 26, his life upended, sent to Kirikiri’s death row.
For 26 YEARS, Ogbonnaya languished in Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison. His youth, dreams, and freedom were stolen. Meanwhile, Segun Ajibade, the actual culprit who who sold him the generator, reportedly walked free in 2016 after receiving a pardon from Ogun State’s governor.

Ogbonnaya, along with co-accused Kolawole Oladeji (a technician) and others, faced a flawed trial. They appealed to the Court of Appeal but were allegedly misled into withdrawing it with false promises of a pardon that never came.
In 2025, TikToker Olumide Ogunsanwo (“Sea King”) spotlighted Ogbonnaya’s plight, igniting public outcry. Simon Oshi, from Enugu, saw the post, visited Kirikiri with lawyers, and confirmed Ogbonnaya’s Abia roots. He reached out to Abia Gov. Alex Otti.

Gov. Otti moved fast. He sent Abia’s Attorney General to verify the case, coordinated with Lagos and Ogun State authorities, and secured the release of Ogbonnaya, Olawale Adediji, and another inmate on July 6, 2025. The third couldn’t travel to Abia for the handover.

The reunion was emotional. On July 6, at Abia’s Government House, Ogbonnaya, now 48, tearfully reunited with his mother after 26 years. Videos of their embrace went viral, a bittersweet moment of joy and pain. He thanked Otti for “giving me another chance at life.”
Kolawole Oladeji, the technician, was also freed. He’d repaired the generator, unaware of its origins, yet suffered the same fate. Both men were promised reintegration support by Otti, who tasked commissioners to help them rebuild their lives.

After Segun Ajibade’s 2016 pardon, he faded from public view. The real culprit walked free while innocents suffered— our justice system in this country is flawed.

On Monday, Peter Mbah, the governor of Enugu State, unveiled ‘Enugu Air’, a state-owned airline he described as ready for full operations. But FIJ has found that its ticket booking requires foreign assistance.

While addressing attendees at the commissioning, Mbah said the project was owned by the state government and it is aimed at empowering traders, students, investors and everyday travellers.

He stated that the airline aligns with his goal of transforming Enugu into a top destination for investment, living and tourism in Nigeria.

Mbah also dubbed it a historic moment and a gift to Enugu State.

However, FIJ has found that the newly launched Enugu Airlines still lacks the facilities to facilitate direct bookings, and relies on XEJet, an exclusive Premium Class airline, to help it do so.

This becomes clear when potential travelers click on a ‘Book Now’ button on the homepage to book a ticket.

“This flight is operated by Xejet and you would be redirected to XeJet Website to complete your booking,” the prompt reads.
While many social media users have now started to call the Mbah-led government out for what might be a repetition of Nigeria Air, it is yet to respond to any of their questions.

According to its website, Enugu Air is meant to fly between Lagos, Abuja and Enugu.

I was in Enugu State earlier today to flag off the inaugural flight and operations of the State-owned airline Enugu Air, currently being operated by XEJET.

I was welcomed by the State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, members of the State Executive Council, leaders and elders of Enugu State, traditional rulers and a colourful crowd of excited citizens.

I was in Enugu State earlier today to flag off the inaugural flight and operations of the State-owned airline Enugu Air, currently being operated by XEJET.

I was welcomed by the State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, members of the State Executive Council, leaders and elders of Enugu… pic.twitter.com/CwWFsAlm4J

— Festus Keyamo, SAN, CON, FCIArb (UK) (@fkeyamo) July 7, 2025

Wike is trending because a private jet carrying a person that seems to be Nyesom Wike, nearly crashed after suffering engine failure at 34,000ft altitude.

As the pilots were struggling to balance the plane.

Wike* was yelling “Satan you are liar! Father father! Oh Jehovah. Blood of Jesus. Father it is time to prove your self. Jesus you are in charge. — Ohhhh Jehovah. Father!! Satan is a liar. Father save my soul, save my soul, save my soul. Ohh my father Oh my father!”

The voice sounds exactly like the FCT Minister’s voice. In the Bombardier GE jet 5000/6000. Which costs around ₦15bn. From every indication, the jet was chartered.

Finally we get to see the calabar and akwa ibom section of the Lagos-Calabar coastal road Visited with my brother @iamgbolahan hey this was really challenging 😔😔but we got something to show

junluk:
I have an eight years old account for sale.