Torchlight News

Written by Nwokoma Chimelum Henry. Premier League 2025/26: Title Chases, European Dreams, and Survival Fights Await The 2025/26 Premier League season is nearly here, promising another rollercoaster of drama, goals, and heartbreak. With defending champions Liverpool facing Bournemouth on opening day, the stage is set for a fiercely competitive campaign. Here’s what to expect from the 20 clubs vying for glory, survival, or something in between, based on recent analyses and fan sentiment. The Title Contenders: Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City Liverpool : Arne Slot’s Reds, fresh off a commanding 2024/25 title, are favorites to repeat. Bolstered by signings like Florian Wirtz (€125m) and Hugo Ekitike (€80m), Liverpool’s attack looks lethal, with Mohamed Salah (29 goals, 18 assists last season) leading the charge. However, losing Luis Díaz and Trent Alexander-Arnold could strain their defense. Fans are optimistic, expecting another top finish, but defensive stability remains a question. A...

Drama at 30,000 Feet: KWAM 1 and Comfort Emmanson Stir Turbulence in Nigeria’s Skies Nigeria’s aviation sector has recently been rocked by high-profile incidents involving two figures: Fuji music legend Wasiu Ayinde Marshall, popularly known as KWAM 1, and passenger Comfort Emmanson. These separate altercations at Nigerian airports have sparked widespread debate, raised questions about passenger conduct, and prompted decisive action from the federal government. Here’s a deep dive into the drama, the consequences, and the  lessons learned from these mid-air misadventures. The KWAM 1 Incident: A Fuji Star’s Flight Fiasco The first incident involved Wasiu Ayinde Marshall, better known as KWAM 1, a celebrated Fuji musician whose larger-than-life persona clashed with aviation protocols at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. On a ValueJet flight, KWAM 1 allegedly insisted on bringing an alcoholic drink on board, despite warnings from airline staff. Tensions escalated when he r...

 Torchlight news. Kopa Trophy 2025: Yamal, Doue, Lewis-Skelly Among Nominees for Ballon d’Or Youth Award Lamine Yamal, Désiré Doué, and Michelle Agyemang are among the standout nominees for the 2025 Kopa Trophy — the prestigious award presented at the Ballon d’Or ceremony to the best young players in world football. As the Ballon d’Or continues to evolve, an increasing number of accolades now recognize emerging talents in both the men’s and women’s game. This year’s Kopa Trophy nominees include rising stars from top clubs across Europe such as Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and Arsenal, many of whom are already making an impact for their national teams. Men’s Kopa Trophy Nominees: Pau Cubarsí (Barcelona) Ayyoub Bouaddi (Lille) Désiré Doué (Paris Saint-Germain) Estevão (Palmeiras/Chelsea) Dean Huijsen (Bournemouth/Real Madrid) Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal) Rodrigo Mora (Porto) João Neves (Paris Saint-Germain) Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) Women’s Kopa Trophy Nominees: Mi...

 Torchlight news. 600 Million Africans Still Without Electricity – Adesina Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), has highlighted that despite Africa's abundant renewable energy resources, around 600 million people across the continent still lack access to electricity. Speaking at the 2025 Standard Chartered Bank Africa Summit in Lagos, Adesina emphasized the urgent need for significant investments to close the continent’s energy gap. He noted Africa's immense renewable energy potential, including 11 terawatts of solar, 350 gigawatts of hydro, 150 gigawatts of wind, and 15 gigawatts of geothermal power. He stressed that harnessing these resources could drive large-scale industrialization, boost Africa’s global competitiveness, and increase value addition in key sectors like agriculture, mining, and metals. Adesina also mentioned “Mission 300,” a joint initiative between the AfDB and the World Bank aimed at providing electricity to 300 millio...

Church of Nigeria Cuts Ties with Church in Wales over Appointment of Lesbian Archbishop The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has officially ended its relationship with the Church in Wales following the appointment of Bishop Cherry Vann, an openly lesbian cleric, as the 15th Archbishop of Wales. This decision was made public by the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Most Reverend Henry Ndukuba, during the opening of the 14th Church of Nigeria Conference of Chancellors, Registrars, and Legal Officers at the national secretariat in Abuja. He described the development as a serious deviation from biblical teachings and labeled it “an abomination.” The conference, themed “Called as a Watchman,” brought together legal experts from across the Church to deliberate on issues related to doctrine, justice, and church governance. In his keynote address titled “The Decade of the Reign of God: Progress, Challenges, and Prospects,” Primate Ndukuba strongly opposed Bishop Vann’s elevation, e...

 Torchlight news. 2027: INEC Cautions Political Parties Against Premature Campaigns The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cautioned political parties against embarking on early public campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that such actions contravene the Electoral Act. Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, issued the warning during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja. He addressed concerns over the ongoing circulation of campaign posters and subtle political activities across the country, noting that INEC has not yet issued an official election timetable. He stressed that according to Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, campaigns are only permitted within 150 days before the election and must stop 24 hours before polling. Additionally, Section 95(1) mandates that all campaigns must follow regulations set by INEC. Oyekanmi emphasized that, while political discourse is allowed, open campai...

Torchlight news. Chimamanda: Obi Wants to Lead Because He Truly Cares About Nigeria Renowned author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has reiterated her support for Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, emphasizing that her endorsement is driven by her deep concern for Nigeria’s future. In an interview on Channels Television’s Amazing Africans , Adichie praised Obi for being different from typical Nigerian politicians. She said his motivation isn’t personal gain or power, but a genuine commitment to national progress. “Peter Obi doesn’t need to be president—he wants to be because he cares about Nigeria,” Adichie stated. “That’s a crucial difference. Some people chase the presidency out of ego, not out of any real desire to serve.” She described her support for Obi as a matter of principle and patriotism, adding, “My backing for Peter Obi comes from my love for Nigeria. I believe good leadership can transform this country.” Adichie highlighted Obi’s humility, integrity, ...