Sports
World Cup begins Amidst pomp and Pageantry
Interestingly, the 2018 World Cup will commence today in Russia amidst pomp and pageantry with an opening match between the host country and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Before kick-off at Moscow’s refurbished Luzhniki Stadium, football fans from across the world will be treated to music by an array of stars led by Millennium man, Robbie Williams, who will be accompanied by other artistes and football icons, including Russian star, Aida Garifullina, and two-time World Cup winner, Ronaldo de Lima of Brazil.
Opera singer Placido Domingo, who famously soundtracked Italia ‘90 as one of the Three Tenors alongside Luciano Pavarotti and José Carreras, will also be performing. He will be joined by Peruvian tenor, Juan Diego Florez.
The curtain will be raised by 3:30 p.m., just 30 minutes before the opening game between Russia and Saudi Arabia. At the city’s famous Red Square, FIFA and the local organising committee will hold a concert, which will run concurrently with the opening ceremony.
About 500 dancers, gymnasts and trampolinists will perform in an opening extravaganza at the stadium, paying homage to all things Russian.
FIFA said unlike previous World Cup editions, the opening ceremony would take a slightly different form, placing emphasis on musical acts.
The official song, ‘Live It Up’, will feature Will Smith, Nicky Jam and Kosovar Albanian singer, Era Istrefi.
The song is usually performed ahead of the tournament’s opening match.The Super Eagles, who are flying into their fifth World Cup, arrived in Russia on Monday and began the final phase of their preparation on Tuesday, ahead of their meeting with Croatia in Kaliningrad, Saturday.
The team will not be part of today’s opening ceremony, although the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is expected to send a delegation to represent the country.The Eagles will move to Kaliningrad today after their morning training session at their Sanatorium Istochnik Hotel, Essentuki team base camp.
Although Nigeria is the least ranked among the four teams in Group D, Coach Gernot Rohr and Skipper Mikel Obi are sure the team will qualify for the second round. The other teams in Group D are Argentina, Croatia and Iceland.
“We are okay with the garb of the underdog. But the defeats in recent international friendlies have done something for us; we have our heads firmly on our shoulders and we are focused. Together, we have reviewed the matches and learnt so many lessons. We will approach the World Cup matches differently,” said Rohr.
The coach has only lost one competitive game since taking over the Super Eagles two years ago, and the former German international defender says his wards know how to get their spring back when the whistle goes for kick-off in Kaliningrad.
“We will take it one match at a time. I love this group, because we know how to rise to the occasion together. Nigeria will be ready for Croatia,” he said.
Sports
22 Years After: Arsenal Clinch the Premier League Title as Prophesied by Dr Chris Okafor
*22 Years After: Arsenal Clinch the Premier League Title as Prophesied by Dr Chris Okafor*
When God speaks, none of His words go unfulfilled.
Just a week ago, the Generational Prophet and popular Lagos cleric, Dr Chris Okafor, declared that Arsenal would win the 2025/26 Premier League title. Despite doubts and predictions favoring defending champions Manchester City, the prophet stated clearly that he had received the word directly from God.
On May 19, 2026, that prophecy came to pass.
After Manchester City drew 1-1 with Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium, Arsenal were confirmed as Premier League champions with one game to spare. It marked the end of a 22-year wait for the Gunners, whose last league title came in the 2003/04 season.
Football fans across the globe are now congratulating Arsenal Football Club on their historic victory. For many believers, it’s another reminder that true prophecy still speaks today.
Dr Chris Okafor is one of the well-known prophets who many say hears directly from God. With this fulfillment, he joins the list of voices whose words have come to pass on the global stage.
By Sunday Adeyemi
Society Herald
Sports
PROF. MONDY SELLE GOLD ANNOUNCES SERVICE OF SONGS FOR LATE MOTHER, MA BEDAGBERE JENNIFER GOLD*
*PROF. MONDY SELLE GOLD ANNOUNCES SERVICE OF SONGS FOR LATE MOTHER, MA BEDAGBERE JENNIFER GOLD*
_A Life Celebrated: Family and Community to Honor 114 Years of Legacy in Newark, New Jersey_
*NEWARK, NEW JERSEY* — Prof. Mondy Selle Gold, Chairman of the Ijaw Diaspora Council and Chairman of the Africa Democratic Congress (ADC) in the United States, has announced the _Service of Songs_ in honor of his late mother, *Ma Bedagbere Jennifer Gold (nee Ozikozi), Amaokosuere of Torugbene*, who passed away at the age of 114.
In a public statement, Prof. Gold wrote with a deeply reflective heart to invite family, friends, well-wishers, and members of the Ijaw diaspora community to a sacred gathering celebrating the life, quiet strength, and enduring love of the matriarch.
_“This sacred gathering, set aside to celebrate her life, her quiet strength, and the enduring love she shared so generously, has been scheduled as follows,”_ Prof. Gold stated.
The Service of Songs is scheduled to hold on *Saturday, May 16, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM* at the *Abundant Grace Christian Center (The Newark Foursquare Church), 708 Bergen Street, Newark, NJ 07108*. And her Burial is slated on 12th -14th July 2026
A reception will follow immediately after the service at the same venue.
The family has indicated that the dress code is optional, suggesting *formal black or white, or all-white attire* in celebration of Ma Bedagbere’s life.
*A Life of Legacy and Cultural Significance*
Ma Bedagbere Jennifer Gold, fondly remembered as _Amaokosuere of Torugbene_, lived 114 years marked by resilience, faith, and generous love for family and community. As a matriarch and custodian of Ijaw cultural values, she was widely respected for her wisdom, humility, and unwavering commitment to her family and people.
Her passing has drawn condolences from across the Ijaw diaspora and beyond, with tributes highlighting her role as a pillar of strength and a unifying figure within the community.
Prof. Gold humbly requested the prayers, presence, and spiritual support of all attendees as they gather _“to celebrate a life well lived and a soul now at rest in the Lord.”_
_“With sincere love and gratitude,”_ Prof. Gold concluded in his announcement.
*About Prof. Mondy Selle Gold*
Prof. Mondy Selle Gold is the Chairman of the Ijaw Diaspora Council and a prominent voice in diaspora advocacy, politics, cultural preservation, and community development for Ijaw people worldwide. He also serves as the Chairman of the Africa Democratic Congress (ADC) in the United States, where he continues to champion engagement between the diaspora and homeland development initiatives.
Sports
University Farms Urged to Drive Innovation, Boost Revenue
University Farms Urged to Drive Innovation, Boost Revenue
A former Director in the Directorate of Environmental Management, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Dr. Akinpelu Basiru Ojo has called for the transformation of university farms into centres of innovation and sustainable revenue generation.
Dr. Ojo made this call at the 2026 Pre-Season Farming Seminar organised by the Directorate of University Farms (DUFARMS), held recently at FUNAAB.
While delivering his keynote address on the theme of the seminar, “The University Farm as an Incubation Ground for Innovation and Revenue Generation,” Dr. Ojo noted that university farms have evolved beyond their traditional roles into dynamic hubs for research, entrepreneurship, and industry collaboration.
He identified key areas where university farms could drive innovation, including research and development, student entrepreneurship, technology transfer, and interdisciplinary collaboration. He further urged DUFARMS to explore opportunities in commercial agricultural production, value addition and agro-processing, consultancy services, research partnerships, agritourism, and intellectual property commercialisation.
Highlighting potential challenges confronting university farms, the former Director listed inadequate funding, weak industry linkages, climate change, environmental risks, and limited commercial orientation. He, however, proposed strategies for optimisation, including the adoption of agribusiness models, integration of modern technologies, strengthened partnerships, promotion of student-led enterprises, and the development of sustainable value chains.
Reflecting on the evolution of DUFARMS, Dr. Ojo paid tribute to past Vice-Chancellors, beginning with the pioneer Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nimbe Adedipe, whose vision led to the establishment of the University Farm. He also acknowledged milestones recorded under successive administrations, including the expansion of cashew and oil palm plantations, as well as the establishment of processing facilities for value addition.
He further commended the contributions of past and present staff, alongside former students who have attained notable academic positions, encouraging staff to uphold discipline, integrity, and continuous professional development.
As part of his recommendations for future growth, Dr. Ojo proposed the establishment of crop collection plots, revival of underutilised crops, exploration of cashew nutshell liquid production for revenue generation, and expansion of tree crop plantations such as cashew and oil palm.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, who declared the seminar open, emphasised the importance of collaboration, knowledge sharing, and continuous learning in achieving institutional objectives. He described the seminar as timely and essential, noting that the University was established not only for teaching and research but also for meaningful community engagement, particularly in supporting farmers to enhance productivity.
Prof. Kehinde also commended DUFARMS for its efforts, especially its introduction of value addition initiatives, and urged staff, particularly in livestock production, to scale up activities in poultry, beef, pork, and egg production to improve the visibility and impact of the University Farms.
The seminar concluded with a renewed commitment by participants to reposition DUFARMS as a hub for innovation, practical training, and sustainable revenue generation, in line with global best practices.
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