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West Ham United defeat Fiorentina To lift UECL title
West Ham claimed a first European trophy in 58 years on Wednesday night thanks to a very late Jarrod Bowen goal in the Europa Conference League final against Fiorentina.
Declan Rice, in what could have been his last game for the club, became the first Hammers captain since the late Bobby Moore in 1965 to lift continental silverware – on that occasion Moore raised high the Cup Winners’ Cup. Having reached last season’s Europa League semi-finals last season, it was the club’s first appearance in any European final since 1976.
Fiorentina dominated possession and had more than twice as many shots on goal as West Ham over the course of 90 minutes. But it remained goal-less until just over an hour had been played when Said Benrahma broke the deadlock from the penalty spot.
That lead lasted barely any time at all before Giacomo Bonaventura had equalised. But the Hammers snatched victory at the death when Bowen was sent through on goal and kept his composure to finish beyond the onrushing Pietro Terracciano.
“obviously dreamed of scoring but to score the winner in the last minute. It’s what you always say you want to do. To do it in front of these fans. I thought I was going to cry. I’m just happy,” Bowen told BT Sport straight after the final whistle.
“We had a dream, we haven’t had the best season, myself included, but to give these fans this moment, I’m over the moon. I think in my position you make that run 10 times you might get that ball once. As soon as you get it you’ve got to put it away.
“Never [have I felt like this in my life]. This is the biggest game of my career. The emotion, there was time for one more chance. I’m just so happy. I’m over the moon.”
A disappointing Premier League season saw West Ham battling against relegation for much of the domestic campaign. But the Europa Conference League was a welcome tonic throughout. They enjoyed a perfect 100% record in the group stage, before winning all but one knockout game – the only minor blip was a 1-1 draw in the quarter-final first leg against Gent.
West Ham’s prize for winning the competition, aside from the trophy itself, is a place in next season’s Europa League group stage.
Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf has facilitated the release of eight female inmates from the Goron-Dutse Correctional Centre after offsetting their fines and compensation fees.
The release of the inmates was secured during an unscheduled visit by Governor Yusuf to the facility alongside top government officials.
The spokesperson to the Governor, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa said among those released were two pregnant women and two nursing mothers.
The Governor, during the visit, expressed concern over the growing number of inmates awaiting trial, disclosing that out of 1,939 inmates in custody, only 382 had been convicted, while 1,536 were still awaiting trial.
Yusuf stated that his administration would collaborate with the judiciary to fast-track the dispensation of justice and ease congestion in correctional centres across the state.
As part of the measures to enhance Inmates’ welfare, the Governor also ordered the immediate provision of cows, foodstuffs, matresses, blankets, and assorted beverages to the facility.
In a related development, Governor Yusuf also visited the Janguza Maximum Security Correctional Facility where he announced the planned relocation of inmates from the overcrowded Kurmawa Correctional Centre to Janguza.
He further expressed satisfaction with the infrastructure and general condition at Janguza facility, describing it as more conducive for rehabilitation efforts.
The Governor acknowledged the contributions of former Minister of Interior, General Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau (Rtd.) over his role in the establishment of the Janguza Correctional Centre.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to securing phased releases for inmates serving jail terms for minor offences, while also supporting those willing to return to school or acquire vocational skills.
The Northern Youth Congress of Nigeria (NYC) has honoured Dr. Ibrahim Aminu Trader, Executive Director of the Regional Sustainable Energy Centre of Excellence for Sub-Saharan Africa (RSECE), with its coveted Northern Elders Award of Excellence, “Garkuwan Marayun Arewa,” in recognition of his outstanding service to youth empowerment, national unity and social development.
The prestigious award, which translates to “Shield of Northern Orphans,” was conferred during a colourful ceremony at the RSECE headquarters in Abuja.
The event drew a cross-section of youth leaders, civil society groups, and stakeholders from the public and private sectors.
National President of the NYC, Ambassador Auwalu Mohammed Majiri, commended Dr. Trader’s enduring commitment to nation-building.
“This recognition is rooted in Dr. Trader’s consistent efforts to empower young people and his unwavering role as a bridge-builder in Nigeria’s journey toward unity and peace,” he said.
Dr. Trader, who has a storied career in public service and finance, expressed deep gratitude to the NYC.
He described the recognition as “humbling,” adding that his passion for uplifting the next generation remains central to his work.
“As someone who became the first Northerner to graduate at the age of 19, and having held top roles in the civil service and banking sector, I understand the power of opportunity,” he stated.
“Through RSECE, I continue to support youth initiatives and encourage entrepreneurship as a tool for nation-building.”
The award serves as a powerful endorsement of Dr. Trader’s leadership, humanitarian values and grassroots impact, particularly among marginalised communities.
His honour, according to observers, stands as a beacon of hope and a call to action for others committed to Nigeria’s collective progress.
A member of Nigeria’s opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has publicly disavowed his role in a recent protest targeting Bello Matawalle, the country’s Minister of State for Defence, claiming the demonstration was a politically motivated scheme orchestrated by the Zamfara State Government.
Kamilu Ibrahim, who identified himself as an active PDP member and one of the protest’s organisers, issued a statement on Saturday retracting his involvement and apologising to Matawalle.
“It’s important to note that I am not an indigene of Zamfara State, and none of the participants come from Zamfara State.”
He alleged that the protest was not driven by genuine grievances but was instead sponsored by Zamfara’s PDP-led government under Governor Dauda Lawal Dare to discredit Matawalle, a prominent figure in the rival All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ibrahim said Dauda promised us $100 to each protester, and we have over 330 members. He has not kept his promise.
“The reason we are begging Matawalle to forgive us is that we found out we were fooled and misled by false information to deceive the public.
“We are sorry for any damage we have caused you, Ibrahim told Matawalle.
“I believed at the time that our actions were justified,” Ibrahim said.
“However, after reviewing the facts and listening to credible reports, I now realise that the allegations against Matawalle are unfounded and politically motivated.”
Ibrahim further claimed that the organisers of the protest were not APC members, as reported in some media outlets, but PDP loyalists acting on instructions from the Zamfara State Government. He accused Governor Lawal of orchestrating the campaign to undermine Matawalle for political gain.
Ibrahim suggested that Governor Lawal has been avoiding a summons by Nigeria’s National Assembly, fearing that a federal inquiry could expose administrative failures and potentially lead to the declaration of a state of emergency in the state.
“Governor Lawal is deliberately avoiding the National Assembly’s invitation,” Ibrahim alleged, citing concerns that an investigation could reveal “the truth” about the state’s security and governance challenges.
Ibrahim’s statement casts fresh doubt on the credibility of the allegations against him, framing them as part of a broader political vendetta.
In his statement, Ibrahim expressed regret for his role in the protest and sought Matawalle’s forgiveness.
“I sincerely apologise to Honourable Bello Matawalle for the role I played,” he said, vowing not to participate in “such deceitful agendas” in the future.