
Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, met with Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, on Sunday. This meeting is part of Hamzat's ongoing consultations for the 2027 governorship race. Hamzat stated on his X account that the engagement was a platform to review the state's progress and discuss collaborative efforts to strengthen Lagos. Gbajabiamila also posted on his X handle, confirming the visit was for consultations regarding Hamzat's aspiration to lead Lagos. He added that they would continue to share ideas on moving Lagos forward and building on past work. This meeting follows other early-stage political consultations by the deputy governor, including one with members of the Lagos Governance Advisory Council. The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, has previously expressed support for Hamzat’s governorship bid.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.

Ola Olukoyede, the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, cautioned Nigerians against vote buying and money politics, calling them significant threats to democratic governance. Speaking in Ilorin, Kwara State, at the University of Ilorin's Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies, Olukoyede emphasized the EFCC's commitment to preventing the commercialization of the electoral process. He stated that vote buying undermines democracy and good governance, leading political leaders who benefit from it to prioritize recouping their investments over public good and accountability. Olukoyede also noted the increasing sophistication of electoral offenses, with perpetrators using covert strategies and codes. He disclosed that the EFCC has made arrests and secured convictions in election-related cases and plans to intensify enforcement before the 2027 elections. He urged political parties to engage in issue-based campaigns and called on the media and security agencies to maintain professionalism and neutrality to safeguard the electoral process, stressing that credible elections require stakeholder collaboration, stronger law enforcement, and a commitment to peace.

The Federal Government of Nigeria is intensifying efforts to eliminate child labor, aiming to meet the 2030 global eradication target. Mr. Magaji Ademu, Director, Labour Inspectorate Department, Ministry of Labour and Employment, stated this in Geneva, Switzerland, during the 114th Session of the International Labour Conference. Ademu affirmed Nigeria's commitment to ending all forms of child labor, highlighting the development of key policy frameworks, including Nigeria’s National Child Labour Policy and National Action Plan, validated with International Labour Organisation support. These documents are scheduled for official launch on June 16 in Abuja. The government's stance aligns with global commitments under the Moriakishi Declaration, which advocates for child labor eradication through political will, social protection, and effective law enforcement. Ademu also referenced the global “red card” campaign against child labor, emphasizing it as a call for collective action. He acknowledged challenges such as weak law enforcement and difficulties in accessing rural communities where child labor is prevalent, noting that the government and stakeholders are working to strengthen enforcement and address structural gaps.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be the largest ever with 48 teams across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will feature two billionaire players: Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. According to Forbes, these two superstars headline the list of highest-paid players participating in the tournament, collectively earning an estimated $440 million over the past 12 months. Ronaldo tops the rankings with $300 million in total earnings, including $235 million from his playing contract and $65 million from endorsements, making him the world’s highest-paid athlete with an estimated net worth of $1.2 billion. Messi ranks second with $140 million in earnings and an estimated net worth of $1.1 billion. Other top earners include Kylian Mbappé $95 million, Erling Haaland $80 million, and Vinicius Jr. $60 million. The list also features Mohamed Salah $55 million, Sadio Mané $54 million, Jude Bellingham $44 million, Lamine Yamal $43 million, Harry Kane $41 million, and Neymar $38 million. These eleven players collectively earned an estimated $950 million in the past year, highlighting the significant financial power and commercial value of football's global elite.