Costa Rica 2022: Nigeria’s Super Falconets Off To A Good Start, Beat France 1- 0

By

-

August 12, 2022

Two-time runners-up Nigeria’s Super Falconets gave a sneak preview of their capabilities when they overcame torrential rain, an hour’s delay and more rain to defeat Europe’s top team France 1-0 in the opening match of Group C at the 10^th FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica on Friday morning.

Stormy conditions in San Jose, capital of the central American country, made fluid football impossible from the start, but midfield lubricator Esther Onyenezide still caused panic in the French team’s vital area with an intelligent free kick after only seven minutes.

Mexican referee Francia Gonzales opted to stop the game in the 20^th minute as a tropical rainstorm made visibility impossible for both the combatants and the umpire. The game’s suspension lasted exactly one hour.

Eight minutes after resumption, Magnaba Folquet had to desperately head the ball away from goal as Nigeria pushed forward. However, within two minutes as the first half wound down, Nigeria skipper Oluwatosin Demehin and France defender Kysha Sylla were cautioned – a measure of the intensity of the battle.

In the second half, both teams fought even harder. Two minutes before the hour mark, Mercy Idoko just failed to connect properly at the tail end of a sweet team move, and 20 minutes from time, goalkeeper Oyono Omini provided a critical block in the vital area as France surged forward.

In the 72^nd minute, substitute Chiamaka Okwuchukwu was hindered from getting anything positive as Flourish Sabastine got a cross into the French vital area. The game flowed from end to end as both teams attacked with zest and defended with resolution.

Substitute Jade Nassi thought she had put France ahead when she slotted home from a goalmouth melee that followed a corner kick in the 80^th minute, but referee Gonzales consulted the Video Assistant Referee which correctly ruled out the strike for a foul on Omini.

Five minutes later, Nigeria got the goal that their push, effort and enterprise deserved when Flourish Sabastine, top scorer for the Falconets in the African qualifying series, raced onto a brilliant Mercy Idoko pass, kept her composure and slotted past goalkeeper Marie-Morgane Sieber with some flourish.

The Falconets’ next game is on Sunday against Korea Republic at the Estadio Alajuela Morera Soto. Victory in that game will automatically assure Nigeria of a place in the tournament’s quarter-finals.

Champions League Takes Super Falcons Defender To Turkey

By

Emenike Agu

-

August 12, 2022

0

The 23-year-old defender fulfills a dream to play in the elite UEFA Women’s Champions League.

Glory Ogbonna a Super Falcons defender, has signed a one-year contract with the Turkish women league champions, ALG Spor Kulubu.

Ogbonna disclosed this in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Calabar.

She said that the contract signed on Wednesday would see her play the women’s version of the champions league with the club this season.

The former Edo Queens player said that the desire to play in the champions league motivated her to sign for the Turkish champions.

Ogbonna said she turned down an offer to renew her contract with her last club, Santa Teresa in Spain, and other offers before her decision to put pen on paper for the Turkish side.

“I have always been desirous to play in the champions league, as such, I couldn’t resist the offer from ALG after rejecting several others across Europe.

“I want to make history with this club and I am happy to be here. I am feeling at home already with the warm reception I got when I came in.

“Santa Teresa was good for me but I needed a fresh start so I had to reject their offer,” she said.

The defender featured for the Super Falcons in the just concluded Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

ALG Spor Kulubu, based in Gaziantep, South Eastern Turkey, was founded in 1998 with Batur stadium as their home ground.

UPDATE: Wike Denies Suing Atiku Over PDP Presidential Primary

By

Koko Lawrence

-

August 12, 2022

0

Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has denied filing a suit against the Peoples Democratic Party, its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar and Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal.

Speaking at the commissioning of House of Assembly Quarters in Port Harcourt, Wike said he was focused on delivering the dividends of democracy to the people of Rivers State.

“People have called me that I went to court against Atiku Abubakar,” he said.

“I want to state categorically that I didn’t go to court. I just want to say it for Nigerians to know. I have kept quiet. I am busy with delivering the dividends of democracy.

“If they lose election, nobody should call my name. I have told the candidate.

“If I wanted to go to court, I would have gone to court within two weeks.

“It is the candidate’s group that are doing all these things. Let the world hear. They are the ones plotting all these things, thinking they will spoil my name.

“We are supposed to be talking about winning election.”

Ethiopia Completes Third Filling Of Blue Nile Mega-Dam

By

Koko Lawrence

-

August 12, 2022

0

Ethiopia said Friday it has completed the third filling of its mega-dam on the Blue Nile, a development that could raise further tensions with downstream neighbours Egypt and Sudan.

The announcement comes a day after Ethiopia said it had launched electricity production from the second turbine at the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) which lies in the west of the country.

“Today as you see behind me, the third filling is complete,” Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said in images shown on state television from the dam site.

“The Nile is a gift of God given to us for Ethiopians to make use of it.”

The massive $4.2 billion dam, set to be the largest hydroelectric scheme in Africa, has been at the centre of a regional dispute ever since Ethiopia broke ground on the project in 2011.

There is still no agreement between Ethiopia and its downstream neighbours Egypt and Sudan about the GERD’s operations despite talks held under the auspices of the African Union.

Cairo and Khartoum view it as a threat because of their dependence on Nile waters, while Ethiopia deems it essential for the electrification and development of Africa’s second most populous nation.

Academic Staff Union Suspend Strike

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

-

August 12, 2022

0

The Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union,(COEASU) lecturers have suspended their ongoing strike for a “cool-off-period of 60 days.”

COEASU President, Dr. Smart Olugbeko and General Secretary of the union, Dr. Ahmed Bazza, confirmed the development on Friday in Abuja.

Olugbeko said the suspension followed “enormous progress” made in the ongoing renegotiation with the Federal Government.

He said the decision to suspend the strike was taken at the end of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Abuja, to re-assess the status of issues leading to the three-week roll-over of the national strike.

According to him, as evident in the enormous progress made in the ongoing renegotiation and the appreciable level of progress made towards the amendment of the Colleges of Education Establishment Act, which is paramount for the development of the COE system.

“NEC resolved that the nationwide strike that started on June 10, be suspended for a cool-off-period of 60 days.

“This is to give the government the opportunity to perfect the progress made so far into tangible achievements that are acceptable to the union.

”After which the NEC shall reconvene to re-assess the status of the issues and decide the way forward, ”he said.

He, therefore, commended critical stakeholders for their intervention and dogged commitment to the resolution of the issues.

Olugbeko also said NEC decried the high level of insecurity in the country, as evident with the increase in the spate of kidnapping, banditry, killings, and other social vices.

“NEC, therefore, calls on governments at all levels to address the situation more proactively by beefing up security on all campuses.

“As the system is being reopened for teaching and learning, and across the nation in general, ’’he said.

The union president, therefore, commended the governments of Imo, Kwara, Osun, and Oyo for the resolution of the lingering issues in their respective colleges of education.

Chicago Teens Create World Record-Breaking Cereal Mosaic

By

Koko Lawrence

-

August 12, 2022

0

Teenagers in Chicago armed with boxes of breakfast cereal created a Guinness world record-breaking mosaic on Thursday – and raised money for Ukraine in the process.

Using some 5,000 boxes of cereal donated by Kellogg’s, members of the Chicago Children United for Ukraine created a gigantic cereal mosaic on the floor of the Wintrust Financial Corporation’s Grand Banking Hall in downtown Chicago.

They used yellow Corn Pops boxes and blue Rice Krispies to recreate a depiction of the Ukrainian flag. Ukraine has been fighting off a Russian invasion since February.

“We wanted to raise awareness for Ukraine,” said 15-year-old Michael Kotcher. “So, we decided to break a record with a good cause behind it.”

The cereal will be donated to a local food bank, while donors have pledged nearly $15,000 to the fundraiser so far.

“Its just great because we’re helping globally and locally,” said Kotcher.

Thieves Storm Katsina Government House, Steal N31m Cash

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

-

August 12, 2022

0

Thieves allegedly broke into the Katsina State government house and stole N31 million.

The robbery incident according to a credible source occured on Sunday, 31 July 2022 when unknown persons broke into the office of the Financial Controller of the Government House and took the money contained in a sack.

This was the second instance of such theft at the government house, which is supposed to be the most secured building in the state.

In 2020, N16m was reportedly stolen from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the State (SGS).

Two government officials at the SGS office and a security guard were arrested in connection with the theft.

According to the source, the robbery incident took place while the Financial Controller, Salisu Batsari, was still at the office.

“I didn’t see the CCTV footage but you know it’ll be part of what the police will request. But I heard that the footage revealed a man wearing a face mask getting into the office through a half-shut window,” he said.

The Director General to the Governor on New Media, Al Amin Isa, confirmed the theft to journalists but withheld the details of the stolen money.

However, Al Amin said the state government in conjunction with the police are already on top of the issue, noting that the culprits would be punished accordingly.

“When the first theft occurred, the government took measures to avert a reoccurrence but you know how cunning these people could be,” Al Amin said.

According to the source, those arrested in connection with the theft had since been released.

On why they were released, he said he was not aware since he was not part of the police investigations.

“When on Monday the State government found out about the theft, it quickly involved the police and an investigation was launched. The FC (financial controller) and some of his staff as well some security officers that were on duty on the fateful day were invited by the police for questioning,” the source added.

132/33 KV Power Substations: Ekiti State Governor Flags Off Construction Work In 2 Communities

By

Angel Gimalo

-

August 11, 2022

0

Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has flagged off the construction of work on 132/33 KV power substations in Ijesa Isu Ekiti and Ilupeju Ekiti which has sparked excitement in the two towns and raised hope of stable power supply in many towns in the state.

The Governor who expressed delight that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) in 2020 resulted in commencement of work said the project was borne out of the collaboration of his administration with the Federal Government to solve the problem of epileptic power supply in the state.

Represented by the Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, the Governor who described the project as “another milestone in the quest to make life comfortable for our people” said his administration fulfilled some obligations before the project could see the light of the day.

The Minister of Power, Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu, commended the Fayemi Administration for its commitment to the realization of the project and collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Power to boost power supply to more communities in Ekiti State and stimulate social and economic development.

Traditional rulers, community leaders, interest groups, indigenes and residents of the communities expected to benefit from the projects when completed lauded both the federal and Ekiti State governments for investing in the project to boost their social and economic lives.

The project also incorporates the construction of Ikere (Ado Ekiti)-Ijesa Isu-Ilupeju 50 Kilometer 133 KV Double Circuit Transmission Line to widen access to regular and reliable public power supply when completed.

Dr Fayemi charged the contractor to on the need to ensure the construction of quality project saying “the people of the state are interested in early completion without compromising standards.”

The Governor also restated the commitment of his administration to the ongoing work on the Independent Power Project (IPP) aimed at boosting power supply to government offices and facilities in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, to generate additional 5 megawatts.

Corps Members Don’t Deserve Poor Camp Facilities Says Gov Wike

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

-

August 11, 2022

0

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has advised against subjecting members of National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, to facilities that dehumanise them, saying they were human and deserve good treatment.

Wike made the observation, at the NYSC, Rivers State Orientation Camp in Nonwa-Gbam in Tai Local Government Area, where his administration inaugurated and handed over a 5,000 capacity auditorium to the NYSC.

The governor recalled that “the first day I came here and saw the poor state of facilities in the camp, I said, how can we allow graduates, those of them who have first degrees, second degrees, even Ph.Ds, to be camped in an area not worthy for humans to stay.

“We tried, starting by building hostels for them. We built a kitchen for them but it was vandalised by criminals. I had to send people to rebuild the kitchen for them. Look at the landscaping. We have done all the internal roads here.

“It doesn’t matter whether they are federal agency or not. What matters to us is the services they render and those services are being rendered to the people of the state. Therefore, we would do everything we can to make them comfortable.

“We decided to build a 5,000 capacity auditorium for them. This project would have been completed before now, but the contractor ran away with the money. But I said nothing will deter us, we must complete it.”

Inaugurating the project, Director-General of NYSC, Brig Gen Mohammed Fadah, said: “Governor Wike has done a lot for us. This occasion offers us a unique opportunity for appreciating your numerous people oriented projects. It is also heartwarming to note that the state government, under your able leadership, has done a lot for NYSC.”

Nigeria’s Power Grid Collapse: Transmission Company Of Nigeria Deploys New Technology To Confront Challenge

By

Angel Gimalo

-

August 11, 2022

0

The Federal Government has deployed a new technology as a stop-gap solution to the challenges confronting Nigeria’s power grid, the Transmission Company of Nigeria has said.

Officials of the company said the technology, comprising Internet of Things and the Virtual Private Network, was deployed by the government through TCN to monitor real-time grid operations and help mitigate power system collapse.

It was also gathered that the facility would boost power grid management at the National Control Centre, Osogbo in Osun State, as it would improve real-time operations of the national grid, pending the deployment of a long-term network automation system.

Nigeria’s power grid has recorded a series of collapses this year, throwing many parts of the country in darkness on those occasions.

The July 20, 2022 grid collapse made it the sixth time that the system had crashed in 2022. On June 13.

The nation’s power system collapsed twice in March and twice again in April this year.

Power generation on the grid has continued to fluctuate due to various concerns such as gas constraints, water management challenges, and gas pipeline vandalism, among others.

But the TCN stated on Wednesday that with its new technology the power grid would receive improved monitoring, as this would help in its management going forward.

“The deployment of the smart grid system is in the advanced stage of the procurement process for a robust deployment of a full-scale state-of-the-art Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition/Energy Management System,” the General Manager, Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, stated.

TCN operates the national electricity grid with over 20,000km of 330 and 132 kilovolts transmission lines, which are said to be among the few largest transmission networks in Africa.

At the moment, Nigeria’s transmission network consists of high voltage substations with a proven 7,300 megawatts of electricity wheeling capacity, and still expanding.

This transmission system is being reformed by TCN as the Nigerian electricity market, which comprises the generation, transmission and distribution companies prepares for a competitive market stage away from the transitional stage it has been for over seven years.

This new stage will mean that all transactions are based on contracts with optimal customer service delivery.

And to test run this, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission pushed for the Service Level Agreement in 2021, which became binding on all operators to ensure improved service delivery to power users.

The Managing Director, TCN, Sule Abdulaziz, said the company had boosted the digitisation of grid operations, as the NCC’s control room was solely responsible for all activities related to grid network data acquisition, real-time grid operations and management for optimal service delivery.