NFF Constitutes Electoral, Appeal Committees Ahead September 30 Elections

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August 19, 2022

NFF Constitutes Electoral, Appeal Committees Ahead September 30 Elections

The Congress of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Thursday constituted the Electoral and Appeal Committees ahead of the September 30 Elective Congress scheduled to hold in Benin City Edo State.

The nation football governing body also named Aikhuegire Anthony as the Chairman of the Electoral Committee and Barrister Gandi Umar as Chairman, Appeal Committee.

This is contained in a communique made available to BSN Sports which reads in part; “The Congress approved the suspension of the provisions of the NFF Statutes (2010) and the NFF Electoral Code (2009) that provide a certain duration between the time of constitution of the Electoral Committee and the conduct of elections into the NFF Executive Committee. The Congress thereby adopted Friday, 30th September as date for the NFF Elective Congress 2022.

“Following from the above, the Congress constituted the NFF Electoral Committee and the NFF Election Appeals Committee 2022 thus: NFF Electoral Committee 2022: Aikhunegire Anthony Malik (Chairman); Justice Abdulkadir Zakariyya (Vice Chairman); Babatunde Ogala – SAN (Member); Daha Umar Daura – Danburam (Member); Gambo Mamman (Member). Alternate Members: Barrister Ifeanyi Dike; Barr. Ransom Ariyo

“NFF Election Appeals Committee 2022: Barrister Gandi Umar, mni (Chairman); Ayo Akindele – SAN (Vice Chairman); Rev. Obioma Onyeaghala (Member). Alternate Members: Barrister Chive Kaave; Barrister Idi Halidu Ali.

The General Assembly also approved Benin City, capital of Edo State as venue for the NFF Elective Congress 2022.

Meanwhile, in order not to create vacuum, the current NFF board will be in charge of the elections despite their tenure ending on 20th September.

Following a motion on the floor of the General Assembly, the Congress approved that the present NFF Executive Committee remain in office to conduct the 30th September 2022 elections in order to avoid any form of vacuum.

Congress approved that all decisions reached at the Annual General Assembly, in particular the Electoral Roadmap, be communicated to world football-governing body, FIFA by the NFF General Secretary without delay, for approval, endorsement and ratification.

Ghana Delivers Biggest Rate Hike Ever At 300 Basis Point

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Elizabeth Williams

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August 19, 2022

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Ernest Addison, Governor of the Bank of Ghana talks during the bank’s Monetary Policy Committee new conference in Accra — Ernest Addison, Governor of the Bank of Ghana talks during the bank’s Monetary Policy Committee news conference in Accra, Ghana March 21, 2022. REUTERS/Cooper Inveen - RC2Z6T97UJIK

Ghana’s central bank announced a 300 basis point hike in its main lending rate, the West African country’s largest ever, after an emergency meeting to tackle the deteriorating economy.
Ghana’s central bank has delivered its biggest rate hike ever, a 300 basis point increase to 22%, at an emergency meeting to address the economy’s rapid deterioration amid crippling inflation. The hike comes just three weeks after it kept its monetary policy rate unchanged at 19% and said it was pausing to observe the impact of a series of record-breaking hikes.
It had been due to meet again in late September, but on Monday it said an emergency meeting was needed. Ghana’s cedi currency has continued its steep decline since the July monetary policy meeting, losing more than 6% against the dollar on Wednesday alone, according to Refinitiv Eikon data. That brought total losses for 2022 to close to 39%.

NBC Recalls Rhythm FM, Silverbird TV, Raypower FM, AIT Others Licences

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Emenike Agu

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August 19, 2022

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The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) on Friday said it has revoked the broadcast licences of Silverbird TV, AIT, Raypower FM, and Rhythm FM amongst others.

The Director-General of the NBC, Mallam Balarabe Shehu, who made the disclosure in a statement on Friday, said the development followed the failure of the media houses to renew their broadcast licences.

He also directed its state offices to liaise with security agencies to ensure the shut down of the operation of the stations within the next 24 hours.

According to the statement, the broadcast regulator had published lists of stations yet to renew their licences three months ago.

The commission said, despite the publication, “some licensees are yet to pay their outstanding debts, in contravention of the National Broadcasting Commission Act CAP N11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, particularly section 10(a) of the third schedule of the Act.

“Therefore, after due consideration, NBC hereby announces the revocation of the licenses of the stations and gives them 24 hours to shut down their operations.

“Our offices nationwide are hereby directed to collaborate with security agencies to ensure immediate compliance.”

FIFA Women World Cup: Waldrum Faces Sack As NFF Review WAFCON Woes

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Emenike Agu

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August 19, 2022

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Head Coach of the Super Falcons, Randy Waldrum will be facing performance evaluation – an indication he might be losing his job – after a resolution at the Annual General Assembly of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has directed the Technical Committee to assess the American’ performance at the tournament where Nigeria abysmally finished fourth

Waldrum-led Super Falcons finished fourth, whilst losing three in six matches at the just concluded Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco and the technical ability of the coach has come under a lot of speculation.

In a communique released after NFF 77th Annual General Assembly in Lagos on Thursday, the future of the Senior Women National Team was a cause of major concern and football stakeholders in Nigeria will be looking for a way forward with the FIFA Women’s World Cup at hand.

“Following a detailed presentation by the Head of Delegation of Nigeria team to the 12th Women Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, Ms Aisha Falode, the Executive Committee directed its Technical and Development Sub-Committee to hold a meeting and make recommendations on the way forward for the Senior Women National Team, Super Falcons, including but not limited to a thorough evaluation of the capability of the coaching crew to lead the team to a creditable performance at the FIFA World Cup finals in Australia and New Zealand next year.” The Communique read.

The Super Falcons had won nine out of 11 WAFCON tournaments before Morocco 2022.

Medical Practitioners Urge FG To Deploy Technology In Tackling Insecurity

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Olasunbo Okoromi

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August 19, 2022

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The Association of Catholic Medical Practitioners of Nigeria has urged the Federal Government to deploy technology to strengthen the war against insecurity in the country.

The group made the call in a statement by Dr Emmanuel Pius-Ngatida, Public Relations Officer of the association, after its 16th National Scientific Conference and Annual General Meeting held in Abuja.

The event has the theme: “Strategies for improving Health Worker Status in a Changing World.”

The conference condemned the state of insecurity nationwide, including attacks on worship places, and recent kidnap and murder of some Catholic priests.

It therefore urged government at all levels to live up to its primary responsibility of securing lives and property of Nigerians.

The conference suggested the “deployment of modern technology, CCTV, and aerial drones for surveillance as practical strategies to boost national security.”

It advised Catholic healthcare workers to always serve as volunteer first aid groups and provide ambulance services for emergency care to victims of attacks on worship centres and other places.

The conference called for an amendment to the National Health Act 2014, to protect Nigerians from traffickers of human organs and forestall abuse of the law.

The association further urged government to quickly address the growing unemployment and lingering crisis in the education sector.

They advised members of the association not to ignore their health while serving humanity, adding that they should go for regular medical checks, exercise regularly, maintain healthy lifestyles and enrol for health insurance.

The catholic medical doctors were also encouraged to work with other health workers in their parishes to provide care for the physically challenged and vulnerable persons, such as the aged, women and children.

It disagreed with conducting abortion, euthanasia and organ trafficking, saying they contradict the culture of the Catholic Church.

The hybrid conference drew participants from within and outside the country, including the President, Federation of International Catholic Medical Associations, Prof. Bernard Ars, and participants from Liberia.

There were messages from the association’s National President, Dr Matthew Ashikeni, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Prof Michael Asuzu, and the Archbishop of Abuja, His Grace, Ignatius Kaigama

2023 CHAN Qualifiers: Super Eagles B Coach Salisu Yusuf Talks Tough Ahead Of Ghana Clash, Dismissed Speculation Of Revenge Mission

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Emenike Agu

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August 19, 2022

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Home-based Super Eagles head coach, Salisu Yusuf says the team is perfectly focused on securing a ticket at the 2023 African Nations Championship (CHAN),

The Team B Eagles willslug it out against perennial rivals, Ghana for a place in the competition scheduled to hold in Algeria.

The Black Stars denied Nigeria a place at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, but Yusuf insists the CHAN qualifier is not about revenge.

“For me it’s not about revenge, it’s about qualification,” Yusuf Salisu said on Brila FM.

“So the most important thing is for us to qualify and to qualify we have to beat Ghana and it’s our wish and prayer that it will happen,” he said.

Ghana will entertain the first leg at the Cape Coast Stadium on August 28th.

However, the reverse fixture is scheduled for the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on September 3rd.

Turkey’s Erdogan Says He Won’t Rule Out Dialogue With Syria

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Koko Lawrence

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August 19, 2022

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Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says dialogue and diplomacy with the Syrian government cannot be ruled out, the latest sign that Ankara may be willing to mend ties with its southern neighbour.

“There is a need to take further steps with Syria,” Erdogan told reporters, adding diplomacy between states could never be fully severed.

The tone of Erdogan’s comments appears to be softer than his previous position on Syria, where his government backed the opposition and intervened militarily. Turkey currently occupies territory across vast swaths of northern Syria.

Earlier this year, Erdogan promised to conduct a cross-border military operation.

Turkey’s military operations have largely targeted the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) militia, which it deems the Syrian branch of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a designated “terrorist” group in Turkey, the United States, and the European Union.

However, the YPG is the predominant force in the Syrian Democratic Forces, which the United States relied on heavily to fight the armed group ISIL (ISIS).

The incursions into Syria and the threat of new military operations have brought Ankara into conflict with Damascus and caused tensions with Russia, the Syrian government’s main backer.

DONE DEAL: Liameed Completes Lleida Esportiu Switch From Villarreal

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Emenike Agu

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August 19, 2022

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Spainish based outfit, Lleida Esportiu has completed the transfer of energetic Nigerian international, Quadri Liameed from Spainish topflight league giants, Villarreal CF,

Ex 36 Lion midfilder Quadri Liameed exciting style of play caught the attention of Nigeria U-20 scouts which earned him a place with Nigeria U-20 team under the tutelage of Coach Isah Ladan Bosso.

After an exciting outing with the Nigeria U-20 team, Quadri Liameed attracted plethora of offers which he later settled with Spainish La-Liga outfit, Villarreal in 2020.

A golden fish has no hiding place for the former 36 Lion FC of Lagos, Quadri Liameed talents whilst with Villarreal U19 never went unnoticed as he energetic display always earned him a place in the stars studded U19 side.

Indian Company To Develop Nepal Hydropower Plant Left By China

By

Koko Lawrence

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August 19, 2022

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Nepal has signed a pact with an Indian company to develop a hydroelectric plant in the west of the nation years after a Chinese firm backed out, officials said.

Nepal has opened its rivers, which it sees as having a combined potential to generate more than 42,000 megawatts of hydroelectric power, to foreign players to develop its economy and export electricity to narrow the trade deficit of more than $13bn.

Officials said India’s NHPC Ltd signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Thursday allowing it to study details like feasibility, environmental effects, inundation of land and construction costs for two projects – West Seti (750 megawatts) and SR 6 (450 megawatts).

Both plants are to be located on the West Seti River in Nepal’s least-developed far western region.

China’s biggest hydropower developer, Three Gorges International Corp, was previously lined up to develop the West Seti plant, but Nepal scrapped the deal in 2017 amid haggling over the terms, officials said.

“After decades of delays we would not have plunged into another uncertainty,” chief executive officer Sushil Bhatta of the state-run Investment Board Nepal told news correspondents.

“NHPC has a good track record of developing such projects in similar terrain in neighbouring areas in India and has the potential to ensure India’s market for electricity,” he said, adding that he hoped for more projects in the region.

Abhay Kumar Singh, managing director of NHPC Ltd, was similarly optimistic. “When we enter a project, we complete it,” he said.

India is already constructing a 900-megawatt hydropower project on the Arun River in eastern Nepal at a cost of $1.04bn.

China and India usually jostle for influence in Nepal.

Currently, Nepal generates about 2,000 megawatts, or less than five percent of its total hydroelectric potential, due to a lack of funds, technical know-how and the absence of political consensus on how to develop the resource.

Germany’s Chancellor Scholz Testifies Over Tax Fraud Scandal

By

Koko Lawrence

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August 19, 2022

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German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has rejected accusations of impropriety in his handling of a multibillion-euro tax fraud while Hamburg mayor at a hearing before lawmakers in a case that threatens to tarnish him even as he battles multiple crises.

In the scheme of “cum-ex” or dividend stripping, banks and investors would swiftly trade shares of companies around their dividend payout day, blurring stock ownership and allowing multiple parties to falsely reclaim tax rebates on dividends.

The loophole, now closed, took on a political dimension in the northern port of Hamburg due to authorities’ sluggishness in 2016 under the mayorship of Scholz at demanding repayment of millions of euros gained under the scheme by local bank Warburg.

Warburg, which plays a big role in Germany’s second largest city, eventually paid its tax bill of around 50 million euros ($50.3m) after the federal finance ministry intervened.

“I did not exert any influence on the Warburg tax case,” Scholz said on Friday during his second appearance in front of a Hamburg parliamentary committee of inquiry into the cum-ex affair, one of Germany’s biggest post-war corporate scandals.

“There is nowhere even the tiniest suggestion that I agreed anything,” he said, referring to other testimonies before the committee.

However, Richard Seelmaecker, representative of the opposition conservatives on the committee, said that Scholz could be called to testify before lawmakers for a third time as new findings from the investigation were just emerging.

The case threatens to undermine the chancellor even as he is trying to hold his fractious coalition together in the face of public discontent over soaring energy costs.

His popularity is already lagging that of his economy and foreign ministers, while just 58 percent of Germans think he is doing a good job compared to an average of about 70 percent for his predecessor Angela Merkel during her 16 years in office.

Meanwhile, his Social Democrat Party (SPD) has slipped into third place in polls behind the opposition conservatives and junior coalition partners the Greens.