National Industrial Court of Nigeria sitting in Enugu on Friday ordered primary school teachers in the state to suspend their planned strike action pending the hearing of a substantial case filed by the state government.
The presiding judge, Oluwakayode Arowosegbe said that teachers are essential service workers and would not be allowed to embark on strike according to labour laws, stressing that the strike would sabotage the economy of the state and the country.
He, however, warned the state government to stop threatening the teachers and enjoined both parties to maintain the status quo until the substantial case is heard.
The Enugu State government had earlier went to court seeking an injunction to stop primary school teachers from embarking on strike. The teachers had issued a seven-day ultimatum to the government within which to pay the national minimum wage or face industrial action.
During the hearing on case No: NICN/EN/01/2022, the Counsel to the state government, Barr. Joseph Omeh in his argument asked the court to stop the three days warning strikes because they are essential workers.
The prosecuting counsel argued that if not stopped that they may wake up one day and embark on an indefinite strike which would cause economic problem.
He added that if the union wants to dialogue with the government on how to pay them the minimum wage, they should sign an undertaking not to go on strike.
The defending counsel, Ray Nnaji asked the judge not to grant the injunction. He argued that the teachers can only dialogue with the government if they implement the agreement they had with them which is N30,000 National Minimum Wage.
Nnaji described the attitude of the government as callous and discriminatory for disregarding the important role and services the teachers render to society.
He however asked the court to quash the application of the government and allow the union to exercise their right and seek for what is their right.
The judge however adjourned the matter till February 22, 2022, for an accelerated hearing.
Sadio Mane netted the winning spot-kick as Senegal beat Egypt 4-2 on penalties to clinch their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations, after the final ended goalless following extra time.
The Liverpool forward had earlier seen a seventh-minute penalty saved by Pharaohs keeper Gabaski.
Chelsea’s Edouard Mendy denied Mohanad Lasheen to give Mane the chance to win it in Yaounde’s Olembe Stadium.
Gabaski had made three good saves from Senegal’s Bamba Dieng in extra time.
And in a match billed as a battle between Liverpool forwards Mane, of Senegal, and Egypt captain Mohamed Salah, it was the former who had the decisive word.
After two previous final defeats, Senegal are Africa Cup of Nations winners at last, while Egypt missed out on a record-extending eighth continental crown that would also have been a first for Salah.
“It just shows that if you work hard, if you persevere, you will get what you want,” Senegal coach Aliou Cisse said.
“I am very emotional because the people of Senegal have wanted this trophy for 60 years.”
All four of Egypt’s knockout games at the tournament went the distance, and the North Africans had beaten Ivory Coast and Cameroun on spot kicks en route to the final.
Gabaski had already saved four penalties at the tournament by the time the match went to a shootout, but on this occasion the 33-year-old ended on the losing side.
Egypt were the first to err when centre-back Mohamed Abdelmonem saw his penalty hit the left-hand upright and bounce away – but Gabaski immediately denied Bouna Sarr.
However, Lasheen saw his effort saved and Mane won it with an emphatic finish into the bottom left-hand corner.
His Liverpool team-mate Salah did not even have the chance to take a penalty, with the Pharaohs captain set to go fifth for his side.
Senegal’s two Nations Cup final defeats came in 2002 and 2019
And while the Teranga Lions will celebrate finally winning the tournament, Egypt will soon have a chance for revenge, with the two sides meeting again next month in a two-legged play-off for a spot at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Mane spurns early penalty
Egypt keeper Gabaski saved Sadio Mane’s first-half penalty, but the Liverpool forward had the final say
The match saw a free-flowing Senegal side with Mane as its attacking spearhead come up against Salah’s compact and defensively-minded Egyptian outfit.
The West Africans were handed an early chance to take a lead when Abdelmonem lunged in on Senegal left-back Saliou Ciss in the fourth minute.
Mane had words with Gabaski before placing the ball on the spot – appearing to tell the keeper to get back on his line.
The 29-year-old blasted his attempt just to the left of centre, but Gabaski dived the right way and punched the ball clear.
Salah was well-marshalled by the Senegal defence and only had two efforts in the first half, forcing Mendy into a good save with the second.
The second half became somewhat fractured as record seven-time champions Egypt, with coach Carlos Quieroz absent from the touchline through suspension, looking to break up play.
Extra time was more lively as Senegal took the game to their opponents, and Dieng saw a low, angled effort pushed away, and a good downward header clawed behind.
The substitute then had a long-range shot pushed behind before Mendy tipped over a fierce attempt from Marwan Hamdy with three minutes remaining.
Redemption for Cisse
Senegal have been Africa’s top-ranked side for the past three years under coach Cisse, who as a player missed a crucial penalty in the 2002 final defeat and was in the dugout for their loss three years ago.
Mane was instrumental in their landmark success in Cameroon, scoring three goals at the tournament and setting up another two.
Salah’s influence waned as the contest went on and he ended on the losing side for the second time in a Nations Cup final, having been part of the Egypt side beaten bt Cameroun in 2017
The next Afcon is due to take place in the Ivory Coast in June and July next year.
The Teranga Lions eventually ended their wait to lift the trophy after a protracted presentation which saw captain Kalidou Koulibaly go up to the VIP box in the stands alongside Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe and Fifa president Gianni Infantino to greet Cameroon president Paul Biya.
Mohamed Salah has won the Champions League and Premier League alongside Mane at Liverpool, but the Nations Cup went to his fellow Reds forward on Sunday
‘Mane carried Senegal on his shoulder’
Jermaine Jenas said “Sadio Mane has put his country on his shoulders and given the title to them. This is Senegal’s golden generation and they have managed to do it, it is a big moment for the country.
“Mane hit that penalty without any doubt he would score, which is incredible with the pressure he was under.
“You can see Mane is a leader. We know he is a top, top footballer, but the growth in the player over the years was very visible today in the biggest moment of his life.”
Andy Murray will not play at the French Open and will instead focus on preparing for Wimbledon in the summer.
It is the second year running the 34-year-old Briton will miss Roland Garros which runs from 22 May until 5 June.
Murray will also sit out the entire clay-court season which starts at the Monte Carlo Masters on 9 April.
“I am not planning on playing through the clay, the past couple of years, the clay has made issues worse, I don’t want to take that risk,” he said.
Former world number one Murray – currently ranked 102 in the world – has been attempting to return to his former levels after major surgery in 2019 on a career-threatening hip problem.
Murray said he did not rule out playing on clay in the future.
“It’s not that I wouldn’t potentially play on clay in the future,” he added. “Last year I almost missed Wimbledon and was close to not playing the grass season.
“I will still try to compete a bit during that period, I won’t do nothing, that’s my plan just now. I had a busy end of last year and the next couple of months. I won’t take any risks and hopefully get a good build-up to the grass season.”
Super Eagles’ forward, Victor Osimhen, was the hero of the day as FC Napoli secured a two-goal win at Venezia on Match-day 24. The result puts former Serie A title winner back into contention for the prized trophy.
The mask-wearing Nigerian striker scored from a wonderful header and late Andrea Petagna strike gave gave Napoli a precious 2-0 win away to Venezia and puts them back in strong challenge for the Scettudo.
It was a match that saw AFCON 2021 defender with Super Eagles, Tyrone Ebuehi, got a red card towards the end of the match.
Osimhen had made two brief substitute appearances since fracturing bones in his face in a sickening head clash at Inter Milan. He rewarded coach Luciano Spalletti’s decision to pick him by leaping to head Napoli ahead just before the hour mark at the Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo.
Andrea Petagna sealed the points in the 100th minute of a match extended due a clash of heads between the referee and Venezia’s Tyronne Ebuehi, as well as that same player’s late red card for a dreadful foul on Dries Mertens.
Wearing a special face mask, Osimhen’s sixth Serie A goal of the season — his first since mid-October — fired Napoli right back into a three-way league title tussle.
Napoli are second, level on 52 points with AC Milan who broke open the race for the Scudetto as Olivier Giroud’s derby double which saw off Inter on Saturday.
Like Milan, Napoli have played a game more than Inter but they host the champions next weekend before travelling to Barcelona for the first leg of their Europa League play-off with the Catalan giants.
Osimhen could have had another as he struck the post in the first half but Napoli had to battle their way past Venezia, who are in the relegation zone following defeat and Cagliari’s 2-1 win at 10-man Atalanta earlier on Sunday.
Gaston Pereiro earned Walter Mazzarri’s Cagliari their third win in five league matches to move them up to 17th, two points ahead of Venezia.
The 26-year-old gave Cagliari a surprise lead four minutes after half-time in Bergamo, and was crucial to Atalanta going a man down when he was brought down by onrushing goalkeeper Juan Musso just moments later.
Fourth-placed Atalanta, who will drop out of the Champions League positions if Juventus beat Verona on Sunday night, pulled level through Jose Luis Palomino in the 64th minute.
However the hopeful home fans were silenced again four minutes later when Pereiro rolled home the winner from Raoul Bellanova’s low cross.
Atalanta have a game in hand but also have a fight on their hands to keep Champions League football after previously looking like title contenders.
They host Juve next weekend and will have to do without Duvan Zapata for that match and their Italian Cup tie with Fiorentina, with the Colombia forward pulling up just 14 minutes after coming off the bench for his first appearance of 2022.
Sampdoria took advantage of 18th-placed Venezia’s defeat by thumping Sassuolo 4-0 and going five points clear of the bottom three.
Marco Giampaolo’s Samp won thanks to two stunning volleys from Francesco Caputo and Andrea Conti, a goal from Stefano Sensi on his debut after arriving on loan from Inter and Antonio Candreva’s late penalty.
Bologna and Empoli played out a goalless draw in the afternoon’s other match.
Remo Stars are back on the top of the ladder in the Nigeria Professional Football League after their 1-0 defeat of Shooting Stars in Ikenne on Sunday.
The win did not just shoot the team back to the top, Remo Stars remain the only undefeated team in the NPFL after 11 matchdays.
While Remo Stars won the ‘Star War’ in Ikenne, the ‘United Battle’ at the New Jos Stadium did not go the way of Rivers United as they unexpectedly slumped to a 1-0 defeat at Plateau United.
The goal that tumbled Rivers United from the summit was scored by Akila Jesse Jidima in the 32nd minute.
Remo Stars at the time of Plateau United’s goal had found themselves in the third position as the Jos side had moved to number two on the log.
Great thanks to Junior Nduka whos scored from a 61st minute free kick.
In Uyo, Dakkada found comfort in returning to their home ground as Musa Bashiru’s late goal helped the team to a lone goal victory against visiting Kano Pillars.
The striker who came on as a second half substitute had latched onto a rebound after Pillars goalkeeper Joshua Enahalo failed to parry Unwana Asuquo’s pile driver off a free kick from 25 yards to safety, in the 85th minute.
In Akure, Sunshine Stars could not glitter as they were dimmed 1-0 by visiting Enyimba Victor Mbaoma’s 46th goal was all the invading Elephants needed to trampled on the Sunshine Stars.
MFM continued their unimpressive run this season as they were held to a goalless draw at home by Akwa United. In Ilorin, Kwara United defeated Lobi Stars 1- 0 to place fifth on the log. Samad Kadiri scored the goal in the 72nd minute.
Niger Tornadoes beat Katsina United 2-1. Ahmad Liman shot the home side ahead in the 20th minute before Shamusideen Hashim doubled the lead five minutes lated. Just before half time, Sani Faisal pulled a goal back for the visiting Katsina United.
Enugu Rangers salvaged a point as they held host team, Wikki Tourists to a goalless draw.
Nigeria reached the final round of the qualification series for this year’s FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup afer the Falconets turned back their Cameroonian counterparts 3-0 at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Saturday.
The encounter was the first international match at Nigeria’s premium sporting arena since the Falcons defeated their Senegalese counterparts 2-0 in a Women Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match in April 2016.
A brace by left –sided midfielder Esther Onyenezide and one by Precious Vincent sent the Young Lionesses back to Yaounde empty –handed, less than 48 hours after that country’s senior men team was bumped in the semi final stage of the Africa Cup of Nations the country is currently hosting.
Onyenezide struck after 22 minutes, before Vincent increased the worries of the visitors eight minutes from the interval. Onyenezide struck again in the 73rd minute to put the match beyond the Lionesses.
The Falconets will now tango with the winner of the Morocco-Senegal fixture in a two-legged affair next month for a slot at the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica in August.
Approximately 93% of subscribers are now receiving electricity in central west Turkey’s Isparta province and teams are working hard to provide electricity to the remaining 20,000 households left in the dark for three days after heavy snow caused disruptions at the electricity grid, Energy Minister Fatih Dönmez says
“Heavy snow and a blizzard caused serious damage to energy infrastructure … initially 113,236 consumers were left without electricity in the province … units are working in the field to restore energy to the remaining 20,000 users,” Dönmez said, according to a report by Turkish news website Habertürk.
Isparta Mayor Şükrü Başdeğirmen said that the electricity will be fully restored as of Sunday night.
Dönmez added that the Special Administration teams, the municipality, Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) teams and energy distribution company officials intervened in the disaster-affected areas and that all transportation roads in the city, including the village roads, are open and the health institutions continue to serve.
Explaining that the works continue with additional personnel and vehicles, even though there are some difficulties due to climate and snow, the minister stated that they have increased the number of personnel by five to six times.
Dönmez informed that they responded to the crisis with 63 sidecars, 37 off-road vehicles, 11 cabin vehicles, three cranes and 19 generators, and added that support personnel and vehicle reinforcements were received from the neighboring regions.
The governor’s office in Isparta stated some neighborhoods and villages are still without electricity since the snow started on Thursday but grid maintenance personnel are continuing their work on power transmission lines.
“There is a delay in restoring the power … as the disruptions in utility poles occurred in a wide area impacting different lines, transportation to the areas is difficult and snow depth is around 1 meter (3.2 feet),” the governor’s office said in a statement.
The authorities decided to ban the use of motorbikes and electric scooters since Thursday and halt in-person education in schools for five days in the city of 450,000 people as of Feb. 7, according to a statement on the governor’s office website.
The snowfall that started around 5 a.m. local time on Feb. 3 in Isparta continued uninterrupted for 11 hours.
The snow stopped around 4 p.m. but started again at night.
According to the data of the Isparta Meteorology Regional Directorate, the amount of snowfall per square meter in the city on Thursday and Friday was 83.9 kilograms, which is around 3.3 inches of precipitation.
Britain’s Prince Charles has paid tribute to his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, as she marks her 70th anniversary on the throne on Sunday, saying her devotion continues to inspire with each passing year.
The Prince of Wales, 73, congratulated the Queen on her “remarkable achievement” of “serving this nation, the Realms and Commonwealth” for the past seven decades in a statement released by Clarence House.
“The Queen’s devotion to the welfare of all her people inspires still greater admiration with each passing year,” the statement added.
The 95-year-old monarch ascended to the throne on February 6, 1952, following the death of her father, King George VI, at the age of 56.
Elizabeth II is the first British monarch to reach the historic milestone of a Platinum Jubilee and is marking the day privately at her Sandringham estate in eastern England.
Nationwide celebrations are set to take place over a long weekend in the summer.
She was already the longest-reigning monarch in British history, having in 2015 surpassed the record set by her great-great grandmother Queen Victoria.
David de Gea has been named the Premier League’s Player of the Month, becoming the first goalkeeper to win the award in six years
The 31-year-old made 22 saves across four games for Manchester United in January, helping them move up into the top four of the Premier League.
Southampton’s Fraser Forster was the last keeper to win the prize back in February 2016.
It marks the first time that De Gea has been awarded the Premier League’s Player of the Month in his 11-year spell at Manchester United.
De Gea topped a six-man January shortlist that featured Jarrod Bowen, Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Harrison, Joao Moutinho and James Ward-Prowse.
Though he kept just one clean sheet in January, much like the rest of the season, De Gea produced a number of stellar performances in January.
The month started with a 1-0 defeat against Wolves in a game which De Gea made a string of crucial saves to keep the Red Devils in the game before Moutinho’s 82nd minute winner.
De Gea again made a number of excellent saves despite Aston Villa coming from two goals down to get a point against the Red Devils.
The Spaniard was kept busy in the first-half against Brentford who could have been two or three goals up at the break, before United put the Premier League new boys to the sword with three goals in the second-half.
He then kept a clean sheet as United took a valuable 1-0 victory over West Ham to get a valuable three points in the battle for the Champions League spots.
In what has been a tough season for the Red Devils, De Gea has been arguably the club’s most reliable performer and United would arguably be in a worse off position if it wasn’t for the Spaniard.
Overall, De Gea has the most saves in the Premier League this season. His total of 84 is 13 more than his nearest challenger Illan Meslier
The Academic Staff Union of Universities has urged its chapters across the country to sensitise members of the public on the situation between the union and the Federal Government.
This is as it declared Monday, February 7, 2022, as a lecture-free day in a bid to enhance the sensitisation.
The National President of the Union, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, disclosed this in an interview with our correspondent on Saturday evening.
The directive to the chapters of ASUU comes less than a week after the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari(retd.) pledged the commitment of his administration to fulfilling the agreement with the union.
Buhari made the promise when members of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council visited him to discuss the lingering issues.
While making the pledge, Buhari pleaded with the union to exercise patience and consider current economic realities.
The last national strike by ASUU was in March 2020 and it lasted till December 2020, when a Memorandum of Action was signed.
However, a year after signing the MoA, ASUU accused the government of failing to fulfil its side of the bargain and threatened to mobilise for another strike immediately.
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