West Ham United Eyeing Nigerian Striker Taiwo Awoniyi

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March 25, 2024

In a bid to bolster their attacking options, West Ham United is reportedly keen on signing Nigerian striker Taiwo Awoniyi in the summer, SportsRation reports.

Nottingham Forest, where Awoniyi currently plies his trade, is said to be open to offloading the prolific forward to avoid another breach of the Premier League’s financial regulations.

The club has already faced repercussions for violating the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules, receiving a four-point deduction as a penalty.

To steer clear of similar sanctions in the upcoming season, Forest is contemplating parting ways with one of their key players, with Awoniyi emerging as a likely candidate to generate the necessary funds.

According to Football365.com. West Ham expressed interest in acquiring the services of Taiwo Awoniyi during the previous summer transfer window, Nottingham Forest rebuffed their advances.

However, with the Hammers gearing up for another pursuit of the former Liverpool player in the upcoming transfer window.

Awoniyi’s performances this season have caught the attention of West Ham, especially considering he has found the back of the net twice against them during league encounters.

The 26-year-old forward has showcased his scoring prowess, tallying six league goals thus far in the campaign.

Taiwo Awoniyi made a switch to Nottingham Forest from Bundesliga side Union Berlin in June 2022, commanding a transfer fee of £17.5 million. With his goal-scoring abilities and potential, he could emerge as a valuable asset for West Ham United if the proposed transfer materialises.

Milestone As Egypt Becomes First Country To Reach 100 Gold Medals In African Games

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Emenike Agu

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March 25, 2024

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As the curtain is drawn on the 13^th African Games in Egypt, the traditional overall winners, have this time hit a milestone.

They have become the first to hit a 100 gold medal mark in the 59 year history of the games.

As at Saturday morning, they have amassed 101 gold medals, 54 more than that of the second placed Nigeria

The biggest star of the Egyptian team is swimmer Marwan Elkamash, who won five gold medals in the men’s 200m, 400m, 800m, 1,500m and 4x200m relays, all in freestyle.

But medal haul is still short that that of his compatriot, Faten Afifi who fished out seven gold medals from the pool.

Twist And Turns In Nigeria’s Premier League Continues

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Emenike Agu

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March 25, 2024

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It has been a season never before in Nigeria’s lead football league, the NPL. Twenty seven match days are gone in a scheduled 38 match day series, no clear leader has emerged.

The competitiveness is underlined by the fact that all the teams top five bracket and even Doma United now in the 13^th position have at one time or the other being in the first position.

Unpredictability could be the apt word, making the season on of the most keenly contested. The keenness is underlined by the fact that just four points separate the current table-toppers, Enugu Rangers and the fifth placed Plateau United.

With most of the clubs having eleven more matches to go, the title is still open and swinging.

The home grounds are no longer sacred. Enyimba travelled to the fortress of Shooting Stars and scrapped a victory. Remo Stars were at the Aba slaughter house of Enyimba and did not only escape defeat, they got a win as they did in the creeks of Bayelsa.

Buoyed with such record, any bookmaker would have tipped them to upstage struggling Sporting Lagos some weeks ago. Alas! Adios predictability, bye bye to form books.

Like a pack of cards blown by the hurricane, Remo Stars fell 4-1 to hitherto goal-shy Sporting Lagos. If they boast of never being defeated by their South West rivals, Shooting Stars, that came to an end when they met penultimate Sunday in Ibadan.

Now, clubs can dream dreams of picking valuable points on the road instead of making just their home game a do-or-die situation.

Plateau United can go to Owerri and inflict a massive 5-1 blow on the season’s punching bag, the faint-hearted Heartland FC.

With lower level of restiveness from the crowd, even if they don’t often agree with refereeing decisions, the calmer atmosphere can enable more corporate support and investment on the league in the coming seasons.

Matchday 27 continues this Monday as Shooting Stars who have navigated their way upstream from a near drop zone to continental ticket contenders will be away to Niger Tornadoes.

At the weekend, Remo Stars had one of their most anticipated rare victories as they beat their eternal rivals, Bendel Insurance 2-0 in Ikenne.

It was the 10^th encounter of the two arch rivals and more often than not, the result had always been in Bendel Insurance’ favour. Prior to Sunday’s epic clash, Remo Stars only defeat of Bendel Insurance was at the Super 6 in Lagos last June.

They now have a bragging rights against the Benin Arsenals. Victory did not come on a platter of gold as the 2-0 scoreline may suggest.

They had to dig deep into their armoury before Olamilekan Adedayo found the net. Two minutes to regulation time, Haruna Hadi put in the second goal.

Apart from the Super 6 last season which was a play-off, it is the first time Remo Stars had beaten Bendel Insurance in the regular season since 2019.

Like Remo Stars who rose from their 2-0 loss in Ibadan, Kano Pillars also returned to winning ways beating Sporting Lagos 1-0 in Kano.

Initial table-topper, Lobi Stars dropped valuable points at home when they laboured to hold Bayelsa United 1-1. The result gave the edge to Enugu Rangers who heartlessly compounded the woes of Heartland of Owerri with an away 2-1 win Owerri.

In a Savanah derby, former frontrunners now finding the league too tasking, Doma United played 1-1 with Gombe United. In Ilorin, the ambition of Enyimba to top the league got a setback when Kwara United inflicted a 2-1 defeat.

F.G, U.S Partner To Enhance Education, Cultural Ties

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Nzubechukwu Anodo

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March 22, 2024

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The Federal Government of Nigeria and the United States of America has expressed readiness to enhance educational and cultural ties, reaffirming commitment to mutual understanding, cooperation and progress.

The Minister of Education, Prof.Tahir Mamman disclosed this while playing host to a delegation from the United States of America, led by the Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs, Lee Satterfield in Abuja.

According to a statement issued to newsmen by the Director, press and public relations of the federal ministry of education, Folasade Boriowo, the US Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs, Lee Satterfield, expressed optimism that the partnership would lead to innovative ideas and initiatives which will contribute to a brighter future for the people of Nigeria.

Satterfield also expressed deep appreciation for the opportunity to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Education, emphasizing the need to foster collaboration in the fields of education and culture, particularly in television and filmmaking.

In his remarks, the the Minister of Education, Prof.Tahir Mamman, who underscore the significance of the partnership in advancing bilateral interests and strengthening diplomatic ties for both countries, highlighted the benefits of such collaboration.

While highlighting key challenges the collaboration should address, the minister of state for education, Yusuf Sununu, pointed out the pivotal role of the United States of America as a major partner in advancing the Ministry’s mandate and enhancing educational opportunities for Nigerian students

Imo Assembly To Stop Tertiary Institutions From Delaying Graduating Students Result

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Nzubechukwu Anodo

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March 22, 2024

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The Imo State House Of Assembly has mandated Tertiary Institutions in the State to ensure that their graduating students are not subjected to undue and unwarranted delays in the processing and release of the Statements of Result, Transcripts and Certificates.

Moving the Motion, the Chief Sponsor and Member Representing Ezinihitte Mbaise State Constituency, Hon Henry Agbasonu, expressed sadness over what he called the Culture Of Corruption of Tertiary Institutions in Imo State in deliberately delaying the issuance of Transcripts, Statements of Result and Certificates to graduating students.

Displaying his displeasure on the matter, Hon Agbasonu, who is also the Chairman of House Committee on Education, explained that the issue of result and certificate in Tertiary Institutions in Imo State has become very frustrating and demoralizing, which discourages new students from seeking admission into Tertiary Institutions in the State, due to corrupt tendencies where people intentionally make things difficult for others, in other to rip them off scare resources.

According to him, Some students may need to further their education in other Institutions, but face very difficult tasks in getting transcripts. Perhaps, they have done the needful in clearance, school fees etc, yet these Institutions make things difficult for them to have Transcripts and Results, due to unnecessary bureaucracy, which puts the beneficiary at risk of jeopardizing chances of meeting up with the deadline fixed by the prospective institutions and organizations. It has become terribly difficult for graduates to do their Masters and Post graduate courses, because of the difficulty it takes in having first degree certificates issued to them.

Hon Agbasonu went further to list Some Tertiary Institutions, which he said produce graduates on a yearly basis to include:

* Imo State University Owerri

* Federal University Of Technology, Owerri

* Imo State Polytechnic

* University Of Agriculture, Umuagwo

* K. O. Mbadiwe University, Ideato

* Benjamin Uwajumogu College Of Education

* FECOLART

* College Of Nursing Sciences, Orlu

Expressing his sadness further, Hon Dr Agbasonu disclosed that since 2020 to 2023, the results of the pupils and students who sat for both Basic Education and Certificate Examination (BECE) and First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC) are yet to be released, noting that both examinations are conducted by the Ministry Of Education, through the Examination Development Centre, EDC.

The lawmaker further explained that while BECE is an Examination written by JSS 3 students, FSLC is an Examination written by Primary 6 pupils.

He argued that the Ministry Of Education has no cogent reason to offer as explanation for the delay in releasing the results for four consecutive years, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.

He further argued that while the results are yet to be released, affected students and pupils, especially the JSS 3 Students, had gone ahead to be promoted to the next class. “If the results are released today and it is discovered that some of the promoted JSS 3 students who are now in SS1, SS2 and SS3 failed their examination, will they come back to retake the JSS 3 exam ? Hon Dr Agbasonu brilliantly asked.

He thereafter beckoned on his Honourable Colleagues to support his Motion to urge the Education-friendly Governor, His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodimma to direct the Ministry Of Education to do the needful to correct the anomaly.

The motion which was seconded by Hon Barrister Chisom Ojukwu and was co-sponsored by Hon Okey Udeze (Ideato North), Hon Dr Francis Uzoma Osuoha (Ohani/Egbema), Hon Engr Uche Francis Agabige (Orsu), Hon Barrister Chisom Ojukwu (Nkwerre), Hon Barrister Dominic Ezerioha (Oru-west), Hon Chief Samuel Ogbunikpa (Okigwe), Hon Chief Benneth Ozioma Ebonine (Njaba).

In the absence of any dissenting voice against the motion, the Speaker Of Imo State House Of Assembly, Rt Hon Chike Olemgbe urged the Management Teams of Tertiary Institutions in Imo State to ensure that their graduating students are not subjected to undue and unwarranted delays in the processing and release of the Statement Of Result, Transcripts and Certificate.

He asked Imo Governor, Hope Uzodimma to direct the Ministry of Education and EDC to release the BECE and FSLC results of 2020 to 2023 respectively.

The speaker noted that the Imo State Ministry of Education should come up with an Administrative Policy to ensure prompt release of results, and to eradicate undue delay in the processing and release of Statements of Result, Certificates and Transcripts, and indeed, all relevant results in all Public Institutions in Imo State to ensure that our students and graduates are not subjected to unnecessary delay with it’s attendant consequences.

African Games: Brume Wins Long Jump Gold Medal

By

Emenike Agu

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March 22, 2024

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Brume’s winning jump should have been a new Games Record but the excessive wind reading denied her that extra accolade

Team Nigeria athletes are not only winning medals at the ongoing African Games in Ghana, they are doing so in record-breaking fashion.

Ese Brume on Thursday could have joined the list of record breakers as she soared to a first-round jump of 6.92m to secure gold in the women’s Long Jump event

Unfortunately, the excessive wind reading denied her that extra accolade.

The legal wind reading is any mark below +2.0

With this nonetheless, Brume will be happy she successfully defended her 2019 title even though the Games record of 6.79m which had stood since 2007 could not be broken.

Brume’s victory has also seen her punch her ticket to the Paris 2024 Olympics, where she will be hoping to improve on the bronze medal she won last time out at the Tokyo Olympics Games.

Also, with this win, Brume becomes the second Nigerian Long Jumper in African Games history to successfully defend a Long Jump title.

Modupe Oshikoya achieved this feat in 1973 and 1978.

Brume also joins an elite group of nine Nigerian women who have defended their African Games titles, including legends like Mary Onyali and Tobi Amusan

While Brume is making the headlines with her gold medal, another youngster on the horizon Prestina Ochonogor is also getting accolades for her remarkable achievement in the women’s Long Jump event

Ochonogor claimed the bronze medal with a personal best of 6.67m in what is only her first international outing.

Unfortunately, the third Nigerian in the Long Jump event, Ruth Usoro, narrowly missed the podium with a 6.62m jump.

Nigerian trio in the 200m Semifinals
Consider Ekanem and Alaba Akintola secured their spots in the men’s 200m final with scorching times of 20.92s (-1.2) and 21.00s (-0.9) respectively.

Akintola dominated his semifinal heat, leaving no room for doubt.

Meanwhile, Olajide Olayinka will be the sole Nigerian representative in the women’s 200m final after her heat win of 23.51s (-2.3).

Already, Team Nigeria has garnered eight gold medals from track and field events at the ongoing African Games in Ghana, and more is still expected as athletics event ends on Friday.

Benue Gov Alia suspends all mining activities

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Mana Balagbogbo

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March 22, 2024

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The Benue Government has suspended all mining activities in the state until miners’ data has been compiled.

Gov. Hyacinth Alia gave the directive when he met with members of the Miners Association of Nigeria, Benue Chapter, in Makurdi.
He also directed the Mineral Resources and Environment Management Committee (MIREMCO) to immediately begin documenting the data of all miners in the state.

He said that the decision to conduct the revalidation exercise was due to reports of security threats.

He also frowned at the contamination of water sources for residents in the affected areas, especially in Kwande.

The governor enjoined security agencies and the joint task force on illegal mining to ensure that the right thing was done to enhance the well-being of the people and increase the Internally Generated Revenue.

“The state government will not tolerate any illegality. It is our administration’s prerogative to protect the lives and property of the people,” he said.

Also speaking, the state Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Mr Fidelis Mnyim, said Gov Alia was not against mining but wants to check illegal mining activities.

Mnyim, who is also the chairman of MIREMCO, said the state has come up with a checklist that would be used to scrutinise the mining sector in Benue.

In his remarks, Chairman of the Nigeria Miners Association in Benue, John Tersugh, promised to cooperate with the governor to sanitise the mining sector.

The mining officer in the Federal Ministry of Mining and Solid Minerals, Mr Simon Ogwu, promised to support the state government to sanitise the mining sector in Benue.
Two miners, Benjamin Nyior and Dennis Tarhemba, called for a conducive working environment to enable them to carry out their activities effectively.

NAN reports that some members of the association appealed to the governor to address the issue of multiple taxation within the industry and provide necessary mining equipment to assist them on the field to contribute to the revenue profile of the state. (NAN)

16 states submit presentations on creation of state police — NEC

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Mana Balagbogbo

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March 22, 2024

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Only 16 of the 36 states of the federation and Federal Capital Territory, FCT, have submitted reports on the proposed establishment of state police, in view of the security situation in the country, the National Economic Council, NEC, said yesterday.

NEC also yesterday endorsed the implementation of the $617.7 million Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises, i-DICE, programme in the 36 states and the FCT.

This is even as Office of the Accountant-General of Federation disclosed that several months after the government of former President Muhammadu Buhari granted states and FCT N1.72 trillion budget support grant, they were yet to refund the money.

At its 140th meeting held virtually yesterday, chairman of the council, Vice President Kashim Shettima, said only 16 states have submitted their report on state police, despite the fact that all the state of the federation expressed their support for it.

He also declared the firm resolve of the renewed hope administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to leave a legacy of prosperity and opportunity for all Nigerians.

He told state governors to nominate persons to represent each geo-political zone at the zonal level and focal persons to lead the implementation of the programme in their respective states.

In his opening remarks at the meeting, Sen. Shettima assured that the administration will not rest on its oars until the citizens began to bask in the opportunities they were promised, noting that it was the reason the government was prioritizing skill acquisition and job creation.

He said: “But two things are clear. One, we won’t ever regret paving the way for the acquisition of skills that meet the needs of the global markets. Two, our actions today will shape the economic landscape of tomorrow, and so it’s incumbent upon us to ensure that we leave a legacy of prosperity and opportunity for all Nigerians.

Shettima implored governors and other council members to remain constant in executing initiatives that would help wriggle the citizens out of their present condition.

In his presentation on the i-DICE programme, the Executive Director in charge of SMES at the Bank of Industry, Mr Shekarau Omar, said the programme, a special intervention by government, was designed to deliver on the promise by the Tinubu administration to create millions of jobs in the technology space.

He listed African Development Bank, AfDB, the French Development Agency, AFD, and the Islamic Development Bank, IsDB, among organisations that will fund the programme, giving a breakdown of how the funds will be sourced as follows: AfDB, $170million; IsDB, $70 million; AFD, $116 million; Bank of Industry (BoI) on behalf of Federal Government, $45.50 million; Fund Manager (For Equity Fund only), $8.70 million, and private investors, $205 million.
On the impact of the programme, Omar said 1,269,757 youths would be trained and certified in ICT skills, with at least 25,000 youths trained in each state of the federation and the FCT.

He noted that while at least 100,000 jobs will be created per state, about 5,581,231 indirect jobs will be created through i-DICE interventions nationwide.

The Excess crude account, ECA, was $473,754.57, the Stabilization Account N33,808,342,662.88, while the current balance of natural resources stands at N113,925,600,918.68.

African Games: Nigeria Denied Consecutive Gold Finishes In Women’s Football

By

Emenike Agu

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March 22, 2024

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Ghana defeated Nigeria’s U-20 team in the final, denying the team a second consecutive African Games gold medal after their last triumph in 2019

The Black Princesses of Ghana claimed the gold medal in the women’s under-20 football event at the 13th African Games in Accra, Ghana.

The hosts defeated the Falconets of Nigeria 2-1 to emerge victorious in the match played at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium on Thursday.

Nigeria’s Loveth Edeh had put the Falconets ahead in the 24th minute of the game before Tracey Twum got the equaliser in the 78th minute with a thunderous strike to beat the Falconet’s goalkeeper.

Ghana`s Mukarama Abdulai scored the winning goal in the 99th minute of extra time as her low shot on the edge of the box beat Faith Omilana, the Falconets goalkeeper

The loss means that the Falconets have relinquished their reign as African Games champions.

The Falconets booked their place in the final after defeating Uganda 2-0. Ghana also defeated the Teranga Lionesses of Senegal, 3-1 to book a place in the final.

Meanwhile, Uganda beat Senegal 6-5 in a penalty shootout to secure the bronze medal in a thrilling match at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium.

The 13th African Games, which began on 8 March, will end on 23 March. The games are being held across three cities: Accra, Kumasi, and Cape Coast.

Kanu’s family criticise South-East politicians for abandoning IPOB leader

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Mana Balagbogbo

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March 22, 2024

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The family of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, has criticised political leaders in the South-East for failing to meet with President Bola Tinubu to secure the release of their son.

The IPOB leader has been in detention since June 29, 2021. His recent bail application was declined by Justice Binta Nyako on Tuesday.

However, in a statement on Thursday on behalf of the family, Kanu’s younger brother, Emmanuel, questioned why Igbo political leaders had not met with Tinubu to address Kanu’s situation nearly a year since the president assumed office.

The statement partly read, “How be it that nobody among Igbo political leaders has reached Tinubu to discuss Nnamdi Kanu’s release almost a year after he came to power?

“Is it not deliberate? Have they not been gaining access to the President concerning other issues? It’s a shame that Kanu is being punished for asking for the freedom of Ndigbo, and the leaders have abandoned him to die in DSS custody.”

He alleged that some people were benefiting from his continued incarceration, hence the apparent apathy on the part of the political elite to engage the President in his release.

Emmanuel added, “Why can’t they go for his release if they truly love the South East? Something is wrong somewhere. They are benefiting from his continued detention, and that’s why they are not making any serious moves to engage Mr President. Don’t forget that some people sponsored his abduction and extraordinary rendition.

“Why should he be abandoned for asking for the freedom of Biafra? He didn’t take up arms against the government, but he was tagged a terrorist. Yet the same government is busy releasing terrorists from detention.”

Emmanuel threatened to expose the beneficiaries of Kanu’s continued incarceration and the insecurity in the Southeast region.

He said, “If they fail to act, Ndigbo and Biafrans at large must hold them responsible. And it may get to a point where the masses may no longer be held back.

“Nobody dies with any secret. Very soon, all those behind Kanu’s continued detention will be exposed. Those benefiting from the insecurity in the South-East are the ones enjoying his continued stay in detention. But nothing lasts forever. One day, they will be out of power.”

Emmanuel also expressed sadness over the refusal of Justice Nyako to grant him bail.

The family wondered if the trial Judge had taken time to go through the certified true copy of the Supreme Court judgment on the matter which held that the Federal High Court ought not to have revoked Kanu’s bail in the first place.