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NLC Protest: NPF Deploy Officers, Warn Against Hijack

By
Rhoda Onuzulike
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The Nigeria Police Force, on the heels of the proposed nationwide protest by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has affirmed the fundamental right of all citizens of the country to engage in peaceful protest in line with extant laws.

As such, the NPF reiterated its commitment to ensuring the rights and freedom of all protesters are protected.

In line with its lawful duty to maintain law and order, the Nigeria Police Force has deployed personnel nationwide and placed them on red alert to monitor the planned protest.

NLC Protest Faces Warning From Attorney-General

All Commissioners of Police and their respective supervising officers have been briefed and instructed to coordinate the officers on ground in ensuring the safety and security of all participants if the protests hold as planned.

While recognizing the importance of peaceful protest, the Nigeria Police Force remains vigilant against any attempts to hijack such protests by individuals or groups of persons with sinister intents.

Emphatically, the force, therefore, is fully prepared to respond swiftly and decisively to any unlawful activities or acts of violence that may threaten peace, public safety, and security in the event of such.

It is vital to state that the Police has spread its tentacles nationwide to curb any attempt by some individuals who might want to leverage on the nationwide protests, to create brouhaha, and such will be met with an approved legal and proportional force as the Police will not allow wanton break down of law and order, loss of lives and property like we had experienced, in some instances, in the past, in any part of the country.

The Inspector-General of Police urges all participants at the proposed protest to conduct themselves peacefully and responsibly, adhering to the principles of non-violence and respect for the rights of others.

He also calls on the organizers to cooperate with the Police and other relevant security agencies in ensuring that their protests remain peaceful and orderly even as the NPF works tirelessly to ensure that protests are conducted in a safe environment, conducive to the promotion of democracy and the rule of law in Nigeria.

Maritime Workers to Shut Seaports for NLC Protest

By
Rhoda Onuzulike
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The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria said it will join the two-day nationwide protest being organised by the Nigeria Labour Congress.

This was contained in a statement on Monday by the union’s Head of Media, Kennedy Ikemefuna who said the move was necessary following the directive of NLC that its affiliate members across the nation should strictly comply.

On February 16, the NLC announced the nationwide protest scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday over the alleged government’s failure to implement agreements reached between both parties on October 2, 2023, following the removal of the fuel subsidy.

NLC Protest Faces Warning From Attorney-General

The decision followed the conclusion of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government to implement measures against the widespread hardship.

According to Ikemefuna, “The MWUN would join the Nigeria Labour Congress’s two-day nationwide protest holding on the 27-28th of February 2024, as directed by the congress after its NEC-in-session meeting held on Monday, in Abuja, directing all its affiliate members across the nation to strictly comply.”

He added that the protest is coming against the backdrop of the Federal Government’s refusal to honour the October 2023 agreement signed with the congress.

“The congress believes that if the agreement had been honoured and implemented, it would have gone a long way to ameliorate the sufferings and hardships of the ill-conceived and ill- ill-implemented policies have brought upon Nigerian Workers and the citizenry of the country.”

He also added that the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria as an affiliate of the NLC would comply with the NLC directive.

46 Abandoned Housing Projects Set To Come Alive

By
Rhoda Onuzulike
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The Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria has initiated a rehabilitation process to revive about 46 abandoned housing projects nationwide.

The bank said this would be achieved through a partnership with Shelter Afrique Development Bank, a pan-African finance institution that exclusively supports the development of the housing and real estate sector in Africa.

The FMBN Managing Director, Shehu Usman Osidi, stated this while hosting the management of Shelter Afrique Development Bank recently in Abuja, noting that the bank had made reviving the housing estates a priority.

Retirement Plan To Reduce Nigeria’s Housing Deficit

According to him, the intensified collaboration will help provide construction and mortgage financing to developers in Nigeria.

 “Nigeria has over 46 abandoned projects in the 36 states and the FMBN is determined to revive them”.

“Our findings show that banks have entered into a housing financing agreement with states where the state governments are expected to provide infrastructure for these estates, but unfortunately many states reneged and the projects were abandoned.

“We have explored the product offerings of Shelter Afrique Development Bank and found out that they offer infrastructure financing, so we want to bring them on board to offer this financing so we can finish up the projects and hand them over to many Nigerians who need shelter.”

Osidi further noted that Nigeria, the second largest shareholder in the bank with about 15 per cent holding, will explore areas of funding to achieve its target of delivering 100,000 housing units to Nigerians this year.

He mentioned that the FMBN is currently reviewing previously abandoned memoranda of understanding that were signed with the organisation. This review aims to explore the benefits that Nigerians could gain from this renewed partnership.

Also speaking, the CEO of Shelter Afrique, Thierno-Habib Hann, said the organisation was in Nigeria to promote its development financing agenda and identify Nigeria as a destination for investments with over $25bn in Diaspora remittances each year.

He said, “We are ready to collaborate with FMBN and other institutions across Nigeria to address the housing gap. The challenges are there and the opportunities are also there. As a development finance institution, we are very well positioned to collaborate with the government of Nigeria and in this trip, we met all the leadership including the vice president of the Federal  Republic of Nigeria who is fully committed to driving the growth of the sector and invest more in the sector knowing that housing creates jobs.”

Meanwhile, the bank has said it collected about N100bn in remittances through the National Housing Fund in 2023.

The NHF scheme was established by the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria to facilitate the continuous flow of low-cost funds for long-term investment in housing, through 2.5 per cent monthly deductions from employees earning a basic salary.

The former FMBN Managing Director, Madu Hamman, stated this in his handover document obtained by our correspondent.

He said, “The highlight of our achievements in the last 22 months includes that for the first time, in 2023 the National Housing Fund collection for the bank exceeded the N100bn mark. This is the first time in the history of the bank that the annual collection exceeded N100bn.”

“You have to think deeply about how you’re going to be able to satisfy the demands of the numerous contributors to the scheme through various innovative ways of raising finance, which should include going outside the NHF because if we continue to rely on the NHF that would not be achievable.”

Begin Food Importation To Curb Hardship- TUC

By
Rhoda Onuzulike
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The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria has asked the Federal Government of Nigeria to begin the importation of food in two weeks to mitigate the soaring prices of food across the country.

This was disclosed by the President, TUC, Festus Osifo, during a press conference on the economic hardship ravaging the country on Monday in Abuja.

Since the removal of fuel subsidy by President Bola Tinubu on May 29 Inauguration Day, the cost of living has risen and inflation figures have been pushed to new highs in Nigeria.

Speaking barely 24 hours before the two-day nationwide protest of the NLC, Osifo stressed that Nigerians have never witnessed this level of hardship before even during military regimes, adding that the problems are not unconnected to the government’s poor patronage of locally made products and services, and lack of capable hands at the helm of affairs.

NLC Disagrees TUC On Nationwide Protest Call

TUC had earlier backed out of the planned two-day nationwide protest declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress over the high cost of living, inflation, insecurity, and hardship in the country.

The Vice-President of the TUC, Tommy Etim on Wednesday said the decision to protest on February 27 and 28 as announced by the NLC was not taken collectively by both unions.

The TUC in a letter dated February 19, 2024, written by its Secretary General, Dr Nuhu Toro, said the NLC unilaterally took the decision on the planned protest.

Meanwhile, Osifo said, “Nigerians must live to see tomorrow before we can understand how beautiful a government policy is. The national pride of striving to achieve food sufficiency locally should be temporarily relaxed. Governments at all levels should immediately purchase sufficient quantities of food items from different parts of the world and share them with vulnerable Nigerians.

“Importing food abroad at this point will assist to reduce the hyper-inflation of food in the country. FG should allow importation of food items for Nigerians consumption within the next two weeks,” he added.

The TUC president advised Tinubu to as a matter of urgency strengthen the economic management team of his administration and also look beyond party or tribal lines to headhunt the best Nigerians throughout the world who could sit down and develop homegrown solutions to the hardship menace.

He further called for the passage and implementation of a new minimum wage law that reflects the current economic realities.

“The Federal Government’s economic team should work towards a more realistic rate of the naira to dollar, which they pegged between N500 and N800 to the dollar.

“There should also be a clamp down on currency speculators, especially those online, who have made remittances from abroad drop.”

The TUC leadership, however, called for the rolling out of petroleum products by the Port Harcourt Refinery by the end of Q1 2024 to reduce the high cost of Petroleum Motor Spirit nationwide.

Prioritise National Devt Over Strike, NANS Tells NLC

By
Rhoda Onuzulike
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The National Association of Nigeria Students has urged the Nigeria Labour Congress to shelve its planned strike and focus on prioritising national development.

It appealed to the NLC to shun the path of strike action and explore alternative avenues to resolve disputes with the Federal Government.

The NLC President, Joe Ajaero, had insisted in a statement on Sunday that a protest would be held on Tuesday and Wednesday as planned over the current economic hardship in the country.

NLC Protest Faces Warning From Attorney-General

On February 16, the NLC announced the nationwide protest scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday over the alleged government’s failure to implement agreements reached between both parties on October 2, 2023, following the removal of the fuel subsidy.

The decision followed the conclusion of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government to implement measures against economic hardship.

But the NANS Senate President, Akinteye Babatunde in an address on Monday while acknowledging the legitimate grievances of the workers and the need for improved working conditions, expressed concerns about the potential repercussions of the protest on academic activities and the overall welfare of citizens.

“We are appealing to the NLC to reconsider their decision and prioritise collaboration with the government for the greater good of the nation.

“We believe that dialogue and constructive engagement are essential for addressing grievances and achieving meaningful progress in improving the welfare of workers and citizens alike.

“The looming threat of a strike poses a significant risk of further exacerbating the economic challenges facing the nation and disrupting the lives of ordinary citizens, including students,” he said.

NANS stated that the impact of the strike action on academic activities would be devastating, particularly for students, who are already grappling with various challenges within the educational system, adding that “disruptions to academic calendars, examinations, and other educational activities could derail the progress of students and exacerbate the already precarious situation in the education sector.”

Babatunde added that the apex student body was ready to support the NLC in its advocacy efforts in dialogue with the government to address challenges facing its workers.

“We appeal to the NLC to prioritise the national interest above all else and seek common ground with the government to ensure the well-being and prosperity of all Nigerians.

Table Tennis: Nigeria, Egypt, Others Shift Focus To 13th African Games

By
Emenike Agu
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ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals Busan 2024

After a not-too-impressive outing at the just concluded ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships (WTTTC), African table tennis heavyweights – Nigeria and Egypt as well as other continental contenders have now shifted focus to the forthcoming African Games taking place in Ghana.

For the 13th African Games, table tennis is one of the sports that will kick-start the games before the official opening on March 8 as the likes of Omar Assar of Egypt and Quadri Aruna of Nigeria are expected to begin their hunt for medals in the singles event. Seven titles will be at stake in Ghana in the table tennis event as Egypt who claimed most of the medals at the 2019 edition in Morocco will be hoping to dominate again in Ghana.

According to the African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF), the event will commence with singles, followed by team and doubles events as most of the continent’s top players will be heading to the WTT Singapore Smash from March 8 to 17.

A source said that this becomes necessary to allow the players to garner points for their eventual qualification to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in France.

Meanwhile, WTT have confirmed Aruna and Egypt’s quartet of Assar, Ahmed Saleh, Dina Meshref and Hana Goda among the top players that will start their campaigns from the main draws on March 10.

Players that will kickstart their campaigns from the qualifying round include Egypt’s duo of Mariam Alhodaby and Yousra Helmy; Cameroon’s Sarah Hanffou, Nigeria’s Fatimo Bello and Algeria’s Lynda Loghraibi in the women’s singles.

In the men’s singles, Egypt’s Mohamed El-Beiali, Senegal’s Ibrahima Diaw, Algeria’s Mehdi Bouloussa and Nigeria’s duo of Taiwo Mati and Olajide Omotayo will also begin their quest for glory from the qualifying round of the $1.5m prize money tournament.

The OCBC Arena Singapore will host Singapore Smash 2024 as the Lion City is set to host a star-studded ensemble of the world’s finest paddlers at Singapore Sports Hub, promising an exhilarating experience for fans locally and around the world.

For 2024, the spotlight will be on 2023 champions China’s Fan Zhendong and Sun Yingsha, both on a mission to defend their respective Men’s and Women’s Singles titles. Fan, boasting an impeccable singles record at the event, is aiming for a Singapore Smash three-peat.

His quest faces stiff competition from World No.2 Wang Chuqin, the reigning WTT Finals Men’s champion, and the legendary Ma Long, determined to secure his first Singapore Smash title after consecutive runner-up finishes.

The qualifying round takes place over March 7 to 9, leading into the main draw starting on Sunday, March 10.

Cricket: Nigeria Off To Flying Start In NFC Tourney

By
Emenike Agu
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Nigeria senior women’s cricket team, the Female Yellow Greens, began their title defence of the Nigeria Cricket Federation Women T20i invitational tournament with an emphatic 54 runs win over Sierra Leone in their first game of the tournament at the Tafawa Balewa Square Oval in Lagos on Sunday

Captain Blessing Etim won the toss for Nigeria and elected to bat first, and their visitors were unable to withstand their firepower in the first innings.

The Female Yellow Greens batting saw them coast to 137 runs for the loss of two wickets in 20 overs, leaving their opponents with a mountain to climb in the second innings. Favour Eseigbe contributed 44 runs from 48 balls, while Peculiar Agboya and Esther Sandy left 33 and 30 balls apiece in the inning.

Sierra Leone could only put 83 runs on the board during their batting, dropping eight wickets in 20 overs.

Earlier in the first game, new entrants and the highest ranked team at the tournament, Tanzania fell to a shock 33 runs defeat on their debut at the tournament against former champions Rwanda.

Like Nigeria, Rwanda also won the toss and elected to bat first, posting 119 runs for the loss of four wickets in 20 overs while Tanzania could only manage 86 runs all out in 16.4 overs.

Actions continue Monday (today), with Nigeria taking on Tanzania in the first game of the day before Rwanda and Sierra Leone clash at the same venue.

The four-nation tournament will be played till March 4 in a round-robin format and the team with the highest point will go home with the title.

President of the NCF, Uyi Akpata, said that the event was part of the numerous avenues that the federation had designed to promote the game, and it was pleasing to see rising international interest around the tournament.

“The Nigeria Cricket Federation Women T20 Invitational Tournament has been on the rise, and the quality of games has helped Nigeria gain prominence as we now rank 29th in the world, down from the 38th that we occupied as recently as 2021,” Akpata said.

“Nigeria has practically ridden on the performances and exposures that events like this have provided to become a force in Female Cricket on the continent.”

Liverpool Defeat Chelsea To Clinch 10th EFL Cup Title

By
Emenike Agu
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Despite fielding an under-strength side, Liverpool managed to clinch victory over Chelsea in extra time, securing the EFL Cup title in a dramatic showdown at Wembley Stadium.

In a match which saw Jurgen Klopp start without key players, Liverpool overcame the absence of players such as Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai, Darwin Nunez and others due to injuries.

Instead, the team relied on the impressive performances of young talents like Connor Bradley, Jarrel Quansah, Bobby Clark, Jayden Danns, and James McConnell, who rose to the occasion and demonstrated the depth of talent within the squad.

The game unfolded as a rollercoaster of emotions, with significant chances, contentious calls, and a display of unwavering determination from both sides.

Early on, Liverpool’s goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher made a crucial save to deny Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, setting the tone for a fiercely contested match.

Liverpool faced further adversity when Ryan Gravenberch sustained an injury, leading to an early substitution with Joe Gomez entering the fray.

Controversy ensued as Raheem Sterling’s goal for Chelsea was disallowed for offside, sparking debates among fans and pundits. Liverpool also had their share of frustration when a goal from Virgil van Dijk was ruled out for offside following a VAR review, leaving the scoreline deadlocked at the end of regular time.

As the match entered extra time, Liverpool’s young players displayed composure and maturity, taking control of the game and creating scoring opportunities.

With penalties looming, Liverpool’s captain, Virgil van Dijk, delivered a decisive blow by heading home the winning goal from a corner in the 118th minute, sealing a memorable victory 1-0 victory for the Reds.

Rivers United Boost Confederation Cup Hopes With Away Victory Against APC Lobito

By
Emenike Agu
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0

Rivers United FC of Nigeria boosted their hopes of reaching the CAF Confederation Cup knockout round with a 2-3 away victory agaianst Angola’s APC Lobito on Sunday, February 25, 2024.

In a thrilling match on Sunday evening, Rivers United fought-back from conceding a 37th minute penalty-goal towin 2-3 in Angola against an opposition that has struggled for points in the CAF Confederation Cup group-stage.

Goals were scored by competition debutant,Udom Edem Ekerette (40th minute), Alex Oyowah (44th-minute penalty), and Farouk Mohammed (48th minute) handed the Pride of Rivers crucial points.

Rivers United will now need to secure a victory against Dreams FC of Ghana at home to have any chance of progressing to the knockout rounds of the CAF Confederation Cup following their hard-fought 3-2 win against APC Lobito of Angola today.

Meanwhile, Dreams FC clinched a narrow 1-0 victory over Club Africain of Tunisia, propelling them to the top of the table with 12 points from five matches.

Club Africain currently sit second in the standings with nine points from five matches, sharing the same point tally with third-placed Rivers United but holding a superior goal difference.

In the upcoming fixture, Club Africain will host bottom club Lobito, while Rivers United will aim to secure a convincing victory against their Ghanaian opponents.

Super Falcons Focused On Securing Paris Olympics Ticket’ – Ajibade Declares Ahead Of Cameroon Return-Leg Clash

By
Emenike Agu
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0

Nigeria Women’s National team star, Rasheedat Ajibade says the Super Falcons are focsed on securing ticket to the Paris Olympics games.

Ajibade made this declaration in a pre-match interview ahead of the Super Falcons return-leg clash vs Cameroon at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja on Monday, February 26.

In the first-leg decided days ago, Randy Waldrum’sNigerian team held Cameroon to a draw at the Stade de la Reunification in Douala, Cameroon.

The return leg will be played at the M.K.O Stadium in Abuja, and both teams have everything to play for with a spot at the Olympics at stake.

Speaking ahead of the game, Ajibade maintained confidence in the Super Falcons’ team and is keen on reaching the Olympics with Nigeria as a personal target.

“Our objective remains to secure the Olympic ticket. Personally, I have never played at the Olympics, and that is the case with the overwhelming majority of players in this team. We are determined to seize this opportunity. We have another ninety minutes to claim the final-round ticket, and we are focused on a positive result,” the 24-year-old said in quotes revealed by the NFF.

Ashleigh Plumptre and Coach Randy Waldrum have returned to the Super Falcons squad for the first time since the FIFA 2023 Women’s World Cup and are eager to make their presence count as Nigeria chases a spot at the Olympics.

Nigeria and Cameroon will give it another go at the M.K.O. Abiola Stadium at 4 pm in Abuja on Monday as the race for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, heats up.

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