Shot Put: Nigeria’s Enekwechi Sets New African Record

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February 22, 2024

This astounding feat not only shatters his own PB but also smashes the longstanding African indoor record of 21.47 meters, which had stood since 2001.

Nigeria’s Chukwuebuka Enekwechi has set a new African record in the men’s Indoor Shot Put event.

Enekwechi launched himself into the record books with a monumental indoor personal best (PB) of 21.63 meters at the Hvezdy v. Nehvizdech competition in the Czech Republic on Tuesday night.

This astounding feat not only shatters his own PB but also smashes the longstanding African indoor record of 21.47 meters, which had stood since 2001.

Enekwechi’s dominating performance saw him consistently exceed the 21-meter mark on every attempt in Tuesday’s meet; showcasing his exceptional control and power.

This remarkable achievement of the four-time Nigerian champion marks a significant milestone in his career and solidifies his position as a top contender in the shot put world.

Enekwechi’s latest feat is also an Olympic qualifying standard and a big boost ahead of next month’s African Games in Ghana.

Enekwechi is the defending champion in his event having won gold last in the 2019 African Games in Morocco.

Aside from Enekwechi, another Nigerian, Tobi Amusan, has also set an African record in the 2024 Indoor Season.

She set an African women’s indoor record in 60-meter hurdles after she dipped 7.77 seconds at the Astana Indoor Meet, Kazakhstan in January.

The former record of 7.82 seconds was set by Gloria Alozie in Madrid, Spain, in 1999.

NPFL: Sporting Lagos Resurgence Renews Hope Of Survival

By

Emenike Agu

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February 22, 2024

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Sporting Lagos has experienced a significant uptick in performance during the second half of the NPFL, moving up from 17th to 13th after two straight victories in a week.

Sporting Lagos at the weekend recorded two clean sheets in a row for the first time since September 2023.
Tochukwu Micheal’s free kick in the 56th minute earned the Noisy Lagosians the win over Bendel Insurance.
“I feel good, I have worked for it,” said Tochukwu while speaking with PREMIUM TIMES.

This is a new lease of life for the Noisy Lagosians, who sought goals in every area around the end of the first stanza.

Sporting Lagos has experienced a significant uptick in performance during the second half of the NPFL, moving up from 17 to 13 after two straight victories in a week.

With a strong backline and decent composure between Adeleke Adekunle and Salawudeen Aliu, Sporting Lagos kept five clean sheets in the first stanza, three coming when they started the season against Gombe United, Akwa United, and Doma United.

After this bravery, it took the Lagos team two months to record another clean sheet against the Kano Pillars and Katsina later in December.

However, of all the teams they have kept clean sheets against, only Doma United posed more dangerous threats compared to both Rivers United and Bendel Insurance, who had histories of being offensive on the road.
Despite boasting one of the most threatening attacks in the NPFL, Rivers United failed to register two shots on goal against Sporting Lagos on Wednesday.

It got worse for Bendel Insurance, a team with one of the highest goal chances on the road being subdued to zero shots on target.

This is a change from Sporting Lagos, a team that conceded goals in seven consecutive games before the first half of the season started.

Meanwhile, the marriage between new signing Adeleke and captain Salawudeen Aliu at the centreback has brought a covering on goalkeeper Christian Nwoke.

One of the highlights of Salawudeen against Bendel Insurance was his defensive mechanism, which he used to deny Chisom Okereke a counter that could have caused harm to his side.

A very similar attitude was used to dis-harm Nyima Nwagua of Rivers United on Wednesday.

Christian Nwoke, in an exclusive interview with PREMIUM TIMES after the game, said their idea of being focused in each game they play going forward has earned the team a change of fortune.

“As a team, we remained focused despite our shortcomings, and that gave us the motivation to keep working hard and remain focused on the game. The second half has just started, and we have to remain focused to end well on the table.”

The current team looks prepared

Another home win for the team, and Godwin Enakhena, Sporting Lagos’ General Manager, just as he did after Rivers United’s game, shook hands with his players for the work well done for the second time in a week.
He waved to the fans, thanking them for their usual cooperation.

But the hands of the players he shook are a different set from those that started the first stanza, a lot of reshuffling has been done.

Tochukwu Michael, the goalscorer, is a new player who started the season with NNL side Nasarawa United.
He said the review from the first stanza posed a challenge for them to involve the technical director, Paul Aigbogun, more about the team’s technicalities and also drop players who didn’t seem to fit into their profile.

“The first thing we did and realised was that we needed a change of personnel involving our technical director more in our football to lend a helping hand, and we had to drop a lot of our players, not that they weren’t good enough, but this is the Premier League, and the second stanza isn’t tomorrow.”

And about the goals, Mr. Enakhena said the issues will be sorted out going forward.

Aigbogun on missed chances, other issues

Reflecting on Sporting Lagos’ wasted chances, Paul Aigbogun told PREMIUM TIMES the team is transitioning at the moment with new ideas hoping to evolve in the coming games.

Sporting Lagos missed chances starting with Jonathan Alukwu’s miss to Pascal Onyekachi’s through ball in the 11th minute.

Onyekachi also failed to connect to a pass from Alukwu later in the game.

Alukwu missed a sitter in the second half as well.

“I feel we had a lot of chances earlier on and when you don’t take your chances earlier on, the other teams try to counter. We should have scored two goals in the first half. We have a lot of new players trying to blend more as fast as possible. We take one game at a time.”

He also added that Alukwu’s playing as a pointsman was a reflection of his impact on the training. Alukwu made a lot of draw-back which helped the team to outweigh Bendel Insurance’s midfield.

And about Jamiu, who returned to active football after a year, Aigbogun said the defensive midfielder is just getting his feet, and Samuel Ayanrinde, who’s currently recovering from injury.

Onyekachi is a surge

One of the active players on the pitch on Sunday was Paschal Onyekachi, whose involvement broke the firewall of Bendel Insurance a couple of times.

Julius Emilokan had to struggle several times to stop Onyekachi, and his take-on saw Sporting Lagos have two clear chances on goal in the first half.

However, the absence of Taminu Benjamin caused an imbalance in the Benin Gunners’ team.

UCL: Osimhen Returns With Crucial Goal As Napoli Hold Barca, Arsenal Suffer Late Defeat

By

Emenike Agu

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February 22, 2024

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Just before being substituted, Osimhen equalised with his last touch of the game.

Victor Osimhen marked his return from the Africa Cup of Nations with a vital goal, helping Napoli snatch a 1-1 draw against Barcelona in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie at the Diego Maradona Stadium on Wednesday night.

Napoli’s form had dipped during Osimhen’s absence, managing only three wins in 11 matches.

The tide seemed to turn against them again when Barcelona dominated the opening 25 minutes.

Youngster Lamine Yamal made history as the youngest player ever in a Champions League knockout stage game, testing Alex Meret with a shot.

Meret then pulled off impressive saves to deny Robert Lewandowski and Ilkay Gundogan.

Despite the initial pressure, Napoli gradually grew into the game.

However, they created no shots in the first half, making this the first time in their Champions League history.

Barcelona finally broke the deadlock in the 60th minute. Pedri’s clever through-ball found Lewandowski, who controlled, turned, and drilled a low shot into the net.

Crucial moment

Just before being substituted, Osimhen equalised with his last touch of the game.

He displayed excellent strength to turn Inigo Martinez inside the penalty box, latching onto Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa’s pass and firing the ball in from 14 yards.

This goal boosted Napoli’s confidence and deflated Barcelona’s.

The hosts pressed forward, with Anguissa heading wide and Simeone sending a half-volley just over the bar. Gundogan almost snatched a late winner for Barcelona, but his shot hit the post.

Despite dominating possession, Barcelona will be left ruing their missed chances. Lewandowski and Araujo were particularly wasteful in front of goal, and the Blaugrana could have secured a better result.

NLC Disagrees TUC On Nationwide Protest Call

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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February 22, 2024

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The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has disagreed with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on the call for a nationwide protest without due consultation.

The TUC urged the NLC to stop taking unilateral decisions on issues of interest to the two organisations.

The TUC, in a letter addressed to the President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero said it was wrong for the NLC to declare a two-day national protest without consulting with her after jointly issuing a 14-day ultimatum on the same matter.

The letter, which was obtained by reporters, was signed by the Secretary-General of TUC, Nuhu Toro dated February 19.

The 14-day ultimatum issued by both labour centres over the non – implementation of the 16- point Memorandum of Understanding would end on February 22.

The letter reads: “We convey compliments from the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), particularly the President of Congress, Comrade (Engr) Festus Osifo, and write to convey our displeasure on the above subject matter.

Organised Labour Begins Strike In Niger

“We are writing to address a matter of mutual concern and our disappointment regarding the recent unilateral issuance of two days’ national protest with specified dates.

“You will recall that both centers issued a joint statement with a 14-day ultimatum to the federal government. This ultimatum will expire on Thursday 22nd of February and the right thing to do was for both leaderships to review the situation and agree on the way forward preceding convening our respective NEC meetings.

“Our respective NEC is made up of highly intelligent individuals, who are desirous that we both work together always in our collective interest, even if we didn’t anticipate our NEC decision meetings, it is our responsibility as leaders to harmonize our positions before jointly going to the press.

“It was our understanding that decisions of such magnitude would be made collectively, ensuring that the interests and perspectives of all parties involved are duly considered.

“This is the way other leaders of both centers have worked together from the time of SECSCAN to when TUC was formally registered. It is important to stress that this is the third time such a unilateral declaration is happening under your leadership, we are therefore constrained to formally put this on record as various discussions, communications and interventions have failed. First and second time could pass as human error but a third time would in our opinion translate to an intentional act to undermine us.

“Again, recall we requested that both congresses should jointly develop an MOU that will clearly guide and define our collaboration on issues of mutual interest to avoid situations like this, which has not seen the light of the day.

“Comrade President, also note that we are not averse to the issuance of your resolution because our members equally feel the pain, even if it’s a weeklong national strike, but we have a huge problem with the unilateral declaration for a process we both muted and agreed, because our members are equally concerned about the rising cost of living and not particularly the ultimatum, why can’t we see through the ultimatum that expires within the same period before jointly addressing other issues of mutual concern or at worst consolidate them?

“At best when the NLC conveyed its NEC meeting on the subject of mutual concern, courtesy demands that we ought to have been informed so we can synergise on the way forward and not to jump the gun.

“We cannot be seen to undermine the process of synergy and collaboration between both centers that predates the current leadership of both congresses.

“For the avoidance of doubt, we fully understand that NLC is an independent labour center that has the right to take independent decisions, it is pertinent that when such decisions are taken unilaterally, there is a need to go ahead and implement them unilaterally.

“We wish to postulate that both centers have demonstrated severally that we both can go solo but my comrade President, you will agree with the slogan we couched for this unity that “we are always stronger together”, and that shouldn’t be taken for granted.

“We want you to always remember that we have teeming members that we lead and are answerable to, when such abnormally happens the leadership has the right to defend the sanctity of its congress.

“Recall this same issue of unilateral decision, was what made us stay away from the two days warning strike that you staged in September last year.

Suspend Plans to Remove Subsidy on Electricity- Senate

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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February 22, 2024

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The Nigerian senate has asked the federal government to drop the plan to remove subsidies on electricity.

The upper legislative chamber took the position after Aminu Iya Abbas, senator representing Adamawa central, and 10 others sponsored a motion against the removal of electricity on Wednesday.

The red chamber asked its committee on power to probe a claim by Adebayo Adelabu, minister of power, that the federal government owes N1.3 trillion and $1.3 billion to generating companies (GenCos) and gas companies.

Last week, Adelabu said Nigeria’s debt to generation and gas companies is now N3 trillion, adding that paying subsidy on electricity was no longer sustainable.

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While moving the motion, Abbas said the electricity tariff could not be increased because a large number of Nigerians are living below the “poverty line”.

“In addition to the high cost of living being experienced in the country, the unmetered customers who are owners of small and medium enterprises are adversely impacted by this level of exorbitant electricity charges and by implication have their businesses affected,” the senator said.

“While the prospect of the new electricity act, 2023 of ensuring accurate electricity charges will be negated if DISCOs are not investigated to ascertain the current statistical data on unmetered customers, poor provision of electricity service despite exorbitant tariff and regulatory role of NERC which leaves much to be desired.”

The senate asked the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to come up with a lasting solution to the energy billing system.

The upper legislative chamber resolved to investigate the federal government’s directive on mass metering.

The senate has asked the federal government of Nigeria to drop the plan to remove subsidies on electricity.