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Super Eagles To Camp In Uae Ahead Of AFCON

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The Super Eagles will camp in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to prepare for the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) billed to hold in Cote d’Ivoire next year, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has said.

NFF Media Director, Ademola Olajire, told sportswriters that the federation is working on Super Eagles’ programme for the Nations Cup, which is less than three months away.

He said: “The Super Eagles camping details are not out yet, but they will camp in the UAE.”

The Super Eagles recently played two 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Zimbabwe, securing a stalemate in the two games, which according to the NFF, was part of preparations for the AFCON.

The biennial African football tournament will kick off on January 13, 2024, at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Ebimpe, Abidjan, with the final set for 11 February 2024.

The Eagles are in Group A alongside hosts Cote d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau.

On the fate of Super Falcons Coach, Randy Waldrum, who has not been with the team since leading Nigeria to the second round of the Australia/New Zealand Women’s World Cup, Olajire said the situation was still being reviewed, adding that the NFF will make the final pronouncement on the substantive coach in due course.

“I don’t know the excitement about the Falcons coaching job. When a decision is taken, it will be made public,” he said.

Paolo Maldini Criticizes Milan’s Signing Of  Chukwueze, Pulisic, Loftus-Cheek

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Former AC Milan Sporting Director, Paolo Maldini says there was no need for the Rossoneri to sign Samuel Chukwueze, Christian Pulisic and Loftus-Cheek in the last transfer window.

Samuel Chukwueze joined AC Milan from Villareal for thirty million euros while Christian Pulisic and Loftus-Cheek were bought from Chelsea FC as Stephan Pioli reinforced for the new season.

55-year old Maldin who famously represented Milan as a player and most recently as Technical Director tagged the transfer business as unnecessary, saying it cannot be compared to previous four transfer window additions.

“The narrative on this issue made me smile a little. You don’t have to inconvenience the algorithms to take Loftus-Cheek, Pulisic and Chukwueze, there was no need to sign them. 

” You can’t compare the previous four transfer windows with the last one, we fought on the market with different weapons,” Maldini told Republica.

Maldini is obviously not over the decision to sack him as technical director six-months ago and so is critcal about the clubs dealing and results this season.

Meanwhile, contrary to Maldini’s opinion, Christian Pulisic has been a key feature in Stephan Pioli’s side this season.

The American was fantastic in the Rossoneri’s most recent win over Frosinone on Saturday, December 2, 2023, scoring the second goal as AC Milan won 3-1 to bury dissapointments from their UCL loss in midweek.

Loftus-Cheek and Samuel Chukwueze also started the game and were rated highly after a fantastic evening at the San Siro where Maldini flourished as a defender in his playing days.

Nigerian winger, Samuel Chukwueze scored his first goal for the club in the Champions League loss vs Borussia Dortmund and has in recent weeks delivered consistent great performances to earn the praise of manager Stephan Pioll.

While Pulisic has featured 17-times already this season, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Samuel Chukwueze have made 13 appearances for Stephan Pioli’s side.

Again, CAF to relocate headquarters

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For the second time in about 30 years, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) will be relocating its headquarters in Egypt.

At the moment, the continental football governing body is located at 6th October City, a suburb of the mega city of Cairo.

It relocated their in the early 1990s from Gabalaya area of the Cairo at the bank of the Nile River. However, Egyptian outlet, Ahram has reported that CAF has signed a cooperation protocol with the Egyptian Administrative Capital, along with the Egyptian Sports Ministry, to build a new headquarters for the football governing body.

Egypt’s Minister of Sports, Ashraf Sobhy, attended the signing ceremony on Thursday and expressed the country’s support for CAF’s plans for African football development.

In a statement released on Friday, Egypt’s sports ministry said, “The protocol outlines the establishment of a new headquarters for CAF, which will be relocated from the 6th of October City to the New Administrative Capital.”

According to the statement, the new CAF headquarters will be built on a 20-acre plot in the northern part of the R3 area in the New Administrative Capital.

The Administrative Capital company will be responsible for constructing the new headquarters, following the directives of the Egyptian president.

Sobhy emphasized Egypt’s commitment to supporting and developing African football, stating that the new headquarters would serve as a significant landmark in the New Administrative Capital.

“The relocation of CAF headquarters to the New Administrative Capital confirms Egypt’s status as the mecca of Africa and the world, showcasing its advancements in sports infrastructure,” said Egypt’s Minister of Sports.

Meanwhile, CAF President Patrice Motsepe praised Egypt’s role in football development on the continent and emphasized the importance of the New Administrative Capital and Egypt’s leadership in Africa.

“My desire has always been to keep the CAF headquarters in Egypt, and it should remain in Egypt,” said Motsepe, as quoted in the statement from Egypt’s Ministry of Sports.

Motsepe further expressed the Confederation’s appreciation for the administrative capital by saying, “Building a new headquarters for CAF in east Cairo is a testament to the Confederation’s gratitude towards the administrative capital.”

The 61-year-old South African, Motsepe, extended his gratitude to the Egyptian people for their support and contributions to CAF over the years.

In February 2020, Egypt signed an agreement whereby Cairo will host the headquarters of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for ten more years.

The agreement was signed by Minister of Youth and Sports Ashraf Sobhi and CAF former chief Ahmad Ahmad.

The agreement stipulates that the host country offers utilities, including electricity, water, gas, sanitation, telephone, and civil protection for CAF, in addition to a package of tax and customs privileges.

The hosting agreement between CAF and the government started in 2007 for five years and was automatically extended in 2012 for another five years before expiring in 2017.

Egypt, which was one of the founders of the CAF in 1957, has been hosting the headquarters since its headquaters relocated from  Sudanese Football Association in Khartoum until it experienced a fire outbreak

Victor Boniface Nets 8th Goal As Bayer Leverkusen Keep Unbeaten 

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Victor Boniface has scored his 8th league goal for Bayer Leverkusen in a 1-1 draw against Borussia Dortmund.

The Nigerian striker’s 79th-minute goal canceled out Julian Ryerson’s effort for the visitors, securing a vital point for Xabi Alonso’s side.

Watch The Goal Below:

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So far this season, Bayer Leverkusen remain unbeaten in the league with 11 wins, and 2 draws (Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund) in 13 games.

Bayer Leverkusen League Records So Far:

Win – 11
Draw – 2
Defeat – 0

Also, Victor Boniface has contributed 13 league goals (8 goals, 5 assists) in 13 games for Leverkusen.

Victor Boniface’s Goal Contributions In The League So Far:

Goals – 8
Assists – 5
Games – 13

Super Falcons Arrive In Cape Verde For WAFCON Qualifier Return-Leg

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The Super Falcons of Nigeria delegation have arrived in Cape Verde ahead of their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier return-leg fixture.

The Falcons shared update of their arrival in Praia, 2023 on Sunday, December 3, 2023.

Coach Justin Madugu tutored Super Falcons made their task in Praia easy with a 5-0 spanking of Cape Verde in the first-leg decided at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja last week.

Uchenna Kalu and Esther Okoronkwo scored twice while Gift Monday added one other as the Falcons secured a big-win that makes the return-leg a less tensed affair.

The return leg will take place at the 15,000-capacity, Estádio Nacional de Cabo Verde in Praia on Tuesday, December 5, 2023

Nigeria would be favourites to claim another win against the Cape Verdeans who are ranked 134th in the World.

Cape Verde will need to win by six goals to overturn the deficit vs Nigeria and grab ticket to the WAFCON.

The Super Falcons have never lost by a three-goal margin to any African opposition in all competitions in their history.

Nigeria have never missed any edition of the WAFCON and have been crowned champions of the competition nine-times in the twelve editions held.

The Super Falcons finished fourth at the last edition of the women’s cup of nations, losing their title to South Africa.

Morocco will host the 2024 WAFCON.

Christmas In Jamaica

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Christmas is a very special time in Jamaica and like a lot of other countries, radio stations play carols all through the Christmas period.

Lots of people paint their houses and hang new curtains and decorations for Christmas.

Most families spend Christmas Day at home with friends and family members.

In Jamaica, on Christmas Eve the ‘Grand Market’ happens.

It is a really exciting time, especially for children.

In every town and city there is a cross between a festival and a market.

During the day, people go shopping for Christmas foods, sweets and toys, etc.

You might also buy some new clothes ready for the celebrations in the evening.

(But you don’t want to spend all your money during the day as there were lots of great things to buy in the evening as well!)

Around 6.00pm the evening part of Grand Market starts and it lasts until the morning!

Everyone comes out on their new or best clothes, including children, to celebrate and party all night.

All the streets, shops and many houses are decorated with lights.

There are normally street vendors selling food like jerk chicken, boiled corn, and sweets like candy canes and sugarcane.

Following the Grand Market, some people will go to a Midnight Mass Church Service and others will party all night.

Many people will also go to a Church Service on Christmas Day morning before the end of Grand Market.

The Christmas day meal is usually prepared on Christmas Eve.

The Christmas Day breakfast includes ackee and saltfish, breadfruit, fried plantains, boiled bananas, freshly squeezed fruit juice and tea.

Dinner is usually served in the late afternoon and this may include turkey, chicken, curry goat, stewed oxtail and very importantly rice and peas.

Jamaican red wine and rum fruitcake is traditional and is eaten in most homes.

The fruits in the cake are soaked in red wine and white rum for months before Christmas.

In Jamaican Creole/Patois Happy/Merry Christmas is ‘Merri Crissmuss’.

Meter Manufacturing Company Commissioned In Oraifite, Anambra State

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Nigeria’s Vice President, Senator Kashim Shetimma has commissioned an electric energy metre manufacturing factory built by Advanced Energy Management Solution Ltd, AEMSL in Oraifite, Ekwusigo Council Area of Anambra State.

Governor Chukwuma Soludo who received the Vice President at the Chinua Achebe International Airport, Umueri earlier in the day, accompanied him to the factory commissioning ceremony.

Owing to the enabling environment being created by the Soludo-led administration, the commissioning of the electric meter manufacturing company in Oraifite is a big boon to Anambra state as it can lead to numerous benefits.

With the increased demand for electricity across the state, having such a company that produces electric meters can help meet the demand and also provide job opportunities to the people in Anambra state and beyond.

Performing the commissioning ceremony, the Vice President who lauded the development strides of the Soludo-led government in the state, especially in helping to create the enabling environment for businesses to thrive, expressed optimism that the factory will stimulate the economy of not just the state but the entire country.

On his part, Governor Soludo hopes the Vice President’s visit to the state strengthens the synergy between the State and the federal government, leading to better cooperation on issues of mutual interest, such as security, environment, education, and healthcare; a relationship that could also help Anambra State secure more federal funding for its programmes and initiatives.

During the visit, the Vice President also commissioned Ijele FM radio station and flagged-off the third phase of Sir Emeka Offor Foundation Housing Scheme, as well as witnessed the distribution of palliatives to widows’ cooperative society.

Symbolic presentation of house keys to select-widows by the Foundation also featured during the ceremony attended by Anambra State Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, Secretary to the State Government, Professor Solo Chukwulobelu, Chief of Staff to Governor Soludo, Mr. Ernest Ezeajughi, National, State House Assemblies and House of Representatives members, among others.

Blue Line: Lagos Transport Authority Set To Increase Trips

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Lagos Metropolitan Transport Authority (LAMATA) is perfecting plans to increase trips on the Blue Line 13-kilometre rail corridor from 54 to 76 trips before the end of the year.

The Managing Director of the agency, Abimbola Akinajo, disclosed this at a briefing in Lagos, organised in commemoration of the agency’s 20 years of operations.

The agency’s boss also gave timelines for the completion of the second phase of the Blue Line and the commencement of operation on the Red Line.

Akinajo said the second phase of the Blue Line Rail project, from Mile 2 to Okoko, which construction has started, will be completed in 2027.

With infrastructure work expected to be completed this December, the agency is targeting the second quarter of 2024 for the commencement of commercial operation on the Red Line corridor. The Red Line rail is a 37 Kilometer rail route proposed to run from Agbado to Marina with 13 stations at Agbado, Iju, Agege, Ikeja, MMIA International, MMIA Domestic, Oshodi, Mushin, Yaba, Ebute meta, Iddo, Ebute Ero and Marina.

On road transportation, LAMATA said no fewer than 1,000 electric buses (EBs) would be deployed on the roads in the next 24 months, an effort aimed at exploring alternative fuel for urban mobility and cutting greenhouse emissions.

FAAN Bans ‘Ghana Must Go’ Sacks At Airports

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The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), has prohibited the use of travel sacks, ‘Ghana Must Go’ by passengers at all the nation’s airports.

According to a circular by FAAN, titled, ‘Re: Prohibition of Usage Of Ghana Must Go’, signed by Manager, Airport Services, Henok Gizachew, dated November 24, the ban is particularly for passengers travelling through the country’s international airports.

Gizachew, stated that the sack was banned by the authority because it has consistently brought about damage to the airport conveyor belt system, causing airlines to accrue huge losses.

He noted that passengers who wish to use Ghana Must Go to travel must have the same well packaged in cartons or hardcovers of rectangular size.

According to reports, the matted sack-like bags have been attributed to the breakdown of many of the country’s airports’ conveyor belt systems and one that has put enormous costs on the shoulders of the airport authority.

The popular Ghana Must Go sack which comes in different sizes is very popular among many Nigerian as well as African travellers because of its light weight and capacity to carry more things.

The ban took effect on November 25, 2023 in some of the airports.

Fed Govt. To Support Farmers, Projects 31m MT Grains

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The production of 31 million metric tonnes of grains in 2024 is going to combat food inflation, create jobs and reduce poverty, the Federal Government stated on Wednesday.

Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Abdullahi, disclosed this in a statement issued by his ministry in Abuja.

He was quoted as saying, “Nigeria’s seed requirement/need for five major crops: rice, maize, wheat, soybeans and sorghum in 2024 is 312,555.69MT, which is expected to give almost 31 million MT of grains.”

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The minister said the Ministry had outlined a series of critical pathways to solve the food security challenges in Nigeria, adding that these pathways were streamlined into short-term, intermediate and long-term actions.

“One immediate priority is the certification of available planting material for some food security crops in the dry season farming of 2023/2024, which we flagged off in Jigawa State last Saturday,”  Abdullahi stated.

He said the ministry was targeting over 70,000 hectares for wheat production, under the support of the Africa Development Bank and National Agricultural Growth Scheme and AgroPocket Scheme project.

Abdullahi said farmers were being supported with quality seeds for rice, maize and soybean, as well as the provision of other inputs at subsidised rates.

“Pasture seeds development, fodder and foliage estates that will gradually eliminate farmers and herders clashes, and the creation of gene bank facilities are also short-term interventions that the administration is pursuing,” he stated.