Colombia 2024: Nineteen Falconets Called-Up For Tanzania Match

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November 7, 2023

Christopher Danjuma, head Coach of Nigeria’s Under 20 football team, the Falconets has invited 19 players for the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup second round, first leg qualifying match against Tanzania.

The match would be played on Nov. 12 at the Azam Sports Complex in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania from 3pm Tanzania time (1pm Nigeria time)

The 2022 FIFA World Cup quarter-finalists have been in camp in Abuja for more than two weeks.

The Falconets will take on the Tanzanian girls on Nov. 19 for the return leg at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

The winner on aggregate would progress to the third round of the race to Colombia in 2024.

Nigeria qualified for the third round following the withdrawal of Mauritius from the qualifiers.

After the Tanzania fixture, the Falconets will have one round to go before the qualification for the world cup in Colombia in September 2024.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) appointed Letticia Antonella Viana from e-Swatini as referee for the match and her compatriots Patricia Mkhaliph.

Others are Siphiwayikhosi Nxumalo and Nothando Nkhumane as assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2 and fourth official, while Kenyan Margaret Omondi will serve as match commissioner.

Rachel Nzigire from Democratic Republic of Congo will be the center referee for the second leg, with Ngarassoum Victorine as assistant referee 1.

Rachel’s compatriots, Carine Puazi and Carine Ampur will be assistant referee 2 and fourth official, with Christine Ziga from Ghana as match commissioner.

The Full List

Goalkeepers: Anderline Mgbechi, Delta Queens, Shukura Bakare, Nasarawa Amazons and Faith Omilana, Naija Ratels.

Defenders: Oluchi Ohaegbulem, Nasarawa Amazons, Comfort Folorunsho, Edo Queens, Rihanat Kasali, Bayelsa Queens, Jumoke Alani, Edo Queens, Shukurat Oladipo, FC Robo Queens and Semilore Oladeji,Naija Ratels.

Midfielders: Adoo Yina, Nasarawa Amazons, Taiwo Afolabi, Delta Queens, Shola Shobowale, Nasarawa Amazons, Aminat Folorunsho, Rivers Angels and Chioma Olise, Edo Queens.

Forwards: Opeyemi Ajakaye, FC Robo Queens, Judith Okah, Remo Queens, Chiamaka Okwuchukwu, Rivers Angels, Chisom Chima, Bayelsa Queens and Janet Akekoromowei, Asisat Academy.

Australia In Race To Host 2029 FIFA Club World Cup

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Emenike Agu

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November 7, 2023

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Australia is among the candidates to host the second edition of the FIFA Club World Cup. In 2025, the United States will host 32 clubs from across the world. Australia wants to be the second nation to host this tournament that is replacing the annual Club World Cup.

Recently, Australia backed out of the bidding to host the 2034 men’s World Cup. In doing so, it confirmed Saudi Arabia as the 2034 World Cup host. Instead, Australia said it wanted to focus on other tournaments. For example, Australia wants to host the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup after hosting the 2023 Women’s World Cup. The other tournament Australia named was the 2029 FIFA World Cup. Focusing on hosting that tournament is cheaper and sooner than the 2034 World Cup.

The Standard reports Australia spent $30 million on its bid for the 2022 World Cup. That received just one vote. Therefore, it crashed out of the host bidding process in the first round. It would be a battle for Australia to financially compete against Saudi Arabia, which appeared to be the only country interested in hosting the 2034 World Cup.

That left the 2029 Club World Cup, which could be a grand success with so many teams involved. At 32 competitors, top teams from across the world will compete in this tournament. For example, the 2025 edition in the United States will bring 12 teams from UEFA and six from CONMEBOL. As of the end of 2023, that includes the likes of Chelsea, Palmeiras, Manchester City, Flamengo and Real Madrid. In addition to the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League winner, the eight highest-ranked teams by FIFA will compete. That could lead to titanic clashes in the United States in the summer of 2025.

Come 2029, the outlook of Europe’s elite clubs may change. The same applies to the state of soccer in South America, North America and the always-changing Asia. If more stars continue to move to Saudi Arabia, for example, there will be added intrigue in a global club competition.

Australia wants to cash in on that potential tourism and interest in a non-international team tournament. Plus, depending on the success of the competition in the United States four years prior, the Club World Cup could be a great success.

Brazil Submits Letter Of Intent To Host 2027 Women’s World Cup

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Emenike Agu

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November 7, 2023

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The statue of Christ the Redeemer is lit up with the Brazilian flag colors to celebrate the national soccer team’s victory in the FIFA World Cup match against South Korea, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil December 5, 2022

Brazil has submitted a letter of intent to soccer’s governing body FIFA to host the 2027 Women’s World Cup, the South American country’s Minister of Sports Andre Fufuca said on Saturday.

Fufuca presented the documents to FIFA President Gianni Infantino while he was in Rio de Janeiro for the Copa Libertadores final, which was won by Brazilian club Fluminense for the first time.

“I delivered it to FIFA and Brazilian Football Confederation on behalf of President Lula,” Fufuca said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“The Government Declaration formalising Brazil’s intention to host the 2027 Women’s Football World Cup and the government guarantees required for countries bidding to host the World Cup.”

Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands submitted a joint expression of interest in April to host the tournament, while the other joint bid includes the United States and Mexico. Brazil and South Africa were the other two countries to submit a bid.

The FIFA Congress will appoint the hosts via public voting on May 17, 2024.

Australia and New Zealand hosted the 2023 edition of the tournament, which was won by Spain. The U.S., Mexico and Canada will co-host the men’s World Cup in 2026.

A Football Club Gets Record! Sixteen Yellow Cards In a Game

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Emenike Agu

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November 7, 2023

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A Czech football club playing in the lowest division has made the sports pages across the country after 16 of its players were booked at the same time last weekend.

TJ Sokol Upohlavy’s players decided to make a splash as they were trailing TJ Sokol Libochovany 6-0 in their game in the lowest district tier last Saturday.

When Martin Blizil scored to make it 6-1 in the 82nd minute, all 11 of the team’s players on the pitch took off their shirts in celebration – a deed punishable by a yellow card.

Five substitutes came off the bench to celebrate with them, also taking off their shirts and earning a booking.

“The last game didn’t really go our way, but our players maybe set a world record,” the team said on Facebook after losing the game 6-2 in the end.

National Sports Festival’s Parent Body Inaugurated

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Emenike Agu

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November 7, 2023

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Nigeria’s Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh on Tuesday inaugurated the Main Organising Committee (MOC) of the 22nd National Sports Festival slated to take place in Ogun State next year.

Inaugurating the committee at the media centre inside the MKO Abiola National Stadium Complex Abuja, the minister charged members of the committee to work hard to deliver a seamless and successful games next year.

The minister who noted that delivering a successful games requires hard work however noted that with the commitment of Ogun State Government and the calibre of members of the committee, he was optimistic that the committee would surmount all the challenges to deliver a successful games.

Enoh observed that the normal practice was for the funding of the games to be shared between the Ministry of Sports and the state hosting the games.

He stated that with the National Sports Industry Policy kicking in, sports should be seen as not only recreation but business.

He observed that after 22 editions, the National Sports Games has become a brand capable of attracting corporate sponsorship.

The minister therefore encouraged the committee to package the games in such a way to make it attractive for the private sector to sponsor.

He described sports as a multi billion business adding that if private sector driven sports industry could work in other climes, there is no reason it should not work in Nigeria.

Senator Owan Enoh appealed to the private sector and corporate organizations to support sports development in the country.

Responding on behalf of the newly inaugurated committee, Ismaila Abubakar,the Permanent Secretary of the ministry and Chairman of the Organizing Committee informed the Minister that members of the committee were fully aware that the responsibility of organizing successful games rest on them.

He assured him that the committee would mobilise both human and material resources to ensure that the games is hosted without hitches.

Earlier, Wasiu Isiaka,the Ogun State Commissioner of Sports assured the Minister that the state was fully prepared to deliver a successful games.

The Main Organising Committee (MOC) of the National Sports Festival comprises Ismaila Abubakar, Permanent Secretary of Sports Development as Chairman and Bukola Olapade, (Chairman LOC) as Vice Chairman.

Other members of the committee are Dr. Paul Onyeudo, Olufehinti Olusegun, Mohammed Manga, Gregory Zi, Ms Fadeke Fadeyibi, Abolore Alanamu, Patrick Okeke, Mrs. Amaka Ashiofu, Prof. Olawale Moronkola, Habu Gumel, Sunday Odebode, Emmanuel Utobo, Bamiduro Olumide and Brendan Ndifon.

Epl: Nigerian Youngster, Afolami Signs First Professional Contract With Liverpool

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Emenike Agu

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November 7, 2023

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Nigerian-born youngster, Afolami Onanuga has signed his professional contract with Liverpool.

Afolami linked up with Liverpool as an U-11 and has progressed through the ranks.

The 17-year-old was spotted playing grassroots football in Manchester.

The midfielder is currently a regular member of the U-18 squad.

Afolami made his debut for the U-21s when he started against Blackpool at Bloomfield last month.

He is a talented player who links the game well and looks to have a positive impact in the attacking third.

Anambra To Digitize Land Administration, Plans 72-Hr C of O

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Angel Gimalo

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November 7, 2023

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Anambra State government has completed an arrangement to set up the Geographic Information System (GIS) process, which will facilitate land administration activities in the state.

The state’s Commissioner for Lands, Physical Planning & Rural Development, Prof. Ofornze Amuchanze, said the system will be fully digitised by the end of this year.

This is in line with Governor Charles Soludos’ vision of achieving a livable and prosperous homeland for citizens.

Speaking at a two-day “Performance Management And Appraisal System workshop for Anambra State Ministry of Lands, the state Commissioner for Lands, Physical planning and Rural Development, Prof Ofornze Amucheazi, SAN, said that the GIS will ensure land owners obtain their Certificate of Occupancy (C of O)within 72 hours.

Also read: FCT Minister Revokes 167 Plots Of Land In Abuja Highbrow Districts

The “Performance Management and Appraisal System Workshop” which held on the 26th and 27th October, 2023 at the Seminar/Workshop Hall, Arnold and Associates headquarters,Millennium City Layout in Awka Capital City, Anambra state was organised by the Ministry of Lands.

Amucheazi said: “We have commenced implementation of the GIS, which is aimed at improving efficiency, effectiveness of land administration and other related land matters.

“It will enhance online land transactions and is expected to be concluded by the end of 2024. All the activities are aimed at turning Anambra state into a progressive state in the Southeast region.”

He disclosed that the programme is the first in a series of training for the 120 staff in the ministry, and assured that it would be a continuous process.

Participants commended the state government for organising the workshop, insisting that it has added to whatever knowledge and experience gained before on the job.

The Commissioner further extended his appreciations to Mr Arnold Ekweoba the CEO of Arnold Ekweoba and Associates Limited who provided the venue of the workshop as well as Ubosi Eleh & Co and McTimothy Associates Consulting LLC who were the facilitators of the workshop.

Arnold & Associates on its part, congratulated the Commissioner and the entire management and staff of the Ministry of Lands for this strategic and progressive step towards actualizing the dream of Governor Soludo vision of making Anambra State a liveable and prosperous homeland.

According to the organizers of the workshop, the selection of Arnold and Associates headquarters in Awka for the workshop was borne out of the fact that the new office complex offers the ideal environment for such an event.

Recall that on May 2, 2023, Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, inaugurated a seven-man land recovery committee for Onitsha, Nnewi, Idemili, and their environs in the State.

The inaugurating the committee took place at an event inside the conference hall of the Ministry of Lands, Awka the State capital on Tuesday.

The governor through the Commissioner for lands, Professor Offornze Amucheazi,SAN, declared that his administration would not condone land grabbing or encroachments of any kind on government-owned lands and properties.

The Governor mandated the committee to take record and recover all government owned lands and properties within their terms of reference.

Cervical Cancer: Expert Advocates Yearly Screening for Women

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Olasunbo Okoromi

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November 7, 2023

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An Oncologist, Dr Adediran Ademola, has counseled women of reproductive age to go for cervical cancer screening yearly to know their status. Dr. Ademola, practising at the University of Osun Teaching Hospital, Oncology Department, made the call during an interview with Newsmen on Tuesday in Osogbo.

The doctor, who spoke on the causes of cancer, its management and treatment, said early detection will help to save lives.

He added that though the cause(s) of cancers are attached to numerous factors, every woman of productive age is at risk of having cervical cancer.

He said “cervical cancer is one of the health challenges faced by women globally, the second leading cancer in the world and the fourth leading cancer in West Africa. It is the cancer of the cervix and the cervix is a part of the female reproductive system.”

The oncologist explained that some factors associated with cervical cancer include having multiple sexual partners and high risk sexual behaviour.

He also said that like other forms of cancers, cervical cancer can also be hereditary, caused by what goes into the body and the environment, such as global warming effect.

He said the signs of cervical cancer depend on age, and difficult to detect in women of reproductive age until they get screened.

“Every woman of productive age is supposed to be screened at least once in a year. If a post menopausal woman suddenly sees her menses again, she is supposed to go for cervical cancer screening; also, a woman that has delivered four babies by herself (grand multiparous woman) is also at risk of cervical cancer.”

He added that surviving cancer generally depends on the time of presentation and that there are many ways cancer can be treated, which include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and others.

He said the World Health Organisation (WHO) has a 95-95-95 plan to ensure 95 per cent of women are aware of cervical cancer, 95 per cent are screened, while 95 per cent are treated or are on treatment by the year 2030.

Osun State Govt. Conducts Free Medical Screening For 300 Women

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Olasunbo Okoromi

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November 7, 2023

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Osun State Government has conducted free cervical and breast cancer screening for over 300 women living in selected rural communities in the state.

The screening was part of a three-day sensitisation and awareness campaign programme tagged, ‘Nigeria for women project’ and themed ‘Say no to breast and cervical cancer.’

During the campaign and screening exercise which took place in Oke-Ila in Ifedayo Local Government Area, Ogbaagba in Olaoluwa Local Government Area and Iwara in Atakumosa East Local Government Area of the state, over 300 women who were screened, were also counseled on the need for them to shun any act that could jeopardize their health.

Speaking in Oke-Ila during the flag-off of the exercise, the state Governor, Ademola Adeleke, represented by the Director of Planning and Research in the State Ministry of Health, Dr Olalekan Famakinwa, said the programme was aimed at improving women’s health.

Famakinwa further explained that ailments like cervical and breast cancer could be treated if discovered early, adding that “Minimum of 100 women from each chosen local government areas will benefit from the free screening, while anyone found positive at the early stage of test shall be given free drugs for treatment and prevention.

She also advised women of 35 years old and above to go for cervical screening and do follow-up checkups after six months of the first one.

Health Sovereignty: Coalition Writes President Tinubu to reject WHO’s IHR Amendments

By

Henry Williams

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November 7, 2023

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The coalition against the World Health Organisation (WHO) International Health Regulations (IHR) and Equity International Initiative (EII) has called on President Bola Tinubu in an open letter to reject the proposed new amendments to the WHO’s health regulations.

The letter states specifically why the amendments should be rejected and what threat it poses to the nations sovereignty.

Coalition calls Tinubu to protect Nigeria’s sovereignty, reject WHO’s new amendments to IHR

We call on President Tinubu to write to the WHO, Reject the Amendments to the IHRs, and STOP THE NEGOTIATIONS on Nigeria’s behalf

IHRs are non-binding recommendations that delegates to the World Health Assembly at the WHO, on behalf of Nigeria and 193 other nations of the world, freely agreed to follow in 1963. These recommendations guide member Sates on how to respond to public health events that can cross national borders and affect regions, continents, and the whole world.
As non-binding agreements, these IHRs come into force without the need for parliamentary or executive input from member States.
The IHRs have been amended multiple times over the years without incident. However, these new amendments, which began to be negotiated in 2021, have been fraught with numerous irregularities.

-The first set of amendments were adopted in May 2022 and reduced the time period for rejection of amendments from 18 to 10 months, and reduction of the time period for enactment into force from 24 to 12 months. There is no reason for this reduction except to make engagement & response to WHO policies/decisions by citizens of the world more difficult.

-Having no merit or benefit to Nigeria, and only leading to a stifling of the voices of we the people of Nigeria, we call on President Tinubu to write to the WHO, rejecting the Amendments to the IHRs adopted in May 2022.

In addition, stealthy, underground negotiations continue, and these new amendments involve many areas of the domestic life of Nigerians that should never be controlled by people outside of Nigeria
The WHO & its partners, claim that this total power shift is to be done for our own good, to protect us against biological threats. Yet decisions will be made without our consent/ participation, with total immunity and no liability for the repercussions of the actions of unelected WHO bureaucrats.
Specifically, these amendments to the IHR give the WHO the power to, at any time, suspend our constitutions and our human rights in international law in the name of an actual or potential health event.
This global power grab is a corruption and abuse of international law that will lead to harm to the health, economies, and national sovereignty of Nigeria and all nations of the world.
These amendments include widening the concept of a PHEIC such that climate change and the reduction of CO2 levels are now issues that can trigger a PHEIC. Thus, this rule of emergency law shall become our new normal, and our normal constitutional lives become the exception
As such, the WHO can describe anything as a threat, make draconian laws/interventions essential to dealing with these threats including which medicines to be given for them, whether people can travel, what travel documents will be acceptable, etc. These edicts will be enforced by making these IHRs binding on nations to implement them on their citizens and institutions.
We call on well meaning Nigerians to ensure that our national sovereignty is protected by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This letter rejecting the IHR Amendments need to be received by the WHO before Dec. 1st.

-President Tinubu, protect Nigeria’s sovereignty. and our freedom. Write and reject the WHO Amendments to the IHRs!!!