Exploring Tsunami Monument, Maldives

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June 19, 2023

The Tsunami Monument is memorial that honors the victims from the 2004 tsunami that devastated several countries around the Indian Ocean, and it is located in the capital city of the Republic of Maldives, Malé. With the devastating underwater earthquake which occurred on 26 December 2004 in Sumatra, Indonesia, there were several nations which were affected by the devastation, among which the Maldives too were greatly affected.

As the tsunami passed the nation, there were 74 fatalities along with extensive material damage, and nowadays visitors of the capital are able to see the memorial built in honor of that day.

Being a quite fascinating place, the monument rises from the spot where the sea touches the land, and there are balls made of steel which represent the 20 atolls of the country.

While they are rising towards the sky, it was intended for them to represent the mounting waters of the tsunami. At the heart of the monument, there are iron rods that have been placed vertically, and each of them signifies the life that was lost with the victim’s name engraved on the iron rod.

Located in the southeast part of Malé, the Tsunami Monument is an interesting spot for surfers, and all those who would like to enjoy and relax by listening to the waters which are fortunately slowly splashing the land.

Once Upon A Time – June 19 – 1917 – The British Royal Family Renounces Its German Names And Titles, Adopts Name Of Windsor

By

Angel Gimalo

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June 19, 2023

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1306 The Earl of Pembroke’s army defeats Robert the Bruce’s Scottish army at the Battle of Methven

1829 Robert Peel introduces the Metropolitan Police Act 1829 into Parliament to establish a unified police force for London, the city’s 1st modern police force

1862 Slavery outlawed in US territories

1865 Union General Gordon Granger declares slaves are free in Texas, now the date the end of slavery is celebrated across the US as Juneteenth

1944 World War II: First day of the 2 day Battle of the Philippine Sea, US naval forces defeat Japanese fleet

1991 Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar surrenders to police

Historical Events Today Events in 2023

Today in Film & TV

2015 Pixar’s animated film “Inside Out” is released with voices by Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Lewis Black, Bill Hader and Mindy Kaling

Today in Music

1960 Loretta Lynn records “I’m a Honky Tonk Girl”

Today in Sport

1867 1st Belmont Stakes: Gilbert Gilpatrick aboard Ruthless wins in 3:05

1846 First officially recognised baseball game (played by Cartwright Rules) – NY Nines 23 defeat Knickerbockers 1 at Hoboken, New Jersey

1917 The British Royal Family, which has had strong German ties since George I, renounces its German names and titles and adopts the name of Windsor

Famous Weddings

1369 Philip the Bold, Duke of Burgundy marries Margaret 111 Countess of Flanders

1843 Philosopher Karl Marx (25) weds Jenny von Westphalen in Germany

1850 Swedish/Norwegian crown prince Charles weds Dutch princess Wilhelmina

What was claimed to be the first trans-Atlantic crossing by a steam ship – even if sails helped – was completed on this day and is still celebrated – June 19, 1819

CBN Lifts Cash Deposit Restriction On Domiciliary Accounts

By

faith Jegede

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June 19, 2023

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The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has lifted its restriction on domiciliary accounts while allowing account holders to make withdrawals of up to $10,000 on a daily basis.

The CBN disclosed this in a press statement after deliberating at an extraordinary Bankers’ Committee meeting.

According to the press statement signed by the CBN’s director of the banking supervision department, Haruna Mustafa, the meeting was held to discuss the implementation and implications of the policy changes for the banking public

“These policy changes aim to promote transparency, liquidity, and price discovery in the FX market in order to improve FX supply, discourage speculation, enhance customer confidence and ensure overall stability in the FX market,” the bank said.

“Ordinary domiciliary account holders shall have unfettered and unrestricted access to funds in their accounts.

“Domiciliary account holders are permitted to utilize cash deposits not exceeding USD$ 10,000 per day or its equivalent via telegraphic transfer. DMBs shall provide returns to the CBN including the “purpose” for such transactions.”

This development marks a significant shift in the nation’s monetary policy, allowing individuals greater flexibility in managing their funds held in domiciliary accounts.

The new directive provides further guidance to banks on the operational changes to the foreign exchange market.

Recall that the last Friday issued an update on the operational changes to the Foreign Exchange (FX) Market, explaining in detail how it works.

The CBN in an official statement signed by its Director for Financial Markets, Angela Sere-Ejembi confirmed the operational changes to the foreign exchange market.

The apex bank also affirmed that the abolishment of segmentation and all segments are now collapsed into the Investors and Exporter’, I & E window.

With that, the CBN in a way directed commercial banks to remove the cap on the naira at the investors’ and exporters’ window.

It simply means that commercial banks can trade foreign exchange at any rate in the Investors & Exporters window based on a willing buyer, willing seller arrangements.

Giving perspective to the operational charges of the foreign exchange market, Nigeria’s apex bank stated that applications for medicals, school fees, BTA/PTA and SMEs would continue to be processed through deposit money banks.

It also announced the cessation of the RT200 Rebate Scheme and the Naira4Dollar Remittance Scheme, effective June 30, 2023.

The apex bank on Friday via its Twitter handle, however, gave an update on the operational changes to the Foreign Exchange (FX) Market, explaining how it works.

“To collapse all segments in the fx market into the Investors and Exporter’, I & E window means all eligible FX transactions in the market shall only be done via the I&E window, all other windows cease to exist,” the CBN wrote.

“The I & E market functions by a willing buyer, willing seller system, where an entity with demand for FX seeks out another entity with FX to sell at an agreed price through an authorized dealer.

Meanwhile, the drastic change to the Foreign Exchange Market is coming amid the suspension of Godwin Emefiele as CBN governor by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT).

Recall that Tinubu during his inaugural speech as president on May 29 had pledged to unify the country’s foreign exchange market and boost investors’ confidence.

US Financial Agency, To Collect Discriminatory Information From Loan Seekers.

By

faith Jegede

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June 19, 2023

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The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau an agency of the American government, set up to implement and enforce Federal consumer financial laws and ensure that markets for consumer financial products are fair, transparent, and competitive, is now gathering none financial, intrusive data of their customers.

The CFPB which has primary authority to enforce federal consumer financial laws for banks and other depository institutions with total assets of more than $10 billion, and their affiliates have added criteria such as nationality, race, ethnicity and sexual orientation to information needed for small and medium business owners to access loan facilities for their businesses.

US Senator Kennedy of Louisiana queried CFPB director Rohit Chopra on why the CFPB needs to know what they are asking, but Chopras reply was simply that the information would not contain names and was therefore anonymous.

US Imposes Visa Restrictions On Ugandan Officials

By

faith Jegede

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June 19, 2023

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The United States is throwing a tantrum over how Ugandans have chosen to live their lives and has imposed visa restrictions on Ugandan government officials over their anti-LGBTQ law, passed by the country’s parliament.

Despite having much to deal with on the home front, the US is taking time off to punish Uganda for refusing to crumble into chaos.

Despite the majority of Ugandans supporting the new law, Washington is claiming that it is restricting travel for Ugandans it accuses of “undermining the democratic process”.

A statement from the State Department did not name any targeted individuals but It said the U.S. will consider other possible actions “to promote accountability for Ugandan officials and other individuals responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic process in Uganda, abusing human rights, including those of LGBTQI+ persons, or engaging in corrupt practices.”

The State Department also updated its Uganda travel guidance for U.S. citizens to highlight the risk that LGBTQI+ persons could be prosecuted and subjected to life imprisonment or the death penalty based on provisions in the law.

Many Ugandans have expressed their support for the new legislation and for their government.

Dangote Displaced As Africa’s Richest Man

By

faith Jegede

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June 19, 2023

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South African businessman, Johann Rupert, has displaced Nigerian billionaire and founder of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote as Africa’s richest man.

According to Forbes Magazine in its Real-time global Billionaires Ranking, Rupert currently has a $12 billion net worth while Dangote’s net worth is put at $10.8 billion. Rupert is the chairman of Swiss-based luxury Goods Company, Richemont; and South Africa-based Company, Remgro

Rupert, who initially followed Dangote closely, took over the number one spot following the decision of, Nigeria’s Central Bank to loosen its grip on the official exchange market, which saw the Nigerian billionaire’s worth drop by $4.12 billion, according to Bloomberg Billionaire Index (BBI).

Dangote is reported to have lost about $3.4 billion in a single day.

Meanwhile, Nigerians are more concerned about the fact that the billionaire who got a loan to build the biggest refinery in the world, has also gotten a license to import said product which many are calling counter-productive.

Other Nigerian billionaires including; the founder of BUA cement, Abdul Samad Rabiu, and the Chairman of Globacom Limited, Mike Adenuga, were also affected.

Security Architecture Under Tinubu’s Administration

By

Emmanuel Abia

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June 19, 2023

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President bola ahmed tinubu wasted no time in having meetings with security chiefs after his inauguration where he directed the service chiefs and heads of security and intelligence agencies to

Redouble efforts in dealing with the menace of terrorism, insurgency, banditry, oil theft, sea robbery and piracy among others that have conspired to weigh down the nation.

Moreso, the president appointed nuhu ribadu as he’s special adviser, security.

In his inauguration speech, the president had said,

‘security shall be the top priority of our administration because neither prosperity nor justice can prevail amidst insecurity and violence.

To effectively tackle this menace, we shall reform both our security doctrine and its architecture.

We shall invest more in our security personnel, and this means more than an increase in number. We shall provide, better training, equipment, pay and firepower.’

Meanwhile, prominent niger delta leader, asari dokubo, has accused the nigerian military of being behind 99 percent of oil theft in the country.

Dokubo made the accusation after a private meeting with president bola tinubu in his office on friday.

He stated that the president has promised to investigate allegations of huge oil bunkering by notorious naval commanders that are kingpins, and promised to take decisive action to halt the shameful act.

Cape Verde, Mali secure TotalEnergies AFCON qualification with convincing win

By

Emenike Agu

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June 19, 2023

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Cape Verde secure TotalEnergies AFCON qualification with convincing win

Cape Verde showcased their dominance in a resounding 3-1 triumph over Burkina Faso at the Estádio Nacional de Cabo Verde.

The spectators erupted with joy as Bebé opened the scoring in the 7th minute, expertly finishing off a play orchestrated by Cape Verde’s Patrick Andrade.

Comfortable on home turf, the Islanders seized control of the game, leaving their Burkinabe opponents devoid of offensive tactics. A notable instance saw Tapsoba failing to capitalize on an opportunity created by the Cape Verdean defense’s lapse.

While the Blue Sharks impressed offensively, they did encounter some lapses in concentration during defensive transitions. Taking advantage of these moments, Issoufou Dayo found the back of the net with a scrambled finish just before halftime.

As the teams emerged from the locker room, the Burkinabe side failed to regain their composure, losing their captain Bertrand Traoré to injury.

A significant blow for the semi-finalists of the previous TotalEnergies AFCON, who found themselves suffocated by their West African rivals. Fernandes’ 76th-minute strike from the right wing restored the advantage for Cape Verde.

In the dying moments of the game, Andrade delivered the final blow, netting the third goal past Kilian Nikiema. With this remarkable victory, Cape Verde secures their place in the upcoming Côte d’Ivoire tournament, marking a significant achievement for the Blue Sharks.

Mali seal TotalEnergies AFCON spot with commanding win

Mali emerged victorious in a 2-0 triumph over Congo during the CAF TotalEnergies 2023 qualifiers.

The match started with a goalless first half, but the Malian team showcased an entirely different level of play after the break. The Eagles unleashed a series of incisive attacks, ultimately breaking the deadlock through Ibrahima Koné.

Capitalizing on their excellent phases of play, Malian coach Eric Chelle made a few strategic changes.

The introduction of Nene Dorgeles in place of Kamory Doumbia proved to be a winning move, as Dorgeles found the back of the net just four minutes after coming on.

With a 2-0 lead firmly in their grasp, Mali skillfully navigated the rest of the match without conceding.

This victory secures Mali’s qualification for the highly anticipated CAF TotalEnergies Côte d’Ivoire 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Sierra Leone 2-3 Nigeria: Facts As Super Eagles Book 2023 AFCON Spot

By

Emenike Agu

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June 19, 2023

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In the last three major tournaments the Super Eagles featured – the Russia 2018 and Africa Cup of Nations 2019 and 2021, qualifications were obtained ahead of conclusion of series.

A 2-3 win over Sierra Leone was enough to hand the Super Eagles of Nigeria a spot at the 2023 AFCON. Here are three observations from the game in Monrovia.

A LEAKING DEFENCE TO MEND

After racing into a two-goal lead in 33 minutes courtesy of a Victor Osimhen brace, a leaking Nigerian defence left goalkepeer Adebayo Adeleye exposed for Sierra Leone to level scores.

Peseiro has work to do on this defence ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, else Osimhen and the forwards will bang goals only to be let down by the defence.

OSIMHEN WILL BREAK YEKINI’S GOAL-SCORING RECORD

In-form Napoli striker scored two goals to push closer to the coveted Nigeria all-time goals record held by Late Rashidi Yekini.

A look back at his first goal vs Sierra Leone shows a poacher who has age and potential on his side to become Nigeria’s all-time goal-scorer.

Caretaker observes the Italian Serie A top-scorer was the rallying point to Nigeria’s win , his goals covering the wasteful finishing by Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze in Monrovia.

GREAT GAME

Finally, Caretaker observes the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between Sierra Leone Vs Nigeria was a great game by all African Football standards.

First , as expected in an open game, five goals were scored. That itself telling a story of two teams who took to the set-up to attack at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium in Monrovia.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will now prepare for the 2023 AFCON proper, it is expedient for Pesiero to work on noticed weak links else the Eagles will not fly in Ivory Coast.

When Sierra Leone held Nigeria to a 4-4 draw at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in 2022, it was the highest number of goals Nigeria conceded at home since their 6-1 home defeat to in Lagos in 1959.
Both teams had their first international encounter facing each other 73 years, eight months and 11 days ago today.
Both teams first met on 8 October 1949 when the Nigerian side made a stopover in Freetown in their return voyage from UK.
The match at Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium in Monrovia, Liberia was the 25^th encounter of both teams. Nigeria’s Super Eagles have the upper hand, winning 15, drawing seven times and losing just two.
Nigerian football legend, Segun Odegbami, second highest scorer for the national team scored the first of his 21 goals for Nigeria in a World Cup qualifying match against Sierra Leone on 30 October 1976.
Segun Odegbami made his international debut for Nigeria when he came in as a 40^th minute substitute for Baba Otu Mohammed in a 16 October 1976 World Cup qualifier in Freetown.
Former Africa Cup of Nations’ best left winger, Kunle Awesu played his last international match for Nigeria in a 30 October 1976 World Cup qualifier against Sierra Leone in Lagos.
It was against Sierra Leone on 30 October 1976 that Muda Lawal first started a match for Nigeria from the bench . He later came in for Christian Madu in the 73^rd minute.
Sierra Leone spelt doom for former Nigeria’s Dutch coach, Johannes Bonfrere who last handled the Super Eagles when the team lost 1-0 on 21 April 2001 in a World Cup qualifying duel in Freetown.
The match against Sierra Leone was the last that Peterside Idah played for Nigeria on 21 April 2001.
The duel was Nigeria’s 121^st Africa Cup of Nations’ qualifying match. For Sierra Leone, it was their 81^st in the qualifying series since their debut entry for the 1974 edition.
When the Super Eagles played against Sierra Leone in 2020, it was the fourth time an Africa Cup of Nation qualifying match was played in Benin City. The first time was when the then Green Eagles played a goalless outing with Morocco on 14 August 1983. The second time was the 1-0 defeat of Madagascar on 2 June 2001 while the third was the 2-2 draw with Angola on 21 June 2003 in the qualifying duel for Tunisia 2004.
Although Nigeria defeated Sierra Leone 2-0 when they first met 74 years ago, an own goal by Sierra Leone’s Ashman was Nigeria’s first ever international goal. Tesilimi Balogun scored the second goal.
Nigeria’s Joseph Yobo goes into the record book as the first player to score for both Sierra Leone and Nigeria in a competitive series. Yobo scored Nigeria’s lone goal in the 1-0 defeat of Sierra Leone in Freetown in a 7 June 2008 World Cup qualifying match. In the reversed leg played on 11 October 2008 in Abuja, Yobo scored an own goal in the 4-1 defeat of Sierra Leone.

Super Eagles Beat Sierra Leone 3-2, Qualify For 2023 AFCON

By

Emenike Agu

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June 19, 2023

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Iheanacho nets winner, Osimhen nets brace as Super Eagles book AFCON spot

Victor Osimhen scored twice for the Super Eagles as they claimed a 3-2 win against Sierra Leone to go through to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations with one game to spare.

After seeing Guinea -Bissau defeat Sao Tome & Principe in the group’s other game to go top, the Super Eagles needed a point against the Lone Stars to qualify for the tournament in Ivory Coast.

Nigeria asked the questions from the start of the encounter and Osimhen was thwarted by Sierra Leon’s goalkeeper after he connected a header from a Moses Simon cross.

The Super Eagles took the lead shortly after in the 19th minute through the irrepressible Osimhen. The Napoli man latched onto a headed clearance from captain Kenneth Omeruo before nonchalantly executing a lob over the onrushing goalkeeper for his 16th international goal.

The striker was unstoppable and doubled his and the Super Eagles’ lead in the 32nd minute as he made a timely dart in behind the Lone Stars backline which was found by Joe Aribo, and Osimhen found a way to convert despite the bobbling turf. The goal made the Napoli man Nigeria’s highest-scorer among active players, beating Ahmed Ahmed Musa and Odion Ighalo’s 16 goals.

Osimhen nearly turned provider as he played in Samuel Chukwueze, but the Villarreal winger couldn’t finish when faced by just the goalkeeper. The striker once again showed a creative side to his game as he played a square ball across the box to Moses Simon, who managed to miss the goal from point-blank range.

Chukwueze had the ball in the back of the net, too, but his effort was ruled out for offside.

Sierra Leone pulled one back four minutes from half-time through Mustafa Bundu, whose run in behind was found by Emmanuel Samadia, allowing him to blast an effort past debutant goalkeeper Adebayo Adeleye..

The Super Eagles maintained control in the second half, with Osimhen popping up all over the attacking third but they failed to add another goal.

The Lone Stars grabbed an equaliser in the 84th minute through Augustus Kargbo, who beat Adeleye with a scorching effort that nestled into the bottom of his goal. The forward thought he had stolen a point for his country.

Introduced off the bench for the misfiring Chukwueze, Leicester City ace Kelechi Iheanacho secured the win for the Super Eagles in the 95th minute as he tapped home from close range after brilliant play by Zaidu Sanusi, who provided the assist.

Nigeria return to the top of Group A and have now booked their place in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire. The Super Eagles will return to action in a dead-rubber game against Sao Tome & Principe in September.