AFCON: I’m Excited To Return To Super Eagles, Says Awoniyi

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June 13, 2023

Super Eagles striker, Taiwo Awoniyi ,has revealed he’s excited to return to the Super Eagles squad but maintains that getting the call-up is a privilege.

Soccernet.ng reports that the Super Eagles will play Sierra Leone in their penultimate game of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on the 18th of June.

Ahead of the game, Nigeria coach Jose Peseiro called up 23 players. And Nottingham Forest star Awoniyi made the cut. It was his first invite since September 2022, when the team lost to Algeria in a friendly game.

Awoniyi missed the game against Portugal last November because he was not in form. He was also unavailable for the double-header against Guinea-Bissau because of an injury.

However, the 24-year-old hitman returned to action in April while the Premier League was on. The City Ground outfit were in danger of relegation at the time, but Awoniyi rescued them.

The Super Eagles star scored five goals in Forest’s last three games to guide them to safety. His performances for his side earned him a call-up to the national team for the first time since September.

The camp in Lagos was opened on the 11th of June, but Awoniyi arrived days, albeit in Ilorin, to show support to the teams in the final of the Never Stop Steam Cup- a competition he organized for grassroots clubs in Ilorin.

Awoniyi revealed that he was excited when he received the invitation to the Super Eagles. He also stated that it is a privilege, and no player can be on the team forever.

It’s a great privilege for any player, it’s an honour, and it should not be taken for granted

“I’m very happy I was invited, I am proud and overjoyed as well. However, the Super Eagles is not a home for everybody, you can’t be there forever because it is not for one player.

“You may be there today and not be there tomorrow. But the main thing is that you should put in your best when you get the opportunity.

“Playing for your country is a pride for any player, and if you look at the Premier League, the Bundesliga, the Laliga, and other leagues, we have a lot of Nigerian players doing well.

“When they make the lists, Nigerians would always ask why a certain player is there on it. Nigerians would always have something to say, that is to show how big the Nation is in terms of talent.

“So I tell myself that getting the call up does not mean I should take it for granted. I’m happy I’m there, but I believe it’s a big honour and privilege.

Cricket: Uganda defeat Nigeria in Kwibuka

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Emenike Agu

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June 13, 2023

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After making a flying start to their campaign at the ongoing ninth edition of the Kwibuka in Rwanda, Nigeria’s female senior cricket team suffered a five-wicket defeat against Uganda on Monday.

The Female Yellow Greens had recorded impressive wins in their first three games against hosts Rwanda, Botswana and Kenya but their wit was tested against the best ranked team at the tournament and it ended in a gallant defeat.

Uganda won the toss and elected to field, thereby sending Nigeria to bat for the first time in the tournament.

Captain Blessing Etim lost her wicket off the first ball in the second over, which allowed Uganda to grow in confidence.

Esther Sandy came up after the 10th over with an impressive half century of 52 runs off 39 balls and a strike rate of 133.3, partnered by the ever-dependable Lucky Piety with massive contribution of 27 runs off 37 balls under immense pressure.

Nigeria finished with 100 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in 20 overs.

They began the second inning with a maiden over from Rachael Samson to send indications that Uganda will have to work hard in their run chase. Nigeria was in control for most of the proceedings but for the relentless efforts and experience of Kevin Awino, who scored 22 off 45 runs, and Stephanie Nampiina with 20 runs off 22 balls, and a late surge from Immaculate Nakisuyi, who scored 31 off 20 balls, which was enough to see Uganda across the line to ensure they maintained their expectations and 100 per cent record in the tournament thus far.

Mbappe Fails to Extend PSG Contract

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Emenike Agu

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June 13, 2023

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FILE PHOTO: Ligue 1 - RC Strasbourg v Paris St Germain — FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Ligue 1 - RC Strasbourg v Paris St Germain - Stade de la Meinau, Strasbourg, France - May 27, 2023 Paris St Germain's Kylian Mbappe during the warm up before the match REUTERS/Pascal Rossignol

Kylian Mbappe told Paris Saint-Germain that he would not be taking up an option to extend his contract until 2025, raising the spectre of him following Lionel Messi out of the club this summer. The 24-year-old France striker’s current deal expires at the end of next season, with the option of another year.

If he does not sign, the French champions risk losing him for nothing in a year’s time — so they could now sell him this summer rather than miss out on a windfall for one of the world’s best players.

Mbappe’s decision not to renew announced in a letter to the club and revealed by the French sports daily L’Equipe, is a fresh blow to PSG following the loss of Messi to Inter Miami.

There had been a deadline of July 31, 2023, for Mbappe to decide.

Mbappe’s move comes a little over a year since he snubbed Real Madrid by signing a surprise extension to his contract to remain at the Parc des Princes.

Real would again be chief among his suitors.

Mbappe’s entourage did not respond immediately when asked late Monday evening. The striker’s departure for free at the end of his current contract, in the summer of 2024, would prove catastrophic for PSG.

In addition to the void left in the team, the club would also be deprived of the millions of Euros a transfer would earn. The future of Brazilian fellow star striker Neymar, under contract until 2025, also appears vague ahead of what is shaping up to be a summer of upheaval in the French capital.

Mbappe joined PSG on a season-long loan from Monaco in August 2017 that turned into a permanent deal worth 180 million Euros ($194 million).

Denver Nuggets win NBA Finals for first Title

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Emenike Agu

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June 13, 2023

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NBA: Finals-Miami Heat at Denver Nuggets — Jun 12, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; The Denver Nuggets celebrate after winning the 2023 NBA Finals against the Miami Heat at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The Denver Nuggets captured their first title in 47 NBA seasons, defeating the Miami Heat 94-89 behind 28 points and 16 rebounds from Nikola Jokic.

The Nuggets won the best-of-seven NBA Finals 4-1 to bring the Mile High City an NBA crown as a sellout crowd roared in delight while delivering Miami’s third finals loss in 10 seasons.

“I’ve got news for everybody out there. We’re not satisfied with one,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said afterward. “We want more.”

The championship filled the final gap in the impressive resume of Serbian star Jokic, a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player and five-time All-Star center in his eighth NBA campaign.

Two days after countryman Novak Djokovic won the French Open for his record 23rd Grand Slam tennis crown, Jokic was named the NBA Finals MVP.

He delivered on a night when the team struggled with shooting futility but blanked Miami for more than five minutes of the fourth quarter.

“It was amazing effort by the team,” Jokic said. “It was an ugly game. We couldn’t make shots. But at the end we figured it out, how to defend and we scored 90 points. That’s why we won. I’m just happy we won the game.

Denver was the playoff top seed in the Western Conference while the Heat had to win a play-in game just to reach the playoffs but then upset NBA wins leader Milwaukee, New York and Boston to advance to the finals.

Michael Porter Jr. added 16 points and 13 rebounds and Jamal Murray added 14 points, eight rebounds and eight asists for the Nuggets.

“We’re winning for the guys next to us,” Jokic said. “That’s why this means so much. Everything this year is amazing. We believe in each other.”

Jimmy Butler led Miami with 21 points while Bam Adebayo added 20 and 12 rebounds.

With their seasons on the line, players brought intensity and physical defending over the final minutes to create an electric atmosphere inside Ball Arena.

Jamal Murray’s jumper gave Denver an 81-76 lead with 6:43 remaining while the Heat began the fourth quarter hitting only 2-for-14 from the floor and going scoreless for more than five minutes.

Onwuzurike, brume set new NCAA Records

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Emenike Agu

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June 13, 2023

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Nigerian sprinters Udodi Onwuzurike and Godson brume set new landmark records at the national collegiate athletic association championships in Austin, Texas over the weekend.

Onwuzurike, a 20-year-old Stanford university who won gold at the world athletics u-20 championships in 2021, broke the 84-year jinx for Stanford University when he clocked a time of 19.84secs to win the 200m men’s final.

The commonwealth games bronze medalists beat Texas tech student Courtney Lindsey who returned in a time of 19.87secs to win the silver.

Onwuzurike also set a new school record when he sped to a new personal best time of 19.76secs in the 200m semifinals, the third fastest in collegiate history behind Walter Dix (19.69secs) and divine Oduduru (19.73secs).

The NCAA champion had earlier broken the 10secs barrier in the 100m final with 9.98secs.

Also, Louisiana state university student brume became Nigeria’s third fastest man in NCAA history after he clocked 9.90secs to win silver in the men’s 100m final at the event.

Guinness World Records Certifies Hilda Baci’s Cooking Marathon Record

By

faith Jegede

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June 13, 2023

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After nearly a month after her attempt, Guinness World Record has finally certified Nigerian chef, Hilda Effiong Bassey, aka Hilda Baci, the current record holder for the longest cooking marathon by an individual.

Hilda cooked for 100 hours non-stop to break India’s Lata Tondon’s 87 hours 45 minutes record of uninterrupted cooking, a record Tondon had held since 2019.

On Tuesday, the record body finally certified her as the new record holder for the longest cooking marathon (individual), being the second woman to hold this title since its inception.

On their website, the record-keeping body said their role is to celebrate the world’s best, to inspire ordinary people and to entertain and inform and as such they do not pay record-breakers for their achievements or for carrying out a record title attempt.

Baci’s achievement is described by many as a true testament to her talent, dedication, and willpower.

The 27-year-old cooked hundreds of tasty meals that were served to the thousands of Nigerians who visited Amore Gardens in Lekki, Lagos state where she set up for her record-breaking feat.

To the details of the journey, for four days, Hilda received top-notch medical care from a team of doctors, trainers, and nutritionists who managed her through the period.

At some point, Baci experienced vomiting and displayed signs of exhaustion and fatigue.

During the attempt, Hilda Baci was supported by her sous chef, Sunny, friends and family who cheered her on, friends, politicians, celebrities and well-wishers.

She garnered the support of Nigerians and the whole world who watched her both physically forming an energetic and supportive crowd and through several channels on social media.

Abbas Emerges Speaker of 10th House of Repres

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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June 13, 2023

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Member of the House of Representatives representing Zaria Federal Constituency of Kaduna State, Hon Tajudeen Abbas, has emerged speaker for the 10th House of representatives

Abbas, who is the All Progressives Congress ( APC) preferred candidate for the speakership seat polled a total of 353 votes to defeat the immediate past deputy speaker, Idris Wase and chairman, House of National Intelligence, in the eight assembly, Aminu Jaji, who had 3 votes each.

The clerk of the national assembly Sani magaji and the mover of the motion of nomination of the newly emerged speaker Alhassan Ado-Doguwa and his seconder Nnolim Nnaji escorted him to take the oath of office as speaker.

Meanwhile, the total number of members elect who voted on the election is 359, absentees is one, a taraba lawmaker who died recently.

BREAKING: Hilda Baci Confirmed As New Record Holder “Longest Cooking Marathon”

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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June 13, 2023

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Guinness World Records on Tuesday announced Hilda Baci the new record holder for the longest cooking by an individual.

The GWR in a statement on its website, said, “Following a thorough review of all the evidence, Guinness World Records can now confirm that Hilda Effiong Bassey, better known as Hilda Baci, has officially broken the record for the longest cooking marathon (individual), with a time of 93 hours 11 minutes.”

The 26-year-old Nigerian chef began on Thursday 11 May and continued through to Monday 15 May, cooking over 100 pots of food during her four-day kitchen stint.

Hilda attempted to set a record of 100 hours, however, almost seven hours were deducted from her final total because she mistakenly took extra minutes for one of her rest breaks early on in the attempt.

BREAKING: Godswill Akpabio Wins Senate Presidency

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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June 13, 2023

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A candidate of the All Progressives Congress for the Senate presidency, Godswill Akpabio, has been elected as President of the Senate.

The House of Senate, on Tuesday, elected Goodwill Akpabio as its President.

The former Governor of Akwa Ibom served as a Minister for Niger Delta Affairs from 2019 to 2022, represents Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial zone.

Godswill Akpabio was named president of the 10th assembly winning with 63 votes, ahead of his contender, Abdullaziz Yari who got 46 votes.

First Transhipment Cargoes Arrive $1.5bn Lekki Port In 2 Weeks

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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June 13, 2023

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Nigeria’s quest to turning the Lekki Seaport into a transhipment hub is gathering momentum as the first vessels laden with transhipment and transit cargoes for landlocked countries is set to arrive Nigeria by ending of June.

The cargo laden vessels, according to the managing director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mohammed Bello-Koko, would berth at the $1.5bn Lekki Seaport.

Bello-Koko while speaking over the weekend at the commissioning of two 80-Ton Bollard Pull Tug-boats christened M.T MAIKOKO and M.T DA-OPUKURO, for Lekki port, said the agency recently held a meeting with officials from Chad, Niger and Cameroon over movement of their trans-shipment cargoes from Lekki Ports.

The NPA boss, however, stated that, the tugboat would help the country achieve its aim of turning the port into a trans-shipment hub.

“By acquiring these tug boats, which are the largest in Africa, we will be able to bring in vessels of all sizes. What this means is that there would be less waiting time and it will eventually lead to reduction in cargo dwell time. We already have interest from other African countries that about two weeks ago, we had a meeting with officials from Chad, Niger and Cameroon and the idea is to see how we can start moving their cargoes from Nigeria to their ports.

“These countries are looking for a port that will reduce waiting time for cargoes and also have right protocols put in place. These tug boats that were commissioned for Lekki Port will help us achieve our aim of turning the port into a trans-shipment hub. I know that trans-shipment cargoes should come into Lekki Port maybe in the next three weeks.

“With this tug boats, we will tug in any vessel, no matter the size. So this means we will take back businesses from neighboring countries and the cargo going hitherto going to other countries will come back. What we are doing today is a demonstration of this administration’s resolve to position the NPA and respond squarely to the contemporary demands of trade facilitation,” he pointed out.

The NPA boss, however, stated that, the resolve of the NPA to deploy Lekki Deep Seaport as launch pad for trans-shipment remains unwavering.

“In addition to positively affecting the turnaround time of large vessels, their deployment will enable stakeholders leverage the concomitant benefits of economies of scale, especially cost savings.

“Permit me to seize this opportunity to reiterate that our drive towards deploying Lekki Deep Seaport as launch pad for trans-shipment remains unwavering and this event today is confirmation of our doggedness on this noble cause.

“Let me conclude by assuring all consignees, concessionaires and other stakeholders of continuous improvement in service delivery from the Nigerian Port Authority,”

Speaking earlier, the permanent secretary, Federal Ministry Of Transportation, Dr Magdalene Ajani, said, the purchase of the two Tug boats by the NPA has accentuated the determination of the ministry to boost port operational efficiency.

“My joy derives from the fact that the acquisition of these equipment, amongst many others that are in the works, signposts Nigeria’s seriousness to optimize the opportunities inherent in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement to which we are signatory.

“Maximising the comparative advantages that our maritime assets as a littoral nation confers rests heavily on how much we are able to deepen our efficiencies through the deployment of relevant technology and equipment,” the permanent secretary said.

She applauded the NPA management for delivering on the project in good time, saying it would support the optimisation of the Lekki Seaport.