Inter Milan Ready To Pay €10m For Iheanacho

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May 4, 2023

InterLive.it says Leicester City Nigerian player, Kelechi Iheanacho could join Inter Milan in a deal worth €10m.

The Nerazzurri are in the market to bolster their attack and Iheanacho who has scored five times this season for relegation threatened Leicester City is one of their targets,

Inter, according to InterLive.it, have set their eyes on the 26 year old ‘who it’s assumed would be made available on a cheap deal if the Foxes are relegated from the Premier League this season.’

Iheanacho joined the Foxes in August 2017 and his deal expires next year June. He has featured 204 times for the club and scored 55 goals.

The Italian news outlet reports that if Inter desire to have the Nigerian play at the San Siro next season, the player’s agent would propose him ‘directly to the Nerazzurri’ for a deal around €10m.

U-17 AFCON: Lawali Claims Second Consecutive Man Of The Match After Eaglets’ Loss To Morocco

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Emenike Agu

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May 4, 2023

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Defender Yahaya Lawali was named Man of the Match for the second consecutive game following Nigeria’s 1-0 to Morocco on Wednesday.

The right-back scooped the honour in the Golden Eaglets first game against Zambia which they won 1-0.

Lawali put up a superb display despite Nigeria’s defeat to Morocco.

He was a constant threat with his overlapping runs from the defence.

Tochukwu Ogboji conceded an own goal on second minutes to hand the Atlas Cubs maximum points in the game.

The Golden Eaglets will face South Africa in their last group game on Saturday.

2023 U-17 AFCON: South Africa Edge Zambia In Five-Goal Thriller

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Emenike Agu

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May 4, 2023

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South Africa overcame Zambia 3-2 in their second game in Group B to get their 2023 U-17 AFCON back on track.

The Amajimbos kicked off their campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Morocco while Zambia fell to a 1-0 loss to Nigeria.

Vicky Mkhawana gave South Africa the lead in the 13th minute before he added the second on 31 minutes.

On the stroke of halftime Emmanuel Mwanza pulled a goal back for Zambia to make it 2-1.

Just three minutes into the second half Mwanza got his second goal to complete the comeback for Zambia.

But in the 76th minute Michael Dokunmu got the winner for South Africa.

In the group’s other game played earlier on Wednesday, Morocco pipped Nigeria 1-0 book their place in the quarter-finals.

On Saturday, South Africa will take on Nigeria in their final group game with qualification to the last eight at stake.

Man City Back On Top Of EPL After 3-0 Win Vs West Ham

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Emenike Agu

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May 4, 2023

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Manchester City reclaimed top spot in the Premier League after a convincing 3-0 win against West Ham at the Etihad on Wednesday.

City needed to respond after Arsenal defeated Chelsea 3-1 at the Emirates on Tuesday.

After a goalless first half, City eventually took all three points thanks to goals from Nathan Ake, Erling Haaland and Phil Foden.

Pep Guardiola’s men who are on 79 points are one point ahead of Arsenal with one game in hand.

Also it was Haaland’s 35th goal in the Premier League, making him the player with the most goals in a season in the history of the competition.

At Anfield, Liverpool pipped Fulham 1-0 thanks to a Mohamed Salah’s 39th minute penalty.

The Reds are in fifth place on 59 points and are four points behind fourth placed Manchester United in the league table.

U17 AFCON: Hard-Fighting Golden Eaglets Lose Against Morocco

By

Emenike Agu

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May 4, 2023

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The match began in dramatic fashion, with Morocco taking the lead in the 2nd minute through an unfortunate own goal by Nigeria’s Tochukwu Ogboji.

In a nail-biting U17 Africa Cup of Nations encounter on Wednesday, Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets were narrowly beaten 1-0 by Morocco at the Stade Mohammed Hamlaoui in Constantine.

The match began in a dramatic fashion, with Morocco taking the lead in the 2nd minute through an unfortunate own goal by Nigeria’s Tochukwu Ogboji.

The young Nigerians refused to let the early setback dampen their spirits, as they gradually built confidence and pushed forward in search of an equaliser.

In the 20th minute, the Eaglets began to find their footing, but Abubakar Abdullahi squandered a close-range opportunity just a minute later.

Nigeria continued to press, winning a free kick in the 29th minute near the Moroccan goal area.

The initial effort was blocked, and although Abdullahi’s follow-up shot went off target, he was already in an offside position.

As the first half drew to a close, Nigerian defender Jeremiah Olaleke received a yellow card, and the teams headed into the break with Morocco holding firmly to their slim 1-0 lead.

Second half

In the second half, coach Nduka Ugbade made a substitution in the 46th minute, bringing on Anougu Aondoakaa for Tochukwu Ogbadibo.

The Eaglets remained on the front foot, with goalkeeper Richard Odoh making a brilliant save from a Moroccan freekick in the 48th minute.

Nigeria continued to create chances, but a lack of a finishing touch in the final third hampered their efforts.

Hope Linus’ 54th-minute free kick was saved by the Moroccan goalkeeper, while Favour Daniel missed a close-range opportunity in the 61st minute.

In the 64th minute, Nigeria made another change, with Light Eke replacing Precious Williams.

Despite their relentless pressure and fighting spirit, the Golden Eaglets couldn’t find a breakthrough, and the match ended in a 1-0 defeat.

The young Nigerians will now look to bounce back in their next game against South Africa, hoping to demonstrate the same determination and resolve they displayed in Constantine.

As for Morocco, they have all but sealed their place in the quarter-final and are also a step closer to picking one of the tickets to represent Africa at the U-17 World Cup later this year.

Sudan Crisis: First 376 Evacuees Arrive Abuja

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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May 3, 2023

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The first batch of evacuees from the war-torn Sudan to Egypt arrived in Nigeria on Wednesday.

The evacuees were the first batch who arrived at the Argeen border last week Wednesday, April 26 for airlifting in Aswan Egypt.

The first batch of evacuees experienced some delays as a result of the formalities issued by the Egyptian authorities to enable them to be airlifted to Nigeria.

In an audio sent to the Nigerian in the Diaspora Commission Situation Room on Wednesday, a Nigerian official explained the reasons for the delay in the airlifting of stranded Nigerians who ought to have arrived in the country earlier today.

The official explained, “Two aircraft, Air Peace and NAF C130, are supposed to airlift 350 passengers. Unfortunately, 26 additional persons sneaked into the buses. The Egyptian personnel were there. They counted and they found 376 Nigerians. They refused the 26 people to stay back at the airport and they also refused to allow Nigerian officials to take the 26 people back to the border.

Sudan Crisis: Nigeria Begins First Evacuation of Nationals

“Now, they want everyone to leave. Neither will they allow them to go back to the border. The only option is to overload the aircraft. The pilots were consulted and they said they could not airlift more people and have plenty of luggage.”

However, the Air Peace plane arrived at 11:35pm with 278 passengers while NAF C130 arrived at 11:55pm with 98 passengers.

The Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa expressed hope that those yet to arrive would be airlifted speedily.

Dabiri-Erewa said, “Everyone is excited to receive them. We hope that those over there will come back speedily. We are expecting that with the arrangements made by NEMA, there are going to be more planes because Egypt makes it difficult.

“For stranded Nigerians at Port Sudan, they are trying to get tickets because it is even more difficult to get flights to Port Sudan. But they have an airline. They are processing it, and once they get tickets, they will come back home. If other airlines get the landed permits, they will quickly go and airlift stranded Nigerians. We are glad that no one lost his or her life. Priority was given to women and children.”

Recall that Dabiri-Erewa had revealed that the first batch of those evacuated from Sudan would arrive in Nigeria Wednesday night.

She made this disclosure on her Twitter handle on Wednesday.

She tweeted, “Finally, homeward bound as the NAF C-130H aircraft has departed Aswan and is expected to touch down at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport Abuja by 2340hrs (11.23 pm) tonight. #Sudan. We pray for journey mercies.”

Senate Can’t Halt Ongoing Demolition At Lagos Airport

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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May 3, 2023

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⁣The Federal Government of Nigeria, on Wednesday, said the agitation of the Senate cannot halt the ongoing demolition of offices belonging to aviation agencies at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. ⁣
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The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, made the FG’s stance known after this week’s Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by the President Muhammadu Buhari, at the State House, Abuja.⁣
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Sirika said, “Government is going to continue (with the demolition). The Senate is advisory. It’s an executive function, we are not bound by any court of law and the government cannot be stopped from giving development to its people. ⁣

Lagos Begins Massive Demolition of Illegal Buildings
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“So, a few individuals will not deny 250 million Nigerians the joy of having something that they will go outside Nigeria to see.” ⁣
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His remarks come barely 24 hours after a motion by the upper legislative Chamber directed the FG to halt the demolition works to allow the Senate Committee on Aviation, chaired by Senator Biodun Olujimi, to intervene.⁣
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The Senate on Tuesday directed the Minister of Aviation to stop the planned demolition of aviation agencies’ offices in Lagos pending the outcome of the intervention being made by its Committee on Aviation.⁣
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The Senate’s resolution followed a motion by the Chairman of the Aviation Committee, Senator Biodun Olujimi (PDP Ekiti South), on the urgent need for the Senate intervention on the intending warning strike by aviation unions.⁣
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In the motion, Olujimi reminded the Red Chamber of the looming warning strike by the National Union of Air Transport Employees, Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals, National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers etc.⁣
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But reacting to a question on the matter, Sirika said that the Senate’s resolution is only advisory and cannot stop the demolition.⁣
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“I’m sure those people that are saying no to it don’t want to continue to see Lagos airport the way it is. ⁣
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“A few individuals will not deny 250 million Nigerians the joy of having something that they will go outside Nigeria to see. ⁣
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“People will go and see outside the country and say, ‘These leaders, don’t they travel? See Dubai?’ But now we want to give (Nigerians) something like Dubai and somebody is saying no? Common!” Sirika fumed. ⁣

Indian-American Banga Becomes World Bank President

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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May 3, 2023

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The World Bank on Wednesday confirmed Ajay Banga as its next president, taking charge at a pivotal time for the development lender.

The former Mastercard CEO was nominated for the post by U.S. President Joe Biden in late February and was the sole contender to replace departing World Bank chief David Malpass, an economist and former U.S. Treasury official during the Trump administration.

The confirmation comes after an extensive search process in which Banga was the sole candidate nominated for the position.

Zambian president to meet IMF, World Bank in Washington

“The Board looks forward to working with Mr. Banga on the World Bank Group Evolution process,” the bank wrote in a statement published shortly after the board voted to approve his leadership for a five-year term.

63-year-old Banga is the first-ever Indian-American and Sikh-American to head either of the two top international financial institutions — the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

Banga began his career in business at Nestle’s Indian subsidiary in the early 1980s before moving to the United States.

He served as the CEO of Mastercard for more than a decade, from 2010 to 2021, and has also held board positions at the American Red Cross, Kraft Foods, and Dow Inc.

Currently, the Indian-American serves as the Vice Chairman of private equity firm General Atlantic.

Banga will take over the role from David Malpass on June 2.

Liberia’s MCSS Boss Stresses Importance of Science Education

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Nzubechukwu Anodo

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May 3, 2023

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The Superintendent of the Monrovia Consolidated School System (MCSS), Isaac Saye Lakpoh Zawolo has emphasized the significance of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics, (STEAM) to the development of any nation.

Speaking at the Science and Art Exhibition Innovation 2023 Ceremony sponsored by the Aware International School System in Paynesville, Zawolo said that developing Countries should rely on technical education.

He further added that if Liberia is to grow economically, it should focus more on technical education.

He said STEAM education places a premium on critical thinking skills and innovation, added that critical thinking drives innovation and innovation allows countries to develop faster.

He expressed commitment to Liberia’s educational sector to introduce and incorporate technical education.

South Africa Education Minister Apologizes for School Feeding Scheme Chaos

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Nzubechukwu Anodo

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May 3, 2023

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South Africa’s Basic Education Minister, Angie Motshekga has apologized after thousands of learners in KwaZulu-Natal were left without school meals for the past month.

The chaos began after Pacina Retail, a company with no previous background in distributing food to over 5,000 schools, was awarded a R2 billion school feeding scheme tender.

Motshekga, who visited the province, expressed concern over the disruptions to the feeding program and apologized for any inconvenience caused.

After a briefing by the Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube’s government about the crisis in over 260 schools, Motshekga said learners were no longer going hungry at school.

She said that all schools that were visited have received food and the situation has been restored.

As for the future of the Pacina Retail contract, Motshekga said the matter is with their legal team.

Pacina Retail has issued an ultimatum to the department, demanding payment for the goods already served to schools and that they are reinstated in the R2 billion nutrition tender.