Pres. Buhari Swears In Six New Permanent Secretaries

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April 26, 2023

President Muhammadu Buhari, on Wednesday, presided over the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the State House in Abuja.

Before the commencement of the meeting, the President swore in six newly appointed Federal Permanent Secretaries.

President Buhari Inaugurates Council on Startup Act

They include Adam Mahmud Kambari (Borno State), Esuabana Nko Asanye (Cross River), Lamuwa Adamu Ibrahim (Gombe State), Yakubu Adam Kofar-Mata (Kano State), Oloruntola Olufemi Micheal (Ogun State) and Richard Pheelangwah (Taraba State).

In attendance at the meeting were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan; and the National Security Adviser, Major Gen. Babagana Monguno (Rtd).

The ministers in attendance include Mrs Zainab Ahmed (Finance, Budget and National Planning), Alhaji Lai Mohammed (Information and Culture), Mohammed Musa Bello (Federal Capital Territory).

Others are Otunba Niyi Adebayo (Industry, Trade and Investment), Professor Ali Pantami (Communication and Digital Economy), Abubakar Aliyu (Power), and Dr Chris Ngige (Labour and Employment).

In an interview with State House correspondents, the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Folashade Yemi-Esan urged the new permanent Secretaries to give their best in the discharge of their duties to advance the efficiency of the country’s civil service.

Alex Iwobi Speaks On Everton Motivation Ahead Of Newcastle Game

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Emenike Agu

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April 26, 2023

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Aside the desire to win and come off the relegation zone, Nigerian Midfielder Alex Iwobi has spoken of the extra motivation his Everton teammates will get when they face Newcastle United on Thursday.

The Toffees host in-form Newcastle United at Goodison park in the English Premier League. Sean Dyche`s men have won just six of their 32-games this season.

Ahead of the game vs top-four chasing Newcastle, Everton sit in 18th spot with their chances of survival dependent on how well they approach the final weeks of the season.

Iwobi is banking on the home fans for motivation “It’s another game at home with the fans behind us,” Iwobi told Everton’s official website.

“That should lift and motivate us. Newcastle are coming off the back of a good win, but we’ve got the motivation and a couple of players coming back. Doucs and Dom are back, ” the Midfielder added.

Everton will be boosted by the return of some injured players, a development Iwobi believes should improve the team to do well.

“Hopefully Amadou will be back as well. With everyone returning, there is strength in depth in the squad, so we should do well, ” he added.

“The result we had last time at home against them should give us added motivation, too.”

Last season, Iwobi scored with a late winner for 10-man Everton to seal a 1-0 win over Newcastle.

That win in March 2022 ended a four-game losing streak and took Everton then managed by Frank Lampard, three points clear of the relegation zone.

Alex Iwobi and the Toffees will hope for a similar outcome as they fight for top-flight survival with Leicester City and Leeds who meet on Tuesday night sitting just above them on the standings.

A difficult game expected at Goodison Park. Newcastle United will be boosted by their performance in the 6-1 win over Tottenham Hotspurs on Sunday. Eddie Howe`s men will hit Goodison Park in search for more points to consolidate their push for a spot in next seasons UEFA Champions League.

Former Arsenal man Alex Iwobi is one of the first names on the Everton team-sheet this season, that will continue on Thursday when they file out vs Newcastle United.

Now, The Likely Premiership Decider Is Here As City Host Arsenal

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Emenike Agu

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April 26, 2023

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Manchester City and Arsenal meet at Etihad Stadium for a match that could go a long way toward deciding the Premier League title.

Arsenal heads to Manchester protecting a five-point lead but has played two more games than City, the defending champion.

While Arsenal is on a run of three straight draws, City has won eight of its last nine games on a familiar-looking end-of-season charge.

Manchester City go into their biggest Premier League match of the season with almost a clean bill of health with nearly all first-team players available for selection against Arsenal.

The Gunners visit the Etihad with their title hopes on the line, with a loss set to hand City the advantage to lift the trophy for a third successive year.

The two teams go into the match in contrasting moods.

Arsenal have drawn their last three matches, including Friday’s breathless 3-3 clash with Southampton. Those six points dropped mean they now lie just five points ahead of City having played two games more.

Meanwhile, City are aiming to become the first team to win the treble since Manchester United in 1999. After booking a Champions League semi-final with Real Madrid, Pep Guardiola watched his side ease past Sheffield United to make the FA Cup final thanks to a Riyad Mahrez hat-trick.

The Algerian will surely get the nod to play against Arsenal as a result. Guardiola will likely name the now-accustomed 3-2-4-1 formation with 48-goal Erling Haaland leading the line.

Mahrez’s inclusion could see Bernardo Silva drop out with Ilkay Gundogan providing an extra anchor for Kevin De Bruyne to roam forward in the centre of the park. Jack Grealish has nailed down the left flank slot and looks unmoveable right now.

Sitting as the two pivots will be Rodri and John Stones, who has thrived in his new role in recent weeks. Nathan Ake missed the FA Cup semi-final through injury and is expected to also sit out Wednesday’s clash.

And so Aymeric Laporte may start the match alongside the formidable defensive pair of Manuel Akanji and Ruben Dias in the back-three in front of Ederson. The Brazilian was rested against Sheffield United, as were Rodri, Dias, De Bruyne and Stones.

Arsenal have been dealt a blow with William Saliba not being fit in time to face City, a player the Gunners have missed in recent weeks. Midfield powerhouse Granit Xhaka is also sidelined for the contest.

Medvedev Headlines Tennis Return To China

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Emenike Agu

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April 26, 2023

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According to the organizers of the Zhuhai championships, Former world number one Daniil Medvedev will headline the return of elite men’s tennis to China after a COVID-enforced break of four years.

The Russian, winner of the US Open in 2021 and a two-time Australian Open runner-up, will play at the ATP Tour’s Zhuhai Championships on September 20-26.

Zhuhai Championships officials have also been in talks with other grand-slam champions and top-ranked players and More star names will be announced “imminently”.

Another ATP event will take place in Chengdu, in the southwest of China, at the same time as the Zhuhai tournament.

Those are followed by the China Open in Beijing starting in late September, before the prestigious Shanghai Masters in October.

Speaking after the announcement, a delighted Medvedev said, “I’m really looking forward to coming back to China and playing at the Hengqin International Tennis Center.

“I can’t wait to see the city and the stadium, both of which I have heard a lot of good things about.”

Australia’s Alex de Minaur won the first edition of the competition in Zhuhai, near Hong Kong, in 2019.

The women’s WTA Tour said earlier this month that it too will return to China this year.

International sport is making a return to the country after authorities dropped strict travel restrictions imposed because of the pandemic.

Nigeria Names 42 Athletes For African U18 And U20 Championships

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Emenike Agu

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April 26, 2023

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The championships are scheduled to start this weekend in Ndola, Zambia

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has named 42 athletes to compete for honours at the combined 4th African U18 Championships and the 15th African U20 championships scheduled to start this weekend in Ndola, Zambia.

The list is made up of 23 U18 girls and boys as well as 19 U20 men and women.

Nigeria’s U20 women’s record holder, Tima Godbless, is spearheading Nigeria’s challenge for podium places in the U20 category while National Sports Festival 100m and 200m silver medalist, Faith Okwose tops the list of 23 U18 athletes listed for the Championships.

Some others listed in the U18 category are Ewa Peace, Eyakpoeyan Justina Tiana, Saibu Yetunde Olayinka, Israel Okon Sunday, Monday Ebuka, Francis James, Musa Jimoh, Justin Osigwe, and Abujei Chinedu.

For the U20, Sule Rejoice Adijatu, Oke Opeyemi Deborah, Usenbor Osaretin Joy, Bright Ada Princess, Ajayi Kanyinsola, Adebisi Musbau, Musa Nurain Kola, Unorji Kingsley Emeka, and Caleb Joshua also made the team.

AFN Technical Director Samuel Onikeku said the federation selected the best athletes who will do Nigeria proud in Ndola and follow in the footsteps of their predecessors who launched their paths to stardom at the Championships.

“The AFN has selected the best crop of young athletes who will not only be medal contenders in Ndola but will grow to become one of the best in their events,” said Onikeku, a former Nigeria international athlete.

Onikeku revealed that the last edition of the combined championships held four years ago in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire produced stars who have grown to be Nigerian and African record holders today.

“Enoch Adegoke cut his teeth at this championship. He ran a 10.29 Championships record in the 100m in Ivory Coast four years ago and two years after that he became the first Nigerian man to run in the final of the Olympics,” Onikeku added while also revealing Favour Ofili sped to fame with double championships records in Ivory Coast.

“Favour [Ofili] was exceptional in Ivory Coast, setting two Championships records in the 200m (23.38) and 400m (52.28) events in the U18 category. Today she is the African record holder in the 200m indoors and Nigeria’s 200m record holder outdoors.

“Rosemary Chukwuma successfully completed a sprint double in Ivory Coast in the U20 category and she is today the fastest over the two events so far this year.

“Javelin thrower set a championships record of 74.71m to win the gold and he is today the Nigerian record holder in the event after breaking Pius Bazighe’s over two decades record,” said Onikeku.

The AFN Technical Director is confident the athletes going to Ndola to compete are as good as those who went to Ivory four years ago and Nigerians should expect the birth of a new generation of superstars.

Rosa Collins, a former Nigerian and African triple jump champion and record who is the second Vice President of the AFN will lead the delegation.

Former AGF, speaks about ‘Tinubu’s dual citizenship’

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Doreen Jemi

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April 26, 2023

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Michael Aondoakaa, a former Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, has said the furore about President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s dual citizenship is a mere academic exercise.

Recall that the Guinea Passport of Tinubu caused a stir after surfacing on social media weeks ago.

Although the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, dismissed the claims that Tinubu has dual citizenship, some critics believed the President-elect had a case to answer.

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/594257-dual-citizenship-issue-against-tinubu-a-distraction-university-don.html

But, Aondoakaa, SAN, in an Arise Television Interview on Monday, put the matter to rest, saying anyone born in Nigeria and who acquired citizenship in another country can contest an election in Nigeria.

Aondoakaa said: “But assuming it was in the petition, the position of the law is that a person who has dual citizenship by naturalisation or registration cannot contest for president in Nigeria.

“But a person born in Nigeria and acquired citizenship in another country can contest an election. It would be strange to say that the winner of the election, Tinubu, has the citizenship of another country”.

Nigeria, France To deepen Relations In Science, Technology

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Precious Obazee

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April 26, 2023

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The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Campus France to collaborate in joint research and promotion of innovation, training of qualified Nigerian academics in French higher educational institutions, scholars/students exchanges and support for French language immersion programme.

The Executive Secretary of TETFUND, Arc. Sonny Echono, signed the MOU on behalf of the Fund in Paris, while attending an event tagged “Nigeria Days in France” organized by the French Embassy and Campus France to strengthen the bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and France in the fields of higher education and research, with the full support of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.

According to a statement issued by TETFUND Director, Public Affairs, Abdulmumin Oniyangi, the Agreement which was witnessed by the Nigerian Ambassador to France, His Excellency, Kayode Laro and the France Ambassador to Nigeria, Her Excellency Emmanuelle Blatmann, Campus France would assist in facilitating the placement of the Fund scholars in specialized institutions in France at very low tuition, particularly in the areas of Science, Technology and Engineering which are germane to the technological and economic development of Nigeria.

The TETFUND boss noted that the programme would also expose scholars to world class facilities, encourage collaboration between French and Nigerian scholars in carrying out cutting-edge research and innovation, as well as providing opportunity for students and staff exchange.

It also revealed that the Forum which had Representatives of 29 French Tertiary Institutions and 7 Vice Chancellors of leading universities in Nigeria explored avenues for linkages, partnerships and the integration of Nigerian and French cultures considering the fact that Nigeria is bordered mainly by francophone countries.

Speaking during the signing of the Memorandum, the TETFUND boss expressed delight and confidence, stating that drawing from the success recorded in similar partnerships between Campus France and the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), he was confident of the positive outcomes derivable from the agreement, especially given the high global ranking of participating institutions and the cost advantage, compared with similar institutions in the United Kingdom and United States of America.

FG Yet to Celebrate Flamingos 175 days After Pledge

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Emenike Agu

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April 26, 2023

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According to reports from the technical crew of the flamingos, The Federal Government is yet to host the U-17 women’s national team, 175 days after it pledged to receive the bronze-winning team at the 2022 U-17 Women’s World Cup in India.

The Flamingos claimed their first-ever bronze medal at the U-17 Women’s World Cup in India after defeating favourites Germany 3-2 on penalties.

Having consistently failed to get past the last eight of the competition, Bankole Olowookere’s side overcame the free-scoring USA on penalties to book a place with Colombia in the semi-finals.

The South Americans, however, ended The Flamingos’ dream of reaching the final after they triumphed 6-5 on penalties.

The Flamingos would go on to claim the bronze medal in the third-place match, avenging their opening 2-1 defeat against Germany, beating the European champions 3-2 on penalties after 90 minutes of football ended 3-3. Which was Africa’s first-ever podium finish at the competition.

Apart from claiming the ‘Golden Bronze’, the tournament was also one to remember for forward Opeyemi Ajakaye, who clinched three player-of-the-match awards in India.

Upon their return to the country, the Nigeria Football Federation, in a communique November 1, 2022, stated that the FG would receive the players in Abuja.

Speaking with newsmen, a member of the technical crew, who spoke on condition of anonymity, stated, “Till this very moment, we are yet to meet with the President as promised and it is so sad because people who didn’t do as much as we did have been given the opportunity to meet with him.

“When we arrived we were told that the President would host us, but he wasn’t around as at that time, even the sports minister told us the same thing, but now they are almost out of office, which means the promises made to the girls won’t be fulfilled.

“This is not good for the girls because it means they won’t have faith and belief in the country anymore. They are not begging for money, they just want to feel important, just as everyone.”

Toyin Ibitoye, media aide to the sports minister, blamed the President’s tight schedule for the inability to host the players.

Southern, Northern Lights Sweep Planet In Outstanding Display Of Auroras

By

Angel Gimalo

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April 25, 2023

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Skywatchers in Europe, Asia and North America were treated to perhaps one of the most widespread displays of the northern lights since the autumn solar storms of 2003.

Equally impressive shows of the aurora australis, or southern lights, were spotted in Australia and New Zealand.

The northern and southern lights, collectively known as the aurora, are most common in the high Arctic and Antarctic regions around the poles, but they can venture to the middle latitudes on rare occasions during potent geomagnetic storms.

The storms are caused by magnetic energy and electrons that are hurled into space by the sun.

The stronger the solar storm, the greater the effect — particularly if the resulting outburst is directed toward Earth.

Forecasters at the Space Weather Prediction Center in Boulder, Colo., issued warnings for a Level 4 out of 5 “severe” geomagnetic storm, which happens on average only 60 times every 11 years.

The episode may have been even more intense at times, sparking auroral displays as far south as California, Arizona, Arkansas and Virginia.

“Certainly what you saw last night was the biggest in the last five years,” said Bill Murtagh, program coordinator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center. “We’re going to see a lot more activity like this in the next several years because we’re going to be in the maximum phase of the sunspot cycle.”

NOAA warns that geomagnetic storms of this strength can cause “possible widespread voltage control problems” on power grids and can “mistakenly trip out key assets” on protective systems.

Satellites may see increased drag and, in some cases, even require minor corrective adjustments in positioning.

Spain Pleads For EU Crisis Funds As Drought Hits Farmers

By

Zoe Maven

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April 25, 2023

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Spain is requesting emergency funds from the European Union to support farmers and ranchers amid extreme drought conditions in its agricultural heartlands.

Agriculture Minister Luis Planas had written to the European Commissioner for Agriculture, Janusz Wojciechowski, on Monday to plead for aid for Spain’s 890,000 farm workers, including from the bloc’s agricultural crisis reserve and unused rural development funds.

Spain already received 64.5 million euros ($70 million) last year from the EU Common Agricultural Policy’s crisis reserve to cope with the increased cost of raw materials linked to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but five consecutive years of drought in some regions have worsened an already difficult situation.

The agriculture minister said he had also asked the EU to provide a higher advance payment ahead of the next season, and urged “flexibility” in meeting the strict requirements of the bloc’s agricultural policy. The government also announced a 1.8-billion-euro tax cut for affected farmers.

To make matters worse, Spain’s state weather agency has predicted temperatures will rise across the Mediterranean nation towards the end of the week, and will peak closer to the July average than those expected for late April.

In Spain’s most important agricultural region, Andalusia, the situation is far worse. The Guadalquivir river basin is at 24.8% of its capacity, and farmers in the region have had their water allowance for irrigation cut by up to 90% in some cases.

Spain is the world’s biggest exporter of olive oil, and an important producer of fruits and vegetables. The drought has already driven up Spanish olive oil prices to record levels.

Last year was Spain’s sixth driest — and the hottest since records began in 1961. Some farmers will not sow seeds at all for some crops this year, knowing the plants will simply shrivel in the fields. Eduardo Vera Canuto, a rice farmer in Isla Mayor, in southern Seville province, said the situation was “alarming.”