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CAF Champions League Explodes Into Violence, Fatalities In Casablanca

By
Emenike Agu
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Casablanca authorities have opened an investigation after a fan died outside the gates of the Stade Mohammed V before Raja’s match against Al-Ahly in the CAF Champions League quarter-finals on Saturday.

Moroccan media reported that the fan, a 29-year-old woman, died in the crush as thousands of fans tried to get into the ground to watch Raja try and overturn a 2-0 deficit from the first leg in Egypt.

Casablanca authorities have opened an investigation after a fan died outside the gates of the Stade Mohammed V before Raja’s match against Al-Ahly in the CAF Champions League quarter-finals on Saturday.

Moroccan media reported that the fan, a 29-year-old woman, died in the crush as thousands of fans tried to get into the ground to watch Raja try and overturn a 2-0 deficit from the first leg in Egypt

“Aziz El Badrawy, President of Al-Raja Club Athletic, in his name and on behalf of all members of the club, extends his deepest condolences to the family of the fan, Noura, who passed away before our team’s match against Al-Ahly,” the Moroccan club said in a statement.

Another CAF Champions League quarter-final between Esperance and Algeria’s JS Kabylie in Tunis on Saturday was marred by crowd trouble, which caused a 40-minute delay to the second half.

Esperance fans clashed with Tunisian security forces and lit fireworks on the terraces at halftime of the tie at Rades Stadium. Firefighters had to be called out to extinguish several small fires in front of the stands.

Algerian fans also complained that they had been subjected to unjustified attacks by security forces.

The match ended in a 1-1, draw but Esperance progressed to the semi-finals 2-1 aggregate after a 1-0 victory in the first leg.

They will face Al-Ahly over two legs for a place in the final after the Cairo club held Raja to a 0-0 draw in Casablanca.

Raja’s city rivals Wydad, the reigning champions, will face South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns in the other semi-final next month.

2023 Census: Ortom Commends Buhari For Postponement

By
Rhoda Onuzulike
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Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for postponing the National Population and Housing Census scheduled for May 2023.

It was gathered that President Buhari approved the postponement of the exercise after meeting with some members of the Federal Executive Council and the Chairman of the National Population Commission, NPC, as well as his team at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Friday.

2023 Census: Pres. Buhari Okays Postponement

Reacting to the development, Governor Ortom in a statement by his Special Adviser Media and Publicity, Terver Akase commended the President “for listening to the voice of reason and directing that the 2023 National Population Census be postponed.”

The statement recalled that Governor Ortom had on April 13, 2023, called on the Federal Government to postpone the planned census until adequate security was guaranteed in the country.

The Governor specifically stated that conducting the census would amount to injustice and deprivation of millions of Nigerians who had been displaced from their ancestral homes and were living in Internally Displaced Persons, IDP, camps in Benue State and other parts of the country.

The Governor at the time said, “I want to say that the Federal Government should suspend the issue of census because it looks like the proposed census is coming with an agenda.

“Because I understand from the National Population Commission that those to be counted must be counted in their localities.”

The statement noted that “with the postponement of the census now approved by President Buhari, the Governor urges the Federal Government to ensure that Nigerians whose communities have been taken over by bandits and armed herders regain their lands and return home.

“He said the lives and well being of the people must be placed above other factors for the nation to realize its aspiration for greater growth and development.

“Governor Ortom remains committed to the rule of law, justice, fairness and equity.”

Eagle Square Available for Workers’ Day Celebration- FG

By
Rhoda Onuzulike
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The Federal Government has reaffirmed the use of Eagle Square in Abuja by the Nigeria Labour Congress for the May Day celebration.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, made the announcement on Saturday.

The Minister’s announcement is on the heels of media reports that the Federal government, acting through the Federal Capital Development Authority, had withdrawn the permit granted the NLC to use the Eagle Square for this year’s May Day celebration, for reasons bordering on the preparation of the venue for the May 29 inauguration of President-elect, Bola Tinubu.

Ngige, in a statement signed by the Ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Olajide Oshundun, said he contacted the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Muhammad Bello, who attributed the development to some overzealous officials of the FCDA, acting without his authority.

According to Ngige, sequel to his consultation with the FCT minister, the NLC had been asked to go ahead with its preparation for the workers’ day celebration at the Eagle Square, which the President, ministers, other top government officials and the diplomatic missions were expected to attend.

Labour Rejects FCT Refusal To Use Eagle Square

The statement read, “The attention of the Honourable Minister has been drawn to press releases and statements in the media that the Federal Government disapproved of the NLC using the Eagle Square for the annual May Day parade for reasons bordering on the preparation of the venue for the May 29 inauguration of President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“On receiving the report, the Minister contacted his colleague, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Muhammad Bello, who blamed the development on some overzealous officials, acting without his authority, as well as a minor communication gap between the FCDA, the Federal Government Transition Committee and the NLC.”

“It was actually the contractor handling the renovation of the Eagle Square that informed the Transition Committee for the handover ceremony that they erected their equipment even before last Thursday when the Nigerian Army used the venue for an event attended by the President.

“Consequently, the FCT Minister assured the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment that the place is available for NLC to use on May 1st, which is the workers’ day.

“This May Day is the last in the life of this administration. The NLC parade belongs to everybody, including government, diplomatic missions, international organisations, organised labour and affiliate unions and members of the public. The President, Ministers and others cannot shut themselves out. The Eagle Square is still available for all these individuals.

“All invited people should make themselves available for the parade at Eagle Square, most especially the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association, the diplomatic missions and the international partners.

“The Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment has been in touch with the leadership of organised Labour led by Comrade Joe Ajaero and has briefed them on these developments and equally extended the apologies of the Honourable Minister of FCT for the unintended embarrassment occasioned by the action of their officials who misinterpreted the general intention and work plan of one month of Messrs Julius Berger the company in charge of the renovation of the Eagle Square for the May 29 inauguration to also include May 1, 2023”, Ngige explained.

Totalenergies U-17 AFCON Algeria 2023 Full Fixtures Released

By
Emenike Agu
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CAF has released the full schedule of the TotalEnergies U17 African Cup of Nations Algeria 2023 that will be played between 29 April and 19 May 2023. 

The opening match will see hosts Algeria play Somalia on Saturday, 29 April at the majestic Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers at 20:00 local time (19:00 GMT). 

Three stadiums will be used Nelson Mandela in Algiers, Chahid Hamlaoui in Constantine and 19-Mai-1956 in Annaba. 

For the first time, the Under-17 AFCON will feature 12 nations. The decision to increase the number of participants is in line with CAF’s objective of encouraging participation and offering more playing opportunities to young people. 

TotalEnergies U17 AFCON Groups: 

A: Algeria, Senegal, Congo, Somalia 

B: Nigeria, Zambia, Morocco, South Africa 

C: Cameroon, Mali, South Sudan, Burkina Faso 

Exploring Thaba Bosiu National Monument, Lesotho

By
Angel Gimalo
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Thaba Bosiu, sometimes referred to as the Thaba Bosiu National Monument, is a sandstone plateau that is located between the Orange and Caledon Rivers in the Maseru District of the Kingdom of Lesotho.

Used as a hideout place from the enemies from the person who named it, Moshoeshoe I, who ruled the land, and he is considered as the founder of the Basotho nation in 1824.

The natural shape of the area is exactly as a natural fortress, giving protection to Moshoeshoe I and his people, who later sent for many people to be wound up by his regiments, and interestingly enough, they were offered protection, food and shelter.

When everyone saw that they were safe from invaders, Moshoeshoe I sent them out, and a lot of them remained still under his rule.

Since then, this is considered to be the birth of the Basotho nation, and Thaba Bosiu served as the capital of this nation.

Never being conquered by invaders, this flat topped mountain rises some 107 meters (350 feet) above the surrounding valley, and its summit is surrounded by a belt of perpendicular cliffs, where some of them are 12 meters (40 feet) high on the average.

Due to its importance, Thaba Bosiu has been put on the Tentative List of nomination for the UNESCO World Heritage Site list, with hope that very soon the world shall recognize the cultural importance of the plateau for which the people of the southern part of Africa are really proud for.

Naibet, Jebet Win First Abuja International Marathon

By
Emenike Agu
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This is the second time Naibet is winning a marathon in Nigeria having also won the 2021 edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon

History was made on Saturday in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory as Kenya’s Emmanuel Naibet and Bahrain runne Ruth Jebet won the men’s and women’s categories of the Abuja International Marathon.

Despite the myriad of challenges to staging the first edition of the Abuja International Marathon, the heavens were kind to the historic race that held on Saturday.

Usually in April, the beautiful city of Abuja is synonymous with torrential rainfall but on Saturday 29 April, the city provided perfect weather that aided Kenya’s Naibet emergence as the inaugural champion of the Abuja International Marathon with a time of 2:13: 45.

His winning time is the best ever recorded in any first edition of Marathon races in Nigeria. This is the second time Naibet is winning a marathon in Nigeria having also won the 2021 edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon.

Speaking with journalists after his historic feat, the Kenyan runner who admitted it was tough said he was excited to finish ahead of all other competitors

“It was a great race for me though a bit challenging with some hilly parts on the routes, but overall I am happy to win this race and add it to my achievements” the excited champion stated

Finishing in second position was Benard Sang 2:13:49 while Ezekiel Koech ensured it was a complete sweep for Kenya in the men’s category with a time of 2:13:51.

In the women’s category Ruth Jebet from Bahrain stole the show as she won with a time of 2.36.08 while Kenya’s Mercy Kwambai was second with a time of 2:38:17 Dida Negasa from Ethiopia with a time of 2:40: 16 settled for the third spot.

Incidentally, this is the first time Jebet is trying out in the full marathon after dominating across other long distant races.

“I can never forget the Abuja International Marathon, it is my first full marathon and I won it, I hope to be back next year to defend my title,” she said.

There were also keen competitions for prizes in the 10km and 5km races which were dominated by fun runners and students from across the Abuja metropolis.

Once Upon A Time – April 29 – 1945 – U.S. Army Liberates 31,601 People From Dachau Nazi Concentration Camp

By
Angel Gimalo
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1862 New Orleans falls to Union forces during US Civil War

1864 Battle of Gate Pa (Pukehinahina): 1,700 British troops suffer their worst defeat of the New Zealand Wars at the hands of 230 entrenched Maori warriors in Tauranga

1916 Irish republicans abandon the post office in Dublin and surrender unconditionally, marking the end of the Easter Rising

1945 US Army liberates 31,601 people from the Dachau Nazi concentration camp in Germany

1975 Vietnam War: US begins to evacuate its citizens from Saigon in Operation Frequent Wind in response to advancing North Vietnamese forces, bringing an end to US involvement in the war

1990 Wrecking cranes began tearing down the Berlin Wall at the Brandenburg Gate

1991 Cyclone strikes the Chittagong district in Bangladesh, killing 139,000 people and leaving 10 million homeless

1997 Chemical Weapons Convention of 1993 comes into force, outlaws production, stockpiling and use of chemical weapons among its signatories

Historical Events Today Events in 2023
Today in Film & TV
1932 1st broadcast of “One Man’s Family” on NBC radio, longest-running dramatic serial on US radio (ends 1959)

Today in Music
1967 Aretha Franklin releases her single “Respect” (written by Otis Redding); Billboard Song of the Year, 1967

Today in Sport
1922 1st official International Weightlifting Federation Champ in Tallinn, Estonia

MORE FACTS..
1852 1st edition of Peter Roget’s Thesaurus published in Great Britain

1953 The first U.S. experimental 3D-TV broadcast showed an episode of Space Patrol on Los Angeles ABC affiliate KECA-TV

Famous Weddings
1885 Novelist Edith Wharton (23) weds Edward Robbins Wharton (35)

1945 Adolf Hitler (56) marries Eva Braun (33) in the Führerbunker, Berlin

1950 American actor Sidney Poitier (23) weds model Juanita Hardy; divorce in 1965

Argentina 2023: AC Milan Stop Victor Eletu From Nigeria’s World Cup Show

By
Emenike Agu
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0

A member of the Nigeria’s Under-20 World Cup team, Victor Eletu, has been dragged into club versus country row as Serie A champions AC Milan have informed the NFF they will not release him for the World Cup.

The club said the highly-rated midfielder will be fully engaged for the next one month in Italy.

However, Milan have now turned down a request by the NFF to release Eletu, 18 this month, for the World Cup by May 1, 2023.

Milan have said they will not release Eletu because he will be very busy in the next four weeks. football official informed scorenigeria.

“The boy is important to the team’s U19s, where he has often captained them, but we hope we can still get them to release him in time for the World Cup.

“We will continue to talk to the club because he will most certainly bring great value to the Flying Eagles.”

To underline how highly Milan rate Eletu, technical director Paolo Maldini has had to convene a special meeting to discuss the matter, a top source further informed.

It is another case of club versus country and Milan enjoy the advantage as the U20 World Cup is not in the FIFA international calendar and as such they will not be sanctioned should they not release the player.

The Flying Eagles coaching crew has been widely praised for considering a player of such high standing like Eletu for the World Cup in Argentina.

Lack Of Approval: Lagos State Demolishes 13 Buildings Along Airport Road

By
Angel Gimalo
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0

The Lagos State Government has demolished 13 illegal buildings at I.K. Peter Street, Ajao Estate, cited in close proximity to the Murtala International Airport, Lagos.

Officials of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), backed by taskforce officials stormed the area with bulldozers to begin demolition of the illegal structures after series of notices served the occupants.

The General Manager, LASBCA, Gbolahan Owodunni Oki, giving reasons for the demolition disclosed that the buildings lacked required approvals and were cited around Airport restricted areas while some were cited on aviation fuel pipelines.

Oki, who feared the havoc that a fire outbreak from the pipeline could cause to lives and properties, said the builders also lacked required documents as approvals for construction in that area.

According to Oki, the buildings were illegally constructed out of clear disregard to the requirements of extant laws.

He added that the buildings had no planning permit and were built around the pipelines, saying that “nobody in his right thinking mind will go and buy a plot on a pipeline and build on the pipeline.”

The LASBCA boss stated that due consultations and communications had been made with enough time of about two years given to the occupants of the affected buildings to evacuate the structures.

Oki lamented that building collapse in Lagos had been a subject of “attitudinal problem,” saying that the buildings were a national risk to the airport being “extremely close,” stressing that no life of a Nigerian is worth being lost to the dangers that the citing of the buildings posed.

The General Manager called on Lagosians to report cases of illegal structures to the government, saying that “turning a blind face to such constructions,” would bear untoward consequences with far reaching losses.

On its part, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), said the agency was happy that the Lagos State Government was stepping into the issue after several warnings and attempt to stop the constructions of the buildings were not yielded to by those it called “encroachers”, who “stole” from the Airport land.

The General Manager, Business Development, FAAN, Ngwu Hycienth, applauded the partnership with LASBCA to bring normalcy and decency to the Airport environment.

He lamented that the Authorities of the Airport began to notice encroachment on its land in 2015, defying the standard rule that no building must be cited close to the perimeter fence.

Rivers United Off To Dar Es Salaam For Young Africans Clash

By
Emenike Agu
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0

Rivers United have left the country for Dar es Salaam, Tanzania for their CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final second leg clash against Young Africans.

The Pride of Rivers contingent left the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos on Thursday afternoon.

Stanley Egunma’s side will aim to upturn the 2-0 deficit from the first leg.

The NPFL champions will take on Young Africans in the second leg at the Benjamin Nkapa Stadium, Dar es Salaam on Sunday.

The winners will face Pyramids of Egypt or South Africa’s Gallants FC in the last four.

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