Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets Inspired By Success Stories Of Super Eagles Stars

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April 29, 2023

Victor Osimhen, Kelechi Iheanacho, Samuel Chukwueze and Taiwo Awoniyi are some of the top Super Eagles stars currently shining on the global platform, having made their names at the TotalEnergies U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

And as the Nigerian team prepares to start its campaign at the 2023 showpiece in Algeria, the players are inspired by such stories, and skipper Precious Williams is one of those who hopes he can follow in their footsteps and also shine.

“It is a big encouragement just watching them at the highest level and knowing that they started here at the U17 Cup of Nations. It is a big encouragement for us players that we can make it too,” Williams says.

He adds; “Personally it is a huge motivation for me and I hope that from here I will lift my name high too.”

Nigeria have qualified for the tournament a record 10 times, and is one of only five countries to have ever won the tournament twice since the start of its new format in 1995.

Coming into the 2023 showpiece, skipper Williams, who plays at the HB Football Academy in Abuja says their two main targets are achieving qualification for the FIFA World Cup, and going for a hattrick of titles.

The 16-year old centre forward says they have prepared well for the tournament and are looking forward to attaining their targets.

“The coaches have done their work to prepare us for the games and we are coming in to use the knowledge they have imparted in us to get what we want to achieve; qualifying for the World Cup and trying to win the tournament,” said Williams.

Teams that progress to the semi-finals will automatically earn a slot into the next World Cup to be staged later on in the year and for a tournament they have won five times before, this will be the least expected of the Golden Eaglets.

Meanwhile, for Williams, he hopes that this tournament will be a springboard to a long and illustrious career that will propel him into the Super Eagles in a few years.

“It is a very special moment for me to wear the national team jersey and I want to go from here to the Super Eagles. This is a start and I hope it continues,” he stated.

Nigeria plays its first match of the tournament on Sunday, when they take on Zambia at the

Mohamed Hamlaoui Stadium in Constantine.

Algeria Opens Its Doors To Welcome Africa Again

By

Emenike Agu

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April 29, 2023

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For the second time in just under three months, Algeria will open its doors to the African continent again, as it hosts the TotalEnergies U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), shortly after hosting the TotalEnergies Africa Nations Championship (CHAN).

The excitement is growing in Algeria, as the birth of the next generation of stars begins in the North African country, where 12 teams are set to battle for the ultimate prize, as well as an opportunity to qualify for the FIFA U17 World Cup.

The organization is top notch, from the Houari Boumédiène Airport in Algiers to the different venues in the capital, Annaba and Constantine, understating the readiness of the land of the greats Riyad Mahrez, Ismail Bennacer among others to midwife the birth of Africa’s next crop of world hitters.

This is the fifth time in its history that Algeria is hosting a Continental event, and the second time it is hosting the U17 showpiece having done so in 2009. They also hosted, and won, the 1990 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the U23 edition in 2013.

The excitement among locals to witness pulsating football is top notch, with locals across all three host cities explaining their excitement ahead of the matches.

“We look forward to it starting here because it will be a privilege for us to welcome Africa and to be able to attend the matches,” said Mohamed, a resident of Annaba.

He adds; “Welcoming Africa is a huge privilege for us. We have successfully organized CHAN. Everyone saw that it was the best CHAN in history. Our hope is that our country will host more competitions because we are a great football nation in Africa.”

In Constantine, roads are adorned with flags of all the 12 participating nations and signboards are all over the town, announcing the imminent start of the tournament.

The 23,000 seater Mohamed Hamlaoui Stadium is getting spruced up with all the necessary branding, the excitement even among the workers at the venues hitting feverpitch.

And of course, the enthusiasm among the supporters is that they will enjoy the benefits of hosting the tournament, by going all the way to win it. The pain of losing the CHAN final to Senegal is still fresh on their minds, and they hope, lightning will not strike twice in the same place.

Teams Wrap Up Friendlies Before Totalenergies U17 AFCON Kick-Off

By

Emenike Agu

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April 29, 2023

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Teams that have qualified for the TotalEnergies U17 Africa Cup of Nations, Algeria 2023, stepped up preparations weeks to the tournament, playing friendly matches to gauge their readiness and test their systems ahead of what is expected to be a mouth-watering tournament.

Most of the teams based their preparations at home while some, like Cameroon, decided to have pre-tournament camps in North African countries to acclimatize.

The Senegalese team, which looks to follow in the footsteps of the senior compatriots who have won both the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) respectively have had top friendly matches against Cameroon winning both; 1-0 and 2-1.

They also faced Morocco, losing 3-2 and Zambia, another game which they suffered defeat, going down 4-2. They also lost to Burkina Faso 2-1

Meanwhile, Cameroon, the defending champions, had mixed results in their friendly matches, including the back to back losses against Senegal. They also faced the junior teams of Tunisian clubs, winning in all three matches.

They beat Espérance 1-0, Club Africain 3-2, and Etoile du Sahel 2-1.

The Moroccan team also organized several friendly matches during its preparation. On top of their victory against Senegal, they defeated Mali 1-0 before suffering a 2-1 defeat in a second fixture against the West Africans.

Hosts Algeria had several friendly matches against international opponents and local clubs. They drew 3-3 with Japan, beat Comoros 3-2 and tied with Mali 2-2.

Record qualifiers Nigeria were also busy in their preparations, playing 11 friendly matches and winning 10, most of them against local clubs and academies.

The South Sudanese team, which is competing for the first time, played 4 games and won all. They beat the South Sudanese Under-20 team which was freshly back from their own Cup of Nations in Egypt 1-0, Future Academy 4-2, and Hope Academy 5-0.

Zambia had two friendly matches, playing against Zambian top flight club Napsa Stars and lost 4-1, then went on to win 4-2 against hosts Algeria when they played in Algiers, just after jetting in.

Friendly match results:

Senegal

1-0, 2-1 v Cameroon, 1-2 v Burkina Faso, 2-4 v Zambia,

Nigeria

3 -1 v Gladimia, 9-2 v Siawan Academia, 5-1 vs FC Mail, 3-0 AC Rome, 3-0 v Kano Pillars

Cameroon

1-0 v Esperance, 3-2 v Club Africain, 2-1 vs Etoile du Sahel

South Sudan

8-1 v Al Kifah Academy, 1-0 v South Sudan U20, 4-2 v Future Academy, 5-0 v Academy of Hope

Algeria

3-1 v Comoros, 2-2 v Mali, 3-3 v Japan

Zambia

1-4 vs Napsa Stars

Morocco

1-0, 1-2 v Mali, 3-2 v Senegal,

Congo

2-0 v Diables Noirs.

Golden Eaglets Out To End 16-Year U-17 AFCON Trophy Drought?

By

Emenike Agu

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April 29, 2023

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The Golden Eaglets of Nigeria will make a record tenth appearance at this month’s U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in Algeria, hoping to win the tournament for the first time since 2007.
The West Africans are hoping to rise to the occasion again, to live expectations of over 200 millions Nigerians across the World by going all the way to the top of African youth football.

Nigeria achieved qualification for this edition of the tournament after securing a 3-1 victory against Cote D’Ivoire in the semi-final of the WAFU B.

They went on to beat Burkina Faso 2-1 in the final to ensure they get to Algeria with the champions status.

The two-time champions are in Group B, alongside Morocco plus COSAFA duo Zambia and South Africa.

Their Group is considered ‘group of death’ by bookmakers as it consists of of some of the continents best producers of young talents.

Match Calendar

Nigeria’s group games will be played in Algeria’s football loving city, Constantine.

Nigeria Vs Zambia (30/04/2023 – 17h00 local time – Mohamed Hamlaoui Stadium, Constantine)
Nigeria Vs Morocco (03/05/2023 – 17h00 local time – Mohamed Hamlaoui Stadium, Constantine)
South Africa Vs Nigeria (06/05/2023 – 20h00 local time – Mohamed Hamlaoui Stadium, Constantine)

The Coach

Nduka Ugbade will lead Nigeria during this edition of the tournament.

The 53-year-old retired defender for the Super Eagles and a number of clubs at home and abroad is no stranger in the tournament. He was his country’s U-17 deputy coach between 2011-2013.

This time around, the former Remo Stars and Mountain of Fire Ministry FC trainer is the head coach of his country.

Nduka led Nigeria to the WAFU B triumph and will be hoping to reproduce the performance in Algeria.

He has assembled a squad of mostly home-based players for their preparations camp in the build up to the tournament.

The coach has a clear picture of what he expects from his team during the tournament.

Nduka’s thoughts about the group:

“It’s quite interesting. We have always been waiting for this moment. We will face every team as they come. One after the other. We are not talking about winning the AFCON. We are talking and planning about winning each match. One after the other. We will fight. That’s most probably the toughest group. I have an idea of West, South, North and East African football. These are great nations but we are going to prepare ourselves for the onslaught. everyone of those teams will feel Nigeria. We have respect and a little fear knowing that we can lose. So with that we have to prepare so it doesn’t come to pass losing,” Nduka said.

Players to follow

Left-back Emmanuel Michael will be one of his country’s most-important player at the tournament.

The teenager’s aptitude in dead-ball execution inspired Nigeria’s WAFU B success last June in Ghana.

The Simoiben FC full-back won ‘Man of the Match’ in three games during the tournament, including the semi-final triumph against Cote D’Ivoire, a game in which he scored two free-kicks to take his tally to three.

Goalkeeper Richard Odoh was the ‘man of the match’ in the 2-1 win against Burkina Faso in the final of the WAFU B tournament.

His exploits over the course of the tournament was pivotal for his country across the entire competition.

The 16-year-ols is also expected to play a key role for his country during the tournament.

Local Football

A bulk of the players selected are from clubs in the different tiers of Nigerian football.

These local clubs in amateur competitions develop talents and transfer them to the higher tier championship clubs or send them abroad.

Among the dominant local clubs is Enyimba international.

The Peoples’ Elephant as they are popularly known are winners of the CAF Champions League in 2003 and 2004 is one of the most followed clubs in Nigeria.

Over the years, Enyimba like other clubs have produced players for the U17 national teams through the efforts of their feeder teams.

Nigeria Deploys 197 Peacekeepers to Gambia

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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April 29, 2023

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The Nigerian Army is deploying 197 contingents to the Gambia, with assurance from the army hierarchy that only quality peacekeepers will be deployed.

This is towards contributing to international peace and security, in line with the policy direction of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Nigeria’s Army Chief of Operations, Major General Taoreed Lagbaja, said this during the pre-deployment graduation of the contingents, at the Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peace Keeping Centre, Jaji Kaduna State, Northwest Nigeria.

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The Pre-deployment Training was aimed at refreshing the knowledge and expertise of the contingents in Peace Support Operations, as well as enabling them to have a firm grasp of all the rudiments of the mandated mission.

The Chief of Operations Army, Major General Taoreed Lagbaja in his message, delivered to the contingents by the Commandant of the Peace Keeping Centre, Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye, charged the contingents to be worthy ambassadors of the country.

He further explained that the tactical skills imparted to the contingents will put them in good stead, to accomplish the tasks, in fulfilment of the ECOMIG Mandate.

The deployment of the 197 contingents to the Gambia, is coming two weeks after the Nigerian Army deployed 172 troops to Guinea Bissau, for a similar operation.

Aviation: FG Graduate 1st Set of Armed Personnel

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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April 29, 2023

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The Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has recorded another milestone in the aviation industry, with the passing out of the first set of arms-bearing Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel on Friday.

Describing the achievement as unprecedented in the promotion of national security, Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika noted that he was sure that all the graduands received the best training and are well equipped with the morals, the discipline and values that are expected from the training they received.

Advising the newly graduated armed security personnel at a ceremony in Abuja, the Minister said, “This should come to you as a clarion call to work within the precepts of the training. This training that you have received is expected to commit you to the level of dedication that is expected in ensuring that the nation of Nigeria will not only be proud but also reap the benefits of this well-organised training.

The minister recalled the Turkish Airline incident in 2016 where some aggrieved passengers overpowered AVSEC officials at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, and gained access to the tarmac.

Sirika also cited an incidence at the Sokoto Airport where some political supporters forcefully entered the tarmac, stressing that these actions were clear security breaches which would have been forestalled by the AVSEC personnel if they were armed.

He assured the personnel that uniforms, armoury and other things that would enable them to discharge their responsibilities of securing and safeguarding airline officials, passengers and other airport users have been made available.

He warned that the aim, intention, training or the purpose of the arms was not to harass or intimidate innocent airport users, but to protect them, and that no misdemeanour on their part would be taken lightly. The civility of civil aviation, he said, must be upheld at all cost.

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“In acceptance to be trained as aviation security personnel, you must realize that it is a privilege to serve your country at this level as the aviation industry is one place where adherence and commitment to rules and standards are applied strictly to the letter.”

The Minister also warned that the government will not tolerate conflicts with other security operatives at the airports and that what is required is collaboration and synergy between them for the safety and security of airport users and infrastructure.

“For us, our focus as a government has been to ensure that we are secure and safe at our airports. Aviation is not just about building terminals because safety is one of the most critical aspects,” Sirika noted.

He thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his commitment to the development of the sector, with particular focus on safety and security, which has culminated in the realisation of the project and other legacy achievements in the industry.

2023 Census: Pres. Buhari Okays Postponement

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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April 29, 2023

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President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the postponement of the 2023 Population and Housing Census, earlier scheduled for May 3-7 2023, to a date to be determined by the incoming administration.

The President gave the approval after meeting with some members of the Federal Executive Council and the Chairman of the National Population Commission, Nasir Isa-Kwarra, and his team at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Friday, April 28, 2023.

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This is contained in a press statement signed by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, and released Saturday morning.

“In arriving at the decision to postpone the census,” the statement says, “the meeting reiterated the critical need for the conduct of a Population and Housing Census, 17 years after the last census, to collect up-to-date data that will drive the developmental goals of the country and improve the living standard of the Nigerian people.”

Mohammed quoted Buhari as saying that appreciable progress had been made in the preparation for and implementation of the now postponed census, adding that the President commended the methodology being put in place by the NPC to conduct accurate and reliable census.

“The President noted that with the completion of the Enumeration Area Demarcation of the country, conduct of first and second pre-tests, the recruitment and training of ad hoc workers, procurement of Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) and ICT infrastructures, appreciable progress has been made in the implementation of the 2023 Population and Housing Census.

“He also commended the methodology being put in place by the Commission to conduct accurate and reliable Census, especially the massive deployment of technology that is capable of delivering world class Census and laying a sustainable basis for future censuses.”

The statement added, “The President further directed the Commission to continue with preparations for the conduct of the 2023 Population and Housing Census in order to sustain the gains already recorded and provide the basis for the incoming administration to consolidate these achievements.”

“The meeting was attended by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami; Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed; the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed; the Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Clem Agba and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha,” the statement concluded.

There were indications that the 2023 census would be postponed. There have been calls from some quarters for the postponement of the census for reasons ranging from inadequate preparation, lack of funds, lack of training of supervisors for the exercise, credibility doubts raised by its timing, to security concerns, among other things.

Labour Rejects FCT Refusal To Use Eagle Square

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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April 29, 2023

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The Organised Labour in Nigeria has rejected a ‘stop used letter from the federal capital territory, FCT not to make use of the popular Eagle Square for the May one workers Day celebration.

The Abuja investment and property limited had written to the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, informing them of the latest development.

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At briefing in Abuja, TUC President, Festus Osifo on behalf of the Labour movement says workers will not accept the old parade ground alternative, they will rather occupy the streets of Abuja.

Osifo says the letter claims the May one workers Day will affect preparation for May 28 inauguration at the Eagle Square.

The Eagle has been used for Workers day May one celebration since 1999, except for the 2020 edition which was due to the covid-19 lockdown.

According to the Labour movement the action of the FCT authorities is more political than the excuse of the inauguration, due to the Labour movements affiliation to Labour Party.

Vietnam Holds 65 For Smuggling Drugs In Toothpaste Tubes

By

faith Jegede

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April 28, 2023

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Vietnam has arrested 65 people for smuggling 50kg of hard drugs into the country, with some of the stash arriving in toothpaste tubes.

The arrests were made in Ho Chi Minh City, a very common drug smuggling route with its convenient location near the border of Cambodia.

The incident follows the arrest of four cabin crew members of Vietnam Airlines last month who were caught carrying toothpaste tubes containing ecstasy, ketamine, and cocaine in their carry-on bags. They claimed they were hired to transport toothpaste, unaware of the illegal substances in the tubes.

Further investigation revealed that half of the toothpaste tubes carried by the flight attendants contained drugs and that the flight attendants were allegedly hired by the same smuggling ring that used the 65 suspects recently arrested.

The suspects are accused of buying, selling, transporting, and storing narcotics.

It is believed that Vietnamese nationals living in France are frequently used by the same drug syndicate to bring drugs into Vietnam. On arrival in Vietnam, the drugs are allegedly taken to Dong Nai province bordering Saigon for distribution to numerous locations.

Authorities have reported more incidents over the past three months than over the past five years combined.

Possession, smuggling or manufacture of drugs such as heroin or methamphetamine can mean the death penalty in Vietnam. Although, with the value of the illegal drugs trade, this is not always enough of a deterrent.

Although the flight attendants involved in the incident a few months earlier are currently out on bail, it will be a worrying wait for them to know their fate. From an outside perspective, whether innocent or unaware of what they were carrying, transporting anything on an airline to Vietnam for someone else is just not worth it.

UAE Astronaut Sultan Al-Neyadi Ventures On Arab World’s First Spacewalk

By

Angel Gimalo

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April 28, 2023

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UAE astronaut, Sultan Al-Neyadi, is making history on Friday as he becomes the first Arab astronaut to perform a spacewalk.

The spacewalk 408km above the earth’s surface makes him the highest flying Arab national in history.

Al-Neyadi, 41, ventured outside the International Space Station with astronaut Stephen Bowen for six-and-a-half hours.

Their mission involves replacing communication hardware installed on the exterior of the orbiting science laboratory.

Al-Neyadi is wearing what is known as an EMU spacesuit which is specially designed for spacewalks and is made with up to 16 layers of material.

He joins an elite group of just 259 astronauts to have stepped outside the ISS since its construction began in 1998.