FIFA U-20 World Cup: Nigeria’s Flying Eagles Face Tough Tests In Group D

By

-

April 22, 2023

Group D houses the Flying Eagles, where they will contend with football powerhouses, Brazil and Italy, as well as the Dominican Republic

The draw for the 2023 edition of the FIFA U-20 World Cup was conducted on Friday, with Nigeria’s U-20 team, the Flying Eagles, ending up in what some have described as the ‘Group of Death’

Group D houses the Flying Eagles, where they will contend with football powerhouses, Brazil and Italy, as well as the Dominican Republic.

Going into Friday’s draw conducted at the FIFA headquarters in Zurich, the Flying Eagles were placed in Pot 3, and it was already a pointer to a potentially tough group, which is now the case.

Still searching for its first U-20 World Cup title, Coach Ladan Bosso and his Flying Eagles team will have to start strongly if they are to make any appreciable impact at next month’s tournament in Argentina.

Aside from Nigeria, three other African countries, Senegal, The Gambia, and Tunisia—will be vying for honours.

Senegal, the reigning continental king, was drawn in Group C, where they will confront Japan, Israel, and Colombia in the group phase.

The Gambia have booked dates with France, the Korean Republic, and Honduras in Group F.

Tunisia, Africa’s last flag bearer in Argentina, will look to navigate past Uruguay, Iraq, and England in Group E.

Kaduna State Establishes Health & Nutrition Clubs In 171 Schools

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

-

April 22, 2023

0

The Kaduna State Government has established Health and Nutrition Clubs in 171 secondary schools as a way to promote good nutritional uptake and healthy practices among school children.

The Nutrition Desk Officer, Ministry of Education, Mrs. Ruth Leo explained that the measure was in line with the provision of the National Policy on Health, which mandated the Ministry of Education to establish such clubs.

According to her, “the goal is to encourage learners, particularly adolescents, to know about optimal nutrition and healthy practices for healthy growth and development to adulthood.”

Kaduna State Eye Centre Begins Corneal Refractive Surgery

Leo said that with schools serving as effective agents of change, the strategy would enable the students to spread key messages on good nutrition and healthy practices among their peers.

She explained that guided by patrons, “the clubs would set aside specific days to meet, discuss and educate themselves about good nutrition and hygiene practices.”

The Nutrition Desk Officer said that “the students would also be educated on how to take good care of themselves and other related health issues.”

She disclosed that the clubs would be cultivating nutrition-rich crops in school farms which would be replicated in their homes through backyard gardens for vegetables and fruits.

“Armed with the knowledge and good practices, the students will further spread the messages to their parents, households, and communities.

“This in the long run will help in the effective dissemination of nutrition and health messages to every household in the communities.

“This, in the long run, will help in changing the current narrative of poor nutrition indices and health outcomes among the population of the state, particularly adolescents,” she said.

Leo further said that the Society for Family Health, in collaboration with primary health centres, had trained some of the clubs and their matrons and linked the schools to the healthcare centres for referrals.

She said that the training increased their understanding of the connection between health and nutrition, as well as areas of focus during the club’s weekly activities.

Leo also said that “the linkage equally provided an opportunity for the health officials to visit the schools and facilitate health and nutrition talks during club meetings and how to refer cases to health facilities.”

“Also, with support from the World Bank-supported Accelerating Nutrition Result In Nigeria, the ministry has recently organised a quiz and debate on nutrition and health issues.

“We were very impressed with the performance of the students which indicated that the strategy will significantly increase health and nutrition knowledge among adolescents in schools and the community,” Leo said.

EPL Round-Up: Iheanacho Lifts Leicester City Out Of Relegation Zone

By

Emenike Agu

-

April 22, 2023

0

Leicester City had not won any of their last 10 EPL matches, with their last win coming in February against Spurs.

Kelechi Iheanacho scored a crucial goal from the penalty spot on Saturday to help Leicester City to a comeback 2-1 win over Wolverhampton in their Premier League tie at the King Power Stadium.

Before finally getting it right on Saturday, Leicester City had played 10 games without a win, with their last win coming over two months ago against Tottenham Hotspur on 11 February.

It didn’t even start well for the Foxes against Wolves as they fell behind just 13 minutes into the game after Matheus Cunha shot the visitors in front.

They, however, got a lifeline after Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa brought down Jamie Vardy in the box in the 34th minute and the Leicester players selected Iheanacho to take the resultant penalty kick.

The Nigerian forward tucked the ball in the middle with the left foot as Wolves goalkeeper, Jose Sa, jumped on the right.

Iheanacho could have scored a second goal just before the half-time whistle went, but the Wolves goalkeeper saved his pinpoint effort this time.

Leicester City sustained the pressure in the second half and they were rewarded with what turned out to be the winning goal in the 75th minute scored by Timothy Castagne.

Wilfred Ndidi came on in the 67th-minute for Youri Tielemans, and Ndidi helped stabilise things at the back as his side held for the crucial three points that have now seen them move up to the 17th spot on the log and out of the relegation zone with six matches left in the season.

No Joy For Awoniyi And Iwobi

Elsewhere, it wasn’t as sweet for the other Nigerian players battling to beat the drop with their relegation-haunted clubs.

At Anfield, those expecting to see Taiwo Awoniyi wreak havoc against his former club Liverpool were left disappointed as the Nigerian striker fired blanks in Nottingham Forest’s 3-2 loss to the Reds.

Steve Cooper kept faith with Awoniyi for 87 minutes before pulling him off for Andre Ayew, who could not change the complexion of the game either.

In the end, a brace from Diogo Jota-his fourth goal in six days after a year-long barren spell and another from Mohamed Salah saw the Reds win the five-goal thriller.

Forest are second from the bottom with 27 points from 32 league matches.

There wasn’t much to cheer at Selhurst Park where Alex Iwobi and his Everton teammates battled to a barren draw against Crystal Palace.

The Toffees are 18th on the log with 28 points same as Leicester City but with an inferior goals difference, and they will spend the weekend in the relegation zone.

Leeds United lost 2-1 against Fulham at Craven Cottage while Brentford and Aston Villa settled for a 1-1 draw in the other games on Saturday.

Flying Eagles To Play Brazil In Home Town Of Super Eagles’ Nemesis, Marcos Rojo

By

Emenike Agu

-

April 22, 2023

0

Marcos Rojo scores again for Argentina to beat Nigeria. He did the same four years earlier in Brazil. Flying Eagles are now to play in his hometown

If there is a player Nigerian will not easily forget in the last two World Cup editions, it is Marcos Rojo, a former Argentine defender of Manchester United.

His two goals against the Super Eagles in encounters with Argentina in 2014 and 2018 were backbone-breaking.

At Brazil 2014, he scored the winning goal in Argentina’s 3-2 defeat of Nigeria at Porto Alegre.

Four years later, he again scored the winning goal that eliminated Nigeria from Russia 2018 when he lashed in a blinding shot, just six minutes to regulation time.

Now the Flying Eagles are dragged to La Plata, the home town of Rojo in their final group match with Brazil, their usual nemesis at the U-20 World Cup.

Brazil will face Nigeria’s Flying Eagles on the last match day of Group D in the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Argentina next month.

Nasarawa Lecturer Jailed for six months over Assault

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

-

April 22, 2023

0

A High Court sitting in the Obi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, has sentenced a senior lecturer in the department of History and International Studies at the Federal University, Lafia, Dr. Fred Ayokhai to six months imprisonment.

Ayokhai, who has been in the custody of the Nigeria Correctional Service, Lafia since October 22, 2022, was convicted over conspiracy and assault on a 20-year-old orphan, Blessing Mathias after consenting to a plea bargain agreement.

He was first arraigned in court, alongside three others before the State Chief Judge, Justice Aisha Aliyu, where the case was assigned to Justice Solomon W. Ayenajeh of the High Court, Obi.

The other suspects are Emmanuella Ayokhai, Bob-Praise Ayokhai and Saint-Dan Ayokhai, as the 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants, who are all his children, while 5th defendant, Vera Ogbonnaya is still at large.

They were charged on amended two-count bothering on criminal conspiracy and physical assault with canes and sticks, contrary to sections 96 and 264 and punishable under sections 97 and 265 of the Northern Nigeria’s Penal Code (1963) respectively.

Delivering the judgement, the presiding judge, Justice Solomon W. Ayenajeh convicted the 1st defendant and sentenced him to jail for six months for criminal conspiracy and another six months for physical assault.

The presiding judge however said that, the sentence will run concurrently in consideration of his plea.

Justice Ayenajeh explained that the six months period, which Ayokhai had been in the custody of the Nigeria Correctional Service will be reckon with.

For the children, the presiding judge said they will spend six months on probation considering their age.

Commissioner Tasks Lecturers On Education Research

According to the presiding judge, within the six months period, they will be tasked with the responsible of keeping the premises of the Nasarawa State High Court clean and will also be of good conducts, while the third defendant, Bob-Praise Ayokhai was admonished to shave his dreadlocks.

In a post conviction speech, the FuLafia lecturer thanked the presiding judge and parties in the matter for the consideration and the leniency accorded him.

He recalled that as a father and teacher in a federal institution, he had never been found wanting in the discharge of his duties and disclosed that he has taken further step to compensate the victim as part of his consent for the plea bargain.

The prosecuting counsel and the State Attorney-General, Abdulkarim Kana said, the step taken by the government was to provide for the defendants the second chance in life, particularly the children who are still coming up with bright future.

It would be recalled that Ayokhai and his children were arrested and arraigned by the Nigeria Police Force in October 2022 for assaulting the 20-year-old orphan in Lafia after a video of the unfortunate incident went viral on the social media.

NPC Trains Census Publicity Committee In Anambra

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

-

April 22, 2023

0

The National Population Commission in Anambra State has organised a one-day capacity-building workshop for members of the census publicity committee on the processes and methodology of the 2023 population and housing census.

Declaring the workshop open, the Honourable Federal Commissioner for National Population Commission in Anambra State, Chidi Ezeoke urged the participants to assist the Commission in informing citizens about the importance of being counted during the census. He said they have the clear vision, commitment, and capacity to deliver on this historic mandate.

NPC Gives Advisory Ahead Of 2023 Census

Ezeoke assured the participants that the commission is irrevocably committed to ensuring that everything about the 2023 census is professionally and rightly done.

Speaking on Enumeration Area Demarcation For the 2023 Population And Housing Census, the Anambra state Director of NPC, Dr Joachim Ulasi, said “Census Mapping otherwise known as Enumeration Area Demarcation is the division of the country into manageable units of enumeration area for the Census exercise.

Digital Mapping is the automation of the Enumeration Area Demarcation process, procedure and Deliverables. It is the contemporary method of mapping in the current digital world.

“When maps fail to account for every person, progress can’t be achieved. Too many people still remain invisible to the governments and humanitarian and development organisations that can provide the public with vital resources. Communities that are absent from maps often miss out on much-needed support. And when other map-based data, such as infrastructure and boundaries, are missing or incorrect, development efforts are also impeded”.

The State Deputy Director of NPC, Chinyere Maduagwuna, while speaking on Processes and Methodology for the 2023 Population and Housing Census, affirmed that “the National Population Commission will be deploying Electronic Data Collection Technology for the 2023 Population and Housing Census. By this method, Enumerators will use PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) to collect information from respondents on a de facto basis. This new methodology is based on Geographic Information System (GIS). It captures all buildings as well as their attribute data using a hybrid acquisition software namely, the Census and Survey Processing System (CSPro) and Census PAD on Personal Digital Assistant (PDAs)”.

Other speakers who spoke at the training include: The Anambra State Commissioner for Information Paul Nwosu, who is also the publicity committee chairman. Nwosu urged members to work collectively to achieve the NPC mission.

Also, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Don Onyenji called on citizens to participate actively in the census by making themselves available for counting, while the NPC programme analyst, Henry Ananti, spoke on Technological Innovation in the 2023 Population and Housing Census.

The nineteen-man Committee is basically tasked with carrying out public enlightenment and education and soliciting support for the 2023 census.

The workshop ended with a question-and-answer session.

Sudan Crisis: UK Premier Holds Emergency Meeting

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

-

April 22, 2023

0

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has held an emergency meeting to discuss assistance for the British nationals trapped in Sudan as fighting continues in the African country.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) confirmed that the morning meeting in the Cabinet Office saw Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and Africa Minister Andrew Mitchell attend.

Government officials said they are “doing everything possible” to support those still inside the country’s capital, Khartoum.

It comes after the Sudanese army said it was coordinating efforts to evacuate American, British, Chinese, and French citizens and diplomats from Sudan on military aircraft as bloody fighting entered its second week.

The Sudanese army is battling a powerful rival paramilitary in and around Khartoum.

Prospects of airlifting people out of Sudan have been complicated by the fact most major airports in the country have become battlegrounds and movement out of the capital has proven dangerous.

Why We Can’t evacuate Students in Sudan Now – Nigerian Govt

A UK government spokesman said: “We recognise that the situation is extremely concerning for British nationals trapped by the fighting in Sudan.

“We are doing everything possible to support British nationals and diplomatic staff in Khartoum, and the Ministry of Defence is working with the Foreign Office to prepare for a number of contingencies.”

Those held up in Sudan are advised to register with the FCDO and to stay indoors, with skirmishes taking place even in residential areas.

Sunak on Friday spoke with the president of Djibouti, Ismail Omar Guelleh.

While no mention of using the nation’s airbases was made in the readout from Downing Street, a No 10 spokesman said the two leaders agreed to “continue to co-ordinate efforts to de-escalate the violence and protect civilians, including our citizens.”

There are no signs of the trouble abating as yet.

Even as the warring sides said on Friday that they had agreed to a ceasefire for the three-day Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, explosions and gunfire rang out across Khartoum on Saturday.

Two ceasefire attempts earlier this week also rapidly collapsed.

Britain has historic ties to Sudan. In an unusual arrangement, Britain and Egypt jointly ruled Sudan from 1899 until it gained independence in 1956, but Sudan is not among the group of 56 Commonwealth nations.

VP Osinbajo To Deliver Lecture At U.S University

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

-

April 22, 2023

0

Nigeria’s Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo departed Nigeria on Saturday for the United States of America where he is scheduled to deliver a Special Lecture at the University of Pennsylvania, UPenn, in Philadelphia.

UPenn, which is one of the eight private universities known as the Ivy League in the United States, was initially established in 1740 as a charity school.

Debt-For-Climate Swap Deal Will Reduce Nigeria’s Debt Burden – Osinbajo

It was later transformed into an academy in 1751 by Benjamin Franklin, a future founding father of the United States, who also served as the first president of the Board of Trustees of the University.

It was founded through the merger of the Afro-American Studies Program and the Center for the Study of Black Literature and Culture at the University of Pennsylvania in 2015. The Center is hosting the Vice President’s Special Lecture in partnership with other faculties of the University such as PennCarey Law, Perry World House, Wharton Business School, Coalition for Equity and Opportunity and Perelman School of Medicine.

A spokesman for the Vice President, Laolu Akande said in a release that Prof Osinbajo’s lecture on Monday would be themed around Climate Change and a Just Transition, and is hosted by the University’s Center for Africana Studies.

“Besides the lecture, the VP will also participate in an interactive session with students and faculty coordinated by Prof. Wale Adebanwi, Presidential Penn Compact Professor of Africana Studies at the University of Pennsylvania.

“Prof. Osinbajo, a leading voice and strong advocate for a Just Energy Transition for Africa and the developing world, is currently spearheading efforts aimed at creating the African Carbon Market as one of the pathways of a just and sustainable transition.”

Akande said Prof. Osinbajo is expected back in Abuja right after his engagements in Philadelphia at the University of Pennsylvania.

Four Kidnapped Kebbi Schoolgirls Freed, 2 Years After

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

-

April 22, 2023

0

Four of the 11 Students of FGC Birnin Yauri that were kidnapped by bandits in Kebbi State have been released and now regained their freedom.

The kidnapped students released are: Faiza Ahmed ,Hafsa Murtala, Bilhah Musa and Rahma Abdullahi. Seven are still with the bandits.

While briefing newsmsn in Birnin Kebbi with regards to the release of the four on Saturday, chairman of parents committee of the abducted school girls, Salim Kaoje said the four girls were released on Friday around 4:30pm. He said they arrived Yauri around 2:30am on Saturday and were immediately taken to the hospital for medical attention.

President Buhari Condemns Killings In Kebbi

According to report, 96 students of the FGC Birnin Yauri in kebbi State were kidnapped from the school while the school on 17, June 2021, this Lord to the closure of the school which is almost two years now.

The parent association spokesman said some parents are still in the bush negotiating with the kidnappers on the release of the remaining students that are still been held in their custody.

He however, said “We have been in line with the kidnappers for the past three months. We sold our landed properties and got donations from individuals to raise the money demanded by those kidnappers.

He appeal to government to intervene and help to secure the remain seven students that are still been held by the bandits.

He said “We have done all we could do to secure some of the children, government should be involved and assist us to secure the release of the remain seven of them that are still in custody”.

JUST IN: FG Begins Payment of 40% Salary Rise Arrears

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

-

April 22, 2023

0

The Federal Government has commenced the payment of the 40 per cent pay rise arrears for civil servants, LN247 has reliably learnt.

Some federal civil servants on Saturday started receiving bank alerts of the arrears on Saturday, April 22, 2023.

A high-ranking civil servant who spoke to our correspondent anonymously in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, noted that the arrears came in alongside the April 2023 salary.

Container Volumes: Saudi Ports Book 21% Rise In March

“I received my own arrears today. Some of our other colleagues have also confirmed receipt of their arrears. It came in alongside our April salary.”

Another civil servant who confirmed the development via a chat with our correspondent in Ibadan said, “Yes, it is true. Though I am a teacher with a Federal Government school, I can confirm to you that I received my April 2023 salary alongside my arrears.”

President Muhammadu Buhari administration had proposed a 40 per cent pay rise for workers to cushion the effects of the planned removal of fuel subsidy.

The spokesperson for the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Productivity, Olajide Oshundun, who spoke noted that the rise will be applicable to all workers from level 1 to 17.

Earlier in March, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, disclosed that the Federal Government had approved a pay raise for civil servants in the country.

He added that the pay rise had been included in the 2023 budget, noting that it would take effect from January 1, 2023.

Ngige described the pay raise as a peculiar allowance for civil servants in view of the current economic reality and it is meant to help government workers to cushion the effects of rising inflation, the rising cost of living, hikes in transportation fare, housing and electricity tariffs.