Chelsea Suffer Debut Season Flop Despite Huge Outlay

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April 19, 2023

Champions League – Quarter Final – Second Leg – Chelsea v Real Madrid – Stamford Bridge, London, Britain – April 18, 2023 Chelsea co-owner and chairman Todd Boehly before the match

Chelsea’s American owners saw their last hope of any glory in their first season crumble on Tuesday when the club they bought in a deal worth 4.25 billion pounds ($5.28 billion) last year were knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid.

Marooned in the unfamiliar bottom half of the Premier League, Chelsea are at risk of their worst domestic league finish in nearly 30 years and they also fell at the first hurdle in the FA Cup and League Cup.

Their only chance of qualifying for next season’s lucrative Champions League by winning the competition has also now evaporated after Real’s 4-0 aggregate quarter-final win following a 2-0 victory at Stamford Bridge.

The prospect of a drop in income is raising fears among Chelsea fans that some of the club’s best young players will be sold to meet financial rules.

The spectacular slump in the 2022/23 season – during which Chelsea have had three different coaches – stands in contrast with the string of heady campaigns under previous owner, Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich.

He was forced to sell the club by Britain’s government last year following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

Chelsea were the most successful team in England in the period between Abramovich buying the club in 2003 and its sale in 2022, a run that included two Champions League triumphs in 2012 and 2021 and five English league titles.

That track record – and the surge in global support for the west London club along the way – explained Chelsea’s appeal to a consortium led by LA Dodgers part-owner Todd Boehly and backed by Clearlake Capital, a private equity firm.

BIG SPENDERS, LOW SCORERS

On top of the deal to buy the club last May, they have invested a further 550 million pounds on players, spending in the January transfer window more than all the clubs in the top divisions of Spain, Italy, Germany and France combined.

But somehow they failed to buy someone capable of scoring goals on a regular basis with a gamble on former Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang failing at almost the first test.

Chelsea have scored 30 goals in 31 league games so far. By contrast, table-topping Arsenal have scored 74 and second-placed Manchester City have found the net 78 times.

Tuesday’s blank was the fifth in six games in all competitions.

With no spearhead for their attack, Chelsea’s managers this season – Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter and now caretaker boss Frank Lampard – have all struggled to turn a collection of expensive stars and home-grown talent into a cohesive team.

Chelsea fans have turned their frustrations on the owners of the club and some were photographed remonstrating with Boehly in his executive box after last weekend’s 2-1 home defeat by Brighton & Hove Albion. British media said an upset Boehly talked to players in the dressing room after that result.

Now he and his fellow owners – none of whom had experience of running a major soccer club before they bought Chelsea – face the huge decision of who to hire as the club’s next coach.

Candidates include former Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann and Luis Enrique, who coached Spain at the World Cup in Qatar. Such a high-profile manager would represent a big change in approach after the hiring of Potter from modest Brighton last September.

Regardless of who takes over, a return to Europe’s biggest stage seemed a distant prospect for the disappointed Chelsea fans streaming out of Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night.

JAMB Releases Rescheduled Mock- UTME Result

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Nzubechukwu Anodo

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April 19, 2023

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JAMB Releases Rescheduled Mock- UTME Result

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced the release of results of it’s just conducted rescheduled Mock- UTME held on , 18th April 2023.

According to a statement issued by JAMB Head of public affairs and protocol, Fabian Benjamin the Board emphasized that the prompt release of results for the mock examination would not be replicated during the upcoming Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination(UTME) scheduled to commence from 25th April, 2023.

JAMB stated that the UTME results will not be released piecemeal but holistically as the entire results of the eight-day exercise shall be collated before they are released to candidates.

The examination body revealed that it will embark on the screening of results to ensure that any UTME result obtained by any candidate is not a product of infractions and other unwholesome practices.

JAMB said this is to ensure the Board would not have to release any particular result and then recall same on account of established case of malpractice.

The board further noted that assessing the entire results will enable it to obtain the overall standard deviation and the mean of the performance of all candidates who sat the examination, pointing out that the process would also allow the board aggregate the general performance of all candidates who were examined and factor same into the national education planning template.

JAMB Extends 2023 Direct Entry Registration

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Nzubechukwu Anodo

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April 19, 2023

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The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has extended the closing date for the 2023 direct entry (DE) registration.

The board said the extension was to allow candidates with Cambridge A’ Level results to verify their certificates during registration and to accommodate other applicants more time to register.

The DE registration, billed to end on 20th April, has now been extended by one week, starting from 21st April.

This is contained in a statement by the board’s head of public affairs and protocol, Fabian Benjamin.

JAMB’s Head of public affairs and protocol, Fabian Benjamin, in a statement said that board has also listed certificates acceptable for the registration to include a university diploma, Ordinary National Diploma (OND), National Diploma (ND), Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE), Higher National Diploma (HND) and a university degree.

Others include; Interim Joint Matriculation Board (IJMB), Joint Universities Preliminary Examination Board (JUPED), NABTEB Advanced National Business Certificate, NABTEB Advanced National Technical Certificate, NABTEB GCE-A’ Level (2015 – 2021), Higher Islamic Studies Certificate by NBAIS, International Baccalaureate and the National Registered Nurse/ Midwife certificates.

He added that the board has partnered the British Council to make the process of verifying the Cambridge A/L Certificate seamless.

Cost Of Living: Student EMA To Increase After 20 Years

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Nzubechukwu Anodo

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April 19, 2023

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The welsh Government has announced that Sixth form and college students from low income households will receive a £10 grant increase to help with travel and food costs.

The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) had been frozen at £30 for nearly 20 years.

The new higher payment will be available from the beginning of the summer term.

Announcing the increase, Wales’ education minister, Jeremy Miles said there would also be a comprehensive review of the scheme.

He said education students are eligible if their household income is £20,817 or less if they are the only young person in the household, or £23,077 if there is more than one young person in the household.

Around 16,000 young people in Wales currently receive the payment.

According to the Bank of England’s inflation calculator, the £30 payment, which was first introduced in 2004, would now be £50.13 if the payment had kept up with inflation.

Jeremy Miles said the boost to EMA would help students with the reality of the cost of learning.

He said the increase would be in place for the next two academic years while the review of EMA is conducted.

Miles added that there will be funding to allow more students from poorer backgrounds to appeal exam results for free in summer 2023.

National Union of Students Wales president, Orla Tarn said the union was pleased the government had taken measures to stop young people being priced out of education.

India to Become World’s most Populous Country by Mid-2023 – U.N.

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Cleopatra Okohai

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April 19, 2023

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India is on its way to becoming world’s most populous country, overtaking China with almost 3 million more people in the middle of this year, according to data released by the United Nations.

The demographic data from the United Nations Population Fund’s (UNFPA) “State of World Population Report, 2023” estimates India’s population at 1,428.6 million or 1.4286 billion against 1.4257 billion for China.

The United States is a distant third, with an estimated population of 340 million, the data showed. The data reflects information available as of Feb. 2023, the report said.

Population experts using previous data from the U.N. have projected India would go past China this month. But the latest report from the global body did not specify a date for when the change would take place.

U.N. population officials have said it was not possible to specify a date due to “uncertainty” about the data coming out of India and China, especially since India’s last census was conducted in 2011 and the next one due in 2021 has been delayed due to the pandemic.

Although India and China will account for more than one-third of the estimated global population of 8.045 billion, the population growth in both Asian giants has been slowing, at a much faster pace in China than in India.

Last year, China’s population fell for the first time in six decades, a historic turn that is expected to mark the start of a long period of decline in its citizen numbers with profound implications for its economy and the world.

India’s annual population growth has averaged 1.2% since 2011, compared with 1.7% in the 10 years previously, according to government data.

“The Indian survey findings suggest that population anxieties have seeped into large portions of the general public,” Andrea Wojnar, Representative for UNFPA India, said in a statement.

“Yet, population numbers should not trigger anxiety or create alarm. Instead, they should be seen as a symbol of progress, development, and aspirations if individual rights and choices are being upheld,” she said.

Ethiopia, Hungary To Strengthen Cooperation In Education Sector

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Nzubechukwu Anodo

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April 19, 2023

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Ethiopia’s Education Minister, Birhanu Nega and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Péter Szijjártó, have met to discuss about ways of strengthening cooperation, particularly in education sector.

Birhanu said Ethiopia and Hungary have cooperative agreement in education and is still continuing.

He said Ethiopia will double the number of scholarships sustaining the relationship and the number increase that both countries would benefit from.

Péter Szijjártó said that his country has been providing 50 scholarships in different fields.

The visiting minister stated that his country is desirous to cooperate in the economic sector, particularly in signing an agreement to exclude double taxation which in turn encourages investment in Ethiopia.

Varsity Ban Student From Driving Cars On Campus

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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April 19, 2023

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The management of Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomoso in Oyo State on Wednesday, banned students from driving or bringing cars to the campus.

The institution also banned tinted vehicles being used by staff members and students, while learner permits must be placed on the vehicles of beginner drivers.

U. S Varsity Offers PhD Scholarship to 4 LAUTECH Students

A memo issued by the registrar of the institution, Kayode Ogunleye in Ibadan, said the decision was reached at a management meeting held on Wednesday.

He said, “The University management at its regular meeting held, on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, deliberated on the occurrence of traffic on the campus and decided as follows:

“Vehicles owned by students are hereby banned from entering the university campus. Vehicles with no registration numbers are no longer allowed on campus. Roadside parking of vehicles should stop forthwith.”

The registrar also said unauthorised vehicles parked at various locations in the university should be taken out with immediate effect.

“Any unauthorized vehicles parked at various positions in the university should be taken out with immediate effect, failing which the university security will take appropriate action on such vehicles.

“Tinted vehicles being used by some staff and students are hereby prohibited. Learner permits must be placed on the vehicles of beginner drivers.

“The acting vice chancellor, bursar, university Liberian, provosts and deans, directors, heads of departments/units and acting head of security unit were copied in the memo,” Ogunleye said.

Russia’s Men’s Basketball Team Banned From Olympic Pre-Qualification

By

Emenike Agu

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April 19, 2023

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FIBA World Cup – First Round – Group B – South Korea v Russia – Wuhan Sports Centre, Wuhan, China – September 2, 2019 Russia’s Andrey Vorontsevich and teammates applaud fans after the match

Russia will remain banned from international basketball with its men’s national team not being allowed to participate in this year’s Pre-Olympic Qualification Tournaments, FIBA’s Executive Committee announced on Tuesday.

Russia who were 12th at the previous FIBA Men’s World Cup in 2019, last qualified for the Olympics in 2012, winning bronze medal with a line-up that included former NBA player Andrei Kirilenko.

“Following the IOC recommendations on the participation of athletes with a Russian or Belarusian passport in international competitions published on 28 March, the FIBA Executive Committee has decided to not allow the registration of the Russian men’s national team,” the governing body said in a statement.

The Pre-Qualification Tournaments, which were introduced this year, will be played by 40 countries in total, with 28 that participated in the Second Round of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Qualifiers plus the top-ranked 12 that did not participate in the second round.

Bulgaria will replace the Russian team as the next highest ranked European squad.

The event will be held from August 12 to 20, with the five winners earning spots in the FIBA Olympic Qualification Tournaments in 2024.

Saudi Super Cup Semi Final: Ighalo’s Brace Upstages Ronaldo’s Nassr

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Emenike Agu

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April 19, 2023

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Cristiano Ronaldo was upstaged by another former Manchester United forward in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday as Al-Hilal’s Odion Ighalo scored twice from the penalty spot in a 2-0 win over Al-Nassr.

Portugal striker Ronaldo moved to Al-Nassr on a lucrative deal last January and scored eight goals in his first five games but he has been unable to sustain that pace.

In Al-Nassr’s first game since the departure of coach Rudi Garcia, Ronaldo drew a blank while Ighalo, who had a loan spell at Manchester United in 2020, scored twice to hand Asian champions Al-Hilal the win.

Ronaldo was yellow carded in the 57th minute after he tangled with Gustavo Cuellar and things only got worse from there.

The 38-year-old had a goal disallowed for offside in the 77th minute and after he was awarded a penalty six minutes later the Video Assistant Referee reversed the decision.

Ronaldo was later taunted as he left the field with Al-Hilal fans waving Lionel Messi shirts.

Al-Nassr interim coach Dinko Jelicic told reporters the game changed when they conceded the first spot kick.

“The first penalty kick broke us, it was influential in the course of the match,” he said.

“Al-Hilal were better than us in some periods. My team showed good glimpses and could pave the way for the next weeks.”

Al-Nassr are three points behind leaders Al-Ittihad, who have played a game less.

Argentina Replaces Indonesia As U-20 Fifa World Cup Host

By

Emenike Agu

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April 19, 2023

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FIFA, the world governing body for football, has revealed that Argentina has been chosen to replace Indonesia as the host of the forthcomingU-20 World Cup.

In a release on Tuesday morning, the body through President Gianni Infantino stated that “A country that lives and breathes football will be a tremendous inspiration for the stars of tomorrow.”

This will be the second U-20 World Cup hosted by the 2022 World Cup champions after they hosted the tournament in 2001, which they also won.

The FIFA statement continued: “The decision follows the removal of the original tournament host, Indonesia, as well as a subsequent bid submitted by the Argentinian Football Association (AFA) and an on-site inspection by a FIFA delegation to the South American country last week. The delegation members visited the proposed tournament venues and associated infrastructure. The hosting agreement has been signed by the AFA, along with all other relevant documents on the part of the host and local authorities.

“FIFA is delighted to announce that this year’s edition of the FIFA U-20 World Cup will take place in Argentina, as the home of the world champions opens its doors to tomorrow’s superstars of world football,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “I would like to thank the AFA and particularly, its President Claudio Tapia, as well as the governmental authorities, for their commitment to hosting this magnificent event at such short notice.

“The U-20 World Cup plays a key role in FIFA’s efforts to promote youth football across the world. Since 1977, this tournament has featured some of the greatest players of the past decades, including Diego Armando Maradona, Lionel Messi, Paul Pogba, Erling Haaland, and many others. Having this year’s edition taking place in a country that lives and breathes football will be a tremendous inspiration for the stars of tomorrow.”

The Flying Eagles will travel to Argentina from 20 May to 11 June to seek their first title, and they will find out their group opponents on 21 April in the draws to be conducted at the FIFA headquarters in Zurich.

Nigeria has played in 12 U-20 World Cup tournaments, getting to the final in the 1989 and 2005 editions, but losing to Portugal and Argentina, respectively.