Nigerian Players Abroad: Success Ends 35-Match Goal Drought

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April 24, 2023

gettyimages-1391785746-612x612-1 — UDINE, ITALY - APRIL 16: Isaac Success of Udinese Calcio competes for the ball with Kristjan Asllani of Empoli FC during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and Empoli FC at Dacia Arena on April 16, 2022 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images)

…Onyekuru, Iheanacho, Olayinka also on target

•Ordega hits brace in Russia

Nigerian stars put up impressive performances this weekend in Europe, with Isaac Success scoring his first goal in a year.

Italy

Success, Ehizibue, Udogie, Dessers, Okereke (Udinese, Cremonese)

Isaac Success finally broke his goal jinx as he scored the third goal for Udinese in their 3-0 home win over Cremonese on matchday 31 of the Serie A fixture played at the Dacia Arena – Stadio Friuli on Sunday.

The 27-year played 29 league matches without a goal and finally hit the net in the 36th minute and was substituted in the 42nd minute.

he goal was the player’s first goal in a year since his last found the back of the net against Bologna on April 24, 2022.

Kingsley Ehizibue and Destiny Udogie were also in action as their effort ensured the Bianconeri sealed three points.

Udogie played the entire duration, while Ehizibue had 85 minutes of action.

Compatriots Cyriel Dessers and David Okereke were in action but could do nothing to help Cremonese from losing.

The 28-year-old Dessers played for 61 minutes before coming off for Giacomo Quagliata, while Okereke was a second-half substitute.

Tyronne Ebuehi (Empoli)

Defender Ebuehi was handed a starting role by Paolo Zanetti but could not stop Inter Milan as Gli Azzurri lost 3-0 at home in a Serie A fixture played at the Stadio Carlo Castellani on Sunday.

The 27-year-old defender has made 20 league appearances and scored two goals this season.

William Troost-Ekong (Salernitana)

Defender Troost-Ekong was a second-half substitute for Salernitana in their 3-0 home win against Sassuolo in a Serie A fixture at the Stadio Arechi on Saturday.

The 29-year-old was introduced in 72 minutes for Matteo Lovato.

Belgium

Victor Boniface (Union St.Gilloise)

Forward Boniface provided the assist for Union St. Gilloise’s goal, as his side lost 2-1 away to Kortrijk at Guldensporenstadion in the Belgium Pro League on Sunday.

The 22-year-old has been in fine form for his Belgian side this season and has registered seven goals with six assists in 31 league appearances for Union 60 in the 2022/23 season.

Gift Orban (Gent)

Orban got a starting role for KAA Gent but could not get a goal to his name and came off for Laurent Depoitre in the 76th minute in Gantoise lost 2-1 to Oostende in the Belgium first division fixture on Sunday.

The 20-year-old, who signed for the Belgium side in January from Norwegian club Stabaek, has scored nine goals and registered two assists but has not scored in three consecutive league matches.

Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge)

Midfielder Onyedika was in action for Club Brugge in the Belgium first division as his side recorded a 7-0 win over Eupen in a Belgium Pro League fixture at the Jan Breydel Stadion on Sunday.

The 22-year-old defensive midfielder made his 26 league appearances since joining from Midtjylland last summer.

The result takes Brugge to fourth on the table with 59 points from 34 matches.

Turkey

Henry Onyekuru (Adana Demirspor)

Winger Onyekuru was on the scorer’s sheet as Adana Demirspor thrashed Kayserispor 5-3 in the Turkey Super Lig at the Yeni Adana Stadyumu on Sunday.

The 27 scored the fifth goal from the penalty spot in the 52nd minute to increase his goal to seven in 25 matches this season.

The Blue Lightnings continue to chase European football action for next season and are fourth on the log with 57 points from 30 matches.

Russia

Francisca Ordega (CSKA Moscow)

Winger Ordega was very impressive for her side over the weekend and netted a brace to take her goal numbers to five in six appearances as CSKA Moscow women demolished Rubin Kazan 8-0 in the Russian Women’s Football League on Saturday.

Chinonyerem Macleans(Lokomotiv Moscow)

Forward Macleans netted the opener as Lokomotiv Moscow women comfortably dispatched Krylya Sovetov women 3-0 in the Russian Women’s Football League on Saturday.

The 24-year-old has been impressive in the Russian league and has scored six goals in six league matches this season.

France

Folarin Balogun (Reims)

Arsenal loanee Balogun was handed a starting role but fired blank as Reims suffered a shock 2-0 home defeat to Strasbourg in a French Ligue 1 fixture played at the Stade Auguste Delaune on Sunday.

The Arsenal star had full-time action but could not add to his 18 goals scored this season.

Balogun is the fourth top scorer in Ligue 1, four goals shy of Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappé who is the leading scorer.

Moses Simon (Nantes)

Winger Simon was in the starting line-up as Nantes were held 2-2 at home by Troyes in a Ligue 1 match on Sunday at the Stade de la Beaujoire.

The 27-year-old was in action for 86 minutes but could not break his 15-match goal drought.

Terem Moffi (OGC Nice)

Moffi was included in Didier Digard’s squad as OGC Nice suffered a 2-1 home defeat to visiting Clermont Foot on match-day 32 of their Ligue 1 fixture on Saturday at the Allianz Riviera.

The 23-year-old striker, who has been in impressive form this season, played the entire duration of the match.

Moffi has scored 16 goals in 28 Ligue 1 appearances this 2022/23 season.

Holland

Calvin Bassey (Ajax)

John Heitinga handed Bassey a starting role as Ajax fell 3-0 to PSV PSV Eindhoven in a derby match played at the Philips Stadion on Sunday.

The 23-year-old defender, who made his first appearance for Lucky Ajax since he returned from international duty with Nigeria for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Guinea Bissau in March, played for 46 minutes before coming off for Brian Brobbey.

England

Ndidi, Iheanacho, (Leicester City)

Kelechi Iheanacho was on the starting lineup and netted for Leicester City in their 2-1 win against Wolves at the King Power Stadium on Saturday.

Iheanacho scored the equaliser from the penalty spot in the 37th minute to take his goal tally to five this season and also hand the Foxes their first win under new manager Dean Smith.

Wilfried Ndidi was also in action as he came on for Youri Tielemans in the 67th minute to help Leicester move out of the relegation zone on goal difference.

Dennis, Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest)

Taiwo Awoniyi and Emmanuel Dennis were in action as Forest lost 3-2 to Liverpool in a Premier League fixture at Anfield on Saturday.

The 25-year-old had 87 minutes of action before coming off for Andre Ayew.

Compatriot Emmanuel Dennis was introduced three minutes before full-time but see little action before the blast of the final whistle.

The result saw Forest drop back into the relegation zone in the 19th.

Alex Iwobi (Everton)

Midfielder Iwobi started for Sean Dyche’s side and was impressive as 10-man Everton were forced to a goalless draw by Crystal Palac in a Premier League fixture played at Selhurst Park on Saturday.

Onuachu, Aribo (Southampton)

Paul Onuachu was a second-half substitute as Southampton were held to a 3-3 draw by leaders Arsenal in a Premier League fixture played at Emirates Stadium on Friday.

The 28-year-old striker came on for Adam Armstrong in the 77th minute but was unable to register his name on the score sheet.

The Nigerian striker is yet to register a Premier League goal for the struggling Saints after nine matches

Onuachu’s compatriot Joe Aribo was an unused substitute. The Saints are bottom of the Premier League table with 24 points from 32 matches.

Spain

Asisat Oshoala (Barcelona Femenin)

Striker Oshoala was not on the score sheet as Barcelona recorded a 1-0 win against Chelsea in the first leg of the UEFA Women’s Champions League semi-final at Stamford Bridge on Friday.

The 28-year-old, who missed Barca’s clash against Atletico Madrid last weekend due to injury, was introduced when she came on for Caroline Graham Hansen in the 85th minute.

Oshoala has scored 23 goals with two assists in 21 league appearances this season. She has also registered five goals in matches in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

Czech Republic

Olayinka, Ogbu, Olatunji (Slavia Prague)

Peter Olayinka returned to the starting XI and scored the second goal for Slavia Prague in their 3-0 win against Bohemians 1905 in the Czech First League fixture at the Stadion U Nisy on Saturday.

The goal took his tally to 11, with five assists this season.

Also, defender Igoh Ogbu was on for 90 minutes and helped the Salivates to secure a clean sheet.

The win lifted Slavia Prague back to the summit of the standings ahead of city rivals Sparta with two rounds of matches to the end of the season.

Zimbabwe Constitution Should Be Part of Schools’ Curricula – Parliament Member

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Nzubechukwu Anodo

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April 24, 2023

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Zimbabwe’s Parliament Speaker, Jacob Mudenda says there is need for the government to make the Zimbabwean constitution a part of schools’ curricula and to the training of security forces, civil service and employees of public institutions.

During a presentation at the National Defense University on Parliament’s oversight role and contribution to national security, Mudenda said the state must encourage relevant organizations to know the law.

He said the state must promote public awareness of this constitution, in particular by translating it into all officially recognized languages and disseminating it as widely as possible.

He said the constitution must be taught in schools and as part of the curricula for the training of members of the security services, the civil service and members and employees of public institutions.

Addressing high-ranking army officials from the region, Mudenda added that it is instructive to note that education of the citizenry on constitutionalism and parliamentary democratic governance is a sacrosanct.

He further said to give effect to these fundamental constitutional values, Parliament is working closely with the Justice Ministry as well as State Universities and has caused the translation of the Constitution into all the fourteen officially recognized vernacular languages and Braille.

Mudenda highlighted this as the reason why the university has to include the teaching and learning of the constitution and other constitutions as part of its curricula.

Warri Wolves, Delta Queens Win 2023 Delta FA Cup

By

Emenike Agu

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April 24, 2023

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Warri Wolves Football Club and Delta Queens of Asaba have been crowned Champions of the male and female categories of the 2023 Delta State Football Association Cup finals, respectively on Sunday.

In the men’s final match, Warri Wolves FC defeated hard fighting 2022 finalist Osevan football club of Kwale 2-0 to win the title.

It was the Wolves’ third triumph in recent times and they have qualified to represent Delta State at the 2023 National Federations Cup tournament.

Coach Jolomi Atune of Warri Wolves, in an interview, commended his boys for the feat achieved but said the focus now is on the Nigeria National League and the Aiteo Cup Competition.

Also in the women’s final, the Delta Queens of Asaba, the 2022 National Aiteo Cup finalist, thrashed the Royal Queens of Warri 3-0 to prove their superiority in the state contest after their unbeaten run record in the just concluded regular season of the Nigeria Women Football League Premiership.

The women league highest goal scorer, Mercy Omokwo’s lone goal and Cynthia Mega’s brace goal made up all-time Delta women’s FA Cup Champions victorious after all three goals came in the second half.

The coach of Delta Queens, Tosan Blankson told newsmen that he has been able to meet up three of his set target and he can now focus on the big one, the Super Six Competition coming up shortly to determine the overall champions of the NWFL.

“We have won the regular league season (Group A) of the NWFL premiership and qualified for the super six tournaments and are now champions of the DFA Cup, all in one week.
Our target now is to win the Super Six Competition in the month of May. We shall keep working hard to achieve our target”, the coach stated.

The high point of the colourful ceremony held at the Stephen Keshi stadium in Asaba was the presentation of medals, trophies and other awards to the winners by the Delta State Sports Commission boss, Tonobok Okowa and Chief Solomon Ogba, Vice chairman of Nigeria Olympic Committee.

With the finals, the curtain has been drawn on the 2023 football season in Delta State.

NYSC To Allow Corps Members Serve in Spouses State of Residence

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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April 24, 2023

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The National Youth Service Corps has asked married female prospective corps members posted to states other than the one their husbands reside to request redeployment.

This was disclosed by the scheme on Monday via its Twitter handle.

Until eligible participants of the scheme are sworn in in the various camps they are deployed to, they are referred to as PMCs.

Once sworn in, they become “corps members” and they spend a total of 21 days on camp, starting from the day of deployment.

Corps Members To Undergo Fitness Test – NYSC

The scheme, in a tweet titled, ‘ATTENTION ALL 2023 BATCH ‘A’ STREAM 2 MARRIED FEMALE PCMs’ said, “All married female Prospective Corps members (PCMs) who are deployed to states where their husbands are not domiciled should report to the nearest NYSC Orientation Camp for their State of Deployment to be changed.

“They are to report during the period of registration at the Orientation Camps with copies of their marital and other relevant documents as evidence.”

NYSC is a scheme established by the Nigerian government during the military regime on May 22, 1973, to involve Nigerian graduates in nation-building and the development of the country.

It was established based on decree No. 24 which stated that the scheme was created “with a view to the proper encouragement and development of common ties among the youths of Nigeria and the promotion of national unity”

Part of the Scheme’s eligibility is that a graduate must be below or not above the age of 30 years upon graduation. A graduate, who graduated before 30 years but skipped the service year, will still be eligible since his certificate of graduation was dated before he clocked 30 years of age.

However, those above 30 years get a Certificate of Exemption – an equivalent to the NYSC Discharge Certificate.

On completion of the service year, successfully Corps members are issued a certificate of participating in the scheme satisfactorily.

Rare Outing For Six Shakespeare’s First Folio Copies In London

By

Koko Lawrence

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April 24, 2023

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Margaret Ford, international head of books and manuscripts at Christie's, arranges William Shakespeare's First Folio on display at Christies in London, April 24, 2023. Considered one of the most important books, it was published in 1623, the exhibition marks the 400-year anniversary. REUTERS/Anna Gordon

Six highly rare first edition collections of William Shakespeare’s plays will go on show in London next week in what auction house Christie’s says will be the largest display of the works in Britain.

The exhibition, which marks the 400th anniversary of the publication of Shakespeare’s First Folio in 1623, runs in Christie’s London showroom from May 2 until May 26. The copies will then go back to their owners.

The editions were compiled by Shakespeare’s friends and published seven years after his death. They contain 36 of the 37 plays he wrote, arranged for the first time as comedies, tragedies and histories.

“If we didn’t have the publication of the First Folio, it is very likely that half of Shakespeare’s entire output, so 18 plays, would not exist and these include plays such as ‘Macbeth’, ‘Julius Caesar’, ‘All’s Well That Ends Well’,” Margaret Ford, Christie’s international head of books, said at a preview on Monday.

“We don’t know exactly how many copies were published, but the most likely guesstimate is 750 copies, and 235 copies survive in some form. The majority are imperfect, but there are some complete copies there as well.”

In 2020, a First Folio sold for a record $9.97 million at auction.

Five of the six copies come from private collections, and the sixth from the Senate House Library at the University of London.

“It’s the only time that the public can see six copies of the First Folio together exhibited,” Ford said.

“Six copies may not sound like a lot to the average person but… to put it in context, the last time that even four copies were exhibited was 100 years ago for the 300th anniversary when the British Library exhibited four of their copies.”

Nigeria Suspends Secondary Education Commission Secretary

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Nzubechukwu Anodo

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April 24, 2023

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The federal government has suspended the executive secretary of the National Senior Secondary Education Commission, NSSEC, Benjamin Abakpa over alleged misappropriation of funds.

The suspension is contained in a letter signed by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Andrew David Adejo.

The letter directed the suspended officer to hand over the affairs of the office to the most senior director in the commission.

Spokesperson of the commission, Fatima Bappare, while confirming the development, disclosed that Abakpa was accused of administrative ineptitude, financial misappropriation and lack of synergy by the commission board members.

According to her, the suspension would allow for further investigations into the alleged offences.

She added that the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, ICPC, had been invited to carry out a full investigation into the allegations levelled against Abakpa.

Meanwhile, the most senior director in the commission, Abdulkareem Ibraheem has taken over the day-to-day management of the commission pending the outcome of the investigation.

Premier League: We’ve To Keep Focus And Stick Together – Iheanacho

By

Emenike Agu

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April 24, 2023

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After helping Leicester City to a 2-1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers, Nigerian forward Kelechi Iheanacho has urged teammates to remain focused and stick together.

The Foxes have been having it difficult since the start of the season and their victory over Wolves lifted them out of the relegation zone.

Former Manchester City star netted the opening goal from the penalty spot before Castagne sealed the game in the 75th minute.

While reacting to the game, Iheanacho described how he was able to score the penalty and secured the vital 3 points.

“I was confident, I was calm, but there is always pressure when you want to take a penalty because you don’t know if you’re going to miss or score so luckily I scored and got the goal.

“Together we did it. Vards (Vardy) got the penalty and he did well, making a good run to get us a penalty to get back in the game.

“I don’t mind where I play, whether it’s upfront, or No.10 or on the wing.

I just need to help my team to get the points that we need. Together we can do it. We just stick together.

“We are going to enjoy it, but we need to focus on the next game now.

Hopefully, we keep the momentum going into the next game and keep winning”, he told the club media.

Vivat Rex! Pupils Prepare To Be First To Hail King Charles At Coronation

By

Koko Lawrence

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April 24, 2023

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FILE PHOTO: The annual Remembrance Sunday ceremony, in London — FILE PHOTO: Britain's Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, Britain's King Charles III, Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales and Britain's Princess Anne, Princess Royal attend the Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph on Whitehall in central London, Britain November 13, 2022. Isabel Infantes/Pool via REUTERS

When King Charles is crowned at London’s Westminster next month, scholars from the next door school will be the first to formally acclaim the new monarch by singing out “Vivat Rex”, just as they have done at coronations for more than three centuries.

The current crop of 48 pupils from the prestigious, private Westminster School have been practising for months for their big moment on May 6, a tradition which dates back to at least 1685.

“I think all of my friends are excited for me,” said one of the pupils, Moahnishan, 14, who is originally from the United States.

“I suppose they would never have thought that a boy from Kentucky, the USA, would have come all the way here to take part in such an honourable event. I think they’re going to be amazed by what’s to come.”

The tradition for the scholars, boys and girls aged between 13 and 18 who have won academic prizes, to be involved in the coronation was first recorded when James II was crowned, making next month’s ceremony the 14th in which they have played a part.

In 1902 their cries of “Vivat Rex” – Latin for “long live the king” – were incorporated by composer Hubert Parry into his anthem “I Was Glad” which has been used in the coronation of all the crowned monarchs since Edward VII.

“It’s a fascinating preparation because the King’s Scholars of Westminster School aren’t members of a choir as such, they are the academic scholars of the school,” said Tim Garrard, the school’s director of music.

“So this is not a professional choir that’s being rehearsed, but it’s very much the idea that it’s a kind of crowd scene proclaiming the ‘Vivat’, so we’re really enjoying preparing for it.”

Runners Throng Abuja International Marathon Expo To Collect Kits

By

Emenike Agu

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April 24, 2023

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Marathon enthusiasts from within and outside the Federal Capital Territory daily throng The Pavilion, the venue of the ongoing Abuja International Marathon Expo to collect their running kits in readiness for the first international marathon in Abuja and the Federal Capital Territory.

The Expo began last Friday and registered runners from neighbouring states like Kogi State, Niger State, Nasarrawa State, Kaduna State and others were at the Expo venue The Pavilion to collect their kits.

Members of the diplomatic community were not left out as residents in the seat of power FCT and other parts of Nigeria want to be part of the race.

Grace Bassey a marathon enthusiast who came all the way from Suleja to collect her kits said she has never missed an opportunity to be part of history,

‘History will be made on April 29, 2023, when the first international marathon will take place in FCT, I have never missed an opportunity to be part of history that was why I come here early to collect my kits, I don’t want to hear stories that the kits have finished. I will be running the 10km with my friends”

Abuja International Marathon is slated for April 29, 2023.

The race will start at the City Gate and finish at Eagles Square. The best entertainers in the country will entertain runners and spectators at the Finish Point.

According to Race Director Olukayode Thomas, “Registration is free, it will close April 28, 2023, the last day of the Expo”.

University Of Liberia Digitizes Admission of New Students

By

Nzubechukwu Anodo

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April 24, 2023

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The University of Liberia has launched a digital platform through which candidates can apply for admission in a bid to ease the burden of students queuing in long lines to be processed for registration and admission.

UL President, Julius Julukon Sarwolo Nelson Jr launched the platform on the UL Fendall campus to begin all operations.

Candidates for undergraduate, graduate and professional schools, who have passed UL entrance will pay their admission fees through a mobile money platform and upload all their required information into the UL digital admission portal.

Candidates who meet all requirements will receive their admission letters digitally.

The platform allows incoming students to do an online admission process without going through the stress of standing in long queues or commuting between Fendall and UL Capitol Hill campuses.

According to the UL President, the initiative will give new students, who successfully passed the 2022 first and second entrances the opportunity to now begin their admission process from the comfort of their homes, offices, businesses and wherever they are.

He said the Office of Enrollment Services, the Registration and Enhancement Committee, the Office of Information Communication Technology and the Vice President for Academic Affairs who supervised the exercise, will work together to get the job done.

He indicated that the process will make it easier for the new entries to the UL, as the school continues on the path of digitalization.