FIFA Removes Indonesia As Host Of Fifa U-20 World Cup 2023

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March 30, 2023

Expectedly, FIFA has revoked the hosting rights of the U-20 World Cup from Indonesia.

This is the outcome of today’s meeting between FIFA President Gianni Infantino and President of the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) Erick Thohir.

FIFA has decided, due to the current circumstances, to remove Indonesia as the host of the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2023.

A new host will be announced as soon as possible, with the dates of the tournament currently remaining unchanged.

Potential sanctions against the Indonesia FA may also be decided at a later stage.

FIFA would like to underline that despite this decision, it remains committed to actively assisting the PSSI, in close cooperation and with the support of the government of President Widodo, in the transformation process of Indonesian football following the tragedy that occurred in October 2022.

Members of the FIFA team will continue to be present in Indonesia in the coming months and will provide the required assistance to the PSSI, under the leadership of President Thohir.

A new meeting between the FIFA President and the PSSI President for further discussions will be scheduled shortly.

Update: Shooting In Abuja

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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March 30, 2023

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Gunshots reported at Federal Secretariat Abuja Thursday Morning.

According to our correspondent, members of the Nigerian Police Force stationed at the Federal Secretariat and around the Three Arms Zone were compelled to use gun fire to disperse a protest organized by members of the Elzazakay group.

Some civil servants around the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, traders at the Eagle Square and passersby were seen running, as motorists also scampered for safety.

Although, the situation is calm at the moment, the Three Arms Zone is being cordoned off by the police.

FG Reiterate Commitment to Handover Power May 29

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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March 29, 2023

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The Federal government of Nigeria has reiterated its commitment to hand over power to the democratically elected Government on the 29th of May 2023 in Nigeria.

Addressing a press conference
on the Activities of the Presidential Transition Council (PTC)in Abuja, Chairman of council, and Secretary to the Government of the Federation,Boss Mustapha process of interface is necessary so as to keep Nigerians abreast of developments, build inclusiveness and lay a solid foundation for peaceful transition of power in Nigeria.

The Chairman said that the President-elect nominated Atiku Bagudu, the Governor of Kebbi state and Chief Olawale Edun both of whom have actively joined the process since the inauguration of the Council.

Boss Mustapha also revealed that
the PTC was sub-divided into 3 committees in order to ensure a smooth transition process and make the work more efficient.

While highlighting members of the various sub-commitees, Boss Mustapha submitted that the committee is headed by the SGF with 15 members which is working through 13 sub-committees to facilitate effective planning and execution of Inauguration activities.

INEC Presents Certificates of Return In Kwara

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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March 29, 2023

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Kwara State has presented certificates of return to the Governor-Elect who is also the incumbent governor of the State, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq and the twenty four members-elect for the State House of Assembly including a twenty six year old Rukayat Shittu and the only PDP member-elect for Odo-Ogun Constituency, Taiye Afolabi.

26-year-old woman elected to the Kwara Assembly

Both the National Commissioner of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in charge of Kogi, Kwara and Niger States, Professor Sanni Mohammed and the Governor-Elect, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq described the march 18th governorship election as the most peaceful and widely acceptable in the history of the state and Nigeria since 1999.

Speaking during the event, the National Commissioner of Independent National Electoral Commission in charge of Kogi, Kwara and Niger States, Professor Sanni Mohammed described the March 18th governorship and State house of Assembly elections as the finest and most peaceful in the history of the electoral process in the country.

While commending the electoral umpire and the security agents for their roles during the governorship election, the governor-elect, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq maintained that there is vast improvement on the Nation’s electoral process since 1999 adding that the certificate of return presented to him represents the collective decision of the people of the state to push forward the agenda for sustainable development in the state.

The twenty four members-elect for the state house of Assembly including a twenty six year old Rukayat Shittu and the only PDP member-elect for Odo-Ogun Constituency, Taiye Afolabi are expected to form the tenth legislative Assembly.

Imo Serving Lawmaker Dies, Speaker Mourns

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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March 29, 2023

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A member of Imo State House of Assembly, Arthur Egwim is dead.

He was said to have passed on after a brief illness.

The ranking lawmaker, who had represented Ideato North State Constituency, was first elected to the Imo State House of Assembly in 2015.

He was re- elected in 2019 on the platform of the Action Alliance, AA.

Imo Assembly: PDP Tells INEC to Review Results

He had vied for Ideato House of Reps seat on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, in the February 25, 2023 National Assembly elections, which he lost.

Egwim was the President- General of his community, Isiokpo Automous community.

Arthur Egwin was the Chairman Isiokpo town Union Lagos Branch, Chairman Ekeasomba Age grade Isiokpo, Vice Chairman Alade Residents Association Allen Ikeja, President Awareness club of Nigeria Ibadan Oyo State. Member NBA Ikeja. Vice Chairman African Caribbean dispute resolution association, East London. Patron Isiokpo United Brothers Club Nigeria, Member Dynamic Club of Isiokpo.

The deceased was a holder of chieftaincy titles of EKERIN BASHORUN OF IBADAN and Jagunmolu of Epe Ijesha, Jagunmolu of Ogba Lagos, Akaraugo of Umuna Imo State, Nze DURU AKUABATA OF ISIOKPO, OWELLE OF OBODOUKWU, and Ide Dim Onwa Gburugburu of Isiokpo. Ideato.

Till death, he was the principal Partner, Innocent Egwim & CO ( Akuabata Chambers) Adeniyi Jones Ikeja- Lagos. Partner, Supreme Solicitors, Kingsland High Road, London.Director, Sabina Hotels Abuja. Director, Akuj Farms, Wakajaiye Ibadan. Director, Arthurm Holdings Limited, Ikeja. Director, Sabina Investment Limited, Oke Bola Ibadan.

Authur Egwim was the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance in Ideato North federal constituency in the 2023 House of representatives election but lost to the PDP candidate, Ugochinyere Imo.

His academic qualifications are Ph.D law ( in view) University of Lagos. BL, Nigeria Law School. LLM; University of East London. LLM; University of East London.Diplomain Criminology; University of East London. SSCE; Immaculate Conception Seminary Ahiaeke Umuahia. FLC; Ibeku Central Primary School, Umuahia.

Meanwhile, the speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Emeka Nduka, has mourned the death of the lawmaker representing Ideato North Local Government Area of the state, Authur Egwim.

Mourning the lawmaker, the speaker, said that the parliament was saddened by the demise of Egwim.

A statement he personally issued on Tuesday in Owerri, the state capital, described the fallen lawmaker as one of the best brains in the parliament.

Nduka, who described Egwim as ” a ranking parliamentarian of note and a strong voice in the state Assembly” said that he died after a brief illness.

The statement read “with heavy heart, but with total submission to the will of God, we, the members of Imo State House of Assembly, wish to announce the death of one of our own, a ranking parliamentarian of note and a strong voice in IMHA, Rt. Hon Barr Innocent Arthur Egwim, who untill his death represented Ideato State Constituency,, whose sudden death took place on Monday, the 27th March, 2023 after a brief illness.

“Imo House of Assembly has indeed lost one of its finest and best brains.

His demise will for a long time create a vacuum in the House.

“May his gentle soul rest in peace and may God grant his wife and members of his family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. We’ll miss him dearly.

The burial arrangements will be announced by the family in due course.”

Cash Crunch: NLC Suspends Planned Nationwide Strike

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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March 28, 2023

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The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have suspended their planned strike scheduled to commence on Wednesday over the scarcity of naira notes.

The labour unions made this known at the end of their National Executive Council meeting on Tuesday.

Recall that the labour unions had threatened to embark on a nationwide strike from Wednesday, March 29, 2023 if issues like the cash crunch, fuel scarcity and electricity tariff increase are not addressed by the government.

NLC President, Joe Ajaero said after receiving briefings from its state councils in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, the NLC decided to put on hold the planned stay-at-home directive issued to workers last week.

He said the NLC would resume the planned protest if naira notes become unavailable to Nigerians by the end of two weeks.

Naira Scarcity: NLC Declares Nationwide Strike

On Monday, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, met with the leadership of the Congress in a last-minute attempt to avert the impending strike.

At the meeting, Emefiele said steps have been taken to alleviate the sufferings of the masses in relation to the the naira crunch in the country.

The apex bank chief said a large volume of funds was made available to the deposit money banks and they were directed to open their branches on Saturdays and Sundays and they complied under strict supervision by the CBN.

PDP Ihedioha Withdraws From Imo Guber Primary

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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March 28, 2023

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Former Imo State Governor, Emeka Ihedioha has withdrawn from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s governorship primary in the South-East state.

The former governor was screened and cleared a few days ago by the PDP to contest the party’s primary ahead of the November 11 governorship election in Imo State.

PDP Ihedioha, LP Chairman Criticise Imo Assembly Results

However, in a letter dated March 27, 2023, Ihedioha informed the PDP leadership of his “personal sacrifice” for a “consensus candidate” by the party.

In January 2020, the Supreme Court sacked Ihedioha as the governor of Imo State after barely seven months in office.

The seven-man panel led by Chief Justice Tanko Muhammad unanimously declared Hope Uzodimma of the All Progressive Congress (APC) as the winner of the March 19, 2019 governorship election in the state.

The appellant, Uzodimma had contended that he scored the highest number of votes in the election but the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) returned Ihedioha as the governor of the state.

Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun who delivered the judgment declared that the votes due to Uzodimma were unlawfully excluded from the 318 polling units and should be added to his votes.

The apex court considered the submissions of a principal witness who was on a subpoena to present results and held that the lower court was wrong in its ruling.

Justice Kekere-Ekun subsequently declared Uzodimma as the validly elected governor and the certificate of return issued to Ihedioha was withdrawn by INEC and given to Uzodimma.

Ortom Concedes, Withdraws Petition Against APC’s Zam

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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March 28, 2023

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Governor Samuel Ortom, who was the candidate of the People’s democratic party for the Benue north west senatorial district in the just concluded National assembly elections has withdrawn his petition against the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Titus Zam who defeated him to clinch the Senatorial seat.

Benue APC asks Ortom to apologise to Buhari over campaign of calumny

Ortom who made this known to newsmen at the government house in Markurdi said although there are evidence of malpractices including non-transmission of results electronically during the conduct of the election, he is taking the decision to allow peace reign, just as the Bible in John 3:27 says “A man can receive nothing, except it is given to him from heaven.”

He assured the people of Benue State that he will continue to provide selfless service in all sectors of development beyond the end of his tenure on May 29, 2023.

He also appealed to all those he may have offended in the course of serving the state and Nigeria, because he has also forgiven all who offended him.

PDP Gets New Acting National Chairman As Ayu Steps Down

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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March 28, 2023

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has appointed its Deputy National Chairman (North), Ambassador Umar Damagum, as acting national chairman.

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the party which announced the appointment after a brief meeting, explained that the action was in line with the ruling of court.

Just In: PDP Suspends Fayose, Anyim, Two Others

A Makurdi High Court presided over by Justice Wilfred Kpochi had on Monday issued an interim order restraining Dr. Iyorchia Ayu from “parading himself as the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.”

The order of the court issued followed an ex-parte application brought before the court by a PDP stalwart, Conrad Utaan against Dr. Ayu and the PDP.

A statement by PDP spokesman Debo Ologunagba announced Damagum as acting national chairman.

“The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at an emergency meeting today, Tuesday, March 28, 2023 acknowledge the Order of the Benue State High Court, dated March 27, 2023 with regards to the Chairmanship position of our great Party.

“After a careful consideration of the Court Order and in line with Section 45 (2) of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017), the NWC resolved that the Deputy National Chairman (North) His Excellency, Amb. Umar Ililya Damagum assumes the National Chairmanship of our Party in acting capacity with effect from today, Tuesday, March 28, 2023.” He added.

The NWC charged all leaders, critical stakeholders, teeming members and supporters of the Party to remain calm and united at this critical time.

Responding to questions on why Ayu came to the office earlier on Tuesday, Damagum said Ayu had every right to visit the office to pack his personal belongings.

Damagum further stated that
“We are just here to fulfil all righteousness .We are acting in line with the court order

“I will be here in acting capacity pending the determination of the suit in court.

I will soon meet with the NWC to be briefed about affairs of the Party.”

AFCON 2023 Race: Eagles Pip Wild Dogs, Climb Back To Top Of Qualification Group

By

Emenike Agu

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March 27, 2023

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Nigeria moved back to the top of their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying pool after Moses Simon’s 30^thminute penalty condemned hosts Guinea Bissau to a one-goal defeat on Monday.

The Eagles, just as it happened in the first leg in Abuja, created opportunity after good opportunity but failed to get behind goalkeeper Jonas Mendes.

Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze could not convert chances in the first half, before Moses Simon made good from six yards to put Nigeria in front for the first time in the fixture.

The Djurtus looked dangerous as they did in the first leg in Abuja but failed to unscramble the new Kenneth Omeruo/Semi Ajayi equation in the centre of Nigeria’s defence, even as Bright Osayi-Samuel again showed plenty of evidence that he has come to stay at the Super Eagles’ right back.

Osimhen was denied by the upright in the 59^th minute when he flashed a shot past Mendes, and four minutes later, the Napoli man simply blew it skywards after being put through by Samuel Chukwueze.

In the 69^th minute, Osimhen was again foiled by the alertness and diligence of Mendes after Simon sliced one from the left flank. Two minutes later, substitute Joe Aribo was also cracking his knuckles after Mendes got a strong hand to push over his fierce shot from just outside the box.

Victory meant the Eagles returned to the top with nine points, with Guinea Bissau second on seven and Sierra Leone, who spanked Sao Tome and Principe on Wednesday, third on five points.

The next round of the qualifiers will be in June, when Nigeria travel away to Sierra Leone and Guinea Bissau take on bottom-placed Sao Tome and Principe.