What Ronaldo Said After Scoring Four Goals For Al-Nassr, Reaching Milestone

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February 10, 2023

Al-Nassr forward, Cristiano Ronaldo has expressed happiness after scoring four goals in his side’s 4-0 win over Al-Wehda in the Saudi Pro League.

Ronaldo’s four-goals against Al-Wehda saw him to reach his 500th career league goal.

The Portugal captain received the ball inside the penalty area, took a couple of touches before firing a left-footed shot past the opponent goalkeeper.

Ronaldo then added another before half-time as he also scored two goals in the second half.

Reacting, Ronaldo, in a tweet via his Twitter handle, said he felt great.

Ronaldo tweeted: “Great feeling to have scored 4 goals and reached my 500th league goal in a very solid win by the team!”

Ronaldo’s 503 league goals have come across five clubs – 311 for Real Madrid, 103 across two spells with Manchester United, 81 for Juventus, three for Sporting and now four with Al-Nassr.

Champions League: Messi To Miss PSG Vs Bayern Munich Clash

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Emenike Agu

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February 10, 2023

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Paris Saint-Germain forward, Lionel Messi is a doubt for the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 clash against Bayern Munich due to a hamstring problem, according to French media.

Messi played the full 90 minutes of their 2-1 defeat to Marseille in the French Cup on Wednesday.

However, he later felt pain in his hamstring.

Messi is expected to miss PSG’s trip to AS Monaco in Ligue 1 on Saturday, three days before the Bayern fixture.

Messi has scored 15 goals in 25 games in all competitions for PSG this season.

The French champions are already without forward Kylian Mbappe for the game after he picked up a thigh injury last week.

The second leg will be held in Munich on March 8.

Poor Form: Fifa Badged Ref Madu, Five Others Get NFF Warning

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Emenike Agu

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February 10, 2023

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Madu Patience Ndidi, a respected FIFA badged referee from Enugu State has been warned by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Referees Committee has been warned and advised to always consider clear certainty to justify her decision during a match.

Madu was tasked to step up her performance after an evaluation of her conduct in a Nigeria Premier Football League fixture between Wikki Tourists FC and Niger Tornadoes.

The committee identified that an incident occurred in the penalty area, in which she whistled and signalled for a penalty kick and instantly changed her decision for a goal as the ball eventually proceeded and resulted in a goal.

After thorough analysis, it was concluded that: A Foul was committed and the Referee signalled for a Penalty Kick; that the goal resulted from a dead ball, and therefore, the advantage clause is not applicable in this instant situation.

That the Referee should have maintained her decision of penalty kick; that she committed an error of judgment in allowing the goal.

In the committee’s decision, Madu was warned and advised to always consider the larger picture by appropriate scanning and delay decisions until there is a clear certainty to justify a decision.

In the game between arch-rivals Shooting Stars Sports Club and Kwara United Ukah Ndubuisi (FIFA), Imo, Referee also got a warning.

It was observed that during a build-up, which resulted in a goal, the AR 2, Otuwho Morrison signalled to penalise the scorer for an offside offence. The Referee complied with his AR to disallow the goal.

After a proper examination of the clip, it was inferred that: As at the time the ball leaves the leg of the kicker (teammate of the scorer), the scorer was not in an offside position.

The AR2 was not properly positioned to justify the decision to penalize the scorer for the offside offence.

Decision: Ndubuisi is warned and advised to improve his performance as the duty to identify/establish an offside position is purely that of the AR.

For the NWFL derby between Rivers Angels and Delta Queens, which was characterized by controversial/questionable decisions that had adverse effects on the outcome of the match, the committee however considered that the impact of the decisions of Match Officials in the other reviewed matches was not serious enough to warrant punitive measures.

The duo of Abdulrasheed Rofiat, Oyo, Assistant Referee 1 and Aladenika Adetutu Assistant Referee 2 were warned and advised to improve their performances.

The committee observed that two goals of Delta Queens were disallowed by the Referee, Adesola Olufunke and her active Assistant Referee 1, Abdulrasheed Rofiat.

The committee noted that: in an attack towards the penalty area of Rivers Angels, the defending player attempted a scissors kick and missed the ball.

None of the two attacking players near the defending player committed no offence.

The claim of the Referee that there was a foul/pushing is unfounded and therefore, her decision to disallow the goal unjustified with the Laws of the Game.

Decision: the second goal disallowed by the Assistant Referee’s signal for offside is considered as justified as the committee observed a possible offside situation in the run towards the goal by the attacking players. The Assistant Referees are, however, warned and advised to improve their performances.

The trio of Ogunboye Joy, Ondo, Referee, Olusi Kikelomo, Ondo, Assistant Referee 1 and Ajirotutu Esther, Ondo, Assistant Referee 2 who officiated the NWFL game between Osun Babes vs Delta Queens, were warned and advised to improve in their performances.

The committee noted that the incidences and errors of judgment of the Match Officials were not serious enough to warrant punitive measures.

EPL: Guardiola In Pole Position To Leave Crisis At Man City For New Job

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Emenike Agu

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February 10, 2023

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Pep Guardiola has reportedly ‘returned to pole position’ for the Brazil manager’s job as the Man City boss is being targeted as Tite’s successor.

Brazil are on the lookout for a new manager following the World Cup. Tite was sacked after the South American nation were knocked out of last year’s tournament by Croatia on penalties in the quarter-finals.

Guardiola has previously been linked with the Brazil manager’s job but for now, he remains committed to Man City.

His future at City is in doubt somewhat as City were charged by the Premier League over ‘more than 100’ breaches of their financial rules. This followed a four-year probe into the club’s conduct.

Now Spanish outlet Sport are reporting that Brazil’s Football Confederation have been ‘encouraged’ by the recent news about Man City.

They have placed Guardiola back as their ‘first choice’ to succeed Tite amid the ‘institutional crisis of Manchester City’, which is described as ‘one of the biggest scandals in the history of English football’.

It is said that Guardiola is ‘on the market’ given the Premier League’s potential ‘sanctions’ against Man City.

They are said to be keen to ‘wait until June’ to appoint Tite’s replacement, so Guardiola could theoretically remain at City for the rest of this season before moving on.

The report adds: ‘Brazil remains firm in the idea of breaking with tradition and appointing a foreign coach to help modernize the entire sporting structure of the CBF, which would also include the youth teams.

Chelsea Make €150m Osimhen Top Target With Swap Deal On Agenda

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Emenike Agu

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February 10, 2023

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Chelsea have reportedly made Napoli striker Victor Osimhen their ‘top striker target’ ahead of the summer transfer window.

The Blues have spent over £600m on new signings since the start of this season but they still need to strengthen up front.

Kai Havertz has often been used as a makeshift striker this term with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang out of favour and Armando Broja out of action through injury.

One of Chelsea’s main issues this term has been their lack of goals. They are ninth in the Premier League having only scored 22 goals in 21 league games this season.

They have lacked a prolific goalscorer in recent years, but Osimhen has been in stunning form for Serie A leaders Napoli this season. He has netted 16 goals in 17 outings for the Italian outfit.

Man Utd are also being linked with the Nigeria international as it is known that they are also in the market for a new forward ahead of the summer.

But 90min are reporting that ‘Chelsea have identified Napoli striker Osimhen as their primary striker target for the 2023 summer window’.

The Blues are said to be ‘desperate to win the race’ to sign the Serie A standout. He still has two years remaining on his contract at Napoli, who reportedly value him at around €150m.

This asking price has ‘not scared’ Chelsea but they are ‘expected to try and reduce that fee by offering a number of players in exchange’. Romelu Lukaku is a ‘possibility’ in that regard if he ‘does not return to Inter’

Kenya Launches Digital Literacy for Parents On Child Protection Skills

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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February 10, 2023

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A state agency in charge of regulating films in Kenya has launched a digital literacy programme to help parents and guardians improve skills on how to protect children in their care.

The Kenya Films and Classification Board (KFCB) said that its surveys had found “an information gap” that needed to be addressed, local news site.

The initiative reportedly target teachers too.

“We realise that children themselves know more than the parents when it comes to digital literacy and being tech savvy,” Emmah Irungu from the KFCB is quoted as saying.

“So what we’ve done is we’ve built not only safety features and products and tools into our products, we’ve also built educational tools for parents about how to create a safe environment in the home.”

It was launched on Tuesday to coincide with Safer Internet Day.

Pres. Buhari Appoints Rectors for three Federal Poly

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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February 9, 2023

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President Muhammadu Buhari, has approved the appointments of rectors and some principal officers for three federal polytechnics in the country.

According to a statement released on Wednesday by the Federal Ministry of Education, the rectors and their institutions are Dr Paul-Darlington Ndubuisi for the Federal Polytechnic Isuochi, Abia State; Professor Mohammed Magaji for the Federal Polytechnic, Kabo, Kano State; and Dr Duke Okoro for the Federal Polytechnic, Orogun, Delta State.

The statement said, “The appointments of the three Rectors are for a single term of five years each, with effect from January 17, 2023, and are in line with the Federal Polytechnic (Amendment) Act 2019.”

In a related development, the Director of Press and Publicity of the ministry, Ben Goong, said the President had also approved the appointments of Umar Dumbulum, Christine Aluyi and Ezenuruihe Olachi as registrars for Federal Polytechnic, Kabo, Kano State; Federal Polytechnic, Orogun, Delta State; and Federal Polytechnic, Isuochi, Abia State respectively.

The three appointments have a single term of five years each, with effect from January 17, 2023.

The President also approved the appointment of Atabatele Solomon and Nkpado Pamela as bursars for Kabo Polytechnic and Federal Polytechnic, Orogun respectively.

“Finally, Government has also approved the appointments of Librarians for two Federal Polytechnics, namely: Dr. Iroroeavwo Edwin Achugbue – Librarian, Federal Polytechnic, Orogun; Kabiru Ubale – Librarian, Federal Polytechnic, Kabo, Kano State,” the statement said.

Stakeholders urge execution of Mental Health Law

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Cleopatra Okohai

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February 9, 2023

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Director of The Vale College Ibadan, Mrs. Funso Adegbola, has called for joint efforts to ensure implementation of the Mental Health Act, to improve mental health services and funding among others in the country.

Adegbola made the call at the third Jemila Abubakar Memorial Essay Award ceremony organised by Asido Foundation held at the International Conference Centre Ibadan.

Adegbola in her keynote address, while commending Asido for contributing immensely to mental health advocacy in Nigeria, said mental health must be a priority for all individuals and society at large.

She alluded to the World Health Organisation sayings that “There is no health without mental health!”, noting that for the mental health act to be successful, “we as individuals must champion the advocacy and awareness creation that the Asido Foundation and many others are doing, around the law.

“Other challenges facing mental health include low levels of government priority for mental health, policies and legislation that are obsolete or poorly implemented, as well as widespread ignorance, shame, and stigma associated with a mental health diagnosis.

“Superimposed on these is the paucity of mental health professionals available across the country.”

In his remarks, the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Mr. Adebayo Lawal extolled the virtues of the late Jemila Abubakar and enjoined everyone present to emulate her.

Lawal, the Chairman of the occasion, represented by his wife, Mrs. Ajibike Lawal, urged everyone, the youth in particular to develop their passion to impact their world positively.

Also, the Co-chairman at the event, a professor of medicine and Neurology, Adesola Ogunniyi stressed the importance of unravelling the myths and misconceptions about medicine, particularly mental health.

He commended Asido for its advocacy work in demystifying all the stigmas associated with mental illness.

“I feel we should embrace the idea of making mental health something we should not be ashamed of for individuals that we need to help,” Ogunniyi said.

Also, Prof. Oye Gureje, in an interview, speaking on the mental health act said, “the signing of the bill into law by President Muhammadu Buhari as good as it is, it is only calling for more advocacy by everyone.

“We need to try and get the government to implement the law. This particular law commits the government to not just provide human resources but also financial resources, in terms of implementation.

“And you know anything that does that usually in Nigeria, gets relegated to the background. I really have my concerns that this is not what the government will implement quickly unless we continue with the pressure that has been going on for years. A lot of work still needs to be done,” Gureje said.

Earlier in his address of welcome, the Founder of Asido Foundation, Dr. Jibril Abdulmalik, said there was an 80 per cent treatment gap in persons with mental health, adding that misconception and stigmatisation of the illness had not helped in proper medical treatment of the illness.

He identified human rights abuses of affected persons such as shame, stigma, and discrimination. “Stigma is a broad term, encompassing problems of Knowledge, that is ignorance. The attitude which comes with prejudice, and behaviour is discrimination.

“We are usually afraid of things which we do not understand. The societal impact of Mental ill-Health includes human rights abuses, Stigma, and discrimination, beliefs in supernatural disease causation, drug abuse, and insecurity, few mental health professionals as well as reduced access to care, which is the treatment gap.”

Abdulmalik further said the JAME award of excellence was to celebrate the legacy of its pioneer program manager who served selflessly.

He said the qualities she possesses are values we love young people to emulate. “This is why we chose to immortalise her by establishing the Jemila Abubakar Memorial Essay Competition: To continue to hold her memory alive and encourage other youth to emulate her life of sacrifice and dedication to humanity.

“To promote mental health awareness among young students across the country and to enroll the top fifteen winners in a leadership and mental health fellowship to become mental health advocates.”

WHO urges Vigilance but no alarm over Bird Flu

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Cleopatra Okohai

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February 9, 2023

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The World Health Organisation has called for vigilance after the recent detection of bird flu in mammals but tried to calm fears that large-scale human outbreaks could be looming.

“The recent spillover to mammals needs to be monitored closely,” the UN health agency’s chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters, stressing that “for the moment, WHO assesses the risk to humans as low”.

Since late 2021, Europe has been gripped by its worst-ever outbreak of bird flu, with North and South America also experiencing severe outbreaks.

This has led to the culling of tens of millions of domestic poultry worldwide, many with the H5N1 strain of the virus. The global outbreak is also responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands of wild birds.

The recent detection of the disease in a number of mammals, including foxes, otters, minks, sea lions, and even grizzly bears, has sparked growing concern that humans could be more at risk.

Tedros noted that since the virus first emerged in 1996, “We have only seen rare and non-sustained transmission of H5N1 to and between humans.”

But, he cautioned, “We cannot assume that will remain the case, and we must prepare for any change in the status quo.”

Tedros called on countries to “strengthen surveillance in settings where humans, farmed or wild animals interact.”

“WHO is also continuing to engage with manufacturers to make sure that if needed, supplies of vaccines and antivirals would be available for global use,” he said.

– ‘Stay one step ahead’ –

Over the last two decades, there have been 868 confirmed H5N1 cases in humans with 457 deaths, according to the WHO. There were four confirmed human cases and one death last year.

Last month, Ecuador reported South America’s first case of the A(H5) bird flu virus in a human — a nine-year-old girl who was in contact with backyard poultry.

The girl’s condition was “improving,” WHO emergencies director Michael Ryan told reporters, adding that so far, there was no indication that other people had been infected.

That reflects the usual pattern when people are infected, explained Sylvie Briand, WHO epidemic and pandemic preparedness and prevention director.

“The transmission from animals to humans is rare, and when it infects humans, further transmission between humans is not easy, because the virus is not well-adapted to the human population,” she said.

But, she warned, “We need to be vigilant to make sure that spread in animals is contained.”

“The more the virus circulates in animals, the higher is the risk for humans as well,” she said, adding that this was “because the virus circulating in animals can evolve to forms that are more transmissible.”

Ryan agreed that intense spread among small mammals “creates the chance that this virus can evolve”.

But, he stressed, “Our job is to stay one step ahead.

“Protecting humans isn’t only about managing viruses in humans. It’s about managing viruses in the animal kingdom and especially at that animal-human interface,” he said, urging concerted action.

“Risks can be reduced,” he said. “People should not be alarmed.”

9-year-old Nigerian Makes History As One of The Youngest High School Graduates

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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February 9, 2023

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A Nigerian boy has made history in the US..

David Balogun from Pennsylvania’s Bucks County has graduated from high school at the age of 9.

The young boy is now attending college as he becomes one of a few young kids to reach the milestone.

David became the youngest student to graduate from Reach Cyber Charter School, based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and is now taking classes at Bucks County Community College.

“I would say that you should know what you’re good at and what you’re not good at, because if you’re not good at a subject, you shouldn’t be put down that you didn’t get an A-plus in that subject,” David Balogun told “Good Morning America.”

“If you’re not that good at that subject but if you’re good at, let’s say, all your other subjects or most of your other subjects, you can still excel and graduate at a young age.”

David embarked on an accelerated program and studied year round, embracing a variety of subjects.

“As my mom puts it, my favorite subject is learning new things,” David said. “Whether it’s art, math, science, English, social studies, I’ll be happy to learn something new.”

He said he especially enjoys math and science, especially nuclear chemistry, and he hopes to one day go into astronomy, engineering or software development.

When he’s not studying, David said he also enjoys building robots and watching online videos about everything from astronomy to physiology.

David’s mom Ronya Balogun told “GMA” their family is “exceedingly proud” of the 9-year-old’s achievements so far.

David’s dad, Henry Balogun said, “It has always been my joy to see my son in this position today.”

“This is fantastic and we are deeply grateful to God that he was able to achieve his goal,” he added. “He’s still on his way. He has not reached the end yet and now he is in college.”

Ronya Balogun said her message to other parents is to support your child whenever possible. “It’s very rewarding but you have to kind of get yourself outside of the box and be able to see things outside of the system and advocate and speak up and not give up,” she said.

“Be their own cheerleader, believe in them, even when they sometimes doubt themselves. Just believe in them and that’s what I tell my son, ‘As far as you want to go, go. There is no limits to where you want to go. There is no limit to your dreams.’”