Dominican Republic 2024: Flamingos Maintain 100%, Face USA In Quarter Finals

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October 23, 2024

By Akinwale Kasali

In a repeat of the Quarter Finals of the 2022 FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup in India, where the Flamingos of Nigeria defeated the United States of America 5-4 on Penalties after a 1-1 draw, regulation time, is to once again play out in Dominican Republic.

Following Shakirat Moshood’s 89th minute strike from 24 yards, earning Nigeria collected all three points against a heroic Dominican Republic side in the two team’s final match of Group A at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup on Wednesday morning. The win ensured that Nigeria will battle USA in the quarter-finals on Saturday.

Playing for the first time in Santo Domingo, the Nigerians found the going tough under driving rain against a determined host nation, and could not make an overwhelming ball possession count until Moshood, now with four goals, unleashed a rocket from outside the box.

Captain Renata Mercedes and goalkeeper Rondon led a famous resistance against one of the elites of the competition, and the hosts deserved praise for their pushback that ensured the Flamingos made nothing out of 16 corner kicks.

Coach Bankole Olowookere made three changes to the starting line-up, bringing in Rokibat Azeez, Blessing Ifitezue and Ramotalahi Kareem in place of Onyedikachi Ekezie, Peace Effiong and Harmony Chidi.

He restored Effiong and Chidi after the hour, but it took a special effort from Moshood, scorer of the tournament’s fastest goal, to break the hearts of the hosts.

Victory means the Flamingos top their group with the maximum Nine points, while second-placed Ecuador, finished with Six Points, having walloped New Zealand 4-0 to set up a clash with Spain on Sunday.

The Flamingos will be targeting victory over the Americans, to be better their Third Place Finish at the competition in India two years ago.

Delay In Take Off Of FUTA Teaching Hospital May Affect Graduation Of Medical Students

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Ayodele Oni

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October 23, 2024

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By Ayodele Oni

The fate of the first set of about 150 medical students at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, (FUTA) remains uncertain as they are set to write their MBBS examinations.

Passing the examinations is a prerequisite for advancing from 300 level to 400 level of their course which is the beginning of their clinical years.

It was learnt that unfortunately, there is no teaching hospital where to teach them practical management of patients and handling of health issues.

FUTA is the first conventional university in Ondo that that will offer medicine as a course of study, a situation which lead to lack of a teaching hospital in the state.

The nearest teaching hospital to Akure is the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, which is about 60 kilometers away from the Ondo state capital.

Reacting to the challenge being faced by the students, a member of the House of Representatives, representing Akure north and south, Derin Adesida noted the concern of some stakeholders on the issue, saying “We think the the fate of not less than 150 medical students must not be glossed over by anyone who desires the best for our state, our country and, of course, the whole of humanity.

“Therefore, all hands must be on deck to ensure that FUTA teaching hospital becomes a reality as soon as possible.”

A statement by his media aide, Ojo Oyewamide explained various efforts being put in place to ensure that a teaching hospital takes off in Akure as soon as possible.

“The truth is that the bill to establish the Federal University of Technology Akure Teaching Hospital was passed by the Ninth Senate on Wednesday, February 25, 2022.

“Unfortunately, former President Muhammadu Buhari failed to sign the bill into law before exiting office. The bill had to be represented at the floor of the Tenth Senate. It has passed first reading.

“At present, there is no bill on FUTA teaching hospital on the floor of the House of Representatives. The bill on the teaching hospital will be sent to the House for confirmation only when passed after third reading in the Senate.

“It is important to note here that Prince Adesida is already lobbying his colleagues in the House in order to ensure quick confirmation when the Bill is sent by the Senate.”

The statement added that Adesida a two term member of the green chamber has promised to do all within the armbit of the law to ensure that the bill scales through in both chambers of the national assembly.

“Be rest assured that Prince Adesida will surely play his part to the satisfaction of all. It is the understanding of Prince Adesida that the bill will be presented for second reading in the Senate anytime from now.”

Over 181 Deaths Recorded, 80 Injured In Jigawa Tanker Explosion, Gov Namadi

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Suleiman Anyalewechi

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October 23, 2024

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By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The number of persons that lost their lives in last week’s tanker explosion in Jigawa state has risen to 181.

Similarly, about 80 people were critically injured during the incident and are currently receiving medical attention in hospitals.

Governor of Jigawa state, Umar Namadi, who disclosed this at the Presidential Villa on Tuesday. October 22, while interacting with the media after briefing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the explosion, also, informed that about 210 families were affected by the unfortunate incident.

The Source reports that an Nguru Yobe state bound tanker traveling from Kano on Tuesday October 15, fell down and exploded in Majia town, Taura local council of Jigawa State.

Death toll at the time of the explosion was conservatively put at about 100, while about 50 were injured.

The mass casualty figure, according to the Jigawa State Police Command, was due to locals thronging the site of the accident against wise counsel.

Further speaking, Governor Namadi noted that the state Government has set up a probe panel to unravel the actual circumstances surrounding the incident.

The Panel, which he said will be chaired by a retired top police officer, will seek to establish both the remote and immediate causes of the explosion,as well as the mass casualty.

” I came here to brief Mr President on what happened to us ,the tragic incident that happened in Jigawa state which claimed a lot of lives.

“We felt it is important to come and brief Mr President on what we are doing as a Government and also to thank him for sending a delegation immediately this incident happened.

The situation as at today is that we have about 181 people that died and about 80 in the hospital ,as well as 210 families that were affected by the incident.” the Governor stated

He said that the s

State Government has since taken up the medical treatment of the injured persons,while also intervening to rehabilitate families affected in one way or the other by the explosion .

Governor Namadi disclosed that President Tinubu has also promised to render assistance to the victims.

IMF Downgrades Nigeria’s Economic Growth Prospects

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Tosin Olatokunbo

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October 23, 2024

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The International Monetary Fund, IMF, has downgraded 2024 Nigeria’s economic growth prospects from 3.3 percent to 2.9 percent.

The Fund made the prediction in its World Economic Outlook report, citing factors such as inflation, flooding, and low crude oil production, amongst others for the downgrade.

Recall that the IMF had earlier in the year predicted over three percent economic growth for Nigeria, giving the current reforms as reasons.

The former prediction has now been reversed due to the factors mentioned above, the IMF said.

The Managing Director of the Fund Kristalina Georgieva made this known during the 2024 Annual Meetings of the IMF and the World Bank Group in Washington, DC, on October 17.

The IMF boss however said the projections for the global economic growth remained unchanged at 3.1 percent.

According to her, “Nigeria’s economy in the first and second quarter of the year grew by 2.98% and 3.19% respectively amid a surge in inflation and further depreciation of the naira.

“The GDP growth rate in the first two quarters of 2024 surpassed the figure for 2023, representing resilience despite severe macroeconomic shocks with a spike in petrol prices and a 28-year high inflation rate.

“Nigeria’s inflation rate only began to slow down in July 2024 after 19 months of consistent increase dating back to January 2023.

“However, after two months of slowdown hiatus, inflation continued to rise on the back of an increase in petrol prices by the NNPCL in September,” she said.

Meanwhile, the magazine reports that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Tuesday, launched the bid to grow Nigeria’s crude oil output significantly in the next 12 months by raising production by 1 million barrel per day.

The president said this will be achieved by harnessing dormant oil assets and optimising existing ones.

Land Grabbers Having Free Reign In FCT, Says Wike

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Tosin Olatokunbo

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October 23, 2024

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Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, has accused some developers of illegally building on the land where they have not been given approval.

The minister, has however, sent a strong warning to those involved in this act, that such lands will be recovered by force by the FCT authority.

Wike gave the warning on Tuesday when he paid an unscheduled visit to the site where illegal development is taking place in the FCT.

The minister who was accompanied on the visit by the Guards Brigade Commander, Director FCT Department of State Security, Commissioner of Police, the Commandant, NSCDC and other FCTA officials, stated that land grabbers having ‘a field day’ in places such as Idu Train Station, which is now part of Gosa and Kyami, Apo Tarfi area and Lugbe will be forcefully removed.

He ordered the security agencies to be prepared to forcefully evict the land grabbers, saying they have not obtained permission to build on the land.

The minister challenged any developer with genuine documents to come forward with such before the demolitions commences.

Wike: “We are here for a removal exercise today at Sabon Lugbe Southwest area, which is part of the phase five district of the Federal Capital City (FCC). We just started with just about 10 structures, but tomorrow we are coming back in full swing

“And recall that sometimes back we warned that we are going to bounce on land grabbers. So this is in continuation of the enforcement exercise, which had started.

“We want to inform the general public that for any person to buy any property in Abuja, please ensure that it is rightly titled property with approved development plan, but failing to do so, you could fall into the hands of these land grabbers, and please do not blame the FCTA.

“There are areas that these land grabbers are really having their field day. The Idu Train Station, which is now part of Gosa and Kyami, Apo Tarfi area and Lugbe. And today we are in Lugbe, and we will continue as it is a continuous exercise. So, illegal developments will not be entertained.”

Regionalism Root Cause Of Nigeria’s Problem -Obasanjo

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Tosin Olatokunbo

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October 23, 2024

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Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has described regionalism as the source of Nigeria’s problems.

The former leader made the remark on Tuesday when the League of Northern Democrats” led by the former Governor of Kano State, Ibrahim Shekarau, paid him a visit at Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, OOPL, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

According to the former leader, it’s unfortunate that regionalism which former the major problem plaguing the country since independence is still being clamoured for by some Nigerians.

Obasanjo said the spirit of nationalism rather than regionalism should take hold among Nigerians, explaining that it doesn’t matter where any Nigerian hails from he/she must have the opportunity to rule the country.

He bemoaned a situation where the country had three regional leaders when the country gained independence in 1960, stressing that that was the root cause of the serious disunity in the country today.

The former president described the situation as a ‘mistake’ saying such must not be repeated.

“Maybe we have made mistakes in the past; maybe myself too has made mistakes in the past. But whatever may be our mistakes in the past, we do not want to repeat that mistakes. You said I am a believer in the greatness of this country, yes, I am,” he said.

Obasanjo said further, “I am also an incurable optimist in this country. I am totally committed to the goodness of this country. But I believe that if we look back and we want to be sincere with ourselves, we can see some of the mistakes of the past which we must not fall into again.

“So, anytime I hear North, West, East; I feel frightened and that is my honest opinion because one of the things that have led us into where we are today and we haven’t gone out of it is regionalism.

“At the time of our independence, we were probably the only country or one of the few countries in Africa that did not have one leader. At independence, we had three leaders.

“So, we attained independence with putting three countries in one and that remains part of our problems for a long, long time and it hasn’t completely left us.

“So, when you give the name of your league as Northern League of Democrats, my opinion was how I wish it has been National League of Democrats? But I will also say that you have to begin from somewhere.

“One of the things I always question myself about is, why should I be proud being a Yoruba man. I could as well been born in Sokoto. The fact that I was born in Yorubaland was not my making, it was God’s making because I could as well been born in Maiduguri and I will still be a Nigerian.

“I do not believe that where I was born should be the enemy of my Nigerianess. I believe and I feel that any sensible Nigerian will feel that way that I am increased by belonging to the Federal Republic of Nigeria than belonging to the Republic Oduduwa land.

“I am a Yoruba man and I’m proud to be a Yoruba man, but my being Nigerian should not be an enemy of my being a Yoruba man and neither should my being a Yoruba man being an enemy of my being a Nigerian.”

Recall that Nigeria, had three regional leaders in Chief Obafemi Awolowo (Western Region), Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sadauna of Sokoto( Northern region) and Chief Nnamdi Azikiwe (Eastern Region)

No, You Cannot Tax God CAN Tells Abia State Govt

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Suleiman Anyalewechi

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October 22, 2024

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Alex Otti - Governor of Abia State — Governor Alex Otti of Abia State

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Abia State Chapter has flayed the decision of the State Government to impose taxes and levies on Churches in the State.

The umbrella body of Christians in Nigeria in a petition jointly signed by Ojo Ojo Uduma and Dr Francis Okere chairman and Secretary respectively, expressed concern that Church signposts could be subjected to taxation.

According to CAN, such a policy has the potentials of portraying the Government as anti-Christ and anti-Church.

It expressed the readiness to engage the administration in a dialogue so as to find a way out of the situation.

The Source reports that in a bid to widen the State’s tax net, and shore up internally generated revenue, the Abia State Signage and Advertising Agency ABSAA ,recently included church signposts as one of the taxable items in the state.

However, CAN has lamented that it is only in Abia State, otherwise known as “God’s Own State” that such a practice is operational across the country.

The Christian body therefore appealed to the Governor Alex Otti-led State Government to take a second look at the policy which it noted is weird.

“We passionately plead with your Excellency, as a matter of urgency, to carefully look into this matter and possibly rescind the policy to avoid compelling the Body of Christ in the state from seeing this regime as being anti-church”, CAN stated.

Most Churches and their leaders in Abia state are believed to be strongly against the unusual policy, and are calling for its immediate abrogation.

It’s Fake News, No Judge Disowned Supreme Court Judgment On Uzodimma, Says Imo Govt

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The Source

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October 22, 2024

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Imo State government has dismissed as puerile, ludicrous, and irresponsible the recent attempt by enemies of the State to rubbish the profile of Governor Hope Uzodimma through fake news.

It said the fake news being circulated in the social media purporting a Supreme Court judge to have apologised to Imo people over the ruling five years ago was one in a series of failed attempts to rubbish the reputation of Uzodimma.

Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation and Strategy, Hon Declan Emelumba regretted that the purveyors of the fake news appear not to be tired even when “they have failed woefully and repeatedly in their satanic mission to destroy the governor politically.”

He, however, promised to match them in their game so as not to confuse the public , especially Imo people, on the true nature of issues.

“We shall continue to counter them lest they get away with these tissues of lies and propaganda aimed at tarnishing the image of the governor, no matter how incredible and ridiculous,” the Commissioner declared.

According to Emelumba, in their haste to impersonate the so called Supreme Court justice who purportedly apologised, blaming her action on eye infection, no name was given and the place and event where she made the statement were not also given.

He noted that those who continue to dwell on the Supreme Court judgment have refused to accept defeat even when Uzodimma roundly trounced them in last year’s governorship election.

Said he: “Because the opposition continues to live in denial, it has never occurred to them that after the Supreme Court judgment, PDP sought a review where the learned Justices threw the books at them with a heavy cost. They also had another opportunity to test their popularity in another election, yet Uzodimma floored them in all the 27 local government areas of the State. Is it not time for them to go hide their faces in shame?”

The Commissioner blamed the social media for aiding the opposition in the publication of unsubstantiated materials, especially the instant one that seeks to denigrate the integrity of a Supreme Court judge.

“There are basic rules in the journalism profession that were totally violated by those who published that trash. Who said what, when, where, at what occasion, and how were not answered because it was fake news. We are responding for the simple reason that some gullible members of the society might believe it to be true,” he submitted.

He declared that to the best of knowledge of the government, no judge who participated in the ruling, which restored Uzodimma’s mandate, has ever disowned it, talk less of blaming eye infection for it.

Emelumba said the intermittent circulation of fake news against Uzodimma was being sponsored by those afraid of his national political visibility, which has dwarfed their own local standing.

He said the governor rather than be distracted by such antics would continue to deliver democracy dividends to the people of Imo State as well as discharging his national assignments.

Drugs: Senate Summons NDLEA Over Allegation Against Deputy Senate Leader

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Akinwale Kasali

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October 22, 2024

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By Akinwale Kasali

The Senate has summoned Brigadier-General Mohammed Buba Marwa, Chairman, National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, to appear before it over allegations raised against the Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Oyelola Ashiru, APC, representing Kwara South Senatorial District.

The allegation prompted the Senate to set up a six-member panel to invite all those involved in the accusation raised by NDLEA that Senator Ashiru made disparaging comments on the NDLEA because he failed to stop the arrest and trial of some people found to be involved in drug abuse in his house.

Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, representing Abia South Senatorial District chairs the Committee, which also has Senator Kaka Shehu, APC, Borno Central, Senator Ede Dafinone, APC, Delta Central, Senator Ireti Kingibe, LP, FCT, Senator Afolabi Shauibu, APC, Ogun Central, and Senator Lawal Usman, PDP, Kaduna Central as members.

The point of order raised by Senator Ashiru led to the Resolutions of the Senate on Tuesday. Senator Ashiru came under Order 42 of the Senate Standing Order, and explained how the reaction of the NDLEA to his comment last week during a debate on a bill has affected his integrity, as he neither takes alcohol nor carbonated drinks except water. He pleaded that the matter must be taken very seriously.

Actress Halima Abubakar Sues AGN, Emeka Rollas For N3 Billion Over Suspension

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Akinwale Kasali

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October 22, 2024

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By Akinwale Kasali

Halima Abubakar, suspended Nollywood Actress has filed a Lawsuit against the AGN and its President, Emeka Ejezie Rollas for suspending her.

It would be recalled that the Actress was suspended by the leadership of the AGN for allegedly spreading fake news.

The actress, known for her outspoken nature, claims the decision was a target attack on her character.

The AGN made waves on Friday when it announced Halima’s indefinite suspension, citing a two-year investigation that found her guilty of leaking unfounded rumors about fellow actors and prominent figures in the entertainment industry.

The Guild accused her of orchestrating a campaign of slander that included sensational allegations of extramarital affairs which sent shockwaves through the industry.

On October 20, 2024, Halima’s legal team, P.D. Pius & Associates, sent a letter of demand to Rollas, condemning his statements as “false publications” that have tarnished her reputation.

The letter highlights that Halima, a respected figure in the entertainment industry, was shocked by the allegations leveled against her, particularly at a time when she is battling health issues.

The AGN’s October 17 post on Instagram claimed that a secret investigation had found Halima responsible for slandering fellow actors, including allegations of extramarital affairs involving high-profile individuals. The Guild’s statement suggested that her actions constituted a serious breach of their code of conduct.

Halima’s legal representatives did not hold back. They accused Rollas of using her vulnerable state to further a negative narrative, claiming it was an attempt to “stir up social opprobrium” against her. The letter stated: “Rather than show concern for our client’s fundamental rights to fair hearing and privacy, you chose this delicate moment to push your false narrative.”

The letter of demand includes a stern request for Rollas to take down the original Instagram post, issue a public apology, and pay a staggering three billion naira (approximately $7.5 million) for the damage to Halima’s reputation.

“Your false publication has damaged the reputation of our client and continues to do so with each passing minute,” the letter asserts, pointing to the wide reach of Rollas’ initial statement across various media platforms.

Halima’s legal team has set a seven-day deadline for compliance, warning that failure to meet their demands will lead to further legal action.