Author: The Nation

Directors and captains of industries across different sectors of the Nigerian economy on Saturday embarked on a ten kilometers walk to restate their commitments to engendering a healthier work-life balance in the country.

Dr. Ije Jidenma, President of the Institute of Directors Nigeria (IoD), during the IoD ‘walk for life’ in Lagos, said the event was the institute’s contribution to the agility of directors.

Jidenma, revealing that the event was held simultaneously in Abeokuta, Port Harcourt, and Abuja, emphasised the need for lifestyle modification to bring out the best in a person.

She urged directors across various sectors of the Nigerian economy to embrace exercise as a lifestyle to achieve a certain level of alertness and agility needed to drive organisational growth and development.

“Directors are encouraged to replicate this walk as often as possible, especially in today’s world where there are no boundaries between work and life.

“Directors are encouraged wherever they may be to take care of their bodies because an agile body gives rise to an agile mind,” she said.

Nnamdi Okafor, Chairman, Health and Social Security Committee, said the event was part of the IoD at 40 years year-long celebration activities across the country.

Okafor noted that Nigerians were disposed to all sorts of physical and mental issues which hampered their performances and restrained them from optimal health.

“This exercise is to reduce stress and we hope this would catalyse us so we can continue on a routine basis to adopt a healthy lifestyle.

“Exercise is the cheapest and safest medicine we can take for our life and I laud the enthusiasm of directors to embrace healthy living,” he said.

Dr. Banji Awosika, Nephrologist, at Iwosan Lagoon Hospital, in his speech ‘Embracing Wellness’, described wellness as an active process that takes into consideration everything needed to obtain and maintain optimal health.

Awosika stressed the need to adopt a healthier lifestyle via constant exercise, consumption of vegetables and high-fiber fruits, enough water, adequate sleep of up to 8 hours daily, and the use of cannabis under a medically controlled environment.

DG/CEO of IoD, Dele Alimi, intoned that the walk is necessary and important. “It keeps us fit physically and mentally, and also keeps us healthy, and prepares us for the task ahead.”

Reigning French champions, PSG, are eager to bolster their attacking force by securing the services of Napoli’s highly sought-after striker, Victor Osimhen, in a bid to create a formidable partnership with Kylian Mbappé.

Le Parisien, a reputable publication, confirms PSG’s ambition to unleash the fearsome attacking duo of Mbappé and Osimhen in both Ligue 1 and the UEFA Champions League next season.

However, the pursuit of Osimhen is expected to come at a considerable cost, as Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis demands a staggering fee of approximately €130m for the Nigerian’s signature.

PSG will undoubtedly face stiff competition from other European powerhouses vying for the 24-year-old forward.

Notably, English giants Chelsea and Manchester United have reportedly expressed their interest in acquiring Osimhen, further intensifying the race.

Additionally, former Champions League winners Bayern Munich and Real Madrid are also closely monitoring the progress of this striking sensation.

While Osimhen may not prioritize a return to France, the opportunity to join forces with World Cup winner Kylian Mbappé at PSG could prove enticing.

Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City win the Champions League final thanks to Rodri’s 68th-minute goal; the second English club to win the treble.

Ederson’s dramatic late save from Romelu Lukaku helps City make history in Istanbul

Manchester City completed the treble with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Inter Milan in the Champions League final in Istanbul.

Rodri’s side-footed finish midway through the second half broke Inter’s resistance and though Federico Dimarco hit the crossbar with a header before Ederson saved sensationally from Romelu Lukaku, City held on to make history in the Ataturk Olympic Stadium.

Having already overhauled Arsenal to retain the Premier League trophy and beaten Manchester United to lift the FA Cup at Wembley, this victory saw them match the achievement of their city rivals in 1999. Pep Guardiola was in tears afterward.

The Catalan coach has won it all at City but this was the one they have been waiting for – champions of Europe for the first time. For Guardiola, it ends his 12-year wait to win the competition for a third time as a coach and a fourth time overall.

Nigeria’s Super Falcons have ascended two places in the most recent women’s ranking released by the illustrious Federation of International Football Association (FIFA.)

Following wins in their friendly matches in April, the Falcons soared to the 40th position from their previous standing at 42nd. The Nigerian women’s national team defeated Haiti 2-1 and New Zealand 3-0 in Turkey within four days.

The Super Falcons’ rise comes hot on the heels of the final ranking before the highly anticipated 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, set to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand in July.

Under the guidance of Randy Waldrum, the Super Falcons have successfully maintained their eminent status as the leading team in Africa. Joining them on the global stage will be South Africa, Morocco, and Zambia, all set to represent Africa.

Drawing attention to the World Cup, Nigeria find itself placed in Group B alongside co-hosts Australia, Canada, and the Republic of Ireland, who will be making their World Cup debut. In terms of FIFA rankings, Canada stand as the highest-ranked team in Group A, occupying an impressive seventh position in the world rankings.