The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Pope’s personal doctor dies of COVID-19

    Pope’s personal doctor dies of COVID-19

    Agency Reporter

    Pope Francis’ personal doctor Fabrizio Soccorsi has died from COVID-19 related complications, the Vatican’s newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano, said at the weekend.

    Soccorsi was appointed in 2017. He was 78.

    The deceased was hospitalised in Rome on December 26 2020 for a previous oncological disease. It’s unclear when he was last in direct contact with Pope Francis.

    In an interview with Italy’s Canale 5 channel on Sunday, Pope Francis said the Vatican will begin COVID-19 vaccinations next week and he is in line to take it

  • COVID 19 : Fans defy protocols to watch Enyimba

    COVID 19 : Fans defy protocols to watch Enyimba

    Taofeek Babalola

     

    Aba fans were in attendance at the Enyimba International Stadium on Sunday to cheer People’s Elephants to victory against Wikki Tourists in Matchday three of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) clash against laid down protocols  on  COVID 19 rules that  matches should be played behind closed doors.

    It is yet unclear whether League Management Company (LMC) has given waiver to Enyimba to allow their fans in the stadium during their home games.

    The hosts won the game 1-0 courtesy of Nabil Yarou’s debut league goal  for Enyimba as he rose high enough to nod home Stanley Okorom’s corner kick.

    Read Also: Enyimba crashes out of Champions League

    Wikki Tourists media officer Nasiru Kobi in one of his social media accounts, decried the nonchalant attitude of the management of Enyimba FC for allowing their fans to watch the game without considering the rules.

    According to him: “The COVID 19 protocols which States that all matches be played under close door has been violated here as fans of Enyimba were allowed into the stadium intimidating the visiting team and cheering their team.”

    Enyimba’s Media Officer Zazi Bariza, however, denied the report, stressing that: “Good evening. Fans were not allowed into the stadium,” Bariza said via a text message.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Apoi Unity Cup: Egbe urges NDDC, oil companies to support sports

    Apoi Unity Cup: Egbe urges NDDC, oil companies to support sports

    Our Reporter

     

    The CEO of Monimichelle Group, Ebi Egbe, has  urged the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the several oil companies operating in the Niger Delta region to queue behind  its sports development,

    Egbe who bankrolls  a tourney for  the riverine Apoi communities of Southern Ijaw local government of Bayelsa State, said he decided to sponsor the Apoi Unity Cup won by Ogboin United of Ogboinbiri, as a way of  combating militancy amongst the youths

    “I’ m out to change the narrative of Southern Ijaw being the hotbed of militancy and  I’m confident sports, especially football can be used to redirect the energy of the youths. “Egbe explained.

    Read Also: Sports stars who made 2020 tick

    “Rather than engage in militancy, I want them(youths)  to be engaged in football. The kind of mammoth crowd that watched the matches, especially the final was a clear indication that with sports, the youths of Apoi will become worthy Ambassadors of Nigeria.”

    Egbe promised to make the tournament an annual event that can only get bigger and better even as he rallied for the support of the NDDC  and oil companies operating in the region to bolster  the tournament.

    “If the NDDC and the oil companies put just 10 percent of what they are using to fight militancy into sports and the provision of sporting infrastructure in Southern Ijaw, there would be nothing like militancy anymore,” noted  Egbe.“ I can put my money on this because we all know the power of football, especially in the Niger Delta region where soccer talents abound.”

     

     

  • Free-scoring Onuachu sets new scoring record

    Free-scoring Onuachu sets new scoring record

    Oluwamayomikun Orekoya

     

    Super Eagles forward Paul Onuachu continues his fine form in the Belgian Jupiler league after scoring for KRC Genk against Kortrijk on Saturday.

    With the goal, the Nigerian striker has now scored his 19th  league goal of the season from just 18 appearances.

    Onuachu’s previous best record was when he scored 18 goals in 36 games for Midtjylland during the 2016-17 Danish Superliga campaign.

    The game ended 2-1 in the favour of the Kortrijk’s, but Genk retained their second position on the league table.

    Onuachu’s compatriot Cyriel Dessers came off the bench as a 60th-minute substitute.

    In France, Terem Moffi scored for the third game in a row as Lorient fell to a narrow 2-1 defeat at Bordeaux which featured Samuel Kalu for 61 minutes and saw Josh Maja coming four minutes before the end of regulation time.

    Samuel Kalu was making his first start for Bordeaux having returned from a month out with muscle injury last week.

    Read Also: Eagles: Onuachu vows to reenact club form

    In English FA Cup games over the weekend, William Troost-Ekong ‘s  Watford were  knocked out of the tournament by 12-time winners Manchester United. Troost-Ekong was on for 76 minutes as the Hornets fell to a solitary goal from Scott McTominay at Old Trafford on Saturday evening. Odion Ighalo was an unused sub for United.

    Other FA Cup games saw Eagles defender Semi Ajayi score for West Bromwich Albion as they fell to a penalty shootout defeat against Blackpool while Ola Aina was solid in defence as Fulham earned an extra-time away victory over Queens Park Rangers.

    Wilfred Ndidi was on the entire duration and came out on top as Leicester City defeated John Mikel Obi’s Stoke City 4-0 while Alex Iwobi returned to action in Everton’s 2-1 hard-fought victory over Rotherham United.

    This weekend games in Holland’s Eredivisie saw Tyronne Ebuehi featured in FC Twente’s 4-1 big away win at FC Emmen while goalkeeper Maduka Okoye could do little to prevent Sparta from a 2-0 home defeat to Feyenoord in the Rotterdam derby.

  • Chukwu debunks death rumour

    Chukwu debunks death rumour

     

    Our Reporter

     

    Former Super Eagles Coach, Christian Chukwu has debunked the news of his death, saying that he is hale and hearty.

    Chukwu disclosed this on Sunday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at his Trans Ekulu residence, Enugu after speculation on social media since January 8 about his purported demise.

    However, the former Green Eagles captain, who celebrated his 70th birthday on Jan. 4, 2021, said that he was surprised that some people would wish him death.

    “I am terribly embarrassed with this news that I am dead. Several people have been calling me from across the world since the news broke; I am still investigating the source of the story,” he said.

    Chukwu, popularly known as ‘chairman’ during his career days, said that God was in control of his life.

    He advised journalists and social media influencers to always investigate and get their facts right before writing.

    In a related development, Vice Presidential Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)in 2019 the elections, Peter Obi,  has been praised for his continued commitment to the welfare elderly ex-footballers.

    This much was stated by  Obi during a  recent TV Show hosted  by  former  international Segun Odegbami .

    Read Also: Enugu State commends Chukwu at 70

    Speaking on the program, Obi said it was his personal resolve to always appreciate those who had contributed to a better society in different fields of endeavour, especially the elderly ones.

    Obi said Chukwu’s 70th birthday celebration for instance, was  an opportunity to tell his stories of success and patriotism in the field of sports, recalling how Chukwu, alongside other youngsters, like Dominic Ezeani, were selected into the school football academy from National Grammar School, Nike.

    “Chukwu’s humility and passion for football paved way for him and he was subsequently admitted into the Rangers Football Club and then into the Nigeria’s National Team, Green Eagles. Chukwu continued to excel in his football career leading his teams to victories as the captain,” Obi recounted.

    He later made good his promise  to appreciate Chukwu on the occasion of his birthday by visiting his residence in Enugu state.

     

     

  • Olympic Club captures Nigerian teenage striker

    Olympic Club captures Nigerian teenage striker

    Our Reporter

     

    Nigerian teenage striker Lawal Olamilekan has been recruited by Egyptian second division side Olympic Club FC as the Alexandria-based side battle for promotion.

    Officially known as El-Olympi , the over century-old side , acquired the services of the 19-year-old Olamilekan from Imo State-based   Brighter Tomorrow Football Club under the auspices of forward-looking  manager Emeka Darlington.

    “Olamilekan is from the same town with late Nigerian international Rashid Yekini and he is one of the players along with Chukwudi Agor who was a member of the Golden Eaglets that won the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile that I took to Egypt,” Darlington disclosed. “I’m happy that Olamilekan has now signed for Oly after a very rigorous test and I’m hopeful he will do well.

    “He was actually signed for three seasons and this will be good platform to develop his potentials; he has started so well and played his first game for the club which was very impressive.”

    Read Also: Tokyo Olympics now to cost $15.9 billion

    Olamilekan opened his account with El Olympi in a home tie over the weekend against Mansura as both sides played out a pulsating 2-2 draw at the Ezzedin Yacoub Stadium in Alexandria

    “Olamilekan is definitely in good hands with coach Ahmed El Kass at Olympic Club,” Darlington noted.“ coach El Kass was  a great striker in his days with Zamalek and I’m confident, Olamilekan will learn so much from him.”

     

     

     

  • Sponsors jostle for national Principal’s cup

    Sponsors jostle for national Principal’s cup

    Our Reporter

     

    The proposed National Principals’ Cup football competition is attracting interest from many sponsors across the country as the developmental event gathers momentum.

    It was learnt that reputable banks and multinationals were reportedly calling on the organisers on the modalities for the title sponsorship and other windows available in the competition.

    “Companies are discussing with us on what it takes to be part of the event but we are looking at the logistics of a nationwide event and so we are not rushing into it,” a member of the organizing team said. “All the same, we are happy about the response from the public so far but in the days ahead, the public will also see how eager we are to take off.”

    Incidentally, Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, shortly before the New Year reassured that the ministry was committed strongly to the National Principals Cup because of its importance.

    Read Also: Sunday Dare: I love my old school buba and sokoto

    “We rely on this event to bring back the lost glory in football at age-grade level especially now that our U-17 and U-20 teams now struggle in continental competitions,” Dare said.

    Meanwhile, the organisers of the tournament, Hideaspus in conjunction with the ministry has started registration for the competition tentatively expected to kick off next month.

    And so the organisers have enjoined all the Nigerian Public and Private Secondary Schools to commence registration in order to be eligible to participate in the inaugural edition of the National Principals Cup.

     

  • Remix sports management camp begins Jan. 15

    Remix sports management camp begins Jan. 15

    Our Reporter

     

    The Remix Sports Management Grassroots Camp Football Grassroots Development  activities for youth players have been scheduled to begin on January 15, 2021 in Nigeria and Turkey.

    The event under the auspices of Remix Management Sports outfit, a Nigeria -Turkey- based company are into grassroots development of soccer players  amongst other services both in Turkey and Nigeria , with production of young  players for top football playing countries.

    An initiative of a former Nigerian international and current seasoned intermediary, Aderemi Oladosu, the Chief Executive Officer of Remix Management Sports, said he was  willing to assist African young players get the required training and soccer exposure which the nation can tap into.

    He  disclosed that, this year’s camp is already in place with players in the Nigerian and Turkey camps ready to start on January 15, 2021.

    “Already, for the Turkey camp in Antalya, Turkey, the Remix Management Antalya Coaching, Trials and Match Sessions are set to go with top European clubs to expose African players,” he said.

     

  • Fed Govt to engage 2,000 fish farmers in Borno

    Fed Govt to engage 2,000 fish farmers in Borno

     Juliana Agbo, Abuja

     

    THE National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) said it would engage 2,000 fish farmers and 40 fish processors to execute a fish value chain project.

    The Executive Secretary of NALDA, Prince Paul Ikonne revealed this during a visit to the Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum.

    Ikonne said a complete fish value chain project would be executed in Borno State which would target 2,000 fish farmers/producers and 40 fish processors.

    Read Also: Ndume empowers 1,200 Borno women

    He stated that the fish value chain was going to be in cluster form among the three senatorial districts.

    He, however, stressed that the project is socio-agricbuisness with inbuilt sustainability.

    The NALDA boss also promised that the activities would commence this month or February, this year.

    He further explained that NALDA is committed to carry out President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive to retrieve NALDA’s properties, especially the agricultural lands to facilitate NALDA’s mandates.

     

     

     

     

  • Makurdi Agric varsity reopens January 18

    Makurdi Agric varsity reopens January 18

     Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

     

    AS a result of the suspension of strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi (FUAM) will reopen on January 18 for academic activities.

    According to a statement signed by the Registrar of the University, Mrs Helen Nyitse, and made available to reporters in Makurdi, the state capital, said “the resumption was in line with the directive by the National Universities Commission (NUC) on reopening of federal universities on the said date.

    “The Committee of Deans and Directors (CDD) of FUAM has approved the reopening of the University for academic activities with effect from January 18.”

    Read Also: Agriculture to the rescue

    The statement added that students are expected on campus on Friday, January 22.

    Nyitse explained that the CDD had further approved a revised academic calendar for use on resumption, stressing that,  second semester 2018/2019 examination will hold from Monday, January 25 to Friday, February 5 while  the 2019/2020 academic session will commence on Monday, February 8, with student registration/orientation which will last for two weeks.

    The Registrar noted that the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Richard Kimbi has assured that the university will do everything necessary, including online teaching to ensure the successful implementation of the revised academic calendars.