The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Eagles Tracker: Lookman, Osayi- Samuel, Bashiru, Okoye shine with  European clubs 

    Eagles Tracker: Lookman, Osayi- Samuel, Bashiru, Okoye shine with  European clubs 

    Super Eagles winger, Ademola Lookman bagged his 10th  league goal of the season for Atalanta in their 3-0 home win over Torino to ensure the Zebras return to the UEFA Champions League with a game to spare. 

    Lookman made it four goals in the last two games and in barely four days following his club’s second goal in the rout of Torino. Atalanta could finish the season in third spot by the time they play their outstanding game against Fiorentina on June 2nd. 

    The Nigerian has played 44 games in all competitions with 16 goals and seven assists. 

    In another Serie A tie, Napoli are in disappointing 10th  spot with 53 points. Victor Osimhen staged a return to the team after staying out for couple of days with a slight injury but he was unable to rescue his team from playing a goalless draw at home to Lecce. 

    Read Also: FROM ZERO TO HERO: Why  Europa League  star boy Lookman chose Nigeria over England

    Meanwhile, Super Eagles Goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye bagged his fifth clean sheet of the season as Udinese beat host Frosinone 1-0 to retain their topflight status. Okoye kept 21 games in the Serie A and another one game in the Coppa Italia. 

    Despite an unsuccessful campaign for Napoli Osimhen did not disappoint on a personal note scoring 17 goals from 30 games in the league and the UEFA Champions League.

    In Turkey, Super Eagles defender, Bright Osayi-Samuel failed to win the Super Lig with Fenerbahce despite a valiant battle with Galatasaray who pipped them to the title with 102 points as 99 points had by Fenerbahce. 

    It was a scoring end of the season form for Bright Osayi-Samuel who netted his club’s fourth goal in their 6-0 home win over Istanbulspor. Samuel was substituted in the 73rd  minute as he finished the season with 24 games and four goals in all competitions. Fenerbahce and Samuel will play in the Champions League next season.

    Paul Onuachu was not listed at all for Trabzonspor who ended the season in third spot with 67 points following a 4-2 win over Ankaragucu. Onuachu who is on loan from Southampton who bagged English Premier League return with a 1-0 victory over Leeds United at Wembley Stadium. 

    The Nigerian has played 25 games with 17 goals and four assist for Trabzonspor who are eager to retain his services for another season having qualified for the Europa League next season.

    In another game, Super Fisayo Dele-Bashiru made it a scoring end to the season after he opened the scoring for Hatayspor in their 2-0 home win over Ibrahim Olawoyin’s Rizespor.

    Bashiru ended the season with 36 games in the Super Lig with eight goals and three assists. He played three games and struck once in the Turkish Cup too. Hatayspor will play in the topflight again next season having finished the season in 15th  spot with 41 points. Former Nigeria Under 23 captain Okechukwu Azubuike was on the bench for Rizespor. 

    Super Eagles skipper, Kenneth Omeruo was an unused substitute in Kasimpasa’s 2-1 win over Besiktas. Kasimpasa narrowly missed out on European club competition having finished fifth with 56 points. 

    In Belgium, Club Brugge’s Raphael Onyedika won the Jupiler League at the expense of Union Saint Gilloise who finished second. They will play in the UEFA Champions League next season. Royal Antwerp ended the season with a 3-1 win over Anderlecht. Alhassan Yusuf was not listed for action by Royal Antwerp. 

    In another game, Tolu Arokodare lost 2-0 with Genk against Union Saint Gilloise.

  • Da Silva, Faniru, Ogunsanya rule Zenith Bank Tennis Grand Slam

    Da Silva, Faniru, Ogunsanya rule Zenith Bank Tennis Grand Slam

    The annual Zenith Bank Grand Slam Tennis tournament came to a close at the weekend with winners emerging in various categories of the event.

    Over 90 tennis players took part in the competition which started on May 16 at the tennis courts of Ikoyi Club 1938 and it was the 9th edition with club members testifying to amazing display of tennis skills by the participants.

    In the final of Men’s Singles A, Destiny Da Silva defeated Emelie Okika 6/2, 6/3 while Men’s Singles B Final saw Ayotunde Faniru getting the better of Lanre Odiahi in straight sets of 6/3, 6/3.

    The Tennis section Lady Captain, Wemimo Ogunsanya, was involved in a final match that stole the show on the final day of the event.

    Read Also: Semi-finalists emerge at Zenith Bank Tennis Grand Slam

    Ogunsanya was dragged to the limit by her opponent in the Ladies Singles final. She came back from one set down to defeat Maryann Chuks 5/7, 7/5, 10-7 in a keenly contested encounter as the spectators were kept at the edge of their seats for the better part of the interesting final.

    In the Men’s Veterans Singles, Godwin Kienka retained his crown in grand style as he defeated Edet Akpaso 6/2, 2/0 (Scratch).

    Kenka said consistency and hard work has kept him at the top over the years.

     “I work hard, I train on a daily basis not just waiting for a competition but the joy of events like this is the fun we share as club members for recreation and overall fitness.

     “Let me add that this 2024 edition has been explosive with the skills exhibited by the participants in all categories. I am happy I won again. It feels really good,” Kienka said.

    In the Super Veterans Finals, Innocent Ihebuzor defeated Walter Jibunoh in straight sets of 6/2, 6/2.

  • Mbappe glad to leave PSG on winning note 

    Mbappe glad to leave PSG on winning note 

    France forward Kylian Mbappe said he is leaving Paris St Germain with his head held high after the Ligue 1 champions’ 2-1 victory over Olympique Lyonnais in the French Cup final.

    Mbappe announced this month he would leave the French club at the end of the season after a seven-year stay during which he became their all-time top scorer, with 256 goals.

    His last game for the club came in Saturday’s final at Lille’s Stade Pierre-Mauroy, with first-half strikes from Ousmane Dembele and Fabian Ruiz securing a win for PSG.

    “It was both difficult and enjoyable because it’s a final, and in the end, we won. It’s filled with joy,” Mbappe told reporters.

    Read Also: Deschamps doubts Mbappe’s presence at Olympics

    “It’s all good memories, many years, both at PSG and of course in this league. We leave with our heads held high, especially with a trophy, and we only keep the positives.”

    Mbappe has been heavily linked with a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid.

    Asked why he had not announced his next club yet, the 25-year-old said: “Because I think that the best thing to do is to finish these goodbyes.

    “I think all I wanted was to finish well with my club. There’s a trophy. I think there’s a time for everything. I’ll announce my new club in due course. I think we’re just a few days away, so there’s no problem.”

  • Leverkusen to face VfB Stuttgart in 2024 Supercup

    Leverkusen to face VfB Stuttgart in 2024 Supercup

    Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen and 2023/24 runners-up VfB Stuttgart will make their Supercup debuts in August.

    Traditionally, the new season’s curtain-raising fixture pits the defending Bundesliga champions against the DFB Cup holders. However, if the cup winner also lifted the league title, then the previous campaign’s Bundesliga runners-up are invited take part instead.

    Read Also: Boniface celebrates Leverkusen’s unbeaten season with Nigerian flag

    With Leverkusen beating Bundesliga 2’s Kaiserslautern in the 2023/24 DFB Cup, Stuttgart – runners-up in the recently concluded top-flight campaign after pipping Bayern Munich to second – will face Die Werkself in the 2024 Supercup.

    The 2024 Supercup is scheduled for Saturday, 17 August, with the home team to be decided after the conclusion of the DFB Cup. Leverkusen are bidding to become the ninth different winners of the one-game competition, following Leipzig’s triumph over Bayern last summer.

  • CIO C-Suite awards now in 11 countries

    CIO C-Suite awards now in 11 countries

    Edniesal Consulting, convener of CIO & C-Suite Awards Africa, has announced expansion of its awards to 11 countries, aiming to recognise and celebrate leaders driving technological innovation on the continent.

    Speaking at a news conference in Lagos, Chair of CIO & C-Suite Awards and CIO Club Africa, Oluwakayode Adigun, said this edition would surpass previous ones.

    The fifth edition will cover Ghana, Rwanda, Senegal, Tunisia, South Africa, Uganda, Kenya, Morocco, Egypt, Zambia, and Nigeria.

    Read Also: Gridlock as petrol tanker explodes on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

    The awards celebrates CIOs, CTOs, CDOs, CISOs, and IT heads delivering results in their industries.

    “Last year, we visited Ghana, Kenya, Egypt, South Africa and Senegal. Then, after feedback, this year we decided to visit more countries and do 11  and Nigeria,” he said.

    The ceremony holds on November 30 at Civic Centre in Lagos, with a conference and two sessions with leaders and innovators.

    Awards will be presented to reflect different technological innovation and leadership.

  • Enabulele to bring fresh leadership

    Enabulele to bring fresh leadership

    Dr. Bright Enabulele, Accord Party governorship candidate in Edo State, has said he will give the people a fresh leadership approach.

    Addressing reporters in Benin, the state capital, he noted the public’s disillusionment with the political structure. “The people are tired of the same old promises that cannot address social issues; power, water, and roads, from PDP and APC. They are calling for a government to truly represent their interests and deliver on its commitments,” he said.

    Read Also: Tinubu kicks off inauguration of Lagos-Calabar highway, others today

    In education, Enabulele plans to provide free, quality education on elementary level to support early childhood development, renovate and build schools, and support teachers with training and compensation.

    He aims to leverage the legacy of Ambrose Ali to transform  education. For healthcare, he promised adequate healthcare facilities, and mobile clinics to ensure access for all.

  • Shecan to women: invest in yourself

    Shecan to women: invest in yourself

    Founder of Shecan Nigeria, a social impact organisation, Mrs. Ezinne Ezeani, has urged women to invest in themselves, support one another to be better and not compete with men.

    Ezeani spoke at the fifth Shecan Conference at Harbour Point Event Centre Victoria Island in Lagos.

    The conference: ‘Positioning for more’, was aimed at empowering women in achieving their potential and developing their capacities.

    Ezeani noted that the organisation had been sustained by three pillars – empowerment, education, and transformation.

    Read Also: Lagos-Calabar coastal highway will give 30m Nigerians improved access to production, marketing centre – Tinubu

     “The event was to inspire women so they can do more to change lives. It has distributed school items to 1000 school children in Lagos and Enugu. It educates, empowers and transforms lives.

    “Beyond what we have done, we will do more. Our goal is to see how women can do more and serve humanity. I have seen lives transformed. This is a transformation platform,” she said.

     Divisional Head of people, brands and culture at Wema Bank, Mrs Ogungbenro, urged women to deposit into others’ emotional bank. “Build a positive relationship. Deposit into people’s emotional accounts, because one day, you will need to call into the account.

     ‘‘Stay visible and show off confidently. Take care of yourself. For you to grow in your space, you need your support system…’’

  • Project to boost human resources in health

    Project to boost human resources in health

    West African Health Organisation (WAHO) with Expertise France, has launched a regional project to strengthen human resources in public health, with initial focus on Benin, Guinea and Togo.

     The project, financed by French Development Agency  at 4.5 million euros and implemented by Expertise France for 2023-2027, aims to reduce mortality in the face of health crises in West Africa by 2030. 

    It will be based on a ‘One Health’ and gender-sensitive approach, and will develop skills of health professionals in preventing, monitoring and controlling epidemics; quantity and quality of human resources in public health; fight communicable diseases; promote community, maternal and child health; manage health emergencies; promote gender equality and a multi-sectoral approach.

    Read Also: Nigeria: How we got here

    Dr Melchior Athanase, director general of WAHO, said:  ‘‘One of the major health challenges facing our community is human resources in health, which is on the agenda of ECOWAS heads.

    ‘‘The project to support reinforcement of human resources in public health in ECOWAS French-speaking countries, is one of the solutions for prevention, detection and management of health crises in ECOWAS region“.

  • Hajj: Pilgrims get BTA differential

    Hajj: Pilgrims get BTA differential

    Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has approved payment of $100 shortfall in Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) of pilgrims.

    Some had protested alleged irregularities in BTA after they were given $400 as against $500 announced by National Hajj Commission (NAHCON). 

    NAHCON calculated hajj fares and $500 BTA using N1,252.01 to $1 exchange rate, but Central Bank released BTA at N1,530.86 to $1, which gave each pilgrim $415.

    Read Also: 5,886 Lagos pensioners get N16.6b in one year, says commissioner

    Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ibrahim Layode, told reporters at departure of 256 pilgrims, Sanwo-Olu okayed the $100 shortfall for each pilgrim pending resolution of the matter by NAHCON and CBN.

    Layode hailed Sanwo-Olu’s kindheartedness which, he said, would help pilgrims.

    The commissioner assured pilgrims the governor will pay for their rams, Ihram clothes and ziyyarah (visitation) to sites in Makkah and Madinah.

    Layode urged them not to bring the state and country to disrepute.

    Pilgrims started travelling May 17, with 425. The second 425, May 18, third 428, May 22, and fourth 312, May 24, bringing total to 1,846.

  • Hamzat: cultural preservation crucial to self-discovery

    Hamzat: cultural preservation crucial to self-discovery

    Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, has said understanding culture is crucial as a bridge to self-discovery and empowerment.

    Hamzat, during dedication of Egbe Chieftaincy Palace in Lagos Island, noted culture unlocks our potential and proudly embrace our identity as Africans.

    According to him, it is important we understand our culture and language so they won’t go into extinction.

    “There are certain things you can’t translate into English. We need to let our language known to our children; they need to understand who we are. We are not Western people; we are Africans and our African culture and language must be pre-eminent.”

    Read Also: Tinubu lists benefits of Lagos-Calabar coastal road

    The deputy governor noted Lagos has embarked on programmes and policies to preserve culture, language and tradition, and ensure they are passed on to coming generations.

    “We found out that most children can’t speak our language. I think if you don’t understand yourself, if you don’t know yourself, it is a loss. So, in Lagos, we are doing culture teaching so our children can know and understand our language. I also encourage others to do same…’’

    Hamzat described the new Chieftaincy Palace as ‘a regeneration and redevelopment from what it used to be’. He said the regeneration is necessary because ‘as the population increases, it is important for people to live in a proper and clean environment’.