The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • NOUN partners group on childcare, education

    NOUN partners group on childcare, education

    Authorities of Super Nannies Nigeria and National Open University of Nigeria have pledged to lift the nation’s education sector, especially in transforming childcare.

    The partnership, they said, would enable them to provide an enhanced learning experience for the children.

    This partnership, according to them, would bring together the unique strength of the organisations towards driving innovation and delivering unparalleled values to learners.

    Read Also:JUST IN: INEC declares Dogonyaro’s seat vacant, to announce date for by-election

    Vice Chancellor of NOUN, Prof. Olufemi Peters, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration and emphasised the university’s commitment to promoting inclusivity and accessibility in education.

    In a statement by the spokesperson of Super Nannies Nigeria, Mrs. Chika Nwuche, the collaboration of these two organisations is aimed at introducing a new era of possibilities that will set standards for excellence in the childcare industry.

    “NOUN is a leading provider of distance education in Nigeria, known for their innovative solutions and exceptional teaching methods. By combining their expertise with Super-nannies professional childcare programme, we are confident that our learners will benefit from a more comprehensive and seamless learning experience,” said Nwuche.

    According to her, “This partnership aims to enhance the care-giving profession, empowering Nigerians to embrace the role of caregivers while ensuring children receive educated and trained caregivers.

  • Five cyberstalking laws in Nigeria you need to know

    Five cyberstalking laws in Nigeria you need to know

    Cyberstalking, a term denoting the utilisation of the internet and various technologies to harass or stalk individuals online, is potentially a criminal offense in Nigeria.

    This form of online harassment, akin to cyberbullying and traditional stalking, this acts may takes through various forms such as emails, text messages and social media posts.

    It’s usually done in a planned, purposeful, and ongoing way, and it can be really dangerous for the people being targeted.

    Here are five laws against cyberstalking in Nigeria under the cybercrime acts 2015

    Section 24 of the Cybercrimes Act 2015 criminalizes cyberstalking as it relates to the following acts:

    1. Knowingly or Intentionally sending a message that is offensive or obscene or menacing character or causing any such message or matter to be so sent. Such offender shall be liable on conviction to a fine of not more than N7,000,000.00 or imprisonment for a term of not more than 3 years or to both such fine and imprisonment.

    2. Knowingly or Intentionally sending a message that one knows to be false for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience, danger, obstruction, insult, injury, criminal intimidation, enmity, hatred, ill will or needless anxiety to another or causing such a message to be sent. Such offender shall be liable on conviction to a fine of not more than N7,000,000.00 or imprisonment for a term of not more than 3 years or to both such fine and imprisonment.

    Read Also: Police arrest three over conspiracy, cyberstalking, threat to life

    3. Knowingly or intentionally transmitting or causing the transmission of any communication through a computer system or network to bully, threaten or harass another person where such communication places another person in fear of death, violence or bodily harm or to another person[5]. Such an offender will be liable to imprisonment for a term of 10 years and/or a minimum fine of N25,000,000.00.

    4. Knowingly or intentionally transmitting or causing the transmission of any communication through a computer system or network containing any threat to kidnap any person or any threat to harm the person of another, any demand or request for a ransom for the release of any kidnapped person, to extort from any person, firm, association or corporation, any money or other thing of value[7]. Such offender will be liable to imprisonment for a term of 10 years and/or a minimum fine of N25,000,000.00.

    5. Knowingly or intentionally transmitting or causing the transmission of any communication through a computer system or network containing any threat to harm the property or reputation of the addressee or of another or the reputation of a deceased person or any threat to accuse the addressee or any other person of a crime, to extort from any person, firm, association, or corporation, any money or other thing of value. Such offender shall be liable to imprisonment for a term of 5 years and/or a minimum fine of N15,000,000.00.

  • Unveiled ‘tough skin’ Finidi vows to rejig  Super Eagles

    Unveiled ‘tough skin’ Finidi vows to rejig  Super Eagles

    Following his  unveiling as the Super Eagles Head Coach  in Abuja  yesterday, George Finidi, has  enthused about his desire to revive the fortune of the national team, adding the team will return to winning ways  right from next month’s  FIFA World Cup 26  qualifiers against South Africa at home in Uyo  and away to Benin Republic in their adopted home ground in Abidjan.     

    The 52-year-old George, who evinced quiet confidence all through his unveiling , stated that he will invite for international assignments, only players who feature regularly at their clubs either in Nigeria or in the diaspora, and promised that the Super Eagles will remain even more competitive in the years ahead.

    Read Also: Super Eagles coach Finidi names two foreigners, Amokachi, Baruwa as assistants

    “My first target is to make sure that we are in line to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup by winning the upcoming two matches against South Africa and Benin Republic,” the former Ajax Amsterdam winger said.“The 2025 AFCON qualifiers will soon start and we must also be prepared for those as well. I know what the NFF wants as it is boldly written in the contract, and I will work very hard to add value to the team and put myself in the position to earn even more than I will be earning from the take-off.”

    On relationship with the players, George said: “I have always had a cordial relationship with all the players as an assistant coach. I am still the same person even as Head Coach now, only that the title has changed. There will be no controversy regarding relationships with the players. These are professional players and we have to give them what they’re used to in Europe; you don’t need to slap anyone to get him to do the right thing.

     “I will try my best to ensure the team starts functioning properly and we start winning games again. There is no pressure on me; I have tough skin. I just want to call for your support. I know this is not an easy job, but with the support of everyone, we can achieve our objectives,” he noted.

  • Enoh, Gusau  galvanize total support for Finidi

    Enoh, Gusau  galvanize total support for Finidi

    Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, has praised the leadership of Nigeria Football Federation for settling for an indigenous Head Coach for the Super Eagles, despite the plethora of foreign tacticians who applied for the job.

    Enoh, who spoke at the unveiling ceremony of the Eagles’ new substantive Head Coach, Finidi George at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, urged  the NFF to give the former winger all the support to succeed, while also soliciting the support of all Nigerians for the new helmsman.

     “As a student of the University of Calabar in those days, I used to go to the UJ Esuene Stadium to watch Calabar Rovers, which included Finidi George. I am excited to see him seated here as the new Head Coach of the Super Eagles.”

    Read Also: Super Eagles coach Finidi names two foreigners, Amokachi, Baruwa as assistants

    President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau exuded delight with the ‘new chapter’ the Federation is opening about the Nigeria game, saying the football-governing body is determined to fully support George and his assistants to lead the Super Eagles to new heights.

    “When we returned from the Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire, we began the search for a new Head Coach. There was a plethora of foreign applicants, far more than the indigenous applicants. However, we undertook a thorough process that has produced an indigenous Coach and we are very happy about that. Finidi George was part of the technical crew that came close to winning the AFCON, and we have faith in him that he will lead the team to the title next time.  

     “Our objective now is to ensure the enthronement of excellence at all levels of the National Teams.”

    Gusau also revealed that the Federation gave George the free hand to pick his assistants, and that the tactician has already picked Daniel Amokachi and Benjamin James as assistants, as well as Olatunji Baruwa (goalkeepers’ trainer), Chima Onyeike (Fitness Trainer) and Mehmet Ozturk (Analyst).

    Also at the ceremony were NFF 1st Vice President, Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu; NFF Board Members Alhaji Sharif Rabiu Inuwa and Mr. Timothy Heman Magaji; Deputy General Secretary, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme; Technical Director, Augustine Eguavoen; GMD of GTI, Alhaji Abubakar Lawal; Adviser/Consultant to Hon. Minister, Ken Egbas; NFF directors Babatunde Akinsanya, Ademola Olajire, Okey Obi, Ali Abubakar Muhammad and Dayo Enebi Achor; prominent football stakeholders Jude Anyadufu and Abubakar Danfulani and; former Nigeria internationals Pascal Patrick and Nasiru Jibril.

  • Abiodun hails  Amusan on Jamaican invitational  triumph 

    Abiodun hails  Amusan on Jamaican invitational  triumph 

    Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has congratulated the World record holder, Tobi Amusan, for emerging as the fastest woman in the women’s 100m hurdles event at the Jamaican invitational  , saying she has made Ogun State and Nigeria proud.

    Amusan achieved this feat this year after running a blistering 12.40s to win the first Jamaica Athletics Invitational in Kingston.

    She won the race ahead of Jamaican and World Champion, Danielle Williams.

    Read Also: First Lady adopts education to champion #WeAreEqual campaign in Nigeria

    Abiodun, in a congratulatory message, described Amusan as a woman of strong will and character, adding that the athlete has made Ogun State and Nigeria proud for her exceptional talent and skill.

    “On behalf of the government and the good people of Ogun State, I heartily congratulate our illustrious daughter, Tobi Amusan, as she emerged as the fastest woman in the women’s 100m hurdles for the year 2024, after running a blistering 12.40s to win the  first Jamaica Athletics Invitational in Kingston.

    “Winning the race  ahead of Jamaican and world champion, Danielle Williams clearly x-rayed her tenacious tendency and strong will for optimal performance.

    “We are indeed proud of her as a worthy  ambassador and priceless export from  our dear State,” the governor averred.

  • Ujiri urges gov’t to invest more on sporting linfrastructure 

    Ujiri urges gov’t to invest more on sporting linfrastructure 

    By Morakinyo Abodunrin

    The Vice Chairman and  President of Toronto Raptors, Masai Ujiri, believes Africa and  particularly Nigeria, can achieve her  full potential in sports if governmental authorities push more investments towards development of more sporting infrastructure.

    Ujiri, the co-founder of the Giants of  Africa- the non-profit organization- with the  ambitious ‘Built Within’ initiative to build 100 basketball courts across Africa, said Africa and indeed Nigeria already has an edge to be the greatest given the depth of  talents across sports,  adding  with more and well-equipped  infrastructure, more athletes across the continent would rule the world.

     “ Africa is blessed and there is something we have that nobody in the world has a much as us  and that is the  talents,” Ujiri said on the sidelines of the Basketball Clinic graced by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, at the  Ilupeju Junior Grammar School in Lagos on Sunday.

    “The talents in Africa is big  and  these  youths you are seeing today, would surely become something big in life and why can’t we give them the platform to succeed: Ujiri asked rhetorically. 

    According to Ujiri, the Giants of Africa is almost at the half way mark  of its ‘Build Within’ initiative with some 38 basketball courts already built across Africa including in Lagos, Kenya, Burkina Faso, Senegal,  Tanzania, Rwanda amongst others.

    Read Also: Heirs Energies, Transcorp CEOs for German-African energy forum

    Yet he believes government has bigger role to play in building more infrastructure so that upcoming talents can fulfil their potentials.   

    “Already, we have built about 38 courts across Africa  and  we are going to open more soon  in the summer; we are slowly getting there and we are right about half way to our target of 100 and you hear the  Duke and Duchess of Sussex saying they are going to donate a court to us through their Archewell Foundation in Abuja and that is an additional court  that would build in Abuja,” he added.

     “ We need more  basketball courts; more soccer fields  as well as  more stadia across Africa.

    “ We need more infrastructure  not only in  sports but even in entertainments as well.”

  •  Okoye claims fourth season’s clean sheets

     Okoye claims fourth season’s clean sheets

    Super Eagles goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye strengthened his likely return to the Nigeria’s senior national team following his fourth clean sheet of the season for Udinese in their away win at Lecce yesterday.

    Okoye who has conceded 24 goals from 19 games put in a good shift as Udinese ran away 2-0 winners through Lorenzo Lucca and Lazar Samardzic in the 36th and 85th  minutes of the game.

    Read Also: Super Eagles coach Finidi names two foreigners, Amokachi, Baruwa as assistants

    The away win boosted their topflight survival chances beyond the current campaign as they have moved to the 15th  spot with 33 points from 36 games ahead of their Sunday league tie at home to Empoli.

    Another Nigerian at the club, Isaac Success started the game from the beginning for his 26th  game of the season. Success who ended his goal drought with the late equaliser at home to Napoli last Monday could not add to his solitary strike before he was replaced by Roberto Pereyra in the 67th minute.

  • Boniface listed for Bundesliga Rookie of Season

    Boniface listed for Bundesliga Rookie of Season

    Inform Super Eagles striker Victor Boniface has been nominated for the Bundesliga Rookie of the Season.

    He has already won the Bundesliga Rookie of the Month Award four straight times this season. He also scooped the Bundesliga Player of the Month once.

    He scored 20 goals and provided 10 assists in 32 assists in his debut season in the Bundesliga.

    Read Also: Boniface makes Bundesliga Team of Season

    Only on Sunday, Boniface who got his 21st game of the season and 12th  Bundesliga goal as he scored his side’s second goal from the spot in the added time of the first half  in the win  against Bochum. His club Bayer Leverkusen won the Bundesliga title for the first time in their history and they are also closing in on the Europa League and the German Cup.

    He will battle Xavi Simons (RB Leipzig), Ian Maatsen (Borussia Dortmund) and Maximilian Beier (Hoffenheim) for the Rookie of the Season Award.

  • Fadare wins car at NNPC Table Tennis 

    Fadare wins car at NNPC Table Tennis 

    Tunde Fadare edged Kehinde Lawal 4-3 to claim the star prize of a Toyota Corola as the 5th  NNPC-NUIMS Table Tennis Tournament was rounded off weekend at Ikoyi Club.

    In the Premiership category, the hard-smashing Fadare saved a match point while trailing 10-9 (3-1)  to win the fifth game 12-10 before going on to win the penultimate sixth and final seventh sets.

    Christian Ihwiwhu won the Championship title by beating Izu Obi while Chinwe Igwe took Ladies singles title with a victory over Adebola Tewogbade.

    Afeez Oduntan paired Jide Diya to win the Men’s Doubles title at the expense of Tunde Fadare and ITT Jimoh.

    Read Also: Electricity tariff hike: Nigerians paying for darkness – NLC, TUC tackle NERC

    The Veterans’ Singles honour went to Seye Oki who defeated ITT Jimoh just as the Septua Veteran title was won by Bode Adekugbe as he outlasted Lateef Ogboye in a keen contest.

    In his closing remarks, CUIO NUIMS, Bala Wunti, said NNPC is proud to partner Ikoyi Club to host the tournament as it provides athletes to showcase their skills to foster unity among members as well as communities.

    Wunti, who was represented by Bunmi Lawson, the Deputy Manager, External Relations NUIMS, added that sports has been a key unifying factors among Nigerians and its part of NNPC’s CSR

    The Royal Father of the Day, Alayeluwa Oba Adewale Osiberu (Elepe of Epe Sagamu) urged government to invest more in sports saying it provides an avenue to provide employment for youths while also reducing social vices which is prevalent among youths. 

    “It’s been fun all day because table tennis is an exciting sports. More tournaments like this should be organized by the section,” he said.

    Table Tennis Section Chairman, Dare Olude was full of thanks for the sponsor and club members as well. He stated that the star prize has further raised the value of the section.

  • Ardova HPL: Niger Utd, Safety Babes begin title defence with victories

    Ardova HPL: Niger Utd, Safety Babes begin title defence with victories

    Defending champions, Niger United and Safety Babes, started their title defence on a winning note  at the 2024 Ardova Handball Premier League in Benin, Edo State.

    Niger United defeated Benue Buffaloes 33-28 in their  opening game  yesterday  but not without sweat as coach Adebayo Yekini was forced to be on his feet on the sidelines throughout the encounter.

    Despite losing four players to other teams in preseason, Niger  United gave a good account of themselves, making use of the chances they had and defending spiritedly to ward off Buffaloes’  attacks.

    Coach Yekini said it was good for his team to start on winning note, stating the team would take the games one after another.

    Read Also: PEHL: Niger Utd in shock successive losses

    He said, “It is good to start on a winning note. It was a close game but we came up with tactics to win the game. We will work hard to continue this way and win more games to have a chance of lifting the trophy again.

    “I am sure other teams are here to also win the title but we are up to the task,” he added.

    In other games in the male category,  Tojemarine Academy defeated Adamawa Warriors  47-33, Correction Boys lost to Kano Pillars 17 -18, while Safety Shooters beat Sunshine Kings  27-12.

    In the female category, COAS Babes lost Safety Babes 18-31, Defender Babes fell to Imo Grasshoppers 27-29, Rima Queens and Rivers Queens game end 29-29, Seasiders Babes defeated Bendel Dynamos 34-19, while Delta Queens lost to Plateau Peacocks 26-30.