The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Fatimo Bello eyes maiden Olympics ticket in Kigali

    Fatimo Bello eyes maiden Olympics ticket in Kigali

    Fatima Bello  has been listed as one of Nigeria’s flagbearers at the African Olympic Qualification Tournament in Kigali, Rwanda.

    Bello shot herself to the international limelight in 2022 when she defied all odds to reach the final of the African Cup, where she eventually lost to Egypt’s Hana Goda.

    This performance contributed immensely to her world ranking fortunes; she became the third best player in Africa and the highest-ranked Nigerian female player in the world.

    Read Also: African Games Triple Gold Medalist Edidiong Umoafia: Paris Olympics on my mind 

    But after the 2022 feat, Bello moved to Italy to continue her professional career, while her inability to repeat her 2022 feat in 2023 affected her ranking, and she dropped down the pecking order in Africa.

    But the  Lagos State-born athlete believes this is her time to join the league of elite players heading to Paris in July.

     “It has not been easy since 2022, but I am still a work in progress with the hope that I will get back to my form. My African Games experience was not impressive at all, and I have that behind me with the hope that I can re-enact my form in Kigali,” she said.

    The three-time Nigerian national champion, however, admitted that she expects tough challenges from other players but that she is poised to fight for one of the three tickets at stake. “It is not going to be an easy ride in Kigali because everybody is targeting a place at the Olympic Games, and I will be glad to become one of the new generation of players to compete at the Olympic Games,” she added.

    Bello will be joined by Offiong Edem in the women’s category of the Olympic Qualifiers on May 16 to 18, while Quadri Aruna and Olajide Omotayo will compete in the men’s category, as the three top players will secure automatic tickets to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in France.

  • Secondary schools set for Zenith Bank Inter-School Swimming

    Secondary schools set for Zenith Bank Inter-School Swimming

    The Secondary School version of the 2024 Zenith Bank / Ikoyi Club Inter School Swimming Competition is billed to take place on Saturday May 11 at the swimming section of the elite club.

    Only last Saturday (May 4), the Primary school version of the 7th  edition took place with Grange school emerging overall first just as St Saviours and Meadow Hall finished second and third respectively.

    Young swimmers from Corona School, Riverbank School, and Greensprings School also put up remarkable displays in the one day interesting contest which had over 200 pupils competing in 33 events.

    Swimming Section Chairman, Ikedichi Kanu, has said the forthcoming secondary school inter swimming event will be as wonderful as that of primary schools held last week.

    Kanu said: “The competition was interesting and as organisers we were all proud about the skills exhibited by the swimmers. We are indeed pleased that our rock solid sponsors, Zenith Bank continue to make it happen year after year.

    Read Also: Corona, Riverbank, Grange shine at Zenith Bank  Inter-School Swimming

     “For the upcoming secondary school event, we are ready to again stage a hitch-free competition. It is a similar process with the kids and the schools. Our technical team is on the ground to guarantee a good event overall.”

    The Group Managing Director of Zenith Bank, Ebenezer Onyeagwu, is delighted about the youth swimming competition.

     “We are excited as a corporate body putting smiles on the faces of young talent and also preparing them for future challenges in their chosen sporting endeavor. We are glad to partner with Ikoyi Club and also expect to see some of these talents at the top in future,” Onyeagwu said.

  • Nadal beat  Bergs in Rome opener

    Nadal beat  Bergs in Rome opener

    Rafael Nadal battled into the second round of the Rome Open after bouncing back from a set down to beat qualifier Zizou Bergs 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.

    Clay court icon Nadal will face world number nine Hubert Hurkacz next as he continued his comeback from injury with a punishing match against his Belgian opponent which lasted nearly three hours.

    Also on Nadal’s side of the draw are last year’s winner, world number four Daniil Medvedev, and the beaten finalist Holger Rune.

    Nadal has in recent times been a shadow of the player who has won 22 Grand Slams in a storied career which has also brought a record 10 titles in Rome, his most recent in 2021.

    The 37-year-old has struggled with injury, dropping down to 305 in the world rankings after missing almost all of last year.

    Read Also: Australian Open: Rafael Nadal beats Karen Khachanov to reach last 16

    He returned in April from another three-month lay-off with a second-round exit in Barcelona before reaching the last 16 in Madrid last week.

    He showed glimpses of his old self against Bergs who is ranked 108 in the world and is an eight-time title winner on the Challenger tour.

    Outsider Bergs, 24, had in previous tournaments taken sets off high-profile players like Stefanos Tsitsipas and last year’s losing Rome finalist Holger Rune, and he pushed his illustrious rival all the way.

    The big-hitting Belgian briefly looked like he might win the biggest match of his career to date before Nadal fought back to take a hard-fought victory.

  • UCL: Capello blasts Tuchel over blunders against Real  

    UCL: Capello blasts Tuchel over blunders against Real  

    Italian coaching legend Fabio Capello tore down Thomas Tuchel for ‘incredible mistakes’ in the Champions League semi-final as Bayern Munich capitulated to Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid.

    Capello is a regular pundit on Sky Sport Italia for their European coverage and was in the studio for Wednesday’s encounter.

    The first leg ended 2-2 in Munich and Bayern were leading 1-0 at the Bernabeu until crumbling to a pair of Joselu goals at the 88th  and 91st  minutes.

    Capello saw only one man to blame and that was Bayern Munich manager Tuchel.

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     “He used up with all the substitution slots badly, so he was unable to make the fifth change. There were players with cramp, like Pavlovic,” said Capello. “Tuchel committed a strategic error and someone like him cannot make such incredible mistakes.”

    Bayern Munich had been forced into an early change when Serge Gnabry went off injured after 27 minutes, but his replacement Alphonso Davies had opened the scoring.

    Tuchel replaced attacking players Leroy Sane, Jamal Musiala and Harry Kane before the 85th  minute.

    On the other hand, Real Madrid coach Ancelotti proved his experience at this level, particularly with a tournament that he has won four times already.

     “Ancelotti got the substitutions right, he knew that Real Madrid could turn it around in the final 15 minutes.”

    When it came to his tactics, Capello argued that Ancelotti’s greatest strength is keeping things perfectly simple.

     “It’s what he said before the game, he just puts players in a position to give their best, to feel free and express themselves to their maximum potential.”

    Real Madrid will now go on to face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League Final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday June 1.

  • Leverkusen extend unbeaten run to hit Europa final

    Leverkusen extend unbeaten run to hit Europa final

    To face Atalanta May 22

    Bayer Leverkusen scored two goals against Roma to maintain their incredible unbeaten run this season.

    Xabi Alonso’s side were staring down the barrel of a first defeat after falling to two goals behind as the Italian giants levelled the aggregate score at 2-2 following their defeat to the German champions last week.

    Still, two late strikes were not only enough to ensure their stunning run of form goes on for at least another game, it saw them reach the Europa League final.

    Meanwhile, Atalanta will battle it out with Bayer Leverkusen for glory in the Europa League final following their respective semi-final victories.

    Read Also: Boniface’s  Leverkusen bid for Europa le final  live on Gotv

    La Dea have been on fire under Gian Piero Gasperini on the European stage this term, fighting their way to the Dublin Arena for a chance at silverware. The Bergamo outfit will also fight for the Coppa Italia trophy against Juventus this month.

    Atalanta topped a Europa League group containing Sporting, Sturm Graz and Rakow Czestochowa before beating Sporting CP in the Round of 16 and Liverpool in the quarterfinals, setting up a difficult semi-final tie with Olympique Marseille.

    Atalanta held Marseille to a 1-1 draw at the Stade Velodrome in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final before taking a leading role in the second leg, picking up a 2-0 win to book their spot in the final.

    La Dea will now face Bayer Leverkusen at the Aviva Stadium in the Europa League final on May 22nd.

  • NYSC to Corps members: respect host communities’ traditions

    NYSC to Corps members: respect host communities’ traditions

    The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has urged corps members not to disrespect the traditional practices of their host communities or meddle in local politics.

    Its Anambra State Coordinator, Mrs. Blessing Iruma, gave the advice while addressing this year’s Batch ‘A’ Stream 2 orientation course in Awka, the state capital.

    She said: “As soon as you report to your places of primary assignment, try to integrate yourselves into your host communities.

    “In the process, appreciate their cultures and traditions but do not challenge their traditional practices nor meddle in their local politics.

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    “As a group or individuals, strive to identify their felt needs and take steps to address them thereby leaving those communities better than you met them.”

    Iruma urged the corps members to enrol in post-camp training, get certified, and articulate bankable proposals as major steps to greatness.

    She added: “Endeavour to use social media to promote unity, peace and national development as well as the improvement of self.

    “Shun any tendency to use social media negatively under any guise.

    “The country values you immensely and wants you to remain alive to contribute to the development of self and the nation.

    “Therefore, shun any unauthorised journey and night travels.

    “These ventures are risky as embarking on such movements has often resulted in accidents, deaths, kidnappings and other negative consequences.

  • Prince Harry, Meghan expected in Nigeria today

    Prince Harry, Meghan expected in Nigeria today

    •British couple to interact with wounded soldiers

    The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan, will arrive in Nigeria today on a three-day private visit.

    The royal British couple is visiting Nigeria on the invitation of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa.

    The Director of Sports at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), Air Vice Marshal Abidemi Marquis, said the founder of Invictus Games will spend three days in Nigeria and would interact with wounded soldiers and their families.

    Read Also: Prince Harry, Meghan arrive Nigeria Friday

    He said the visit, which will begin today and last till May 13, is expected to boost the morale of wounded soldiers in their recovery efforts.

    Marquis said: “Because we realised that 80 per cent of our soldiers have been involved in this recovery programme, they are getting better. Their outlook on life is positive. You know, when you are engaged in, you experience a permanent disability. Some issues affect the mental health and outlook to life.

    “But the recovery programme has given them an opportunity to improve their personal self-esteem to improve their mental health, and their emotional intelligence has improved. Also, with their families seeing them, as they used to be the breadwinners who are capable of continuing living…

  • ‘Fed Govt committed to green, sustainable environment’

    ‘Fed Govt committed to green, sustainable environment’

    The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, has reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to achieving environmentally-sound management of green and sustainable chemistry, in line with the transformative goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for sustainable development.

    Orelope-Adefulire, who was represented by her Senior Technical Advisor on SDGs, Dr. Bala Yusuf Yunusa, spoke at the maiden African Regional Conference on Green and Sustainable Chemistry sponsored by the American Chemical Society (ACS) and hled at Sheraton Hotel at Ikeja in Lagos.

    Read Also:TotalEnergies to empower young entrepreneurs in Nigeria, 31 African countries

    The presidential aide noted that Nigeria’s strategic approach to the implementation of SDGs were at the national and sub-national levels.

    She said: “At the national level, OSSAP-SDGs works closely with the Federal ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to integrate the relevant SDGs into their sectoral policies and plans. At the sub-national level, similar institutional structures have been adopted by the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

  • Suspended Enigie’s suit against Oba of Benin admits BTC as co-defendant

    Suspended Enigie’s suit against Oba of Benin admits BTC as co-defendant

    •Edo govt absolves Obaseki of involvement

    The Edo State government yesterday distanced Governor Godwin Obaseki from the suit instituted by the suspended Enigie (Dukes) against the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II.

    The Edo State High Court, presided over by Justice Peter Akhihiero, admitted the Benin Traditional Council (BTC) as a party in the suit instituted by two suspended Enigie of Evbuobanosa and Egbaen Siluko in Benin Kingdom, Prof. Gregory Akenzua and Chief Edomwonyi Ogiegbaen, on behalf of others, to challenge their suspension last year.

    Akenzua and Ogiegbaen, on behalf of others, claimed that it was only Obaseki, and not the monarch, who could suspend them for rebelling against the king.

    Benin Kingdom has seven local government areas in Edo South Senatorial District: Oredo, Ikpoba-Okha, Egor, Ovia Northeast, Ovia Southwest, Orhionmwon and Uhunmwonde, and Obaseki hails from Oredo Local Government Area.

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    The BTC oversees the affairs of the seven local government areas under the kingdom.

    But the governor attempted to create BTCs in each of the other local governments, thereby reducing the influence of the traditional ruler, who never supported Obaseki’s ambition to become governor in 2016.

    The Oba of Benin and most Benin indigenes frowned on the attempt to divide kingdom, leading to the suspension of the Enigie for accepting Obaseki’s BTC, and the Enigie headed to the court to seek redress.

    The door of Court 6 was yesterday shut against most lawyers, journalists and other citizens who arrived before the 9 a.m commencement of proceedings.

    Fully-armed policemen did not allow many interested parties in the suit to enter the court premises to show solidarity to the king.

    Accessing the court premises from the main gate on Sapele Road was also hectic, even by reporters displaying their identity cards.

    Ruling in a motion, Justice Akhihiero granted the Oba of Benin leave to include the BTC as the third defendant in the suit, while the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice remained the second defendants.

    The ruling was in response to an application filed by the first defendant’s lead counsel, Prof. Yemi Akinseye-George (SAN).

    The presiding judge directed the parties, especially the state government, which was represented by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, to file relevant processes.

    Akenzua and Ogiegbaen, who were both represented by Dr. Osagie Obayuwana, objected to the motion, but the judge dismissed it.

    Justice Akhihiero said: “If they are bringing in BTC as a necessary party in the suit, I do not see it as a problem, since you have brought the Oba of Benin to court.

    “I cannot shut down any party. Let the BTC come in and file its processes.”

    The judge adjourned hearing till July 15.

    But in a statement yesterday, Obaseki’s Special Adviser on Media Projects, Crusoe Osagie, averred that the state government had no case in court against the Oba of Benin.

    The statement said: “In the matter being referenced by the purveyors of the fake news, the Edo State government is a defendant, which means the state government is being sued.

    “The Edo State government maintains a cordial relationship with the royal palace and holds the Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, Ogidigan, in high esteem.

    “The rumour is fabricated, fake and should be discountenanced in its entirety. It is election season again, and fifth columnists are at work.

    “The Edo State government is committed to sustaining a harmonious relationship with all stakeholders in the state, and will always work to ensure cordial relations with all the critical institutions in the society, as part of its mandate to maintain a stable environment for the growth and progress of the state.”

    Also, the Edo State All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Campaign Organisation of Senator Monday Okpebholo/Dennis Idahosa has said the legal tussle with Oba Ewuare II is needless.

    In a statement by its media team, last night in Benin, the campaign organisation noted that efforts must be made to safeguard Benin Kingdom’s rich customs and heritage.

    It urged the parties “to consider alternative dispute resolution methods, recognising the imperative of preserving the esteemed legacy of the Benin Royal Kingdom, which has withstood centuries of adversity”.

  • NSCDC commandant jailed five years for employment scam

    NSCDC commandant jailed five years for employment scam

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) yesterday secured the conviction against a Commandant with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Mr. Christopher Oluchukwu, for his involvement in an employment scam.

    The Katsina State High Court 3 sentenced Mr Oluchukwu to five years’ imprisonment without an option of a fine.

    Oluchukwu was accused of duping three individuals of N200,000, N300,000, and N400,000 – under the guise of securing employment for their children at the NSCDC.

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    Upon failing to deliver on his promises and refusing to refund the money, the victims reported the matter to ICPC, leading to an investigation and subsequent legal action.

    During the trial, ICPC’s counsel, Ibrahim Garba, outlined how Oluchukwu’s actions violated Sections 8, 10, and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.

    Justice Abbas Bawale found Oluchukwu guilty on all nine counts presented before the court.

    In a statement by the spokesperson for the Commission, Demola Bakare, the judge ordered that the sentences run concurrently.

    Despite the defendant absconding while on bail, Justice Bawale directed the arrest of his sureties for further investigation.