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  • Haaland parties with wife, Joshua in Dubai

    Haaland parties with wife, Joshua in Dubai

    Erling Haaland enjoyed a well-earned New Year’s Eve party in Dubai after the Manchester City striker’s record-breaking 2023.

    Haaland, 23, flew out to the United Arab Emirates after City’s 2-0 win against Sheffield United at the Etihad on Saturday. The Norway striker wasn’t involved in the Premier League clash due to a foot injury which has already caused him to miss six games.

    Haaland was spotted partying with his girlfriend Isabel Haugseng Johansen, as well as heavyweight boxers Anthony Joshua and Derek Chisora, at the exclusive event in Dubai.

    It was hosted by Umar Kamani – the founder of fashion brand Pretty Little Thing.

    Haaland is friends with Kamani and spent time in his Dubai mansion while the World Cup took place in Qatar last year. The striker didn’t play in the tournament but was arguably the best player in Europe last season, scoring 52 goals in 53 games for City.

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    A remarkable 36 of those goals came in the Premier League, the most ever scored in a term. City won the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup – becoming just the second team after Manchester United in 1999 to achieve that feat in the same season.

    “He feels better with his bone, but he hasn’t had one training session with us,” Pep Guardiola said on Haaland. “Unfortunately, December is so congested with so many games. January is a bit less congested. Hopefully, in January, he can come back with us.”

    Joshua is also earning a well-earned break after securing a third successive victory just before Christmas. The former unified world champion got his career back on track in 2023 by beating Jermaine Franklin, Robert Helenius and Otto Wallin.

    Joshua’s next opponent was expected to be Deontay Wilder, but that fight is in now in doubt after the Bronze Bomber lost to Joseph Parker on the same card as AJ’s Wallin fight. “We had signed the Wilder contract,” explained Eddie Hearn after the fight.

  • Kvitova to miss Australian Open due to pregnancy

    Kvitova to miss Australian Open due to pregnancy

    *New mother Osaka makes winning return

    Former Australian Open runner-up Petra Kvitova said she is expecting her first child with husband and long-time coach Jiri Vanek and would miss the year’s first Grand Slam which begins in two weeks.

    Twice Wimbledon champion Kvitova, 33, is not playing in the ongoing tune-up tournaments in Australia, but her name featured in the entry list for the Jan. 14-28 Melbourne Park major.

    “On the first day of 2024 I wanted to wish you a happy new year and share the exciting news that Jiri and I will be welcoming a baby into our family this summer,” Kvitova said on X on Monday with pictures of the pair holding a sonogram and a onesie.

    She added on Instagram that she would miss her annual trip to Australia.

    “I’m looking forward to spending some time at home preparing for this exciting next chapter in our lives.” Kvitova added.

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    Kvitova lost the 2019 Australian Open final to Naomi Osaka, who made her comeback to the tour earlier on Monday following 15 months out during which she had her first child.

    Meanwhile, four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka felt the nerves but looked solid on her return to elite tennis after 15 months out as she got past Germany’s Tamara Korpatsch 6-3 7-6(9) in the first round of the Brisbane International on Monday.

    The 26-year-old from Japan last competed on tour at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo in September 2022 and had her first child, daughter Shai, in July before stepping up her preparations for the Jan. 14-28 Australian Open.

    Osaka displayed no signs of rust to break Korpatsch to love in her first game back and the former world number one turned up the heat again towards the end of the opening set to close it out in 38 minutes with a sizzling forehand winner.

    Twice Melbourne Park champion Osaka dropped serve for a second time late in the next set to squander her advantage but continued her clean ball-striking in the fiercely contested tiebreak to secure the victory.

    “I was super nervous playing the entire time but I was really excited to be out here. It feels really good to be back,” Osaka said after signing autographs and taking pictures with supporters’ courtside.

    “I feel like the last couple of years that I played before I had my daughter, I didn’t return as much love as I was given. So I really feel like that’s what I want to do in this chapter.”

    Osaka previously had long spells out of the game since her second triumph at Melbourne Park, taking a break to prioritise her mental health after withdrawing from the 2021 French Open and another after the U.S. Open the same year.

  • Peseiro coach admits tough test awaits Super Eagles at AFCON

    Peseiro coach admits tough test awaits Super Eagles at AFCON

    Coach Jose Peseiro has reiterated his desire to win the 2023 African Cup of Nations slated to start in a few days in Cote d’Ivoire even as he admitted that winning the competition won’t be easy.

    Peseiro in an interview with NFF TV, reaffirmed what he said when he signed to become the Super Eagles to qualify the team for the AFCON and win the competition in Cote d’Ivoire.

    He noted that the Eagles would be up against difficult group A opponents with the hosts, Cote d’Ivoire having the support of their fans and Equatorial Guinea and Guinea Bissau having commendable outings at the last AFCON in Cameroon.

    But he said with the support of Nigerians, the Super Eagles can re-enact what Nigeria did in the 1980, 1994 and 2013 editions with another title.

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    “When I signed to become the coach of the Super Eagles, the objective was to qualify for the AFCON and do well there. My goal and objective is to win the AFCON. It is not going to be easy because there are other teams that have been dubbed favourites for the trophy,” Peseiro said.”We want to repeat what Nigeria has done before but it won’t be easy right from the group stage with Equatorial Guinea getting as far as the quarter final of the last edition.

    “Cote d’Ivoire are the host and will have the support of their fans while Guinea Bissau beat the Super Eagles in Lagos during the Qualifiers even though we later topped the group.

    “We need the support of everyone. We know pressure may start coming if we fail to do well as from the first game,” he added.

    The former Venezuelan coach offered insights into the Super Eagles pre AFCON camping programme in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates and the two friendly games with Cape Verde and Burkina Faso before the team jets off to Cote d’Ivoire.

    “We will go to Abu Dhabi for six days for development, process and organisation until on the eighth January.” he said.”I can change some players from the 25 man list in case of injuries or any other things from now till January 10th.”

    The Super Eagles are seeking a fourth AFCON title following previous successes in 1980, 1994 and 2013.

  • School feeding programme to gulp N100bn in 2024 – FG

    School feeding programme to gulp N100bn in 2024 – FG

    President Bola Tinubu has said that N100 billion is allocated for school feeding programmes in the recently signed N28.7 trillion 2024 budget.

    He made this statement on Monday, January 1, while signing the 2024 appropriation bill into law in the State House in Abuja.

    Tinubu stated that the provision would serve as a stimulant to encourage school attendance and reduce the problem of out-of-school children.

    He said: “One of the priority areas of the bill we just passed is the N100 billion provision for feeding school children. I believe that is a stimulant that will encourage enrollment and address malnutrition among school children.

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    “I will be meeting with local governments at sub-national levels so that we can collaborate and jointly implement an all-inclusive programme.”

    The President also confirmed that the christened “Renewed Hope” budget is anchored on reducing the recurrent expenditure but increasing capital expenditure.

    The Nation had reported that Tinubu had ordered the reintroduction of the school feeding programme and mandated its transfer from the Humanitarian Ministry to the Education Ministry.

  • AFCON 2023: Peseiro defends Super Eagles’ 25-man list

    AFCON 2023: Peseiro defends Super Eagles’ 25-man list

    Coach Jose Peseiro has defended his 25-man list for the forthcoming 2023 African Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire, adding it was difficult for him to pick from the initial 40 players in the provisional list submitted to the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

    Highlighting three basic factors he adhered to before picking the final 25 players, Peseiro said that he chose from mainly players who had worked with the team since he took charge and that he considered their performances in the last Eagles games and also looked at their current form.

    He said Chippa United goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali was able to break into the team even though he didn’t take part in the qualifiers because he wants to improve the goalkeeping department of the Super Eagles as he insisted that the former Enyimba and Lobi Stars goalie has the potential to do well.

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    “I chose the players that have been working with us. I also rated their performance while they were invited to play for Nigeria,” Peseiro told NFF Tv. “I did that because some players showed good performances for their clubs but they didn’t replicate it with the Super Eagles. I also picked them on current form. It wasn’t easy to choose the 25 players because we have many quality players. It was my responsibilities and I hope the players perform for Nigeria at AFCON.

    “We had 72 players under our radar. We evaluate these players every time. It was the situation with Stanley Nwabali. We received the information about him from the NFF and I tried to cross check it watching his videos which were difficult to get.

    “We were able to get it. I took permission from the NFF President, Ibrahim Gusau to be in South Africa. I was there four days. I spoke with him and with other people at Chippa United. I watched their training sessions and also saw one of their league games. We believe in him because he showed good performance, quality and capacity and I hope he showed the same qualities when he gets to the camp.

    “I hope they will do their best for the Super Eagles. It was a decision from the NFF for us to go to AFCON with 25 players and agreed with it,” he noted.

    Super Eagles are housed in Group A with the hosts Cote d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea and Guinea Bissau at the 2023 AFCON holding between January 13th and February 11th .

  • Police arrest two suspects in Ugandan athlete murder

    Police arrest two suspects in Ugandan athlete murder

    Kenyan police said on Monday they had arrested two people in connection with the weekend stabbing to death of Ugandan athlete Benjamin Kiplagat.

    The two men – believed to be in their 30s – were arrested on the outskirts of the Rift Valley town of Eldoret, local police commander Stephen Okal said.

    “The two suspects are known criminals who have been terrorising the members of public,” Okal told AFP. “We are in the advanced stage of the investigations and we will possibly be sending them to court tomorrow.”

    The Kenyan-born Kiplagat had represented Uganda internationally in the 3,000m steeplechase, including at several Olympic Games and World Championships.

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    The 34-year-old’s body was found in a car on Saturday night with a deep knife wound to his neck.

    While the motive of the killing was still unknown, police said investigations had shown that Kiplagat had been “waylaid” by the two men before he hit their motorcycle with his car.

    “This probably provoked them into that violent act,” Okal told AFP, referring to the stabbing.

    One of the suspects had been arrested with a knife believed to have been used in the killing, he added.

    Eldoret is known for being home to numerous athletes who undergo training in the high-altitude region.

    Kiplagat, whose career spanned about 18 years, won the silver medal in the 3,000m steeplechase at the 2008 World Junior Championships and bronze at the Africa Championships in 2012.

    He made the semi-finals of the event in the 2012 Olympics in London and also competed in Rio in 2016.

    His death follows the killing in October 2021 of Kenyan distance running star Agnes Tirop who was found stabbed to death at the age of 25 in her home at Iten, a training hub near Eldoret.

  • APC needs N100bn annual budget to function optimally, says Lukman

    APC needs N100bn annual budget to function optimally, says Lukman

    A former member of the National Working Committee (NWC) the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Mallam Salihu Moh. Lukman has said that the party will require a minimum of N100 billion annual budget if it must effectively function as the governing party.

    The immediate-past National Vice Chairman (North-west) also said the move by the Abdullahi Umar Ganduje-led NWC to establish the National Institute of Progressive Studies as part of its initiatives in 2024 would further help the party provide the required leadership mentorship for party administration in the country.

     Lukman’s proposal was contained in a statement in honour of late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo state, titled: “National Institute of Progressive Studies: Issues and Challenges” in Abuja on Monday.

    An advocate of party supremacy, the former Director General of the Progressives Governors’ Forum (PGF) expressed concern that once the issue of party funding is not resolved, the current reality whereby party leaders are not committed to discharging their responsibilities will continue.

    He said: “If the organs of the party at all levels are to function as required by the provisions of the party’s constitution, the APC should have an annual budget of not less than N100 billion. Certainly, funding activities of States, Local Governments and organs of the party throughout the country would require not less than N50 billion.

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    “With an annual budget of not less than N100 billion, how can the party mobilise the required funding? What will be the responsibilities of all the organs of the party in the process of fund mobilisation? How will the funds be shared and what will be the accountability structures that will be put in place?

    “Part of what the budget of the party must clearly outline is unambiguous reward and conditions of service for party leadership at all levels. If the confidence of party leaders is to be strengthened, rewards and conditions of service for party leaders should be benchmarked with public service conditions of service. This would entail, for instance, that the National Chairman should have the same condition of service as the Vice President.

    “Deputy National Chairmen should have the same conditions of service as the Senate President. National Secretary, the same conditions with Secretary to Government of the Federation. And other members of the National Working Committee should have the same conditions as Ministers.

    “This should be cascaded down to states, local governments, and wards and should necessarily require that qualifications for all positions are appropriately benchmarked with corresponding public service qualifications. But first things first; the issue of party funding and the capacity to mobilise the funds to implement all these should be resolved beyond assumptions.

    “A situation whereby the National Chairman of the party is reduced to a beggar, expecting charity from elected and appointed officials in government is unacceptable. Once that is the case capacity of the party to influence and regulate the conduct of elected and appointed officials in government will remain weak.”

    The APC chieftain also lauded the proposed National Institute of Progressive Studies to be set up by the party.

    He noted that the institute should be part of a wider strategic reform initiative by the party to ensure that structures of the party at all levels are functional and elected party leaders at all levels are oriented to deliver on their respective mandates as enshrined in the APC constitution.

    On the recent NWC visit to the President, Lukman said: “This is a welcome development, which should be commended. Noting that the idea of establishing a Progressive Institute is as old as the APC, now that the National Chairman has expressed commitment to establish it in 2024, is a remarkable departure from the pronouncements of previous National Chairmen.

    “Perhaps, also worthy of commendation is the initiative of Dr. Ganduje to visit President Asiwaju Tinubu together with all members of NWC. This has not happened in a long time. The last time the NWC, as a body, met with the President was probably during the tenure of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole between 2018 and 2020.”

  • We can make Edo Switzerland of Nigeria, says PDP aspirant

    We can make Edo Switzerland of Nigeria, says PDP aspirant

    Governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, Prof. Martin Uhomoibhi, has said with good governance and sincere leadership, Edo could become  the Switzerland of Nigeria.

    Uhomoibhi spoke when he met with traditional rulers of Esanland, who converged on the palace of Onojie of Ewatto, Esan Southeast Local Government Area.

    He said in Esan language: “I wish to apologise for speaking with our eminent monarchs in Esan language, because I do not have fund to pay an interpreter, if I decide to speak in English language.

    “I was the Undersecretary-General of the United Nations, who oversaw the stabilisation of the political crisis in Dafur, Sudan. While in Sudan, I saw a lot of Nigerians crossing the desert, some on foot, en-route Italy, to prostitute. I heard of many Nigerians that were auctioned like common commodities, and I saw many Nigerians that lost their lives. Sadly, a number of these Nigerians were from Edo State.

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    “Why Nigerians leave the country, by whatever means, in droves, is mainly as a result of bad leadership. Our flawed leadership selection process brought our dear state and country to this pitiable level that we find ourselves today. If I am given the opportunity to serve as governor, together we can make Edo the Switzerland of Nigeria, through Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) that will be complemented by our local efforts.

     “Under my leadership as Edo governor, God willing, at least two industries will be facilitated in each of the three senatorial districts with the sole aim of creating employment opportunities for our qualified youths, thereby curtailing unemployment and crime.” 

    The Ambassador also promised to resuscitate, through the World Bank’s intervention, the water pump house at Ibore-Irrua that supplied water to the entire Esanland and part of Edo North.

    He noted that with Esanland and other parts of Edo State blessed with fertile soil for agriculture, he would use his connections to attract international investors, who would give agriculture a boost, using modern technologies.

     Onojie of Igueben, Ehizojie Eluojieror II, who responded on behalf of other monarchs, prayed God to grant Uhomoibhi the opportunity to use his achievements in academics and governance to assist the Edo people.

  • Sanwo-Olu promises better support for businesses

    Sanwo-Olu promises better support for businesses

    Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has promised that the government will better support businesses in 2024 to thrive as part of making Lagos a prosperous state.

    Speaking at the Sol Beach, Oniru, one of the venues for the 72-hour #Greater Lagos Fiesta and countdown to the New Year 2024, Sanwo-Olu said the state’s peaceful nature made the event possible.

    The event held simultaneously in six locations across the state, viz – Sol Beach Oniru, Agege, Epe, Ikorodu, Badagry and Ajegunle.

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    The governor noted that the event is an annual tradition to celebrate music, entertainment, and the vibrant spirit of Lagos. He also said it is about supporting and appreciating the residents, culture, tourism and youth development.

    He added: “We are happy because there is peace in Lagos. I want to thank all of you, this is freshness and we hope to make it bigger next year. 2024 will be a glorious, better year for me and all of us, reaching our set career growth among other positives.”

    On hand to entertain guests were over 25 artistes and comedians, including Innocent Idibia popularly Tubaba; David Adeleke alias Davido; Oluwatobiloba Daniel Anidugbe also known as Kiss Daniel.

  • I sponsored five financial bills in six months, says senator

    I sponsored five financial bills in six months, says senator

    The senator representing Kwara Central, Mallam Saliu Mustapha, has said he has sponsored five bills within six months in office.

    This, according to him, is to strengthen the nation’s financial sector and advance the use of technology in agriculture, to enhance food productivity and security in the country.

    The bills included National Food Reserve Agency (Establishment) Bill, 2023, which seeks to develop the agricultural sector by ensuring national food security and income through marketing and storage services, Donkey Slaughter Regulation and Export Certificate Bill, 2023 and National Agricultural Land Development Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

    Others were Cassava Flour (Mandatory Inclusion into Flour Production) Bill, 2023, which seeks to provide a legal and regulatory framework for the mandatory inclusion of cassava flour into edible flour production in Nigeria and Electronics Transaction Bill 2023, which aims to offer legal and regulatory framework for conducting transactions, using electronic or related media.

    The Chief of Staff to the senator, Tunji Buhari, said this while featuring on a radio programme monitored in Ilorin.

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    The programme was designed to give account of stewardship to the constituents of the legislator within his six months in office.

    He said the senator, who is the chairman of the Senate Committee on Agricultural Production Services and Rural Development, was passionate about agriculture sector with its contribution of 23 per cent to the GDP of the country in the third quarter of 2023.

    The politician noted that the sector can become the backbone of the nation’s economy if it is adequately harnessed with the right technology.

    He also disclosed that over 2,000 solar power street lights were installed across the 52 wards of Kwara Central Senatorial District, while two solar powered motorised boreholes were provided at Kankatu, Ibagun Ward of Ilorin East and Jato Community in Ifesowapo of Ilorin South Local Government.

    “Over 2,000 solar power street lights have been distributed across the 52 wards of the senatorial district. There is no ward of the four local governments that don’t have the solar panels. The essence is to enhance security in the respective localities. Others were distributed to major assemblies to enhance social interactions.

    “Two 3-1 solar powered boreholes were distributed, especially in Ilorin East and South local governments,  while others are ongoing”, he added.

    As part of measures to cushion the hardship occasioned by the removal of subsidy from fuel, Buhari said Senator Mustapha rolled out palliatives to complement the Kwara State Government’s efforts to reduce the hardship among residents of the state with the provision of 10,000 bags of rice and 2,800 live chickens for Christian brethren, the less privileged in the society, party faithful and communities for them to have a joyous celebration during the festive period.

    “Having realised the tough times the people are facing as a result of subsidy removal from PMS, the distinguished senator decided to support the efforts of Governor AbdulRazaq-led administration.”

     by providing multimillion naira palliative support, which comprises thousands of bags of rice, chickens and other food items for the constituents.

    “Apart from these items, he also provided cash donation to some individuals and less privileged individuals to enable them have joyous festive period”, Buhari said.

    The senator’s aide, however, noted that Senator Mustapha had approved the procurement and distribution of 1,000 JAMB forms, 500 WAEC and NECO forms for orphans and indigents, preparatory to granting scholarships to best performing students among them.