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SS 1 student to captain Golden Eaglets at WAFU Cup

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Simon Cletus, a Senior Secondary School I student, will captain the Golden Eaglets at the WAFU B U-17 Championship in Ghana.

Cletus is a student at Palm Ville College, Lagos.

The youngster plays for the academy side, Mavlon FC, Lagos.

Holders Golden Eaglets will face Burkina Faso, Niger and Benin in Group B at the WAFU Championship.

Manu Garba’s side will begin the defence of their title against Burkina Faso at the University Stadium, Accra, on Thursday.

The two finalists in the competition will secure a berth at the Africa U-17 Cup of Nations.

NAFDAC seizes fake cosmetics valued at ₦35 million in Abuja

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NAFDAC urges Nigerians to be supportive in fighting counterfeit products in the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the arrest was made at the Garki and Wuse axis, during an enforcement to curb substandard goods.

Speaking with newsmen after the enforcement, Embugushiki-Musa Godiya, NAFDAC Head of Investigation and Enforcement, Federal Taskforce, said that the arrested persons would be investigated.

Godiya said that NAFDAC would work to ensure that fake cosmetics and other counterfeit products were completely wiped out of the country.

He said that the agency had been investigating some of these counterfeit cosmetics, following intelligence reports, adding that some of these products were illegally imported into the country, despite security at the border.

“NAFDAC is present in all the ports of entry of the country, but with the nature of our borders, these smugglers will always find a way to beat the system that the government had put in place.

“That is why if they escape from the port or borders, we go to the market and to all the places, gather intelligence report, go after them and confiscate these product for possible prosecution,” Godiya said.

He said that the market value of the seized cosmetics is ₦35 million, adding that NAFDAC would continue investigation into the issue, to unravel the level of involvement of the suspects.

Godiya said that after the investigation, the management of the agency would take regulatory action, which probably may be the prosecution of those suspects for the crime committed. He called on Nigerians to collaborate with NAFDAC to fight counterfeit products in the country.

EPL: Walcott endorses ex-Chelsea star as ideal Guardiola’s successor at Man City

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Former Arsenal forward Theo Walcott has endorsed former Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas as the ideal successor for Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.

Walcott, who has worked with Fabregas during their time at Arsenal, praised the Spaniard for his coaching qualities.

Fabregas is currently the assistant manager for Serie B outfit Como and has helped the team achieve promotion to the Italian top flight for the 2024–25 season.

Walcott believes that Fabregas has similar qualities to successful coaches like Xabi Alonso, Mikel Arteta, and Guardiola himself.

Walcott said (via Football365): “He is a born winner, very similar to the way you see someone like Xabi Alonso or a Mikel Arteta or even a Pep Guardiola coming through. I just feel he has that aura about him. Again, when he speaks, the players listen. They are attractive to players now. It will be a great club to go to and a great place to live.

“Now he is developing this new career, which is only going to improve and hopefully we will see him in the Premier League because he’ll be brilliant and he’ll be a good replacement for Pep Guardiola at Manchester City at some point.”

NNL Super Eight: El-Kanemi, Nasarawa United clash in opening fixture

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El-Kanemi Warriors will face Nasarawa United in the opening day fixture of the Nigeria National League Super Eight playoff tournament.

The draw for the competition was conducted on Wednesday in Abuja.

Sport Supreme will take on Sokoto United, while Beyond Limits will face Madiba FC in the matchday one fixture.

The other game will see Ikorodu City FC square up against Inter Lagos FC.

The NNL Super Eight playoff tournament will run from June 7–14, 2024.

All the matches will be played at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu.

Four teams will secure promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League from the competition.

The winner of the Super Eight playoff tournament will be crowned the 2024 NNL champions.

EPL: Chelsea captain, Reece James suspended for first three matches of next season

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Chelsea captain, Reece James, will miss the start of the Premier League next season through suspension.

The England defender was shown a straight red card during their 2-1 win away at Brighton for kicking out at Joao Pedro.

James was sent off only 19 minutes after coming on as a substitute.

Referee Michael Salisbury was advised to check the pitchside monitor following VAR intervention, where he brandished James with a straight red card.

It is his second sending off this season and he will now miss four matches.

That will see him ruled out of the final Premier League clash of the campaign against Bournemouth on Sunday, and the first three next term.

FG approves low-interest loans for media houses

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The Minister urged private broadcasters to participate in the Federal Government’s Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Initiative to reduce operational costs through more affordable energy.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the announcement during a meeting with the Independent Broadcasting Association of Nigeria (IBAN) in Abuja on Wednesday.

The Minister explained that this initiative aligns with the administration’s commitment to fostering a supportive business environment for the media sector in Nigeria.

In a statement made available to Pulse, Idris said, “Let me say that the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation under my leadership, as part of our five pillars, will support all media platforms in this country, whether public or private.

“I can tell you that the President has directed the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to extend financing to media organisations at single-digit interest rates. I think you need to take advantage of that.”

<img class="image lazyloaded imgWithMetaData" title="L-R: Chairman of Multimesh Communications, Sir Godfrey Ohuabunwa; Chairman of the Independent Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (IBAN), Alhaji Mohammed Tijjani Ramalan; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris; CEO of RadioNow, Lagos, Ms. Kadaria Ahmed; Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission, Mr. Charles Ebuebu and Chairman of SMK Group, Alhaji Shittu Mohammed Kabir, when some members of IBAN paid a courtesy visit to the Minister in Abuja on Wednesday." src="data:;base64,” alt=”L-R: Chairman of Multimesh Communications, Sir Godfrey Ohuabunwa; Chairman of the Independent Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (IBAN), Alhaji Mohammed Tijjani Ramalan; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris; CEO of RadioNow, Lagos, Ms. Kadaria Ahmed; Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission, Mr. Charles Ebuebu and Chairman of SMK Group, Alhaji Shittu Mohammed Kabir, when some members of IBAN paid a courtesy visit to the Minister in Abuja on Wednesday.” width=”790″ height=”445″ data-original=”https://ocdn.eu/pulscms-transforms/1/zrJktkpTURBXy8wOTJlOGQ0NTE3ZjU4YzI4YjUwOGMwMGJiYWQ2MGE3MC5qcGeRlQLNAxbNAb3Cww” />

He encouraged IBAN members to create viable proposals to tap into the financing facility provided by the Federal Government.

The Minister criticised the intentional breaches of advertising industry payment standards, particularly the failure of some practitioners to pay media organisations within the stipulated 90-day period.

Idris announced that the Advertising Regulatory Commission of Nigeria (ARCON) will ensure that all advertising payments owed to media organisations are promptly made.

The Minister urged private broadcasters to participate in the Federal Government’s Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Initiative to reduce operational costs through more affordable energy.

Idris noted that with the President’s recent commissioning of three gas projects and other related efforts, Nigeria strives to achieve sufficient gas processing capacity for local use and export.

In addressing IBAN’s request to resume the Digital Switch Over (DSO) rollout, the Minister, expressing serious concerns about the initiative’s historically slow progress, emphasised the need for a renewed and energetic approach to ensure timely completion.

He mentioned that the President had directed the ministry to speed up the DSO project by implementing successful strategies from countries that have transitioned from analogue to digital broadcasting.

 

EPL: If Man Utd don’t want me, I will go – Bruno Fernandes

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Manchester United midfielder, Bruno Fernandes, has said he will leave if he’s no longer wanted at the club.

Fernandes stated this on Wednesday, following a 3-2 win over Newcastle at United.

The Portugal international made his return to injury after missing two matches and put in an impressive performance.

The 29-year-old has been linked with a summer exit with the club in turmoil.

But when asked about his future by reporters, Fernandes replied: “I will be here till when the club wants me and the club wants me to be a part of the future.

“If for some reason they don’t want me, then I will go.”

EPL: Arsenal’s rivals believe Arteta ‘in pole position’ to sign £64m striker

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Arsenal’s rivals believe Mikel Arteta’s side are “in pole position” to sign Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, according to the UK Telegraph.

Sesko signed for the Bundesliga team in a €24million deal from Red Bull Salzburg last summer.

Since then, the 20-year-old has scored 17 goals for Leipzig.

Sesko is also admired by Manchester United, with his agent in attendance at Old Trafford last Sunday for the 1-0 defeat to Arsenal.

However, Arsenal “have strong interest” in Sesko and are considering a move this summer.

Sesko has also attracted interest from Chelsea, who are expected to be in the market for a new striker in the summer window.

EPL: Ten Hag names ‘very important’ player in Man Utd squad after win over Newcastle

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Manchester United manager, Erik ten Hag has identified Sofyan Amrabat as a ‘very important’ player in his squad after the Red Devils’ Premier League 3-2 win against Newcastle on Wednesday night.

Ten Hag said the Morocco international is vital in pressing and the counter-press, adding that he played well and did a good job against Newcastle at Old Trafford.

Goals from Kobbie Mainoo, Amad Diallo and Rasmus Hojlund gave Man United the victory against the visitors.

“I think he played a very good game. Very important for us in the pressing and the counter-press,” Ten Hag said at his post-match interview.

“He is doing a really good job keeping the team together, keeping the team compact and we had good moments to press, to control the game.”

Amrabatas greatly struggled since joining Man United on loan from Fiorentina last summer.

EPL: They were unfortunate – Rooney claims Newcastle denied crucial penalty against Man Utd

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Newcastle United were ‘unfortunate’ not to receive a pivotal penalty in their 3-2 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford on Wednesday, according to former England striker, Wayne Rooney.

Recall that Kobbie Mainoo netted first for Manchester United.

Anthony Gordon leveled the score shortly after halftime, but goals from Amad Diallo and Rasmus Hojlund put the home team back in command.

A stunning late goal by Lewis Hall made for a tense finish, but Erik ten Hag’s side managed to secure the victory.

The controversy arose when Sofyan Amrabat, after losing possession, seemed to clip Gordon inside the penalty area.

However, referee Rob Jones and the VAR team ruled there was insufficient contact for a penalty.

Rooney, however, disagreed with the officials’ decision.

Speaking on Sky Sports, he stated, “That was a penalty in my opinion. Casemiro makes a solid tackle, but Amrabat clearly catches Gordon’s left heel. Newcastle were very unfortunate,” he said.

EPL: Tottenham, Chelsea, Man Utd to fight for Europa, Conference League spots

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Four Premier League teams will be fighting for European football on the last day of the season.

Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Aston Villa have all qualified for next season’s Champions League.

But Tottenham, Chelsea, Newcastle and Manchester United are fighting for European qualification.

On Wednesday night, United beat Newcastle 3-2 and Chelsea won 2-1 at Brighton.

The result leaves Spurs in fifth (63points), Chelsea in sixth (60), Newcastle in seventh (57) and United in eighth (57).

The teams that finish fifth and sixth will qualify for the Europa League if Manchester City win the FA Cup.

In that instance, seventh would go into the Conference League.

However, if United win the FA Cup, they will qualify for the Europa League, as well as the team finishing fifth.

In that scenario, the side in sixth would play in the Conference League and the side in seventh would miss out on Europe.

But if United finish sixth and win the FA Cup, the Conference League place again moves down to the side finishing seventh.

On the last day of the campaign, Manchester United are away at Brighton, Chelsea welcome Bournemouth, Spurs travel to Sheffield United and Newcastle take on Brentford.

Serie A: Osimhen to miss Napoli’s trip to Fiorentina

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Victor Osimhen is expected to sit out Napoli’s away clash with Fiorentina on Friday, DAILY POST reports.

Osimhen sustained a muscle injury in the Partenopei’s home defeat to Bologna last weekend.

The 25-year-old has not trained with his teammates this week.

The Nigeria international only had physiotherapy and personalised work in the gym on Wednesday.

Osimhen has scored 15 goals in Serie A this season.

He has been affected by numerous injuries and absence due to the Africa Cup of Nations in January and February.

Bundesliga: Boniface dedicates rookie award to fans

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Bayer Leverkusen forward, Victor Boniface says his Bundesliga Rookie of the Season award is for the fans.

Boniface was named recipient of the award by the Bundesliga on Wednesday.

“And the winner is Victor Boniface,” Bundesliga announced via X.

“Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface takes home the #BLRookie of the Season award from Sorare after making an instant impact to the Bundesliga — in which he won four Rookie of the Month trophies in a row. Congrats Victor!”

The 23-year-old old thanked his fans in a post on X shortly after he was announced the winner: ‘9ja no dey carry last. Thank you, guys.”

Boniface beat Xavi Simons, Ian Maatsen, and Maximilian Beier to the individual accolade.

The Nigerian has scored 13 goals and provided nine assists in 22 league games for Bayer Leverkusen this season.

EPL: Tuchel’s favourite Premier League club to join revealed

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Bayern Munich manager, Thomas Tuchel, is more inclined to rejoin Chelsea than to take up the managerial position at Manchester United this summer, according to former Liverpool defender Glen Johnson.

Tuchel will leave Bayern Munich at the end of the season.

The German has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford amid Erik ten Hag’s struggles to maintain his position.

Discussing Tuchel’s future with Betfred, Johnson said:

“It’s tough to talk about a manager coming into a job that I would like Mauricio Pochettino to stay in,” Johnson told Betfred when asked about Tuchel’s future.

“However, if we are talking from Thomas Tuchel’s perspective, then he’d definitely pick the Chelsea job over the Manchester United one.

“Chelsea’s another club that are competing, but they are not and they are miles away from it at the moment.

“With the players they’ve got, they should be doing more and if Tuchel had the option, I believe he would pick Chelsea over Manchester United.”

House of Reps deputy spokesman Agbese to chair Nigeria-Finland Parliamentary Group

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The deputy spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, has been appointed as the chairman of the Nigeria-Finland Parliamentary Friendship Group.

His appointment was contained in a letter dated May 14, 2024, from the Office of the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas.

With his appointment, Agbese heads a strong team of six parliamentarians from Nigeria that also includes Okere Tochukwu Chinedu (Imo) as deputy.

Others in the group are Richard Olufemi (Ekiti), Ekpo Paul (Akwa Ibom), Akiba Bassey Ekpenyong (Cross Rivers), Saba Ahmed Adam (Kwara) and Fulata Abubakar Hassan (Jigawa) as members.

Abbas charged Agbese and his colleagues to enhance Nigeria’s legislative relationship with Finland in line with the 10th National Assembly Legislative Agenda.

On his part, Agbese who represents Ado/ Okpokwu/ Ogbadibo thanked the Speaker for finding him worthy of another assignment and promised not to disappoint.

He said: “I am committed to dedicating my time, energy, and expertise to lead the group effectively and ensure its objectives are achieved. I look forward to working closely with my colleagues from both Nigeria and Finland to promote cultural exchange, economic cooperation, and parliamentary diplomacy.

“I am eager to explore opportunities for collaboration in areas such as education, innovation, and sustainable development and to facilitate dialogue and understanding between our nations. I am confident that our joint efforts will yield fruitful results and contribute to the prosperity of both Nigeria and Finland.”

Death toll from Kano mosque attack rises to eight

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Death toll from the Gezawa Mosque attack in Kano State has risen to eight, with 17 others still in critical condition receiving treatment.

DAILY POST learnt that seven more victims died while receiving treatment at the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital in Kano, as confirmed by the police.

SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Kano State Police Command, confirmed the number, adding that 17 others were still receiving treatment at the hospital.

Kiyawa said the victims died as a result of the injuries they sustained in the tragic incident.

A family dispute over the sharing of inheritance prompted a 38-year-old principal suspect, Shafiu Abubakar, to set a mosque on fire.

Sources at the Larabar-Albasawa village explained that Shafiu sprayed the mosque area with petroleum, locked the door, and set it on fire, trapping about 40 worshippers inside.

It was also gathered that almost every household had a member among the affected 40 people in the village.

The police spokesman said 17 victims were still receiving treatment at the hospital.

Earlier on Wednesday, AIG Umar Mamman Sanda led a delegation of security personnel, including the Commissioner of Police in the State and the Director of DSS, on a visit to the victims at the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital.

He said, “What happened is not associated with any act of terrorism, but rather, it was a skirmish that arose as a result of inheritance sharing.

“The suspect was said to be not satisfied with the distribution and was reacting to that.

“He is presently with us and is giving us useful information. It is really unfortunate. He used a locally made bomb to commit the crime.”

NAFDAC arrests five for allegedly selling fake cosmetics in Abuja

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The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control, NAFDAC, on Wednesday in Abuja arrested five persons for selling counterfeit cosmetics.

NAN reports that the arrest was made at the Garki and Wuse axis during an enforcement to curb substandard goods.

Speaking with newsmen after the enforcement, Mr Embugushiki-Musa Godiya, NAFDAC Head of Investigation and Enforcement, Federal Taskforce, said that the arrested persons would be investigated.

Godiya said that NAFDAC would work to ensure that fake cosmetics and other counterfeit products were completely wiped out of the country.

He said that the agency had been investigating some of the counterfeit cosmetics following intelligence reports, adding that some of those products were illegally imported into the country, despite security at the border.

“NAFDAC is present in all the ports of entry of the country, but with the nature of our borders, these smugglers will always find a way to beat the system that the government had put in place.

“That is why if they escape from the port or borders, we go to the market and to all the places, gather intelligence reports, go after them and confiscate these products for possible prosecution,” Godiya said.

He said that the market value of the seized cosmetics was N35 million, adding that NAFDAC would continue investigation into the issue to unravel the level of involvement of the suspects.

Godiya said that after investigation, the management of the agency would take its regulatory action, which probably may be prosecution of those suspects for the crime committed.

Don’t kill politicians who steal billions – Ndume gives condition for death penalty

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Senator Ali Ndume, the Chief Whip of the Senate, has said that he would not support death penalties for corrupt politicians who steal in millions or billions but for those who steal in trillions.

Ndume pointed out that corruption within Nigerian politics was primarily influenced by individuals.

He suggested that it may not necessitate severe consequences.

The senator acknowledged that politicians engaged in corruption but also distributed resources to the public.

He said, “If you compare us, politicians, to all the corruption, it is very small. Our corruption is people-driven,” he told Channels Television.

“If you steal it, you will go and share it with the people. If you don’t, you are not coming back for four years. There is no reason for stealing.

“I have been to the National Assembly, I can’t say because we are on TV now and not telling the truth.

“If the death penalty is supposed to be included in corruption, I will support it but you don’t go and kill someone that stole one million or one billion, no. But someone who steals one trillion of government money should be killed.”

Senate seeks involvement of states, FCT in Hajj airlines selection, feeding of pilgrims

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The Senate on Wednesday passed for second reading an amendment bill on the establishment Act of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, to pave the way for the involvement of states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, in the selection of airlines for Hajj operations.

The Red Chamber is also seeking the involvement of the State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Board in the feeding of pilgrims in Madina and Masha’ir under the regulation of NAHCON.

The sponsor of the bill, Senator Abbas Aminu Iya (PDP, Adamawa Central), said in his lead debate that NAHCON was established in 2006 to serve as a regulatory agency for Muslim pilgrims, overseeing the activities of states and FCT Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards and tour agents.

He, however, queried the practice that allows states Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards to handle accommodation and feeding of their pilgrims in Mecca while NAHCON handles accommodation and feeding of all pilgrims in Madina and Masha’ir (Mina and Arafat), which he said creates many inconveniences to pilgrims and affects the commission’s ability for effective regulatory function.

Abbas also drew the attention of the senators to a practice he described as being at variance with the regulatory role of NAHCON by screening airline companies, qualifying them for airlifts of pilgrims and allocating the airlines to states.

“This bill therefore seeks to amend Section 4 of the principal act so as to involve states of the Federation and Federal Capital Territory in the selection of airline agencies for Hajj operations, as well as allow the states and FCT, to manage the accommodation and feeding of pilgrims in Madina and Masha ‘ ir as may be regulated by NAHCON.

“Passage of this proposed amendment bill will allow NAHCON to carry out its primary regulatory responsibility and guarantee more efficient, accountable and seamless Hajj operations,” he stressed.

Contributing to the debate, Senator Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno North), described the bill as apt and germane, saying, “It is wrong for NAHCON to play dual roles of regulation and operator.”

The Senate Deputy Minority Leader, Senator Oyewumi Olalere (PDP, Osun West) and some other senators also threw their weight behind the bill, which made Deputy President of the Senate Jibrin Barau, who presided over the session, put passage of the bill for a second reading to voice votes.

Senator Barau, after the bill’s second reading, referred it to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs for more legislative input and a report back within two weeks.

Ogbaulu herdsmen attack: Death toll rises to nine

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Three more bodies were recovered on Wednesday as the death toll from the Tuesday deadly attack on Ogbaulu community in Agatu Local Government Area by suspected Fulani herdsmen rose to nine.

DAILY POST recalls that gunmen on Tuesday evening, invaded the Agatu community.

Six bodies were earlier recovered, while many were declared missing and 20 motorcycles confirmed to have been carted away by the attackers.

Confirming the discovery of more corpses through a telephone call, a youth leader from the community, Comrade Adole Jose Ehoda said with the help of the military, three more bodies were recovered.

“With a backup by security agencies, we combed the neighbourhood where the attack took place and we were able to discover three more bodies, including one that was earlier declared missing”, Adole said.

He gave the names of the victims whose bodies have been recovered so far as Haruna Oja, Michael Ondachi, Isah Adakili, John Akwila, Dangai Peter, Face, Awewe, an Igbo trader and one little unidentified boy.