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Again, Sergio Ramos quits Sevilla

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Veteran Spanish defender Sergio Ramos has told hometown club Sevilla his second stint with them is over after just one season, the La Liga outfit said on Monday.

In a career spanning over 20 years, Ramos carved himself a place in football history, winning the 2010 World Cup and two European championships with Spain as well as four Champions League titles with Real Madrid before going back to help struggling Sevilla survive a tricky season.

The 38-year-old Ramos racked up 37 appearances for Sevilla as they struggled to 14th in La Liga, getting through three coaches on the way.

Ramos left Sevilla at 19 for a 15-year spell at Real Madrid in 2005. He then spent two seasons at Paris Saint-Germain.

The inspirational defender has yet to reveal his destination for next season

The record seven-time Europa League winners said Ramos would bid farewell to fans on Tuesday after informing them on Monday his dream return to the club who brought him on from youth level was over.

“Sergio Ramos has informed Sevilla FC that he will not stay next season,” the club said in a statement.

“The club wishes to thank Sergio for the commitment, leadership and dedication that he has demonstrated this season, and wishes him the best for future.”

Sevilla captain and record appearance-maker Jesus Navas, also 38, left the club two weeks ago after 17 seasons.

AFP

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FG denies renaming Murtala Muhammed Expressway

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The Federal Government on Monday dismissed information that the Abuja Murtala Muhammed Expressway had been renamed Wole Soyinka Way.

The FG, in a statement signed by the media aide to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Rabiu Ibrahim, clarified that the renaming of the expressway was never considered by the current administration.

The confusion stems from a recent event on June 4, 2024, when President Bola Tinubu inaugurated a new road in the Federal Capital Territory.

The new road, designated as Arterial Road N20, stretches from Katampe to Jahi, connecting the Outer Northern Expressway (also known as Murtala Muhammed Expressway) to the Northern Parkway (Ahmadu Bello Way).

During the inauguration, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike proposed that the new road be named after Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, a suggestion that Tinubu approved.

Consequently, it is the Arterial Road N20 that now bears Soyinka’s name, not the Murtala Mohammed Expressway.

“We have noted the rumours being circulated that the Murtala Muhammed Express Way in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has been renamed as Wole Soyinka Way. The renaming of the Murtala Mohammed Expressway Way has never been contemplated by this administration.

“For the record, on June 4, 2024, President Bola Tinubu inaugurated a new road in the FCT codenamed Arterial Road N20 (from Katampe to Jahi), which links the existing Outer Northern Expressway (also known as Murtala Muhammed Expressway) to the Northern Parkway (also called Ahmadu Bello Way).

“During the inauguration of the N20 (which is a new road), FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, proposed to the President that the road be named after Prof Wole Soyinka, and the President agreed”, the statement read in part.

The government emphasised that the Murtala Mohammed Expressway remains unchanged, continuing to honour the legacy of the former Head of State, General Murtala Ramat Mohammed.

“Therefore, the Arterial Road N20 is named after Prof Soyinka. The Murtala Muhammed Expressway remains unchanged and continues to bear the name of our esteemed former Head of State, General Murtala Ramat Mohammed,” Ibrahim stressed.

Citizens were urged to disregard any misinformation suggesting otherwise, as such reports are false and unfounded.

“We urge all citizens to disregard any misinformation regarding renaming the Murtala Muhammed Expressway. The report is entirely false and only exists in the imagination of its purveyors”, the statement added.

Shehu Sani insists some ENDSARS protesters still in police detention

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The former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, and the Nigeria Police Force have disagreed on the fate of youths detained during the October 2020 ENDSARS protest in the country.
Sani, who spoke at the 2024 Democracy Day Dinner held on June 12 at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, insisted several protesters have not regained freedom four years after the mass rallies against the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
He urged President Bola Tinubu to ensure the release of the detained young people.
The former lawmaker stressed that young Nigerians who were arrested during the protest of 2020 were still in detention.
But the police in a statement issued on Sunday, the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyuwa Adejobi, swiftly denied the allegations.
He insisted that those arrested during the protest have been released.
Adejobi said: “The Nigeria Police affirms that no individual is being unlawfully detained by the Nigeria Police Force or any other security agency in Nigeria due to the EndSARS protest,” the police spokesman said.
“All arrested individuals have been processed according to the law, and none remain unlawfully detained. In Lagos, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu pardoned approximately 100 suspects arrested by the Police during the protest.
“For emphasis, no one anywhere in Nigeria is under Police detention or being wrongly persecuted for participating in the EndSARS protest. The issues surrounding the protest have been debated, researched, and documented, and lessons have been learnt. We have forgiven ourselves and moved on.
“We encourage verifying information before making public statements to avoid harm and incitement.
“The Nigeria Police Force categorically denies the recent allegations made by Senator Shehu Sani at the 2024 Democracy Day Dinner on June 12, 2024, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where the former Senator falsely claimed that some young people have been detained since the 2020 EndSARS protest.”
But in a post on X on Monday afternoon, Sani insisted that some arrested protesters are still being detained by the police.
He wrote: “The Police debunked my statement that some ENDSARS protesters are still held in custody. I hope they have read the list of the names published.”

The Police debunked my statement that some Endsars protesters are still held in custody.I hope they have read the list of the names published.
— Senator Shehu Sani (@ShehuSani) June 17, 2024

To corroborate Sani’s assertion, some X users under the post bashed the police for denying the obvious, with some even posting a list of those still in detention.
One of the users, @HilaryEkpe, posted the list of detainees and dared the police to deny it.

pic.twitter.com/YMcyuE9jWi
— Ekpe Hilary Uchiche (@HilaryEkpe) June 17, 2024

Others also agreed with Sani in a flurry of posts.
@OjuowoD wrote: “Like seriously, I was watching Arise News this morning and I was shaking my head when the AAC Chairman Lagos State mentioned list of EndSars Protesters in Kirikiri and others police custody, that was when I said police even debunked they’ve no one like that in their custody.”

Like seriously, I was watching Arise News this morning and I was shaking my head when the AAC Chairman Lagos State mentioned list of EndSars Protesters in Kirikiri and others police custody, that was when I said police even debunked they've no one like that in their custody
— Owokoniran (@OjuowoD) June 17, 2024

@Imoladayo: “The fact about this is that they might have changed their case from protesters to armed robberies or more so the police should go back to their records and start normal investigations. At least it’s our mother sovereign land.”

The fact about this is that they might have change their case from protesters to arm robberies or more so the police should go back to their records and start normal investigations. At least it's our own mother sovereign land.
— Ayoola Oladayo (@Imoladayo) June 17, 2024

@AdamsKesiena: “Anything denied by the Nigerian government and its agencies is true, most especially the Nigerian police and the military.”

Anything denied by Nigeria government and its agencies is true , most especially the Nigerian police and the military
— kesiena O A (@AdamsKesiena) June 17, 2024

@DavaGrouoCEO: “I’m waiting for them not to respond to the list and that list isn’t even complete they’re more people who they sent to prison that are not in their cells.”

I’m waiting for them not to respond to the list and that list isn’t even complete they’re more people who they sent to prison that are not in their cells
— Dava (@DavaGroupCEO) June 17, 2024

@Bukatee: “Our public institutions are always quick to debunk without thouroughly investigating whatever it is they are denying. Must we always deny white to be black for us to scale through in this country?”

Our public institution are always quick to debunk without thouroughly investigating whatever it is they are denying. Must we always deny white to be black for us to scale through in this country?
— ONYELE EBUKA POLYCARP (@BUKATEE4617191) June 17, 2024

@DePeoplesPride: “Are you supposed to be surprised? The endsars to police never happened as there was no victim in 10/20/20???”

Are you supposed to be surprised? The endsars to police never happened as there was no victim in 10/20/20???
— Good Governance is sure (@DePeoplespride) June 17, 2024

@FreedomFighter: “Let’s confirm whether are there still people from EndSARs in detention.”

Let’s confirm are there still people from EndSARs in detention pic.twitter.com/OvubQpg4vO
— Freedom Fighter Official (@Freedom_fighte_) June 17, 2024

@NotUrKev: “We should always remember!
“Whatever they debunked or denied is the truth.”

We should always remember!"Whatever they debunked or denied is the truth"
— 𝐊𝐞𝐯 .𝐎° (@NotUrKev) June 17, 2024

@Opeyemtech: “One of the leaders of EndSars United came to Arise TV last night with the list of people still in detention.”

One of the leaders of EndSars United came to Arise TV last night with the list of people still in detention
— Yemtech (@Opeyemtech) June 17, 2024

The post Shehu Sani insists some ENDSARS protesters still in police detention appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.

UNIMED, WACP sign MoU for enhanced postgraduate programme

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The University of Medical Sciences, Ondo town, Ondo State, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the West African College of Physicians for the commencement of its postgraduate programme.

It was gathered that the partnership would help deepen and strengthen their academic impacts on the postgraduate students.

At the signing of the MoU, on Friday, the Vice Chancellor of the UNIMED, Prof Adesegun Fatusi, explained that the university was the first to have such a partnership with the West African College of Physicians (WACP) and that the university was well-prepared and ready for the partnership as they have the necessary human and infrastructural resources needed.

According to him, the partnership would allow students to be supervised by experts in their specialities across WACP.

He said, “In a world where there is a greater drive for science research component, that is where this complementary partnership is coming in and we are very ready as a university because we have the resources in terms of human resources and infrastructural resources.

“UNIMED is the first university that WACP is signing this MoU with, the curriculum to implement this is ready based on the NUC criteria and I want to say that we have also started test-running this because we have the pilot programme, we have rolled out the PhD programme and we have over 50 people, The WACP is coming in just to deepen, to strengthen and to broaden what we are doing.

“The advantage of this partnership is that if people come to do this postgraduate programme, they don’t need to rely on just our staff to be their supervisor, we are bringing in all the expertise that is available in WACP, to support this, so if you are a student here doing your PhD programme, anyone in your speciality across WACP, can supervise you”.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the WACP, Jeremiah Madaki, disclosed that their partnership with UNIMED will provide complementary skills to doctors to enhance their performance.

“The partnership we sought with the University of Medical Sciences here is going to provide a PhD that will make available a set of skills that are complementary to the professional training of medical doctors in Nigeria in particular and West Africa in general.

“We already have what we call the fellowship program which is the professional training of the doctors to allow those human resources to provide high-quality services, so what we seek in the PhD is to look at those complementary skills that could further enhance what we do as professional doctors” Madaki stated

FG denies renaming Murtala Mohammed Expressway

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The Federal Government on Monday dismissed information that the Abuja Murtala Mohammed Expressway had been renamed Wole Soyinka Way.

The FG, in a statement signed by the media aide to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Rabiu Ibrahim, clarified that the renaming of the expressway was never considered by the current administration.

The confusion stems from a recent event on June 4, 2024, when President Bola Tinubu inaugurated a new road in the Federal Capital Territory.

The new road, designated as Arterial Road N20, stretches from Katampe to Jahi, connecting the Outer Northern Expressway (also known as Murtala Mohammed Expressway) to the Northern Parkway (Ahmadu Bello Way).

During the inauguration, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike proposed that the new road be named after Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, a suggestion that Tinubu approved.

Consequently, it is the Arterial Road N20 that now bears Soyinka’s name, not the Murtala Mohammed Expressway.

“We have noted the rumours being circulated that the Murtala Mohammed Express Way in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has been renamed as Wole Soyinka Way. The renaming of the Murtala Mohammed Expressway Way has never been contemplated by this administration.

“For the record, on June 4, 2024, President Bola Tinubu inaugurated a new road in the FCT codenamed Arterial Road N20 (from Katampe to Jahi), which links the existing Outer Northern Expressway (also known as Murtala Mohammed Expressway) to the Northern Parkway (also called Ahmadu Bello Way).

“During the inauguration of the N20 (which is a new road), FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, proposed to the President that the road be named after Prof Wole Soyinka, and the President agreed”, the statement read in part.

The government emphasised that the Murtala Mohammed Expressway remains unchanged, continuing to honour the legacy of the former Head of State, General Murtala Ramat Mohammed.

“Therefore, the Arterial Road N20 is named after Prof Soyinka. The Murtala Mohammed Expressway remains unchanged and continues to bear the name of our esteemed former Head of State, General Murtala Ramat Mohammed,” Ibrahim stressed.

Citizens were urged to disregard any misinformation suggesting otherwise, as such reports are false and unfounded.

“We urge all citizens to disregard any misinformation regarding renaming the Murtala Mohammed Expressway. The report is entirely false and only exists in the imagination of its purveyors”, the statement added.

Nigeria makes history, wins Chovken World Championship bronze

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The Nigeria team has won Bronze at the 2024 Chovken World Championship held in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Alhaji Nura Sani Kangiwa, patron of NSK Polo team and Resort, disclosed this in a statement by Joesef Karim, Media Assistant to Vice President, African Region, International Chovken Federation on Monday in Abuja.

Kangiwa, who is also the Chairman, African Region of the International Chovken Federation, said that Nigeria drew 1-1 with Uzbekistan to win Bronze on points from previous matches.

Kangiwa, the President of the Nigeria Polo Federation, said Nigeria’s team emerged as the third-best team at the just concluded Chovken World Championship.

“This is the first time Nigeria participated in any global Chovken, an ancient equestrian sport similar to Polo.

”Team Nigeria’s build-up to the finals, Nigeria beat Germany 5-0; beat Poland 4-1; and lost against Morocco 4-1,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the World Chovken Championship was held from June 10 to 16.

NAN  reports that  Turkey, Malta, Kuwait, Morocco, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Poland, Germany, and Nigeria, including the host Azerbaijan participated in the championship.

The ancient sport of Chovken is a team sport similar to the more popular Polo. It is played by horse riders with sticks competing to hit a small ball into a goal post.

A  match consists of two halves, each last for  15 minutes of effective playtime.

The team Nigeria players include  Yusuf Bello, Shehu Kangiwa, Mukhtar Adhama and Abdulmalik Badamasi and they were led by Kangiwa.

NAN

Over $1bn pledged to boost vaccine production in Africa

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More than one billion dollars will be pledged towards ramping up vaccine production in Africa at a summit held in Paris later this week, France said on Monday.

A “new mechanism to accelerate the financing of vaccine production on the African continent” will be launched during the summit on Thursday, which will be attended by several African leaders, together with the heads of the World Health Organization and the Gavi vaccine alliance, the French president’s office said.

The amount committed by donors — which include the European Commission, Canada, France, Italy, Japan, South Korea and the United States — “will exceed a billion dollars”, the presidential Elysee Palace said.

Around three-quarters of this sum will come from Europe, it added.

The goal is to boost the ability of manufacturers in Africa to produce their own vaccines, giving the continent more sovereignty to address the many health crises it faces.

The money will also go towards setting up an African medicines agency similar to the European Medicines Agency, the French presidency said.
The Covid-19 pandemic shone a light on the unequal global distribution of vaccines.

The wealthy nations where most big pharmaceutical firms are based hoarded the majority of doses, while Africa was left well behind.
Switzerland, for example, destroyed more COVID-19 vaccine doses than it ever administered.

Several areas in Africa are currently enduring cholera outbreaks — as well as shortages of vaccine doses.

“Specific announcements will be made during this forum to respond to this vaccine shortage,” the French presidency said.

Malaria will also be discussed at the Global Forum for Vaccine Sovereignty and Innovation on Thursday, it added.

Gavi, one of the leaders behind the Covax global programme which distributed Covid jabs to poorer countries, is hoping donors at the summit will provide funding for its vaccination projects from 2026 to 2030.

French President Emmanuel Macron will welcome several leaders of African nations including those of Botswana, Ghana, Rwanda and Senegal, the Elysee Palace said.

Macron will also meet African Union Commission chief Moussa Faki Mahamat to talk about “the crises that are still shaking the continent”, particularly in Sudan and the African Great Lakes region, it added.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is expected to speak at the summit via videoconference.

AFP

AU condemns rebel ‘massacres’ in DR Congo

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The African Union on Monday condemned “massacres” in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo that killed 150 people in June.

African Union Commission chief Moussa Faki Mahamat said he had learned with “dismay of the increasing massacres of innocent civilians” by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), in Beni and Lubero in North Kivu province.

“The Chairman of the Commission strongly condemns these attacks, which have claimed the lives of 150 people since the beginning of June,” the statement said.

Mahamat encouraged “Congolese authorities, in collaboration with the countries of the region, to intensify their efforts to curb the spread of the terrorist threat in the Great Lakes region”.

He also reiterated the African Union’s “ongoing commitment to the countries of the Great Lakes region in their fight against terrorism”.
The attacks are attributed to the ADF, which originated in neighbouring Uganda.

The group has operated in eastern DR Congo for decades and in 2019 it pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group, which portrays the ADF as its central African branch.

Since the end of 2021, the Congolese and Ugandan armies have conducted joint operations against the ADF in North Kivu and neighbouring Ituri province, but have so far failed to stop the deadly attacks on civilians.

The east of the country has been plagued by violence from armed groups for decades.

AFP.

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Germany veteran Neuer to consider future after Euro 2024

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Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer said on Monday he will make a call on his future after Euro 2024, the 2014 World Cup winner’s eighth major tournament.

The 38-year-old said he “could not yet reveal” whether this would be his last dance in German colours, adding “I’ll turn my mind to it after the tournament.”

Neuer returned to action for Bayern Munich in October after almost a year out of the game with a broken leg, during which he lost the Germany captaincy to Barcelona’s Ilkay Gundogan.

Neuer returned and was restored as Germany’s No.1 by coach Julian Nagelsmann, despite a series of errors at club and international level in the lead-up to the hosts’ Euro 2024 opener against Scotland.

The veteran made errors in Germany’s pre-tournament friendlies against Ukraine and Greece and also committed a cardinal error for Bayern Munich in their Champions League semi-final loss to Real Madrid in May.

While Neuer’s status alongside German greats like Oliver Kahn and Sepp Maier is secure, the errors led to growing calls to replace him — particularly with Barcelona’s Marc-Andre Ter Stegen waiting in the wings.

Just days out from the tournament opener against Scotland, a survey of 80,000 readers of the German tabloid Bild found 72 per cent wanted Ter Stegen to take over from Neuer.

“I didn’t read anything about it,” Neuer said, adding “The focus for me was on the first game against Scotland and the upcoming matches.”

Neuer was not tested in the 5-1 win over Scotland on Friday, where Germany’s only goal conceded came off the head of Antonio Rudiger.

“I’ve actually always done it in such a way that I go into the analysis with those responsible here and we discuss everything, look at the pictures and then evaluate everything.

“That’s why I haven’t given much thought to this debate. Of course, the relationship of trust between our team and the players is important.”

AFP

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Nigeria must prevent spread in schools—UNICEF

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Following the outbreak of cholera in Lagos and some states, the United Nations Children’s Fund has called for extensive measures to protect school children.

The UN organisation also called for concerted efforts to prevent disruption in the academic calendar over the spread of the disease.

The Chief of UNICEF Lagos Field Office, Celine Lafoucrier, who made the call on Monday in a statement, said that the cholera outbreaks critically affected children and the young population.

According to Lafoucriere, these vulnerable groups face substantial health risks particularly children and young adults attending schools.

She noted that children were prone to severe dehydration and high mortality rate.

“There is, therefore, an urgent need for good sanitation, hygiene practices, improved access to clean water, regular handwashing with soap and clean water in order to combat the outbreak in schools,” she said.

Lafoucrier, however, solicited for adequate awareness across the country to sensitise the populace on cholera outbreaks and preventive measures as part of efforts to address the issue.

NAN.

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