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Kane shines as Bayern beat Lazio to succeed in Champions League quarters

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Kane shines as Bayern beat Lazio to succeed in Champions League quarters

Harry Kane scored a goal in each half as Bayern Munich beat Lazio 3-0 on Tuesday to reach the Champions League quarter-finals 3-1 on aggregate.

Kane headed Bayern level in the tie in the 38th minute, cancelling out Lazio’s lead from the first leg with his first Champions League knockout goal in five years.

Thomas Mueller doubled the hosts’ lead with a clever header before half-time and Kane doubled up in the 66th minute, tapping in the rebound from a Leroy Sane shot to seal Bayern’s progress to the next round.

Bayern kept their slim hopes of silverware this season alive while likely giving outgoing coach Thomas Tuchel a stay of execution until the quarter-finals in April.

The loss snuffed out Lazio’s chance of a first Champions League quarter-final appearance since 1999-2000.

Six-time European champions Bayern came into Tuesday’s match staring down the barrel of a last-16 elimination for just the second time in the past 14 seasons.

Three straight losses including the 1-0 defeat in the first leg in Rome amounted to Bayern’s worst run since 2015, costing Tuchel his job less than a year after arriving in Munich.

With Tuchel allowed to keep the seat warm until the summer, the coach promised to be more “ruthless”.

On Tuesday, he benched big-money signing Kim Min-jae for Eric Dier, while moving Joshua Kimmich — a fixture in midfield for Bayern and Germany — to right-back.

Bayern pushed Lazio back early with the fit-again Sane and Jamal Musiala going close.

Scorer of the first-leg’s only goal, Ciro Immobile had a golden chance to extend Lazio’s lead after a Matthijs de Ligt mistake on 36 minutes but dragged his header just wide.

The miss would prove costly with Kane breaking through moments later, heading in a scuffed Raphael Guerreiro shot to even up the tie.

Mueller, another to see more game time after the announcement of Tuchel’s impending departure, doubled Bayern’s lead in first-half stoppage time, heading in a De Ligt shot in trademark poacher fashion.

Despite 31 goals in 32 games since arriving from Spurs in the summer, the German media joked the famously trophyless Kane had cursed Bayern, in danger of a first season without silverware since 2012.

The England captain made sure Bayern stayed in Europe though, turning in from close range after Sane forced a save from Lazio ‘keeper Ivan Provedel, his 33rd goal in as many appearances this season.

With Lazio striker Immobile taken off with a knee injury, the visitors looked toothless in attack as Bayern gently controlled proceedings to take the sting out of the game.

Bayern kept their first clean sheet in eight games with captain Manuel Neuer equalling the Champions League record of 57 set by Real Madrid legend Iker Casillas.

AFP

Mbappe double fires PSG previous Actual Sociedad to Champions League quarters

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Mbappe double fires PSG previous Actual Sociedad to Champions League quarters

Kylian Mbappe lethally fired Paris Saint-Germain into the Champions League quarter-finals with a brace in a 2-1 win at Real Sociedad on Tuesday, his team cruising through 4-1 on aggregate.

Coach Luis Enrique has slashed Mbappe’s minutes in recent weeks after the player told the club he would leave at the end of the season, but the France captain proved he will be vital if PSG are to finally win the competition for the first time.

The electric Mbappe was impossible for Real Sociedad to shackle and his strikes after 15 and 56 minutes left the Ligue 1 leaders with a simple night in the north of Spain.

Heavily linked to Real Madrid, the determined Mbappe gave La Liga’s defences a glimpse of what horrors may await them next season.

The forward fired over in the opening stages and then blazed past Hamari Traore to set up Bradley Barcola, but Alex Remiro denied him from point-blank range.

It was not so much that Real Sociedad did not heed the warning but simply could not stop him.

Played into the box but wide of goal, Mbappe produced the opener from thin air.

With a couple of clever touches he sent Igor Zubeldia scrambling and opened up enough space for a shot, which he whipped into the far corner from a tight angle.

Mbappe’s vicious strike pulled part of the netting away from the post and players had to wait until it was fixed for play to resume.

They might not have bothered — the contest was effectively over.

Mbappe stretched PSG’s lead 11 minutes into the second half, racing in behind the defence from the halfway line.

The striker shaped another shot to the far post but then tricked Remiro by sweeping home at the near for his sixth goal in eight Champions League matches this season.

Real Sociedad substitute Ander Barrenetxea had a goal ruled out for a tight offside moments after coming on.

Gianluigi Donnarumma made a superb save to thwart Benat Turrientes, as the hosts finally began to threaten consistently, in search of a consolation goal which finally came at the death.

Donnarumma palmed away a cross into the middle of the box and Mikel Merino was in the right place at the right time to fire home.

Another of the few negative notes for PSG was a booking for defender Achraf Hakimi, which will rule him out of the quarter-final first leg.

PSG will worry about that later — this was a night to celebrate Mbappe’s genius, despite the clock ticking down on his days in Paris.

AFP

FG offers N150,000 grants to 200 individuals at Ogun MSMEs health facility 

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FG offers N150,000 grants to 200 individuals at Ogun MSMEs health facility 

Vice President Kashim Shettima, on Tuesday, announced a N150,000 cash grant for exhibitors at the second edition of the National Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises clinic.

A grant of N100,000 was also given to over 200 owners of new stores at the Modern Adire International Market, Asero, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

The National MSME Clinic was held at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta.

Shettima further disclosed that the clinic would serve as a bridge between the people and the government, adding that the clinics would serve as lifelines for enterprises in the state and the country as a whole.

He said, “Each exhibitor present at the clinic today stands to gain from our MSME instant grant of N150,000 each, courtesy of our esteemed private sector and His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“I hereby announce that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed that almost 200 new applications within this market be granted free of charge to small business traders for one year and each of them should enjoy a grant of N100,000.”

The Vice President noted that Ogun State is not only the industrial powerhouse of the nation but a committed supporter of the Federal Government’s efforts to support enterprises and empowerment.

He stated that his coming to the state signified the need to support businesses and transform ideas into commercially viable ventures, saying clinic was  a strategic intervention to fortify the foundation of small businesses

“The clinics serve as a link between the people and government. Small Businesses are now afforded platforms to present their business challenges, and seek timely intervention of monetary agencies all in an attempt to eliminate the task of navigating from one agency to another in their efforts to build the next unicorn out of Africa,” Shettima added.

Also speaking, Governor Dapo Abiodun said his administration had launched the Small and Medium Enterprises Industrial Land Acquisition Scheme with a 1,000 hectares industrial hub that has needed amenities like good roads, power, among others.

“The SME park is aimed at providing incentives to SMEs way below the market rate. There will be many incentives through industrial ownership and accelerated processing of their CoO which can be used as collateral for further financing.

“Other benefits of the park will include rebates on taxes and levies such as Land Use charges, building permits, land processing fees, etc. This park will cover agro-allied, agro-processing, home and personal care building materials and chemicals, food processing,” the governor said.

326,000 tickets for Paris Olympics opening rite, minister says

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326,000 tickets for Paris Olympics opening rite, minister says

A total of 326,000 tickets are set to be sold or given away for the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics on the river Seine, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said Tuesday, giving the exact number for the first time.

Organisers have scaled back their plans for the waterborne parade – with crowds once imagined as large as two million people – in the face of resistance from French security services and worries about terror attacks.

But it is still set to break records in terms of size, with all previous opening ceremonies taking place in the main athletics stadium.

“We will have 104,000 spectators on the lower bank who have paid for a ticket,” Darmanin told a hearing in the Senate. “Then you have 222,000 people on the higher banks (with free tickets).”

He estimated that another 200,000 people would watch the open-air parade on July 26 along the river from buildings that overlook the Seine, with an additional 50,000 in fan zones in the capital.

The open-air ceremony on boats is in keeping with promises to make the Paris Olympics “iconic”, with the local organising committee keen to break from past traditions in the way it stages the world’s biggest sporting event.

The 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics ceremony is generally considered to be the most spectacular in history while the 2012 London ceremony, overseen by “Trainspotting” director Danny Boyle, won rave reviews for showcasing Britain’s quirky side.

– ‘Confidence’ –

A total of 180 boats are set to sail around six kilometres (four miles) down the Seine, of which 94 will contain athletes, the top security official for the Paris region, Marc Guillaume, told the same hearing.

“No country has informed us that they do not want to take part,” Darmanin explained. “They have confidence in our organisation.”

The executive in charge of planning and risk management at the Paris organising committee told AFP last week that special security measures would be considered for high-risk delegations such as those from the US or Israel.

“Every delegation has its unique circumstances, and we’ll look at solutions that are adapted to the risk,” Lambis Konstantinidis said.

The Olympics have been targeted with attacks in the past, notably Munich in 1972 and Atlanta in 1996.

France was placed on its highest alert for terror attacks in October after a suspected Islamist burst into a school in northern France and stabbed a teacher to death.

The country has been consistently targeted by Islamic extremists over the last decade, particularly by the Islamic State group, while Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza is seen as exacerbating domestic tensions.

Around a million people are set to be screened in advance by French security forces for possible security risks, including athletes, journalists, private security guards and people who live close to key infrastructure.

Darmanin repeatedly stressed the scale of the challenge of securing the Games, which are set to take place at venues around the City of Light, including at tourist hotspots such as the Eiffel Tower, the Place de la Concorde and the Invalides.

The event takes place from July 26 to August 11 followed by the Paralympics from August 28 to September 8.

The Olympics is a major international multi-sport event where athletes from different countries compete in a variety of sports. The Olympic Games are divided into the Summer and Winter Games, held every four years, with the Summer and Winter Games occurring in alternating even-numbered years.

The International Olympic Committee is responsible for organising and overseeing the Olympic Games.

AFP

FG guarantees to give a boost to capability on procurement

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FG guarantees to give a boost to capability on procurement

The Federal Government on Tuesday pledged to enhance human capacity in sustainable procurement, environmental, and social standards in both the public and private sectors in the country.

The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, said this during the inauguration of the Working Group on Environmental Standards for the Sustainable Procurement, Environmental and Social Standard Enhancement Project in Abuja.

Lawal said the working group represents a pivotal step in the collective commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable development.

He said, “By incubating this initiative, aimed at enhancing human capacity in sustainable procurement, environmental, and social standards in both the public and private sectors, they have demonstrated a clear vision and dedication to creating a more sustainable future for all.

“The SPESSE programme seeks to address a critical gap in our country’s capacity, including the inadequate supply of qualified professionals in procurement, environmental management, and social standards. We have recognised the need for a stronger pool of professionals in procurement, environmental management, and social standards.

“This project will play a pivotal role in filling this void, equipping our workforce with the expertise needed to drive sustainable practices across various sectors. By establishing this working group, we are taking a proactive step toward bridging this gap and building sustainable capacity in these sectors. This is essential not only for the success of the project but also for the long-term sustainability and resilience of our economy and society.”

He also said the initiative is integral to our broader goals of enhanced capacity for global competitiveness, economic growth and job creation.

“A skilled workforce is essential to driving innovation and resilience. By developing and implementing an effective National certification scheme, we are not only investing in the future of our environment but also in the prosperity of our nation.

“The working group holds a central place in our efforts to enhance support and foster relevant stakeholders collaboration, both of which are fundamental pillars of the SPESSE Project Development Objectives. By uniting line experts and harnessing their collective expertise, the Working Group on Environmental Standards will play a crucial role in supporting the Project Implementation Unit in developing a nationally and globally respected certification scheme.

“This scheme will not only raise the bar for environmental standards in our country but also position us as a leader in sustainable development on the international stage,” he added.

The SPESSE project coordinator, Rofikat Odetoro noted that the FG obtained financing from the World Bank-International Department Association for funding sustainable capacity building in Nigeria in the fields of procurement, environmental, and social standards.

“The project was approved on February 18, 2020, shortly before the lockdown of government operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic with expected closing date of October 31, 2024. However, the project was extended to 2027 because of the pandemic.

“The project is designed to build the capacity of professionals in the management and practice of PES standards within the country.

“The project is also intended to bridge the gap of insufficient supply of quality supply of quality professionals and develop appropriate academic programmes and curriculum in the Nigerian Education System to build appropriate capacity,” Odetoro said.

NSITF reworking alongside Tinubu’s eight-point agenda- MD

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NSITF reworking alongside Tinubu’s eight-point agenda- MD

The Managing Director of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, Maureen Allagoa,  has said the agency was been re-modeled in line with the eight-point agenda of the President Bola Tinubu administration while urging the management and staff of the Fund to key in.

She spoke at the maiden edition of the Fund’s Central Management Performance Review meeting in Abuja.

Allagoa, in a statement signed by the General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Nwachukwu Godson, on Tuesday, said, “It is my expectation that the next two days will avail us the opportunity and the platform for target setting for 2024 as well as a comprehensive and comparative review of the 2023 target performances as branches and as regions, with a view to learning from our shortcomings and improving on our successes for a target-surpassing 2024.

“The Employees’ Compensation Scheme is fortuitously in alignment with the poverty reduction and healthy national workforce agenda of the Tinubu administration. The cardinal place we occupy as the operators of the scheme in achieving this lofty national objective demands doubling down, meaning  an extra mile for us to ensure we leave no gaps in fully fulfilling our mandate.

“I am glad that we have left no stone unturned barely a year we came on board, as we broadened the bracket of beneficiaries of different categories of claims and compensations by the  deserving  registered injured workers while exploring other aspects of the ILO Convention 102 to widen the horizon of social inclusion to all Nigerians.”

Commending the staff of the agency for the unprecedented 98% projected target achieved in 2023,  Allagoa expressed confidence that the record will be surpassed  in 2024, exhorting all staff to do more.

She further expressed satisfaction with the results of the conclusions from the last regional management performance review  as well as the monthly review held in October and December 2023 respectively, stating that the 32 strategic observations arising therefrom, provided a compass for a successful planning and navigation of the ECS.

“The 32 observations raised at the regional management review  was comprehensively deliberated on at several EXCO meetings and have indeed catalysed the management into an informed decisions making, leading to new strategies to  achieve our 2024 target and even surpassing it,” the statement said.

The Managing Director  also announced  new operational policies and strategic action plans to include  the adoption of the ECS compliance certificates  as part of bidding requirements for contracts in the states of the federation, harmonised ECS central database in all branches and regions to forestall double registration, aggressive registration of new employers and segmentation of all coverage areas to ensure effective enforcement,  intensification of the occupational safety and health awareness to reduce workplace accidents and ensuring that all staff participate in at least one training a  year.

Pending approval by the Board also, the Managing Director further announced the re-alignment of the  Ilorin Branch of the Fund from Abuja Region to Ibadan Region and  Yenegoa Branch from Asaba Region to the Port Harcourt Region as well as  Onitsha Branch from Enugu Region to the Owerri Region on the basis of proximity and ease of operation.

She re-stated the commitment of executive management  to staff welfare.

Allagoa noted, “Management is in conversation with Pro Health, our Health Insurance provider with a view to kick-starting a review of the health insurance plan for staff to ensure that you continue to receive adequate medical care irrespective of the escalating costs of things in the country.”

She assured that the promotion exercise for the outstanding 2023 and 2024 will commence in no distant time as the parent Ministry of labour and Employment rounds off its intervention in the matter.

JUSUN orders Osun judiciary staff to droop strike

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JUSUN orders Osun judiciary staff to droop strike

The national leadership of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria has suspended the over three months industrial action embarked upon by the Osun State chapter of the union.

The letter conveying the directive of the union to the state chapter dated March 4, 2024 and obtained in Osogbo on Tuesday, was addressed to the caretaker Committee Secretary of Osun JUSUN, Salam Saheed, and signed by M. Akwashiki, the acting General Secretary of the organisation.

JUSUN members in the state embarked on indefinite industrial action on November 22, 2023, after they were dispersed with teargas by the police in the premises of the State High Court in Osogbo.

The staff members protesting non payment of their wardrobe allowance and alleged high handedness of the state Chief Judge, Justice Adepele Ojo, had paralysed activities in the High Court as they shut entrance to the premises.

In the letter suspending the industrial action, the JUSUN acting national secretary said the decision was based on the Memorandum of Agreement signed by an official of the state government, the management of the High Court and representatives of the union.

It read partly, “I am directed to convey the decision of the National Working Committee

(NWC) of our great union led by the President, Marwan Adamu for the Osun State branch to suspend the ongoing industrial action.

“The decision was hinged on the Memorandum of Agreement signed between the JUSUN President, Honorable Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Osun State, and Honorable Chief Registrar, High Court of Justice, Osun State on the issues in contention.

“Therefore, suspending the action would allow for the Chief Judge of Osun State and Chairman, Judicial Service Commission (JSC) to summon JSC meeting to finalise other issues that has to do with staff regularisation.”

No giant deal accepting grains from Ukraine -FG

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No giant deal accepting grains from Ukraine -FG

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said accepting grains from Ukraine does not make Nigeria a failed country.

Idris stated this at the Leadership Annual Conference and Award 2023 on Tuesday in Abuja.

Last week, Ukraine donated 25,000 tonnes of wheat as emergency food assistance to 1.3 million vulnerable, crisis-affected people in northeast Nigeria amidst rising inflation and food price spikes.

Many including, the Labour Party presidential candidate in the last year’s general elections, Peter Obi, described the gesture from a war-ravaged country as a “national disgrace” for Nigeria.

Reacting, the minister said it was a normal thing for countries to depend on one another for support.

He said, “Egypt gets about 60 per cent of its grains from Ukraine. The fact that Egypt gets about 60 per cent of its grains from Ukraine does not make it a failed state.

“The fact that we are having challenges at the moment does not make Nigeria a failed state.

“Therefore, accepting grains from Ukraine does not make Nigeria or Egypt failed countries. It is a normal thing, because countries exist to depend on one another.”

According to the minister, President Bola Tinubu was aware of the challenges bedeviling the country.

He said, “Nigerians voted for Tinubu with the deeper understanding and conviction that he has the capacity to turn things around for the better; and that is what he is doing.

“Some of the decisions he has taken were to ensure that Nigeria finds its place in the comity of nations.

“The decisions include removal of fuel subsidy and addressing the issue of foreign exchange and many others.

“In spite of the current challenges, the economic growth of Nigeria is on track and has continued to improve.”

He explained that fuel subsidy removal was a bold step in the right direction and urged Nigerians to support the president as the country would soon begin to reap the benefits.

Idris also noted that President Tinubu had demonstrated capacity and since his assumption of office, had “attracted more than 30 billion dollars in foreign investments into the country.

“He has not stopped at that. Just last week, President Tinubu went to Qatar to attract more businesses and investments into Nigeria.

“We are optimistic that soon, what we are passing through will be a thing of the past and Nigeria will be better.”

Airtel buys again 991,861 stocks from Citigroup

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Airtel buys again 991,861 stocks from Citigroup

Airtel Africa has purchased 991.861 units of its shares of  $0.50 each on the London Stock Exchange from Citigroup Global Markets.

In corporate notices filed with the Nigerian Exchange Limited, the transactions took place on Friday and Monday.

Airtel Africa revealed plans for a $100m share buyback programme starting March 2024 as it announced its nine-month results ended 31 December 2023.

The share buy-back programme is expected to be phased over two tranches, with the first tranche commencing March 1 and anticipated to end on or before August 2024.  The first tranche will amount to a maximum of $50m.

The company said that the sole purpose of the buy-back programme is to reduce the capital of the Company. As such, all shares purchased under the buy-back programme will be cancelled.

Since the commencement of the share buy-back programme, the company has purchased 991,861 ordinary shares in aggregate, at a volume-weighted average price of £97.07 per ordinary unit.

Meanwhile, Airtel Africa reported a 99.6 per cent decline in its post-tax profit to $2m at the end of the nine months ended December 2023 from $523m at the end of the same period in 2022.

Providing insights into the loss, the firm said, “Profit after tax was $2m in the period, primarily impacted by significant foreign exchange headwinds, particularly the $330m exceptional loss after tax following the devaluation of the Nigerian naira in June 2023 and the Malawian kwacha in November 2023 after the structural changes in their respective FX markets.

“The Nigerian naira devalued further in Q3’24, resulting in a $140m derivative and foreign exchange losses net of tax, which is not treated as an exceptional item.”

In its nine-month results for the period ended December 31, 2023, filed with the Nigerian Exchange Limited on Thursday, the firm declared a 1.4 per cent moderation in its revenue to $3.86bn from $3.91bn in December 2022.

FG, AFDB open dialogue on coastal freeway investment

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FG, AFDB open dialogue on coastal freeway investment

 

The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has opened a discussion with the African Development Bank on possible funding for the construction of some sections of the Coastal and Trans-Sahara Highways in parts of Nigeria.

The additional funding was the crux of dialogue between the minister and a delegation from the Africa Development Bank led by the Director, of Infrastructure and Urban Development, Mike Salawou held at the ministry headquarters on Tuesday in Abuja.

A statement by the Special Adviser on Media, Uchenna Orji, said the government was opening up opportunities for investments in infrastructure development along the coastal and trans-Sahara routes.

According to him, these options include the hospitality industry, tourism, agricultural production, estate, park, and industrial business

 

Umahi added that funding would be required to tackle the sections of the Coastal and Trans-Sahara Highways not yet constructed, awarded, or taken over by concessionaires under the Highway Development and Management Initiative.

This project, which the Honourable Minister said would be a measure to provide enduring infrastructure and industrialization along the corridors, is expected to carry a large network of paved highways that will create a good transport environment and trade routes for moving goods and services along the North-South corridors.

The statement read, “The Work Ministry has opened a discussion with the African Development Bank on possible funding for the construction of some sections of the Coastal and Trans- Sahara Highways in parts of Nigeria. The coastal road is 700 km. That is phase one and it is running from Lagos through Ogun State to Ondo State, passing through the coastal States of Delta, Bayelsa, Port Harcourt, Akwa Ibom, and ending in Cross River in 700 kilometres. We have spores to the Ogoja road, the one you did, the African Trans-Sahara road that is going to Cameroon.”

He further stated, “We are sectioning the roads. Just last week, we awarded section one, phase one, and phase one is 47.47 kilometres. It’s already been awarded to Hi-tech Construction Limited. We have phase two, which is about 57 kilometres, taking us from the end of phase one. Phase one ends at Lekki Peninsula. It takes us from Ahmadu Bello Way to Lekki deep sea port. Phase two takes us to the boundary between Ogun State and Ondo State. That’s about 57km”.

“It’s going to be available for a number of funders under the lead investor, That’s Hi-tech Construction Nigeria Limited. So that is available, and when the discussion comes up, then there will be a need for us to meet with Hi-tech and the Honourable Minister of  Finance Coordinating Minister of the Economy”.

Earlier in his remark, the Director of Infrastructure and Urban Development said the bank has a mandate to contribute to the sustainable economic development and social progress of its regional members individually and jointly and is therefore prepared as a multilateral institution to offer a robust partnership to the Federal Government of Nigeria, especially by providing technical and financial support for the development of road infrastructure in Nigeria.

He said, “So as the African Development Bank, we are ready to assist you. To make it easy for us, we need to have any studies available to make sure how we can support you on this project. So we are ready, we can see where we can find the resources to support you in structuring the different projects”

“And the third one, the dualisation of the road between Nigeria and Cameroon will foster regional integration between the two countries because I believe Nigeria is Cameroon’s number one trade partner. So, we need to reinforce the modernised infrastructure there.”

The development is part of efforts by the works ministry to secure additional funding to rejig the nation’s economy.

In the 2024 budget, the government said it would spend N837bn on constructing and rehabilitating 2,254 roads and bridges in the 2023 and 2024 fiscal years across the country to improve the nation’s deteriorating road infrastructure. Despite this funding, the state of highways remains poor and in need of extra sources of funding.

Last month, The Federal Government secured a €25m grant from the Netherlands for the construction of 28 priority bridges in Nigeria.

The Ministry of Works has also stated that it is engaging concessionaires and other private sector organisations to secure investments in the construction of 35,000km of federal road networks.

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