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New Barcelona coach Flick hails ‘unbelievable’ Yamal

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New Barcelona coach Flick hails ‘unbelievable’ Yamal

New Barcelona coach Hansi Flick on Thursday hailed the performance of the Spanish club’s teenage winger Lamine Yamal at Euro 2024, calling it “unbelievable”.

Yamal made history in his country’s opening game against Croatia by becoming the youngest player ever to appear in a European Championship game at the age of 16 years and 338 days.

He then claimed another piece of history by becoming the youngest player ever to score a goal at the Euros in Spain’s 2-1 semi-final win against France, at the age of 16 years and 362 days.

Spain went on to beat England 2-1 in the final to win their fourth Euros on July 14, just a day after Yamal turned 17.

“He has done a really great job in the last year, he has improved a lot. What he did in the Euro is unbelievable,” Flick told a news conference as he was officially unveiled as Barcelona’s new coach.

“But great players maintain their performance and now it is necessary for him to keep his feet on the ground,” he added.

“I think he is a great guy. I spoke with him before, when I arrived, and he is now in this team and of course, he gives us great moments but he can improve and make things better. He is on a really fantastic path.”

Barca appointed the former Germany and Bayern Munich manager as head coach on a two-year contract in May after sacking Xavi Hernandez, tasking him with turning around the club’s fortunes following their trophy-less run last season.

“What I want to see is that we are playing really good football, attacking football, and that everyone can see that this team really gives a lot for this club. I think this is crucial,” Flick said.

“You can only win with the biggest clubs, which is why I am here. I am not saying that I will win every title like that but if we work hard we can achieve this,” the 59-year-old added.

Flick, who led German giants Bayern to a historic sextuple of trophies in 2020, became the first coach ever to be sacked by the German national team in September 2023 after a string of bad results.

AFP

Tinubu govt borrowing to enrich political class – CUPP Secretary, Ameh

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Tinubu govt borrowing to enrich political class – CUPP Secretary, Ameh

The National Secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties, CUPP, High Chief Peter Ahmeh has said the Nigerian economy is burdened by public debt, as reflected in the consistent deficit budget and constant borrowing.
He claimed that things were bad under Buhari but are now worse under the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Ameh, a former National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, noted that despite promises by the Tinubu government, the Nigerian economy continues to suffer under the weight of debt.
Chief Ameh highlighted that dwindling revenue and increasing government expenditures have led to frequent borrowing.
“These continuous borrowing and the justifications provided by the current administration for it is nothing but sophistry,” he said in a statement on Thursday.
”The government may need to borrow money to stimulate economic growth when a country has low domestic savings and a high current account payment deficit, requiring funds from external sources.
He said there are two main reasons for external borrowing which include to boost consumption or to finance the temporary balance of payment deficits and structural reasons.
“However, the current administration, like past administrations under President Buhari’s leadership, has significantly misused the idea of borrowing, going against universal principles.
“In Nigeria, our continuous borrowing seems to be for the political and financial benefits of the political class. Consequently, the country remains in a stagnant state.
Under the pretext of borrowing for infrastructural development, the current administration has enriched themselves and a select few through questionable projects and procurements.
Former President Buhari left Nigeria with a debt burden of about N77 trillion, which has now increased significantly under the current administration in a year to about N121.67 trillion.
He said this has led to an economic crisis, with food inflation rising to 40.87 percent in May from 25.28 percent in June as reported by the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS.
Tinubu govt borrowing to enrich political class – CUPP Secretary, Ameh

FG delays direct payment to LGs as AGF awaits S’Court ruling details

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FG delays direct payment to LGs as AGF awaits S’Court ruling details

The Federal Government has not yet commenced direct payment of monthly allocations to Nigeria’s 774 local government areas.

Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, explained that the Supreme Court’s proceedings had not yet been communicated to the Attorney General of the Federation for proper study and implementation.

Recall that on July 11, 2024, a seven-man panel of the Supreme Court granted financial autonomy to the local governments, a decision opposed by some state governors.

The apex court emphasised the division of government power into three tiers: federal, state, and local governments.

The Federation Account Allocation Committee held its monthly meeting last week, which was supposed to mark the start of the direct disbursement of funds to the LGAs.

According to Leadership, the FG said it has yet to commence direct payment to the respective LGs due to some “practical impediments.”

Edun highlighted that the process is still in its early stages, and further steps will be taken once the full details are available.

He stated that a committee has been set up by the FG to look at the practicability of the judgement.

“The actual proceeding has not been handed down to the AGF,” Edun stated on Thursday at a quarterly media briefing on recent economic activities in the country.

Saturday According gathered that allocations from the Federation Account to the 774 LGs have increased by N900bn in the last 12 months.

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SGF, Akume, reveals Nigerian govt spent $1.5bn to combat crude oil theft, protect installations

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SGF, Akume, reveals Nigerian govt spent $1.5bn to combat crude oil theft, protect installations

The Federal Government has disclosed that it has spent a staggering $1.5 billion since 2020 to safeguard the nation’s oil installations and combat crude oil theft.
This revelation was made by the Secretary of the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, represented by Permanent Secretary, General Services, Maurice Nandi, at a public hearing of the House of Representatives on crude oil theft, on Thursday.
Akume cited the alarming report from the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), which estimated that over $46 billion worth of crude oil was stolen between 2009 and 2020.
In response, he said, the House of Representatives established a special committee, chaired by Ado Doguwa, to investigate the losses in the oil and gas sector.
READ ALSO:Akume begs Nigerians to remain calm amidst economic hardship
“The Federal Government was concerned about the report from the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), which pointed to over $46 billion worth of stolen crude between 2009 and 2020.
“The House had set up a special committee, headed by the Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Upstream, Ado Doguwa, to investigate the losses in the oil and gas sector,” Akume said.
The government’s significant expenditure underscores its commitment to addressing the scourge of crude oil theft and protecting the country’s vital oil installations.
The post SGF, Akume, reveals Nigerian govt spent $1.5bn to combat crude oil theft, protect installations appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.

‘It is satanic’, MURIC calls for ban on movie with Nancy Isime in Niqab

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‘It is satanic’, MURIC calls for ban on movie with Nancy Isime in Niqab

The Muslim Rights Concern has called for the ban on the yet-to-be-released movie where popular actress Nancy Isime and other actresses wore purdah, an Islamic full covering popularly called the Niqab, and brandished dangerous weapons.

The group described the movie as ‘satanic’, adding that it depicts Muslim women as criminals and incites the public against them.

The call was made in a statement signed by the Executive Director, MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Thursday.

The statement read, “An extremely anti-Muslim film has been released into the Nigerian movie industry. The upcoming film, which was recently unveiled by Nancy Isime, shows women in purdah brandishing dangerous weapons and robbing banks. It is Islamophobia taken to the highest level. This film is satanic, repugnant, and provocative.

“It is aimed at portraying Muslim women as criminals with a violent proclivity. The film is capable of inciting the public against Muslim women. It may also expose Muslims in general to public ridicule and opprobrium.

“We believe that the film is the handiwork of Muslim-haters and part of the plot to stop Muslim women from wearing hijab and niqab. The plot was hatched a long time ago, and its execution began in the schools. This plot was boldly and diligently confronted in Nigerian courts by Muslims until the highest court in the land made a pronouncement on it. This Satanic film is the latest effort in the war against hijab.

Akintola maintained that the film is capable of setting Nigeria on fire if urgent action is not taken by the relevant authorities while urging the National Film and Video Censors Board to investigate and place an immediate ban on the coming film.

“To Nigerian Muslims who have inundated our communication channels with video clips, voice notes, and other types of messages, we have this to say: please remain calm and peaceful. You have spoken loud and clear.

“We have received your messages and action is being taken right now. Our religion brought a message of hope and peace to the world. We will not allow anyone to paint our women, our mothers, our wives, our daughters and sisters in the colours of Shaytan. Be good ambassadors of Islam. Don’t take the law into your hands. Allow the authorities to take necessary action,” he added.

Recall that Isime had sparked outrage among the Muslim community in the country after unveiling a movie poster that features women wearing hijab and face veils holding guns in a bank robbery scene.

They have threatened to file a complaint with Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, seeking action against the account responsible for sharing what they described as “Islamophobic content”.

Reacting, one Latifat Adewunmi Jumah, with a Facebook page named Laj Fingers, expressed her dissatisfaction over the offensive posts, saying, “The niqab/hijab is not an armed robbery attire! The niqab/hijab is not an attire for concealing identity.

She queried the actress, saying, “If you needed to conceal your identity for a perfect robbery role, you could have used a nose mask or worn a mask. Why wear Islamic attire?”

“I find this offensive. Something needs to be done to stop this people. Niqab/Hijab is not a costume, neither is it a joke,” she added.

Another Facebook user, who identified as Alfa Shehu, commented, “And one of our brothers from Ilorin is kuku in the movie with them. Hypocrites! It is these same people who will turn around tomorrow and say women in Niqab are doing this and doing that. Awon alarun opolo gbogbo. Anything for clouts and monetisation.”

Senate vows to expose economic saboteurs in petroleum sector

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Senate vows to expose economic saboteurs in petroleum sector

The Senate has vowed to expose saboteurs in the petroleum sector and those responsible for the importation of toxic fuel into the country.

The ‘Senate Ad-Hoc Committee to Investigate the Alleged Economic Sabotage in the Nigerian Petroleum Industry’ made this assertion during a press conference on Thursday in Abuja.

The Chairman of the Ad-Hoc Committee, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, who is also the Majority Leader of the Senate, read the text at the press conference, flanked by all members of the panel.

Bamidele said, “We are taking this task seriously with a view to addressing fundamental issues that pose grave threats to our economic prosperity, fiscal stability, and public health as a federation.

“In line with our mandate, we will definitely unravel the roots of economic sabotage in Nigeria’s petroleum industry and make necessary recommendations that will entrench global best practices in the industry and open it up for more investments, especially in the midstream and downstream sectors.

“We are utterly committed to this mandate. We shall also carry out this national assignment without fear or favour.”

He added, “We shall be fair and just to all parties with a view to promoting and protecting the strategic national interests of our fatherland.”

Tope Omogbolagun

Tope, The According journalist, has over a decade of experience in health reporting, environmental issues and investigative journalism, and currently covers the National Assembly, specifically the Senate

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EKSU ASUU raises alarm as abducted ex-DVC spends over 2 weeks in captivity

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EKSU ASUU raises alarm as abducted ex-DVC spends over 2 weeks in captivity

The leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti Branch, has expressed concern over the refusal of the abductors of a former Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic, of the university, Prof. Femi Olaofe, to release him two weeks after he was kidnapped.
In a statement in Ado Ekiti, ASUU Chairman, Professor Sola Afolayan, said the union and the university community are deeply concerned and worried about the well-being of the octogenarian who has been held hostage for more than two weeks.
Afolayan condemned the abduction of the octogenarian whom he said had served his father land meritoriously and made meaningful impact.
The ASUU chairman appealed to the abductors to release him unhurt.
He called on government and the security agencies in the state to step up their rescue mission and bring back the former DVC hale and hearty.
Afolayan said, “We are not happy and comfortable that the old man is still being held captive after two weeks, there is no justification for his abduction and that is why we urge the abductors to please let him off the hook.”
EKSU ASUU raises alarm as abducted ex-DVC spends over 2 weeks in captivity

Women’s football kicks off after first-day chaos

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Women’s football kicks off after first-day chaos

Women’s football takes centre stage at the Paris Olympics on Thursday after a chaotic start to the sporting action at the Games in the men’s football, while preparations ramp up for an unprecedented opening ceremony.

Grand Slam record-breakers Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal were placed on a second-round collision course as the draw was made for the tennis competition at Roland Garros.

The Spanish women’s football team are appearing at an Olympics for the first time, led by 2023 World Player of the Year Aitana Bonmati, and faces Japan.

Scandal-hit reigning champions Canada play New Zealand without their coach Bev Priestman after incidents of spying on their opponents’ training sessions with drones.

Canada’s assistant coach and an analyst were dismissed from the Olympics for their part in the incidents and the analyst was given a suspended eight-month prison sentence by a French court.

Priestman apologised to New Zealand and said it would not be appropriate for her to be on the bench on Thursday.

It all adds up to a difficult start for the football at the Games after a chaotic end to Argentina’s match against Morocco when the men’s competition kicked off on Wednesday.

Morocco beat the two-time Olympic champions 2-1 in Saint-Etienne, but only after a late equaliser for the South American side was disallowed and the final minutes took place in an empty stadium following crowd trouble.

“It is a disgrace that this should happen and poison the tournament,” said Argentina coach Javier Mascherano.

Israel’s footballers later drew 1-1 with Mali on Wednesday under the watchful eye of 1,000 police officers, with authorities erecting an “anti-terrorist perimeter” around the Parc des Princes stadium.

Israel’s participation at the Olympics has been a key talking point following calls from the Palestine Olympic Committee and Iran for the country to be excluded over the Gaza war.

Some Palestinian and Israeli flags were flown, with angry words exchanged among fans at the Parc des Princes.

French interior minister Gerald Darmanin said however “there have been no security problems to our knowledge”.

– ‘End the feud’ –

US Olympic chiefs on Thursday called for an end to the feud between American anti-doping officials and the World Anti-Doping Agency after fresh verbal sparring.

Gene Sykes, the chairman of the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee, said WADA and the US Anti-Doping Agency had been “playing ping pong with media bullets” since revelations about a 2021 doping scandal involving Chinese swimmers emerged.

The acrimony between the two bodies flared again on Wednesday, with the International Olympic Committee warning US officials they could be stripped of the 2034 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City if WADA was not respected as the “supreme authority” of the anti-doping movement.

“What we want to do is to cool the tempers and find a way for these organisations to constructively work better together,” Sykes told a press conference.

The tennis draw threw up a mouthwatering potential second-round tie between 2008 gold medallist Nadal and 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic, while two-time Olympic champion Andy Murray withdrew from the singles.

“I am excited for this duel in the second round, and I will give it my all,” said Djokovic, who has faced Nadal 59 times over the past 18 years.

US gymnastics superstar Simone Biles got her first taste of the Bercy Arena as she trained ahead of the start of the competition at the weekend.

Biles is strongly tipped to add to her cache of four Olympic golds at the Paris Games after a tumultuous Tokyo campaign when she withdrew from most of her events as she battled the dangerous and disorientating “twisties”.

Preparations for Friday’s historic opening ceremony were in full swing, with an unprecedented security operation for the athletes’ parade along the River Seine.

Around 6,000-7,000, athletes are set to sail down a six-kilometre (four-mile) stretch of the river towards the Eiffel Tower, on 85 barges and boats.

The line-up of performers is a closely guarded secret but US pop star Lady Gaga is rumoured to be among them.

AFP

Court restrains PDP from holding congresses in Abia

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Court restrains PDP from holding congresses in Abia

An Abia High Court, Bende Judicial Division, presided by Justice C.U Okoroafor has restrained the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from holding party congress slated for 27 July, 2024, in the state.
The court also restrained the PDP from taking any decision or giving any directive to further extend the already expired tenure of the last state, local government and ward executive officers of the party in Abia State, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
The restraining order followed a motion ex parte brought pursuant to Order 39 Rule (1) of the Abia State High Court(Practice and Procedure) Rules, 2021, affidavit in support of the motion and as well as written address of counsel to the applicants, O.O Amuzie.
While ruling on the ex parte motion, Justice Okoroafor ordered “that leave be and is hereby granted the claimants /applicants to serve the originating summons and other processes in the suit in the defendants in Abuja, outside Abia State”.
“That leave be and is hereby granted the claimants/applicants to serve the originating summons, orders and other court processes in the suit, by substituted means, by delivering the same to any adult inmates, or by posting same at the headquarters of Peoples Democratic Party, Wadata Plaza, FCT Abuja,” he added.
The applicants are Francis Etuzu, Chidindu Kalu Kalu and Enyinnaya Ogbu, while the PDP National Chairman, National Organising Secretary and National Legal Adviser are the defendants.
Justice Okoroafor adjourned the matter to 30 July, 2024, for report of service.

Court restrains PDP from holding congresses in Abia

Tinubu in meeting with traditional rulers at Aso Villa

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Tinubu in meeting with traditional rulers at Aso Villa

President Bola Tinubu is currently meeting traditional rulers at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.

Leading the delegation of royal fathers are the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.

The meeting began at about 2:30 pm when the President arrived at the Council Chamber.

Although the agenda of Thursday’s meeting is unknown, it may be related to growing calls for nationwide protests against economic hardship, scheduled for August 1 – 10, 2024.

The protests, organised under the hashtag
‘EndBadGovernance,’ have gained significant traction on social media, even though the organisers remain largely anonymous, with no group officially claiming responsibility.
Present are Vice President Kashim Shettima, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

Also present are Governors Abdulrazaq Abdulrahman of Kwara State, Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, and Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, who chairs the Progressives Governors Forum.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, and the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, also joined President Tinubu at the meeting.

Minutes earlier, Tinubu held talks with APC Governors at the Villa. The Governors did not brief the press after the meeting.

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