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Kelechi Iheanacho Fires Leicester Into FA Cup Final

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Nigerian international Kelechi Iheanacho fired Leicester City into its first FA Cup final since 1969 after beating Southampton 1-0 in front of 4,000 fans at the Wembley stadium.

The spectators had to prove they had tested negative for COVID-19 in a lateral flow test before coming to the game. The in-form Super Eagles striker Iheanacho started up front along side Jamie Vardy for the foxes  while Danny Ings featured along side Nathan Redmond for the saints.

Leicester created the better chances in the first half through Vardy. However, the striker failed to take his opportunities as the half finished goalless. Southampton failed to register a single shot on target.

Leicester City’s Wesley Fofana (3) shields ball away from Southampton midfielder Moussa Djenepo (12)

In the second half, there was more intensity from Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side as Kyle Walker-Peters won a free-kick, which was delivered by James Ward-Prowse onto the head of Jannik Vestergaard. The defender was unable to direct his header on target.

However, Leicester opened the scoring after 55 minutes when Vardy’s movement on the left the Southampton defence trailing. The former England striker crossed for Iheanacho, who shot goalwards, but the ball bounced off Vestergaard and the in-form striker made no mistake with the rebound.

Super Eagles and Leicester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho (14) scores against Southampton during FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.

 

Each of the last four goals scored at Wembley in the FA Cup have been scored by African players; Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s double in last season’s final, Hakim Ziyech on Saturday against Manchester City and Kelechi Iheanacho on Sunday.

The goal seemed to spark Southampton to life as substitute Che Adams shot was blocked by Evans, and Diallo was unable to keep his rebound down. Moments later, Super Eagles’ Wilfred Ndidi headed a goal-bound effort away as Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel was left stranded.

Substitute James Maddison had the chance to extend the lead when he collected Iheanacho’s pass, but his shot was blasted over. Saints goalkeeper Forster watched another Maddison effort sail over as time was running out for Southampton. There was still not a single shot on target for Southampton as the match ended 1-0 to Leicester.

Our Investments In Sports Yielding Positive Results – Kwara Government

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The Special Adviser to the Kwara State Governor on Youth and Sports Development, Attahiru Ibrahim, says the State’s investments in the sports sector are yielding positive results with the sterling performance of its athletes at the just concluded Edo 2020 National Sports Festival held in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.

According to Ibrahim, the administration’s decision to resuscitate Kwara State Sports Festival 15 years after has been justified with the improved outing of the state’s contingent at Edo 2020 as Kwara ended the campaign 15th on the medals table.

He said the resuscitated Sports Festival played significant roles as stakeholders in the sports sector used the festival to unearth more talents.

Team Kwara won bronze in the Volley Ball event at the EDO 2020 National Sports Festival in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.

“Kwara came 15th on the medals table of Edo 2020, having garnered seven gold, six silver and 31 bronze medals, totalling 44 medals,” Ibrahim said.

“This is a great leap. In Abuja 2018, Kwara came a distant 23rd on the medals’ table of the National Sports Festival. During the festival, Kwara had only one gold medal, six silver and five bronze medals, totalling 12 medals.” 

Team Kwara’s Ruth Agadama won silver in the Women’s Long Jump event at the EDO 2020 National Sports Festival in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.

Ibrahim commended Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for the feats which he said represented a significant improvement in Kwara’s standing in sports nationwide.

He also commended the athletes and officials for conducting themselves in a manner which represented Kwara’s value of good conduct and sticking to the rules of the games.

Ibrahim assured the athletes that the present administration would continue to honour, recognise and reward those who brought laurels to the state.

 

Tunde Akanbi, Ilorin.

Roger Federer Confirms French Open Participation

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Men’s tennis World No. 7 Roger Federer will start his claycourt campaign at next month’s Geneva Open as he steps up his preparations for the French Open.

Federer, 39, returned on Tour at last month’s Qatar Open after missing more than a year following two knee operations. He suffered a quarter-final defeat by Georgia’s Nikoloz Basilashvili.

The 20-time Grand Slam champion then withdrew from the Dubai tournament in order to prepare and train for the upcoming tournaments.

“Happy to let you know that I will play Geneva and Paris. Until then I will use the time to train. Can’t wait to play in Switzerland again,” Federer, whose only French Open triumph came in 2009, said on Twitter.

Association seeks improved appointments for principal officers of Colleges

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The Senior Staff Union in Colleges of Education, Nigeria SSUCOEN, has requested that President Muhammadu Buhari set aside the appointments of  other Provosts and Principal Officers saying their appointments did not meet the requirements for such offices.

SSUCOEN also requests that the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu , ensure that criteria for the appointment of Principal Officers in Colleges of Education are followed and met by aspiring candidates.

The Union made it requests known in a statement signed and made available to journalists in Abuja by it President , Danladi Ali Msheliza.

In the statement tagged , Appointment Of Principal  Officers Of New Federal  Colleges Of Education : A CALL FOR REDRESS, the Union expressed concern which according to them is capable of being counterproductive, & unhealthy to Colleges of Education subsector as regards the appointment of most of the Principal Officers of the six new Federal Colleges of Education at Iwo, Osun State; Gidan Madi, Sokoto State; Odugbo, Benue State; Jama’are, Bauchi State; Isu, Ebonyi State and Ekiadolor, Edo State.

The Union stated that 90% of those on the list of appointees, do not meet the requirements for appointment as Principal Officers in Colleges of Education, as provided for in the approved Schemes and Conditions of Service(2015 Edition) for Colleges of Education in Nigeria.

SSUCOEN further stated, that it discovered that Governing Councils for the new Colleges of Education have been constituted, and it is the Governing Council that have the powers to appoint Principal Officers, as provided for in the Act establishing Federal Colleges of Education and other relevant extant rules and guiding documents.

upon careful study of the list of the appointees, we discovered that most of the appointees are either from the Core Civil Service, Private Sector or other sectors outside Colleges of Education System, which is contrary to the provisions for the requirements for the appointment of Principal Officers in Colleges of Education, as contained in the Revised Conditions of Service for Colleges of Education (2015 Edition), and the Act establishing Federal Colleges of Education”

The Union alleged that the appointments were mostly based on political considerations, without due and diligent considerations to extant rules.

It added that the appointment of Principal Officers of any College of Education, by any other person or group, other than its Governing Council, amounts to illegality & usurpation of the powers of Council.

Msheliza acknowledged that the Union have no powers to determine or dictate who is to be appointed as Principal Officer of any Federal College of Education in Nigeria.

We urge the government to allow the Governing Councils of each of the new Colleges to follow due process & appoint their Principal Officers as enshrined in the law establishing Federal Colleges of Education.

SSUCOEN however warned that if it  concerns are not urgently addressed, the Union may be left with no option than to initiate actions that will challenge the observed infractions, in line with the Conditions of Service for Colleges of Education, the subsisting court judgment and other extant laws.

 

Ime N

 

 

 

NDLEA arrests drug traffickers, intercepts over 834.5kg of illicit substances

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Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have arrested two drug traffickers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport,  Lagos.

A press statement by the Director Media and Advocacy NDLEA Headquarters Abuja, Mr Femi Babafemi said, ” on the 10th April 2021, during the outward screening of passengers on Ethiopian airline to Italy, NDLEA operatives at Murtala Muhammed International Airport intercepted and referred one Chukwudi Destiny for scanning and the scan result proved positive to drug ingestion. Consequently, he was placed under excretion observation and in the process; he excreted 92 pellets of Heroin with a total weight of 1.300Kg.”

The statement also said, “on 12th April 2021, during the inbound examination of consignments on Ethiopian airline cargo flight from South Africa, NDLEA operatives at SAHCO import shed, made a seizure of 11.550kg of Heroin cleverly packed and concealed in corn flakes cartons. Four clearing agents are in custody in connection to the seizure.”

According to the Commander, Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos Command of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Garba, said “a sting operation was executed on the address provided by one the suspects in the process, a Congolese, Kayembe Kamba Mazepy was arrested. After his arrest, he mentioned another person who is to receive the parcel from him.” Adding that “on the strength of the information, another sting operation was conducted in the early hours of Saturday 17th April, 2021 where the person that came to take delivery was arrested.”

In the same vein, the statement said, “on Friday 16th of April, 2021, another trafficker, Ezekiel Chibuzo who arrived Lagos from Brazil on board Qatar airline was also arrested for drug ingestion. He has so far excreted 99 wraps of Cocaine. This is just as officers at export shed of the airport have seized 822.950kg of khat leaves heading to UK and US.”

Reacting to the latest drug haul at the Lagos airport, the Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. General Mohammed Buba Marwa commended the officers and men of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport lagos Command for their commitment to the nation’s crusade against illicit drugs. “While I commend the officers and men of our MMIA Command, let me again warn unrepentant barons and traffickers that the game is up for them because we’ll continue to disrupt their criminal trade as part of efforts to secure our country and protect the future of our youths”. Marwa stated in his message on Sunday.

 

Ime N

EPL: Burnley unbeaten old trafford run ends

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Manchester United stayed firm in the second position on the EPL table in the hunt for a champions league football next season after Mason Greenwood’s double and Cavani’s superb finish earn the red devil a vital three-point to secure a late dramatic 3-1 home win over Burnley on Sunday.

The result left Man U second in the standings on 66 points from 32 games, eight behind leaders Manchester City who just lost a semi-final FA game to the blues(Chelsea) yesterday.

Meanwhile, earlier today Arsenal were held to a 1-1 draw by eighteen-placed Fulham.

Tomorrow Jurgen Klopp’s men Liverpool would be heading to leads while Chelsea will be hosting Brighton & Hove Albion.

Tobi Sangotola

Islamic development bank supports Kwara health insurance with $99K

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Kwara State’s health insurance is getting wider acclaim, with the Jiddah-based Islamic development bank supporting the enrolment of 4,500 more indigents to the scheme that is delivering free medical care covering many ailments and surgeries.

Read Also: Kwara State enrols 21,000 indigents in free healthcare scheme

The Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Health Insurance Agency, Dr Olubunmi Winter said in a statement on Sunday that the impressive support and the goodwill Kwara State is receiving revolved around government’s own initial investments in the scheme, adding that 10,000 more indigents will soon be added on state sponsorship.

According to her, the state government will continue to advocate to donor agencies and developmental partners on behalf of the State to support the efforts of the state government to enable acceleration of scheme uptake.

“One of such engagements has yielded positive results,” according to a communication from PharmAccess Foundation, the technical partner to the state government on health insurance.

“We are delighted to inform you that a grant of $99,950 will be made available over an 18-month period to support the efforts of Kwara State Health Insurance Agency through a strategic partnership between PharmAccess Foundation and Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) to increase access to basic healthcare services (in Kwara State). The grant from IsDB Engage and Transform Fund will be used to finance the annual premiums for 4500 indigent enrollees and support the quality improvement of 25 (Kwara) healthcare providers for a period of 18 months.”

The state government had on its own paid the premiums for 10,000 indigents to the scheme that was officially launched last September. In February 2021, the huge investments by the state attracted federal government’s support that has seen the free enrolment of additional 21,000 indigents to the scheme.

“(The IsDB grant) is another laudable feat since the Governor launched the scheme in September last year. We are hoping for more of these partnerships and interventions, even as we continue with the implementation of the towards achieving universal health coverage in our state,” Winter said.

Once again, we commend the Governor for his continued support and efforts in ensuring that the people of Kwara State have access to quality and affordable healthcare services.”

Describing the initiative as a huge success on account of the Governor’s support, Winter added that people in the formal and informal sectors have started keying into the programme, including the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists.

Beneficiaries of the indigent component of the scheme are spread across the three senatorial districts of Kwara State, the statement added.

Nigerian Troops arrest boko haram informant in Yobe state

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Troops of Operation Lafiya Dole have arrested suspected Boko Haram informant whose spying activities and that of his accomplices were responsible for the attacks on troops position by terrorists in Kamuya, Yobe State. The informant who was identified as Modu Ari was apprehended by troops of 27 Task Force Bridge.

On interrogation, he confessed to have revealed troops’ movements and position to the his Boko Haram collaborators. Investigation is however ongoing to unravel the network of local informants whose nefarious activities have endangered troops on clearance operations around the fringes of Timbuktu Triangle.

The unfortunate sabotage of troops movement by Ari and his accomplices made it possible for the terrorists to attack the rear element of troops on patrol. Though the attack was swiftly repelled by troops from the Tactical Headquarters of 27 Task Force Brigade and Army Super Camp 3 Buratai, own troops suffered some casualties.

In spite of the setback, the Chief of Army Staff has encouraged troops of Operation Tura Takaibango to keep their fighting spirit up and to remain dedicated in the effort to flush out the remnants of the terrorists as quickly as possible. He charged them not to relent even in the face of gross unpatriotic acts of some locals who are snitching on their movements and positions.

The COAS also admonished citizens to as a matter of patriotic duty, avail the troops of credible and timely information that will help them flush out the adversaries.

 

Ime N

President Buhari applauded for reappointment of psychiatric hospital MD

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House of representatives member representing Kware/Wamakko Federal Constituency of Sokoto state, Ahmad Kalambaina, has commended President Muhammad Buhari, for reappointing Dr Shehu Sale, as Medical Director of federal Neuro Psychiatric Hospital, Sokoto.

Read Also: Sokoto State Governor swears-in 23 Local Government Chairmen

Kalambaina also called on management of the hospital to sustain infrastructural development and improved workers welfare.

He made the call at a reception, organised by the staff of the Hospital and well wishers in honour of hospital’s Medical Director, Dr Shehu Sale, for his reappointment by President Muhammadu Buhari, for second term in office on Sunday in Kware.

He said that this would sustain transformations being ensured by Sale noting that employments, infrastructural development and community services rendered by the hospital management promoted peace in the area.

He emphasized the need for management to sustain the progress recorded and workers to support the hospital management toward improving the living standard of staff as well as their families.

“I want to congratulate Sale for his reappointment as Medical Director, you and your team piloting the affairs of the hospital has impacted positively in the citizens lives.

“The importance of hospital to the community and society at large cannot be over-emphasised.

“I urge you and your team to continue discharge your duties without fear or favour,’’ Kalambaina said.

The lawmaker also called on the members of the associations in the hospital and all categories of workers to give their leadership all the necessary support for more successes.

In his remarks, the District Head of Kware, Alhaji Muhammadu Dan’iya (Sarkin Yamman Kware), ably represented by Alhaji Mustapha Bello-Kware (Madawakin Kware) and a staff of the hospital also congratulated Dr Sale on his reappointment noting that this had translated his commitments and good stewardship, urging him to lead with the fear of God.

Dan’iya described the reception organised by members of staff and well wishers as demonstration of Sale acceptance and good quality stewardship that transformed the hospital to better.

The monarch emphasized the needs for leadership to continue with open door policy and ensure working with workers interests which had impacted on patients welfare and community services.

He explained that Kware community had acknowledged the robust and pragmatic leadership of Dr Sale that tackle mental health challenges in the country.

Dan’iya further called for joint partnership between governments, traditional institutions and groups on tackling cases of mental health disorders in the country.

He expressed excitement over transformations recorded in the hospital located in the community and urged stakeholders to collaborate with the facility on mental health programmes.

He commended the Federal Neuro Psychiatric for creating more public awareness on its activities towards achieving efficient services.

Former Medical Director and one time Chief Medical Director of Federal Medical Center (FMC) Birnin Kebbi, Dr Abdullahi Ibrahim, expressed optimism that Sale’s reappointment will further facilitate robust enhancement on mental health administration.

Ibrahim, a Consultant Psychiatrist noted that Sale’s first term ensured upgrade of all hospitals Departments, provision and installation of modern equipment as well as construction of perimeter fence and more structures.

According to him, Sale facilitated the construction of new molecular laboratory, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Isolation center and accident and emergency unit in the hospital which were no existence in the past.

Speaking also, the National Chairman of Association of Psychiatric Nurses of Nigeria (APNON), Mr Sani Haruna, also noted that the facility recorded highest number Psychiatric nurses undertaking professional examination at the School of Post Basic Nursing under the present leadership.

Haruna called for more support and collaboration on mental health which he said would contribute in addressing substance abuse, suicide cases and other associated problems in the society.

He explained that the problems within the hospital had been tackled with expansions, rehabilitation and construction of more building as well as provision of equipment.

He said now the institution was better in terms of manpower, expertise and services adding that the hospital was now well focused administratively.

He commended Sale for introducing administration result oriented programmes as a highly experienced psychiatric doctor and associate professor on the mental field.

Prof. S. A. Isezuo, a Senior Consultant Cardiologist, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto urged workers to consider Sale’s stewardship as a messier to the hospital who had interest on progress and development.

Responding, Dr Shehu Sale thanked the organisers and said the event served as motivation to him and assured more proactive engagement.

The event was voluntarily sponsored and organised by members of staff to reciprocate Medical Director’s efforts and encouraged him for quality stewardship.

Kwara Security Chiefs seek  to improve cultural values

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The Kwara state Commissioner of Police and Comptroller, Nigeria Customs Service, Kwara State Command, Mohammed Bagega and Ahmed Bello, have made case for the revival of the decaying cultural values in Nigeria.

The security chiefs also urged wealthy Nigerians to lend a helping hand to the needy, adding that poverty and absence of love are behind some of the security challenges facing the country.

The top security officers added that the rejuvenation of the Nigerian norms and culture would curtail anti-social behavior amongst youths, thus reducing insecurity in the society,

Bagega and Bello spoke on Sunday in Ilorin, Kwara State during a Ramadan lecture organised by a private radio station, SBS FM, Oloje Housing Estate, Ilorin.

Bagega urged Muslims to continue the spirit of good neighbourliness even after the end of Ramadan fast.

Represented by AbdulRahman Tijani-Adekilekun, a Superintendent of Police, Bagega sued for sound moral education for the health of the society.

For his part, Comproller Bello said that the gathering “is also an avenue for people to come together and understand one another and iron out some of the country’s critical problems especially the issues of security.

” This is the time to educate our people especially the youth to shun the habit of consuming illicit drugs and things that are against societal values.

“In this holy month, I urge all to take a lesson of being brothers to one another by understanding our differences so that we can be in unity. Whenever we have a problem we should sit down together and iron things out so that we work as a team.”

Earlier, in his sermon, Imam AbdulRazaq Aduagba attributed the societal malaise and insecurity in the country to moral decadence and non adherence to the teachings and lessons of Ramadan.

The General Manager of SBS FM, Alhaji Mas’ud Adebimpe said the station organised the lecture as part of its social responsibility to its host communities.

Ime N