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I Want To Be UFC’s Greatest – Israel Adesanya

Nnenna Okoronkwo
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Israel Adesanya has believed all along that becoming the greatest mixed martial artist of all time is his destiny.

On Saturday, at the UFC 259 event in Las Vegas, the Nigerian-born New Zealander gets the opportunity to take another step towards that goal when he challenges Poland’s Jan Blachowicz for the UFC’s light heavyweight title.

“What I have always predicted to do in this game is change the game, change history,”  Adesanya said on in an interview.

“I came in here just over three years ago and look what I have done so far. And I have a long way to go.”

Adesanya’s rise to the top has captured the imagination of a sport looking for a new generation of heroes, with the careers of stars such as Ireland’s former featherweight and lightweight champion Conor McGregor seemingly on the wane.

“When it’s all said and done, they’ll say that guy Issy, he’s the one. He’s the G.O.A.T.,” he said in the build-up to Saturday’s fight.

Adesanya arrived in New Zealand from Nigeria with his family as a 10-year-old, turned to martial arts to protect himself against schoolyard bullies and took off –- alone -– to China in his early 20s to further his combat sport career.

Adesanya has a 20-0 record in MMA

He was quick to reply when asked Friday if he saw himself taking up McGregor’s role as the sport’s standard-bearer.

“It’s inevitable,” Adesanya. “I just have to get used to it. I just have to accept it and not hide from the role that I am in, not hide from the platform that I’m on.”

The 31-year-old Adesanya has only been with the UFC since February 2018, after almost a decade spent fighting his way up through regional kickboxing and then MMA leagues.

His overall record in MMA now stands at 20-0, boosted by a 9-0 run in the UFC that has already seen him claim the middleweight crown.

That belt came with a TKO of Australian Robert Whittaker in October 2019 and Adesanya has defended his crown twice since, showcasing a unique, often dazzling, skill set built on piercing combinations with both fists and feet.

On Friday, Adesanya promised plenty more of the same against the 38-year-old Blachowicz (27-8), known mostly for his power-punching. Win this bout and Adesyana will become just the fifth double champion the UFC has seen.

Adesanya (R) beat Australia’s Robert Whittaker in Melbourne in 2019

UFC 259 will be a no-fan event inside the promotion’s Apex facility and it will feature two other world title bouts on its 15-fight card.

Brazilian Amanda Nunes (20-4) –- considered the greatest female fighter the sport has seen -– defends her featherweight title against a massive underdog in Megan Anderson (11-4) of Australia.

The 32-year-old Nunes also holds the UFC’s bantamweight belt and brings an 11-0 run to Las Vegas, stretching back to 2014, against the 31-year-old Anderson.

Before that comes the 28-year-old Russian brawler Petr Yan (15-1) defending his bantamweight title against American Aljamain Sterling (19-3), 31 years old and ranked number one behind the champ.

While Adesanya has captured much of the hype, Blachowicz brings a unique origin story of his own into the cage on Saturday.

Adesanya’s rise has captured the imagination in MMA

When he started out in MMA, back in 2006, the sport was virtually non-existent in his native Poland, and Blachowicz and his training partners began by learning from what they saw on TV and via video tapes.

He’d been considered a journeyman fighter for much of his career before winning his way into title contention and then capturing the light heavyweight crown last year, at an age when most fighters are nearing the end of their careers.

Blachowicz revealed Friday his fight plan for Adesanya was simple.

“I’ll try to knock him out,” he said.

Nigeria: Chinese firm to invest $50m in Agriculture sector

Mosunmola Ore
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A Chinese firm, Chinese Green Industry Company to invest $50 million in Nigeria’s agricultural sector through partnership with Nasarawa State-based farmers’ group, Nigerian Farmers Group and Cooperative (NFGCC).

This was made known by a consultant and representative of the Chinese firm, Li Jian, after a visit to the NFGCS Managing Director, Mr Reston Tedheke, who also doubles as the National Coordinator of the group.

Jian said the firm will invest in warehousing, dairy, machinery upgrade, improved seedlings, and animal feed, across the value chain.

“I have seen what you have here and we are going to take the project in phases. This will depend on the area of interest.

“I will talk with partners from Japan, Korea and India. The money is not the issue but how they can be properly utilized,” she said.

On his part, the Managing Director of NFGCS, expresses optimism in the prospects of this partnership.

According to him, the collaboration would create more job opportunities for locals; seeing that Nigerian-Asian partnerships have always yielded great results.

 

MTO/AgroNigeria

Government Parastatals: “Galaxy Backbone needs N35bn to provide internet services” – GBB Boss

Peace Piak Kanu
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The Managing Director of Galaxy Backbone, Limited (GBB), Professor  Mohammad Abubakar, says a total of thirty-five billion naira is needed to provide internet connectivity services at a minimum broadband speed of two megabits per second to all Ministries Departments and Agencies(MDAs) in Nigeria.

He disclosed this while receiving the National Assembly’s Joint Committee on Information Communications and Technology (ICT) and Cybersecurity to carry out their oversight function to the Agency in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

Professor Abubakar explained that; “To provide connectivity services at a minimum broadband speed of 2Mbps to all MDAs nationwide as mandated, funding in excess of 35 billion naira will be required, while more than 200 billion naira will be required for broadband connectivity at National Broadband Plan (NBP) recommended speed.”

Speaking on some of the challenges faced by the Agency, he expressed displeasure at the level of bureaucracy experience by the GBB in carrying its mandate.

According to him“Despite the state of art infrastructure, Galaxy is finding it increasingly difficult to compete with private sector companies because of bureaucracy that is peculiar to public sector institutions. Despite 40% increase in the Annual Service Contract, the provision fails to match the steep rise in demand for Galaxy’s services, the additional increase will be required to keep up with MDAs’ demands and needs.”

“Internal infrastructure readiness within some MDAs continue to affect the quality of services enjoyed by the MDAs Internal IT capacity and utilization of GBB continues to mitigate this challenge through training by Galaxy Backbone Ltd.“

The Managing Director also solicited legislative support to increase the viability of the Agency.

“Support from National Assembly for an act to define and affirm GBB Corporate structure and orientation in its relationship with FGN and MDAs. Galaxy should be relieved of all incumbrances of Government bureaucracy, such that it will operate solely within the Companies and Alliance Matters Act framework.“

Abubakar also called for the promotion of proper understanding among all relevant stakeholders to continue to support the contractual nature of GBB operations and services to the Government.

“This entails Service Provisioning and National Infrastructure maintenance relationship of GBB with Government should continue to be contractual in funding, implementation and operations.“

He added that the government is to cater for the liability of maintaining the operation of NICTIB Infrastructure as a developmental project for Digital Inclusion and Broadband penetration.

“Galaxy will not be able to fund operations of the infrastructure from its Service Wide Vote and Internally generated revenue,“ he added.

In a joint statement by the co-chairmen of the Joint Committee, Senator Yakubu Useni and Abubakar Lado after the facility tour of the National Shared Services Centre of the GBB, they pledged to support the Agency noting that; “In our role as Legislators, we renew our  commitment in ensuring that GBB gets  all the support it needs to complete this project which will help in depending the broadband  penetration in our nation and improve the internet experience in and around cities  in the country.“

They also urged the Federal Government to increase the funding of Galaxy Backbone so that it operates at par with the private sector counterparts

“We believe once the financial and policy support is given GBB, not just public sector organisation will become more effective and efficient but Small and Medium size business can take advantage of this infrastructure, which is also meant for them as Nigerians so that they can grow their businesses and ultimately improve the standard of living of the entire nation.”

According to the Joint Committee “What we have seen today has corrected slot of the misconceptions we initially had about the operations of Galaxy Backbone. With the revelations coming out of this oversight exercise, we all need to play as a matter of urgency in ensuring that Galaxy Backbone is supported financially in making this dream a reality.”

Our part as National Assembly, we will ensure that we engage members of the Federal Executive Council and the agencies in charge in making this happen. Creating a digital nation is Paramount for the economic and social future of our nation and we believe Galaxy Backbone will play a fundamental role in making sure this happens.So in supporting that GBB is better funded, we will also make sure that funds approved to put into proper use for benefit of the entire nation,“ the Joint Committee added.

PIAK

Lagos East Senatorial Election: PDP Appeals Against Judgment

Nnenna Okoronkwo
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The Peoples Democratic Party and its candidate in the Lagos East Senatorial Bye-Election, Mr. Babatunde Gbadamosi, have filed an appeal against the judgment of the Federal High Court, Lagos, which dismissed their case against the All Progressive Congress and its candidate in the said election, Senator Tokunbo Abiru.

On the 1st of March, Hon. Justice Chuka Obiozor had ruled that the case of PDP and Gbadamosi did not disclose grounds for the disqualification of Senator Abiru.

In the notice of appeal containing nine grounds and particulars, filed by the law firm of Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, PDP and Gbadamosi are contending that the judge erred in law when it declined jurisdiction to entertain certain Issues in their claims and struck out same, on the ground that the reliefs sought are statute-barred.

They claimed further that the judge was wrong to have held that the case of the appellants was anchored on the nomination of Senator Abiru, whereas it was about statutory disqualification as envisaged under section 31 (5) of the Electoral Act, based on false information.

The appellants also claim that the judge was wrong in striking out the further affidavit of the appellants on the ground that they introduced new issues outside the 14 days allowed by law, whereas the said further affidavit only amplified facts that were already supplied in documents (FORM CF001) frontloaded along with the existing originating summons, especially in relation to the multiplicity of the names of Senator Abiru.

They maintained that under Order 27 Rule 4 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, the appellants were at liberty to file a further affidavit at anytime before the hearing of the originating summons.

In addition, PDP and Gbadamosi also faulted the judge for holding that the facts of the multiplicity and inconsistency of the names of Senator Abiru are at variance with the originating summons whereas Relief 12 of the said originating summons specifically sought for an order to disqualify him from contesting the bye-election.

The appellants specifically challenged the judgment on the ground that the judge ignored and did not follow the precedent set by the Supreme Court in the case of PDP v. Degi-Eremienyo, in relation to the Bayelsa State Governorship election.

The appellants, therefore, want the Court of Appeal to hold that the judge erred in failing to give a holistic and purposive interpretation to sections 71, 72 and 77 of the 1999 Constitution for the purpose of determining the eligibility of Senator Abiru to contest the bye-election.

They promised to file more grounds of appeal upon the receipt of the certified true copies of the judgment, urging the Court of Appeal to allow their appeal, set aside the judgment of the trial court, cancel the certificate of return issued by INEC to Senator Abiru and direct that same be issued to Gbadamosi, being the candidate that scored the second highest votes cast in the said bye-election.

Below is the complete grounds of appeal contained in the notice of appeal, which was filed at the Registry of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on Thursday, March 4, 2021.

 

ChannelsTv/Nnenna.O

CAFCC: Algerian Club Setif Set For Home Game in Ghana

Nnenna Okoronkwo
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For the match day one of the CAF Confederation Cup, group opponent of the Nigeria representative Enyimba international, ES Setif of Algeria, will host Orlando pirates of South Africa in Ghana.

Setif last week approached the Malian Football Federation to play the game in Bamako but the Malian government refused to grant them approval due to corona virus restrictions placed Soth Africa.

Setif announced on Monday evening that they have received approval from the Ghana Government and Ghana Football Association ( GFA) to play the game in Accra, Ghana

In order to prepare for the organization of this meeting on site, the Entente de Sétif delegation will leave Algiers for the Ghanaian capital on March 7, 2021.

Pirates will host Enyimba international in the match day 2 of the tournament.

 

Arinze Asuzu/BSNSports.

CAF Opens Bidding Process for Women’s Champions League Host

Nnenna Okoronkwo
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0

CAF has opened the bidding process for the country that will host the inaugural Total CAF Women’s Champions League 2021.

The Total CAF Women’s Champions League 2021 competition will be organized during the period of October, November or December each year as per resolution of the CAF Executive Committee.

Seven teams will qualify for the final tournament through qualifiers organized by the zonal unions in addition to the champion club from the host country who gains automatic qualification.

National Associations are requested to present their bidding files containing the stadiums (two stadiums are required) and training facilities (four training sites at least), accommodation plans (that can host the eight teams), in addition to the official government guarantee.

 

source BSNsport

Nigerian Government Supports Pinnick FIFA Council Seat bid

Nnenna Okoronkwo
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0

The Federal Government of Nigeria has handed the President of Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Melvin Pinnick an unqualified backing in his quest to win a seat on the FIFA Council – the highest decision-making organ in world football – at next week’s Confederation of African Football elections in Rabat, Morocco.

At a press conference addressed by the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports, Engineer Nebolisa Anako on behalf of the Hon. Minister Mr Sunday Dare in Abuja on Thursday, the Government stated unequivocally that “Mr Amaju’s ambition would further reposition Nigeria in the global football map where we have made remarkable inroads” and indicated that his triumph would follow in the glorious steps of illustrious compatriots Dr Akinwunmi Adesina (re-elected as President of Africa Development Bank) and Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (first female/ first African Director-General of the World Trade Organization) in recent times.

“If the NFF President wins the position, it would not be a victory for the Federal Government and all Nigerians alone, but the African continent. He would be a great ambassador of our great country if elected into the FIFA Council. As a member of the CAF Executive, Pinnick is aware of the task ahead and the Federal Government’s support to the actualization of his dream,” Anako said.

He added: “On behalf of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, and all Nigerians, we hereby pledge our unflinching support to Mr Pinnick because his victory would be our collective victory.

“(Sports Minister) Mr Dare believes Amaju can use his position and connections in CAF and FIFA to help promote and develop Nigeria and African football in all ramifications. Let us be resolute and firm in our support…This is no time to stand on the fence, but to be partakers in the scheme of things.”

NFF’s 2nd Vice President, Mallam Shehu Dikko, who stood in for Pinnick (who is already in Morocco), thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his usual strong support for the NFF and Nigerian Football generally since coming into office, and assured that once victorious, Pinnick would continue in his usual way of influencing the appointment of Nigerians into FIFA and CAF committees and administrations, as he did while he was 1st Vice President of CAF and has been doing as Member, CAF Executive Committee and Member, Organizing Committee for FIFA Competitions.

“As a FIFA Council Member, Mr Pinnick will also be automatically a Member of the CAF Executive, which gives Nigeria a voice at both global and continental levels. This is not a Pinnick project, but a Nigeria project. If countries like Guinea and Madagascar can have people in the FIFA Council, there is no reason why a big football –playing nation like Nigeria should not.”

President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Enginner Habu Ahmed Gumel, gave a thumbs-up to Pinnick’s candidacy, saying “the FIFA Council seat is important to us, Nigeria and Africa, and we enjoin all Nigerian football stakeholders to be loud in their support for Mr Pinnick.”

NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi enjoined all football stakeholders to join hands with the Federal Government, the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports and the NFF to give Mr Pinnick strong support in his bid for the FIFA Council seat.

Also at the event were NFF Executive Member Aisha Falode, Dr Simon Ebhojiaye (Director of Federations and Elite Athletes Department), Mr Ademola Olajire (Director of Communications, NFF), Ms Blessing Lere-Adams (Director of Press in the Ministry) and Mr John Joshua Akanji (SA Media to the Hon. Minister).

Copa Del Rey: Barcelona overcomes Sevilla in dramatic fashion

Nnenna Okoronkwo
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0

Goals from Ousmane Dembele, Gerard Pique and then Martin Braithwaite in extra-time gave Barcelona a dominant 3-0 win (3-2 on aggregate) against Sevilla in the Copa del Rey Semi-Final second leg.

The visitors ended the game with 10 men and missed a penalty at 1-0.

 

In extra-time, Barca were on top and Martin Braithwaite scored in the 95th minute. That meant Sevilla needed a goal to win, but they could not find it. The biggest moment came when the ball struck Clement Lenglet’s arm in the box, but it was rightly turned down by the officials. It was a huge win for the hosts and they will face Levante or Athletic Bilbao in the final in April.

Barca dominated proceedings early on and Dembele and Busquets had early opportunities. Lenglet then tested the keeper 11 minutes in with a fine backheel and then Dembele scored after 12 minutes. Messi and Dembele combined, the latter got lucky as the ball broke back to him, but there was no fortune about the finish as he moved backwards towards the edge of the area before firing past Vaclik.

Barca continued to press and Pedri could have scored just after the half hour and then on 33 minutes, Messi saw a pass deflected by Fernando and Acuna had to clear off the line. The half then calmed down and Barca lead at the interval.

Sevilla looked to be more comfortable after the break and then Jordi Alba could have scored for Koeman’s side when a volley from Dembele’s pass cannoned off the bar. Then, the turning point came five minutes later. Oscar Mingueza brought down Lucas Ocampos in the box on a Sevilla counter and the ref pointed to the spot. However, Ocampos it a low penalty down the middle and Ter Stegen saved it. Had he scored, Barca would have needed three. 

 

 

 

It was a Barca siege for the rest of the 90 minutes and a huge penalty shout against Ocampos was turned down. Then, Fernando got dismissed for a second yellow in the 92nd minute for pulling back Trincao.

Gerard Pique forced extra-time with the last kick of the game to break Sevilla hearts. A corner came in, a Sevilla player knocked it up in the air, but Diego Carlos headed the ball away to try and prevent the corner and it was an awful decision. Griezmann put the ball back into the box and Pique headed home to force extra-time.

In the extra 30 minutes, Junior tested Vaclik and then Braithwaite scored after 95 minutes when he headed home Jordi Alba’s cross from close range. Sevilla never really recovered from that. They wanted a penalty when the ball struck Lenglet’s arm in the 100th minute, but he deliberately played the ball with his chest first so it was not a pen.

Their frustration showed with plenty of cards and despite the odd half chance towards the end, Barca were comfortable and deservedly booked their place in the final.

Liverpool suffers fifth straight loss at Anfield

Nnenna Okoronkwo
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0

Chelsea boosted their top-four hopes as Mason Mount’s first-half strike inflicted a fifth straight defeat at Anfield for champions Liverpool.

Thomas Tuchel’s side dominated the first half and thought they had scored through Timo Werner in the 24th minute, but the goal was ruled out by VAR after an extremely tight offside call.

However, Chelsea’s dominance did eventually pay off when Mount fired past Alisson to give the visitors a deserved lead.

Liverpool showed more urgency after the break, but they struggled to find their fluency in attack and failed to create many clear-cut chances as Chelsea held on for what could prove to be a crucial three points in the race for Champions League qualification.

Victory sees Chelsea, who continue their unbeaten start to life under Tuchel, move up to fourth in the Premier League table ahead of another crucial game at home to Everton on Monday (kick-off 6pm).

Meanwhile, Liverpool’s difficult season continues as Jurgen Klopp’s side, who stay seventh – four points behind Chelsea – go into the record books for the wrong reason after a fifth straight home defeat.

5 – Liverpool have lost five consecutive home games (league and all comps) for the first time in their history, while they’re also the first reigning English top-flight champion to lose five home league games in a row. Nosedive. pic.twitter.com/Rg25S3pmC0

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 4, 2021

How Liverpool lost again at Anfield…

Image:Liverpool have failed to win any of their last seven home league games

Chelsea enjoyed the better of opening exchanges and they created the first real opening as Werner beat the offside trap, but he couldn’t lift the ball over Alisson, who made a comfortable save.

Also See:

Tuchel said before the game they would be looking to exploit Liverpool’s high line with Werner’s pace, and they thought the plan had paid off when Werner once again raced in behind the home defence to latch onto Jorginho’s pass.

Player ratings

Liverpool: Alisson (6), Alexander-Arnold (5), Fabinho (5), Kabak (6), Robertson (6), Wijnaldum (5), Jones (5), Thiago (4), Mane (5), Firmino (5), Salah (5).

Subs: Jota (6), Oxlade-Chamberlain (5), Milner (n/a).

Chelsea: Mendy (6), Azpilicueta (7), Christensen (8), Rudiger (7), James (6), Jorginho (8), Kante (7), Chilwell (7), Ziyech (7), Mount (8), Werner (7).

Subs: Pulisic (6), Kovacic (n/a), Havertz (n/a).

Man of the match: Andreas Christensen.

The German beat Alisson, who was in no man’s land, to the ball, and fired home into an empty net, but after a VAR check, the goal was ruled out with Werner’s arm adjudged to have been offside.

Liverpool responded well after their VAR reprieve and Sadio Mane should have done better when picked out by Mohamed Salah, but the Senegal forward missed his kick with the goal at his mercy.

It was the visitors, though, who got the breakthrough they had been threatening just before half-time when N’Golo Kante’s direct pass out to the left wing picked out Mount, and he cut inside Fabinho to drill a fine finish past Alisson and into the bottom corner.

After the break, Liverpool looked livelier. There were strong appeals from the home players for a penalty when Roberto Firmino’s cross hit the raised arm of Kante from close range, but the referee waved away the appeals and VAR saw no reason to overturn the decision.

Team news

  • Liverpool midfielder Fabinho returned to the starting line-up to face Chelsea after recovering from a muscle problem which has restricted him to one appearance in the last eight matches. He again played as a makeshift centre-back at the expense of Nat Phillips, with fellow Brazil international Alisson Becker returning in goal as the other change after he missed the weekend win over Sheffield United due to the death of his father. Forward Diogo Jota made his first appearance in a matchday squad for three months after recovering from a knee injury and the illness which kept him out at Bramall Lane.
  • Chelsea made three changes with Reece James, Jorginho and Timo Werner coming in for Mateo Kovacic, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Olivier Giroud.

Andy Robertson cleared off the line from Hakim Ziyech after Alisson parried Ben Chilwell’s shot as Chelsea continued to threaten.

Klopp looked to his bench just past the hour mark bringing on Diogo Jota for his first appearance in three months and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, but eyebrows were raised when Salah – the Premier League’s top goalscorer – made way.

Image:Mohamed Salah was substituted off in the 62nd minute for Liverpool – the only time he has been subbed off earlier in a Premier League game at Anfield was for Chelsea against Liverpool

However, Liverpool still struggled to create anything of note, while at the other end, Werner, was doing everything but score as Alisson’s leg saved another shot from the German.

The hosts eventually registered a shot on target in the 85th minute, but Georginio Wijnaldum’s weak header was easily saved by Edouard Mendy.

Chelsea’s well-drilled defence got them over the line as the champions ran out of ideas.

Image:Roberto Firmino cuts a dejected figure as Liverpool slump to defeat again

‘Big victory will bring belief to Chelsea’

Image:Thomas Tuchel has had an instant impact as Chelsea manager

Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher:

“It’s a great result for Chelsea, it really is. Thomas Tuchel has made a fantastic start to his career at the club. He’s come in on an 18-month contract and it felt like he had to get this club into the top four in his first few months. They are in that position now.

“Mason Mount was outstanding for the visitors. There was a lot of talk about him being on the bench in Tuchel’s first game, but I’m sure Tuchel is aware of how important he will be, not just this season but in the years to come for Chelsea.

“It really is a big result. You can see that from the reaction of the players. It’s not just about where it puts them now but psychologically it will bring huge belief to this club and it sends a warning to the Premier League that they will be difficult to shift out of the top four now.

“They look a really good outfit and deserved this result.”

Magical Mount

1:16

Jamie Redknapp and Ashley Cole were glowing in praise for Mason Mount and believe he is currently Chelsea’s best player and future captain

Mason Mount has scored three goals in eight Premier League appearances under Thomas Tuchel this season, after netting only twice in 18 league appearances under previous boss Frank Lampard to start the campaign.

He has now scored 12 and assisted eight goals in the Premier League for Chelsea.

Aged 22 years and 53 days, he’s the second-youngest player to reach 20 goals and assists for the club in the Premier League after only Arjen Robben (21 years and 337 days).

Nigerian Government flags off Special Cash Grant in Akwa Ibom State

Peace Piak Kanu
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0

The Nigerian Government has flagged off the disbursement of a N20,000 cash grant to 2,700 women in Akwa Ibom State.

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq said the women were selected from all the Local Government Areas of the State.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary Bashir Nura Alkali,  the Minister said the grant was expected to increase income and productive assets of target beneficiaries.

“It is our hope that the beneficiaries of this programme will make good use of the grant to generally contribute towards improving their living standard by using the fund as a seed to boost their trade and business for greater income and not to see it as their own share of the so-called National Cake”.

“A cash grant of N20,000.00 will be disbursed to about 125,000 poor women across the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory. Our target in Akwa Ibom State is to disburse the grant to about 2,700 beneficiaries across all Local Government Councils,“ She explained

The Minister further noted that with the complementary effort of the state government, the target beneficiaries will be adequately covered within the next few days.

“I am optimistic that with the support and cooperation of His Excellency Chief Udom Emmanuel and other stakeholders present here, we will remain on track to improve the livelihood of the ordinary Nigerians”.

 “To the beneficiaries, let me however reiterate that this money belongs to you and you alone. It is meant for you to use in any small business venture you deem fit and that will improve your lives. Please ensure that you use it for this purpose,“ She emphasised.

Representing the Government, the Commissioner of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Dr Ini Adiakpan, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for the various National Social Investment Programmes.

“It has gone a long way to cushion the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic,“ she noted

Dr Adiapkan however, solicited for more grants to include more women and also hopes for more intervention programmes.

The State’s Focal Person on Social Investment Programme, Dr Godwin Akpan, described the exercise as timely and germane as it seeks economic empowerment to rural women.

He solicited for the inclusion of the youth and men in subsequent programmes.

A beneficiary Mrs A.P Caroline  Usen expressed joy for being selected for the grant, she said she has been hearing of the Government giving grants, but felt it was for a section of the country.

Earlier, during a courtesy visit on the Deputy Governor, Moses Expo commended President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister for empowering the women of the State to improve their livelihood.

He also solicited more slots for the State in subsequent programmes to be able to touch the lives of more people.

The Deputy Governor further requested the Ministry to come to the aid of the State in times of natural disasters or conflicts.

PIAK

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