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Liverpool ends their losing run at Sheffield United

Nnenna Okoronkwo
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Klopp’s side struggled in front of goal but a Curtis Jones strike and a Kean Bryan own goal gave the sixth-placed Reds a much-needed win ahead of their midweek showdown with Chelsea, who are one place above them in the table.

 

“This was about us showing we’re still there. We play Chelsea on Thursday, we have to show it again. We have to win football games, we know that. There’s no way into the Champions League without results. Tonight we got it, we keep going,”

“Sheffield United have lost a lot but all by the smallest margin. It’s clear these games stay exciting until the very end. We could have scored three in the first half,” the German coach added.

“What we created was very good. The finishing was good enough for today, but we can improve.”

Klopp said he is expecting striker Diogo Jota to return for the Chelsea game. The 24-year-old has recovered from a knee injury and was in the squad to face Sheffield United, but withdrew due to illness.

Sheffield United goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale had a superb first half and there was little he could do to stop the two goals, but he was disappointed at the final whistle.

“We gave everything tonight. For the first half and most of the second half we gave a good account of ourselves,” 

“They are world-class players and can do that to any team. It’s definitely a disappointed dressing room because we could possibly have got something out of that.”

Late Air Marshal Eduok: CAS, Akwa Ibom Governor pay tribute at burial

Zainab Sa'id
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It was an outpouring of encomiums and glowing tributes as the remains of the 12th Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Late Air Marshal Nsikak-Abasi Essien Eduok, were laid to rest at his country home in Mbak Ekpe on the outskirts of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

The funeral service and interment ceremony attracted dignitaries and sympathizers from all walks of life including the current CAS, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Oladayo Amao, and the Executive Governor of Akwa-Ibom State, Mr Udom Emmanuel. Late Air Marshal Eduok died on 6 January 2021 at the age of 73.

Speaking during the burial ceremony, the CAS, AVM Amao, described the late Air Marshal as an amiable personality, a man of valour and integrity and a great achiever, with an unprecedented drive for success.

“He was a mentor to so many of us both serving and retired. He was one of the best hands in the NAF who steered the tide of the Service towards the successes recorded in the past years. He changed the landscape of the Service and left the scene like a hero while the ovation was still reverberating”, the CAS said.

According to him, late Air Marshal Eduok contributed significantly to the development of the NAF.

He noted that the late CAS was his mentor, a great fighter Pilot whose transformational approach to leadership tremendously impacted the development of the NAF. AVM Amao further described him as an accommodating Air Marshal, whose astuteness, diligence and dedication during his sojourn on earth made significant and considerable impacts in “our lives and the NAF as a whole”.

“A warrior that he was, Air Marshal Eduok saw to the successful conclusion of the National Peace Enforcement efforts in Liberia and Sierra Leone. Even in retirement, the late former CAS continued to make invaluable contributions to the development of the Service, with significant inputs towards the restructuring of the NAF to make it more effective in dealing with contemporary security challenges facing the Country.

 “His contributions to NAF operations in pursuit of Nigeria’s national security and stability will forever be remembered”, the CAS said.

While condoling with his immediate family for the loss, AVM Amao noted that the late Air Marshal Eduok would be missed for his timely and professional contributions not just to the NAF and Akwa Ibom State, but also to the entire Nation.

Accordingly, the CAS said, in honour of his sacrifice to the Service and the Nation and recognition of his extraordinary passion for fitness, the Ultra-Fit Gymnasium Centre at the NAF Base Yola, was commissioned and named after Air Marshal Nsikak Eduok (retired) to immortalize him.

“To his immediate family as well as the Executive Governor and good people of Akwa Ibom State, we indeed share in your grief and reassure you of our continuous support in these trying times. Just about 2 weeks ago, Akwa Ibom State bade farewell and laid to rest, the first indigenous Military Administrator of this State and a senior Air Force officer, late Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga (retired).

 “These events are huge losses to the NAF, Akwa Ibom State and indeed the entire Nation. We are however very proud and highly honoured to have worked with your amiable husbands, fathers and illustrious sons,” AVM Amao said.

In his remarks, the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel expressed a deep sense of loss and grief on behalf of the Government and good people of Akwa Ibom State, as he bade farewell to Late Air Marshal Nsikak Eduok, whom he described as a quintessential Nigerian patriot, a trail-blazer, an epitome of courage and bravery, a decorated Air Force Officer and above all, a husband, father and a devout Christian.

He stated further that, the late CAS was one of the Ambassadors in Akwa Ibom State who epitomised the State’s defining characteristics of duty, honesty, transparency, integrity, love for country and God which he brought to bear in the course of his illustrious career with the NAF where he rose to the pinnacle of the Service as the 12th Chief of Air Staff; “the first Akwaibomite to ever occupy that exalted position”, he said.

The Governor described the late CAS as a dependable statesman, a voice for reason and moderation whose counsel when sought was always ready and on point.

“Let me end this oration by quoting a line from the 19th Century Unitarian preacher and writer, Minot J. Savage ‘The brave die never, though they sleep in dust. Their courage nerves a thousand living men,” the Governor stated.

NAF Air Traffic Services Training Centre

Meanwhile, the Governor has approved 30 hectares of land for the NAF for the construction of NAF Air Traffic Services Training Centre (ATSTC) in Uyo.

This was disclosed by the CAS, AVM Amao, during a courtesy call on the Governor.

The CAS also used the opportunity to thank the Governor for his support to the family of late Air Marshal Nsikak Eduok while he was in the hospital and after his death.

Speaking during the courtesy call, Governor Udom Emmanuel congratulated the CAS on his appointment and urged him to kick-start the construction of ATSTC without further delay.

The Governor stated that the CAS was appointed at a critical time when the Country is facing serious security issues. He expressed his condolences on behalf of the good people of Akwa Ibom State to the CAS on the loss of the 7 NAF personnel who lost their lives in the recent ill-fated air crash.

Mr Emmanuel assured that the State would continue to support the NAF in every way possible remarking that the State would be available to host any of the NAF’s or Armed Forces’ events, especially sporting competitions.

He equally appreciated the CAS for ensuring that standards were maintained at the Air Force Comprehensive Secondary School in Akwa Ibom State to make it the best public school in the South-South Region and one of the best in the Country.

Other dignitaries who graced the burial ceremony were the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Moses Ekpo and the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly as well as Distinguished and Honourable Members of the National and State Houses of Assembly. Also present were the Honourable Minister of Niger Delta, Senator Godswill Akpabio; Former Service Chiefs; as well as Representatives of the Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs as well as several other serving and retired Senior Military Officers.

 

Zainab Sa’id

 

Chadwick Boseman wins Golden Globe award

Aisha John-Mark
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Chadwick Boseman was named best movie actor at the Golden Globe awards on Sunday, six months after his death at age 43.

Boseman, best known for the superhero movie “Black Panther,” was awarded the Golden Globe for lead actor in a movie drama for his role as an ambitious trumpet player in 1920s jazz drama “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.”

His widow, Simone Ledward Boseman, delivered a heartbreaking speech while accepting the award through tears on Boseman’s behalf.

“He would say something beautiful,” she said. “Something inspiring. Something that would amplify that little voice inside of all of us that tells you can. That tells you to keep going … and I don’t have his words.”

“Ma Rainey” was Boseman’s last film performance, and Sunday’s Golden Globe marked the biggest Hollywood award for Boseman in his career in film and television. He has also won posthumous awards for the “Ma Rainey” role from several movie critics groups but was never Oscar- or Golden Globe-nominated while he was alive.

Boseman died in August 2020, having kept secret a four-year battle with colon cancer.

Boseman is also nominated for a Screen Actors Guild award next month, and is widely expected to be a strong Oscar contender when nominations are announced in mid-March.

NPFL: Kwara United Pip Wolves regains Top Spot,

Nnenna Okoronkwo
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It was a comfortable afternoon for Kwara United as the Afonja Warriors defeated Warri Wolves 2-0 to return to the summit of the Nigeria Professional Football League table.

With league leaders, Kano Pillars losing 3-2 in a thrilling clash at Dakkada earlier in the day, Kwara United knew any manner of win would be enough to take them back to the prime position.

 

And a brilliant victory they carved out thanks to a goal in each half from Jude Steven and Michael Ohanu.

In Enugu, Rangers thump Heartland 2-0 in a thrilling encounter.

Isaac Loute and Godspower Aniefiok scored both goals for the Flying Antelopes.

Isaac Loute and Godspower Aniefiok scored both goals for the Flying Antelopes.

Akwa United recorded the biggest win of the day thrashing Rivers United 3-0 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.

Mfon Udoh netted the curtain raiser five minutes before the break after he was teed up by Seth Mayi.

Charles Atshimene added the second 10 minutes after the break, while Morice scored the third a minute from time.

Former champions Enyimba were held to a 0-0 draw by Jigawa Golden Stars, with FC IfeanyiUbah and Plateau United also battling to a barren draw in Nnewi.

FULL RESULTS
Akwa Utd 3-0 Rivers Utd
Jigawa GS 1-1 Enyimba
FC Ifeanyiubah 0-0 Plateau Utd
Lobi 2-1 Katsina Utd
Sunshine Stars 0-0 Adamawa Utd
Rangers 2-0 Heartland
Kwara Utd 2-0 Warri Wolves

 

source BSNsports

Myanmar leader appears in court, faces new charges

Bilkisu Halilu Pai
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Myanmar’s deposed leader, Aung San Suu Kyi has appeared in a court hearing via video link and was hit with additional charges, as anti-coup protesters rallied across the country again in defiance of a security force crackdown that killed at least 18 people the previous day.

The 75-year-old looked healthy as she took part in the court hearing on Monday from the capital, Naypyidaw, and asked to see her legal team.

The leader of the National League for Democracy (NLD), which swept last November’s now-annulled election, has not been seen in public since her detention on February 1 when the military seized power, alleging widespread electoral fraud.

Shortly afterwards, she was charged with illegally importing six walkie-talkie radios as well as violating a natural disaster law by staging a campaign rally during the coronavirus pandemic.

A third charge, filed on Monday, was under a section of the colonial-era penal code prohibiting the publication of information that may “cause fear or alarm” or disrupt “public tranquility”, her lawyer, Min Min Soe said.

Another charge was also added under a telecommunications law, the lawyer said, which stipulates that equipment needs a licence.

The next hearing will be on March 15.

Khin Maung Zaw, a second lawyer for the deposed leader, said her legal team had not been able to speak to her ahead of the hearing.

Myanmar has been in chaos since the February 1 coup, which brought a halt to the country’s tentative steps towards democracy after nearly 50 years of military rule.

It has drawn widespread international condemnation and hundreds of thousands of demonstrators onto the streets of cities and towns across Myanmar.

As Aung San Suu Kyi appeared in court, police in Yangon fired tear gas and stun grenades to disperse protesters gathered at multiple locations throughout the city.

Many of the protesters wore hard hats, while those at the front lines carried makeshift shields to protect themselves from security forces, who killed at least four people in Yangon and wounded dozens more the previous day.

In the city’s Kyauktada township, one protester was seen blacking out security cameras, while in other parts of Yangon, demonstrators taped to the ground hundreds of pictures of Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, bearing the words: “Shame on you, dictator, we will never forgive you.”

Crowds also marched in the second city of Mandalay, while live video on Facebook showed a small crowd of protesters gathered across a street in Lashio, Shan State, chanting slogans as police marched towards them.

The new rallies came a day after the worst violence since the coup.

Clashes took place in various parts of the country on Sunday, as police opened fire on crowds in Yangon, Mandalay, Dawei and other places after tear gas and warning shots failed to clear protesters demanding the restoration of Aung San Suu Kyi’s government.

Some of the security forces belonged to units notorious for tough crackdowns on ethnic rebel groups.

The United Nations said it had “credible information” that at least 18 people were killed and 30 were wounded around Myanmar. Counts made by other sources, such the Democratic Voice of Burma, an independent television and online news outlet, put the death toll in the 20s.

Any of those reports would make it the highest single-day death toll since the military takeover.

Following the killings, people erected makeshift sidewalk shrines at the spots where several of the victims were shot and also paid their respects by standing outside the hospitals from which the bodies of the victims were being released to their families.

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners said at least 270 people had been detained on Sunday, from a total of 1,132 it said had been arrested, charged or sentenced since the coup.

Those arrested included one journalist who was beaten in northern Myitkyina, Kachin State, according to local outlet The 74 Media.

Several journalists documenting assaults by security forces on Saturday were also detained, including Thein Zaw, an Associated Press photographer in Yangon.

In a long statement published on Monday in the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper, Myanmar’s Foreign Ministry restated the military’s rationale for its takeover and declared that the junta “is exercising utmost restraint to avoid the use of force in managing the violent protests systematically, in accordance with domestic and international laws in order to keep minimum casualties”.

The United States has led global condemnation of Myanmar’s military rulers, imposing limited sanctions on its generals.

Tom Andrews, the United Nations special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar said it was clear the military’s assault on protesters would continue so the international community should ratchet up its response.

He proposed a global arms embargo, more sanctions from more countries on those behind the coup, sanctions on the military’s businesses and a UN Security Council referral to the International Criminal Court.

Aljazeera

Eastern Rail Corridor: President Buhari to perform ground-breaking ceremony March 9

Amaka Nliam
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The Federal Government is set to flag off the Eastern Rail Corridor come 9th of March, 2021, and Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari, will perform the groundbreaking ceremony.

 

The Minister of Transportation, @ChibuikeAmaechi  disclosed this over the weekend during an inspection tour to all the stations from Mobolaji Johnson in Ebute Metta, Lagos to the Ibadan Station, Oyo State.

 

He further disclosed that the President has also approved the re-directing of the Eastern line to new spurs namely: Abakaliki, Ebonyi State and Awka, Anambra State.

 

Similarly, the Minister mentioned that the Federal Government has approved the commencement of the Port-Harcourt- Maiduguri rail project and is also negotiating loans for Lagos-Calabar rail project.

 

On the take-off of the Ibadan-Kano rail project, Amaechi said that the Government is still seeking approval for loan to enable it take off.

 

Speaking on the Lagos-Ibadan rail project, the Minister said that he has challenged Messrs. China Civil Engineering and Construction Company to deploy global acceptable safety and security standards for the project.

 

He has also directed that central cooling system be installed in all the major train stations along that route.

 

 

Amaka E. Nliam

 

 

Stakeholders restate commitment to boost local wheat production

Mosunmola Ore
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Olam, an agribusiness and food conglomerate, have restated commitment to boost local wheat production in the country.

This was stated at the National Wheat Farmers Field Day held in Kano recently, the agribusiness conglomerate revealed that over 30,000 farmers have been trained and equipped through a joint effort of one of its strategic business units – Crown Flour Mill (CFM), Flour Miller’s Association of Nigeria (FMAN) and the Federal Government, in a bid to deepen the national agricultural extension scheme, especially in the wheat segment.

Managing Director, Crown Flour Mill Limited, Mr. Ashish Pande noted that as a member of FMAN, Crown Flour Mill is committed to improving wheat production through adequate financing and research in the country.

He added that the agribusiness conglomerate’s wheat development effort has led to the execution of several well-coordinated capacity building initiatives which include bringing local wheat farmers up to speed with innovative wheat farming practices.

Pande explained: “We wish to get new technologies in Nigeria to further build on the wheat initiative. We look forward to partnering with organisations across the wheat value chain to improve farmers’ yields through high-quality seeds, expanded extension services and improved access to irrigation.”

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Sabo Nanono, who also attended the event, explained that the Federal Government prioritises the agricultural extension programme considering its implication on national agricultural productivity and food security.

Nanono said the Federal Government is targeting 70,000 workers, adding that 30,000 of them had completed the training designed to expose them to modern farming techniques, fertiliser and chemical application.

According to him, the agricultural development effort would encourage the development of small-scale wheat processing mills to make wheat flour and other wheat products available in the market. He explained that encouraging wheat production and processing would go a long way to boosting food security and economic growth.
Also speaking at the event, Chairman, Wheat Farmers Association of Nigeria (WFAN), Alhaji Salihu Muhammad, stated that the developmental drive of the association has introduced the durum wheat variety, one of the most cultivated varieties of the crop, and engaged the services of experienced seed scientists to accelerate wheat production in the country.

He further called for the inclusion of wheat farmers in the Federal Government’s Anchor Borrower Programme (APB) because the exclusion of their 200,000 registered members has negatively affected wheat production in the country.

In his remark, the Kano State Deputy Governor, Nasiru Gawuna, said the state government had concluded plans to establish additional water bodies and upgrade existing dams to encourage wheat cultivation and other irrigation activities. Gawuna said the government had embarked on the rehabilitation and desalting of Watari dam and upgrade of irrigation schemes in Bagwai LGA.

While reiterating the government’s commitment to supporting farmers, Gawuna urged the farmers to utilise the inputs distributed to them to improve their productivity.

 

MTO/Sun

Trump vows to unite US Republicans

Bilkisu Halilu Pai
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Former US President, Donald Trump has said he has no plans to form a new political party, promising instead to unite a Republican Party that has splintered after his supporters overran the United States Capitol in a deadly riot.

In his first major speech since he left the White House last month, Trump said the GOP is “going to unite and be stronger than ever before”.

“I am not starting a new party. That was fake news,” he told the crowd at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on Sunday afternoon.

“We will be united and strong like never before. We will save and strengthen America and we will fight the onslaught of radicalism, socialism and indeed, it all leads to communism,” said Trump, who spent much of his speech hitting out at US President Joe Biden.

Trump repeated his false claims that the November presidential election was stolen from him and also hinted at another possible presidential run.

“They just lost the White House,” Trump said. “But who knows, who knows, I may even decide to beat them for a third time.”

His supporters dominated this year’s conference, held in Florida due to the state’s loose restrictions on gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the country’s largest annual gathering of Republicans and conservatives, CPAC typically indicates the direction of the Republican Party and its supporters.

While past meetings have served as a forum for debate between a broad coalition of US conservatives, attendees of this year’s meeting devoted the weekend to expressing their commitment to Trump and affirming his continuing dominance of the party.

The event comes as deep divides have emerged within the Republican Party after the Capitol insurrection on January 6 and weeks of false claims by Trump and his supporters that the election was marred by widespread voter fraud.

Trump supporters travelled from across the country to see the former president’s first remarks since he left office in January.

Hats, shirts and other pro-Trump paraphernalia were on display at the conference, where attendees took photos alongside a gold statue of the former president.

Vickie Froehlich, who served as a delegate at the Republican National Convention when Trump was first nominated in 2016, came to CPAC from Minneapolis, Minnesota. If Republicans abandon Trump, she said, “it would be a huge mistake”.

Speakers who took the stage during the weekend, including Senators Rick Scott of Florida, Ted Cruz of Texas and Josh Hawley of Missouri, announced support for continuing Trump’s political mission.

In panel discussions, legislators and activists also argued against the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential election results and warned of left-wing conspiracies to silence conservative speech.

Trump was impeached in the US House of Representatives for “incitement of insurrection” in relation to the riot, but was later acquitted in the US Senate.

Aljazeera

COVID-19: Nigeria records 240 new cases

Zainab Sa'id
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Nigeria has recorded 240 new COVID-19 cases bringing the total confirmed cases in the country to 155,657.

This was contained in a report published by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). The new cases were recorded in 13 states. Anambra state leads with 85 new infections.

The NCDC also added that 2 deaths were recorded in the past 24 hours.

According to the agency, “On the 28th of February 2021, 240 new confirmed cases and 2 deaths were recorded in Nigeria.

“Till date, 155,657 cases have been confirmed, 133,768 cases have been discharged and 1907 deaths have been recorded in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

“Our discharges today include 170 community recoveries in Lagos State managed in line with guidelines.

“The 240 new cases are reported from 13 states- Anambra (85), Lagos (82), Osun (17), Ogun (10), Kwara (9), FCT (8), Kano (7), Abia (6), Ekiti (5), Borno (4), Edo (2), Bayelsa (2) Kaduna (2) and Rivers (1).

No Fuel price increase in March – NNPC

Peace Piak Kanu
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The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC says it is not contemplating any rise in the price of Fuel (Premium Motor Spirit) in March 2021.

The NNPC disclosed this via its official Twitter handle on Sunday evening February 28, 2021.

The Corporation’s Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Dr Kennie Obateru, explained that this was in order not to jeopardize ongoing engagements with organized labour and other stakeholders on an acceptable framework that would not expose Nigerians to any hardship.

“NNPC also cautioned petroleum products, marketers, not to engage in arbitrary price increase or hoarding of petrol in order not to create artificial scarcity and unnecessary hardship for Nigerians.”

According to him, the NNPC has enough stock of petrol to keep the nation well supplied for over 40 days.

The Corporation, therefore, urged motorists to avoid panic buying.

“It further called on relevant regulatory authorities to step up monitoring of the activities of marketers with a view to sanctioning those involved in products hoarding or arbitrary increase of pump price,” he added.

 

PIAK/NNPC

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