October 2024 | Page 13 of 23

AFCONQ: CAF probes Super Eagles ordeal in Libya

Prince Odutola2 months ago2 months ago01 mins

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has responded to the unfortunate incident that led to Super Eagles players delay at the airport for over 13-hours in Libya. The continental body informed that the incidence will be investigated by its disciplinary board. “The Confederation Africaine de Football (CAF) has been in contact with the Libyan and Nigerian authorities after it had been informed that the Nigerian National Football Team (Super Eagles) and their technical team were stranded in disturbing conditions for several hours at an airport that they were allegedly instructed to land by the Libyan authorities. “The matter has been referred to the CAF Disciplinary Board for investigation and appropriate action will be taken against those who violated the CAF Statutes and Regulations.”

Breaking: Banky W, wife welcome second baby

Prince Odutola2 months ago2 months ago01 mins

Nigerian singer Banky W and his wife, actress Adesua Etomi have welcomed their second child. Taking to Instagram on Monday, Mrs Wellington revealed she welcomed her baby. She shared some pictures taken of her in a gown cradling her baby bump. “First, we had each other, then we had your brother. “Then God sent you and now? “We have everything,” the wrote on her Instagram page. The couple had their first child, a baby boy in 2021.

AFCONQ: Super Eagles head back to Nigeria

Prince Odutola2 months ago2 months ago02 mins

Members of the Super Eagles have boarded a flight back to Nigeria after 13-hour delay at Libyan airport on Sunday. The former African champions were billed to play the second leg of the AFCON 2025 qualifier against Libyan national team on Tuesday but were refused entry by authorities at the airport. Having waited patiently at the airport for over 13 hours, the Nigerian side resolved to return home without kicking a ball. Members of the William Troost-Ekong team are going through process of the immigration to board the available flight back home. Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa has also wished the team safe journey back home. “Super Eagles team now boarding . Journey mercies to all of them,” She wished the Eagles. Super Eagles’ player, Bruno Onyemaechi also emphatically said he is done with the tie against Libya. “Me and Libya I done washed my hands commot nothing concern me and una again thank God going back home,” the Boavista of Portugal player stated.

AFCONQ: Libya regrets Super Eagles ordeal

Prince Odutola2 months ago2 months ago04 mins

Libya Football Federation (LFF) has expressed regrets over the poor treatment melted at the Super Eagles team on arrival for the second leg tie of the AFCON 2025 qualifier. The Libyan football authority stated this is in social media post on Monday. “We are deeply concerned about the recent reports surrounding the diversion of the Nigerian national team’s flight ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Libya. “While we regret any inconvenience caused, it is essential to note that such incidents can occur due to routine air traffic control protocols, security checks, or logistical challenges that affect international air travel. “These are standard procedures at airports worldwide, and delays or rerouting, though unfortunate, are not uncommon. “We have the utmost respect for our Nigerian counterparts and want to reassure them that the diversion of their flight was not intentional. “There are no grounds to accuse the Libyan security teams or the Libyan Football Federation of deliberately orchestrating this incident. Such actions are inconsistent with our values and principles. “We firmly reject any claims that suggest foul play or sabotage in this situation. “It is important to highlight that just last week, our own national team faced significant challenges upon our arrival in Nigeria for the third match of the Africa Cup of Nations qualification. “Despite the difficulties we encountered, we did not make public accusations nor question the integrity of the Nigerian authorities. “Football, in its essence, unites nations, and we are committed to upholding the spirit of fairness and mutual respect both on and off the field. “In Libya, we pride ourselves on our hospitality and our welcoming nature. We have always prioritized treating all visiting teams, including our African brothers and other international delegations, with the respect and dignity they deserve. @Hosting these events is a great honor for us, and we strive to ensure that all teams feel safe and respected as our guests. This commitment to equality and hospitality is a core aspect of our culture and tradition. “We hope that this misunderstanding can be resolved with understanding and goodwill. Our doors are open to our Nigerian brothers and all African teams, and we continue to promote the spirit of unity, sportsmanship, and friendship in the world of football.” The Nigerian side were abandoned at the airport for over 13 hours without food, drinks, Wi-Fi and other social amenities.

AFCONQ: Ekong provides updates Super Eagles ordeal in Libya

Prince Odutola2 months ago2 months ago03 mins

Skipper William Troost-Ekong has provided updates on poor treatments at Super Eagles by Libya authorities. The defensive stalwart in a social media post hinted that logistics are being put in place for the team to jet to the match venue. His words; “Can I shock you?! “The pilot has just told us there has been fuel at this airport for the plane all this time. “They could have released it but haven’t given us permission since. Can you imagine? So, how long are they planning to hold us hostage here!!! Still just waiting. Shortly before the tweet, Ekong had earlier wrote that a team bus been made available after several hours waiting at the airport. “After our first tweets magically a team bus arrived and a driver who has been standing inside the airport filming us and laughing with some of the other staff since last night said the bus was ready 12 hours after we landed. “Now we have been waiting for fuel since morning…” Meanwhile, the duo of Victor Boniface and Bruno Onyemaechi in a separate posts on social have demanded for the team return to Nigeria. “This is no longer a joke. Please, we need help to go back to Nigeria,” Onyemaechi pleaded. On his part, Leverkusen of Germany striker Victor Boniface believed the situation is getting scary, just he also wants a return to the country. “This is getting scary now. “You guys can have the points. “We just want to return to our country.”

Two-storey building collapses in Lagos

Prince Odutola2 months ago2 months ago01 mins

A two-storey building has collapsed in the Orile-Iganmu area of Lagos. The incident occurred at about 8am on Monday. Social media footage showed the moment the building caved in as people in the vicinity scampered for safety. Nosa Okunbor, head of public affairs unit of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASEMA), said there were no casualties from the incident. “LASEMA Response Teams in Search & Rescue Operation at a self-collapsed building on Amusu Street, Baale Bus Stop, Orile Iganmu,” he said. “Incident summary: Transmitted at 08:54am; No Casualties.” Okunbor said the agency would share more information in the coming hours.

AFCONQ: Super Eagles’s poor treatment in Libya despicable -Dabiri-Erewa

Prince Odutola2 months ago2 months ago03 mins

Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa has condemned the treatment meted out to the Super Eagles team by Libya authorities ahead of its second leg match slated for Tuesday in the country. She noted in a press statement that traveling by road in Libya is most dangerous and totally not advisable because of the current situation in the country. The team which left Nigeria on Sunday to Libya for their return match had their flight diverted to an innocuous airport far away from the venue of the match. The implication of the diversion will now be another three hours of road travel to the main venue of the match, not minding the risk of road travel in Libya, considering the situation of the war-torn country. Dabiri-Erewa said the safety of Nigerian players is paramount to the country and was optimistic that the Ministry of Sports and the NFF will advise appropriately. She also called on CAF to treat the matter with the seriousness it deserves. Already, the players, the pilots, and others on board the flight had been stranded and subjected to inhuman treatment at the airport for over 13 hours without water, food, rest, and other means of communication. The team was delayed at an airport in Libya for more than 13 hours without any tangible reason. The Super Eagles flight was redirected air borne on Sunday, and they were required to travel by road to their destination. However, there was no provision made for them by the Libya authorities, and all efforts to make alternative provisions by Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) was frustrated. Dabiri-Erewa appealed to the Super Eagles to remain calm and why the Nigerian Football Federation will decide the next line of action.

Why I didn’t attend my first wife’s 50th birthday party -Mercy Aigbe’s hubby

Prince Odutola2 months ago2 months ago04 mins

Nigerian movie marketer, Kazim Adeoti has addressed why he did not celebrate his first wife, Olufunsho, on social media on her 50th birthday. Olufunsho turned 50 last week and had a party in the US, however Adeoti was conspicuously absent. He was dragged on social media for failing to attend the party or celebrating her online. In a statement he released on his Instagram page on Sunday evening, the filmmaker said the mother of his four kids asked him not to attend the party nor celebrate her on social media and he had to respect her wishes. According to him, “This is to address recent media comments surrounding Mrs Okufunsi Adeoti’s 50th birthday celebration, which was held in the US last weekend. “For the avoidance of doubt, the celebrant and I spoke about her plan for her 50th birthday party and how she wished to celebrate it. She wanted a party but, shockingly she specifically said that I shout not attend. I asked her again to be sure in the presence of our children and to everybody’s surprise, her response was consistent -she NO! “That was her wish, and I would not want to be embarrassed by attending a party that the celebrant asked me not to attend, so I stayed back in Nigeria. “Regardless of how painful her position was to me, I ensured towards the success of the party. I also informed and ensured that of our families and friends in the US honoured her big day. “As I always do, I wished her a happy birthday offline, and she acknowledged pleasantly. “Olufunso remains a significant part of my life. I can never wish her anything other that what is beautiful in life because she is the proud mother of our four lovely children. That can never be undone-in fact it’s one of the most important things in my life! “I therefore would appeal to members of the public, especially on social media, particularly the Facebook community, to desist from making unfound and distorted comments about us. “The best way to support us is to please let peace reign as social media is not real life. “Furthermore, as I always do, I wished her a happy birthday personally via sms, to which she replied on same day. She had also warned me not to post her photographs on my media accounts. I had to respect her wish and this understandable.”