2024 | Page 15 of 71 | Trendbrio.com

Edo: Okpebholo appoints Gani Audu as Chief of Staff

Prince Odutola1 month ago1 month ago02 mins

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has appointed Hon. Gani Audu as his Chief of Staff. The appointment takes immediate effect. In an official communication signed by the Secretary to State Government, Musa Umar Ikhilor, Audu’s appointment will help Governor Okpebholo in driving meaningful reforms in the State. “It is hereby announced for the information of the general public, particularly the good people of Edo State, that His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, Governor of Edo State, has approved the appointment of Hon. Gani Audu as his Chief of Staff. The appointment takes immediate effect,” the official communication signed by the Secretary to State Government read. Hon. Audu, born 18th August 1969, obtained an HND from Auchi Polytechnic in 1994, a PGD in Business Administration from Benson Idahosa University in 2011 and an M.Sc in Intelligence and Global Security from Baze University, Abuja in 2024. Hon. Audu was an elected Chairman of Etsako West Local Government Council from 2004 to 2010. He was elected member Edo State House of Assembly (Etsako West Constituency 1) from 2015 to 2023. Hon. Audu was the deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the 2020 Edo State Governorship elections.

Ondo: Tinubu urges peaceful Governorship election

Prince Odutola1 month ago1 month ago02 mins

As Ondo State prepares for its off-cycle governorship election, President Bola Tinubu has urged all political stakeholders and the electorate to uphold peace and decorum and fulfil their civic responsibilities without fear before or after the elections.

Pensioners demand payment of accrued rights

Prince Odutola1 month ago1 month ago03 mins

Concerned by the deteriorating conditions of NUP/CPS Retirees in Nigeria, Stakeholders have pleaded with the Federal Government to release funds for the payment of accrued rights portion of retirees’ pension benefits. The Stakeholders, majorly Pensioners from Federal and Lagos State governments, under NUP/CPS Lagos State Chapter and Lagos Sector stated this in a communique issued in Lagos on Tuesday. The Group accused the Accountant General of the Federation, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Madein for the refusal to release funds for payment of accrued rights as appropriated by the National Assembly in 2023 and 2024 Budgets. The Stakeholders also claimed Federal government is yet to pay outstanding accrued rights, arising from Pension increment of 2007, 2010 and consequential adjustment of 2019, which includes 20% – 28% increase of 2024 as well as the approved N32,000.00 pension increase across board, arising from the current minimum wage of N70,000.00. The Stateholders also demand the implementation of three months palliatives to Pensioners by the Federal Government. “Denial of Pensioners of the National Health Insurance Scheme NHIS,and that the Contributory Pension Scheme, CPS, from inception in 2004,is a disaster, a one-chance Agenda, in which Nigerian workers wereblindfolded to accept. “The Stakeholders condemned in strong terms, the withholding ofpension money of CPS Retirees by African Alliance Insurance, AAI asthey have resorted to eating crumbs on the table. “To avert a nation-wide protest, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is urged to take Executive action by directing release of funds for payment of outstanding accrued rights and pension increment to CPS Retirees in nodistant time. “Taking into account, the Pension Reform Act of 2004 and 2014, theStakeholders demand fairness and equity from PENCOM for all CPSRetirees and call for a review of the Pension Reform Act.” They commended Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu forapproving the payment of accrued interest for CPS Retirees in the stateand urged him to actualize it to enable them enjoy the yuletide period.

Ademola Lookman bags Globe Soccer Awards nomination

Prince Odutola1 month ago1 month ago03 mins

Nigeria and Atalanta star Ademola Lookman has been nominated for the 2024 Globe Soccer awards, joining a shortlist of global stars that includes Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Premier League players like Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka and Chelsea’s Cole Palmer. The 27-year-old’s performances for Atalanta have earned him a place in the Best Men’s Player category, where he contends with standout names such as Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe, and Mohamed Salah. Lookman’s inclusion on the list makes him one of only two African players nominated, with Salah joining him in contrast to the Ballon d’Or, which featured only Lookman as a nominee. The former Everton youngster played a key role in Atalanta’s successful UEFA Europa League campaign, scoring a hat-trick in their 3-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in the final. Across Italy’s Serie A in 2024, he contributed 17 goals and 11 assists, making him the player with the highest goal involvement this year. Lookman’s achievements also extend to the international stage, where he scored three goals and made one assist during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, pushing the Super Eagles to the final. In addition to his Globe Soccer nomination, Lookman recently placed 14th in the Ballon d’Or rankings and remains a strong contender for African Men’s Footballer of the Year, competing against the likes of compatriot William Troost-Ekong. Lookman, who is currently with the Super Eagles, will see if his efforts are recognized when the Globe Soccer Awards, organized by the Dubai Sports Council, take place on December 27.

Morocco 2025: Galatasaray congratulates Osimhen

Prince Odutola1 month ago1 month ago02 mins

Turkish giants, Galatasaray has congratulated Victor Osimhen for securing Nigeria’s passage to the finals of the Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025. The reigning African Player of the Year, who plies his trade with Galatasaray, ensured Nigeria’s qualification for the Biennial tournament with an header in the 81st minute of the tie. The Turkish side took to social media to congratulate their star player for his impressive display against the Cheetahs of Benin. “Congratulations to Victor Osimhen who scored the only goal for Nigeria in the 1-1 draw with Benin in the Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers, securing their qualification from the group stage,” Galatasaray wrote on X handle. Osimhen’s goal has also put him at par with the legendary Olusegun Odegbami in goals’ tally for Nigeria. Both are now joint second to the top man, Rashidi Yekini (of blessed memory) who scored 37 goals in 58 matches. Osimhen’s goal, in which he profited from a pinpoint cross from Moses Simon, and restored parity on the night after Mohamed Tijani’s goal for the Cheetahs in the 16th minute, was his 23rd for the senior team. Odegbami, the former captain of the team who took the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations finals by the scruff, scored his 23 goals in 46 matches.

Super Eagles goalkeeper loses father

Prince Odutola1 month ago1 month ago01 mins

Super Eagles goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, has lost his father. Nwabali took to Instagram story on Friday to share a post announcing the passing of the father with a tearful emoji. The Chippa United of South Africa goalkeeper did not disclose the cause of the father’s death, but wrote “Rest in peace dad.” Nwabali was in goal on Thursday when Benin Republic held Nigeria to a draw in a qualification game for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The Eagles had already qualified for the competition heading into Thursday’s match which was played in Ivory Coast, the 1-1 draw means they will finish the group as leaders.

Super Eagles land in AFCON 2025

Prince Odutola1 month ago1 month ago01 mins

Nigeria’s Super Eagles has qualified for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) without kicking a ball on Thursday. Libya’s 1-0 win in Rwanda guarantees Nigeria a top-two finish in Group D, and means Benin will join the Super Eagles at the tournament if they win their all-West African meeting this evening. Nigeria currently tops the Group with 10 points, Benin Republic placed second with 6 points while Rwanda and Libya are at the rock-bottom of the log with five and four points respectively.

Mike Tyson targets victory against Jake Paul

Prince Odutola1 month ago1 month ago03 mins

Mike Tyson wasn’t in the mood for talking in the final news conference before the 58-year-old former heavyweight champion faces YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul. Tyson had terse answers for all the questions Wednesday night, two nights before the fight against Paul, who is 31 years younger, at the home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys. The issue of Tyson’s health didn’t come up in a small concert venue about 20 miles from AT&T Stadium. A bout originally scheduled for July 20 was postponed to Friday night after Tyson had to be treated for a stomach ulcer when he fell ill on a flight. Tyson said in a documentary promoting the fight that he lost 26 pounds while recovering, but Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder with Paul of Most Valuable Promotions, said Tyson had been cleared medically for weeks. Bidarian also said Tyson was going through the same regular medical checkups of any sanctioned pro fight in Texas. Several states wouldn’t sanction the bout. Texas agreed to a fight that was eight rounds instead of 10 or 12, with two-minute rounds instead of three, and heavier gloves designed to lessen the power of punches. “It’s cute,” Paul said of the terse Tyson. “I fear no man, so I want him to be that old savage Mike.” Paul couldn’t even get Tyson to respond by wearing what the 27-year-old said was a “diamond-spiked ear cover.” It was Paul’s jab at Tyson over the Hall of Famer infamously biting the ear of Evander Holyfield in a 1997 fight. Tyson did get briefly riled up when somebody asked twice what he would do if he lost. His last sanctioned bout was in 2005. Tyson fought Roy Jones Jr. in an exhibition four years ago. “I am not going to lose,” Tyson said, his voice rising the second time it was asked. “Did you hear what I said?” Tyson was 50-6 with 44 knockouts before retiring 19 years ago. Paul is 10-1 with seven knockouts in less than five years as a pro, facing mostly mixed martial artists and journeymen boxers.