2024 | Page 53 of 75 | Trendbrio.com

Benin coup: Presidential guard, Ex-Minister arrested

Our Reporters7 months ago7 months ago02 mins

Three men in Benin, including a former minister and the man in charge of President Patrice Talon’s security, have been arrested on suspicion of plotting a coup, the state prosecutor has said. Ex-sports minister Oswald Homeky was caught on Tuesday while handing over six bags of money to the head of the Republican Guard, Elonm Mario Metonou, the prosecutor told a press conference. Investigators said Col Djimon Dieudonne Tevoedjre was being bribed not to resist a coup d’etat planned for Friday in the small West African nation. Also detained was a businessman, Olivier Boko – a friend of President Talon – who had recently indicated he had political ambitions. Mr Boko’s lawyers and supporters condemned what they called his “abduction” and have demanded his immediate release. Investigations are ongoing to identify further suspects, the prosecutor said. Benin, once praised as a multi-party democracy, has taken a more autocratic turn under the presidency of Patrice Talon, rights groups say. President Talon announced he would not seek a third term in office in the 2026 elections. There have been eight military takeovers and several other coup attempts in West and Central Africa since 2020.

Taiwo Awoniyi Foundation supports Next Generation of Football Talents in Kwara

Our Reporters7 months ago7 months ago02 mins

Nottingham Forest and Super Eagles striker, Taiwo Awoniyi, is proud to announce the Taiwo Awoniyi Foundation’s support for the Kwara Kiddies League. Through his foundation, Awoniyi will present sets of jerseys to all participating teams in the league. As a Dettol ambassador, Awoniyi has also secured support from the leading hygiene brand, which will provide essential gifts to the young athletes. This partnership underscores Awoniyi’s commitment to promoting health, hygiene, and sports development among Nigeria’s youth. The jersey presentation ceremony will take place on Sat. Sept. 28 at the Kwara Football Academy. Additionally, Awoniyi will launch the “Wyscout Camera” initiative, aimed at showcasing the talents of Kwara Kiddies League players to a global audience. To further support the well-being of the young athletes, Awoniyi’s foundation will introduce a meal program, providing a nutritious meal to each player. It would be recalled that the striker signed a 3 year deal with the league organisers in June to help develop young aspiring footballers in Kwara to provide them the opportunity to achieve their dreams of playing professional football at the highest level.

Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania to host CHAN 2024

Our Reporters7 months ago7 months ago02 mins

The Confederation African Football (CAF) has confirmed that Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania as co-host Nations of the CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN). The Africa Nations Championship will be played between 01- 28 February 2025. The host stadiums and training venues will be confirmed in due course. The road to Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania will kick-off with the first round of Qualifiers on the weekend of 25-27 October 2024 and 01-013 November 2024. The Second Round of the Qualifiers will be played on 20-22 December and 27-27 December 2024. The qualification slots for the tournament have been allocated as follows: Zones WAFU A, WAFU B, UNAF, UNIFFAC, and COSAFA will each have three qualifying teams. The CECAFA zone, which includes the three host countries, will receive an additional slot due to their automatic qualification as hosts. As a result, the total number of teams qualifying for the final tournament will be increased to 19 teams. Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania will participate in the Qualifiers and in addition to their automatic qualification as hosts, the team achieving the best result in the CECAFA qualifiers will also advance to the final tournament.

Mbappe suffers thigh injury

Our Reporters7 months ago7 months ago01 mins

Real Madrid’s French superstar Kylian Mbappe has suffered from a thigh injury on Wednesday. “Following tests carried out today by Real Madrid’s Medical Services on our player Kylian Mbappe, he has been diagnosed with an injury to the biceps femoris in his left leg. His progress will be monitored,” the Spanish club’s statement read. France forward Mbappe, 25, who signed a five-year contract with Real Madrid in July, has scored seven goals in his nine appearances for the Whites. Mbappe left Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) after a seven-year stint. He has won six French Ligue 1 titles with PSG, and was the French champion with Monaco in 2017. Mbappe also helped France win the 2018 FIFA World Cup held in Russia. One of the best players in the world, Mbappe scored 256 goals in 308 matches for PSG to be the French club’s all-time top scorer.

Nwaneri: I’m buzzing at Arsenal after 16 years

Our Reporters7 months ago7 months ago03 mins

Nigeria-British-born Ethan Nwaneri was over the moon to have marked his first senior start with two goals in Wednesday’s 5-1 win over Bolton. The Hale End graduate netted brace to help send Arsenal through to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup. “I’m buzzing,” he said. “I’m so happy to have helped the team go through to the next round and just ready for whatever’s next.” Supporters at Emirates Stadium liked what they saw, so much so they began signing “Ethan Nwaneri, he’s one of our own.” “It’s a great feeling when the club you love, the club you’ve grown up with the fans are chanting that,” he said. “So yeah, it’s a good feeling. “It’s a surreal feeling. It’s a feeling I’ve wanted to feel for almost 16 years of my life so to actually feel it, it’s crazy… just want more of it. “All them players that I’ve played with since I’ve been like 9 and now we’re on the big pitch together, it’s a crazy feeling. You know, it’s good.” Nwaneri has been regularly involved with the first team in recent weeks, playing in the north London derby and travelling to the huge game against Manchester City. “It’s been tough,” he said. “It’s been intense, but I think it’s definitely helped me as a player, helped me to see what it’s like, how they prepare. I think I’ve added that to my game, so definitely it’s been good to be around them players. “100% I think there’s a perfect balance for when they’re on me and kind of telling me what to do, but definitely I think they definitely put an arm around me as well so I think it’s a good balance.”

Egbetokun praises NFF for dedication to football development

Our Reporters7 months ago7 months ago05 mins

The Inspector General of Police, Dr. Olukayode Egbetokun on Wednesday heaped praises on the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation for their palpable dedication and commitment to the cause of football development in Nigeria, insisting that football is a game that unites all Nigerians across all known physical, mental and economic boundaries. Speaking during a courtesy visit by a team of NFF chieftains led by the President, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, Egbetokun admitted that crime rate does decline around the country whenever any National Team or Club of choice of football adherents are on duty. “The Nigeria Police Force recognizes and appreciates the potential of football to work wonders for national unity, social cohesion and economic growth. In truth, football has the capacity to take criminals away from the streets. It is no gainsaying that we record lower incidences of crime when football teams are doing their business. “We promise to continue to support you to develop the game in our country to an excellent level, as we look forward to a more robust relationship with your organization.” Earlier, the NFF President commended the Inspector General for swiftness at all times in deploying officers, men and materials to venues of football matches in the country, from the low cadres of the league to international matches. “We are here because we appreciate the importance of security in all our activities, programmes and events. This is to physically express our deep appreciation for the job you have been doing in readily sending officers, men and materials to secure the venues of football matches in the country. Your officers and men have been doing excellent work for us. “Our country is one of football-passionate citizens. We also plead with the Inspector General to revive the Police Football Team that was very strong in those days, and also to consider giving a special quota to sportsmen and women who want to enlist in the Police Force.” Gusau thereafter informed the Inspector General that the world football-governing body will soon dispatch to its Member Associations a new template for securing football venues, and that the NFF will need to provide special training in that regard to officers and men of the Force who are dedicated to providing security at match venues. Present at the occasion were the top echelon of the Nigeria Police Force including four Deputy Inspectors-General, as well as NFF 1st Vice President Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu; NFF 2nd Vice President Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye; Chairman of Technical Committee, Alhaji Sharif Rabiu Inuwa; General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi; Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire; Director of Competitions, Ruth David; Head of Security, Barnabas Joro; AD Protocol, Emmanuel Ayanbunmi and; Abubakar Barde, special assistant to NFF President.

Biden to travel to Angola in October

Our Reporters7 months ago7 months ago03 mins

U.S. President Joe Biden will visit Africa next month, the White House announced Tuesday (Sep. 24), in his first trip to the continent while in office. He will first travel to Berlin. In the German capital, he will bolster alliances and voice his gratitude to Germany for supporting Ukraine’s defense against Russia, as well as other issues, the White House stated. He will then travel to Angola Oct. 13-15, where he will discuss firming up economic ties and boosting security, among other issues, with President Joao Lourenco. Biden is also to discuss a vision for a rail project that would start in Angola and link the Atlantic and Indian oceans. In a statement, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said, ‘The President’s visit to Luanda celebrates the evolution of the U.S.-Angola relationship, underscores the United States’ continued commitment to African partners, and demonstrates how collaborating to solve shared challenges delivers for the people of the United States and across the African continent.’ Biden had set his sights on visiting the country last year, but his plans were put on hold after the Israel-Hamas conflict erupted in October. He has vowed closer U.S. ties with democracies on the African continent, as China increases its influence in the region. Biden had promised during a summit of African leaders he hosted in Washington in late 2022 to visit Africa the following year. His visit was to be the capstone of an administration effort to shore up ties with the continent, partly to counter growing influence there from China, which the US perceives as a rival. However, 2023 passed without a visit from Biden. Several top US officials including Vice President Kamala Harris visited African nations, though, on behalf of the now outgoing president. Earlier Tuesday, the president declared that the U.S. is giving at least $500 million, along with 1 million mpox vaccines, to help African countries as they seek to quell the mpox outbreak. Tuesday also saw Biden make his final address to the UN General Assembly as president.

Tinubu set to reshuffle cabinet

Our Reporters7 months ago7 months ago01 mins

Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed readiness to reshuffle his cabinet. Bayo Onanuga, who is Senior Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy disclosed this to State House Correspondents on Wednesday. Onanuga stated that the move is aimed at ensuring improved governance for the citizenry. “Some of the Ministers are media shy and it appears the government is not doing anything while a lot have been achieved. So there is need to let Nigerians know what have been done in the last one year and few months. “I don’t know if the President is going to do it on October 1 or at any other time but I know he is ready to effect the changes,” Onanuga hinted.