2025 | Page 63 of 66 | Trendbrio.com

NFF to unveil Éric Chelle as Super Eagles’ Head Coach on Monday

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago03 mins

The Nigeria Football Federation will on Monday in the Federal Capital, Abuja present to the public the new Head Coach of the Super Eagles, Mr. Éric Sékou Chelle. The event has been scheduled for the Media Conference Room of the MKO Abiola National Stadium, by 11am. Chelle’s appointment was confirmed on Tuesday by the NFF Executive Committee, following a recommendation by the football ruling body’s Technical and Development Committee. The 47-year-old will mount one of the hottest seats in world football, but President of the NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, said on Sunday that the Franco-Malian embodies the fresh energy, new thinking and positive attitude with which the Federation desire the Super Eagles to confront their remaining six matches in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign. “We appreciate the fact that Nigerians are very passionate about the game of football, and that is the reason for the different tones of reactions following the appointment of Coach Chelle. However, the NFF hereby appeals to Nigerians to come together and support him, as we believe he has the qualities to achieve success with the Super Eagles. “The NFF will give him all the support that he needs to succeed in the job.” At Monday’s unveiling, the NFF will also disclose the names of Coach Chelle’s assistants, with the crew to shepherd the Super Eagles B at next month’s African Nations Championship in East Africa, before focusing squarely on the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, beginning with the matches against Rwanda (away) and Zimbabwe (home) in March. Chelle, who took Mali’s Aiglons within breathing distance of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals, left his job at top Algerian side MC Oran – 1989 African Champions’ Cup finalists – to team up with the Super Eagles.

David Moyes returns to Everton

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago05 mins

Everton have confirmed the return of David Moyes as head coach, with the Scot becoming Sean Dyche’s replacement at Goodison Park. Dyche was sacked by the Toffees just hours before the team’s FA Cup third-round contest against Peterborough United on Thursday night, but the team managed to record a 2-0 victory in order to progress to the next stage. There has been widespread speculation surrounding a possible return for Moyes in recent days, and the Scot’s switch back to the Merseyside giants has now been confirmed ahead of Everton’s next Premier League match against Aston Villa on January 15. Moyes was previously in charge of Everton between March 2002 and June 2013, and he has since managed Manchester United, Real Sociedad, Sunderland and West Ham United. The 61-year-old’s second spell at West Ham came to an end in May, but he is now back in the Premier League and will be aiming to guide Everton away from the Premier League relegation zone in the coming weeks. Moyes told Everton’s official website: “It’s great to be back! I enjoyed 11 wonderful and successful years at Everton and didn’t hesitate when I was offered the opportunity to rejoin this great club. “I’m excited to be working with The Friedkin Group and I am looking forward to helping them rebuild the club. “Now we need Goodison and all Evertonians to play their part in getting behind the players in this important season so we can move into our fabulous new stadium as a Premier League team.” Meanwhile, Everton’s executive chairman Marc Watts said: “We are pleased that David is joining us at this pivotal time in Everton’s history. With over a decade of experience at the club, he is the right leader to propel us through our final season at Goodison Park and into our new stadium. We look forward to working with David to build the foundation of a new era for Everton.” Moyes was previously Everton manager between March 2002 and June 2013, taking charge of 518 matches, boasting a record of 218 wins, 139 draws and 161 defeats, giving him a win percentage of 42.08. The Toffees made the 2009 FA Cup final under Moyes, while they also enjoyed four European campaigns, with their best Premier League season coming in 2004-05, when they finished fourth. Everton finished 11th in 2005-06, but they then claimed sixth, fifth, fifth, eighth, seventh, seventh and sixth during an impressive period; it has been a struggle for the Merseyside club in recent seasons, though, finishing 16th, 17th and 15th in their last three campaigns. Moyes is taking charge of a Toffees outfit that are currently 16th in the Premier League table, just one point above the relegation zone, having picked up only 17 points from their opening 19 matches of the campaign. The Toffees are without a victory in the Premier League since December 4, while they have only won one of their last 11 fixtures in the top flight of English football. Moyes’ first match in his second spell at the helm will come at home to Aston Villa on January 15, before welcoming Tottenham Hotspur to Goodison Park on January 19.

Liverpool joins race for Osimhen

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

Premier League league leaders Liverpool are reportedly the latest club linked with a move for Victor Osimhen. Prior to his move to Galatasaray on loan last summer, a number of clubs including Chelsea tried to complete a swoop but ultimately fell short. Before he joined the Super Lig side, Napoli had reduced his release clause to approximately £63million and a rare break clause had been created. From the Premier League clubs, it is likely Arsenal and Chelsea will have been included considering their positions in the top flight and the Blues’ previous interest. With the Reds still asessing their striker options, they could be guaranteed too. Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are also possibilities along with Manchester City. However, Pep Guardiola’s side already have Erling Haaland and Osimhen would only be keen to join a club where he would be the main man. Outside of England, La Liga giants Barcelona and Real Madrid are almost certain to be included in the list. Paris Saint-Germain could also be there considering they would be able to afford Osimhen’s wages following Kylian Mbappe’s summer exit.

EFCC arrests Four Chinese, 101 Others for suspected internet fraud in Abuja

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago01 mins

In its ongoing efforts to clean the nation of internet fraud and other acts of corruption, operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested four Chinese and 101 Nigerians in a business apartment in the Gudu axis of Abuja. They were arrested on Thursday, January 9, 2025. The suspects, comprising 67 males (including four Chinese) and 38 females were allegedly involved in a hotel review job scam targeting victims and hotels in Europe and other parts of the world. The suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigations.

AGF embarks on aggresive revenue drives to improve personnel cost funding

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

The Accountant General of the Federation Dr. Mrs Oluwatoyin Madein has expressed it’s willingness to tackle the shortfall of revenue confronting the nation ‘s economy by the introduction of Aggressive Revenue drives which has resulted in the improved funding of the personnel Cost , Overhead and Capital in 2024. Madein stated this while playing host with Federal House of Representatives Committee on Public Account in her office Abuja during their oversight visit to the Treasury House on 8th January 2024. She revealed that since her resumption in May 2023, the FGN Consolidated Financial Statement has been prepared and audited up to 31st December 2019, “In collaboration with the Auditor-General of the Federation, we have prepared and Audited 2020/ 2021 CFS while 2022 is ongoing.” “It would have been completed but for problems we have regarding the reconciliation of Bank Statement for the Consolidated Revenue Fund with the Central Bank of Nigeria,” she added. The AGF revealed that OAGF has proposed some enhancements to GIFMIS and IPPIS that will be more robust with the support and cooperation of National Assembly. In his response, the House Committee Chairman on Public Accounts Hon. Bamidele Salam has urged the AGF to submit the 2022 Consolidated Financial Statement of the Federation as provided in the 1999 Constitution. Salam stated that from the submission of Accountant General of the Federation on the low revenue remittance by many Government-Owned Enterprises suggested that there was a need to stricker measures to block revenue leakages through automation of processes and regular audit.

Everton sacks manager Sean Dyche

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago04 mins

Premier League strugglers Everton sacked manager Sean Dyche on Thursday, just hours before their FA Cup third-round tie against Peterborough. Speculation about Dyche’s future had intensified with reports suggesting Everton’s new owners, the US-based Friedkin Group, were talking to potential successors since completing a £400 million ($492 million) takeover last month. Everton said in a statement Dyche had been “relieved of his duties as senior men’s first-team manager with immediate effect” after two years in charge, with the process to appoint a new boss under way. The Toffees are once again battling to avoid relegation from the Premier League after winning just one of their past 11 games, with that sole success coming against fellow drop candidates Wolves in December. Everton Under-18s head coach Leighton Baines and club captain Seamus Coleman will take charge against third-tier Peterborough on an interim basis while the Liverpool side seek a permanent replacement for Dyche. Former Manchester United and Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, currently in charge of Turkish club Fenerbahce, has recently been linked with Everton. Mourinho has experience of working with the Friedkin Group at Roma, although the Italian club sacked him just under a year ago. David Moyes, who managed Everton between 2002 and 2013, ex-England coach Gareth Southgate, Brentford boss Thomas Frank and Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola are also among the reported contenders to succeed Dyche. Everton have won only three times in 19 league matches this season and are languishing in 16th place, with only one point separating them from the relegation zone. Asked earlier this week if the club were considering his position, Dyche’s answer suggested he knew the sack could be looming. “To be clear, it should be,” the former Burnley boss said. “At the end of the day, if you’re a business of this size, succession planning should surely be part of their diligence. I’ve got no problem with that at all. “I think the noise has grown very powerful here. It does. But we’ve had it before. “The players haven’t lacked effort but it’s obviously affecting them because you can see it in their performances.” Dyche took charge at Everton in January 2023 and kept them in the top-flight despite numerous issues, including last season’s points deduction for breaching Premier League rules on profit and sustainability. They finished 17th in Dyche’s first season, avoiding the drop with a victory against Bournemouth on the last day, and came 15th last term, extending their streak of being ever-present in English football’s top-flight since 1954. But chief among Everton’s problems under the 53-year-old Englishman were a lack of entertainment and a paucity of goals. Everton’s tally of just 15 this season is the second worst in the Premier League, behind only bottom of the table Southampton’s 12.

Gov. Sanwo-Olu signs N3.366trn budget into law

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago09 mins

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday signed the 2025 Appropriation Bill tagged “Budget of Sustainability.” Sanwo-Olu signed the budget, which is N3.366 trillion, at the Lagos House, Ikeja, during a ceremony attended by his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hazmat; Secretary to the Lagos State Government (SSG), Barr (Mrs.) Bimbola Salu-Hudeyin; members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, led by the Chairman of the Joint Committee on Appropriation and Finance, Hon. Sa’ad Olumoh; and members of the State Executive Council, among others. Speaking after signing of the 2025 Appropriation Bill, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the budget was structured around five key pillars, which are Infrastructure Sustainability; Economic Diversification; Social Inclusion and Human Capital Development; Environmental Sustainability; and Governance and Institutional Reforms. The Governor urged Lagos residents to join hands with his administration as it deploys resources in line with the provisions of the budget. He said, “It is with a deep sense of responsibility that I perform this task of signing the budget into law. This is the second of four budgets that I will have the honour of assenting to during my second term, and it represents another opportunity to advance our vision of a Greater Lagos for the benefit of all Lagosians and Nigeria at large. “As I noted during my budget presentation speech in November 2025, the Lagos State Budget is structured around five pillars: Infrastructure Sustainability; Economic Diversification; Social Inclusion and Human Capital Development; Environmental Sustainability; and Governance and Institutional Reforms. These five pillars fully capture our determination to build on the gains of the past and scale up impact for the future. “I would like to call for continued collaboration between the Executive, who will implement the budget, and the Legislature, who will provide the much-needed monitoring and oversight and ensure that we achieve the greatest good for the greatest number of our people with the limited resources available to us. “On our part as the Lagos State Government, we will also live up to the responsibility of delivering governance that is respectful of and responsive to the people at all times. I am charging the civil service and all other concerned stakeholders to once again deliver an impressive level of budget implementation in 2025.” Sanwo-Olu commended the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, the state lawmakers, unseen heroes, and everybody who participated from the preparation of the budget to the presentation, the passage, and the signing of the Appropriation Bill. Also speaking, the Chairman of the House of Assembly Joint Committee on Appropriation and Finance, Hon. Sa’ad Olumoh, said the budget will focus on the development of Lagos State. He said, “I want to say categorically that the THEMES agenda in the first term of Mr. Governor and the THEMES+ agenda have been meticulously packaged, and Lagosians have been benefitting from the agenda of Mr. Governor. “We can see that Lagos is the first in almost everything that is done in this country. For the first term, our internal revenue service has crossed the N1 trillion mark in terms of IGR. That tells the dedication and purposefulness in your (Governor Sanwo-Olu) leadership, and I want to celebrate you. “I want to also celebrate your excellent relationship with the House of Assembly. The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, has always been in the forefront of ensuring that whatever Mr. Governor wants the House to do, it is done, and we will continue to do that to ensure that Lagos moves forward. “This budget was meticulously looked through during the budget defence period. Everything we did, we did it together to ensure that we got to where we are. We have carefully looked into the Electricity Bill. We have looked into the issue of variation, and we have looked into so many things that are dear to the government. We celebrate you and appreciate what you have done in terms of road infrastructure, and we want to pray that you continue in this light.” Speaking earlier, the Lagos State Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Ope George, said the budget is not only the largest in history but also positions Lagos as the first sub-national government in Nigeria to pass a budget of the magnitude. George said the 2025 budget reflects the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration unwavering commitment to economic growth, infrastructural development, and the welfare of all Lagosians. He said: “This historic budget underscores our commitment to prioritising infrastructure with 62 percent allocated to capital expenditure and 38 percent to recurrent spending. This allocation represents our focus on driving long-term investments while maintaining efficient delivery of essential services. “Our revenue framework, which projects N2.342 trillion from total Internally Generated Revenue and N626.137 billion from federal transfers, is anchored on innovation, accountability, and fiscal sustainability. A deficit financing of N398.662 billion has also been carefully structured to ensure financial prudence.” It would be recalled that the Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday approved a budget of N3.366 trillion for the 2025 fiscal year, injecting an additional N360.88 billion into Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s initial proposal of N3.005 trillion. The budget allocates N1.3 trillion for recurrent expenditure and N2.07 trillion for capital projects, with the financial year ending on 31st December 2025.

5-time Olympian Bose Kaffo drives talents hunt in Lagos

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago05 mins

With music flowing out of the big speakers mounted at strategic corners on the dusty Irede street in Okerube-Abaranje around Ikotun in downtown Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State, participants who were thrilled at the maiden Sports Fiesta organised by Bose Kaffo Innovations have appealed for more in the New Year. Children, right from age eight moved joyfully to the rhythm as they engaged one another in table tennis, basketball and snooker despite the heat from searing sun. Participants from the street and it’s adjoining areas as well as passerbys jumped on the opportunity at participating in different sports at no fee. While some adults including women tried to roll back the years with some nostalgic strokes on the boards, the children found their levels on the mini-table tennis setups provided by the High Performance expert. Wheelchair basketballers aslo got on the act with a demonstration game. It was the first of experience for many who were awed by the presence of the 5-time Olympics legend who brought sports with entertainment right to their doorsteps. Sports Fiesta appeared to have hit the soft spot of an area where constant hustling on the streets and the rat-race for daily needs have deprived the residents of the awareness about their innate talents. Birthing a sports fiesta in this locality known for other different activities was according to some observers was like making an oasis in the desert. For Bose Kaffo who became the first woman on the continent to participate in five Olympics, watching the raw joy and excitement on their faces described the atmosphere as soul-satisfying. On the sideline, adults were given medical support by Zeniva Pharmacy who checked their sugar level and also provided antimalarial drugs. As time winds down and the volunteers signalled for all activities to end, most of the participants wore long faces as they stopped reluctantly while appealling for more. The hunger has been ignited as it was indeed an eye-opening event. “I enjoyed the Sports Festival and it was very amazing!” Said Farouk a teenager. “I have not seen something like this before.This is my first time of seeing something like this right on our street. I’m very happy and excited. This is going to help me to be a sportsman and I thank the sponsor of Sports Fiesta.” The Amazon has been so resolute with her mission at sparking a change of awareness right at the lowest rung of the country’s pool of talents. According to the Sports Ethics and Integrity expert, her plan, barring any financial limitations is to expand the impactful outdoor programme to different areas of the state where it’s teeming young and restless populace in the suburbs yearn for sporting platforms to display their hidden talents. “This is fulfilling! Can you see how excited they are? This my dream has been in the works for some years now and I’m glad that it’s eliciting this reaction from them. They’ve played table tennis, basketball and snooker. You know, this is how you activate interest among the young ones who could be superstars in the nearest future. With more support we hope to do more,” she stated.