Nigeria Archives | Page 15 of 30

Cricket W/Cup: Nigeria set for India training tour

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago03 mins

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has approved training tour of India for the Nigeria U19 Women’s Cricket Team in preparation for their debut appearance at the ICC U19 Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup slated to take place in Malaysia from January 18, 2025. NSC Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, made the announcement during a briefing highlighting the Commission’s commitment to supporting the team. Discussions during the meeting centered on the logistics, technical, and financial assistance being provided by the NSC in collaboration with the Nigeria Cricket Federation. Hon. Olopade emphasized the importance of this historic participation, praising the federation’s leadership under Uyi Akpata for their efforts in promoting cricket in Nigeria. He further expressed the alignment of this initiative with the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria’s Sports Economy (RHINSE), which aims to empower youth, particularly young girls, through sports. This milestone signified the growth of cricket in Nigeria and underscores the nation’s readiness to compete on a global stage. Hon. Olopade stressed the need for both media and public support to inspire the team as they represent the country. The training tour in India, followed by the World Cup in Malaysia, will provide the young athletes with exposure and experience crucial to their development. The NSC’s approval of the tour not only reflects the Commission’s dedication to sports development but also serves as a reminder of the unifying power of sports. As one of four debutant nations, alongside Samoa, Nepal, and host Malaysia, Nigeria’s participation marks a new chapter in the country’s cricket journey.

Cybercrime: Nigeria Police recover N8bn

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago04 mins

In the relentless efforts of the Nigeria Police Force to tackle every form of crime in all spheres, the Force has recorded an outstanding achievement for the year 2024 in retrospect, particularly in the area of combatting cybercrime. In the year 2024, the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Center (NPF-NCCC) successfully recovered a staggering N8,821,001,881.80 (Eight Billion, Eight Hundred and Twenty-One Million, One Thousand, Eight Hundred and Eighty-One Naira, Eighty Kobo), 115,237.91 USDT, and $84,000 (Eighty-Four Thousand Dollars). These significant amounts have been restituted to the victims of cybercrime, reaffirming the commitment of the Force to protecting citizens and ensuring justice for those affected by fraudulent activities. Similarly, in the past year, the Cybercrime Unit has actively engaged in strategic operations, resulting in the arrests and prosecutions of over 751 individuals involved in cybercrime. The unit has successfully recovered a total of 685 devices that were used in these nefarious activities, which include 467 mobile phones, 137 laptops and computers, 46 routers, 4 servers, 1 drone, and 4 Starlink devices. Additionally, the operations led to the confiscation of 16 houses, 39 plots of land, 14 land documents, and 26 vehicles, further dismantling the infrastructure supporting cybercriminal activities. In recognition of its outstanding performance and dedication, the NPF-NCCC has been awarded the title of the Best Cybercrime Unit in Africa for 2024 by the INTERPOL Cybercrime Directorate based in Singapore, securing the top position among 54 participating African countries. These achievements reflects the dedication of the Nigeria Police Force to fighting cybercrime and enhancing the safety of citizens in the digital space. In furtherance to efforts towards keeping the cyberspace safe, operatives of the NPF-NCCC have apprehended 4 suspects identified as Douglass Victor ‘m’, Egbo Efe Martins ‘m’, Lucky Adesunloye ‘m’, and Ndifreke Joseph Moody ‘m’, for various cyber-related offences. The Nigeria Police remains committed towards combating cyber threats, staying steps ahead of cybercriminals, thereby enhancing the nation’s overall cybersecurity framework and protecting the welfare of its citizens in the digital era. Citizens are advised to remain vigilant and exercise caution when sharing sensitive data or interacting with unfamiliar online entities, cultivating a culture of cyber awareness and promoting responsible online behavior are essential components in fortifying the defenses against cyber threats.

CHAN 2024: Home-Eagles to know foes January 15

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

Super Eagles team B will know their Group opponents on Wednesday, 15 January as the Draw for the CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 will be conducted at Kenyatta International Conventional Centre in Nairobi, Kenya at 20h00 local time (17h00 GMT / 19h00 Cairo time). The much-anticipated tournament is uniquely reserved for African footballers plying their trade in their domestic leagues and will be co-hosted Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania between 1-28 February, 2025. The CAF African Nations Championship will take place from 1-28 February, 2025 in the three countries: Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. The tournament will be graced by several of African football’s powerhouse nations, including reigning champions Senegal, who edged 2022 hosts Algeria in the final in Algiers three years ago to lift the title for the first time. As in previous editions, the CHAN 2024 promises to be a unique showcase of African football and a stepping stone for emerging talent to shine, such as Lamine Camara (21), who has since become a global star and was recently voted Young Player of the Year at the 2024 CAF Awards.

CHAN’s Champions to pocket $3.5m

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago03 mins

The Confederation African of Football (CAF) announced today that the Prize Money of the Winner of the CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda 2024 has been increased by 75% and the Winner will now receive USD 3.5 million. CAF also announced that the total Prize Money of the CHAN Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda 2024 has been increased to USD 10.4 million which is an increase of 32%. The President of CAF Dr Patrice Motsepe said: “We are excited about the upcoming TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda 2024 and have significantly increased the Prize Money of the Winner to USD 3.5 million which is an increase of 75%. We have also increased the total Prize Money of the CHAN Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda 2024 to USD 10.4 million which is a 32 % increase. “The CHAN is an important Competition for the development and growth of Africa-based football players and talented young players and will contribute significantly to the global competitiveness of African football and CAF Competitions. “This Competition is part of our strategy of investing in African football and making it appealing and attractive to football fans, TV viewers, sponsors, partners and other stakeholders in Africa and worldwide.” The CHAN Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda 2024 will start on Saturday 1 February 2025 and the final will take place on Friday 28 February 2025. The following 17 countries have already qualified for the CHAN Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda 2024: Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Morocco, Guinea, Senegal, Mauritania, Niger, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo, Sudan, Zambia, Angola and Madagascar. Two additional countries will also participate in the CHAN Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda 2024 after qualifying from the remaining matches.

Sports

NFF appoints Éric Chelle as Super Eagles’ head coach

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

The Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation has endorsed the recommendation of its Technical and Development Sub-Committee for the appointment of Mr. Éric Sékou Chelle as Head Coach of Nigeria’s senior men national football team, Super Eagles. At its meeting held in Abuja on Thursday, 2nd January 2025, the NFF Technical and Development Sub-Committee had recommended the appointment of former Coach of the senior men national team of Mali as the new Head Coach of the Super Eagles. This recommendation was on Tuesday, 7th January endorsed by the NFF Executive Committee. Chelle, who won five caps for the Aiglons of Mali and coached clubs such as GS Consolat, FC Martigues, Boulogne and MC Oran, has been Head Coach of the Aiglons since 2022. At the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Cote d’Ivoire, Chelle’s Mali came very close to a place in the semi-finals, losing to hosts and eventual winners Cote d’Ivoire 2-1 after extra time, after leading by a lone goal until the final minute of regulation time. The 47-year-old featured for Martigues, Valenciennes, Lens, Istres and Chamois Niortais in France during his playing career. His appointment is with immediate effect, and he has the responsibility of guiding the Super Eagles to earn a ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals, with the next round of matches (Matchdays 5 & 6) taking place in March.

CHAN: Ogunmodede invites 26 players as Eagles commence camping in Ikenne-Remo

Our Reporters4 months ago4 months ago03 mins

Stand-in Head Coach, Daniel Ogunmodede has called up captain Nduka Harrison Junior, goalkeeper Henry Ozoemena, defenders Sadiq Ismail and Ifeanyi Onyebuchi, midfielder Saviour Isaac, and forward Sikiru Alimi among a list of 26 players to begin closed-camping exercise at the Remo Stars Sports Institute, Ikenne-Remo on Monday, 6th January ahead of the 8th African Nations Championship finals. Goalkeeper Kayode Bankole, defenders Imo Obot and Stephen Manyo, midfielders Musa Zayyad, Rabiu Ali and Papa Daniel Mustapha, and forwards Adamu Abubakar and Emmanuel Ogbole have also been invited. The Super Eagles B, for the first time ever in the qualification series, bumped Ghana’s Black Galaxies to reach the final tournament, after a 3-1 win in Uyo last week that followed a scoreless first leg in Accra six days earlier. Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda, who have been selected to jointly host the 36th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations in 2027, have been handed the opportunity to test-run their facilities and operational efficiency with the African Nations Championship finals, scheduled for 1st – 28thFebruary. The 8th African Nations Championship will feature 18 countries, viz joint-hosts Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda, Nigeria, Morocco, Guinea, Senegal, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Niger Republic, Congo, Sudan, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Angola and Madagascar. 26 EAGLES FOR CAMPING IN IKENNE-REMO Goalkeepers: Henry Ozoemena (Enyimba FC); Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars); Badmus Gbadamosi (Kwara United) Defenders: Sadiq Ismail (Remo Stars); Waliu Ojetoye (Ikorodu City); Imo Obot (Enyimba FC); Taiwo Abdulrafiu (Rivers United); Nduka Harrison Junior (Remo Stars); Victor Collins (Nasarawa United); Ifeanyi Onyebuchi (Rangers International); Steven Manyo (Rivers United); Abiam Nelson (Kano Pillars); Afeez Bankole (Smart FC) Midfielders: Jide Fatokun (Remo Stars); Rabiu Ali (Kano Pillars); Saviour Isaac (Rangers International); Musa Zayyad (El-Kanemi Warriors); Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes); Kazeem Ogunleye (Rangers International) Forwards: Anas Yusuf (Nasarawa United); Emmanuel Ogbole (Kwara United); Adamu Abubakar (Plateau United)); Sikiru Alimi (Remo Stars); Temitope Vincent (Plateau United); Samuel Ayanrinde (3SC); Sunday Megwo (Abia Warriors)

Hoffenheim agrees Gift Orban deal

Our Reporters4 months ago4 months ago02 mins

Hoffenheim has agreed a deal with Olympique Lyonais to sign Gift Orban. The club were handed a provisional relegation to Ligue 2 by the DNCG in November and in order to avoid that fate, they must sell players before the end of the campaign. Orban is one of the players earmarked for a departure and there is interest in the striker. The Nigerian has been on the periphery at Lyon ever since his arrival last January for a fee of €14m. L’Équipe rpeorted earlier this week that Hoffenheim had submitted a bid of €10m, which was close to OL’s €12m valuation of the player. An agreement has now been reached. Personal details must now be agreed for the Nigerian to complete the move to the Bundesliga. RC Lens and Galatasaray had both been strongly linked with a move for Orban, however, it appears that the striker is now Germany bound.

Anthony Joshua presents autographed glove to Tinubu

Our Reporters4 months ago4 months ago01 mins

Two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua on Wednesday paid a courtesy visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at his residence in Lagos. The British-born Nigerian pugilist, who had on Monday visited the Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun, this time took an autographed glove to Mr. President. “I just had the honour of hosting our very own Anthony Joshua, a true champion and worthy ambassador of Nigeria. “Anthony Joshua’s dedication and achievements continue to inspire millions daily. Thank you for the autographed glove—it is a symbol of perseverance and excellence. A symbol of what Nigerians are known for. “We are Nigeria. Proudly Nigerian,” the President wrote on his X handle.