Chidinma Adetshina crowned first runner-up at Miss Universe 2024

Nigeria’s representative at the 73rd Miss Universe Pageant, Chidinma Onwe Adetshina, placed first runner-up, while Miss Denmark, Victoria Kjr Theilvig, won the title. Chidinma battled Victoria in the last seconds of the competition, which took place early on Sunday morning at the Arena CDMX in Mexico City, Mexico, but she ended up placing second. The contest which honoured the skills, knowledge, and grace of women from all around the world was hailed by close watchers as one of the most exciting in recent memory. 126 women representing nations throughout the world competed fiercely in this year’s 73rd Miss Universe pageant, which included 18 contestants from African countries like Nigeria, Angola, and Egypt. During the contest, Chidinma started in the top 30 finalists and reached the top five, eventually finishing in the top two with Victoria Theilvig. Before the winner was revealed, the last two competitors had to endure a final parade and two rounds of questions in the final stages. Third, fourth, and fifth place went to Mexico, Thailand, and Venezuela respectively. In addition to wearing the coveted crown, Theilvig will travel to 30 countries as the 2024 Miss Universe. A year’s worth of jewelry and cosmetics will also be given to her, and for the first time in Miss Universe history, the winner will host a travel show.

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Atalanta wants €50m for Ademola Lookman

Atalanta value their star striker Ademola Lookman at €50m, according to Il Corriere dello Sport. The Nigeria international has had a stunning start to the season with eight goals and five assists in 14 appearances across all competitions with Atalanta. He was approached by Ligue 1 giants PSG over the summer, but Atalanta eventually persuaded him to remain at the club. The striker’s contract at the Gewiss Stadium expires in June 2026, but the Serie A side have an option to extend it for a further campaign, raising his salary to €2m per season. Friday’s printed edition of Corriere dello Sport reported that any interested club will be required to pay at least €50m for the 27-year-old striker who moved to Bergamo from RB Leipzig for just €9.3m in the summer of 2022. Atalanta is healthy financially, so the club is unwilling to sell Lookman in the January transfer window but may listen to offers in the summer. Lookman inspired Atalanta’s Europa League victory last season with a hat-trick in the final against Bayer Leverkusen and finished 14th in the 2024 Ballon d’Or ranking.

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Nigeria to strenghten defence ties with Germany

The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Defence Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana has said that with the new circle of projects by the German Technical Advisory Group (GTAG), the Defence relationship between Nigeria and Germany will be strengthened. The Permanent Secretary stated this when he met with a high-level delegation from the German Technological Advisory Group, led by Mr. Marcus Ohm in Ship House, Abuja. He said: “ I am happy for accepting the new project circle and I promise we are going to sustain it.” Dr. Kana highlighted Nigeria government’s efforts since the last time the group visited the project. He said Nigeria government has developed a framework and the Defence Headquarters has been mandated to bring up projects within the framework for proper coordination, planning and execution. He emphasized the importance of modernizing the Nigerian Armed Forces through, enhanced security intelligence sharing, equipment upgrades and capacity building as well as the need for Nigerian personnel involvement in the project planning and execution for the purpose of sustainability. Mr. Ohm expressed satisfaction with Nigeria’s progress, stating: “The project is going in the right direction.” He therefore pledged Germany’s commitment to delivering successful projects. The meeting highlighted the mutual benefits of cooperation, with both nations committed to transparency, dedication and enhanced collaboration.

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Olopade ‘ll revamp Nigeria’s sports sector -OGD

Former Ogun State Governor, Senator Gbenga Daniel has expresssed believe in the newly appointed Director General of National Sports Commission (NSC), Mr. Bukola Olopade to restore the country’s lost glory in sports. Senator Daniel, who Olopade served as the Commissioner for Sports his eight-year term as Ogun State Governor, took to his official X handle to attest to the capability of later on Friday. “One of the highlights of my administration was our conscious efforts in ensuring that sports and youth development receive the utmost attention. “This was evident in the landmark Gateway Games, Gateway Tertiary Institution Games (GATIG), the hosting of the FIFA Junior World Cup and many more. “All these were possible through concerted efforts and initiatives of which Chief Bukola Olopade as the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development played a great part. “It is therefore with great delight that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has decided to appoint him as the Director General of the National Sports Commission. “I am confident that he will right all the wrongs in our nation’s sports affairs and provide the needed leadership for Nigerians to compete in all competitions delightedly, bringing pride and victory to us all,” the former Governor now Senator assured. Olopade who is the brain behind the highly successful Access Bank sponsored Lagos City Marathon, becomes the second official of the recently revived NSC. He’s currently the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee of the next National Sports Festival to be hosted by his home state . Olopade’s appointment is one of those announced on Thursday by the Presidency in a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.

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Pensioners demand payment of accrued rights

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.

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Emefiele’s CBN new Naira notes different from President’s approval, Witness tells Court

The trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Governor Godwin Emefiele continued on Thursday, November 14, 2024, at the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court in Maitama, with a  fifth prosecution witness, Kingsley Obiora, former CBN Deputy Governor in charge of policy, disclosing that the new naira notes printed and released into circulation under Emefiele’s leadership did not match the President’s approval.

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AFCONQ: Osimhen, Lookman lead Eagles assaults against Benin Rep

Reigning African Footballer of the Year, Victor Osimhen and Ballon d’Or nominee Ademola Lookman will lead Super Eagles attack in a potentially-explosive Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against neighbours Benin Republic later this evening. Both players are expected to replicate their top form in Europe this season when they file out against the Beninoise at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Cote d’Ivoire. Stanley Nwabali kept his place in goal and will be provided cover by Calvin Bassey, newly invitee Gabriel Osho, William Troost-Ekong and OlaOluwa Aina. Wilfred Ndidi will be joined in the midfield by Bruno Onyemaechi, Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho. The substitutes are; Maduka Okoye, Amas Obasogie, Victor Boniface, Moses Simon, Fisayo Dele-Bashirun, Raphael Onyedika, Victor Collins, Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi, Umar Sadiq, Samuel Chukwueze, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Frank Onyeka. Nigeria will qualify for the 35th Africa Cup of Nations final tournament if they overcome the Cheetahs of Benin Republic. Victory will render Monday’s concluding qualifier against Rwanda, at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, an academic session. The tie is slated to kick off by 8pm Nigeria time.

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