Dominican Republic 2024: Sanusi salutes Flamingos

The General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, warmly welcomed the U17 Women’s National Team, the Flamingos, back to Nigeria after their quarter-final exit in the 2024 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic. Despite their 0-2 loss to the United States, Sanusi commended the team for their determination and resilience, emphasizing the need to support and encourage the players. “The NFF is proud of the Flamingos and their performance in this tournament,” Sanusi stated. “They fought hard, and though they couldn’t replicate their win over the USA from two years ago, they showed remarkable effort.” Reflecting on the Flamingos’ impressive group-stage performance—where they topped their group with nine points, nine goals scored, and only one conceded—Sanusi highlighted the team’s talent and potential. “These players have the skill, temperament, and discipline to advance to the U20 squad, and we must continue to support them.” The Flamingos returned to Nigeria on Tuesday after a tournament that saw them defeat New Zealand 4-1, Ecuador 4-0, and host nation Dominican Republic 1-0 to advance to the knockout stages. Head Coach Bankole Olowookere expressed pride in his players, noting that while the match against the USA didn’t go their way, the team created several opportunities. “We’ll start working immediately to build an even stronger squad for next year, as the tournament will now be held annually,” he said. The 2024 World Cup in the Dominican Republic is the last biennial edition, with Morocco set to host the first of the annual tournaments starting next year.

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Ikwechegh: National Assembly reacts to alleged assault on Cab driver 

The House of Representatives has condemn in its entirety an alleged assault on Cab driver by one of its members, Rep. Alex Ikwechegh (APGA, Abia).  The House, in a statement signed by  its Spokesman, Rep. Akin Rotimi, Jr. on Monday, assured to do due diligence on the matter.  The statement reads; “The House of Representatives is monitoring media reports concerning an alleged incident involving Rep. Alex Ikwechegh (APGA, Abia). “These reports, which have garnered widespread media coverage and public attention, detail accusations of a physical confrontation with an e-hailing driver, Citizen Stephen Abuwatseya, and the use of threatening language. “The 10th Assembly, House of Representatives, takes these allegations very seriously. As elected officials, we hold ourselves to the highest standards of ethical conduct and accountability in our official engagements and privately. “Any behaviour that falls short of these standards is a matter of concern, and we are committed to addressing such issues with the utmost seriousness. “We are aware that the matter is now before the Nigeria Police, and we urge the public to allow the due process of investigation to unfold. “We welcome further engagement from the public on the subject, which can be shared via email at akintunde.rotimi@nass.gov.ng, akinrotimi@gmail.com, even as we continue to monitor the situation. “We remain dedicated to upholding the values of accountability, transparency, and ethical behavior that define the 10th Assembly, House of Representatives. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.“

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Nigeria thump Niger Republic, qualify for 2025 Africa U20 Cup of Nations

Cup holders Nigeria reached the final of the 2024 WAFU B U20 Championship in style on Sunday, after a come-from-behind 3-1 thumping of Niger Republic’s Junior Mena in Lome, in the process earning a ticket to next year’s Africa U20 Cup of Nations. The neighbours to the north went in front after only nine minutes of the second semi-final at the Stade Kegue, but just as they did against Cote d’Ivoire on Thursday, the seven-time African champions were unruffled. Instead, they found a better shape and dominated afterwards, scoring three marvelous goals that took them to the Final, where they clash with West African arch rivals Ghana, who had earlier seen off Cote d’Ivoire 2-1. Against the run of play, the Junior Mena came close to doubling their advantage in the 33rdminute, but Nigeria survived and shortly after, found the equalizer that their endeavour merited.  Clinton Jephta finished with aplomb from outside the box to put Flying Eagles on level terms in the 35th minute, after an eye-catching interchange of passes among Kparobo Arierhi, Abba Maigari and Nasiru Salihu. Jephta was on song again 13 minutes after the restart, putting Nigeria ahead for the first time in the match, and goalkeeper Ifeanyi Harcourt deserves praise for his excellent saves that maintained Nigeria’s advantage. The Flying Eagles netted the third in added time, through Olalekan Alonge. President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, said: “I commend the fighting spirit of the Flying Eagles in reaching the final of the WAFU B U20 Championship and in the process, winning a slot at the 2025 Africa U20 Cup of Nations. I watched their first match against Burkina Faso (which they lost 0-1) but the team has continued to improve with every match since then. “The NFF is delighted with their performance. We believe they have what it takes to go all the way and successfully defend their title against the Ghanaians in Wednesday’s Final.”

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Intl. Friendly: Falcons, Green Ladies’ clash in Lagos on Tuesday

Tuesday’s international friendly between the Super Falcons and Algeria’s Green Ladies at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos will now commence at 2pm, as against the earlier-advertised 4pm. The Nigeria Football Federation explained on Sunday that the Algerian delegation has opted to commence their return journey on Tuesday night.  “This has necessitated us moving the match forward in order to finish the encounter early for them to prepare for their movement to the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos for their return trip aboard Qatar Airways,” NFF’s Head of International Competitions, Dayo Enebi Achor, said. The two international friendlies were put together by the Nigeria Football Federation to help the rebuilding process of the Super Falcons, following a below-par performance at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in France this summer, and the departure of American gaffer Randy Waldrum. Two magnificent goals by Captain Rasheedat Ajibade earned the Falcons a 2-0 win over the Algerians on Saturday. A good number of home-based professionals, including former U17 stars Miracle Usani, Chioma Olise and Goodness Osigwe showed great promise in an entertaining encounter at the Remo Stars Training Complex in Ikenne-Remo. Farid Benstiti, Coach of the Green Ladies, told thenff.com that his youthful team will prove a handful for the Falcons on Tuesday, having learnt a couple of things during the game in Ikenne-Remo. “We will be much better on Tuesday. My girls have seen and learnt a few lessons today. We will take those lessons on board and dig our feet into the ground against the Falcons on Tuesday.”

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CHAN 2025: Eguavoen invites Sadiq, Rabiu, Ogunleye, 32 others for Ghana

Head Coach Augustine Eguavoen has called to camp Remo Stars’ wing-back Ismail Sadiq, Kano Pillars’ forward Zikifilu Rabiu and Enugu Rangers’ attacking midfielder Kazeem Ogunleye among a list of 35 players of Super Eagles B for the 2025 African Nations Championship qualifying fixture against Ghana. The first leg of the fixture, which is a reminder of the qualification series for the last edition of the competition, which Ghana edged on penalty shootout, is billed for the weekend of 20th – 22nd December, with the return leg a week later. The winner over two legs will earn a slot at the 8th edition of the competition exclusively reserved for footballers plying their trade in their country’s domestic League. The finals will take place across Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, 1st – 28th February 2025. Akwa United’s Wisdom Ndom, Enugu Rangers’ Saviour Isaac, Anas Yusuf of Nasarawa United and El-Kanemi Warriors’ Abba Maigari are also invited to the camp that will open in Abuja on Tuesday, 29th October. ALL THE INVITED PLAYERS: Goalkeepers: Ohisodumeya Osagie (Rivers United); Henry Ozomena (Enyimba FC); Mohammed Galadima (Nasarawa United) Defenders: Wisdom Ndom (Akwa United); Stephen Mayo (Rivers United); Ifeanyi Onyebuchi (Enugu Rangers); Ismail Sadiq (Remo Stars); Yusuf Isa (Bayelsa United); Abba Maigari (El-Kanemi Warriors); Taiwo Abdulrafiu (Rivers United); Kabiru Mohammed (Kwara United); Junior Nduka (Remo Stars); Victor Collins (Nasarawa United); Abbas Usman (El-Kanemi Warriors);  Midfielders: Innocent Godwin (Abia Warriors); Jide Fatokun (Remo Stars); Musa Zayad (El-Kanemi Warriors); Saviour Isaac (Enugu Rangers); Eze Ekwutoziam (Enyimba FC); Aimufua Aisosa (Kwara United); Tochukwu Michael (Remo Stars); Ifeanyi Assurance (Lobi Stars); Kazeem Ogunleye (Enugu Rangers); Seth Mayi (Sunshine Stars); Stanley Oganbor (Lobi Stars); Meyiwa Oritseweyimi (Bendel Insurance); Toyeeb Gidado (Ikorodu City) Forwards: Samuel Ayorinde (Shooting Stars); Anas Yusuf (Nasarawa United); Abdul Sanusi (El-Kanemi Warriors); Sikiru Alimi (Remo Stars); Abubakar Adamu (Plateau United); Rabiu Zikifilu (Kano Pillars); Temitope Vincent (Plateau United); Michael Enaruma (Bendel Insurance)

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Nigeria pushes for solutions to climate change at CHOGM 2024

Nigeria has called for urgent and aggressive measures to combat the catastrophic impact of climate change, emphasizing that it is a global crisis that demands immediate action. It also restated its support for the preservation of democracy, the protection of civil rights across the Commonwealth, as well as ongoing reforms in the organisation, focusing more on results-oriented value creation. These, among others, were Nigeria’s priorities at the just-concluded Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) held in Apia, the capital of the Independent State of Samoa, between October 21 and 26. The Nigerian delegation to the meeting was led by the Minister of Environment, Alhaji Balarabe Lawal, after technical flight issues prevented Vice President Kashim Shettima from representing his boss, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, at the summit. Meanwhile, a New Secretary General of the Commonwealth has emerged. She is Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, currently Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration. Nigeria and other nations voted for her during the meeting of the Commonwealth leaders on Saturday. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has already congratulated Ghana and the new Secretary General. Speaking shortly after a visit to the Moataa village, a community in Apia decorated with Nigerian colours and flags, Lawal, who was immediately delegated by the President to stand in for VP Shettima, told world leaders at CHOGM 2024 that Nigeria has had its unpalatable share of the devastating impact of climate change through flooding, degraded lands and rising sea levels. “We need to address the climate challenge very strongly because of its effect on our society; it is a global phenomenon. We have experienced flooding in our country, degraded lands and rising sea levels, among others. “Now is the time to join forces at the level of the Commonwealth to address these issues,” the Minister stated, adding that Nigeria’s positions on the environment, democracy, security, and other issues were prompted by current challenges faced across the world. Lawal noted that Nigeria also made its position clear “in support of democracy and the protection of civil rights across Commonwealth nations, including the processes for strengthening the Commonwealth to make it stronger and more vibrant.” He emphasised that Nigeria also backed and encouraged ongoing institutional reforms at the Commonwealth, reaffirming its commitment to the organisation’s renewal. The Minister also reiterated Nigeria’s support for the new Secretary-General of the body, expressing hope that, with Botchwey’s emergence, there would be more robust engagement between Africa and the Commonwealth. Commonwealth leaders had earlier in their executive session,  “welcomed His Majesty, King Charles III, to his first CHOGM as Head of the Commonwealth.” In a communiqué issued by the Commonwealth secretariat at the end of the meeting, the leaders commended the King’s unwavering commitment to a more sustainable and resilient future for the 56 member countries of Commonwealth, and to strengthening education, health and climate resilience, particularly in small island developing states (SIDS), a commitment that has inspired the King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme. The leaders reflected on the gathering being the first CHOGM since the loss of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who served as Head of the Commonwealth with extraordinary duty for over seventy years. The meeting also named Antigua and Barbuda as the host of the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in 2026.

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Deputy Senate President, Ndidi, others motivate Flying Eagles big for AFCON ticket

As part of efforts to spur the U20 Boys National Team, Flying Eagles, to book an AFCON 2025ticket at the expense of Niger Republic on Saturday, well-meaning Nigerians from all walks of life have donated cash towards motivating the squad to victory. Deputy Senate President, Distinguished SenatorBarau Jibrin has rewarded the team’s effort so farwith the sum of N2 million. Super Eagles and Leicester City midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi, who graduated through the Flying Eagles’ rank, came up big and showered his blessings on the team with the sum of N5 million. Chairman of Crystal Sapphire Ltd, Frank Peters doled out the sum of N1.5 million with a pledge of another huge sum if the team defeats their Nigerien counterparts in Saturday’s semi-final.Also, a member of the football family, Mr. Victor Apugo has gifted the team N1 million with a promise to add another N2 million if the Flying Eagles fly past Niger Republic in the semi-final tie. Meanwhile, Switzerland-based Nigerian coach, Adedeji Adeyemi Anthony has redeemed his pledge of N1 million to the team for the victory over the Young Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire.Mavlon FC Chairman, Barrister Kenneth Agadugba has deposited the sum of N2 millionwith a pledge to make it N12 million if the team soars high to the grand finale of the tournament. Earlier on Thursday, a senior member of Staff of the Nigeria Football Federation dished out the sum of N1 million, while another member of the football fraternity who does not want his name in print has given the seven-time African championsthe sum of N1.5 million. The Flying Eagles are billed to take on Niger Republic in the semi-final on Saturday at 2pm Nigeria time. Victory will earn them a place in the final, as well as a ticket to next year’s AFCON U20 finals.

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Tinubu places limitations on Ministers 

President Bola Tinubu has restricted Ministers, Ministers of State, and Heads of Agencies of the Federal Government to a maximum of three vehicles in their official convoys. No additional vehicles will be assigned to them for movement. The cost-cutting measure was announced on Thursday in a statement signed by the President. In January this year, President Tinubu took significant steps to reduce government expenditure by reducing his entourage on foreign trips from 50 to 20 officials. For local trips, he reduced it to 25 officials. He similarly reduced the Vice President’s entourage to five officials on foreign trips and 15 for local trips. In the directive issued today, President Tinubu also ordered all ministers, ministers of state, and heads of agencies to have at most five security personnel attached to them. The security team will comprise four police officers and one Department of State Services (DSS) officer. No additional security personnel will be assigned, he ordered. Tinubu instructed the National Security Adviser to engage with the Military, Paramilitary and Security Agencies to determine a suitable reduction in their vehicle and security personnel deployment. All affected officials are expected to comply with these new measures immediately, underscoring the urgency and seriousness of these changes.

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