Popular skit maker, Debo Adedayo aka Mr Macaroni has made revelations about his relationship.

According to him, he has not been in any romantic relationship for over 10 years. However, the 29-year-old content creator admitted he’s been having s3x as an adult.

He spoke at the podcast “Chook Mouth” with social media influencer, Adeherself and others where they discussed Nigerian men’s possessiveness’ among other things.

“99% percent of Nigerian men are possessive whether they have money in their pockets or not. Even your ordinary male friends are possessive of you,” Adeherself said.

Addressing the claim of 99 percent of Nigerian men being possessive, Mr Macaroni said: “Perception is different from reality. Even though we know most of the time, the perception will now want to take the shape of reality.

“Let me use myself as an example. You say 99% of Nigerian men are possessive. I am not possessive. Talking about dating, I have been single for over 10 years now.” Adeherself and the others exclaimed, asking if he was alright or probably had a curse placed on him. Responding, the comic star stated: “You see, this is the culture I’m talking about. When I say it, you people don’t want to believe me. But it’s the truth.

“How can I be flirting and if I’m not in a relationship? “If you want to ask me a question, ask directly. If you want to ask me if I’ve been having s3x, absolutely yes. I am an adult. I already said it now. I have been having s3x.”
https://www.otowngist.com/?p=162888

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has taken over the assets of Addax Petroleum’s production sharing contract (PSC).

NNPC Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), Mele Kyari and the outgoing Managing Director of Addax, Yonghong Chen signed the closing documents on behalf of the two parties.

Addax belonged to Sinopec, a state-owned Chinese firm.

But, NNPC said the documents were signed by the two companies in Abuja today, according to information on Twitter.

The signing formality marked the termination of the 24-year PSC relationship between both oil firms.

NNPC tweeted, “BREAKING: @nnpclimited Takes Over #Addax Petroleum’s PSC Assets.

“After fulfilling closing obligations, @nnpclimited and Addax Petroleum Development (Nigeria) Ltd today amicably terminated their 24-Year Production Sharing Contract (PSC) relationship.”

The development comes over two months after Addax Petroleum Development Nigeria transferred four major oil mining leases (OMLs) to NNPC, after withdrawing from the assets.

Both companies signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the transfer, settlement, and exit agreement (TSEA).

In April 2021, the defunct Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) rescinded the four Addax licences over poor development of the assets but three weeks later, President Muhammadu Buhari restored the licences.
https://www.otowngist.com/?p=162876

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has debunked speculations by opposition political parties that President Muhammadu Buhari was attacked by miscreants during his Kano visit on Monday.

Mr Bayo Onanuga, Director, Media and Publicity, APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), in a statement issued Monday night, said contrary to the speculations, Buhari was warmly received in the state.

Onanuga while describing the alleged attack on Buhari as ‘fake news’ from a political party that had lost touch with reality, said Nigerians should disregard it.

He added that the so-called attack on Buhari must have happened only in the mind of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s National Publicity Secretary.

“We are not surprised to read of the imaginary attack on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria being peddled by the PDP since the party has nothing tangible to tell Nigerians from its crumbling presidential campaign.

“This so-called attack on President Buhari must have happened only in the fertile imagination of the PDP National Publicity Secretary.

“Nigerians should disregard this fake news from a party that has lost touch with reality.

“President Buhari was warmly received in Kano State by the good people and government of the state where he commissioned eight hugely impactful projects,” Onanuga said.

The APC PCC Director of Media and Publicity listed the projects inaugurated by the president while in Kano State including an overhead bridge with an underpass and a cancer centre, among others.

He recalled that the APC PCC had earlier alerted the nation to the plot by PDP to orchestrate and execute many evil plans to defame, ridicule and delegitimise Buhari and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the APC Presidential Candidate.

He added that Nigerians of goodwill would have seen by now that the PCC did not raise the false alarm in its statement issued on Sunday, Jan. 29, where it detailed the alleged evil machinations of PDP and their hirelings.

“Only the evil mind of PDP could conceive an attack on a President of Nigeria.

“It is not impossible that PDP through its paid agents would organise miscreants to stage manage an attack.

“But, we are sure the security agencies are capable of foiling any planned attack on the president and anyone who is caught in such an unholy plot now or in the future will have himself or herself to blame.

“We call on the security agencies especially the Police and Department of State Security to immediately arrest PDP National Publicity Secretary for interrogation over this supposed attack,” Onanuga said.
https://www.otowngist.com/?p=162693

Nollywood actress, Anita Joseph, has issued warning to her followers on social media and colleagues in the entertainment industry.

She stated that she will come for any of her colleagues and fans who disrespects her husband, Michael Olagunju, popularly known as MC Fish.

Anita is married to her younger lover, MC Fish. Their Age gap has been creating a lot of controversies online.

In reaction to this, the actress shared a lovely picture of herself and her husband. In the caption she stated that she will come for anyone who disrespects her husband.

In her words,

“If you disrespect my husband I will come for you Shallom !!”.

In another news, Actress Anita Joseph has revealed what keeps her marriage strong despite the trolling she has been receiving for marrying a younger man.

She stated that she keeps quiet whenever her husband is talking, she doesn’t talk back especially when he is angry.

In her words,

“Whenever, a colleague’s marriage crash, these online trolls will come to face me.

One told me recently that it is remaining me. However, I feel pity for the people dragging me because they are giving me more reasons to post more romantic moments with my husband on social media. They won’t ever stop me from posting my happy moments, never. Celebrity marriage is not easy, we face a lot of pressure out there but you must be stubborn and insist that yours works. Again, I knew what I wanted before going into marriage and what my mother taught me about marriage is still embedded in me. She taught me to always shut up when husband is talking and not to talk back; especially in arguments. Two captains can’t be in one ship. Not like you can’t say your piece but there’s a time to pause and let him talk.

These things are not easy but for two to work you must agree.”
https://www.otowngist.com/?p=162694

Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku of Taraba State has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to insist on using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, in the forthcoming general election.

He also urged the electoral umpire to endeavour to hold an election that is not only free, fair, and credible but also acceptable to all Nigerians and the international community.

Ishaku made the call on Tuesday at the inauguration of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, State Campaign Council and State Campaign Management Committee.

He said Nigerians “will not tolerate any pretext under the name of overvoting, which the bimodal verification and accreditation system has abolished”.

He also urged political parties to focus their campaigns on their manifestos rather than insults and name-calling, which will unnecessarily inflame the polity.

Ishaku warned the residents to conduct themselves in an orderly manner during the polls, calling on parents and guardians to warn their wards against any form of violence during the election.

He said, “we must reign in on our wards to be of peaceful disposition by not allowing them to be used by mischief makers to serve as political thugs during elections because security personnel are under strict orders to deal decisively with those who attempt to disrupt the process.”

While insisting that Taraba is a PDP-controlled state, the party, according to him, “intend to keep it that way by running an issue-based campaign that focuses on the tremendous achievements we have recorded as a PDP-run administration, which are visible to all in areas such as infrastructure development and human capital development index.”

The two committees, according to Ishaku “have been deliberately and meticulously constituted by loyalists and dedicated party stalwarts who have contributed their time and resources to the phenomenal success and growth of the party not just in the state but throughout the country.”
https://www.otowngist.com/?p=162692

-Pope Francis was flying to Democratic Republic of Congo on Tuesday for a visit that will highlight the human cost of protracted conflict and exploitation of the vast central African country's mineral wealth.

The 86-year-old pontiff is expected to land in the capital Kinshasa around 1400 GMT. After a welcome ceremony and a meeting with President Felix Tshisekedi, he will give a speech to authorities, diplomats and representatives of civil society.

On Wednesday, he will celebrate Mass and meet victims of violence from the eastern part of the country, which is blighted by recurring fighting between rebels from the M23 group and government troops.

"I wanted to go to Goma but we can't because of the war," the pope told reporters during his flight, referring to a city in eastern Congo that he had originally planned to visit before that stop was scrapped because of fighting in the region.

While his plane was flying over the Sahara, the pope seized the opportunity to speak about the plight of African migrants who cross the desert in an attempt to reach Europe.

"Let us stop for a moment in silence, in thought, in prayer for all those people who, seeking a bit of wellbeing, a bit of freedom, crossed it but did not make it," he said.

"So many, suffering, who arrived at the Mediterranean and after crossing the desert were put in concentration camps," he said, referring to detention camps in Libya. It was not the first time he had used that language to describe them.

SUFFERING AND HUNGER

The last papal visit to Congo was by John Paul II in 1985, when it was still known as Zaire.

"We are fine-tuning our plans to greet the pope with joy, love and respect," said Catholic priest Victor Ntambwe.

"We have been stagnating here for 60 years. For the past 20, we have been under attack. The people are suffering and dying of hunger. We have too many widows and orphans," he said, adding that the pope would speak up for Congo on the world stage.

Congo has some of the world's richest deposits of diamonds, gold, copper, cobalt, tin, tantalum and lithium, but its abundant mineral resources have stoked conflict between militias, government troops and foreign invaders. Mining has also been linked to inhumane exploitation of workers and environmental degradation.

Eastern Congo has also been plagued by violence connected to the long and complex fallout from the 1994 genocide in neighbouring Rwanda.

An estimated 5.7 million people are internally displaced in Congo and 26 million face severe hunger, largely because of the impact of armed conflict, according to the United Nations.

SOUTH SUDAN NEXT

Roman Catholics make up about half of Congo's population of 90 million and the Church plays a crucial role in running schools and health facilities as well as promoting democracy.

First scheduled for last July, the pope's trip was postponed because he was suffering a flare-up of a chronic knee ailment.

During his flight, he told reporters that he was unable to walk up and down the aisles greeting them individually, as used to be his habit earlier in his papacy -- but it was not the first time he had forsaken the walk due to mobility issues.

Barriers were being erected along the pope's planned itinerary and security personnel were patrolling Kinshasa as the city awaited the pope's arrival, causing giant traffic jams and disrupting commutes and school drop-offs, residents said.

At the Martyrs' Stadium, a canopy overhanging a stage where the pope is scheduled to deliver a public address on Thursday collapsed during a storm on Sunday night. It was being repaired and authorities said it would be ready on time.

Francis will stay in Kinshasa until Friday morning, when he will fly to South Sudan, another country grappling with conflict and poverty.

In a first, he will be accompanied for that leg of his journey by the Archbishop of Canterbury, leader of the global Anglican Communion, and by the Church of Scotland Moderator.

(Additional reporting by Justin Makangara, Benoit Nyemba, Sonia Rolley, Stanis Bujakera and Paul Lorgerie; Writing by Estelle Shirbon; Editing by Jonathan Oatis, Alexandra Hudson)
https://www.otowngist.com/?p=162691

Phyna has shared her views on why the marriages of many Nigerian celebrities fail.

She weighed in on the topic in a recent TVC interview and also discussed the difficulties that her peers face while attempting to break into the spotlight.

When asked about the celebrity marriage woes, Phyna blamed those who take their celebrity too seriously.

“An entertainer marrying another entertainer is nice because they both understand what they’re doing. They both understand the business, so when I tell you I’m busy, you’d understand. But a non-entertainer don’t,” she said.

She added, “You just need to be at the table with someone that understands. Many celebrity marriages fail because most of them front the celebrity life. When I’m with my boyfriend, I don’t even look like celebrity or talk celebrity. I’m like any normal girl.

https://youtu.be/oGeAq2HkMg8

It’s when you start bringing in talks about you being this and that in a marriage that you start having problems. Make your relationship like that of normal people with normal lives.

That way, it’s going to be successful. We have celebrities that have a successful marriage now.”

Phyna also mentioned the “fake it until you make it” mantra that many people hold as they advance in the industry.

She said, “Only they know what’s there to fake. Even fake life is now more expensive.

The money you would spend on living the fake life, you can live a decent and real life from it.

So faking it till you make it is really nonsense.”
https://www.otowngist.com/?p=162690

The Presidential Campaign Council, PCC, of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has called on the security agencies, especially the Police and Department of State Services, to immediately arrest National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Debo Ologunagba for interrogation over the imaginary attack on President Muhammadu Buhari.

Director, Media of Publicity of APC PCC, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement issued Monday, said the invented attack on Buhari must have happened only in the fertile imagination of Ologunagba.

He said just as PDP has been masterminding fake news against the APC presidential candidate and trying vainly to cause disharmony in the party; it believed the party might have planned to embarrass Buhari in Kano and then put the blame on Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano state and Tinubu.

Onanuga noted that Nigerians should disregard this fake news from a party that has lost touch with reality and suffering the agony of violating its own rules on power rotation.

He said: “We were not surprised to read of the imaginary attack on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria being peddled by the Peoples Democratic Party since the party has nothing tangible to tell Nigerians from its crumbling Presidential Campaign.

“This is because PDP has of recent morphed from being a Buhari virulent critic to strangely becoming a Buhari spokesperson ! The last time it issued a self-serving misinterpretation of Asíwájú’s statement in Abeokuta as an attack on President Buhari.”

Onanuga added that it was not impossible that PDP, through its paid agents, would organise miscreants to stage-manage an attack.

The APC said it was sure that the security agencies were capable of foiling any planned attack on the President, and anyone who was caught in such an unholy plot now or in the future would have himself or herself to blame.

The ruling party stressed that it should be obvious to Nigerians that the knowledge of the impending defeat of PDP at the coming presidential poll has pushed the party and its candidate into a frenzied hallucinatory mode of a mindless, ridiculous, ludicrous litany of lies and fabrications against APC and its candidate.

“We call on the security agencies, especially the Police and Department of State Services to immediately arrest PDP National Publicity Secretary for interrogation over this imaginary attack,” he said.

Onanuga noted that the PDP is a drowning party feverishly clawing at any straw of lies and lashing out in all delusional directions to keep afloat – but sink it would.
https://www.otowngist.com/2023/01/apc-calls-for-ologunagba-arrest-pdps-national-publicity-secretary/

The Department of State Services on Monday said its officers have arrested an undisclosed number of persons involved in the sale of the new naira notes.

The DSS, in a statement on Monday by its spokesman, Peter Afunanya, accused some commercial bank officials of aiding the crime.

The statement was titled, ‘DSS intercepted syndicates selling new currency notes, bank official implicated’.

It read, “The Department of State Services hereby informs the public that it has intercepted some members of organised syndicates involved in the sale of the new redesigned naira notes. In the course of its operations, in this regard in parts of the country, it was also established that some commercial bank officials are aiding the economic malfeasance.

“Consequently, the Service warns the currency racketeers to desist from this ignoble act. Appropriate regulatory authorities are, in this same vein, urged to step up monitoring and supervisory activities to expeditiously address the emerging trend.

“It should be noted that the Service has ordered its Commands and Formations to further ensure that all persons and groups engaged in the illegal sale of the notes are identified. Therefore, anyone with useful information relating to this is encouraged to pass the same to the relevant authorities.”
https://www.otowngist.com/?p=162593

The Department of State Services (DSS) said it has intercepted some syndicates in parts of the country for allegedly selling the newly redesigned Naira notes.

This is contained in a statement issued by Dr Peter Afunanya, the Public Relations Officer of the DSS, on Monday in Abuja.

He said the syndicates were intercepted by operatives of the service during an operation.

“Investigation has also shown that some Commercial Bank officials were aiding the economic malfeasance.

“Consequently, the Service warns the currency racketeers to desist from this ignoble act.

“Appropriate regulatory authorities are, in this same vein, urged to step up monitoring and supervisory activities to expeditiously address the emerging trends,” he said.

He said the DSS has ordered its commands and formations to further ensure that all persons and groups engaged in the illegal sale of the notes were identified.

The DSS spokesman, therefore, urged anyone with useful information relating to the sales of the new currency to pass the same to relevant authorities.
https://www.otowngist.com/?p=162466

The Campaign for Equal Rights and Opportunities for all Nigerians, CERON, has observed that policies of the All Progressives Congress-led government have made life unbearable to Nigerians, driving many into abject poverty.

According to the group, “Nigerians are obviously unhappy and distraught with happenings in the country and the Federal Government seems unperturbed even when the general election is just a few weeks away.”

Francis Odiir, the CERON Secretary, in a statement, explained that the lingering fuel scarcity and the sudden increase in its pump price have not only subjected Nigerians to unbearable hardship but have also further impoverished the already economically battered masses.

He said that the situation has also been made worse by the sudden rush to redesign the Naira and have old notes withdrawn from circulation by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, saying that while no one is against the apex bank carrying out its statutory responsibilities as regards the management of Nigeria’s currency, the manner it is going about the redesign and deadline for withdrawal of old notes is rather subjecting Nigerians to untold hardship without apology.

The group noted that just a few weeks ago, Nigerians woke up to realise that the electricity tariff has been jerked up with the Federal Government ignoring calls to order a reversal.

The statement explained that the ruling party in the country has given Nigerians the impression that the government is happy to see the masses suffer, saying that cooking gas is already out of the reach of Nigerians who have resorted to firewood and charcoal.

The statement added that even kerosene, commonly used by poor families, is out of the reach of the masses because a litre goes for as high as N900.

Worst still, the statement stated that the wages of Nigerian workers could no longer take them home as the spiralling inflation in the country has seen the currency steadily lose its value, with everything tumbling and millions of Nigerians dropping into excruciating poverty.

It lamented that the people in government are using every given opportunity to create the impression that the government is doing well when in reality, it is not.

“The truth is that Nigerians are not happy and you do not need a soothsayer to tell you that,” the statement explained.
https://www.otowngist.com/?p=162463

The Federal Government has responded to the decision by the United States of America to slam a visa ban on some Nigerians undermining democracy.

Clearing the air on numerous media requests the government has received on the matter, Lai Mohammed, the Minister of Information and Culture, said whatever action is taken against anyone who undermines the country’s democracy is right and justified.

Lai Mohammed went on to boast that no administration since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999 has shown more fidelity to the democratic process than the Buhari government.

According to the minister, who spoke on Monday at the 20th edition of the PMB Administration Scorecard Series (2015-2023), no President since 1999 has been as unambiguous as President Muhammadu Buhari, in word and deed, with regards to leaving office after the constitutionally-stipulated two terms.

“Let me be clear, whatever action is taken against anyone who undermines this democracy that has been watered by the blood of many of our patriots is right and justified. For us as a government,” he said.

He added that “President Buhari has left no one in doubt of his dogged determination to ensure free, fair and credible elections, handover to a successor elected by Nigerians and then return to Daura after the May 29, 2023 handover date. As recently as this past Friday, when he visited the Emir of Daura, Mr. President still told the Emirate that he would return and settle down in Daura after handing over on May 29, 2023.

“The President has also given unprecedented support to INEC while also signing into law the Electoral Bill 2022 that Nigerians have hailed as a reason to have confidence in the electoral process.”
https://www.otowngist.com/?p=162457

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says it has deployed more new notes to Bonny Island following agitations by residents over scarcity.

Residents of Bonny Island like most Nigerians had last week, complained over the possibility of being left out of the naira swap exercise following the scarcity of the new notes in banks across the Island.

But in a swift reaction, the CBN deployed its personnel to the area to monitor the situation, insisting it has now made the notes available across automated teller machines (ATMs) and approved for operators of Point of Sale (POS) machines on the Island to be supplied the new notes.

The Branch Controller of the Central Bank in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Maxwell Okafor disclosed these details in a statement after a visit to Bonny Island to monitor the ongoing old naira notes swap exercise and to sensitise the community.

The statement said Okafor was in Bonny in the company of the Head of Development Banking, CBN, Port Harcourt, Stanley Oruyeigha and other officials of the bank to review the level of compliance with the CBN directives by commercial banks.

He said following the extension of the deadline for the return of old Naira notes, the CBN has ensured that adequate amounts of the redesigned Naira notes are supplied to all banks operating across the country, especially in Bonny Island.

“We are here to sensitize the people of Bonny Island about the redesigned naira that is being introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria and to let them know that the old naira will soon cease to be legal tenders.

”Also, we are here to tell them that banks are bound to collect the old monies until the deadline. If there is any bank that refuses to collect it, you call us to report it.

He acknowledged the concerns of customers and the general public with regards to the redesigned naira notes, saying all the issues raised have been adequately addressed but maintained that for now, the new notes can only be gotten through the ATMs and not paid over the counter.

“We have addressed the people’s questions. After monitoring the situation in the banks, we are very well satisfied that the banks got an adequate supply of the new currency.

“The instruction is that they should not pay over the counter but put the new notes in the ATM for now. All the banks are well-supplied. All the ATMs we visited are up and running and they are paying new notes. We have told them that no ATM should dispense old notes. We are already aware of the large calls for new notes. So, we are satisfied with what we saw on ground.”

He urged the people of the area to hurry and return their old naira notes to the banks, announcing that the commercial banks would be open to receive the old notes through the weekend.

The CBN team led by Okafor also paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman of the Bonny Chiefs Council, Se-Alabo Dagogo Claude-Wilcox to intimated him of the purpose of their visit to the Island.

Okafor appealed for support from the Bonny Kingdom Traditional Council in disseminating the information relating to the CBN policy on the redesigned naira notes.

Recall that following agitations by Nigerians over the scarcity of the new Naira notes, the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, with the approval of the President, on Sunday extended the deadline for the exchange of old naira notes by 10 days.

He advised those yet to exchange their old notes to take advantage of the extension, warning that the deadline will not be extended again.
https://www.otowngist.com/2023/01/we-have-made-adequate-supply-of-new-notes-to-bonny-island-cbn/

President Muhammadu Buhari has reiterated that he will relocate to Daura, Katsina State after his tenure.

Buhari made this known through Lai Mohammed, the Minister of Information and Culture.

He said no Administration has shown more fidelity to the democratic process and no President since 1999 has been as unambiguous as President Muhammadu Buhari, with regards to leaving office after the constitutionally-stipulated two terms.

”President Buhari has left no one in doubt of his doggeddetermination to ensure free, fair and credible elections, handover to a successor elected by Nigerians and then return to Daura after the May 29, 2023 handover date. As recently as this past Friday, when he visited the Emir of Daura.

”President Buhari told the Emirate that he would return and settle down in Daura after handing over on May 29, 2023.

He added that Buhari has also given unprecedented support to INEC by signing into law the Electoral Bill 2022.
https://www.otowngist.com/2023/01/buhari-will-relocate-to-daura-after-handing-over-lai-mohammed/

A Federal High Court in Abuja has on Monday dismissed the suit by a former presidential candidate of Hope Democratic Party, Chief Ambrose Owuru, against the election of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari(retd.), in the 2019 presidential election.

The suit seeking Buhari’s was dismissed by Justice Inyang Ekwo on three grounds.

One of the grounds was that the suit constituted a gross abuse of court process, statute barred and was an affront to the supremacy of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
https://www.otowngist.com/2023/01/court-dismisses-suit-seeking-to-sack-buhari/

Liverpool head coach, Jurgen Klopp believes the disruption in the Reds’ frontline has contributed to forward Mohamed Salah’s barren run this season.

Salah, who has failed to score in five of his last six appearances across all competitions for Liverpool, boasts just seven Premier League goals at the halfway stage of the season – compared to 15 he had a year ago.

Liverpool’s attacking threat was reduced by injuries to Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota, who have both been sidelined since last October.

Roberto Firmino has not played since before the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar because of a calf problem.

Darwin Nunez recently missed two games with a hamstring issue, while January signing Cody Gakpo played through the middle in his absence.

Asked if Salah had suffered from the constant changes in Liverpool’s attacking line, Klopp said ahead of his side’s FA Cup tie with Brighton on Sunday: “Yeah, of course. It was a well-drilled machine, the front three. Everything was clear about what we were doing. It has not been helpful. Everyone suffers from that.

“It is not cool. We cannot expect just to be back to our best and win 5-0 and go to the next game. We have to work hard, nobody wants to hear it, but we have to do it. And then, in two or three weeks, we will have other options and can mix it up.

“We never played with a No 9 before. Even when Sadio was there, he was dropping in moments, but that isn’t Darwin’s game. He wants other balls, and he is really a handful there. If they would all be in, we could build something, but we have not been able to do that yet.”
https://www.otowngist.com/?p=162398

The race for the Capocannoniere (top scorer’s award) in Serie A hots up with Super Eagles duo, Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman the two leading gladiators.

Osimhen and Lookman are looking to become the first African to finish as the leading marksman in the history of the Italian top-flight.

George Weah and Samuel Eto, two of Africa’s most deadliest strikers to have played in Serie A, failed to achieve the feat during their time.

Osimhen currently sits at the top of the log with 13 goals from 15 league appearances.

The 23-year-old missed out of action for around a month last year as a result of injury and could probably have scored more goals for Napoli.

The striker will have another chance to improve his tally when Napoli host Jose Mourinho’s AS Roma at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium on Sunday.

Lookman, who is second with 11 goals from 19 league outings, can equal Osimhen’s haul or even move ahead of his compatriot when his club Atalanta face Sampdoria at home on Saturday night.
https://www.otowngist.com/?p=162395

The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has described Friday’s gubernatorial tribunal judgement which upturned the election of Senator Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in favour of Adegboyega Oyetola as the triumph of justice and truth over falsehood.

According to the statement from the acting State Chairman of the APC, Tajudeen Lawal, in Osogbo, the victory is an indication that the APC is the dominant political party in the state.

Lawal who maintained that he never doubted the victory of Oyetola at the tribunal added that the verdict was a confirmation that the APC gubernatorial candidate did not lose the July 16, 2022 election.

The Osun State APC acting chairman observed that the difference in the garnered votes with which Oyetola was declared the winner of the election by the tribunal with a wide margin was enough to prove that the APC candidate won the election conveniently and convincingly.

Lawal said: “With the majority judgement that gave Oyetola victory, it further underscored the fact that the court of law is the last hope of the common man as justice was not only served, it was seen to have been glaringly done.

“I appreciate the professional expertise of all the lawyers who featured at the tribunal and also laud the support and loyalty of all the APC members throughout the duration of the suit at the tribunal.

“I enjoin all the APC members and their supporters to go about their businesses in peace irrespective of provocation from any quarters.

“I salute the courage of the party members for their continued belief in the ideals of the party which have been igniting their unalloyed support to date.”

He also advised the leadership of the PDP and their candidate to approach the court for an appeal if they feel dissatisfied with the tribunal judgement instead of resorting to self-help which is always counterproductive to the rules of law.

Lawal also expressed gratitude to the entire people of the state for their support and prayers throughout the duration of the matter at the tribunal.
https://www.otowngist.com/?p=162350

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, G-5 governors stormed Enugu State on Friday for the flag-off of the party’s campaign.

At the event were Governor of Enugu State and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Enugu North Senatorial District, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike of Rivers State, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State and Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.

Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, who is still mourning the late PDP guber candidate for Abia State, Prof. Uche Ikonne was absent.

DAILY POST reports that the Michael Okpara Square, Enugu, venue of the event was filled to capacity.

The G5 governors also endorsed the senatorial ambition of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi who is contesting for senatorial election to represent Enugu North.

All the candidates of the party, ranging from House of Representatives, Senate and Governorship were presented with flags of the party.

However, former governor of the State and the candidate for Enugu East senatorial zone, Chimaroke Nnamani was the only one that did not receive the party’s flag.

His inability to receive the party’s flag might not be unconnected with the suspension order handed down to him by the national leadership of the party last week over his alleged anti-party activities.

He was also absent from the occasion.

The party’s governorship candidate in the state, Dr Peter Mbah, who responded on behalf of other contestants, lauded Ugwuanyi for ensuring secured environment, quality education, rural development, sustenance of peace and security, stressing that such was responsible for the massive gathering and the rush for investment in the state by investors.

“Mindful of the consolidation of these great achievements, we have vowed to grow the economy, provide dividends of democracy and build upon the transformation that Ugwuanyi has brought to take Enugu to the next level.

“Since the beginning of the fourth republic, Enugu has remained the hope of PDP. We have carried the PDP banner with great pride and we are poised to continue with it,” he said.

Mbah added that the “gathering is to renew the mandate of our great party”, stressing that it was made possible because of the trust the people have on those who have led the state from the PDP.

He appreciated the support of the G-5 governors in showing leadership and remaining steadfast in the quest for justice, equity and fairness in the party.

Governor Ugwuanyi had also earlier appreciated the people of the State for the support shown to the PDP since 1999 and expressed the hope that they would repeat the same in 2023 for all the candidates of the party.

In their various remarks, Governors Makinde, Ortom and Wike had lauded the people for the support shown to Ugwuanyi and the PDP and tasked them to ensure that they delivered their wards and polling units on the election day to the party.

Wike had described Ugwuanyi as “a reliable, courageous good man whom you can go to war with your two eyes closed”, stressing that the group would remain supportive of all his activities and would extend the same to the governorship candidate of the party.

At the event, a coalition of 12 registered political parties endorsed Mbah and other candidates of the PDP in the 2023 elections, saying they were motivated to do so by the good governance propelled in the State by Ugwuanyi.
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Seven persons have lost their lives in an accident that occurred at Gwachip village in Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State.

According to the Federal Road Safety Corps sector commander, Kumar Tsukwan, the accident which claimed seven lives was a lone crash that resulted from a burst tyre.

Tsukwan, who described the accident as fatal, said the white Toyota Hiace was heading to Lagos from Katsina when the accident occurred.

He added that those who lost their lives in the accident are two females and five males, while others were severely injured.

He further stated that corpses have been deposited at the Suleja General Hospital while those injured are receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Center, Gawu.
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A Chief Magistrates’ Court in Kano on Friday, ordered the remand of three men, Abba Aminu, 27, Hashimu Lawan, 29 and Abubakar Mukhtar, 25, in a correctional centre for allegedly being in possession of dangerous weapons.

The police charged the suspects with criminal conspiracy, attempt to commit the offence: to wit robbery, and being in possession of dangerous weapons.

Chief Magistrate, Mustapha Sa’ad-Datti, ordered the remand of the suspects to a correctional centre.

He directed the police to return the case file to the State Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice.

Sa’ad-Datti adjourned the matter until February 14 for a hearing.

Earlier, the prosecution counsel, Miss Asma’u Ado, told the court that the suspects committed the offence on September 5, 2022, at Zoo Road Quarters, Kano.

Ado alleged that the suspects, on the same date at about 1:30am were arrested by the police while on surveillance patrol and were found to be in possession of three long sharp knives and charms.

She said that the offence contravened the provision of sections 97,95, and 103 of the Penal Code.

The suspects, however, denied committing the offence.
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The immediate past Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Mr Agboola Ajayi, has expressed the readiness of the people of the state to vote for the Peoples Democratic Party candidates in the forthcoming general election.

Ajayi described the ruling All Progressives Congress as a “dead” political party which had nothing good to offer the country any longer, saying only the PDP could change the narrative of the country for the better

He stated this during the Ondo South Senatorial District PDP Campaign flag-off held in Okitipupa town in Okitipupa Local Government Area of the state.

Ajayi, who is the senatorial candidate of the PDP, in the Ondo South Senatorial District in the forthcoming general election, said the APC government had failed the nation hence the need to vote them out in the next month’s general elections.

While addressing the mammoth crowd of party supporters at the rally, Ajayi said, “Our people are tired of APC government, and we are not worried about the issue of vote buying because it won’t work at all in Ondo South Senatorial District. Our people are resolute and ready to vote out APC.

“We all know that Ondo South is for PDP, our people are not going to compromise their integrity and rights and they are ready to vote for all PDP candidates in all elections.

We know the problem of our Senatorial District, the major problem is electricity and God will use us to settle the issue. If we vote for PDP, just give us six months we can assure you that the electricity will be restored in all the affected areas.

“The 132 KVA substation in Okitipupa, I was the one that brought it when I was the deputy governor but things were not going on well since we left the government. But I want to assure you, the entire Ondo South Senatorial District people that we will complete the work and make sure that there is electricity. We are going to Abuja to represent you well.”

He urged the entire Ondo South electorate to vote massively for PDP in the February 25, 2023, general elections.

Speaking at the rally, a former PDP National Vice Chairman (South-West), Dr Eddy Olafeso, said the party was united and ready to go for the election with one voice.

“We are one single family, indivisible, united, we are moving ahead to win this election because the last seven and half years, the APC government has been a very tragic experience for the people of Nigeria.

“The Ondo South Senatorial District is known for PDP and we are going to prove it this time around. This is the beginning of victory for PDP in Ondo South, Ondo State and Nigeria as a whole.”
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In a bid to boost the micro, small and medium enterprises across the 13 Local Government Areas of the state, the Nasarawa State Government in collaboration with the Bank Of Industry has earmarked the sum of N500 million to be given as loans to indigenes of the state.

The state government had approved the sum of N250 million naira as a counterpart contribution for the Youth Revolving Funds Scheme while the BOI also contributed the sum of N250 million.

Speaking during the screening of the loan applicants in Lafia on Friday, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Abdullahi Sule on Human Capital Development, Habiba Balarabe-Suleiman, said the aim of approving the fund was to provide financial assistance to youths in the state for the take-off or expanding of their businesses.

She said, “Today’s screening is part of the process of the N500 million Youth Revolving Funds Scheme. We look at business plans that are found viable and review the amounts requested.

“This is to ensure that we give the loans to deserving applicants who are ready to boost their businesses and pay back the loans at the appropriate time.”

The SSA who explained that over 200 indigenes would benefit from the approved sum in the first phase, added that the loans would be given to successful applicants immediately after the screening and verification exercises.

In the next two to three weeks, we should be able to do our first disbursement. We will give the loans to people who can pay them back so that we can also disburse them for the second round.

“The beneficiaries are over 200 for each round, and the whole scheme is for five years. So, many people will benefit from the gesture of the state government and the BOI,” she added.

Also speaking, the Nasarawa State Manager of BOI, Abdullahi Alhaji, said the partnership was to encourage youths in the state to become entrepreneurs and employers of labour.

“The loans will be administered at a single-digit interest rate with a tenor of between 3-5 years. The beneficiaries will come from the Manufacturing and processing; ICT; Digital Marketing and E-commerce; Transportation; Creative industry and Entertainment; Agribusiness; Healthcare and Fitness sectors, among others.” he added.

While expressing gratitude to the Nasarawa state government for prioritising youths’ empowerment, Alhaji urged the prospective beneficiaries to make judicious use of the funds when considered.

One of the prospective beneficiaries who spoke on behalf of the others, Daniel Abraham, while thanking the state government and BOI for the opportunity, expressed satisfaction with the screening process and promised to put the funds into good use if given the loans.
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In marking his birthday 8th January, the beat lord aka Endeetone drops a dope body of work titled Zulaekha EP meaning Beauty of ones deed, the Extended Play comes with 6 dope tracks with no feature.

Endeetone has contributed widely to the Nigerian Music industry through his dope productions and freebeats done for u and rising musicians, and he decided to also drop his own tune in Zulaekha Ep which is Unique.

Credits (All songs mixed by Triz made it, produced by (1,3,4 and 6 produced by Beatlord [2 produced by Craze, 5 produced by Skitter beat) Co- written by Dahmolaszn, Guitar by Nichomarley And DOVETOUCH

listen to the tracks and download below.

Tracklist

1) Please don’t go2) Erima3) Don’t leave me4) All Over5) Soweto baby6) FAYA

DOWNLOAD EP
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The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, has tasked Police Mobile Force Commanders to teach their men to be professional, firm, and decisive while deployed for the 2023 general elections security management.

The IG gave the charge during the closing ceremony of a two-week combat training and seminar for heads of Police Mobile Force Squadrons and formations nationwide which was held at the Police Mobile Force Training College, Ila-Orangun, Osun State, on Monday, January 23.

The Force spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi revealed this in a statement obtained by our correspondent on Friday.

The IG, who was represented by the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of the PMF, Ali Janga, emphasized the need to be apolitical and professional in their conduct and to exhibit all forms of humility and humanity while shunning corruption and all forms of illegality.

The IG appreciated the host Commandant, PMF Training College, Ila Orangun, ACP Wilson Dankwano, PNF staff officers, and other resource persons for a wonderful training experience that afforded all the participants the opportunity to deepen their knowledge through experience sharing and contemporary instruction.

Adejobi noted that Baba has therefore assured that the police, as the lead agency, and coordinating arrowhead for election security management in the country, is unrelenting in ensuring that its officers are adequately prepared and ready for a secured and peaceful electoral process to bequeath to Nigerians free, fair, credible, and acceptable elections in 2023.
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A group known as Pan Nigerian President of Igbo Extraction Coalition, PANPIEC, has warned the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and its factions that multiple sit-at-home would deprive Ndigbo 2023 presidency.

This is contained in a statement jointly signed on Friday by the group’s Chairman, Rev Obinna Akukwe and the Secretary, Dr Pat Anyanwu.

They stated that frustrated politicians would use the purported sit-at-home of February 24 to demarket the aspirations of the Igbo Presidency and give the impression that the South-East voters are awaiting Biafra.

“PANPIEC is aware that some members of the Strategy Team are working behind the scenes for the release of Nnamdi KANU, details of which will be kept private.

“Therefore, any further multiple sit-at-home represents a multiple demarketing of the Igbo Presidency Project.

“PANPIEC advises Simon Ekpa, Commander of IPOB auto-pilot, to jettison his Biafra agitations till after the 2023 elections to enable teeming Igbo Youth to exercise their civic responsibilities.

“Igbo cannot be asking for Biafra and Igbo Presidency simultaneously.

“PANPIEC warns for the last time that the indiscriminate sit-at-home strikes fear into the minds of other stakeholders in the north favourably disposed to the Igbo Presidency.

“PANPIEC have received thousands of enquiries from concerned northern voters over the stance of Ndigbo on Biafra and warns that all the rumours of war are destabilizing the Igbo Presidency Project”, the group stated.
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The Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, as part of his campaign to become Nigeria’s next President, made a visit to Biu Emirate, the southern part of Borno State.

He was received by the southern Borno natives drawn from Chibok, Gwoza, Hawul, Askira Uba and the entire nine local government areas, where he promised to end insecurity.

In his speech, Obi, in company of his running mate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, the Labour Party Chairman, Julius Abure, the governorship candidate,  Ibrahim Mshelia, and the coordinator of the event who is the Deputy National Campaign Manager, Isaac Balami, and other campaign stalwarts, promised to alleviate the sufferings and wipe the tears of the southern Borno people caused by the Boko Haram insurgents.

Obi said, “I am one of you and feel your plight. I know that you are all hardworking and want to go back to your farms. I am giving you my word that this insecurity issue will be a thing of the past in my administration and I will ensure that my government gives you the best of life. Thank you for everything you have done for the country and I will never forget you. A new Nigeria is possible!”

The governorship candidate of the party in the state, Mshelia, a native of Hawul LGA, Southern Borno, assured the crowd that if he is elected as governor and Obi as president, security would be restored and economic activities in the state would improve. He concluded that as a son of the soil, he would not disappoint the Borno people.

The coordinator of the event, Isaac Balami, who doubles as the Obi-Datti’s deputy national campaign manager and the senior special adviser on presidential campaign matters, fundraising and grassroots mobilisation to the Labour Party chairman, said he was happy Nigerians were working hard to enthrone the Obi-Datti mandate.
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The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has lamented that the country is currently breeding poverty, hunger and insecurity due to bad leadership.

He stated this at his presidential campaign rally which was held on Thursday at the Hockey Pitch of the Abubakar Tafawa Bewa Stadium, Bauchi State.

He recalled the efforts of Nigeria’s former Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, and Nnamdi Azikiwe, in uniting the country and ensuring justice, peace and fairness during their leadership.

Obi, a former Anambra State Governor, lamented the huge debt burden of the country, promising that under his leadership, things would be different.

“Whenever I’m in Bauchi, I’m reminded that once there was a united and peaceful Nigeria. Nigeria was on the path of greatness from a revered leader from Bauchi and that is Tafawa Balewa. I come from Anambra State and I live in Onitsha where a man who believed in the unity of Nigeria, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, was from.

“Nigeria is breeding poverty, people are poor in Nigeria, people are hungry, people are insecure. All the money that we have borrowed, if we had used it the way Tafawa Balewa used the money he borrowed, Nigeria would have been heaven today.

“On June 19, 1974, Tafawa Balewa applied to the World Bank to give him $82million to build the Kainji Dam to generate power. Today, Kainji Dam is still there, it was supposed to generate 750 megawatts. Today, the equivalent of that money is supposed to be about $1.250 billion. Today, Nigeria is owing N77 trillion. If you divide it by the value of what Tafawa Balewa borrowed then, we would have had 150 Kainji Dams and Nigeria would have been exporting power to other countries today

“This is a city (Bauchi) where someone who wanted to build a new Nigeria comes from and we are here saying that we want to build one Nigeria. A new Nigeria is possible, a Nigeria where you have jobs, a Nigeria with economic growth, a Nigeria that is peaceful, a Nigeria that is secure, that is what we want to build,” he said.

He urged Nigerian voters not to vote based on ethnicity or religion, pointing out that people from all the zones of the country were currently living in hunger.

“They’ve told you lies, you voted for them, today, you’re hungry. Elections that are coming, don’t allow anybody to tell you to vote based on tribe or religion because people from the north and south are hungry, they didn’t give you food. People from the north don’t go to school because they didn’t provide schools,” he said.

He promised to teach almajiri and all students and pupils in Islamiyya schools who are learning the Quran, skills as a way of empowering them to be self-reliant.

Obi, who also promised to create jobs for Nigeria’s teeming unemployed youths, assured the people of Bauchi that the newly found oil in the state would be used to develop the state.

He said: “I’ll ensure that you have jobs, I’ll ensure that you are secure, that is what Datti and I will do. Vote for us because all the people coming here to campaign for you; you voted for the APC and the broom swept you into hunger. You voted for the PDP but the umbrella leaked and today, you’re hungry. But we want you to vote for man, wife and child.

“We want the oil that has been discovered in Bauchi to be used to develop Bauchi and the north, to give you jobs and to ensure that things are working, and not for people to steal the money and everybody is hungry.”

Also speaking, the vice presidential candidate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, said that 18 political parties filed candidates, but 15 had become weak and drew back while the remaining three had not positioned and arranged themselves in a way that they could win election, “so one is remaining and that is Peter Obi of the Labour Party.”

He stated that he and Obi had done it before and were not afraid like the other candidates to tell people to go and verify what they did before and was being said about their integrity.

“Peter Obi was governor of Anambra for eight years and didn’t borrow money in his state. When he was leaving office, he left N75 billion in the state’s account for his successor.

“When the PDP announced its vice presidential candidate, the party split. When the APC announced its vice presidential candidate, the whole country became divided. The day Peter Obi made his announcement, everyone hailed his choice as a good one. Obi is a lover of Muslims and also the north. Those who know me know that no corruption has ever been planned with me and it never will.

“The day you hear that Peter Obi is the President of Nigeria, from that day, the end of insecurity has begun and healing has commenced. From that day, the economy has returned to the path of prosperity. From that day, corruption has begun ending. I assure you that under us, there will be peace and happiness in the land; respect for one another in the land, only a few days are left,” he promised.
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The media arm of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council has described as fake, reports linking its presidential candidate, Peter Obi to quitting the election exercise slated for February 25.

This is even as the Obi-Datti Media Office accused some unnamed political parties of cloning Obi’s image on gift items to paint a picture of one who is trying to swing votes in his favour through inducements.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Obi-Datti Campaign Media office described the report as ridiculous and fake.

“Nothing can be more absurd than the fact that 18 persons are in a marathon to pick a trophy and somebody is suggesting that the front runner in the race who is already sighting the trophy wants to step down for somebody behind.

“The fact that other parties contesting for the president have been cloning the LP candidate in their corruptly induced gift items like bags of rice, posters and bill boards speak volume of who is the man to beat in this race.

“Since June 2022 when Obi emerged as the flag bearer of the Labour Party alongside other presidential contestants, the Labour Party and its presidential campaign have increased in leaps and bounds attracting both local and global attention. The truth is that Peter Obi’s performance is now the standard by which other contestants and their parties are being measured.

“The fact that the other parties  struggle to associate their own candidates with Obi, even without his consent, says it all who should be associated with withdrawing or discontinuing in the race.

“In an ideal clime where respect is accorded to merit and other audacious  qualifications, other presidential candidates should have honourably thrown in the towel,” the statement read in part.

The media office also noted that the reason for coming up with the report is not unconnected with the desire to distract Obi from the race, in hope that doing so would give them (those behind the report) possible hope of winning.

“What those flying the unreasonable and ridiculous kite are trying to achieve which appeared dead on arrival, is firstly to give themselves the fake hope that they are in the race to win; secondly to distract and remove our candidate’s  eye from the ball where it’s already glued to and thirdly, to inject confusion in the mind of the public.

“After being confirmed to be ahead by four scientifically conducted opinion polls, it would be laughable to suggest even as a joke that Obi is considering stepping down, for who,  for God’s sake?

“But we understand their handicap of living in the past and refusing to buy into the raging idea whose time has come that the most vibrant and vigorous arm of the country’s populace, the youths are resolute and already charged to take back their country and that they have found in the LP standard bearer, Obi the right man for this journey whose destination is already known.

“It’s either that the purveyors of this ignoble news are incomprehensible and unintelligible about the developing political dynamics in the country or that they are clear agents of mischief hoping to inject confusion in the polity.

“Given what is in the political space around the leading presidential candidates since the electioneering, it’s crystal clear that the obviously established filthy  and disgustingly dirty candidates should be the ones who should be bowing out to give way for the revolution whose time has come,” it added.
https://www.otowngist.com/?p=162228

The House of Representatives has raised the alarm over the imminent disenfranchisement of Nigerian youths, especially those in higher institutions of learning, as the schools are scheduling examinations close to the forthcoming general elections.

At the plenary on Thursday, the House urged the National Universities Commission, National Board for Technical Education, National Commission for Colleges of Education, and the Federal Ministry of Education to “direct all tertiary institutions to suspend academic activities during the period of elections.”

The House also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to make special arrangements for the students to collect their Permanent Voter Cards.

The lawmakers also mandated the House Committees on Tertiary Education and Electoral Matters to liaise with the agencies to facilitate the process and report to the chamber within one week for further legislative action.

These resolutions followed the unanimous adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by a member of the House, Kabir Tukura, titled ‘Urgent Need to Give the Students of Tertiary Institutions of Learning in Nigeria an Opportunity to Vote in the General Elections.’

Tukura said according to available statistics, there are over 2.1 million students currently studying in Nigerian universities, while over 2.4 million are students in the polytechnics, monotechnics and colleges of education across the country.

The lawmaker also noted that academic calendars of various tertiary institutions are structured “in a way that most students are disenfranchised, as school calendars do not take into consideration the timelines and date for elections.”
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The NBA has said it is determined to grow the next generation of talented basketball players in the country.

The NBA Africa Vice President and Country Head, NBA Nigeria, Gbemisola Abudu, made this known in Abuja on Wednesday at the ninth edition of the Power Forward games.

Abudu said part of the vision of the NBA was to influence the basketball ecosystem in the country.

The Power Forward Project, organised in collaboration with ExxonMobil and PanAfricare ,has expanded over the years to include 40 schools in Abuja, with over 200,000 youths impacted positively since 2013.

Speaking during the finals of the event, Abudu said, “Power Forward is an incredible programme. It is focused on young adults in Abuja for them to acquire life skills through the lens of basketball. The goal is to roll out an expanded programme like this to other parts of the country because when it comes to talent development, it starts from a very young age.

“This is part of a big plan for the NBA. The NBA opened its third office in Africa in Lagos at the beginning of last year. This demonstrates the commitment of the NBA and the belief it has in the Nigerian market, that is, from the talent development perspective. In the history of the NBA, we have had about 120 players of African heritage, and more than half of those have been Nigerians. That has signalled year-in-year-out the importance of Nigeria to the NBA.”

The PanAfricare Country Director for Nigeria, Dr. Patrick Adah, said, “This project has produced alumni who are making impact. It has impacted them and made them achieve their aims in life. We have also produced some basketballers in Nigeria, who have participated in various championships. It ignited their interest in basketball.

“Also, most of them engaged in the project are the best-behaved students in their schools. We have about 30 students per school. The project attracts talents yearly in the NBA like Cedric Ceballos. We hope that some of the students will metamorphose into being players for Nigeria.

“We also talk to the parents. We have partners and stakeholders forums. We are hoping to have a parents’ forum also. However, we have consent forms that the parents fill out to enable the students to participate in the games.”

Basketball legend, Cedric Ceballos, urged parents to support and encourage the dreams of their children to become professional basketball players, saying it didn’t stop their educational pursuits.
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Head coach of the U-20 team, Ladan Bosso, has further reduced his squad as he prepares to drop his final list for the 2022 U-20 AFCON in Egypt.

The four unnamed players were dropped before Tuesday’s training session, which also afforded Bosso and his coaching crew the chance to test some overseas-based players who arrived camp over the weekend.

Ademola Ola-Adebomi of Crystal Palace, Joel Ideho of Arsenal, Michael Ologo of Istanbulspor and Abel Ogwuche of Trelleborgs were all involved in a test game that ended in a draw.

During the session, the Ideho and Ogwuche were particularly impressive, just as Ologo showed composure as a topflight player. Ola-Adebomi was also imposing in the test game, but it appeared the 15 minutes game time he got wasn’t enough to show his real abilities.

As the Flying Eagles continue their preparations for the tournament in Egypt, the Nigeria Football Federation has penciled a two-legged friendly against Zambia on Friday and Sunday.

Seven-time champions Nigeria have been drawn with hosts Egypt, Mozambique and Senegal in Group A of the tournament.

The 2023 U-20 AFCON, which will be played from February 9 to March 11, will serve as qualifiers for the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
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Former two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is set to face Jermaine Franklin as he makes his return to the boxing ring on April 1 at the 02 Arena in London and fans are already anticipating seeing the British-Nigerian triumph over the American in the bout.

Franklin made his UK debut in November, earning credit for a hard-fought majority decision loss to Joshua’s rival, Dillian Whyte, which was the first defeat on the 29-year-old’s 22-fight record.

Joshua’s second world title reign was ended by a unanimous decision loss to Usyk in September 2021, while the Ukrainian retained the WBA, IBF, and WBO belts with a split decision victory in their rematch last August.

Talks are at an advanced stage for Usyk to share the ring with WBC king Tyson Fury in the next few months, while Joshua kicks off his career rebuild April 1.

Saleh Fawaz, CEO of Nigeria’s leading boxing promotional and management company, Saleh Gloves Promotions, told our correspondent he believes the fight is perfect to get Joshua back on track and believes the 33-year-old can win the bout.

“It is a good fight. I didn’t think it was a good idea for him to jump into a huge opponent like (Deontay) Wilder, Fury, right away, so I think it is a good fight to get back into the ring and to try and get back to winning ways,” Fawaz told PUNCH Sports Extra.

“I am expecting Joshua to win the fight, but he should also respect Franklin, who fought Whyte last year and went the distance. Unlike Joshua, who only fought once last year, Franklin fought twice and had been inactive for two years. So, this is a sort of comeback for both of them, but Joshua, who knocked out Whyte should be able to beat him with his skillset and longer reach,” Fawaz said.

Joshua’s manager, Eddie Hearn, had previously hinted that a third consecutive loss could signal the end of Joshua’s career and Fawaz agrees with the promoter.

“Because of his losses and poor performances of recent, the ball is not in his court to get the next big fight and it will be all over for him if he loses this fight, even his promoter, Eddie Hearn, was saying that and it is true,” Fawaz added.

A female boxing fan, Tomi Isijola, also told our correspondent that although Franklin  wasn’t considered to be of Joshua’s standard, he could challenge the former champ.

“One thing we can’t do is underrate Jermaine Franklin because he had the skills to compete against Whyte and that means he may be able to shock Joshua, what I just think is Joshua just has to be ready physically and mentally to show Franklin who is boss.

“I want to see a good fight though, so I would be open to seeing Franklin giving Joshua a run for his money and testing him in the ring,” Isijola said.

John Jimoh, who has been following Joshua since the pugilist wonan Olympic gold in 2012, thinks the British-Nigerian has a great chance of beating Franklin come April 1.

“I think Joshua is going to win this, looking at what he is capable of. We shouldn’t judge this fight against Franklin based on what happened in the last two losses to Usyk because we have already seen that Usyk is a very fast fighter.

“I believe going into this fight, Joshua has a great chance of winning and he will definitely want to take back his glory and return to a title shot,” Jimoh said.

On social media, some fans also praised Joshua, while others think he should look for a bigger fight.

Franklin Chinasi believes the former champ should try and fight someone else.

”Joshua should fight Wilder, Fury, or (Andy) Ruiz jr,” he tweeted.

Another Twitter user @manutd56753206 believes Joshua can get back to the top of the heavyweight pile again.

“I hope you see this man, you are the champ, you were always the champ man. I DON’T WANT THIS SOFT SORRY LOOKING AJ, I WANT THE B*DDEST, M*ANEST, N*STIEST, WRECKING MACHINE @anthonyjoshua.”
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An Islamic group, Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, has appealed to the Federal Government to extend the deadline by at least two weeks.

Barrister Muhammad Mansur Aliyu, the Chairman of MURIC, Sokoto State chapter, made the appeal in a statement on Friday.

The statement read: “However, this week businesses in Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States were almost grounded as a result of the 31st January, 2023 deadline for expiration of old naira notes as a result of refusal to accept the old naira notes in commercial transactions out of fear of possible inability to deposit the old naira notes in commercial banks.

“This is because every bank a customer goes to will meet a very long queue of depositors, trying to deposit their old naira notes in their attempt to beat the deadline. Businessmen have to be at the bank as early as 6:00 am in order to join the queue at commercial banks to have their old naira notes changed. Moreover, because of lack of enough new naira notes in circulation, fear of receiving old naira notes and unsure of whether one would be able to deposit the money he collected from customers at banks before the deadline due to very long queues many businessmen stopped collecting old notes.

“Many filling stations and other essential services providers also closed, because most of their customers come with old naira notes and they are not sure whether they would be able to deposit the same to the bank. This has currently made life more difficult for ordinary citizens. Many Nigerians have lamented the nonavailability and scarcity of the new notes, this is because banks up till today, still give out the old naira notes to customers with the deadline only a few days away.

“Sequel to the foregoing, we appeal to the Federal Government to reconsider its decision by extending the 31st January, 2023 deadline for expiration of old naira notes by at least two weeks to enable Nigerians to swap their old naira with the new naira notes. We also call on the security agencies particularly the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit to closely monitor how commercial bank managers handle the new naira notes, they receive from Central Bank of Nigeria, which apex bank has been consistently insisting that the new notes are readily available at the vaults nationwide ready for collection. We call on Nigerians to remain peaceful and stop panicking about the money swap.”

Recall that the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, had on October 26, 2022 announced its plan to redesign N200, N500 and N1,000 notes.

On November 23, 2022, President Muhammadu Buhari subsequently unveiled the redesigned notes and the apex bank fixed the January 31 deadline for the expiration of the old notes.
https://www.otowngist.com/?p=161969

Nasarawa Governor Abdullahi Sule is bereaved after losing his first son.

Hassan Sule, aged 36 years, passed away in the late hours of Thursday.

The deceased, who married his wife in June last year, died in Lafia, the state capital.

The Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Addra, confirmed the passing.

A statement by the spokesperson on Friday noted that the death was “sudden”.

Hassan will be laid to rest in Gudi, Akwanga Local Government Area this morning in line with Islamic rights.
https://www.otowngist.com/2023/01/nasarawa-governor-loses-first-son-hassan-sule/

Chelsea legend, Frank Lampard has broken his silence after he was shown the exit door as Everton manager.

Lampard, one of the greatest midfielders of the English top-flight, was sacked by Goodison Park landlords on Monday after a 10-game winless run that included eight defeats.

The former Chelsea and Derby County boss left Everton sitting comfortably in the relegation zone

The Toffees are 19th in the table after 20 games. They have never been relegated from the Premier League, and may find themselves in the Championship next season.

The Toffees were also sinking last season before Lampard was appointed on a rescue mission which he achieved having taken over from Rafael Benitez.

The 44-year-old has now issued a statement following his sack, saying: “Coming into Everton last year I knew we were in a tough moment.”

The Englishman said he will always be proud of the incredible work and support he got from everyone involved with the team.

He thanked everybody, adding that “I will never forget the incredible night against Palace that we shared.

“I’m disappointed that we couldn’t achieve more together and wish all the players and everyone at Everton FC the very best for the future.”
https://www.otowngist.com/2023/01/im-disappointed-frank-lampard-breaks-silence-after-his-sack-as-everton-boss/

Former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka has declared that Nigeria doesn’t need a good man as President.

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, stalwart made the remark on Thursday at a virtual national dialogue monitored by DAILY POST.

Chidoka’s “good man” assertion was in response to previous comments by a Labour Party, LP, chieftain Valentine Ozigbo.

Ozigbo, Special Adviser to Obi on Technology and Strategic Alliances, described the LP presidential candidate as a humble man.

“When it comes to the personality of the candidates, we don’t emphasize character. You need someone who is humble, who you can engage.

“You need somebody who is compassionate, who cares about his country, fellow human beings; someone who fears God, who has conscience.

“There are some people who want to be empire on their own. Even as they are today, you cannot even reach them how much more when they become President,” the 2021 Anambra governorship candidate said.

In his contribution, Chidoka highlighted PDP’s achievements when it controlled the federal government between 1999 and 2007.

“The challenge is when you build institutions around an individual, you are bound to have problems.

“The lesson of our past history was that Obasanjo was a strong active leader, and afterwards we had Yar’Adua.

“Yar’Adua was a honest and quiet man, but under whom not much moved because every move was susceptible to conversation and long debate.

“He was a good man, the first man to declare his assets publicly and also made his vice to declare assets publicly.

“The first man to reform the electoral system, acknowledging that the election that brought him to power was not good.”

Chidoka however insists building institutions that will stop the ‘business as usual syndrome’ is “far more critical than a good man.”

The former Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Corps Marshal cited ex-German ruler Adolf Hitler as an example.

“One of the good men that ruled the world was Adolf Hitler,” the politician said.

“When he was elected, the whole Germany said this is the man that we need to restore the German pride.

“We all know how it ended because the German people for the first time, instead of trusting in their institutions, trusted an individual.”

Chidoka, a former governorship candidate in Anambra, also mentioned the President of Brazil Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

“Despite the challenges of being charged to court for corruption, the people of Brazil re-elected him again because he gets things done.”

“Getting things done is different from an Umaru Yar’Adua who was a good man, a very decent man, but could not get things done”, he added.
https://www.otowngist.com/?p=161965

Pep Guardiola has shared his opinion on which team is presently the best in England.

According to the former Barcelona boss, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are the best team in the English Premier League.

The Spaniard said that his Manchester City side will have to be at their best to beat Arsenal in tonight’s FA Cup fourth round at the Etihad on Friday.

The former Bayern Munich boss insisted Arsenal’s status as Premier League pacesetters means they are now the best team in England.

Arteta feels City remain the team to beat but Guardiola believes it is his former City assistant who holds the upper hand.

“A team with 50 points in one leg (half of the season) is the best.

“We have to prove how far away or how close we are. The best way is to perform at our best level, otherwise it will be difficult,” Guardiola told the press on Thursday.
https://www.otowngist.com/2023/01/pep-guardiola-names-best-team-in-premier-league/

Ahead of the continuation of this season’s UEFA Champions League in February, Paul Merson, an Arsenal legend, has named five clubs that could win the Europe top-flight tournament.

This season’s Champions League is in its round of 16 stages.

The Champions League round of 16 first-leg tie will commence on February 14 and 15, 21 and 22, while the second-leg fixtures will take place on March 7, 8, 14 and 15.

The teams in the last 16 are PSG, Bayern Munich, AC Milan, Tottenham, Club Brugge, Benfica, Dortmund, Chelsea, Liverpool, Real Madrid, Frankfurt, Napoli, Inter Milan, Porto, RB Leipzig and Manchester City.

Providing his prediction, Merson was quoted by Sportskeeda as saying: “The UEFA Champions League has produced an array of exceptional clashes so far this season, and we are set to witness its return next month.

“The competition has been difficult to predict this season, and I would not be surprised if we have more than a few upsets in the knock-out stages.

“I have got two teams that are playing each other in my top five – the team that wins that match has got an unbelievable chance. A lot of the favourites are playing against one another this season, and I am looking forward to it.”

Here are Merson’s top five clubs to win the Champions League this season:

1. Manchester City2. Bayern Munich3. Chelsea4. Napoli5. PSG
https://www.otowngist.com/2023/01/champions-league-paul-merson-predicts-five-clubs-to-win-trophy-this-season/

Residents of Ogun State are having a hard time accessing fuel at various filling stations across the State.

This is despite the fact that the people are ready to buy the product at any price dictated by the sellers.

In Abeokuta, there are extremely long queues at the few filling stations where the product is available.

Motorists spend hours queuing for petrol, which they buy at prices above N300 in most filling stations.

“Fuel is scarce. I just bought one litre at N350. It was like a war to get the fuel. I spent four hours before I finally got four litres,” a commercial motorcyclist told DAILY POST correspondent while negotiating the cost of transporting him from FMC to Okemosan, Abeokuta.

It was observed that many filling stations in the State capital have been under lock and key for weeks.

Artisans like barbers, welders, printers and others who depend on electricity to do their daily works are bitter over their inability to buy fuel.

Their problem was compounded by the failure of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company to supply power for more than 10 days now.

While saying they have never depended on the power distribution company, the artisans condemned the Federal Government for failing to find a solution to the lingering fuel problem for several months.

“At the moment, barbers and others have increased the cost of their services, while drivers and okada riders charge double their usual transport fare,” Adewale Semiu, a resident of Isale Igbein said.

Likewise, the majority of private car owners have resorted to commercial means of transportation as they could not buy fuel.

Many Ogun residents said the fuel crisis is affecting commercial activities in the State and having its toll on traders and buyers alike.

Coincidentally, the fuel crisis is hitting harder with the scarcity of the new naira notes, two situations the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu said were targeted at him to scuttle his chances.
https://www.otowngist.com/?p=161960

Al-Nassr striker, Cristiano Ronaldo, was greeted with Lionel Messi chants from Al-Ittihad supporters during their Saudi Super Cup game on Thursday.

As he arrived at the King Fahd International Stadium for the clash, Ronaldo received a rather surprising reaction from the home crowd.

The 37-year-old, who has been treated like royalty since making his big-money move to the Middle East, was greeted by chants for his eternal rival Messi.

Al-Nassr striker, Cristiano Ronaldo, was greeted with Lionel Messi chants from Al-Ittihad supporters during their Saudi Super Cup game on Thursday.

As he arrived at the King Fahd International Stadium for the clash, Ronaldo received a rather surprising reaction from the home crowd.

The 37-year-old, who has been treated like royalty since making his big-money move to the Middle East, was greeted by chants for his eternal rival Messi.
https://www.otowngist.com/2023/01/fans-taunt-ronaldo-with-messi-chants-as-al-nassr-lose/

Residents of Owerri, the Imo State capital, have been badly hit by the recent scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) also called petrol and its resultant increase in the pump price of the product.

Many Imolites are lamenting how the rising price of fuel (petrol) is creating ripple effects on the cost of other essential needs, such as food, transportation, clothing, among others.

During DAILY POST visit to some filling stations on Thursday, it gathered that the product was sold between N350 and N400 per litre as against the official pump price of N185.

The development has brought untold hardship to residents who are now appealing to the relevant authorities to address the problem.

A foodstuff seller at Eke-Ukwu Owerri market, Ogechi Iwu told DAILY POST that she watched her customers grapple with escalating prices over the past months.

“Rice, garri, onions, noodles, everything has risen in price. Some have more than doubled, others have jumped by various percentages due to high cost of transportation caused by fuel hike,” she said.

Some motorists narrated how filling stations within the State have continued to hoard the products, making the situation tougher for residents.

A commercial bus driver, Chijioke Aneke said black market operators around Egbu road, among others, hawk and dangle the product at almost every corner at a very high price.

“One litre of petrol is sold for as high as N600,” he lamented.

A commercial taxi driver, Emeka Chijindu said the hike in fare was completely inevitable, stressing “We buy petrol at N350/litre, some places, N400/litre.”

He said new tyres that were N7,000 are now N35, 000. I can go on. If we don’t increase transport fares, it’s simple pure business suicide.”

He said they were much bothered about availability of fuel for purchase than the price increase.

“We are all managing to survive. We feel commuters’ pains but we can’t help it. It’s the country we found ourselves in,” he said.

Other residents took a serious swipe at the Federal Government, accusing it of plunging Nigerians into abject poverty.

Chizy Onyeocha, a student of Alvan Ikoku College of Education, expressed dissatisfaction regarding the hike in fuel pump price stating that “after ASUU went on strike which affected all public universities, we are now faced with fuel price and scarcity; how are students expected to survive?”

She condemned the sharp increment in petrol prices, saying it’s another devastating moment for the welfare of Nigerian students, which in turn affects their academic activities.

She said, “I live a bit far from the school, around Akwakuma junction but before I can get to school I need to take a bus of N150 which was initially N50. It now costs nothing less than N300 in a day. I don’t have any more savings,” she lamented.

Also, a Mass Communication student of Imo State University, Daniel Chukwuyere said some students are selective in attending lectures since the cost of transportation is becoming unbearable and they have no option.

Chukwuyere urged the government to do something about it before it gets out of hand.

A trader, Ngozi Okwara grumbled that the situation led to a hike in the cost of transportation.

She explained that “from Akwakuma Bus Stop to the new market was N100. Now, we pay N200. To bring back the goods to my shop with a drop, from the bush market, used to cost me about N3,500 to N5,500 some months ago. Now, I pay as much as N8,500 for the same quantity of goods.”

She further said, “When we complain, the drivers blame it on the increase in fuel price. To recoup what I spent bringing the goods from the market, I adjusted the prices of my wares as well. I slightly increased the price of every item so that I can make a profit.”

Reacting to the ugly development, the Imo State Chairman of Independent Petroleum Marketers’ Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, Dr. Chidiebere Okoroafor, who spoke through the phone, said It’s a national issue which is not peculiar to Imo State alone.

While appealing for calm he said, “Everybody should take things easy, let’s see how we can manage the situation in a few months’ time.

“I appeal to the FG to ensure our refineries come back. They have promised us severally that they will start functioning soon, once the refineries are functional, all this anomaly will stop.

“I’m speaking to you from Abuja, you need to see the queue because it’s not something that has to do with Imo State alone. These people have promised us that they will bring in more products and supply will improve, let’s see how it goes. It’s not a permanent situation. I want to use this platform to appeal to Imo people to please endure for a while.”
https://www.otowngist.com/?p=161962

Chelsea legend, Chris Sutton has predicted the winner between Manchester City’s FA Cup fourth-round tie with Arsenal on Friday.

Man City will host Arsenal in the FA Cup fourth-round tie at the Etihad Stadium on Friday night.

Providing his prediction, Sutton told BBC Sport that Pep Guardiola’s side would beat the Gunners by 2-1.

Sutton said, “This is a brilliant tie to get the fourth round started, and it’s going to be interesting to see how both managers approach it because they meet again in the Premier League in the middle of February.

“The FA Cup clearly won’t be Arteta’s priority, but his side have got so much momentum at the moment while City are still not at their fluid best.

“I think City will edge.”

Sutton’s prediction: 2-1.
https://www.otowngist.com/2023/01/fa-cup-chris-sutton-predicts-winner-between-man-city-arsenal/

Nigeria forward, Stepen Gopey has joined Congo Democratic Republic side, TP Mazembe.

Gopey last featured for Egyptian Premier League outfit, Wadi Degla.

The 23-year-old has been registered by the Lumumbashi club for their CAF Confederation Cup campaign.

The striker joined another Nigerian Augustine Oladapo at the former African champions.

Gopey made his name during his time with Nigeria Premier Football League clubs, Rivers United, Wikki Tourists and Lobi Stars.

He has also played for clubs in Kuwait and Ukraine.
https://www.otowngist.com/2023/01/transfer-nigerian-forward-gopey-joins-congolese-club-tp-mazembe/

Wigan Athletic have sacked former Arsenal and Manchester City star, Kolo Toure after losing nine games.

Toure was only appointed Wigan Athletic manager back in November on a three-and-a-half-year deal, in his first managerial appointment.

The Ivorian was tasked with steering Wigan out of the relegation zone, but instead, things have only gotten worse, with the club now bottom of the Championship and four points from safety.

Wigan got just two points from seven league games under Toure and were eliminated from the FA Cup after a third-round replay against Luton Town.

“Firstly, I would like to thank Kolo , along with Kevin and Ashvir, for their efforts during their time at the Football Club,” a statement from Malachy Brannigan, Chief Executive of Wigan, on Thursday read.

“Unfortunately, the results on the field have not been as we would have liked and as tough a decision as this was, the Board felt it necessary to give us the best possible chance of remaining a Championship club next season.

“Therefore, we will now work swiftly and effectively to ensure the right person is appointed as the next permanent manager of Wigan Athletic, with the immediate objective of remaining in the Second Tier for next season.”
https://www.otowngist.com/2023/01/ex-arsenal-star-kolo-toure-sacked-after-losing-nine-games/