The Super Eagles of Nigeria made It to second round at the ongoing 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), following a 3-1 win against Sudan at the Roumde Adjia Stadium, Garoua, this evening, January 15.
Samuel Chukwueze gave the Super Eagles the lead in the third minute after he was teed up by Moses Simon.
The Sudanese took control of the game afterwards and came close to equalizing on a couple of occasions.
Rangers midfielder, Joe Aribo came close to doubling Nigeria’s score line in the 37th minute, but failed to direct his effort on target.
Taiwo Awoniyi also missed another chance a minute later.
Awoniyi however added the second goal on the dot of 45 minutes after he was set up by Chukwueze.
The Super Eagles continued from where they stopped after the break with Simon netting the third goal in the 46th minute.
Walieldin khedr reduced the deficit for Sudan from the spot 20 minutes from time
Austine Eguavoen’s charges remain top of Group D with six points from two games.
Egypt and Guinea-Bissau will battle in the group’s other game later on today.
The Super Eagles will take on Guinea-Bissau in their final group game on Wednesday.
The Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has confessed that the State has the highest number of Almajiri in the country.
Speaking to newsmen today, January 14 at the Presidential villa, Abuja, the governor complained however that most of the Almajiris are not indigenes of the State.
He said that because such none indigenes are guaranteed by the Constitution to live anywhere they wish to, his government had evolved a police of free and compulsory education for them.
“Yes, we have the highest number of Almajiri children in Nigeria. But let me tell you, we have taken a statistics.
“Most of these Almajiris are not indigenes of Kano state and as Nigerians, they are free to live anywhere they want in this country.
“But what is important, we have introduced free and compulsory primary and secondary education in Kano state. “We have built many Islamiya schools. We have reformed the Almajiri system of education. And also, we have embarked on repatriation of Almajiri back to their respective states, some even to Republic of Niger, Republic of Cameroon.
“But as you will know, unless there’s a universal legislation, preventing the movement of school aged children from one state to another, it is a problem that will continue to be here for a long time because Kano is a commercial nerve centre of the Northern part of this country and also a commercial nerve center of some West African countries.
“So, you can imagine people coming to earn their livelihood. They usually come with children, but we have enacted a law.
Any parent that does not put his child into school will be prosecuted.
“So, now, we have established a whole agency that is now evacuating the Almajiri to their respective states. And those who are in Kano enjoy the free education facilities.
“So, that is the effort we are making. But as I told you, unless there is universal synergy, especially among the northern states governors, where there is legislation preventing the movement of Almajiri from one state to another state, Kano will continue to bear this problem.”
President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed confidence that the nation will overcome the prevailing situation of insecurity in parts of the country.
Speaking today, January 14 during a visit of the Grand Khalifa (overall head) of the Tijjaniyya Islamic Movement World-Wide at the Presidential villa, Abuja, President Buhari said that his government is well aware of its responsibility with regards to security and will continue to do its best.
The President called on Nigerians to be fair to his government in assessing the security issue in the country by reflecting on what obtained at the time he took over in 2015, and the successes as well as performance which mark a decisive break from the past, particularly in the Northeast and the South-South.
According to him, the Northwest which had given the nation some “headache” will experience a turnaround for the better soon.
President Buhari advised the citizens of the country to take responsibility and show interest in the affairs of their own security and complement what the government is doing.
“We have done our best and we will continue to do more by pursuing coherent and consistent policies to deal with terrorism. I hope God will listen to our prayers.”
The President thanked the Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who led the Grand Khalifa to Nigeria.
“We thank you for inviting them to come to pray for peace and stability in our country. “We are grateful that they agreed to come.”
He joined them in praying that God will give guidance and strength to leaders to be accountable and do right in all things that they do.
Governor Ganduje, while introducing the Khalifa and his delegation, including the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero and Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, the leader of the Tijjaniyya Islamic Movement in Nigeria, said that the government of Kano State invited the Tijjaniyya World Leader to the country to lead the faithful in prayer, considering the complexities around security in particular.
He said that the visit of the Grand Khalifa had also rekindled the old ties between the Tijjaniya and the many cultural and educational institutions in Nigeria.
The Tijjaniyya leader in the country, Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi and the Grand Khalifa, Tidjani Ali Bin Arabi extolled the existing cordial relations between Nigeria and Algeria and prayed for guidance and blessings for the country and its leaders.
A group of Nollywood actors and entertainers under the canopy of Ambassadors of Voice for Change, have conferred a merit award on the Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on media and publicity, Femi Adesina. They were at the Presidential villa, Abuja today, January 14 to hand in the award to Adesina at a short ceremony.
The representatives of the group led by Ahmed Bala were Kure, Gentle Jack, Saheed Balogun, Mr. Ibu, Shina Peters and Onyekweli Harry B.
The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Professor Umar Garba Danbatta, has listed the wonders of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in today’s world, considered impossible a few years ago. At the 10th and 11th combined Convocation Lecture of the Fountain University at Osogbo, Osun State, which he delivered yesterday, January 13, Professor Danbatta noted that in all continents of the world, people, organisations and countries have continued to witness leaps and bounds in economic, social and political activities through instrumentality of ICT. In the paper titled: “Empowering the Nigerian Youth though Information and Communication Technology,” the NCC boss said that ICT has come to be synonymous with empowerment, as it transforms processes efficiently acting as an enabler of effectiveness in operations in every sector of the economy, including commerce, agriculture, health, security and governance. According to Professor Danbatta, Uber, the world’s largest taxi company, owns no vehicle; Airbnb, the world’s largest accommodation provider, owns no real estate; Facebook, world’s most popular public-facing digitally-mediated social networking platform, creates little or no content; Alibaba, a leading global retailer, has little or no inventory, yet they have become signposts of prosperity riding wholly on ICT resources. He stressed that it would be a failing prophesy decades ago if anyone had said a company with no vehicle, just via an application, will control more than 75 million active commercial drivers in, at least, 80 countries. It would also be contested that through a mere app, a company will provide accommodation to millions of travellers and tourists in more than 100,000 cities of the world. “Similarly, just as Alibaba, without inventory, had over 828 million annual active customers across its China retail markets, as at June 2021. “Needless to mention that the troves of contents synonymous with Facebook are actually generated by its 2.89 billion monthly active users. The NCC boss said that the foregoing contextual demonstrations of the possibilities of ICT explain Federal Government’s decisions to strengthen ICT adoption in building a robust digital economy in Nigeria, eloquently expressed in the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS), 2020-2030; the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (NNBP), 2020-2025 and other series of policies, guidelines and regulations derivative of the NDEPS and NNBP. He explained that adoption of digital revolutions by government is creating multiplier effects across critical sectors, aiding job creation, better governance, youth empowerment and overall socio-economic development. “It is the reason this objective reality is cited as the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). “Indeed, for over 10 years, ICT has consistent contributed more than 10 per cent of the Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) – the telecom sector alone contributed 12.45 per cent to GDP as at the fourth quarter of 2020. “Given that Nigeria accounts for 82 per cent of Africa’s ICT market and 29 per cent of continental Internet usage and sub-Sahara Africa being the fastest growing region for ICT adoption, the Federal Government, in its determination to ensure that the nation harness full benefits of ICT, instituted a broadband vision that will see Nigeria as a society of connected communities of high-speed broadband access and connectivity.” The Executive Vice Chairman said that the envisioned society will deliver Internet connectivity speed 10 megabits per second (Mbps) in rural areas and 25 Mbps in urban areas by 2025. Additionally, effective coverage will be available to, at least, 90 per cent of the population by 2025 at a price not more than N390 per one gigabyte of data. The professor of telecommunications engineering informed the audience that the NCC has connected to the policies of government through its Strategic Management Plan (SMP) 2020-2024 and the Strategic Vision Plan (SVP), 2021-2025, which streamline the provision of key extant policies for effective implementation by the Commission. Professor Danbatta, therefore, appealed to the Nigerian youths to take advantage of Federal Government’s laudable policies, which have found expression in many activities of the Commission targeting the Nigerian youths. These activities and interventionist programmes has, as primer, the ICT Hubs Support and Engagement programme, which brings youths together in the Nigerian tech ecosystem to deliberate and recommend frameworks and strategies for the development of the sector. He said that the overarching objective of the engagement is to harness the innovative and creative energy of the young people to promote ICT innovation and entrepreneurship, provide the linkage between policy makers, industry, entrepreneurs and tech enthusiasts to leverage the power of digital technology through local content development. “This engagement and collaboration aligns with the Commission’s policy of inclusiveness which by the reckoning of development scholars, is imperative for growth and development.” Earlier in his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Olalekan Sanni described Professor Danbatta as an accomplished academician and administrator, whose wealth of experience was considered worthy of tapping into by the university community towards proffering solutions to the issue of youth empowerment and to suggest ways for enhancing Nigeria’s socio-economic life through effective leveraging of ICT.
A Journalist and Publisher, Dele Momodu, has declared interest to run for the Office of the President in the 2023 election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The aspirant, who met with the national chairman of the PDP, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, today, January 13, with a letter he handed to the chairman, said that his move is to put an end to speculations in the public space over his interest.
He said that his decision to offer himself for the Presidency came after due consultation with his family, stakeholders and mentors.
According to him, now is the time for full reconciliation and forgiveness among Nigerians and an opportunity to seek closure for the country’s ugly past
”Nigeria urgently requires a reset and a total redirection. With this letter, Sir, I wish to humbly put the speculations to rest by coming to you with every sense of purpose and responsibility.
”I hasten to add that this is my personal decision, although I have received advice, encouragement and support from diverse quarters since I started my consultations.
”I urge the Party not to consider picking its candidate based on the usual considerations which had spectacularly failed our country in the past. The mood of the teeming youths, and indeed every patriotic Nigerian, who we need to come out en masse to vote for our party, aligns with this view.
”I invite our great party, PDP, to accept that it must search for a veritable flag bearer with the requisite leadership and visionary qualities that Nigerians now earnestly yearn for.
”I’m convinced that the time has come to seriously challenge and dislodge those politicians who have held our country to ransom by kidnapping, hijacking and destroying the future of our younger generation and generations yet unborn.
”I’m better prepared now than at the time of my first foray into the fray in 2011, and I am fully ready and certainly capable for the onerous tasks and responsibilities ahead.”
Dele Momodu, however, warned that he will not accept any form of harassment or bullying from richer politicians in the course of the race.
“I wish to place on record my firm promise and commitment not to be harassed, bullied or intimidated by anyone who feels he or she can buy the whole of Nigeria with loads of cash fraudulently and illegally filched and taken from the Nigerian people.”
”Nigeria deserves much better than where we are now, and my appeal to fellow Nigerians is that we should collectively rescue our dear country from the suffocating claws of slave masters, overlords and tyrants. I vociferously and vehemently reject any suggestion that Nigeria should continue to tread this dangerous path.”
President Muhammadu Buhari has openly commended the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, for delivering what he called “visionary and trail-blazing projects” to the people, even in the midst of prevailing and challenging circumstances, occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said: “Your Excellency, well done! I am proud of what you have done for your State and your people.
‘‘You have made our great Party, the APC, proud too. You are a worthy example of promises made, promises kept.”
President Buhari, who is on a one-day working visit to the State today, January 13 and inaugurated five key projects in the State, described Governor Abiodun as the ‘‘performing Governor of Nigeria’s Gateway State.”
The President said that the Governor e is a worthy example of ‘‘promises made, promises kept.’’
According to the President, the lofty projects, including the Gateway City Gate, the 42-Kilometre Sagamu Interchange-Abeokuta Road, the 14km Ijebu-Ode-Epe Expressway and two Housing Estates for low, medium and high income earners at Kobape and Oke-Mosan in Abeokuta, respectively, could not have materialised without the State government’s huge investment and commitment to security of lives and property.
‘‘This has made Ogun State one of the safest and most peaceful States in the country and investors’ destination of choice.
‘‘You (Prince Abiodun) have justified the mandate of the people of Ogun State. You have represented our Party very well.”
The President expressed delight that the 14km Ijebu Ode-Mojoda-Epe Road commissioned by him has been reconstructed into a modern expressway by the State government.
He noted that the impressive road would complement the Sagamu-Benin Expressway that the Federal Government is currently reconstructing; also due for commissioning this year.
“Just across the road is the 42-kilometer Sagamu-Interchange-Abeokuta Road which the state Government has reconstructed and equipped with street lights.
“That road enjoys a direct linkage with the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway that the Federal Government is rebuilding and due for completion later this year.
“I am particularly impressed by the quality and standard of your road projects, and the creative way you have deployed resources to reconstruct and rehabilitate them.
“It is significant to note that the two road projects being commissioned today are federal roads. This is an example of constructive engagement, cooperation and collaboration between the States and Federal Government.
“These roads also fit well into our rail transportation masterplan that connects Lagos, Nigeria’s economic capital to Kano, with Ogun State having more rail stations, along the Lagos-Ibadan rail corridor.”
On the housing programme of the Ogun State Governor, the President commended its inclusiveness, saying that it is equally heart-warming that it cuts across different social strata, capturing the low, medium and high income earners.
Buhari admired the Gateway City Gate Project, saying: ‘‘it is not just a Park beautification project. It depicts that something new is happening in Ogun State, a welcoming entrance into the State Capital at the centre point of the State.”
He said that the project is also an ICON that depicts the joining of hands for building the future of Ogun State in togetherness.
“These lofty projects could not have materialised without your huge investment and commitment to security of lives and property.”
Responding to requests by the State governor to give priority to the Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta and the Sango Otta-Idiroko Roads respectively, the President assured the people of Ogun State that these roads will receive Federal Government attention.
He said that the Federal Government would consider extending tax credit as funding option for the reconstruction of these roads, as done for the 100km Sagamu Interchange-Papalanto-Ilaro road.
Similarly, the President promised to consider the approval of the reconstruction of Sagamu-Ogijo Road by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited under the tax credit scheme.
The President thanked the residents of the State for the warm reception accorded him and his entourage in the Gateway State, which is his first visit to any State in the New Year.
“This welcome by the large crowd brings back the nostalgia of my first arrival on this soil as a young infantry officer in the Nigerian Army at the then Lafenwa Barracks in Abeokuta, not long after independence.
“The traditional hospitality of the people of this State has not waned a bit. Today, I am “Omowale” and very happy at this homecoming to meet my brothers and sisters whose goodwill I have always enjoyed.”
The President also congratulated the people of Ogun State for having such a focused, deliberate and inclusive Administration under the watch of Prince Abiodun, advising them to continue to support the governor for the successful implementation of the “Building our Future Together” Agenda of his Administration.
“The reward for success is more hard work to meet the increasing expectations of the people.
“When state governments deliver impactful projects, in consultations with stakeholders, like we have witnessed in Ogun State, the trajectory of our national development will be enhanced.’’
The President, who was conferred with ‘‘honourary indigeneship’’ of the State, said: ” it is with a sense of responsibility that I receive and cherish the honourary indigeneship bestowed on me as symbolized by the presentation of the key to the Gateway State by Governor Abiodun.
“I will leave Ogun State with fond memories and look forward to enjoying the privilege of my honorary indigeneship.”
Foremost social media platform, the Twitter has expressed happiness for its return to the Nigeria media space from suspension that lasted a couple of months. President Muhammadu Buhari had yesterday, January 12, approved the lifting of the suspension, after consultations and due diligence. Reacting to the lifting of the suspension, Twitter said: “our mission in Nigeria and around the world, is to serve the public conversation. ” We are deeply committed to Nigeria, where Twitter is used by people for commerce, cultural engagement and civic participation.”
Nigeria’s Federal Government has finally lifted the suspension it placed on the operations of a social medium, the Twitter, with effect from tomorrow, January 13.
In a statement today, January 12, the
Chairman,Technical Committee on Nigeria-Twitter Engagement who doubles as Director-General of the
National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi said that the directive for the lifting of the suspension was given by President Muhammadu Buhari.
He said that the President’s approval was based on a memo written to him by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim.
According to him, in the Memo, the Minister updated and requested the President’s approval for the lifting based on the Technical Committee Nigeria-Twitter Engagement’s recommendation.
The statement read:
You may recall that on 5th June 2021, the FGN suspended the operation of Twitter through an announcement made by the Honourable Minister of Information and Culture, Alh Lai Mohammed. Thereafter, the President constituted a seven-man Presidential Committee to engage Twitter Inc. Subsequently, in its wisdom, the Presidential Committee set a 20-member Technical Committee comprising all relevant government agencies. The Technical Committee engaged and worked directly with the Twitter team.
The immediate and remote cause of the suspension was the unceasing use of the platform by some unscrupulous elements for subversive purposes and criminal activities, propagating fake news, and polarising Nigerians along tribal and religious lines, among others. These issues bordering on National Security, Cohesion and the effects of the abuse of the Twitter platform forced the FGN to suspend the operation of Twitter to address the direct and collateral issues around its operations in Nigeria.
The new global reality is that digital platforms and their operators wield enormous influence over the fabric of our society, social interaction and economic choices. These platforms can be used as either a tool or a weapon. Every nation is grappling with how to balance its usage efficiently. Without balancing, every citizen’s security, privacy, social well-being, and development are at stake. Therefore, our action is a deliberate attempt to recalibrate our relationship with Twitter to achieve the maximum mutual benefits for our nation without jeopardising the justified interests of the Company. Our engagement has been very respectful, cordial, and successful.
The process of resolving this impasse between the FGN and Twitter Inc. has helped lay a foundation for a mutually beneficial future with endless possibilities. Twitter is a platform of choice for many Nigerians ranging from young innovators to public sector officials who find it helpful to engage their audience. Therefore, our engagement will help Twitter improve and develop more business models to cover a broader area in Nigeria. Furthermore, the FGN looks forward to providing a conducive environment for Twitter and other global tech companies to achieve their potential and be sustainably profitable in Nigeria.
While appreciating all Nigerians, especially the vibrant Nigerian youths who have borne with the long wait to resolve this impasse, the FGN is happy to say that the gains made from this shared national sacrifice are immeasurable. Some of the gains include:
Ongoing economic and training opportunities as the Company continues to consider expanding its presence in Nigeria;
Getting a better understanding of how to use the Twitter platform effectively to improve businesses;
Revenue generation from the operation of Twitter in Nigeria;
Smooth and coordinated relationship between Nigerian Government and Twitter leading to mutual trust;
Reduction of cybercriminal activities such as terrorism, cyberstalking, hate speech, etc.; and
Working with Twitter and other global companies to build an acceptable code of conduct following the global best practice.
The FGN has asked Twitter to fulfil some conditions before restoring its services. These conditions addressed legal registration of operations, taxation, and managing prohibited publication in line with Nigerian laws. Twitter has agreed to meet all the conditions set by the FGN. Consequently, the FGN and Twitter have decided on an execution timeline, which has started this week. Our engagement with Twitter opens a new chapter in global digital diplomacy and sets a new operational template for Twitter to come back stronger for the benefit of Nigerians.
The following are the resolutions agreed with Twitter. Inc.:
Twitter has committed to establishing a legal entity in Nigeria during the first quarter of 2022. The legal entity will register with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). The establishment of the entity is Twitter’s first step in demonstrating its long-term commitment to Nigeria.
Twitter has agreed to appoint a designated country representative to interface with Nigerian authorities. The Global Public Policy team is also directly available through a dedicated communication channel.
Twitter has agreed to comply with applicable tax obligations on its operations under Nigerian law.
Twitter has agreed to enrol Nigeria in its Partner Support and Law Enforcement Portals. The Partner Support Portal provides a direct channel for government officials and Twitter staff to manage prohibited content that violates Twitter community rules. At the same time, the Law Enforcement Portal provides a channel for the law enforcement agencies to submit a report with a legal justification where it suspects that content violates Nigerian Laws. Taken together, these represent a comprehensive compliance apparatus.
Twitter has agreed to act with a respectful acknowledgement of Nigerian laws and the national culture and history on which such legislation has been built and work with the FGN and the broader industry to develop a Code of Conduct in line with global best practices, applicable in almost all developed countries.
Therefore, the FGN lifts the suspension of the Twitter operations in Nigeria from midnight of 13th January 2022. We encourage all users of the Twitter platform to maintain ethical behaviour and refrain from promoting divisive, dangerous, and distasteful information on the platform. As patriotic citizens, we need to be mindful that anything illegal offline is also illegal online and that committing a crime using a Nigerian Internet Protocol (IP) is synonymous with committing a crime within our jurisdiction.
Considering Twitter’s influence on our democracy, our economy, and the very fabric of our corporate existence as a Nation, our priority is to adapt, not ban, Twitter. The FGN is committed to working with Twitter to do anything possible to help Nigerians align and navigate Twitter algorithmic design to realise its potentials while avoiding its perils.
In his approval, the President appreciates the Presidential Committee led by the Honourable Minister of Information and Culture, Alh Lai Mohammed, for the supervisory role and guidance given to the Technical Committee during the engagement. Similarly, the Presidential Committee commends the Technical Committee for a professional, robust and productive engagement with Twitter Inc. It also appreciates Government Regulatory Agencies and Internet Service Providers who implemented the FGN’s directives during the suspension.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles have defeated the Pharaohs of Egypt 1-0.
The defeat was in the opening game of Group D today, January 11 at the 2022 AFCON in Cameroon.
Kelechi Iheanacho’s volley in the 30th minute helped the Nigeria defeat a rather spineless Egypt which fielded star player Mohamed Salah.
But for lack of composure in the final third, the Super Eagles should have won the game by a larger margin.
Standing on a spot, Iheanacho slotted home a delightful pass from Joe Aribo to give the Eagles a first-half lead. The scoreline remained the same until full time.
Twice in the game, referee Bakary Gassama changed the football for lack of quality.
Nigeria will play Sudan next on Saturday, January 15.
A win in that encounter will guarantee the Super Eagles entry into the next round.
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The Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has confessed that the State has the highest number of Almajiri in the country.
President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed confidence that the nation will overcome the prevailing situation of insecurity in parts of the country.
Nigeria’s Federal Government has finally lifted the suspension it placed on the operations of a social medium, the Twitter, with effect from tomorrow, January 13.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles have defeated the Pharaohs of Egypt 1-0.
