Senegal have lifted their first CAF African Cup of Nations after defeating Egypt in the 2021 nations cup in Cameroon on Sunday.
Egypt, the most successful national team in the continent, lost in the final against Senegal, a side that have not won the AFCON since inception.
Senegal have made 16 appearances in the AFCON without securing the continent’s most prestigious football title.
The Pharaohs of Egypt have won seven AFCON titles.
The Lions of Teranga missed an early chance to clear the coast for their first victory in the tournament’s final.
Mohamed Abdelmonem clumsily brought down Saliou Ciss in the penalty box in the 4th minute, but Sadio Mane fluffed his penalty just minutes into the final.
The 29-year-old Liverpool star went for power with his spot kick but Egypt’s goalkeeper, Gabaski punched the ball to the corner.
Both teams were keen on winning the title with Senegal more determined to lift their first AFCON title.
The match was dragged into the extra time and saw Senegal dominate the possession and shots.
But the match was decided by penalty shootouts.
Abdelmonem missed Egypt’s second penalty, while Sarr also missed his, thereby leveling the scoreline.
Egypt’s M. Lasheen also missed his penalty giving Senegal a 4-2 lead on penalties.
Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, has said he might contest the 2023 presidential election.
He, however, said he was now engrossed in the governorship election holding in his state ( Ekiti) on June 18 and how his candidate, who is the Peoples Democratic Party flag bearer in the poll, Bisi Kolawole would win the election.
The former governor said he had been calling aggrieved governorship aspirants of the PDP to make them to see reasons to support the party in the coming poll. He added that he called former Governor Segun Oni after the primary election but he did not pick the calls
Speaking in an interview with SUNDAY PUNCH, Fayose said Bisi Kolawole is very popular and would win the coming election.
Asked if he thought the PDP could win the presidential poll in 2023, Fayose stated that things would become worse and Nigerians would be made to suffer more from the APC which had been in the saddles since 2015.
He said, “If PDP does not win the 2023 election, then Nigerians are doomed. From what I have seen since 2015, Nigerians are doomed. The kind of leadership that Nigeria has witnessed – insecurity, the economy – don’t forget that the impact of these things is more felt by the masses.
” It is the people that are at the receiving end. The cost of diesel today is about N400 per litre; during President Goodluck Jonathan’s (PDP) time, it was N140, N145. Whatever we are saying, it is either Nigerians want to remain in perpetual poverty or they save themselves. It is about Nigerians themselves.”
He also boasted that he would defeat Asiwaju Bola Tinubu if the later was picked by the All Progressives Congress to contest the presidential election in 2023 but said he was not sure if he would contest the poll.
Fayose said, “PDP government is far better than APC government in Nigeria. Would he ( Tinubu) leave the APC people and come to give me appointments or will he make me vice president, such that I work for the APC? It is not possible. Tinubu is for APC, I am for PDP. All these insinuations are just to call the dog a bad name to hang it.
“I have said it over and over, Asiwaju remains a Yoruba leader; I remain a Yoruba leader. We are in different levels of leadership. But if I am being misquoted for the fact that I said Asiwaju is a Yoruba leader, I am saying I am a Yoruba leader, but the Asiwaju in his own Yoruba leadership is in the APC; Ayo Fayose in his own leadership is in PDP.
” Who has told you that I don’t want to be President? Who has told you that if the PDP picks me that I will not defeat Asiwaju? Who has told you? You don’t know maybe I will still contest? If I come out and they zone it to South-West and they say it’s Fayose, if they pick Asiwaju, I will defeat him!”
Fayose also debunked the insinuations that he would trade away the candidate of the PDP in the June 18 governorship poll asking the people to discountenance such claims.
“You know we are politicians; we like to say things to destroy one another. I have served this state twice, if anybody should concede to anybody, it should be Fayemi conceding to me. It would not be a healthy election! What does Fayemi want to offer me? Even when I was supposed to be cowed as a sitting governor in the face of the federal might, I was never cowed; I faced the whole of them.
” Against the present APC government in Nigeria, I was and I am a major voice; nobody can take that away from me. What is in Ekiti that I will want to compromise? Is it the resources or what? What will Fayemi buy my conscience with or what will I buy Fayemi’s conscience with? If you are saying somebody is popular, there is no denying that they all know that I am on the ground.
“Let me give you an instance; the Governor of Akwa Ibom came to conduct the PDP election, he stayed in the Government House. The Deputy Governor of Taraba State came to conduct election, he stayed in the Government House, courtesy of the deputy governor, though in the APC. When the Akwa Ibom State Governor was leaving, his helicopter landed at the Government House’s helipad, and courtesy demands that as a former governor I should go and say goodbye.
” So, I went to the Government House, met Jigawa State Governor Abubakar Badaru, who came to conduct the APC governorship election. The four of us took pictures and I was the one who posted that picture – clear conscience fears no foes. If I had hidden agenda, why did I have to post the picture? I posted the picture and I stated before the fifth columnists start their wagging, I am in the Government House of Ekiti to see off Governor Udom and I saw Governor of Jigawa there and Fayemi and we took these pictures. That shows that I know them. They ( those insinuating compromise) are cheap blackmailers,” he added.
Popular Nigerian singer, Olamide Adedeji, on Saturday disclosed that his new album is 95 percent ready.
The award-winning singer who disclosed this on his Twitter account stated that he is not sure of when he would be releasing the album.
According to Olamide, he is taking his time to ensure that his forthcoming album will be the best ever.
He further stated that the album which he dubbed, ‘Unruly’ might be his last album, but he would drop singles once a while.
Olamide wrote, “Next Album = #Unruly 95% ready. Release date = I don’t know
Taking my time to make it the best ever… probably my last album.
Though I’ll drop singles once in a blue moon when I feel like it. It’s been a mad ass run; giving albums back to back.”
Smuggling is the Mother of all Crime that Customs is Dealing with Technologically – Attah
The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Colonel Hameed Ali, Rtd, is using advanced technologies to outsmart smugglers’ techniques in concealing contraband products across the borders into Nigeria.
This was the disclosure of Comptroller Joseph Attah, Customs spokesman, who played host to a team of the National Association of Online Security Reporters, NAOSRE, led by its President, Comrade Femi Oyewale in Abuja on Thursday, January 3.
Speaking with NAOSRE team, Attah emphasized that smuggling is a national menace which the Customs Service, under the leadership of Alli, is determined to erase from the country’s list of crimes.
Attah described smuggling as the mother of all crimes, explaining that “Smugglers are the agents responsible for the proliferation of illegal arms in the country which fuels banditry, kidnapping and other forms of insecurity.
“Also, smugglers are responsible for the preponderance of fake consumables including fake drugs in the country which partly renders health care services ineffective.
“Therefore, you can understand the reason we classify smuggling as the mother of all crimes. In carrying out their nefarious activities, they have gone sophisticated in concealing contraband goods in great measures and in several ways.“To outsmart these anti peoples’ agents and nip their operations in the bud, the Comptroller General, last year, acquired three scanners which have been deployed for use in strategic ports across Nigeria.
“We are going to have more scanners. There is synergy with other sister security agencies for effective border patrol. Customs processes are now automated because automation is the way to go in meeting revenue target and degrading smugglers,” he stated.
In addition, Attah said the Comptroller General is also concerned about the safety of its personnel in the course of duty and has procured several rugged, all-terrain operational vehicles fitted with gun turrets as well as machine guns to protect officers against smugglers onslaught.
He therefore, called on citizens to lend necessary supports by volunteering timely information to the Customs Service for effective arrest of criminals who import fake products and illegal arms.
Attah noted that Customs initiatives, over the years, would not have been successful but for media supports. He particularly applauded NAOSRE, saying “I have been following your activities and your passion for a secured Nigeria. You are a good example of how to support security agencies to achieve safer Nigeria. We are happy with NAOSRE because you share our vision for a secured Nigeria. We hope you will continue to sensitize Nigerians about the danger of smuggling,” he advised.
Earlier, in his remarks, NAOSRE President, Comrade Oyewale explained the rationale behind the visit, saying it was to thank the Comptroller General and his officers for the supports extended to the association in the past years. He promised that NAOSRE, under his leadership, will continue to render impactful media coverage to security agencies and externalize their great efforts to achieve a safer Nigeria.
Students of Veritas University Abuja were thrown into panic in the early hours of Saturday, after fire razed some shops located within the boys hostel.
The incident occured in the early hours of Saturday at the campus located in Bwari Area Council of Federal Capital Territory.
The Veritas University Public Relation Officer, Evelyn Obekpa, who confirmed the incident to THE WHISTLER, said the institution received a distress call in the early hours of Saturday.
She said, “This is to react to the purported story making the round about a fire outbreak in Veritas University Abuja.
“Here is the truth. Five make-shift shops within the university campus were affected in a fire-out break at about 1am today, Saturday, 5th February 2022.
“Those shops are mostly kitchens operated by food vendors within the university. The extent of the damage is yet to be ascertained.
“The makeshifts are on the way that leads to the boys hostel, and among the shops affected is one that belongs to a bean cake seller.
“The person who fries Akara (bean cake) did not put off the fire properly and then took the wood into the shop, and that resulted to the raze. No casualty recorded so far. “
Obekpa stated that they contacted the Federal Fire Service immediately the fire was discovered, adding that the Service swiftly intervened.
The Federal Fire Service Public Relations Officer, Abraham Paul when contacted, confirmed the incident, adding that the cause of the fire could not be immediately ascertained.
He said, “We can confirm that we got a distress call around 1am today and we referred them to FCT Fire Service in Bwari. As to the level of damage and cause of the fire ,our investigators would hit the place and inform us after their investigation.”
Veritas University is a private institution founded by the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria through a resolution given at its March 2002 meeting in Abuja.
Ahead of the June 18 governorship poll in Ekiti State, former Governor Segun Oni and first-runner up in the just-concluded governorship primaries of the opposition People’s Democratic Party(PDP) has withdrawn his membership of the PDP.
The Director of Media and Publicity of Segun Oni Movement Adebayo Jackson confirmed this to The Nation in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti state on Saturday.
Oni has however not indicated the party he would be pitching tent with.
But speculations are rife that the Ex-Governor may join All Progressives Grand Alliance(AGPA) to contest the governorship poll.
Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp has reacted to Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane’s outstanding performances in the 2021 African Cup of Nations tournament.
Naija News reports that the two Reds’ forward helped their nation qualify for the finals after beating their opponents in the semi-final.
Egypt had defeated AFCON host Cameroon on penalties, while Senegal also won 3-1 against Burkina Faso.
Reacting to the development, Klopp has told Salah and Mane that one of them will suffer heartbreak after full-time in the final match.
Egypt will face Senegal in the 2021 AFCON final this Sunday in Cameroon.
Klopp, however, during his pre-match press conference ahead of Liverpool’s FA Cup fourth-round tie against Cardiff City on Sunday, said it won’t be easy for one of the African players as one will win and the other will lose.
He commended the players saying “Great achievement for both [Salah and Mane] getting through to the [AFCON] final.”
Klopp added: “Naby [Keita of Guinea] played an exceptional tournament as well. So far, a really successful tournament for our boys and it will be exciting.
“It won’t be easy because one will be really happy afterwards and one less so. It’s a chance to achieve something really big.”
Speaking on the availability of both Salah and Mane for Liverpool’s Premier League fixture against Leicester on Thursday, Klopp added: “I think they will be available, but we will see.
“Tuesday or Wednesday is the latest the winner will be back, the other slightly earlier. I have to talk to them. They have rhythm as they have played quite a few games!”
A former Governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu says his perfect understanding of Nigeria, positions him as the right candidate for the 2023 presidency.
He stated this on Friday evening during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, monitored by POLITICS NIGERIA, where he spoke about his plans for the country if elected to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari.
“I understand Nigeria. I know Nigeria. I have the Fulani brain, I have the Kanuri brain, I have the Yoruba brain, I have the Efik brain, I know everybody by communities, by homes. And Nigeria requires a Nigerian who will claim to be (truly) Nigerian,” he said.
Asked if he sees Bola Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos state and All Progressives Congress (APC) national leader, as a threat, Kalu answered, “No! and I am not a threat to his ambition. By the time we meet in Eagles Square, this issue will be settled.
“Mind you, politics is not only about money; it is about the people you are going to govern … the people of the north-west, the people of north-east, the people of north-central, the people of the south-east, the people of the south-west, and the people of south-south, and we have the people. I can move the people and the people are with me.”
Kassim Afegbua, spokesperson of former military president Ibrahim Babangida and one-time campaign spokesman for ex-Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, says the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) rigged the 2019 presidential election.
It will be recalled that on February 27, 2019, Atiku lost the presidential election to incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari of the APC by over 3 million votes. Atiku subsequently described the election as the “worst in Nigeria’s democratic history.”
Asked in a recent interview with Punch if he aligns with the claim that Atiku was rigged out as claimed by the former VP and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the time, Afegbua accused the APC of rigging the last presidential election through Borno and Yobe states.
“Of course we were rigged out,” he said. “They used Borno and Yobe states to rig the election. Yobe state recorded close to 84 per cent attendance; such a curious figure where insurgency has been ravaging, same goes for Borno, about 86 per cent attendance. The figures we scored in those two states affected us badly, and we felt the military under Buratai (Tukur Yusuf) might have compromised. Don’t forget that there was this issue of bullets for ballot during that election. It was like a threat and the rest, as they say is history.”
President Muhammadu Buhari has ratified the creation of a new government agency, the Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPB).
The establishment of the agency followed a request made by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Pantami.
In a statement issued on behalf of Pantami, Uwa Suleiman, obtained by POLITICS NIGERIA, his media aide, said the NDPB was established in line with global best practice and will focus on data protection and privacy for the country, among others.
He said the successful implementation of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) for a Digital Nigeria has significantly increased the adoption of data platforms and accelerated the ‘datafication’ of the country. “This has increased the importance of having an institution that focuses on data protection and privacy,” he said.
“Furthermore, the issuance of the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) in January 2019, as a subsidiary legislation to the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Act 2007, has increased awareness about the need for data protection and privacy.”
Buhari also approved the recommendation of Pantami, for Dr. Vincent Olatunji to serve as the National Commissioner/Chief Executive Officer of the Bureau.
Dr. Olatunji hails from Ekiti State and, at the time of his appointment, was the Director of the eGovernment Development and Regulations Department at NITDA.
