The Permanent Secretary, Ogun State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Mrs. Abosede Ogunleye, has suggested instilling of democratic culture such as moral values and respect for one another in the citizenry as a mechanism to further develop democracy and encourage nation building.

Mrs. Ogunleye made this suggestion in Abeokuta, during the 8th Edition of the National Quiz Competition On Legislature and Democracy, organised by the State Ministry of Education in conjunction with the National Institute For Legislative Democratic Studies (NILDS), National Assembly, to develop the habit of creative learning among secondary school learners.

Represented by the Director, Education Support Services, Mr. Sunday Akindele, Mrs. Ogunleye, noted that the Competition would also re-awaken learner's intellectual assertiveness, improve their level of awareness to top-notch, enable them to display intellectuals and as well as make the State proud.

Ogunleye, in a statement signed by Mr. Ayoola Obadimu, Press Officer, MOES&T said, "Let me commend the efforts of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies for this good initiative of Organising a Quiz Competition on Legislature and Democracy towards stimulating the interest of the young ones in politics".

In his address, the Director General, National Institute For Legislative and Democratic Studies, National Assembly, Prof. Suleiman Abubakar, stated that the main objective of the competition was to provide continued education on the legislature and broaden the knowledge of students and youths on history practice and procedure surrounding it.

Represented by the Research Officer of the Institute, Barrister Zainab Akinde, Prof. Abubakar, explained that the exercise would also encourage deeper understanding of civic and democratic governance, as well as stimulate their interest in politics and make them more active in matters relating to the legislature and democracy.

The Chief Cornerstone High School, Ita-Oshin, Abeokuta, won the state competition among other 6 participating schools, and would be representing the State at the Southwest Zonal stage, after which the winner at that level will represent the Zone at the National Finale.

In another development, Ogun State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology in collaboration with National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC) has conducted the State Level of the Monitoring of Learners' Achievement Examination for Senior Secondary School Two (SS2) Learners in 36 States and FCT, to further revamp education in Nigeria.

Underscoring the purpose of the event, the Secretary of Education Sector, Nigerian National Commission for UNESCO, Federal Ministry of Education, Abuja, Mrs. Ezejiofor Frances, said the examination was to monitor and assess the efficiency of teaching and learning as well as dynamism of government policy on education.

From 2nd left, Abeokuta South Zonal Education Officer,  Mrs. Mujidat Aigoro, The Director, School Sports, Comrade Rotimi Okeleye, the Research Officer, National Institute For Legislative Democratic Studies (NIFLDS) Miss. Zainab Akinde, the Director, Education Support Services, Mr. Sunday Akindele, Chief Cornerstone High School Students and others during the 8th Edition of the National Quiz Competition On Legislature and Democracy in Abeokuta.

Leaders respond differently in moments of crisis. Some buckle, cringe or stay aloof and unconcerned, others abandon ship and run away while some rise up to the challenge and forge a new nation or organization from the experience. The ongoing wars in Europe and the Middle East offer us a chance to examine the role of effective leadership in a moment of national challenge. On February 24, 2022, the Russian military invaded Ukraine, setting off the biggest attack on a European country since the Second World War. Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian civilians and troops have been killed and injured, about eight million Ukrainians have been internally displaced and 8.2 million have fled the country. The losses on both sides are mounting and there are no indications of when the fight would end. However, the leadership style of the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, in this moment of immense national disaster has captured the world’s imagination. He embodies valour and resilience, two important leadership traits required in times of turmoil.

Zelensky, 45, was a TV actor who used to play president of his country in drama skits before he was elected in 2019. When the Russian tanks rolled into his country last year, many were not sure of how he would respond. Eighteen months on, Zelensky has acquitted himself as a leader made for the moment, leading his people to confront a superpower which is waging the biggest land assault in recent history. Zelensky has inspired thousands of his compatriots to fight for their motherland, motivated many from foreign lands into his army and forged an international campaign to bolster military and financial support. The world has come to admire Zelensky - who has since replaced his business suits with fatigue – hoping from plane to plane, visiting foreign capitals, meeting heads of states, addressing parliaments and global audiences and securing the backing of NATO, EU, G7, G20 and other organizations and countries. His speeches have succeeded in sensitizing the world to the dangers of Vladimir Putin seizing his country.

He makes nightly radio address to his citizens to apprise them of developments and offer words of comfort and succor, visits troops at the frontlines and the wounded soldiers in the hospitals. Additionally, he makes regular visits to homes of people who have lost loved ones to comfort and condole. Last December, Time magazine named him ‘’Person of the Year’’ for the courage he’s shown in leading his country. That edition is one of my favourite copies in a long time. ‘’Zelensky’s success as a wartime leader has relied on the fact that courage is contagious. It spreads through Ukraine’s political leadership in the first days of the invasion, as everyone realized the President has stuck around’’, the magazine’s Simon Shuster wrote in the cover article.

In the early hours of Saturday, October 7, 2023, hundreds of Hamas terrorists breached Israel’s hi-tech intelligence systems and entered the country from the Gaza Strip to launch the most brazen and audacious attacks against the only Jewish nation. Coming exactly 50 years after the Yom Kippur war of October 1973, the assaults were meant to subdue and break Israel. Over 1,300 Israelis lost their lives and about 150 persons of different nationalities were taken hostage. Before the attacks, Israel was in deep political turmoil over Benjamin Netanyahu’s policy on judicial reforms in which he sought to curb the powers of the Supreme Court which many viewed as a power grab and his attempt to intimidate the justices and thwart his ongoing corruption trial.

The protests against the policy were widespread and even army personnel and reservists had threatened to join. The prime minister became the most despised politician in the country. Some observers are quick to blame the political turmoil in Israel for the monumental intelligence failure that enabled the terrorists to train for months across the wall in Gaza and enter Israel undetected. But it was a different Netanyahu that we’ve seen after the attacks. He has responded swiftly and impressively to the crisis by bringing the country together and rallying the citizens for what would definitely be a long and difficult war against the terrorists. The Prime Minister soon set up a government of emergency Israeli unity and war cabinet, bringing in opposition politicians into the government. A polarized and divided nation soon came together, ready to go to war to achieve a common goal. By the weekend, the PM was visiting troops at the frontline, encouraging them to achieve victory and protect their country.

Providing effective leadership in times severe challenges is one of the most important functions of a leader which is central to the success of a country or an organization. Whether it is famine, war or outbreak of diseases, national leaders must possess the resilience, rigour, adaptability with which to rise to the occasion and steer the country through uncertainty. Business leaders also require the same set of competencies to face whatever crisis that may arise. Indeed, the saying that real leaders are forged in crisis signifies how crucial effective leadership is in times of serve challenges. Effective crisis management entails the ability to make quick decision while inspiring trust and confidence in the team. History is full of leaders who have excelled or failed in difficult times. In the United States, President George Bush and Rudy Giuliani are renowned for their inspiring leaderships after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill and US President Franklin Roosevelt also led impressively well during the Second World War to defeat the Nazis.

A few days after the Hamas attacks, President Joe Biden spoke to families of Americans who were taken hostage. The President explained that it was important that he showed compassion and empathy. In all the 13 years since 2010 that this country has suffered brutal attacks under Boko Haram, no Nigerian President had ever bothered to meet with, or speak to families of victims. President Muhammadu Buhari was notoriously so aloof and unconcerned about the slaughter of Nigerians by Fulani militias in some parts of the country, especially in the North Central, that I suspect that he had severe Empathy Deficit Disorder (EDD).

While Dr. Goodluck Jonathan was commended for touring flooded states in 2012 to sympathize and comfort displaced people, and celebrated for rising promptly to defend the country against Ebola outbreak in 2014, his handling of the abduction of the Chibok girls that same year left a lot to be desired. It was one of the reasons he lost the 2015 election. President Buhari provided fantastic leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring that the country prepared adequately for the disease, thus saving thousands of lives, his responses to the many militant and militia attacks in parts of the country, especially Benue, Plateau and North Western States were, at best, sloppy. So many died under his watch, yet he did little or nothing to stop the carnage, and he showed little or no concern to families of the victims.

Businesses could also face serious crisis due to cybercrimes, loss of a key staff, fire, a major fraud and regulatory infractions, etc. It is important for businesses to have a well-prepared standard manual for managing crisis. This manual typically outlines important steps to follow in case of an emergency or problems. In 2002, a bank I worked for as Head of Corporate Communication fell into a major crisis when the CBN suspended it, and a few others, from the foreign exchange market for some months for flouting some regulatory guidelines. It was a major crisis in the industry and the panic was noticeable. The executive management handled the crisis superbly and from it we learned many lessons in crisis management. Soon after, we developed a manual on crisis management for the institution. Effective communication is an important ingredient in managing crisis in an organization or a country.

The jury is still out on how well the incumbent president is leading the country in this very moment of monumental economic and security difficulties. The first step is for President Tinubu to build a broad national consensus on how best to face this moment.

No fewer than seven persons have been confirmed dead and some others injured during a fire incident that occurred at Kabong, Gada Biyu in the Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The fire incident, which occurred in the early hours of Saturday, was attributed to a high tension cable that bridged with service wires which supplied electricity to the community, resulting in the loss of lives and destruction of properties.

The densely populated community is both residential and commercial, resulting in goods at the business premises consumed by the fire incident.

A household in the community lost two members of the same family in the incident as sympathisers gathered at the family house where Naomi David, 54; and Abraham David, 39; both died in the attempt to disconnect one of the appliances during the incident.

The remains of the deceased have been deposited at the Bingham University Teaching Hospital Mortuary where some of the injured were treated and those with severe burns were on referral to the Jos University Teaching Hospital.

Meanwhile, the Jos Metropolitan Development Board team visited the scene to ascertain the level of damage caused by the inferno and how to avoid future occurrence.

[Channels TV]

The IMF announced Saturday member nations agreed to increase their contributions to the global lender and give sub-Saharan Africa a third seat on its executive board at its first meetings on the continent since 1973.

Boosting the International Monetary Fund’s quota resources and giving Africa a bigger voice within the institution were among the priorities of the week-long talks of the IMF and World Bank in Marrakech, Morocco.

Spanish Economy Minister Nadia Calvino, who chairs the IMF Financial Committee, said at a press conference that there was “agreement on a meaningful increase of quotas by the end of the year.”

The quotas, which are based on the size of a country’s economy, determine how much funding a nation should provide to the IMF, its voting power and the maximum amount of loans it can obtain.

IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva and World Bank President Ajay Banga used this week’s meetings to urge members to step up funding so their institutions can better support nations hit by poverty and climate change.

The conflict between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas has raised concerns about its impact on already weak global economic growth in the wake of the Ukraine war, elevated inflation and high interest rates.

Georgieva said the agreement on quotas was “very heartwarming.”

The goal, she said, was “to make the fund strong financially in terms of our ability to step up should we be hit by yet another shock.”

Asked when the IMF will change its voting shares, Georgieva said: the “membership has agreed that this is going to be the next step and that there will be a clear pathway and plan to go there.”

Giving countries like China, which is now the world’s second biggest economy, a larger voting share has been a controversial issue.

China has a 6.08 percent share of votes compared to 6.14 percent for Japan, the third global economy.

“At some point, a revision of the IMF’s quota distribution will be inevitable,” French central bank governor Francois Villeroy de Galhau said in Marrakesh on Wednesday.

“But the emerging countries that will benefit from this — including China — will have to accept common rules of the game,” he said.

While voting shares were not changed, the IMF agreed to expand its executive board from 24 to 25 members to give Africa another seat.

Sub-Saharan Africa will now have three executive board members instead of two.

“I will finish with what warmed my heart the most: uniform support for a third African chair on our executive board,” Georgieva said.

“That is so important for meetings that take place on African soil,” she said.

“Despite all the difficulties I can only praise our members for finding this pathway to solidarity on which hundreds of millions of people depend.”

AFP

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas to reject the recently reintroduced social media regulation bill which if passed would unduly restrict the rights to freedom of expression and privacy.

Naija News reports that this was disclosed in a letter dated 14 October 2023 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare.

SERAP urged them to request the administration of President Bola Tinubu to drop any ongoing efforts to put pressure on Google, YouTube, TikTok and other social media companies to unduly restrict these fundamental human rights.

SERAP said the bill would criminalize the legitimate and lawful exercise of human rights.

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) last week reportedly stated that, “one of Nigeria’s major problems now is social media”, and described the social media as “a monster”.

SERAP said: “the social media is neither Nigeria’s problem nor a monster. Any regulation of it would have arbitrary and excessive effects, and cause incalculable damage, both in material and human rights terms.”

SERAP said any move to regulate social media would be inconsistent and incompatible with the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and the country’s international human rights obligations.

According to SERAP, the proposed bill raises serious concerns about the rights to freedom of expression and privacy, and would lead to digital siege.

The letter, read in part, “Rather than rushing to pass the social media regulation bill, the National Assembly should encourage the Federal Government to maximize opportunities around social media access, and address the growing social and economic inequalities in the country.

“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are immediately taken upon the receipt and/or publication of this letter. SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions against the National Assembly and the Federal Government if the social media regulation bill is ever passed into law.

“We urge you to request the administration of President Bola Tinubu to publish the details of any ongoing discussion and engagement with Google, YouTube, TikTok and other social media companies.

“The reintroduction of the social media regulation bill would lead to deterioration of the human rights situation in the country and carry major economic costs for all sectors, as well as exacerbate social and economic inequalities.

“It would effectively deepen digital divides in the country and seriously undermine the Tinubu administration’s expressed commitment to develop this sector.

“Under international law, all restrictions on the operation of social media companies and other intermediaries must comply with the requirements of legality, legitimacy and necessity.

“The regulation of social media may be incompatible with the services of major social media and private messaging intermediaries, negatively impacting the free flow of information and ideas, and affecting economic and social activities.

“The National Assembly should put pressure on the Federal Government to comply with the requirements of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 and the country’s international human rights obligations regarding the rights to freedom of expression, privacy and participation.

“Access to social media is widely recognized as an indispensable enabler of a broad range of human rights. It is central to freedom of expression and the realization of many other human rights including education, freedom of association and assembly, access to information, and participation.

“The Federal Government has the legal obligations to promote and facilitate the enjoyment of human rights, and to take all steps necessary to ensure that all individuals have meaningful access to social media. The authorities should refrain from unduly interfering with access to digital communications platforms.

“Under Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution, Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, any restriction on freedom of expression constitutes a serious curtailment of human rights.

“The Nigerian Constitution and these human rights treaties protect everyone’s right to freedom of expression, which includes the freedom to seek, receive and impart information of all kinds, regardless of frontiers. States have the obligation to respect and ensure the right to freedom of expression, without distinction of any kind.

“The Nigerian Constitution and human rights treaties protect a broad range of expression, including political discourse, commentary on one’s own and public affairs, canvassing, discussion of human rights, journalism, and artistic expression.

“This includes information that may be regarded as offensive, false or untrue by some people but is considered legitimate political discourse by others. Restrictions on the right to freedom of expression are only permissible when they meet the requirements of legality, necessity, proportionality and non-discrimination.

“The onus to show that restrictions comply with those requirements is on the State seeking to restrict rights. Social media regulation bills generally do not meet those requirements.”

“The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights has called upon States not to engage in or condone any restriction of access to the Internet or other digital technologies for segments of the public or an entire population.

“According to our information, Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Balarabe Ilelah, recently stated that the social media regulation bill has been sent to the National Assembly. The bill is reportedly seeking to repeal and reenact the NBC Act, CAP L11 laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

“According to the NBC, ‘We have already submitted a bill to amend the NBC act. One of our major problems now is social media. Unless there is a law that allows NBC to act on social media issues, the issue will continue to be a monster in our daily lives in this country.’

“Similarly, Mrs. Francisca Aiyetan, Director, Broadcast Monitoring of the NBC, recently reportedly said that without regulation, young people could be misguided. According to the NBC, the Federal Government is currently engaging with Google or YouTube, TikTok, ‘so we know the faces behind these [social media] platforms.’

“If the 2023 social media regulation bill which has reportedly passed the first reading before the National Assembly is the same as the 2019 bill, it would impose disproportionate penalties on Nigerians solely for exercising their human rights.

“According to our information, the newly reintroduced social media regulation bill seems to be the replica of the version of the Protection from Internet Falsehood and Manipulation Bill 2019, with provisions empowering the authorities to unilaterally order the shutdown of the internet.

“A similar bill to regulate social media was considered by the National Assembly in 2015 but failed to pass into law after public outcry.”

[NaijaNews]

The Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria (NAIP) has issued a warning regarding the potential scarcity of essential medications across the country, citing the current economic downturn as the primary cause. 

Addressing attendees at the 5th Annual International Conference of the Nigerian Association of Foreign Trained Pharmacists, held at Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos State, the Chairman of NAIP, Kenneth Onuegbu expressed deep concern about the adverse effects of the current economic situation on medication production and importation in the nation. 

Mr. Kenneth Onuegbu said pharmaceutical companies may find it increasingly challenging to provide vital medications unless the government takes proactive measures to tackle two critical issues the exorbitant cost of diesel and the shortage of foreign exchange. 

Mr. Onuegbu, while outlining the key challenges faced by the pharmaceutical sector, implored the federal government to intervene and create a conducive environment for producers.  

• “We have insecurity issues, and how to get the medication from the point of production to the final consumer is another challenge that we have not been able to solve.  
• “To access forex is a big challenge. The process can take a year to get the CBN subsidised rate, hence, we resort to the black market. You can imagine that we buy drugs at the rate of N1,100, and automatically, it will affect production.
• “If we don’t do something about it, there is going to be a scarcity of essential medicines. We must call for the domestication of medications to reduce the production cost.  
• “It is also important to note that our environment is over-regulated. Our regulation ought to have a Nigeria face; we cannot be promoting local production when you are making it difficult for them to start.  
• “Government needs to tackle insecurity, epileptic power supply, forex and host of others if they really want pharmaceutical companies to survive in this country.” 

Backstory  

The Nigerian pharmaceutical industry has been facing a myriad of challenges of which forex scarcity and the attendant depreciation of the naira stand tall.  

The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye confirmed that the depreciation of the naira is primarily responsible for the rise in drug prices across the country.  

• In her words, “The primary reason for the rise in drug prices is the depreciation of the value of the naira. Even before GSK’s planned exit from the country, there was a general increase in the prices of commodities, and some of the products that GSK manufactured experienced a decrease in supply”  

The exit of industry giant GSK Nig can also be attributed to the volatility of the foreign exchange market.  

 [Nairametrics]

The federal government is at the verge of obtaining a $1.5billion budget support facility from the World Bank.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, confirmed this at the Nigerian Delegation briefing on the sideline of the International Monetary Fund (IMF)/World Bank Annual Meeting in Marrakech, Morocco, yesterday.

Mr Edun said, “On the talks with the World Bank on $1.5billion budget support; that is correct.

The World Bank is the number one multilateral development bank helping developing countries or funding developing countries projects and programmes and sectors.

“It has free money through International Development Association (IDA). It is for the poorer countries; and right now, I think we qualify as one of the countries that can borrow in the normal window of World Bank funding but also some concessionary IDA funding, and that means that effectively, the interest rate will be zero.”

He, however, noted that there is no stigma attached to qualifying for World Bank funding to help finance development, saying, “In this particular case, it has long been in the pipeline, and we are hoping that funding would come through soon.

“There is a Federal Executive Council meeting on Monday that should be able to discuss this, as well as other initiatives for financing on reasonable terms. We have talked about the high costs of money, the World Bank money is the cheapest.”

On IMF’s advice to increase taxes and interest rate

The minister said the country had no loan programme in the offing with them, and so, not privy to where they proposed to Nigeria to increase taxes and interest rates.

Using the CBN to fund budget

Mr Edun said, “Regarding Ways and Means, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has a commitment not to go beyond the statutory limits.”

He assured that monetary and fiscal authority would work together.

“Monetary policy that’s talking about tightening the money supply that increases interest rates and on the fiscal side government expenditure includes paying the interest and the principal on government debt,” he said.

Speaking on Nigeria’s high debt service,  the minister said, “I think that in terms of debt restructuring, I agree with you that you don’t have to wait; what you do is to look for opportunities to maybe lengthen debt, improve the condition under which that debt is borrowed.”

[DailyTrust]

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Sunday departed Nigeria to represent President Bola Tinubu at the 3rd Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Forum in Beijing, China, to be held from Oct. 16 to 18.

This was disclosed by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Mr Stanley Nkwocha, in a statement in Abuja on Sunday.

Nkwocha said Shettima would join world leaders from over 130 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America to deliberate on the theme, “High-quality Belt and Road Cooperation: Together for Common Development and Prosperity.”

According to him, the vice president is expected to avail Nigeria of the platform provided by the forum to woo investors for more developmental projects.

Nkwocha added that the Vice President would hold bilateral meetings with other world leaders to promote Nigeria’s trade and investment relations in line with the economic development agenda of the Tinubu administration.

”The 2023 edition of the BRI will mark the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) championed by the President of China, Xi Jinping, as an initiative for global infrastructure development strategy, adopted and launched by the government of the People’s Republic of China in 2013.

”The initiative seeks international action to enhance cooperation and promote infrastructure investment in nearly 70 countries across Asia, Africa and Europe through land and maritime routes. ”

He recalled that in 2018, former President, Muhammadu Buhari, on behalf of Nigeria, signed the Belt and Road cooperation agreement with China.

“Nigeria and other partner countries across the world are to benefit from the initiative in areas of infrastructure investments such as ports, skyscrapers, railroads, roads, bridges, airports, dams and coal-fired power stations.”

Nkwocha said the delegation of the vice president to the forum includes the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu and the Minister of Transportation, Sa’idu Alkali.

Others are the Minister Of Works, David Umahi, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite; the Managing Director of the Nigeria Railway Corporation, Fidet Okhiria, and the Director-General, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, Michael Ohiani.

In a related development, Nkwocha said in pursuance of the food security and diversification policy of the Tinubu administration, the vice president will, from China, depart for the United States of America, USA.

”While in the US as a special guest, Shettima will deliver a keynote address at the African Development Bank (AfDB) and World Food Prize – facilitated Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue slated to commence on October 24th, 2023.

”Also, he will join other African international leaders, Heads of State and Government who in the past have delivered keynote addresses at the Borlaug Dialogue.

”They include former United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan; World Food Prize Laureates; Ghana President, John Kufuor, AfDB President, Akinwunmi Adeshina and former President Olusegun Obasanjo and others.”

The media aide also stated that Shettima was expected to highlight reforms being instituted in the Nigerian Agrifood sector by the Tinubu administration.

”The vice president will engage several stakeholders, partners and investors in opportunities for investments in Nigeria.

” Several meetings and engagements have been scheduled for the vice president who is expected to be back in the country after his commitments in the US.”

[DailyPost]

Nigerian goalkeeper Francis Uzoho commited a howler in the Super Eagles friendly match against the Saudi Arabia’s Green Falcons at the Estádio Municipal de Portimão in Portugal which ended in a 2-2 draw and his performance has left fans with concerns as the AFCON tournament approaches.

Nigeria began the match on the front foot, with early chances from star players like Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze. However, they couldn’t capitalize on these opportunities, and the game headed to halftime with a score of 0-0.

The turning point came in the 60th minute when Salam Al-Faraji scored a free kick for Saudi Arabia largely due to an attempted clearance from Uzoho who sent the ball into his own net.

In the 83rd minute, Nigeria managed to equalize as an own goal by Saudi defender Al Amri tied the game. Iheanacho then scored a powerful goal from outside the box in the 91st minute, putting Nigeria ahead. However, just when victory seemed within reach, the Super Eagles conceded another free kick on the edge of the box during added time as the strike from Mohamed Kanno deflected off Calvin Bassey and go the opposite direction of Uzoho’s dive.

Since the exit of Carl Ikeme, Nigeria’s goalkeeping department has been struggling to find a suitable replacement. South Africa-based goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi was the target of severe criticisms on social media as the Super Eagles emerged third at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt in July.

Maduka Okoye, who was in goal when Nigeria lost to Tunisia in the last-16 of the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations, was hounded by Nigeria fans on social media with comments ranging from trolling over his looks to death wishes upon him and his loved ones.

Uzoho’s performance has come under scrutiny, especially considering that he conceded two free-kick goals in this match.

Eagles coach Jose Peseiro defended Uzoho, suggesting that the goalkeepers were under tremendous pressure from fans. He pointed out the inconsistency in criticizing goalkeepers while other players who make mistakes are not subjected to the same level of scrutiny.

“When I arrived here, I remember I was told to change the goalkeeper. I spoke with all of them, No one feels comfortable because everybody attacked them.

“I like our players, when they make mistakes it is my responsibility. The goalkeepers never play free or calm because of the people. I don’t know why they attack the goalkeepers every time,” he said.

“Why don’t they attack the strikers when they lose the ball or miss a goal, why? They could make mistakes, it is my responsibility. Next time I need to train him (Uzoho) better.”

Legendary Nigerian goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, expressed his bewilderment at Uzoho’s performance and the team’s selection in general saying, “I am also wondering how he could have conceded two free-kick goals.

“As fans though, if the coach and others who are responsible present a team for us and their selection proves wrong, they deserve to be questioned.”

Another ex-Nigerian goalkeeper Joseph Dosu was disappointed with Peseiro’s comments on Nigerians reactions to the goalkeeping errors.

“I am not sure I should say anything after what coach Peseiro has said after the game. He said Nigerians are the problem of his goalkeeping area so if he can say that, I leave his statement for them to decide on.

“If we have a national team and we cannot say one or two thinigs against our national team, that means we are not even in Nigeria anymore. For such performance, and the coach can come out and say Nigerians are the problem of our own national team, that means we are not allowed to talk anymore,” Dosu said.

Fans on social media also criticized Uzoho’s lack of regular playing time for his club and questioned the decision to field him in the match.

Journalist Ikenwa Nnabuogor wrote, “In the beautiful game, you leave regular competitive football for a day, it leaves you for a week. You can’t give what you don’t have, it’s no rocket science to know this. Francis Uzoho is bound for such a howler, he’s not playing regularly for his club, been out of the sticks in his club since 20 May 2023 and our dear good old Jose Peseiro hauled him into the game fantastically match rusty.”

A Nigerian, Godwin Antai compared Uzoho with United goalkeeper Andre Onana who is currently enduring a poor run writing, “Nigeria should have even won the game but Uzoho decided to turn Onana on the day.”

Yayah Lukman wrote that he feels the Nigerian captain Wilfried Ndidi wanted to slap Uzoho for the mistake that led to the firs goal, “Ndidi reaction like make him slap uzoho aswear.”

Another Nigerian with the handle @oyimzy believes that Nigeria needs a new man between the sticks before the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

“Three Months to the start of AFCON and I’m already having flashbacks of Ghana WC qualifier, if Super Eagles want to go far in Ivory Coast then we need to get a proper goalkeeper now. None of this Francis Uzoho nonsense!” he wrote.

Manchester United fans who remembered his heroic night where he made 12 saves against the Red Devils in a 1-0 win for United at Old Trafford in the Europa league last season took to social media to blast the goalkeeper.

That display led to the 24-year-old nominated for Europa League player of the week, with United ending up second in the group and forced to play two knock-out playoff fixtures by matter of a single goal.

One fan wrote, “I can’t believe that’s the same Francis Uzoho in goal for Super Eagles.”

“The same guy decided to become (Manuel) Neuer and force us to play 2 more games for no reason,” a second added.

A third wrote, “Only when he keeps against Man Utd you’d see a stellar performance from Uzoho… funny dude.”

As the AFCON tournament approached, it has become clear that the Super Eagles need to address their goalkeeping concerns. Prospects like Hapoel Jerusalem’s Adebayo Adeleye and LASK’s Tobias Lawal should be considered as potential solutions to bolster the goalkeeping department.

These concerns reflect the team’s need for stability and reliability in one of the most critical positions on the field.

[Punch]