Mohamed Salah has given Liverpool a major boost after the Egypt star travelled to Sparta Prague for Thursday’s Europa League clash following his recent injury lay-off.

Salah joined his Liverpool teammates on the flight to Prague after missing the previous four games due to muscle fatigue.

The 31-year-old has played just 46 minutes for Liverpool since leaving the Africa Cup of Nations early when he sustained a hamstring injury in a group-stage game against Ghana in January.

Salah’s substitute appearance came against Brentford on February 17, the forward scoring at the Gtech Community Stadium before subsequently being sidelined with a muscle issue.

He trained with the rest of the Liverpool squad on Wednesday and could feature in the last 16 first-leg meeting with Sparta.

Salah’s availability is significant for Reds boss Jurgen Klopp ahead of Sunday’s seismic showdown with Manchester City in the Premier League.

Second-placed City will arrive at Anfield one point behind leaders Liverpool in a tense title race.

Quadruple-chasing Liverpool won the League Cup final against Chelsea without Salah and also beat Luton, Southampton and Nottingham Forest in his absence.

But having Salah back is a huge lift for Liverpool heading into the decisive final weeks of Klopp’s last season in charge.

The Egyptian has scored 19 goals in all competitions this season, including 15 in 21 league games.

Klopp has taken his strongest available squad to Prague, with the likes of Darwin Nunez and Wataru Endo in contention to start after coming on as substitutes in last weekend’s win at Forest.

[DailyTrust]

Edo North Senator, Adams Oshiomhole has denied reports that he has a deal with Governor Godwin Obaseki to impeach Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu.

This is coming after the state Assembly served Shaibu an impeachment notice on Wednesday, amid his face-off with Obaseki.

Oshiomhole said Shaibu’s impeachment is the sole responsibility of the Edo State House of Assembly and the state judiciary.

In a statement signed by his media office, the senator said political parties have no constitutional role to play in any impeachment process.

The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to an article circulating on social media regarding a purported plan by the Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki to call on lawmakers of Edo State House of Assembly to begin impeachment proceedings against his deputy Hon. Philip Shaibu.

“Ordinarily, we would neither be concerned nor bothered by what methods the characters in the unending feud within the Edo State PDP employ to settle scores among themselves.

“However, we are compelled to clarify and set the record straight because in the said article, it was falsely claimed, and I quote “

“ _Our reporter also gathered that the governor have(sic) already gotten across to Comrade Adams Oshiomhole to help him lobby and talk to the APC lawmakers in the House to support the impeachment move against Comrade Philip Shaibu”

“We wish to categorically state that Senator Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole has not, at any time, engaged in discussions with Governor Godwin Obaseki regarding plans to impeach his deputy, as the apex leader of the APC in Edo State, is solely focused on fostering goodwill between the people of Edo State and the APC, with the goal of winning the upcoming governorship election and returning the state to a path of progress under an APC government.

“Also, it is important to state that matters of impeachment are the sole responsibilities of the Edo State House of Assembly and the Edo State Judiciary. Political parties have no constitutional role to play in any impeachment process.

“Therefore, the notion that Senator Adams Oshiomhole can influence the actions of APC lawmakers, should there be any impeachment exercise in the Edo State House of Assembly is simply preposterous.

“Senator Oshiomhole has not and will not engage in any deals with Governor Obaseki on this or any other political issue.”

[DailyPost]

Actress Biodun Okeowo, popularly known as Omoborty, has humorously considered giving her daughter, Ifeoluwa, up for adoption over her excessive birthday wish list.

In anticipation of her daughter’s upcoming birthday, the mother of two shared a video of herself and her daughter having a chit-chat concerning her birthday.

In the video, the mother and daughter were seen arguing over the price of the customised gold chain she wanted for her birthday.

Captioning the video, Biodun questioned if she was Dangote as she lamented over the wish list.

She asserted that she is done being a Nigerian mother again, adding that she is ready to give Ifeoluwa away.

She claimed that her daughter, Ifeoluwa, is too expensive and that she is contemplating getting pregnant and having another daughter.

“How come I never posted this video? It’s going to be my favourite person’s birthday in a few days, Omo! You guys need to see the wish list this girl sent to me. When I’m not Dangote, @okeowoifeoluwa_

She wrote: “Please, I’m not doing Nigeria mother again; I’m giving her away for free. I’m planning on getting pregnant and having another baby girl. Madam Ifeoluwa is just too expensive for me. She’s up for adoption. Let me see your hand in the comment section if you’re interested in adopting her.”

[TheNation]

The President of African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, on Wednesday, said the future of the Nigerian youths does not lie in any country but in Nigeria.

He said this in Lagos while speaking at the 2023 Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership in Lagos.

Adesina was awarded the 2023 Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership Award.

Former heads of state, state governors, royal fathers and other distinguished Nigerians graced the event.

Adesina added that Nigerians must make the country a viable place for people to stay and not a place to run away from.

“I refuse to believe that the future of Nigeria’s and Africa’s youths lie in Europe, North America, Asia, or anywhere else. I believe that their future must lie in Africa, growing well, robustly, able to create quality jobs and decent earnings for our young people.

“There is absolutely no reason in the world how we have a demographic asset that then becomes a global negative externality. Let’s take pride in ourselves and let’s make our demographic asset our economic asset globally. I firmly believe that their future lies right here in Nigeria,” he said.

The former Minister of Agriculture from 2011 to 2015 decried the migration to other countries by Nigerians, especially youths, as it does not develop sustainability.

“While one might argue that our growing diaspora is good as they send back billions of dollars, higher than the oil revenue that we have, this is not the way to develop sustainably.

“Nations that develop do all they can to keep their best human capital at home and additional resource skills elsewhere, with flexible immigration and labour policies,” he said.

He said AfDB unveiled a $614m programme to support Nigeria’s digital and creative enterprise to create 6.3 million jobs and add N6.4bn to the economy.

“I always say to myself, how can we have 477 million people under the age of 35 and there are no financial institution? That means we have missing institution and market failure problems and that is why the African Development Bank decided that we will create what we call Youths Entrepreneurship Investment Bank,” Adesina added.

Speaking about the event, former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd.), described Adesina as a brilliant man, who “represents the best of Nigeria.”

“The choice of Dr Akinwumi Adesina can only be described as having been very well done. He represents the best of Nigeria, hardworking, diligent, brilliant, forward-looking, and deeply patriotic,” Gowon stated.

[Punch]

A 37-year-old Nigerian woman working as a caregiver in the United Kingdom slumped on February 22, and died two days later.

The victim, Chidimma Susan Ezenyili, known as Suzy, collapsed while on duty in the street of Bishop’s Stortford.

Ezenyili who was a lawyer in Nigeria was tendering an elderly woman, Ian Hale in Scott Road, but a report said she was not feeling well herself but managed to work before her collapse on the fateful day.

Ezenyili and her husband, Friday left Nigeria in August 2023, to go and work as caregivers on sponsorship visas to give their toddler daughter Mandy a better life. 

The 37-year-old migrated to the UK and had been caring for the 86-year-old Hale for the past five months.

Hale’s daughter, Catherine Segal, said, “She (Ezenyili) was driven there by her husband with their three-year-old daughter as she wasn’t feeling well but didn’t want to let my dad down.”

When Segal recounted the incident, she said the caregiver collapsed on Thursday, February 22, and stopped breathing and did not have a pulse.

“Naturally, her husband started shouting for help. The neighbourhood raced to help. Myself and my husband ran outside along with our next-door neighbour and our neighbour from across the road,” Segal said.

Segal further said, “We had two GoodSAM first responders arrive shortly after to assist. The community first responder along with several ambulances, police and the critical care team arrived to take over attempts to save her life and were successful in getting her on life support in the ambulance.”

The caregiver was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, where doctors at the neurosciences critical care unit discovered she had suffered a severe brain haemorrhage.

Segal and Ezenyili’s manager from Harlow-based Care at Hand Ltd, Elisha Newberry, went to the hospital with Friday to support him.

In his narration, Segal’s husband, Saul said, “Sadly, life support was turned off two days later, on February 24, and she passed with her husband by her side.”

But Segal said, “Suzy came here as a carer to fill a need in our community. She was qualified in law in Nigeria and was planning to attain her qualifications to practise law here after her sponsorship as a carer finished.

“She was a really good carer. Kind, considerate and always willing to help no matter what the circumstances.

“Her dream was for her daughter, Mandy, to attend school in the UK and to make a new life here where she would have the opportunities that Suzy and Friday never had growing up in Nigeria.”

[Vanguard]

Bayo Adelabu, minister of power, says the ministry will hold all electricity distribution companies accountable for their performance.

In a post on his X page on Wednesday, the minister said he invited chief executives of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) and Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), as well as the managing director of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

He said the meeting is over the worsening power supply in their regions and to collectively find lasting solutions.

“As the Minister of Power, I am deeply concerned about the deteriorating electricity supply across the country,” he said.

Despite the coordinated attempts to improve the situation, Adelabu said it is depressing to see the drop in power supplies.

“The Ministry has been exerting pressure on the Generating Companies (GENCOs) to enhance their performance, resulting in a recent increase in generation to over 4000MW,” he said.

“Despite this progress, certain distribution companies are failing to adequately distribute the power supplied by TCN, while vandalism of power infrastructure exacerbates the problem in regions such as Abuja, Benin, Port Harcourt, and Ibadan.

“Moving forward, I am committed to holding all distribution companies accountable for their performance. Willful non-performance will not be tolerated, and severe consequences, including license revocation, may be imposed.”

Also, the minister said TCN has been instructed to prioritise repair works on damaged transmission towers and power lines to improve supply in affected areas.

“During recent supervisory visits to power generating plants, I have witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by the sector,” Adelabu said.

“Plans are underway to settle outstanding debts owed to power generation and gas supply companies, which will alleviate the financial strain and contribute to improved generation levels nationwide.”

Adelabu urged electricity consumers to remain patient as the power ministry works tirelessly to address the issues and provide better service to all Nigerians.

[TheCable]

It was a week of raw emotions, tears and tributes as Nigerians and foreign dignitaries from all walks of life turned out in large numbers to celebrate the lives of Dr. Herbert Wigwe, his wife Doreen and Son, Chizi, in a series of weeklong funeral activities. While world leaders like former Presidents Bill Clinton, Olusegun Obasanjo and Emmanuel Macron sent in their video messages, Nigerians assembled at Eko Hotel and Isiokpo community to bid farewell to this icon. The week started on Sunday, March 3 with employees of the Access Bank Group (they call it ‘Access Nation’) assembling on the large grounds of their Lekki Head office to celebrate their late Group Chief Executive Officer and his family. Although the directors and leadership of the company were all present, they remained muted throughout the three hour-event as only employees were fully in charge. It was strictly an employee event.

Prayers over, Bisola Oyelowo, Senior HR Business Partner, Employee Engagement & Culture, gave a resounding opening statement that set the tone for the night. ‘’Tonight, we gather under this canopy of stars to pay homage to a titan among us, a visionary whose daring and fearless spirit has shaped the very fabric of our institution and touched countless lives across continents’’, she said. Her remarks swept through every facet of Herbert’s life, evoking fond memories of him without offending the solemnity of the moment. She described the departed boss as ‘’the man who exemplified integrity, humility and generosity in every facet of his being’’. After her speech, Access Choir stepped up to the podium, resplendent in white, to render ‘’Blessed Assurance’’ and ‘’How Great Thou Art’’. Access Choir is the brainchild of Herbert. He was passionate about choral music, jazz and classical music. More tributes from employees and former staff members followed. Access has a large community of former employees, including this writer. They have come together to celebrate their former boss and are already raising money to honour his memory in an enduring manner.

Monday, March 4 was tagged ‘Celebrating Professional Excellence’ and it was the turn of Corporate Nigeria to celebrate one of its own. Bankers, industry captains, public officials, other professionals and foreign dignitaries filled the big ballroom of Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. In the audience were Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-olu; Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun; CBN Governor Yemi Cardoso; Finance Minister Wale Edun; AfDB President Akinwunmi Adesina; Aliko Dangote; GTB founder Fola Adeola; Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo (former governor of Gombe State), directors of Access Corporation and its subsidiaries, among hundreds of others. I can’t remember any other funeral event that has brought together such a plethora of dignitaries under one roof. The four-hour event was divided into six segments and speakers were accordingly grouped: The Young Herbert; Herbert the Banker; Herbert The Entrepreneur; Herbert The CEO; Herbert The Builder and Herbert the Ambassador.

At exactly 5.30pm, we were all up for the National Anthem, after which Roosevelt Ogbonna, the bank’s managing director, gave Herbert’s citation. One of Herbert’s mentees from their GT days, Roosevelt was my first direct supervisor when I joined the bank 16 years ago. He’s now spotting a heavy white beard, which makes him look older than his age. He read the well-written citation calmly but soon was overwhelmed with emotions. He sobbed intermittently.

Then came the tributes and the first to speak was Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo, former governor of Gombe. He was a staff of Coopers & Lybrand in 1988 when Herbert arrived the firm, accompanied by his father, Pastor Shyngle Wigwe, to begin his NYSC primary assignment. Dankwambo recalled Herbert’s sense of duty even as an NYSC member. Cathy Echeazor; Segun Agbaje (CEO of GT Holdco) and Dolapo Ogundimu reminisced on Herbert’s early career at Kapital Merchant Bank and GT Bank. They spoke of Herbert’s energy, drive and passion for his job. Agbaje drew laughter when he described Herbert as a friend, colleague and competitor. ‘’Only Herbert would be all three to me’’, he said. He recalled that Herbert visited him two weeks before his death to talk about his university.

The chief executive of MTN Nigeria, Karl Toriola; Jamie Simmonds, chief executive of Access Bank, UK; Ken Okpara, President & Council Chairman of CIBN and Gbenga Oyebode, former Chairman of Access Bank also gave their tributes. Teriola eulogized Herbert for his generosity and spoke of the ‘’intensity and curiosity’’ with which he managed the bank. Simmonds recalled the first time he met Herbert at Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program when the two of them were in the same class in 2000 and how in 2008, he joined Access Bank as the MD of its UK subsidiary and reconnected with Herbert. ‘’Joining Access is the best decision I have ever made and working with Herbert is one of the best moments of my life’’, Simmonds said. Herbert was, until his death, the Chairman of Access UK, and presiding over its board meeting in London two days before his death was his last official duty.

Two of Herbert’s personal assistants, Efoli Ekot and Tunji also gave their tributes, recounting his generosity and compassion as a leader and boss. Tunji started working with Herbert as a chauffeur in 2004. Over time and with Herbert’s support, he’s acquired Bachelor and Masters degree and has since moved into administrative function in the bank, combining it with his PA duties. Efoli has worked with Herbert for 23 years and has benefitted enormously from his mentorship and kindness. In between, there were songs and performances. Darey Art Alade’s rendition of Frank Sinatra’s ‘’I did it my way’’, one of Herbert’s favourite songs, was splendid. Music is really a healing balm in times of grief. Bola Koko, CEO of FMDQ and Ruurd Brouwer, CEO of TC Investment, brought the segment to a close. Koko met Herbert at Coopers 38 years ago, while Brouwer met him 25 years ago when he was a representative of Deutsche Bank in Nigeria. Herbert values and nurtures relationships.

The next segment – Herbert the Builder – was taken up by Aliko Dangote; Gov. Dapo Abiodun; Gov. Sanwon-Olu; Wale Edun; Yemi Cardoso; Akinwunmi Adesina; Ronke Kuye and Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede. Dangote’s emotional statement was gripping and sent everybody sobbing with him. He described Herbert as his friend, brother and mentee, and spoke of Herbert’s unflinching support to the Dangote Group, especially his support for the completion of the gigantic Dangote Petrochemical complex. ‘’It will be difficult to find another Herbert’’, he said, describing him as unforgettable, a soldier of courage and distinction. Dangote announced that he would immortalize Herbert by naming the main road leading into the complex as Herbert Wigwe Way. Gov. Abiodun recalled that he knew Herbert some 30 years ago and described Herbert as daring, bold, diligent, compassionate, dependable and reliable. Under Herbert, the governor said, Access Bank has supported all his infrastructure projects in Ogun State.

Gov. Sanwo-Olu said he knew Herbert 34 years ago when he was working in the oil industry and Herbert was a young banker. They have remained friends since then. He said Herbert had supported his campaigns generously and was also very supportive of his administration. He mentioned the AFREXIM funding Access Bank had arranged for the Fourth Mainland bridge and other big projects in Lagos. The governor was excited to learn that Herbert was born at the Island Maternity Hospital in Lagos and exclaimed, ‘’So, he is an Isale Eko boy’’. The audience liked the humour and Sanwo-Olu promised to immortalize the late banker on Lagos Island. Wale Edun said Herbert was always briming with ideas and recalled his meeting with him in Abuja on February 1, while the AfDB President extolled Herbert for his ingenuity, leadership and creativity.

Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede’s highly anticipated remarks closed the segment. I had earlier in the week told him that Nigerians are eager to hear from him on the death of his friend and business partner. He did not disappoint. He described Herbert as a man with a mission who did so much and wanted to do so much more, but kept worrying ‘’about whether he would have sufficient time to realize his dream for a transformed Africa’’. ‘’February 9th 2024, the day Herbert, Chizoba, Chizi and Bimbo died along with the two pilots was a terrible and tragic day for all of us. But on that day, Herbert was honored in a way that happens to very, very few human beings in the annals of history. As the breaking news of this tragic accident reverberated across the world, time stood still in honor of Herbert Wigwe’’.

Aigboje recalled similar moments in the past when time stood still, like the Martin Luther King and his ‘’I have a dream moment’’ and Bob Geldof and the ‘’We are the world Moment’’. When Herbert died, Aigboje said, time stood still, enabling millions who already knew of him and then hundreds of millions more who had never heard of him pause in unison to learn and reflect about this iconic African leader and understand the full potential of what he was about to do for humanity.

‘’And time stood still because God wanted the world to know and understand who his son Herbert Wigwe is and what he truly represents. And so, they learnt about his early life and formative years, they learnt about his family life and love of God, they learnt about his professional exploits and philanthropy, they even learnt that Aigboje the person referred to as his brother and partner was neither his spouse nor biologically related to him. Most importantly they learnt that this man, Herbert Wigwe, is a proof that Africa is still capable of producing outstanding men and women with a capacity to change the world in a good and positive way.

‘’Herbert was committed to building an African continent where men and women can aspire and live to their full potential. He isn’t the only person committed to this objective, but there are very few people in the world whose life and legacy illuminate this commitment the way Herbert Wigwe has. Some have told me that in the last few months, Herbert was very concerned about the state of our nation and continent. This is indeed true and Herbert knew that time was not on our side. Herbert’s purposeful legacy lies in what he was preparing to embark on, a collaborative commitment to building an African continent we will all be proud of. In memory of Herbert, let the work begin’’.
The night ended with a vote of thanks given by a tearful Bolaji Agbede, the Acting Group Chief Executive of Access Corporation.

President Bola Tinubu congratulates Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), on the award of the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership.

Dr. Adesina joins the pantheon of other previous winners of the award such as Nigeria's Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka; former President of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki, and lawyer-educationist, Chief Afe Babalola.

President Tinubu commends the AfDB President for his visionary and noble endeavour to transform agriculture in Africa and ensure food security on the continent, recalling the growth enhancement schemes revolutionizing Nigeria’s agriculture value chains he introduced as the then Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The President acknowledges Dr. Adesina's unblemished records, tried and tested integrity, as well as his immense leadership and development strides, particularly in agriculture, efforts of which have earned him numerous honours and recognition globally, including the World Food Prize in 2017.

President Tinubu wishes the AfDB President more success at AfDB and strength in his service to Africa and to humanity at large.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

March 6, 2024

Nigerian music icon, Innocent ‘2Baba’ Idibia, and his manager, Efe Omorogbe, have announced the end of their partnership of over 20 years under the latter’s ‘Now Muzik’ management company.

The formal separation was revealed through Now Muzik’s Facebook page on Wednesday, and it takes effect immediately.

Omorogbe, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Now Muzik expressed gratitude for the collaborative journey with 2Baba.

“I am grateful to 2baba for the trust, and for the friendship. I am proud of the brands we built together, the music we made; the fans we entertained. 2Baba is one of the greatest Nigerian musicians of all time and it really is an honour to have had the opportunity to walk side by side with him, watching and helping him make magic over the past two decades.

“My team and I look forward to now supporting from the sidelines, and continuing to advocate for any and everything 2Baba,” Omorogbe stated.

Omorogbe acknowledged the milestones achieved during their collaboration, resulting in a significant contribution to the growth of Nigeria and Africa’s entertainment industry.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to achieve major milestones working with 2Baba over the last two decades. These achievements have defined an era and validated our collective contributions to the growth of the entertainment industry in Africa. For this, we are extremely proud,” he added.

2Baba, in his remarks, expressed gratitude to Omorogbe and the Now Muzik team for their role in his career success.

“I know it’s a cliche but every good thing must come to an end. I owe a lot of my career success to Efe and his team at Now Muzik.

“Everything I’ve been able to achieve is as a result of the support of so many people and organisations working with me to bring my talent and vision to life. Now Muzik is one of such companies and I couldn’t be more grateful to them.”

The music icon, who joined Now Muzik in 2004 after departing The Plantashun Boiz, will now be managed by his own imprint ‘Hypertek Digital.’

Now Muzik was founded by Omorogbe in 1994 during his days at the University of Lagos, in partnership with Sammy Odins-Odihirin and the late Fredrick Ayalogu.

The Court of Appeal, Abuja division, has affirmed Julius Abure as the National Chairman of Labour Party, LP.

The appellate court on Wednesday set aside the judgment of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory which restrained Abure and two others from parading themselves as national officers of the party.

However, in the judgment on Wednesday, Justice Hamman Barka held that the high court was wrong to have assumed jurisdiction on the matter.

Delivering judgment in the appeal filed by Abure challenging the decision of the high court, Justice Barka, leading a three-member panel of Justices of the Court of Appeal, held that Abure’s appeal had merit and was accordingly allowed.

He said, “The judgement of the lower court is hereby set aside” Justice Barka held and awarded a cost of N1 million against the respondents to be to Abure.