The Nigerian U-17 women’s national football team, the Flamingos, secured a comfortable 4-1 victory against Liberia in the first leg of the final qualifying round for the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. 

The match took place on Sunday evening at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium. 

The Flamingos, under the leadership of coach Bankole Olowookere, dominated the game from the outset.

Abidemi Moshood opened the scoring in the 19th minute, setting the tone for a deluge of goals. 

Just ten minutes later, Peace Effiong extended the lead with a well-placed shot.

Harmony Chidi added to Liberia’s woes, netting Nigeria’s third goal nine minutes before halftime.

Substitute Blessing Ifitezue sealed the victory with a fourth goal 16 minutes from full time.

Liberia managed to score a consolation goal from the penalty spot in the 87th minute, but it was too little, too late to challenge Nigeria’s dominance.

The reverse fixture is scheduled for next weekend at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja.

Premier League giants Arsenal have reportedly dropped their interest in Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen, due to his €130m price tag amid player swap rumours, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

After four successful seasons at Napoli, Osimhen is expected to call time on his career with the 2022/23 Serie A champions this summer, as confirmed by club president Aurelio de Laurentiis.

The Partenopei have fought hard to keep hold of the Nigeria international and agreed a new contract with their star striker last December, but his terms only run until the summer of 2026.

With Osimhen’s contract also including a release clause worth around €130m (£110.6m), De Laurentiis has resigned himself to losing the former Lille man to one of Europe’s financial powerhouses ahead of the 2024/25 season.

Arsenal have been one of a handful of clubs tipped to move for Osimhen, alongside Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, although the latter will not make an approach due to the recent capture of Kylian Mbappe.

It has also been reported that new Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is against the signing of the 25-year-old as well, as he does not believe that Osimhen is a striker who can link play and drop deep, which is one of his principal requirements.

As a result, a two-way fight could have materialised between PSG and Arsenal, the latter of whom were apparently informed that a part-exchange deal involving Emile Smith Rowe and Takehiro Tomiyasu could have been their ticket to an agreement. 

However, according to Sky Italia, Arsenal have informed Napoli that they are not bowing to their £110.6m demands, especially after breaking their own transfer record with the £105m capture of Declan Rice last year.

Arsenal still rate the striker highly but cannot justify forking out a nine-figure fee, which is also the case with most of Osimhen’s other suitors, so De Laurentiis may be forced to relent on demanding that the Nigerian’s release clause is paid in full.

The Napoli president is now under added pressure to accept a lower fee for the Nigerian due to the arrival of Antonio Conte, who wants to reunite with Chelsea’s Romelu Lukaku in one of his first acts as head coach.

PSG are now considered the favourites for Osimhen’s signature, as the ex-Lille man is not keen on moving to Saudi Arabia, and the French champions will save €200m (£170.1m) in yearly wages now that Mbappe has departed.

Osimhen topped the Serie A scoring charts in the 2022/23 season with 26 strikes and netted 15 times in 2023/24 missing a large part of the season due to injuries and the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

The match between Rangers and Enyimba in Week 35 of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) was called off after a late penalty was awarded to the Flying Antelopes.

The crucial Oriental Derby on Sunday was a title decider, with Rangers at the top of the league with 60 points and Enyimba just two points behind.

The stadium was packed with fans for the intense match, which was going well until the referee awarded Rangers a penalty in the 101st minute with the score at 0-0.

The decision sparked protests from Enyimba players, and despite efforts to resume play, the game was disrupted by fans invading the pitch.

Opinions are split on the fairness of the penalty, as the Enyimba defender seemed to pull back the Rangers striker who was attempting a shot on goal inside the box.

A win tonight would have allowed Rangers to establish a five-point lead over Enyimba with only two matches remaining in the season.

“Rangers 0-0 Enyimba #RANENY #NPFL24 #TheFinalStretch.

“Match interrupted after penalty awarded to Rangers in added time,” the NPFL wrote on its X platform.

The league body has not yet commented on the match or the next steps.

See video below:

Over the course of nine months since assuming office, twenty-two states have collectively disbursed ₦251.79 billion to service debts accumulated by preceding administrations.

According to Sunday PUNCH, the states obtained fresh loans of ₦310.99 billion between July 2023 and March 2024, despite increased monetary allocations from the Federation account.

The data was sourced from the budget implementation reports of individual states, accessed through Open Nigerian States, a budgIT-supported platform that acts as a repository for government budget information, with budgIT being a Nigerian civic organization advocating for transparency.

The performance report is compiled quarterly and released within four weeks following the conclusion of each quarter.

The report contains the original approved budget and revised/final budget appropriations for the year 2023 for each organizational unit, categorizing expenditures into core economic classifications including personnel, overheads, capital, and others.

Additionally, it incorporates the actual expenditures for quarter Q3, attributed to each organizational unit, along with the cumulative expenditures for the year to date, and balances against each of the revenue and expenditure appropriations.

An analysis conducted by Saturday PUNCH revealed that the states listed include Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Benue, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Niger, Ondo, Osun, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, and Zamfara.

Further examination of the report revealed that the states encountered a challenging endeavor to revitalize their respective economies, having inherited a minimum of ₦2.1 trillion in domestic debts and $1.9 billion in external debts from their predecessors.

Investigations also revealed that the states grappled with numerous months of unpaid workers’ salaries and increasing pension liabilities, amid calls for the implementation of the nationally agreed minimum wage.

Additionally, they faced challenges posed by rising inflation, soaring prices of goods and services, and declining purchasing power.

In Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, the sole governor under the Labour Party platform, inherited a total domestic debt of ₦104,573,334,025.73 and an external debt of $95,632,239.04.

Meanwhile, Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, assumed office with ₦143,368,150,982.89 in domestic debt and $30,472,977.14 in foreign debt.

Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State was burdened with ₦175,198,799,155.96 in domestic debt and $215,754,975.33 in foreign debt.

Similarly, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, was faced with a domestic debt of ₦219,617,660,991.63 and $46,569,647.22 in external debt, among other challenges.

Recall that after the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange markets, there was a significant rise in states’ earnings from the Federation Account Allocation Committee, totaling N3.34 trillion in the post-fuel subsidy era.

With the improved earnings, states had the autonomy to settle outstanding loans acquired by the previous administration, particularly during the third and fourth quarters of 2023.

This financial enhancement afforded the states the opportunity to address fiscal obligations and alleviate financial burdens inherited from previous administrations.

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Osun State, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye has decried the recent exit of multinational corporations from Nigeria.

He adviced President Bola Tinubu to bolster the economy so the nation would retain and attract more investors.

The former state House of Assembly member highlighted the potential repercussions of multinational departures.

Speaking to newsmen in Osogbo, Osun State on Sunday, he identified diminished foreign investment, extensive job losses, and economic downturn as some of the effect of the multinationals exit.

Oyintiloye cited notable exits like Kimberly-Clark, the makers of Huggies, alongside GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria Plc and others, which have either fully or partially ceased operations.

He acknowledged Tinubu’s efforts to stabilise the economy, but pointed out the urgency of addressing business environment hurdles cited by departing firms.

The APC chieftain insisted that the government needs to restore Nigeria as an attractive destination for multinationals and empower local manufacturing industries.

He proposed flexible foreign exchange policies, tax breaks, and incentives to retain existing investors.

According to him, “There is no doubt that the president has been putting measures in place to revamp the economy, increasing foreign direct investment and also making local industries vibrant and competitive.

“Government should create a more flexible and transparent foreign exchange policy to address scarcity issues , reduce the inflationary trend which has reduced consumers’ demand and purchasing power, Create tax breaks, review economic and fiscal policy.

“The government should also look at how to give incentives to some of the multinationals that are still operating in the country.”

The government of President Bola Tinubu has been sued over failure to publish spending details of the loans obtained by the governments of former presidents since the return to democracy in 1999.

The suit was filed against the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, and the Debt Management Office (DMO) by Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).

In the suit number FHC/L/CS/353/2024 filed last Friday at the Federal High Court, Lagos, SERAP is asking the court to direct and compel Tinubu’s government to publish the loan agreements obtained by the governments of former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari.

Aside publishing the spending details of any such loans, the organisation is also asking the court to direct and compel the government to include the interests and other payments so far made on the loans.

According to SERAP, publishing the spending details of such loans will help to explain why, despite several billions of dollars in loans obtained by successive governments, millions of Nigerians continue to face extreme poverty and lack access to basic public goods and services.

The organisation is argues that accountability of government to the general public is a hallmark of democratic governance, which Nigeria seeks to achieve.

The suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers Kolawole Oluwadare and Andrew Nwankwo, read in part: “Publishing the loan agreements would improve public accountability in ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).”

“Nigerians are entitled to information about what their government is doing in their name. This is part of their right to information.”

“Publishing the agreements and spending details would allow the public to see how and on what these governments spent the loans and foster transparency and accountability.”

“Publishing the loan agreements signed by the governments of former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari, and widely publishing the agreements would allow Nigerians to scrutinise it and to demand accountability for the spending of the loans.”

“According to Nigeria’s Debt Management Office, the total public domestic debt portfolio for the country’s is N97.3 trillion ($108 billion). The Federal Government’s debt is N87.3 trillion ($97 billion).”

“Nigeria paid $6.2 billion in 2019 as interest on loans while the country paid $6.5 as interest in 2018. Nigeria also paid $5 billion as interest on loans in 2017 while the country paid $4.4 billion as interest in 2016. For 2015, the interest paid on loans was $5.5 billion.”

“Substantial parts of the loans obtained by successive governments since the return of democracy in 1999 may have been mismanaged, diverted or stolen, and in any case remain unaccounted for.”

“Persons with public responsibilities ought to be answerable to the people for the performance of their duties including the management of the loans obtained between May 1999 and May 2023.”

Meanwhile, no date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is poised for President Bola Tinubu’s verdict on the newly proposed ₦62,000 minimum wage, which emerged from recent discussions between the Federal Government and the Organised Private Sector.

NLC President, Joe Ajaero, expressed that the President’s response would significantly influence Organised Labour’s forthcoming actions.

The proposal, adopted at Friday’s meeting of the Tripartite Committee on the new minimum wage in Abuja, was initially met with resistance from labour representatives.

Trade Union Congress (TUC) President, Festus Osifo immediately rejected the figure, stating that labour would not accept anything less than ₦250,000 as a fair minimum wage.

In addition, the NLC issued a statement criticizing state governors for their refusal to even meet the previously proposed ₦60,000, labelling their stance as detrimental to the welfare of economically vulnerable groups.

Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, alongside TUC President Osifo, confirmed the ₦62,000 figure at the conclusion of the Tripartite Committee meeting.

Governor Uzodimma explained that the committee’s recommendation would be forwarded to President Tinubu, who is expected to submit an executive bill to the National Assembly outlining the final minimum wage figure.

In his conversation with The Nation, Ajaero mentioned that Labour is prepared to wait for the President to consult further before making his decision public.

He recalled how the current ₦30,000 minimum wage was set, noting that a lower figure had initially been suggested before being raised by the then-president prior to legislative approval.

Former world heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua, is making waves once again due to the latest Sunday Times Rich List, which sees the British-Nigerian’s net worth estimated at £175m, PUNCH reports.

After bouncing back from consecutive defeats by Oleksandr Usyk, Joshua’s recent hot streak includes four straight victories, with his latest win being a knockout blow to ex-UFC heavyweight Francis Ngannou in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Since his stunning Olympic gold medal win at London 2012 catapulted him to fame, Joshua has been climbing the boxing ladder with gusto. But it’s a throwback interview with GQ in April 2017 that really shows the heights he aimed for.

At the time, Joshua was gearing up for his bout with Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley Stadium, which he won by KO. Chatting to GQ, Joshua revealed his financial dreams, saying initially he just wanted to be rolling in millions. But as times changed, so did his goals.

“When I first started, the aim was to become a multimillionaire. But now there are ordinary people, grandmas and granddads, who are worth millions just because of property prices,” he explained.

“So the new school of thought is that I need to be a billionaire. Being a millionaire is good, but you have to set your sights higher.”

Joshua has set his sights sky-high, revealing his financial goals saying, “If I’m making £10 million from my next fight, my next target has to be making ten times that. And if I get to £100m-150m, why not go for the billion? I know self-made billionaires. It’s hard, but it’s possible.”

The boxing star bagged a whopping £66m, his highest purse to date, when he snatched back his WBA, WBO, IBO, and IBF world titles from Andy Ruiz Jr in December 2019. Reports claim he then bagged £31million in his March clash with Ngannou.

Joshua has undeniably boosted his wealth recently, with Forbes estimating his 2020 earnings at a cool $47million. However, according to the latest Sunday Times Rich List, Joshua’s net worth now stands at a hefty £175m, an impressive figure, albeit short of his ultimate goal.

Joshua has always been open about his drive to earn big, telling Yahoo Sports in February 2023 that a big motivation for him is, “Money, money, money. I like making money, straight up. I’ve been broke, my family’s been broke, I know what this sh*t means.

“I always built businesses outside of boxing, out of fear of going back to square one, but when I’m said and done, no one will care about me anymore, so I’ll make the most of it while I’m here.”

In a heartwarming encounter at the French Embassy in Abuja, an eight-year-old boy named Peter captured the admiration of many Nigerians when he respectfully turned down a significant cash gift from Super Eagles and Nottingham Forest striker, Taiwo Awoniyi, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The incident unfolded on Monday when Awoniyi visited the French Ambassador to Nigeria, Jean Francois Hasperue, to discuss sports partnership opportunities and the development of the Unicorn Football Academy in Ilorin.

Uche Nworah, a blogger present at the embassy, narrated the story on Facebook on Tuesday. Peter had greeted Nworah and his colleagues politely while they waited for their appointment.

Impressed by the boy’s demeanour, Nworah called Peter back to commend him and offered him a small cash gift in appreciation, but the boy refused, citing his father’s rule against accepting things from strangers.

Organised labour, consisting of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), condemned governors on Saturday over their recent stand on the new minimum wage in the country.

Naija News recall that the governors under the aegis of the Nigeria Governors Forum rejected the proposed ₦60,000 minimum wage for Nigerian workers.

The Director of Media and Public Affairs for NGF, Halimah Ahmed, noted in a statement released on Friday that the governors said the proposed minimum wage was too high and unsustainable.

The governors said if the ₦60,000 minimum wage is adopted, many states will allocate their entire Federal Account Allocation Committee funds to salaries, leaving no resources for development projects.

However, reacting on Saturday, the Organised Labour faulted the NGF’s position, saying every part of the new minimum wage agreement should be implemented and any of the state governors who can’t pay it should resign.

In an interview with Punch, Tommy Etim, the Deputy National President of the Trade Union Congress, said, “There is no minimum wage. Every segment of it should be implemented. For the governors, we have said it very clearly. If you cannot pay minimum wage, please resign because you were voted for governance, not only infrastructure.

“If you build the entire infrastructure and the people are not living to use it, who will use it? When they were campaigning did they tell us that? They didn’t tell us that. They make use of the poor to get to the top and when they get there, they start thinking outside the box. All the money they spent in electioneering campaigns, if they applied that to build infrastructure, to develop the revenue generation that would have solved some socio-economic challenges in their domain.”

Describing the NGF statement as a recipe for industrial unrest, he said, “In this same country, the governors said that ₦30,000 was too much for governors to pay but it is in the same country that a governor emerged with over ₦80bn. What an irony! We cannot jump processes. We will also look at it together. Labour will be meeting. We are giving Mr President the benefit of the doubt to work the talk. The end will justify the means.”