Fulham star, Alex Iwobi has named his four best ever Super Eagles players of all-time.
Iwobi spoke ahead of Nigeria’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, qualifier with Libya on Friday in Uyo.
In a recent interview with PoojaDissects, Iwobi was asked to name his four best ever Super Eagles players.
The former Arsenal player simply said: “[Austin] Jay-Jay Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, Joseph Yobo and Victor Osimhen.”
Okocha, Kanu and Yobo have all retired from football.
Osimhen, meanwhile, is currently playing for Galatasaray on loan from Napoli.
[DailyPost]
The former first lady of Kebbi state, Shinkafi-Bagudu, has been elected as the new president of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC).
Shinkafi-Bagudu, a paediatrician consultant, made history by becoming the first African to hold this position following a virtual election conducted during the UICC General Assembly on Tuesday, October 8.
Her election was confirmed in a statement released by the UICC.
The statement also revealed the election of a new board of directors consisting of 14 members.
In response to her election, Shinkafi-Bagudu expressed appreciation for the electoral process and committed to being a collaborative leader, drawing on the experiences, insights, and energies of her colleagues to guide the union in the coming years.
She is set to serve as UICC president from 2024 to 2026.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Shinkafi-Bagudu on her latest achievement.
In a statement on Wednesday through his Special Adviser, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu highlighted the historic importance of her election as the first African and fifth woman to lead the global cancer control organization.
He hailed her competence and character, affirming “the enormous talents that abound in Nigeria”.
The president described Shinkafi-Bagudu’s rise as “a landmark achievement and a testament to Nigeria’s growing influence in global health leadership”.
“President Tinubu recalls Dr Shinkafi-Bagudu’s invaluable services to Kebbi state and the country, for which Nigeria is deeply grateful.
“He lauds her stewardship as Chairperson of the First Ladies Cancer Initiative and her contributions to establishing the Kebbi State Strategic Plan for Cancer Control during her tenure as the First Lady of Kebbi State.
“President Tinubu expresses confidence in Dr. Shinkafi-Bagudu’s ability to use her new office and leadership to improve cancer control and global health.
“The Geneva-based UICC was founded in 1933 and has more than 1100 member organisations in over 170 countries and territories,” the statement added.
Fuel Is Now N1,065 And People Still Think I’m The Problem In This Country - Bobrisky Laments
AFOLABI
Controversial Nigerian crossdresser, Idris Okuneye aka Bobrisky has raised concerns over the recent increase in the prices of fuel in the country which is now selling at N1,065 per litre.
On his Instastories, Bobrisky pointed out the irony of being blamed for problems in the nation while larger issues like the fuel hike persist.
The socialite wrote: "Fuel is now 1065 per litre and some people still think I’m the problem in dis country gosh."
See Post Below;
The Lagos State Government has opened up that only 15% of property owners in the state have building approvals.
The government also added that only 75% have complied with the physical planning laws.
This is according to the State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Oluyinka Olumide, and his Information and Strategy counterpart, Gbenga Omotoso.
They were speaking during a media briefing on Wednesday, at Alausa, Ikeja, to herald the Physical Planning Summit scheduled to take place on October 15 and 16 at Victoria Island, Lagos, where stakeholders are to brainstorm on ways to chart a better course for the state development.
The summit with the theme, ‘Thinking Lagos: A new vision for a regional and integrated megacity,’ will have stakeholders from both the private and public sectors to address challenges in physical planning within the State.
Olumide said, “Statistics show that only 15 per cent of property owners have building approvals, while 75 per cent property owners have complied with the state physical planning laws.
“We are committed to being able to benchmark accordingly and arrive at the master plan. Building approval in Lagos is below 25 per cent. Across the country, we have between 18 to 28 per cent and the highest is 32 per cent.
“We have a lot of challenges so we must ensure that we increase the percentage. This is one planet earth we have and everyone has a name, the same thing applies to structures, every building must get approval.”
This comes as the state government is set to review the urban developmental plans to meet infrastructure demand while creating opportunities for stakeholders to take advantage of investments at the maiden Physical Planning Summit.
Petrol pump prices rose to N998 and N1,030 per litre on Wednesday at various outlets of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) in Lagos and Abuja, respectively.
The recent development comes after the NNPC decided to terminate its exclusive purchase agreement with Dangote Refinery.
Here are five ways to reduce fuel consumption
1. Use AC when driving at higher speeds:
While it might seem counterintuitive, driving with your windows down at speeds above 80km/h can actually use more fuel due to increased wind resistance. In this case, it’s more efficient to switch on the air conditioning—your car will glide more smoothly without the extra drag.
2. Accelerate smoothly:
Rapid acceleration and revving your engine to high RPMs might feel powerful, but it guzzles fuel. A steady, smooth acceleration keeps your engine running efficiently and helps conserve fuel, making your drive easier on both your wallet and your car.
3. Brake gently:
Slamming on your brakes not only wears them down faster but also forces you to burn more fuel when you accelerate again. Try to maintain a safe distance from the car ahead, so you can brake gradually and avoid wasteful fuel usage.
4. Turn off the engine when idle:
If you’re waiting for more than a couple of minutes, it’s a good idea to turn off your engine. Even when you’re stationary, an idling engine continues to consume fuel unnecessarily. A quick switch-off can save fuel and reduce emissions.
5. Keep your tires properly inflated:
Underinflated tires create more friction with the road, causing your car to work harder and consume more fuel. Keeping your tires at the right pressure not only enhances fuel efficiency but also extends the life of your tires, saving you from future expenses.
[TheNation]
The Lagos State Government has said a recent Federal High Court judgment in Abuja, which barred the Directorate of Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) from stopping and impounding vehicles does not apply to the VIO Lagos directorate operations.
Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi made the claim in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos.
Osiyemi said it was important to note that in law a court has limits of its territorial jurisdiction and in this case, the judgment was restricted to Abuja.
“It is also important to know the rationale of the judgment of Justice Evelyn Maha in the fundamental rights enforcement suit: FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/2023.
“The rationale is that there is no law which empowers the VIO in Abuja to stop, impound seize, or impose fines on motorists, whereas, in Lagos State, there is the Transport Sector Reform Law of Lagos State (TSRL-2018) which dictates; Part II, Section 11-22 of the law to the establishment, duties and power of VIO in the state.
“This is with the penalties or fines that can be imposed for traffic violations as contained in the schedule of the law (violations-1-52).
“Therefore, the decision of the Federal High Court Abuja on VIO is inapplicable in Lagos State,”he said.
The government of Sokoto State has disbursed the whopping sum of N95.4 million for the maintenance of Juma’at mosques across the state.
The funds were released on Wednesday at the Sultan Muhammadu Maccido Institute for Qur’anic and General Studies by Governor Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Bello Goronyo.
A total of 87 Juma’at mosques benefitted from the funds, categorized into three tiers: 20 mosques received N500,000 each, 17 mosques were granted N400,000 each, and 50 mosques were allocated N300,000 each. The payments, which cover the months of August, September, and October, had been delayed due to some mosques lacking bank accounts.
Governor Aliyu emphasized that this initiative aligns with his administration’s 9-point agenda, which includes the promotion of religious activities. In his remarks, Sultan Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar commended the gesture and called on other states to emulate such efforts. He urged the mosque committees to use the funds responsibly, reminding them of their accountability to God.
The Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Dr Jabir Maihula, revealed that the state government is also constructing over 35 mosques across the 23 local government areas of the state, encouraging committees to ensure the mosques remain conducive for worship.
Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar Namadi has given approval for workers in the state to be paid the approved N70,000 minimum wage.
This was made public by Special adviser to the Governor on salary and pension, and committee member for the minimum wage implementation. Hon. Bashir Ado.
Ado disclosed this on Saturday while responding to a question from newsmen on the government’s plan for the implementation of the minimum wage shortly after casting his vote at Kanya Babba.
According to him, “Governor Umar Namadi has already approved the N70,000 as minimum wage; what remains is for the committee to complete its assigned responsibility for the implementation.”
He said the committee had completed 90 percent of its work and would soon present the report to Governor Umar Namadi for onward approval of the new salary structure.
He said the state has about nine salary structures and those with special salary scales that are above the minimum wage will enjoy consequential adjustment.
Ado explained that even the NLC was pleased with the increment when they saw the template and the increased amount each civil servant will receive.
“I am sure civil servants will laugh and appreciate Governor Umar Namadi’s effort when they see the salary increase,” he added.
Recall that the Jigawa State Executive Council, presided over by Governor Umar Namadi, had approved a 10-member committee to implement the new minimum wage in the state.
The committee is chaired by the State Head of Service, Muhammad Dagaceri, with the Permanent Private Secretary to the Governor serving as Secretary.
He added that Governor Namadi has also approved over N5b for the settlement of retirees’ benefits delayed for over 20 months.
He commended Governor Umar Namadi for his efforts to improve the welfare of civil servants and pensioners.
The National President, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Abubakar Garima, has stated that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited owes petroleum marketers almost N15bn.
Garima stated this on Thursday when he was featured on Channel TV’s Sunrise Daily.
According to him, its members have yet to load a single truck since the NNPCL increased its pump price.
Responding to a question about how much NNPCL is owing its members, he said, “Roughly, it is almost getting to N15bn. Our money is already with the NNPCL. It has refused to give us the product we paid for and is asking us to complete the difference.
“Our money has been with the NNPCL for almost three months now. Either they sell for us at the same rate they are getting the product from Dangote Refinery or refund us so we can buy directly from Dangote Refinery.”
Recall that PUNCH Online had reported that after one week the NNPCL commenced loading Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol, at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, most filling stations across the country have yet to get the product.
PUNCH Online had also reported that IPMAN in its independence message on October 1, 2024, urged the Federal Government to allow its members to source a direct supply of petroleum products to ease the pressure in the sector.
[Punch]
Gov Dauda Lawal of Zamfara state has reacted to the unfortunate killing of nine operatives of the Community Protection Guards, a state-owned security outfit, in the Tsafe Local Government Area of the state.
The bandits attacked the CPG personnel otherwise known as Askarawa while on duty at a checkpoint on the outskirts of Tsafe town around 8:am on Monday.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, October 8, by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Sulaiman Idris, the governor condemned the attack, describing it as a “barbaric act” committed by bandits who were on the run due to the ongoing military operations in the state.
He commended the bravery of the CPG operatives and other security forces for their relentless efforts to protect the lives and property of Zamfara residents.
"I received the unfortunate report of an ambush by bandits in Tsafe LGA, during which nine of our brave CPG members were killed. The ambush on our guards is a cowardly act by bandits who are dispersed and on the run due to sustained onslaughts by our troops across the state,”the governor stated.
He assured residents that the state government would continue its renewed offensive against banditry in Zamfara and the entire region, reiterating his administration’s commitment to restoring peace and security.
“I want to take this opportunity, on behalf of the government and people of Zamfara, to extend my condolences to the families and loved ones of our brave guards. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten. I hope those injured recover as quickly as possible."
The governor pledged to provide necessary support to the families of the fallen CPG members, emphasising that the government would stand by them during this difficult period.
More...
Deji Adeyanju Slams Nigerians Over Their Attitude Following The Recent Hike In Petrol Pump Price
AFOLABI
Activist and lawyer, Barr Deji Adeyanju, has taken a swipe at Nigerians over their attitude towards the recent hike in the price of petrol.
Nigerians woke up on Wednesday with the news of NNPC changing the pump price of petrol from N868 to 1031 at its various outlets in Abuja.
Worried by the silence of Nigerians on the new development, Deji stated that nobody wants to chase clout by protesting.
He wrote;
‘’Fuel is now N1,030 but nobody want to chase clout by protesting. Everybody waiting for everyone to start protest.''
The Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Healthcare Professionals (JOHESU) has threatened to embark on strike action.
Following the threat, JOHESU issued a 15-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to resolve its pending welfare issues or its members will embark on an industrial action.
The unions said it will resume its suspended strike on October 25, if its demands are not met.
This was made known in a memo from the unions to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Pate dated October 9, 2024, and titled, “Notice of 15 days ultimatum and resumption of suspended strike action.”
JOHESU is made up of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals, the Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutions, and Associated Institutions, and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions.
The memo signed by the National Chairman of JOHESU, Kabiru Minjibir, and its National Secretary, Martin Egbanubi, and was obtained by our correspondent on Thursday highlighted the lingering unresolved issues.
It noted that the issue led to the strike that took place from May 19 to June 6, 2023, but was suspended consequent upon the intervention of President Bola Tinubu.
The issues listed by the unions include the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure as was done with the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure since January 2, 2014, the implementation of a consultant cadre for pharmacists in Federal Health Institutions, the upward review in the retirement age from 60-65 years for health workers and 70 years for Consultants, the payment of JOHESU members in professional regulatory councils.
Others are the payment of arrears of CONHESS review, the tax waiver on healthcare workers’ allowances, the immediate payment of COVID-19 inducement hazard allowances to omitted health workers, the immediate suspension of planned establishment and activities of National Health Facility Regulatory Agency, and the withdrawal of the Drug Revolving Fund Standard Operating Procedures.
The unions, however, demand the immediate implementation of CONHESS adjustment, immediate payment of 25 per cent CONHESS review arrears, immediate payment of nine months (January – September 2024) salary to staff of Regulatory Agencies, and immediate restoration of funding to Environmental Health Regulatory Council, immediate reconstitution of Boards/Governing Councils of FHIs, the commencement of the process to upwardly review retirement age of health workers through Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to the Federal Executive Council.
Other demands include tax waiver on healthcare workers’ allowances, immediate payment of COVID-19 inducement hazard allowances to omitted health workers, immediate suspension of planned establishment and activities of NHFRA, withdrawal of the DRF SOP by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and the implementation of approved entry point, call duty and other allowances for holders of Doctor of Pharmacy.
“Consequently, arising from the unanimous resolution of JOHESU Expanded National Executive Council at a hybrid meeting held on 2nd October 2024, and in compliance with the provisions of Section 41 of the Trade Disputes Act Cap.T8 LFN, 2004, JOHESU is constrained to give the Federal Government of Nigeria 15 days ultimatum with effect from Thursday, 10th October 2024, and to inform you that with effect from midnight of Friday, October 25, 2024, all our members in the Federal Health Institutions shall embark on seven days strike action.
“However, if at the end of the seven-day warning strike, the Federal government fails to meet our demands, JOHESU has no other option than to embark on an indefinite strike action.
“Honourable Minister Sir, you will agree with us that JOHESU has always exhibited maturity, selflessness, and patriotism even in the face of extreme provocations and the government’s long delay in meeting these demands of workers under JOHESU and we think that our maturity and patriotism have been taken for granted.
“This 15-day ultimatum is necessitated by the non-response of the Federal Government to the plight of our members, despite our benevolence,” the memo added.
Greek football was in shock Thursday at the death of Panathinaikos and Greece international George Baldock, with tributes uniting even the country’s usually hostile rival fans.
The 31-year-old English-born right-back — a former Sheffield United stalwart in the Premier League — was found dead on Wednesday evening in a swimming pool at his home in the southern Athens suburb of Glyfada.
“We can confirm that George has sadly passed away. As a family we are in shock at this terrible loss,” his family said in a statement.
News of Baldock’s death dominated social media with the top-flight Super League and clubs sending condolences even before Panathinaikos posted their own statement.
Even fans from clubs hostile to Panathinaikos expressed grief at the loss of a genuinely well-liked player.
State TV ERT reported that Baldock was “at the bottom of the pool” and that a bottle of vodka was found at the scene.
State news agency ANA said Baldock’s wife, who is abroad, alerted the owner of the residence after unsuccessfully trying to reach the player on the phone.
As police cars and an ambulance were dispatched to the scene, several Panathinaikos players gathered outside the building and a coroner was called.
A first examination did not reveal signs of foul play, ERT said Thursday, adding that the player had been dead for about five hours when he was found. The home also showed no evidence of forced entry.
George Baldock joined Panathinaikos in May after a seven-year spell with Sheffield United, relegated from the English Premier League to the Championship last season.
Of Greek origin through his father, he was called up by the Greek national team in 2022 by then-manager Gus Poyet.
Poyet said he was “devastated” by the news. UEFA said the European football community was “deeply saddened”.
Baldock had 12 caps, but had not been selected for the team’s Nations League match against England at Wembley on Thursday because of injury, ERT said.
– ‘One of our own’ –
The Greek federation called Baldock “one of our own” and has requested that Greece’s players wear black armbands for the game.
There were calls under UEFA’s post on Baldock for the game to be postponed.
Baldock had featured for Panathinaikos in a 0-0 draw with Olympiacos in a Greek Super League match on Sunday where he played for 75 minutes.
The club’s training sessions for Thursday and Friday were cancelled.
Both the Greece team’s official website and his club’s social media sites on X and Facebook, were blackened in tribute to the player.
Messages of support poured in from Premier League clubs including Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea, who face Panathinaikos in Conference League action later this month.
Manchester United’s England international defender Harry Maguire, a former Sheffield United player, posted “RIP” and a heartbreak emoji alongside an image of Baldock on Instagram.
Sheffield United changed their homepage to a black and white photo of their former player with the words: “RIP George Baldock.”
“Sheffield United Football Club is shocked and extremely saddened to learn of the passing of former player, George Baldock,” said the club.
Northampton, where Baldock had a loan spell in 2011, wrote on X: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former loanee George Baldock at the tragically young age of 31.”
Baldock’s boyhood club MK Dons said they were “deeply devastated and saddened to learn about the shocking news”.
“George started his career at Stadium MK, where he worked his way through the youth ranks and made his senior career debut at the Club before reaching the heights of the Premier League in later years.
“You will always be one of our own, George.”
The Football Association in England wrote on X: “We are devastated to learn of the passing of George Baldock at the age of 31. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with George’s family, friends and team-mates at club and country.”
Baldock was nicknamed “Furious George” by Sheffield United fans in tribute to his uncompromising style.
“I just love winning. I hate losing and I even hate drawing,” he told local media.
Although the latest petrol pump price hike by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited is seen as a step towards the full deregulation of the downstream sector, the huge subsidy payments and its sole-distributor role have become a significant burden on the national oil firm, insiders have told TheCable.
The Dangote refinery officially began petrol production on September 3 with plans to sell only to the NNPC.
After more than a week, petrol lifting from the refinery began on September 15, arriving at the pump stands to the delight of Nigerians who desire an end to Nigeria’s chronic petrol importation — with eyes on cheaper pump prices.
An insider said the delay in lifting petrol — also called premium motor spirit (PMS) — owed to logistics challenges, noting that the supply from the refinery also fell below expectations.
“While the PMS discharge from the station may have sliced off a portion of the country’s fuel import requirements, it was still a far cry from expectation as the refinery only delivered 102,973,025 litres, out of the 400 million it pledged to supply within the period,” the insider told TheCable.
It is understood that the volume provided by the Dangote refinery within 15 days “was barely enough for the amount required for only two days”.
“The Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) had to cough out nearly N13 billion for Nigerians to buy the commodity at the price they did in the second half of September,” the source said.
Evacuation analysis seen by TheCable shows that about 2,207 trucks were used by the national oil firm and other marketers to lift PMS from the facility between September 15 and September 30.
OIL PRICE, FX VOLATILITY
The unit price per litre tumbled with the prevailing foreign exchange (FX) rate, resulting in a change in the price of the commodity about six times within the 15 days under scrutiny.
“The NNPC, as the sole off-taker of the product, paid between $746 per metric tonne when the lifting started picking up to $759.40 and sliding down to $714.15 per metric tonne by the end of September,” the insider explained.
He said the naira price oscillated between N882.18 and N960.85 per litre — depending on the purchase and FX rates on the days of each transaction.
The insider said a day before the announcement of truck mobilisation, the NNPC’s first consignment signed off on September 14 was received at N882.18 per litre using the FX of N1,546.41 per dollar.
By September 18, according to the source, the product price and FX rate increased to $759.1 and N1,656.49/$, respectively.
“This sharply affected the product price in naira to N960.85,” he said.
“However, by September 20, the product price slimmed along with the FX rate which dropped to N1,544.02, bringing the PMS price to N893.35. Though the product price from the refinery had come down to $714.15 by the end of the month, the worsening of the FX rate to N1,657.42 made the PMS price close at N937.30.
“To maintain stability at the pump price, the NNPC Trading sold the product to its retail company and other marketers at a fixed price of N749.99 throughout the period.
“With this, the company topped up an average of N133 per litre for every litre bought from the refinery. This came to over N12.5 billion for what a senior official called a ‘paltry 103 million litres’.”
‘UNBEARABLE BURDEN’
On October 7, reports of NNPC’s decision to quit its sole off-taker role with the Dangote refinery circulated.
Insiders told TheCable that the middleman role played by the national oil firm in distributing the PMS has caused it an “unbearable burden”.
This comes as NNPC struggles to clear a $6 billion debt owed to international fuel suppliers. The company has been dealing with serious financial strains, a situation that continues to threaten petrol supply.
In a recent interview with Bloomberg, Aliko Dangote, chairman of Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), had asked the federal government to stop subsidy payments, which he described as unsustainable.
Sources said due to this, the NNPC will be forced to relinquish its role as the sole supplier and allow other marketers to access the product directly from the Dangote refinery at the prevailing market price — an outcome the federal government had tried to prevent.
On September 14, the federal government had said the refinery would sell petrol only to the NNPC, adding that interested marketers would have to buy the product from the national oil firm.
The house of representatives had frowned on this arrangement, asking the federal government, on September 26, to allow independent marketers to buy petrol directly from the plant.
The insiders believe that with NNPC quitting as the sole distributor, fuel prices will likely jump at the pumps nationwide, as an augmented amount will now be passed to the consumers.
“The prices are however expected to stabilise in coming days as freeing up of the market would induce competition and potentially stabilising supply chains,” another source said.
[TheCable]