Cote d’Ivoire has announced Monday a work-free day to celebrate the the Elephants’ African Cup of Nations (AFCON) victory.
The hosts overcame Nigeria 2-1 on Sunday night to claim their third AFCON title.
Eight minutes before halftime, the Super Eagles took the lead through William Troost-Ekong.
However, Emerse Fae’s team scored twice after the break, thanks to Franck Kessie and Sebastien Haller.
The locals celebrated the team’s victory into the night.
Meanwhile, Abidjan’s Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium will host a trophy parade today.
President Alssanne Quattara and other top government officials are expected to be present.
During the parade, the president is expected to give cash reward to the players and their officials.
The University of Ibadan (UI) and the University of Lagos (UNILAG), have been ranked as one of the top ten universities in Africa.
The two Nigerian universities emerged in the top ten list of universities in Africa according to the latest ranking of world universities released by the Times Higher Education.
According to the 2023 World University rankings which covers 104 countries and regions, the University of Ibadan comes seventh in Africa, while the University of Lagos takes the ninth position on the continent.
The ranking rates the University of Cape Town as the number one in Africa, while Stellenbosch University and the University of Witwatersrand rank second and third, respectively.
Globally, the University of Oxford tops the ranking for the eighth year in a row, but others in the top five have seen shifts in their ranks.
Harvard University moves up to second place, pushing the University of Cambridge down to third.
The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023 include 1,799 universities, making them the largest and most diverse university rankings to date.
This year’s ranking analysed over 121 million citations across more than 15.5 million research publications and included survey responses from 40,000 scholars globally.
Below is a list of Africa’s best Universities
1. University of Cape Town
2. Stellenbosch University
3. University of Witwatersrand
4. University of Cape Coast
5. Aswan University
6. Ferhat Abbas Sétif University
7. University of Ibadan
8. University of KwaZulu-Natal
9. University of Lagos
10. Muhimbili University
The Enugu state chapter of the Association of Table Water Producers (ATWAP) says it will increase the price of a bag of sachet water to N300 as members begin shutdown of their operations for three days as a result of unbearable cost of production.
Tony Edike, chairman of ATWAP disclosed this in a joint statement issued by himself and Clems Nwamadi, state secretary in Enugu on Sunday.
This was among the decisions made at the association’s emergency meeting on February 8, 2024, in Enugu on the issues facing all of the association’s members.
All producers of table water, including those who produce sachet water and pet bottles, were instructed to cease operations and cease manufacturing starting on Monday, February 12 till Thursday, February 15, 2024.
As to the statement, the decision was made to facilitate their search for a feasible resolution to numerous issues the association members were facing.
“The current harsh economic situation in the country especially as it affects materials and other logistics for the production of table and sachet water in the state were critically reviewed,” the statement reads.
“After hours of deliberations on the overwhelming challenges being encountered by ATWAP members, especially the over 500 percent increase in the prices of raw materials and other factors of production, we as to come to this decision.
“The 500 percent increase in prices of raw materials, which included : nylon, parking bags, purifying materials, procurement of water from boreholes located outside the city, diesel, high electricity tariff, haulage transportation and other maintenance staff cost.
“Also the upward review of various fees charged by both agencies of the state and local government areas within our areas of operations, was another strong reason.
ATWAP received field reports from different association zones indicating that a high number of producers had closed their factories as a result of high material costs and other production issues, which had raised the member death rate.
“With effect from February 16, 2024, a bag of sachet water (20 sachets) will be sold at #300 to enable the producers sustain their operations and rescue their businesses from total collapse,” the statement continues.
“Any defaulter or violator of this resolution unanimously endorsed by all members of ATWAP, Enugu state chapter will pay a fine of #200,000 per any truck caught by the ATWAP taskforce that had already been charged to enforce the exercise.
“Members are however advised to mobilize their staff within the period of factory shutdown to clean up their production equipments and keep their environment clean as the taskforce would soon embark on factory inspection to ensure members comply to the resolution and standard operating procedures
However, the association appealed for the cooperation of dealers and consumers for understanding within this period to enable members of the association remain in business ahead of time.
A police inspector from PMF 51 in Oghara, the headquarters of Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State, has reportedly misplaced his AK-47 rifle along with sixty (60) rounds of ammunition.
The mobile police officer, Yusuf Samaila, is affiliated with the palace of the Olu of Warri.
The officer lost his service rifle with breach number: 0927, with 60 rounds of ammunition on Sunday when he went to watch the match between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire in the final of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on the palace premises.
Confirming the incident to SaharaReporters, a source in the palace privy to the matter, said that the mobile police officer had locked his rifle with 60 rounds of ammunition inside his room in the palace and gone to watch the match. But when he returned to his room, the rifle was missing.
The source said, “It was during half time when he came back to his room, he discovered that the room was burgled and his rifle had been taken away by an unknown person.
“Based on this, his unit commander attached to Olu of Warri Palace went to Warri Area Command to incident the case of missing firearm that the Inspector locked his AK-47 rifle with breach number: 0927, in his room and went to watch the AFCON finals between Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire within the palace premises.
“The police officer has been defaulted while an effort to recover and arrest anyone behind the stolen rifle and ammunition is in place.”
Contacted on the issue, Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bright Edafe Bright in a text message simply said, “False, the rifle was immediately recovered.”
The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, says the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, must tell President Bola Tinubu about the parlous and precarious state of the nation.
The highly respected monarch said the first lady must intimate the her husband about the deepening insecurity and high level of hunger and starvation in the country.
The Emir issued the advisory when Tinubu’s wife visited Kano to open the faculty of law at a private university.
“Although we have several means of communicating to the government on our needs and requests, but your way and means is the surest way to tell the President the actual happenings in the country,” The emir told the first lady.
He said though, pervasive hardship and insecurity, didn’t start under the current administration, things have worsened under it.
The emir, who spoke through an interpreter, added, “The hunger and starvation didn’t start with this government but the situation has become more alarming and needs urgent attention.”
He also urged her to tell Tinubu to address insecurity, saying, “The issue of insecurity is another serious problem we are facing. I know your government inherited it, but something more serious should be done to take care of the threats.”
Bayero also spoke on the relocation of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, and some departments of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to Lagos.
“We are receiving series of messages from our people. One of such messages is the much talked about relocation of CBN and FAAN to Lagos. I think the government should come out clean on this matter and talk to Nigerians in the language they would understand.
“Do more enlightenment on this matter. I for one cannot tell the actual intentions of the government. We should be made to actually understand the reasons behind the relocation of the CBN and FAAN offices to Lagos.”
In the same vein, he urged the President’s wife to actualize her Renewed Hope Initiative Pet Program, noting that the scheme, if fully actualized, will free the less privileged from their shackles
Cote d’Ivoire youngster, Simon Adingra has said the Elephants’ win against Nigeria was one of the best moments of his career.
Adingra bagged two assists as Cote d’Ivoire defeated Nigeria 2-1 in the final.
The Brighton & Hove Albion star was almost unplayable in the game with his runs and dribbles causing problems for the Nigerian defence.
The winger was named Man of the Match after the game.
Adingra also won the Young Player of the Tournament award.
He also credited the effort of his teammates in winning their third tittle in history.
“We did it together, we’re Africa champions and it’s incredible. I’ve just experienced one of the most beautiful moments of my life, and that’s down to the effort of everyone in the team,” he told CAFonline.com.
Stanley Nwabali, Super Eagles goalkeeper, has apologised to Nigerians after the team lost to Cote d’Ivoire in the final of the just concluded Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The Super Eagles were defeated 2-1 by the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire in the final held at the Olympic Stadium, Ebimpe, Abidjan, on Sunday.
Nigeria took the lead in the match after William Troost-Ekong scored a powerful header in the first half, but Franck Kessie and Sebastien Haller scored in the second half for the Ivorians.
The loss was a disappointing end to a tournament that had revived the interest of many Nigerians in the Eagles.
In a post on his Instagram page, Nwabali described the loss as a “frustrating end”, adding that the team takes full responsibility.
The goalkeeper added he understands “how it feels giving you a disappointing night” while appreciating Nigerians for their support of the team’s AFCON campaign.
“A disappointing and frustrating end. I deeply apologise to Nigerians,” the post reads.
Nigeria’s vice-president, Kashim Shettima has eulogised the Super Eagles despite the team’s failure to win the title at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Super Eagles fell to a 2-1 defeat against hosts, Cote d’Ivoire in the final of the competition on Sunday night.
Shettima, who watched the game live at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Ebimpe, Abidjan, stated that the players will be rewarded for their gallant effort in the game.
“We have tried our best and be rest assured that there is always the next time. You must have it in mind that the tragedy of life lies in not reaching your goal but the tragedy lies in not having a goal to reach,” the country’s number two citizen stated while addressing the players and their officials after the game.
“It is not a calamity to die with a dream, but it is a calamity when you don’t have a dream at all.
“A lot of countries, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt and others exited the competition, two, three weeks ago.
“We have come this far, be rest assured that we will come back stronger in the next edition. There is cause for celebration. We are second best in Africa.
“You don’t have to be sad. We have every reason to celebrate. The nation is proud of you. You are the source of our unity. It is only when the Super Eagles are playing that we don’t talk about race or religion. You always unite the nation.
“The nation is in grief, but the nation is in solidarity with you. Be rest assured that your name will be written in gold in the history of football in Nigeria.
“I convey to you, the wish and regards from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. There is no need for you to be sad. On Wednesday, we were celebrating and we came so close today. We lost the game within just 15 minutes.
“That’s what football is all about. We must understand that whichever way the pendulum swings, the trophy is still for Africa. It is the Africa Cup of unity and it came to West Africa.
“There is every cause for us to celebrate and rejoice. There is every cause for us to unite. Look at our mistakes and correct them in the next edition.
“Honestly, we are very proud of you and the nation will adequately compensate you for your sacrifice. You came close, there is no cause for you to be remorseful or sad. There is no reason for us to be sad or remorseful.”
The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has disclosed that organized labour may have no choice but to demand one million naira as the new minimum wage for Nigerian workers.
Speaking during an interview with Arise TV, the NLC president argued that when they were considering two hundred thousand naira (₦200,000) as the minimum wage, the exchange rate stood at about ₦800/$1, but that is no longer the case.
He said if the value of the naira continues to depreciate and inflation continues to bite harder, then the NLC would be left with no other choice than to demand one million naira as the new minimum wage.
According to Ajaero, the demand of labour is based on what is happening in the society. He added that labour’s demand will be based on the cost of living index.
Speaking further, the NLC president said the new minimum wage committee should have been inaugurated by the federal government at least six months before the current national minimum wage expires, but that wasn’t the case.
He revealed that even after the committee was inaugurated, they have not sat for meetings, meaning they may not have more than a month to deliberate and agree on a new minimum wage for Nigerian workers.
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Super Eagles on-field Captain, William Troost-Ekong, has been crowned the Best Player of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.
The Nigeria’s Captain outjumped Nottingham Forest’s Serge Aurier to score his third goal of the tournament and give the Super Eagles a 1-0 lead in the AFCON final on Sunday night.
South Africa goalkeeper, Ronwen Williams, won the ‘Goalkeeper of the Tournament’ award after his heroics to power the Bafana Bafana to a third-placed finish ahead of Nigerian keeper, Stanley Nwabali.
Equatorial Guinea’s Emilo Nsue, who from the group stage nicked five goals, got the top goal scorer award.
Cote D’Ivoire coach, Emerse Fae, won the ‘Coach of the Tournament’ while South Africa won the Fair Play award.
Super Eagles defender, William Troost-Ekong, made bruising tackles, led the defence and team vocally from the back, and even scored for Nigeria, emerging as one of the more outstanding players in Super Eagles squad.
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Economic Hardship: Nigeria’s Problem Is Spiritual, Leaders Trying Their Best – Adeboye Laments
AdminThe General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adejere Adeboye, has said the problems facing Nigeria are spiritual.
The clergyman stated this on Sunday while visiting the Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani.
He stated that Nigeria needed urgent spiritual help to overcome the challenges confronting the nation.
According to Adeboye, the challenges facing the country were more than political, but problems that required spiritual solutions.
“We don’t want a situation where people begin to think of taking their own lives.
“Nigeria needs the help of God and it needs the help urgently,” he said.
He, however, expressed hope that the problems would not last forever and things would soon be better.
According to him, his tour of Nigeria, which brought him to Kaduna, was not just to organise crusades and pray for the people and Nigeria, but an opportunity to gather people together to let them know that, tomorrow is going to be alright if Nigerians can be a little more patient with God.
He said, “I am delighted to be here again. I was here about two or so years ago with the former governor; at that time, I came to pray for some of my members who were kidnapped and they were miraculously rescued. I came to encourage their families to let them know that all will be well.
“I have come again this time around because it has become more and more clearer to us that, the problem our nation is facing is more than political. Our problems will require a bit of spiritual solution.
“We as a country are blessed; we are blessed with people with great intelligence, we are blessed with all manners of resources and yet we have so many problems.
“And it is not as if people in authority are not trying their best; they are doing as much as humanly possible. And then we found out that when you have problems that are beyond human ability to solve, you call on the Almighty. The reason we call Him Almighty is because He has the power to solve all problems.
“So, we have been going around in our little way to support the efforts of all the various governments and parastatals to call on the Almighty to come to our aid, because we need help. We need help and we need it urgently.
“Because, as much as our leaders are doing their very best to help us solve our problems, the problems seem to have persisted, and in some areas, the problems seem to be getting worse. But we trust in Almighty God that, this problems will not last forever. We trust God that the problem will even be over sooner than later.
“That is why we have been going round holding crusade and the crusade are just a means of gathering people together to let them know tomorrow is going to be alright if we can be a little more patient with God. We believe very strongly that people need this kind of encouragement so that they don’t lose hope.”
Comedian Bello Khabir has alleged that famous crossdresser Bobrisky is gay and once asked him out.
He made the allegations while featuring as a guest in the latest episode of The Esther Show podcast.
He claimed a lot of gays approached him after he played a female character in one of his skits.
Khabir said: “Bobrisky moved to [approached] me. That was a long time ago. I think it was 2017, 2018. I can’t remember vividly.
“When you’re talking about the Pamela, Mama Felicia thing, there’s a whole lot [of] story behind that character because it’s a feminine character. So I got some ridiculous approaches from them; I don’t know if I should mention them. They are alphabet people.”
Reacting to Khabir’s allegations via his Instagram page, Bobrisky claimed that the comedian was using his name for clout.
Sharing a screenshot of Khabir’s sending him a DM request, Bobrisky wrote: “My lawyer sent me this stupid boy’s lie on one dead podcast, and I was just laughing hard.
“Your career is dead a long time ago, I’m sure that’s why you think you can use Bob for clout. I’m happy he mentioned 2017. Guys, this is the last chat I can remember I had with that guy before blocking him. He has been on my block list since 2017. Those of you real followers will know that my page has always been private. Baba kept sending me requests; probably he was asking for something I can’t really remember.
“If a billionaire dude says Mummy of Lagos wants him, honestly, I’m never going to argue, but a broke n*gga like that one with beards like he-goat, naaa. I’m too classy for that trash.”
Maverick singer, Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, has reacted to Super Eagles’ 2023 Africa Cup of Nations 2-1 defeat to Ivory Coast on Sunday.
Charly Boys said Jose Peseiro’s men tried against Ivory Coast but admitted that the best team won
“The Super Eagles really tried but the best team won,” Charly Boy wrote on X.
“Oya, make we face the demons facing us.”
Recall that Nigeria took the lead in the first half through William Troost-Ekong’s header.
But Ivory Coast levelled after the break through Franck Kessie’s header.
With a few minutes left in the game, Sebastien Haller flicked the ball past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to give the host the victory.
Cote d’Ivoire head coach, Emerse Fae has revealed the key to his side’s victory against the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
Les Elephants edged Jose Peseiro’s side 2-1 in the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Ebimpe, Abidjan, on Sunday night.
It was the West Africans third AFCON title.
“We noticed the Nigerian players were tired in the first half. They were not at their usual best,” Fae said after the game.
“I told my players during the half-time break that we must increase the intensity of our game and it worked out well for us.
“It was not an easy game but the good thing is that we won at the end of the day.”