General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, yesterday, lamented that many Nigerians are suffering difficult times bedeviling the country.
He, however, declared that the governors and the President are secure and unaware of the hardship in the country.
He spoke during the February Thanksgiving Service themed: ‘Let The Wind Blow’, held at the Throne of Grace Parish, RCCG Headquarters, in Ebute Meta, Lagos.
Adeboye, who maintained that the wind was already blowing, begged Nigerians to pray and cry to God to show mercy on Nigeria.
Speaking on the value of the dollar to naira, he said: “Remember at the beginning of the year, God said that things are going to get worse before they get better. If you know the value of the naira to the dollar by January 1, if you compare the value of the naira to the dollar today; you would say, it looks like this boy knows what he was saying.”
According to him, when things get worse, it is the innocent people who would suffer.
His words: “We have to pray with all our strength because when you say things would get worse before they get better. We don’t know how worse or how farther before they can get better. With all your heart, cry to God and say please have mercy on us, intervene quickly.
“It does not matter how much they are changing the dollar, they are secured where they are. The Governor does not need to know the cost of petrol; he doesn’t want to know how much petrol is in his tank. When he wants to go out, he comes out and enters his car. He doesn’t queue at the petrol station.
“The President doesn’t need to know how much they sell bread; that is none of his business; it would get to his table when he wants to eat.
“It is the common people like you and I who can tell that at the beginning of the year, this is how much they are selling rice, because we have to buy.
“I have told you that I am not a Prophet, I am a Pastor. At the beginning of the year, the Lord said that the wind was going to blow, and the wind was already blowing. As it is, there is nothing we can do to stop it.”
The United Kingdom has revealed two kinds of English language tests required for nationals seeking immigration routes.
Britain made this known in its updated information on its website on Monday.
It stated that an assessment of reading, writing, speaking and listening abilities is required for applicants like health and care workers, high potential individuals, innovator founders, ministers of religion, scale-up workers, skilled workers, start-ups, and students.
“There are 2 types of test as different immigration routes require different levels of English language ability. The test you will need to take depends on what you are applying for,” it disclosed.
“For the following application routes, you will need to take a test that assesses your reading, writing, speaking and listening abilities: Health and Care Worker, High Potential Individual
Innovator Founder, Minister of Religion, Scale-up Worker, Skilled Worker, Start-up, and Student.
It added that only speaking and listening abilities are prerequisites for citizenship, international sportsperson, parent, partner, Representative of an Overseas Business, and settlement.
“For the following application routes, you will need to take a test that assesses your speaking and listening abilities: citizenship, International Sportsperson, parent, partner, Representative of an Overseas Business, and settlement (also known as indefinite leave to remain),” it added.
“The level of test you will need, known as the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) level, will depend on the route you are applying for. To find out which level you need, see the specific guidance for your immigration route.
Speaking about approved test providers, it disclosed, “If you are in the UK, you can only take a SELT with one of the following providers: LanguageCert, Pearson, Trinity College London, and
IELTS SELT Consortium.
“If you are outside of the UK, you can only take a SELT with one of the following providers: LanguageCert, Pearson, PSI Services (UK) Ltd – Skills for English (UKVI), and IELTS SELT Consortium.”
Former Nollywood couple, Saidi Balogun and Faithia Williams mark their 55th and 57th birthday respectively
AdminNigerian film actress, Faithia Williams has sweetly celebrated her estranged husband and father of her kids, Saidi Balogun on his birthday today.
The former power couple, both turn a new age today and have taken to social media to celebrate their new age.
In a lengthy post on his Instagram page, Saidi described the past year as a roller coaster with highs and lows, curves and bends. However, his engine keeps moving and never topples.
The Yoruba actor stated that he is not just celebrating his birthday today, but is celebrating all Aquarius worldwide, most especially February-born and those who share the same date with him. Saidi Balogun wrote:
‘We won’t give you the power to dumb Afrobeats” – Davido’s hypeman, Special Spesh fumes over Grammy results
“All those who are born in February hands up ???? ????
Life has been a roller coaster with highs and lows, curves, and bends. But the engine keeps moving, it never topples. Ground solid, no sinking. Dogs barking, sometimes biting, it never penetrates but breaks their teeth. Why, because I dwell under the shadow of Almighty Allah S.W.T, the author of my destiny.
Another year added, I celebrate with all Aquarius worldwide, All February born especially February 5. Happy birthday to us!.”
Taking to his comment section, his estranged wife, Faithia Williams wished him a happy birthday, she wrote:
“Happy birthday SB”.
Faithia Williams also took to her Instagram page to share a clip of her dancing, as she stated that she is embracing a year of growth, laughter, and more. She cheered on to more years of celebrating life’s beautiful journey. She wrote:
“Embracing another year of growth, laughter, and cherished moments. Here’s to celebrating life’s beautiful journey on my special day”.
Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has said it is too early to criticize President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, but those in government should not be complacent.
Naija News reports that the former lawmaker stated this during Legit’s recent Twitter Space titled; “Tackling Corruption or Insecurity: Priorities for the FG in 2024”.
Sani noted that Tinubu does not have the luxury of time to waste and must take action regarding governance because Buhari’s government also asked for time and ended up doing nothing in eight years.
He said, “I believe six/seven months is still too early, but we shouldn’t be complacent because of the last administration. The best thing is to still give them time and see what they can achieve.
“But the President does not have the luxury of time to waste. He has to wake up and do what is needful. That’s why he was elected into office.”
Speaking further, Sani said there has been improvement in terms of security on the Abuja-Kaduna expressway since Tinubu assumed office.
Sani said kidnapping is still going in that axis, but there are few reported incidents compared to Buhari’s administration.
He said, “Kidnapping is still going on, people are still being kidnapped, and terrorists are still resurging. But I can tell you comparatively that what the army, police and security forces are doing today is better than where we came from.
“It was virtually impossible for people for people to move from Kaduna to Abuja. But now reported incidents are very few.
“It is still going on up till today and the president has to know if he is going to make a difference in the hearts and minds of Nigerians and prove that he is different. People will not tolerate a certain percentage of progress but they want a complete peace and restoration of law and order in this country which is a challenge to him.”
Bose Ogulu, the mother and manager of Nigerian award-winning singer, Damini Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, has taken to social media to celebrate her son, despite losing his four Grammy nominations.
Naija News reports that amidst Burna Boy’s loss, he still shone brightly at the 66th Grammys for making history as the first Nigerian and Afrobeats artiste to perform live at the award mainstage.
The ‘African Giant’ crooner performed a medley of songs from his latest album, ‘I Told Them’ to a hyped audience at the Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles.
He was later joined on stage by legendary singer, Brandy, and rapper, 21 Savage.
Before the performance, Burna Boy lost the Best Global Music Performance award to ‘Pashto’ by Bela Fleck, Edgar Meyer and Zakir Hussain; Best Global Music Album to Shakti’s ‘This Moment’; Best Melodic Rap Performance to Lil Durk’s ‘All My Life’; and Best African Music Performance to Tyla’s ‘Water.’
However, Bose took to her Instagram page to celebrate her son, describing him as the blueprint of Afrobeat music.
The excited mother said the singer is continuously etching his name in the sands of time.
She wrote, “burnaboygram etching his name in the sands of time. Legacy. So proud of @fromtheoutsiders & my entire Spaceship team. Champions you are Ebunoluwa, the gift of God that adds blessings & no sorrow. You are indeed the blueprint.”
In a shocking incident in the riverine community of Kabeama, Sagbama Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, a man identified only as Tony, has been accused of beheading his girlfriend, Maxuel Ebibraladei.
The couple, who shared a child, were embroiled in a tragic event that has left the community in disbelief.
According to neighbours, the gruesome act occurred in the early hours of Saturday, around 3 am, with the severed head of the victim discovered at dawn.
The local residents quickly apprehended Tony as he attempted to flee the scene.
He was subsequently handed over to the police for further investigation.
The motive behind this heinous crime remains unclear, and the local authorities are conducting a thorough investigation.
The remains of Maxuel Ebibraladei have been transferred to the morgue of the Federal Medical Centre in Yenagoa, as the community mourns the loss of the young woman.
Tony is currently detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), awaiting further legal proceedings.
A resident who spoke with Daily Trust said, “We don’t know what happened between the two lovers that would make him cut off the head of his girlfriend and mother of his child.
“The two of them were quiet and easy-going. We are at a loss as to what went wrong. The headless corpse of the lady was evacuated and deposited at the mortuary of the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, while the arrested boyfriend is in custody of the police in Yenagoa.”
Police spokesman in Bayelsa State, ASP Musa Muhammed, confirmed the incident.
A suspect arrested over the alleged involvement in the murder of two traditional rulers in the Ikole axis of Ekiti State, Baboga, has confessed how he and members of his gang murdered the monarchs.
Bogoa, a herdsman, confessed after he was paraded before journalists on Sunday in Ado-Ekiti by the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Ekiti, Dare Ogundare.
Recall that on January 29, gunmen killed the Onimojo of Imojo, Oba Olatunde Olusola, and the Elesun of Esun Ekiti, Oba Babatunde Ogunsakin.
Also in the same area, the assailants attacked a school bus and whisked away five pupils of the Apostolic Faith Group of Schools, three teachers, and the bus driver.
Speaking with reporters on Sunday at the Ekiti State Police Headquarters in Ado-Ekiti, Baboga said he and four others were involved in the operation that led to the death of the two traditional rulers.
He said, “I am a herdsman, and I have my cows in the bush. The other four threatened to shoot me if I did not join them in the operation.
“They brought the ammunition and I was going about in the bush with my cows when they said I should join, and I joined them.
“When we were in the bush, we saw the vehicle conveying the three traditional rulers from a distance, and we jumped on the road.
“We didn’t plan to kill the traditional rulers, but I can’t remember what happened. My friends shot at them and we ran away. They left the bush immediately. They have been kidnapping people for ransom. I joined them once to kidnap and they gave me N5,000 from the money they collected.
“It was when I came to town to buy garri that I was arrested by security operatives.”
Earlier, the police boss said it took the combined efforts of security agencies in the state to apprehend the suspect in the forest between Ayedun and Ayebode.
He said that the suspect had confessed to the crime while efforts were on to apprehend his accomplices.
The AIG informed journalists that some other suspects had been arrested at Oke Osun, in Ikere Ekiti, Igbo Okah and Iju-Ikere boundary forest in connection with the murder of the monarchs.
Speaking further, Ogundare said no arrest was made during the rescue operation for the abducted school pupils and their teachers.
On whether ransom was paid to secure the release of the Emure abductees, the police boss said that the Nigeria Police would never encourage ransom payment.
He also commended the Inspector General of Police and the Ekiti State governor for their intervention in the quick release of the school pupils and their teachers.
Fiery Enugu priest, Rev Fr Ejike Mbaka, on Sunday, tackled the President Bola Tibubu administration over the level of insecurity and hardship in Nigeria.
Mbaka, who said there were many obstacles on Tinubu’s way to becoming the president, including the Naira redesign policy, said he succeeded by an act of providence.
He, however, said the president was yet to exhibit political will towards solving the country’s problems.
He singled out corruption in the oil sector, which he said was under a certain cabal, but regretted that President Tinubu was yet to go against them.
The charismatic priest said these while delivering a homily at his Adoration Ministry in Emene, Enugu State.
He asked the President to wake up, stressing that God was watching him.
“Mr President, you can do it; to fix Nigeria is not difficult if the leader has the will power.
“I know that this one will make national news but let it be.
“What is happening in the oil sector? How many barrels are being produced and how many dollars are in the Nigerian account?
“A country like Nigeria that exports millions of barrels of oil per month, how much are we saving?
“Why is it difficult up till now to fix other refineries? Who are the cabals? Can’t they be de-canibalized? Cabals can be de-canibalized if the president has the will power; hell will not fall, heaven will not fall.
“These people can go to jail; after all, many of them did not support you; so why are you protecting them? Mr President, wake up, God is watching you to see what you can do,” Mbaka said amid cheers from his parishioners.
He went further to say that the citizens were all heartbroken, urging the president to fix things fast.
According to him, “Our hearts are broken; go to our schools, see how messy the government schools are; are we taking care of our teachers and our doctors? Look at how they are- when they travel abroad, they begin to mine money in pounds and dollars.
“Teachers once they retire, no gratuity, no pension; the hearts of the retirees are broken; let there be a law that will bring solution to all these maladies.
“Heartbreak everywhere, look at our police and military, their hearts are also broken; what kind of guns are the policemen using? When the senior squad passes, they will kill the policemen on the watchpost and carry their guns and run away. What happens to their families when their husbands die on the duty post?
“No compensation; the next one minute, they chase them out of the barrack; those who are in Borno forest fighting Boko Haram, what is happening to their families at home? Who is taking care of them?
“The hearts of their family members are broken, shattered; they are fighting those with bombs with catapult; those people they are fighting are carrying launchers;
“How many young men have we buried and still burying; insecurity everywhere.”
The Catholic priest also warned that a higher wave of hunger was underway in the country if insecurity was not dealt with.
He said, “We are asking people to go to the farm and produce; but if you enter the farm, herdsmen with AK-47 will enter the farm and kill the farmers, who will go to the farm anymore?
“Hunger, as I told you last two years, has not even started; I won’t tell you lies; everybody should be meaningfully engaged, start something.
“In Nkerefi last time, about six women who were farming were killed and their stomachs brought out; who will go to the farm there again? The fear is there.
“Even politicians who think they are safe in their comfort zone, you are not safe because the level of insecurity will come to your doorstep one day.”
Turning again to Presdent Tinubu, Mbaka said, “I know that this man that has come to be the president of the country if he submits himself to God, with enough will power, God has blessed him in wealth, he has not come as a beggar, like many politicians who failed election and they almost committed suicide because they used all they have to do election.
“Jagaban is not a poor man; so he can do something extraordinary; do it the other way round; shock all these people who are criminals; devise a policy that will bring security, bring joy to the Nigerian people and you will see there will begin to be a meaningful transformation.
Parents of five abducted pupils of the Apostolic Faith Group of Schools, Emure Ekiti on Sunday said they went through a tedious journey before securing the release of their children.
The abducted five pupils of the school were released on Sunday after the kidnappers collected a N15m ransom.
Apart from the ransom, the kidnappers insisted on collecting fried rice, energy drinks and cigarettes.
The school proprietor, Gabriel Adesanya, told The PUNCH that the driver was killed. According to him, the corpse of the driver, who was kidnapped alongside the pupils and staff members of the school, has yet to be found.
He said, “The corpse of the driver has not been found yet. The freed kidnapped victims said he was killed between yesterday and this morning. We cannot trace the body at the moment since we don’t know the location where they were kept. We have discussed with the police whether we can recover it.”
When contacted, one of the parents of the kidnapped victims, Adebisi Jegede, confirmed that a ransom was paid to the kidnappers.
He said, “A ransom was paid to the kidnappers and the money raised was around the N15m they demanded. I was not the one that counted the money but it was around that amount.”
Relatives of the victims said the kidnappers, who initially demanded N100m, reduced it to N15m after negotiations.
The victims were on their way home from school last Monday when five of the pupils, three teachers, and the bus driver were abducted.
The schoolchildren were abducted on the same day gunmen killed two Ekiti monarchs-the Onimojo of Imojo, Olatunde Olusola, and the Elesun of Esun Ekiti, Babatunde Ogunsakin, but the Alara of Ara Ekiti, Adebayo Fatoba, escaped.
The parents and families of the kidnapped persons, who were happy to reunite with their beloved ones who spent six days in the den of kidnappers, said that the journey to their release was torturous.
A man, whose wife and son were among the kidnapped persons, said that N15m ransom and some other items were handed over to the kidnappers in an expansive forest before the abductees were released to them.
The man who spoke anonymously for fear of being abducted, said, “Nine persons were kidnapped. But eight persons were released, we didn’t see the ninth person. The kidnapped persons told us after their release that the gunmen shot the driver dead”.
The man said, “It gave us a lot of problems to see the kidnappers. When we first entered the forest, we spent about two hours without seeing them. We had to go forth and back before we saw the kidnappers.
“When we eventually saw them, they took us into the bush far away from where we parked the motorcycle that we took there. We gave them what they demanded and they released the kidnapped persons to us.
“We gave them N15m and the food items they asked us to buy for them – eight packs of fried rice with chicken and drinks – can malt drink, fearless energy drink, bullet energy drink and cigarettes.
As they collected the money and the items, they said we should run off.”
The source, who said he could not say specifically the location in the forest, said, “The place is between Ondo and Ekiti States. We entered around Ago Panu along Owo–Ikare Road in Ondo State and went deep in the expansive forest.
“When they released them to us, I embraced my family members, I thank God for the reunion, for surviving the torture, and hunger.”
Shedding more light, a woman, whose three grandchildren were among the kidnapped persons, said that her joy knew no bounds on reuniting with them after they were released in the early hours of Sunday.
She said, “My joy knows no bounds as I speak with you. When I saw my children, we held one another in long embrace and we all wept especially when I saw the condition they were in. They spent about a week in the forest.
“God was with us in our journey yesterday (Saturday), I could see my children again. I went to the bush with the search party for the rescue. It was located off Owo-Ikare Road in Ondo State. Initially, I didn’t want to go because of my leg, but on second thought that my three grandchildren were involved, I chose to go.
“The kidnappers were calling persistently that we should hurry up. They said we should meet them at Ikare Junction. I wondered how come Ikare junction when they took the children from Eporo. When we got to Ikare Junction, they said we should buy food, so we went to buy rice, meat, and other things.
“At a point, they called that we should turn back and described another road. We decided that all of us should not go there so that they would not think that we came with policemen who could make them injure the abductees.
“Later, the kidnappers said that only two persons should come. They threatened to waste the kidnapped persons if more than two persons should come. So, only two persons continued while the rest of us sat on the road there.
“The driver of the vehicle had to return at a point and two persons then used a motorbike to trace the kidnappers to drop the money and food.
“On collecting the money and food, they released the kidnapped persons, and our people used the motorbike to take them to the road, it was then they called us to bring the vehicle to convey them.
“The kidnappers collected N15m. We (parents and families) contributed N4m, people came to our aid by contributing. Even they called for contributions in the markets and the people supported, they contributed so that the kidnapped persons would be rescued.
A political leader at Eporo, who pleaded anonymity, said, “The children told us that when the kidnappers were asking for the telephone numbers of relatives, the driver told them he didn’t know that of his wife and school proprietor off-hand, this made them angry and they hit him with their gun.
“For five days, he was said to be having issues after the injury he sustained and he was shot dead on Saturday morning. It was a bitter experience for the victims, especially looking at how the driver was killed.
One of the parents appealed to the governor to employ the freed teachers in any of the public schools in Eporo.
“If the governor can show mercy to them by giving them jobs or teaching appointments, there are public schools in Eporo where they can teach without having to travel to and fro daily. Then, they will have job security as well.
“I plead with the governor, to please, have mercy on the teachers and as well the children. May God give them the grace to forget their experience in the kidnappers’ den. If the governor can do this, it will be yet another positive thing we will be saying about him,” the parent said.
The Proprietor of the school, Adesanya, on his part confirmed that a ransom was paid, adding that a group of persons in the community organised the payment.
“Ransom was paid to secure their release but I was not a party to the people that went to pay the money. One thing I am sure of is that ransom was paid. I am aware that the last time they called, they were hell-bent on collecting N15m and the parent was not even able to raise enough money. And as of the time they claimed to have raised N7m, I did not know if the money was up to that.”
He said, “When I spoke to the people that were coordinating the payment, they said the important thing was to get the victims released and that whatever money they were demanding, they would work it out. So by the time they concluded, I was not informed. I was not even told when they went to pay the money. I was only invited when the victims were brought to the palace. In fact, I was thinking the police would be able to rescue having deployed their resources including a helicopter, but today I was called that they were already brought to the palace.”
Tyla beats Davido, Burna Boy, Ayra Starr, and Asake to win the Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance
AdminTyla, from South Africa, has won the 2024 Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance for her song “Water.”
This is the inaugural year for the category, in which Asake and Olamide (“Amapiano”), Ayra Starr (“Rush”), Burna Boy (“City Boys”), and Davido featuring Musa Keys (“Unavailable”) were also nominated.
Tyla beats Davido, Burna Boy, Ayra Starr, and Asake to win the Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance
Best African Music Performance is one of three brand new categories debuting at the 2024 Grammy Awards, along with Best Alternative Jazz Album and Best Pop Dance Recording.
“Water” will appear on Tyla’s self-titled debut album, which is out March 22.
More...
A 300-level female student of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State, identified as Ifeoluwa Adekunle, was stabbed to death by unknown assailants in her off-campus apartment.
The Economics student was found in a pool of blood in her room at the weekend.
One of the students, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told newsmen that the girl was gruesomely killed, adding that the incident has caused apprehension within the students’ community.
“She was stabbed to death by yet-to-be-identified persons who came visiting. We know this is not a cult-related issue as some people are suggesting," the source said.
"We have reported the case to the police but seems they are slow in responding to our demands in identifying and tracking those behind this dastardly act
“We are imploring the Ondo State Government to please look into the matter and ensure that the deceased gets justice.”
Spokesperson of the State Police Command, Funmi Odunlami, who confirmed the incident said men of the state detectives visited the scene and an investigation has begun into the case.
The PPRO, who ruled out cult-related activities in the case, said that the corpse of the deceased had been moved to the hospital’s morgue.
“She was killed but her corpse had been moved to the hospital’s morgue and we have begun our investigation on the case. We are not sure if it’s a cult-related activity because she was murdered in her room situated off the campus but an investigation is going to unravel the cause,” she said.
The Federal Government has said it is not certain there will be an increase in the monthly allowance of serving members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
The Minister of Youth Development, Jamila Bio-Ibrahim, made this known on Sunday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.
Bio-Ibrahim said there are no immediate plans to increase the monthly allowance of corps members following the food inflation and increasing cost of living in the nation.
The minister stated that the government would find innovative ways of ensuring that corps members’ welfare is well taken of.
She said, “We can’t say for sure, we all understand that resources are dwindling, even oil revenues are not as they used to be but we will find innovative ways of ensuring that corps members’ welfare is taken of. ”
Recall that former President Muhammadu Buhari, in January 2020, raised allowance for corps members from N19,000 to N33,000, about a year after he signed the new minimum wage bill into law in April 2019.
Speaking further, the minister said the government has announced a reform of the NYSC scheme and is planning to make it a revenue-generating scheme and agency.
She said, “When it comes to remuneration and looking totally at the holistic funding of the NYSC, we have announced a reform of the NYSC scheme itself. So, we want the scheme to go beyond that social programme of government to be that revenue-generating scheme and agency.
“The reforms which transform the NYSC into a revenue-generating agency and prepare the corps members for the job market and to be decently and gainfully employed or to be employers of labour through entrepreneurship and of course, perfect matching into primary assignment and all the support they need in that career path.”
Oliseh warns South Africa’s Bafana Bafana dangerous
Former Green Eagles Captain, Dr. Olusegun Odegbami, has tipped Nigeria to play the final of the 34th Africa Cup of Nations with host Côte d’Ivoire on February 11.
Both Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire are in the Last Four stage of the AFCON 2023 and will play South Africa and DR Congo respectively.
Odegbami who won the Africa Cup of Nations gold and two bronze medals in seven years of energetic and diligent service to Nigeria when the tournament was then known as Green Eagles, had predicted even before the end of the group stage matches that the two West African countries would play in the final scheduled for the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara.
“I said long before the finals that we would be champions of Africa. Many people thought I was just sounding off. Now, they are seeing their light. Everyone appears to believe now that the Super Eagles can do it.
“Now that we are in the semi-finals, I am seeing that we are going to be playing the host nation, Cote d’Ivoire in the Final. We are beating South Africa and Cote d’Ivoire will beat Democratic Republic of Congo. The stage is set for a classic Final match on February 11, stressed the ex international fondly called Mathematical in his days with the senior national team.
Even as Odegbami addressed the Super Eagles at their Pullman Hotel in Abidjan on the eve of their encounter with Guinea Bissau (final match of the group phase), some persons who were there did not quite share in his conviction that the Eagles would be champions. Today, many have been ‘converted’, and the 71-year- old legend says he is happy that things are going according to his expectations.
Odegbami was the star of the 12th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, hosted by Nigeria in 1980, scoring two excellent goals in a Final that saw Nigeria spank the Fennecs of Algeria 3-0 at the National Stadium, Lagos.
During that tournament, he scored three goals, just as he did at the 1978 finals in Ghana, where Nigeria picked up bronze medals after Tunisia abandoned the classification match as a result of Baba Otu Mohammed’s equaliser.
He also played at the 1976 edition in Ethiopia, where the Green Eagles finished third behind Morocco and Guinea – the only AFCON played on league basis till date.
However, another former Super Eagles Captain, Sunday Oliseh warned yesterday that South Africa will be dangerous when both teams clash in an AFCON semifinal Wednesday.y
Oliseh said Bafana Bafana are dangerous when they break forward and in captain Ronwen Williams they have a proven match winner, whose penalty kick heroics mean the Super Eagles cannot afford for the semifinal to drag into a penalty shootout.
“South Africa are compact and dangerous when they go forward,” Oliseh said on a Channels TV programme yesterday.
“When they go forward, they can hurt us. And we should not allow the game to go to a penalty shootout because of the aura around the heroics of the goalkeeper. He saved four penalties and the Super Eagles must have watched that,” concludes Oliseh a former head coach of the Nigerian senior national team.
[ThisDay]
The Nigerian stock market has bounced back after declining in the last two days of January losses, with the bulls resurfacing to price in full-year 2023 earnings that recently started emerging.
The country’s bourse, which started the new month on a positive note, recovered from its two-day bear run as investors took advantage of the short-lived bearish run to take positions in most stocks with lower prices.
Lagos-based United Capital analysts, in their recent outlook, said they foresaw a positive year for the capital market.
“Through 2024, we expect the premium status of Nigerian equities to remain unchanged, supported by the prevailing situation across major central banks in advanced economies,” they said, while adding that foreign investors will find Nigerian markets attractive as central banks cut rates in 2024, leading to a shift in global capital flow.
With 93.8 percent share price increase this year, Wema Bank leads others in the banking sector. Dangote Cement is leading the industrial sector, rising so far this year by 138.5 percent. BUA Foods is leading other consumer goods stocks with a share price increase of 47.4 percent this year.
“Sentiments remained positive, as investors continue to pick fundamentally sound names at lower prices. We expect a mixed start to the week, as the market anticipates more earnings reports,” analysts at Lagos-based Vetiva said on Friday.
For the oil and gas sector, Japaul Gold is beating others with a share price increase of 80.6 percent this year. In the agricultural sector, Presco is the leader in returns with 34.2 percent, while Transcorp is beating other conglomerates with its 77.8 percent price rally this year.
The benchmark indicator – the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) All Share Index (ASI) – increased to 104,421.23 points on Friday from 102,401.88 the previous day while the value of listed stocks rose to N57.16 trillion from N56.04 trillion.
The market rose by 1.97 percent as activities of bargain hunters outweighed that of profit takers. Twenty-seven equities appreciated as against 35 equities in the preceding week. Sixty-four equities depreciated in price, down from 65 in the preceding week, while 64 equities remained unchanged as against 55 in the preceding week.
The stock market’s record year-to-date return rose to 39.65 percent as of Friday.
“Nigerian equities kicked off 2024 on a strong note, as the NGX ASI gained 35.3 percent in January. Likewise, the positive performance filtered into our picks for 2024, with our conviction stocks returning 12.6 percent in the same period,” Vetiva research analysts said in their January performance review.
[BusinessDay]