AFOLABI

AFOLABI

England captain Harry Kane has described it as tough and painful losing the Euro 2024 final to Spain.

Substitute Mikel Oyarzabal scored a dramatic late winner as Spain triumphed in Sunday’s Euro 2024 final, beating England 2-1 to win the Euro championship.

 

England had come from behind in the 73 minutes through Cole Palmer but their resurgence in the game was cut short as Oyarzabal, the Real Sociedad forward, turned in a cross in the 86th minute to hand Spain a record fourth European Championship crown.

 

This leaves Kane at the age of 30 still looking for the first trophy of a career so rich in goals.

Speaking after the match, Kane said that his team lacked the momentum to push on after drawing level.

“Losing in a final is as tough as it gets… We done really well to get back in the game at 1-1 and then we couldn’t use our momentum to push on… It’s as painful as it can be in a football match.”

On the future of manager Gareth Southgate who hinted he might step down if England failed to win Euro 2024, Kane said, “Gareth will go away and take time to decide. We wanted to win it for him.”

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Abdulahi Ganduje, has said the party has initiated moves to de-marginalise Igbos to place them in the limelight of national politics.

Ganduje asserted on Sunday during the APC South East zonal meeting in Abakaliki, noting that Igbos had shown massive support to the party and the President Bola Tinubu-led administration presently.

 

The APC national chairman said that though a line must be drawn between marginalisation and low performance of the southeast in the APC, the party had decided to break the vicious cycle of marginalisation.

 

“The present appointments offered the zone by President Bola Tinubu’s administration is heartwarming and with more involvement in the party’s affairs, more would be achieved.

“We must break this cycle of marginalisation with determination, unity and total support to the party and President Bola Tinubu-led administration, he said.

He noted that Ebonyi had followed Imo’s trail in massively promoting the party’s activities and thanked Gov. Francis Nwifuru for sustaining the party’s ideals in the state.

“The challenge before us presently is how to claim Anambra, Enugu and Abia and must get all stakeholders together to achieve this goal.

Gov. Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi thanked the party’s leaders for honouring the meeting in the state noting that the party is presently rooted in the state and southeast.

Nwifuru noted that Ebonyi had a policy of inclusiveness which had made all stakeholders in the state to be presently under the APC roof.

“The massive defection of opposition stakeholders to APC on July 13 attests to the fact that persuasion works more than bickering and fighting,” he said.

 

Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo in his remark, said it is an ugly coincidence that the APC is ruling Nigeria in these hard times occasioned by the world economic meltdown.

The Chairman of the South East Governors Forum said that many citizens of the country experience excruciating hardship with some going into penury.

“People have to know that there is global economic meltdown with some currencies exchanging 15,000 and 20,000 to one dollar.

“I however, have hope that if the tested policies of President Bola Tinubu administration, are well implemented, Nigerians would receive the much needed succour., he said.

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu in his remarks, urged people of the south east zone to identify with the federal government’s efforts to de-marginalise the zone.

 

“President Bola Tinubu has given Ndigbo more than the vote cast for him during the elections.

“It is presently left for us to repay him for his good works because when ones shows appreciation, he gets more,” he said.

He noted that the president offered Igbos lucrative positions in his government as high- ranking ministers, deputy speaker of the house of representatives among others.

“The process for the south east development commission bill which would solve the numerous challenges confronting Igbos, has been finalised and awaiting the president’s accent , he said.

Nigerian singer, Nwakaego Ogbaro popularly known as Ego has opened up about her experiences following her departure from Lagbaja’s Africano band in 2007.

In a conversation on Chude Jideonwo’s podcast, Ego revealed the difficulties she faced and addressed long-standing rumours about her relationship with the masked musician.

 

The singer dispelled speculations that they were romantically involved and even married.

 

She explained that her exit from the band was entirely her decision and not a result of a fallout between her and Lagbaja.

She said, “We did not fight, there were no issues, I believe in my instincts a lot, and that time, it was telling me to move. And in all honesty, I felt there was nothing more I could do to top what I had done at that time. So, I said it was time for me to move on. I sort of knew what I wanted, I wanted a band of my own, you know, I just wanted to do my own thing, my own kind of music, that was it, and I went to him, we talked and he was happy, though it’s bittersweet, and he said, ‘I knew you had this leadership quality, I knew you are one of those people that would end up having her own band’, and he was very supportive.”

Asked whether there were days she ever thought of going back to the Lagbaja band, Ego said, “Yeah, I will explain why I said yeah.

“I wanted and I craved that comfort where I don’t have to make certain decisions, where all I needed to do was just sing, dance and just get my pay, where the responsibilities were just not mine. There were days like that where I craved that, because it was hard: you’re dealing with people from different backgrounds, you’re dealing with a lot and you have to make it work. There was a time I actually called him [Lagbaja] and said I know I probably gave you a hard time, but it’s now I understand what it means, and he was like ‘Okay,’ and I said, ah, it’s not easy oh, it wasn’t easy.

“So, there were days I felt like being part of a band again, and just touring, being on the tour bus, you know, there were days like that.”

With just over a year in office, a campaign billboard of President Bola Tinubu for his reelection in 2027 has been spotted in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

On the billboard is a picture of Tinubu holding his wife, Remi, in a lovey-dovey manner with the inscription “Grassroots support for Tinubu 2027”.

The reelection campaign for Tinubu is coming a few months after he celebrated his one year as president of Nigeria.

There are growing concerns about the policies of the present administration, which many believe have worsened the economic situation in the country.

There are fears that the president’s popularity is waning among citizens despite having spent less than two years in office.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is yet to fix a timetable for the 2027 elections.

In May, Abdullahi Ganduje, the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said the ruling party was being strengthened to enable Tinubu to secure a second term in office.

 

Ganduje said the APC national leadership is working with states to ensure that the party has functional offices in wards across the country.

Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest person, says the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited no longer owns 20 percent stake in Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

Speaking during a press briefing at the refinery on Sunday, Dangote said NNPC now owns 7.2 percent of the refinery over failure to pay the balance of their share, which was due in June.

“NNPC no longer owns 20 percent stake in the Dangote refinery. They were met to pay their balance in June, but have yet to fulfil the obligations. Now, they only own a 7.2% stake in the refinery,” Dangote said.

In September 2021, NNPC acquired a 20 percent interest in Dangote refinery for $2.76 billion.

Revealing details of the transaction, NNPC, in its audited financial statements for 2022, said NNPC Greenfield holds the investment.

NNPC said the balance ($1.76 billion) of the cost of equity investments made in Dangote refinery would be paid upon completion of the refinery project or any other date agreed.

Dangote refinery commenced production on January 12.

Ola Olukoyede, chair of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has claimed that some religious organisations are “more corrupt” than public offices in Nigeria.

Olukoyede spoke at a Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) leadership conference in Lagos on Friday.

EFCC boss revealed that his organisation recently recovered “how many millions from a religious organisation.”

Olukoyede accused religious leaders of looking at the “speckle in someone else eyes, but meanwhile, there is a log in yours.”

He then urged clerics to use their platform “not only to preach but also to demonstrate” good characters to their congregation.

“Just this last week, I have had cause to recover how many millions from a religious organisation,” the EFCC boss said.

“They appointed you a pastor, and that is when you become a big man. We don’t even know what you are doing to earn a legitimate living. You live on the ministry and the church or mosque money. You can’t even explain the source of your wealth.


“Some religious organisations are more corrupt than public offices. I have evidence towards that. You look at the speckle in someone else eyes, but meanwhile, there is a log in yours.”

In January, Olukoyede said the EFCC uncovered a religious sect laundering money terrorists in Nigeria.

A Nigerian Idol contestant, Chima Udoye, has emerged as the winner of the ninth edition of the popular music show after weeks of training and performances.

The three finalists—Chima, Lammy, and Chioma— went through different stages of the competition to reach the finale.

In their final performances, each contestant tried to convince both the judges and viewers of their worthiness.

Chioma thrilled the audience with her renditions of Jodie’s “Kuchi Kuchi” and Jennifer Hudson’s “One Night Only”, while Chima‘s soulful performances of “Not the Girl” by Dare Art Alade and “As” by Stevie Wonder captivated the judges.

Lammy performed 2baba’s “African Queen” and Alexandra Burke’s “Hallelujah” which was met with applause from the guests.

However, Chima’s powerful performances won over the judges and audience alike, and secured his place as the season 9 winner of Nigerian Idol.

Carlos Alcaraz produced a stunning performance to defeat Novak Djokovic 6-2 6-2 7-6 (7-4) to win a second consecutive Wimbledon title at Roland Garros on Sunday.

 

It was also a second consecutive meeting between both players in the final with Alcaraz earning another victory over the veteran Djokovic.

The 37-year-old Djokovic struggled to cope with Alcaraz’s powerful serve as the Spaniard produced one of the best performances of his short career to win the title in style.

Djokovic was aiming to equal Roger Federer’s record of eight Wimbledon men’s titles but he will be disappointed with his performance in the final.

Alcaraz produced late perfect volleys and thunderous forehand winners to stun Djokovic.

 

He has now won his fourth career Grand Slam after winning the US Open in 2022, Wimbledon in 2023 and French Open and his triumph at Roland Garros in 2024.

He also became the 2nd man in the Open Era to win his first 4 Grand Slam Finals after Roger Federer.

He is just the sixth man to win the French Open and Wimbledon back to back.

Alcaraz described his triumph as a dream come true.

He said, “It is a dream for me, winning this trophy,” said Alcaraz at the trophy ceremony. “In an interview when I was 11 or 12 years old I said my dream was to win Wimbledon, so I am repaying my dream. I want to keep going but it is a great feeling to play in this beautiful court and to lift this amazing trophy. This is the most beautiful tournament, the most beautiful court and most beautiful trophy.”

 

He is delighted to join the group of players to have won the French Open and the Wimbledon Open in the same year.

“It is a huge honour for me to be part of those players who have achieved Roland Garros and Wimbledon in the same year. They are huge champions. I don’t consider myself as a champion yet, not like them, but I will keep going to build my path, my journey. It is a huge honour for me.”

Spain earned a late 2-1 win over England to win the 2024 European Championship trophy in Berlin on Sunday night.

The La Furia Roja capped off their impressive performances in the competition with glory after a pulsating encounter.

The first half ended goalless as both sides struggled to get hold of the game before the clash burst into life immediately after the restart.

Lamine Yamal, who had a quiet first half, set up Nico Williams to finish past Jordan Pickford after the England defense suffered lack of concentration in the 47th minute.

The young star became the youngest male footballer to play in a major international tournament final. He surpassed Pele (17 years, 249 days) at the 1958 World Cup.

Substitute Cole Palmer came off the bench to score a brilliant leveller after he was set up by Jude Bellingham.

 

Another substitute, Mikel Oyarzabal became the hero for Spain with the winning goal in the 86th minute to break England’s heart and set Spain on course for an historic triumph.

 

Dani Olmo produced a stunning goal line clearance to preserve Spain’s lead as they held on to win their fourth European Championship trophy.

Spain are the first country to win the men’s European Championships four times after their triumph in 1964, 2008, 2012 and 2024.

England’s agonising 58-year trophy drought continues as they switch attention to the 2026 World Cup.

Lamine Yamal was named the young player of the tournament after a return of one goal and four assists, while Rodri was named the player of the tournament.

 

Meanwhile, A total of six players will share the Golden boot award after they all scored three goals in the competition.

Harry Kane, Spain’s Dani Olmo, Georgia’s Georges Mikautadze, the Netherlands’ Cody Gakpo, Slovakia’s Ivan Schranz and Germany’s Jamal Musiala will share the award.

In the past, UEFA used assists as the tie breaker which could have seen Spain’s Dani Olmo emerge as the top scorer but it was announced at the beginning of the tournament that the award would be decided only on goals.

I had the pleasure of being a teacher and am ready to work assiduously for the improvement of this noble profession. The benefit of being a teacher is that it is a rewarding experience. According to Chris Drew from Swinburne University, teaching creates new knowledge.

Teaching is also a great way to create new knowledge through research and discovery to help be part of that continued growth and development. The benefit of teaching is essential to improving sustainable education. At the same time, teachers acquire new knowledge and are enthusiastic about new experiences.

 

Teachers create the future of the country. As teachers, we have a great role to play in all professions, and teaching is an excellent profession. Keep learning as a teacher and be honest with yourself. Technology has taken a prominent place in the classroom, and having the necessary equipment helps in delivering the best. Nigerians deserve the best education, and I do believe in the future of this country. 

Nigeria will be great again. The future of the country is bright. Inclusiveness is key to teaching. As teachers, our focus should be on individual students, ensuring that they make progress in their personal learning. Continuous evaluation is a good way of keeping track. In order to address the problems and anomalies in the educational system, the government needs to invest heavily in infrastructure and training teachers in modern methods of teaching and technology. A good curriculum that include practical work and engages students in 21st-century skills is important.

 

In conclusion, let us begin to touch lives through our teaching and shape the minds of the next generation in a positive way. Lastly, the benefits of being a teacher are countless and equivalent to a rewarding experience. Changing the lives of our students positively should be our goal. Additionally, we should strive to transform the future of education. As teachers, we have the power to inspire, encourage, and motivate our students through learning.

 

Shosanya Babatunde Oluwaseyi, a prolific writer, historian, critic, scholar, researcher, activist, educator par excellence, and Director of music/choirmaster.