Nigerian football star, Victor Osimhen equalled late legendary Argentina captain Diego Maradona’s scoring feat at Napoli, after bagging a hat-trick against Sassuolo.

Osimhen got his second-ever hat-trick in Serie A as Napoli thrashed Sassuolo 6-1 away on Wednesday night, February 28. 

The Super Eagles striker has now scored in his last three games for the Italian league champions.

Also, he has taken his tally for the league campaign to 11 in 15 games.

His second goal against Sassuolo which put Napoli 3-1 ahead took his goals in the league to 10. 

Osimhen is now the only third Napoli player in the club’s history to have scored 10 or more goals for four consecutive seasons.

Maradona did that between 1984 and 1988 and one has to go as far back as 1929, when Attila Sallustro achieved the same feat for the Partenopei, between 1929/30 and 1932/33).

As part of effort to tackle traffic congestion and create a world class intracity transport experience, the 37 Kilometer Red Line rail project in Lagos State has been inaugurated.

The project was inaugurated by president Bola Tinubu on Thursday.

The North South rail route project will run from Agbado in Ogun state to Marina with 13 stations at Agbado, Iju, Agege, Ikeja, MMIA International, MMIA Domestic, Oshodi, Mushin, Yaba, Ebute meta, Iddo, Ebute Ero and Marina.

It is expected to embark on 37 trips daily, accommodating approximately 500,000 passengers.

Unlike the electric-powered Blue Line, the Red Line will use a diesel-powered system known as Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU). The Blue Line opened on September 4, 2023.

The rail system is managed by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA)

Initial estimates of the Red Line project, was pegged at the cost of $135 million under the Greater Lagos Urban Transportation Project.

However, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, revealed that both the Blue and Red Lines combined would exceed N100 billion. The construction of the project was handled by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).

The idea of developing a rapid transit in Lagos state was conceived in 1983 with the Lagos Metroline network by Alhaji Lateef Jakande during the Second Nigerian Republic. The initial Metroline project was cancelled in 1985 by Muhammadu Buhari at a loss of over $78 million to the state tax payers.

However, in 2003, the then-governor Bola Tinubu revived the rail network for Lagos State with a formal announcement of its construction.

After the commissioning, Tinubu will depart Lagos for a two-day official visit to the State of Qatar on the invitation by His Highness, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar.

Renowned political economist Professor Pat Utomi has said opposition political parties in Nigeria are not living up to expectations.

He said the opposition political parties should be at the forefront of protests against hardship and suffering in the country.

He said they have failed in their responsibilities as opposition parties as they standby while the ruling party gets away with disastrous management of the nation’s affairs as the citizens grapple with worsening economic hardship and cost of living crisis.

Utomi voiced his displeasure in a post on his X handle on Thursday.

He said labour unions are now the ones leading protests because political parties are failing.

According to him, opposition parties lead protests in other climes, saying it is why the building of real parties is imperative.

He said: “The protests have come and gone. Power says they are political. What did they expect them to be, apolitical. Labour Unions are acting because political parties are failing. Elsewhere opposition parties lead the protests.This is why the building of real parties is imperative.”

Recall that the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and other related unions protested the high cost of living, inflation, insecurity, and hardship in the country.

The NLC and the Trade Union Congress had issued a 14-day nationwide strike notice to the government over the failure to implement the agreements reached following the removal of the fuel subsidy

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) are in talks with the coach of the senior national team, Jose Peseiro over a new contract.

The NFF, according to reports have offered the Portuguese the same €50,000 monthly he was earning before he helped lead the Super Eagles to the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Peseiro previously earned $70,000 monthly but agreed a pay cut to $50k to lead the Super Eagles to the tournament.

The 63-year-old’s last contract ended at the end of the AFCON 2023 finals.

The former Saudi Arabia and Venezuela coach has been linked to several coaching jobs since the end of the AFCON with the Algeria Football Federation said to have strong interest in him.

The Portuguese revealed this week that he has “received at least seven offers from different national teams and clubs and will decide his future in the coming days.”

The Senate on Wednesday stepped down a bill seeking to confine to life sentence persons involved in drug-related offenses.

The bill which has passed the third reading in the House of Representatives and awaiting concurrence of the Senate seeks to Strengthen The Operations of the NDLEA, Empower the Agency To establish Laboratories, and Update the List of Dangerous Drugs

Presenting the proposed amendment for consideration, leader of the senate Opeyemi Bamidele says the bill will further review Penalty Provisions and enhance the power of the agency to prosecute drug-related Offences

The bill proposes that, any person who without lawful authority-

imports, manufactures, processes, plants, or grows drugs popularly known as cocaine, LSD, heroin, or any other similar drugs shall be sentenced to imprisonment for life.

The bill further states that exporters, transporters or traffickers of drugs shall be sentenced to imprisonment for life

It further stipulates imprisonment for life for anyone who sells, buys, exposes, or offers for sale or deals in drugs

It also proposes a term not less than fifteen years but not exceeding 25 years for inhaling or injecting drugs.

“Persons who unlawfully permit or use premises for the storing, concealing, processing or dealing in the drug will be liable on conviction to be sentenced to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 25 years”

Former Plateau State governor, Senator Simon Lalong in his contribution
says the Bill “is timely, as he also raised concern on the need for the classification of offenders based on the quantity of drugs caught with

Senator Lalong disclosed that the Drug Barons are patronized by high-class individuals in the society.

He called for a holistic approach in tackling the menace

The Senate thereafter tasked its committee on judiciary and narcotics to ensure wide consultation on the Bill ahead of the next legislative day.

France World Cup winner, Paul Pogba, has been banned from football for four years because of doping.

The punishment effectively ends Pogba’s career as the Juventus midfielder turns 31 years old in March.

Pogba, who has been suspended since last September, was tested in August and the results showed elevated levels of testosterone, a hormone that increases athletes’ endurance.

The tribunal said Pogba had violated anti-doping rules when they found the prohibited substance “non-endogenous testosterone metabolites”, a hormone that increases athletes’ endurance.

Meanwhile, a second test sample has now been checked and the former Manchester United star has been handed a four-year ban, considered among the strongest possible punishments for the offence.

The Bakers Association of Nigeria, AMBCN, has called off its strike following a discussion with the officials of the Ministry of Agriculture.

In a statement issued on Wednesday evening, signed by its president, Mansur Umar, the union said it had reached some agreements with the Nigerian government.

Umar, in the statement, said some of the agreements reached between the union and the government include the immediate export of 25,000 metric tons of wheat to flour companies for processing and supply to bakers.

The two parties also reached an agreement on revising the plan to produce flour from cassava, potatoes and sorghum.

He said an agreement was also reached to support breadbakers under a program of the Nigerian Ministry of Agriculture.

Recall that Bakery owners in Nigeria had gone on strike after struggling with the high cost of production and the unavailability of materials.

The Labour Party presidential candidate in the last general election, Mr Peter Obi, has criticized the recent decision of the Monetary Policy Committee to increase the Monetary Policy Rate, MPR, to 22.5% and the Cash Reserve Ratio, CRR, to 45%, saying it will further worsen the economic situation of most Nigerian households.

Obi said the measure would be counterproductive as it would not address the intended purpose of managing money supply.

According to him, the development was bound to cause more job losses in the productive sector, especially manufacturing and other sectors that rely on bank loans and credit facilities for their funding needs.

DAILY POST reported that the MPC Policy committee of the Central Bank of Nigeria had increased the benchmark interest rate by 400 basis points to a record 22.75%.

The CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, announced this while reading the communiqué of the first MPC meeting of the year on Tuesday in Abuja.

However, in a statement issued on Thursday on his X handle, Obi argued that tightening liquidity in the financial system does not improve productivity, especially food production, which he claimed was the major cause of inflation in Nigeria.

Suggesting on what to be done, the former Anambra State governor said the most critical way to manage the high rate of inflation and decline in production was for the government to address the issue of insecurity in the country.

He stressed that this would allow for increased food, and crude oil production, and an overall increase in production, which will make products, especially food, cheaper.

The statement read: “Let me confess that the label of being a vintage Onitsha-based trader does not in any way confer on me the status of an economic expert.

“With my vast trading knowledge and my involvement in the real sector, I am of the strong opinion that the recent decision of the Monetary Policy Committee to increase the Monetary Policy Rate, MPR, to 22.5% and the Cash Reserve Ratio, CRR, to 45% will further worsen the economic situation of most Nigerian households as it is bound to cause more job losses in the productive sector, especially manufacturing and other sectors that rely on bank loans and credit facilities for their funding needs.

“Tightening liquidity in the financial system does not improve productivity, ie food production, which is the major cause of inflation in Nigeria. Moreover, only about 12% of N3.6 trillion of the total money in circulation is in the banking system which means that 88%, about N3.2 trillion is outside the banking system.

“So, this measure would rather be counterproductive as it would not address the intended purpose of managing the money supply.

“These new measures will worsen the fragile economy as the supply of funds would dry up for the real sector, and the new MPR rate hike will push the interest rate on loans to above 30%, which would be very difficult for the real sector operators especially manufacturers and SMEs to repay; resulting, obviously, in increased bad loans, and worsening the nation’s economic situation.

“The most critical way to manage our high rate of inflation and decline in production is for the government to address the issue of insecurity in the country, which will allow for increased food, and crude oil production, and an overall increase in production, which will make products, especially food, cheaper.

“This way, we would increase our productivity as well as restore the confidence of FDIs and FPIs to come back to the country.

“I must caution that what the Nigerian economy needs now is hard headed practical originality and results. Tinkering with classical economic theories can only deepen our crisis”.

African countries have been urged to renew their commitment to women's empowerment as a crucial step towards nation-building.

This call was made by a former Rector of the Yaba College of Technology, Engineer Obafemi Omokungbe, in his keynote address during the 10th anniversary of the African Women Foundation for Nation Building (WINBAFRICA) held at the Alliance Francaise, Mike Adenuga Centre, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Omokungbe, who is also a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, aligned his advocacy with the broader initiative by WINBAFRICA for women's empowerment in Africa, which aims to improve access to education, healthcare, economic opportunities, and political participation for women. He emphasized that this multifaceted effort aims to eliminate gender inequality, uphold women's rights, and create an environment where women can thrive socially, economically, and politically.

WINBAFRICA is a non-profit organization that implements various projects and interventions including Education First Series, Project Sapphire, Orphanage Challenge, Project Back-to-School, WINBAFRICA Monthly Round Table, WINBAFRICA Food Bank, and Monthly Newsletter production.

According to Omokungbe, the journey toward women's empowerment in Africa involves a comprehensive approach that spans various sectors, including education, healthcare, economy, and politics. By investing in women's empowerment, the scholar believes, African countries can cultivate a more equitable society where women can achieve their full potential and contribute to the growth and development of their nations.

He said: "These renewed commitments would require collaboration and partnership among governments, Civil Society, the Private sector and International Organizations. They include the implementation of programmes and initiatives to promote women’s entrepreneurship, access to credit, land ownership, and participation in the formal economy including targeted support for women in agriculture and small businesses. Commitment to increasing women’s representation in political leadership and decision-making positions through measures such as quotas, training programmes, and support for women’s political participation at all levels of government and comprehensive strategies to prevent and address gender-based violence including legal reforms, support services for survivors and campaigns to change social norms and attitudes that perpetuate violence against women."

President, WINBAFRICA, Dr Bukola Bello-Jaiyesimi, said the event with the theme, Bridging the Gap: Celebrating a decade of Nation Building” was designed to celebrate the legacy and advancement of women's course.

“Nation-building is an ongoing effort carried out by women of every generation. As we reflect on our accomplishments over the past decade, we remain committed to empowering future generations in all sectors of the economy. We provide tuition, teaching equipment, and other resources to young girls and boys to show them that we care about their education and that they are the ones who will continue this effort. Our ultimate goal is to promote unity and peace and to inspire hope for a better future,” she submitted.

A school debate competition between Steady Steps School in Lekki and Bomak International Schools in Surulere, Lagos highlighted the commemorative event. The two schools had made it to the final stage of the competition. Victoria Osademe of Bomak International Schools, Surulere, Lagos emerged as the best speaker of the day while Steady Steps School, Lekki won the WINBAFRICA Young Nation Builders' Trophy (WYNBT).

During the WINBAFRICA Business Roundtable, senior secondary students of Bomak International College in Surulere, Lagos discussed Environmental Responsibility. Additionally, 20 young girls and boys were beneficiaries of the WINBAFRICA scholarship program at the event.

Other dignitaries that graced the occasion included Dr Kemi Akiyode Adebayo (BOT, WINBAFRICA), Toyin Joe Bassey (Secretary General, WINBAFRICA), Dr Oluseun Popoola (Panelist Chairperson) among others.

L-R: Dr kemi Akiyode-Adebayo, (BOT WINBAFRICA), Engr. Obafemi Omokungbe (Keynote Speaker), Dr Bukola Bello Jaiyesimi (founder WINBAFRICA), Dr Oluseun Popoola (Panelist Chairperson) during the 10th anniversary of the African Women Foundation for Nation Building (WINBAFRICA) held at the Alliance Francaise, Mike Adenuga Centre, Ikoyi, Lagos

L-R: Dr Bukola Bello Jaiyesimi (founder WINBAFRICA), Osademe Victoria, pupil of Bomak International School, Surulere (Best speaker WINBAFRICA School debates 2024), Ummi Bodede (Chairperson Debate panel of Judges) during the 10th anniversary of the African Women Foundation for Nation Building (WINBAFRICA) held at the Alliance Francaise, Mike Adenuga Centre, Ikoyi, Lagos

L-R Dr kemi Akiyode-Adebayo (BOT WINBAFRICA) Blissful Oke, Nyhero Pela, Kyala Michaels of Steady Steps School Lekki Lagos, winners of WINBAFRICA Young Nation Builders Trophy (WYNBT) at WINBAFRICA schools debate 2024, Dr Bukola Bello Jaiyesimi (Founder WINBAFRICA), Barnabas Wasiu (Time Keeper), Mrs. Ronke Adeshoga, Ummi Bodede (Chairperson, Panel of Judges) Barr. Chigozie Chinwe, during the 10th anniversary of the African Women Foundation for Nation Building (WINBAFRICA) held at the Alliance Francaise, Mike Adenuga Centre, Ikoyi, Lagos

Pupils of Steady Steps School Lekki Lagos, Winner of WINBAFRICA Schools Debate 2024 and Founder, WINBAFRICA, Dr. Bukola Bello Jaiyesimi during the 10th anniversary of the African Women Foundation for Nation Building (WINBAFRICA) held at the Alliance Francaise, Mike Adenuga Centre, Ikoyi, Lagos

L-R: Gift Shopade (Project Coordinator WINBAFRICA, Dr Toyin Joe Bassey (Secretary General WINBAFRICA), Mrs Mariam Oshodi, Dr Bukola Bello Jaiyesimi (Founder WINBAFRICA) Dr Kemi Akiyode Adebayo (BOT, WINBAFRICA)

Honouring an invitation by His Highness, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Lagos State and embark on a two-day official visit to the State of Qatar on Thursday, February 29, 2024, to further strengthen cooperation between the two nations in several areas, including security, cultural exchange, and economic development.

During the visit, President Tinubu will witness the signing of several agreements focused on boosting Nigeria's real sector and creating value-additive investments across the fields of trade, education, culture, solid minerals, digital economy, agriculture, and gas, as well as fostering cooperation on counter-terrorism.

The President will also participate in a business and investment forum that will bring together top-level executives in both the private and public sectors of Nigeria and Qatar to advance cross-sectoral opportunities for mutually beneficial growth and development.

The President will be accompanied on the trip by senior government officials for the signing of agreements.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

February 28, 2024