Super Eagles midfielder, Alex Iwobi has removed all photos on his official Instagram page.

A check by VANGUARD on Monday afternoon confirmed that only one video remains on the account.

The video was shared ten weeks ago, and the comment section remains locked.

Iwobi is one of the players that faced criticisms after Nigeria’s 2-1 loss to Ivory Coast in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final on Sunday.

The Fulham midfielder featured for 79 minutes as the Eagles failed to add to their three AFCON championships.

Iwobi was replaced by Alhassan Yusuf for the last 10 minutes of the game.

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.

Amid the hardship in Nigeria, Deji Adeyanju, a sociopolitical activist, has slammed the religious leaders in northern Nigeria over their silence during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

He was reacting to the remark by the Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, that First Lady Remi Tinubu should tell the president that Nigerians are hungry.

Bayero spoke during the opening of the Faculty of Law at a private university on Monday in Kano State.

According to Bayero: “The hunger and starvation didn’t start with this government, but the situation has become more alarming and needs urgent attention.”

Reacting, Adeyanju posted on X: “Emir of Kano to Remi Tinubu: ‘Tell your husband Nigerians are hungry’. May God bless Sarkin Kano. But why did all the religious and traditional leaders in the North refuse to speak truth to power like this during Buhari’s eight-year disastrous regime? Not once did they speak truth to power. Sanusi Lamido Sanusi that tried, he was removed as king.”

The International Monetary Fund, IMF, says Nigeria’s foreign reserves dropped to a record low of $24 billion in 2024 from $33 billion last year.

The IMF’s latest country report for Nigeria disclosed this, signalling potential challenges for Africa’s largest economy.

It noted that the first half of 2023 witnessed a surplus in the current account, yet there was a notable decline in reserves.

“Through 2024–25, the financial account will likely deteriorate, with no projected issuance of Eurobonds, large Fund and Eurobond repayments of $3.5 billion, and portfolio outflows.

“Hence, despite a current account surplus, officially reported reserves are projected to decline to $24 billion in 2024 before increasing again to $38 billion in 2028 as portfolio inflows resume,” the report stated.

However, Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, data showed Nigeria’s foreign reserves stood at $33.12 billion as of February 8, 2024.

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) is partnering with the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to probe the helicopter crash that claimed the lives of Herbert Wigwe, the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of Access Holdings Plc, and five others.

The passengers included the GCEO’s wife, son, and Abimbola Ogunbanjo, the former Group Chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group). All six individuals on board have been confirmed dead.

NSIB’s statement on Monday, as conveyed by Bimbo Oladeji, NSIB’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, highlighted the collaboration’s alignment with international aviation protocols under ICAO Annex 13.

Regrettably, the United States authorities have now confirmed that everyone onboard the aircraft lost their lives in the crash,” the director said.

“The deceased are two crew members comprising a pilot in command and a “safety pilot” and four passengers namely Dr Herbert Wigwe, his wife, son, and Mr Abimbola Ogunbanjo, former Group Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group Plc, (NGX Group).

“In the aftermath of the accident, the Director-General, NSIB, Captain Alex Badeh, established contact with NTSB, in accordance with Chapter 5 subsection 27 of ICAO’s Annex 13 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation-Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation, which grants a State (nation) special interest in an accident involving its citizens.

“This participation ensures access to relevant information and facilitates cooperation with the investigating authorities, towards ensuring the investigation reaches a conclusive outcome.

“The ongoing discussion between the NSIB and NTSB has highlighted the diligent investigation efforts of the NTSB.

“NTSB investigators were present at the crash scene in Halloran Springs, California, on Saturday to collect evidence and conduct initial on-scene documentation.

“The documentation process included aerial mapping of the wreckage with a drone, and site measurements.

“Correspondence between the NSIB and NTSB further revealed that the NTSB investigation into the crash is being led by Aaron Sauer as the investigator in charge, supported by Mark Ward as the deputy investigator in charge.

“Several other NTSB investigators will also be examining various aspects of the accident, including airworthiness and maintenance structures, operations, meteorology and air traffic control.”

Oladeji said the NTSB is already moving the wreckage to a secure location for in-depth examination and analysis.

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.”

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.

[Leadershtp]

Access Holdings has announced that its board will soon make public the replacement for the late Group Chief Executive Officer, Herbert Wigwe, who died alongside his wife and son in a chopper crash in California, United States, on Friday.

Abubakar Jimoh, Chairman of Access Holding, disclosed this on Sunday in a statement signed by the company’s secretary, Sunday Ekwochi, while confirming the deaths of Wigwe, his wife, and his son in the unfortunate crash.

“In line with the company’s policy, the board will soon announce the appointment of an acting Group Chief Executive Officer even as we remain confident that the Access Group will build further on Dr Wigwe’s legacy of growth and operational excellence,” the statement reads in part.

The company said Wigwe was a driving force with a larger-than-life personality.

DAILY POST reports that Wigwe, his wife and son, and Abimbola Ogunbanjo died on Friday in a chopper crash in the US.

Wigwe’s death attracted tributes from all quarters, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.