AFOLABI

AFOLABI

Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman has emerged as the overwhelming favourite for the 2024 CAF Player of the Year award following his historic and remarkable Europa League exploits with Atalanta and a Ballon d’Or nomination, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The Atalanta star, who made history as the first player to score a hat-trick in a European club competition final during his club’s triumph over Bayer Leverkusen last season, has been getting massive backing from fans on social media since CAF announced the names of the ten nominees on Thursday night.

“Being the first player in history to score three goals in a European final makes Ademola Lookman a favourite among football fans worldwide for the African Player of the Year award,” Bala_The_Game_Changer wrote on X.

The 27-year-old’s nomination comes as no surprise following an exceptional year that also saw him score 11 goals and rendered seven assists in 31 Serie A games for Atalanta and became the only African player nominated for the 2024 Ballon d’Or.

 

“I thought it was crazy when I saw my name in the 30 candidates for the Ballon d’Or. Being the only African player on the list makes it even more special,” Lookman told France Football recently.

Some fans believe the award should be handed to him without ceremony, with @jujupunte stating, “All these are not necessary. They’re supposed to take the award straight to Lookman in his sitting room.”

 

The Nigeria international faces competition from compatriot William Troost-Ekong and eight other nominees, including Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi and Algeria’s Amine Gouiri.

 

“This award is undisputed for Ademola Lookman… Even the other nine know this,” Maximus Dex wrote on X.

However, the exclusion of in-form striker Victor Boniface and current holder Victor Osimhen from the shortlist has sparked a debate among fans.

“Must be a joke. How did Boniface not make this list? Ademola Lookman will win, though, but Boniface has to be on the list. What is the criteria?” MSN questioned on X.

The winner will be announced at the upcoming CAF Awards 2024, where Lookman hopes to succeed Osimhen as Africa’s top player.

About 42.3 million litres of imported Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol, are expected in the country next week, oil marketers stated on Friday, urging local refiners to ramp up production.

Dealers said petrol imports would continue until the production of the commodity in the country was enough to meet domestic demand.

They insisted that the local production of refined products from modular refineries and the multi-billion dollar Dangote Petroleum Refinery was insufficient, stressing that this was why diesel and petrol importation had continued.

On September 3, 2024, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority disclosed that the Dangote refinery would supply 25 million litres of petrol to the Nigerian market daily starting from September.

 
 

It added that this would rise to 30 million litres from September. In a short statement, the NMDPRA said it met with NNPC to agree on local crude supply to the refinery.

“At the NMDPRA headquarters in Abuja, NNPC reached an agreement to commence crude oil sales and supply the Dangote refinery with local currency.

“The refinery is now poised to supply an initial 25 million litres of PMS into the domestic market this September and will subsequently increase this amount to 30 million litres daily from October 2024,” the NMDPRA stated on its X page at the time.

 

But oil marketers stated on Friday that the $25bn Lekki-based refinery was not producing up to that volume, which was why dealers had to import petrol to augment local production.

“Some of our consignments of PMS imports came into the country last week, and we expect the remaining ones to arrive by next week. About 32,000 metric tonnes of PMS will be arriving next week,” a major marketer who spoke in confidence due to lack of authorisation to speak on the subject, stated.

About 1322.76 litres of petrol weighs one metric tonne. This implies that the 32,000 metric tonnes being expected next week would mean 42.3m litres of imported petrol by the dealers.

It was gathered that two major marketers were jointly importing this volume of PMS, as other dealers had earlier brought in products into the country.

 

“The consignments are jointly owned and are being imported into the country by major marketers. This does not mean that we will not buy from the Dangote refinery. But the fact is that since the market has been deregulated, everyone is now competing.

“So, it is up to you to decide on where to get the product that will enable you to compete effectively. Nobody is disputing that. So, the importation of PMS and other products is not against the fair business practice,” the marketer stated.

On Monday, it was reported that no fewer than four vessels carrying petrol arrived at seaports along the nation’s borders between Friday, October 18, and Sunday, October 20, 2024.

 

The report cited a document obtained from the Nigerian Port Authority, revealing that about 123.4 million litres of PMS were berthed at two seaports to improve fuel supply nationwide.

The development confirmed an exclusive report by The PUNCH, which disclosed that oil dealers intended to import the commodity to supplement the supply from the $20bn Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

The dealers had stated that the supply from the Lekki-based plant was currently insufficient to meet domestic demand.

Also speaking on the issue on Friday, another dealer stated that a lot of marketers were gearing up to bring in more products, adding that some others who could not import refined products were already buying from the Dangote refinery.

“The market is free now. It is a deregulated market, so everybody can source their products from wherever is best for them. Also, our local refineries are not producing enough to meet domestic demand.

“That is why I laughed when it was revealed that an indeginous refiner went to court to sue marketers to stop importing products. That can’t work in a deregulated market. Everyone who can import now is currently doing so. Even NNPC is importing.

“The last consignment we got was from the imported PMS of NNPC, which we took about six days ago and which we finished selling before our own came in. Oil and refined petroleum products are the life-wire of the economy. If anything happens to them, every sector of the economy will be affected,” the marketer stated.

 

The National Publicity Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Chief Ukadike Chinedu, earlier confirmed that though IPMAN members had yet to start importing PMS, the market had been liberalised and anyone with the capacity to import was free to do so.

Former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo has decried the size of debt being owned by the country, years after he left office in 2007.

Obasanjo recalled he left the nation with about $70 billion, including a $45 billion reserve and $25 billion in a designated “excess crude” account.

The former President spoke on Thursday in an exclusive interview with Kayode Akintemi of News Central Television.

 

Obasanjo, who lamented the poor quality of leadership in the country, said his government met a debt overhang of close to $36 billion but reduced it to about $3.5 to $3.6 billion before leaving office in 2007.

His words: “I came in 1999 and met $3.7 billion in the reserve. And I have told you, we were spending $3.5 billion to service the debts. That’s what we had.

“By the time we left eight years later, with debt relief, when I came in, we had a debt overhang of close to $36 billion. By the time I left, with the debt relief and clearing what we had to clear, the quantum of debt that I left was about $3.5 to $3.6 billion from over or around $36 billion.

“At the same time, the reserve that was $3.7 billion when I came in went to $45 billion. At the same time, we had what we called “Excess crude”, which is what is in excess of what we budget and what we actually sell the crude. Normally, we are conservative in budgeting, we call it “Excess crude”. So, we had in it about $25 billion. When you add that to the reserve, we are talking about $70 billion.

“Now, the point is that I left in 2007. Today between 2007 and 2024, all that amount of money has gone; all of it. Not only that, but all the money they made all that period had gone. And today, we owe more than we owe when we came to government in 1999.”

The Senate, on Thursday, approved 15 per cent from the Consolidated Revenue Fund as source of funding for the newly created zonal development commissions by member-states.

The approval followed consideration and adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on Special Duties on the bills establishing the commissions.

Earlier, the lawmakers were divided over the source of funding for the newly created zonal development commissions.

The disagreement emerged during the clause-by-clause consideration of the South-South Development Commission Establishment Bill 2024, which serves as the structural template for other zonal commissions.

 
 

Central to the debate was the Senate Committee on Special Duties’ recommendation that 15 per cent of statutory allocations from member states be directed towards funding these commissions.

Several lawmakers, including Yahaya Abdullahi (PDP, Kebbi North), Wasiu Eshinlokun (APC, Lagos East), and Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa West), voiced concerns over the proposed funding model.

Abdullahi warned that the provision could lead to legal challenges from state governments, as no state would willingly allow its statutory allocation to be reduced.

 

“Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, the 15 per cent of statutory allocations of member states recommended for funding their zonal development commissions would be litigated against by some state governments,” Abdullahi said.

Seeking to clarify the matter, the Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, quickly intervened.

He explained that the 15 per cent allocation would not involve a direct deduction from the states’ funds.

He said, “Mr President, distinguished colleagues, the 15 per cent of statutory allocation of member states, recommended for funding of zonal development commissions by the Federal Government, is not about deduction at all.

 

“What is recommended as contained in the report presented to us by the committee on special duties and being considered by the Senate now is that 15 per cent of statutory allocation of member states in a zonal development commission would, by way of calculation by the Federal Government, used to fund the commission from the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

“Each state has a monthly statutory allocation, 15 per cent of which, as contained in this report being considered, will be calculated by the Federal Government and removed from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for funding of their development commission.”

Despite Barau’s explanation, several senators remained unconvinced and expressed their desire to contribute to the debate.

 

However, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, stepped in, asserting that the provision was constitutionally sound.

“We don’t need to debate whether 15 per cent of statutory allocations from member states in a commission would be deducted,” Akpabio said, citing Section 162(4) of the 1999 Constitution, which grants the National Assembly the authority to appropriate funds from either the Consolidated Revenue Fund or the Federation Account.

“Fifteen per cent of the statutory allocation has been recommended by the Senate and, by extension, the National Assembly, for funding these zonal development commissions. Anyone who wishes to challenge that in court is free to do so,” he added.

Akpabio then called for a voice vote, and the majority voted in favour of the provision.

In his remarks following the passage of the consolidated bills, Akpabio expressed gratitude to the senators for their efforts in finalising the zonal development commissions.

He noted that these commissions would provide a foundation for the newly created Ministry of Regional Development.

The bills passed include the South-South Development Commission Establishment Bill 2024, the North West Development Commission Act (Amendment) Bill 2024, and the South-East Development Commission Act (Amendment) Bill 2024.

 

The South West Development Commission Establishment Bill 2024 and North Central Development Commission Establishment Bill 2024 were previously passed.

Friday, 25 October 2024 07:30

2024 CAF Awards: Full list of nominees

The Confederation of African Football, CAF, has published the list of nominees for the 2024 awards.

The event will be held December 16, 2024, in Marrakech, Morocco.

In a statement from CAF, the period under review is January 2024 and October 2024.

 

There are 10 players nominated in each category.

South Africa goalkeeper, Ronwen Williams is nominated in all three categories: Player of the Year, CAF Goalkeeper of the Year and CAF Interclub Player of the Year.

The winners will be determined through votes from a diverse panel, which includes the CAF Technical Committee, media professionals, and the Head Coaches and Captains of Member Associations, as well as clubs participating in the group stages of interclub competitions.

The list of nominees for the women’s categories will be announced shortly.

Full List of Nominees:

PLAYER OF THE YEAR (MEN)

Amine Gouiri (Algeria / Rennes)

Edmond Tapsoba (Burkina Faso / Bayer Leverkusen)

Simon Adingra (Cote d’Ivoire / Brighton & Hove Albion)

Chancel Mbemba (DR Congo / Olympique Marseille)

Serhou Guirassy (Guinea / Borussia Dortmund)

Achraf Hakimi (Morocco / Paris Saint-Germain)

Soufiane Rahimi (Morocco / Al Ain)

Ademola Lookman (Nigeria / Atalanta)

William Troost Ekong (Nigeria / Al Kholood)

Ronwen Williams (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns)

GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR (MEN)

Oussama Benbot (Algeria / USM Alger)

Andre Onana (Cameroon / Manchester United)

Yahia Fofana (Cote d’Ivoire / Angers SCO)

Lionel Mpasi (DR Congo / Rodez AF)

Mostafa Shobeir (Egypt / Al Ahly)

Djigui Diarra (Mali / Young Africans)

Munir El Kajoui (Morocco / RS Berkane)

Stanley Nwabali (Nigeria / Chippa United)

Ronwen Williams (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns)

Amanallah Memmiche (Tunisia / Esperance Sportive de Tunis)

INTERCLUB PLAYER OF THE YEAR (MEN)

Oussama Benbot (Algeria / USM Alger)

Issoufou Dayo (Burkina Faso / RS Berkane)

Ahmed Sayed ‘Zizo’ (Egypt / Zamalek)

Hussein El Shahat (Egypt / Al Ahly)

Mostafa Shobeir (Egypt / Al Ahly)

Abdul Aziz Issah (Ghana / Dreams FC)

John Antwi (Ghana / Dreams FC)

Amanallah Memmiche (Tunisia / Esperance Sportive de Tunis)

Yassine Merriah (Tunisia / Esperance Sportive de Tunis)

Ronwen Williams (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns)

COACH OF THE YEAR (MEN)

Pedro Goncalves (Angola)

Brahima Traore (Burkina Faso)

Emerse Fae (Cote d’Ivoire)

Sebastien Desabre (DR Congo)

Jose Gomes (Zamalek)

Marcel Koller (Al Ahly)

Chiquinho Conde (Mozambique)

Hugo Broos (South Africa)

Florent Ibenge (Al Hilal)

Kwesi Appiah (Sudan)

YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR (MEN)

Carlos Baleba (Cameroon / Brighton & Hove Albion)

Karim Konate (Cote d’Ivoire / Salzburg)

Oumar Diakite (Cote d’Ivoire / Reims)

Yankuba Minteh (Gambia / Brighton & Hove Albion)

Abdul Aziz Issah (Ghana / Dreams FC / Barcelona)

Bilal El Khannouss (Morocco / Leicester City)

Eliesse Ben Seghir (Morocco / AS Monaco)

El Hadji Malick Diouf (Senegal / Slavia Prague)

Lamine Camara (Senegal / AS Monaco)

Amanallah Memmiche (Tunisia / Esperance Sportive de Tunis)

CLUB OF THE YEAR (MEN)

Petro Atletico (Angola)

TP Mazembe (DR Congo)

Al Ahly (Egypt)

Zamalek (Egypt)

Dreams FC (Ghana)

RS Berkane (Morocco)

Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)

Simba (Tanzania)

Young Africans (Tanzania)

Esperance Sportive de Tunis (Tunisia)

NATIONAL TEAM OF THE YEAR (MEN)

Angola

Burkina Faso

Cote d’Ivoire

DR Congo

Morocco

Mozambique

Nigeria

South Africa

Sudan

Uganda.

Gov Abbir Yusuf of Kano State has appointed Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa as the state's ambassador of sports.

The governor stated that his decision to appoint Musa as the sports ambassador was because of his professional competence, track record of excellent performance, vast experience, dedication to the development of sporting activities and provision of humanitarian services in the State.

The appointment was confirmed via a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Abdullahi Baffa Bichi PhD on Wednesday titled “NOTIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT AS KANO STATE SPORT AMBASSADOR”.

 

The statement reads in full: “It is my singular honour to formally convey to you that His Excellency, Governor Abba K. Yusuf of Kano State has approved your appointment as Kano State Sports Ambassador with effect from 24th July, 2024.

The decision to appoint you into this exalted position of trust and confidence was predicated upon your professional competence, track record of excellent performance, vast experience, dedication to the development of sporting activities and provision of humanitarian services in the State. It is hoped that you will bring these sterling qualities to bear on your new assignment.

It is my ardent prayer that your appointment as Kano State Sports Ambassador will assist the Government significantly in attaining the objective of promoting the overall sporting activities especially as it relates to our home based clubs and players.

While congratulating you over this well-deserved appointment, it is my sincere hope that you will live above board and justify the confidence reposed in you by the Government. I pray that God in His infinite mercy accord you the wisdom and determination to execute the assignment diligently and to the expectation of the administration. Accept my sincere congratulations on this well-deserved appointment and prayers of good will.

Best wishes.”

President Bola Tinubu yesterday restricted ministers, ministers of state, and heads of agencies of the Federal Government to a maximum of three vehicles in their official convoys, saying no additional vehicles would be assigned to them for movement.

This came as the Presidency explained late Wednesday night that Nigerians’ perception played a key role in the President’s decision to rejig his cabinet.

The President’s new directive was contained in his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy statement, Bayo Onanuga.

According to the statement, “the cost-cutting measure was announced today (yesterday) in a statement by the President.”

Recall that in January this year, President Tinubu took steps to reduce government expenditures by reducing his entourage on foreign trips from 50 to 20 officials and on local trips to 25 officials.

Similarly, he reduced the Vice President’s entourage to five officials on foreign trips and 15 for local trips.

In the directive issued yesterday, President Tinubu also ordered all ministers, ministers of state, and heads of agencies to have at most five security personnel attached to them.

The security team, according to him, will comprise four police officers and one Department of State Services, DSS, officer.

He said: “No additional security personnel will be assigned.”

 

The President also instructed the National Security Adviser, NSA, to engage with the military, paramilitary and security agencies to determine a suitable reduction in their vehicle and security personnel deployment.

“All affected officials are expected to comply with these new measures immediately, underscoring the urgency and seriousness of these changes,” the statement added.

Also, following the removal, appointment and redeployment of some members of the Federal Executive Council, NEC, on Wednesday, the Presidency has said the President’s decision was influenced by Nigerians’ perceptions.

This is even as indications emerged yesterday the reason the President retained some key cabinet members, despite multiple media speculations of their rumoured removal.

The President also yesterday wrote the Senate, seeking the screening and subsequent confirmation of appointments of seven ministerial nominees announced in Abuja on Wednesday.

 

On Wednesday, Tinubu reassigned 10 ministers to new portfolios, relieved five of their duties, and nominated seven new nominees for Senate confirmation.

The President also renamed the Ministry of Niger Delta Development as the Ministry of Regional Development, scrapped the Ministry of Sports Development, and merged the Ministries of Tourism and Arts and Culture, forming the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy.

Those dismissed include the Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye; Minister of Tourism, Lola Ade-John; Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman; Minister of Youth Development, Dr Jamila Bio Ibrahim; and the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Abdullahi Gwarzo.

How feedback shaped Tinubu’s cabinet reshuffle

Providing more details on the cabinet reshuffle in an interview on Arise TV on Wednesday night, Mr Onanuga, explained that the decision to remove the affected ministers was based on public perception and empirical data.

According to him, the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, introduced a technological system that allowed Nigerians to assess the performance of the ministers.
He said: “It wasn’t done arbitrarily. Hadiza Bala Usman brought in technology, asking Nigerians to rate the ministers. So, the removal of these ministers was based on empirical facts, shaped by public perception.

 

“The scorecards were filled out by the people, and the President acted on those results.

“It wasn’t just about meeting the President’s expectations but also the public. A few weeks ago, during a cabinet meeting, the President urged the ministers to inform Nigerians of their accomplishments because, according to him, there is public perception that the government wasn’t performing.

“The government believed it was, but the ministers weren’t effect-ively communicating their work.’’
Onanuga further mentioned that in addition to dismissing the ministers, the administration was working to reduce the cost of governance.

FG’s expenditure will be reduced soon

“The President will soon announce measures to reduce government expenditure, starting with the ministers. I don’t want to pre-empt the details, but the cuts will be significant to demonstrate the government’s seriousness in reducing the cost of governance.

“The government is aware of what’s required to address the country’s challenges. It’s not about the size of the government, but about having many competent hands to drive its agenda.

 

“You will hear announcements soon about how the government plans to cut the cost of running its affairs,” the Presidential aide said.

Why Matawalle wasn’t sacked

He also clarified that allegations linking the Minister of State (Defence), Alhaji Bello Matawalle, to the spate of banditry in the North-West were untrue.

Onanuga said Matawalle, a former governor of Zamfara State, was not sacked because the office of the National Security Adviser, NSA, investigated allegations bordering on his ties to bandits and found them spurious.

He said the allegations against Matawalle were “mere fabrication” and politically motivated.

“As far as I know, most of those things are just mere allegations. In one of them, I got something like that and sent it to the NSA and asked: ‘Have you heard about this?” The president’s aide said.

 

Continuing, Onanuga said: ‘’The NSA said ‘No. We have probed a lot of those things; they are not true. People are just bringing out all kinds of fake things and allegations. That is why the man (Matawalle) is still in the cabinet.

“The president, I’m sure, has heard many stories about him. For him to be there shows that… like I have said, some of those things have been probed; they are not true.
“The NSA office has already investigated some of those allegations. They are mere fabrications.”

Why Tinubu retained Gbaja, Edun, Olubunmi-Ojo, others

Meanwhile, contrary to widespread media speculations a few weeks ago about the President removing 11 ministers and reshuffling the presidency’s top leadership, it was gathered that the changes began with the replacement of Tinubu’s Chief Security Officer, Adegboyega Fasasi.

Multiple sources told Vanguard that the reorganization, highly anticipated before Tinubu’s two-week holiday, retained several key officials previously rumoured for removal, including his Chief of Staff, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila; Minister of Budget and Planning Atiku Bagudu; Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Ojo; Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar; Minister of State, Defence, Bello Matawalle, and other ministers whose continued presence “reflects the President’s confidence in them.”

Also, key economic team members, including Finance Minister Wale Edun; Budget and Planning Minister, Atiku Bagudu; and Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu; retained their positions, following their scorecards.
Another source disclosed that the retention of Mr Gbajabiamila as Chief of Staff came, despite “intense speculation about his replacement.”

 

The source said: “Gbajabiamila has weathered recurring media attacks and once received public support from the President himself at a cabinet meeting where he reaffirmed his confidence in his Chief of Staff.

“His survival of numerous media trials is likely due to the sensitivity of his office and his experience as former speaker of the House of Representatives. The same speculation goes for Wale Edun, Bagudu and Adelabu.’’

Another Presidency source said: “The earlier speculation about Wale Edun’s replacement with the Tax Reform Committee Chairman, Taiwo Oyedele, was particularly unfounded, including the suggestion that the President planned to remove the Interior Minister who has got good appraisals everywhere and the biggest joke was the speculation that the President contemplated removing his Chief of Staff, except for those who do not know the premium the President places on Gbaja, let alone their longstanding ties.”

On why the president decided to retain them, the source said: “It was based on the President’s discretion.”

Asked whether there will be further cabinet reshuffle, another source said: “I don’t know but it appears everything has been done, except for ambassadorial and board positions.”

 

It was further gathered that a significant highlight of the rejig is the appointment of Mrs Bianca Odumegu-Ojukwu as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.

“This appointment, seen as a strategic move towards national inclusion, has been widely praised as a gesture of reconciliation and recognition of the South-East in the Federal Government.

“As the widow of the late Biafran leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegu-Ojukwu, her appointment signals the administration’s commitment to national unity and inclusive governance,” multiple sources told Vanguard.

Retaining Keyamo reflects Tinubu’s commitment to aviation growth — AON

Speaking on the President’s decision to retain Mr Festus Keyamo as Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the Airline Operators of Nigeria, AON, yesterday, said it reflected Tinubu’s commitment to the growth and advancement of the aviation industry in Nigeria.

President of AON, Alhaji Abdulmunaf Sarina, in a statement, said Keyamo has demonstrated exceptional leadership, setting a new standard for the aviation sector.

Sarina stated that the minister’s efforts in ensuring compliance with international standards facilitated greater access to aircraft financing and leasing.

The statement read: “Since his initial appointment, Keyamo has demonstrated exceptional leadership, setting a new standard for the aviation sector.

“His relentless efforts and advocacy for policies that ensure ease of doing business have brought about significant positive changes. AON members are proud to affirm that, under his stewardship, we have never had it this good.

“His proactive engagements with the industry, his focus on safety, and his commitment to the success of both local and international airlines have restored confidence in the sector. He has the best interests of the nation and the aviation sector at heart.

“The reappointment of Keyamo stands as a testament to President Tinubu’s vision of excellence and progress for Nigeria. We believe every government is ultimately judged by the calibre of individuals appointed to critical positions.

 

“In Keyamo, the President has made an outstanding choice, ensuring that Nigeria’s aviation sector remains in capable and visionary hands.

“On behalf of all members of AON, we pledge our continued support for Keyamo as he leads us through this era of unprecedented growth and innovation in the aviation industry.

“We also commend President Tinubu for his remarkable foresight and wisdom in entrusting the future of Nigerian aviation to such an able leader. Together, we are confident that the skies of Nigeria will continue to soar higher, and the country’s aviation sector will remain a beacon of excellence on the African continent.”

Tinubu seeks Senate’s confirmation of 7 ministerial nominees

Meanwhile, President Tinubu has written the Senate, seeking the screening and subsequent confirmation of appointments of seven ministerial nominees.

The President’s request was contained in a letter addressed to the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and read at plenary yesterday.

According to the letter, the ministerial nominees are Dr Nentawe Yilwatda, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction; Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi, Minister of Labour and Employment; and Bianca Odinaka Odumegu-Ojukwu, Minister of State, Foreign Affairs.

Others include Dr Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Industry, Trade and Development; Idi Muktar Maiha, Minister of Livestock Development; Yusuf Ata, Minister of State, Housing; and Dr Suwaiba Said Ahmad, Minister of State, Education.

The President in the letter sought expeditious consideration of his request by the Senate.
The Senate President immediately referred the Presidential request to the committee of the whole for consideration.

Akpabio said: “The presidential request is referred to the Committee of the Whole for consideration very soon.”

It was, however, gathered that the Senate may, after getting the required documents on the nominees, commence their screening next Wednesday.

Troops of Operation Udoka have made significant arrests in the South-East, including a suspected founding member of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), as announced by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major Gen Edward Buba.

The arrests occurred in strategic operations across Orsu in Imo State and Amaruku and Arochukwu in Abia State.

During a bi-weekly briefing in Abuja, Major Gen Buba provided details of the military’s recent successes.

He highlighted a sting operation in Orsu, where troops apprehended Mr. Pius Iguh, described as a terrorist leader and a founding father of IPOB responsible for activities in the Orsu area.

In a separate raid in Amaruku, Abia State, security forces successfully detained another key figure, Emmanuel Onwugu, an IPOB commander operating in the Mbano Local Government Area.

This operation further demonstrates the military’s ongoing efforts to dismantle the operational capabilities of IPOB and its affiliated Eastern Security Network (ESN).

Additionally, the troops collaborated with other security agencies to arrest Ifeanyi Rock, a notorious cult leader, along with ten of his associates in Arochukwu Local Government Area.

This arrest underscores the security forces’ commitment to restoring peace and order by targeting not only separatist elements but also other groups contributing to regional instability.

These operations are part of a broader security initiative under Operation Udoka aimed at curtailing the activities of insurgent and criminal groups in the southeast to ensure the safety and security of the local populace.

The Senate has received a request from President Bola Tinubu for the confirmation of the appointments of seven ministerial nominees announced on Wednesday.

President Tinubu’s request seeking expeditious consideration of the requests was contained in a letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio who read it at the commencement of the plenary on Thursday.

Tinubu urged the Senate to consider and confirm the seven nominees for appointment as ministers.

The ministerial nominees for confirmation include Nentawe Yilwatda (Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction), Muhammadu Dingyadi (Labour & Employment), Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu (State Foreign Affairs), and Jumoke Oduwole (Industry, Trade and Investment).

Others are Idi Mukhtar Maiha (Livestock Development), Yusuf Ata (State, Housing and Urban Development), and Suwaiba Ahmad (State Education).

Akpabio referred the nominees to the Committee of the Whole for further legislative action as soon as possible.

The Super Eagles have moved up three places in the latest FIFA rankings, soaring to 36th in the global pecking order.

Nigeria who defeated Libya by a lone goal in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier earlier in the month are now fourth on the continental rankings. The return fixture in the North African country was moved following unsportsmanly behaviour by the Libyan authorities.

On the overall continental rankings, the Atlas Lions of Morocco led Africa. They are 13th in the world and followed by Senegal who are 20th.

Egypt (30th), Nigeria (36th), and Algeria (37th) complete the top five teams on the continent.

“There is further cause for celebration for Africa as two other CAF teams have climbed the most places (10) in this edition of the ranking, namely Comoros (108th) and Sudan (110th), who came out on top against Tunisia and Ghana, respectively, in their recent home-and-away duels as part of the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 qualifiers,” FIFA wrote on its website while announcing the latest rankings on Thursday.

On the global scene, Argentina still occupy the top spot and are followed by France. Spain took the third position while England, Brazil, and Belgium make up the top six in that order.

Portugal are number seven, the Netherlands are eighth, Italy taking ninth and Colombia are 10th on the global rankings.

Some of the biggest movers in the latest rankings include Algeria (37th, up 4), Peru (38th, up 5) and Greece (42nd, up 6).

Cameroon also returned to the top 50, moving up four places to take the 49th position globally.

The October 2024 rankings came days after a busy month across the world with teams vying for places for the 2026 World Cup, and Africa Cup of Nations.

“Thirty-two qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 26, 47 for the CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025, 79 Nations League matches and 17 friendlies were played during the recent international window, making October 2024 a particularly busy month of football and one that has led to a number of changes in the FIFA/Coca-Cola Men’s World Ranking,” FIFA said.