Author: Olukayode Oke

The World Bank, through its Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES), has said all 36 states in Nigeria must intensify their efforts to implement its intervention programme. Speaking on the status of the programme, World Bank, Lead Specialist, Social Protection and Task Team Leader for NG-CARES, Prof. Foluso Okunmadewa, said: “We have seen an upswing in the implementation, unlike what it was around March this year, where things were not as forthcoming as expected. “We thought it is a good time to call 36 states and FCT coordinators to have a discussion on the programme, and it has…

After concluding its five-day meeting with Nigeria, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) highlights the data on what the Nigerian economy looks like. Ms. Jasmine Rahman-led team had recently concluded its visitation to Nigeria between June 6-10 and had discussions with the Nigerian government on the status of the Nigerian economy. IMF disclosed the report of its meeting via a press statement made available to Govima, where it said Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the economic recovery continues to gain strength on the back of services and agriculture with GDP growth reaching 3.6 percent (year on year), in Q1 2022. “Latest…

The Premier League on Thursday announced the fixtures for the 2022/2023 season. The English Premier League is BACK!! The Premier League new season will run from Friday, August 5, 2022, to May 28, 2023. Arsenal will begin the campaign in an away tie against Crystal Palace. Champions Manchester City will face West Ham United on Sunday, August 7, at the London Stadium. Premier League fixtures in full: Friday, August 5 Crystal Palace v Arsenal Saturday, August 6 AFC Bournemouth v Aston Villa Everton v Chelsea Fulham v Liverpool Leeds v Wolverhampton Leicester v Brentford Newcastle v Nottm Forest Tottenham v…

Nasarawa United crowned champions of AITEO Challenge Cup. New Champions, Nasarawa United defeated Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), football club to be crowned champions of the 2021-2022 state AITEO Challenge Cup.  The match ended by a lone goal in Favour of Nasarawa United. Shamasu Muhammed strike in the 70 minutes’ was enough to secured the win for Nasarawa United. The state Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Amb. Isaak Yargwa appreciated the organisers of the competition and pledged to support the FRSC team, being one of the teams to represent the state at the finals. He further thanked the sponsors of the competition AITEO for creating an enabling…

I will come out of retirement to fight AJ says Tyson fury Tyson Fury is ready to fight Anthony Joshua in a potential unification bout, only if the right offer is placed. The Gypsy King decided to go into retirement after his victory over Dillian Whyte in April at Wembley. And he’s ready to come out of retirement to fight Anthony Joshua in a dream fight for the fans. As earlier reported, Fury is supposed to face the winner between Usyk and Joshua with the rematch slated for August. “We have some very exciting news coming. I think the world…

Nigeria Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye snubbed invitation to join the team. The future of Nigeria shot-stopper Maduka Okoye in the Super Eagles will be revisited after the goalkeeper snubbed invitations to join the team for this month’s AFCON qualifiers. According to reports, Okoye seems to be injured and was undergoing treatment, but the goalkeeper failed to speak to his Super Eagles trainer, Ike Shorounmu, Concerning the situation surrounding the 22-year-old Nigeria shot-stopper, Shorunmu told FL that efforts will be made to ‘bring his mind down’. “Before we left for the US tour, I tried to reach him because I had learnt he was…

The consistent rise in fuel cost across Nigeria has been a significant challenge for airline operators in Nigeria and on the verge of losing three more airlines to the national crisis. On Wednesday, the Airline Operators of Nigeria said over 70 Airlines are not longer in operation in Nigeria in the last few years in Nigeria and its about to lose three more in the coming weeks. The reason for this has been attributed to many of the challenges AON has been facing, including high cost of aviation fuel known as the Jet A1, increase in taxes, among others. In…

President of the Federation of International Football Association ((FIFA), Gianni Infantino, has applauded the efforts of all 32 nations on their qualification for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. Mr. Infantino, who was in Doha, Qatar this week for the two intercontinental playoffs and the completion of qualifiers for Qatar 2022, sent a congratulatory message to the qualified countries. President of the world football governing body, Mr. Infantino, said: “Congratulations to all of you and of course welcome to the fans of the 32 countries, but fans from all over the world to Doha in November and December of this…

Mastercard and Ecobank Group have launched a new innovative solution, Mastercard Farm Pass to help provide smallholder farmers digital access to financial services. In an official statement made available to Govima, Mastercard and Ecobank Group through this partnership will provide 33 Sub-saharan farmers the opportunities to sell their farm produce at a fair price in an easy and safer way.    While reacting on the partnership, Chief Executive Officer, Ecobank Group, Ade Ayeyemi said “Our partnership with Mastercard has come at the right time to accelerate smallholder farmers’ access to urgently needed financial services, which are vital to realising Africa’s full…

He has attracted interest from several clubs On Monday lunchtime, Marco Asensio gave Marcelo a hug in the Brazilian left-back’s farewell event, and then he went on holidays. The Spain international is scheduled to return to training at Valdebebas on July 8, but right now neither the club nor the player know whether he will still be a Real Madrid player on that day. Asensio’s agent change After renewing his contract back in 2017, Asensio has one year left on his current deal. Meanwhile, he has changed his long-time agent, Horacio Gaggioli, for Jorge Mendes. Everything points to Asensio departing Real Madrid, but the Spaniard’s priority is to stay put. He is willing…

The Super Eagles were always expected to make it to the showpiece, but supporters are equally seeing green shoots of positive progress in style The qualifying process for the Africa Cup of Nations these days means the best sides are unlikely to miss out, save for epic, unforeseen collapses across six games. Of the 12 highest-ranked nations in April’s draw, only Egypt, bottom of Group B and DR Congo, cellar dwellers in Group I are currently not leading their respective groups. Upon closer inspection, though, the Pharaohs have the same points as the three other nations in their draw, suggesting…

World’s richest number five, Warren Buffett has donated about $4bn to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust and four family charities. Buffett made the donation in his commitment towards giving away nearly all of his net worth. The number five World Richest man revealed that the donation will be given through his company Berkshire Hathaway Inc (BRKa.N), which has been running since 1965. According to reports, the donation comprises about 14.4 million of Berkshire’s Class B shares, whose closing price on Tuesday was $277.64. “Eleven million shares will go to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and 1.1 million will go…