Author: Olukayode Oke

Ban Lift, Good one for the Girls The Federal Government on Thursday rescinded its decision to suspend Nigeria’s basketball teams from all international competitions. A Good one for the Girls, and the country at Large. The suspension means a lot to the girls after putting so much energy to take Nigeria Basketball to the highest level. Ismaila Abubakar, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, made this known during a conference in Abuja on Thursday, Channels Tv reports. According to Abubakar, the latest decision is based on a letter of appeal from the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), signed by…

In order to tackle the ravaging global oil and gas challenges, Nigeria with other oil-exporting African countries will host the Chief Executive Officer of Panoro Energy, John Hamilton at Africa’s premier Energy Week (AEW). The Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber (AEC), NJ Ayuk said in a statement that “The Chamber is honoured to host John Hamilton at African Energy Week 2022 where the executive will, together with other African energy market stakeholders, investors, and regulators, shape Africa’s own narrative of the energy transition. “We commend the progress made by Hamilton and Ponoro Energy to boost investments across Africa’s…

Better days ahead for Super Eagles says Finidi George Super Eagles assistant coach, Finidi George is excited about the team’s good start under the new technical crew. The Super Eagles churned out impressive displays despite losing in the friendlies against Mexico and Ecuador. The three-time African champions however started the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in a convincing fashion. Jose Peseiro’s charges beat the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone 2-1 on matchday one and thrashed Sao Tome and Principe 10-0 in their next game. An elated Finidi took to social media to show his gratitude and pray for better…

Portuguese Superstar sent message to his boyhood Club Manchester United forward, Cristiano Ronaldo, has sent a message to his boyhood club Sporting Lisbon, congratulating them on the 20th anniversary of their Academy. Ronaldo, whom the Academy is named after, expressed his desire to visit the Portuguese club soon. Sporting Lisbon renamed their Academy after Ronaldo in September 2020, honouring the former Juventus and Real Madrid star for his unmatched legacy. On Tuesday, Ronaldo dedicated a heartwarming video message to Sporting Lisbon, which the club shared via Twitter. Below is what Ronaldo had to say (translated by A Z): “Congratulations on…

The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), in partnership with the Economic Community for West African States (ECOWAS), the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), and the Senegalese Ministry of Economy, Plan and Cooperation, has launched the annual forum of intergovernmental organisations from West Africa, to examine and address the impact of emerging risks and challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and the unfolding crisis in Ukraine. This was disclosed in a statement published by the international organisations and distributed by APO Group. The two-day forum (June 21 – June 22, 2022), holds in Senegalese capital city, Dakar is…

Playing for Super Eagles is a dream come true says Bassey Rangers defender, Calvin Bassey has admitted he was shocked to be invited to play for Nigeria. Bassey was first invited to the Super Eagles squad when Gernot Rohr was in charge of the team. The fullback pledged his allegiance to Nigeria last year and was called up for the 2022 World Cup qualifier doubleheader against the Central Africa Republic. “I was shocked, I couldn’t believe it. “I just felt so privileged and blessed. I thank God every day because God is our strength. So I just feel blessed and…

Liverpool Forward Minamino joins Ligue 1 Club Monaco, on Tuesday, struck a deal worth £15.5m (€18m) with Liverpool to sign Takumi Minamino. The fee is understood to be an initial £12.9m (€15m) and a further £2.6m (€3m) in add ons. Minamino arrived from Red Bull Salzburg in 2020 and has featured 55 times for Liverpool, scoring 14 times. Minamino won the FA Cup and Carling with Liverpool this season. The 27-year-old is the second forward to leave Anfield this week, after Sadio Mane underwent medicals with Bayern Munich. Liverpool begin the 2022/2023 Premier League season against newly promoted Fulham on…

Sadio Mane reveals he’s eager to join Bundesliga when he heard the Bavarian interest Sadio Mane has admitted his heart was set on a move to Bayern Munich as soon as he heard about their interest. The Liverpool forward has now completed a medical, bringing to an end a six-year stint at Anfield. But with just 12 months left on his current contract, the 30-year-old made it clear he was looking to leave. Bayern have finally reached an agreement on a deal which will see them pay an initial £27.1million for the Senegalese talisman. The fee could rise to £35.1m…

The Bureau of the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA), Council has said it will extend the temporary employment rules established in the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP), in order to assist players, clubs, and coaches impacted by the war in Ukraine. FIFA added that Foreign players and coaches have the right to suspend their employment contracts until 30 June 2023 in order to further monitor the situation in Ukraine The Bureau of the Council on 7 March 2022 and 16 March 2022 approved the RSTP amendments, which provided urgent legal certainty and clarity on a…

The African Development Bank (AfDB), has named Simon Mizrazi as its Acting Vice President, Technology and Corporate Services Complex, starting from June 20, 2022.  President of AfDB, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina who spoke on the appointment said: “I am pleased to appoint Simon Mizrahi into this new role of Acting Vice President for Technology and Corporate Services to lead the drive for full digitalisation of the Bank, deployment of big data analytics, robotics, machine learning, and other IT tools and systems to revamp how we do business, including cybersecurity to protect ourselves. “Simon is a highly skilled and experienced member of…

Wikki Tourist fans blamed Coach for poor result Angry Wikki Tourist fans blamed the coach Kabir Dogo for their home draw against visiting Shooting Stars. According to reports, fans said the Coach started with a ‘weak’ line-up while benching in-form players like Victor Okoro and Abubakar Aliyu. They also wondered why team captain Idris Guda did not start despite impressing in training. It was a disappointing result for wiki Tourist, who sit in the 10th position with 46 points in the table. The fans who conversed in groups after the match would suggest that the Management to intervene and ensure that the remaining games are…

President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta has asked school leaders to stop discriminating students based on their religious beliefs, saying the Constitution of Kenya 2010 guarantees freedom of worship. Kenyatta made the statement while speaking at the Moi International Sports Complex, Kasarani, during celebrations to mark 100 years of the Akurinu Church, He urged school principals to respect the religious beliefs, norms and traditions of all students. “If you look at all religions, they observe certain beliefs, norms and traditions. For instance, our Muslim brothers and sisters have particular attire, which reflects their beliefs. The same applies to the Sikhs. “I…