Former president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick,
has explained why Finidi George was chosen as Super Eagles head coach ahead of his former national teammate, Emmanuel Amuneke.
Amunike was heavily seen as a favourite for the role considering his rich CV that showcased success in FIFA U17 World Cup with Golden Eaglets and qualification for AFCON with Tanzanian national team.
However, Pinnick believed the technical committee of NFF was right in choosing Finidi to continue with the Jose Peseiro project, which Finidi was part of as assistant head coach.
“Finidi is well equipped; he played for Ajax and they over there have developmental football mentoring in kicking the ball, trapping and all that. I think he is well positioned for the job.
“For Amuneke, he is also technically sound but I am talking of the seamless transition from Peseiro; it will benefit the team much for Finidi to have the job and thank God he is there,” Pinnick said on Arise TV.
Pinnick, who is now a FIFA Council member, also believed Finidi George was right in turning down the chance to work with some of his former teammates and to insist on foreign assistants.
“Finidi has the right to pick his assistants,” Pinnick said. “For his assistants, it is very tricky. It is normal for him to demand foreign assistants if he desires one.
“Backroom staffing is more scientific right now. If he says he needs three back room assistants, perhaps one for goalkeeper training, the others are for other positions.
“The assistant coaches are the engine room of the success of any coach because they see what the coach can’t see.
“But then, it depends on funding from the federation but I think it is not out of place. Finidi should be allowed to do what he wants to do. But if there is paucity of funds, they can discuss it with him.”
VIDEO: Give your first salary to your father for his blessing not your church pastor - says Kanayo
AFOLABI
Renowned Nollywood actor Kanayo O. Kanayo, who recently welcomed his son Clinton Mbaise into the world of filmmaking, decided to honour African traditions by accepting his first paycheck for his work on set and gave him fatherly blessings.
Kanayo stated that observing this culture from the ancestors has led to the progress of many people in the country.
Clinton was paid N50,000 after completing his first movie production with his father.
In the video shared on Kanayo’s Instagram account on Thursday, he requested N500 from the salary his son earned and then prayed for him to succeed in the industry.
e Nollywood actor advised Nigerians to always give their first salary to their father for his blessings and not to their pastors. He emphasized that only a father can bless his child.
Kanayo said, “I want to observe a culture from our ancestors which has led to the progress of many people you see today, ”Father blessing.’
“Clinton my son just concluded a few production management with us and he has earned his first salary, his first salary is N50,000 for a movie.
“Clinton from your pocket in the N50,000 give me N500.
“The first salary of a young man, he goes to his father to say Nnayi my salary is N50,000, the father may decide to take the entire money, he may also decide to take any amount and his father will now bless him.
“The idea of his father asking him to know the salary is, so his father would teach him financial management.
“All you going to pastors to give your salary, you are wasting your time, is not part of our culture.”
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— Punch Newspapers (@MobilePunch) May 10, 2024
Renowned Nollywood actor Kanayo O. Kanayo, who recently welcomed his son Clinton Mbaise into the world of… pic.twitter.com/Rlf0ZqEHC0
Member representing Garki/Babura federal Constituency of Jigawa State in the House of Representatives, Isa Dogonyaro, is dead.
Mohammed Bello El-Rufa’i, who is one of his colleagues, disclosed the death of the lawmaker on his Facebook wall Friday morning.
He wrote, “Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un. Earlier today, we lost a colleague in the House of Representatives, a brilliant parliamentarian and an overall good man. May Allah SWT forgive him and grant him Aljannatul Firdaus”.
The Deputy House Spokesperson, Phillip Agbese , confirmed the death to Daily Trust, saying he learnt about the death of the lawmaker through posts on social media and on WhatsApp groups of the House of Representatives.
“There are the usual Islamic prayers and tributes by colleagues on various platforms. There is no official communication to the House yet. The family has not communicated to the House.
“That is the tradition. It is when the family communicates through the Speaker that we will officially announce his death. I learnt that the funeral prayer is scheduled in Abuja this afternoon.”
Cyber security levy: Stop creating more taxes, provide solution to end hunger – Primate Ayodele tells Tinubu
AFOLABI
The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele on Friday asked President Bola Tinubu to stop creating more taxes for Nigerians and provide solutions to end hunger in the country.
Primate Ayodele said that increasing Value Added Tax, stamp duty and implementing the cybersecurity levy is not proper at a time Nigeria is still struggling with economic hardship that has made ordinary citizens wretched.
In a statement signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, he asked the government to review their policies and make them people-friendly because there is so much hardship in the country and what the government should focus on is ensuring that Nigerians see better days.
He said: ‘’Increasing VAT, stamp duty, implementing cybersecurity levy at this time is not proper.Nigeria may not understand all of these and the government in power may not even understand too but the fact remains that the government must review their policies very well.
‘’These policies will only lead to more hardship for the people, the prices of food commodities will skyrocket and even the salary increase will still lead to more hardship if these policies continue.’’
Primate Ayodele called on the CBN governor to scrutinize the policies that can create problems for the government in future and affect Nigerian banks.
He stated that the current policies are too harsh and will affect everyone in the country.
‘’The CBN governor must look at all these policies that will create problems for the future of the government, they must review them clinically and all of these will affect banks. If all these policies still continue, Nigerians will not find it easy.
‘’What Nigerians need now is how they will survive and eat their three square meal. What is going on now will affect every small scale industry and big men. A lot of people surrounding the president are deceiving him,” he added.
The average cost of a healthy meal in Nigeria surged to N982 in March 2024 amid roaring inflation.
The National Bureau of Statistics disclosed this in its March 2024 Cost of Healthy Diet report.
The figure is 4.7 per cent higher than the amount recorded in February, which stood at N938.
In March 2024, the average CoHD was highest in the South West at N1,198 per adult per day, compared to N787 per adult per day in North West.
The CoHD rose faster than the headline and food inflation, which stood at 33.20 per cent and 40.01 per cent, respectively, in March.
Police arrest two men who kidnapped, killed six year old boy while demanding N10m ransom from his father
AFOLABI
Men of the Adamawa state police command have arrested two men for allegedly abducting a six-year-old boy identified as Eboka Edwin, and demanding N10 million ransom from his father after murdering him.
The father of the deceased, Edwin Eze, a resident of Tudun Wada in Ganye LGA, had on May 8, visited the police station to report that on the same date at about 1am, suspected kidnappers invaded his house situated at Tudun Wada village, Ganye LGA and abducted his six-year-old son to an unknown destination. He told the police that the kidnappers later contacted him via phone and demanded Ten Million Naira (N10,000,000) as ransom. The distraught father also mentioned that the suspects demanded and received N152 000 from him for the victim's feeding fee.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, said on the strength of the report, the state Commissioner of Police, CP Dankombo Morris, raised detectives led by SP Mohammed Yahaya Nuhu, Divisional Police officer,(DPO) Ganye to arrest the suspects.
‘’The team immediately swung into action and arrested two Suspects, Mukhtar Mohammed, aged 20 years old and Hussein Suleiman, aged 20 years, all residents of Bashin Village, Yoro Local Government Area, Taraba State.
During preliminary investigations, the suspects confessed that he conspired and jointly kidnapped the victim to a forest lying across the border between Nigeria and Cameroon Republic.
They added that they killed the Victim by inflicting severe injuries on him using a knife, he bleeds until he becomes dead. Thereafter, they buried the Corpse in a shallow grave and kept demanding for ransom, until their arrest.'' Nguroje said
The spokesperson added that while the CP commiserates with the deceased family on the unfortunate incident, he reaffirms the Command's commitment to combating all forms of crime.
If Ooni doesn’t admit I’m his son, I’ll reveal more secrets – Man gives Ooni two months ultimatum
AFOLABI- Ooni of Ife disowns ‘alleged son’ in viral video
The video of a middle-aged man who claimed to be the son of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, has surfaced online.
In the video, the man who did not identify himself, claimed the monarch hid him with his mother with an instruction that he should stay discreet.
“Oba Enitan Ogunwunsi is my father. He hid me with my mother with a clear instruction that I must not reveal myself,” the man dressed in a white Agbada said in Yoruba.
The palace of the monarch has, however, debunked his claims describing him as an impersonator.
The man further claimed that the monarch’s silence on his identity as a prince compelled him to make the video.
“Anytime I desire to come to the palace, he (Ooni) would stop me saying it was not yet time. Now is the time. My mum might not talk, but I will say the truth. The king is my biological father.
“Though I’m not suffering; there is a house, cars are there, there is money, but I’m no longer interested in them. I want to be known as the son of the king, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II,” he added.
He, however, gave a two-month ultimatum to be invited to the palace, or he will reveal more secrets.
Reacting to the video on Thursday, Moses Olafare, the spokesman to the Ooni in a statement stated that the matter had been reported to security agencies for further action.
Olafare said Oba Ogunwusi, being a responsible father and custodian of tradition, knows and acknowledges all his children and would stop at nothing to take full responsibility for them.
He declared that the self-acclaimed prince is unknown to the palace and the Ile-Ife populace, saying “He is not a child of Ooni Ogunwusi as fraudulently claimed, but also never related in any way to any lineage of the Ogunwusi royal family and the Giesi Royal Compound of Ile-Ife at large.”
Olafare also called on the said impersonator to refrain from engaging in or promoting such deceptive practices, assuring that the House of Oduduwa remains committed to preserving the rich cultural heritage of the Yoruba people and would not tolerate any attempt to undermine or tarnish its legacy through fraudulent means.
The Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, has asked the Federal Government to address Nigerians’ sufferings caused by the fuel subsidy removal and increased electricity tariffs.
Adams disclosed this while speaking during the 2024 edition of the Oke Ibadan festival, organised by the Olokun Festival Foundation, which was held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Thursday.
He noted that Nigerians are concerned about the present situation in the country.
He also pointed out that the idea of states having independent power supply was one of the policies of this administration that he had applauded, adding that there are a lot of advantages the states can get from this initiative.
He said, “One of the major policies of this administration that I applauded at the onset was the idea of having an imdependent power supply in the states.
“There are a lot of advantages the states can get from this initiative.
“Nigerians have continued to raise their voices against the policy, even as power outages persist in the country. The new tariffs have become a big problem for Nigerians.
“The increase in electricity tariffs had taken a huge toll on the entire system. It has affected all the sectors of the Nigerian economy.
“Like the growing pain experienced through the hike in the electricity tariffs, the fuel subsidy removal has continued to bring more hardship to Nigerians. It has also affected the Nigerian economy, drifting the country to further inflation.”
Adams has always pledged his support for President Bola Tinubu’s administration, saying his Presidency represents a new chapter for Nigeria.
He stated this in a congratulatory letter to the President on his recent victory at the Supreme Court.
Noting that “Nigeria is going through a lot at the moment,” Adams said Tinubu’s “victory has given rise to a leadership that this time demands. And we must agree with the fact that this is truly a new chapter in the political trajectory of Nigeria.”
He, however, urged Tinubu to make the best of his Presidency to, especially, heed the widespread yearning for the restructuring of the country.
A video obtained shown personal belongings of students scattered in a classroom after bandits invaded Kogi State University of Science and Technology Osara, (CUSTECH).
Bandits kidnapped an unspecified number of students when they attacked the institution at about 9 pm on Thursday.
An eyewitness told our correspondent that the bandits, who came in their large numbers, entered the school through the bush path and started shooting sporadically.
It was further learnt that the school local security engaged the bandits in a gun duel that lasted for over 30 minutes.
According to one of the students, who escaped by whiskers, “the hoodlums invaded the school at about 9 pm and went straight to lecture halls where we were having tutorials preparatory for our upcoming first semester exams.
“The number of abducted students would have been less if the management had listened to the plea of students to open the mini-gate that leads into the main town,” he said.
He lamented that the students were left with only the main gate.
He added that when the shootout subsided, a number of students could not be readily accounted for.
The source further hinted that no fewer than 57 students were abducted, while one student sustained gunshot wounds.
Meanwhile, the police and other security agencies have been mobilized to the school and the community.
Confirming the incident, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Abdulraman Asipita said the situation was under control.
All efforts to speak with the Police Public Relations Officer in Kogi State, (PPRO) SP William Ovye Aya, proved abortive as of the time of filing this report.
Media
The Nigerian Army on Thursday said it has apprehended personnel for illegal possession of ammunition and explosives during a routine search operation by the Military Police K9 Team, at the Borno Express Terminal in Maiduguri, Borno State.
A statement by Major Gen Onyema Nwacbukwu, Director of Army Public Relations said, “The soldier, Lance Corporal Mubarak Yakubu was found in possession of 756 rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition and four 36 hand grenades, ingeniously concealed within a small bag of rice”.
“This arrest underscores the Nigerian Army’s zero-tolerance policy towards any form of illegal activity or contravention of military regulations by its personnel.
“Preliminary investigation has revealed that the soldier had been de-inducted from active theatre operations in March 2024 and was undergoing de-induction training at the Nigerian Army School of Infantry.
“The soldier was on a welfare pass from Jaji to Kaduna and Adamawa from April 30, 2024, to May 13, 2024, when the arrest took place.
“The NA wishes to assure the public that it will continue to act decisively to maintain discipline within its ranks and ensure the security of all Nigerians.
“The soldier in question is currently in custody and a thorough investigation has commenced to ascertain the full circumstances surrounding this incident and to apply the appropriate disciplinary measures.
“This proactive measure by the Military Police K9 Team reflects Nigerian Army’s relentless vigilance and its proactive approach to enforcing compliance with military laws and regulations.
“The Nigerian Army remains committed to its role as a professional military organization dedicated to the service of our nation and the protection of its citizenry.”
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Human rights activist, Femi Falana has demanded that the 317 people deported from Lagos State to Osun State must be relocated to Lagos.
Falana made this demand in a statement on Thursday.
Recall that last weekend, 317 Nigerian citizens of Osun State origin were rounded up in several parts of Lagos State and loaded into several luxury buses, which drove them to Osun State.
They were later dropped off at various points including Ilesa-Akure Express junction, Breweries; Ilesa – Ibodi – Iginla to Ife Express junction; Osun Ankara Express junction; Imelu Express junction; and Iperindo Express junction in Osun State.
Speaking on the illegal deportation of the 317 citizens, the Lagos State Police Command stated that “in keeping with its mandates of prevention and detection of crime, [it] conducts raids of black spots from time to time, and promptly arraigns only culpable suspects in courts of competent jurisdiction in the state after a thorough screening of the people raided.”
In its official reaction to the illegal deportation, the Lagos State Government claimed that “450 miscreants were at the weekend rescued. Of the lot, 371 pleaded for assistance to relocate to their various states due to the hardship they are facing in Lagos; 79 have been absorbed into some government facilities for rehabilitation after showing signs of being unwell.”
Reacting to the deportation, Falana said the victims of the illegal deportation have contradicted the account of the Lagos State Government.
He said, according to them, they were abducted and forcefully loaded into several luxury buses and expelled from Lagos State without their consent.
Falana said it is indisputable that the deportation of the so-called miscreants violated their fundamental right to freedom of movement guaranteed by Section 41 of the Constitution which stipulates that “every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to move freely throughout Nigeria and to reside in any part thereof, and no citizen of Nigeria shall be expelled from Nigeria or refused entry thereby or exit.”
The senior lawyer added that in Federal Minister of Internal Affairs and Others VS Shugaba Abdulrrahaman Darman 1(982) 3 NCLR 915, the then Federal Court of Appeal affirmed the order of the Borno State High Court which directed the Federal Government to bring back the Respondent who had been illegally deported to Chad.
He stated, “The illegal deportation also contravened article 12(5) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act which has prohibited mass expulsion that targets national, racial, ethnic or religious groups. In Anudo Ochieng Anudo v United Republic of Tanzania (2018) 2 AfCLR 248 para 100, the African Court on Human and Peoples Rights declared that “a state can not turn a citizen into a foreigner for the sole purpose of expelling him.”
“Since the deportation of the 317 citizens was not authorised by the Lagos State Government, Governor Sanwoolu should ensure that they are brought back to Lagos State as soon as possible.
“The Osun State Governor, Mr. Ademola Adeleke, who has protested on behalf of the deportees, should contribute to their resettlement in Lagos State. Furthermore, the officials of the Lagos State Government who carried out the illegal deportation of the 317 citizens should be brought to book to prevent them from further expelling other poor people from Lagos State,” he stated.
Falana, the Chair, Alliance on Surviving Covid 19 and Beyond (ASCAB), added, “The said officials should be made to realise that the poor and the rich have equal rights to breathe the air of freedom in Lagos State and other parts of Nigeria.”
Music streaming platform, Spotify, has said it paid over N25 billion in streaming royalties to Nigerian artists in 2023.
The company disclosed this in its annual Loud & Clear report focusing on the Nigerian market. According to Spotify, the 2023 earnings for Nigerian artists more than double the over N11 billion they earned from the platform in 2022.
Spotify added that royalties to Nigerian artists have increased by 2,500% since 2017.
It is important to note that Spotify is one of many music streaming services that generate revenue for the music industry. The artists also earn revenue from other platforms such as YouTube Music, Apple Music, and Amazon Music, among others.
While this came as the second time that Spotify is releasing its data specifically on Nigeria, the company said releasing the data became imperative to increase transparency in the music industry by sharing its royalty payments and breaking down the global streaming economy, the players, and the process.
A global report released earlier in the year revealed that the company paid a total of $9 billion in royalties to artists globally in the past year.
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The data released by Spotify also revealed that the number of Nigerian artists earning over N10 million in royalties quadrupled since 2018. It added that over half of the royalties went to independent artists or labels, showcasing the democratizing power of streaming.
The report also indicated that Spotify listeners discovered Nigerian artists nearly 950 million times in 2023.
Commenting on the report, Spotify’s Managing Director for Sub-Saharan Africa, Jocelyne Muhutu-Remy, said,
“The significant growth in royalties earned by Nigerian artists on our platform is a powerful testament to their talent, creativity, and global appeal.
Muhutu-Remy added that while Afrobeats remains the king, Nigeria’s music scene is experiencing a genre revolution as Spotify data reveals increased popularity across local genres.
According to her, homegrown genres like Highlife grew by 224%, Igbo Pop increased by 303%, and Fuji grew by 187% as they all experienced a significant increase in listenership in 2023.
The streaming revolution in Africa
Boosted by technology, allowing artists to reach audiences beyond their borders and benefit financially from their craft, Africa’s music scene has been growing steadily.
According to the 2024 International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) report, the Sub-Saharan Africa market boasts the world’s fastest-music growing revenue with a staggering 24.7% growth increase.
This growth is fueled by a surge in paid streaming services, contributing 24.5% of the revenue. Notably, the report stated that Sub-Saharan Africa is the only region surpassing 20% growth.
“There was a positive story of growth across the globe; every region had healthy revenue growth in 2023 and five regions posted double-digit percentage gains. Sub-Saharan Africa remained the fastest-growing area,” IFPI stated in the report.
[Nairametrics]
‘You Don Finally Accept Defeat’ – Nigerians React As Davido Reveals Plan To Quit Music After Next Album
AdminNigerian music sensation David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido has stirred up a storm of reactions with his recent comment of the plan to exit the music industry following the release of his next album.
Naija News reports that the Afrobeats star expressed his intentions in a social media post that quickly became a topic of conversation on social media.
Davido, who has been a pivotal figure in the Nigerian music scene, hinted at his departure from music in a heartfelt post, saying, “Yall niggas really want me out the game that bad?? Oya after next album I no do again. So una fit get peace.”
This statement came as a response to persistent rumours and negative coverage concerning his career.
The announcement has not sat well with a legion of fans and music enthusiasts who argue that his music transcends critics’ negativity and is cherished by a global audience that appreciates his artistry.
On social media, the reactions ranged from disappointment to support, reflecting the deep divide over his decision.
Twitter user @gravityempire28 reacted humorously yet pointedly, suggesting Davido had conceded defeat too soon.
“Yu dn finally accept defeat ? O03 you for wait make you be 001 first an…,” he wrote.
@_cantonaE emphasized that Davido’s music should be for his fans, not his detractors. Another fan, @iamhbozz, encouraged the singer to focus on the positive feedback from his substantial fan base rather than the haters.
Moreover, @mafia3O expressed sympathy for Davido’s struggles within the industry, attributing them to his affluent background and alleged bias against him in the media and the industry at large.
“But let’s be real, Davido has really gone through a lot in the industry,” he wrote, highlighting the perceived efforts to undermine the singer’s achievements despite his consistent track record of hits.
Conversely, @abazwhyllzz dramatically stated, “You are not going anywhere oo. If you stop singing then no Nigerian will sing in this country again,” reflecting the sentiments of those who see Davido as an irreplaceable icon in the Nigerian music landscape.
@DaddyZee02 offered a critical take, suggesting that Davido’s predicament was partly due to not listening enough to his fans, who he believes see things the artist himself might miss.
[NaijaNews]
NAFDAC enforcement officers, aided by intelligence from the Nigerian Army's 15 Field Engineering Regiment in Badagry, have dismantled the operations of Mr Chinedu Okafor, an illegal drinks manufacturer operating from his residence at No. 24, MTN Road, Badagry.
According to a statement from the agency, Okafor's suspicious activities caught the attention of the Nigerian Army, leading to his arrest and subsequent handover to NAFDAC officers at the Ports Inspection Directorate, Seme Border. Upon inspection, officers evacuated all equipment and materials used in the production of illicit drinks, effectively shutting down the illegal factory.
Investigations revealed Okafor's longstanding involvement in this criminal activity, which has potentially compromised regulated alcohol drinks in the Badagry area.
The agency mentioned that Okafor will face prosecution, and all offending products will be destroyed, with an estimated value exceeding fifty million naira (₦50,000,000).
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