Some people have being killed in a fresh crisis in the Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
It was learnt that during the unrest, several houses, including churches and mosques, were burnt down.
Recall that the governor of the state, Caleb Mutfwang had declared a 24-hour curfew in the Mangun local government due to the unrest in the area.
Speaking on the reason for the curfew during an interview with newsmen, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security and Homeland Safety, Brig.-Gen. Gakji Shipi said that the situation was caused by a misunderstanding between two individuals in the council area.
“The current situation in Mangu is a result of two people that escalated. The crisis is not political or has anything to do with the farmers-herders crisis. It was just two human beings that had an altercation and by coincidence, one of them happens to be a herder and the other person is a native.
“The native was crossing with his motorcycle and the Fulani was grazing his cattle and crossing the road and that obstructed traffic and there was an altercation between them. When that happened, the Fulani people came in support of their own and the natives also came in support of their own and the thing just got out of hands and that led to the imposition of curfew in Mangu,” he said.
A former lawmaker representing Mangu South, Bala Fwangji, confirmed the arson to Punch.
Fwangji said, “What happened today in Mangu is not good at all. We just woke up to hear that some people are burning houses in Mangu and attacking anyone in sight. I cannot tell you how many houses were burnt, or the number of people attacked or killed, but these things happened today. But we thank God the security agents have been deployed and the situation is calm now.”
The Secretary-General of Plateau Initiative for Development and Advancement of the Natives, Nanle Gujor, however, told the publication that four persons were killed during the unrest.
He said, “I returned to Jos from Abuja and given what happened in Mangu today, we are not happy. We are still assessing the situation, but I was told that four persons were killed. I will let you know the details of the situation when we are done.”
Renowned fuji musician, Kolawole Rasaq Ilori, popularly known as Kollington Ayinla, has dispelled rumours of his demise that have been circulating on social media.
The 75-year-old musician made a public statement on Tuesday from the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) in Ikeja, Lagos, to address concerns about his health.
Speculations about Ayinla’s critical health condition and his battle with undisclosed ailments had been rampant on social media earlier on Tuesday.
However, in a video shared by LagosGist (@LagosGist), the fuji legend can be seen and heard speaking about his current health status.
In the two-minute and nineteen-second video, Kollington Ayinla expressed his profound gratitude to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for the support provided during his recent illness.
He also extended thanks to the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of LASUTH, Adetokunbo Fabanwo, and the hospital’s management team for their excellent care and treatment.
Ayinla emphasized the role of divine intervention in his recovery, thanking God for his healing.
He also acknowledged the overwhelming support and assistance he received from his fans and well-wishers during this challenging time.
He affirmed his well-being, stating, “I am alive because of God, the governor, LASUTH, and others.”
Kollighton Ayinla who spoke in Yoruba in the short video clip said, “I want to thank Lagosians. I want to thank the government of Lagos State Government and the management of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital and the team under the leadership of Adetokunbo O. Fabanwo. It is only God that can save life but I want to appreciate him and the team because I would have gone to the great beyond.
“I give it to the LASUTH. They are king for taking care of me. They deserve my salutations. LASUTH LASUTH LASUTH, you are king. They said I was dead, but I’m here speaking alive from the LASUTH now.”
Kollington, born August 1949 hails from Ilota, a town on the outskirts of Ilorin, Kwara State, and he is also known by the aliases; Baba Alatika, Kebe-n-Kwara, and Baba Alagbado.
Yul Edochie, the controversial Nollywood actor and filmmaker extraordinaire, has ignited a virtual powder keg with his brazen proclamation of launching his own church.
Prior to making the big reveal, rumors were ablaze when the movie star, on Tuesday morning, dished out a teaser about an upcoming event in his life.
The filmmaker said later in day, on Tuesday, January 23, he would make the biggest announcement of his life.
He wrote: “I’M ABOUT TO MAKE THE BIGGEST ANNOUNCEMENT OF MY LIFE TODAY AT 2 PM,”
In a follow-up post, Yul Edochie hit up his social media platforms to spill the beans that the much-anticipated revelation was none other than the grand unveiling of his new church, set to premiere on YouTube.
The actor, who’s always been vocal about his fervor for serving God, proclaimed in his caption that the moment had arrived to heed the call of the Almighty.
According to him, it’s time for him to wholeheartedly engage in God’s work, spreading the authentic message of faith.
His words;
“It’s time to answer the call of God Almighty. It’s time to do His work fully. To spread the true message of God. Tune in, and be transformed”
SEE POST BELOW
As anticipated, the announcement ignited reactions from fans who flocked to his page to express their thoughts.
BBNaija Reality star Venita Akpofure shared her perspective on marriage, advising young ladies not to rush into it before the age of 28.
Venita, who expressed her own affection for her boyfriend from school, emphasized the importance of enjoying one’s youth and exploring various aspects of life before committing to marriage.
During the interview with Tacha, Venita encouraged young ladies to refrain from the idea of settling down too early.
BBNaija star Venita Akpofure advises young ladies against marrying before 28
Venita.
She pointed out the need for individuals to embrace their youth and experience different aspects of life before making a lifelong commitment.
Venita urged ladies to avoid the mindset of “high school sweetheart, we die here.”
She went on to emphasize the significance of being young and carefree before entering into marriage.
The reality star shared her personal stance on the matter, stating that she wouldn’t allow her daughter to get married before the age of 28.
According to Venita, individuals need time to discover themselves fully and try different experiences before deciding to be bound by the institution of marriage.
In her words;
“Do not marry young, I’m saying ideally — okay if my daughter came and approached me that she was ready to get married, if my daughter approaches me, as long as she’s not I swear to God, not up to 28, we can rock with it. Anything below 28, please no.”
“Because you’re going to change your mind and you don’t know all of who you are at 20-something. Don’t get me wrong, there are people who are mature oh. But you need to try different things in life, different experiences, to be sure of okay, I want to be stuck here. Because it’s handcuff, you’re there.”
“Because you’re stuck – that’s the social idea. Unless you’re Westernized like me, then you’re unstuck, you can unstuck yourself. I’m divorced. The ones that are enjoying now, ‘ll probably still reach a time where they’ll probably hate each other and still have to be in the same space.
“I’m telling you! Why do you think to say them get madam room and oga room? When the ground is shaking and I need space, I need space. Be in your room, I’ll be in my room. To me, an ideal marriage, my husband would have a wonderful house here, and mine would be over here, and there would be magnificent corridors connecting the two houses.”
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has taken swift action by sacking national team coach Chris Hughton immediately after Ghana’s disappointing exit from the ongoing AFCON in Ivory Coast. The decision comes as a response to the team’s inability to progress beyond the group stage in the past two AFCON tournaments.
In an official statement released on the GFA website, the association announced the termination of Chris Hughton’s contract and the dissolution of the technical team. The GFA expressed its intention to re-strategize for the national team’s future.
“The Ghana Football Association wishes to announce that Chris Hughton has been relieved of his duties as head coach of the senior National team with immediate effect. The Executive Council has also taken a decision to dissolve the technical team of the Black Stars. In the coming days, the Ghana Football Association will provide a roadmap on the future direction of the Black Stars,” the statement read.
Ghana’s performance in the current AFCON has been subpar, with the team failing to secure a victory against Egypt, losing to Cape Verde, and squandering a two-goal lead against Mozambique, ultimately leading to their early exit from the tournament. Chris Hughton initially joined Ghana as the technical director in February 2022 before assuming the head coach role a year later.
Nigeria will play Cameroon in the Round of 16 at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
The knockout tie was confirmed on Tuesday evening after defending champions Senegal defeated the Syli Stars 2-0 and Cameroon beat Gambia 3-2.
The result means that Senegal top Group C with nine maximum points, while Cameroon finish second with four points. Guinea also finished with four points, but have an inferior goal difference.
The Super Eagles finished runners-up behind Equatorial Guinea in Group A, following their 1-0 win over Guinea-Bissau.
The last-16 clash between Nigeria and Cameroon will be played on Saturday, January 27 at 9 pm WAT.
Delta Commissioner, Perm' Secretary accused Of transferring Agric Programme money into private account
AdminPerez Omoun, Delta State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Permanent Secretary, Ben Agamah and workers in the ministry have been accused of illegally transferring N280 million meant for agricultural programmes to a private account.
This violates the Public Procurement Act.
Raising the alarm, sources in the ministry told journalists that the N280 million was illegally transferred in tranches and to a private account by the commissioner in connivance with the permanent secretary.
It was learnt that the money was meant for an agricultural programme called ‘Accelerated Agricultural Development Scheme (AADS)’.
One of the sources said, “Since this illegal transaction came to our notice, it has been a topic in the ministry where staff discussed it in hushed tones.
“The commissioner and permanent secretary have committed the same offence committed by the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu.
“Apart from that, the civil service rules and the financial regulations policy of this country actually frown on this kind of transaction which encourages corruption.
“It is illegal to send public funds to private accounts. The N280 million was illegally transferred into the private account of one Engineer Oki in three tranches.
“This is how the commissioner in connivance with his permanent secretary illegally transferred the money into the private account of Engineer Oki. N100 million was first transferred in the first tranche, the second tranche was N80 million and the third tranche was N100 million making the N280 million.
“There was no committee set up; nothing was set up for the money before this financial crime was carried out. I am using this opportunity to call on the state governor, His Excellency Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori to set up a panel to investigate the commissioner and the permanent secretary who are currently boasting that nothing will happen.
“I am also calling on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to come into the matter as well.”
Another staff member of the ministry privy to the transfer called on the state governor, Sheriff Oborevwori to keenly monitor all the ministries, government agencies and parastatals to curb corruption and fraudulent activities.
The staff member said, “The ministry of the agriculture and natural resources is one of the powerful ministries where huge funds are allocated to carry out agricultural programmes.
“Millions of naira are always allocated to the ministry and if there are no mechanisms to check the usage of such public funds, you will see commissioner, permanent secretary and senior staff looting the funds left and right.
“The illegal transfer of the N280 million to a private account by the commissioner in connivance with the permanent secretary is the talk of the ministry and it must be investigated.
“I’m not surprised and we can’t forget in a hurry what happened in December 2020, when this same commissioner for agriculture, Perez Omoun, who was the then-chairman of Patani Local Government Area was remanded in Ogwashi-Uku Correctional Centre by a magistrate court sitting in Asaba for allegedly attacking the then-state commissioner for energy, Basil Ganagana.
“Omoun was arrested and charged to court by the police on four counts bordering on intent to cause grievous harm, unlawfully wound, maliciously damage and attempting to commit suicide but he pleaded not guilty to the charges.
“Following his plea, the prosecutor, F. O. Itua, urged the court to remand him since the court lacked the jurisdiction to adjudicate on the suit. Subsequently, the presiding magistrate, V. O. Okonta, ordered the remand of Omoun at the Ogwashi-Ukwu Correctional Centre till December 30, 2020 pending the determination of his bail application and the issue of jurisdiction raised by the prosecutor.
“However, some top politicians in the state especially his colleagues under the umbrella of ALGON had to beg Basil Ganagana to forgive him and the matter was withdrawn. He was set free and we hope he leads the ministry well as a commissioner. It’s unfortunate though.”
Famous music star, Tiwa Savage, plans to celebrate her 43rd birthday in grand style.
The music diva uploaded a screenshot of the N168 million designer bag she is considering buying as an early birthday present.
This pricey handbag has created quite a fuss since the singer, who will be 43 on February 5, 2024, stated her plans to get herself an early birthday gift.
Tiwa revealed a discussion she had with a luxury shopper on WhatsApp regarding the $147,000 (N168 million) designer bag on her Snapchat account.
She wrote: “Should I or not? I meannn my birthday is in a couple of weeks.”
[DailyTrust]
Africa’s best footballer of the year, Victor Osimhen has confirmed to the media that he has made his decision on the next step to take amidst his club crises.
He disclosed this during an interview with CBS saying, “I have already made my decision on the next step to do at the end of the season. I already made up my mind. I already have my plan, I know what I want to do, the next step I want to take.”
When questioned about speculations regarding his potential move to Premier League clubs such as Chelsea and Arsenal, the Napoli striker responded by stating that nothing is confirmed at the moment.
He expressed his intention to focus on finishing the season strongly with his current club and indicated that he will make decisions about his future plans afterward.
He said: “I think 60% of the people mention the rumours about me linked with the Premier League”
“Premier League is one of the biggest leagues in the world. I want to finish the season with Napoli strong and then come up with the decision I’ve already made.”
Recall that Victor Osimhen signed a fresh contract with Napoli a month ago, securing his commitment to the club until 2026.
[TheNation]
Here are the nominees in key categories for the 96th Academy Awards, to be handed out in Hollywood on March 10.
Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer,” about the father of the atomic bomb, dominated the competition with 13 nominations.
“Poor Things,” a female take on the Frankenstein story set in the Victorian era, came second with 11, followed by Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon” at 10.
– Best picture –
“American Fiction”
“Anatomy of a Fall”
“Barbie”
“The Holdovers”
“Killers of the Flower Moon”
“Maestro”
“Oppenheimer”
“Past Lives”
“Poor Things”
“The Zone of Interest”
– Best director –
Jonathan Glazer, “The Zone of Interest”
Yorgos Lanthimos, “Poor Things”
Christopher Nolan, “Oppenheimer”
Martin Scorsese, “Killers of the Flower Moon”
Justine Triet, “Anatomy of a Fall”
– Best actor –
Bradley Cooper, “Maestro”
Colman Domingo, “Rustin”
Paul Giamatti, “The Holdovers”
Cillian Murphy, “Oppenheimer”
Jeffrey Wright, “American Fiction”
– Best actress –
Annette Bening, “Nyad”
Lily Gladstone, “Killers of the Flower Moon”
Sandra Huller, “Anatomy of a Fall”
Carey Mulligan, “Maestro”
Emma Stone, “Poor Things”
– Best supporting actor –
Sterling K. Brown, “American Fiction”
Robert De Niro, “Killers of the Flower Moon”
Robert Downey Jr, “Oppenheimer”
Ryan Gosling, “Barbie”
Mark Ruffalo, “Poor Things”
– Best supporting actress –
Emily Blunt, “Oppenheimer”
Danielle Brooks, “The Color Purple”
America Ferrera, “Barbie”
Jodie Foster, “Nyad”
Da’Vine Joy Randolph, “The Holdovers”
– Best international feature film –
“Io Capitano” (Italy)
“Perfect Days” (Japan)
“Society of the Snow” (Spain)
“The Teachers’ Lounge” (Germany)
“The Zone of Interest” (United Kingdom)
– Best animated feature –
“The Boy and the Heron”
“Elemental”
“Nimona”
“Robot Dreams”
“Spider-Man: Across the Spider Verse”
– Best documentary feature –
“Bobi Wine: The People’s President”
“The Eternal Memory”
“Four Daughters”
“To Kill a Tiger”
“20 Days in Mariupol”
– Films with seven or more nominations –
“Oppenheimer” – 13
“Poor Things” – 11
“Killers of the Flower Moon” – 10
“Barbie” – 8
“Maestro” – 7
[Vanguard]
More...
Bitcoin’s tumbled heavily in January despite the endorsement of Bitcoin Spot ETFs in the United States.
A stark juxtaposition against the tall trusts the crypto industry had some time recently since the SEC declared its choice.
Bitcoin ETFs have been touted as a much simpler way for typical individuals to contribute to Bitcoin, activating fiercely idealistic figures for BTC’s cost.
With the excitement surrounding the launch of new US spot exchange-traded funds for the biggest digital asset waning, Bitcoin recorded its worst run in roughly a month.
Up until the start of this week, it fell for three days in a row, its longest losing streak since mid-December. Smaller cryptocurrencies dipped further alongside Ethereum and the trending Solana. Recently, tougher macro conditions have hurt Bitcoin, as shown by rising rates and a strengthening dollar.
Bitcoin confronted upgraded instability in the markets two weeks back when the US Securities and Trade Commission gave its green light on eleven spot BTC ETFs. On the day that the items went live on US exchanges, the resource was taken off past $49K for the first time since 2022.
Then its fall suddenly came into play, at that point, it traded around and beneath the $43,000 support level. What was taken after was a week of sideways exchanging, in which the flagship crypto asset seemed to lose its bullish momentum.
It presently exchanges at around $39K, its lowest level this month is down by $10,000 from its January high. Within the past 24 hours, 126,807 got liquidated, and the overall liquidations come in at $332.83 million the biggest single liquidation arrangement happened on Bybit esteemed at $5 million
Investors have also sold more than $2 billion worth of the Grayscale Bitcoin Believe (GBTC) since it was changed over into an exchange-traded finance before this month.
Too, the mass loosening up of bullish interminable prospects leads to a negative premise recognized by sub-zero funding rates. Negative premise or subsidizing rates speak to a circumstance where never-ending exchange at a rebate to the basic asset’s cost, showing vendor dominance.
There was conjecture that the ETFs would encourage institutional and ordinary investors to embrace Bitcoin more widely, as seen by the nearly 160% increase in value of the cryptocurrency last year, which outpaced traditional assets like stocks. Since the year began, the token has been declining and has lagged behind mainstream financial markets.
Meanwhile, conventional financial firms with presentation to Bitcoin ETF cut expenses to draw in inflows Invesco and WisdomTree have cut expenses by more than 60 percent on European Bitcoin items as an unprecedented” number of unused exchange-traded reserves have gotten to be accessible to US speculators.
[NationalDaily]
Dangote Cement, the multinational cement manufacturer became the first company to hit the N10 trillion market capitalisation on the Nigeria Stock Exchange.
The cement manufacturer’s equities capitalisation reached an all time high of N10.098 trillion on Monday. The stock hit a capitalisation in excess of N10trillion when its price reached N592 per share on Monday.
It has rallied this year by 85.6 percent from N319 on the first trading day of the year. The stock furthered its rise to N651.80 per share on Tuesday, reaching the maximum daily increase of circa 10 percent as early as 12 noon.
“The surge in Dangote Cement has led the rally in Industrial goods sector. Going by the popular saying ‘Buy the rumour, sell the fact’, we may consider raising our notional holdings in Dangote Cement,” CardinalStone Research said in their recent Model Equity Portfolio.
Though they had in their outlook for equities this year asked investors to buy shares of Dangote Cement, Lafarge Africa, while urging them to hold that of BUA Cement.
“As Nigeria’s cement industry reflects on a challenging 2023, characterised by demand-stifling events like the cash crunch orchestrated by a poorly executed currency redesign policy, the material currency devaluation, and bouts of heavy rainfall, its hope for a gradual recovery in 2024 feeds off the return to relative macroeconomic normalcy and early gains from tough policy reforms,” the analysts said.
“In 2024, the Nigerian cement industry is expected to benefit from renewed government focus on infrastructure development and construction projects, which could stimulate demand for cement products.
“With increased budget allocations to critical sectors and ambitious infrastructure initiatives (N1.32 trillion to infrastructure, which represents 5 percent of the total FG 2024 budget), the construction industry is likely to experience a resurgence.
“Cement manufacturers, in response, are beginning to recalibrate their production strategies in the form of capacity expansion and improved efficiency to meet the anticipated rise in demand.
“While challenges may persist, the outlook for Nigeria’s cement industry in 2024 is one of cautious optimism, with potential growth opportunities emerging amidst the recovery phase,” according to Philip Anegbe-led team of CardinalStone Research analysts.
Nigeria’s billionaire investor Femi Otedola recently acquired significant shares in Dangote Cement, noting that his acquisition of Dangote Cement shares underscores the company’s potential.
Otedola emphasises long-term wealth preservation, export potential and shareholder value in Dangote Cement share acquisition.
“This strategic investment underscores Otedola’s confidence in Dangote Cement’s potential to generate foreign exchange for the country and his dedication to supporting businesses that contribute to Nigeria’s economic resilience.
“As Sub-Saharan Africa’s largest cement producer, Dangote Cement boasts an annual production capacity of 51.6 million tons across ten countries. This extensive footprint not only highlights the company’s dominance in the cement industry but also its crucial role in driving economic growth across the region” he said..
As at Monday last week the Dangote Cement share price was N375 with a trading volume of 318,537.00 at the end of the week, it’s price had moved by 43.6 percent to N538.8 and a trading volume of 1,290,275.00.
A Lagos-based analyst said that the positive buy sentiments are driving investors’ sentiments.
“And I think that after hitting N10 trillion market capitalisation, it will continue to grow as long as the market continues to do well because it is one of the most fundamentally strong stocks on the market,” he said.
The multinational cement factory recorded a 30 percent growth in its profit after tax for the first nine months of 2023, a BusinessDay analysis has shown.
According to the firm’s financial statement, its profit after tax increased to N277.6 billion in the nine months 2023 from N213.1 billion in the same period 2022. Similarly Revenue was N1.51 trillion, up from N1.18 trillion.
In their January 23 note titled ‘Should you sell the January rally?’ Lagos-based Coronation Research analysts said “It certainly was an extraordinary week. As we re-balanced our notional holdings in the largest stocks by index weight, we were briefly overweight in Dangote Cement which rose 53.9 percent over the week (we were in the process of cutting it to a neutral position, mid-week). This accounts for our highly unusual outperformance. It is rather humbling to think that the kind of outperformance we strive for over a year can arrive in a week, and by chance.
“Our earlier decision to overweight the banks did not work out(the banking index fell slightly last week) but it barely seemed to matter.
As we explain in our feature article, the rise in the market so far this year is out of proportion to rallies in previous years. There is no clear political or economic driver. We are inclined to prepare for a correction in February. The problem is, of course, is that being underweight anything in this environment could be a recipe for disaster (imagine if we have been underweight Dangote Cement last week)”.
The analysts further said: “The more prudent approach is to wait for the first signs of a correction and then take profits; and then to concentrate on building overweight positions where there are fundamental grounds for outperformance. Now that we have seen the first signs of a correction in the bank sector, we will bring our overall position back down to neutral this week and continue to take our notional positions in Okomu Oil and Presco up to double over-weights”.
[BusinesDay]
Following the inauguration for a second term of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Felix Tshisekedi, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken travels to Angola, seeking to shore up regional diplomacy critical to easing tensions in eastern Congo.
The visit holds the promise of strengthening US-DRC relations and addressing critical concerns in the region, with a spotlight on Angola’s pivotal role in mitigating tensions in the eastern DRC.
“Angola has played a really important role in trying to address and reduce the tensions in the eastern Congo,” said State Department’s Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Molly Phee ahead of Mr Blinken’s trip.
Speaking in Washington on Thursday, Ms Phee shed light on the significant role Angola has played in addressing and reducing tensions in the eastern Congo. Reflecting on recent developments, she highlighted a diplomatic mission to Kinshasa and Kigali, expressing concern about the spike in tensions between the Rwandans and the Congolese. The diplomatic efforts, including weekly check-ins, were instrumental in ensuring that the withdrawal of the East African Community Regional troop presence did not disrupt the DRC’s elections. Yet last month, the DRC pulled off relatively peaceful elections―thanks in no small part to unsung efforts by Angola to calm inflamed relations between Kinshasa and Kigali, believed to back opposing armed groups.
Specifically, Angolan leadership of the so-called Luanda peace process over the past two years helped avoid potential bloodshed around the recent vote, Ms Phee explained. Both Congolese parties and nervous US officials feared overt external interference.
Now with Mr Tshisekedi’s position strengthened, Mr Blinken will meet Angolan foreign minister Téte António and President João Lourenço to discuss ensuring local dialogues can bear fruit.
Ms Phee says Washington aims “to complement what we have invested in and what [Angola’s] invested in”―including sending its forces as part of a regional coalition, now withdrawn―so lasting solutions may emerge to end Congo’s long-running misery.
With Luanda proving its mettle as a quiet crisis manager, and Kinshasa and Kigali showing willingness to talk, Mr Blinken’s visit signals Washington believes peace – however fragile – may no longer be fleeting.
To the swearing into office of President Félix Tshisekedi, President Joseph Biden sent a high-ranking delegation. The US team was led by International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) CEO Scott Nathan, signalling Washington’s desire to expand its strategic partnership with Kinshasa. The American delegation included US Ambassador to the DRC Lucy Tamlyn, top diplomats and development officials. The appointment of senior-level individuals who are overseeing Africa policy, and are leaders of major development agencies, underscores Washington’s commitment to expanding strategic ties with the Congolese people. While lacking the economic brand of influence of China, now the DRC’s largest trading partner, Washington wields unrivalled political influence..
Pearl Matibe is a Washington, DC-based White House Correspondent, and media commentator with expertise in US foreign policy and international security. You may follow her on Twitter: @PearlMatibe
Super Eagles head coach, Jose Peseiro says he doesn’t have a preference on which country his team should face in the Round of 16 at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON.
The West Africans confirmed their place in the knockout phase courtesy of a 1-0 victory against Guinea-Bissau on Monday.
They are now awaiting the completion of proceedings in Group A to know their opponent.
Peseiro’s side could face either Senegal, Guinea or Cameroon in the next stage of the competition.
The Portuguese however claimed they are ready to take on any team.
“We’re ready for meet any team,” he said in a post-match interview.
“I am not 100% happy because we deserved to finish top of the group.
“We deserved to beat Equatorial Guinea and then we would have had nine points.”
[Dailypost]