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Italian Serie A side, Napoli, have reportedly lined up a series of strikers, including two Nigerians, they are considering signing as a replacement for Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen.
Victor Osimhen who has been the talisman of Napoli in the last three seasons is expected to leave the club at the end of this season if any of his suitors pay the club’s asking price.
Recall that Osimhen attracted the attention of top clubs like Paris Saint Germain, Chelsea, Manchester United, and Arsenal after scoring 26 goals and providing five assists in 32 league games last season.
The performance of the 25-year-old Nigerian striker helped Napoli to win their first league title in 33 years.
Even though Osimhen extended his contract with Napoli in December 2023, the Nigeria international and the Italian side are determined to part ways this summer.
Hence, a couple of strikers have been linked to the side as Osimhen’s replacement including Super Eagles stars, Victor Boniface and Terem Moffi.
Moffi has been one of the most prolific strikers in French Ligue 1 so far this season in which he has scored 11 goals for OGC Nice.
Though the 23-year-old Nigerian striker is currently under contract with Nice until June 30, 2027, PSG could price him away from the side this summer if they decide to.
Another alternative is Boniface, who has been unstoppable at Bayer Leverkusen since he joined the club last summer.
Even though injury kept him out of action for three months, the 23-year-old striker has scored 18 goals and provided 10 assists in 29 games in all competitions so far this season.
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Joshua Zirkzee of Bologna is also said to be a strong candidate to replace Osimhen if the Nigeria international finally leaves Napoli this summer.
PZ Cussons has announced it’s intention to exit Africa’s business environment.
Speaking on Wednesday, April, 24, the company said it has begun a strategic review of its African businesses to exit Africa, partly due to economic challenges in Nigeria.
PZ Cussons explained that its sales in Nigeria plunged by 48% due to the naira devaluation and inflation.
The CEO of the company, Jonathan Myers, stressed the importance of looking towards the future while respecting the company’s past, stating that the review’s outcomes could include changes in ownership.
Myers said, “The macro-economic challenges and complexities associated with operating in Nigeria are significant, and there is much more to do to unlock the full potential of the business.
“As such, we have undertaken a strategic review of our brands and geographies and have embarked on plans to transform our portfolio, refocusing on where the business can be most competitive.”
The company’s CEO said that in addition to the challenges of the exposure in Nigeria, the group is too complex for its size, with financial and human resources spread too thin to generate returns.
Speaking further Myers stated that the company has received several approaches over the years, however, it is yet to indicate interest in selling its shares in the African consumer goods firm.
Reno Omokri, a former presidential spokesman has given reason why he is exposing the lies of former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi on social media.
Omokri, in a tweet on Thursday said Obi failed to condemn his ‘Obidients’ followers when they threatened the life of his one-year-old daughter.
He said if Obi had cautioned his followers, he would not have dealt with him the way he is doing now.
Omokri said Obi kept quiet and even subtly encouraged them in their dastardly act.
Omokri wrote: “If this man had only condemned his Obidients when they threatened my one-year-old daughter’s life, I would not have dealt with him like this.
“But he kept quiet and even subtly encouraged them. You guys rightly condemn the bullying at Lead British School. What about what Obidients did to my one-year-old daughter?
“Today and tomorrow, you will know the wrath of a father. I can forgive everything, but not that!”
The founder of Woodhall Capital, Mojisola Hunponu-Wusu, has disclosed that despite being married for 20 years she has never cooked in her home.
In a conversation with Ifedayo Agoro on ‘The Diary Of A Naija Girl” podcast, Hunponu-Wusu explained that though she would have loved to cook and do other chores, she never had that time.
” I don’t get to cook. I would have loved to get more time; not even for cooking but for other things across the family. So, I’m not even zooming in on cooking…
” I love and admire women who have the time but I’m through to the path God has set me and that is the entrepreneurial path,” she said.
When asked if her husband was bothered, she responded that cooking might not be his love language.
Hunponu-Wusu’s revelation has again brought to the fore conversation about the roles of a woman in the home.
Though it is believed that, these days, men should compliment their wives in kitchen duties, a popular Nigerian chef Hilda Effiong Bassey, aka Hilda Baci, recently declared that she wouldn’t date or marry a man who knows how to cook.
According to the former Guinness World Record holder, she loves cooking and would not want a man who will outshine her in the kitchen.
“I don’t want a man that knows how to cook. I don’t want it. I like cooking so much. My friends would tell you like Hilda would show you love, she will send you food. You will cook for you. That’s kind of one of the things I like to do for people that I care about, especially for my man.
“You can wake me up in the middle of the night and say, ‘Babe, I want a doughnut. I want meat pie.’ And I’m flying to the kitchen to make it for you. That’s my thing. I want a man that can order me food. If you don’t have a problem with ordering me food, I’m in love,” Baci said in a viral podcast video that made the rounds on X (formerly Twitter).
Some Nigerians have expressed outrage over suspected discrimination against Nigerians at the Indian Language School, Ilupeju, in Lagos.
This is as the Lagos State Government condemned the development and subsequently ordered a probe.
The PUNCH reported on Wednesday that the Indian High Commission vowed to sanction the workers at the school who refused The PUNCH correspondent access to the school facility for inquiries.
This followed online reports that the school was not admitting or welcoming Nigerians on its premises which prompted our correspondent to proceed to the school to investigate the claims.
While reacting to a post by @DejiAdesogan on Sunday, bordering on discrimination against Nigerians at an Abuja-based Chinese store, an X user @decommonroom shared his experience about the school.
He wrote, “The Indian school in Ilupeju only admits Indians. You need an Indian passport for enrollment.”
In a further chat with our correspondent, the user said, “My experience with the Indian international school in Ilupeju dates back to when my school had a debate competition with them in 2009. I discovered there were only Indian students. I was curious as to why because my school was also an international school and run by a foreign embassy with primarily expatriate kids and few Nigerians. Then I was informed their passport was a prerequisite for admission.”
Our correspondent visited the school on Monday but was denied entry by security officials who claimed to be acting on instructions of a receptionist.
When our correspondent asked to make inquiries for his uncle who had two kids and would like to enroll them in the school, one of the security men asked, “But that your uncle is an Indian man?”
“They said as a Nigerian, they (the management) cannot attend to you. So the person should come, the Indian person,” another security man added, saying that was the response of an unidentified administrative worker, said to be an Indian.
An email sent to the principal of the school, Sonali Gupta, seeking a reaction was not responded to on Tuesday. A reminder was also sent by our correspondent on Wednesday with no response as of the time of filing this report.
On Tuesday, the press officer of the Indian High Commission in Abuja, Vipul Mesariya, said the commission was shocked by the experience of our reporter vowing sanctions.
Vipul said, “We are shocked to hear that you were not allowed inside the school. We are disciplining the security guard and the receptionist as they did not have the authority to make such a decision.”
It was however gathered that the school is primarily meant for Indian wards where they get accustomed with Indian style of learning and traditions.
Some Facebook users who commented on The PUNCH investigation expressed dissatisfaction over discrimination against Nigerians.
A Facebook user, Valentine Leo wrote, “Indians and Chinese are doing the most in this Nigeria. What’s the socioeconomic advantage of these businesses in Nigeria to Nigerians?”
“Terrible things are going on in this country,” Emmanuel Wilson lamented.
Another user, Freeman Ayo, called attention to how some Nigerians were treated at some Indian restaurants in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, but did not provide specific details.
He wrote, “You people need to go to Indian restaurants, especially in Abuja and see how Nigerians working there are treated especially the girls. It’s a long story.”
A user identified as More Blessing Catering and Rental Services, called the attention of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to the issue, saying, “Your attention is needed this shouldn’t be happening in Lagos State.”
“I know the school they’re talking about. They should be questioned as well. It’s high time Nigeria stepped up to some of these foreigners (who) look at us like slaves most especially Indians” Agber Lover Victor commented.
Busuyi Johnson wondered why Nigerians would be discriminated against in their country with the government folding arms. The user said, “Chinese bar Nigerians in their supermarkets, Indians bar Nigerians in their school and we have a government in Nigeria.”
Posting a laughing emoji, Uvwie Girl wrote in pidgin language, “Dem go dey come Nigeria come open schools and supermarket, dem no go allow Nigerians, inside Nigeria.”
But Ridwan Abdulkadir expressed a different opinion noting he would ordinarily not want his children to get used to the Indian culture. He wrote, “Why would I (a Nigerian) want my child to school in an Indian school? Schools don’t just teach Maths, English and sciences. They also teach customs/traditions and moral values. So why would anyone want his children to be taught by people whose customs/traditions and moral values are completely different from Africans?”
On X, users expressed similar outrage and some shared their experience with the school.
“I used to live close to the school 14 years ago. Even the black drivers that brought children to school will park and wait till closing hours so the children won’t interact with nobody,” @demongoakombo wrote.
Another user noted it was important for foreigners to respect Nigeria’s democracy.
@ezechukwumicha4 wrote, “We practise democracy and if you can’t operate on a fair ground, please leave Nigeria, period.”
“They are like this almost everywhere in the world. They form their own community, do their own things, hire their own people, etc. All Asians not just Indians,” @daviconet22 also said.
A user asked if Nigerians could do same in India. “Can Nigerians do this in Indian? Lols,” @victor_omonowa_ asked.
However, checks online show that some Indian and Chinese schools in the United States are primarily for natives. It could not be immediately verified if they were open to foreigners or barred foreigners from visiting the school premises.
Riverside Indian School in the United States is home to nearly 800 students representing over 75 native American tribes from throughout the US, according to information on its website.
Information about the school located in Oklahoma as seen on the website of Oklahoma Historical Society, said, “Riverside school presently has students from dozens of Indian regions attending grades four through 12. Admission requires a Certified Degree of Indian Blood. Riverside’s board of education, administration, staff, and faculty are predominantly American Indian. The State of Oklahoma and the North Central Association of Secondary Schools and Elementary Schools accredit the school, which offers numerous specialised academic programmes.”
An activist and General Secretary of the Committee for the Defense of Human Rights, Gerald Katchy, in an interview with our correspondent, said discrimination of any kind “is a serious breach of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights Article 23, Article 28 Article 30 and other international and national treaties including our constitution.”
Gerald said, “Discrimination is any unfair treatment or arbitrary distinction based on a person’s race, sex, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, age, language, social origin or other status.”
When contacted on Wednesday, the Lagos Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotosho, said the state ministry of education would be informed and a probe would be carried out to ascertain what was going on in the school.
The commissioner said the state government was not in support of any form of discrimination.
“The Lagos State government frowns at any form of discrimination in whatever guise or disguise. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is in the second term of his administration and in everything he has done, he has not discriminated against anybody irrespective of religion, colour or affiliation. I’m not sure the ministry of education has gotten a complaint from anybody but if what you’re saying is true, it is not in our character.”
Omotosho added, “The ministry of education will investigate the matter.”
With Naira rebounding, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has stated the need to ensure that garri and beans sellers are not increasing prices just because dollar went up.
He said that increment in prices of these food items does not have anything to do with dollar.
The governor stated this on Wednesday at the launch of the Eko Cares, an umbrella of all Lagos State Government social intervention programmes.
Sanwo-Olu said that even diesel price is coming down, and urged the people to be their brother’s keeper.
He said: “You can see that the tides are turning. That is why we must commend the intervention of the President, who has been leading from the front. He has been able to pass on grains to all the 36 states. We will be distributing ours to all of you. You can also see that Mr President has not sat back to fold his arms… to let us have a free flow of the issues that started this thing, which was the currency.
“Now we have seen that there has been a rebound. We can see that the currency is now getting strengthened. Naira is becoming a currency that we are truly proud of now because it is taking its proper pride of place. Now we should ensure that all gari sellers, all beans sellers are not increasing prices just because dollar went up. Prices don’t have anything to do with dollar. Even diesel is coming down. We have no excuse again. We need to be our brother’s keeper.”
Sanwo-Olu noted at the event that his government has fulfilled the promise he made to the people of the state during a media chat in February – to stand by the vulnerable amid the current economic hardship.
“We have fulfilled the promises we made during the Media Chat in February – that we will not leave the vulnerable among us on their own – in health, transportation and education. We created 59 markets and turned them into Sunday markets. We promised that we will be selling food at 25 percent discount. That we have kept faith with. The medical outreach will start next week at the latest to give medical attention to a lot of our citizens who may not want to go to our hospitals. Medicines will be given and counsel will be given. You have continued to enjoy the 25 percent fares rebate on our ferry services. On our buses and on our trains,” the governor said.
“Today we will be launching an attempt to reach 500,000 households. All we have done is a tip of the iceberg. Now the real deal is about to start.”
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC, has said Kano and Jigawa states top the list of states smoking tobacco in Nigeria.
CISLAC senior programs officer, Solomon Adoga stated this at a one-day multi-stakeholders’ engagement on tobacco taxation in Jigawa State, organized by CISLAC, with support from Tax Justice Network
He said the aim was to reduce the level of tobacco usage in the state, especially among the youth.
According to him, “it’s unfortunate that research shows Kano/Jigawa are on top the list of states in use of tobacco in Nigeria, while the majority of users are youths, some within minor age.
“To control tobacco usage, the state government must adopt and domesticate National Tobacco Control Act (2015) and Tobacco Tax Policy to save the lives of our youth who are future leaders.”
He added that the purpose of engaging and interacting with relevant stakeholders like traditional and religious leaders, youth groups, civil society organisations and the media was to help in creating awareness on the dangers of tobacco, as well to advocate to both the legislature and the executive to domesticate and adopt the laws.
American rapper Kanye West is set to join the adult industry.
The billionaire business mogul announced the launch of his own porn company called Yeezy Porn recently.
There have been reports that West was venturing into the adult industry. He has now confirmed his entry into the adult industry.
On his Instagram story on Wednesday, Kanye West wrote: “Yeezy Porn is cumming.”
West has been very critical of the porn industry in the past, saying it “destroyed my family but Jesus will heal everything.”
Nigerian singer David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has revealed his top three favourite artists.
Appearing on an American podcast, Business Untitled, Davido was asked to name his favourite artists in terms of collaboration and he mentioned Chris Brown, Kizz Daniel and Zlatan Ibile.
“I love working with Chris Brown, Kizz Daniel and Zlatan [Ibile],” he said.
Davido also disclosed that he made $1.3 million from his recent concert at Madison Square Garden in New York.
He added that he made $600,000 with a single post.
The singer recalled how he made about $600,000 from his fans on his birthday in 2021 and later donated the money to charity.
Tanzania has shut down five hydroelectric stations to reduce excess electricity in the national grid, the prime minister Kassim Majaliwa has said.
According to Majaliwa, the main plant, Mwalimu Nyerere Hydroelectric Station, has alone generated enough electricity to power major cities.
Among the cities that are being powered is Dar es Salaam, the country’s commercial hub.
“We have turned off all these stations because the demand is low and the electricity production is too much, we have no allocation now,” an official from the state-run power company, Tanesco, said.
The 2,115 MW Julius Nyerere hydropower dam is said to be almost full of water, following heavy rains that started early this year.
A current spell of extreme weather has led to at least 58 deaths in Tanzania and devastated other East African nations like Kenya.
It is the first time Tanzania, which suffers chronic power shortages, has closed hydroelectric stations as a result of excess production.
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A tragic incident occurred at BrickHall Schools in the Cadastral Zone B11, Kaura, Abuja, when a four-year-old pupil, Miguel Ovoke, died during the school’s feeding hours on Wednesday.
The boy was pronounced dead upon arrival at Excel Specialist Hospital, following complications during lunch.
According to the death certificate issued on April 24, 2024, Miguel was brought into the hospital around 11 am by his teachers in an unconscious state.
The medical report from Excel Specialist Hospital detailed that the young boy had aspirated on meat while eating at school.
Upon examination, doctors noted that Miguel exhibited severe symptoms, including fixed and dilated pupils, unresponsive to light, absence of peripheral pulses, unrecordable blood pressure, and no signs of cardiopulmonary activity.
Dr. Akinwande Ajayi, who signed the medical report, indicated that despite exhaustive resuscitation efforts by the medical team, Miguel was ultimately declared “Brought in Dead.”
According to Punch, the sudden and distressing nature of the death has prompted Miguel’s parents to suspect foul play.
They have enlisted the services of lawyer Deji Adeyanju to pursue legal inquiries and actions regarding the circumstances of their son’s untimely demise.
“We are devastated and demand answers,” said Adeyanju, confirming his representation of the family.
Everton secured their first win in a Merseyside derby at Goodison Park since 2010 to leave Liverpool’s Premier League title aspirations in ruins after a 2-0 defeat on Wednesday.
The defeat leaves Jurgen Klopp’s men still three points adrift of leaders Arsenal and only one point in front of defending champions Manchester City, who have two games in hand.
“We need a crisis at City and Arsenal and we need to win football games,” said Klopp of his side’s shot at the title with four games to go of his reign.
Goals from Jarrad Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewin took Everton eight points clear of the relegation zone.
The Toffees now look certain to extend their 70-year stay in the English top flight despite being deducted eight points on two charges of breaching financial rules.
Klopp had never lost on his previous eight visits to Goodison but his final taste of the Merseyside derby was a bitter one.
Hopes of a glorious goodbye for the German after a nearly nine-year tenure that has transformed the club’s fortunes are fading fast.
According to reports, Feyenoord boss Arne Slot is being lined up as Klopp’s successor and the past few weeks have exposed weaknesses that need addressing in a huge summer for the Liverpool hierarchy.
‘Energy, commitment’
The Reds have won just one of their last four league games and have also bowed out of the FA Cup and Europa League in recent weeks.
Klopp made six changes after resting a number of key players for Sunday’s 3-1 win at Fulham but did not get the response he desired.
Buoyed by their weekend win over Nottingham Forest to pull clear of the relegation zone, Everton are a side transformed from the one that went 13 Premier League games without a win between December and April.
“Delighted with the performance of our players and delighted for the Evertonians,” said Everton boss Sean Dyche.
“They’re a good side, we know that. The commitment and energy from us had to be there.”
Slow starts have been a recurring factor as Liverpool’s quest for four trophies has unravelled.
Everton thought they had a penalty in the opening minutes when Calvert-Lewin was tripped by Alisson Becker but VAR intervened to save the visitors as the striker was offside.
Alisson then clawed away a Calvert-Lewin header and Ben Godfrey nodded wide as Liverpool struggled to cope with Everton’s threat from set-pieces.
More comical defending from the Reds led to the opener on 27 minutes.
Alexis Mac Allister’s mishit fell perfectly for Branthwaite and the defender’s effort went in off the post despite Alisson’s best efforts.
Going behind woke Liverpool from their slumber and only a combination of wasteful finishing and Jordan Pickford preserved Everton’s lead until half-time.
Darwin Nunez blasted straight at the England number one when clean through before the Uruguayan teed up Luis Diaz to fire too close to Pickford.
Mohamed Salah’s loss of form has come at the worst possible time for Liverpool’s title challenge and the Egyptian sliced another good opening well over the bar.
Liverpool were camped in the Everton half after the break, yet the hosts pulled further clear just before the hour mark from another dead ball.
Calvert-Lewin was afforded a free header at the back post to power home Dwight McNeil’s corner.
Liverpool’s night was summed up when Diaz’s powerful effort came back off the post with Pickford finally beaten.
But it was Klopp who was crestfallen come the final whistle as he looks set to depart Anfield with just one Premier League title to his name.
[DailyTrust]
The founder of Woodhall Capital, Mojisola Hunponu-Wusu, has disclosed that despite being married for 20 years she has never cooked in her home.
In a conversation with Ifedayo Agoro on ‘The Diary Of A Naija Girl” podcast, Hunponu-Wusu explained that though she would have loved to cook and do other chores, she never had that time.
” I don’t get to cook. I would have loved to get more time; not even for cooking but for other things across the family. So, I’m not even zooming in on cooking…
” I love and admire women who have the time but I’m through to the path God has set me and that is the entrepreneurial path,” she said.
When asked if her husband was bothered, she responded that cooking might not be his love language.
Hunponu-Wusu’s revelation has again brought to the fore conversation about the roles of a woman in the home.
Though it is believed that, these days, men should compliment their wives in kitchen duties, a popular Nigerian chef Hilda Effiong Bassey, aka Hilda Baci, recently declared that she wouldn’t date or marry a man who knows how to cook.
According to the former Guinness World Record holder, she loves cooking and would not want a man who will outshine her in the kitchen.
“I don’t want a man that knows how to cook. I don’t want it. I like cooking so much. My friends would tell you like Hilda would show you love, she will send you food. You will cook for you. That’s kind of one of the things I like to do for people that I care about, especially for my man.
“You can wake me up in the middle of the night and say, ‘Babe, I want a doughnut. I want meat pie.’ And I’m flying to the kitchen to make it for you. That’s my thing. I want a man that can order me food. If you don’t have a problem with ordering me food, I’m in love,” Baci said in a viral podcast video that made the rounds on X (formerly Twitter).
[Punch]
The University of East Anglia, located in Norwich, UK, has announced scholarships worth £33,150 (N44.3 million) and transportation cost of £4000 (N5.3 million) to Nigerians seeking masters programmes.
According to the information on the school website, the funding opportunity is the David Sainsbury Scholarships in Global Plant Health, which is fully funded for students planning to travel to the UK for study.
The offer by the University of East Anglia is hugely available for Nigerians and other foreign students willing to do their masters programmes under scholarships, covering travel expenses.
The applications from its David Sainsbury Scholarships in Global Plant Health is for candidates wishing to undertake an MSc in Plant Health at the University of East Anglia in the 2024/2025 academic year.
Among other benefits catered for in the scholarship at the University of East Anglia are tuition fee, living stipends and transportation allowance.
The scholarship offers funding to the tune of £33,150 (N44.3 million) and transportation costs of £4000 (N5.3 million).
Interested candidates must first apply and be accepted into the University of East Anglia beforebeing considered for the scholarships, the school website said.
The information on UEA website reads, “Provided you meet the eligibility criteria, you will automatically be considered for the scholarship, on a competitive basis – no separate application is required.
“You will be evaluated for the scholarship based on the same criteria used to evaluate your application to enrol on the course.
“The criteria are: academic achievement and academic awards together with knowledge/experience/potential of molecular biology, genetics, molecular interactions, data science such as bioinformatics and statistics, laboratory skills, and independent study.”
Addressing interested Nigerian applicants, it says, “All self-funded Nigerian students applying to a Master’s course at UEA starting in September 2024 will automatically be awarded the UEA Nigeria Award scholarship.
“The scholarship is worth £4,000 – if you meet UEA entry requirements, £5,000 – if your final undergraduate grade is a CGPA 4.1 and above. Amounts will be deducted from your tuition fees, in line with terms and conditions.”
The applications for the scholarship are currently open and expected to close on May 31, 2024.
The University of East Anglia (UEA) was founded in 1963 and is located in Norwich, a historic city in the east of England.