Armed Forces Day Shows Nigerian War Veterans Are Gallant, Honourable in Death- Oyebanji.

Armed Forces Day Shows Nigerian War Veterans Are Gallant, Honourable in Death- Oyebanji.

The Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, has declared that the fact that Nigeria still celebrates the Armed Forces Remembrabce Day annually shows that soldiers who lost their lives while protecting the territorial integrity of the country didn't die in vain.

Oyebanji restated that the celebration is a loud confirmation that the war veterans are gallant and honourable in death while those still in the Armed Forces fighting the battles against insurgency, banditry and other criminalities, are still  being dignified by the Nigerian citizens. 

Oyebanji said these on Monday, at the Grand Finale of the 2024 Armed Forces Remembrance Day held at the palatial Ekiti Parapo Pavilion in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.

The programme performed by a detachment of men and officers  of the 32 Artillery Brigade, Akure, Ondo State, featured mounting of a Guard of Honour, Gun Volley and Laying of Wreaths to respect and  honour the fallen heroes for their immesurable  services to nationhood.  

After the Governor, represented by his deputy, Chief ( Mrs) Monisade Afuye; and other dignitaries laid their wreaths, a widow of one of the war victims, Mrs Esther Bankole, was also allowed to perform similar function.

Speaking at the sideline after the programme, Mrs Afuye, said the Armed Forces Remembrance Day was conceptualised for Nigerians to acknowledge, venerate and honour the fallen heroes.

She added that it was another opportunity for the government at all levels to show appreciation to men and officers of the  Nigerian Army, who are fighting hard to preserve the nation's bond of unity and entrench watetforced security in the system.

Underscoring the expediency of the enormous respect and honour commanded by fallen heroes and the Nigerian Army, the governor said: "We should all bear in mind that in the course of these patriots fighting for Nigeria, particularly during the civil war and while fighting insurgents and criminals, some of them lost their lives or suffered all manners of body disabilities.

"Looking at these harrowing experiences, you can all agree with me that nothing is too much to sacrifice to honour these heroes.

My appeal to Nigerians is that, we must show love, support and benevolence to the families of the victims. 

"And to those who are still in the service fighting insurgents, kidnappers, bandits and other criminals, we must show them love and give other incentives to make them more patriotic in their services to their fatherland. 

"Let me congratulate them, because whatever must have happened to them, Nigerians are still remembering and honouring them, which indicates that they remained gallant and honourable in death and most importantly, their labour of hardwork has not been in vain".

Present at the occasion were: Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon Adeoye Aribasoye, Secretary to the State Government, Dr Habitat Adubiaro, Head of Service, Engr. Sunday Akomolafe, Deputy  Commandant, 32 Artillery Brigade, Akure, Brig. Gen. J. N. Garba , Commissioner of Police, Mr.  Dare Ogundare and other Security Chiefs.

The roll call of attendees included: The Chairman of Legions, Ekiti Chapter, Lt. Col. Abdurasaq Atoki (Rtd), Chairman, Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers, Oba Ayorinde Ilori Faboro, Local Government Chairmen, representative of Ewi of Ado Ekiti, among others.

Real Madrid thrash Barcelona to win Spanish Super Cup.

Real Madrid thrash Barcelona to win Spanish Super Cup.

Vinicius Junior struck a first-half hat-trick to fire Real Madrid to Spanish Super Cup glory in a thumping 4-1 win over rivals Barcelona on Sunday in Saudi Arabia.

Robert Lewandowski scored for Barcelona, who had defender Ronald Araujo sent off in the second half on what coach Xavi Hernandez described as the team’s “worst” night.

Rodrygo rounded off Real Madrid’s rout as they won the competition for the 13th time, avenging last year’s final defeat by record 14-time winners Barcelona.

“(Vinicius) needed two or three games to get back to his best level, and he’s back to it,” said Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti.

The Italian has now gone level with Zinedine Zidane on 11 trophies won at the helm of Los Blancos, behind only Miguel Munoz on 14.

“I’m happy, but now we’ve got to go for the 12th,” Ancelotti told Real Madrid TV.

Spanish champions Barcelona were hoping a victory could kick-start their season, as it did last year, but were left soundly beaten after Vinicius netted two early goals.

“(I’m) disappointed, sad … this is football and today we have to deal with the bitter side of the game,” Xavi told Movistar.

“We had a lot of hope and excitement going into the final and we’ve had our worst game of all of them.”

Xavi turned to a four-man midfield to try and keep the ball to reduce Madrid’s opportunities to counterattack with flying wingers Vinicius and Rodrygo — it didn’t work.

Spain international Pedri started in place of winger Raphinha, who suffered a hamstring injury in the semi-final win over Osasuna.

Ancelotti brought in midfielder Toni Kroos, who like in the thrilling semi-final derby win over Atletico Madrid, was jeered by spectators at the Al-Awwal Park stadium in Riyadh, for criticising players moving to the Saudi league from Europe.

One of the first was Cristiano Ronaldo and Vinicius’ celebration brought him to mind after opening the scoring in the seventh minute.

The Brazilian, recently back after injury, was sent through by a perfect pass by Jude Bellingham and he slickly rounded Inaki Pena before slotting home.

Vinicius imitated Ronaldo’s classic jump and spin celebration in homage to Madrid’s all-time top goalscorer.

Three minutes later, Vinicius pounced again, this time set up by Rodrygo who exploited Barcelona’s high line and cut the ball across for his compatriot to slide in.

– ‘Reset’ –

Xavi’s side scrambled furiously for a response and Ferran Torres hit the crossbar before Andriy Lunin tipped Lewandowski’s follow-up over.

The Ukrainian goalkeeper could do nothing, however, to keep Lewandowski’s vicious volley out in the 33rd minute, hammered in hard and low from the edge of the box.

However, instead of fighting back, Araujo swiftly gifted Vinicius a chance to complete his hat-trick from the penalty spot by tugging back the forward in the box.

Vinicius drilled his penalty into the bottom left corner for his first Clasico hat-trick to double his goal tally against Barcelona — he had previously scored only three in 15 games.

Xavi rolled the dice in the second half with an attacking triple substitution but Madrid soon had their fourth.

Araujo completed a dismal night by earning a red card as he hacked Vinicius in frustration.

Rodrygo was in the right place at the right time to convert after Jules Kounde blocked a Vinicius cut-back searching for Bellingham.

Kounde cleared a low effort from England international Bellingham off the line as Madrid sought another to rub salt in their rivals’ wounds late on.

“We need to reset ourselves and fight for the three trophies we have left,” added Xavi.

“Football is a game of errors and we did not minimise ours and we maximised Madrid’s strengths.”

AFP

Tinubu for Uzodimma’s inauguration today.

Tinubu for Uzodimma’s inauguration today.

Barring the unforeseen, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will today be in Owerri, the Imo State capital for the inauguration of Governor Hope Uzodimma for a fresh four-year tenure.

The event, which is expected to attract political and business heavyweights, is billed for the Dan Anyiam Stadium, in Owerri.

It was learnt last night that the President will, during the visit, inaugurate some projects, including the upgraded stadium road.

The redesigned Airport Road was upgraded from a dualised two-lane to a four-lane highway fitted with street lights from Owerri-Aba Road to the Airport.

Also listed for launch is the new Twin Tollgate.

Uzodimma, who was declared the winner of the November 11 poll by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), is set to be inaugurated following his victory in all 27 local government areas of the state.

Last night, the state capital was agog with celebration with excited members of the ruling All Progress Congress (APC).

The security arrangements have also been made to ensure a hitch-free handover.

According to plans by a committee chaired by Senator Chris Anyanwu, a thanksgiving mass will precede the inauguration, which will be followed by a state banquet at the Government House.

Anyanwu is co-chairing the ceremony with Chief Cosmas Iwu.

Information and Strategy Commissioner, Declan Emelumba, said dignitaries from all walks of life have been invited to the event.

He also said that party supporters from the 27 local government areas have been mobilsed by their local chapters.

The commissioner said: “It will be a momentous event as Imo people are joyously awaiting the ceremony. We are working hard on crowd control, because our supporters from across the 27 local government areas are all eager to attend.” 

Cape Verde strike late to beat Ghana at AFCON.

Cape Verde strike late to beat Ghana at AFCON.

Substitute Garry Rodrigues pounced in injury time to give Cape Verde a shock 2-1 win over four-time former champions, Ghana, in their opening game at the Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday.

The Black Stars looked set to come away with a draw after Alexander Djiku headed home to cancel out a Jamiro Monteiro goal for Cape Verde at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan.

Majeed Ashimeru was also denied a goal for Ghana following a lengthy VAR check, but Cape Verde grabbed three points in the Group B match as Rodrigues found the net at the death.

It was a fine victory for the island nation, who reached the knockout stage at the last AFCON and put them top of the section after group rivals Egypt and Mozambique drew 2-2 earlier.

The evening was also notable for the second-half appearance as a substitute of Andre Ayew, with the 34-year-old becoming only the third player to feature in eight editions of the competition.

He now shares the record with Rigobert Song, currently the coach of Cameroon, and Egyptian Ahmed Hassan.

Yet of far greater concern to Ghanaians is the result for a country whose tally of AFCON victories is bettered only by Egypt and Cameroon.

However, their last title came in 1982 and they went out of the last edition two years ago in the group stage.

Chris Hughton’s team also came here off the back of a 1-0 defeat to the Comoros in a 2026 World Cup qualifier in November, and there are doubts about their chances of making a big impact in Ivory Coast.

Their prospects in this game were not helped by the fact that Mohammed Kudus, enjoying a fine season at West Ham United in the English Premier League, was missing from the line-up and not even on the bench.

Cape Verde went ahead in the 17th minute when Ghana goalkeeper Richard Ofori turned out a shot by Jovane Cabral and Monteiro, who has spent much of his career in MLS, followed in to score.

Ghana, with significant backing among the crowd of just under 12,000, thought they had equalised in the 36th minute.

Ashimeru, of Anderlecht, rifled a shot from outside the area low into the corner, just after an Antoine Semenyo cross was cleared by goalkeeper Vozinha and ricocheted back onto the woodwork off Ghana forward Ransford-Yeboah Koenigsdoerffer.

Yet the goal was ruled out following a long VAR check, with the referee ruling that Koenigsdoerffer was blocking the goalkeeper’s line of sight as he came back from an offside position.

Djiku headed in Jordan Ayew’s delivery to make it 1-1 on 56 minutes, and Ghana then sent on Ayew as well as Ernest Nuamah and Inaki Williams as they hoped to find a winner.

Yet their defence appeared susceptible and the goal that won it for Cape Verde was a horror show for the Ghanaians, as Ofori failed to deal with a low ball into the box and Rodrigues converted to spark wild celebrations.

AFP

Côte d’Ivoire embassy sets up ‘AFCON Village’ in Abuja for live matches.

Côte d’Ivoire embassy sets up ‘AFCON Village’ in Abuja for live matches.

The Ambassador of Côte d’Ivoire to Nigeria, Kalilou Traore, on Saturday, unveiled the ‘AFCON Village’ in Abuja, set up to enable football enthusiasts to watch live matches of the ongoing African Nations Cup competition.

The tournament kicked off in Cote d’Ivoire with 24 countries seeking for the continent’s most coveted football trophy.

Traore said the AFCON village, set up in partnership with Continental Hotels, will transmit live matches till the end of the tournament on February 11.

According to the envoy, the event attended by members of the diplomatic corps, is a testament to the remarkable example of African solidarity and unity.

“I would like to salute the presence of the diplomatic corps and all our guests and the diaspora for your presence alongside us.

“I wish all participating teams good luck in the competition; may this African Cup of Nations be a moment of celebration, fair play and fraternity between African nations.

“I invite you to take full advantage of this evening and immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere of AFCON 2023, the opening ceremony and the first match between Cote d’Ivoire and Guinea-Bissau.

“May this event strengthen the ties between our countries and leave a positive legacy for African football,” the envoy said.

Goals from Seko Fofana and Jean-Philippe Krasso gave the host nation a 2-0 victory over the African wild dogs of Guinea Bissau late Saturday night at the Olympic Stadium Ebimpe in Abidjan.

Traore assured that the tournament would live up to its billing as the host government and the people of Cote d’Ivoire had fully mobilised to showcase “the most beautiful AFCON ever organised.”

“Massive investments have been made and attendance are already breaking all records. The Cote d’Ivoire Embassy in Nigeria could not remain on the sideline of this great mass.

“Thus, all matches of the competition will be broadcast throughout this month in the AFCON village in Abuja in collaboration with our partner Abuja Continental Hotel.”

He appreciated the hotel management and Nigerian authorities for their support towards the setting up of the AFCON village.

In his speech, the General Manager of Abuja Continental Hotel, Mr Javier Sanchez, said the partnership with the embassy was to contribute to the success of the tournament.

“Embassy of Côte d’Ivoire as the hosting country of this event really pushed us to go ahead with this, we were planning to do it, but they gave us the push to put all these up,” he said.

The event attracted officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, members of the diplomatic community, and private organisations.

(NAN)

I want to be remembered for good work – Fubara.

I want to be remembered for good work – Fubara.

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has said his administration is performing as expected by addressing critical issues of governance and furthering the development of the state.

The governor said he wanted his administration to be remembered for good.

Fubara spoke at the Thanksgiving and Interdenominational Church Service organised in commemoration of the 2024 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration held at St. Cyprian’s Anglican Church, Port Harcourt Township, on Sunday.

He spoke a day after his predecessor and estranged godfather, Nyesom Wike, accused him of abandoning a ring road initiated by him (Wike).

A statement on Sunday by Fubara’s media aide, Boniface Onyedi, quoted the Rivers governor to have said, “As a government, we are performing. My prayer is for the Almighty God to grant us the grace to perform in a manner that when we leave office, people will remember us positively, not for negative purposes.

“It is not an easy thing for you to be on the stage just like we are today, and after performing people will remember you. So, I am happy that we are all associated with the good performance of the armed forces.

“There are those who have performed and gone, there are also those still performing, especially the service commanders that are here with us.

“We also have the ones that are performing at the federal level. But the essence is that we are all performing for one purpose, and that is the unity of Nigeria and the protection of the country.

“For us as a government, we will continue to give our support, not just to the fallen heroes as we are doing, but also to those who are alive to enable them to continue to defend the integrity of our country.”

In his sermon, Bishop of the Diocese of Niger Delta, Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Oko-Jaja, called on the government, captains of industry and all Nigerians alike to reflect on, honour and support members of the military for their various levels of sacrifices in the protection of the country’s territorial sovereignty.

2024 UTME: JAMB accredits 747 CBT centres, registration begins today.

2024 UTME: JAMB accredits 747 CBT centres, registration begins today.

The Joint Admission and Matriculations Board has said registration for the 2024/2025 Universal Tertiary Matriculation Examinations will begin on Monday (today) and end on February 24t, 2024.

JAMB has also rolled out the registration process for interested candidates across the country.

The JAMB Registrar, Ishaq Oloyede, during a meeting with media executives in Lagos State on Sunday, said that measures have been put in place to ensure a smooth exercise.

Oloyede said, “Prior to the commencement of the registration exercise, the Board conducts an accreditation exercise to check the suitability of each CBT Centre for the conduct of its examination.”

Oloyede noted that members of the accreditation team of the CBT centres for the 2024 UTME included the Chief External Examiners (VCs/Rectors/Provosts), Technical Advisors, JAMB state coordinators and JAMB Technical Officers.

As contained in the presentation by the exam body to the relevant stakeholders, part of the procedures for the registration is that candidates are expected to create a profile through the National Identity Number at various Computer-Based Test centres across the country.

To register, candidates are also expected to generate their profile with the use of either JAMB USS codes 55019 or 66019.

The registrar, however, warned that “Only one sort code is allowed to avoid multiple charges.”

This, Oloyede said, is compulsory for candidates, as a unique verification tool to thumbprint to end the registration exercise.

According to the procedure, the registration fee is N3,500 and the payment will be cashless to avoid any extortion.

A document made available to PUNCH Online on Sunday revealed that JAMB accredited 747 CBT centres for the 2024 UTME across the nation as against the 613 approved centres in 2023.

This means there is an increase of 134 CBT centres for the year’s matriculation examinations.

Lagos tops the list of states with the highest number of accredited centres with 80, followed by Ogun with 44 while Oyo takes the third position with 42 centres.

Zamfara has the lowest number of accredited centres – 6, while both Ebonyi and Kebbi States had 8 centres each.

Analysis revealed that there are 226 centres across the South-West geopolitical zone, which makes it the zone with the highest number of CBT centres while the North-East was the lowest with 67 centres.