THE North-East campaigner of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Gombe State, Jamil Gwamna, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to a statement by his media assistant Ibrahim Sani on Saturday, Gwamna’s defection was a result of internal crisis and poor leadership within the party.
“The leadership of the PDP in the state has poorly managed affairs of the party, which led to different factions within the party.
“My political ideology is anchored on unity, inclusiveness, fairness and justice, and if those are not found in the party then there is no reason to be in that camp,” the statement read.
He also noted that disunity and a disregard for the rule of law within the PDP also influenced his defection, adding that the leadership within the PDP was mostly based on selfish interests.
“In politics, internal democracy is very key and if you cannot find that playing out, then practising democracy on a larger platform such as governing the state becomes a big issue,” he said.
Gwamna, who is also the Sardauna of Gombe, noted that the APC was a more organised and family-like party, while urging his supporters to ensure that the APC retained power in the state.
In February 2022, Gwamna had dumped the APC for the PDP, and contested the primary elections, which he lost to Jibrin Barde.
Morocco set millions of African hearts and voices alight after they secured a victory against Portugal to advance to the semi-final.
The North African side drew courage and power from an invigorated home support to hold onto a Youssef En-Nesyri 42nd minute goal. A few days ago, they also pulled a trick, beating favourites Spain in a convincing and spirited performance.
The fans in the Al Thumama stadium could not have been any louder. Their jeers rang across the pitch into their opponents’ ears, and across millions of screens across the globe. All Portuguese possessions were decried, and Moroccan clearances were celebrated like a goal.
Like their passionate, spurring fans, the Atlas Lions found their voice and grit to push their narrative. They become the first African country to qualify for any FIFA World Cup tournament semi-finals.
If you want to understand the importance of the 12th man, look no further than Moroccan 🇲🇦 fans at this World Cup. Their support is immense.
They have come in thousands to the stadiums. Many live in Qatar while others flew in from Morocco and across the world. Dima Maghrib. pic.twitter.com/Wqym9qcDR4
Morocco’s victory in the warm glowing sun in Doha spread light and renewed hope for millions of fans and young footballers worldwide. Just as Ghana garnered attention and endearment from the continent in its 2010 World Cup run in South Africa, Morocco has inspired the hearts of many more today.
How the game went
In this tournament, Portugal habitually donned goals to their opponents. Today, Morocco earned their due share, pressing and playing the game at the pace they favoured.
The Atlas Lions continued their impressive ability to weave or string intricate counter attacks from their defensive shape. Few teams have been so assured at penetrating an opponent’s blocks from midfield.
Yassine Bounou remained a mountain at the back. He made athletic saves to thwart the few stunning attempts that Portugal tried to conjure to keep themselves in the game. The goalkeeper has only conceded once in regulation time in his five games of the tournament.
Morocco’s goalkeeper Yassine Bounou saving a shot from Joao Felix (via Getty Images)
The red card for Walid Cheddira in the third minute of additional time was not enough to break the seal of Morocco’s thorough defence.
Even in the dying minutes, with pressures and emotions high, Sofyan Amrabat’s class still shone. He dragged his time forward and earned several crucial minutes for his side.
Expected goals (XG) measure the quality of a chance (or shot) by calculating the likelihood that it will be scored from a particular position on the pitch. Generally, shots taken closer to the goal have a higher XG value.
Opta’s expected goal map tabs the quality of shots taken by both sides across the game. The visualisation below shows that Morocco limited Portugal to several speculative attempts across the game.
XG Map for Morocco vs Portugal (from Opta)
The European side finished the game with a lower XG value than their opponents.
What next?
Morocco’s victory guarantees a match-up against France or England in the semi-finals. The exact opponent will be evident by the end day when the two sides face off.
Amrabat’s post-game thoughts summed up the emotions around their victory:
“We deserve this one hundred per cent: how we fight, how we play, for our country, for the staff, for the coach, for the team, for all the people supporting us.”
THE International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) has concluded a two-day training for selected journalists on Business and Finance Reporting.
Journalists from three focal states in the Southeast were taken through investigative journalism, fundamentals of business reporting, interpreting financial and economic data, understanding international financial flows and money laundering, data journalism, fact-checking, and forensic interviewing techniques, among others.
The training, which was supported by Dangote Group as part of its efforts to improve the reportage of the Nigerian economy in general, aimed at building capacity for business and finance reporters, particularly at the sub-regional level.
Participants receiving training from one of the resource persons
In his opening remarks, the General Manager, Branding and Communication, DangoteGroup, Okey Nwankwo, said that journalists should set the agenda for good governance, and urged participants to always tell the truth that the public would follow.
The General Manager, Branding & Communication, DangoteGroup, Okey Nwankwo.
The Executive Director of ICIR, Dayo Aiyetan, represented by Alfred Akerele, welcomed and introduced participants to the objectives of the programme.
THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cautioned politicians and political parties to avoid using provocative and abusive words during campaigns.
The Head of the Commission’s Election and Party Monitoring (EPM), Abdullahi Ibrahim-Umar, gave the caution at a stakeholders forum in Katsina State on Friday.
Ibrahim-Umar, admonishing political parties to conduct their campaigns in adherence to section 92 (1-6) of the 2022 Electoral Law, called on them to conduct their campaigns in a peaceful, orderly and mature manner.
He said, “The law provides that a political campaign or slogan shall not be tainted with abusive language directly or indirectly, especially if such is likely to injure religious, ethnic, tribal or sectional feelings.
“Also, Electoral Act 2022 section 92 (1) says political campaigns, rallies and processions should not be conducted in places designated for religious worship, police stations, and other public offices.”
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He warned further that political campaigns should also not promote, propagate or attack political parties, candidates, their programmes or ideologies.
“Political parties and contestants need to internalise what constitutes campaign regulations or restrictions as contained in the Electoral Act 2022 to avoid committing an offence that is liable to conviction to fine, imprisonment, or both.
“As the saying goes, ‘ignorance of the law is not an excuse’.
”Transparency in these areas boosts confidence in the election processes on the part of contestants and voters.
“This may serve to shed light on any unfair practices or potential abuses of state power where they exist,” Ibrahim-Umar said.
THE Delta State Police Command has arrested five suspects for armed robbery and selling cartridges to criminals.
This was disclosed in a statement issued today by the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Command, Bright Edafe.
“On 08/12/2022 at about 1630hrs, Dragon Patrol teams on stop-and-, search duty along Warri/Sapele road intercepted a black GLK Mercedes Benz SUV with registration number BEN-734-EZ conveying two male occupants for a routine search.
“When a search was conducted on the car and the passengers, one Barreta pistol and one locally made revolver pistol were recovered and the two suspects, one Joshua Oweke ‘m’, aged 35yrs of Gbulebu community in Edo State and Nicolas Binakeye ‘m’ aged 25yrs of First Road, Akenfa, in Bayelsa State were arrested. Exhibits in custody and investigation is ongoing,” the statement read.
Edafe also noted that three members of a syndicate in the Boboroku community, Jesse, were arrested following intelligence gathered by the security operatives.
“Acting on this report, the Commissioner of Police Delta State Command, Ari Muhammed Ali, directed the Command’s Raiders Squadron to carry out a sting operation on the said hideout.
“In compliance with this directive, the Commander, Raiders Squadron, detailed operatives who stormed the hideout at Boboroku Jesse Ethiope-West LGA, and arrested one Victoria Willams ‘f’ and two (2) others, all from Boboroku community in Jesse. One hundred and thirty (130) live cartridges were recovered. Investigation is ongoing,” he noted.
A Lexus saloon car snatched at gunpoint was also recovered by security operatives in Ughelli.
THE Federal government has banned articulated vehicles from plying the second Niger Bridge when it is temporarily opened for use during the festive period.
The Anambra State Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Adeoye Irelewuyi, made this known in a statement in Onitsha on Friday.
Irelewuyi said that the multi-billion naira bridge would be opened to commuters coming from the western to the eastern parts of the country on December 15 to January 1, 2023.
He said, “From December 15, 2022 to January 1, 2023, the new bridge will be open only to motorists and other road users coming from the west to the east, through Asaba.
“From January 2 to January 15, 2023, only vehicles coming from the east to the west will be allowed to use the new bridge.
“Heavy-duty trucks and articulated vehicles will not be allowed on the bridge during this period.”
The FRSC chief urged public members to cooperate with all traffic managers to ensure free traffic flow during the period.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Irelewuyi also stated that the FRSC would collaborate with relevant agencies to ensure that gridlocks experienced at the old bridge were eliminated during the period.
POPULAR Nigerian musician, Oladapo Oyebanjo, also known as D’Banj, has said said he has nothing to do with fraud following his release, on self-recognition, by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Friday.
D’Banj had spent 72 hours in detention.
The ICIR had reported that the ICPC had detained the singer over allegations of fraud associated with the N-Power programme.
The N-Power is a scheme established by President Muhammadu Buhari on June 8, 2016, to address youth unemployment and empowerment, and help increase social development.
The ICPC said it had received numerous petitions on the diversion of N-Power funds running into billions of naira following the approval and release of such funds to the beneficiaries by the Federal government.
Many N-Power beneficiaries had complained of non-receipt of the monthly funds, in spite of payment by the Government.
According to the lawyer of D’Banj, Pelumi Olajengbesi, the musician was innocent of the allegation of fund diversion relating to the social empowerment programme.
Shortly after release, D’Banj, in a statement, said he was only invited by the ICPC and had assisted the commission with all he knew to help it uncover the truth surrounding the controversies.
“Global thank you to the world. I was invited on an ongoing investigation in ICPC. I have assisted the commission with all I know and I am confident in their capacity to unravel the truth.
“I have no business with fraud. All I do is chop life. I was released on self-recognition because nothing was seen or found on me. God bless you all my people,” he said.
THE Nigerian government, in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), inaugurated the first set of 82 health emergency responders in Abuja on Friday, December 9.
The core responders are expected to address health emergencies within 24 to 48 hours of occurrence.
The Minister of Health, Anthony Ehanire, said at the event that medical emergencies, many of which go unnoticed, were leaving adverse effects on the economy.
“Our responsibility and our mandate go beyond public health emergencies, which we are fully in support of, but there are others.
“We are losing up to 50,000 women every year in childbirth, and that is a huge emergency. We are losing over 900,000 children every year,” Ehanire said.
Due to threats of disease outbreaks after flood disasters in various parts of Nigeria, the federal government and WHO had launched a programme to train about 350 Nigerians on emergency health response.
The initiative was themed, ‘Capacity Building, Learning and Training to On-Board the AVoHC Strengthening and Utilising Response Groups for Emergencies (SURGE) Team’, and was begun in November.
The WHO Country Representative in Nigeria, Walter Mulombo, pledged the organisation’s commitment to strengthening capacity within the health sector, adding that the initiative would kick off in six states.
“We will not only be able to scale up the SURGE in the six pilot states, we will also go beyond to make sure that the entire country benefits from this initiative. It is our hope that the country will truly build on this to make sure that we put in place the capacities that are truly needed to respond to future outbreak.
“We look forward to leveraging on data and innovation to create a community of practice where other countries who learn from what will be happening in Nigeria use the workforce we are developing to support other countries in Africa during the worst emergencies,” Mulombo said.
States involved include Abia, Yobe, Kano, Lagos, Edo and the Federal Capital Territory.
MALARIA accounts for 30 per cent deaths among children in Nigeria, according to the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), a department of Public Health under the Federal Ministry of Health Nigeria.
The NMEP Coordinator, Dr Perpetua Uhomoibi, disclosed this on Friday, December 10, at the opening event of the two-day workshop on the 2021 Nigeria Malaria Indicator Survey (NMIS) Report in Abuja.
Uhomoibi, describing malaria as one of the major public health challenges in the country, disclosed, “Malaria accounts for 60 per cent of outpatient visits to health facilities, 30 per cent of childhood deaths, 11 per cent of maternal deaths (4,500 die yearly), and 25 per cent of deaths in infants (children under a year old).”
The NMEP coordinator added that the Federal government, in collaboration with many partners and donors, had made consistent and concerted efforts over the years in mobilizing and providing resources for malaria programming.
She enthused that the efforts had been rewarding as millions of lives had been saved.
“To track progress being made as a result of these efforts, the National Malaria Elimination Programme, with support from partners/donors, conduct periodically the Nigeria Malaria Indicator Survey (NMIS), which is interspersed with the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS). So far Nigeria has conducted two rounds of NMIS in 2010 and 2015. The third round of MIS was implemented in 2021.
“The results of the 2021 NMIS show a further decline in the national prevalence of malaria to 22 per cent, from 23 per cent in 2018, and 42 per cent in 2010. We also see progress being made in key indices being tracked. Fifty-six per cent of households own, at least, one insecticide treated net (ITN), while 36 per cent of household members, 41 per cent of children under 5, and 50 per cent of pregnant women slept under an ITN the night before the survey,” she said.
Uhomoibi said that 31 per cent of pregnant women took, at least, three doses of SP/Fansidar for the prevention of malaria, while 45 per cent took, at least, two doses, up from 17 per cent and 40 per cent respectively in 2018.
According to her, the percentages on the net usage rose when visualized from households with, at least, one ITN.
“Fifty-nine per cent of household members, 64 per cent of children under 5, and 73 per cent of pregnant women slept under an ITN the night before the survey,” she added.
The Coordinator noted that the scenario underscored the importance of access, and, therefore, the drive and encouragement for all Nigerians to have, at least, two nets per household.
CROATIA took the glory on Friday in the penalty shootout against Brazil and became the first team to advance to the tournament’s semi-finals.
Croatia had garnered notoriety for playing the long game. Eight of their last nine tournament knock-out games had gone to extra time. They only warded off Japan in penalty shootout in the previous round of this tournament.
Dominik Livaković had thwarted all of Brazil’s efforts at goal throughout the game. The 27-year-old Dinamo Zagreb player saved several one-on-ones during the game and pulled another stop in the penalty shootout to see his team through. The goalkeeper diverted a staggering 11 shots during the game.
Four days ago, the Croat also came clutch, saving three spot kicks. The European side had maintained their impeccable record in penalty shootouts — winning all four they had been involved in.
Neymar had finished off a beautifully crafted move in the first half of extra time and seemingly positioned Brazil for a semi-final spot. However, a reinvigorated Croatia dug deep and pulled one back in the 115th minute of the game.
How the game went
Brazil looked the most dangerous across the game but could not find a breakthrough in regulation minutes. By the end of the extra time, they had 21 shots worth over 2.6 expected goals but only had one goal to their name. Livaković’s goal-line heroics were vital to this situation.
Expected goals (XG) measure the quality of a chance (or shot) by calculating the likelihood that it will be scored from a particular position on the pitch. Generally, shots taken closer to goal have a higher XG value.
Opta’s expected goal map, which tabs the value of all shots taken by either team, depicts Brazil’s dominance. The South American team had several big chances but could not make them count.
XG Map for Croatia vs Brazil (from Opta)
Despite the dominance, Brazil found it hard to create danger from wide areas. The two Croatian fullbacks, Josip Juranović and Borna Sosa, held their ground for most of the game against the Seleção wingers.
Eventually, in the 105th minute of extra time, Neymar broke the deadlock. The Brazilian initiated two consecutive one-twos outside the box before breaking through on goal, rounded the keeper and smashed the ball into the roof of the net. With this goal, he equaled Pele’s record for all-time goals for Brazil (77) and appeared to have won the game for his side.
Croatia came out of their blocks again at the start of the second half of extra time and turned the momentum in their favour — as indicated by Opta’s momentum map below.
Match momentum for Croatia vs Brazil (from Opta)
Brazil’s failure to slow and manage the game created counterattack opportunities for the Croatians, and they found an equalizer. Substitute Bruno Petkovic connected with a header that deflected off Marquinhos to bring the score level. Remarkably, the goal was Croatia’s first shot on target in the entire game.
The European side eventually sealed victory after Marquinhos struck the base of the post in a decisive penalty. Rodygro’s miss and Croatia’s decisiveness in the shootout meant that the latter could celebrate.
What next?
Luka Modric, now 37 years old, added another tale to his legacy, putting on an incredible all-action performance. He directed his side’s possession play throughout the game and was vital to moving the ball forward. The Real Madrid man is timeless and is at the forefront of yet another world cup charge.
After the game, Modric told journalists that he tried consoling his club teammate Rodrygo after his penalty miss: “I missed a penalty vs Turkey in Euro 2008. I told Rodrygo everyone misses penalties.”
Croatia will face the winner of the match between the Netherlands and Argentina in the semi-finals.
For Brazil, a two-decade wait for a sixth world cup title drags on.
