NFF Considers Three Coaches to Replace Finidi George as Super Eagles Boss

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has narrowed down its search for a new head coach for the Super Eagles to three candidates. This follows the resignation of Finidi George last weekend. With the team’s fixtures in the next window fast approaching in September, the NFF is under pressure to make a swift decision. According to sources, the three coaches in contention for the top job are Antonio Conceicao, Samson Siasia, and Salisu Yusuf. Antonio Conceicao, a Portuguese coach, boasts an impressive resume with stints in Romania, Cyprus, and Saudi Arabia. His tactical skills and player development expertise make him a strong contender for the role. He was fired by Cameroon in 2022 but is eager to return to coaching. Samson Siasia, a former Super Eagles coach, also has an impressive coaching record, particularly with youth teams. He led Nigeria’s U-20 and U-23 teams to podium finishes at various tournaments, including the Olympic Games. Although his FIFA ban for match-fixing is set to expire in August, his controversial past still raises eyebrows. Salisu Yusuf, a Nigerian coach, has an impressive track record in the domestic league, winning NPFL titles with Kano Pillars. He has experience as Assistant Coach of the Super Eagles and Head Coach of the Super Eagles B team.

Nigerian Soldier Shoots Self At Army Base Gate, Four Months To Retirement

An indigene of Okpuala in Ngor-Okpuala, Imo State, serving in the Nigerian Army, Ohafia, Imo state, has shot himself in front of the 144 Battalion’s Forward Operation Base (FOB) gate. Identified as Vitalis, a senior non-commissioned soldier, Command Sergeant Major (CSM), he reportedly shot himself without leaving a suicide note. Before his death, he served with the 14 Brigade Headquarters, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s Barrack, Ohafia, Ohafia local government area of Abia State. According to security sources who spoke to The Nation, a thorough and discreet investigation is necessary to determine the circumstances surrounding the soldier’s suicide. Speculation or premature conclusions could compromise the investigation’s outcome, which is being led by the army’s leadership in the state. Notably, there were no reported incidents of domestic violence or disciplinary actions against the soldier prior to his death, suggesting that the motives behind his actions may be complex and require a thorough inquiry. The tragedy struck the military camp when the soldier, reportedly just months away from retirement in October, committed suicide after mysteriously disappearing without communication for two weeks. The sudden reemergence of the soldier, who apparently returned to the camp and then took his own life, shocked his colleagues and left many wondering what could have driven him to such despair.

We’ve not slashed subscription prices -MultiChoice

Amid a recent drop in subscribers, MultiChoice, the parent company of DStv and GOtv pay television in Nigeria has denied slashing its subscription fees in Nigeria. This is according to BusinessDay quoting a source in the company on Tuesday. The source said the company only reduced decoder prices but subscription prices remained unchanged. “We only reduced our decoder prices and not subscription prices. Recall that MultiChoice Nigeria is currently in the middle of a legal case as it is challenging a ruling by the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal, CCPT that mandated it to offer one-month free subscription services and imposed a N150 million fine. The development comes as the company announced that its subscribers in Nigeria dropped by 18 percent in the first quarter of 2024. This is according to BusinessDay quoting a source in the company on Tuesday. Since March 2022, the company has hiked its subscription fee four times. The latest was in April 2024 when it hiked subscription fees by 17 percent.

BREAKING: Police rescue kidnapped Fouani Brothers

The famous Fouani family, recently traumatized by the abduction of three of their members, can now heave a sigh of relief as the Lagos police command has rescued the three abductees. In a brief statement pushed out a while ago, the police listed those released as Abbas Fouani, Youssef Fouani, and Amtal Fouani. It would be recalled that the brothers, who are part of the prominent Fouani Nigeria Ltd family, were kidnapped on June 14 around 6 pm while travelling by boat from their factory.

Presidency Speaks On Plans To Take Over Kano

The Presidency, on Monday, categorically denied claims made by the National Leader of the New Nigeria People Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso, regarding a purported plan to declare a state of emergency in Kano State. These allegations were described as baseless and were dismissed as “mere rumours” by Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga. The controversy arose after Kwankwaso, who also ran as the NNPP’s presidential candidate in the previous year’s election, accused the Federal Government of bias in the ongoing Kano Emir tussle. He alleged that the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government was plotting to undermine the democratically elected structures in the state by imposing a state of emergency. In response to these serious allegations, Bayo Onanuga communicated to The Nation last night, asserting that there were no circumstances that would justify such an extreme measure as declaring a state of emergency in Kano State. The Presidency said: “There is no truth in it. It is a mere rumour. The Federal Government cannot declare any state of emergency in any state without the involvement of the National Assembly. There is no such plan. It is a mere rumour. “The National Assembly is in recess. No President can just wake up and declare a state of emergency in any state.” Also, the Commissioner of Police in Kano, Ussain Gumel, denied allegations that his men were biased in the emirate crisis. The police chief, in a conversation with the platform, said the force’s mandate is to protect lives and property. He said it was their duty to protect both emirs, “which is what we are still doing.” Gumel said men and officers of the police and other security agencies have been neutral. He added that the police received about five court orders on the emirate tussle. The CP said: “The issue is before the federal and state courts. We are waiting for judgment. “We received about five court orders and forwarded them to the Attorney General and Minister of Justice. We are waiting for his response and directives. “And while awaiting the outcome in court or directives from the AGF, we must protect the contending emirs. “We also have to protect the subjects of both emirs as well as residents of the state. “My appeal to the public is for them to exercise patience and calm while we await the outcome from the relevant authorities.”

Court Order Forces MultiChoice To Reduce Prices For DStv, GOtv Users, See Price 

MultiChoice, Nigeria’s leading satellite television provider, has adjusted its subscription rates for DStv and GOtv users following a court order.  The company had faced backlash after implementing a price hike, citing increased costs and inflation.  The Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT) in Abuja intervened, instructing MultiChoice to revert to previous prices pending further review.  As of June 16, 2024, the DStv Premium package now costs N29,500 (reduced from N37,000), Compact+ is N19,800 (down from N25,000), Compact Bouquet is N12,500 (from N15,700), and Confam is N7,400 (previously N9,300).  GOtv subscribers also benefit from reduced rates: Super+ is now N12,500 (was N15,700), Super is N7,600 (down from N9,600), Max is N5,700 (from N6,300), Joli is N3,950 (previously N4,500), and Jinja is N2,700 (down from N3,200).

APC South-South Region Urges Tinubu to Contest Again In 2027

The All Progressive Party (APC) in the South-South region has called on President Bola Tinubu to re-contest for the office of the president in the 2027 election.  This was contained in a communiqué jointly signed by the APC Congress South-South Zonal Executive after a meeting in Calabar, Cross Rivers, on Sunday. It commended Tinubu for his policies, projects, and programmes, adding that the economic reforms were targeted at repositioning the country. The committee reaffirmed its unwavering support for the policies and programs of the Tinubu administration in areas of good governance, economic reforms, national security, and infrastructural development. Tinubu had on May 29, 2023, declared an end to petrol subsidies, a move that saw Nigeria’s headline inflation rising to 33.95 per cent in May, according to the latest report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The data revealed that on a year-on-year basis, the headline inflation rate was 11.54 per cent points higher compared to the rate recorded in May 2023, which was 22.41 per cent. The NBS report also revealed that the Food inflation rate in May 2024 was 40.66% on a year-on-year basis, which was 15.84 per cent points higher compared to the rate recorded in May 2023 (24.82 per cent). Despite the rising inflation rate, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has also implemented several money-tightening policies which have been criticised by the World Bank. Different tax policies to increase revenue have also been put in place by the apex bank. As if the inflation was not enough, the Federal Government is currently battling the duo of the Nigerian Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress, on a new minimum wage. FG has insisted on N62,000 despite rejection by labour. But the committee has expressed optimism with Tinubu’s reforms and also commended the president for his commitment to the coastal road project, and the commencement of the construction from both ends of the project. The committee said it has resolved to set up a reconciliation committee in the South-South region, to be headed by the Coordinator of the South-South geo-political zone, Senator Bassey Otu. The communiqué said the move is to bridge any existing gap, foster collaboration, and work towards a common goal of strengthening the party’s presence and influence in the region. It also resolved to mobilise available party assets towards winning more states; particularly using the forthcoming elections in Edo State as a test case. “Resolves to mobilise efforts towards the e-registration program of the All Progressives Congress by creating the required awareness to engender inclusivity, participation, and ownership of the party,” the communiqué added. It also passed a vote of confidence on the President of the Senate, Sen (Dr) Godswill Akpabio, as the Leader of the APC in the zone, and on Victor Giadom and the zonal executive members of the party. The meeting concluded with a call to action for all party members, to actively participate in the re-building and strengthening of the APC in the zone.

South-East Govs, Igbo Leaders Plot To Keep Nnamdi Kanu Detained Untill 2027 – Ohanaeze Alleges

The apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has accused South-east governors, Igbo leaders, and National Assembly members of conspiring to extend the detention of leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, until 2027. In a statement issued by the factional Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the organization blamed the South-east governors for the deteriorating security situation in the zone. The organization stated that the Southeast governors and certain Igbo leaders had not provided the essential assurances required to explore political resolutions for the release of Kanu. The body expressed disappointment that certain South-east governors and Igbo leaders merely took photos with Kanu at the DSS facility rather than actively seeking political solutions for his release. The statement partly read, “Ohanaeze Ndigbo decries and brings to light the plots by South-east governors, Igbo elders, and National Assembly members to prolong Nnamdi Kanu’s detention until 2027. “The failure of some South-east governors to utilise their political ties to advocate for Kanu’s release is regrettable and underscores self-interest over communal welfare. “Ohanaeze Ndigbo underscores the crucial need for unity and cooperation among South-east governors and esteemed Igbo personalities, such as Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Pa Ebitu Ukiwe, Sen. Ike Nwachukwu, and others, in providing the federal government with assurances regarding Nnamdi Kanu’s future conduct post-release. “Regrettably, it appears some South-east governors and Igbo elite have chosen to exploit Nnamdi Kanu’s detention for personal gain, political bargaining, and the pursuit of political relevance. “Ohanaeze Ndigbo expresses deep concern over the behaviour of South-east governors, senators, representatives, religious leaders, traditional rulers, and other prominent Igbo figures who prioritise visits to Kanu in detention over seeking his release and addressing the pressing security challenges in our region. “It is paramount for Ndigbo to hold South-east governors, Igbo elders, National Assembly members, and traditional rulers accountable for the extended detention of Nnamdi Kanu, and refrain from laying blame on the federal government or President Tinubu. “The federal government awaits a united stance and commitments from the Igbo community to facilitate a potential release of Nnamdi Kanu.” Isiguzoro called on all stakeholders in the South-east to put aside personal ambitions and unite in the effort to secure Kanu’s release and address the security challenges in the region.

CBN confirms $2.9b deposit in special account to stabilise forex market

A Special account with $2.9 billion deposit has been created by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to stabilise the foreign exchange (forex) market. The apex bank, which identified the special account as Gazelle Funding Account, dropped the hint during the last Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting. The Nation learnt that the revelation was made after the FAAC Post Mortem Sub-Committee members noticed in last month’s report from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) that proceeds from Production Sharing Contract (PSC) Tax and Royalty sales were transferred to the Gazelle Funding account. The CBN backed NNPCL’s explanation, stating further that the Federal Government secured the $3.3 billion loan from Afrexim Bank to stabilise the forex market. The sub-committee report said: “The structure of the loan requires NNPCL to deposit PSC Royalty and Tax proceeds into the Gazelle Funding account. From these deposits, 90 per cent will be released to NNPCL and CBN, while 10 percent will go towards repaying the loan.”

Again, ASUU Rejects New University Governing Councils

The ding-dong between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) over the appointment of Governing Councils continues as the latter voiced disappointment regarding the composition of the new membership of the governing councils for federal universities. ASUU’s national president, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke, expressed these concerns in a recent interview with the Nigerian Tribune, highlighting a worrying trend in the appointment process. According to Prof Osodeke, the new list of council members is dominated by retired politicians rather than experts in academia or relevant fields. “Most of them are retired politicians. They are honourable this and honourable that,” Osodeke remarked, questioning the suitability of such appointments for the strategic development of higher education institutions in the country. Prof Osodeke further criticized the new list as being worse than its predecessor, indicating a regression rather than progress in the appointment policies. “Go and look at the list again, you will see that most of them are retired politicians. That is how terrible the thing has become,” he lamented. ASUU also raised issues beyond the qualifications of the appointed individuals. The union pointed out that the formation of new councils was procedurally flawed and possibly illegal. The Federal Government had dissolved the previous councils over ten months ago before their tenures had expired, contrary to the stipulations of the University Act. ASUU argued that these members should have been allowed to complete their terms instead of assembling a new council, which seems to overlook legal frameworks. The union emphasized that university education should not be subject to partisan politics if Nigeria aspires to achieve real educational quality that can lead to economic prosperity. “We can’t run our universities like this if we truly want genuine development to take place,” Prof Osodeke stated, urging a reevaluation of how university councils are constituted.