Local News

Terror Attack In Anambra: Lagos SWAN Mourns Slain Member, Police Officer, Commends Joint Security Forces

Published

1 month ago

October 11, 2024

The Lagos Chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) regrets to announce the passing of one of its members and an agent of the joint security forces who lost their lives on duty when terrorists attacked them on their way to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State to cover the match between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Mediterranean of Libya in the ongoing AFCON 2025 qualifiers.

The Joint Security Forces (JSF) has rescued six of the 11 sports journalists who were kidnapped by gunmen in Anambra state in the early hours of 10th October 2024.

The media crew were going to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State from Lagos to cover the Super Eagles match scheduled for Friday when the abduction occurred in Iseke, Ihiala Local Government Area, a region that has been under the control of secessionist groups IPOB for some time.

Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the rescue on Thursday and stated that efforts to locate the remaining journalists are ongoing.

“We are, however, relieved to inform our members and the general public that some of the kidnapped journalists have been released,” a statement signed by Momotunde Bello, Secretary of Lagos SWAN Thursday evening said.

Bello disclosed that the Lagos SWAN Chairman, Ambassador Olatutu Oladunni, has been in constant communication with the relevant authorities since the abduction and has confirmed the release of the journalists.

“We are grateful for the swift action the Joint Security Forces (JSF) took, which led to their release. Our Chairman also extends her condolence to the family of the late journalist who lost his life during this ordeal. We pray that God grants them the strength to bear this loss.

“Additionally, we commiserate with the Nigerian Police Force on the loss of their officer who also died in the line of duty,” the statement said.

“We appreciate the efforts of the Joint Security Forces (JSF) and will continue to work together to ensure the safety of our members. Thank you for your understanding and support during this difficult time,” Bello said.

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Ambrose Ijeh

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Local News

Champions League: Ayodele Thomas Congratulates Edo Queens On Semi-Finals Ticket

Published

4 hours ago

November 17, 2024

Ambrose Ijeh

Champions League: Ayodele Thomas Congratulates Edo Queens On Semi-Finals Ticket

One of Nigeria’s foremost female football promoter and investors, Ayodele Thomas, has congratulated the management and team of Nigeria’s representatives at the ongoing CAF Women’s Champions league, Edo Queens, for beating defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1, to qualify for the semi-finals stage of the championship.

In his statement, Thomas, the CEO of TopPro Sports Management Company, described the feats of the Edo Queens, as awesome and inspiring. He noted that while no Nigerian female club has reached this level, the Edo Queens have invariably made a statement that female football in Nigeria, is once again, on the rise.

“I am proud of our girls. Beating the defending champions to qualify for the semi-finals in no mean feat. They are true ambassadors of Nigeria.

“Let me also appreciate the efforts of the Edo State government and the State Sports Commission. They have been instrumental in all the feats achieved so far, by the girls,” Thomas added.

He went ahead to urge the girls to beat their next opponents, TP Mazembe, and go ahead to make history as the first Nigerian female team to win the lucrative CAF Women’s Champions League title.

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Ambrose Ijeh

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Local News

Edo Queens Battle TP Mazembe For Champions League Final Place

Published

10 hours ago

November 17, 2024

Ambrose Ijeh

Edo Queens Battle TP Mazembe For Champions League Final Place

Gritty Nigerian champions Edo Queens will now battle TP Mazembe for a place in the CAF Women’s Champions League final after they literally came from the dead to upstage mighty Mamelodi Sundowns.

The Nigerian champions won Group B with seven points and will Tuesday do battle in the semifinal against TP Mazembe, who finished as runners-up in Group A.

Home team AS FAR of Morocco will take on FC Masar of Egypt in the other semifinal.

Edo Queens were heading home after they conceded the opening goal in the 24th minute to two-time Champions League winners Sundowns, before they scored twice in stoppage.

Emem Essien, who inspired the comeback with the equaliser, was named Player of the Match.

Scorenigeria

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Ambrose Ijeh

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Local News

After Controversial Report, NFF Promise Super Eagles 10% Of Outstanding Monies

Published

10 hours ago

November 17, 2024

Ambrose Ijeh

After Controversial Report, NFF Promise Super Eagles 10% Of Outstanding Monies

After a controversial breaking story by ScoreNigeria, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Ibrahim Gusau, has promised the Super Eagles will be paid 10% of their outstanding payments not later than next month.

The Super Eagles expressed their disappointment that they have not been paid allowances and bonuses with some of these monies dating as far back as 2020.

The players said this has caused them to lack the motivation to play for the national team.

This was at a meeting in Abidjan with Gusau.

The NFF boss has now given the team a commitment that due to the poor finances of the NFF, they will receive 10% of these monies in the new month.

However, close watchers have been left stunned by the rationale behind this payment even after the Federal Government of Nigeria paid 17 Billion Naira to the NFF to offset the debts owed the Super Eagles as well as the Flying Eagles, Falconets and the Golden Eaglets that go back several years.