Atletico Madrid dumped Manchester United out of the Champions League round of 16 after edging to a 1-0 victory at Old Trafford on Tuesday.

Renan Lodi scored the only goal just before half-time as Diego Simeones side won 2-1 on aggregate after a late draw in the first leg last month.

Tuesdays result means Uniteds trophy drought will now almost certainly stretch to five years, with Ralf Rangnicks side already eliminated from the FA Cup and 20 points behind leaders Manchester City in the Premier League.

I think we played a very good first half exactly the way we wanted to play with a high energy level but we couldnt convert that into one or two goals, Rangnick said after the match.

Conceding that counter-attacking goal just before halftime didnt make life any easier. It was hard in the second half and always interrupted. There was always somebody lying on the floor.

United named three changes from Saturdays victory over Tottenham Hotspur, with Bruno Fernandes coming in to start and Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford dropping to the bench.

Teenage United forward Anthony Elanga, who turned hero to score a last-minute equaliser in the first-leg, went close to opening the scoring on Tuesday.

This was when his run toward the near post in the 12th minute was rewarded with a low cross from Fernandes, but he saw his shot stopped by goalkeeper Jan Oblak.

United goalkeeper David de Gea then produced an outstanding diving save to push wide a long range effort from Rodrigo De Paul.

Atletico had the ball in the back of the net midway through the first half when Joao Felix tapped in to an empty net at the back post, but Marcos Llorente, who supplied the assist, was ruled offside.

It was a typical display of the kind of gritty defending and swift counter-attacking for which Simeones side have been known.

United, for all their pressure, were unable to create enough quality opportunities to get themselves the goal they needed.

The visitors did eventually take the lead in the 41st minute through Lodi as he scored a jumping header at the back post following a floated cross from Antoine Griezmann.

The move came after Atletico won back possession from Elanga, who looked to have been fouled but saw protests waved away by referee Slavko Vincic.

On Vincics calls, Rangnick adeed: I would also say some curious refereeing decisions. I wouldnt say they were decisive but at least he fell too often for those time-wasting antics.

United pushed for an equaliser in the second half but were unable to find a way back into the match, resulting in their sixth elimination in their past eight Champions League knockout ties.

In the second half it was a brilliant collective effort from the team, one of the best this year, Simeone said in a postmatch news conference.

Im happy, thats why I celebrated it in the dressing room.

Elsewhere in the Champions League also played on Tuesday, Darwin Nunezs 80th minute goal proved enough as Benfica shocked hosts Ajax 1-0 (3-2 on aggregate) to progress to the last eight. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Victor Nwachukwu

The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), has called on its consumers to remain calm and patient as it addresses a case of system collapse.

The call was made by EEDCs Head of Corporate Communications, Mr Emeka Ezeh, in a statement made available to newsmen in Owerri on Tuesday.

Ezeh thanked the Companys customers for their understanding as it worked to restore supply after a system collapse on March 14.

He, however, said that despite the restoration of supply, the system collapsed again on March 15.

The Enugu Electricity Distribution PLC (EEDC) wishes to inform its esteemed customers of another system collapse which occurred at 5.10 pm this evening, Tuesday, 15th March, 2022.

This is coming barely 24 hours after the grid collapse was experienced in the early hours of Monday, March 14, 2022.

As a result of this unfortunate development, all our outgoing feeders are out and supply to our customers in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo States has been affected, he said.

He reassured customers that the company is already on standby, awaiting further directives from the National Control Centre (NCC) for restoration of supply. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Jacinta Nwachukwu

National Mathematical Centre (NMC) has reiterated its commitment to promoting activities that will improve the research, teaching and learning of mathematics and mathematical sciences in the country.

Director/Chief Executive of the centre, Prof. Promise Mebine, expressed the commitment at the 2021/2022 Mathematics Day and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the girl-child in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the International Day of Mathematics (IDM) is celebrated on March 14 of every year in honour of the beauty, relevance, importance, benefits and applicability of the subject in real life.

NAN also reports that the theme for the 2022 IDM is: Mathematics Unites, with the celebration featuring the crowning of 2021 Nigeria Maths Queen, Miss Marcel Onyebuchi of FGGC, Owerri, Imo.

Onyebuchi also emerged the overall best in the 2021 Mathematics competition for girls in Junior Secondary School nationwide, organised by National Mathematical Centre under its SDGs programme.

Mebine described mathematics as the bedrock of science, technology and engineering, saying that without it, there wouldnot be any meaningful development.

According to him, NMC is poised to develop appropriate initiatives and resources of international standard for reawakening and sustaining interest in the mathematical sciences and their applications at all levels of education system.

This will, in the end, lead us to the UNESCO vision of popularisation of the subject.

I, therefore, urge our dear country to scale up investments in education, particularly in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) to change the narrative.

We are here to celebrate a discipline described as boundless because its applications are seen in everything around us; a discipline defined as an intelligencer that unravels the hidden truths of everyday living; a discipline described as a queen.

It is a worldwide celebration that brings together various participants through activities for both students and the general public in schools, museums, libraries and other spaces.

It is important to state that no nation grows and develops without appropriate knowledge and application of Mathematics, he said.

In her lecture, Dr Mary Durojaiye, of University of Abuja, said that for students to learn better, teachers should go beyond the textbooks, adding that the children should be made to understand that what they were learning would help them in future.

We need mathematics in every area of our lives: in the kitchen, roads, shops and others.

Every human being calculates speed and counting has a vital role in our daily life, Durojaiye said.

While commending the centre for the initiative, she called for encouragement of teachers through various incentives to aid their efficiency.

Also speaking, Dr Uche Anaduaka, of the same institution, stressed the importance of educating the girl-child, as she is the future mother of the nation.

Anaduaka said that mathematical knowledge usually equipped the girl-child to excel in life.

On the selection of the contestants for the mathematics competition, the Desk Officer of SDGs in NMC, Dr Sylvester Orobosa, said that the first, second and third stages of the contest were done at the state level.

Orobosa said that the best of all the contestants across the 36 states and FCT were selected and assembled at the centre for the final stage where the Mathematics Queen emerged. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Yinusa Ishola

Dr Esther Adeniran, a dermatologist at the Federal Medical Centre, Ido Ekiti, has advised women to always clean up their make-up before going to bed in order to stay healthy.

Adeniran gave the advice during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti, saying sleeping with make-up becomes more problematic especially for women with sensitive skin.

According to her, most makeup has artificial colours and fragrances, and when these stay on the skin overnight, it can cause an allergic reaction or irritate dermatitis on sensitive skin.

Adeniran said make-up physically blocks the pores, preventing oil from leaving the skin and leading to breakouts.

The skin expert said makeup is also known to trap pollutants inside the skin, saying this type of environmental stress can result in increased free radicals that cause skin inflammation, redness, and irritation.

Chronic inflammation can contribute to premature aging, including increased pigment production and collagen degradation.

Adeniran particularly recommended prompt removal of make-up in parts of the eyes before going to sleep so as to guide against eye infections.

Since our eye skin is thinner than tissue paper and represents the thinnest skin on the face, youve got to prioritise getting your mascara and other eye make-up off.

This skin is prone to infection and irritation, and the most likely to be damaged by sleeping in your makeup (even for one night).

Sleeping in eye make-up may increase your risk of developing a stye (blocked oil gland in the eyelid).

You also run the risk of developing eyelid dermatitis, or irritation from mascara rubbing against the eyelids while you sleep.

Worse case scenario, make-up gets into the eye itself, which can lead to conjunctivitis, she said.

Adeniran advised women to imbibe a nighttime skincare routine so as to free the skin of unwanted particles that could cause unnecessary damage.

The easiest way to become a faithful face-washer is to really commit to a nighttimeskincare routine.

This doesnt mean you need to spend upwards of 30 minutes a night with a multi-products system, but cleansing your face and applying a solid moisturiser can go a long way in promoting the quicker rates of cellular regeneration that happen during sleep, she said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Desmond Ejibas

The Nigerian Navy has arrested five suspected illegal crude oil refiners caught towing an expansive metallic barge, loaded with several million litres of adulterated diesel.

Cdr. Umar Sidi, the Base Operations Officer, Nigeria Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, Port Harcourt, made this known while handing over the five suspects to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday.

Sidi said troops made the arrest and seizures during its ongoing Operation River Dominance, which began in January to support Rivers government campaign against illegal refineries in the state.

According to him, troops also apprehended a tanker truck transporting suspected adulterated diesel for distribution to unsuspecting users in the state.

Troops arrested a tug boat, MV Bonny River, towing a large barge, Kanye, at Kilometre five

Our patrol team also arrested a tanker truck laden with suspected adulterated diesel at Makoba area during the operation.

A total of five male suspects were arrested in connection with the crime, he said.

Sidi said that, apart from the recent arrest, about 35 rogue vessels and wooden boats carrying various quantities of petroleum products had also been seized since commencement of the operation.

He attributed the successes of the exercise to the collaboration of security agencies, government and residents of the state.

Our tactical Riverine Assault Squadron will continue to conduct missions to deter criminals from sabotaging national assets and the economy.

Illegal bunkers are very resilient, in such that immediately operation is conducted and their illegal refining sites destroyed, the criminals come back later and resuscitate it or open another site.

But we will remain determined and resolute in ensuring that we continue to maintain an aggressive presence at sea and in the waterways to stop them, he said.

The officer assured that the exercise would continue until the state was rid of illegal refiners of crude oil partly responsible for the soot pollution in the state.

He said that Commander of NNS Pathfinder, Rear Adm. Abdullahi Ahmed had shown commitment to stop all forms of crime and criminality in the maritime environment under the base.

Receiving the suspects and items, Mr Arasha Shaka of EFCC, Port Harcourt Zonal Command, assured that the anti-graft agency would investigate the matter.

He also assured that the suspects would be charged to court if found guilty of the allegations.

Source: NAN News

By Usman Aliyu

The Management of the University of Benin has directed the closure of the institution until further notice following the two months extension of the Industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU),.

The university, which announced the closure on Tuesday via a statement issued in Benin by its Registrar, Ademola Bobola, directedstudents to vacate their hostels within 48 hours of the notice.

Bobola explained that the decision was reached after due consultation involving the institutions management and the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Lilian Salami, on behalf of the Senate.

The action has become expedient as there is no justifiable reason for students to continue to stay on campus when lectures and other academic activities are not going on.

Consequently, students are to vacate the hostels within 48 hours of this notice.

They are enjoined to monitor the situation closely in order to be abreast of the schools eventual re-opening.

Management wishes the students safe journey to their respective destinations, the statement read in part.

Source: NAN News

By Ikenna Uwadileke

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), on Tuesday in Abuja said that Nigeria recorded an inflation rate of 15.70 per cent in February.

The Statistician-General of the Federation, Dr Simon Harry, said this at a news conference to announce foreign trade statistics for fourth quarter 2021 and Consumer Price Index (CPI) for February 2022.

Harry said there was a 0.10 per cent increase from the 15. 60 per cent recorded in January, 2022.

The nation recorded an inflation rate of 15.70 per cent in Feb. 2022 on a year-on-year basis, which is 0.10 per cent points higher than the 15.60 per cent recorded in Jan. 2022.

On month-on-month basis, Headline index increased by 1.63 per cent in February, 2022. This was 0.16 per cent points higher than the rate recorded in January 2022, he said.

Harry said that the composite food index rose by 17.11 per cent, recording a decreaseof 4.68 per cent points in February, 2022, compared to 21.79 per cent recorded in February, 2021.

He said that the rise in the food index was caused by increases in prices of bread and cereals, food products such as potatoes, yam and other tubers, oils and fats and fruits.

On month-on-month basis, the food sub-index increased by 1.87 per cent in February, 2022, an increase from 1.62 per cent recorded in January.

He said that food inflation for February was 17.11 per cent, compared to 17.13 per cent in January.

On state-wise basis, Harry said that food inflation on year-on-year was highest in Kogi with 21.04 per cent, followed by Enugu with 20.31 per cent and Kwara 20.03 per cent.

He said that Sokoto had the lowest with 13.89 per cent in February.

The statistician-general said all items less farm produce or Core inflation, which excludes the prices of volatile agricultural produce increased by 14.01 per cent in February.

He said this was higher compared to 12.38 per cent recorded in February 2021.

According to him, on month-on-month basis, the core sub-index increased by 1.33 per cent in February, 2022.

This according to him is higher when compared to 1.25 per cent recorded in January 2022.

The highest increases were recorded in prices of gas, liquid fuel, wine and tobacco.

Others are spirit, narcotics, solid fuels, cleaning, repairs and hire of clothing, garments, shoes and other foot wears.

The rest are services in respect of personal transport equipment, clothing materials, other articles of clothing and clothing accessories and other services, Harry said.

The statistician-general said that urban inflation rate increased by 16.25 per cent (year-on-year) in February, 2022 from 17.92 per cent recorded in February, 2021.

On the other hand, rural inflation rate increased by 15.18 per cent in February 2022 from 16.77 per cent in February 2021.

On a month-on-month basis, the urban index rose by 1.65 per cent in February, 2022.

This was higher compared to the rate recorded in January, 2022 which was 1.53 per cent.

The rural index rose by 1.61 per cent in February 2022, which is also higher compared to the rate recorded in January 2022, which was 1.42 per cent, he said.

Source: NAN News

By Habibu Harisu

BUA Cement has handed over water supply and electrification projects worth N62 million to seven communities in Sokoto State, as part of the companys corporate social responsibility.

The Managing Director of BUA Cement, Alhaji Yusuf Binji, handed over the completed projects on Tuesday to the benefiting communities in Wamakko and Sokoto South Local Government Areas (LGAs)

Binji was represented by the companys Head, Administration and Corporate Services, Mr Sada Suleiman.

The managing director said that the water projects comprised two units of 10,000 gallons per day boreholes each, at Gidan Gamba and Girabshe communities.

He also said the electrification project covered Rugar Waru and Hundi Chebuwa villages in Wajaki District, Wamakko LGA, and Rijiyar Dorowa, Malikawa and Wangarawa communities in Sokoto South LGA.

Binji commended the state and local governments, as well as the host communities, for the cordial relationship with the company, which facilitated its intervention in various communities.

According to him, the projects are to complement the efforts of Sokoto State Government in providing good living condition to the people.

Binji said BUA cement had been supporting communities in the areas of healthcare, skills training, provision of scholarship and educational materials.

He added that the company had constructed hospitals, schools and roads, as well as provided water and electricity to different communities in the state.

Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, the Chairman of Wamakko LGA, Alhaji Halliru Guiwa, thanked the company for the intervention.

Guiwa said that the residents were lucky to have the company in their domain, in view of its contribution to infrastructure development in the area.

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says fresh registration in the ongoing nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) is 7,009,343 as at 7 a.m on March 14.

The commission in the Quarter 3, Week 10 update released on Monday in Abuja, also disclosed that the registrants who had completed their registration was 4,009,361 out of which 1,687,540 were done online and 2,321,821 physical.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the update also disclosed that of registrants who completed their registration, 2,009,469 were male and 1,999,892 female, while 33,985 were People Living With Disabilities (PWDs).

INEC also disclosed that it had received a total of 12,097,240 applications including those requesting for voter transfer, requests for replacement of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), and update of voter information record.

It disclosed that 6,434,265 of the applications were filled by male, while 5,662,975 were from the female of which 118,193 were PWDS across all categories.

Source: NAN News

By Thompson Yamput

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday redeemed pledge of house allocation to the 22 members of the 1994 Supper Eagles national football team.

Buhari, represented by Hajiya Ramatu Tijjani, The FCT Minister of State, commissioned the 76 Housing estates built in Lokoja, Kogi.

Buhari expressed regrets that 28 years after the super Eagles exploit in Tunisia, where it beat the Zambian team to emerge champion, the promise of reward of houses to each member was not fulfilled.

This occasion provides the opportunity to remember our heroes, the valiant Super Eagles to whom our country made a promise of providing Housing for winning the 1994 African Cup of Nations.

On behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, I feel proud and privileged to redeem the promise made to these patriotic Nigerians, even if belatedly.

Its better late than never and I have approved allocation to redeem the outstanding allocation to 22 members of the Super Eagles in National Housing Estate located in their system of choice, he said.

The president also ordered that keys and title documents be handed over to the players at the commissioning of the houses in the home states of other team members.

Nigeria won the 1994 edition of the Nations Cup hosted by Tunisia, with a set of players considered as the greatest team in the history of Nigerian football.

Emmanuel Amuneke scored a brace to give the Super Eagles victory over the Chipolopolo.

NAN reports that among members of the 1994 team were: Austin Okocha, Sunday Oliseh, Samson Siasia, Steve Keshi, Augustine Egavoen, Emmanuel Amuneke, Rasheed Yekini, Victor Ikpeba, Mutiu Adepoju, among others.

However, Rashidi Yekini, Uche Okafor, Thompson Oliha, Wilfred Agbonavbare and Steve Keshi, who played for Nigeria in that tournament have passed on.

Source: NAN News