Joshua knocks out Pulev to retain heavyweight titles

World boxing heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua knocked out Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev near the end of the ninth round on Saturday to retain his IBF, WBO and WBA belts.

The 31-year-old Nigerian-born Briton was close to winning when he floored Pulev in the third round after a sweet right hand at the Wembley Srena in London.

But the challenger recovered to test the home favourite in front of a limited crowd of 1,000.

Pulev, 39, remained dangerous, without causing Joshua many anxious moments, but there was no escape in the ninth round.

Joshua landed a clubbing right upper-cut which sent Pulev to the canvas.

The Bulgarian got back to his feet but Joshua connected with another huge right hand to end the contest.

Source: NAN News

FCT minister expresses shock over Nda-Isaiahs death

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The FCT Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Aliyu, has expressed shock over the sudden death of the Chairman, Leadership Group and National Economy, Mr Sam Nda-Isaiah, who died in Abuja on Friday night, after a brief illness.

The minister in her condolence message on Saturday in Abuja, said she was saddened over the death of a successful businessman, dogged politician and a renowned publisher who redefined the journalism profession.

Aliyu condoled with the immediate family, staff and management of Leadership Group, Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria, Nigerian Union of Journalists and the journalism profession for the great loss.

According to her, the vacuum his death created will be hard to fill.

It is with great sadness that I learnt of the passing of the Chairman of Leadership Group and National Economy, Mr Sam Nda-Isaiah.

He was a successful businessman, a dogged politician and a publisher of repute who has redefined the journalism profession, Aliyu said.

Aliyu said death was an inevitable end to every mortal existence.

The minister said members of the FCT family were, however, consoled that late Nda-Isaiah distinguished himself as an astute politician and promoter of Nigerias unity.

She prayed for Almighty God to grant him eternal rest and the family, the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

Source: NAN News

Solskjaer says draw was best Manchester derby of his reign

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said their 0-0 derby draw at home to Manchester City on Saturday was the best display against Pep Guardiolas side during his time in charge.

Manchester United won last seasons Premier League fixture 2-0 but the Norwegian felt this was a more complete display.

This was in spite of the lack of incident and excitement at an empty Old Trafford.

In my time against Manchester City thats the best performance we have had. Not the best result but the best performance, said Solskjaer.

It was a tight game. I know we beat them a few times last season but those were different games, he added, noting the contrast with his sides counter-attacking approach in previous encounters.

Tactically we knew they were going to give us some problems but defensively we were excellent. Im delighted with the defensive shape. With the ball we didnt create as much as we wanted to.

They probably had the bigger moments in open play. Everyone should be happy with a draw, he said.

Manchester Uniteds conservative approach came after their exit from the UEFA Champions League with a 3-2 defeat to RB Leipzig in Germany on Tuesday.

Solskjaer conceded it had been a tough few days.

Its a mental challenge when that happens to you (going out of the Champions League). The mental energy you spend trying to recover from Tuesday is huge, he said.

Guardiola thought the game needed to be put in perspective.

Its a good point. Its Old Trafford, we cannot forget. They are so fast upfront. Its Manchester United. Most parts of the game we were good, he said.

It was a tight game but sometimes the opponents defence is strong. And if you make a mistake, they punish you on the counter attack.

We know we can show more intensity but when you attack they can punish you on the counter. We would love to have more chances, added the Spaniard.

We have to build from here. Without spectators it looks like it lacks intensity but from the touchline I see the players fight.

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe
President Muhammadu Buhari says by retaining his IBF, WBA, and WBO titles, Anthony Joshua has given boxing lovers around the world, and particularly in Nigeria, something to cheer.

Mr Femi Adesina, the Presidents spokesman in a statement in Abuja on Sunday, said Buhari made his feelings known while celebrating the decisive victory of the Nigerian-born boxer over Kubrat Pulev on Saturday night.

The president recalled his meeting with the heavyweight champion in London earlier in the year, describing Joshua as a humble, well brought up young man, who will still go places.

Buhari wished Joshua all the best in his dream fight against Tyson Fury, saying he has the prayers and goodwill of Nigerians.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that World boxing heavyweight champion Joshua had knocked out Bulgarian Pulev near the end of the ninth round on Saturday to retain his IBF, WBO and WBA belts.

The 31-year-old Nigerian-born Briton was close to winning when he floored Pulev in the third round after a sweet right hand at the Wembley Arena in London.

But the challenger recovered to test the home favourite in front of a limited crowd of 1,000.

Pulev, 39, remained dangerous, without causing Joshua many anxious moments, but there was no escape in the ninth round.

Joshua landed a clubbing right upper-cut which sent Pulev to the canvas.

The Bulgarian got back to his feet but Joshua connected with another huge right hand to end the contest.

Source: NAN News

Buhari lauds Guards Brigade for professionalism

By Sumaila Ogbaje

President Muhammadu Buhari has lauded the officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army Guards Brigade for their professionalism in the discharge of their constitutional roles.

Buhari, represented by his Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, gave the commendation at the Guards Brigades 2020 West African Social Activities (WASA) in Abuja on Saturday.

He said the brigade was able to carry out its duties with high level of discipline, professionalism and commitment during the year by ensuring that the FCT remain safe.

Guard brigade has done very well within the year in ensuring that the Federal Capital Territory remains peaceful, in addition to their enormous responsibility of safeguarding Mr President, the first family and the conduct of ceremonial duties.

Let me seize this opportunity to commend the officers and soldiers of the Guards Brigade for the professional conduct exhibited during the #EndSARS protest in Abuja.

I also commend the brigade for executing impactful projects such as the parade pavilion in the barracks; it is a sign of regimentation, the president said.

Buhari also commended other security agencies for the synergy extended to the guards brigade to ensure that the FCT remains safe

The President, while commending the brigade for 2020 WASA, he said the event brought back so much nostalgic feelings in him, as it reminded him of his days in the military.

I am happy that Nigerian army has upheld this tradition, bringing officers and soldiers to socialise with their civilian friends and well wishers in a very relaxed environment, he said.

The Commander, Guards Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Usman, said that WASA was an age long military tradition aimed at creating a relaxed atmosphere for officers, soldiers and their families to socialise with friends to mark the end of a training year.

Usman said the origin of WASA could be traced to as far back as the Second World War, when the Nigerian Army fought as part of the larger West African Frontier Force.

He said that during the period, indigenous communities and West African armies came together to celebrate their cultural heritage with their kinsmen marked with sacrificial offering and cultural dances at the end of every year.

According to him, this age long tradition introduced by the colonial authorities is still being held in most of British former colonies in the West African Sub-region, including Nigeria.

This unique ceremony also serves as an additional avenue for formations and units in the Nigerian Army to reward soldiers, foster oneness amongst troop and host communities.

WASA is further used to promote espirit-de-corps with other security agencies who are also invited to the ceremony.

It provides personnel and their families a veritable avenue to share and enjoy the existing cultural diversity in the barracks, he said.

Usman said that WASA had also become an avenue for units and formations of the army to showcase their achievements during the years, adding that Guards Brigade achieved most of its training objectives for the 2020.

He said that the Guards Brigade had embarked on projects with tremendous impact in the lives of officers and soldiers, one of which was inaugurated on Saturday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the activity featured cultural dances by different ethnic groups, tug of war between battalions and lighting of camp fire as well as raffle draws.

Some soldiers who distinguished themselves in service during the year were presented with award of excellence.

Source: NAN News

Venerable Samuel Akale

By Jessica Onyegbula

Rev. Samuel Akale of Vicar of All souls Anglican Church, Lugbe on Sunday charged Nigerians to remain hopeful and continue to trust in God during difficult times.

Akale who gave the charge during a Christmas Carol Service in Aco Estate, Abuja stressed that the theme: Come and Worship Christ, the new born King, was a wake up call for Christian faithful to trust God to deliver them from whatever difficulties they were facing.

At a time like this when people face different challenges, overwhelming fear and uncertainty, it is good to lift the spirit of the people, encourage them to hold on and trust in God, he said.

Akale called on well meaning individuals and corporate organisations to extend support to the needy as part of their social responsibilities to the society.

He said the essence of Christmas was to give and assist the less privileged for peace to reign in the society.

While expressing concern over the economic situation in the country, the Anglican priest appealed to Christian faithful to celebrate Christmas with modesty and avoid unnecessary expenses to enable them to meet up with demands of the following year.

He stressed the need for the government at all levels to ensure that the people in the rural areas benefited more from various poverty alleviation programmes and to ensure effective security network during the yuletide.

Akale expressed optimism that the country would come out stronger from its current challenges.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

EU-UN partnership empowers 200 victims of VVF, GBV in Sokoto

By Habibu Harisu

The EU-UN Spotlight Initiative Project in Sokoto State, has provided working tools to 200 survivors of Gender Based Violence (GBV) and Vesico Veginal Fistula (VVF), to enable them to start their own businesses.

The distributed items included 50 sewing machines, 50 grinding machines, along with 300 Goats, sourced under a 40,000 dollar grant

The distribution took place at the end of a five-day skills acquisition for livelihood training conducted by the Sokoto State Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, in collaboration with Nagarta Community Health and Gender Education Initiative, an NGO.

The initiative, which is jointly sponsored by the UN and EU, in partnership with the Federal Government, aimed at eliminating violence against women and girls, drew beneficiaries from the states 23 Local Government Areas.

However, it has a special focus on the four Spotlight council areas in the state, comprising Bodinga, Binji, Sokoto North and Tangaza, with also a commitment to improve the livelihoods of women and adolescent girls.

Other intervention areas are: the prevention of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV), Harmful Traditional Practices (HTPs), Sexual Reproduction Health Right (SRHR) and VVF.

Speaking at the occasion, Hajiya Kulu Sifawai, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, said that the participants were trained in entrepreneurship, animal husbandry and fashion, among other skills, to empower them to be productive.

She explained that the empowerment and support packages given to the women after the training, were meant to boost their morale to start new lives.
According to her, the ministry also engaged in counselling, guidance and other women enhancement programmes, to improve on their psychology, due to the trauma they suffered during surgeries.

The Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Hajiya Ashatu Dantsoho, further explained that the programme also included training on sexual and reproductive health, rights of women and adolescent girls, child birth spacing and second chance education programme for young and elderly women.

The Commissioner of Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Mainasara Ahmad, who was represented by Deputy Director, International Cooperation, Alhaji Musa Wamakko, commended the Initiative, as it would go a long way in improving the lives of the beneficiaries.

Ahmad congratulated the beneficiaries and urged them to live up to expectations by not reselling the items, disclosing that a monitoring committee would be constituted to monitor the judicious use of the items.

He further commended the Ministry for Women Affairs and the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative for their efforts.

Dr Bello Lawal, Chief Medical Director, Maryam Abacha Women and Children Hospital, described the support of the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative as commendable, especially for sponsoring VVF surgeries for some women in the hospital.

According to him, the support would surely enhance reintegration of VVF victims into the society, where they would become role models in providing support to other women and families. He urged them to encourage others with VVF problems to come for treatment.

In a goodwill message, Mr Umar Idris, the UNFPA Project Support Officer for Spotlight Initiative in Sokoto, said that the beneficiaries were expected to invest properly, hoping that in future programmes, livestock could be sourced from the present beneficiaries to distribute to another set.

He stressed that the project aimed at restoring dignity and reintegrating survivors into their communities with full confidence and livelihood skills to prevent VAWG, SGBV, HP, SRHR and VVF.

One of the training facilitators, Abdullahi Mainasara, said poverty was responsible for increased cases of Gender-based Violence (GBV) and called for team work to address the menace.

Mainasara, Coordinator of Nagarta, explained that Nagarta and other NGOs always strove to sensitise people against all forms of violence in communities across Sokoto state.

Some of the beneficiaries, Amina Aminu, Zaibab Sanusi, Najaatu Muhammad, Safiyya Sanusi, Shamsiyya Ahmad, Jamila Aminu and Maryam Bello, expressed appreciation over the support from the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Prince Adetokunbo Kayode,

By Emmanuella Anokam

The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) says it will on Monday unveil the maiden edition of the Arahah Farmers Market to provide quality and affordable produce to Abuja residents.

ACCI Media Officer Latifat Opoola in a statement on Sunday in Abuja said that the Market was where farmers, especially women producers and sellers can come to sell things at a discounted rate.

Opoola said that the ACCI President, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, would unveil the market.

According to Opoola, the market, which will be jointly organised by ACCI and Women Arise Development and Humanitarian Initiative (WADHI) is set to hold from Dec. 14 to Dec.16.

She quoted ACCIs Director-General , Victoria Akai, as saying that the market would provide high-quality, affordable produce to low and middle-income residents of Abuja and its environs.

Akai said thatit would also help the Micro, Small and Meduim Enterprises (MSMEs) scale-up their businesses.

She said it would assist women, especially womens owned or led businesses to have access to end-users.

According to Akai, Arahah Farmers Market is where farmers, especially women producers and sellers can come to sell things at a discounted rate.

She added that the development would provide opportunity for networking and a ready market to sell their produce.

Also speaking on the Arahah Market Project, Esther Eghobamien-Mshelia, Convener of WADHI, described the Market as a peculiar market in the FCT which would bring farmers and primary producers together.

She said that initiative would boost farmers income as well as create opportunity for FCT residents to access to fresh food from farms.

According to her, the initiative will eliminate the role of middlemen which will indirectly increase the prices of such food items.

She said the market was scheduled to hold at ACCI International Trade Fair Centre, Lugbe, Airport Road.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

COVID-19

By Afusat Agunbiade-Oladipo

The Kwara Government says 23 more people have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the state to 1,226.

The spokesman of the Technical Committee on COVID-19 in the state, Mr Rafiu Ajakaye,made this known in a statement issued in Ilorin.

He added that 1,076 patients had been discharged while 30 deaths were recorded in the state.

As at 2:20 pm on Saturday, the number of active cases is now 120, while 1,076 have so far been discharged and 30 deaths recorded, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Be carriers of good news, cleric charges journalists

By Olubukola Aiyedogbon

Evang. Emmanuel Akeredolu,the minister in charge of Christ Apostolic Church, Oke-Isegun in Ilorin, has admonished journalists in Kwara to be carriers of good news.

Akeredolu, who was represented by Pastor Ayo Olorunleke gave the charge at the 2nd Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kwara chapters Christmas carol held in Ilorin on Sunday.

The cleric urged journalists to focus on news that will build rather than destroy the nation.

He said that Christmas was aimed at providing an opportunity to celebrate Gods unconditional love for man.

Mans love is conditional but Gods love is unconditional and this is the main reason of the Christmas celebration.

Gods unquantifiable gift to man; the gift of Jesus Christ is a gift that cant be measured and so it deserved to be celebrated now and always.

If God can give us his son, theres nothing he cannot give to us.

Jesus arrived with a joy that the world cant give and cant take.

This is why the people of Christ are one of the most excited people on the earth, he said.

The Chairman, Kwara Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Evang. Timothy Opoola, who represented the Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi, expressed joy at the success of the programme and urged the NUJ to keep up the good work of propagating the good news.

Also speaking, Pastor Oluwole Osundeyi, who represented the Commissioner for Communication, Mrs Harriet Afolabi-Oshatimehin, urged journalists to rededicate themselves to ensuring a peaceful and harmonious society through promotion of edifying news. (NAN)

Source: NAN News