Nigeria will clash with Ivory Coast in the Finals of 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday in Abidjan.
Ivory Coast defeated DR Congo by a lone goal to reach Final as Nigeria triumph against South Africa in their Semi-finals encounter.
Super Eagle will have to slug it out for the grand prize with the Host country, the Elephants at Abidjan, 21pm Nigerian time.
Recall that the Super Eagles had defeated Bafana Bafana at the Semi-finals on penalties to reach the finals.
Nigeria defeated South Africa on penelties to reach finals at the ongoing Semi-finals, Africa Cup of Nations.
The Super Eagles and Bafana Bafana played 1-1 after 120 minutes, however Nigeria edged South Africa on penalties shot out.
Nigeria will play Ivory Coast or DR Congo at the finals on Sunday in Abidjan.
The Super Eagles said it will defeat Bafana Bafana in 90 minutes at the semi-finals clash at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations.
The team’s media officer, Babafemi Raji, disclosed this during a Channels Television interview on Wednesday.
He assured Nigerians there no need to worry about penalties assuring that Nigeria would come out victory over South Africa in 90 or 120 minutes.
Raji said he is optimistic of Super Eagles would be at the finals at Abidjan Ivory Coast on Sunday.
“We will win within 90 minutes, so why border ourselves about penalties after 120 minutes? Let’s be positive that we win the game within 90 minutes. Let’s win and get to the finals in Abidjan on Sunday”.
Newsshpere reports that Nigeria will play South Africa at 6:00 pm Nigerian time.
The Winner of the encounter will play Ivory Coast or DR Congo at the finals on Sunday.
The Nigerian Communications Commission Executive Vice Chairman Aminu Maida says the commission has extracted commitments from Mobile Network Operators to simplify their tariffs for subscribers.
On Tuesday, Maida disclosed this during a media engagement with the Nigeria Information Technology Reporters’ Association, NITRA Abuja Chapter.
According to the EVC, the Commission is committed on initiating a practical approach to tackling challenges facing Nigeria’s telecom sector.
Maida pledged that the Commission will take up first-level consumer complaints to ensure quick intervention and improve service delivery.
“All the MNOs have committed to simplifying their tariffs. We have to reduce the number of tariffs out there. When people come to choose, it is not because they don’t have time to go through all the tariffs but because it is clear and you know what you are signing on to.
“And the NCC is looking at bringing regulations to formalize the simplicity of tariffs.
“We are moving away from end-of-month reports to almost real data on the sector but not only on system level performance such as drop calls, the speed of data, latent or ability to set up calls, we are also moving away from second level complaints from the consumers to also analyzing the first level complaints that come in through the operators.
“We are not going to take over consumer support, but we tend to analyze trends of consumer complaints. To see what people are complaining about, how long does it take them to be resolved. So that we can intervene very quickly, all in the spirit of holding operators in the sector accountable, why are these complaints lingering?” he said.
On his part, the President of NITRA Abuja Chapter, Blessing Olaifa, lauded the EVC for his remarkable leadership and for seeing that Nigeria’s telecom industry serves citizens better.
“We’ve started seeing your leadership in the industry. We urged you to continue in this momentum”, he said.
Earlier, Engr Ubale Maska, Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, NCC, while reacting to questions from journalists, blamed the vandalization of fibre cables as a hindrance to achieving the Nigeria National Broadband Penetration Plan, NNBP, 2020-2025 target and quality telecom services.
He, however, said it has turned to satellite as its approach to achieving a broadband penetration target.
“There is consistent vandalization of telecoms infrastructure all over the country.
“Every day, major operators suffer multiple cable cuts nationwide. Some day, it could be 50, 60, 70. We get 100 of these cable cuts every month.
“For instance, the road projects break fibres and cables across the country.
“To achieve the NBPP, the Commission has turned to satellite broadband like Starlink and others that are coming into the country to meet up with its target”, he said.
Meanwhile, in his closing remarks, the Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, Adeleke Adewolu, called for more partnership with the media for the Commission to deliver its mandate.
“As the EVC has said, Kindly work with us in partnership and Collaboration. Hold us accountable, give us feedback”, he said.
The Nigerian Communications Commission Executive Vice Chairman Aminu Maida says the Commission will directly resolve telecommunications consumers’ complaints for prompt intervention and accountability.
Also, he said NCC has extracted commitments from Mobile Network Operators to simplify their tariffs for subscribers.
On Tuesday, Maida disclosed this during a media engagement with the Nigeria Information Technology Reporters’ Association, NITRA Abuja Chapter.
According to the EVC, the Commission is committed on initiating a practical approach to tackling challenges facing Nigeria’s telecom sector.
Maida pledged that the Commission will take up first-level consumer complaints to ensure quick intervention and improve service delivery.
“We are moving away from end-of-month reports to almost real data on the sector but not only on system level performance such as drop calls, the speed of data, latent or ability to set up calls, we are also moving away from second level complaints from the consumers to also analyzing the first level complaints that come in through the operators.
“We are not going to take over consumer support, but we tend to analyze trends of consumer complaints. To see what people are complaining about, how long does it take them to be resolved. So that we can intervene very quickly, all in the spirit of holding operators in the sector accountable, why are these complaints lingering?” he said.
He added that there is a need to raise awareness of data usage habits among telecom subscribers.
“All the MNOs have committed to simplifying their tariffs. We have to reduce the number of tariffs out there. When people come to choose, it is not because they don’t have time to go through all the tariffs but because it is clear and you know what you are signing on to.
“And the NCC is looking at bringing regulations to formalize the simplicity of tariffs”, he said.
On his part, the President of NITRA Abuja Chapter, Blessing Olaifa, lauded the EVC for his remarkable leadership and for seeing that Nigeria’s telecom industry serves citizens better.
“We’ve started seeing your leadership in the industry. We urged you to continue in this momentum”, he said.
Earlier, Engr Ubale Maska, Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, NCC, while reacting to questions from journalists, blamed the vandalization of fibre cables as a hindrance to achieving the Nigeria National Broadband Penetration Plan, NNBP, 2020-2025 target and quality telecom services.
He, however, said it has turned to satellite as its approach to achieving a broadband penetration target.
“There is consistent vandalization of telecoms infrastructure all over the country.
“Every day, major operators suffer multiple cable cuts nationwide. Some day, it could be 50, 60, 70. We get 100 of these cable cuts every month.
“For instance, the road projects break fibres and cables across the country.
“To achieve the NBPP, the Commission has turned to satellite broadband like Starlink and others that are coming into the country to meet up with its target”, he said.
Meanwhile, in his closing remarks, the Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, Adeleke Adewolu, called for more partnership with the media for the Commission to deliver its mandate.
“As the EVC has said, Kindly work with us in partnership and Collaboration. Hold us accountable, give us feedback”, he said.
The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission ICPC, Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, has charged Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to see themselves as standard bearers, while undertaking their responsibilities with sincerity and passion.
In a statement by the Spokesperson of the Commission, Mrs Azuka Ogugua, Dr Aliyu made this call on Tuesday in his presentation on Civil Society’s Monitoring Mechanism for Nigeria’s implementation of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, UNCAC that took place in Abuja.
The ICPC boss stated that the event, which was organised by the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Integrity Watch, CeFTIW, offered a unique opportunity to bring anti-corruption stakeholders together to make concrete positive change.
According to Dr Aliyu, the monitoring mechanism being presented was “a testament to a collective resolve to forge a future where integrity and accountability are not mere ideals, but the foundation of our governance at all levels”.
He added that the initiative embodied “shared commitment to oversight, evaluation and participation, serving as a compass guiding efforts to eradicate the scourge of corruption that has hindered national progress”.
He went further to commend the effort of CeFTIW towards the development of the monitoring mechanisms, stating that these strategies will serve as a source of citizen empowerment and validate the demand for the highest standard of accountability from those who serve in public office.
Dr. Aliyu thanked all CSOs for believing in a corruption-free country and urged them to see the monitoring mechanisms as “the energy that propels us towards a Nigeria defined by virtues of honesty, fairness and relentless commitment to doing what is right”.
While presenting the monitoring mechanisms, the Executive Director of CeFTIW, Umar Yakubu, outlined the importance of UNCAC in the development of the monitoring mechanisms.
He stressed that the focus of CSOs should not be to antagonise government but rather find common ground to effectively combat corruption.
Mr. Yakubu encouraged stakeholders and the media to develop a positive attitude towards publicising successes in the war on corruption.
He explained that the initiative hoped to measure the impact of several advocacy tools in order to optimally channel resources in the fight against corruption, as well as recommend steps for drastic improvement.
The Executive Director of CeFTIW said Nigeria has been guilty too often of throwing money at issues, rather than critically analysing before proffering sustainable solutions.
He however commended ICPC for its lead role in combatting corruption especially in the public sector.
Nigeria defeated Angola owhelmingly to advance to the Semi Finals of Africa Cup of Nations.
Ademola Lookman came through for the Super Eagles with a lone goal victory against the Black Sable antelopes at the Quarter finals of AFCON.
Nigerian Newssphere recalls that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had called Super Eagles to wish them success.
The Biafra Republic Government in Exile, BRGIE, has announced the commencement of a self-referendum to actualize the age-long agitated sovereign nation called Biafra.
In a document by Ekpa Simon, Prime Minister of BRGIE, sighted by our correspondent, the E-voting platform overview said the referendum is part of steps meant to be taken to actualize the Biafra Republic peacefully.
Accordingly, voting will start on February 1 2024, until it reaches a reasonable number of votes; this is because of the challenges of the internet and lack of electricity in rural areas.
The group called on all Nigerians of Igbo extraction to participate in the ongoing online referendum, saying all Biafra citizens have the right to choose their sovereignty freely.
BRGIE states, “Biafrans have demonstrated unparalleled loyalty to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and Biafra Government in Exile by sitting at home every Monday for the past two years during our Leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s court appearances.
“Collectively, through these actions, Biafrans have demonstrated beyond doubt a desire to be free from subjugation and the unprovoked periodic massacre of our people.
“As such, we are taking steps to satisfy the requirements for a peaceful actualization of a quest for self-preservation and independence of the United States of Biafra.
“Through the ongoing delegitimization of Nigeria in Biafra territory(through the Grievance Declaration, institutionalization Declaration and Commitment Declaration) and the legitimization of the Biafra Government, the Biafra Liberation have attained the status for state recognition by successfully setting up institutions required by international law and standards.
“This referendum election provides yet another step towards our freedom. As a Biafra citizen, you will further demonstrate your resolve for an independent United States of Biafra by participating in the Biafra Self Referendum (BSR)”.
The group said to qualify for the exercise, the participant must ” be a Biafran by birth (born of mother and/or father who themselves are Biafrans)” and from 18 years above.
“You must know your State and County, which serve as your precinct.
“You must have a passport photo or a phone to take your passport photo. Your photo must not be more than 2MB”, it added.
See link for voting:
https://forms.gle/7gdEC9jgoBoPRkNL9
The National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion, NOTAP has ranked University of Port Harcourt, UNIPORT as the best Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Office, IPTTO in Nigeria.
NOTAP acting Director-General, Dr Idoreyin Imiyoho, disclosed this on Wednesday while presenting the awards to the top three IPTTOs in Abuja.
To this end, NOTAP presented a cash reward of N500, 000 to UNIPPORT, N300,000 to University of Lagos and N200, 000 to University of Ilorin.
Imiyoho was represented by Mrs Anie Osuagwu, the Director, Technology Acquisition and Research Coordination of NOTAP.
She said the ranking of IPTTOs in the country was necessary in order to encourage demand-driven research and launch Nigeria into the comity of technologically independent nations.
“ The IPTTO ranking programme initiated by (NOTAP) is aimed at strengthening the operation of IPTTOs in the country to promote the culture of invention and innovation.
“The establishment of IPTTOs in Nigerian knowledge institutions across geopolitical zones of the country was an initiative of NOTAP in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), a UN agency based in Geneva, Switzerland,’’ she said.
NOTAP boss said IPTTO initiative was to sensitise the Nigerian knowledge institutions on the importance of Intellectual Property Right (IPR) as well as the need to engage in market driven research as against conventional research.
She recalled that the programme started in 2006 with the establishment of six centers and has progressed both in number and quality to over 60 IPTTOs across the country,’’ she said.
According to her, the world economy is driven and sustained by knowledge. So, agency is saddled with the responsibility of regulating the inflow of foreign technologies through the registration of technology transfer agreements.
She said that the criteria for ranking comprised of visibility of the center within the institution, documentation of institutional research and development results, institutional intellectual property policy in place among others.
In her remarks, Prof. Mary Iwundu, the Director of IPTTO, UniPort, who received the award, appreciated NOTAP for its efforts in recognising the efforts of researchers in the country.
“NOTAP has done a lot for the research community in Nigeria; it has been supportive through funding and various trainings.
“ As a recipient of this award and emerging the best and, as a university we are very proud that our hard work is being recognised.
“It is a good thing that there is enough sensitisation to make people understand intellectual property rights and patenting, ” she said.
She commended NOTAP for establishing IPTTOs in universities, polytechnics and research institutions in the country, saying this will promote interaction and strengthen the linkage between university/research institutions and industries.
The Kano State government has assured the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) of maximum cooperation in fighting and preventing corruption in Nigeria, and in Kano State in particular.
This assurance was given on Wednesday by the Governor of the State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, represented by the Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, when the ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN led the management team of the Commission to pay a courtesy call to the governor.
Welcoming the Chairman and his team, the Kano State governor expressed his delight that Kano State was the first one visited by the Chairman since his assumption of office, and commended his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a testament of his pedigree and undiluted commitment to the Nigerian project,
The governor further commended the government for putting mechanisms such as ICPC and EFCC in place noting that these have helped curb impunity in the system.
“It may interest the ICPC management to know that my administration’s zero tolerance on corruption and related tendencies remain sacrosanct, thus in ensuring the successful implementation of this government’s anti-corruption policies, I prioritized a preventive approach without compromising the existing curative mechanisms in the State’s Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC)”, he added.
Earlier, the ICPC Chairman had thanked the Executive Governor for granting the Commission audience, explaining that the Commission had held a Management Retreat in the state, and it was only proper to pay a courtesy call.
The Chairman recalled the previous partnership of ICPC with the Kano State PCACC in the areas of training and sought a continued partnership with the agency in the fight against corruption.
The courtesy call featured goodwill messages from the Chairman of the Kano State PCACC and the Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice of the State.
Your trusted source for breaking news, politics, business, entertainment, sports, technology, and trending stories from Nigeria and around the world.
© Nigerian News Sphere
