Tag: Nigeria

Iheanacho

Kelechi Iheanacho Reveals How He Felt Before Taking Match-winning Penalty Against South Africa

Super Eagles forward, Kelechi Iheanacho has described the moment he had to score the match-winning penalty against South Africa on Wednesday, February 7, as a “make or break” moment.

Kelechi Iheanacho, who was one of the last players to link up with the Super Eagles in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, ahead of the 2023 AFCON, hasn’t started a game in the tournament so far.

The Leicester City forward had not played any minute in the tournament before the South Africa vs Nigeria clash on Wednesday.

During Wednesday’s game, coach Jose Peseiro who is reportedly at loggerhead with the player before the tournament, introduced him into the game in extra time.

He couldn’t help the Super Eagles win the game within the extra period as the match ended in a 1-1 draw and was decided by a penalty shootout.

Fortunately for Kelechi Iheanacho, he was the last among the five players selected to take Super Eagles’ spot-kicks and successfully converted it to seal a 4-2 shootout win.

After the win, Iheanacho told reporters that he felt like the entire country was on his shoulder at the point of taking his spot-kick.

“I felt at that moment, I was carrying the hope of the nation on my shoulder. The penalty was either make or break but I thank God who made it possible for us to go through to the final,” Iheanacho said.

It will be interesting to see whether coach Jose Peseiro will give Kelechi Iheanacho any minute in the 2023 AFCON final against Ivory Coast at 9 p.m. on Sunday, February 11.

The post Kelechi Iheanacho Reveals How He Felt Before Taking Match-winning Penalty Against South Africa appeared first on Naija News.

2024 MOBO Awards: Asake Wins Best African Act Ahead Of Davido, Tyla (FULL LIST)

2024 MOBO Awards: Asake Wins Best African Act Ahead Of Davido, Tyla (Full List)

Nigeria’s musical sensation, Asake, secured the title of Best African Act at the 2024 MOBO Awards.

The award-winning artist, known for “Lonely at the Top,” emerged victorious over renowned stars like Adekunle Gold, Davido, Rema, Ayra Starr, Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Rema.

The category also featured South African Tyla, Cameroonian-American Libianca, and Eswatini artist, Uncle Waffles.

At the 2024 MOBO Awards, Asake wasn’t the sole Nigerian victor; Afro-gospel singer Limoblaze clinched the title of Best Gospel Artist.

Asake and Limoblaze now join the ranks of 2Baba, D’Banj, Wizkid, Davido, and Burna Boy as Nigerians who have secured victories at the MOBO Awards.

Additionally, British-Nigerian rapper, Tunde emerged triumphant, earning the Best New Artist award.

British rapper, Central Cee topped the winners’ chart with two awards: Best Male Act and Song of the Year for ‘Sprinter’ with British-Nigerian rapper, Dave.

Drake and 21 Savage shared the title of Best International Act, while Soul II Soul received the esteemed Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2024 MOBO Awards.

2024 MOBO Awards: See Full List of winners

1. Best Newcomer: Tunde
2. Best African Music Act: Asake
3. Best Alternative Music Act: Skindred
4. Best Caribbean Music Act: Valiant
5. Best Drill Act: K-Trap
6. Best Electronic/Dance Act: Shygirl
7. Best Female Act: Raye
8. Best Gospel Act: Limoblaze
9. Best Grime Act: Bugzy Malone
10. Best Hip-Hop Act: Little Simz
11. Best International Act (US): Drake and 21 Savage
12. Best Jazz Act: Ezra Collective
13. Best Male Act: Central Cee
14. Best Media Personality: ShxtsnGigs
15. Best Performance in a TV Show/Film: Damson Idris as Franklin Saint – Snowfall
16. Best Producer: Inflo
17. Best R&B/Soul Act: Sault
18. Best Song of the Year: Central Cee and Dave – Sprinter
19. Best Video of the Year: Stormzy – Mel Made Me Do It (dir Klvdr)
20. Album of the Year: Potter Payper – Real Back in Style
21. Impact Award: Sugababes
22. Lifetime Achievement Award: Soul II Soul
23. Paving the Way Award: Jessica Ennis-Hill
24. Pioneer Award: Ghetts

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Abuja

Abuja Becoming One Of The Scariest Cities In The World — Bukarti

Abuja Becoming One Of The Scariest Cities In The World — Bukarti

Security expert, Bulama Bukarti has stated that Abuja is becoming one of the most alarming cities worldwide.

The city is grappling with issues such as kidnappings, one-chance robberies, and a proliferation of criminals, creating widespread chaos among the innocent citizens of Nigeria’s political capital.

“In major junctions in Abuja, criminals and armed robbers masquerading as taxi drivers maim and rob Nigerians in a way that we have not seen before.

“Abuja is becoming one of the scariest Federal Capital cities in the world,” Bukarti said on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Monday.

 The abduction of six siblings and their father in the Bwari Area Council of Abuja on January 3, 2024, sparked widespread outrage. 

Tragically, the kidnappers took the life of one of the sisters, Nabeehah, when their parents were unable to meet the N60 million ransom deadline.

According to Bukarti, the events unfolding in Abuja mirror the broader trend of incidents occurring throughout Nigeria.

“Over 9,700 people were killed last year in 2023 across Nigerians. Abuja cannot be immune to that because as long as you leave insecurity to fester and flourish across Nigeria, then, it will find its way to Abuja,” he said.

Bukarti additionally mentioned that intelligence reports indicate the infiltration of violent terrorist groups from the North-East, North-West, and North-Central geopolitical zones into Abuja. Furthermore, some of these groups are reported to be operating from border states like Kogi, Kaduna, Niger, and Nasarawa.

“In the last three months of 2023, over 200 people fell victim to either killings or abductions in Abuja,” stated the expert, highlighting the concerning trend. He emphasized that this disturbing pattern could deter investors and dissuade diplomats from residing in the nation’s capital, significantly impacting Nigeria’s global security rating.

Bukarti urged security agencies to initiate “sustained security action” not only in Abuja but also in other parts of the country to address and mitigate the escalating security challenges.

“The way to secure Abuja is to take the fight to the bandits and terrorists in other parts of the country,” he advised.

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Abuja

Declare State Of Emergency In Abuja – FCT PCC Begs Tinubu, Wike

In light of the escalating insecurity, abductions, and relentless assaults on the inhabitants of Abuja by bandits, the Commissioner for Public Complaints in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dalhatu Ezekiel, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s led government to declare a state of emergency in the nation’s capital city.

Naija News reports that Ezekiel made the call during a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, lamenting the increased incidents of kidnappings, armed robberies, and violent attacks, which have heightened anxiety and fear among residents of Abuja communities.

Despite several efforts reportedly made by the authorities, residents believe that the authorities haven’t done enough to address the security challenges, leading to frustration and a sense of helplessness.

Speaking on behalf of the residents, Ezekiel urged the Federal Government to prioritize the security situation in the area.

He further appealed to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to consider suspending any ongoing projects, if necessary, in order to tackle this crucial issue that directly impacts the lives of FCT residents.

Additionally, he advocated for the establishment of a civilian joint task force as an alternative approach to combat insecurity in rural areas.

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