Friday, 28 July 2023

AC Milan Signs Super Eagle's Samuel Chukwueze

 AC Milan has confirmed signing of Super Eagles winger Samuel Chukwueze on deal until 2028.



The 24-year-old signed a five-year deal with the Serie A club and will wear the number 21.

Chukwueze, who had one year left on his Villarreal contract, wanted to leave the Spanish side to secure a move elsewhere.

Milan announced the signing in a statement released on their website on Thursday.


“AC Milan is delighted to announce the signing of Samuel Chimerenka Chukwueze from Villarreal CF. The Nigerian forward has signed for the Rossoneri until 30 June 2028,” Milan stated.


“Born in Umuahia (Nigeria) on 22 May 1999, Samuel came through the Diamond Football Academy Youth Sector before moving to Villarreal in 2017.


“With the Spanish club’s B team, he played 20 games and scored four goals before making his debut with the senior team in September 2018, going on to feature 207 times, scoring 37 goals, and winning 1 Europa League.


“He has been capped 28 times for Nigeria and scored four goals.

“Samuel Chukwueze has chosen the number 21 jersey.”


During his time at Villarreal, Chukwueze helped the LaLiga side win the UEFA Europa League title in 2020/21 season.

I Feel Your Pains, Expect Prosperity Soon, President Tinubu Tells Nigerians

Pesident Bola Tinubu on Thursday called for the patience and understanding of Nigerians, particularly the youths, assuring them that the hardships of the moment will eventually give way for a more prosperous, equitable and inclusive economy.



He gave the assurance on Thursday at the State House while receiving All Progressives Congress (APC) National Youth Leaders from across the 36 States of the federation and Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.


A statement issued by Dele Alake, Special Adviser to the President (Special Duties, Communications and Strategy) said the President told the youths that his administration would include them in governance, and decision-making processes, adding that “no decision would be too difficult for his administration to take for the prosperity and unity of the nation.’’


The statement quoted President Tinubu as saying: “I make my pledge to the country that no decision will be difficult for this administration to take for the prosperity and unity of this country. Economic reforms could be slow. Be patient a little more.”


“I can assure you that I understand the pains you are going through. It is not easy to get out the monster of over 40 years called fuel subsidy,” he added.


The President noted that his administration would do everything necessary to widen the net in order to accommodate more women and youths.


According to him, this will be done, among others, by ‘liaising with our lending institutions to give micro loans at a very low interest rate’ for economic activities among the citizens.


Earlier in his remarks, the APC National Youth Leader, Hon. Abdullahi Dayo Israel, told the President that, as representatives of all the youth organs of the party, they had come to congratulate him on the party’s victory at the polls and seek inclusion in appointments into the dissolved boards and agencies of government.

Source: Tribune

Behold Super Falcons' Defender, Michelle Alozie, Who Made Nigeria Proud

 This young lady, Super Falcons Defender, Michelle Alozie, really made Nigeria proud at their match held yesterday in Australia.

Michelle Alozie
She is combining two professions. She is a Cancer Research Technician at Texas Children's Hospital and a Professional Footballer for the Super Falcons of Nigeria and Houston Dash FC of USA.

She has a degree in Molecular Biology from Yale University.

When that match was being played, no tribal and religion superiority.

Senator Shehu Sani reacts to President Tinubu's Ministerial List

 


COMEDIAN ABDULGAFAR ABIOLA, AKA "CUTE ABIOLA’S" USING POLICE UNIFORM IS CRIMINAL, PUNISHABLE -POLICE FORCE HEADQUARTERS

Popular comedian, Abdulgafar Abiola, aka Cute Abiola, may be having a tough time presently as the Nigeria Police frowned at some skits he made recently using police uniform.

According to a press release from Force Headquarters, Abuja, made available by the Force Public Relations Department, Mr. Olumuyiwa Adejobi, two recent skits he posted on his social media handles on 20th and 24th July, 2023  showed a highly disrespectful and derogatory portrayal of the police uniform.


He emphasised that the action is a direct violation of Section 251 of the Criminal Code and Section 133 of the Penal Code Law. Such acts are not only offensive but also undermine the integrity and dignity of the men and women who wear the uniform in service to the nation.

The statement reads, "In as much as the law grants Nigerians the right to enjoy their fundamental human rights, the same law prohibits an individual, under whatever guise, from rubbishing the police institution or grossly violating its provisions with regards to the use of uniforms. 

"We, therefore, vehemently condemn the contemptuous act displayed by comedian Abdulgafar Abiola, popularly known as "Cute Abiola," in two recent skits posted on his social media handles on 20th and 24th July, 2023. The skits in question show a highly disrespectful and derogatory portrayal of the police uniform, an action that is in direct violation of Section 251 of the Criminal Code and Section 133 of the Penal Code Law. Such acts are not only offensive but also undermine the integrity and dignity of the men and women who wear the uniform in service to the nation.


"Abdulgafar Abiola will be investigated and possibly prosecuted for his deliberate acts as the NPF had already warned skit makers and filmmakers to desist from desecrating its uniform or accoutrements. The Force is committed to upholding the sanctity of the uniform and will pursue due legal process to ensure accountability for any individual or entity that seeks to bring disrepute to the uniform or the institution it represents. We call on all members of the public, including media personalities, to exercise their freedom of expression responsibly and avoid engaging in actions that could erode public trust in our revered law enforcement institutions."

Thursday, 27 July 2023

Exhibition, events and masquerades display at Ndi Ebe Abam Foundation Age Grade's Traditional Retirement


By Ada Dike

In some villages and towns, there are some events spectators don't want to end on time, and one of such events is Foundation Age Grade's traditional retirement ceremony.

Some members of Foundation Age Grade, Ndi Ebe Abam.

His Royal Majesty, Eze Okoko Arunsi, Ochi Oza 111

On December 29, 2022, members of Foundation Age Grade in Ndi Ebe Abam in Arochukwu LGA, Abia State, Nigeria had their traditional retirement (Ipurafia).

 

The celebration began on 28th, the day all the age grade members began to cook meals for the occasion. Men cooked rice, stew and yam porridge, while women cooked moulded melon soup (ofe egusi or ofe ahu) without leaves in it, rice and stew.


In the morning of the celebration day, around 7.30 a.m, they took the food to a river called Igwu River, a river (tributary) that flows from Ebonyi State side, passes through many towns in Abam including Ozu Abam and Atan Abam and Akwa Ibom then ends in a sea in Cross River State. Tales abound on how majority of the village's members and grandparents  used canoes, which were the major means of transportation then to Calabar where they were based and traded majorly in textile materials. So the river is apart from a place the inhabitants of the town go to fetch water, bath and wash clothes hosts different age groups every four years.


Members of the age group wore a uniform (red velvet material with black horses in it and a beautiful George materials as their wrapper.

Declaring the occasion opened, the town's king, His Royal Majesty, Okoko Arunsi, Ochi Oza 111 of Ndi Ebe Abam, said the 'ipurafia' is an age long tradition in the town and expressed gratitude to God for the peaceful day the age grade members turned out in large number and celebrated their retirement ceremony despite the fact that many people decided not to participate, claiming that their religion forbids it, meanwhile, there is nothing the community and age grade members do that go against Christianity.


In his words: "Our forefathers did it. It is an event that usher usher an age grade to retire from active service to the community so as to allow the younger ones to continue to join hands to develop our land, maintain peace and order and participate in every activity that will unite one another as well as make the land habitable.

"This year's celebration attracted timbers and calibers from different places due to the personalities that are celebrating their retirement. I thank them so much and pray that the next age group that will do their own in four years' time will do better than us."


He advised parents to ensure that young men and women obeyed the rules and regulations of the elders by maintaining peace and tranquility in the land during the festive season and beyond as the defaulters would be severely punished.


"Parents, warn your children to maintain peace and order. I am prepared to do good not bad things. Anyone that is doing bad thing should stop it because whatever you sow, you shall reap. If you love fighting, sheath your sword. Enjoy your money, food and drinks with joy," he added.


He prayed for God to grant Ndi Ebe Abam sons and daughters safe journey to where they returned from. 

He also warned people to take pictures and videos of the event at the village and booths before 3pm as it is forbidden for anyone to take pictures or record videos of the 'Ekpe-aka" (long masquerade). 


"Defaulters will be severely punished and will also pay fine. If they invite soldiers or the police to arrest the elders of the land for punishing them, when they hear our side of the story, they will go."


The age group built a palace for the community as their retirement project.


In his speech, the Chairman of the age grade and a former senior Customs and Excise officer, Mr. Eric Ukaha, said he was elated to participate in the celebration as a leader and member of the group. "Good thing is good, so I'm glad that we are promoting our culture and tradition today." 


 He advised people to embrace good things and eschew evil, to make the world a better place.


He further say that: "I thank you all for finding time to grace the occasion and support us immensely. Celebrations will not seize in your homes."


By that river, the age group made up of notable personalities including Mr. Eric Ukaha; HRM Okoko Arunsi; the village's past king's wife, Lolo Lucy Thomas Uba; U.S based business woman, Mrs. Pauline Ikechi; and a former woman leader of the community, Mrs. Comfort Kalu Ogba, to mention a few, displayed their well cooked meals on their tables for inspection by members of the last age group that did their retirement ceremony. Anyone whose meal was not up to standard paid fine. When the inspectors finished collecting their meals from all the participants, sons and daughters from the village ate the remaining food to their satisfaction.

According to one of the spectators, Mrs.  Grace Kalu Okoko, it was a beautiful scene to behold as many indigenes who returned from different parts of the world went to the river to catch a glimpse of the age long tradition. 

Furthermore,  she said: "We were told that the remaining food would be thrown into the water but, I was surprised that no food remained in any of the celebrants' pots because young boys and girls ate everything. The act of cooking for people to come and eat beside that river showed that members of Ndi Ebe Abam community are united and also love themselves."


She added that since she was born, she had never seen the size of moulded egusi and stockfish she saw in the soups there.


From the river, members the age group were escorted by their loved ones who covered them with the biggest size of umbrellas while they danced melodious music played by a band group.


In a single file, they danced to the village square, where they were received by elders of the town. After some minutes, they danced to a place called 'ihu elu ogo", where traditional land guns  (Ukurutu) popularly known as 'mkpo-na-ala) saluted them.


From there, each celebrant went to their houses and sat in tents built with George materials where friends and family members visited them, wined and dined with them, and gave them gifts including money.


They were asked to dismantle their tents around 4 pm and prepare for the celebration of long masquerade (Ekpe-aka).


Recall that the masquerade is what stands the town out culturally, in the whole Igbo land due to its height. The masquerade has a young boy on top that entertains spectators by waving two hands to the tune of the music being played, "Ife anyi ji ka mba, yayariya! Mm, mmm, yayariya!!!, meaning, " This is what we have which other towns don't have."

Everyone tied George materials, sang and danced the song.


Just like the Igbo adage states that, "Before a big masquerade comes out, smaller ones must appear first," spectators watched dual face masquerades called 'Ukwanyiri' and 'Ukpokporo' as well as multitudes of young men artistic works and expressions, who entertained spectators with drama and comedy while they wait for the arrival of the long masquerade.


The event ended after the boy on top of the masquerade was taken to the town's square in celebration that the outing was successful. People then danced to the boy's parents' home who received him with joy. Then men, women, boys and girls danced along Abiriba-Amaguzo road before they converged at the town's square where they sang that what makes them unique from other towns in the world came and left peacefully.












Naomi's Creative Imagination Manifests In Debut Solo Exhibition


By Simeon Mpamugoh
What do you want to manifest in your thoughts. For Naomi Oyeniyi, a multiple award winning artist, her thoughts recently manifested  in 18 colourful works of fine art that were recently presented to the art loving public.
Naomi Oyeniyi