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Infantino Talks On Football ’s Uniting Qualities

Infantino talks on football ’s uniting qualities during Nigeria visit

Gianni Infantino has hailed football’s uniting qualities, the power of the sport’s development and the growth of women’s football on a two-day visit to Nigeria.

Mr Infantino emphasised that exposure to high-level competition is the key to evolution for the Super Falcons, Super Eagles and the wider, global game.

He attended the opening match of the Aisha Buhari Cup in Lagos before travelling to Abuja, where he emphasised FIFA’s support for football development and the women’s game in meetings with Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, First Lady Aisha Buhari, Minister for Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare, and a delegation from the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), accompanied by FIFA Vice-President and CAF President Patrice Motsepe.

“When I last came to Nigeria a few years ago, we were discussing what FIFA can do for Africa,” said President Infantino.

“We are not here to take, we are here to give and to work together as partners.

“Since then, we have multiplied investments in African football by five. We have doubled the number of African teams going to the FIFA World Cup as of 2026 and the FIFA Women’s World Cup as well.

“We need to give opportunities, hope and chances because it’s only when you play against the best that you can improve and show that you are better than them.”

Mr Infantino recalled the world-class ability of Nigerian greats as role models inspiring a continent as well as players across the member association. After seeing the Nigerian women defeat Mali in the opening match of the Aisha Buhari Cup, he also hoped to add female players to a long list of national football heroes, and praised NFF President – and FIFA Council member – Amaju Melvin Pinnick for his great work to use the sport’s platform as a vehicle for unity.

“Nigeria is there to lead, in Africa and also the world. We have seen the projects that you are putting in place [here] and you can help us to pass on the message that football is about unity and bringing people together. When football is played, there are no divisions in a nation, on a continent and in the world.

“That is the power of football. Thank you President Pinnick for all that you are doing to spread the message that we need more participation, more inclusion and more unity in the world because together, we are stronger.”

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Presidential Spokesman Ajuri Ngelale Proceeds On Indefinite Leave Of Absence

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, has proceeded on an indefinite leave of absence.

Ngelale said the decision was taken after significant consultations with his family over the past days as a vexatious medical situation had worsened.

He made this known in a statement issued on Saturday to the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.

“On Friday, I submitted a memo to the Chief of Staff to the President informing my office that I am proceeding on an indefinite leave of absence to frontally deal with medical matters presently affecting my immediate, nuclear family,” he said.

“While I fully appreciate that the ship of state waits for no man, this agonizing decision — entailing a pause of my functions as the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity and Official Spokesperson of the President; Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action, and Chairman, Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen — was taken after significant consultations with my family over the past several days as a vexatious medical situation has worsened at home.

“I look forward to returning to full-time national service when time, healing, and fate permit. I respectfully ask for some privacy for my family and I during this time.”

The leave of absence implies that he would temporarily suspend his duties as spokesperson to President Bola Tinubu

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No tenure extension for IGP Egbetokun – Police

The Nigeria Police Force High Command has clarified the rumoured tenure extension for Inspector General of Police, Dr. Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, stating that there was no extension granted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Instead, the law governing the tenure of the IGP’s office was properly applied.

This clarification was made in a statement released on Friday in Abuja by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Assistant Commissioner of Police, Olumuyiwa Adejobi.

The statement reads, “the attention of the Nigeria Police Force has been drawn to various misleading reports and misinterpretations concerning the tenure of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, and wishes to categorically state that what His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, approved for the IGP is not an extension of tenure, but rather the proper application of the law governing the tenure of the office of the IGP.

“Contrary to the misinformation being circulated on social media and in the news, an appointment letter in circulation was issued to the IGP shortly after his appointment was confirmed by the Police Council.

This letter, dated 3rd November 2023, clearly stated that the President had approved a four-year tenure for the IGP in accordance with the provisions of Section 215(a) and Section 28(c) of the Third Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

” It is important to emphasize that the IGP does not need to lobby for any tenure extension as his appointment letter explicitly grants him a four-year tenure from the date of his appointment

“The ongoing circulation of false information is clearly the handiwork of pessimists and mischief makers who are determined to spread baseless narratives against the office and the personality of the IGP for obvious reasons and pecuniary gains.

” Furthermore, the IGP has since been issued with another letter in accordance with the provisions of the Police Act, 2020 (as amended), which supersedes the earlier correspondence.

This clarification is necessary to put an end to the speculations and falsehoods being spread.

” We urge the public to disregard the unfounded reports and to trust that the tenure of the IGP is in full compliance with the laws governing the Nigeria Police Force.

In clear terms, IGP’s tenure of office is not subject to unnecessary debate and should not be a source of perennial distraction to policing system in Nigeria. The law is sacrosanct.”

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EFCC grabs 44 for internet fraud in Kwara

Forty-four (44) suspected internet fraudsters were arrested at different locations in Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State on Friday by the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Spokesperson for EFCC, Dele Oyewale said in a statement on Friday that the suspects were arrested by the operatives of the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the EFCC.

“They were arrested on Friday September 6, 2024 at Sango, Kulende, Taxaco and Harmony Estate, all in Ilorin, following credible intelligence over their alleged involvement internet- related offences,” the EFCC spokesperson said.

He listed items recovered from the suspects to include six different brands of exotic cars, laptops, smart phones and charms.

The suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

The Ilorin Directorate of the anti-graft agency had also arrested 56 suspected internet fraudsters two days ago.