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Kylian Mbappé sinks Spain to clinch Nations League for France

The final four brought three wild nights in Milan and champions who twice had to come from behind to lift a still unfamiliar trophy, not least because when it came to the moment that decided its destination, there in the madness was Kylian Mbappé, blood running cold. There too was Hugo Lloris, the man raising it to the sky.

A game of control and quality but few chances had gone crazy, exploding into life and suddenly wide open and that was where France found a way to win it. Having beaten Belgium 3-2 after trailing 2-0 in the semi-final, now they beat Spain having trailed 1-0. First Karim Benzema bent in an outrageous shot to equalise a minute after Mikel Oyarzabal had given Spain the lead and then Mbappé, clean through, coolly slid the ball under Unai Simón for the winner.

Spain were not happy about it: Mbappé had been clearly offside when he was released by Theo Hernández and Eric García admitted he had trouble accepting Anthony Taylor’s explanation that the tiniest of touches from his studs as he stretched had played the Frenchman back onside again. It was a cruel, almost bureaucratic way to lose a final.

Not that it was over just yet. Those three goals had come in 15 minutes and although there would be none in the remaining 15 there was so much happening it was hard to keep up. Mbappé scored in the 80th minute. Just as important was Lloris’s dramatic save from Oyarzabal in the 95th. Between those moments there had been two more superb stops, one at each end, as the final, frantic minutes played out and Spain kept flooding forward desperate to recover a lead they felt they had deserved and were determined not to relinquish without a fight.

To the point that Simón went up for a corner and stayed up too, getting a touch in the scramble that ended with Lloris making an exceptional stop, team mates collapsing on the floor in disbelief. In the end, then, Mbappé’s goal had done it and so had Didier Deschamps. Whether by design might be another question, but there can be no doubting the quality of players he has. There may be less doubt about the Spanish players now than a week ago too: a team is emerging under Luis Enrique that came close to claiming a first trophy in nine years and whose identity is clear.

Deschamps had said it was impossible to take the ball off Spain, a statement of fact that also felt like a declaration of intent, and for much of this game so it proved. Sergi Busquets was the axis on which their play was built. Gavi again belied his seventeen years, turning quickly and often, French players left behind. And Ferrán Torres was the outlet, repeatedly receiving on the right and quick to go at opponents, inside or out.

But while Torres released Pablo Sarabia for a scuffed early shot, there was little in the way of real opportunity in the opening forty-five minutes – Spain’s achilles heel. A brief VAR check for a potential Jules Koundé handball was as close as they had come and France may not have been unhappy with what had happened, which was not much, both coaches departing at the break believing this was under control, each in their own different way.

Soon though control had gone and the game was better for it. The second half began with Sarabia almost finding Oyarzabal and Marcos Alonso having to intercept Mbappé, a glimpse of the coming storm. The crossbar was still vibrating from a Theo Hernández shot at one end when Spain took the lead at the other, Busquets clipping a lovely pass for Oyarzabal to hold off Dayot Upemecano – who had replaced the injured Raphaël Varane – and score. Just seconds had passed between those two shots and just seconds would pass before the next, Benzema curling in a sensational shot to make it 1-1.

A goal each and they were back where they had been, no time to take it in. The game, though, was no longer where it had been but in a better, more unpredictable place. Mbappé was denied by Simón, the noise rising, legs tiring, then Yeremi Pino controlled a 70-yard ball, turned and almost got Spain in again. This was wild, and perhaps that suited France, who soon had the winner, Mbappé sent running away. One on one with Simón, he paused, ran his foot over the ball, looked one way and shot the other to place one hand on the trophy. Lloris would apply the other.

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Osun Commissioner denies sending fake soldiers to Ilobu over ongoing crises

Osun commissioner, Kolapo Alimi, has denied claim that he sent fake soldiers to Ilobu over the the ongoing communal clash between the community and neighbouring Ifon and Erin Osun towns.

The Commissioner said this while responding claim by one Tairu Babatunde, the Public Relations Officer of Ilobu Descendant Union (IDU) that he sent out fake soldiers to Ilobu to carry out killings.

“This is a lie taken to the extreme of great mischief,” Alimi said.

The Commissioner who decried the communal clashes said rather than politicise it, every right thinking person in the affected communities ought to strive for the avoidance of the carnage.

“The killings and destructions in the concerned communities are uncalled for because we are brothers and sisters.

“We have an age long relationship of inter marriages. This brotherhood and sisterhood is what we should promote as opposed to killing and maiming of ourselves. It is despicable and uncalled for.

“More unfortunate is the politicization of the conflicts, by using the conflicts to blackmail my humble self by some political jobbers hiding under the name of the conflicts.

“It started about a year ago when the conflicts between Ifon and Ilobu escalated. Quickly, some politicians from the opposition in Ilobu, hiding under the name of fighting for Ilobu interest started blackmailing Oluomo Kolapo Alimi as the one supporting Ifon against Ilobu.

“These baseless allegations reverberate throughout the length and breadth of Ilobu.

“It took Kolapo Alimi several efforts to disabuse the mind of right thinking people of Ilobu about these allegations.

The situation became worse now that Erin is involved, they reinvented their false claims that Alimi brought fake Soldiers to Ilobu.

“Before I delve into the issues, let’s inform those that might not know or remind those that have forgotten the contributions of Kolapo Alimi to the Development of Ilobu.

“My humble self, Kolapo Alimi , as a young boy, had a spell of almost ten years as a teacher in Ilobu Grammar School,Ilobu. I had a record of hard work which impacted positively on many Ilobu indigenes who are today doing well in their different areas of specialisation.

“Thereafter, when I ventured into public service as a politician and eventually, a Commissioner, I, Kolapo Alimi appointed an Ilobu indigene as my Personal Assistant, (an unprecedented step in our political development in our areas).

“In addition, I have records of facilitating the employment of many Ilobu indigenes into Local Govts, Lautech (now Uniosun teaching hospital) and Civil Defence among other key offices in various establishments in Osun and beyond.

“With all humility and modesty , I make bold to say that, I have assisted many Ilobu indigenes despite the fact that I am not an indigene of the town.
On politics, I stood firmly with Honourable Nasiru Olateju, an Ilobu indigene to become the member representing Irepodun/Orolu state constituency, in 2019. Let me stop at that for now.

“It is then quite surprising and astonishing that some people will deliberately be out as a result of mischief and other reasons, particularly politics, to malign my person and integrity.

“An example of such was a blackmail and malicious press release authored by one Tairu Babatunde, the Public Relations Officer of Ilobu Descendant Union (IDU) in which he alleged that I sent fake soldiers to Ilobu to carry out killings. This is a lie taken to the extreme of great mischief.

“Ordinarily,I wouldn’t have responded the way I am currently doing because, anybody holding a public position, more so, who is into politics, should from time to time expect such backlashes from the political opponents,” the Commissioner concluded.

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“I’m in charge” – Gov Alia dismisses calls for state of emergency in Benue

Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, has dismissed calls for a state of emergency in the state, describing them as politically motivated and a desperate attempt to undermine his administration’s progress.

The Governor was reacting to allegations made by the Centre for Judicial Integrity, CJI, which accused his government of attempting to buy off members of the judiciary.

Governor Alia, through his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, refuted the claims as baseless and unfounded.

He stated that those behind the calls for a state of emergency are disgruntled political elements seeking to destabilize Benue for their selfish interests.

“There is no crisis in Benue State. Governor Hyacinth Alia is fully in charge and committed to good governance,” the statement read.

He urged the people of Benue to disregard the falsehoods being spread by “crisis vendors” and focus on the transformational governance his administration is delivering.

“The call for a “state of emergency” in Benue State is not purely vexatious but also a flagrant display of political opportunism. It is evident that these irritated political operatives are sponsored by unscrupulous factions desperate and eager to capitalize on any situation for their advantage.

“Their motives are clear: to undermine a state that is presently going through effective governance and progress under Governor Alia’s leadership.

“There is no unrest in Benue State. Gov. Hyacinth Alia is fully in charge and control of the state,” he added.

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Tinubu inaugurates academy to nurture future leaders

President Bola Tinubu on Monday inaugurated the Nigerian Youth Academy (NIYA) to empower young Nigerians and nurture the next generation of leaders.

Tinubu, represented by the Vice-President Kashim Shettima, said the academy would focus on skills development, employment, leadership and civil engagement.

This, according to him will be achieved through world-class training in digital literacy, technical skills, entrepreneurship and the creative industries.

Tinubu said his administration would ensure that the youth were equipped to compete on the global stage

He said initiatives like the Youth Investment Fund and the Presidential Initiative for Youth Enterprise Clusters would provide financial support, mentorship and resources for young entrepreneurs.

“The establishment of the National Youth Development Bank will ensure access to the capital needed to turn ideas into thriving businesses,” said the President.

According to Tinubu, Nigeria is a peculiar nation with a median age of 17 years, one of the youngest in the world.

“This demographic reality presents both extraordinary opportunity and a pressing challenge. The Nigerian Youth Academy is, therefore, our bold response to this reality.

“Over the next two years, this academy will train and empower millions of young Nigerians. It will equip them with the skills, knowledge and opportunities needed to compete with the rest of the world.

“This is not just an investment in their future, it is an investment in the future of our nation,” Tinubu said.

Earlier, Mr Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, said the academy would complement other transformative government initiatives that empahaised Tinubu’s commitment to young people.

Edun said the ministry of finance was fully committed to supporting programmes like NIYA that created real values, promoted service export and reduced youth unemployment.

“We will continue to work with the ministry of youth development and other partners to ensure that this platform succeeds and be integrated into the national economic strategy,” Edun said.

Also, Mr Ayodele Olawande, the Minister of Youth Development, said the academy would train, connect and empower the youth with skills needed for entrepreneurship.

“This initiative is for every Nigerian youth and is free. NIYA represents the determination of Mr President to help the youth to build their future, create opportunity for themselves and their family,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the highpoint of the event was the presentation of N1 million start-up packs for six youths selected from each geopolitical zones. (PM/NAN)