July 1, 2023 – Liberia Wire

Fecafoot suspends Vice president Henry Njalla Quan

The fourth vice president of Cameroon Football Federation, Fecafoot, Henry Njalla Quan Junior has been suspended for his recent outing against the President of the federation.

Four out of five executives voted for his provisional suspension, until the executives meet in the next ordinary meeting, a communique read.

Henry Njalla Quan had denounced what he described as”mafia” “corruption” and numerous scandals rocking the football federation in Cameroon.

While on a Live Facebook show on Cameroon News Agency, he said that those presently managing football in the country are bent on destroying the future of young football players.

The owner of of Njalla Quan Sport Academy of Limbe in the South West Region made a series of statements against the mafia unfolding in the country’s football on and off the pitch. He has tabled a petition to the Secretary General of the FECAFOOT South West Regional Bureau, Bessong Joseph, requesting a replay of the 1st leg semi finals match of the South West regional league, against Kumba City FC.

“We witnessed the most scandalous refereeing in the history of Cameroon football and possibly in the world of football, as the team which is I own; Njalla Quan Sport Academy of Limbe, was made to suffer for my supposed disloyalty towards the ‘great and mighty’ President of FECAFOOT,”. He said.

Following this recent developments in the football cycles, especially in the South West Region, stakeholders in the region have declared their unflinching support to FECAFOOT boss Samuel Eto’o fils. This was during a meeting held on Friday June 30, 2023 in the seaside of the resort in the city of Limbe.

The Executive Committee said the 4th vice president violated article 42 sub 1 and 2 of the federation.

The FECAFOOT South West league president, Valery Ndazeh stated that, “The South West Regional League of FECAFOOT is in total control of the developments in the Region and like before, will employ all available opportunities and strategies to promote peaceful atmosphere and with the guidance and unflinching support of the National Executive of FECAFOOT, serinity is being restored in the football family of the South West Region,”

Mr Quan asked Samuel Eto’o to resign as president of the federation.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

President of Victoria United “unbothered” about new FECAFOOT requirements

Victoria United are calm as they await the new season which several clubs are under pressure to fulfill a list of conditions to participate in.

The Cameroon Football Federation announced on June 29 that all Elite One and Two clubs will need to meet a list of requirements to participate in the 2023/2024 season.

The president of Victoria United is unperturbed. He disclosed that he has the budget that can cover all expenses for the Elite One club to meet all of the conditions given by FECAFOOT.

“I already have the budget” Valentine Nkwain revealed. “I started last year with a budget of one billion FCFA which is there. It’s not like I’m going to look for the money. The money is there to do the work.”

He added that a training ground for Victoria United, which is one of the conditions, will get into the realization phase in six months.

The president also indicated that he will add players’ salaries. “My salary for next year is going to be between 250,000 FCFA to 500,000 FCFA”. One of the eligibility criteria set by FECAFOOT requires that all teams have a bank account and pay their players through the bank.

Valentine Nkwain said he wants to set an example for other club presidents to follow. “I think we presidents should come up, take football as a passion not really as where the source of income would come. It might come because it is a business. It will come if you do it very well” the OPOPO president noted.

Victoria United, based in Limbe in the South West region, recently got qualified for the Elite One championship. They will join PWD Bamenda and Yong Sports Academy in the North West, as teams representing the English-speaking regions.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

Saudi authority unveils roadmap for 2024 Hajj

The Saudi Arabian Ministry for Hajj and Umrah, on Friday in Makkah unveiled a roadmap for the 2024 Hajj.

The Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr Tawfiq Al Rabiah, unveils the roadmap at a ceremony attended by the Heads and Representatives of Hajj Missions in the Kingdom.

The meeting was to mark the end of 2023 Hajj exercise.

He said that the preparations for the 2024 Hajj would begins immediately with the issuance of letters to each country that announced the commencement of preparations.

Al Rabiah added that letters of confirmation of number of pilgrims slots for 2024 Hajj would also be issued to participating countries.

He listed the highlights of the 2014 hajj roadmap to include holding of preparatory meetings from Sept. 16 to Nov. 4, and organising of an International Symposium and Exhibition on Jan. 8, 2024.

“Conclusion of Accommodation and Masha’er Contracts: February 25th, 2024, commencement of Visa Issuance in March, 1st, 2024, closing of Visa Issuance in April 29th, 2024 and arrival of 1st set of 2024 Pilgrims into Saudi Arabia in May 9, 2024.”

Al Rabiah stated that the first Hajj Mission to conclude all preparations would have the opportunity to choose its preferred locations at the Masha’er (Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah) for 2024 Hajj.

The minister thanked all agencies and hajj missions for their roles in the 2023 exercise and reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to serving the Guests of Allah in the best manner possible by obtaining feedback from hajj Missions and improving on its services.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the highpoints of the event was the announcement of winners for the 2023 Labbaikum Hajj Services award in which Iraq emerged the overall best hajj mission for the 2023 Hajj.

Other countries like Malaysia, Gambia, Bahrain, Singapore, South Africa and Azerbaijan were recognised for excellence in various aspects of the hajj operations.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Bauchi gov advocates peer review mechanism on Hajj

Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has emphasised the need for governors to have a peer review mechanism on Hajj management with a view to promoting good governance.

Mohammed, who is currently performing Hajj in Makkah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, made the call while answering questions from newsmen.

He said that his administration built an ultra modern Permanent Hajj Transit Camp, which is the biggest in Nigeria and West African sub-region, out of commitment to enhance service delivery and good governance.

“Bauchi State Hajj Camp is part of good governance. The majority of our people going for Hajj is part of their religion and the annual activity that they do. They also pay for this and we should show them good governance from the point of take off.

“I built that Hajj Camp as a benchmark for others to copy. Because we are not just proud of it, we want to show that we are one of the best and the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has also recognised this.

Bauchi State Ultra Modern Permanent Hajj Transit Camp[/captio

“And for my colleagues and other governors, we should have a peer review mechanism because they have something to learn from this and I can also learn from other governors on the aspect of good governance,” said Mohammed.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Bauchi state bagged a prestigious award of excellence as the state with Modern Hajj Camp in Nigeria and overall in camping activities during the 2022 Hajj operation.

The Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), a civil society organisation monitoring Hajj and Umrah activities in Nigeria and in Saudi Arabia, organised the Hajj Lecture/Award on Sept. 22, 2022, at the National Mosque Auditorium, Abuja.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Foundation empowers 800 children through ‘back2school’ project

No fewer than 800 children have been empowered by the Flickers of Hope Foundation (FOH), through its ‘Back2school’ project aimed at taking children off the streets.

The Executive Director of the foundation, Mrs Omolara Adedeji, said this at the maiden edition of Pa Alfred Shonubi Annual quiz competition organised for Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) in Abuja on Saturday.

Adedeji said that about 900 women were also sensitised in 16 communities on the need to see that the girl-child is enrolled in school and completes her education.

According to her, the FOH is a project under the back2school project, which aims at taking more children off the street and back to school.

”In 2018, we launched project back2school. We did this by identifying children in this category who had completed their basic school.

”We enrol them and sponsor them through the three years of study in JSS, as well as providing them with empowerment programmes. Monthly leadership training is also conducted for beneficiaries of the project.

”We also have the FOH scholarship fund which involves the creation of a personalised scholarship fund by individuals where the fund is named after them or their loved ones,” she said.

She added that the foundation also launched the Lift Empowerment Project to support the tuition fees of students in tertiary education level.

She said that students from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife and Federal University of Technology, Akure, had benefitted from the initiative.

Adedeji, while saying that the foundation was established to educate, empower through research, capacity building, advocacy and networking for a better society, charged the students not to allow their backgrounds limit them.

She called on stakeholders, high-ranking personalities and group advocates to chart a new course in the education sector by exerting influences, resources, and time in containing the outrageous number of out-of-school children in the society.

Also, the Director in charge of JSS, FCT Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB), Hajia Ramatu Nusa, encouraged the students to put their best into their academics for a brighter future.

Nusa, who was represented by the Education Officer in UBEB, Lola Oloruntoba, commended the organiser for their role towards the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goal four (SDG 4) as well supporting quality education.

”Education becomes power when we put it to good use. So as children, you must show that you are the leaders of tomorrow with appropriate use of the education you have,” she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that five schools took part in the quiz competition and were examined on Mathematics, English and General questions.

The schools are: JSS Bwari 1, JSS Bwari central, JSS Peyi, JSS Tundun Fulani and His Excellency School.

At the end of the competition, JSS Peyi came top while JSS Tudun Fulani and JSS Bwari 1 came second and third respectively.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

NERC yet to give directive on electricity tariff hike – IBEDC

Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) has said that Nigerian Electricity Regulation Commission (NERC) has yet to give a directive on the new electricity tariff earlier scheduled to commence on July 1.

The Public Relations Officer of IBEDC, Ms Busolami Tunwase, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan on Saturday.

She said: “I am not aware that NERC has given us any such directive. It is the commission that does the whole thing and I am not sure it has given such a directive.

“But, any moment we get the directive to that effect, we will announce it and it will commence based on instructions from NERC,” Tunwase said.

NAN recalls that condemnation had greeted the proposed new tariff since the news hit the airwave, with stakeholders arguing that the timing of the increment was wrong, given the poor service delivery of most of the electricity distribution companies.

NAN also observed that IBEDC offices were besieged by lots of customers seeking to buy energy ahead of the commencement of the new tariff.

The customers were, however, disappointed, as they could not purchase the energy due to complaints of congestion and network hitches by the company.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Family lauds Tinubu, FG for honouring late S.L. Akintola

The family of the late Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola on Saturday in Ibadan lauded the Federal Government for honouring the late Premier of the Western Region.

The family gave the commendation in a statement jointly signed by Mr Lenn Ayoola, Mrs Funmilayo Oyelade, Mr Oladiran Olaniyi, Mr Akintoye Akintola, Mr Akintayo Akintola and Mr Akintunde Akinbola.

It showered encomiums on President Bola Tinubu for honouring the late Akintola and recognising his unforgettable legacies.

“We felicitate President Bola Tinubu for the immortalisation of the late Premier of the Western Region, Chief S.L. Akintola.

“President Tinubu named the Ibadan International Airport after the late Chief Akintola who was a Prince from the Akinbola royal family in Orile Igbon, Surulere Local Government Area of Oyo State, in acknowledgement of his contributions to democratic and national development.

“According to a memo dated June 1, 2023 issued by the Federal Ministry of Aviation ….. signed by Mrs. Joke Olatunji for the Director of Airport Operations, the President renamed the airport “as part of reforms of the aviation sector,” the family said.

The family recalled that Akintola was the Premier of the defunct Western Nigeria between 1963 and 1966.

While expressing delight over the gesture, the family representatives applauded the remarkable policies initiated so far by President Tinubu, describing them as progressive.

‘’On behalf of the Akintola family, we convey our heartfelt congratulations to President Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima on the occasion of your inauguration.

“We are confident that our great nation will experience unity, peace, growth and stability with your ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda.

“God’s hand is on you from the beginning and we pray He will guide you in this onerous task of uniting a nation in need of transformational leadership.

“We wish Mr. President good health and successful tenure in office in his quest to take Nigeria to greater heights.

“We also use this opportunity to thank the Federal Government, particularly the immediate-past President, Muhammadu Buhari.

“Under Buhari, our late father and uncle was bestowed a national honour with some notable infrastructure named after him, among which is the Nigeria Railway Station at Omi-Adio in Ibadan,” they said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

IPMAN denies plan to hike petrol price to N700/litre

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has denied the alleged plan by the association to increase pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) also known as petrol to N700 per litre nationwide.

The Chairman of IPMAN Southwest Zone, Alhaji Dele Tajudeen, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan on Friday

The chairman, therefore, urged Nigerians to disregard the speculation and not to engage in panic buying.

Tajudeen stressed that the price of the product would not be more that what was being sold presently.

He commended President Bola Tinubu for removing the subsidy on petrol adding that it was long overdue.

“Even in PIA bill, it has been clearly stated that the subsidy must be removed,

”So, I want to commend him for removing the subsidy and I want to say that we are in support totally. This is because the subsidy was a scam.”

He said the slight increase in pump price was because of the transportation cost and that Nigerians should be at rest as the commodity will not be out of reach for the masses.

“I want to disabuse the mind of the people that they should not panic about it, there is no cause for alarm, we are in control and there is nothing like that.

“So, people should be rest assured that there is no way they can buy petrol more than the price it is being sold now.

“If we look at the price from NNPC retail limited, which is an integral part of NNPC limited, they have more advantages than independent marketers and major marketers.

”So, it was the retail price that they announced they had never given a specific price to the independent marketers.

“However, I have read what somebody put into the paper, it is just speculation it is not a reality. Nothing like that I want to assure the masses.

“ There is no how the price can go to N700 as we speak, because even if the FX is N700 or N800 that has not nothing to take the price of petroleum from N500 to N700,” Tajudeen said.

He noted that the product had been deregulated, hence the differential in prices was due to transportation as it is related to location.

”If you are moving products within Lagos the price may not be more than N300,000 but if you are moving up to Ibadan or there about it could be as much as N500,000.

”And if you are going to Ilorin, it could be as high as N700,000 that would account for differential in prices.

“I want to say with all sense of authority that as of today within Lagos metropolis nobody should sell more than N515 to N520 per litre.

”Though NNPC has given us the price but the reality of it is that what we buy from the market; because NNPC limited is not the only source for our product, we get from private depots.

“So, whatever we buy is what we put our own margin and sell.

”But as of today, the highest you can get anywhere should be around N550; Lagos N510 per litre; Ogun State between N500 and N520,” Tajudeen said.

Meanwhile, the coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) had vowed to resist the alleged planned increase in pump price of petrol

They made their position known in a statement jointly signed by the Convener, Dr Basil Musa; and Co-Convener, Malam Haruna Maigida, in Abuja on behalf of others.

They vowed to resist by picketing IPMAN members’ filling stations across the country.

They accused the IPMAN of running a parallel government and inflicting pains on ordinary Nigerians by their unilateral adjustment of price of petroleum.

They described the planned increment as unacceptable and called on the Federal Government to stop IPMAN from its alleged profiteering at the expense of ordinary Nigerians.

The CSOs said the move was an economic sabotage, coming at a time Nigerians are still trying to come out of the “price shock”, occasioned by the increment on May 29.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria