President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to prioritizing education for Nigerian children.

Tinubu made the reaffirmation on Thursday during a dialogue with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Palais des Élysée.

He outlined plans to significantly reduce the number of out-of-school children through innovative return-to-class initiatives and skills development programmes.

President Tinubu also highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to create a supportive framework that ensures school-age children re-enter classrooms, emphasizing the role of motivation and skill acquisition in the initiative.

“In order to bridge the gap for some who are of age and have been out of school for a while, we will encourage skills development,” the President added.

Accompanied by First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the President stressed that Nigeria’s developmental potential hinges on a well-educated populace.

“The insecurity in some parts of the country makes it hard for children to return to school, but we are gradually repopulating the classrooms. And we need skills development to bridge the gaps,” the President stated.

President Tinubu further highlighted the notable progress in enhancing security across Nigeria, employing “kinetic” strategies as part of the peace-building process.

“With some more effort, we will be able to get some level of stability. We had a very good harvest this year. And as soon as more farmers can go back to the farm, we will have more stability in harvest and supply,” he said.

In response, President Macron acknowledged Nigeria’s vast growth potential and the importance of investing in educational initiatives.

He reflected on his formative experiences during a six-month internship at the French Embassy in Nigeria, including visits to Lagos and Kano.

President Macron and Brigitte Macron expressed gratitude to President Tinubu and Senator Oluremi Tinubu for their State Visit, promising to elevate the France-Nigeria partnership to new heights.

The Confederation of African Football has appointed match officials from Togo to take charge of the 8th African Nations Championship qualifying match between the senior B teams of Ghana and Nigeria, scheduled for the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday, 22nd December 2024.

The engagement is the first leg of the qualifying fixture between both teams, with the second and concluding leg to take place at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo on Saturday, 28th December.

Aklesso Gnama will be in the role of referee, with compatriots Jonathan Ahonto Koffi, Wassiou Tchamolla Ourotou and Kossi Fabrice Senyo as assistant 1, assistant 2 and fourth official respectively.

Ivan Gator Brown from Liberia will serve as commissioner while Beninoise official Hugues Alain Adjovi will be in the role of referee assessor.

For the return leg in Uyo, Moroccans Hamza El Fariq, Abdessamad Abertoune, Zakaria Bouchtaoui and Hicham Temsamani will work as referee, assistant 1, assistant 2 and fourth official respectively, with Prince Kai Saquee from Sierra Leone as commissioner and Miboti Moise from the Democratic Republic of Congo as referee assessor. The game in Accra will commence at 4pm Ghana time (5pm in Nigeria) while the return leg will kick off at 5pm.

The winner on aggregate will qualify for the 8th African Nations Championship finals, to be hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania – which will use the event as dress rehearsal to test-run facilities and equipment for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations finals they have been selected to host.

The tournament will hold 1st – 28th February, 2025.

PREVIOUS CHAN FINALS & HOST NATIONS 2009: Cote d’Ivoire2011: Sudan2014: South Africa2016: Rwanda2018: Morocco2021: Cameroon2023: Algeria2025: Kenya/Uganda/Tanzania

The Nigerian Super Eagles have experienced a significant dip in the latest FIFA men’s rankings, falling eight places to 44th globally.

The rankings were released on Thursday via FIFA’s official website, marking a challenging period for the three-time African champions.Previously positioned 36th in the world, the Super Eagles also slid from fourth to fifth place on the African continent.

This decline reflects a challenging month for the team, which failed to secure a win in its two matches during November.

The West African side recorded one draw and one loss, contributing to their fall in the rankings.Despite Nigeria’s drop, other African powerhouses have maintained their positions, with Morocco retaining the top spot on the continent.

The Atlas Lions, who achieved a historic semi-final finish at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar in 2022, continue to demonstrate consistency. Following Morocco are Senegal in second place, Algeria in third, and Egypt, which climbed to fourth, ahead of Nigeria.

The Super Eagles’ performances in November highlighted key areas for improvement.

They first played out a draw in a friendly match before suffering a defeat in a crucial game, which dented their prospects in both the rankings and team morale.

Analysts have pointed to tactical inefficiencies and defensive lapses as contributing factors to the team’s recent struggles.

This decline in ranking is a cause for concern for many Nigerian football enthusiasts.

The Super Eagles are traditionally one of Africa’s strongest teams, boasting a rich history that includes three Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) titles.

However, inconsistent results and an inability to deliver in crucial moments have raised questions about the team’s readiness for upcoming tournaments, including the next AFCON.

On the brighter side, this ranking update could serve as a wake-up call for the team and coaching staff.

With preparations for major tournaments underway, the Super Eagles have an opportunity to regroup, address weaknesses, and rediscover their winning form.

A strong showing in future international matches could help the team regain its footing in the global rankings.Globally, the FIFA rankings continue to be dominated by elite teams from Europe and South America.

African teams like Morocco and Senegal, however, have shown that the gap is narrowing, providing inspiration for the Super Eagles to rise again.

Fans will be eagerly watching to see how Nigeria responds to this setback in the coming months.

The self-acclaimed Prime Minister of Biafra, Simon Ekpa, is set to face terrorism-related charges in May 2025. This timeline was disclosed by Mikko Laaksonen, a Senior Detective Superintendent at Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation.

Laaksonen confirmed that the date for presenting possible charges had been determined by the Päijät-Häme District Court. “Due to the ongoing investigation, no further details can be disclosed.

The date for bringing up possible charges by the prosecution was set by the district court to May 2025,” he stated.

The senior detective added that Ekpa and Finnish authorities have the option to request a re-evaluation of his case within two weeks.

“In a basic situation regarding the remand, the next possible hearing can be held no earlier than two weeks from the previous hearing, should the parties in question seek for the matter to be re-evaluated by the district court,” Laaksonen explained.

Simon Ekpa, a prominent secessionist figure and a key advocate of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) movement, has been a controversial figure in Nigeria and the diaspora.

His activities, particularly through social media, have been linked to incitements of violence in the southeastern region of Nigeria, where IPOB agitates for the creation of an independent Biafran state.

Finnish authorities arrested Ekpa alongside four others last Thursday on suspicion of engaging in terror-related activities.

These allegations include incitement to violence, public incitement to commit crimes with terrorist intent, and financing terrorism.

Ekpa’s remand was officially sanctioned by the Päijät-Häme District Court. His detention highlights growing international scrutiny of his activities, which many argue have exacerbated instability in southeastern Nigeria.

In recent years, Ekpa has used his online platforms to promote the controversial “sit-at-home” orders in the region, which have led to widespread disruptions, violence, and economic stagnation.

This arrest marks a significant development in the legal challenges facing Ekpa. While IPOB leadership had distanced itself from his activities, he has maintained his stance as a key figure advocating for Biafra’s secession.

His arrest has sparked mixed reactions, with some praising the Finnish government’s action as a step toward curbing violent rhetoric, while others see it as an infringement on freedom of expression.

The investigation remains ongoing, and Finnish authorities are yet to disclose the full scope of the evidence against Ekpa. As May 2025 approaches, this case will likely draw international attention due to its implications for counterterrorism efforts and the broader geopolitical ramifications of separatist movements.

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has described Liverpool as his team’s “most difficult” opponent in the UEFA Champions League, following their 2-0 defeat at Anfield on Wednesday night.

The Italian tactician acknowledged the strength of the Premier League giants and credited them for their deserved victory in a fiercely contested encounter.

The match saw Liverpool emerge victorious with goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo. Ancelotti’s side struggled to break through the relentless Liverpool defense in a game marked by high-intensity play and dramatic moments.

Both Kylian Mbappé and Mohamed Salah missed penalties, adding further intrigue to a thrilling night of European football.

Reflecting on the performance, Ancelotti expressed satisfaction with his team’s effort despite the loss. Speaking to Movistar after the game, he admitted that facing Liverpool at Anfield posed a unique challenge.

“It was a difficult match, as we knew it would be,” Ancelotti remarked. “Anfield is the most difficult stadium in Europe to play in, and Liverpool proved once again why they are such a formidable opponent.

”Ancelotti praised his players for their competitive spirit but noted that the turning point came after the penalty, which disrupted Real Madrid’s rhythm.

“We competed well until the penalty incident,” he explained. “However, after that, we dropped a bit in level.

It was a moment where we needed to stay sharp, but it affected our momentum.

On the counter-attacks, we could have been more effective and created better opportunities.

”Despite the disappointment of the loss, Ancelotti remained optimistic about his team’s overall performance. “I liked the team’s attitude and effort,” he said. “Competing at this level against Liverpool, the most difficult rival in Europe, is always a challenge.

They played with intensity, and in the end, they deserved to win.

”Liverpool’s victory underlined their ability to perform on the grandest stage, with Mac Allister’s strike showcasing his technical brilliance and Gakpo continuing his impressive form in front of goal. Meanwhile, Real Madrid will need to regroup and address areas of improvement as they prepare for the remainder of their European campaign.

For Ancelotti, the loss serves as a reminder of the high standards required to compete at this level, particularly against a team like Liverpool, renowned for their energy, discipline, and home advantage at Anfield. Both teams are expected to remain contenders in the competition, setting the stage for more dramatic encounters in the future.

The President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), Billy Gillis-Harry, has refuted claims made by the association’s Public Relations Officer, Dr. Joseph Obele, regarding the pricing of petrol supplied by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

Earlier, Dr. Obele announced that petrol from the NNPCL was priced N75 higher per litre than the N970 offered by the Dangote Refinery.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Gillis-Harry clarified that the State-owned oil company had not made any announcements concerning a new price for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

He emphasized that Obele’s assertion did not reflect the position of either the NNPCL or PETROAN.

He stated, “No new price for PMS has been released by the NNPC Port Harcourt Refinery.”Gillis-Harry expressed optimism about the resumption of operations at the Port Harcourt Refinery, which began production on Tuesday after years of rehabilitation.

The refinery has started dispatching petroleum products, including petrol, diesel, and kerosene, to the market, with other products expected to follow soon.

This development is seen as a significant step towards improving domestic fuel supply and reducing dependence on imported petroleum products.

Addressing the pricing concerns, the PETROAN president clarified that members of the association were purchasing PMS at rates determined by the old pricing template while awaiting an official announcement of new prices by the NNPCL.

He also reassured Nigerians that any forthcoming price changes would be aimed at ensuring affordability and addressing the challenges in the petroleum downstream sector.

“We are excited that the production and loading of refined petroleum products have commenced at the Port Harcourt Refinery,” Gillis-Harry said.

“We are expectant that soon, the price of PMS will be stated by NNPC to the benefit of Nigerians.”Gillis-Harry’s statement aligns with the broader optimism surrounding the operational resumption of the Port Harcourt Refinery, which had been non-functional for several years.

The refinery’s rehabilitation is a key component of Nigeria’s strategy to bolster domestic refining capacity, reduce the strain of fuel importation on foreign exchange reserves, and stabilize local petroleum product prices.

Observers believe the resumption of production at the refinery and its potential to provide competitively priced fuel products could significantly impact the market.

However, the clarification from Gillis-Harry underscores the importance of avoiding premature or misleading statements that might create unnecessary confusion or speculation among stakeholders and consumers.