The World Trade Organisation (WTO) has confirmed Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala of Nigeria as the only candidate for the position of director-general.

The WTO confirming this announced that Okonjo-Iweala, a former Minister of Finance in Nigeria agreed to extend her leadership for a second term.

“Nominations for Director-General closed; Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala confirmed as sole candidate,” the WTO stated on Saturday.

According to Ambassador Petter Ølberg of Norway, Chair of the General Council, WTO members were informed on November 9 that no additional nominations had been submitted by the deadline of November 8.

Okonjo-Iweala had previously confirmed her interest in a second four-year term in a letter on September 16. The formal selection process for the role began on October 8, allowing members to submit nominations until November 8.

The WTO noted that Ølberg would soon announce the next steps in the process, stating, “The process was led by the General Council Chair in accordance with the WTO’s ‘Procedures for the Appointment of Directors-General.’”

Okonjo-Iweala’s current term concludes on August 31, 2025. She first assumed the role on February 15, 2021, becoming both the first woman and African to lead the WTO. At her appointment, she prioritised advancing stalled trade discussions, particularly on fishery subsidies, and reviving the WTO’s Appellate Body.

As a two-time Nigerian finance minister (2003-2006, 2011-2015) and briefly Nigeria’s first female foreign minister in 2006, Okonjo-Iweala is a highly regarded figure in her country.

She has also deflected criticisms over her lack of specific experience in trade or negotiation.

The Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, received members of the victorious Team Nigeria to the 15th Pan African Scrabble Championship in Kigali, Rwanda on Friday at his office in Abuja.

Team Nigeria won the top honours in the male, female individual categories and the overall team title at the Championship attended by 92 players from 11 countries. Oluwatimilehin Doko won the diadem ahead of two other Nigerians George Ezinore and Noble Onoshevwe while Delta born Tuoyo Mayuku was the best female and Adebisi Adekansi was second.

Nigeria also retained the team title for the 15th time in a row while Doko a graduate of pharmacy at the University of Lagos became the youngest winner of the male’s crown at age 24, it’s the 14th time Nigeria is winning the male event.

The elated Chairman told the team that the Sports Commission is very proud of their achievements and he promises they will support the team in their future outings.”I’m very impressed with the team’s performance.

You know we are very new but from my personal earnings, I will give the team two million naira as a token of appreciation for being the first national Federation to win continental honours for the National Sports Commission,” Dikko said. 37 self sponsored players represented Nigeria at the African Scrabble Championship after the Sports Ministry under the inept leadership of Senator John Enoh, refused to fund the trip to Kigali, citing lack of funds.

This is not the first time the defunct Sports Ministry will be citing lack of funds for major Scrabble Championships.

The Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF), will also be presenting the trophies won by Team Nigeria to the Nigeria Senate President, God’swill Akpabio who is the grand patron of Nigeria Scrabble Federation.

The Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF) on arrival from Kigali, Rwanda told the media they are dedicating the victory to the Senate President for his contribution to the growth and development of the mind game in Nigeria and the continent.

President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja on Sunday for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to attend the Joint Arab-Islamic Summit. The summit will focus on the current situation in the Middle East. 

The Summit will commence on Monday, November 11, 2024. 

It is being held at the invitation of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and follows last year’s summit in the same Saudi city.

During the summit, President Tinubu is expected to address the ongoing Israel-Palestinian conflict, emphasising Nigeria’s strong call for an immediate ceasefire and the urgent need for a peaceful resolution. 

Nigeria will also advocate for renewed efforts to revive the two-state solution as a pathway to lasting peace in the region.

Key officials including the minister of foreign affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, will accompany the President. 

Other members of the entourage are the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris; and the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Amb. Mohammed Mohammed. 

After the conclusion of the summit, President Tinubu will return to Abuja.

A statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Saturday, however, was not explicit on the exact date the President will return to Abuja.

Liverpool icon and football analyst, Mark Lawrenson, has shared his predictions for the upcoming Premier League matchups this weekend.

Known for his candid commentary, Lawrenson offers insights into the potential outcomes of several key fixtures, including matchups featuring Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Chelsea, which are set to unfold across England.

Among the anticipated fixtures, Manchester City, the reigning Premier League champions, will travel to face Brighton at the Amex Stadium on Saturday evening. Liverpool, fresh from an impressive run, will take on Aston Villa at Anfield in a high-stakes Saturday night clash.

Meanwhile, Manchester United is set to host Leicester City at Old Trafford on Sunday, while Chelsea welcomes their London rivals Arsenal to Stamford Bridge in what promises to be an intense encounter.

Lawrenson, speaking via Paddy Power, laid out his predictions for the weekend matches, hinting at potential outcomes based on each team’s current form and recent performances.

Below are the scores Lawrenson forecasts for each game:Wolves vs Southampton: Lawrenson sees Wolves pulling off a narrow win, predicting a 2-1 victory at Molineux. With Wolves showing resilience at home, they might edge out Southampton in what could be a closely contested fixture.West Ham vs Everton: In this encounter, Lawrenson tips West Ham to defeat Everton, predicting a 2-0 scoreline. West Ham’s defensive stability and Everton’s struggles on the road contribute to this prediction of a straightforward victory for the Hammers.

Brentford vs Bournemouth: Brentford is favored in this matchup, with Lawrenson forecasting a 2-1 win. The Bees have been strong at home, and Bournemouth’s recent struggles could leave them vulnerable in this outing.

Crystal Palace vs Fulham: This fixture is expected to be a tight contest, with Fulham narrowly edging Crystal Palace by 1-0, according to Lawrenson.

He believes Fulham’s disciplined defense might help them secure an away win.Brighton vs Manchester City: Lawrenson predicts a 1-2 win for Manchester City.

Though Brighton has shown attacking prowess, the defending champions’ quality is likely to see them through with a hard-fought win.

Liverpool vs Aston Villa: At Anfield, Lawrenson anticipates Liverpool overcoming Aston Villa with a 2-1 victory.

Liverpool’s home advantage and strong lineup give them the edge against a capable Villa side.Manchester United vs Leicester City: At Old Trafford, Lawrenson predicts Manchester United will secure a 2-0 victory over Leicester. United’s recent form and home advantage could be the deciding factors in this matchup.

Nottingham Forest vs Newcastle United: Lawrenson foresees a draw, with both sides holding each other to a 1-1 finish. Nottingham Forest’s solid home form and Newcastle’s resurgence might result in a balanced game.

Tottenham Hotspur vs Ipswich Town: Tottenham is expected to have the upper hand, with Lawrenson predicting a 2-0 win. Spurs’ attacking depth might overwhelm Ipswich in this encounter.

Chelsea vs Arsenal: The weekend’s standout fixture, Chelsea vs Arsenal, has Lawrenson predicting a 0-2 victory for Arsenal.

Chelsea’s mixed form and Arsenal’s cohesive play could tip the balance in favor of the Gunners, who are on a strong run this season.

These predictions add an exciting layer of anticipation for fans eager to see how the weekend unfolds.

Lawrenson’s insights reflect current trends and team dynamics, offering fans a glimpse into potential outcomes.

With teams battling for points and positions, this weekend’s matches promise drama, goals, and competitive action across Premier League grounds.

A brutal assault on the village of Solhan, located in the Bangaba district of Burkina Faso’s northern Sahel Region, has left 22 civilians dead and four others wounded.

The tragic event unfolded on Friday during the early hours when a group linked to al-Qaeda targeted residents as they gathered for morning prayers.

The attackers reportedly belonged to Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an extremist organization with a history of violence in the region.

The news, disclosed on Saturday by counterterrorism and insurgency expert Zagazola Makama, highlighted the increasing violence plaguing Burkina Faso’s Sahel Region. Makama, in a post on his X handle (formerly Twitter), noted that the attackers struck shortly after dawn, initiating chaos and fear among the defenseless civilians.

Witnesses described a scene of devastation as the community was thrown into panic, with the assailants showing no regard for life or the sacredness of the prayer gathering.

Local emergency responders confirmed that all the casualties were civilians.

Those who sustained injuries were promptly transported to nearby medical facilities for urgent treatment.

The region has been grappling with heightened violence over recent years, leading to significant internal displacement and a deepening humanitarian crisis.

This incident adds to the ongoing instability in Burkina Faso, particularly in areas bordering Mali and Niger.

The Sahel, already marked by volatile security conditions, has seen a steady rise in extremist attacks targeting both civilians and security personnel.

The proximity of Burkina Faso’s northern regions to conflict zones in Mali and Niger has exacerbated the challenges faced by both the local population and national security forces.

The situation in the Sahel Region has spurred a massive humanitarian response, but the continuing violence has made it increasingly difficult to provide effective assistance.

Local communities in the affected areas are frequently forced to flee their homes, leaving behind livelihoods and social networks.

The displacement crisis, combined with the deteriorating security conditions, has led to growing calls for international support to stabilize the region.

Burkina Faso’s security forces, stretched thin by ongoing counterinsurgency operations, face significant challenges in preventing such attacks, especially in remote regions.

This tragic incident underscores the urgent need for enhanced security measures and stronger international collaboration to address the underlying causes of extremism and the ongoing conflict in the Sahel.

The Burkinabe government, along with regional allies and global partners, is confronted with the formidable task of curbing the influence of terrorist groups like JNIM and restoring stability for the affected civilian population.

Canada has introduced new guidelines for tourist visas, signaling the end of its previous practice of routinely issuing 10-year multiple-entry visas to eligible visitors.

Under the revised rules by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), immigration officers now have greater discretion to determine both the type and duration of visas based on individual assessments, moving away from automatic long-term validity as a standard approach.Previously, Canada offered two primary types of tourist visas: the multiple-entry visa and the single-entry visa.

While the multiple-entry visa was the standard for most applicants, allowing travelers to enter Canada repeatedly for up to 10 years or until one month before their passport expired, single-entry visas were reserved for specific cases such as official government visits or single-event participation.

Now, IRCC guidance no longer considers the 10-year multiple-entry visa as a default option, allowing officers to choose the appropriate visa type and validity period according to each traveler’s circumstances.

“Guidance has been updated to indicate that multiple-entry visas issued to maximum validity are no longer considered to be the standard document,” explained the IRCC. “Officers may exercise their judgement in deciding whether to issue a single or multiple-entry visa and in determining the validity period.

“The IRCC clarified that the change is part of a broader strategy aimed at managing Canada’s temporary immigration numbers more effectively while addressing ongoing infrastructure and economic challenges, such as rising housing costs and limited housing availability.

The new visa guidelines reflect a wider effort by the Canadian government to adapt immigration policy to balance infrastructure capabilities with immigration levels.

With recent increases in immigration contributing to housing shortages and elevated living costs, the government is seeking to limit pressures on resources by adjusting both temporary and permanent immigration flows.In line with this shift, the IRCC has also announced reductions to Canada’s permanent resident admissions targets.

The target, which was previously set to reach 500,000 by 2025, will now be lowered to 395,000, with further reductions planned for 2026 and 2027.

These changes underscore the Canadian government’s goal of aligning immigration with sustainable economic and infrastructure development.

While the visa application fee remains CAD 100 per person, the change in policy could lead to increased costs for frequent travelers, who may now need to renew their visas more often due to potentially shorter validity periods.

Although applicants will still have the option to apply for multiple-entry visas, the new guidelines mean that each application will be evaluated individually, with officers making decisions based on specific travel needs, applicant history, and purpose of the visit.

By tailoring visa durations to the traveler, Canada hopes to more effectively manage visitor numbers while ensuring its resources are able to accommodate both residents and visitors.

This policy update highlights Canada’s commitment to a balanced immigration approach that considers the country’s current infrastructure challenges while still welcoming tourists, students, and temporary workers.

As the IRCC continues to refine its immigration policies, travelers are encouraged to review the latest guidelines and understand that their visa validity and type may vary based on this new case-by-case assessment approach.