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  • Barcelona’s Pique announces retirement from football

    Barcelona’s Pique announces retirement from football

    Barcelona’s Gerard Pique announced his retirement on Thursday after a decorated career, saying “the moment has come to end this journey”.

    “Saturday’s match (against Almeria) will be my last at the Camp Nou,” the 35-year-old posted on Twitter.

    The veteran defender bows out with four Champions League titles and the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012 with Spain.

    “I wanted to tell you that I’ve decided the moment has come to end this journey,” he said in a video clip of the star watching images of himself as a small boy wearing the Barcelona shirt or chasing after autographs.

    “There’s no other team after Barca,” he added.

    “I’m going to become a super fan, I’ll be supporting the team and pass on my love for Barca to my son.”

    “And sooner or later, I’ll be back,” he concluded.

    Arriving at Camp Nou aged 10 Pique left his home city for Manchester United’s academy in 2004, winning a first Champions League trophy under then-manager Alex Ferguson in 2008.

    He then returned to Catalonia, helping Barca to eight La Liga crowns, seven Copas del Rey and three Champions League titles in 2009, 2011 and 2015.

    Pique takes his leave with Barca knocked out of the Champions League for the second season running.

    A sporting icon in Spain he had celebrity status too as a partner to Colombian singer Shakira.

    They met during the filming of the video of Shakira’s 2010 World Cup anthem Waka Waka.

    Shakira sang the official song before the 2010 World Cup closing ceremony in South Africa, with Pique’s Spain defeating the Netherlands 1-0 in the final at Johannesburg’s Soccer City stadium.

    The couple, who announced their separation in June, have two children.

    Pique has mixed playing with a burgeoning business career, founding the sports events company Kosmos which was behind the revamp of tennis’ Davis Cup.

    Kosmos and Pique courted controversy at payment they received for helping arrange the Spanish Super Cup’s move to Saudi Arabia.

    AFP

  • Davido, Chioma rising, getting stronger – Family Pastor

    Davido, Chioma rising, getting stronger – Family Pastor

    TOBI DAVIDO CHIOMA

    Founder of Salvation Proclaimers Anointed Church (SPAC Nation, also known as the NXTION Family), Pastor Tobi Adegboyega has claimed Afrobeats singer, Davido and his fiancée are getting stronger.

    The UK-Based cleric gave social media users updates about the bereaved parents via his insta story.

    Davido and Chef Chi lost their son, Ifeanyi Adeleke on Monday night after he drowned in a pool at his father’s Banana Island residence while the parents were away to Ibadan for a family function.

    Many Nigerians, including presidential candidates, notables, fans and well-wishers expressed heartfelt condolences over the tragic loss of the toddler.

    Read Also: Wizkid reportedly moves album release date over Davido son’s demise

    The celebrity pastor, who cancelled every plan for his birthday slated for November 11, to mourn with OBO as he fondly calls him, revealed that he’s spoken with the DMW boss for the second since the mishap.

    According to PT, while he gave praises to God, he noted the bereaved couple were getting stronger and rising from their pain.

    He further stated 001 will rise stronger, more glorious to strengthen and give people hope much more than ever before.

    The clergy wrote: “Spoke to No.1 OBO, 2nd time. He is getting stronger, he is rising. They are both getting stronger. Praise God.
    “Going to rise from this stronger, more glorious and giving more people hope and strength to more people. 001.”

  • WHO, GAVI to support Uganda’s fight against Ebola

    WHO, GAVI to support Uganda’s fight against Ebola

    Amarachi Okeh

    The World Health Organisation in collaboration with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations and GAVI, the vaccine alliance, has announced plans to support the Ugandan government in its fight against Ebola by accelerating research for the vaccines.

    In a joint statement issued by the organisations, they noted that though there are no licensed vaccines available yet for the treatment of the Ebola virus, they are committed to accelerating research during the outbreak to ensure access to investigational doses.

    It has been reported that the Sudan strain of the Ebola virus currently ravaging the country has now spread to seven districts (Kasanda, Kyegegwa, Bunyangabu, and Kagadi districts beyond the original epicentre in Mubende district, and then to Kampala City and Wakiso).

    In response to the widening of the spread, the government has activated the Incident Management System to control the outbreak.

    On the 20th of September, the country announced a resurgence of the virus and by the 29th of October 2022, the Uganda Ministry of Health had reported 128 confirmed cases and 34 deaths.

    To support the government’s fight, CEPI, Gavi, and WHO have outlined a plan to accelerate research, ensure access to investigational doses, and facilitate scaling up and access to any subsequently licensed vaccine.

    The press release partly reads, “By embedding research at the heart of the outbreak response, we can achieve two goals: to evaluate potentially efficacious candidate vaccines, and to potentially contribute to ending this outbreak, and protect populations at risk in the future.

    “The Ministry of Health has designated the Makerere University Lung Institute to conduct vaccine and therapeutics clinical trials.

    “The clinical trial to evaluate candidate vaccines against this ebolavirus is co-sponsored by the Ministry of Health in Uganda and WHO and involves support from partners. A Principal investigator from Makerere University Lung Institute will lead the vaccine trial.

    “WHO, CEPI and Gavi are providing support to ensure that sufficient doses of candidate vaccines are available for the trial and beyond. If sufficient doses can be made available, the vaccine trial would aim to establish how effective the candidate vaccines are in diverse populations.

    “The vaccine developers and funders who will make the candidate vaccines available include the University of Oxford and the Serum Institute of India, the Sabin Vaccine Institute and the US government institutions Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority and National Institutes of Health, as well as International AIDS Vaccine Initiative and MSD.”

    Copyright Reportr Door

    All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from Reportr Door.

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  • Deyemi Okanlawo shades Ajah residents

    Deyemi Okanlawo shades Ajah residents

    DEYEMI OKANLAWO

    Movie star Deyemi Okanlawo has made jest of residents of the Ajah area of Lagos.

    Best known for his roles in Omo Ghetto: The Saga, Blood Sisters and King of Boys: The Return of the King, the star actor argued Ajah isn’t part of Lagos ‘Island’ considered as a ‘highbrow’ area.

    He particularly targeted a friend who he claimed was fond of gloating about living on the Island.

    To burst his friend’s bubbles, Okanlawo claimed anyone who resides in Ajah and beyond should consider themselves as Mainland residents insisting those areas are simply Mainland extension.

    He tweeted: “See this my friend forming “I live on the island”! Please note that if you live in Ajah and beyond na mainland be that!

    “Somebody say Ajah na Mainland extension!”

    Read Also:  Deyemi Okanlawon: Acting wasn’t my top priority

    Lagos, the metropolitan city is made up two major areas: Lagos Island and Lagos Mainland and the connection cord for both parts is the 3rd Mainland bridge.

    The Lagos Mainland with majority of the state’s resident residing here has over time been depicted as a less sophisticated area when being compared to the Island.

    Lagos Island is seen as the upscale part of Lagos city. Staying on the island is seen as a form of status change as it is meant for movers and shakers of the society.

    The standard of living here can be compared with any major European country.

    It’s home to numerous world-class shopping plazas, clubs, spas, supermarkets, pharmacies, fashion houses, boutiques and salons among others. It depicts a classy and serene environment.

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  • Buy medicine from only reputable pharmacies, NAFDAC tells Nigerians

    Buy medicine from only reputable pharmacies, NAFDAC tells Nigerians

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has urged Nigerians to buy medicine from only reputable outlets to avoid fake and substandard drugs.

    In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday in Abuja, NAFDAC Director-General, Mojisola Adeyeye also cautioned Nigerians against patronising drug hawkers.

    She said that drugs on the street have a high probability of being substandard falsified medicines.

    “What I will tell the public is that do not buy medicine except in the pharmacy where you can get a receipt. Does that mean that all pharmacies do not have substandard falsified medicine?

    “Sometimes they do because they mix everything up, but at least you will know the pharmacy, not like a hawker. Anybody that buys medicine from a hawker is very likely buying substandard falsified medicine.

    ”Even if the medicine is right at the beginning by the time they take it round town three to four times under the sun, it will break it down.

    “I will encourage our people please buy drugs from the pharmacy where you can get a receipt, where you can go back and say this medicine doesn’t work, I will report to NAFDAC,” she said.

    Adeyeye expressed delight that the agency has reduced the percentage of substandard falsified medicine from 17 per cent to 12 per cent.

    “I believe we are decreasing substandard falsified medicine. We did a survey towards the end of 2021 and early this year, we went around on our own to sample from different markets and antimalarial. What we got from our laboratory results is about 12 to 13 per cent substandard falsified medicine.

    “It used to be 17 when I came and we have decreased it to 12 to 13 per cent which is significant.

    “The point is that we are taking steps to ensure that we have a handle on the prevalence of substance falsified medicine.”

    The DG disclosed that the agency needs enhanced manpower to be able to discharge its responsibilities effectively, especially for post-marketing surveillance.

    “We need a lot of staff. We need twice the number of staff we have right now, especially for post-marketing. 

    “Nigeria is very peculiar and is surrounded by five countries that are not as strong in their regulatory activities as us.

    “And we have to also help the younger ones so that they have a strong regulatory system because if one is weak all is weak.

    “So we are doing a lot of interaction among ourselves. We formed a forum of Heads of agencies in West Africa. 

    “We meet every other month to discuss our challenges and help each other so that everybody will become stronger with time.” 

    (NAN) 

  • Phyna marks one month anniversary of winning BBNaija season 7

    Phyna marks one month anniversary of winning BBNaija season 7

    PHYNA BBNAIJA WINNER 1

    Phyna is nostalgic as she celebrates one month anniversary after emerging as the winner of BBNaija Season 7 edition.

    Born, Ijeoma Josephina Otabor, the former BBNaija participant on Sunday, October 2 was announced winner of the ‘Level Up’ edition which premiered on 23 and 24 July 2022.

    Unarguably one of the viewers’ favourite, she beat 28 other participants of the reality TV show to clinch the ultimate grand prize of N100million.

    Marking one month as the seventh and second female winner of the show, Hype Priestess confessed the platform has been a huge stepping stone to success in her life.

    While expressing love for her fans and everyone who has supported her brand, Phyna vowed to live up to their expectations but never to deviate from her identity.

    Read Also: Stay off my business, Phyna tells fans

    The 25-year-old via an Instagram post wrote: “It’s been one month I leveled up, emerging as the winner of the BBN S7 show has been the stepping stone of success in my life. A lot has happened within this one month with lots of lessons to be learnt.

    “I’m a work in progress of which definitely one day I will become what y’all have always wished for me and one thing remains according to Biggie, PHYNA WILL ALWAYS BE PHYNA.

    “To my dear phynations, saying I love y’all is an understatement as words can’t justify how I feel for y’all. I do appreciate all the support and how you go all out for me.

    “To everyone who has always and continued to support my brand, know that I will never let you down as you’re with the best. Na enjoyment go finish Una. All them #phynations tho. WHO DEY !!!!.”

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  • Ogun PDP expels another gov aspirant, four members

    Ogun PDP expels another gov aspirant, four members

    A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State, on Thursday, announced the expulsion of its former governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu and four others from the party for alleged involvement in the manipulation of the delegates’ list.

    The faction said the affected members used manipulated delegates’ list to conduct the May 25, 2022 governorship primary election of the party and engaged in flagrant disobedience to court order.

    Apart from Adebutu, the other four members expelled were Taiwo Akinlabi, Sunday Solarin, Kayode Adebayo and Akinloye Bankole, after the relevant Working Committee of the party reviewed the report of a five-man disciplinary panel set up to look into the allegations of anti-party, indiscipline, division and acts capable of bringing the party into disrepute.

    The chairman of the disciplinary committee, Akintunde Mufutau said in a statement that the affected members were found guilty of the offences leveled against them.

    He said, “After a thorough review of the allegation levelled against them, the panel found Adebutu and others guilty.

    “Subsequently, they have been recommended for expulsion and same has been communicated to the necessary organs of the party for ratification.”

    When contacted, the Publicity Secretary of the party, Akinloye Bankole, described it as a joke.

    Bankole said, “this is an irrational joke that is laced with unrepentant penchant for indiscipline by the dissidents.

    “For us, we shall not join them in such pertinence. We remain focused as a party and expect to hear from the Appeal Court in a few days on our appeals.”

  • IGC to host I50 golfers at maiden NGF south west zonal championship

    IGC to host I50 golfers at maiden NGF south west zonal championship

    Over 150 golfers are set to compete in the maiden edition of the Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF) South West Zonal Championship.

    The two-day championship is scheduled to hold at the Ibadan Golf Club, Onireke, Ibadan between November 4 and 5, 2022.

    Addressing journalists in a press conference, the NGF Southwest Zonal Coordinator, Mrs Bose Ngozi Owuegbu, confirmed that about 180 amateur golfers applied to participate in the championship out of which 150 of them are expected.

    She advised participants to “be focused enough and have passion for the game” and also be friendly to each other.

    “I will advise the participants to see golf as a game of integrity, where people make friends,” she added.

    She however promised to use her office as representative on the board to ensure that the championship is held annually across the Southwest states in the country.

    Onwuegbu who briefed journalists alongside former Captain of Ibadan Golf Club and Chairman Planning Committee of NGF tournament, Mr. Idowu Salami and the Secretary Ladies Section Ibadan Golf Club who is also a member of the planning Committee of the tournament Ms. Omolaraeni Olaosebikan said all arrangements are in place to make the championship a memorable one.

    She stressed that the competition is coming up on Friday and it’s a championship for all the golf clubs in the south west.

    It is south west championship but individuals are also invited like some foreigners are also coming to grace the occasion, we are expecting people from Kenya, Uganda, Liberia, Tanzania.

    “People from Burkina-faso just arrived Lagos this morning for the tournament and we have gifts and prizes for all winners in different categories and we are expecting more than 150 golfers because  about 180 golfers have already registered as I speak.”

    “The tournament is purely amateurs competition and it’s the maiden edition and it’s going to be an annual event for at least first four years of my tenure until I leave the board.”

    “My message for the participants is that golf is a game of integrity, it is a game of making new friends, I will advise the participants to be friendly to each other, because golf game connect you with people, for instance I have been to many countries across the world, I just came back from Madrid where I came up as the overall winner of the falcon international golf tour, golf is a game of sport and it will keep ones fit.

    “For instance I’m in the game not because I’m that rich as people do think, I want women and ladies like me to look at me as role model despite all my engagements I still play the game, I want to take the golf to a next level. Mrs. Bose said.

    Also, Salami, who is the Chairman, Local Organising Committee (LOC) said all arrangements are in place to make the championship a memorable one.

    Golfers are expected from the southwest states in Nigeria, FCT, Kenya, Uganda, Liberia, Tanzania and Burkina Faso.

    The President, Nigeria Golf Federation, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe and representatives of the Oyo State governor and event sponsors, RwandAir and Nigerian Breweries PLC are also expected to grace the championship.

  • Osun governor-elect, Davido, others bag Afro awards 2022

    Osun governor-elect, Davido, others bag Afro awards 2022

    BeFunky collage 2022 11 03T121319.905

    Osun Governor-Elect, Sen. Ademola Jackson-Adeleke, David Adedeji Adeleke, popularly known by his stage name Davido and Chief Tajudeen Amoo-Adeleke, Legendary African Drummer are among Africans and Americans to be honoured at the Afro Award in Los Angeles, California.

    This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Taiwo Oduala, Founder and Executive Producer of The Afro Awards.

    Also to be honoured is the First Lady of Sierra Leone, Mrs Fatima Maada and Ayuko Babu (Founder & CEO of Pan African Film Festival and Seye Kehinde, a renowned Nigerian Journalist.

    He said the awaradees as are among Africans and Americans, who distinguished themselves in various fields of endeavours.

    The most anticipated event of the year, Afro Awards 2022, is billed to be broadcast live on Sunday, Nov. 6 at Regal La Live 1000 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, California 90015, USA.

    “The main focus of the award is to support people who have demonstrated exceptional humanitarian excellence in various fields, ” he said.

    Read Also: Wizkid breaks silence, mourns Davido’s son

    According to him, since inception, the Afro Awards has hosted and honored over 5,000 individuals at the core front of humanitarianism and philanthropy in American and African communities.

    Oduala, who is also a film director gave names of some of the 2022 honorees to include; Curtis Young (Son of Dr Dre), Masika Kalysha (VH1’s Love & Hip Hop; We TV’s Growing Up Hip Hop),

    Others are Tina Weisinger (Founder of HAPAwards), Hubert Nakitare (Hip Hop Artist and Activist), Lea Cher Pump (Owner of The LadyLike Foundation), His Royal Majesty Oba Yisa Olusola Olaniyan (Humanitarian and Founder of AHBEAH Awards)

    Also to be honoured are Rochel Pamphile (CEO of Rocky R&P Entertainment), Dr. Lance McCarthy (Business Consultant; Humanitarian), Fatimoh Muhammed (Philanthropist; Humanitarian), Afro Nation (World Biggest Afrobeats; Humanitarian), Sam Anwuzia (Founder of ZAFAA Awards; CEO Nollywood Entertainment; Humanitarian) and

    Others are Ade James (African Legendary Photographer; Humanitarian), Yinka Rythym (Musician; Philanthropist; Humanitarian), Charmaine Blake (Owner of Charmaine PR Firm), Kandias Conda (Owner of Celebrity Brand) and Madam Lara Okunnubi (Philanthropist/Humanitarian).

    The director explained that Red carpets arrivals start by 5:00pm with the main event at 7:00pm and an after party at 10:00pm.

    He said the host for this year’s event is VH1’s Love & Hip Hop Star Masika Kalysha.

    (NAN)

  • Fasoranti right to endorse Tinubu

    Fasoranti right to endorse Tinubu

    The Islamic human rights advocacy group, the Muslim Rights Concern, has commended Pa Reuben Fasoranti, the national leader of the Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, for endorsing the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, as the preferred candidate for Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election.

    The PUNCH reports that Fasoranti gave his blessings to Tinubu on Sunday, October 30, 2022, when the latter visited him at his country home in Akure, Ondo State.

    MURIC hailed the development through its director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Thursday, November 3, 2022, describing the earlier endorsement of the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, by Afenifere’s national leader, Ayo Adebanjo, as “illogical.”

    The statement read, “The national leader of the Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, has endorsed Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the preferred presidential candidate for Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election.

    “MURIC commends Pa Fasoranti for his sportsmanship and broadmindedness. Pa Fasoranti’s name will be engraved in letters of gold for ignoring the illogical, irrational and inexplicable choice of Pa Ayo Adebanjo who declared support for Peter Obi of the Labour Party.

    “We advise Pa Adebanjo to reflect on the events surrounding the June 12, 1993 presidential election, the role of the National Democratic Coalition in confronting military totalitarians and, in particular, the sterling quality of Tinubu among NADECO’s dramatis personae.

    “Equally noteworthy for Pa Adebanjo is Tinubu’s heroic and miraculous rescue of Yorubaland from Nigeria’s drift to a one-party state and the attendant tyranny and dictatorship that would have followed in the hands of no other than one of the sons of Yorubaland who found himself in Aso Rock by accident but used the major part of his tenure to persecute Yorubaland. Perchance such retrospective glance, like the last look at the Moor, will remove the veil covering Pa Adebanjo’s eyes.”

    MURIC said endorsing Tinubu was capable of uniting the Yorubas even as Christians and Muslims would now be supporting Tinubu as well.

    “A major significance of Pa Fasoranti’s endorsement of Tinubu is that it is capable of uniting the Yoruba people as Muslims and Christians will now rally behind Tinubu in a united front. The likely fallout of this development is a future payback by Yoruba Muslims who have shown the willingness to support a Christian candidate in future if their Christian counterparts vote for Tinubu, a Yoruba Muslim, in the 2023 presidential election.

    “The 2023 elections are of a great importance to Yoruba Muslims because of the likelihood of a Muslim from the region emerging as President for the first time. All those who have tasted power in the past among the Yoruba have been Christians (Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Chief Earnest Shonekan, Oladipo Diya and Yemi Osinbajo).

    “It will be recalled that MURIC had earlier called for a Yoruba Muslim president as far back as February 2021.

    It is also worthy of note that MURIC reiterated the call for a Yoruba Muslim president again in May and October 2021, long before the presidential primaries.

    “This goes to show how important the Tinubu project is to Yoruba Muslims. It follows, therefore, that the extent to which Yoruba Christians respond positively or otherwise will go a long way to determine the parameter with which Yoruba Muslims will measure the future relationship between them and their Christian neighbours,” the statement added.

    The body said Nigerians must think of what united them than that which divided them. “Yoruba Muslims and their Christian counterparts can work together for the greatness of Yorubaland in particular and Nigeria in general if they can come together in moments like this. We must think more of things that unite us instead of dissipating energy on things that divide us.

    “Christians and Muslims in Yorubaland must come together at this crucial time for the purpose of grabbing the open sesame to the doors of Aso Rock. The zone is fortunate to have the gem of the collection, a unifier, a builder of men, a rare genius, a political colossus, the possessor of economic magic wand, the man who turned Lagos to a land of gold, Bola Tinubu,” MURIC concluded.