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A drastic and dramatic overhaul of African football is expected to be announced the eve of the kickoff of the African Cup of Nations, in the wake of corruption scandals consuming the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

The CAF executive committee took a stunning decision to cede control of the running of the organisation and have FIFA general secretary, Fatma Samoura, parachuted in as “FIFA High Commissioner for Africa”, according to sources.

No announcement has been made by African football’s governing body but CAF president, Ahmad Ahmad, is scheduled to hold a press conference in Cairo.

#MoreNews: https://chat.whatsapp.com/AQuCgcKuKBnDLsUuBGhNo6

Ahmad, who is the subject of an ethics investigation by FIFA after allegations of corruption and sexual misconduct, proposed the idea in a document shared with colleagues on the executive committee, the sources said.

Samoura is to lead a FIFA team that will conduct “a root-and-branch review of governance of the confederation, oversee operational management of the organisation, and recommend where needed a series of reform efforts,” the document read.

“This will be done in order to put CAF itself on a modern and sound footing, improve its image and reputation and thus ensure that CAF is better equipped to face future challenges and to grasp future  opportunities.”

FIFA are to also undertake a forensic audit of the monies they have been giving CAF.

The idea of sending Samoura to Africa is said to have been put together by FIFA president Gianni Infantino and CAF Vice-President Amaju Pinnick in the wake of Ahmad’s brief detention by French police last week for questioning on corruption allegations.

Ahmad, who is seeking to hold onto some semblance of power or even walk away from his post without sanction, had been forced to accept the deal and then propose it to his own colleagues, CAF sources told Reuters.

With FIFA seeking to improve football’s image, the Ahmad controversy has come as a major embarrassment to Infantino, who has been claiming a new-look, clean and corruption-free FIFA.

Ahmad, by virtue of his position as leader of African football, is automatically a FIFA vice-president.

African football has been rocked not only by the firing of CAF general secretary Amr Fahmy for whistle blowing, but also a walk off in the Champions League final and the alleged assault on a referee by another of CAF’s vice-presidents.

The Cup of Nations kicks off in Cairo on Friday when hosts Egypt take on Zimbabwe.

NAN

The United Nations Population Division has revealed that the population of the world have hits an estimated 7,713,468,000.

According to the World Population Prospect released by the UN, the medium-variant projection indicates that the global population could grow to around 8.5 billion in 2030, 9.7 billion in 2050, and 10.9 billion in 2100.

The fine data also shows that males outnumber females in Nigeria, and the world as a whole, negating the popular belief that women outnumber men in the West African country.

Nigeria is estimated to be at 200,964,000 as of mid-year 2019, with 99,132,000 million females and 101,832,000 males.

On the globe, there are an estimated  3,889,035,000 males and 3,824,434,000 females.

FACT: Fertility in Nigerian women equal to or greater than four live births per woman, making Nigeria one of the most fertile countries in the world.

The population of Africa has risen by over 32 million in the past year, raising the numbers to over 1.308 billion people on the continent.

United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) says “with a projected addition of over one billion people, countries of sub-Saharan Africa could account for more than half of the growth of the world’s population between 2019 and 2050”.

“The world’s population is projected to grow from 7.7 billion in 2019 to 8.5 billion in 2030 (10% increase), and further to 9.7 billion in 2050 (26%) and to 10.9 billion in 2100 (42%). The population of sub-Saharan Africa is projected to double by 2050 (99%),” the report read in part

“Other regions will see varying rates of increase between 2019 and 2050: Oceania excluding Australia/New Zealand (56%), Northern Africa and Western Asia (46%), Australia/New Zealand (28%), Central and Southern Asia (25%), Latin America and the Caribbean (18%), Eastern and South-Eastern Asia (3%), and Europe and Northern America (2%)”.

OVER 65 BEAT UNDER 5 — FIRST TIME EVER

The world is getting older, and so are the inhabitants; in 2018, for the first time in history, persons aged 65 years or over worldwide outnumbered children under age five.

Projections indicate that by 2050 there will be more than twice as many persons above 65 as children under five.

The UN also revealed that the populations of “both Pakistan and Nigeria more than doubled in size between 1990 and 2019, with Pakistan moving up in
rank from the 8th to the 5th position and Nigeria from the 10th to the 7th position”.

Nigeria is still projected to be the third most populous country from 2050 to 2100, with a population of 733 million at the end of the century.

“After this re-ordering between 2019 and 2050, the ranking of the five largest countries is projected to be preserved through the end of the century, when India could remain the world’s most populous country with nearly 1.5 billion inhabitants, followed by China with just under 1.1 billion, Nigeria with 733 million, the United States with 434 million, and Pakistan with 403 million inhabitants,” the report read.

SOURCE: AFP/Vanguard

 ‘I will kill myself if Nigerians do not do this for me’ – Kemi Olunloyo

Controversial Journaist, Kemi Olunloyo has come out to say she would commit suicide if her fans don’t donate N2,000 to her PTSD therapy
Yes N2,000!

 Nigerian singer, Simi, has shared what she thinks about depression and according to her, it is “scary and sad”

A fan on twitter had asked her what her thoughts were on the wave of depression in recent times, the singer responded by saying the struggles to keep up and fear of failure amongst other things were responsible for depression.

#Simi @SympLySimi

It’s scary and sad. Especially for young men. The struggle to keep up. The fear of failure. The desperate desire for validation. Very scary. I hope that we can let people know it’s ok to share and lean on someone when things get too heavy.

 Marriage is not the cause of domestic violence – Omotola countered Daddy Freeze

The mother of four who has been married for 23 years, revealed this as she countered media personality, Daddy Freeze’s recent IG post, advising women that being called a “Living Miss is better than a dead Mrs”.

She wrote, “Marriage is not the cause of violence. People are. Stay away from violent/abusive people. Work, marriage, friendship, family. Nothing/no one is worth the result.”

Recall, that OAP, Daddy Freeze has said in an earlier post, that an individual doesn’t have to be married for them to be blessed and happy. He said this while reacting to the news of a man who killed his wife over infidelity accusations.

His post reads: “You don’t have to be married to be blessed, you don’t have to be married to be happy, you don’t have to be married to be rich or successful in business, you don’t even have to be married to make heaven.”

 Nollywood mourns, as Dagunro passes on*

The actor who hails from Osogbo and known for roles in epic Yoruba-speaking movies was reportedly died during the early hours of Thursday, June 13, 2019.

The CEO of Best of Nollywood, Seun Oloketuyi took to social media to announce the news of his death. Also, popular actor, Adekola Tijani a.k.a ‘Kamilu Kompo’ shared the news of his death.

“Gone too soon boss! May your soul rest in peace. Love your boss but God loves you most. Dagunro Alajiga Ogun. RIP’.

Several actors and Yoruba movie fans have also mourned his demise, as they took to social media to celebrate the iconic actor. As at the time of this report, the cause of his death has not been ascertained.

Liverpool will lift the curtain on the new Premier League season against Norwich, on Friday Night Football – with Manchester United vs Chelsea on Super Sunday .

Jurgen Klopp’s side face Championship winners Norwich at Anfield on August 9 in the first of four matches live in the opening weekend of fixtures.

Tottenham also face a promoted side in the form of play-off winners Aston Villa in Saturday’s 5.30pm kick-off (August 10)

Newcastle host Arsenal (2pm) before Chelsea play Manchester United at Old Trafford (4.30pm) in the first Super Sunday of the season on August 11.

Premier League champions Manchester City begin their title defence away at West Ham on Saturday, August 10, with Pep Guardiola’s side to meet Liverpool at Anfield on November 9 – before the return at the Etihad on April 4, 2020.

Liverpool, who missed out on the title by a single point on the final day of last season, face a tough end to the new campaign – away at Arsenal (May 2), at home to Chelsea (May 9) and then away at Newcastle on May 17.

Manchester City finish with Bournemouth at home (May 2), Watford away (May 9) and Norwich at home on the final day.

Premier League winter break

For the first time this season the Premier League will have a mid-season break. Five matches will be played on February 8 and the other five on February 15. That split will be confirmed in December when the broadcast picks are announced.

The key dates of the Premier League 2019/20 season

The new season will start on Friday, August 9 and will conclude on Sunday, May 17.

Meanwhile, the Community Shield between Manchester City and Liverpool will take place on Sunday, August 4.

The Champions League final will be played in Istanbul on May 30 – two weeks before the start of Euro 2020 on June 12.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted cloudy weather conditions with widespread rainfall and thunderstorm activities over most parts of the country on Thursday.

NiMet’s Weather Outlook in Abuja predicted thunderstorms over the central states of Kaduna, Abuja, Gombe, Yola, Mambilla Plateau, Lokoja and Lafia in the morning.

It also predicted slim chances of rain over the region later in the day with day and night temperatures of 25 to 31 and 15 to 23 degrees Celsius.

The agency predicted that Northern states would have thunderstorms in places like Sokoto, Gusau and Yelwa axis while the North East was predicted to be cloudy in the morning hours.

It further predicted prospects of thunderstorms over the region in the afternoon and evening hours with day and night temperatures of 31 to 36 and 22 to 25 degrees Celsius.

According to NiMet, Southern states will experience cloudy morning over the Southwest inland with light rains over the Southeast inland while a few thunderstorms and rains are anticipated over the coast in the morning hours.

“There are prospects of thunderstorms and rains in the region in the afternoon and evening hours with day and night temperatures of 28 to 31 and 22 to 24 degrees
“Moderate and intermittent rains are anticipated over the country in the next 24 hours,” NiMet predicted.

NAN

President Muhammadu Buhari has joined other Nigerians and world leaders to celebrate June 12 as Democracy Day, where he said that Nigeria’s strength lies in her youths.

Buhari’s arrival at Eagles Square venue of the Democracy Day celebration at exactly 10:04am ensured the commencement of the 2019 June 12 Democracy Day celebration being attended by world leaders.

President Muhammadu Buhari, during the ceremony, renamed the Abuja National Stadium to Moshood Abiola Stadium.

Buhari said, “What we require is the will to get our acts together. And our strength is in our people – our youth, our culture, our resilience, our ability to succeed despite the odds.”

“All Praise is due to GOD Almighty Who spared our lives to be present at this great occasion. We give thanks also that the democratic process has been further entrenched and strengthened.

2. Twenty years ago, a democratically elected government took over from the military in a historic transfer of political power for our country.

3. Today, we are privileged to mark the longest period of unbroken democratic leadership and 5th peaceful transfer of power from one democratically elected government to another in Nigeria.

4. Throughout the last four years, I respected the independence of INEC. I ensured that INEC got all the resources it needed for independent and impartial management of elections in the country.

5. All interested parties are agreed that the recent elections, which except for pockets of unrest, were free, fair and peaceful.

6. I thank all the people who worked for our party, who campaigned and who voted for us. I thank my fellow Nigerians, who, since 2003 have consistently voted for me.

7. Victory is your greatest reward; peace, unity and greater prosperity will be our collective legacy.

Your Excellencies, Fellow Nigerians,

8. I and Nigerians collectively must give adequate thanks to our Armed Forces, Police and other law enforcing agencies for working round the clock to protect us by putting themselves in harm’s way and defending our values and protecting our future.

9. Terrorism and insecurity are worldwide phenomena and even the best policed countries are experiencing increasing incidents of unrest and are finding things hard to cope.

10. The principal thrust of this new Administration is to consolidate on the achievements of the last four years, correct the lapses inevitable in all human endeavors and tackle the new challenges the country is faced with and chart a bold plan for transforming Nigeria.

11. Fellow Nigerians, I have had the privilege of free education from Primary school to Staff College to War College.

12. I received my formative education in Katsina and Kaduna and my higher education in England, India and the United States.

13. I have worked and served in Kaduna, Lagos, Abeokuta, Makurdi, Port Harcourt, Maiduguri, Ibadan, Jos and finally here in Abuja. Throughout my adult life, I have been a public servant. I have no other career but public service. I know no service but public service.

14. I was involved at close quarters in the struggle to keep Nigeria one. I can therefore do no more than dedicate the rest of my life to work for the unity of Nigeria and upliftment of Nigerians.

15. In 2002-2003 campaigns and elections, I travelled by road to 34 of the 36 states of the Federation. This year I travelled by air to all 36 states of the Federation.

16. Before and during my time in the Armed Forces and in government, I have interacted with Nigerians of all ages and persuasions and different shades of opinion over a period of more than fifty years.

17. And my firm belief is that our people above all want to live in peace and harmony with their fellow Nigerians. They desire opportunity to better themselves in a safe environment.

18. Most of the instances of inter-communal and inter-religious strife and violence were and are still as a result of sponsorship or incitements by ethnic, political or religious leaders hoping to benefit by exploiting our divisions and fault lines, thereby weakening our country.

19. And our country Nigeria is a great country. According to United Nations estimates, our population will rise to 411 million by 2050, making us the third most populous nation on earth behind only China and India.

20. We have water, arable land, forests, oil and gas and vast quantities of solid minerals. We are blessed with an equable climate. However, the bulk of our real wealth lies in Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry and Mining. We possess all the ingredients of a major economic power on the world stage.

21. What we require is the will to get our acts together. And our strength is in our people – our youth, our culture, our resilience, our ability to succeed despite the odds.

Source: Punch/Vanguard/ChannelsTv

Edited: LatestNewsUpdates

Femi Gbajabiamila has been elected by members House of Representatives as the new Speaker of the House with majority of votes of about 283.

Gbajabiamila had 283 votes while Umar Bago got 76 votes.

Senator Ahmad Lawan, representing Yobe North, has been elected as Senate President. Lawan defeated Senator Ali-Ndume with 79 votes, out of the total of 107 votes cast.

While Lawan polled 79 votes, Ndume polled 28 votes.

Meanwhile, Omo-Agege, Ike Ekweremadu nominated for deputy President of the Senate. Voting for deputy President of Senate begins.

resident Muhammadu Buhari has signed a bill on June 12 as the Democracy Day to law.

Buhari signed the bill 48 hours to what will become the first Democracy Day in the country.

The Act specifies that June 12 now replaces May 29 which was introduced in 1999 as the official Democracy Day.

The date will also be recognised as national public holiday by the Federal Government henceforth.

The Federal Government has declared Wednesday, June 12, 2019, as a public holiday to commemorate the maiden National Democracy Day.

Barr. Georgina Ekeoma Ehuriah, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior made known this statement issued by the Director (Press & Public Relations), Ministry of Interior, Mohammed Manga

According to Ehuriah the Permanent Secretary called on Nigerians to continue to cherish the sacrifice made by heroes of democracy, particularly those who lost their lives in the struggle for the actualization of Democratic Governance in Nigeria in order to make the country a better place for all.

Ehuriah also seeks collaboration and cooperation of all Nigerians with the Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari towards achieving our collective aspiration for the unity, peace and socio-economic development of Nigeria and wished all Nigerians at home and abroad a happy Democracy Day Celebration.