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Nigeria Emerge African Champions Beach World Cup
Rivers State Commissioner for Workss, Mr. Dakuku Peterside with rake joining staff of the First City Monument Bank Plc in keeping the fly-over axis of Diobu, Port Harcourt clean recently.
A combination of clinical finishing and solid defence allowed Nigeria to beat Ivory Coast 7-4 in a thrilling Final of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2009 Qualifier Durban on Sunday.
The win, which crowns Nigeria as the African champion for the second time after their 2007 title, came on the back of a superb defensive performance, most notably by Ogbonnaya Okemirri, who was rock solid in containing the Ivorian strikers.
Unlike the earlier play-off for third and fourth, which saw Senegal beat Egypt 6-4 in a relatively static encounter, Nigeria and Ivory Coast continued from where they left off in their two thrilling semifinals on Saturday.
The match was played at a hectic pace and never let up with both teams going all-out to take control as play swung from end to end. With shots raining in on both keepers, either team could have scored numerous times before Ivory Coast got the first breakthrough – but the opening goal came seconds after a missed chance at the other end.
Didier Kabletchi netted the first for Ivory Coast from a quick break after Nigerian Isiaki Olwale had mis-kicked with a wide open goal in front of him at the other end of the park. From then on Nigeria took command with the front running duo of Olawale and Baba Yahaya combining brilliantly to bamboozle the stressed Ivorian defence.
In the first period the combination shared the goals with Olawale getting the first and third, both set up by Yahaya, while his partner up front got the second to leave Nigeria in control with a 3-1 lead at the first break.
The second stanza was almost identical to the first, except Ivory Coast were only able to get on the score sheet again with 40 seconds of the period left when Thomas Ehounou scrambled the ball into the net. Before his strike, it was once again Olawale and Yahaya, this time with Victor Tale when he was on the pitch, who were giving the Ivorian defence a tough time.
So it was appropriate that the three of them shared the three goals Nigeria added in the second period to leave the score at 6-2 going into the final 12 minutes of non-stop action.
The play swung back and forth, but as the clock ran down Ivory Coast ‘s hopes ebbed away and although they managed to pull back to three with five minutes to go, via Salomon Ouraga’s score, their hope was short lived.
Just over a minute later Olawale netted his fourth for the day, and 14th for the tournament, to extend the lead to four goals again, and with just four minutes left it was going to take a miracle to prevent Nigeria from claiming the title.
Ivorean Ouraga netted a penalty but that was just a false glimmer of hope and left the final score as 7-4.
After the match there was some consolation for Ivory Coast as goalkeeper Kevin Enam was named as the Goalkeeper of the Tournament, while Olawale was the Player and Top Goal scorer.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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