Business
Lessons From Super Eagles’ Loss
Several weeks after the Super Eagles lost 0-2 to Bafana Bafana of South Africa in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, in a group E 2019 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match, echoes and lamentations emanating from that unexpected loss have failed to die down.
The disquiet in the football family was not overly due to the fact that the Super Eagles failed to win a match; rather, the hue and cry have been mainly as a result of the manner and circumstances that surrounded the loss.
South Africa did not only break the jinx Nigeria had held over them for a couple of decades, they dominated the Nigerian team in every department of the game in achieving their first victory over the country in a competitive match. In contrast, the Super Eagles were lethargic in performance, half-hearted and disjointed to maintain their recent decent record under Franco-German coach, Geroot Rohr. Their display in the match spoke volumes about their seeming unseriousness and lack of focus that weighed heavily against the team.
As a result, the country’s chances of qualifying for the 2019 edition of AFCON which Nigeria has won three times, but has failed to qualify for the past two successive editions, are on the line after the very first match.
Already, sports lovers, writers and analysts have been tumbling against themselves over what may have led to the dismal outing of the national team against South Africa, a team previously perceived as underdog to the Super Eagles, in Uyo.
Even as most analysts blame the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the technical crew for shoddy preparation and poor judgement in choice of players, The Tide believes that the Eagles lost the match before the kick-off whistle was sounded due to their poor attitude and approach to the tie. Indeed, the level of commitment and attitude was noticeably poor, while the team’s tactical and technical approach in the game proper was less than professional. It was as if the players and coaches believed that the game could be won by merely turning up on the pitch.
Regrettably, in the usual manner, buck passing, lame excuses have been the order of the day. Even more absurd is the blaming of the Uyo Stadium as a major reason why the Eagles failed to fly against South Africa.
The Tide believes that the excuses being bandied about mask the real issue, especially, the non-availability of the official match balls already sent to Nigeria by the competition’s organisers. This anomaly robbed the team of training with and getting used to the match ball.
It is a national embarrassment that the NFF could not account for match balls sent to it by the Confederation of African Football, CAF. This had forced Rivers United, Nigeria’s representative in CAF Confederations Cup competition and the Super Eagles to borrow opponents’ balls to prosecute matches.
In order to avoid such embarrassment in future, we think that there must be an inquiry to unearth the circumstances that led to this unfortunate situation. Moreso, the issue of players who may have outlived their usefulness or not good enough was laid on the table in that match.
While we regret all that has happened, to the Super Eagles, we think that the country must put the South Africa match and its attendant disappointment behind it and move on. We must look forward and prepare for the task ahead, particularly, the looming double-header against African Champions, Cameroon, in the race for a ticket to the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
The Super Eagles must be ready physically and mentally to face the Indomitable Lions in August and September if the country is to secure passage to the Mundial next year. The NFF, Eagles’ technical crew and players must learn from their experience and do the needful by putting their house in order, rather than dwelling in the past and indulging in the blame game.
Henceforth, every opponent must be accorded due respect on and off the pitch as modern football no longer respects big names nor previous record.
We are gladdened that the national team coach, Rohr, was big enough to take responsibility for the performance against South Africa and promised that such would not happen again. Nigerians expect to see a better team, performance and result in subsequent matches of the Super Eagles. We must do the right things at the right time to achieve desired result as he that fails to plan plans to fail. Despite the immediate past result, it is the desire of football loving Nigerians to see the country’s flag fly high in Russia 2018 World Cup and 2019 AFCON in Cameroon.
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), in partnership with a firm, Sweetcrude Ltd., has announced detailed selection criteria for the inaugural “Champions of Nigerian Content Awards”, designed to honor outstanding contributions to local content development in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
The Tide learnt that the event, scheduled to hold 21st May, 2025, at the NCDMB’S content tower headquarters in Yenagoa, capital of Bayelsa State, will recognize individuals and organizations that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to advancing Nigerian Content in 2024.
The Tide further gathered that the ceremony will coincide with the Nigerian Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair (NOGOF), which promises to spotlighting industry excellence and contributions to national economic transformation.
A statement by the Board’s Directorate of Corporate Communications and Zonal Coordination says the event has 12 Award Categories, which include, “Nigerian Content Icon of the Year”, “Nigerian Content Lifetime Achievement Award”, “Nigerian Content International Upstream Operator of the year”, and the “Nigerian Content Independent Upstream Operator of the year”.
Others are, “Nigerian Content Midstream Operator of the year”, “Nigerian Content Downstream Operator of the year”, “Nigerian Content International Service Company of the year”, Nigerian Content Indigenous Service Company of the year”, and the “Nigerian Content Innovator of the year”.
Also included are, “Nigerian Content Financial Services Provider of the year”, “Nigerian Content Media Organization of the year”, and “Women in Leadership Award for Promoting Gender Equality and Empowerment”.
According to the NCDMB, the criteria for oil and gas operators will include key and empirical benchmarks such as Production output for crude oil and gas volumes, Compliance with Nigerian Content Plans (NCPs) and Nigerian Content Compliance Certificates (NCCCs).
Other criteria are adherence to NOGICD Act reporting requirements, such as submission of Nigerian Content Performance Reports and Employment & Training Plans.
The Board’s statement added that similar criteria will apply to financial institutions, media organizations, and individuals, ensuring a transparent and merit-based selection process.
“Winners for the Nigerian Content Icon of the Year, Innovator of the Year, and Women in Leadership Award will also be selected based on measurable performance indicators.
“The Advisory Committee of Industry Titans will Oversee the process to uphold the prestige of awards. The Committee consist of distinguished experts set up to oversee nominations and validate winners”, the NCDMB said.
Members of the committee, according to the Board, include: Pioneer Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Dr. Ernest Nwapa; Secretary-General, African Petroleum Producers Organization, Dr. Omar Farouk; and former Zonal Operations Controller, DPR, Mr. Woke Akinyosoye.
The Statement quoted the Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, as emphasizing that the awards aim to becoming the oil and gas sector’s equivalent of the Oscars, celebrating genuine impact rather than mere participation.
“This recognition is reserved for those who have gone beyond compliance to drive tangible growth in Nigerian Content.
“With a focus on credibility, compliance, and measurable impact, the Champions of Nigerian Content Awards is poised to set a new standard for excellence in Nigeria’s energy sector”, the NCDMB Executive Scribe said.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
Nigeria’s apex Banking institution, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has declared that Federal Government’s debt servicing increased to N696billion in January 2025.
The CBN’s recently published Economic Report revealed a precarious fiscal position, which worsened in January 2025 as debt servicing obligations exceeded total retained revenue by a wide margin.
According to the report, the Federal Government’s debt servicing obligations for the month stood at N696.27bn, while total retained revenue amounted to only N483.47bn, indicating that debt service alone consumed about 144 per cent of all government earnings.
This development highlights the growing debt burden and dwindling fiscal space facing Africa’s largest economy.
According to the report, despite slight improvements in some revenue categories, the retained earnings were grossly inadequate to cover obligatory debt repayments, exposing the government’s continued reliance on borrowing to meet basic obligations.
The report further revealed that retained revenue in January 2025 only recorded a marginal 0.89 per cent increase when compared with the N479.21bn generated in the corresponding month of 2024.
”FGN retained revenue declined in the review period, owing largely to lower receipts from Federal Government Independent Revenue and FGN’s share of exchange gain.
“At N0.48tn, provisional FGN retained revenue was 69.19 and 70.40 per cent below the levels recorded in the preceding period and monthly target, respectively”, it revealed.
While this points to stagnation rather than growth, the marginal rise was wiped out by the overwhelming debt service obligations.
The retained revenue components showed that the Federation Account contributed N167.69bn, while the VAT Pool Account delivered N90.73bn.
By: Corlins Walter
The Federal Government has announced plans to commence the payment of the outstanding N35,000 wage award arrears owed workers in the Federal Civil Service.
A statement issued by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), which was signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Bawa Mokwa, said the outstanding arrears will be paid in instalments, with workers set to receive N35,000 per month for five months.
It clarified that the first tranche of the wage award arrears would be released immediately after the April salary payment.
“The wage award arrears was not paid with the April 2025 salary; it will come immediately after the salary is paid”, the statement read.
The Federal Government had earlier disbursed wage awards to federal workers for five months as part of efforts to cushion the impact of economic reforms. However, five months’ arrears remained unpaid.
The AGF office further reiterated the government’s commitment to fully implementing all policies and agreements relating to staff remuneration and welfare, noting that such efforts were geared towards enhancing productivity and operational efficiency across ministries, departments, and agencies.
The N35,000 wage award was introduced in 2023 as a palliative measure to support workers following the removal of the petrol subsidy and other economic adjustments.
In January this year, the Federal Government assured workers that it would clear the arrears of the N35,000 wage award, just as it also said the government had resumed the payment of the wage award.
The government also reiterated its commitment to addressing issues in the National Minimum Wage agreement reached with the Organised Labour in 2023.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, had disclosed the government’s commitment towards implementing agreements with trade unions during separate meetings with the leadership of the Trade Union Congress and Congress of University Academics, in Abuja.
The Nigeria Labour Congress had criticised the Federal Government over the delay in the payment of the minimum wage for certain workers in the federal civil service.
Also, the Federal Government had earlier blamed the delay in payment on the prolonged approval of the 2025 budget.
By: Corlins Walter
-
News4 hours agoTroops Eliminate Boko Haram Fighters, Capture Weapons In Sambisa Offensive
-
Rivers2 hours agoExpert Demands Full Implementation Of PIA In N’Delta Oil Communities
-
News9 hours agoFalana Demands Probe Of Alleged Diversion Of $3.4bn IMF Loan
-
Politics3 hours agoYouth Group Warns Against Politicising Governance In Zamfara
-
Sports9 hours ago“Remo Ladies will win every NWFL Super Six match”
-
Business3 hours agoNCDMB, Partners Sweetcrude On Inaugural Nigerian Content Awards
-
News4 hours agoEleme Indigenes Hail Council Boss Over Evacuation Of Refuse
-
News9 hours agoOver 80 Army captains to sit for 2025 promotion exam in Benin