Author: straightnewsng.com

African Union and Nigeria are sad over the exit of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The African Union on Tuesday said it feels ”deep regret” over the withdrawal of  the Francophone countries. The AU said its commission president, Moussa Faki Mahamat, “calls on regional leaders to intensify the dialogue between the ECOWAS leadership and the three aforementioned countries”, which on Sunday accused the West African bloc of posing a threat to their sovereignty. It also indicated  that the African Union Commission was willing “to provide all the assistance in its power…

Rejuvenated hosts Ivory Coast came back from dreadful defeats to edge out defending champions Senegal following a dramatic penalty shoot-out to grab quarter-finals ticket in the 2023 African Cup of Nations thriller. Nigeria had beaten Ivory Coast 1-0 and the hosts suffered a 4-0 debilitating loss to Equatorial Guinea regarded as giant killers during the preliminary stage at the soccer tournament. As a result, Ivory Coast sacked head coach Jean-Louis Gasset, but the interim Coach Franck Kessié brought the hosts from near burial in the last 16 at the Africa Cup of Nations. However, Ivory Coast beat Senegal 5-4 on…

Dark horses Cape Verde tamed highly rated Mauritania to zoom into quarterfinals in the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Monday. Ryan Mendes converted a late penalty as Cape Verde beat Mauritania 1-0 in Abidjan to seal their place in the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations. Cape Verde captain Mendes struck the decisive spot kick in the 88th minute and the Blue Sharks will now face either Morocco or South Africa in the quarter-finals. Cape Verde, one of the surprise teams of the tournament after finishing unbeaten at the top of Group B ahead of Egypt and Ghana, were second best for most of the first half,…

Abia State Governor, Mr. Alex Otti has revolutionized the construction of the hitherto deplorable internal routes in Aba, the commercial hub of the state. Most of the roads are being constructed by Julius Berger Construction Company. In his X (formerly Twitter) handle, Otti wrote ‘‘Yesterday, I visited Aba, in the company of some members of my team, to inspect the ongoing road projects at Port Harcourt Road, Old Court Road, Ndoki Road and Omuma Road. ‘‘We were impressed with the progress of work on Port Harcourt Road. The contractor, Julius Berger Plc, has assured us that the road will be…

The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations witnessed more surprises on Sunday as Egypt, the seventh-time champion and Equatorial Guinea, the giant killers suffered shocking exit in the round of 16. DR Congo knocked Egypt out in the Round of 16 of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after long-drawn penalties at Laurent Poku Stadium on Sunday night. This was as a late winner from Mohamed Bayo sent Guinea into the quarter-final of the 2023 African Cup of Nations, eliminating giant killers- Equatorial Guinea. Congo won 8-7 with goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi scoring the 18th spot as the Leopards are in search…

Jannik Sinner stormed back from two sets down to beat Daniil Medvedev in a gruelling five-set Australian Open final on Sunday, winning his first Grand Slam. The Italian fourth seed was blown off course in the first two sets but recovered to win 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 in three hours and 44 minutes. The result is a bitter blow for the Russian third seed, who has now lost a second Australian Open final after being two sets up, following his defeat by Rafael Nadal in 2022. Medvedev came into the match boasting a 6-3 winning record against the 22-year-old,…

An Akwa Ibom-born legal practitioner has sought a court order to restrain Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) from releasing monthly allocations to Transition Committees recently constituted for the 31 Local Government Councils in the state.  Joined in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1684/2023 and filed on 14/12/2023 brought before Federal High Court in Abuja, FCT, are Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and the Accountant General of the Federation as defendants, while the State Governor is the 4th Defendant. In the suit, Uyoakam Ekerete, the plaintiff, is asking the court to determine: Whether in the light of Section 7(1)(4) of the…

Ademola Lookman scored brace as Nigeria downed Cameroon’s engine in a 2-0 win to reach the quarter-finals in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations during the round of 16 in Abidjan. The Atalanta forward opened the scoring nine minutes before the break after Victor Osimhen forced Oumar Gonzalez into a mistake and then teed up Lookman to fire past goalkeeper Fabrice Ondoa, who was preferred against to Andre Onana. Former England Under-21 international Lookman sealed the win in the 90th minute after one of the game’s best moves, volleying home Calvin Bassey’s cut-back to spark huge celebrations among the three-time…

A foremost indigenous contractor, Mr. Sylvanus Ukpong, has hailed Akwa Ibom governor’s wife, Mrs Patience  Umo Eno, on her proposed plan to establish breast cancer screening centre in the state. Mr. Ukpong, who is the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Emem and Sons Nigeria Ltd. described the project as laudable and timely, coming from the heart of love for humanity. Breast cancer is currently the deadliest cancer type in Nigeria, while cervical cancer is second and prostate cancer is third.  In the past years, breast cancer has destroyed many homes rendering many children orphans and men widowers. Read also: Governor’s wife…

Worried by the ‘disappearance’ of their son for eight days now, the family of Ubokobong Ime Udoworen has urged relevant security agencies in the state to produce him within 24 hours, alive or dead. The call is fuelled by Ubokobong’s rumoured death saga following his alleged assault, maiming and ‘abduction’ by some angry APC youths within the vicinity of Ati Annang Foundation Hall, Library Avenue, Ikot Ekpene on Friday, January 19, 2024. Udoworen from Nto Okon in Ukanafun Local Government Area is APC Youth Leader in Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District and a Senior Legislative Assistant to Senate President,…