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Celtics suspend coach Ime Udoka for entire NBA season

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Celtics suspend coach Ime Udoka for entire NBA season

Celtics suspend coach Ime Udoka for entire NBA season

The Boston Celtics suspended head coach Ime Udoka for the entire 2022-23 NBA season on Thursday for “violations of team policies.”

“A decision about his future with the Celtics beyond this season will be made at a later date,” the team said in a statement.

“The suspension takes effect immediately.”

The Celtics did not specify what Udoka’s policy violations were.

ESPN and The Athletic reported that the 45-year-old Nigerian-American had a consensual relationship with a female member of the Celtics staff that broke the franchise’s code of conduct.

The punishment, among the harshest ever issued to an NBA head coach, comes with the Celtics’ pre-season training camp due to open next week.

In a statement obtained by ESPN, Udoka said he accepted the Celtics’ decision.

“I want to apologize to our players, fans, the entire Celtics organization, and my family for letting them down,” Udoka said. “I am sorry for putting the team in this difficult situation, and I accept the team’s decision.

“Out of respect for everyone involved, I will have no further comment.”

Assistant coach Joe Mazzulla will step in as interim coach for the 2022-23 campaign, ESPN reported.

Udoka’s top assistant last season, Will Hardy, departed in June to become coach of the Utah Jazz.

Udoka replaced Brad Stevens as coach last season after Stevens was promoted to president of basketball operations following the departure of Danny Ainge.

Udoka played seven seasons in the NBA, the last four with San Antonio before his playing career ended in 2011.

He had stints as an assistant coach with San Antonio, Philadelphia, and Brooklyn before taking charge of the Celtics in June 2021 and had an impressive debut season.

Under Udoka’s guidance, Boston developed the top defence in the NBA and closed last season on a 28-7 run.

They beat the star-studded Brooklyn Nets in the first round, then ousted the Milwaukee Bucks in seven games in the second round.

They dispatched the Miami Heat in seven games in the Eastern Conference finals to reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010.

They fell in six games to the Golden State Warriors in the championship series in June, but players were full of praise for Udoka.

“When you have a coach who’s willing to hold you accountable, and not just you but everyone on the team the same way, that’s how you know you have the makings of a great coach who’s trying to get somewhere special,” Boston’s Marcus Smart said during the NBA Finals.

Celtics suspend coach Ime Udoka for entire NBA season

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Headlines

Kano hospital board restates commitment to quality healthcare services

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Health: Nigeria needs N1trn annually to cater for vulnerable citizens

The Kano State Hospital Management Board has restated commitment to quality healthcare service delivery in the state.

The Executive Secretary of the board, Dr Mansur Nagoda stated this during the inauguration of the state-wide hospital inspection exercise, on Monday in Kano.

He said the board in collaboration with the ministry of health would inspect healthcare facilities in urban and rural areas of the state.

Nagoda said the exercise aimed at encouraging positive attitudinal change among medical workers, to ensure that interventions were properly utilised.

He said the exercise would also guard against alleged hoarding and diversion of medical commodities provided by the state government.

“We are also paying unscheduled visits to health facilities to mainly assess their sanitary conditions and see how the services are being rendered.

“The major issues we largely concentrate on will include checking of staff roster for all cadres to know professional relationships among staff to avoid unwanted rivalry,” he said.

Nagoda said the state government had rolled out free delivery kits; free accident and emergency items, free cleansing items for general sanitation of facilities and maintenance of proper hygienic condition, among workers.

The gesture, he said, would provide succour and improve the welfare of patients in the state.

Some of the facilities visited include Murtala Muhammad Specialists Hospital; Muhammad Abdullahi Wase Teaching Hospital, Sir Muhammad Sanusi Specialist Hospital, Sheik Muhammad Jidda General Hospital, and Yadakunya General Hospital.

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Davido, Ayra Starr, fans celebrate Tems’ Grammy win

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Nigerian music superstars, Davido, Ayra Starr and fans of sensational singer Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, have celebrated her for winning the highly coveted Best African Music Performance award at the 2025 Grammys.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Tems made history at the 67th Grammy awards on Sunday in Los Angeles by clinching the Best African Music Performance for her song “Love Me Jeje.”

Notably, Tems was the only African artiste with three nominations across the global music categories; as her debut album, “Born in the Wild” was up for Best Global Music Album and Best R&B song for “Burning”.

She emerged victorious in a fierce competition, beating out strong nominees in the Nigerian-dominated category, including Burna Boy, Davido and Asake.

Other Nigerian stars nominated for the Grammys included Yemi Alade, Rema and Jordan Adetunji.

Tems who dedicated the award to her mother, said: “Dear God, thank you so much for putting me on this stage and bringing me this team.”

The feat has since generated abuzz on Social media, with excited fans and supporters of the singer sending her congratulatory messages.

Davido and Ayra Starr were also among artistes who sent her felicitations on their X pages for the Grammy big win.

Davido wrote: “Congratulations to my one and only @chrisbrown! And to the Queen @temsbaby weare proud of you!”

Ayra Star wrote: “Temssbabyyyyyyy congratulations my love!!!!”

Some elated fans and supporter of the “Love me Jeje” crooner also celebrate her.

@ekemini_kent wrote: “Congratulations Queen”

@ehis_goldtime wrote: “The game is still on congratulations Tems baby”

@NuJhayhne wrote: “congratulations to the queen of afrobeats completely deserved”

@Ivensplaisir wrote: “Tems is on fire. Her talent speaks volumes. African music is truly reaching new heights.”

@izrel1800 wrote: “The world knows there’s crack in this jam Tems. Well deserved”

@Rhaenyra729 wrote: “Cheers to Tems achievement”

@jaay4real wrote: “well deserved grammy, congratulations temilade”

@osidagoat wrote: “THE GREATEST AFRICAN FEMALE ARTISTE”

NAN reports that the award marks Tems second Grammy win, and she now has more Grammy awards than any other Nigerian artiste.

In 2023, she won the Best Melodic Rap Performance for the song ‘Wait for U’ with American hip-hop stars Future and Drake.

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Economy

Benue at 49: Governor Alia’s Vision for Economic Prosperity and Infrastructure Growth

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Benue at 49: Governor Alia's Vision for Economic Prosperity and Infrastructure Growth

As Benue State celebrates its 49th anniversary, Governor Hyacinth Alia has emphasized his commitment to driving the state to unprecedented levels of economic prosperity and infrastructural development.

In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Tersoo Kula, and made available to newsmen on Monday in Makurdi, Alia outlined the significant reforms his administration has set in motion since he assumed office.

“Less than two years into our administration, we have achieved remarkable breakthroughs, unprecedented in the history of the state,” said Alia.

The governor highlighted key achievements, including the rollout of programs aimed at boosting agricultural productivity and agribusiness to ensure food security and improve livelihoods. “We have rehabilitated roads, opened new ones, constructed and fixed public facilities to make Benue more accessible, enhancing economic growth,” he stated.

Alia also underscored the administration’s focus on healthcare, pledging to advance healthcare facilities to ensure quality and accessible services for all citizens. “Our resolve is to take the state where every citizen experiences prosperity, security, and opportunity,” he added.

The governor stressed that achieving these goals requires the collective efforts of all Benue citizens. “This target cannot be achieved alone. It calls for the collaborative determination of all stakeholders, community leaders, traditional rulers, business owners, and our energetic youth. Together, the administration can build a future that mirrors our joint desires,” Alia urged.

As the state marks its 49th anniversary, the governor called on the people to remain steadfast in their commitment to promoting Benue’s growth. “I extend a hand of fellowship to all stakeholders to join hands with us in this noble endeavour,” he concluded.

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