Headlines
Falcons battle hosts for 10th final ticket
Morocco versus Nigeria promises to be the most intriguing clash, yet, of the ongoing African Women Cup of Nations, which semifinals begin today.
The Nigerian girls are defending champions, who have their game since losing their opening match to South Africa. Pundits have installed them as favourite to retain the title they won in Ghana four years ago.
Morocco are hosts and command a large support base that have confounded all their opponents thus far in this competition. And so the stage is set for a match that guarantees a feast for every fan or stakeholder this night at the Complexe Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat from 9.00 p.m.
Moroccan fans have turned their team’s match venues into an intimidating stage for all their opponents, but in Super Falcons, the North Africans are presented an opposition that fears no foe.
Monday night’s spectacle will see the Falcons aim for their 10th final match of the Women AFCON, since the competition was launched as a biennial event in Nigeria 24 years ago. They have never failed to win a final match, and victory over Cameroun on Thursday affirmed that they had never failed to reach the tournament’s last four.
However, on the evidence of their performance at the Aisha Buhari Women’s Football Tournament that Nigeria hosted in September last year and their run at this championship, the Lionesses do not deserve to be treated with kid gloves.
Coach Reynald Pedros will bank on the deft touches and dribbling skills of Fatima Tagnaout on the left side of the pitch, as well as the courageous and lethal Sanaâ Mssoudy at the fore. The Super Falcons must be wary of these two players especially.
On his part, Coach Randy Waldrum could start with an energetic attacking line comprising of three-goal Rasheedat Ajibade, Uchenna Kanu and Francisca Ordega, with the nifty Gift Monday also a possibility. Christy Ucheibe, Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene and Halimat Ayinde should retain their places in the middle, with Captain Onome Ebi leading a rearguard that will shield goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.
Meanwhile, Nigerians can watch the match live and in HD on StarTimes’ World Football channel. StarTimes recently added W-Sport channel dedicated to Women’s Sport. W-Sport offers up to seven live football games a week from the best leagues in the world.
This July, W-Sport channel is airing live matches of Women’s Euro 2022 and Women’s Copa America. Other women’s sports on the channel include motorsports, basketball, volleyball and cycling, among others. The channel is currently available to dish users (DTH) on StarTimes.
Headlines
Kano hospital board restates commitment to quality healthcare services
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.
Headlines
Davido, Ayra Starr, fans celebrate Tems’ Grammy win
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.
Economy
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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