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World Cup in the boot prints of Maradona and golden ghosts

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World Cup in the boot prints of Maradona and golden ghosts

In 2017, the two brightest stars in football history were united in Moscow at the draw for the following year’s World Cup in Russia.

Ignoring Vladimir Putin’s attempt to photobomb the moment, Diego Maradona stooped to kiss a smiling Pele who held up a phone as he took a selfie of the occasion.

The two men may have occasionally sniped at each other in the debate over which was the greatest of all time, but it was a happy moment that provided a reminder of the shared glory the former winners brought to the World Cup and which the World Cup bestowed on them.

With Pele in a wheelchair, it also provided a reminder of the mortality of even sport’s most seemingly immortal stars.

Pele was the affable ambassador for a sponsor at a string of World Cups after he retired.

Maradona, who didn’t always do diplomacy, epitomised the passion of the fans at his last World Cup in 2018, dancing with an opposing fan and producing a double middle finger salute as Argentina scored a late winner against Nigeria in Saint Petersburg.

For the first time since Pele won the first of three World Cups in 1958, the 22nd edition in Qatar will go ahead with neither great looming over it.

Maradona died in 2020 and the increasingly frail Pele has been absent in the buildup to Qatar. Yet fans watching coverage of the World Cup will surely see them, and not just because a luxury watchmaker which has Pele as a brand ambassador promises to preserve him in their online ‘Metaverse Stadium’.

Footage of their greatest moments is among the brightest threads in the tapestry of World Cup history.

As fans tune in, dreaming of watching their team triumph, they will be treated to replays of those highlights from the World Cup’s colour-television era.

These include Pele’s third victory as part of the sparkling Brazil team that won in sun-drenched Mexico in 1970.

Then there are Maradona’s two strikes – the Hand of God and the Goal of the Century – as Argentina beat England on the way to victory, again in Mexico, in 1986.

Maradona is not the only recently-departed star who lives on, propelling their countries to victory in dazzling archive footage.

READ ALSO: EFCC ordered by Court to produce APC Kano senatorial candidate

– Footballing redemption –
Paolo Rossi, who scored six goals, including a hat-trick against Brazil and the opener as Italy beat West Germany 3-1 in the final to seal an entirely unexpected title in Spain in 1982, died in December 2020, two weeks after Maradona.
Gerd Mueller, who scored the last of his 68 international goals to give West Germany a 2-1 victory over the Netherlands in the 1974 final in Munich, died the following August.

The twinkling feet of Maradona and Rossi were both sometimes made of clay. As the World Cup kicks off in one of the traditional capitals of pearl fishing, they offer reminders that oysters need grit to produce their treasure.

Maradona’s handball goal in 1986 remains a more celebrated moment than the dazzling dribble over half the length of the field a few minutes later. The Argentine was unrepentant. He competed to win. Fans will demand no less from their teams.

The conclusion of his World Cup story provides another reminder that even the greatest players are flawed. After scoring once and setting up two more as Argentina won their first two games at the 1994 World Cup, the seemingly rejuvenated Maradona was sent home after failing a test for ephedrine.

Rossi returned from suspension for his part in the Totonero match-fixing scandal just in time to be controversially recalled for the 1982 World Cup. There he showed that even players with dirty hands can pull on the golden boot.

Rossi’s World Cup story is one of footballing redemption, a theme that will appeal to all the stars in Qatar who have been banned, booed, doubted or suffered injuries that dashed a nation’s hopes, such as Karim Benzema, Bukayo Saka, Lionel Messi or Neymar.

They can hope to rewrite their histories as they chase Maradona, Mueller and Rossi and the other glorious ghosts of World Cups past.

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Rep felicitates Wike on emergence as THISDAY/Arise TV Minister of the Year

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Wike visits scene of collapsed building, insists structures without approval will go down

The Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Rep. Aliyu Betara (APC-Borno), has congratulated the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, on his emergence as THISDAY/Arise TV Minister of the Year.

Betara, in a congratulatory message issued in Abuja, eulogised the leadership virtue and dedication of the minister to infrastructural development in the territory.

The lawmaker, representing Biu/Bayo/Shani/Kwaya Kusar Federal Constituency of Borno, said that the award was well-deserved.

“On behalf of the House of Representatives Committee on FCT, I wish to extend my warmest congratulations to the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, on your well-deserved recognition as the Minister of the Year by THISDAY/Arise TV.

“This prestigious honour is a testament to your visionary leadership, tireless dedication and exceptional contributions to the infrastructural transformation in the territory.

“Your unwavering commitment to service and your determination to improve the lives of residents and visitors alike to the FCT has been nothing short of exemplary.

“Through your bold initiatives and strategic policies, you have not only enhanced the aesthetics and functionality of Abuja, but have also reaffirmed the FCT’s position as a beacon of progress and modernity in Nigeria,” he said.

Betara said that the recognition was a reflection of the positive impact of Wike’s work and the admiration he had earned across various sectors.

While describing the recognition as an outstanding achievement, the lawmaker prayed that the milestone would serve as an inspiration for greater accomplishments in service, with integrity and purpose.

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Court adjourns case against ex-Kogi governor, others

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A Federal Capital Territory High Court on Wednesday, adjourned hearing in the alleged money laundering case against  former governor of Kogi, Yahaya Bello until April 3 and April 24.

Justice Maryann Anenih adjourned the case for continuation of hearing after the first witness, Fabian Nworah, a property developer, was called to testify.

The Prosecution Counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, informed the court that he had five witnesses to call for the day.

Justice Anenih said she could only take one witness as she had other matters to attend to.

The court also announced that it would not be sitting on Thursday as previously scheduled.

Counsel for the 1st and 2nd Defendants, Joseph Daudu, SAN, however, informed the court that the prosecution had not made the statements on oath of the 2nd defendant available to the defence team.

He said he was aware that the first defendant had not made any statement.

Daudu also objected to the witness presented by the prosecution, arguing that the defendants had no prior knowledge of the witness and were only seeing him in court for the first time.

Citing authorities, he emphasised that legal proceedings should not be a “hide and seek” game, stating that the prosecution was required to provide the witness’ statements on oath in advance so the defence could adequately prepare for cross-examination.

“The statements of the second defendant have not been served on us to be able to know if we will be able to represent him or not.

“So, it is a serious handicap on us. They need to serve us all the statements made by the defendants.

“I understand the first defendant has not made a statement. Fortunately, we are still within the house keeping stage of the proceeding,” he added.

Corroborating this, counsel for the 3rd Defendant, Abubakar Aliyu, SAN, said, “mine is not a comment but an observation my lord. My application is for the court to order the prosecution to provide us with the statements of the 2nd and 3rd defendants.”

When the judge asked if he had requested for the statements, Aliyu SAN said, he discovered on Tuesday that the said statements were not part of the proof of evidence served on the defendants.

He said: “I am also applying that the court order the prosecution to provide us with copies of recovered digital device and the report or the extract therefrom mentioned on Page 14 of Volume 1 of the proof of evidence and the report of the forensic expert if any.

“I am following the procedure followed in Okoye against the Commissioner of Police, which was adopted by the Supreme Court in Okemini Vs Commissioner of Police.”

The prosecution witness, however, disagreed, saying the defendants were trying to delay speedy trial.

He insisted that the proof of evidence was served on the defendants on Nov. 27, 2024.

“The constitutional provisions, which they rely on, does not imply that the prosecution should provide all the documents which it relies on.

“The law only provides that the prosecution should oblige the defence with all the documents requested for,” Pinheiro argued.

He noted that the issues would be addressed whenever they receive formal applications from the Defendants and urged the court to proceed on the business for the day.

“As it is, we have almost utilised more than an hour on these arguments,” he stated.

The judge asked the defendant’s counsel why he did not raise the issues in December.

Daudu SAN replied that it was because it had to be done after arraignment.

“I have applied and they are not obliging me. It is absolutely necessary for our defence,” counsel for the 3rd defendant said.

The judge, however, declined the application for adjournment and directed the prosecution to proceed with the case.

The prosecution then proceeded to call its first witness, Fabian Nwora, a property developer with EFAB Property Nigeria Limited.

Nwora testified that he was invited to the Economic and Financial Crimes on Feb. 8, 2023, regarding a transaction between Shehu Bello and EFAB Property concerning a property located at No. 1 Ikogosi Street, Maitama.

He stated that he sold the said property to Shehu Bello but observed that the name on the sale agreement was Dr Bello Ohiani, not Shehu Bello.

He said, in 2023, Shehu Bello approached EFAB Property, informing them that the property was under investigation by the EFCC.

He returned all documents related to the purchase and demanded a refund of the N550million that was paid.

Subsequently, he said, EFAB Property was invited by the EFCC to explain what transpired between them and Shehu Bello.

The EFCC instructed the company to refund the entire sum to an EFCC-designated account. EFAB Property complied in two batches of N400 million and N150 million.

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Kebbi to upgrade Zuru hospital to referral centre

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The Kebbi Government says it is assessing the condition of the Zuru General Hospital with the aim of upgrading it to a referral centre.

Gov. Nasir Idris stated this when he visited the Emir of Zuru, Alhaji Muhammadu Sani-Sami on Wednesday in Zuru.

Idris visited the emir to thank the people of Fakai, Sakaba, Danko/Wasagu and Zuru Local Government Areas that make up the emirate.

Idris said that upgrading the Zuru General Hospital to a referral centre would ease the difficulties faced by people of the emirate.

The governor said that quality healthcare services remained an utmost priority of his administration.

He said that the Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital, Birnin Kebbi and the State Medical Centre, Kalgo, currently serving as referral health institutions were overstretched.

“The government is committed to reversing the trend by making referral hospitals close, accessible and affordable to the people of the state,” he said.

On the expansion of the Zuru Water Works and construction of urban township roads, Idris promised to reappraise the facilities for necessary action.

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