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Ebonyi govt bans use of scaling machine for measuring rice The Abakaliki Rice Mill Owners Industry Association, in collaboration with Ebonyi State government, has begun distribution of genuine bushel for measuring rice, following the ban on the use of scaling machine. Mr Linus Obeji, Chairman of the Mill Owners, spoke at the inauguration of the approved bushel in Abakaliki on Thursday. He said that the introduction of the new measuring device was in line with the Association’s move to sanitize the mill against fraud. Obeji noted that a taskforce had been set up to check and monitor all shops in the market to ensure compliance with the new order on the newly-introduced genuine bushel. He said that the millers would punish any defaulter and urged all members to strictly adhere to the new order to boost sales. ”Yes, we acquired genuine market bushels for measuring rice in the market to checkmate fraudulent act. We do not want any fake bushel anymore or use of scaling machines. “This is co...

Music has not started paying me – Whitemoney Whitemoney, Big Brother Naija Season 6 winner-turned musician, has revealed that he has not been benefiting from music. The reality star stated this in his recent interview with BBC Igbo. Giving insights into his music career, he explained that music streaming has not proven to be a profitable avenue for him. He further emphasized that he may not have a ‘fine’ voice, but his focus is on delivering meaningful content rather than conforming to conventional standards. “The truth is singing has not started paying me because I don’t get money from streaming, but I get money from performances. I don’t have the best voice but I have a message and melody. “People criticise me, even those paid to criticise me. What you need to know is that I don’t sing to make you feel fine because you don’t feed or fund my musical career,” Whitemoney added.  

Decision On Peseiro Will Be Made After AFCON 2023 – Sports Minister, Enoh The fate of Jose Peseiro as Super Eagles head coach will be decided after the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations that will be held in Cote D’Ivoire from January 13 to February 11 2024, Nigeria’s Minister of Sports Development Senator John Enoh has divulged. Addressing the media on Tuesday, November 28 in his office as part of activities to mark his 100 days in office, Senator Enoh said any action regarding Peseiro’s job with Super Eagles can only come up after the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. “I am happy to inform you that just about yesterday or two days ago, I had a meeting with the President, General Secretary and the Technical Department of the NFF regarding the Super Eagles’ underperformance in recent games,” Enoh said. “What we came out of – that is that you know I’ve had to request that the coach be summoned, and I think at some point next week there’s going to be an engagement with the coach along with NFF chiefta...

Super Eagles drop two places in latest FIFA rankings The Super Eagles of Nigeria have dropped by two spots in the latest FIFA ranking to place 42nd in the world. In the ranking table on the website of the world football governing body, on Thursday, the Eagles dropped 16.04 points to rank 1474.44 points as against 1490.48 in October. However, the drop did not affect the team’s placement on the continent, as it still remained the 6th team on the continent, behind Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia, Algeria, and Egypt, respectively. The drop in ranking comes after the Super Eagles were held to a 1-1 draw in their two 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Lesotho on Nov. 16 and Zimbabwe on Nov. 19. Although Argentina (1st) still leads the way ahead of France (2nd), England (3rd, up 1) is now in the trio of teams at the front of the pack, followed by Belgium (4th, up 1), who have also climbed one place. Although Brazil (5th, down 2) have lost ground following back-to-back defeats by Colombi...

We will introduce VAR in the NPFL — NFF President President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Gusau has assured the introduction of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL). Gusau gave the assurance during the maiden retreat of the management and staff of NPFL in Abuja. He said the NFF will start the process of introducing VAR into Nigerian football by sending some referees to countries that have already put VAR into practice to study its application and usage. “I can assure you that VAR will be effectively put into use in our domestic football before the end of my first tenure as president of the Nigeria Football Federation in 2026. It will be gradual, but we will surely get there,” Gusau stated. Video assistant referee (VAR) is a system that helps referees to decide better about players fouls, if a goal was valid, red card decisions, in soccer matches. It was used for the first time in the 2016 FIFA Club World Cup.  

How I made female children eligible to inherit property in Abia – Ikpeazu The immediate past Governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, yesterday, said that he signed a law making it mandatory for female children to inherit their fathers’ property and own community land. He said his passion for women development came from his wife who was instrumental to the enactment of a law empowering female children to inherit land and other property in Abia state by his government. According to him, the law allows the female children to be allocated land as against the customs and traditions which made it difficult for them to own land in their communities. “Today in Abia State, female children can now inherit their fathers’ property. Now it’s an offence for female children not to be allocated land. The female children can now inherit their fathers’ property” he noted. Governor Ikpeazu, who spoke on the sideline of Gender and Inclusion Summit, organised by the Policy Innovation Centre (PIC)...

Onana must improve after UCL error – Bruno Fernandes Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has charged André Onana ‘to do better’ even as he insisted that the goalkeeper was not the only one to blame for his team’s draw at Galatasaray. Onana made a howler when he allowed in Hakim Ziyech free kicks on either side of half-time as the Turkish team fought back to claim a 3-3 draw on Wednesday, leaving United on the brink of elimination from the Champions League. On whether the Cameroonian needed some talking to for an improved performance, Fernandes said: “He knows how to deal with these moments. He has to do better on the pitch as we all do. We should have done more to have taken a better result. It’s not just because of him that we got this negative result. We all have to take responsibility for what we do, me first.” United manager Erik ten Hag backed Onana after the game, saying: “It is not about individuals… it is always about the team.” Fernandes reckoned with him, “We all need t...