Super Eagles Amplify Shirt Battle Ahead of Continental Qualifying in Accra.

Invited Nigerian players have intensified their fight to make the travelling squad to the African Nations Championship CHAN 2024 qualifying in Accra.
Ghana's Black Galaxies will host Nigeria's Super Eagles B on 22 December 2024 in the first leg of the qualification series.
Sweating it out at the Remo Stars Sports Institute in Ikenne, Ogun State, the 30 invited Nigerian boy, under the supervision of coaches Daniel Ogunmodede and Fidelis Ilechukwu continued their workout for the match.
Only the Enyimba FC duo of goalkeeper Henry Ozoemena and defender Imo Obot were excused from the preparation because of continental engagement.
Both players were in action in Enyimba's 2-2 draw against visiting Zamalek of Egypt in last weekend's CAF Confederation Cup group stage tie in Uyo Akwa Ibom State.
The eventual arrival of the players could add to the intensity of the workout in Ikenne as Nigeria counts down to the first leg against Ghana.
The intense rivalry with Ghana on the field of play aside, the Super Eagles B see this month’s qualifying fixture as an opportunity to regain their pride of place in the hearts of Nigerian ball fans, having missed out on two consecutive editions of CHAN.
Togo ensured Nigeria’s absence from the 2021 finals, with the Hawks gaining a 4-1 win in Togo.
A 2-0 win in Lagos by Nigeria was not enough to overturn the advantage.
In the qualifiers for the last edition hosted by Algeria, the Ghanaian team won 2-0 at home and lost by the same margin in Abuja, only to snatch the ticket after a penalty shootout.
The stage is set for another home-and-away clash between Nigeria and Ghana in the 2024 qualifying.
Winners on aggregate between both nations after the second leg in Uyo on 29 December 2024 will qualify for CHAN 2024 in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda from 1-28 February 2025.

Victor Ikpeba 5-Aside Football Tourney Honours Late Sports Journalist.

Twenty-four teams will clash in the Victor Ikpeba 5-A-Side football tournament, scheduled for 19-21 December 2024, at De Cloud Entertainment Center, Osubi, Delta State.
Tournament initiator, Victor Ikpeba, the 1997 African Footballer of the Year, announced that this year's event will feature under-20 players.
Previous editions have featured under-15 and under-17 categories, showcasing the event's commitment to developing youth football and giving back to society.
Screening and draws for this month's competition will commence on 9 December 2024 at 8 am with the tournament adopting a knockout format.
Incentives for participants include branded jerseys and cash prizes for the top four teams, plus free entry for all the clubs.
The 2024 tournament, according to Ikpeba, is organised in memory of late veteran sports journalist Dapo Sotuminu who was a pioneer inspiration behind the project.

Tax reform to transform economy – CITN.

The Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria has expressed support for the tax bills, which are before the National Assembly, claiming that they would boost the economy.
CITN President/Chairman of Council Samuel Agbeluyi expressed his support on Wednesday during a workshop for tax and finance reporters in Lagos.
He stated that the tax bills before the NASS have been generating nationwide debate with stakeholders pitching for and against them.
According to him, the four tax reform bills, which were transmitted to the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu on October 3, 2024, have passed through a second reading despite protests against them from the North.
Agbeluyi noted that the institute is closely monitoring and contributing its quota to the current activities of the current government as it relates to taxation and fiscal policy modifications.
He said “It is not in doubt that since its inauguration in May 2023, the current Nigerian government has demonstrated the political will and a strong commitment to overhauling the nation’s tax system, to reduce dependency on oil revenues and promote fiscal stability.
“After painstaking and exhaustive work, the output and recommendations of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms have given rise to the Economic Stabilisation Bills currently under legislative consideration and scrutiny at the National Assembly.
“As expected with major tax reforms anywhere, it has elicited a lot of concerns and reactions from stakeholders. CITN welcomes this great effort by the current government in envisioning and pushing for these tax reforms, which are necessary at this point in our national life.”
He pointed out that the bills were capable of transforming the tax space in Nigeria, addressing systemic challenges that had bedevilled the effectiveness of the country’s tax system.
He added that it could engender an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, noting that concerns about the bill be based on facts and figures.
“At the level of the Institute, while we participated at one level or the other in the process leading to the drafting of the bills under reference, we still have some observations in the bills, which we will present at the public hearing on the bills,” he concluded.
Stakeholders have been complaining about the over 65 taxes in the country, advocating that they should be streamlined.
Meanwhile, the Senate on Wednesday suspended action on the tax reform bills.
It further instructed the Committee on Finance to suspend action on the public hearing pending the time the agitation in the public space is addressed.
The Senate further constituted a special committee to meet with the executive branch and work with the Federal Government to resolve the issues surrounding the tax reform bills.

Oversubscription of ongoing Recapitalisation Offers Boosts Strong Investor Confidence.

The Securities and Exchange Commission ( SEC) has charged banks to strengthen their corporate governance principles and risk management framework to enhance investors’ confidence in the ongoing recapitalisation exercise.

Speaking at the annual workshop of the Capital Market Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CAMCAN) in Lagos at the weekend, SEC Director-General, Dr Emomotimi Agama, reiterated the commission’s commitment towards ensuring transparency and efficiency in the  ongoing recapitalisation process.

Dr Emomotimi Agama, who was represented by the Divisional Head, Legal and Enforcement of the SEC), Mr John Achile, explained that the framework on the banking sector recapitalisation (2024–2026) provided clear guidance for issuers while also safeguarding the interests of investors.

He stated that the key to bridging the gap between issuers and investors remained the harnessing of innovation for inclusive growth.

In view of this, he pointed out that SEC, through the aid of digital platform, is exploring the integration of blockchain technology for secure and transparent transaction processing, a step that will redefine trust in the market.

Dr Agama noted that the oversubscription of most recapitalisation offers in 2024 reflects strong investor confidence.

According to him,”To sustain this momentum, he said SEC has intensified efforts to enhance disclosure standards and corporate governance practices.

He said expanding financial literacy campaigns and collaborating with fintech companies to provide low-entry investment options will democratize access to the capital market.

He assured stakeholders of the commission’s steadfastness  in achieving its mission of creating an enabling environment for seamless and transparent capital formation.

  “Our efforts are anchored on; providing issuers with clear guidelines and maintaining open lines of communication with all market stakeholders, reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks through digitalisation, ensuring timely review and approval of applications, and enhancing regulatory oversight to protect investors while promoting market integrity,” he said.

  Agama listed the constraints to the exercise to include: addressing market volatility, systemic risks, limited retail participation as well as combating skepticism among investors who demand greater transparency and accountability.

  “We are equally presented with opportunities which include leveraging technology to deepen financial inclusion and enhance market liquidity, as well as developing innovative financial products, such as green bonds and sukuk, to attract diverse investor segments.

He stressed that the success of recapitalisation efforts depends on collaboration among regulators, issuers, and investors.

Speaking on market infrastructure at the panel session, Achile said SEC provides oversight to every operations in the market, ranging from technology innovations to market infrastructure.

“We are committed to transparency  because we are mindful of the benefits and risks associated with technology adoption. SEC does due diligence to all the innovative ideas that comes into the market to ensure adequate compliance with the requirements,” he said. 

On the rising unclaimed dividend figure, he blamed the inability of investors to comply with regulatory requirements and information gap, noting that SEC has done everything within its powers to ensure that investors receive their dividend at the appropriate time.

However, he  assured that the commission would continue to strengthen its dual role of market regulation and investor protection to boost confidence in the market.

Osimhen Closes In on Turkey Super League Highest Scorer's Position.

Super Eagles' forward Victor Osimhen helped his Turkish club Galatasaray to a 3-2 win over Sivasspor in a Super Lig clash today, 8 December 2024.

The 25 year old striker won a penalty which he converted superbly deep into added minutes of the 1st half to put the visitors 2-1 up.

The strike fired Osimhen to joint second in the top scorers' standings with 7 goals.

Baris Yilmaz netted the third for Galatasaray in the 53rd minute while Bekir Boke reduced the deficit for Sivasspor in stoppage time.

Galatasaray remain top of the log with 38 points from 14 matches on the strength of top scorer Osimhen's scoring prowess including 3 assists.

Chinedu Ufere Spares Enyimba's Blushes in Continental Football

Enyimba FC logged their 1st point in the CAF Confederation Cup today after forcing visiting Egyptian club Zamalek  to a 2-2 draw at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo Akwa Ibom State.

The former Nigeria champions trailed 1-2 at half time after Ifeanyi Ihemekwele reduced the deficit in added minutes of the second period.

Chinedu Ufere equalised for the Aba Elephants on 57 minutes as Enyimba poured forward in search of the elusive win.

The draw leaves Enyimba third in the standings with one point from two games while Zamalek occupy second spot on four points same as leaders Al Masry who drew 1-1 away to Black Bulls.

Enyimba will travel to Maputo to play Mozambican and bottom side Bulls in a round 3 group D encounter on 15 December 2024.

Eagles Pick Up Friendly Victory Ahead of Africa Nations Championship Qualifying

Nigeria's Super Eagles B beat Grassrunners FC 1-0 today in Ikenne in their first friendly ahead of the African Nations Championship CHAN 2024 qualifier against Ghana's Black Galaxies.

Substitute Papa Daniel scored the only goal of the game in the second half.

Coach Augustine Eguavoen's team opened camping at the Remo Stars Sports Institution in Ikenne last Wednesday with 30 invited players.

They are expected to play more friendlies before the clash with the Ghanian team in Accra on 22 December 2024.

Nigeria will host the reverse fixture one week later at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo with winners over two legs qualifying for next month's CHAN in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.