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Arsenal maintains title belief despite losing top spot to Manchester City
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
Mikel Arteta states that Arsenal still believes they can win the Premier League title, even after Manchester City's 1-0 victory over Burnley on Wednesday moved City into first place. Arsenal is currently level on points with City but trails on goals scored. They have an opportunity to reclaim the top position by avoiding defeat against Newcastle at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday. Less than two weeks ago, Arsenal held a nine-point lead over City, but recent losses to Bournemouth and City have shifted the title's destiny out of their hands. Arteta expressed confidence in his team, emphasizing the importance of winning their upcoming match against Newcastle. He highlighted that the team's energy and belief are high, with five games remaining in the season. Arsenal will also see the return of Bukayo Saka and Riccardo Calafiori from injury for the Newcastle match. City's recent win put them at the top of the league for the first time since August 2025, while Arsenal has secured only one win in their last six matches across all competitions. Arteta recalled his experience of winning the Scottish Premiership with Rangers on goal difference in 2003, underscoring the special feeling of such a victory.
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The Nigerian Federal Government has launched the training of its first group of smart electricity meter installers under the Power Force program. This initiative, overseen by the Presidential Metering Initiative PMI, saw nearly 220,000 young Nigerians apply for 5,000 available positions. The initial cohort will undergo a three-week intensive training before being deployed as certified meter installers across the country. Olu Verheijen, Executive Secretary of the PMI and Special Adviser to the President on Oil and Gas, stated that the PMI, established by President Bola Tinubu in 2023, aims to ensure Nigerians pay only for electricity consumed. Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, emphasized that the 5,000 trained installers will form the backbone of Nigeria’s smart metering workforce, highlighting that electricity reform involves creating opportunities and building human capital. He also commended the Association of Meter Manufacturers of Nigeria for withdrawing a court action against the meter deployment program. Kwara State Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, represented by Edmund Nnaji, urged other governors to support expanding the trainee pool. Minister of Youth Development, Ayo Olawande, noted that Power Force aligns with his ministry’s One Youth, Two Skills initiative, focusing on job creation and national development. After the Abuja launch, training will extend to centers across all six geopolitical zones, with trainees receiving
Anthony Joshua's promoter, Eddie Hearn, has refuted Tyson Fury's recent comments suggesting their anticipated heavyweight boxing match might not occur. Both boxers are scheduled for warm-up fights this week: Fury, 37, against Mariusz Wach in Pattaya on Friday, and Joshua, 36, against Kristian Prenga in Jeddah on Saturday. These bouts are considered crucial precursors to their potential November clash. Hearn emphasized Fury's history of withdrawing from fights, contrasting it with Joshua's consistent record of facing contenders. He specifically mentioned Fury's previous withdrawal from a fight with Joshua due to an arbitration ruling involving Deontay Wilder. Hearn stated that only a defeat or injury to either fighter this weekend would prevent the November fight. Joshua's upcoming fight will be his first professional bout since a car crash in Nigeria in December that resulted in the deaths of his close friends, Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele. Joshua expressed his ongoing struggle to cope with the loss, stating it still hurts him.
Remi Oseni, a lawmaker representing Ido/Ibarapa East Federal Constituency in Oyo State, has launched the Remi Oseni Smart Learning Intervention Legacy Programme. This initiative aims to bridge the digital divide for students in the constituency by establishing smart learning hubs. The program will provide training in Artificial Intelligence, robotics, coding, digital marketing, and data analysis, along with mentorship. It also includes free WAEC and NECO registrations, JAMB sponsorships, bursaries, scholarships, and support for young entrepreneurs. One Smart Learning Hub will be established in each of the nine local government areas of Oyo South. Five hubs are already completed in Eruwa, Agbadagbudu, Ido, Oke-Ado, and Oja-Igbo, with construction ongoing for the remaining four. The hubs are solar-powered and off-grid to ensure uninterrupted learning, allowing students to use facilities for homework, research, and learning applications in various subjects. A "train the trainers" program is scheduled for July 23-25, 2026, in Agbadagbudu. The program is free for participants, with the lawmaker sponsoring the initiative. Approximately 25 schools and over 250 students attended the unveiling ceremony.