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Chelsea, Arsenal, and other European clubs pursue Super Eagles defender Emmanuel Fernandez
via Punch Nigeria1 min read
Super Eagles defender Emmanuel Fernandez is a sought-after Nigerian player in the current transfer window, with Premier League clubs Chelsea and Arsenal monitoring his situation at Rangers. Fernandez, 24, joined the Scottish club last summer from Peterborough United for €2.9m and quickly became a standout defender in the Scottish Premiership. He played a key role in Rangers' third-place finish last season, contributing five goals in 33 appearances and winning the club’s Player of The Season award. Other clubs interested in the Nigerian center-back include Belgian champions Club Brugge, Dutch sides Feyenoord and Ajax, Premier League clubs West Ham United and Everton, and German outfit Borussia Dortmund. Bayer Leverkusen has also entered the race for his signature and is considered a frontrunner. Fernandez is known for his aerial dominance, physical presence, and ability to score goals from defensive positions. While Transfermarkt values Fernandez at €18m, Rangers are reportedly demanding at least €28m for his transfer.
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Professor Chituru Orluwene, Chief Medical Director/Chief Executive Officer of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital UPTH, has praised President Bola Tinubu for allocating N10 billion to prevent the Ebola virus in Nigeria. This commendation was made during a UPTH Management Retreat on Strategic Planning in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Orluwene highlighted that the President's action demonstrates his administration's prioritization of healthcare and is a necessary proactive measure, especially given recent Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. He emphasized the importance of being proactive rather than reactive in public health. Orluwene also noted that UPTH, a key tertiary healthcare institution in the South-South geopolitical zone, faces challenges such as infrastructural deficits, funding constraints, equipment issues, and human resource gaps. He stated that his administration is committed to a rigorous strategic planning process to address these issues and guide the hospital's decisions and investments for the next five years.
Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission INEC is under increasing scrutiny regarding its management of voter registration and election processes, leading to a significant decline in voter turnout. The article highlights concerns that INEC's actions, such as suspending continuous voter registration six months before elections, contribute to voter disenfranchisement. For instance, in the FCT Council poll, only 14.2% of registered voters participated, with 86% staying home. Nationwide in 2023, 68 million registered Nigerians did not vote. Issues include the alleged leak of voter data, with an INEC officer reportedly leaking actor Emeka Ike's record, and the lack of arrests or punishment. Polling units are often located far from voters, and PVC collection frequently occurs without proper notification. The article also points out that BVAS failures on election day are often attributed to "network issues." Critics argue that INEC's practices, such as the six-month blackout period for voter registration, contradict the Electoral Act's requirement for continuous registration. The author suggests reforms including continuous voter registration until 30 days before polls, prosecuting data leakers, ensuring polling units are within two kilometers of voters, and sending SMS notifications for PVC collection. The piece concludes that INEC's failures in protecting voter access, privacy, and trust are undermining Nigerian democracy.
Ghana defeated Panama 1-0 in their opening World Cup Group L match in Toronto. Caleb Yirenkyi scored the winning goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time. Both teams struggled to create chances in the first half, with Ghana not attempting a shot on goal. The second half saw more attacking play, and despite a strong effort from Panama, Yirenkyi's late goal secured the win for Ghana. Ghana's coach, Carlos Queiroz, made history by appearing in his fifth consecutive World Cup. Ghana played without midfielder Thomas Partey, who was denied a visa due to ongoing legal issues in Britain. In another match, Colombia beat World Cup debutants Uzbekistan 3-1 in their Group K game. Luis Diaz of Bayern Munich delivered an inspired performance, contributing an assist and a goal. Daniel Munoz scored for Colombia in the 40th minute, but Abbosbek Fayzullaev equalized for Uzbekistan. Diaz then put Colombia back in the lead, and Jaminton Campaz added a third goal in the final seconds. This win places Colombia at the top of their group, which also includes Portugal and the Democratic Republic of Congo.