Author: kayode amuda
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has admitted that it has gone “broke”.
The NFF made this admission as their standoff with the women’s national team over outstanding monies continues.
The football house says it could only disburse the funds if they get additional payments from FIFA.
This was revealed by a former media officer of the Super Eagles, Colin Udoh, via his Twitter feed.
According to him, the NFF has already written to the federal government asking for funds to be approved.
Udoh wrote: “Late last week, I had a chat with NFF president @IbrahimMusaGus1. Among the many questions I asked him was the Super Falcons’ outstanding payments.
“He told me the NFF is flat broke, but would pay them from the federation share of the FIFA World Cup funds. He also mentioned that they had requested for funds from the FG, which had been approved, but had not been disbursed yet.
“Btw, anyone who has dealt with the Nigerian govt (state or FG) will know the term “approval is not the same as release”.
“I also spoke with another senior NFF official today after seeing the @FIFPRO statement. And he told me that their involvement changes nothing.
“The players would get paid their outstanding once either of those two monies come in first.
“He explained that the NFF had not received any funding since and their last payment from FIFA was used to settle part of the national teams’ coaches wages (Peseiro and Waldrum). And that the FIFA funds had already been earmarked for paying the players outstandings.”
Randy Waldrum and his ladies have been at odds with the NFF over unpaid salaries and bonuses.
This led to the global players’ union, FIFPRO, releasing a statement on Tuesday in solidarity. The body noted that “it is regrettable that players needed to challenge their own federation at such an important time.”
A new immigration pathway for carpenters, plumbers and welders from other countries, including Nigeria, has been unveiled by Canada.
Canada’s express entry is an online system used by the Canadian government to provide permanent residence to skilled workers. It’s the country’s main system for managing skilled worker applications for Canadian immigration.
In a statement by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on Tuesday, the country announced a streamlined immigration pathway for skilled workers with specific expertise in carpentry, plumbing and welding.
“Canada’s Express Entry (EE) system is now tailored to provide a streamlined and efficient pathway for individuals with expertise in critical fields.
“By prioritising the invitation of skilled newcomers with experience in the trades, the country aims to meet the increasing demand for talent and fill key positions that contribute to the nation’s economic growth and advancement.
“These category-based selection rounds will continue throughout the year, alongside general invitation rounds, and more details will be announced in the coming weeks.”
According to Marc Miller, Minister of IRCC, it is absolutely critical to address the shortage of skilled trades workers in our country, and part of the solution is helping the construction sector find and maintain the workers it needs.
“This round of category-based selection recognizes these skilled trades’ workers as essential, and I look forward to welcoming more of these talented individuals to Canada,” he said.
There are many different ways for professionals and workers to qualify for a Canada immigration permanent resident visa, according to lawyers at First Immigration Law Firm based in Canada.
The most prominent option is through Express Entry, which is Canada’s main pathway for economic class skilled workers. Your best bet to be eligible under the entry is to meet the requirements of either the Federal Skilled Worker Program or Canadian Experience Class.
An application has been filed by Godwin Emefiele, the suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, to stop the Federal Government from further prosecuting him on the charge of illegal firearm possession and ammunition.
Emefiele, through his lawyers led by Joseph Daudu (SAN), filed the application to Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court in Lagos, who granted him bail.
Emefiele’s application was filed on Tuesday, Aug 8, and has been served on the federal government on Wednesday, August 9.
He is also seeking an order of the court discharging him of all offenses prosecuted by the Government who is in “brazen disobedience” of the subsisting orders of the court granting him bail on July 25, 2023.
Emefiele also asked for a further order prohibiting the FG from continuing to enjoy any form of indulgence from the courts except and unless it complies with the bail ruling.
He asked the court to stay further proceedings in the present charge until he exhausts all the remedies available to him in law to compel the government and the DSS to obey the order of the court admitting him to bail or remanding him in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Centre until he perfects his bail terms.
The applicant also says that the processes seeks to preserve and protect the efficacy, majesty and integrity of the court as well as the rule of law in our democracy.
Recall that the federal Government, last week, filed an application before the court seeking leave to appeal against the order granting bail to the suspended CBN governor.
In the application filed by a deputy director of public prosecutions of the Federation, Nkiru Jones-Nebo, the government also asked the court to stay the execution of the order remanding Emefiele in the custody of the Nigeria Correctional Services and to make an order remanding him instead in the custody of the DSS.
Tinubu Meets With Wike, El-Rufai In Aso Rock
Gov Ademola Adeleke of Osun state has approved the release of bond certificates worth N2.1 billion to pensioners.
The approved bond certificates cover retirees under the contributory pension scheme at the state and local government levels.
The Osun State Head of Service, Samuel Ayanleye Aina, in a statement on Wednesday, made this revelation.
Aina said beneficiaries should be presented with the bond certificates at the LG service commission hall on Thursday.
Aina explained that the beneficiaries of bond certificates are retired Staff of Local Government Areas, Local Council Development Areas, Area Councils, Ministries, Departments & Agencies (MDAs), Secondary Schools, Tertiary Institutions and Parastatals.
He noted that “The Governor of Osun State, His Excellency, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, has graciously approved the release of bond certificates worth N2.1bn for the payment of accrued right benefits of another batch of Retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme at the State and Local Government levels.”
Aina said the governor’s move aligned with one of the campaign promises, adding that Adeleke wants to guarantee that the welfare of pensioners and active workers in the state is given adequate attention during his tenure.
“Accordingly, His Excellency, the Governor, will preside over the presentation of the Bond Certificates to the beneficiaries tomorrow, Thursday, 10th August, 023,t the Local Government Service Commission Hall, Abere at 10.00 a.m,” Aina added.