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AFCON 2021: Eagles May Face Egypt, Cape Verde, Comoros as Draw Holds in Yaounde

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AFCON 2021: Eagles may face Egypt, Cape Verde, Comoros as draw holds in YaoundeAFCON 2021: Eagles may face Egypt, Cape Verde, Comoros as draw holds in Yaounde

The Draw Ceremony for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations finals will hold in Yaounde, capital of host nation Cameroon on Tuesday, with three –time champions Nigeria in Pot 1 of the draw, and with the possibility of being drawn against seven –time winners Egypt (Pot 2), 2022 FIFA World Cup foes Cape Verde (Pot 3) and the gritty and gutsy Comoros team that recently achieved a first-ever qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations (Pot 4).

All teams in the same pot avoid one another but they could be drawn against any in the other pots, so no one can rule out the likelihood of the Super Eagles clashing with the Pharaohs, the Blue Sharks and surprise packets Coelacanths.

Being grouped in Pot 1 together means the Eagles, who picked up the bronze medals at the last edition in Egypt two years ago, will avoid Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions (five-time champions), Senegal’s Lions of the Teranga (Africa’s number one –ranked team), Tunisia (2004 champions and Africa’s number two –ranked team), Cup holders Algeria (now ranked number three in Africa) and 1976 winners Morocco (now ranked fourth in Africa, a step above the Super Eagles).

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The draw ceremony formally kick-starts preparations for all teams concerned. However, the disruption caused by the global coronavirus pandemic means the AFCON 2021 is now to hold 9th January – 6th February 2022, with the qualifying series of the 2022 FIFA World Cup finals yet to be concluded before the AFCON. The knockout rounds for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 holds in March 2022.

Most of the teams involved in Cameroon 2021 will be using the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifiers as preparatory sessions, with six tough games to negotiate between September and November, and only the last week of December and the first week of January open for any camping programme.

Ghana, who have four titles from the AFCON but have not won the trophy in 39 years, are in Pot 2 alongside Egypt, 2015 champions Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Mali and Guinea.

THE POTS:

Pot 1: Cameroon, Senegal, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Nigeria
Pot 2: Egypt, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Mali, Guinea
Pot 3: Cape Verde, Gabon, Mauritania, Zimbabwe, Guinea Bissau, Sierra Leone
Pot 4: Malawi, Sudan, Comoros, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, The Gambia

Read Also: Bayern Munich’s German Legend Gerd Muller Dies Aged 75

 

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Customs Corner

COWA Oyo/Osun Customs Area Command Visits Ibadan Orphanage, Shows Support for Children.

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Author: Vivian Daniel.

The COWA Chairperson of the Nigeria Customs Service, Oyo/Osun Area Command, Mrs Nnneamaka Oramalugo has led a delegation on a heart-warming visit to two motherless babies’ homes in Ibadan, Oyo State.

This was contained in a press release signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Customs, Kayode Wey, on behalf of the COWA Chairperson, noted that the visit occurred on Saturday, March 23, 2024.

The visit was in a bid to carry on the legacy and policy thrust of the National President of the Customs Officers Wives Association (COWA), Mrs Kikelomo Adewale Adeniyi, to alleviate the prevailing economic hardship being faced by Nigerians across the nation.

The Oyo/Osun COWA Chairperson, Mrs Nnneamaka Oramalugo emphasised that the noble visit to Child Care Home for Abandoned, Rescued Children and Juvenile Correctional as well as Home School for Handicapped Children located in Ibadan Oyo State was to extend love, care, and support to the children residing in these homes.

She was accompanied by members of COWA and some other officials from the Oyo/Osun Customs Area Command on what was termed as “a compassionate mission to bring joy and comfort to the lives of the children at the motherless babies’ homes.” The delegation also arrived at these homes with gifts, essential supplies and provisions generously donated by members of COWA.

During the visit, Mrs. Nneamaka warmly engaged with the children in various fun activities. The atmosphere was filled with laughter, smiles, and heartfelt moments as the children embraced the love showered on them by the COWA delegation.

She expressed her deep gratitude to the staff and caregivers of the motherless babies’ homes for their relentless commitment to providing an appropriate environment where the children under their care are well-nourished while reiterating the COWA’s unwavering support for other initiatives aimed at improving the welfare and well-being of such vulnerable members of society.

The Oyo/Osun COWA Chairperson stated that the visit to the motherless babies’ homes exemplifies COWA’s core values of compassion, empathy, and community service. It also underscores the organisation’s commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of the less-privileged and empowering women in society.

Furthermore, Mrs. Nneamaka Oramalugo presented palliative like Rice, Indomie Noddles, Toiletries and Detergent to Widows of Deceased Officers, as well as Widowers whose wives were registered members of COWA.

On behalf of the children, the staff and caregivers of the motherless babies’ homes expressed their gratitude and thanked the COWA Chairperson and member of the Association for their visit to the respective homes.

They also stated that the compassionate gesture and philanthropic efforts are highly appreciated, as they look forward to receiving more of such gestures, which they believe would go a long way to aid adequate provisions, especially, during this period of untold economic hardship in the country.

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Customs Corner

COWA FOU ‘A’ Calls for Women Empowerment, Donates Items to Widows

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COWA FOU 'A' Calls for Women Empowerment, Donates Items to Widows

By Lucy Nyambi

The Customs Officers Wives Association (COWA) Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A chapter has called for women’s empowerment to create a better world.

Members of the association turned up for a seminar at the Unit on Saturday, 23rd March, 2024, in commemoration of International Women’s Day.

Speaking at the event, the chairperson of COWA FOU ‘A’, Jumoke Ejibunu, emphasised that this year’s theme, “Inspire Inclusion,” aligns with the vision of COWA’s National President.

She stated, “COWA National President, Kikelomo Adeniyi, is committed to genuine change with her humanitarian passion for empowering women and skills acquisition. COWA should be hopeful of better days ahead.”

Ejibunu encouraged women to showcase themselves fully, saying, “As a woman, believe in yourself, know your strengths and abilities, love yourself, absorb knowledge, empower yourself, and be open to change.”

As part of efforts to improve women’s health, the women were educated on awareness and management of menopause by Dr Alfa Suleiman, the FOU ‘A’ Medical Doctor.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of food items to widows.

Recipients expressed appreciation to COWA for the kind gesture and also extended gratitude to the National President for revitalising the association.

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Customs Corner

Customs, Police Trail Perpetrators of Yauri Outstation Criminal Attack

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Customs, Police Trail Perpetrators of Yauri Outstation Criminal Attack

…As Area Controller Holds Closed-Door Meeting With Kebbi State Governor

By Abass Quadri

The Nigeria Customs Service, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force and other sister security agencies, launched a manhunt for criminals who attacked Customs officers while performing their legitimate duties at the Yauri outstation in Kebbi state.

According to a press statement signed by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Customs Mohammed Salisu stated that the incident occurred on Thursday, 21 March 2024, when the officers thwarted smuggling activities at Yauri Waterside.

The statement reads, “In the late hours of Thursday, March 21, 2024, at about 23:10 hours, the combined team of Yauri outstation and Surveillance were informed of suspected smuggling activity at the Yauri waterside. Upon arriving at the scene, 41 bags of foreign parboiled rice were seized, secured, and taken to the outstation.

“Afterward, a mob attack was launched by the aggrieved smugglers by mobilising hoodlums to attack the outpost.”

Superintendent of Customs Mohammed Salisu explained that swift intervention from Kebbi Command and other sister agencies helped contain the situation.

He noted that the Officer in charge sustained a hand injury, while “1 AK47 rifle was carted away but retrieved shortly, and 29 out of 41 bags of the seized rice were taken away by the attackers.

“The mob went further to vandalise personnel vehicles, the outstation ACs, chairs, tables, windows, doors, and other essentials put in place to support the operations of the outstation.”

He further stated that the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, has hosted the Customs Area Controller, Iheanacho Ojike, to discuss the way forward, while also stating that the CAC has been in touch with the state Commissioner of Police, leading to some arrests and investigations launched to prosecute the criminals.

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