Madagascar midfielder Rayan Raveloson insists the Barea harbor no fear of the Super Eagles as they gear up for their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying opener in Uyo on Friday.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• No Fear Factor: Speaking to Football Temple, Raveloson acknowledged the reputation of Nigeria’s star-studded squad—even with the absence of injured striker Victor Osimhen—stating, “We are not scared. It is football, and they are humans like us.”

• Squad Arrival: The Madagascar contingent touched down in Nigeria on Monday, while the home team’s camp filled out by Tuesday ahead of the Group L showdown.

• Drawing on History: Ranked 104th globally, Madagascar takes confidence from their historic 2-0 victory over Nigeria during the group stage of the 2019 AFCON, where the debutants famously reached the quarter-finals.

• Looking Ahead: Under the guidance of head coach Corentin Martins—appointed in January 2025—the Barea are hunting for only their second-ever AFCON tournament appearance.

Following Friday’s high-stakes clash in Uyo, Madagascar will return home to host Tanzania on Tuesday, September 29.

President Bola Tinubu has declared that the recent policy overhauls in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector are paying off, highlighted by a major $800 million Final Investment Decision (FID) to develop the long-dormant Ima Gas Field.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In a statement released on Wednesday, the President noted that the Ima Gas Field—originally discovered in 1973—had remained undeveloped underground for more than 50 years before his administration’s latest interventions.

According to Tinubu, the milestone was unlocked by targeted incentives introduced under his leadership to revitalize onshore and shallow-water gas projects that had stalled for decades.

Unlocking Dormant Potential

The President emphasized that since taking office, his administration has rolled out strategic Presidential Directives and Executive Orders designed to:

• Make Nigeria’s investment climate significantly more competitive.

• Reduce both the cost and turnaround time required to execute energy projects.

• Provide long-awaited certainty and confidence to global and local investors.

• Ensure natural resources deliver optimal value directly to citizens.

Economic Impact and Job Creation

The $800 million project, spearheaded by AMNI International and TotalEnergies, is expected to serve as a massive economic catalyst. President Tinubu highlighted that approximately 60% of the workforce will be drawn directly from host communities.

• Local Empowerment: The venture will create vital opportunities for Nigerian engineers, technicians, contractors, and local enterprises.

• Export Growth: In addition to boosting local economic activity, the development will secure greater export earnings for the country.

Boosting Nigeria’s LNG Expansion

At its peak, the Ima project is projected to produce roughly 350 million cubic feet of gas daily. This output will supply about one-third of the feed gas required for the expansion of Nigeria LNG (NLNG).

Concluding his statement, Tinubu underscored the ultimate goal of his administration’s ongoing sector overhaul: turning Nigeria’s vast natural resource potential into active production, tangible jobs, and improved incomes for citizens.

“This is what our reforms are intended to achieve,” Tinubu stated. “We have more to unlock.”

ABUJA — The Nigerian government has placed the country on high alert following a resurgence of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). In response, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has activated emergency preparedness measures and ramped up national surveillance.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The directive was announced in an official health advisory signed by the NCDC Director-General, Dr. Jide Idris. According to the agency, all preparatory activities are fully underway and will be continuously reviewed based on evolving public health risk assessments and epidemiological data.

Key Prevention and Surveillance Updates

• Enhanced Border Screening: Enhanced surveillance protocols have been introduced for all inbound travelers arriving from countries experiencing active or relevant EVD transmission.

• Health Declaration Mandate: Travelers from affected regions are required to complete a formal Health Declaration Form to assist public health authorities with contact tracing and monitoring. Passengers from all other countries are currently exempt.

• Public Vigilance: The NCDC has urged the public to remain vigilant, watch closely for symptoms associated with Ebola, and immediately report any suspected cases.

• Medical Advice: Anyone exhibiting symptoms is advised to promptly seek professional medical care, ensuring they provide a detailed travel history and information on potential exposures.

The health advisory was issued following a Dynamic Risk Assessment conducted in close consultation with public health experts and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. The NCDC has reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to safeguarding the health of all Nigerians through rigorous, evidence-based surveillance and swift emergency response mechanisms.

Situation Update in the DRC

Recent data highlights the severe scale of the ongoing outbreak in the DRC:

• Total Toll: As of September 20, the DRC has recorded a total of 7,672 confirmed EVD cases and 3,699 related deaths.

• Current Hospitalizations: There are currently 886 patients receiving treatment in isolation wards.

• Recent Spikes: Recent updates show an increase of 58 confirmed cases and 23 deaths across several provinces, including Ituri, North Kivu, Haut-Uélé, and Tshopo.

• Recoveries & Contact Tracing: A total of 1,879 people infected with the Bundibugyo strain have successfully recovered, while roughly 79.9% of identified case contacts remain under active medical follow-up.