General

Nigeria left out as BRICS admits six new members for global influence

Published

1 month ago

August 25, 2023

Olayiwola Quadril

The BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa), yesterday, announced expansion of the emerging countries’ bloc, with the integration of six new members, from January.

Conspicuously missing, however, is Nigeria, the supposed giant of Africa.

South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, announced that Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates have been offered membership.

Chinese President, Xi Jinping, hailed this “historic enlargement” and predicted a “radiant future for the BRICS”.

The bloc’s economic heavyweight, Beijing, was in favour of this expansion, which was the focus of the 15th summit, which opened on Tuesday.

No information was released on the content of discussions, the support given or the criteria used in the strategic choice of the new entrants. Negotiations were conducted behind closed doors during a plenary session on Wednesday and at several bilateral meetings.

Some 40 countries from all over the world had applied for membership or expressed interest in joining, a sign of the growing influence of emerging countries on the world stage, according to the “club of five”, which produces a quarter of the world’s wealth and brings together 42 per cent of the world’s population.

Immediately after the announcement, Teheran hailed on X (formerly Twitter) “a strategic success for the country’s foreign policy”.

Ethiopia’s Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, spoke of “an important moment” for his country. “Ethiopia is ready to cooperate with all for an inclusive and prosperous world order,” he posted on social networks.

United Arab Emirates also welcomed the agreement, with President Mohammed ben Zayed saying that he “respects the vision of the BRICS leaders”.

The same was true of Egypt, which said it looked forward to “making the voice of the countries of the South heard”.

A heterogeneous alliance, the BRICS has in common demand for a more inclusive global balance, particularly with regard to the influence of the United States and the European Union.

Meanwhile, at the summit, Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Bola Tinubu, said his principal’s economic reforms and diplomatic alliances will attract investments and partnerships to Nigeria, while aligning with international and regional cooperation.

According to him, “the new government, which began less than three months ago, is examining variables and evaluating the scope and level of regional and global cooperation to pursue, in order to establish Nigeria as desired friend and partner.”

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General

#SaferKwara: Governor AbdulRazaq Meets Army Chief

Published

3 hours ago

October 4, 2023

Olayiwola Quadril

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq receives Commander 22 Armoured Brigade Ilorin Brigade General Adebayo Abdulrahman Babalola at Government House, Ilorin.

During the visit, the Governor explored strategies for strengthening security in the state with the Army chief.

Military personnel have made several efforts to dislodge security threats from the state.

The Army chief reiterated that the operations will be sustained to keep the state safer for peaceful and law-abiding residents.

Football

Football is coming home! UK & Republic of Ireland set to host Euro 2028 as Turkey withdraw bid

Published

4 hours ago

October 4, 2023

Olayiwola Quadril

The United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland look set to host Euro 2028 after the Turkish FA withdrew its bid to host the tournament.

The Turkish FA has officially withdrawn its bid to host Euro 2028 in order to focus on its plan to co-host the tournament with Italy in 2032. UEFA has now approved the joint proposal, which was first announced in July.

Turkey’s withdrawal from the 2028 bidding process means that the UK and Republic of Ireland’s bid will now run unopposed. Wembley Stadium hosted the semi-finals and final of the delayed 2020 European Championship, but the UK has not hosted an entire major tournament since 1996.

Both bids will require official approval at a meeting of UEFA’s executive committee on Tuesday. An official statement from UEFA read: “The presentations at that meeting will be an important part of the process which will take due consideration of the content of the bid submissions before reaching a decision.”

If approved, then Euro 2028 will be hosted in the UK and Ireland. Among the ten proposed stadiums are Wembley Stadium, Hampden Park and the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, as well as the currently unbuilt Bramley Moore Dock stadium in Liverpool and Casement Park in Belfast

Football

Messi makes decision on when he will leave Inter Miami

Published

4 hours ago

October 4, 2023

Olayiwola Quadril

Lionel Messi has reportedly decided where he will end his playing career, but it won’t be in Miami or Barcelona.

Messi’s Inter Miami contract is set to expire in 2025, at which point – according to El Nacional – he will look to return to boyhood club Newell’s Old Boys in his native Argentina. There is an option for the World Cup winner to extend his deal with Miami for an extra year, but the report states that he wants to retire in his homeland.

Messi left Barcelona in 2021 after more than two decades at the club, having joined the Spanish giants from Newell’s as a 13-year-old. He snubbed a return to Camp Nou when he left Paris Saint-Germain over the summer, and it now looks like a fairy tale return to Barca is never going to happen.

Messi scored 10 goals in his first seven games for David Beckham’s Miami franchise, but he has spent the past month injured. He will play a farewell match at Barcelona at some point, even if he does not return to play for the club