SPORTS

Learn From Canada Prime Minister – Peter Obi To Tinubu, State Governors

Published

2 months ago

July 12, 2024

Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has called on President Bola Tinubu-led federal government and state governors to learn from Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, how to support Small and Medium Enterprises.

Peter Obi said too much tax on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in Nigeria was also responsible for the slow growth of the country’s economy and Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

In a video posted on his X handle on Saturday, he said federal and state governments must learn to encourage small business owners like Justin Trudeau did in a video from the African Small Business Event in Toronto.

“Leadership is simply about doing the right things, encouraging and giving citizens hope, especially younger ones who are involved in Micro, Small and Medium enterprises, and MSMEs, which are the greatest engine of growth.

“Just yesterday (Friday), the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, was at the African Small Business Event in Toronto, visiting the various business stands and encouraging them,” Obi said.

Commenting on the video that showed Trudeau encouraging a Nigerian living in Canada, Jacinta Obinugwu – who was at her candle business stand at the event, Obi said small business owners in Nigeria do not get encouragement from their leaders but harassment from revenue collectors.

“If Jacinta was in Nigeria, the only visit she would get from the government would be from different thuggery groups of revenue agents harassing her to pay one extortionist levy or another. As a small business owner, she would never have the opportunity of seeing the Local Government Chairman, or any high-profile government official,” he added.

Obi said that Nigeria’s MSMEs are groaning under the burden of heavy taxation, lack of funding, high cost of production, dwindling sales caused by economic hardship and unstable government policies.

The former governor of Anambra State said a committed government must reverse the burden of too many taxes on SMEs and care for the poor by investing in the growth of the economy.

“Today, the MSMEs are groaning under the burden of heavy taxes, lack of access to funding, instability of government policies, high production costs and dwindling sales due to economic hardship. A committed leadership must not only reverse the unnecessary burden on small businesses but also focus on the needs of the people by caring for the poor and investing in the growth of the economy,” he added.

Recall that the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, had said “Africa’s large informal sector shouldn’t be targeted for tax extraction. Instead, it should be seen as a massive opportunity to drive growth and create wealth.”

Mr Oyedele, whose committee submitted a new tax policy to President Tinubu, said small businesses are seeds that should be nurtured for inclusive development in the medium to long term.

“Think of these businesses not as fruits to be harvested in the immediate term, but as seeds to be nurtured for inclusive development in the medium to long term,” he said on Monday, June 24.

SPORTS

Mbappe Speaks On Winning Ballon d’Or After Joining Real Madrid

Published

2 months ago

July 16, 2024

Bamidele Damilare

France football star, Kylian Mbappe, who recently joined Real Madrid during the summer transfer window, has expressed his belief that the prestigious Ballon d’Or award will be within his reach if he secures trophies and seamlessly integrates into his new team.

World wide gist reports that Mbappe shared this thought during his formal introduction as a Real Madrid player on Tuesday in Madrid, Spain.

The French international athlete signed a five-year contract with Real Madrid following the conclusion of his current contract with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at the end of the summer.

When queried about the potential impact of his move to Real Madrid on his aspirations of winning the UEFA Champions League and the Ballon d’Or, the 25-year-old responded: “There is no better place than Madrid to win titles. But the key is to adapt well. If I do that, the rest will come naturally.

“Winning everything is an objective, but in the long term. Now I want to get back to training and adapt to the team.”

World wide gist reports that Madrid had previously shared a photograph capturing the France superstar, alongside Perez, in front of the club’s 15 replica Champions League trophies.

The Spanish champions, who have long held a deep admiration for one of the most renowned talents in world football, had been actively pursuing his acquisition last summer.

This was in anticipation of Mbappe’s impending departure from PSG at the end of his contract.

SPORTS

‘Thomas Tuchel Open To Replacing Gareth Southgate As England Manager’

Published

2 months ago

July 16, 2024

Bamidele Damilare

The former manager of Bayern Munich, Thomas Tuchel is reportedly ready to replace Gareth Southgate as the manager of England.

Thomas Tuchel is not known to be a national team coach, but a UK publication, the Sun, claimed that the German tactician wants to start his international coaching career with England.

Recall that Tuchel resigned as Bayern Munich coach after one year and a half seasons at the German Bundesliga giants. He decided to part ways with the club on mutual grounds after he failed to win the league title for the perennial winners.

Before his not-too-impressive spell at Bayern Munich, Tuchel had coached Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint Germain, and Chelsea.

At Chelsea, the German coach had the best run of his career as he helped the London-based club to win the UEFA Champions League, the Super Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup.

Since he is currently without a coaching job, he sees the Three Lions of England coaching role as his next stop after Southgate confirmed his resignation from the role earlier today, July 16.

Recall that Southgate reigned as England’s head coach for eight years in which he led them to the Euro 2021 final, which they lost to Italy, and the Euro 2024 final which they lost to Spain.

While Tuchel is said to be open to negotiate with the English FA, Newcastle United coach, Eddie Howe is said to be the favourite to replace Southgate.

Other coaches mentioned for the job are former English midfielders Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard, alongside former Brighton coach, Graham Potter.

SPORTS

Yamal, Walker, Rodri Listed As UEFA Unveils Euro 2024 Team Of The Tournament

Published

2 months ago

July 16, 2024

Bamidele Damilare

UEFA has unveiled its official selection for the Euro 2024 Team of the Tournament, highlighting exceptional players in the just concluded competition in Germany.

World wide gist reports that the selected team, organized in a 4-3-3 configuration, includes players from a diverse array of countries, with Spain emerging as the dominant force.

In the goalkeeping position, France’s Mike Maignan is recognized for his outstanding performances.

The defensive line is anchored by England’s Kyle Walker, Switzerland’s Manuel Akanji, France’s William Saliba, and Spain’s Marc Cucurella.

The midfield trio is led by Spain’s Rodri, Fabián Ruiz, and Dani Olmo.

The forward line is particularly noteworthy, with Germany’s Jamal Musiala serving as the central striker, supported by Spain’s Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams.

It is worth noting that this youthful attacking trio has played a pivotal role in their teams’ success.

Euro 2024 Team of the Tournament

On the final day of the Euro 2024, Rodri was honoured as the top scorer of the tournament, having contributed significantly to La Roja’s victory over England with a score of 2-1, securing their fourth championship title in Berlin on Sunday.

World wide gist reports that Rodri’s performance was momentarily interrupted at the halftime of the final due to a knee injury, yet his exceptional contributions were recognized as Spain also managed to defeat Germany and France, securing their place in the final.

His sole goal of the tournament was scored in a 4-1 victory over Georgia in the last 16.

Despite this, coach Luis de la Fuente praised Rodri as a “perfect computer,” acknowledging his consistent passing and strategic understanding of the game, which were crucial in guiding a young team to victory against a particularly challenging schedule.