The Super Falcons of Nigeria secured a decisive 5-0 victory over their Zambian counterparts yesterday evening, thereby qualifying for the semifinals of the ongoing WAFCON in Morocco

Nigeria’s coach Justin Madugu says his team thrashed Zambia because they didn’t pack the bus like others did in the group stage.

”In the previous games we played, the opposition decided to pack the bus and play a low block and that made it difficult for us to be able to play the kind of football that people expected .”

𝗭𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀 Blame 𝗣𝗲𝘁𝗲 𝗘𝗱𝗼𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲 & 𝗞𝗮𝗻𝗮𝘆𝗼 𝗢 𝗞𝗮𝗻𝗮𝘆𝗼 For Their Defeat To Nigeria

Zambian people have blamed their Loss to the Nigerian Female team on Juju and they have dragged "INNOCENT" Nollywood Legends, Pete Edochie and Kanayo O Kanayo into their banter

Due to the kind of hype the Zambian people had given their female team on social media, they were over confident that the match against the most decorated African women's Team, the 'super Falcons of Nigeria' would be a Walk in the park.

They boasted heavily on social media on how they were going to beat the Nigerian team. Unfortunately, it turned out to be the other way round.

NIGERIA baptized them with goals and made their women eat grass for 90 minutes it was a full goalazo . Goals were flying in from different angles and neither their Midfielders nor defenders could stop it. Not even their striker, Barbra Banda who happened to be the reigning African Female Footballer Of The Year could record a shot at the Nigerian goalpost 🙆🏾‍♂️

Their goal keeper wasn't a saint 3ither. She could neither catch, Jump or dive Mama Amaka did not want to stress herself at all. Even their coach ran out of formation because obviously, her 3-2-1-4 was obviously not working 🫣

Now they are blaming their inability to score on juju. They blamed it Kanayo O Kanayo's recent Visit to their country

Moral Lesson: Nigeria will humble You

Follow Our Page 👉🏾 SouthEast Music chart 🙏🏾🙏🏾

#nigeria #Zambia #nollywood #PeteEdochie #igbo #WAFCON #WAFCON2024 #kanayookanayo #juju

Today's Biggest Headlines

Here are some of the news that you shouldn’t miss this morning

1. Shocking surge: Electricity subsidy jumps 220% to nearly N2tn

=== https://punchng.com/shocking-surge-electricity-subsidy-jumps-220-to-nearly-n2tn/

2. NIMASA shuts two fuel-loading terminals over security breach

=== https://punchng.com/nimasa-shuts-two-fuel-loading-terminals-over-security-breach/

3. ADC kickstarts 2027 manifesto drive

=== https://punchng.com/adc-kickstarts-2027-manifesto-drive/

4. FG, Bi-Courtney may resume talks on Lagos airport mega projects

=== https://punchng.com/fg-bi-courtney-may-resume-talks-on-lagos-airport-mega-projects/

5. Tinubu immortalises Buhari with UNIMAID renaming amid FEC glowing tributes

=== https://punchng.com/tinubu-immortalises-buhari-with-unimaid-renaming-amid-fec-glowing-tributes/

6. Awujale stool: Ruling house kicks off selection, insists on tradition

=== https://punchng.com/awujale-stool-ruling-house-kicks-off-selection-insists-on-tradition/

7. Dangote halts fuel discount scheme amid fraud allegations

=== https://punchng.com/dangote-halts-fuel-discount-scheme-amid-fraud-allegations/

8. Ekiti, Ondo doctors set for showdown over FG pay review

=== https://punchng.com/ekiti-ondo-doctors-set-for-showdown-over-fg-pay-review/

9. Ondo horror: Landlord, accomplices nabbed over varsity students’ murder

=== https://punchng.com/ondo-horror-landlord-accomplices-nabbed-over-varsity-students-murder/

10. WAFCON q’final: Madugu rallies Falcons for Zambia battle

=== https://punchng.com/wafcon-qfinal-madugu-rallies-falcons-for-zambia-battle/

For more updates, kindly follow our page>>> https://facebook.com/punchnewspaper

UKPABI ASIKA THE GREAT!

By Emeka Obasi

No individual did more for the Igbo after the genocidal Civil War than Ajie Ukpabi Asika, a First Class Economist produced by the University of Ibadan, who was appointed Administrator of East Central State in 1967. Strangely, those who should praise him only remember that he did not support Biafra.

Asika and his wife, Chinyere, returned from the United States with chains of University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) degrees and settled down to work at the University of Ibadan. By 1966, they had moved to Tanzania and later Zambia.

It took another Economist, Dr. Adebayo Adedeji, to recommend Ajie to Gowon through Col. Olu Obasanjo. He was the only civilian among the twelve new governors. Had Gowon appointed a Federal officer to administer the East, perhaps everything Biafra would have been completely destroyed.

Asika behaved like a statesman. He welcomed and rehabilitated all those that were on the Biafran side and put their ingenuity to good use. Those who fuelled inventions through Research And Production (RAP) got a new agency, Project Development Agency (PRODA) headed by one of the brains behind Ogbunigwe, Gordian Ezekwe.

The ECS cabinet had an array of achievers, carefully selected. There was Ukwu I. Ukwu, with PhD, Cantab. Samuel Ikoku, Economist, politician and University lecturer, Charles Abangwu, former Deputy Speaker, Eastern Region House of Assembly, Magnus Adiele, another University teacher and Dan Ibekwe, lawyer, former Federal minister, also made it.

Flora Nwapa, novelist and University administrator, joined Philip Nnaemeka Agu, a lawyer, Martin Elechi a former District Officer (DO), Dan Njemanze, another lawyer, Osita Okeke, Zackhaeus  Dibiaezue, and Anthony Ofo - Mogboh, to move the new state to greater heights. They were supported by Chu Okongwu, Vincent Aniago and Innocent Nwoga, among others.

What many did not know was that before the war ended, Asika moved swiftly to secure Igbo investments across the nation. He was successful in the West, in Kano, in Ilorin but Port Harcourt gave him so much headache. Rivers State governor, Alfred Papapreye Diette - Spiff, hardened his heart and supported what became known as Abandoned Property.

It was sad that Spiff who attended St. Joseph's College, Sasse Buea, Western Cameroon, did not consider men like Prof.Theodore Okeahialam and his brother, Heron, who also passed out from the same school, before him.

Heron was the Engineer behind Radio Biafra, who made the world believe that the studio was in Enugu all through the war. Fact is, he moved the station round. At a time, signals came from a palm tree in Otulu, Ahiara, Mbaise. Prof. Okeahialam did not only head the Biafran Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre in Libreviile, Gabon, he pioneered inventions.

Biafran doctors produced Kwashiorkor Mixture for malnourished children, a formula later adopted by the World Health Organisation. F. Udekwu and David Nwafor used fresh coconut as intravenous fluids to treat wounded soldiers. Nelly Obiayo separated Siamese twins. Humphrey Anyanwu did well with surgery.

In 1974, Anyanwu and Nwafor had jobs at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Enugu. They performed two major heart surgeries with Egyptian turned Briton, Bagdi Yacoub.

Asika did not like the unforgiving spirit of Spiff. The Amanyanabo of Bonny, William Dappa Pepple, was exiled, for following Gen. Emeka Ojukwu to one of the Peace Meetings in Addis Ababa, in 1968. The king lived in Enugu. Ojukwu was worried but relief came when Asika found a place for Pepple in Aba, nearer home. He died there in 1972. Today his son, Asimini Dappa People III, sits on the throne as Perekule XI, Amanyanabo of Bonny.

Asika had the most efficient Civil Service in the country, that applied IBM computers through the Eastern Data Processing Centre, manned by Dr. Ofia Nwali and supervised by Ukwu I. Ukwu. Scholarships to Europe, America and other parts of Nigeria were awarded and handled perfectly. 

In Sports, Asika was excellent. Enugu Rangers remain the first Nigerian team to become double champions. This was achieved in 1974. That foundation also makes the Flying Antelopes the only club to have won the Challenge Cup three times consecutively.

East Central State Academicals lifted the Manuwa/ Adebajo Cup in 1971. East Central State Spartans grabbed soccer gold at the First National Sports Festival, Lagos 1973 and retained it in 1975. Rangers had won the first league, the Amachree Cup, although informally, in 1971.

All the players and managers of these teams were Biafran combatants. Coach Dan Anyiam, was Brigade Major of the 60 Brigade that fought gallantly in Oguta. Skipper Godwin Achebe was at the School of Infantry. Godwin Ogbueze was a teenage commando, just like Dominic Nwobodo. Patrick Ekeji moved from the Air Force to Army Signals. Emma Okala and Christian Chukwu, fought as well. Nwabueze Nwankwo was tough in the Mid - West.

Today's leaders would have distanced themselves from Biafrans who painted Asika in bad light. Ajie welcomed them with open arms and was the one who coined the phrase, No Victor , No Vanquished. He visited fellow governors, to be sure that harm did not befall returnee Ndigbo.

I got chatting recently with multi talented Obi Asika, Ajie's son who has continued from where his father stopped. The Junior Asika is into music, soccer, administration, name it. He said : "No Victor, No Vanquished was actually a book written by Ajie. He also negotiated General Amnesty for Biafran soldiers and kept almost everyone out of prison. There is a road named after him in Kano, and another in Ilorin, for his work of rehabilitating the Igbo, securing their property and giving them a way back. I celebrate him every day."

Some of the Biafran officers who were in detention beyond Asika's tenure, were set free in August 1975 by Murtala Mohammed. They included 1966 coup plotters, Humphrey Chukwuma, who remained in Biafran detention through out the war and Ganiyu Adeleke, who commanded the Biafran School of Infantry after he was injured in battle. Peter Adomokai, Aide de Camp to David Ejoor was an Instructor at the School of Infantry. There was also the soldier, Peter Odili. Both men were not in detention.
Benneth Ochei was also set free alongside, Ojukwu's aide, Kanayo Esinulo, who was whisked away from the Lagos Airport, on his way to Frankfurt, by security operatives, on August 23, 1973.

Prof. Ken Post who once lectured at the University of Ibadan told Esinulo that Asika "was one of the most brilliant students I ever taught in all my teaching career." Ajie founded the ECS Writers Workshop and loved Arts and Entertainment. At the First National Festival of Ars and Culture, his state emerged tops. Nkpokiti dancers were also spectacular, globally.

Born in Barkin Ladi and moulded at St. Patrick's College, Calabar and Edo College, Benin, the Umuezearoli, Onitsha man explored the world and brought his experience home. Asika married Chinyere, whose dad was the super public servant, Nathan Ejiogu of Egbu, Owerri. Her sister, Kema Chikwe, became a Federal minister. South - East governors need to be schooled about what Ajie Anthony Ukpabi Asika( Dona Meche ) did for the Geo Political Zone.

PLEASE SHARE TO OTHER PLATFORMS: For our SE Leaders attention and information. May history and posterity honor for the sake of our children.
REV UKANWA ULU

“Harvard University in the United States is richer than Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, Malawi. Infact if Harvard was a country in Africa, it would be 13th richest with $53 Billion in endowments. Perhaps this is why Trump disrespected African leaders. He doesn’t rate us at all. To him those leaders were just wasting his time and that is why I chose to walk on the path where I would be respected!

It is all playing before your very eyes, wake up Africa!”

-Burkina Faso Presido and Point One Ibrahim Traore activates paramode on the level of disrespect melted on African Presidents by Nnanyi Donald of United States

#Cynthia TV

SOME AFRICAN COUNTRIES AND THEIR NICK NAMES.

• South Africa – Rainbow Nation
• Rwanda – Land of a Thousand Hills
• Madagascar – The Red Island
• Lesotho – The Kingdom In the Sky
• Egypt – The Gift of the Nile
• Burkina Faso – Land of the Upright Men
• Ghana- The gateway to Africa/The Blackstar of Africa
• Nigeria- The Giant of Africa
• Namibia- Land of the Brave
• Uganda- The Pearl of Africa
• Malawi- The Warm heart of Africa
• Zambia- The real Africa
• Kenya - the pride of Africa
• Tanzania - Brain of Africa (Bongo)
• Gambia- the smiling coast of Africa
• Ethiopia- the land of origin
• Burkina faso - the land of upright men
• Morroco -the land of colours
• Mauritius- the continental island
• Comoros- the perfum island
• Sierra leone - salone
• Chad- the dead heart of Africa
• Mali- the eyes of africa
• Djibouti - the pearl of the gulf of tadjiboura
• Cabo verde - llha do
• Sao tome and Principe- the chocolate island 🇸🇹
• Cameroun- the hinge of Africa
• Seychelles - the land of perpetual summer
• Gabon - Le bled
• Somali - the horn of Africa
• Botswana - Peaceful nation

This needs to stop.
Westerners come to Zambia, enter our national parks, & begin to hunt. We give them hunting licenses, and they kill our animals. When our own Black Zambian kills an impala to feed his family, we accuse them of poaching & lock them up for years. It's the same problem everywhere in Africa!!!

Unpaid Allowances Concerns Revealed As Super Falcons’ Continue WAFCON Campaign

The Super Falcons have qualified for their final group match at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations with maximum points, but once again, unpaid bonuses and allowances have raised concerns and affected preparations.

Despite their strong performance on the pitch, reports show that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is yet to settle outstanding payments owed to the players. These include match bonuses, training camp allowances, and other entitlements dating as far back as 2021.

During a press session in Casablanca on Saturday, journalist Osasu Obayiuwana asked NFF President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, if the players were receiving their payments during the tournament. Gusau replied:

“We are in talks with the federal government of Nigeria. I’m confident that all money due to the players will be released soon. For now, we are giving daily allowances while we wait for funds. I can assure you that all payments will be made before the end of the tournament.”

However, when asked if debts from earlier years had been cleared, Gusau said only a small amount remained unpaid and denied that the issue went back to 2021.

But documents obtained by Obayiuwana from sources close to the team reveal a different story. The breakdown shows that each player is owed over $13,600 and ₦10,000, covering various tournaments from 2021 to 2023.


“Same Promises Every Time”

When asked if the NFF’s promise to settle all WAFCON payments before the tournament ends could be trusted, Super Falcons midfielder Jennifer Echegini remained calm, saying the team was focused on winning, not the money.

Still, fans and analysts recall how the Falcons boycotted training ahead of the third-place match against Zambia in the 2022 WAFCON, also held in Morocco, due to similar unpaid entitlements

The Super Falcons will play Algeria tonight in Casablanca in a top-of-the-table clash in Group B, hoping to keep their winning momentum despite the growing financial concerns behind the scenes.
Wish the super falcons luck today.

#footballnews
The WAFCON2025 Opening Game Throws Up Two of Three Fiercest Rivals Going Into The Competition- So I'm Vested In This Game

Nigeria has been ceded in Group B alongside Tunisia Botswana and Algeria and I expect nothing short of nine points going by the quality of opposition and Individual ingenuity of the ladies who are determined to succeed.

Now if we finish top pf Group B, we will
play the quarter-finals with runner up in Group A which has ( Morocco Zambia Senegal or DR Congo )

As predicted, the three teams I will consider as contenders and pose a threat as competitors are Morocco South Africa and Zambia . Those who have carefully followed the women's football will attest except for an upset, these three are those who can really stand up to the Super Falcons of Nigeria as of now.

I don't expect our ladies to finish any in position lesser than top of Group B which most likely sets us up for a Nigeria vs Morocco/Zambia Quarterfinals.

Now, this will be the TRUE LITMUS TEST for the team and proper assessment of their programs enroute WAFCON2025. There won't be anything like closed door matches and the entire Technical Crew will show us proper workings without excuses.

For now, all eyes are on the Opening Game

Nigeria ranks 7th among world’s friendliest countries to strangers [Full List]

Nigeria has been ranked 7th among the world’s friendliest countries to strangers, according to the UN’s 2025 World Happiness Report.

The annual report, produced by the University of Oxford’s Wellbeing Research Centre in partnership with Gallup and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, evaluates 147 countries on self-reported well-being and prosocial behaviours such as donating, volunteering, and helping others.

Despite ranking high for acts of spontaneous kindness, Nigeria placed 105th overall in happiness, reflecting poor life satisfaction and systemic shortcomings.

The report noted a clear gap between informal generosity and institutional trust: a pattern seen across several African countries.

When asked about the likelihood of a lost wallet being returned, Nigeria ranked 33rd if found by a stranger, 71st if found by a neighbour, and 126th if found by the police, underscoring the country’s weak confidence in law enforcement and public systems.

According to the report, such dynamics are common in countries with fragile institutions.


“Where institutional structures are weak, helping strangers likely becomes the most direct and effective form of benevolence,” it stated.

Other countries with similar patterns, according to their ranking, include:

Jamaica
Liberia
Trinidad
Kenya
Sierra Leone
Senegal
Nigeria
Venezuela
Ukraine
Zambia

While Nigeria also ranked 45th for charitable donations, the preference appears to lean toward direct, person-to-person support over formal giving.