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Napoli FC Target Gabriel Jesus As Victor Osimhen Replacement, Consider Morata, David

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Despite Victor Osimhen’s commitment to Napoli, the Serie A champions have identified Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus as a potential alternative for the Nigerian striker.

Following the uproar caused by Napoli’s TikTok account, the Nigeria international’s future at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona is unknown.

The club’s official account came under criticism for making light of Osimhen’s penalty miss against Bologna in one post, and comparing him to a coconut in the other.

In reaction to the now-deleted posts, Osimhen’s agent threatened the reigning Serie A winners with legal action.

Napoli insisted that no offence was intended with the two videos, but they stopped short of offering an apology.

There have been talks of the 24-year-old leaving the Italian outfits at the end of the season with some even suggesting that the player could go as early as January.

However, Osimhen in a statement posted on social media revealed his commitment to the people of Napoli and the club.

While talks have previously taken place over a new contract, there is now considerable doubt as to whether Osimhen will sign a new deal with the club.

The 24-year-old, whose current contract runs until 2025, has attracted interest from a number of clubs, including Chelsea.

Napoli club president Aurelio de Laurentiis has stated publicly that he is confident Osimhen will put pen to paper on a new deal.

However, according to Calcio Mercato, Napoli have started to draw up contingency plans in case Osimhen leaves the club in January or at the end of the season.

The report claims that Jesus has been identified as a potential target alongside Atletico Madrid’s Alvaro Morata and Lille’s Jonathan David.

Jesus has been hampered by injury since joining the Gunners from Premier League rivals Manchester City in the summer of 2022.

Despite being affected by injury issues, the Brazilian has still managed to make 41 competitive appearances for Mikel Arteta’s side, registering 14 goals and eight assists.

Morata, who previously played in Italy for Juventus, has made an impressive start to the season, scoring seven goals in eight games for Atletico.

David, meanwhile, has found the net four times in 11 games this term, and the Lille striker is also a target for AC Milan as well as Napoli.

BIG STORY

2024 BUDGET: N3Trn For Security Sector, Health Gets N1Trn [SEE BREAKDOWN]

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The federal government says it will prioritise the health, defence, and education sectors in its spending in the 2024 fiscal year.

A summary of the 2024 budget was released on Thursday by Atiku Bagudu, the minister of national planning and budget.

The national parliament heard President Bola Tinubu’s N27.5 trillion budget plan for the fiscal year 2024 on Wednesday.

Tinubu said the budget would cement macroeconomic stability, reduce the deficit, and increase capital spending and allocation to reflect the eight priority areas of this administration.

Providing a breakdown of the budget, Bagudu said the allocations include provisions for various ministries and agencies within each sector.

He said the projected national revenue in 2024 is estimated at N18.32 trillion, marking a substantial 66 percent increase compared to the previous year’s budget.

The minister also said oil-related sources are expected to contribute N7.94 trillion (43.3 percent), while non-oil revenue is projected to contribute N10.39 trillion.

“The government aims to address fiscal challenges and the revenue inflows are influenced by various factors such as the exchange rate, higher oil

production projections, and the removal of subsidies,” Bagudu said.

“Recognising the global and domestic challenges faced by Nigeria, as well as increased fiscal risks resulting from weaker-than-expected economic performance and structural issues, the draft 2024 budget aims to address these challenges.

“The government intends to improve revenue generation by reviewing tax and fiscal policies, to increase the revenue-to-GDP ratio.

“Key strategies include enhancing tax administration and collection efficiency, implementing significant public finance management reforms, and stimulating the economy through regulatory and policy measures to boost domestic value-addition and attract external investment.

“The government also emphasizes prioritizing safety nets to protect vulnerable segments of the population.”

Bagudu said the early passage of the budget for implementation from January 1, 2024, is paramount and expected to contribute significantly to achieving macro-fiscal and sectoral objectives.

  • Health, Education, Defence Sectors Get Bigger Share

With a crude oil benchmark price of $77.96 per barrel and an output of 1.8 million barrels per day, Bagudu said the budget focuses on critical sectors such as defense, healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

Speaking on sectoral allocations, the minister said N3.25 trillion has been allocated to the defence and security sector, representing 11.8 percent of the national budget.

Out of the N27.5 trillion, N1.32 trillion was earmarked for infrastructure projects, accounting for 4.83 percent of the budget.

Bagudu said the health sector got N1.33 trillion, equivalent to 4.8 percent of the federal government’s budget, while N2.18 trillion (7.9 percent) was given to the education sector.

A further breakdown of the budget for education showed that N1.27 trillion was allocated to the federal ministry of education, the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) received N251.47 billion, while the Tertiary Education Trust fund (TETFUND) got N700 billion.

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BIG STORY

Governor Sanwo-Olu Hails Morayo Afolabi-Brown’s Appointment As MD Of TVCe

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Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has congratulated popular television presenter, Dr. Morayo Afolabi-Brown, on her appointment as the Managing Director of TVCe, the Entertainment Channel of TVC Communications.

He said the new role given to Afolabi-Brown, the host of the TVC’s breakfast programme, ‘Your View’ is well deserved.

Governor Sanwo-Olu in a statement issued on Thursday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, said Afolabi-Brown’s appointment as Managing Director of TVCe is inspirational to young media practitioners that they can get to the top position of their career with hardwork, commitment and discipline.

He said: “The appointment of Dr. Morayo Afolabi-Brown as the Managing Director of TVCe, the Entertainment Channel of TVC Communications, is deserving having distinguished herself at TVC Communications and the media industry for almost two decades.

“Morayo Afolabi-Brown is one of the most influential women presenters not only in Nigeria but Africa. She has been recognised as one of the top 25 most influential women in Journalism Africa (WIJA) 2020 where she ranked 18th on the list.

“I believe strongly that Morayo Afolabi-Brown’s new appointment is an inspiration to young media practitioners, particularly members of staff of TVC Communications, that they can get to the top of their career in the company if they put in a little more than is expected from them by their employers.

“Morayo Afolabi-Brown’s new role attests to her exceptional track record of achievements in TVC Communications as a former Deputy Director of Programmes TVC News, where she created content on three independent channels for broadcast. She has also made a lot of impact as a host in addressing basic issues in society through the TVC’s breakfast show ‘Your View,’ programme.

 

SIGNED

GBOYEGA AKOSILE

CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY

30 NOVEMBER 2023

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BIG STORY

NDLEA Chairman Marwa Warns New Cadets Against Fraternising With Drug Traffickers

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The chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Buba Marwa, has asked new cadets not to “fraternise” with illicit drug offenders.

Marwa spoke on Thursday during the passing out ceremony of 2,500 cadets of senior officers basic course 16 at NDLEA academy, Jos, Plateau state.

The NDLEA boss said the agency will not tolerate “internal sabotage” in the war against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the country.

Marwa, who was represented by Victoria Egbase, director, planning, research and statistics of NDLEA, said the agency cannot “decelerate” its efforts on the war against illicit drugs.

“We are currently on the verge of expanding our presence to all 774 local government areas in the country,” Marwa was quoted as saying in a statement by Femi Babafemi, NDLEA spokesperson.

“What that should tell our new officers is that there is work to do, and you cannot afford to be complacent or compromise the high standards we have set.

“On that note, let me also inform you that you must not fraternise with offenders of drug trafficking laws.

“Doing so is dangerous to your safety; it is catastrophic to your career; it sabotages organisational goals; and it is inimical to society’s wellbeing.

“Remembering this nugget of advice and abiding by it will ensure you a colourful and gratifying career.

“I must prepare your minds for the task ahead of you. The duties are such that there is no room for compromising the ethics of your profession or subverting the goals of the organisation.

“In our renewed campaign against illicit drugs, we are at a stage of ramped-up interdiction against cannabis, opioids, and other psychoactive substances.

“We cannot afford to decelerate our effort and we will not tolerate sabotage from within.”

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