The thrilling contest at Miami Stadium produced ten goals, dramatic momentum swings and one of the tournament’s most entertaining matches.

England made a sensational start when Declan Rice opened the scoring in the third minute.

Ezri Konsa doubled England’s advantage in the 18th minute with a powerful header from a corner.

Bukayo Saka then struck in the 37th minute, giving England a commanding 3-0 lead.

Saka completed his first-half brace in first-half stoppage time, scoring in the 45th minute to make it 4-0.

France responded immediately after the interval, with Kylian Mbappé pulling one goal back in the 48th minute.

Bradley Barcola then reduced the deficit further in the 54th minute, leaving France within two goals.

Mbappé struck again in the 66th minute, completing France’s remarkable comeback and making the score 4-3.

England restored their two-goal advantage when Saka completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot in the 87th minute.

France refused to surrender, with Ousmane Dembélé scoring in the sixth minute of stoppage time.

Jude Bellingham then sealed England’s victory with a goal in the eighth minute of stoppage time.

The final whistle confirmed England’s extraordinary 6-4 victory and secured their best World Cup finish since winning the competition in 1966.

The result was particularly significant after England had lost 2-1 to Argentina in the semi-finals.

France had also suffered semi-final disappointment, losing 2-0 to Spain before facing England in the bronze final.

England’s explosive attacking display was led by Saka, whose hat-trick proved decisive in the extraordinary encounter.

Rice also made a major contribution, scoring early before assisting Konsa’s 18th-minute goal.

France’s response was spearheaded by Mbappé, who scored twice and helped inspire a remarkable second-half fightback.

However, England survived the pressure and produced two late goals to finally settle the contest.

The victory gave England a podium finish and offered a memorable conclusion to their campaign in North America.

For France, the defeat ended a disappointing tournament on a dramatic night that also marked the end of Didier Deschamps’ tenure.

The 6-4 scoreline ensured the bronze final would be remembered as one of the highest-scoring matches in World Cup history.

England ultimately prevailed in a contest that repeatedly appeared settled before producing another extraordinary twist.

Source: NAN

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The post England beat France 6-4 in World Cup bronze final thriller appeared first on Frontpageng.

The development, however, has raised concern among traders over reduced profits and business sustainability.

A 50kg of rice in Lagos currently sells for between N55,000 and N70,000 depending on the brands.

The traders and consumers who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in separate interviews in Lagos disclosed that the stable food had witnessed a sudden crash in the price.

They noted that both local and foreign rice brands had witnessed a steep drop in price reversing the surge seen earlier in the year.

In popular markets such as Oyingbo, Arena (Oshodi), Festac Town and Mile 12, a 50kg bag of local rice that sold for around ₦85,000 in January now goes for between ₦60,000 and ₦70,000.

Similarly, foreign rice, which was ₦95,000 at the beginning of the year, currently sells for between ₦65,000 and ₦75,000, depending on the brands and market location.

At the Arena Market, Mrs Precious Okoro, a rice dealer, lamented that the recent crash had left many traders struggling to recover their investments.

“We are selling at a loss. I bought several bags at ₦80,000 and ₦85,000 early this year, and now I have to sell them for as low as ₦65,000. The fall came suddenly, and it’s been tough for us,” Okoro said.

She added that while customers were excited about the new prices, traders were counting heavy losses.

“Rice doesn’t spoil easily like other food items, but when prices crash this way, our capital just ties down. Some of us can’t even restock,” she said.

Okoro said that the government needed to be intentional in stabilising the price of rice in the country through regular support to local farmers to boost the supply chain.

“The government needs to provide incentives for local farmers to increase production and improve the infrastructure for storage and distribution.

“This will help to reduce the cost of production and make rice more affordable for consumers,” Okoro said.

At the FESTAC Town Market, a retailer, Mrs Edith Nwaruh, said a 50kg rice Pretty Lady sold for ₦57,000, Mama Africa, ₦62,000, Mama Gold, ₦67,000 and Big Bull Premium ₦73,000.

Nwaruh said the decline began around August, following reports of improved local harvests and increased rice supply from northern states.

“We have more rice in the market now. Local production improved, and imports also increased. When there’s too much supply, prices must drop,” she said.

Another trader at the Mile 12 Market, Mr Odion Michael, described the situation as a “double-edged sword.”

“Consumers are happy, but traders are weeping. We want prices to be stable, not jumping or falling suddenly. Price stability helps us to plan our business,” he said.

However, a rice farmer and stakeholder who pleaded anonymity, attributed the price drop to the reopening of land borders, which has allowed an increased inflow of rice from neighbouring rice-producing countries.

He disclosed that the development had caused a flooding of the market with both imported and locally produced rice, leading to a temporary fall in prices.

He, however, cautioned that the decline might not be sustainable, warning that prices could surge again before December due to market instability and fluctuating supply levels.

A trader at the Oyingbo Market, Mr Ben Chidi, attributed the development to improved supply and reduced market stockpiles.

He said that the government’s renewed support for local farmers and improved distribution channels contributed to the glut.

This, he said, ensured that consumers, however, were relieved.

Mrs Andriana Okoromaro, a consumer, said the drop was timely given the high cost of other food items.

“At least, rice is affordable again. I used to buy a half bag because it was too expensive. Now, I can buy a full bag for the family. It’s a big relief,” she said.

Another consumer, Mrs Oluwaseun Alade, said she hoped prices would remain low during the festive season.

“Rice is essential during Christmas and New Year. This drop if sustained means more families can celebrate without worry,” she said.

Mrs Ngozi Okolie, a consumer, said the fall was not only linked to increased supply but also to reduced purchasing power among Nigerians, which has lowered demand.

“People don’t have much money, even with lower prices. The economy is slow, so even when goods are cheap, sales are not what they used to be,” she added.

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Watching people troop with the devotion of pilgrims into the venue of Hilda Baci’s jollof rice cooking event is a justification for the adoption of rice as Nigeria’s official currency. The naira has failed us. How many of us check the exchange rate before leaving home? But every living soul knows the price of a bag of rice, even those who have no business dreaming of a bag of rice. Growing up, we did not buy rice in bags unless we wan do party.

The crowd at the sumptuous-looking Ms Baci’s event confirmed that rice is no longer food but faith. Among them were women clutching infants and rushing in as though the rice being cooked was a cure for grave pediatric conditions.

I could not believe any mother would carry an infant into such a suffocating crowd, especially after what happened at that charity function fronted by the Ooni’s ex-wife. Equally astonishing was the sight of full-grown men surging forward to watch steam rise like incense from the giant pot. Odiegwu.

For every wound, the prescription remains the same: rice.

Who knew rice cooking could become a spectator sport capable of attracting a religious crusade-level crowd? Hilda’s star power, built on 34-24-36 and a face the cameras love, must have something to do with persuading people to abandon their homes just to have their nostrils pleasured by the aroma of jollof. Aromastylee.

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We need a Ministry of Rice with Ms Baci as minister. Rice has become our most reliable economic indicator, our measure of national mood, our compass for hope and despair. Oil may fuel the treasury but rice fuels the soul.

Politicians understand this theology. In times of celebration they give rice. In times of tragedy they give rice. In times of elections they return with rice again. Minimum wage is measured against the price of rice. The cost of an “international” passport, though it is only Nigeria that insists on calling its passport international, is compared to the price of rice.

ASUU is likely to start moaning that the salaries of its members cannot cover more than two bags of rice. Bride price negotiations will soon be whispered in rice equivalents. Rice will soon be our human development index. For every wound, the prescription remains the same: rice.

Can we at least make it amala and gbegiri or tuwo masara with miya taushe?

The post EXTRA: Hilda Baci’s altar of rice, By Bamidele Johnson appeared first on Frontpageng.

The casualty toll will likely rise, authorities said, as localities beyond the main site of the disaster in Kerr County were affected by the flooding.

A Travis County official said four people had died from the flooding there, with 13 unaccounted for, and officials reported another death in Kendall County.

Some news organizations reported the death toll was already as high as 52.

Reuters could not confirm that.

Officials said more than 850 people had been rescued, including some clinging to trees, after a sudden storm dumped up to 15 inches (38 cm) of rain in an area around the Guadalupe River, about 85 miles (140 km) northwest of San Antonio.

Among the missing were 27 girls from the Camp Mystic summer camp, Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice told a press conference on Saturday evening, and there may be others beyond that.

Rice said 27 people were known to be missing, but “we will not put a number on the other side because we just don’t know.”

The disaster unfolded rapidly on Friday morning as heavier-than-forecast rain drove river waters rapidly to as high as 29 feet (9 meters).

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“We know that the rivers rise, but nobody saw this coming,” said Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, the top local official in the region.

Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said 17 of the confirmed dead, including five children, had yet to be identified.

The National Weather Service said the flash flood emergency has largely ended for Kerr County, following thunderstorms that dumped more than a foot of rain.

That is half of the total the region sees in a typical year. A flood watch was in effect until 7 p.m. for the broader region.

Kerr County sits in the Texas Hill Country, a rural area known for rugged terrain, historic towns and tourist attractions.

Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick said an unknown number of visitors had come to the area for an Independence Day celebration by the river.

“We don’t know how many people were in tents on the side, in small trailers by the side, in rented homes by the side,” he said on Fox News Live.

Source: Reuters

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Eyewitnesses said that the protesters found the vehicle parked on a road as they protested in the community.

Some of the beneficiaries, who spoke under anonymity said that the rice might be the one from the federal government for Edo residents but was allegedly diverted.

They alleged that the politicians representing the state had been  diverting palliatives meant for Edo residents because the rice was in 10kg sacks.

They vowed to search for all hidden locations  where federal government palliatives designated for Edo were hidden.

The protesters also made video of the looting from the unidentified truck.

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The state Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, in a statement, denied that the rice belonged to the state.

Nehikhare alleged that the videos making the rounds as regards the looting was a desperate attempt to score cheap political point by opposition parties.

He said, “The Edo State Government has received information about the looting of bags of rice from an unidentified truck and private residences in parts of Benin City in the wake of the ‘EndBadBGovernance’ protests.

“The videos making the rounds are said to have emanated from the Urora axis of Ikpoba Hill, Benin and the government does not have a warehouse in that location,” he said.

Source: NAN

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The event took place at the ‘Oja Irorun’ Civil Servants Farmers’ Market at the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

Governor Abiodun, who was represented by the Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, said the occasion was a significant step in the ongoing efforts of the state government at improving the living standards of workers in the state.

The governor praised the dedication and the commitment of the workers to service, which he noted contributed immensely to the success achieved by his administration.

“Ogun State civil servants’ dedication and hard work form the bedrock of the progress and prosperity of our dear state. Recognising this invaluable essence of workers to the actualisation of the policies and programmes of the state government, the administration has graciously approved the sale of high quality bags of rice at discounted prices exclusively to the workforce,” the governor said.

Prince Abiodun urged workers across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to take full advantage of the opportunity and embrace the good gesture by the state government.

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In his welcome address, the Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Establishments and Training, Mrs. Lydia Fajounbo, appreciated the government for the initiative, which is one of the many interventions by the government to cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal for the state workforce.

The Head of Service, however, urged the workers to reciprocate the good gesture of government by remaining dedicated to duties and collectively work for the progress of the state.

In their separate goodwill messages, the Chairman, Joint Public Service Negotiating Council, JNC, Comrade Isa Olude and his counterpart from the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Ademola Ahmed-Benco, appreciated the state government for the initiative, which they said, would restore the purchasing power of the people and promote the welfare of workers.

The union leaders added that the gesture was a testament that the state has a caring and listening governor whom they are proud of, and charged the workers to reciprocate the gesture by effectively and efficiently discharging their statutory duties.

Two of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Temitope Akintayo from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism as well as Mr. Olabanji Sanni, from the Ministry of Environment, thanked the state government for putting the process into motion and promised to keep working assiduously towards effective service delivery.

The bags of rice were handed over to the beneficiaries by Mr. Onasanya on behalf of the government while buses were also provided at no cost to convey the workers from the venue of the programme to a reasonable distance.

It would be recalled that the Prince Abiodun-led administration has been making concerted efforts towards ensuring that the workforce and the entire people of the Gateway State are shielded as much as possible from the attendant effects of the fuel subsidy removal by the federal government through various interventions.

The interventions include provision of monthly cash palliative, payment of peculiar allowance to deserving workers, provision of CNG buses workers and the citizens as well as the unprecedented payment of a robust end of year bonus to all civil/public servants of the state last December, amongst others.

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The governor also noted that the sale of the commodity would begin with public servants across the board, adding that it was the aspiration of his administration to return the purchasing power of public servants.

He spoke during the Special Iftar (Breaking of Fast) organised for the League of Imams and Alfas in the state at the Presidential Lodge, Abeokuta, Tuesday evening.

Abiodun said: “We have decided to commence the sale of rice. We will be selling it at the rate of 50% of the actual price.

“We are going to commence with our civil servants. All our public servants across the board will buy rice at half the price.

“What is the reason behind selling to them? What we are trying to do is put them in the position they were before the inflation. The purchasing power that they seem to have lost because of inflation, we are putting them back in that position.”

The governor noted that a committee was set up to oversee the sale of the commodity to residents of the state, adding that selling at 50% discount would avail his administration to continue to buy more to be sold to the people.

He continued: “We have set up a committee. That committee has come up with the modalities on how we will sell the grain so there won’t be issues.

“We want to sustain this. If we say we want to be giving it to people as a gift, very soon, we won’t be able to sustain it. But, if we sell at the price it was sold before it becomes expensive, it will allow us to use the money to buy more and continue to sell.

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“For those we know can’t afford to buy, those we call the poor, the elderly and the vulnerable, we will be giving them the rice free of charge.”

Abiodun, therefore, urged Muslim faithful to continue to live a holy life even after the fasting period, adding that they should endeavour to continue to pray not just for themselves, but for the state and the country as a whole.

The governor told the gathering that he would fulfil his promise to build a befitting secretariat for the League of Imams and Alfas, adding that the secretariat, when completed, would become the envy of other states.

Governor Abiodun noted that Nigerians would start to enjoy the dividends of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration with the gradual fall of the dollar, calling for more prayers for the president to succeed in his assignment.

While describing God Almighty as a deliberate God, the governor noted that it was a divine plan by the Almighty for both the Lent and Ramadan to hold at the same time so as to afford both Christians and Muslims the opportunity to pray to God for his mercies on the country.

He also called on the Muslim Ummar to imbibe the spirit of forgiveness, show act of kindness during this period.

Earlier, the Secretary of the League of Imams and Alfas, Imam Tajudeen Adewunmi commended Governor Abiodun for making it a point of duty to empower eight Muslim youths monthly, adding that he is a good person who doesn’t use his office to inflict pain on the people.

Special prayers were offered for the 72nd birthday celebration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu billed for 29th March, as the governor was also conferred with the title of Ambassador of Peace in Islam at the event.

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The unfortunate incident was during the distribution of 25Kg bags of rice at its Zonal Headquarters, Yaba, Lagos State.

The service announced the suspension in a statement by its National Public Relations Officer, Mr Abdullahi Maiwada, on Monday.

Maiwada said that the suspension was part of the service’s resolve to ensure the safety of Nigerians and to enable it properly articulate its next line of action, in order not to defeat the vision of the initiative.

The NCS had announced on February 20 that it would facilitate the direct disposal of food items forfeited to the federal government.

The initiative was in response to the current challenges of food security in Nigeria and the increasingly high costs of essential food items.

It also targeted an improvement in the lives of indigents.

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The distribution of 25kg of rice, thus, commenced on February 23 at the discounted price of N10,000 in Lagos.

The service said that the exercise would be managed to ensure that the benefits reach the most needy.

According to the service spokesperson, the bags of rice were out of stock during the pilot distribution, which led to heightened desperation among the crowd.

“Unforeseen challenges arose when we ran out of stock and announced the continuation of the exercise the following day, leading to a regrettable outcome.

“The crowd became desperate and charged through our barricades in search of rice bags inside emptied containers. In the stampede that ensued, some fatalities and injuries were regrettably recorded.

“Considering the recent unfortunate event, we regrettably announce the suspension of this exercise until we establish what transpired on Friday, 23 February 2024,” he said.

He said that an internal investigation had been initiated to understand the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate event.

The service commiserated with the families of the deceased and assured them of its unwavering support.

“NCS is working with hospital authorities to establish contact and engage directly with the victims’ families regarding their next steps,” he said.

In a similar development, the spokesperson, in an interview with NAN, said that the process of selling the rice was in line with its regulations.

He said that the money collected from the sales was going directly into the federation account.

This was in reaction to critics who had argued that the bag of rice sold at N10,000 was supposed to be given free to the vulnerable in the society.

He said that the items had monetary value and were sold at that amount to generate revenue for the government.

“Even though the amount of revenue collected through this scheme is inconsequential compared to what we collect as revenue, we need to recoup the value of duty that would have been collected on those items if they were imported into Nigeria,” he said.

According to him, the price of the rice was discounted to enable indigents afford it.

“But it was later given out for free because of the mammoth crowd at the distribution centre,” he said.

Source: NAN

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The state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, made this known on Wednesday while speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting in Abeokuta, the state capital.

Abiodun disclosed that the rice would be subsidized and made available at the rate it was before the recent astronomical rise in the prices of the commodities.

He, however, said the poor, the elderly, and the vulnerable would enjoy free allocation.

“We have decided to give our people foodstuffs like rice, garri, beans. I have ordered almost 100 trailers of rice, they will start offloading them tomorrow (today).

“We have decided that the poor, the elderly, and the vulnerable will be given the rice free of charge, while others will have to buy the rice at the price we formally bought it before the dollar rose very high so that it won’t be a one-off and we can continue till the issue of the dollar is settled,” he said.

Governor Abiodun assured the people of Ogun State that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is fully in charge and knows what he is doing.

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According to him, the president is on top of the situation, adding that Nigerians will soon start seeing the manifestation of the several policies put in place to curtail the rising inflation.

He added that the Central Bank Governor, Mr. Yemi Cardoso, at a meeting he had with him, had assured that the dollar would soon fall.

“Everything we are experiencing at the moment is very transient, it will soon pass away. Let me assure you, the meeting we had yesterday (Tuesday) and today (Wednesday) after I left that meeting this evening, I am convinced that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is fully in charge. He knows what he is doing.

“With the plan that he has begun to implement, you will soon begin to see the change. We must remain very hopeful.

“The last meeting I had was with the CBN Governor. He said I should quote him and tell you that, very soon, the dollar will crash,” he said.

Abiodun noted that his administration in realisation of the present hardship facing the country took some steps to cushion the effect, even as he recalled that an intervention worth more than N5 billion was announced by his administration last week.

Tertiary students of Ogun State origin across the country will receive N50,000 each, the governor said.

The secondary and primary school category with about 800,000 students, Prince Abiodun noted, will be done in phases, with the first phase, comprising 100,000 students getting N10,000 each.

Those not captured now would get five exercise books while waiting for the next phase.

The governor said women and the elderly would benefit from free medical care with insurance cards worth N18,000.

Abiodun further noted that his administration would set aside about N500 million monthly to offset the payment of deductions for civil servants in the state public service.

Governor Abiodun urged Nigerians, especially the youths not to allow themselves to be used by unscrupulous elements to disrupt the peace of the country.

“It is now so bad that they have planned to use our youths, give them money to disrupt the peace of the country by staging protests.

“What we are going through isn’t what other countries around the world haven’t also experienced. But they were very patriotic, calm because they know the solution is on the way,” he said.

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Saib and I remained in touch and it was because of that he kept pitching the story to me. His eagerness suggested to me that the story was potentially a firecracker. He once said it was an exclusive that he wanted me to have. I thought he had something like  a blockbuster document. I asked what the story was about, but he always said, as we often say, it wasn’t a discussion that could be had on the phone.

I think (don’t know for sure) that Saib got cured of whatever condition that predisposed him to listen to the man let alone believe that he had something resembling a story, as he never called me after that day.

The assurance he offered did not make me fret. As such, it took some three or four weeks before we could sit together to talk about it. We agreed to meet on a Sunday at Lascofis, a favourite haunt of many journalists at the time. I think it still is, but I no longer go there since its idyll gave way to maddening boisterousness.

The meeting time was 2pm and I was there well before time interacting with liquor while I waited. At 2 p.m., I called to find out if he had changed his mind. “We’re close to you,” he said. “We?” I thought he was coming alone. I later told myself that he was probably coming with the man who had the document, so he could explain its content better if there was a need.

At about 2.30, he drove in and was accompanied by a sullen-looking man, whom I thought had suffered some grave injustice (a wrongful dismissal at work, perhaps) and desired to have the guns turned on the perpetrator (s). They sat and I asked what they wanted to drink. The man, I remember, requested a bottle of malt drink. I don’t remember what Saib drank.

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We got talking, not immediately about the story. The man said nothing and Saib did not redirect the conversation to our objective. The verbal foreplay, I thought, was getting too long. I had a meeting scheduled for later in the day at the office. There had to be a way of getting the conversation to move in the direction I wanted.

I asked what the story was about and Saib said the man would speak. It didn’t look like he had any documents, but I was willing to listen. From his first sentence, it was clear that I was interacting with a guy, who was not just nuts, but weapons-grade bonkers.

He was looking for how to contact Condoleeza Rice, he said. “What Condoleeza Rice and why are you looking for her?” I asked. Saib interjected, saying it was the former US Secretary of State. Things were looking unreal or beyond “be careful”. I held on. I asked the purpose for the search. The man replied that he was once married to her.  I asked if he once lived in the US and he said he never did.

I asked how he could have married Ms Rice, given that she had never lived in Nigeria. He replied that she was a Nigerian from Ilesa and they met in Obalende while he was in the Air Force. I was almost getting dizzy from the mazy and utterly deranged story he was telling.

“Did she divorce you?” I asked. No, he replied. I said I didn’t believe his story, but Saib said it was true. I asked for the wedding photos. He said they were with Justice Chukwudifu Oputa. My beer started tasting like piss. I became afraid.

“Oga, was Justice Oputa your best man or what?” He just said the photos were with him. I asked for Ms Rice’s alleged maiden name. “Adeyemi,” he replied. I advised him to go to her family house at Ilesa. He said he had forgotten how to get to the place. I knew I’d get into trouble if I didn’t find a way to quickly leave. I chose not to have an extra drink and called the waiter to come for payment. Still, I couldn’t just get up. I was in the presence of a genuine crackpot and I couldn’t predict his response if I chose an abrupt end to the meeting.

“When last were you in touch?” He didn’t remember the year, but said Ms. Rice sent him $250,000 cash through a friend. I became more scared. A mind diseased enough to produce a narrative such as the one I was being fed must be dangerous. No mas, I told myself. I said I would work on the lead given and get back to them on the time for another meeting.

I asked if they wanted pepper soup and extra drinks (certainly not out of generosity, but to forestall possible adversarial reaction to my soon to be exit). They both said they did.  I ordered and paid before reminding them that I had a meeting to attend. The man, at least, grinned. I took the grin as a hint that he was not about to be triggered.

I warned that he was rolling with a staggeringly mad man, a Tier-A lunatic and one that could behead him with his teeth!

I thanked them for coming, got into my car and puffed my cheeks in relief. At the junction of Acme Road where my office is located, I parked and called Saib, pretending to want to ask if they were okay. He said they were and were waiting for the pepper soup. I told him exactly how I felt with what he had done. “You have exposed me to grave danger,”  I told him. I warned that he was rolling with a staggeringly mad man, a Tier-A lunatic and one that could behead him with his teeth!

He couldn’t say much because he was still with the subject of our conversation. After my meeting in the office, I called Adeola Daramola, who introduced us, to tell him that Saib had tried to have me killed, providing details of the story. He was shocked and them burst out laughing so hard that I thought he was going to pee himself. When he regained control, he asked: “Se ki se pe o re Saib? (I hope Saib has not become sick in the head).”

I think (don’t know for sure) that Saib got cured of whatever condition that predisposed him to listen to the man let alone believe that he had something resembling a story, as he never called me after that day.

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