Entertainment
Gombe United Storms Aba For Super League Play-Offs
Nigeria National League says Gombe United last Wednesday arrived in Aba for the Nigeria National League Super 8 play-offs which began yesterday.
This is coming as some other teams, who are scheduled to take part in the competition, were yet to leave their bases as at Wednesday afternoon.
Eight teams – Remo Stars, Kada City Stars, Kogi United, Delta Force, Insurance, Shooting Stars, Gombe United and Real Stars – finished first and second in the four groups of the lower league at the end of the season.
But the Super 8 has generated a lot of controversy after the NNL at its Annual General Assembly on November 24 agreed to promote eight teams to the Nigeria Professional Football League for the 2019 season but the League Management Company and the Nigeria Football Federation rejected the proposal, insisting that only four teams would join the 20 teams in the Nigerian topflight.
After the failure of five clubs to honour its previous instruction to participate in the play-offs last December, the NFF instructed the NNL to organise the play-offs among the teams and present four winners for promotion latest January 3.
However, since the NFF’s announcement, our correspondent learnt that the lower league body has failed to communicate with the eight clubs, who will play in the play-offs.
On Wednesday, the NNL in a letter to the Chairman of the NFF Football Committee requested for a shift in the commencement date of the play-offs from January 3 to 5.
“Sequel to our meeting of December 27th, 2018, held in Lagos, we hereby request for a shift of date of commencement of the Super 8 tournament from January 3 to 5, 2019. This is to enable the concerned clubs effect the resolutions of the meeting in good time,” the letter, signed by the Chief Operating Officer of the NNL, Lawrence Katken, read.
However, while awaiting the response of the NFF, Gombe said they have arrived at the venue of the competition and would be there till further instructions on the competition are communicated.
“Our players arrived in Aba on Wednesday and we are ready for the Super 8. We don’t know if there will be a change in the starting date but we followed the January 3 commencement date and any other information will be communicated to us there,” club spokesman Halilu Teli told our correspondent.
But some other clubs officials who spoke with our correspondent said they have yet to arrive in Aba.
Real Stars coach Garba Lawal said, “We are still in Kaduna – in fact the players trained today (Wednesday). We are waiting for the instruction from the club chairman before we leave for Aba.”
Also, 3SC Team Manager Dimeji Lawal said, “The resolution of all the clubs on the Super 8 is still unknown. Shooting Stars have not left for Aba. We are waiting for instructions on the competition.”
Remo Stars spokesman Dimeji Oshode said, “Remo Stars have not left for Aba.”
Meanwhile, Gombe and Real said they have yet to receive the N2m promised them by the NFF.
The NFF Emergency Committee promised to pay each of the three teams who were in Aba in December for the postponed play-offs N2m. Delta Force, Real and Gombe are the affected teams.
Popular businessman and socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, aka Cubana Chief Priest, has said that his relationship with singer Davido is beyond money and gossip.
He stated this in a recent interview with BBC Igbo.
“Davido is my friend. He is my in-law; he married Chioma who is from Imo State where I hail from.
“So the relationship I have with Davido is beyond money and gossip,” he said.
DAILY POST reports that Chief Priest disclosed via his Instagram page that his outfit for the wedding of the singer, Davido and his wife, Chioma, in Lagos on Tuesday cost seven million Naira.
The socialite recently appreciated Davido for not “discarding” Chioma.
He stated that the DMW boss has made Imo State proud by choosing to marry from the state.
Nigerian singer Simisola Kosoko, popularly known as Simi, has lent her voice to the ongoing anti-tax hike protests in Kenya.
The Tide’s source reports that Kenyan youths are marching against tax hike in widespread demonstrations tagged ‘RejectFinanceBill2024.’
Five people were shot dead and dozens wounded after police clashed with protesters who stormed the parliament building in Nairobi on Tuesday, according to Amnesty Kenya.
Reacting via her X handle on Tuesday night, Simi declared her support for the demonstrators.
She stated that “it is both powerful and heartbreaking for a people to have to fight and die for freedoms and rights.”
The singer wrote, “I stand with the people of Kenya. It is both powerful and heartbreaking for a people to have to fight and die for freedoms and rights. Godspeed and Strength. [Hash tag] RejectFinanceBill2024.”
In a series of other posts, she wrote: “Wow. When you’ve had enough, the fight is almost inevitable.
“African leaders- have not you done enough?
“I can’t wait for the day Africa is not a weapon fashioned against Africans. All of this amazing Black power and human resource, but the majority are not likely to thrive unless they run.”
Famous Nigerian Afrobeat singer, Davido was spotted among other top artistes at Asake’s ‘Lungu Boy’ tour concert in Atlanta, Georgia.
Asake’s performance at his sold-out show at the 17,000-capacity State Farm Arena in Atlanta began on August 16, 2024, and is set to run for 10 days.
In a trending video on social media, Davido appeared backstage with American rapper Quavo to support Asake during the live performance.
Other musicians in attendance included Nigerian hitmaker Zlatan and American rapper Russ Millions.
The Tide’s source reports that Asake’s ‘Lungu Boy’ tour is set to cover six U.S. cities, where he will headline notable venues including Madison Square Garden in New York, the Toyota Center in Houston, and the State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
Asake’s tour comes just days after the release of his latest hit, ‘Lungu Boy,’ which features several superstars, including Wizkid, British rappers Central Cee and Stormzy, Travis Scott and Brazilian singer Ludmilla.
‘Lungu Boy’ set a new record for the biggest opening week on Spotify Nigeria, garnering 18.9 million streams in its opening week and breaking the previous record of 14.4 million streams held by Davido’s ‘Timeless.’