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Colourful Opening Ceremony Heralds AFCON 2019 as Egypt Pip Zimbabwe 1 – 0

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Hosts Egypt on Friday evening got their campaign on track with a 1-0 win over Zimbabwe at the Cairo International Stadium in the opening game of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

The game started shortly after a colourful opening ceremony that showcased the rich history of the North African country.

The Pharaohs were unconvincing despite the win, secured courtesy of a Mahmoud Trezeguet 41st minute strike. They had two great chances to take the lead in the opening five minutes but Zimbabwe’s goalkeeper Edmore Sibanda pulled off two stunning saves to keep his side in the game.

Liverpool star Mohammed Salah got the first chance to test Sibanda before the goalkeeper tipped Marwan Mohsen’s header over the crossbar.

But the Pharaohs were lucky not to have fallen behind in the 37th minute, when a great ball in found KhamaBilliat in the Egyptian box, but the onrushing Mohamed El Shenawi, in goal for the hosts, thwarted the dangerous striker’s effort, spilling it out for a corner. Zimbabweans breached their defence for the first time, but fail to hit target. It was a missed opportunity for the Warriors.

Egypt finally broke the deadlock through Trezeguet in the 41st minute, with Sibanda finally beaten after some poor defensive work by the Warriors.

Among the dignitaries present at the opening ceremony at the Cairo International Stadium were the Egyptian president Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi – the only person who delivered a message of welcome.

“I welcome all of you, our dear African brothers, in your second homeland, Egypt, wishing you happiness,” Al-Sisi said, while declaring the continent’s top football showpiece open.

The other African president at the event was Mozambique’s Filipe Nyusi. FIFA president Gianni Infantino was also present along with CAF president Ahmad Ahmad. Other big wigs of CAF and the Egyptian FA were also present.

Nigerian musician Femi Kuti performed the official song of this year’s AFCON, along with Egypt’s Hakim and Ivory Coast’s DobetGnahore.

The official song, titled ‘Metgameen’, translates as ‘We Are Together’.

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US Lawmaker Seeks More Airstrikes in Nigeria, Insists Christian Lives Matter

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United States Representative Riley Moors has said further military strikes against Islamic State-linked militants in Nigeria could follow recent operations ordered by President Donald Trump, describing the actions as aimed at improving security and protecting Christian communities facing violence.

Moore made the remarks during a televised interview in which he addressed U.S. military strikes carried out on Christmas Day against militant targets in North-west Nigeria.

The strikes were conducted in coordination with the Nigerian government, according to U.S. and Nigerian officials.

“President Trump is not trying to bring war to Nigeria, he’s bringing peace and security to Nigeria and to the thousands of Christians who face horrific violence and death,” Moore said.

He said the Christmas Day strikes against Islamic State affiliates had provided hope to Christians in Nigeria, particularly in areas affected by repeated attacks during past festive periods.

According to U.S. authorities, the strikes targeted camps used by Islamic State-linked groups operating in parts of north-west Nigeria.

Nigerian officials confirmed that the operation was carried out with intelligence support from Nigerian security agencies as part of ongoing counter-terrorism cooperation between both countries.

The United States Africa Command said the operation was intended to degrade the operational capacity of extremist groups responsible for attacks on civilians and security forces.

Nigerian authorities have described the targeted groups as a threat to national security, noting their involvement in killings, kidnappings and raids on rural communities.

Moore said the strikes marked a shift from previous years in which attacks were carried out against civilians during the Christmas period. He said the U.S. administration was focused on preventing further violence by targeting militant groups before they could launch attacks.

U.S. officials have said the military action was carried out with the consent of the Nigerian government and formed part of broader security cooperation between the two countries. Nigeria has received intelligence, training and logistical support from international partners as it seeks to contain militant activity.

Moore had previously called for stronger international attention to attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria and has urged continued U.S. engagement in addressing extremist violence. He said further action would depend on developments on the ground and continued coordination with Nigerian authorities.

Nigerian officials have maintained that counter-terrorism operations are directed at armed groups threatening civilians, regardless of religion, and have reiterated their commitment to restoring security across affected regions.

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Renowned Boxer Anthony Joshua Survives Ghastly Road Accident

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World-renowned boxer Anthony Joshua on Monday survived a ghastly road accident in Makun, Ogun State.

Eyewitnesses report that the incident occurred along a busy highway of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.

The vehicle carrying Joshua, a Lexus Jeep with the number plate, KRD 850 HN, reportedly collided with a stationary truck under circumstances that are still being investigated.

Joshua reportedly sustained minor injuries, while two persons were said to have died on the spot.

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Atiku Warns Against Hasty Re‑gazetting of New Tax Laws

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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has cautioned that any attempt to hurriedly re‑gazette Nigeria’s new tax laws could undermine parliamentary oversight and set a dangerous constitutional precedent.

Atiku’s warning follows public scrutiny over reports that the Tax Reform Acts signed by President Bola Tinubu differ from the versions passed by the National Assembly. Lawmakers, including Abdussamad Dasuki, raised concerns that the alterations could pose serious legal and constitutional risks, noting that they were not backed by any constitutional framework.

In a statement on X, Atiku said the directive to re-gazette the Acts effectively confirms “that the gazetted version of the Tinubu Tax Act does not reflect what was duly passed by the National Assembly,” calling it “a grave constitutional issue.”

He emphasized that under Section 58 of the 1999 Constitution, a bill only becomes law after passage by both chambers, presidential assent, and gazetting.

“Gazetting is merely an administrative act of publication. It does not create, amend, or validate a law,” Atiku said, adding that any post-passage insertion, deletion, or modification without legislative approval constitutes forgery rather than a clerical error.

Atiku further warned that rushing a re-gazetting while legislative investigations are ongoing “undermines parliamentary oversight and sets a dangerous precedent,” stressing that the only lawful approach is “fresh legislative consideration, re-passage by both chambers, fresh presidential assent, and proper gazetting.”

The former vice president clarified that his position is not opposition to tax reform but a defence of constitutional order.

“This is a defence of the integrity of the legislative process and a rejection of any attempt to normalise constitutional breaches through procedural shortcuts,” he said.

The Federal government has denied wrongdoing, insisting the laws will take effect as scheduled on January 1, 2026, while the National Assembly has directed the issuance of Certified True Copies of the Acts to ensure clarity and accuracy.

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