Connect with us

E-News

2021 AFCON Qualifiers Postponed Over Coronavirus

Published

on

Two rounds of 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers scheduled for March have been postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) said on Friday.

Rounds three and four of the pool qualifiers were due to be played in the international window from March 25 to March 31.

But the CAF emergency committee has postponed the games until further notice, without providing alternative dates.

The Nations Cup finals in Cameroon have been moved forward to next January and February to avoid the rainy season, which means the qualifiers will have to be completed this year.

That could see a delay to the start of the African qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup which were due to start in October.

The Nations Cup qualifiers would have involved 48 countries.

Many players would have been travelling from the major European leagues in Italy, France, England, Germany, and Spain, where the coronavirus has disrupted domestic fixtures.

CAF has also postponed qualifiers for the 2020 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations scheduled for April and this month’s Women’s Under-20 World Cup preliminaries.

“We would like to assure you that CAF is monitoring the situation closely and working with the competent authorities such as WHO (World Health Organisation) on the impact of the virus in the continent and CAF competitions,” a statement said.

The African Nations Championship (CHAN), a national team competition for home-based players, is still on in Cameroon from April 4 to April 25.

But this is dependent on the findings of the CAF medical committee who will visit the country this weekend to assess preventative measures taken by the Local Organising Committee.

Morocco’s football federation has called a meeting for Monday to decide whether they will play in the tournament.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Business

Ghana’s Delegation In Nigeria To Marine Cargo Sector

Published

on

By

Commissioner for Insurance, Olusegun Omosehin received delegates from Ghana's Marine Cargo Technical Committee on a study tour of Nigeria's marine cargo sector at his office in Abuja recently. The delegation was led by Mr. Fred Asiedu-Darteh of Ghana Shippers' Authority.

Continue Reading

Business

Stakeholders Assess Progress, Challenges In Implementing Building Insurance Regulations

Published

on

By

The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) convened the fourth meeting of the Joint Committee on Insurance for Public Buildings and Buildings Under Construction recently in Abuja.
The meeting, chaired by the Deputy Commissioner for Insurance, Finance and Administration, Mr. Ekerete Ola Gam-Ikon, brought together stakeholders to discuss progress and challenges in implementing insurance regulations for public buildings and buildings under construction.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Gam-Ikon welcomed new members from the quantity surveying profession and briefed the committee on NAICOM’s enforcement efforts, which have commenced with third-party motor insurance and are expanding to public buildings and buildings under construction. He emphasized the importance of collaboration with regulatory agencies and highlighted the commission’s focus on claim settlement, citing the example of a fire incident at a Cash and Carry supermarket where insured parties received prompt claim payments.

The committee discussed implementation progress, with the representative from Development Control indicating that they have started enforcing insurance requirements since January 2025 but are awaiting necessary documents to commence full enforcement. Other stakeholders, including the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) and the Federal Fire Service, shared their perspectives on the importance of complete documentation, risk assessment, and insurance coverage.

The Chairman of the joint committee, Mr. Gam-Ikon, urged Development Control to establish a database of public buildings and buildings under construction and ensure that only buildings with approved documents are insured. Dr. Talmiz Usman, Director of Legal Enforcement and Market Development at NAICOM, thanked committee members for their support and participation.

The meeting underscored the importance of collaboration and effective implementation of insurance regulations to promote safety and risk management in the construction industry.

Continue Reading

Business

emPLE Partners LASPARK For Tree Planting Initiative

Published

on

By

emPLE has officially flagged off Green emPLE, its company-wide sustainability initiative, with a tree-planting exercise held in partnership with the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK) in Lagos.
As part of the launch, emPLE planted 65 trees across strategic locations in Lagos. The carefully selected tree species were chosen for their environmental benefits such as improving air quality, reducing urban heat, and enhancing the city’s ecological balance.
Speaking at the event, Oyinlade Olalekan, Managing Director of emPLE General Insurance Limited, remarked,
“At emPLE, we’re deeply committed to empowering lives—not just through our financial offerings but by actively contributing to a more sustainable world. The launch of Green emPLE and today’s tree-planting activity are key steps in that journey. Sustainability is one of our core values, and we’re proud to be playing our part in building a cleaner, greener Lagos.”
He added,
“We see Green emPLE as a platform for driving real impact, one initiative at a time. This partnership with LASPARK is only the beginning. We look forward to rolling out more activities that reinforce our mission and encourage others to join us in protecting the planet.”
Mrs. Adetoun Popoola, General Manager of LASPARK, also commended the initiative, saying:
“Our mandate at LASPARK is to promote a greener Lagos through tree planting and urban beautification. It’s always encouraging to see private sector organisations like emPLE step forward in support of this mission. Collaborations like this help us get more done and inspire residents and businesses alike to take sustainability seriously. We are excited about what Green emPLE represents and we look forward to more impactful partnerships.”
To acknowledge emPLE’s contribution, LASPARK presented the company with a Tree Planting Certificate, recognising its role in environmental preservation and its ongoing support for climate resilience and green urban development.
Green emPLE is emPLE’s long-term commitment to promoting sustainable practices that support a healthier planet and empower future generations. The initiative reflects the company’s belief that true empowerment goes beyond financial products it includes taking responsibility for the environment and driving long-term positive change.

Continue Reading