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Real Reason Tinubu Canceled AFCON Trip To Côte d’Ivoire, Delegates Vice President To Lead Nigerian Delegation
President Bola Tinubu has cancelled plans to watch the Africa Cup of Nations final live in Abidjan between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and host country Côte d’Ivoire.
Tinubu, who has come under fire since news filtered from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) that he was billed to attend the final match on Sunday, has now delegated his vice, Kashim Shettima to represent him and lead the presidential team in support of the Super Eagles on Sunday.
Shettima’s spokesman, Stanley Nkwocha, disclosed the decision of the president on Saturday in a release.
Naija News House had reported that the President, Confederation of African Football (CAF), Patrice Motsepe, had confirmed that Tinubu would be present at the stadium on Sunday to watch the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Motsepe, who disclosed this during a Media briefing shared on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Saturday afternoon, had also urged Nigeria to bid for the FIFA World Cup.
Motsepe had said. “If you haven’t been to Lagos, you have never been in Africa… The President of Nigeria (Bola Tinubu) is coming to watch the final on Sunday I was told. I would have a conversation with him about it.”
Motsepe’s statement had elicited reactions from Nigerians, as many criticised the president for failing to show up to console victims of Plateau Christmas Eve massacre that claimed the lives of over 200 citizens and recent Bodija explosion in Ibadan that killed five and destroyed several houses.
An X user, @holusojy70, said, “He didn’t deem it fit to visit the people of plateau during their grieving period, Ibadan blast and the victims werent of importance to Him but AFCON final is of great importance to him.”
“I hope our goals won’t be gone like SUBSIDY. He should please stay in Aso Rock and watch from there. The team will bring the trophy home for him. Let him be in charge of the economy and Shetima in charge of security. We would appreciate Obi to be with the supporters,” @oladare_ayod said on X.
@Paledian, however, queried why Nigerians are optimistic and promote the country.
He wrote: “I don’t understand why many Nigerians don’t have a confidence in Nigeria hosting.
“This will promote your country in so mang ways. 2010 changed South Africa in so many ways.
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See Photos if World’s Tallest and Shortest Women Meet for Afternoon Tea in London
The world’s tallest woman and the world’s shortest woman met for the first time this week, sipping tea from china cups — and bonding over what they have in common while celebrating their differences.
Jyoti Amge, shortest woman, and Rumeysa Gelgi, tallest woman, meet for the first time and share afternoon tea
Rumeysa Gelgi, from Turkey, stands at 7 feet and 0.7 inches, while Jyoti Amge, from India, is 2 feet and 0.7 inches.
Jyoti Amge, shortest woman, and Rumeysa Gelgi, tallest woman, meet for the first time and share afternoon tea
Jyoti Amge, shortest woman, and Rumeysa Gelgi, tallest woman, meet for the first time and share afternoon tea
Jyoti Amge, shortest woman, and Rumeysa Gelgi, tallest woman, meet for the first time and share afternoon tea
“You’re so beautiful,” said Gelgi, 27. “Thank you — you too,” replied Amge, 30.
Their meeting, over afternoon tea at London’s Savoy Hotel on Tuesday, came ahead of Guinness World Records Day, which is held annually in November to mark record-breaking achievements and encourage people to attempt records. The pair have been honored as “World Record icons” in the 70th anniversary edition of the Guinness World Records book.
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“Meeting Jyoti for the first time was wonderful,” Gelgi said in a release Wednesday. “She’s the most gorgeous lady. I was waiting to meet her for a long time.”
Gelgi said the pair bonded over their love for makeup, jewelry and doing their nails.
Video footage showed them sitting down for tea, cakes and sandwiches stacked next to them, with the London Eye visible from the window.
Amge said in the release that she was “so happy to look up” and see the world’s tallest woman, whom she called “good-natured.” She added that it was difficult at times for the pair to make eye contact “due to our height difference.”
“Guinness World Records is all about celebrating differences,” its editor in chief, Craig Glenday, said in a statement ahead of Guinness World Record Day, which is on Thursday.
“By bringing together these two amazing, iconic women, they can share their perspectives on life with each other and, also, with us,” Glenday said.
Gelgi’s record-breaking height is due to a rare genetic condition called Weaver syndrome, which causes rapid growth, according to the National Organization for Rare Disorders.
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The primary symptom is growth and bone development that occurs faster than usual, making those affected taller than average. People with Weaver syndrome may have rigid muscles and difficulty extending their elbows or knees.
Gelgi used a walking aid for support during the pair’s meeting. Her case of Weaver syndrome was the 27th ever diagnosed and the first in Turkey, according to Guinness World Records.
Weaver syndrome is generally caused by changes in the EZH2 gene, according to the NORD, though the organization notes that some people with Weaver syndrome do not have a mutation in the gene.
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Amge, an actor who played the character of Ma Petite in the television series “American Horror Story,” has a genetic growth disorder that occurs in the early stages of fetal development, known as achondroplasia.
According to Johns Hopkins, the condition causes shorter bones, abnormally shaped bones and shorter stature. While the genetic defect can be passed from parent to child, in about 80 percent of cases, achondroplasia results from a spontaneous mutation that occurs in the developing embryo.
On Thursday, Gelgi shared photos on Instagram of the two exploring London despite the cold weather, posing side by side in front of Tower Bridge.
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