Reigning African vice-champions Nigeria know they will qualify for the 35th Africa Cup of Nations final tournament if they overcome the Cheetahs of Benin Republic in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign Matchday 5 encounter in Abidjan on Thursday. This knowledge will inform a feisty approach from the first blast of Senegalese referee Issa Sy’s whistle.

After three wins out of their earlier four games (the only draw being the Matchday 2 session with Rwanda in Kigali), the Super Eagles are riding high with 10 points, four more than second-placed Benin Republic, who suffered a glitch in Kigali in the last round of games. A win virtually guarantees Nigeria’s leadership of the group going into the final-day tussles.

On the other hand, the Cheetahs, with six points, know they cannot afford any more slip-ups following the tumble in Kigali, as they could still be tossed if they lose their last two games and Rwanda, on five, earn a minimum of two points in their own final two. Even Libya, with only one point, can still leap over Benin Republic if they beat Rwanda in Kigali, the Cheetahs are bumped by the Eagles, and the Knights rout the Cheetahs in North Africa on Monday.

The foregoing dynamics will make for a vicious 90 minutes at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in the heart of the Ivorian capital on Thursday evening.

With England-based centre-back Semi Ajayi absent as a result of injury, Coach Augustine Eguavoen is most likely to start with the rearguard that squared up to the Mediterranean Knights of Libya in Uyo last month, meaning Captain William Ekong and Calvin Bassey at centre back, with wing-backs Olaoluwa Aina and Bruno Onyemaechi.

Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi and the couple of defensive midfielders Frank Onyeka and Raphael Onyedika are available for the spaces in the middle, while Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon, Victor Boniface, Samuel Chukwueze, Sadiq Umar and Kelechi Iheanacho are in the selection pool for the fore.

Victory will render Monday’s concluding qualifier against Rwanda, at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, an academic session, with only the visitors keen to try and get something out of the clash while the Eagles play for sheer pride.

The management of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, has disclosed its commitment to assist extra-year students struggling with their studies by considering a waiver for them.

The move is in response to a recent suicide attempt by a 200-level student who attempted suicide following academic struggles.

PUNCH Metro exclusively obtained an internal memo on Wednesday, dated November 1, 2024, from the university’s Senate Division.

The memo revealed that a special Committee of Deans meeting was convened to address the case of the affected student and thereafter came up with compassionate measures.

The memo, signed by the Deputy Registrar, M.S. Oluwajoba, revealed that the student, whose name was not stated, had transferred from the Faculty of Pharmacy to the Department of Biology Education, and reportedly attempted suicide on October 16.

The incident prompted the Dean of the Faculty to take up the matter to the higher authorities.

The memo seen by our correspondent was titled, “Decision Extract: Re: Special Meeting of Committee of Deans held on Wednesday, October 16, 2024,” and directed to all deans.

It partly read, “The Dean, Faculty of Education reported a case of a suicide attempt by a Part II student who transferred from the Faculty of Pharmacy to the Department of Biology Education on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. After due deliberation on the matter, the Committee decided that: Members of staff should continue as usual to offer support to our students.

“The departmental and the Faculty Boards of Examiners are advised and encouraged to provide an enabling environment for students’ support.

“Staff and Part Advisers should kindly cooperate in this regard.

“The above information supersedes the earlier circulated decision extract.”

An earlier circular from the office, dated October 17, 2024, had said any student who had only one or two courses to pass to graduate, having attempted those courses in the previous semesters, “should be considered to graduate on compassionate grounds provided such assistance SHALL NOT change the candidate’s class of degree.”

When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the university, Abiodun Olanrewaju, confirmed the decision of the institution, noting this was to prevent further suicide attempts.

In an interview with our correspondent on Wednesday, the varsity spokesperson said, “We want to reduce to the barest minimum the commission of suicide due to academic stress or rigour especially by those in the final year who are repeating one or two courses and they are being delayed by that.

“So, the human face there is, given the situation and circumstance of the country, we should just let them go. It doesn’t cost the university anything, and so that it will not be that somebody commits suicide because of extra academic years.”

Our correspondent however gathered from a top official that the decision “is not official” but considered “in the wisdom of the university” given the sensitivity of the situation.

Twenty-four hours after his swearing-in, Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, on Wednesday, approved the dissolution of the executive of all boards, agencies and parastatals in the state public service with immediate effect.

The directive affected all permanent secretaries appointed outside the civil service.

The governor also ordered contractors in the state to return to sites, asking them to immediately fix all failed portions within the Benin metropolis.

In the same vein, he ordered the immediate and indefinite suspension of the collection of all revenues in the state, especially in motor parks, until further notice.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, the governor ordered all affected appointees to hand over all government properties in their possession to the most senior public officers in their respective ministries, departments and agencies.

The statement read, “It is hereby announced for the information of the general public that the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has approved the dissolution of executives of all boards, agencies and parastatals in Edo State Public Service with immediate effect.

“In addition, all permanent secretaries appointed from outside the state public/civil service and all political appointees are hereby relieved of their appointments.

“Accordingly, all affected appointees are to hand over all government properties in their possession to the most senior public officer in their respective ministries, departments and agencies.”

In another statement, the governor ordered the state Commissioner of Police to arrest anyone who flouted the order on revenue collection suspension.

The statement read, “The Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has ordered the immediate and indefinite suspension of the collection of all revenues in Edo, especially in motor parks and others, until further notice.

“The governor said he would review the issues surrounding the collections soon and decide on the way forward.

“The collection of revenues in the state has been suspended indefinitely. Anyone seen collecting revenues on behalf of the state government will be arrested.

“The Commissioner of Police is hereby ordered to arrest anyone who flouts the order and collects any kind of revenues on behalf of the state government.

“The governor will soon address the issues and concerns raised. He will issue new directives soon. Until then, no one is authorised to collect revenues on behalf of the state government.”

Speaking during an inspection tour of the Upper Mission Extension Road by Aduwawa junction and the Ramat Park Axis in Benin City, Okpebholo said his administration, in line with the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu, remained committed to restoring the hope of Edo people.

Decrying the bad state of the roads, the governor assured residents that work would commence immediately.

He said he was in a hurry to bring the dividends of democracy to the people, by providing motorable roads.

He added, “During the campaigns, I promised that I am going to hit the ground running. Today, I ordered contractors back to the sites. We have no time to waste.

“We promised our people that we would fix and construct the roads. There is only one dry season in a year. This is the time to immediately move to sites and fix the roads.

“So, Edo people should expect good things to happen. We will fix our roads and ensure that our people enjoy the dividends of democracy.”

Some of the areas work is expected to commence immediately include the 7.5km Temboga Road, Lucky Way Junction by Aduwawa, and Ramat Park/Slope Axis.

Similarly, other parts of the state capital to experience immediate mobilisation of contractors are Eyaen Road and Obadan Junction, along the Benin/Auchi road.