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Messi: Maradona pushing us from heaven
Lionel Messi said the later football hero Diego Maradona is “pushing us from heaven” after Argentina progressed to the World Cup semi-finals.
Argentina has not won the tournament since Maradona inspired their second triumph in 1986, and this is the first finals since his passing two years ago.
Captain Messi has long been compared to the country’s other great number 10, with his performances in Qatar encouraging optimism of a long-awaited third title.
Messi provided a sensational assist for Nahuel Molina against the Netherlands in Friday’s quarter-final, then doubled his side’s lead from the penalty spot.
But Argentina were given a major scare as Wout Weghorst’s dramatic double sent the tie to penalties.
Emiliano Martinez made a pair of saves, allowing Argentina to scrape through before celebrating on the pitch in front of their fans – with Maradona prominent in their thoughts.
“We leave that on the pitch with our people,” Messi said. “We enjoyed that moment both here and in Argentina. People are full of enthusiasm, we are among the four semi-finalists.
“Now we have a weight off our shoulders, and we have been saying this from the beginning: Diego is pushing us from heaven.”
Messi knew how close Argentina came to elimination, although he did not feel the match should have gone that far as Weghorst’s second goal came from a controversial 101st-minute free-kick.
“There was a lot of disappointment when they drew level, which was very unfair,” Messi said. “It came from a set piece which I didn’t think was a foul.
“I don’t want to speak about referees, you can be punished and you can’t be honest. He wasn’t up to the standard and he was hard on us.
“When Lautaro Martinez scored, there was a huge weight off our chests. We could’ve been out after being 2-0 ahead.”
Messi had also been critical of referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz in a television interview with beIN SPORTS. Lahoz showed 14 yellow cards and a red in a hot-tempered encounter.
“We feared before the game because we knew about this referee and FIFA should review that,” Messi said. “They cannot use a referee like this at this stage of the tournament because he was not in control of the match.”
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Leadership by example: FRSC Corps Marshal leads field operations, patrol highways
Leadership by example: FRSC Corps Marshal leads field operations, patrol highways
By Bisi Kazeem
As the year winds down and Nigerians embark on end-of-year travels, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has intensified its efforts to curb road crashes and ensure safer highways. Leading this charge is the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, who has set a sterling example of sacrificial leadership by actively participating in frontline operations during this critical period.
The end of the year is a notoriously perilous time on Nigeria’s roads, marked by increased traffic, heightened road traffic crash risks, and a surge in reckless driving.
However, under the proactive leadership of the Corps Marshal, the FRSC rolled out an unprecedented campaign to reduce road traffic crashes and fatalities, ensuring that the festive season is marked by joy rather than tragedy.
True leadership is not defined by words but by action. The Corps Marshal exemplifies this by personally leading field operations, patrolling highways, monitoring traffic flows, and directly engaging with road users.
His visible presence has reinvigorated the morale of FRSC officers and demonstrated to the nation that leadership is about service and sacrifice.
He defied insecurity on the highways and embarked on a traffic monitoring operation from Abuja, the Federal Capital, through Kogi, Ekiti, Ondo, Owo, Ore, down to Edo and Delta.
His decision to lead from the front underscores his commitment to the FRSC’s mission of saving lives and highlights the urgent need for compliance with traffic rules and regulations.
From the beginning of the Ember Months sensitisation campaign in September, the Corps had gone ahead of time, implementing series of robust measures aimed at addressing road safety challenges during the festive season. These remedies include; increased patrols and checkpoints as additional officers and vehicles have been deployed in strategic points on highways to monitor and enforce compliance with traffic laws; organised nationwide safety campaigns targeting speed violations, drunk driving, overloading and seatbelt use.
These campaigns educate drivers on the dangers of reckless behaviours and emphasize the importance of safe driving practices.
The Corps also ensured Emergency Response Preparedness: ambulances, tow trucks, and rescue teams are on standby to ensure rapid responses to emergencies, reducing fatalities and injuries in the event of crashes.
Knowing that the task of making the highways safe is a collective action, FRSC went into the season with strengthened partnerships with key stakeholders, including the Nigeria Police Force, transport unions, traditional rulers and local communities, to foster a united front in the battle against road crashes.
The Corps Marshal’s leadership has inspired not just his officers but also the general public.
His direct involvement sends a clear message that road safety is a shared responsibility requiring the commitment of all stakeholders.
The Corps Marshal’s hands-on approach during this critical period has not only motivated the FRSC team but has also restored public confidence in the agency’s commitment to saving lives,” said a motorist who witnessed the Marshal’s activities firsthand on the Niger Bridge.
The monitoring activities carried out across major corridors suggest that the intensified efforts are yielding positive results, with a noticeable reduction in road crashes and fatalities compared to previous years.
The Corps Marshal’s example of sacrificial leadership has brought renewed vigor to the FRSC’s operations, ensuring that every life is valued and protected.
Needless to state that the FRSC Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, is indeed an enigma, a force to be reckoned with and a true example of practical leadership in public service as he leads yet again by example in the fight against road crashes in Nigeria.
Taking active front-line roles, dedicating to sacrificial leadership and willingness to take bold steps to address the challenges facing Nigerian roads.
By setting the pace, he’s inspiring his team and other stakeholders to join forces in the quest for safer roads in Nigeria.
As the festive season continues, let us all join the FRSC as they call on all Nigerians to support its efforts by adhering to traffic rules, avoiding risky driving behaviours, and prioritizing safety on the roads.
Together, with the leadership of the Corps Marshal and the dedication of FRSC personnel, a safer, accident-free festive season is achievable.
The Corps Marshal’s leadership reminds us all that effective leadership requires sacrifice, action, and a deep commitment to service.
As Nigerians embark on their journeys this season, they can take comfort in knowing that the FRSC is working tirelessly to make the roads safer for everyone.
*DCM Bisi Kazeem (Rtd), fsi MNIM anipr, a public relations expert and media guru writes from Lagos, Nigeria.
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BREAKING: Adeleke finally pardons ‘fowl thief’ Segun Olowookere
BREAKING: Adeleke Finally Pardons ‘Fowl Thief’ Segun Olowookere
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has granted the prerogative of mercy to Segun Olowookere, a young man convicted of armed robbery and sentenced to death by an Ogun State High Court in 2014.
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Olowookere was pardoned alongside Sunday Morakinyo and 51 others convicted of simple and serious offences on Thursday.
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Lagos-Calabar coastal road: Train track work begins 2025, says minister
Lagos-Calabar coastal road: Train track work begins 2025, says minister
The Federal Government plans to begin constructing train tracks on Section I of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway in 2025.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, made this announcement during an inspection of Sections I and II of the project, which are located within Lagos and being handled by Hitech Construction Company Ltd, on Friday, December 20, 2024.
The details of the announcement were published in a statement on the ministry’s official website on Saturday.
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“The President has given very serious attention to road infrastructure. Don’t forget that this Coastal Highway and, of course, the four Legacy Projects all have the train track incorporated. The construction of the train track for this section I is going to take off in 2025,” Umahi stated.
The Works Minister outlined plans to enhance the Lagos-Calabar Highway in Sections I and II of Phase 1, including solar-powered CCTV cameras, lay-bys every 5-15 kilometers, and security posts for improved safety and monitoring.
He announced that 20 kilometers of Section 1 are scheduled for commissioning by May 2025. The Federal Controller of Works, Engr. Olukorede Kashia, noted challenges such as large refuse dumps and unsuitable soil conditions requiring extensive remediation during the project.
Lagos-Calabar coastal road: Train track work begins 2025, says minister
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