Monthly Archives: February 2024

2, February 2024

Basketball: Six unpaired Michael Jordan sneakers sell for $8 mn ⁰

Six single Nike Air Jordans, worn by the eponymous basketball star in the 1990s, sold Friday for a record $8 million, according to auction house Sotheby’s.

Michael Jordan gave the separate shoes to Chicago Bulls communications executive Tim Hallam, after decisive games that helped the club win six NBA championships from 1991 to 1993 and 1996 to 1998.

The purchase price achieved at auction at Sotheby’s in New York is a record for such an unusual offering — and the second highest ever for Michael Jordan collectibles.

The prices reached for the “Dynasty Collection” “will likely never be replicated”, Sotheby’s boasted in a statement that did not disclose the buyer’s identity.

“Today’s record-breaking price is a testament to the GOAT,” said Brahm Wachter, Sotheby’s Head of Modern Collectibles, using a popular acronym for “greatest of all time.”

Last April the company, owned by French-Israeli tycoon Patrick Drahi, auctioned a pair of sneakers worn by Jordan in his last championship final with the Chicago Bulls in 1998 for $2.2 million.

That was a record for the shoes, “Bred” (“Black and Red”) Air Jordan XIII, which were signed by the player.

He wore them in Salt Lake City for the NBA Finals against the Utah Jazz, documented in the Netflix and ESPN documentary “The Last Dance.”

The six shoes sold on Friday were an Air Jordan VI (1991), VII (1992), VIII (1993), XI (1996), XII (1997) and an Air Jordan XIV (1998).

Demand from collectors since 2020-2021 has driven up the prices commanded by such items at auction.

The record for the most expensive jersey in auction history is Michael Jordan’s 1998 final shirt, which went for $10.1 million in September 2022.

It leads Argentine legend Diego Maradona’s World Cup quarter-final shirt from his side’s storied clash against England in 1986, which handily brought in $9.3 million in May 2022.

Source: AFP

2, February 2024

Nigerian traditional monarch shot dead and wife kidnapped ⁰

Armed men have shot dead a traditional ruler, and kidnapped his wife plus one other person in south-western Nigeria, authorities say.

The attackers stormed the palace of Segun Aremu – a retired army general and monarch whose official title is the Olukoro of Koro – on Thursday night.

It is not clear who the gunmen were or whether they are demanding a ransom.

This latest killing and abduction comes days after campaigners demanded a state of emergency to deal with the issue.

Some 50 civil society groups want President Bola Tinubu to make that declaration, saying more than 1,800 people had been abducted since he took office last May.

But the true number of abductions during that time could be more than double that figure, at almost 4,000 people, says Nigerian risk consultancy SBM Intelligence.

No matter how desperate the circumstances, Nigerian law prohibits the payment of ransom money. However, many victims pay up because they do not trust authorities or their track record.

Condemning the killing of the Olukoro of Koro in Kwara state, as “reckless, shocking, and abominable”, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has vowed that the authorities would catch those responsible.

Police say a manhunt is under way. They have also promised the local community they will set up a police outpost.

Nigeria is home to hundreds of traditional rulers, who have no constitutional role but are a respected presence in community life. They are often called upon to settle disputes between local people, and lead cultural activities.

Source: BBC

2, February 2024

Africa Cup of Nations: Lookman goal takes Nigeria into AFCON semi-finals ⁰

Ademola Lookman scored his third goal in two games as Nigeria advanced to the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations on Friday with a 1-0 victory over Angola in the last eight.

Lookman again stole the limelight from Victor Osimhen by following his brace in the 2-0 defeat of Cameroon in the last 16 by breaking the deadlock four minutes before half-time at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium.

The Super Eagles then saw the game out before a crowd of 18,757 in Abidjan, with Osimhen finding the net only for his effort to be disallowed after the VAR ruled him to be offside.

The Napoli superstar, Africa’s reigning footballer of the year, remains stuck on just one goal at this AFCON, but Nigeria’s success has been built around an impressive defence that has now kept four consecutive clean sheets.

“They created more chances against us than anyone else until now. Angola did not reach the quarter-finals by some miracle,” said Nigeria coach Jose Peseiro.

“They are a good team, but once again we didn’t concede. Once again we scored once.

“I would have liked to score more. With better finishing we could have scored another one or two goals, but I am happy. My players deserved it.”

The three-time continental champions advance to a last-four tie next Wednesday against Cape Verde or South Africa in the central Ivorian city of Bouake — those sides meet in the quarter-finals on Saturday.

Angola, meanwhile, go home but this Cup of Nations will be remembered as a success for the Black Antelopes, after they won a knockout tie at the tournament for the first time ever.

Africa’s 28th-ranked side battled bravely here but could not follow up their victory over Namibia in the last round.

“Nigeria are really a very strong team. Congratulations to Jose Peseiro, who has shown how to build a structure that brings success,” said Angola coach Pedro Goncalves.

“I am grateful to my players for the run they have had and very proud of what they have done.”

Nigeria struggled to reach the same heights as against Cameroon six days earlier, undoubtedly affected by the heat and humidity which was even more energy-sapping than at previous points in the competition.

Angola almost took the lead inside four minutes, as a corner from their right was helped on to Mabululu, whose attempt at the near-post was kept out by Stanley Nwabili, the Nigerian goalkeeper who had passed a fitness test to play.

Osimhen tried his luck twice from headers but it was Lookman, the Atalanta forward and former England Under-21 international, who broke the deadlock in the 41st minute.

Moses Simon collected a pass on the left, accelerated away from Kialonda Gaspar and drove into the area before cutting the ball back for Lookman to finish.

Nigeria continued to create chances after the break, but Angola did pass up a glorious opportunity to draw level just before the hour mark.

AEK Athens striker Zini, on as a half-time substitute, was sent through on goal and his effort beat Nwabili, only to rebound back off the far post.

It was a major let-off for Nigeria, who then thought they had killed the game off when Osimhen rose to head home a Lookman free-kick with a quarter of an hour left, the ball going in despite the Angolan goalkeeper getting a touch.

However, the effort was disallowed to the frustration of Osimhen, who carried on until the final moments despite taking a succession of knocks and being helped to the side of the pitch on a stretcher at one point.

Source: AFP

1, February 2024

Biya, Chadian delegation discuss cooperation ⁰

President Paul Biya on Tuesday met with a Chadian delegation made up of three ministers. The two sides discussed ways to enhance their historical, friendly relations.

In a statement issued Tuesday night, the Cameroonian Presidency said that Cameroon is a strategic trade partner to Chad, and that the establishment of a safe corridor for the transportation of goods via the Cameroonian seaports of Douala and Kribi and the Chad-Cameroon pipeline has significantly boosted bilateral ties.

The Chadian delegation was headed by Minister of State Mahamat Ahmat Alhabo.

Alhabo told reporters after the meeting in the Cameroonian capital of Yaounde that they were mandated by Chadian leader Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno “to come and meet his elder (Biya), to explain to him the good relations of friendship and cooperation between our countries, and in return to receive his wise advice so that relations between the two countries are even better.”

Source: Xinhuanet

1, February 2024

Central Africa Communication Ministers Discuss Ways to Stop Hate Speech ⁰

Communication ministers from the Economic Community of Central African States, ECCAS, are meeting in Bangui, Central African Republic, this week to map out ways to stop the spread of hate speech.

Officials from central African states say some influential politicians, business moguls and community leaders are using radio, television and social media to propagate information that has fueled regional crises, resulting in the displacement of millions of people.

Simplice Mathieu Sarandji, prime minister of the Central African Republic, said leaders of the 11-member ECCAS expect communication ministers at the meeting in Bangui to propose lasting solutions to xenophobic statements that are propagated on media outlets.

Sarandji said humanitarian crises are spiraling in ECCAS states because of widespread hate speech.

A separatist crisis in western Cameroon, which has killed more than 6,000 people, was fueled in part by social media propaganda by rebel leaders who are based in Europe and the United States, according to Cameroonian officials.

Hate on social media also fueled an ongoing conflict between ranchers and fishers in northern Cameroon and Chad. Clashes there have killed more than 100 people and displaced more than 80,000.

The 1994 genocide in Rwanda was sparked by hate speech, mostly over radio, by Hutu extremists against Tutsis.

Joanne Adamson, deputy head of MINUSCA, the U.N. stabilization mission in the Central African Republic, spoke about the Bangui meeting on state TV in the CAR.

She said the focus on hate speech is an important step toward finding solutions to fighting that sparked a mass movement of people fleeing in search of safety. By organizing the forum, Adamson added, the 11 ECCAS member states indicate they are ready to support and defend values that are vital to consolidate peace and security and promote human rights.

The ministers said they will enact legislation to punish people who use TV, radio and print media to propagate hate speech, but gave no further details. They also have agreed to control harmful content they say runs rampant on social media.

Charly Gabriel Mbock, an anthropologist and conflict resolution specialist at the Yaounde-headquartered Catholic University of Central Africa, said the ministers should launch campaigns against hate speech in restive central African towns and villages.

To do this, Mbock said, ECCAS communication ministers must educate clerics and traditional rulers that peace is priceless, before using radio, television and print media to call on civilians to reject and denounce calls for violence, especially on social media. He said central African governments should also make sure media laws being prepared against hate and xenophobic language do not infringe on press freedom.

The communication ministers say they will submit their recommendations to ECCAS governments with the hope that if hate speech and xenophobic statements can be stopped, peace will return to restive areas.

Source: VOA

1, February 2024

Douala businessman Hervé Bopda arrested for ‘great number’ of rapes ⁰

Cameroonian socialite Hervé Bopda has been arrested after abuse allegations against him prompted national outrage.

Earlier this month, Mr Bopda and his acquaintances were accused by a popular activist of committing a number of crimes against roughly 200 victims.

Dozens of social media users have subsequently posted fresh allegations of sexual and physical abuse, many using the hashtag #stopbopda.

Mr Bopda, known for his jet-setting lifestyle, has denied all wrongdoing.

On Wednesday, after Mr Bopda was arrested, his lawyer said the accusations were “scandalous”.

Speaking to the BBC, Mr Ojong Ashu acknowledged that the recent slew of abuse allegations prompted his client’s arrest, but insisted that Mr Bopda had been arrested for his own safety.

On 19 January, Cameroonian activist and internet personality N’zui Manto began releasing what he said were “testimonies” from men and women who alleged they had been assaulted by Mr Bopda and his acquaintances.

These included allegations of rape, kidnapping, harassment and physical assault.

The ensuing allegations from social media users, mostly women, sparked calls for Mr Bopda to be investigated by police.

By Monday, the hashtag #stopbopda had become the number one trending topic among Cameroonian users on X, formerly Twitter.

Public figures have also voiced concern. Marie-Thérèse Abena Ondoa, Cameroon’s minister for women’s empowerment, called the accusations “unspeakably serious” in a statement last Friday.

Ms Ondoa said she encouraged “all victims to break the silence in order to break the chain of violence and to provide the judicial authorities with the information they need to carry out proceedings aimed at establishing the facts and, where appropriate, convicting the perpetrators of these appalling crimes”.

She also commended a group of Cameroonian human rights lawyers who had lodged a police complaint against Mr Bopda.

Alongside the lawyers and Ms Ondoa, celebrities from Cameroon and the wider African continent have called for action.

Popular Nigerian Afrobeats musician Ayra Starr posted “#StopBopda!!!” on X last Thursday.

Mr Bopda is widely known within Cameroon as a socialite, businessman and the son of late construction magnate Emmanuel Bopda.

Source: BBC

1, February 2024

Hamas chief due in Cairo for Gaza truce discussions ⁰

The head of the political bureau of the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas is due in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, for talks on a new ceasefire proposal, as the Israeli regime continues its brutal war against the besieged Gaza Strip.

Ismail Haniyeh is scheduled to attend a meeting in Cairo on Thursday to discuss the proposal for a six-week truce plan put forward by senior Qatari and Egyptian officials during recent meetings in France.

The three-stage plan would start with an initial six-week halt to the war that would see more aid deliveries into Gaza, AFP quoted a Hamas source as saying.

The source further said that there would also be “negotiations around the withdrawal of Israeli forces,” with possible additional phases involving more captive-prisoner exchanges.

The territory’s rebuilding is also among the issues addressed by the deal, the source said.

In a press statement on Tuesday, Haniyeh confirmed that the movement had received an invitation to visit Cairo in order to reach an “integrated vision” on the new ceasefire proposal and discuss requirements for the implementation of a potential agreement.

Source: Presstv

1, February 2024

Buea Attack: Biya regime ‘main losers’ of Southern Cameroons war, incapable of eliminating Amba fighters ⁰

The Vice President of the Ambazonia Interim Government says 91-year French Cameroun dictator and his Francophone military barons have failed to eradicate Southern Cameroons Restoration Forces and have lost their war in Southern Cameroons.

Comrade Dabney Yerima said the recent attack on the city of Buea is the result of the failure of Yaoundé and its Francophone dominated military to eliminate Amba fighters through the war.

“In the Buea restoration action, we see that La Republique du Cameroun is not capable of destroying Ambazonia Restoration Forces in Southern Cameroons. Southern Cameroons Restoration Force is a liberation and legitimate movement and will remain in Ground Zero,” Yerima said in an interview with Cameroon Concord News on Wednesday.

“The winner of the war in Southern Cameroons is the Federal Republic of Ambazonia and all resistance groups. So far, Biya and his Beti Bulu soldiers have been the main losers of this war” Dabney Yerima furthered.

Yaoundé waged the war on English speaking Cameroon seven years ago after the leader of the Ambazonian people Sisiku Ayuk Tabe declared the independence of West Cameroon from the Francophone majority.

Since the start of the war, the Biya regime has killed over 10,000 Southern Cameroonians, mostly women and children, and left vast swathes of villages in ruins.

An additional, some 4,000 Cameroon government army soldiers have been reportedly killed by Amba fighters with scores injured.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai