AFCON Final: Mixed Reactions Trail Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria's Performance

By Rasheed Aladejana

Several reactions have trailed the final match of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) between Cote D’Ivoire and Nigeria.

The Elephants of Cote D’Ivoire yesterday beat the Super Eagles of Nigeria by 2 goals to 1 at the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpé in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

The Nigerian team, who defeated the host in their first meeting at the group stage of the tournament by a lone goal through a penalty played by William Troost-Ekong, could not replicate the same feat as they looked like the shadow of themselves from the start to the end of the final.

The Super Eagles took the lead in the 38th minute as William Troost-Ekong silenced the partisan crowd at Ebimpé’s Olympic Stadium with a header to the top of the net.

But Franck Kessié pulled the host's level shortly after the hour mark through a downward header from Simon Adingra’s corner that posed many threats to Nigeria's midfield and defence.

Sébastien Haller snatched the spoils just nine minutes from time as he met another Adingra delivery with an outstretched leg in the penalty area.

The victory on their home soil made the Elephants replace their head coach Jean-Louis Gasset with Emerse Faé following a poor group stage performance, the first nation after Egypt to win the tournament as host in 2006.

In different interviews with ECHO MEDIA, Super Eagles fans who reacted to the match expressed their dissatisfaction with the team's poor performance, while some praised the performance of both teams.

A fashion designer, Friday Emmanuel, said he was not impressed with the way the Super Eagles approached the final match in comparison with their previous outings.

"I was not impressed with the way Jose Peseiro approached the game by parking the bus against the host country who have the support of their fans.

"If the Super Eagles had approached the game with a mass attack formation, they would have been crowned the champion, but we shall see what they will play in the next tournament," he said.

A blacksmith, Ibrahim Oladapo, while expressing his dissatisfaction said, "Ivory Coast fully deserves this win. Because they needed it more than Nigerians needed it. Their approach towards the game shows that."

In his part, Benjamin Adebayo, a graduate of Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba, praised the Super Eagles for their performance since the beginning of the tournament but urged the team to put more effort into the next matches.

"Looking at both teams from the beginning of the tournament to the final, Nigeria deserves the trophy but based on the performance yesterday at the finals, the Ivorians displayed an exceptional performance yesterday so they deserved the victory.

"The Super Eagles did their best and Nigerians are happy for their achievement in getting to the finals, it's not an easy task. Those boys needed to be praised honestly, they did their best. Senegal also lost their AFCON finals before winning it in the 2nd attempt," Benjamin said.

A 400-level student of Mass Communication, AAUA, Manuwa Shola, commended the efforts of the Nigerian players and the head coach, adding that they made the country proud by getting to the final. He advised the team to keep their heads up and improve on their game.

"In the last edition of AFCON, our team got knocked out at the round of 16 by Tunisia, but in this year's edition, we made it to the final, so the player and the coach must be applauded so they can put more effort into the next edition", Shola advised.

The Nigerian Super Eagles had been to the final eight times and have won it just three times in 1980, 1994, and 2013 respectively.

Also, the Ivorians have now matched Nigeria on three titles after emerging victorious at the 2023 Cup of Nations for the first time since 2015.

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Ondo Writing Festival: Writers Urged To Make The World Better

By: Emmanuel Oluwadola

Upcoming writers in Ondo State have been advised to make the world a better place through writing, emphasising the importance of consistency and research in content creation.

This was the admonition of speakers at the 2024 Ondo Writing Festival organised by Apex Thinking Academy, held at The Redeemed Christian Fellowship (RCF AAUA) auditorium yesterday.

The convener, Miss Josephine Adetula, founder of Jossy Writing Service, explained that the event aimed at igniting passion in upcoming writers. She appreciated sponsors and individuals who contributed to the successful first edition.

Speaking on the theme, "Unleashing Potentials: Making The World A Better Place Through Writing," Adetula urged participants to keep writing to become better writers in their sphere of influence.

One of the speakers, Samuel Owooso, urged writers to be careful of the content they share online, stressing that content writing requires adequate research and a need to focus on a medium and niche for improvement.

"Focus on a medium that has your audience's focus. You can't be everywhere. Complement your content ideas with good research. Have a value you want to add to the world. Content creators are not lazy individuals; they read! Take action and start with the little gadgets you have," he said.

Speaking on building a professional brand on LinkedIn, Miss Esther Oguntuase advised participants to use social media tools to contribute positive value to their own lives and society.

Oguntuase said with a social media platform like LinkedIn, students can now project themselves more as professionals, adding that consistency, alignment, and memorable brand identity are needed for a professional distinction.

"Sharing content on social media does not make you a professional writer; you have to build it. LinkedIn, for example, opens professional opportunities for you even as a student or writer. It gives you trust and credibility and employers can even refer to your account without necessarily checking your CV.

"To build a brand on LinkedIn, you need to have a niche. Update your profile because the way you appear tells a lot about you online. People now judge a book by its cover. Start sharing content, leverage opportunities, and network with people. Don't share content or comment on social media that will haunt you in the future," she said.

Another speaker, Ayomiposi Balogun, a software engineer, emphasized that media and technology as tools have helped improve content dissemination and accessibility in this age.

"Technology evolution has enhanced accessibility to social media content and opportunities. Writers, however, should ensure they make the world a better place through writing by using modern media and technology tools," he said.

Balogun added that writers should avoid information overload, plagiarism, and copyright violation but envision future advantages in media and technology.

During the panel session, themes such as Fashion and Writing, Tapping into Potential in the Online Space, Public Relations and Advertising Strategy in Writing were thoroughly addressed.

The event also features spoken word poetry, writing training, networking, giveaways, debates, games, and among others.

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‘We'll Make AAUA NAMACOS Shine’ – New President

By Emmanuel Oluwadola

The newly inaugurated president of the National Association of Mass Communication Students, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko chapter, Oyolola Samuel (SammyP), has assured continuous good work to promote the association.

Oyolola emphasized this at the inauguration ceremony of the 2023/24 NAMACOS new executives held at the Mass Communication Relaxation Centre (MRC) today.

He stressed the importance of establishing more concrete and beneficial protocols to bring the association and the University to the limelight in Nigeria and beyond.

"I and the newly inaugurated executives will do all we can to continue the good works, shine brighter the light of Mass Communication AAUA, and establish more concrete and beneficial protocols that will make our department shine brighter among all lights in AAUA and other universities in Nigeria and beyond."

Oyolola added that the new administration will remain faithful to the work inherent in building a great association, assuring unwavering confidence and love in its members.

Joining Oyolola to pilot the affairs of the department for another academic session include Adekunle Oluwadarasimi as Vice President, Kayode Anuoluwapo Public Relations Officer, Asota Marvellous General Secretary, Adubiaro Olajumoke as Financial Secretary, Olaoye Esther Treasurer, Olukayode Goodness Social Director, Akinmuwagun Oluwaferanmi Sports Director, and Keita Ibrahim Assistant General Secretary.

In a farewell address, the outgoing president of the department, Akinlonu Oluwatobiloba (Kings), reflected deep gratitude for the support and collaboration that defined their administration.

Akinlonu lauded the invaluable contributions of the department's HOD, Dr Raphael Abimbola, lecturers, non-teaching staff, and SRC members among others, commending their unwavering support.

The outgoing president, however, expressed a deep sense of fulfilment and appreciation for the privilege to serve, leaving behind a legacy of positive contributions and achievements.

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Again, Mandela Washington Fellow, Saheed Ibrahim shines at NUJ Awards

By Our Reporter 

Mandela Washington Fellow, Saheed Ibrahim has again proven his exceptionality at the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Ondo State Council's 2023 ceremony.

The prolific reporter and storyteller won the Investigative Reporter and Education Reporter of the Year (print) awards.

Saheed was the only reporter in the state with double awards, held at the NUJ Press Centre, Akure on Friday.

The Education Page Editor of Owena Press Limited won the Investigative Reporter and Best Print Journalist in the 2022 edition.

He was the Grassroots Reporter of the Year 2021.

Speaking with ECHO MEDIA, the C4SPAA Fellow said the awards were recognition of his determination to excel, saying he was spurred to do more.

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