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News_Naija

Serie A Star Lookman Confirms Exit From Atalanta Report

~1.1 mins read

Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman has reportedly made a firm decision regarding his future, with sources indicating that his time at Atalanta is drawing to a close. According to Tuttomercatoweb.com on Sunday, Lookman, who has been a key player for the Bergamo-based club, is preparing for a departure at the end of the season. The report states (when translated to English), “Ademola Lookman has already made the most important decision about his future. He will no longer be at Atalanta.” The player had previously come close to a transfer from Atalanta a year ago. Now, a gentleman’s agreement between the parties involved confirms that the parting of ways is imminent. The destination for Lookman remains unconfirmed, but further discussion on the matter was featured in Tuttomercatoweb’s latest podcast, presented by Marco Conterio. The news comes as Lookman continues to make his mark in Serie A. Based on player ratings from those who have been evaluated in at least 19 matches, Lookman currently tops the rankings with an average score of 6.52 — a rating he shares with Nico Paz of Como. Here are the top 20 Serie A player ratings after 31 matchdays, according to Tuttomercatoweb.com: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta) – 6.52 Nico Paz (Como) – 6.52 Nicolò Barella (Inter) – 6.50 Marcus Thuram (Inter) – 6.48 Paulo Dybala (Roma) – 6.48 Mateo Retegui (Atalanta) – 6.46 Mattia Zaccagni (Lazio) – 6.46 Marco Carnesecchi (Atalanta) – 6.41 Alex Meret (Napoli) – 6.39 Valentin Castellanos (Lazio) – 6.39 Moise Kean (Fiorentina) – 6.38 Vanja Milinkovic-Savic (Torino) – 6.37 David de Gea (Fiorentina) – 6.36 Alessandro Buongiorno (Napoli) – 6.36 Federico Dimarco (Inter) – 6.35 Alessandro Bastoni (Inter) – 6.34 Dan Ndoye (Bologna) – 6.33 Riccardo Orsolini (Bologna) – 6.33 Scott McTominay (Napoli) – 6.33 Nicola Leali (Genoa) – 6.31

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News_Naija

Liverpool Set For Big Summer Of Transfers, Says Van Dijk

~1.8 mins read

Virgil van Dijk says he expects a “big summer” for Liverpool in the transfer market as he reportedly closes in on a deal that will secure his future at Anfield. Arne Slot’s men are on the brink of a record-equalling 20th English league title after Sunday’s 2-1 victory at home to West Ham, in which Van Dijk scored the winner. They are 13 points ahead of second-placed Arsenal with just six games to go and could wrap up the title next weekend if results go their way. Van Dijk’s own future is likely to be secured later this week, with the announcement of a two-year contract to match Mohamed Salah’s new deal. Forward Federico Chiesa was the only outfield signing in last year’s post-season transfer window but he has rarely featured and Liverpool manager Arne Slot will be eager to strengthen. “I think Liverpool should be able to challenge for titles in the upcoming years,” said Van Dijk, who captained the team for the 100th time in the league against West Ham. “Whatever happens in terms of players going out, players coming in, I think it should be a big summer. I think they’re planning to make it a big summer, so we all have to trust the board to do the right job. “I think we 100 percent can improve. I think we shouldn’t forget the quality that the Premier League possesses, especially this season. It’s incredible how everyone can beat everyone.” The Dutch international, 33, said Liverpool would also benefit from a pre-season, with no major international competition taking place this year. “This year, there is a training camp and there is time for the team to work on what the manager wants and I think that will then improve the team,” he said. “I think a proper pre-season would definitely help the club in order to be even more consistent than we already have been.” Van Dijk is set to become only the second Liverpool captain to lift the Premier League trophy and he is looking to add to that. “Being successful with Liverpool, the culture of the club, everything that embodies Liverpool — that is just part of me,” he said. “I love the club, that’s pretty obvious. I think you can see that in the way I speak about the club, the way I work for the club in terms of what I do on the pitch on and off the pitch, and that will always be the same.” AFP

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GambiaUpdates

Gambia Secures $10M Loan From ECOWAS Bank To Improve Agriculture

~7.7 mins read

As Part Of Its Efforts To Enhance Food Security And Boost Agricultural Productivity, EBID Has Signed A $10 Million Loan Agreement With The Government Of The Gambia. This Public Sector Funding Will Support The National Food Security Processing And Marketing Corporation (NFSPMC) As Part Of The Second Generation National Agricultural Investment Plan - Food And Nutrition Security (GNAIP II-FNS).

The High-profile Meeting Brought Together Finance, Economy, And Planning Ministers From ECOWAS Member States, Along With Senior Officials From The ECOWAS Bank For Investment And Development (EBID) And Regional Stakeholders. They Convened To Discuss Critical Issues Related To Economic Integration, Investment Strategies, And Sustainable Development In West Africa.

The GNAIP II-FNS Initiative Aims To Ensure The Availability Of Affordable Essential Food Commodities, Enhance Resilience Against Price Fluctuations, And Improve Nutritional Outcomes For Vulnerable Populations. This Will Be Achieved Through Strategic Investments In Technology, Infrastructure, And Capacity Building.

Dr. George Agyekum Donkor, President Of The ECOWAS Bank For Investment And Development (EBID), Said: “The Project Aligns Fully With The Bank’s Priority Sectors And Contributes To The Achievement Of The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Particularly Goal 2, Which Seeks To End Hunger And Food Insecurity.”

He Maintained That The Bank Has Demonstrated Strong Performance And Achieved Strategic Milestones In 2024, Despite Facing Ongoing Global And Regional Challenges. He Emphasized That EBID's Resilient Performance For 2024 Is Characterized By Operational Progress, Strategic Accomplishments, And Enhanced Regional Outreach.

According To The Bank's Annual Report, Dr. Donkor Noted That EBID Successfully Navigated Economic Instability, Geopolitical Tensions, And A Global Health Crisis Through Effective Strategic Leadership And A Committed Board. These Efforts Have Maintained Operational Continuity, Profitability, And Sustainable Growth, All In Line With The Bank's Mission To Promote Development And Integration Among ECOWAS Member States.

Furthermore, Dr. Donkor Discussed The Economic Landscape, Indicating That The Global Economy Is Showing Signs Of Stabilization In 2024, With A Projected Growth Rate Of 3.2% Through 2025. ECOWAS Economies Have Rebounded, Achieving A Regional Growth Rate Of 3.8%. Notably, Nigeria Recorded A GDP Growth Rate Of 3.84% In The Fourth Quarter Of 2024, While Several West African Countries Experienced Growth Rates Between 5.2% And 6.5%, Driven By Key Sectors Such As Mining And Trade. However, He Cautioned That High Inflation And Borrowing Costs Persist, Highlighting The Need For Further Economic Diversification.

In 2024, The ECOWAS Bank For Investment And Development (EBID) Assessed 21 Projects Valued At UA 701.83 Million (approximately USD 1.06 Million), Marking A 52.43% Increase Compared To 2023. Fourteen Projects Were Approved, Amounting To UA 485.17 Million (around USD 2.02 Million), Which Reflects A 22.22% Decline In The Number Of Projects But A 5.62% Increase In Total Value. New Commitments Reached UA 330.76 Million (about USD 0.74 Million), A Decrease From The Previous Year.

The Bank Reported A Profit Of UA 6.43 Million (USD 8.55 Million), Representing A 12.86% Increase From 2023. Resource Mobilization Increased By 30.71% To UA 288.53 Million (approximately USD 0.60 Million), Indicating Stronger Fundraising And Project Execution Capabilities.

By The End Of 2024, EBID Had Surpassed Its Five-year Strategic Plan Targets. Approvals Reached 106% Of The Target, Bolstered By Strong Engagement In The Services Sector. Commitments And Disbursements Were Equally Strong, With Actual Disbursements Exceeding Projections By 7%. Resource Mobilization Outperformed Forecasts By 34%, Driven By Bilateral Loans And Successful Bond Issuances On The UEMOA Market.

The Bank’s Balance Sheet Grew By 5.6%, Reaching UA 1,479.6 Million (USD 1,967.09 Million) By Year-end.

A Highlight Of The Year Was The Inaugural ECOWAS Investment Forum, Which Brought Together Over 400 Stakeholders In Lomé Under The Theme “Transforming ECOWAS Communities In A Challenging Environment.” The Event Showcased More Than 50 Development-ready Projects And Addressed Critical Regional Issues Such As Food Security And Climate Resilience.

EBID Hosted Several High-level Engagements, Including The President’s Roundtable And A Private Sector Webinar. In December, EBID Was Recognized As The “Financial Institution Of The Year” At The African Sustainability Awards For Its Contribution To Advancing Sustainable Development Across The Continent.

A Key Milestone Was The Bank’s Accreditation By The Green Climate Fund On February 18, 2025. This Positions EBID To Attract More Climate Financing, Further Supported By A €100 Million Green Facility Secured From The European Investment Bank.

Seedy K.M. Keita, Minister Of Finance And Economic Affairs Of The Gambia And The Outgoing Chairman Of The Board Of Governors, Expressed Heartfelt Gratitude To His Fellow Governors For Entrusting Him With The Chairmanship Over The Past Year. He Described His Role As Both “an Honor And A Privilege” And Extended Appreciation To The Bank’s President, Dr. George Agyekum Donkor, And His Team For Their “unwavering Dedication, Support, And Commitment” Throughout His Tenure.

Reflecting On The Global Economic Landscape, The Finance Minister Noted That 2024 Presents A Complex Array Of Challenges, Including Geopolitical Instability, Structural Weaknesses, And Climate-related Risks. He Highlighted That Over 60 National Elections Worldwide Have Raised Concerns About Shifting Trade Policies And Disruptions In The Supply Chain. While Inflation Has Shown Signs Of Easing In Advanced Economies, Many Developing Nations, Including Those In The Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS), Continue To Face Price Pressures And Different Monetary Policy Paths.

“Persistent Structural Issues Such As Aging Populations, Low Productivity, And High Debt Levels Further Hinder Growth, Particularly In Developing Economies,” He Added.

Despite These Global Uncertainties, The ECOWAS Region Has Shown Resilience, He Stated, Noting That The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Projects ECOWAS Economic Growth To Be 4.1% In 2024, Up From 3.8% In 2023. “Inflation In The Region Has Eased Slightly, Falling To An Average Of 20.0%, Thanks To Stabilized Food Prices And Fiscal Consolidation Efforts, Particularly Within The West African Economic And Monetary Union (WAEMU).”

The Chairman Drew Attention To A Pivotal Decision Made By The Board Of Governors In 2022 To Increase The Bank’s Authorized Capital From UA 1 Billion To UA 2.5 Billion. As Part Of This Decision, A Third Tranche Of Capital Worth UA 307 Million Has Been Called, With A Payment Deadline Set For December 2025.

“This Decision Was Not Made Lightly,” He Said. “It Was Driven By The Urgent Need To Provide The Bank With Greater Leverage To Meet The Growing Volume Of Requests From Both The Public And Private Sectors.”

He Urged Member States That Have Not Yet Fulfilled The Capital Payment To Do So Promptly, Warning That Non-compliance Could Lead To A Downgrade In The Bank’s Credit Rating. This, In Turn, Would Increase Borrowing Costs For Both The Bank And Its Clients In The Public And Private Sectors.

“Shareholder Support Is Crucial For A Regional Development Bank Like The ECOWAS Bank For Investment And Development (EBID),” Emphasized H.E. Muhammed B.S. Jallow, Vice President Of The Gambia. “Your Financial Contributions Not Only Strengthen The Bank’s Operational Capacity But Also Enhance Its Credibility With Credit Rating Agencies And External Investors.”

As West African Countries Face An Increasing Array Of Socio-economic And Geopolitical Challenges, Vice President Jallow Has Called For An Expanded And Accelerated Partnership With EBID. "Over The Years, EBID Has Assisted Member States In Addressing Infrastructural, Social, And National Challenges In The ECOWAS Sub-region By Financing Projects In Both The Private And Public Sectors," He Stated. "These Initiatives Have Positively Transformed Lives And Impacted Communities."

The Vice President Noted That EBID, Established By The Founding Fathers Of ECOWAS, Is A Vital Institution In Supporting Financing For Public And Private Sectors, With A Central Mission Of Poverty Alleviation. “Its Mandate Is More Relevant Now Than Ever As We Confront Urgent Issues Such As Unemployment, Poverty, Climate Change, And Social Injustice,” She Emphasized.

Reaffirming The Gambia’s Commitment To Regional Cooperation, The Vice President Indicated That The Government Will Continue To Partner With EBID In Implementing Its Recovery-focused National Development Plan. This Plan Aims To Transform The Country Across Various Sectors And Improve The Overall Well-being Of Its Citizens.

“As A Nation, We Aim To Leverage EBID’s Innovative Financing Instruments To Create Jobs, Generate Wealth, And Uplift Communities In The Gambia And The Broader Region,” She Stated. “Now Is The Time For Countries To Seek Alternative Financing And Development Partnerships, Particularly In Light Of Rising Geopolitical Tensions, Global Trade Wars, Structural Economic Weaknesses, And The Growing Impacts Of Climate Change.”

Regarding Trade, The Vice President Highlighted The Region’s Vulnerability To External Shocks, Stemming From Low Intra-African Trade, Which Has Remained Below 10 Percent. “It Is Essential For West Africans To Integrate More Deeply,” He Said. “This Is Where The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Plays A Vital Role In Driving Transformation.”

VP Jallow Urged EBID To Take A Proactive Role In Implementing AfCFTA By Establishing Trade Lines That Would Enable Private Sector Actors To Engage In Cross-border Trade Within The Region. “By Facilitating Intra-regional Commerce, We Can Build More Resilient Economies And Mitigate The Risks Posed By Global Uncertainties.”

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Serie A Star Lookman Confirms Exit From Atalanta Report

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