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Tag: Qatar

  • Nigerian Fashion brand shortlisted for Qatar business accelerator program

    Nigerian Fashion brand shortlisted for Qatar business accelerator program

    Luxury women fashion brand, DWL, founded by Nigerian designer, Ivie Odemwingie-Osula, has been accepted into the Scale7 Fashion Accelerator program funded by Qatar Development Bank (QDB).

    Currently based in Qatar with operations in Lagos and Doha, DWL, an acronym for Defining Women’s Lifestyle, was selected alongside nine other prominent Qatar-based fashion and design brands for the program which kicked off on September 18, 2023.

    The program involves provision of specialized mentorship, business development activities and funding.

    Scale7 is the first fashion and design business incubator in Qatar founded by Qatar Development Bank (QDB) in partnership with M7, Qatar’s epicentre for innovation and entrepreneurship in design, fashion and tech.

    Established by Qatar Museums under the leadership of Sheikha Al-Mayassa, M7 responds to the demands of Qatar’s growing fashion and design industries to support Qatar-based promising innovative entrepreneurs with huge market potential to grow their businesses to iconic global fashion and design brands.

    Ms. Ivie Odemwingie-Osula in a statement said,
    “We are absolutely thrilled to have DWL selected for the prestigious Scale7 fashion accelerator program after a rigorous selection process,” says Ms. Ivie Odemwingie-Osula in a statement.

    “This recognition not only validates our vision and hard work but also provides us with unparalleled opportunities for mentorship, networking, and capacity growth towards positioning DWL as a competitive global brand.”

    On how the support from Qatar Development Bank will impact her business, she said ,”Undoubtedly, the government of Qatar will enhance the status of the DWL brand, to increase our operations and growth, globally. For us at DWL, the Business Accelerator Program will amplify our capabilities, allowing us to refine our strategies and scale faster for enhanced brand presence, increased capacity, streamlined operations, and a wider reach and audience. We are excited for the journey ahead and the positive impact it will have on the DWL brand and community.”

    Established 2017 in the bustling Surulere neighbourhood of Lagos State, the now popular luxury DWL brand, which makes ready-to-wear and bespoke blazers sets for women from internationally sourced fabrics and accessories, initially imported ready-made dresses.

    DWL has emerged as a synonym for women’s lifestyle. Personalities that have regularly donned DWL brands include, Owen Omogiafo, CEO of Transcorp Group, Funke Bucknor of Zapphaire Events, Folly Thibault of AlJazeera, Harriet Gyamfuah of Creatives Amplified, among others.

     

  • NDLEA arrests 2 Qatar-based drug lords in Lagos

    NDLEA arrests 2 Qatar-based drug lords in Lagos

    NDLEA has arrested two Qatar-based drug kingpins, following were Eyah Nnamdi, alias Murphy, and Ugwuoke Oluchukwu.

    He explained that Oluchukwu was the first to be arrested on June 9 during the outward clearance of Qatar Airways passengers at the Lagos airport.

    He added that NDLEA officers accosted Oluchukwu travelling to Doha with an Ivorien passport in the name of Hien Narcisse.

    Babafemi stated further that a scrutiny of his black carry-on luggage led to the discovery of a false bottom concealing two parcels of crystalline substance that tested positive to methamphetamine and weighing 1kg.

    “Preliminary investigation showed that the suspect is a Nigerian who had obtained the Ivorien passport for his travels.

    “He confessed that he travelled to Qatar in August 2022 and returned to Nigeria in April 2023 to perfect arrangements for the movement of the drug consignment.

    “A further probe led operatives to Oluchukwu’s Qatar-based senior partner in the trade simply identified as Murphy who was lurking around in Eziani, his home town in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State.

    “Oluchukwu who hails from Igboeze North Local Government Area of the state claimed he holds a National Diploma in Electrical Engineering.

    “A prompt deployment of NDLEA operatives to Eziani community on June 10 led to the arrest of ‘Murphy’.

    “His true identity was later discovered to be Eyah Celestine Nnamdi, who had lived in Indonesia for some years before relocating to Doha,’’ Babafemi stated.

  • Int’l Relations: Bahrain, Qatar end diplomatic feud, restore ties

    Int’l Relations: Bahrain, Qatar end diplomatic feud, restore ties

    The Gulf nations of  Qatar and Bahrain have announced an end to their age-long diplomatic row since 2017.

    Both countries have now re-established diplomatic relations six years after both countries severed relations.

    Recall that Bahrain in 2017 joined Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt in imposing a diplomatic blockade on Qatar. The countries’ rivalry goes back even further, however, and Bahrain is the last to renew ties.

    Agreement on the reconciliation was reached in talks at the Gulf Cooperation Council headquarters in Saudi Arabia, Qatar’s foreign ministry said.

    Bahrain had been the last holdout of four Arab nations that imposed a boycott and blockade on Qatar in 2017. They were angered by Qatar’s support for Islamist groups that rose to power in some countries following the 2011 Arab Spring protests, which the other autocratic nations viewed as terrorist organizations.

    The blockade was lifted at the start of 2021, and Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt have restored ties with Qatar since then, with top leaders paying official visits in recent months.

    Bahrain and Qatar each issued official statements announcing the decision to restore relations following a meeting between their delegations at the headquarters of the Gulf Cooperation Council, a six-nation bloc of which both are members, in the Saudi capital of Riyadh.

    The neighbours “decided to restore diplomatic relations between the two countries according to the principles of the United Nations charter”, said a foreign ministry statement.

    “The two sides affirmed that this step stems from the mutual desire to develop bilaterally
    relations and enhance Gulf unity and integration,” it added.

    Bahrain’s foreign ministry released a similar statement, the country’s state news agency reported.

    Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt imposed a blockade in 2017, accusing Qatar of supporting extremist organisations in the region and becoming too close to Iran.

  • Davido explains why he performed at World Cup Final, few weeks after his son’s death

    Davido explains why he performed at World Cup Final, few weeks after his son’s death

    Multi-award-winning singer, David Adeleke, a.k.a Davido, has explained why he performed at last year’s World Cup just a few weeks after the death of his son, Ifeanyi.

    Revealing how he had to start rehearsals just one month after his son’s death, how it affected him, and how the performance went, Davido said he never knew that it was the World Cup in Qatar.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) recalls that Davido’s World Cup performance was monumental not only because of the magnitude of the stage he was on but also because it was the first time he had performed since the tragic death of his son, Ifeanyi, just about two months prior.

    Davido who dropped his Timeless album hours ago had this to say; “Crazy. This is like a year ago we did the FIFA draw which we performed the official theme song, and I think they had like 5, 6 official theme songs but that was like the first one. And uhm, you know the vibe was cool then but I didn’t really look at it like ‘oh they’re gonna call me back to do the World Cup’ or stuff like that.

    “And then later on, when it was getting closer to the World Cup, I think they started talking to my management like you know, yeah we want David to come down. But me I always thought like: is it the main one? Like is the main main one?’I didn’t even know it was like the main main main one till like a week to going to Qatar.

    Davido explains why he performed at World Cup Final, few weeks after his son’s death

    “Then they sent like yeah, it’s the actual main event and we have to come a week before to rehearse- that’s like a month after my son passed.

    “So it was just like ah! Should I do it? But then I was like ah, this is an opportunity that might never come again, and people don’t even get it in their whole career. And I was like man, my son would probably want me to do it. I was like ‘okay, I think I’ll do this one, then probably just disappear again.

    “So we went to Qatar, got down. Bro, the production, it was like we haven’t done any work at all. Yo, that performance woke us up like whenever we get back to performing, we’re about to be doing some crazy stuff.

    “Amazing experience. Shoutout to the Qatari people, very loving people. Very loving, caring people. They took care of us the whole time. I feel like that was one of the best places I could have gone after what happened to me.”

  • President Buhari jet out to Qatar for UN conference on least developed countries

    President Muhammadu Buhari has travelled to Qatr for the 5th United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDCs).

    The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani  extended invitation to Nigeria’s president

    The once-in-a-decade conference under the theme, “From Potential to Prosperity”, will be held from 5th to 9th March.

    The summit will find solutions to the issues of poverty, food insecurity, hunger, weak infrastructure, inadequate health facilities, and climate change.

    It garners the support of the international community for accelerating sustainable development in the LDCs and assists them to make progress towards achieving prosperity.

    In his speech, President Buhari will reiterate the need for sustainable solutions for countries facing severe challenges.

    He will reinforce Nigeria’s commitment to support such nations and highlight the government’s assistance over the years.

    The delegation includes ministers and other officials who will sign some agreements and Memoranda of Understanding with the Qatari government.

    Presidential spokesman Garba Shehu indicated that the President is expected to return to the country on Wednesday.

  • Qatar 2022: How Argentina defeated France to win FIFA World Cup

    Qatar 2022: How Argentina defeated France to win FIFA World Cup

    The La Albiceleste of Argentina today won the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup after defeating the defending champions France by 4-2 on penalties at the Lusail stadium in Doha Qatar.

    Messi opened scoring in the 27th minute of the encounter, when Barcelona forward, Dembele brought down Di Maria and the resultant penalty led to the La albiceleste first goal of the encounter.

    A nicely done interplay from Lionel Messi and neat low drive pass from Mc Alister to Di Maria on the left exposed the French defense and led to their Argentina’s second goal of the night.

    First half ended 2-0 in the favour the Argentines.

    However, France started the resurgence late in the second half when a French player was fouled in the box 18 and Mbappe stepped up to convert it to put scores at 2-1.

    Mbappe again latched on to a pass from the middle to volley home the equalizer in the 81st  minute to level up proceedings.

    However, Lionel Messi latched on to a loose ball in the 108 minute of extra time after France Goalie Hugo Loris parried a shot to tuck in Argentina’s third goal of the encounter.

    Shortly after an Argentine defender handled the ball in the box 18 and the referee pointed to the spot for a penalty for France.

    Mbappe stepped up again and converted to even scores up.

    Argentina eventually won 4-2 after converting  four penalties as against France’s 2.

    Meanwhile, Mbappe went home with the tournament’s golden boot awards after notching up 8 goals with a hattrick in the final.

    Messi  won the Golden Ball at the 2022 World Cup, cementing him as the best player at the tournament.

    He missed out on the Golden Boot by one goal to Kylian Mbappe, but Messi will take the title over any individual honors.

    He managed to break through some great defensive teams and propelled the team through two penalty shootouts, including one in the final.

    Mbappe won the silver ball award as the second best at the Mundial while Luca Modric won the bronze Award.

    Argentina’s Enzo Fernandez won the young player of the tornament award after an impressive tournament by the Benfica lad.

    Argentina’s goalie, Emiliano Martinez also scooped the golden gloves awards for his heroics in between the sticks.The goalie saved series of penalties at the mundial.

     

     

  • Davido spotted in Qatar, ahead of his closing ceremony performance

    Davido spotted in Qatar, ahead of his closing ceremony performance

    Ahead of his closing ceremony performance at the FIFA 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Nigerian music star, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has been spotted in the country.

    The singer made his second public appearance at the World Cup, since his son’s death in October. He was spotted with singer, Stone Bwoy, and Ghana Black stars assistant coach, George Boateng

    Davido is set to perform at the closing ceremony, which would mark his first performance since he lost his don, Ifeanyi Adeleke.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the internet went wild with joy with the news of Davido’s Qatar performance.

    Chinese businessman, Stephen Hung, shared the good news via his official Instagram story. He claimed that the singer had confirmed that he will be closing the ceremony at the World Cup.

    Expressing excitement, Stephen Hung stated that he cannot wait to see him.

    “So happy my bro @davido confirmed he will be performing at the FIFA World Cup Qatar closing ceremony. Can’t wait to see him there”.

    Also confirming the reports as true, Cubana Chief Priest, who is best friend with Davido, revealed that the singer would be performing at the ongoing FIFA event.

    Recall that Ifeanyi Adeleke, Davido’s son, had an untimely death. It was revealed on October 31 that the 3-year-old boy who had recently celebrated his third birthday on October 20, died after drowning in their family swimming pool in his father’s Banana Island house in Lagos.

    Lagos State Police Command spokesman, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the child’s death.

    He said: “Domestic staff at Davido’s home have been taken to the station to give their own account of what happened,” Hundeyin said. “If after they all give their own account of what happened and after preliminary investigations, if anyone of them is found culpable, the person will now be placed under arrest.”

    The child’s mother, Chioma Rowland, and his father were away when the tragic incident happened at their residence in Lagos.

    The global award-winning musician, 29, got engaged to Rowland, a popular chef, in 2019. The couple had said recently that they plan to marry next year.

  • Qatar bribery: EU parliament moves to sack vice president Kaili Eva

    Qatar bribery: EU parliament moves to sack vice president Kaili Eva

    The European Union (EU) Parliament has voted for the termination of the appointment of Vice President Eva Kaili, over a bribery allegation traced to Qatar, the host of the 2022 world cup.

    Recall that Eva Kaili alongside three others was imprisoned in Belgium following police investigation into alleged corruption linked with Qatar.

    Greek socialist MEP Eva Kaili’s lawyer has declared that she “has nothing to do with Qatar’s bribes”, claiming she was innocent of the allegations

    The parliament’s president, Maltese conservative Roberta Metsola, convened the leaders of political groups before calling on MEPs to vote “on the early termination of office of Vice President Eva Kaili”.

    A Belgian judge will decide tomorrow whether to maintain her and three co-accused in custody pending her trial.

    She was arrested last week during a series of raids on the homes and offices of several MEPs and their assistants or associates carried out by Belgian graft investigators.

    Belgian prosecutors said 600,000 euros ($630,000) were found at the home of one suspect, 150,000 euros at the flat of an MEP, and several hundred thousand euros in a suitcase in a hotel room.

    Some of these “bags of cash” were found in Kaili’s home, a judicial source said, leading a judge to conclude that, as she had apparently been caught red-handed her parliamentary immunity would not apply.

    A Belgian judicial source told AFP that investigators believe that figures representing Gulf monarchy Qatar had been paying off European politicians to burnish the country’s image.

    Qatar has denied any involvement in European corruption. “Any claims of misconduct by the State of Qatar are gravely misinformed,” an official told AFP.

    Kaili’s lawyer Michalis Dimitrakopoulos told private Greek television channel Open TV: “Her position is she is innocent. She has nothing to do with Qatar’s bribes.”

    Asked if any cash was found at Kaili’s home, Dimitrakopoulos said: “I am not confirming or denying. There is confidentiality. I have no idea if money was found or how much was found.”

  • Qatar 2022: How France resisted England to reach semi-finals

    Qatar 2022: How France resisted England to reach semi-finals

    Reigning champions, France resisted pressure from England on Saturday night to qualify for the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, after a 2-1 victory.

    The holders broke the deadlock in the 17th minute through Aurelien Tchouameni’s long-range strike into the bottom corner.

    England made a bright start to the second half, though, and were awarded a penalty after Bukayo Saka was tripped, and Harry Kane fired it into the back of the net.

    Olivier Giroud restored France’s lead in the 78th minute with a header from close range and the Three Lions had another chance to equalise from the spot, but Kane blazed that one high over the bar.

    With the win, France will face Morocco in the semi-final on Wednesday as they edge closer to completing a successful title defence.

  • Qatar 2022: How Argentina’s goalie kept Messi’s World Cup hope alive

    Qatar 2022: How Argentina’s goalie kept Messi’s World Cup hope alive

    Argentina’s goalkeeper, Emi Martinez on Friday night made two wonderful penalty saves in their quarterfinal encounter against The Netherlands to keep Lionel Messi’s hope of winning the World Cup alive.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Martinez saved penalty kicks from Virgil van Dijk and Steven Berghuis to secure them a 4-3 shootout win over The Netherlands.

    Martinez saves gave his side the advantage, with the Albiceleste edging a 4-3 victory in the shoot-out to set up a semi-final showdown with Croatia.

    Lautaro Martinez scored the winning penalty kick to secure the win after their World Cup quarter-final match finished 2-2 after 120 minutes of play.

    In a scrappy half-hour of extra time with the scores level, Enzo Fernandez rattled the post in the closing seconds. Martinez and German Pezzella also had efforts blocked or parried away as Argentina desperately pushed for a winner.

    The Netherlands had rarely troubled Argentina during the match before substitute Wout Weghorst’s header 10 minutes later sparked them into life. He rolled the ball past goalkeeper Emi Martinez deep into stoppage time to send the game into extra time.

    Argentina captain Lionel Messi had superbly set up Nahuel Molina for their first-half opener, threading a sublime pass through the Dutch defence. He then coolly slotted in a penalty kick in the 73rd minute after Denzel Dumfries fouled Marcos Acuna.

    Argentina will next face Croatia, who beat Brazil earlier in the day on penalty kicks also, on Tuesday for a place in the final.