Gareth Southgate Taking a Break: Former England manager Gareth Southgate has announced that he will not return to coaching for the next year, following England’s defeat in the Euro 2024 final. Southgate, who resigned from his role after the loss to Spain, made the announcement during the European Club Association general assembly in Athens, stating, “I won’t coach in the next year for sure, I’m certain of that.” This news puts to rest any rumors of him succeeding Manchester United’s current manager, Erik ten Hag, who has faced challenges with the team.

Southgate, England’s former coach, has long been linked with Manchester United due to his close connection with the club’s new sporting director, Dan Ashworth. Ashworth, previously the technical director of the Football Association, played a significant role in Southgate’s appointment as England’s head coach.

Their relationship has fueled speculation about Southgate potentially taking over managerial duties at Old Trafford. However, the 54-year-old remains firm in his decision to take a step back from football management for the foreseeable future.

Gareth Southgate Taking a Break in his statement, Southgate emphasized the need for time to make thoughtful career decisions. “When you come out of a really big role, you need to give your body and mind time to recover. I’m enjoying my life right now, so there’s no rush,” he shared. He also mentioned that despite many new opportunities coming his way, he isn’t in a hurry to return to coaching.

Southgate’s time as England’s coach was marked by several significant achievements, including guiding the team to the 2022 World Cup semifinals. For now, however, he remains committed to taking a well-deserved break from the high-pressure world of football management.

Source: ChannelsTv

Return Petrol Prices: The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has called on the Federal Government to lower the price of petrol, demanding that it be returned to the levels seen in June 2023.

The TUC emphasized that this adjustment would not only restore previous prices but should also result in a reduction below that level to ease the financial burden on Nigerians.

During a press conference in Abuja, TUC President Festus Osifo requested that the government provide foreign exchange at a rate of $1 to ₦1,000 specifically for the Dangote Refinery, compared to the current $1 to ₦1,600 rate. This move, according to Osifo, would significantly reduce the cost of petrol.

Government Intervention is Crucial

“The solution we’re proposing,” Osifo said, “will return petrol prices to the levels we saw in June 2023.” He further noted that no government should abandon its critical sectors to market forces, calling for more active government participation in regulating the oil industry.

Since May 2023, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has steadily increased petrol prices, with the cost rising from ₦184 per litre to ₦998 by October 2024 in Lagos. As of June 2023, petrol was priced around ₦450 per litre.

Return Petrol Prices: Affordability and Availability

The TUC also emphasized the importance of making petrol both affordable and accessible to all Nigerians. Osifo proposed that all marketers should be given licenses to lift fuel from the Dangote Refinery. He added that if Dangote Refinery can’t meet daily demand, the NNPCL should source refined petrol from other suppliers to ensure availability.

“We must look for every means possible to meet demand while Dangote ramps up production. This is key to resolving the supply issue,” Osifo stated.

Nigerians Face Higher Petrol Prices Again

On Wednesday, petrol prices surged once more, with NNPCL outlets in Lagos and Abuja adjusting prices to ₦998 and ₦1,030 per litre, respectively. This price hike, along with long queues at filling stations, has caused panic among motorists and transporters, especially since other non-NNPCL stations followed suit, selling petrol at over ₦1,050 per litre.

While no official explanation has been given for the price increase, it’s believed to be linked to NNPCL’s first petrol batch from Dangote Refinery, which began distribution in mid-September.

Conclusion

The TUC’s call for intervention in the oil sector is rooted in its belief that stabilizing petrol prices is crucial for the Nigerian economy. A return to June 2023 levels, or even lower, would alleviate the growing burden on citizens and help stabilize the economy amid rising inflation.

Source: ChannelsTv