AFRICAN

Chelsea legend and Nigeria captain Mikel retires from international football

Published

5 years ago

July 19, 2019

FAB.NG

Nigeria finished third at this year’s Africa Cup of Nations tournament, beating Tunisia in the third place match on Wednesday.
The only Chelsea player (for now, anyway) to be involved was defender Kenneth Omeruo, who’s had himself an excellent tournament. Alongside former Chelsea prospect Ola Aina, Omeruo was one of the many younger Super Eagles (Super Fledglings?) who took on important roles this summer.
And that’s in part what has motivated Chelsea legend Mikel John Obi to call curtains on his international career. Mikel was part of the squad but featured in just 2 of the 7 games. The baton had already been passed; today he just made it official.

“Egypt is a country where I’ve started and have finished my National career. In 2006 I played my first official championship for my Country. 2019 African Cup of Nations marks my last championship for National Team with Super Eagles.
“My national career started in 2003 under 17 World Cup and I’m grateful for the national team for placing me on the world arena and giving me an opportunity to show my skill and have an incredible National and International career.
“At the age of 32 it’s time for me to retire from the National team and let the youth take over, who’ve done an amazing job securing a bronze medal at AFCON 2019.
“Thank you to all my Nigerian supporters and to my Country for all the trust, support and love you’ve shown me over the past 15 years.”
-John Obi Mikel; Source: Instagram

While most players consider it an honor to represent their nation, for Mikel it also served as the springboard to a legendary career with Chelsea.
After all, it was at the U17 World Cup in 2003 that he first was noticed (and changing his named from Michael to Mikel, thanks to a clerical error). His talent was confirmed at the U20 World Cup in 2005, when he came a close second to a certain Lionel Messi in both the final and in the voting for the tournament’s best player.

By then he was knee-deep in the transfer controversy between Norwegian side Lyn, Manchester United, and Chelsea. A year later, when the dust had settled, Mikel pulled on the Blue shirt, and the rest, as they say, is history.
While he may be done on the international scene — which includes a 2013 ACN winners’ medal and an Olympic bronze from 2016 (which practically ended his Chelsea career at the same time) — Mikel’s still going strong in his club career. He recently joined Trabzonspor on a two-year deal, after a recent spell at Middlesbrough.

Up Next

5 Most Misinterpreted Emojis

Don't Miss

3 Soft Skills Every Youth Should Have

AFRICAN

See Trailer For “Dilli Dark”, An Indian-Nigerian Comedy

Published

1 week ago

April 11, 2024

Reporter

"Dilli Dark": See Trailer For An Indian-Nigerian Comedy | Fab.ng

There’s a new comedy movie coming out called “Dilli Dark.” Dibakar Das Roy directed this funny movie. It’s an Indian-Nigerian comedy that tells the story of Michael Okeke, a Nigerian student living in Delhi.

Michael wants to get his MBA and stay in India, but life there isn’t easy for outsiders, especially since he’s black. The trailer shows that Michael has a strange side job too. The movie seems to make fun of the racism that Michael faces in India.

The actor playing Michael, Samuel Abiola Robinson, was really happy about the movie being announced last year in October.

“I am back!!! And happy to be Announcing my Next film DILLI DARK; A film about racial discrimination and what life is like for people with darker skin in Delhi and India as a whole,” he said.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Samuel Abiola Robinson (@samuelabiolarobinson)

Abiola mentioned in a post that this is the first time he’s had such a big role in a movie.

The movie also stars Shantanu Anam as Debu and Geetika Vidya Ohlyan as Maa.

At the 2023 Mumbai Academy of the Moving Image (MAMI) Festival, Filmy interviewed director Dibakar Das Roy about how he cast Samuel Abiola Robinson in the lead role.

He replied, saying,

“We wanted someone who could look like a very regular chap. Rather than a hero. So at the same time, I saw an article that Samuel had moved to Delhi, and I reached out to him, and we connected.”

The “Dilli Dark” trailer looks like a funny movie that will also make you think. It deals with racism and what it’s like to move to a new country. If you like comedies that make you ponder as well as laugh, then keep an eye out for “Dilli Dark.” But remember, this is just a trailer, so the movie itself might be different.

Watch the trailer below:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Dibakar Das Roy (@dibakardasroy)

Get more movie updates here.

AFRICAN

Ghana Leads The Front At The WAEC Excellence Awards

Published

3 weeks ago

March 27, 2024

FAB.NG

Ghana dominated the West African Examinations Council’s (WAEC) recent International Excellence Awards for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). All three top awards went to Ghanaian students in a ceremony held last Tuesday at the Council Meeting in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

The outstanding young men hail from St. James Seminary Senior High School. Two of the awardees are proud alumni of St. James Seminary, further solidifying the school’s academic excellence. A total of 2,327,342 students from the five WAEC member countries participated in the 2023 WASSCE, making this Ghanaian achievement even more impressive.

The ceremony itself was a moment of national pride. Ghana’s Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Dr. Eric Nkansah, congratulated the winners for their exceptional performances. He highlighted their consistent success, mentioning that Ghana claimed two out of the top three spots last year and achieved a clean sweep this year.

Meet the Ghanaian heroes:

Amo-Kodieh Leonard Kofi Marton (St. James Seminary)
Dzandu Selorm (Labone Senior High School)
Daniel Asenso-Gyambibi (St. James Seminary)

Ghana's performance in WAEC Excellence Award testament to Akufo-Addo's legacy, says Adutwum - Asaase Radio

Mr. Amo-Kodieh beamed with pride as he addressed the crowd, expressing his immense honor at being named the overall best student of the 2023 WASSCE. He attributed his success to his dedication to academic excellence. Throughout his journey, he actively pushed his intellectual boundaries, embraced challenges, and thrived in dynamic learning environments.

Get the latest and greatest updates right away! Join our exclusive WhatsApp channel and never miss out on exciting news again.

Mr. Amo-Kodieh acknowledged the government and all stakeholders who played a crucial role in his achievement. “Their immense support,” he declared, “was instrumental in turning this path to success into a reality.”

Extending his appreciation further, Mr. Amo-Kodieh spoke on behalf of all awardees at the (WAEC) Excellence Awards. “We are incredibly grateful,” he emphasized, “to the government, the GES, the Ministry of Education, the WAEC, and especially our families. Each of you played an indispensable part in shaping our education.”

AFRICAN

Idris Elba To Direct Mo Abudu’s Short Film “Dust To Dreams”

Published

1 month ago

March 20, 2024

Reporter

Idris Elba To Direct Mo Abudu's Short Film "Dust To Dreams" | Fab.ng

Idris Elba, a well-known actor, will be directing a short film titled “Dust to Dreams” in Lagos, Nigeria. He’s working with Nigerian filmmaker Mo Abudu to bring this project to life.

The film is a collaborative effort between Abudu’s film production company, EbonyLife Films, and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank). It happens through its programme called Creative Africa Nexus (Canex).

“Dust to Dreams” explores the relationship between a mother and her teenage daughter as the daughter meets her father for the first time. British-Nigerian music star Seal is part of the cast. The cast includes Nollywood actors Nse Ikpe-Etim, Eku Edewor, Atlanta Bridget Johnson, and Constance Olatunde. Constance rose to fame in the Nigerian Idol competition.

Mo Abudu, who came up with the original idea for the film, will wear two hats on this project; she’ll be both the executive producer and a regular producer. Heidi Uys will take on the role of supervising producer. Co-producers Temidayo Makanjuola, Inem King, and Vanessa Demme rounded up the team.

“I am delighted to be working with Afreximbank and this incredibly talented team. Dust To Dreams is a story close to my heart, and I’m thrilled to bring it to life with such passionate collaborators,” Abudu said of the project.

“Dust to Dreams” will be the first major film produced under a collaboration agreement between Mo Abudu and Idris Elba signed in 2023. Their production companies, EbonyLife Media and Green Door Pictures joined forces through this deal.

“I have always been passionate about using my platform to make a positive impact. By partnering with Mo, we aim to offer free, world-class industry education to the next generation of storytellers and bring their authentic voices to the forefront,” Elba said of the deal last year.

“This partnership is a step towards creating a more inclusive and diverse media landscape, one that represents the voices and experiences of Africa and its Diaspora around the world,” the Hollywood star added.