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Victor Ikpeba Criticizes Frank Onyeka’s Coventry Loan
Victor Ikpeba criticizes Frank Onyeka’s loan to Coventry City, calling it a backward step despite his impressive AFCON performances
Former African Footballer of the Year, Victor Ikpeba, has expressed disappointment over Frank Onyeka’s loan move from Brentford to Coventry City, calling it a “backward step” for a player of his caliber.
Also read: Nigeria Faces Egypt in AFCON 2025 Third-Place Clash
Onyeka completed the deadline-day transfer to Coventry on a loan deal lasting until the end of the season, with an option for the Championship leaders to make it permanent if they secure promotion to the Premier League.
Coventry currently sits atop the table, level on points with Middlesbrough.
The Nigerian midfielder has struggled for regular playing time at Brentford this season, starting only three Carabao Cup matches and making six substitute appearances in the Premier League.
Despite limited club action, Onyeka shone for the Super Eagles at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, helping Nigeria claim bronze.
Speaking on SuperSport’s *Monday Night Football*, Ikpeba said:
“These things happen in football when you don’t get enough playing time. He’s a top player who gives everything he has. It’s not nice for him to drop down to the Championship. If he joined a top Premier League club, or a strong team in France, Italy, or Spain, it would have been amazing.”
Also read: Nigeria Bow Out of AFCON After Penalty Loss to Morocco
Ikpeba, who played for Borussia Dortmund and Monaco, added that Onyeka has already proven he belongs at a higher level, citing his AFCON performances.
Onyeka previously played for FC Midtjylland and FC Augsburg.
Ultimate Communications announces the HAMZAT biopic premiere at Ikeja City Mall, featuring Nollywood stars and Oba Elegushi as Royal Father of the Day
Dauda Lawal swears in five permanent secretaries in Zamfara, urging them to follow public service rules, financial regulations and relevant laws
Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has sworn in five new permanent secretaries, urging them to comply with Public Service Rules, financial regulations and other relevant laws in the discharge of their duties.
Also read: 2027: 21 Adamawa LG Chairmen, 226 Councillors Dump PDP for APC
The swearing-in ceremony took place on Thursday at the Grand Chamber of the Government House in Gusau, the state capital.
The newly appointed permanent secretaries are Ahmad S. Zamfara, Nasiru Halilu Anka, Mu’azu Jibril Guraguri, Adamu Abdullahi Kanoma and Sani Muhammad Shinkafi.
The Chief Judge of Zamfara State, Justice Kulu Aliyu, administered the oath of office to the appointees, who pledged allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria in accordance with the Constitution and the law.
Speaking at the ceremony, Lawal congratulated the new permanent secretaries, describing their appointments as recognition of their experience, abilities and readiness to take on greater responsibilities.
He said their roles extended beyond personal career advancement, noting that their decisions and conduct would influence government performance and the welfare of residents.
“The Permanent Secretary is central to Government, providing administrative leadership, institutional continuity, and policy advice while implementing approved programs,” the governor said.
He added that permanent secretaries were responsible for maintaining discipline, coordinating their establishments and ensuring that public resources were used for their intended purposes.
Lawal said his administration remained committed to strengthening government institutions and improving public administration to support Zamfara’s development priorities.
He noted that the civil service played a critical role in translating government decisions into practical results, particularly in the delivery of essential services.
The governor urged the new appointees to align their work with his administration’s priorities through proper planning, realistic implementation strategies, effective supervision and continuous assessment of results.
He also called on them to maintain constructive and professional relationships with commissioners and other political officeholders.
According to Lawal, political leaders are responsible for setting policy, while career civil servants provide the institutional knowledge, technical advice and administrative capacity needed to implement it.
He stressed that mutual respect and cooperation between political officeholders and career civil servants were essential to effective governance.
Also read: 2027: 21 Adamawa LG Chairmen, 226 Councillors Dump PDP for APC
The governor urged the permanent secretaries to uphold discipline and professionalism while ensuring that their departments supported the administration’s development agenda and served the needs of the people of Zamfara.
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