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Nigeria U-15 Denied Visas for Tournament in Spain
Nigerian football fans were left disappointed on Monday after the country’s U-15 national team, nicknamed the Future Eagles, were denied visas by the Spanish embassy.
This visa rejection prevents the young players and their officials from participating in the prestigious UEFA U16 Development Tournament scheduled to begin on Friday. The news was confirmed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) through a social media post. The federation expressed their frustration at the situation, highlighting that no reason was provided for the visa denial.
The setback is a significant blow for the talented young footballers who were set to embark on a crucial development opportunity. The Uefa U16 Development Tournament, established in 2012, offers a platform for elite youth players to gain valuable international experience and bridge the gap to senior-level football. The Future Eagles were scheduled to play against Belgium, Italy, and England during the competition.
This incident is not an isolated one. Nigerian athletes and their supporters have repeatedly faced visa hurdles when competing abroad, despite claims of adhering to all necessary requirements. In February, a planned friendly match between the Nigerian national team and Argentina in the US was cancelled due to visa delays experienced by the Nigerian players.
The Spanish authorities have yet to comment on the visa denial for the Future Eagles.
Cough Syrup Recalled in Nigeria Over Safety Concerns
Nigerian authorities Wednesday recalled a batch of Benylin Paediatric cough syrup manufactured by Johnson & Johnson after tests revealed high levels of a toxic substance. The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (Nafdac) announced the recall on Wednesday, citing concerns about the syrup’s safety.
The problematic substance is diethylene glycol, which can cause serious health complications, including abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, kidney failure, and even death. Nafdac’s statement highlighted that laboratory tests on the syrup indicated “acute oral toxicity” in animals.
This development comes after diethylene glycol was linked to the deaths of children in Gambia and Cameroon. The substance is not typically used in medications and its presence in Benylin Paediatric raises concerns about manufacturing standards.
Neither Johnson & Johnson nor Kenvue, the current owner of the Benylin brand, has commented on the recall. Kenvue became an independent company after separating from Johnson & Johnson in 2023.
The recalled syrup was produced in South Africa in May 2021 and has an expiry date of April 2024. The product is labeled for use in children aged two to twelve for cough, congestion, fever, and allergies.
Nafdac urges anyone who has purchased the affected batch of Benylin Paediatric syrup to discontinue its use and return it to the place of purchase.
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