Club captain Marquinhos has joined the growing list of big-name absentees for Paris Saint-Germain after suffering a thigh issue, the European champions announced on Friday.

The 31-year-old Brazilian defender “will undergo treatment on a left thigh injury over the next few weeks”, PSG announced on their website.

The latest injury blow for Luis Enrique’s side comes in the wake of injuries to stars Joao Neves and Desire Doue, as well as recent Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele.

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PSG did not specify when Marquinhos picked up the injury, with the centre-half playing the full 90 minutes of his side’s last outing — a 1-0 defeat at arch-rivals Marseille on Monday in which Marquinhos scored an own goal.

When contacted by AFP, PSG did not immediately respond.

Bradley Barcola was, however, present at Friday’s training session ahead of PSG’s league meeting with Auxerre this weekend, after having missed the Marseille defeat due to muscle fatigue in his thigh.

PSG then next face Barcelona at home in the Champions League on Wednesday, before travelling to Lille in Ligue 1 action on October 5.

AFP

The Federal Government has rolled out a new policy framework aimed at standardising the procurement of medicines and health products across the country.

Also, it declared a renewed commitment to combat rabies, aiming to eliminate the disease by 2030, in accordance with global health targets.

Meanwhile, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) called for urgent support to countries battling cholera, monkey pox (mpox) and Ebola.

Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Mamman Ahmadu, disclosed the new policy, yesterday, at the Celebration of Success ceremony for graduates of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) Level 4 Qualification Programme in Abuja.

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The CIPS Level 4 Diploma in Procurement and Supply equips procurement professionals with globally recognised skills and ethical standards, preparing them to deliver transparent, efficient and impactful procurement services.

The BPP boss said the move was designed to guarantee quality, affordability and value for money in Nigeria’s healthcare system. He said the reform was part of the strategy to professionalise procurement and close long-standing loopholes that enable waste, fake drugs and inflated contracts.

Ahmadu urged the newly certified professionals to register on the National Procurement Officers Management System, a database designed to strengthen oversight, promote transparency and enhance accountability.

Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, stated, at a Joint Ministerial Press Briefing held on World Rabies Day 2025, themed ‘Act Now: You, Me, Community’, yesterday in Abuja, emphasised the urgency of addressing rabies, which, he said, remains one of the deadliest zoonotic diseases affecting Nigerians.” He assured of government’s determination to eradicate it through a ‘One Health Approach’.

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The minister pointed out: “Government alone cannot win this battle. It requires you, me, and our communities working hand-in-hand. Together, we can make Nigeria rabies-free.”

He further highlighted ongoing nationwide vaccination campaigns for dogs and cats and reiterated efforts to strengthen veterinary services in underserved communities.

“Our approach is deliberate: to ensure that no family suffers the needless pain of losing a loved one to rabies,” he added. In his remarks, Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammed Pate, pledged continued support to efforts at eliminating the disease.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Chinyere Akujobi, represented by Stephen Ohaeri, the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, noted that “rabies is nearly 100 per cent fatal once symptoms appear” but is completely preventable through vaccination and responsible pet ownership.

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In another forum, Africa CDC said climate change-driven flooding is worsening outbreaks and limiting humanitarian access. Deputy Incident Manager for the Incident Management Support Team, Africa CDC, Yap Boum, said this during a virtual press briefing yesterday.

During a regional update, Mr Boum said while some countries were reporting declines in cholera cases, others remain of “critical concern,” particularly Chad, where the epidemic that began in a refugee camp in mid-July has now spread to additional health zones. He said present hotspots include Wadai and Sila districts.

Boum highlighted the need to scale up surveillance, cholera treatment centres and rehabilitation efforts, warning that climate change is intensifying health risks across the continent.

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and Africa CDC teams are deploying additional support in affected areas. Meanwhile, Mr Boum said Ebola remains a concern in the Democratic Republic of Congo, highlighting progress in contact tracing, targeted vaccination and preparedness in neighbouring Angola.

He welcomed fresh commitments made on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, where Gavi pledged to support 10 million doses of vaccine for mpox, and UNICEF promised to back key pillars of the continental response plan.

President Bola Tinubu has arrived at the historic Mapo Hall in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, to attend the coronation of Oba Rashidi Ladoja as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland.

The President’s arrival, which was met with a rousing reception from a massive crowd of dignitaries and citizens, marks the climax of the week-long series of events celebrating the ascension of the new monarch.

His presence and other dignitaries underscore the national importance of the occasion, as Ibadan celebrates the continuity of its revered monarchical institution.
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‎Ladoja, a former Oyo state governor and senator, was selected as the 44th Olubadan, following the passing of Oba Owolabi Olakulehin on July 7.

READ ALSO:BREAKING: Ladoja Crowned 44th Olubadan, Set To Receive Staff Of Office
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‎Excitement is already sweeping across Ibadan as the city witnesses Ladoja’s ascension to the revered throne.
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‎Ladoja, 81, is a respected businessman and political figure who rose through the traditional Olubadan chieftaincy ranks to become Olubadan.

The Olubadan of Ibadanland is the paramount traditional ruler of Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, and one of the largest cities in West Africa. The Olubadan throne holds deep cultural, historical, and political significance among the Yoruba people.

Report earlier had it that major roads were closed and security personnel from various agencies, including the police and DSS, were strategically deployed to ensure a peaceful and orderly ceremony.

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The Mapo Hall, an iconic landmark in the city, was meticulously decorated, and billboards bearing the image of the Olubadan-designate were seen across the metropolis. The atmosphere is thick with cultural pride, with traditional drummers and dancers adding to the festive mood.

Oba Ladoja, a former Governor of Oyo State, has been the center of attention since the passing of his predecessor, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, on July 7, 2025.

The journey to the throne has been a long and distinguished one for the 81-year-old monarch, who has risen through the traditional chieftaincy ranks over a span of 32 years.

His coronation is particularly significant as he is the first former governor of the state to ascend the Olubadan throne, bringing a unique blend of political experience and traditional leadership to the revered stool.

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Other prominent guests who have arrived for the occasion include the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, who cut short his annual leave to present the staff of office to the new Olubadan.

Several other traditional rulers, political leaders, and business moguls from across Nigeria are also in attendance, highlighting the broad-based respect for Oba Ladoja and the Olubadan institution.

The ceremony is a display of the rich cultural heritage of the Yoruba people and a testament to the enduring importance of traditional institutions in modern Nigeria.

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As the ceremony progresses, all eyes are on Oba Rashidi Ladoja, who has already completed key traditional rites, including the symbolic decoration with Akoko leaves. His coronation is not just a ceremonial event but a significant milestone that solidifies the continuity of the Olubadan lineage and marks a new era for Ibadanland. With President Tinubu in attendance, the event serves as a powerful symbol of national unity and a celebration of Nigeria’s diverse cultural heritage.