It's been an eventful journey at Euro 2024, with Turkey making a significant breakthrough by reaching the knockout phase for the first time in 16 years. Their hard-fought 2-1 victory over a resilient 10-man Czech Republic secured their spot in the next round, despite a challenging match in Hamburg. Vincenzo Montella's team clinched second place in Group F behind Portugal, setting up a thrilling knockout stage.
Meanwhile, Georgia stunned the tournament with a remarkable 2-0 upset over Portugal, earning themselves a spot as one of the best third-placed teams. This surprising result also meant Hungary's elimination from the competition.
Looking ahead, here are the upcoming last-16 fixtures:
Saturday, June 29:
- Switzerland vs Italy at 5pm (Olympiastadion, Berlin)
- Germany vs Denmark at 8pm (Westfalenstadion, Dortmund)
Sunday, June 30:
- England vs Slovakia at 5pm (Arena AufSchalke, Gelsenkirchen)
- Spain vs Georgia at 8pm (RheinEnergieStadion, Cologne)
Monday, July 1:
- France vs Belgium at 5pm (Merkur Spiel-Arena, Dusseldorf)
- Portugal vs Slovenia at 8pm (Waldstadion, Frankfurt)
Tuesday, July 2:
- Romania vs Netherlands at 5pm (Allianz Arena, Munich)
The stage is set for thrilling matches as the competition intensifies towards crowning the Euro 2024 champion.
Mr. Bala Wuoir, from the Oil Producers Trade Section, expressed concerns about the financial burden on oil companies, which are already mandated to contribute 3% of their profits to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). He argued for their exemption from the bill.
The discussion also revealed a rift between the House Committee and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN). While the House Committee insists on government regulation of CSR to ensure corporate accountability to host communities, MAN believes CSR should remain voluntary and not be enforced by law. MAN's representative, Dr. Kamarudeen Adigun, argued that making CSR mandatory would be counterproductive and should instead be a moral obligation.
Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, opened the hearing by underscoring the importance of CSR as a social duty to stakeholders and communities, noting the current lack of coordination and documentation. Chairman Hon. Prof. Lilian Orogbo echoed this sentiment, advocating for a comprehensive CSR framework to foster sustainable development and a more equitable society.
Despite resistance, the House Committee remains determined to pass the bill into law, ensuring international best practices and protecting both companies and citizens in Nigeria.
