Penalties played to the edges of the post, meaning very close to either the left or right side, or just underneath the crossbar, have a 99.9% chance of going in. They are the ultimate "cheat code" of penalty taking. For one, they are completely outside a standing goalkeeper's immediate range of motion. In fact, they can only be blocked if the keeper anticipates perfectly, leaps toward the target right from the start, and uses incredible reflexes to reach the ball at the extreme edge.

If you can practice these shots well and maintain your aim during high-pressure games, you place yourself in the best possible position to convert your chances.

All other types of penalties: going down the center, attempting a Panenka, or aiming to either side while trying to fake out the keeper, carry a lower probability of success. These shots are well within the keeper's reach if they anticipate the direction and dive correctly.

I watched the extra time and penalty shootout in the Morocco vs. Netherlands Round of 32 knockout game in the 2026 World Cup some hours ago, and I dare say almost all the missed penalties by both sides were targeted exactly at those difficult edges. Thumbs up to the coaching crew for proper drilling. Something I hardly ever really see with the Super Eagles or Nigerian teams.

While these penalties are almost always scored if the aim is perfect, they result in a heartbreaking miss when the accuracy is just slightly off, as the Dutch players can now testify. The Moroccans, however, won the shootout and couldn't care less about the risks this time around.

Kudos to the beautiful game!

Thanks to Femi Folorunsho for the detailed breakdown in this video: https://web.facebook.com/share/v/19HhmeaiWk

So, a forged bank statement is the real engine behind this "Proof of Funds" power. Just like financial institutions do, embassies should start independently verifying all bank statements themselves using platforms like mybankstatement.net.

In this scenario, all parties are guilty without exception. It is completely laughable that one thief is trying to take the other to court.

• Stella (the client https://www.instagram.com/stezmall_unisex): Guilty for willingly being an accomplice and providing documentation for forgery. She was supposed to receive actual funds in her account, but she never did—and she was perfectly fine with that as long as it guaranteed her visa approval.

• Olanipekun Kayode Paul (CEO of My Admission Link https://myadmissionlink.com/): Guilty for allowing this nonsense to go on under his watch in his own company.

• Bolanle (My Admission Link staff): Guilty for coordinating the fraud between the customer and the loan shark.

• Onome (the loan shark): Guilty for cooking up a fraudulent bank statement scheme instead of actually loaning out real money.

Sadly, the way Nigeria is currently positioned, this episode will likely only give more publicity and social media following to both parties, enabling them to advertise and pull in customers for whatever services they provide.

Given the culture of impunity within Nigeria's political leadership, I believe Diezani is highly likely to be guilty. However, in Nigeria, we simply do not have a culture of preserving evidence, nor do we have the technological infrastructure required to do so.

We lack CCTV at critical points, comprehensive DNA or fingerprint databases, centralized criminal registries for ongoing investigations, and proper storage facilities for crime scene artifacts. Advanced tools like Mobile Device Forensics or reliable vehicle and license plate tracking databases are virtually non-existent here. In short, the matter long! All the sophisticated investigative facilities we see the police use in Hollywood movies do not exist in our system. Consequently, the EFCC was always bound to fall short when attempting to prosecute a case in a foreign court.

In contrast, high-profile Nigerians who have been convicted in foreign jurisdictions, such as Ike Ekweremadu, James Ibori, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Dapo Abiodun, Femi Gbajabiamila, Ramon Abbas (Hushpuppi), and Obinwanne Okeke (Invictus Obi), committed all or a substantial portion of their crimes abroad. This allowed foreign law enforcement to easily piece together the airtight evidence necessary for a conviction.

Ultimately, the only thing elites truly fear in Nigeria is being detained and locked up while awaiting or undergoing trial. Beyond that, our system is incapable of proving 90% of criminal allegations. The accused simply wait to perfect their bail conditions, biding their time until the public chatter goes stale in gossip circles, leaving them home and dry.

If you're doing 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵-𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀, absolutely get your POS from 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗿 𝗢𝗣𝗮𝘆. 𝗡𝗼 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺. Commercial banks' POS are just useless!

MRS filling station in Gaduwa, Abuja, has been using Providus and FirstBank POS for the longest time. 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲𝘀 𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘆! I've witnessed it firsthand with Providus. Three days ago, they completely 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗲𝗿𝘀 to their POS. Only debit cards now.

Since OPay came along, I keep my GTBank Mastercard at home since I only use it for online dollar transactions. I was forced to use a local 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗢𝗦 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝘆 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆, then used her own card to pay for my fuel.

𝗪𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗵𝗶, 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆'𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗽𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱-𝗰𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝘀𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺. Let more jobs be created and let customers actually get good service!

Okay, God so good, we have X/Twitter context. It says, and I quote: "This statement ignores and denies responsibility for the pattern of posts from the user, which contains direct and implied sexualization of minors and babies."

At this point, any female still trying to twist logic on its head and make excuses for Simi, just comes off like the kind of partner who can never genuinely apologize after an argument, even when clearly in the wrong! "A red flag", as some mature feminists like to point out. Lols.

Just to make my stance on the trending "Simi (see me), see trouble" (pun intended, lols) issue crystal clear. Given how Ezra Olubi lost his job at Paystack, Simi is equally guilty of making disturbing tweets. So it reeks of double standards to judge her differently. Not to mention, if a man had made all the tweets attributed to Simi, he likely would have been overwhelmingly and possibly devastatingly tried and convicted by the court of law and public opinion in under 24 hours.

Going forward, for anyone venturing into politics, if you want to serve the people, make money, or do both, it's best to make your effort where it matters most. And currently, that’s the APC (All Progressives Congress) or ADC (African Democratic Congress). The main exceptions are states with Governors from other parties: APGA (Anambra), Labour (Abia), and Accord (Osun) etc. The APC outspent all other parties in the Abuja Council elections, so the writing was on the wall. Moreover, no candidate had the kind of organic following Peter Obi enjoyed in 2023, so it was always going to be a tough call. That said, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and the ADC should see this as a rite of passage, paying their dues. You can’t go up against a 10-year-old party on your first try and expect instant victory. Peter Obi’s clout is not as strong as it was in 2023, and Tinubu has not been a colossal failure like Buhari. But all is not lost. Opposition is essential in any democracy, and they can still sell an alternative vision for 2027. Even if they don’t win the Presidency, they can pick up a sizeable number of seats and solidify their position for 2031. The future is pregnant, nothing is impossible. After all is said and done, consistent and committed effort is what will ultimately excel you in the long term.

Nonso Okeke, a classmate from secondary school was on the ballot as the Vice Chairmanship candidate for AMAC (Abuja Municipal Area Council) on the platform of the ZLP (Zenith Labour Party) for Saturday 21st February’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT Abuja) Area Council Elections.

In an age where Personal Domain Names, are fast losing popularity to Social Media Handles, traedays.com is almost clocking 12 years.

At times, I wonder why I bother, being that Facebook and Twitter are where my online presence is best felt. Nonetheless like an abusive relationship I still remain.

“Laughs”. Anyway, here’s some fresh material. Transcript to an interview I granted weeks back. It’s for the 9-5.

I’ve performed some edits for privacy sake, put enjoy all the same.
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Know your Colleague; 25 August 2017

In this edition, we stepped up our game by interviewing one of our staff from the Upcountry. His name is Trae Zeeofor

Trae Zeeofor joined The Sales Department in the Abuja Hub as a Sales Team Lead in 2016. In this interview, he makes a lot of interesting revelations about his career and lifestyle.

Interview caption: ‘I would have studied Computer Science as my first degree’

Tell us about yourself
I’m better known by my initials (Trae) by friends. I’m proudly Nigerian and very passionate about all things technology, writing, football, music, liberalism and Afrocentrism.

What was your growing up like?
Growing up, there was nothing spectacular. It was a regular middleclass upbringing. I was born in Lagos, rooted in Anambra and grew up in Abuja.

Describe your typical day at work as an employee.
It’s busy as usual. Helping customers meet their needs, motivating my team towards performance and making sure company goals are met. Also answering lots of calls and customer enquiries; plus fulfilling administrative tasks in that regard.

What has challenged you the most at your job?
That would be multi-tasking to meet deliverables. On the good side, it ensures I’m always on my toes, as slacking will instantly double work load.

Please share one of your most memorable experiences as an employee.
It would be whenever my team members get alert for incentive. Thankfully, of late that has been happening much more frequently.

Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
(Thinking) Hmmm, taking on more responsibilities for the company. Otherwise if focus and determination allows, making steady progress in the IT and programming field.

What inspires you at work?
It is the dream of the long run elevation. Thus, I’m constantly reminded to keep building my competencies, capabilities and brand.

When would you say was your happiest day?
They are so many. But I would say whenever my team members get alert for incentive.

When would you say was your saddest day?
It was when it was confirmed that Nigeria missed qualification for the African Nations’ Cup. This happened in 2014 and again in 2016.

In spite of your busy schedule, do you still have time to relax?
Yes, I do. Mostly on weekends and public holidays, when I try to avoid work as much as possible.

What are your likes and dislikes?
I’m not a big fan of organized religion.

What are your hobbies?
Like all Nigerian men: football! (smiles)

What is your best food?
Ah, I love pounded yam and egusi.

What do you do for fun?
I surf the web/internet.

What dictates your fashion sense?
I like to think I’m very simple. I just keep it smart and comfortable.

What are those things that you cannot do without, that you are so attached to?
I absolutely can’t do without the internet; thus, my phone and laptop are my most prized possessions.

Can you tell us the most interesting place you have visited?
I have been privileged to visit over half of the Nigerian States. I have a soft spot for Makurdi, Jos and Ilorin; the other places I’ve lived and worked extensively.

If you could change things about yourself, what would they be?
I would have studied Computer Science as my first degree.

What helpful advice would you give to your colleagues?
Love your job and love yourself; you’ll be fine.

Final words?
The opportunity to be here is well appreciated. Warmest regards.

Hello, interested in getting/renewing your Nigerian passport without paying any extra charges? Then you’ve come to the right place. Enjoy reading this do-it-yourself guide. Thank me later!

I’ll teach this class drawing from my experience obtaining the passport in 2008, and renewing it in 2016.

For adults aged 18-59, the passport costs only N15,000 for the 32-page booklet type or N20,000 for the 64-page booklet type. The only other additional money to be spent is N2,000 for address verification and N600 service charge. That’s a total of only N17,600 or N22,600 depending on booklet type. All payable online.

Requirements for renewals:
A) Duly completed application form
B) Passport payment slip
C) Passport acknowledgment slip
D) Application letter for extension of validity of e-passport

First go here https://portal.immigration.gov.ng/passport/epassport and fill the application form. Do make sure you print the form upon completion.

When you’re done filling the form, make payment with your bank Naira debit Visa or MasterCard. Print out the payment slip and acknowledgment slip when you’re done paying.

Pen your application letter for extension of validity of e-passport. Address it to the Comptroller General of the Nigerian Immigration Service and be sure to quote your passport number and expiry date.

Interview dates…dates for photo capture are no longer given (you might be given an interview date in 2020! Lols), so proceed to the nearest Immigrations office of your choice for photo capture. Go with your expired passport and all documents listed above.

When you get to the Immigrations office, there’s a lobby where applicants sit and are addressed before 9am. Sit there and inquire from the officer in charge how to go about the photo capture. In my case he was genuinely surprised I did everything myself without going through a third party. And in the Buhari anti-corruption spirit (in his own words), he helped me put my file together and quickly ushered me to the photo capture room.

Photo capture is free. When you’re done you’ll be given a date for passport pick up. Mine was 7 working days later.

Requirements for first issue:
This requires more work but is really nothing to be afraid of.
A) Duly completed application form
B) Passport payment slip
C) Passport acknowledgment slip
D) Guarantor's form sworn before a commissioner of Oaths/Magistrate or High Court Judge. (Attach a photocopy of your guarantor's Nigerian Passport Data page. And either his/her Driving License or National Identity Card. As well as 1 colour passport photograph of guarantor)
E) State/Local Government letter of identification
F) Birth certificate/age declaration
G) 2 recent colour passport photographs
H) Marriage certificate where applicable

The process is the same as cases for reissue. But the guarantor’s form can only be printed after filling the application form. Click here for the guarantor’s form https://portal.immigration.gov.ng/passport/PassportGuarantor . Take the completed guarantor’s form to the court for stamping/swearing. It costs only N500.

You don't need to travel home to get the State/Local Government letter of identification. It can be issued to you at your State's Liaison Office in any State of your residence.

Thanks for reading. Click here for official guidelines https://portal.immigration.gov.ng/pages/passportguidelines and here to get to the passport application start page https://portal.immigration.gov.ng/pages/welcome . Cheers!

Update!: Thanks to my friends: my crowed-sourced editorial team, this foreword (yes, i now know the correct spelling) was eventually put right! :-)

This is my draft forward to my Dad's upcoming autobiography. Feedback please after reading. Thanks.

With my big sister Cle at Dad's Call to Bar; 14 Feb 2012

It was the great Bob Marley in his song “No woman, no cry” who sang the world famous lyrics: “In this great future you can’t forget your past”. A phrase, testament to the fact that in this constantly evolving wonderful world, a thorough understanding of the past is essential in navigating the future.

Chikwado Raphael Ezeokafor, my father…my dad, knowing that, and inspired by several other autobiographies birthed this book you now have in your hands at the ripe old age of 77. Those who know him like I do would not at all be surprised, being a man with a knack for documenting and analyzing every single step of his life, every blessed day.

A quite amusing but at the same time invaluable trait. A trait which I have grown to greatly appreciate as being amongst the later issues of his offspring born in two batches-a decade apart, this body of work is an excellent historical tool for my young mind as can ever be.

This book is also an invaluable tool for any reader, as a dig through its pages teaches the lesson that hard work pays. And that success is inevitably the end result when opportunity/luck meets preparation.

It chronicles the life of “The Ambassador” as he is affectionately called as he struggles despite all odds to get an education, rides on the back of his scholarliness surviving the Biafran war all the way to a job in the Nigerian Civil Service and is eventually singled out to work internationally rendering over a decade of service to the Nigerian High Commission London-UK and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Uganda.  Topping it all with a call to the Nigerian Bar at over 70 years of age.

I highly recommend this autobiography and hope it inspires, particularly my countrymen Nigeria in these perilous times of ours and motivates who ever reads it for excellence such that in our old age we would also have such great stories to pass across to the generation ahead.

Much peace, love and respect as always.

Tochukwu R. Ezeokafor
(Trae Zeeofor/@trae_z)
Benue State, Nigeria
November 2015