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Barcelona Secure Important Win Over Girona

Ronald Araujo Scores Late Goal As Barcelona Secure Important Win Over Girona

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Barcelona secures important win after two consecutive defeats Barca were only just able to edge Girona, 19th, thanks to Araujo’s late goal.

Pedri Gonzalez slotted Barcelona ahead early on but Axel Witsel equalised with a superb overhead kick for a Girona side who came close to securing a deserved point.

“Sometimes you have to win games like this — we missed a lot of chances and they did too,” Fermin Lopez told DAZN.

“We fought until the end and we got that second goal… it was a chaotic second half but I think we deserved the win and we got it.”

Barca coach Hansi Flick brought Lamine Yamal back into the starting line-up after he recovered from the groin injury which kept him out of Spain’s recent World Cup qualifiers.

The teenage winger also missed the 4-1 thrashing by Sevilla in Barcelona’s last La Liga outing, which the Catalans were only just able to bounce back from.

With several players including striker Robert Lewandowski out injured, Flick handed a league debut to 17-year-old forward Toni Fernandez.

In line with the protest organised by the Spanish footballers’ association against Barca’s match against Villarreal in December which has been moved to Miami, both sets of players stood still for 15 seconds after the whistle blew for kick-off.

Barca took the initiative and earned a 13th-minute lead through Pedri after Jules Kounde and Yamal combined well.

The winger fed Pedri, who dribbled into the box and casually passed the ball into the bottom right corner.

Girona, who finished in the top four two seasons ago but have struggled ever since, soon found a way back level.

Witsel produced a stunning overhead kick to equalise in the 20th minute and shock the hosts.

The visitors poured forward and found holes in Barcelona’s high line several times to create danger.

Barca goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny made a fine save to deny Vladyslav Vanat as he charged through on goal.

Cristian Portu struck the post after getting in behind Barca’s defence and then Bryan Gil blazed off target after darting through one-on-one yet again.

Marcus Rashford struck the crossbar with a free-kick at the other end before an entertaining battle reached the interval.

Honours even

Pau Cubarsi bundled home for Barca after an hour but the goal was ruled out because of a foul by Eric Garcia in the build-up.

Flick made a surprising double change, withdrawing star players Yamal and Pedri despite chasing the game, perhaps with Tuesday’s Champions League clash against Olympiakos in mind, as well as next weekend’s Clasico.

Paulo Gazzaniga made an excellent save at his near post to thwart Rashford as Barca turned the screw, with substitute Lopez making a notable impact.

Rashford wanted a penalty when Vitor Reis caught him in the face with a swinging arm in the box but the referee waved away Barca appeals.

Flick sent on centre-back Araujo as a striker in the final stages in desperation and the Uruguayan delivered deep in stoppage time, finishing off Frenkie de Jong’s cross to snatch three points.

Araujo ripped off his shirt in celebration as Barca claimed a victory which seemed improbable after a flat second half display.

“We feel that we played a great game… (but) we had four or five clear chances and should have scored more to kill the game,” Witsel told DAZN.

“It’s hard mentally to let in a goal like that, but we have to think about the first half (we played)… and keep that in mind for our next match.”

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EL-Lab Medical Diagnostics And Research Centre Secures ReAccreditation To ISO 15189:2022

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EL-Lab Medical Diagnostics And Research Centre Secures ReAccreditation To ISO 15189:2022

 

EL-Lab, a leading Medical diagnostic centre in Lagos earns renewed Accreditation from the Nigeria National Accreditation System (NiNAS), affirming its continued technical competence in medical laboratory testing.

 

A medical diagnostic centre with branches across Lagos, EL-Lab is the First Indigenous medical laboratory in Nigeria to attain the ISO 15189 status in Nigeria ten years ago. Till date, Nigeria may have less than 50 medical laboratories in both public and private categories to meet this standard.

 

EL-LAB has maintained this accreditation status for ten (10) years and currently holds this qualification from two (2) accreditation bodies in Nigeria, namely Medical Laboratory Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) and Nigeria National Accreditation System (NiNAS)

 

This achievement of reaccreditation and transition to ISO 15189:2022 for Medical testing, following a rigorous reassessment by Nigeria National Accreditation System (NiNAS) confirms that EL-Lab continues to meet the requirements of ISO 15189:2022, the internationally recognised standard governing quality and competence in medical laboratories. It sets out requirements covering everything from sample handling and testing procedures to staff competence and quality management, giving patients, clinicians, and partner institutions confidence in the accuracy and reliability of results.

 

For a medical diagnostic laboratory, reaccreditation is no small feat. It requires laboratories to demonstrate, through an independent and thorough assessment, that its systems, processes, and personnel consistently deliver results in line with international best practice. NiNAS, as Nigeria’s national accreditation body, conducts these assessments to ensure that accredited laboratories maintain the standards necessary for both local and global recognition.

 

By retaining this accreditation, EL Lab reinforces its position as a trusted provider of medical testing services within Lagos and the broader Nigerian healthcare system.

 

Speaking on this, the Managing Director of EL-Lab, Dr Elochukwu Adibo mni said; “This achievement reflects the laboratory’s commitment to quality assurance, staff training, and process improvement, factors that lead to more reliable outcomes for patients and referring clinicians”.

 

For more information about EL-Lab Medical Diagnostics, visit their website:  https://el-lab.org/

 

 

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APFSPN Set To Host Inaugural Town Hall Meeting And Induct New Members

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APFSPN Set To Host Inaugural Town Hall Meeting And Induct New Members

……APFSPN Town Hall Meeting and Induction of New Members Set for June 17

The Association of Professional Food Service Providers of Nigeria (APFSPN) has announced plans to host its Inaugural Town Hall Meeting and New Members Induction Ceremony on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at the Professor Wole Soyinka Centre for Arts and Culture, Iganmu, Lagos.

The landmark event, themed “The Business Behind the Plate,” is expected to bring together stakeholders across Nigeria’s food service ecosystem, including caterers, restaurant owners, event food service providers, culinary professionals, food entrepreneurs, policymakers, and development partners to discuss the future of the industry and strengthen professional collaboration. 

Speaking at a media briefing ahead of the event, the newly elected President of APFSPN, Mr. Tobi Fletcher, said the Association was established to address the longstanding absence of structure, institutional support, and unified representation within Nigeria’s rapidly growing food service industry. 

According to him, despite being one of the most vibrant sectors of the economy, the food service industry has operated for too long without a coordinated voice capable of driving standards, recognition, and sustainable growth.

“APFSPN exists to professionalise the food service industry. We exist to give caterers, food vendors, restaurant owners, event food service providers, and every professional who works behind the plate a platform for growth, recognition, and collective strength.” — Tobi Fletcher, President, APFSPN

He explained that the theme of the event, “The Business Behind the Plate,” reflects the economic realities and entrepreneurial ecosystem surrounding food service delivery in Nigeria.

“Behind every plate of food served at an event, in a restaurant, or at a corporate function, there is a business, a dream, and a livelihood. More importantly, over 90 percent of our members are women who wake up every day to build sustainable businesses and contribute meaningfully to the economy. APFSPN is here to ensure that these businesses are supported, protected, and celebrated.” — Tobi Fletcher, President, APFSPN

Also speaking at the press briefing, the Vice President of APFSPN, Mrs. Ibidunni Layade, emphasised the Association’s commitment to capacity building and the welfare of its members. She noted that APFSPN is not merely a professional body but a support system designed to elevate the standards of food service delivery across Nigeria.

“Our members are the backbone of Nigeria’s hospitality and events industry. What APFSPN offers is a structured pathway for them to access training, mentorship, business development resources, and a community that understands their unique challenges. This Town Hall Meeting is the beginning of that journey — a space where every food service professional can have a voice and be heard.” — Ibidunni Layade, Vice President, APFSPN

Mrs. Layade further stated that the induction of new members at the event underscores the Association’s rapid growth and the hunger within the industry for formal recognition and collective representation. 

The Events Director of APFSPN, Ms. Temi Adelana, took the media through the programme of events for the Town Hall Meeting. She outlined a carefully curated agenda designed to combine ceremony, knowledge sharing, and networking.

“The event will commence at 9:00 AM with the arrival and registration of guests, followed by the opening ceremony, the presidential address, the keynote by our Guest Speaker, and the formal induction of new members. We have also incorporated panel discussions, an exhibition showcase featuring food service businesses, and structured networking sessions to ensure that every attendee leaves with tangible value and new connections.” — Temi Adelana, Events Director, APFSPN

Ms. Adelana added that the choice of the Professor Wole Soyinka Centre for Arts and Culture as the venue reflects the Association’s desire to position the food service industry within the broader narrative of Nigerian creativity, culture, and enterprise.

The event will also feature the formal induction of new members, reinforcing the Association’s commitment to building a professional body dedicated to excellence, ethics, innovation, and capacity development in Nigeria’s food service sector.

In further demonstration of the growing relevance of the Association, APFSPN disclosed that the event will attract international delegations and representatives from the Canadian Trade Commission and the Italian Trade Agency.

The Guest Speaker for the event is Former Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed; Aare (Dr.) Abisoye Fagade, DG/CEO of NIHOTOUR, while the Special Guest of Honour is High Chief Lai Labode, Aare Ona of Egbaland, and other top dignitaries.

With over 500 food service professionals and stakeholders expected in attendance, the event is positioned to become a defining moment for the industry and a launchpad for stronger institutional engagement.

Calling on the media to amplify the industry’s story, Fletcher described the gathering as more than an event.

“You are not merely covering an event; you are witnessing the beginning of a movement. We urge the media to help tell the story of the women and men who feed this nation and an industry that is ready to be recognised and taken seriously.” — Tobi Fletcher, President, APFSPN

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