Governor Abiola Ajimobi of the western Nigerian state of Oyo has approved the appointment of six new judges into the state judiciary.

A statement issued in Ibadan on Wednesday by the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Bayo Ojo, said that the appointment was sequel to the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC).

The new judges, according to the commissioner, include the Chief Registrar of the state High Court, Mrs. O. O. Olatunji, Mr. Bayo Taiwo from the Federal Ministry of Justice, Abuja and the immediate past Vice-Chairman of the Ibadan branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Lekan Owolabi.

Others are Mr. G. A. Sunmonu, Mrs. O. M. Fadeyi and Mr. E. O. Ajayi, all Ibadan-based private legal practitioners.

The appointment of the new judges, whose swearing in will be performed by Governor Ajimobi on 27 May, has brought the number of judges in the state judiciary to 22, while more judges may still be appointed before the end of the year.

The last time judges were appointed into the state judiciary was ain 2006.

Four officials of the Ogun State government, in western Nigeria, are now assisting the Police at the Police headquarters, Eleweeran, Abeokuta to explain how N200million, meant to pay the examination fees of secondary school students was fraudulently diverted into personal accounts.

A statement from the office of the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Taiwo Adeoluwa last night revealed that the diversion started three years ago.

The statement further stated that, “Four officials, two males and two females, are already in the police net and they are aiding in the investigations on the matter. Other suspects are being investigated for their roles in the fraud.”

The government said preliminary investigation suggested that the fraud was perpetrated through inflation of the list of candidates in public schools.

According to Adeoluwa, “This is a disturbing development. Education is number one on the five-cardinal programme of our administration and that is why we are investing so much to rebuild the sector.

“Officials who think they can divert funds meant for this important sector are in for a surprise. Anybody who is implicated in this scam will be made to face the full wrath of the law.”

Though the Rivers State Governor has indicated that he will re- contest for election as the Chairman of NGF, the Presidency is said not to be favourably disposed to his return to the position.

Rather, the Presidency is said to be supporting Mallam Isa Yuguda, Governor of Bauchi State as successor to Amaechi.

The notice for the election was sent to the Governors by the Director General of the secretariat of the NGF, Asishana Okauru on Wednesday.

The date was rescheduled following claims by some governors that they didn’t get the notice in which the election was previously slated for Thursday.

The NGF secretariat advised the governors interested in contesting for the positions of chairman and vice-chairman to submit their notices of intent to run for the posts before Friday.

Other issues to be addressed at the meeting include the vacant seats on the board of trustees of the NGF to be filled by one person each from the north-central, north-eastern, south-western and south-eastern zones, and two from the north-western zone.

JETHRO IBILEKE/Ogidi

Achebe’s final burial place. Photo: Jethro Ibileke/P.M.NEWS

The people of Ogidi, home town of world renowned Nigerian novelist, Chinua Achebe have expressed their readiness to receive the remains of the late literally icon for a befitting traditional and heroic burial.

The small community wears a new look as all roads leading to Achebe’s final resting place are swept clean with the kerbs painted black and white.

Those who spoke to P.M. NEWS said even though they are saddened by Achebe’s death, they are however delighted to give him the heroic burial that he deserves.

Okoli, a welder whose workshop is located a few meters away for the family compound of Chinua Achebe, said the death of the novelist saddens him, but he is happy that he has the opportunity to give him the last respect in his ancestral hometown.

“Even though we are sad that he has passed away, we are still happy that we witness this day. We would have wanted him to remain with us forever, but we all know that is not possible. His burial is a heroic one. He deserves it.

“We will all miss him, but he will live for ever in our hearts and everyone who reads any of his books. Achebe puts the name of Ogidi on the world map. For that alone, he deserves the heroic burial that we are giving him,” Okoli said.

A staff of Idemili North local government area who identified herself simply as Amaka, said Achebe’s demise should not be taken in bad faith, saying that the man was old and satisfied with age.

“Even though no one is too old to live, but to me, Achebe was a fulfilled man. He lived a happy and fulfilled life. He was known the world over and generations to come will still remember him. So, to me, Achebe’s departure should be celebrated.

“We in Ogidi are happy that our illustrious son is embarking on his journey to eternity. We are happy for him,” Amaka told P.M. NEWS.

Achebe’s final resting place in Ogidi. Photo: Jethro Ibileke/P.M.NEWS

The country home of the literary giant, located along Abatete-Ezi Uwerri Road was a beehive of activities as construction workers were everywhere working to complete the final resting place of Achebe. Others were also busy erecting tents and canopy for the service of songs slated for Thursday evening.

The Achebe family compound, located at Ngwazike roundabout, about 1000 meters away from Achebe’s country home was also full of activities.

Ogidi, a small community of several thousands in population and headquarters of Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra state, is a journey of about 30 minutes’ drive from Onitsha, the commercial headquarters of the south east.

A man believed to be a serving British soldier was brutally murdered Wednesday near a London barracks in what Prime Minister David Cameron said appeared to be a terrorist attack.

Cameron called the attack “appalling” and said: “There are strong indications that it is a terrorist incident.”

Armed police shot and wounded the two suspected attackers.

One broadcaster showed footage of one of the men at the scene carrying a blood-covered knife and meat cleaver saying to the camera: “We swear by almighty Allah we will never stop fighting you.”

The black man, dressed in a grey hooded jacket and black woolly hat, made a number of political statements to bystanders.

“We must fight them as they fight us. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth,” he says in a London accent in the video.

Scene of the brutal murder in Woolwich, London

He adds: “I apologise that women have had to witness this today, but in our land our women have to see the same. You people will never be safe. Remove your government, they don’t care about you.”

The government’s emergency response committee was immediately convened.

The attack took place in broad daylight around 200 metres (218 yards) from the Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich, southeast London.

Cameron, who was to return early from talks with French President Francois Hollande in Paris to deal with the aftermath, called the attack “truly shocking”.

Hollande said at a press conference that the victim was a soldier, but Cameron gave no confirmation.

A local member of parliament said he believed the dead man was a soldier.

Cameron said: “We’ve had this sort of attack before in our country and we never buckle in the face of them.”

Home Secretary Theresa May chaired a meeting of COBRA, the government’s emergency civil contingencies committee.

“It has been confirmed to me that a man has been brutally murdered this afternoon in southeast London,” she said.

“Two other men were shot by armed police and they are currently receiving treatment for their injuries. This is a sickening and barbaric attack.”

Police were called at 2:20 pm (1320 GMT) to reports of one man being assaulted by two others.

“A number of weapons were reportedly being used in the attack, and this included reports of a firearm,” said police commander Simon Letchford.

Local police officers, then firearms officers arrived on the scene where they found a man who was later pronounced dead.

“Two men, who we believe from early reports to have been carrying weapons, were shot by police. They were taken to separate London hospitals, they are receiving treatment for their injuries,” Letchford said.

He said there would be a heightened police presence in the area and urged locals to remain calm.

A white and blue police evidence tent was visible in the street and police tape sealed off the scene. People in forensic suits were also seen.

Eyewitness pictures showed an air ambulance landing in the road and three bodies lying on the ground with dozens of onlookers observing the scene after the police arrived.

Nick Raynsford, the member of parliament for Woolwich and Greenwich, said his understanding after speaking to police and army officers was that dead man was a soldier.

“We think a serving soldier was the victim,” he said.

“A number of weapons have been seized. They include a gun, various knives, and a machete, apparently.

“The police clearly had to take action in order to try and arrest these individuals.”

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said Queen Elizabeth II — who is due to visit the barracks later this month — was being kept updated.

“The queen is of course concerned by the report of an attack in Woolwich,” he said.

“Her Majesty is being kept informed.”

The spokesman confirmed the monarch would carry out a planned visit to the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery at the barracks on May 31.

The body of revered Nigerian writer Chinua Achebe arrived Wednesday in his home state in Nigeria, where hundreds of admirers packed a stadium to pay tribute a day ahead of his funeral.

A wooden coffin transported the body of Achebe, the celebrated author of the novel “Things Fall Apart”, who died in March in the United States at age 82.

Achebe: Achebe’s first son Ikechukwu, with Governor Peter Obi and Secretary to the FG, Pius Anyim

Late Nigerian novelist Chinua Achebe’s son Ikechukwu Achebe (L) holds his mother and professor Christie Achebe (2nd L)

His coffin was taken on Wednesday to a stadium in Awka in Anambra state in Nigeria’s southeast, where some 2,000 people gathered and the Anglican archbishop of Anambra prayed over his body.

Some mourners dressed in shirts with his picture emblazoned on them, while local chiefs wore traditional red caps common among Igbos, Achebe’s ethnic group.

His body had initially arrived back in Nigeria in the capital Abuja on Tuesday.

“Indeed a great man of letters has gone, but we are consoled that his good works and deeds will endure for long,” said Innocent Okechukwu, a 27-year-old lawyer at the stadium.

Achebe is to be buried Thursday in his native town of Ogidi in Anambra state in a ceremony expected to draw fellow writers, local officials, foreign dignitaries and the Archbishop of Canterbury, according to local media.

His burial in the family compound in Ogidi will follow a service at a local Anglican church.

Achebe was a harsh critic of corruption in Nigeria and rejected national awards in 2004 and 2011, but President Goodluck Jonathan was nonetheless scheduled to attend.

Achebe was best known internationally for his novel “Things Fall Apart,” which depicts the clash between British rule and traditional Igbo culture in his native southeastern region.

He had lived and worked as a professor in the United States in recent years, with a 1990 car accident leaving him in a wheelchair and limiting his travel.

South African writer and Nobel laureate Nadine Gordimer called Achebe the “father of modern African literature” in 2007, when she was among the judges to award him the Man Booker International prize for fiction.

Switzerland, currently in the process of restituting assets to several former autocratic countries, is working on a new law aimed at simplifying the process of freezing and unblocking such funds, the government said Wednesday.

The law under construction would regulate “the administrative confiscation and restitution of dictator assets,” the government said in a statement.

Bern presented its pre-law proposal to parliament for consultations on Wednesday, stressing it was the first such proposal of its kind in the world.

Switzerland has been freezing the assets of dictators and restituting them to the countries in question for the past 25 years.

It blocked funds embezzled by Ferdinand Marcos of the Philippines, Sani Abacha of Nigeria and Vladimir Montesinos of Peru, and has since restituted some 1.7 billion Swiss francs (1.4 billion euros, $1.75 billion) to these countries.

sani abacha: Switzerland plans new law to freeze stolen money

At the height of the Arab Spring in early 2011, the central European country famous for its banks froze some 60 million Swiss franks linked to ousted Tunisian dictator Zine el Abidine Ben Ali, and around $700 million linked to ousted Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak.

The Alpine state also blocked 100 million Swiss francs from Libya and another 100 million from Syria.

The new law proposal includes a number of existing rules in this domain coupled with new elements aimed at simplifying the process through better cooperation and the standardisation of certain procedures.

This, Bern hopes, will help ensure that former dictators cannot recuperate frozen funds due to mistakes made in their countries’ requests for international judicial cooperation.

New leaders in formerly autocratic countries often have problems making such requests due to lack of experience, and when requests are not made correctly, Switzerland cannot proceed with blocking or restituting assets.

The new law would mandate measures aimed at helping the country of origin make its request and recuperate the frozen money, including Swiss training for authorities and legal counsel.

In a new twist, Switzerland could also provide all relevant information to the new authorities in the country of origin, including long-guarded banking details, to help them draft their request for international judicial cooperation.

The new law would also make it possible for Bern to block assets as soon as a dictator falls, and would bar Switzerland from maintaining a block for more than 10 years.

The banks managing such assets would meanwhile be obligated to immediately report the suspicious funds to the Swiss foreign ministry, or risk fines of up to 250,000 Swiss francs, according to the proposal.

While frozen in Switzerland, the funds must be managed conservatively, and any interest gains should be returned to the country in question, along with the capital, according to rules already in place.

The Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has approved the appointment of six new judges into the state judiciary.

A statement issued in Ibadan on Wednesday by the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Bayo Ojo, said that the appointment was sequel to the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC).

The new judges, according to the commissioner, include the Chief Registrar of the state High Court, Mrs. O. O. Olatunji, Mr. Bayo Taiwo from the Federal Ministry of Justice, Abuja and the immediate past Vice-Chairman of the Ibadan branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Lekan Owolabi.

Others are Mr. G. A. Sunmonu, Mrs. O. M. Fadeyi and Mr. E. O. Ajayi, all Ibadan-based private legal practitioners.

The appointment of the new judges, whose swearing in will be performed by Governor Ajimobi on 27 May, 2013, has brought the number of judges in the state judiciary to 22, while more judges may still be appointed before the end of the year.

The last time judges were appointed into the state judiciary  was ain 2006.

—Gbenro Adesin/Ibadan

Samm Audu, the Team’s Media Officer, said in a statement released in Abuja that Egbedi joined the squad the same day that Rangers International FC of Enugu striker Alhaji Gero, Olympiakos FC of Greece attacking midfielder Michael Olaitan and Daddy Moses joined the team.

According to the statement, Moses has reportedly signed a contract with Ajax Amsterdam FC from an academy in Nigeria.

It said the 30-man squad was expected to feature at this year’s Toulon International Football Tournament, where they are drawn against defending champions Mexico, Portugal, Brazil and Belgium.

The Flying Eagles’ final 21-man squad is expected to be named latest 11 June.

The Nigeria U-20 team are drawn in Group B alongside Portugal, South Korea and Cuba.

The team will set out for Turkey from Germany on 17 June and will play their first match on 21 June against Portugal in Kayseri.

The team made up of Uwazie Jude and Alex Adewale lost the first match on Monday against Spain without hitting a ball as the Spanish side walked over the Nigerian contingent due to the late arrival of the team to Turkey.

This was followed by a 0-3 defeat to Belgium on Tuesday as Alex Adewale lost in two straight sets 0-6, 0-6 to Joachim Gérard, while Uwazie Jude also lost 4-6, 2-6 to another Belgian, Gert Vos.

The Nigerian pair were later bundled out in the Men’s Doubles when they lost to Belgium’s Mike Denayer and Joachim Gérard, 0-6, 1-6.

Despite these defeats, President of Nigeria Tennis Federation, NTF, Engr. Sani Ndanusa is still hopeful that the Nigerian players can still make it to the next round of the competition in the Men’s Singles if they can win the playoffs.

—Damilare Okunola

For the first time after almost six months of an alleged cold war between Banky W, owner of Empire Mates Entertainment and his biggest star, Wizkid, it was a pleasing sight for many to see both showing each other so much love as it was in the beginning.

The two were brought together by mobile telephone giant, Samsung, during the ‘Design for Life Fashion Show’ to launch the brand’s Galaxy S4 recently at the Oriental Hotel in Lagos.

•Banky W and Wizkid

P.M.NEWS Showbiz Trends learnt that Wizkid had sneaked into the hall midway into the show and took a sit right next to his boss, Banky W.  As if that was not enough to show that there is real love in the EME family, while Banky was on stage, he gave a shout out to Wizkid and invited him on stage to do a couple of his songs.

Banky revealed to the crowd that Wizkid was not paid to perform at the show but was doing so as a favour to him. They both lit up the stage performing Roll It, and left the fans craving for more.

Style and couture were the stand-out features of the Samsung Galaxy S4 launch. It kicked off with a fashion show specially organised by Samsung to celebrate young designers, the event highlighted the distinctive qualities of the phone while the crème de la crème of the entertainment industry laughed for several hours in the company of compere Seyi Law.

On the heels of the success of his last single Good Life, top singer, J. Martins has returned to the studio to make another good music, P.M.NEWS Showbiz Trends can reveal.

This time, he is offering from his creative factory a beautiful split; a mid tempo hip hop number, Touchin Body and Nkoli remix, a love song featuring rap star M.I; rave of the moment, Phyno and amazingly, Basket Mouth, the comic merchant extraordinaire.

•J.Martins and Phyno

Nkoli remix, rendered in smooth and soothing Igbo lyrics, is laced with raps from two of the industry’s front-liners, while Touchin Body takes music lovers swiftly back to memory lane.

“I’m grateful to God that Good Life came to start the year on a good note, that’s pretty much cool…First of all, Good Life was not a Nigerian song, if you really notice what we know Nigerian songs to be. But my fans also embraced it and gave their support as they have always done. But we have to return to the studio to work,” said J.Martins.

He added: “For now, no albums, we’re just making good music all the way, that’s the best service I can render to everyone who believes in my artistry,” he said.

J. Martins, a United Nations Youth Ambassador, is a song writer, singer and producer. His many songs, most of which are evergreen from Fine Fine Love, Oyoyo, Good or Bad and even the last single, Good Life, gets rave reviews by pundits.

Accomplished South African-based Nigerian filmmaker Akin Omotoso’s special documentary film Wole Soyinka: Child of the Forest is one of the selected films showing at the 2013 Cinema Africa Film Festival in Tokyo, Japan.

This year’s Cinema Africa event, which started on 18 May and will run till 23 May, also has on the lineup features, documentaries and short films. Among those films selected to be screened are Nigeria’s Kunle Afolayan’s two recent films: Phone Swap, a romantic comedy and The Figurine.  There will also be a documentary on Ousmane Sembene and short films like Wanuri Kanuri’s sci-fi Pumzi.

Cinema Africa is a non-profit organisation in Tokyo, Japan, established in 2006. “Our mission is to develop understanding and appreciation of Africa in Japan through African films made by African filmmakers or producers. For this purpose, we have organized Cinema Africa in Tokyo, the only one African film festival in Asia and the Pacific region. We also recently started distribution of the films to non-profit organizations, non-governmental organisations, and municipalities,” said an official of Cinema Africa.

Nigeria’s Super Sand Eagles will this evening at the Mazagan Beach Resort, El Jadida, Morocco confront Libya in their first Group B match of the African Beach Soccer tourney, which kicks off today.

The team would return to action again tomorrow, when they trade tackles with Egypt before confronting Cote d’Ivoire on Friday.

Speaking on the readiness of the Nigerian team for the tournament, Head Coach, Audu Adamu expressed confidence in the ability of his men to reach the last four and also qualify for the World Cup in Tahiti later this year.

“It’s a good draw for us; our target is to first reach the semifinals and then the final which will mean qualifying for the World Cup. Qualifying for the World Cup is always our priority right now,” Adamu stated.

•Nigeria’s Super Sand Eagles during the last Copa Lagos Beach Soccer Championship. Photo: Idowu Ogunleye

Corroborating the stand and belief of Adamu is Abu Azeez, who was the top scorer at last year’s Copa Lagos Beach tourney. He said that the team are raring to go. “We arrived safely in Morocco and we’re really set for the stiff challenges ahead.

“The team know what is at stake and we are going to ensure that we do our best to make the nation proud, by not only do well in Morocco, but qualify for the world championship in Tahiti,” Azeez said.

Nigeria are a powerhouse in beach soccer on the continent, and have represented Africa at the world stage on numerous occasions.

The team are packed with beach soccer stars that include team captain and Dolphins FC midfielder, Isiaka Olawale, Ogbonnaya Okemmiri and top scorer Victor Tale.

Meanwhile, former Super Eagles defender turned clergyman, Taribo West is upbeat that the Sand Eagles would do well at the tourney based on the level of their exposure at last year’s Copa Lagos Beach competition, saying “I expect them to win and qualify for the World Cup given their exposure in Copa Lagos. I think they have what it takes, they are an incredible team, and I believe their handlers know what to do to keep them at the top.

“If they maintain their form from what I saw in Copa Lagos, I think they will be unbeatable; they are incredibly good”.

The two finalists will qualify for the FIFA Beach Soccer World, taking place in Tahiti between 18 to 28 September later this year. Group A comprise of Morocco, Ghana, Senegal and Madagascar, while countries in Group B are Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Libya, Egypt.

—Adebobola Alawode

On 23 June, pop star D’Banj will be a year older. But on that day, the entertainer is planning to shut Lagos down with another five-star concert, featuring live appearances from some of the finest stars on the continent and beyond to celebrate his 33rd birthday.

The MOBO and BET-winning hit-maker said he is throwing a big, spectacular gig, at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, to launch the debut DKM album, and celebrate his recent achievements with friends and fans in Nigeria.

D’Banj, early this week said the hugely anticipated concert will be rock electrifying performances from him and his friends, including Fally Ipupa  from Congo DR, 2face Idibia (Nigeria), 2Chainz (USA), Olamide (Nigeria) and other big names from home and abroad.

“It will be my first time in Nigeria and I can’t wait,” 2Chainz said in a video drop released by D’Banj. “My birthday is in September but I’ll act like it’s my birthday,” the rapper, mostly known worldwide for his mega hit Birthday Song added jokingly.

• Dbanj and Snoop Lion performing at the MTV Africa All Stars concert in Durban

The big-budget concert, D’Banj said, will be the first in a series of DKM Concerts to be staged in collaboration with Ndani TV in Lagos and other parts. It will also feature DB Records acts KaySwitch, JSol, JSleek and others.

“We have done it all over the world, with the support of our fans everywhere. I know Nigerians have been yearning, and I can’t wait for 23 June to bring Lagos alive and treat my friends to all the new stuff we’ve been working on,” the star entertainer who performed with Snoop Lion at the MTV All Stars Concert in Durban, South Africa over the weekend, concluded.

Chief Coach of the Flying Eagles of Nigeria, John Obuh and his wards would have an opportunity to perfect their acts ahead of the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey when they take part at the 2013 Toulon International Tournament which kicks off in France later this month.

The international football tournament would provide the technical crew led by Obuh an avenue to test their strength before the World Youth Championship, WYC which will hold next month.

The Flying Eagles relinquished their title at the last edition of the African Youth Championship, AYC held in Morocco. They will be using the tournament in France to look at the areas of weaknesses before the commencement of the WYC.

At the AYC in Morocco, the Flying Eagles were wasteful in front of goal as they threw away litany of scoring chances and it is expected of the coaches to use the 10-nation invitational tourney to correct the shortcomings of the team.

The team came under serious criticism following their poor showing in Morocco but it was the attacking department that got much of the bashing because of their wastefulness.

Expected to lead the team’s onslaught is Kayode Olanrewaju, who will be getting the desired support from  Edafe Egbedi of AGF Aarhus, Denmark, Moses Daddy-Ajala Simon (Unattached), Lucky Omeruo of Bayelsa United, Chidi Osuchukwu of Dolphins, Bright Ejike of Heartland, and the ever reliable Alhaji Gero of Rangers International of Enugu. Some football aficionados are of the view that Obuh should use the pre-tournament competition to fine tune the team into a rich blend that can terrorise their would-be opponents.

With the bulk of 2011 set returning to the world stage again, they are expected to perform better based on the wealth of experience they have garnered.

The Flying Eagles are in Group B of the 10-team tournament and will kick off their campaign on 29 May against the defending champions, Mexico, who they coincidentally lost1-4 to in another invitational tournament in Panama when they were preparing for the 2011 WYC in Colombia.

Some analysts and stakeholders are however of the views that Obuh is bereft of ideas, they reasoned that the coach lacks the technical and tactical wherewithals to lead the team to great heights.

They faulted Obuh for failing to discover young and promising players, stating that there is no point calling up players that participated at the last edition of the WYC.

First to air his grievance is former member of the Nigeria Football Association, NFA, Godwin Dudu-Orumen, who reckoned that it is unwise for Obuh to rely heavily on players from the Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL and foreign clubs to prosecute an age grade competition.

According to Dudu-Orumen, “Obuh is just wasting our money, why should he be inviting players from abroad when we expect him to use players from academies and secondary schools in the country.”

Flying Eagles coach John Obuh (left) and his players during a training session. PHOTO: AFP

Obuh’s assistant at the Nigeria 2009 U-17 World Cup, Monday Odigie reasoned that the France tournament would afford the U-20 team an avenue to blend before the World Cup proper.

A board member of the Lagos State Football Association, Dotun Coker said the invitational tourney is a welcomed development for the Flying Eagles because it would avail the team the opportunity to know how readiness they are for the WYC.

“The invitational tourney no doubt is good for Obuh and his players because they would be playing against teams that they would eventually confront in Turkey.”

Nigeria will be playing in Group B that contains the like of Belgium, Mexico, Portugal and Brazil, while Group A consists of South Korea, France, Colombia, USA and DR Congo.

—Adebobola Alawode

Other things being equal, two former undisputed boxing world champions, Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson are expected to visit Nigeria this weekend, P.M.NEWS Sports has scooped.

Information on good authority has it that the former professional boxers are expected in Lagos on Friday to visit FESTAC Boxing Gym and Academy situated inside the Federal Housing Authority, FHA playground, 23 Road, FESTAC Town on Saturday.

Oluwafemi Sholanke, who was a professional heavyweight boxer turned boxing coach, informed that both boxers would use the opportunity to spot talented amateur boxers to see how they can them develop their talents.

Sholanke stated further that after visiting the gym, both boxers would likely square up in the ring inside the gym of Golden Tulip Hotel, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos from where they would proceed to the Black Heritage, Badagry.

According to Sholanke, “plans are in top gear to play host to two world boxing champions. Amuwo Odofin Local Government led by Comrade Ayodele Adewale is working round the clock to ensure that our two visitors from America have a swell time during their short stay in the country.”

—Adebobola Alawode

The Port Harcourt side would miss the services of six players due to injuries or national call-up, but Obioha is convinced Dolphins can still present a formidable side, more so with the backing of their supporters at the Liberation Stadium.

He reckons that the depleted Dolphins side have earned their respect after forcing Kwara United to a draw in Ilorin.

“We have been analysing the situation at Dolphins since their coach Stanley Eguma raised concerns about the loss of key players to national assignments, but we also know they have a good squad and should be able to cope,” he told supersport.com.

“That they could go all the way to Ilorin and pull a 1-1 draw with Kwara United shows they are no pushovers.

“It is obvious the rookies in the team want to seize this opportunity to make a statement, so it would be dangerous to underrate them,” he said.

•Adamu, Sand Eagles coach

Head coach of Nigeria’s beach soccer team, Audu Adamu, is confident that Nigeria will qualify for the Beach Soccer World Cup to be held in Tahiti in September.

The Supersand Eagles arrived Morocco on Sunday with a 12-man team to begin preparations to secure one of the two tickets available for Africa for the biennial Beach Soccer World Cup.

The Nigerian team are packed with beach soccer stars that include team captain and Dolphins FC midfielder, Isiaka Olawale, Ogbonnaya Okemmiri and  at last year’s Copa Lagos Beach tourney, Victor Tale.

Speaking from the team’s hotel in Morocco on BrilaFM on Tuesday, coach Adamu, popularly called ‘Ejo’ by his fans, said the players are not only ready to qualify the country for the championship but also raring to go all the way to Tahiti and bring the elusive world cup to Nigeria.

“We arrived safely and we’re really set for the stiff challenges ahead,” Adamu said.

“The team knows what is at stake and we are going to make sure we do our best to make the nation proud, by not only qualifying but also bringing the cup from Tahiti.”

After representing Africa at the world stage on numerous occasions, Nigeria have become a powerhouse in beach soccer on the continent.

Senegal are the reigning African beach soccer champions, after seeing off Nigeria in the final of the 2011 edition held in Morocco.

—Bamidele Olowosagba

By John Tosin Ajiboye

The rate at which foreigners are smuggling arms into the country is alarming and it calls for serious concern for all and sundry.

With the kind of security challenges Nigeria as a nation is facing, security agencies ought to be more vigilant in detecting illegal arms importation. It is unfortunate that some bad politicians, greedy customs officers and some disgruntled elements among other law enforcement officers are encouraging and supporting these criminals from different parts of the of the world to import all sorts of arms into Nigeria.

It will be recalled that on July 17, 2010 one Iranian, Azin Aghajani accompanied  by one unpatriotic Nigerian named  Ali  Jega  illegally imported a 13-by-20 feet container load of firearms and explosives into Nigeria from Iran by falsely declaring on the Bill of Lading that the consignment contained construction materials.

In the same vain, 15 Russians were also arrested in Lagos by Naval officers on 18 October, 2012 and arraigned on 19 February, 2013 for unlawful importation of arms into Nigeria. The accused Russians who have found Nigeria as a country where anything goes are: Zhelyyazkov Andrey, Savchenko Sergel, Chikanov Vasily, Varlygin Igor, Komilov Alexander, Lopatin Alexey and Baranovskly Nikolay. Others are Mishin Pavel, Liia Shubov, Dimitry Bannyry, Alexander Tsarikov, Kononov Sergel, Korotchouko Andrey, Vorobev Mikhail and Stepan Oleksiuk.

These accused persons were alleged to have entered Nigerian territorial waters without due clearance from the Nigerian Customs Service and refusal to declare the content of their vessel, an offence that contravenes the Provisions of the Firearms Act, Cap F28, Laws of the federation of Nigeria, 2004 as well as the Provision of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17 Laws of the federation of Nigeria 2004.

Using the porous borders with Chad, Niger and Cameroon in the desolate scrubland around Lake Chad and some of our waterways, these criminals from foreign countries smuggle in bigger weapons for the members of Boko Haram sect and other militia groups that are terrorizing our dear country.

According to the Reuters, the recent Bama attack showed Boko Haram sect’s substantial fire power, including machine guns, large numbers of rocket propelled grenades (RPGs) and pick-up trucks mounted with anti-aircraft guns. It clearly shows that the weapons flow from the Libyan war that helped rebels seize parts of Mali last year. This is also an indication that something urgent must be done to stop these illegal importation of arms into Nigeria.

While I commend Justice Okechukwu Okeke of the Federal High Court in Lagos for sentencing Azim Aghajani and his Nigerian accomplice,  Jega to 17 years imprisonment each for illegal importation of firearms into country on Monday 13 May, 2013,  (I would have wanted a harsher sentence for the convicts) I will also appeal to Federal Ministries of Justice and Interior not to allow Aghajani to serve his jail term in his home country (Iran) as requested by his counsel. He should be allowed to serve it here in Nigerian prison where he committed the offence so that it will serve as a lesson for other foreigners who think they can do whatever they like in Nigeria and go scot free.

I will also urge Justice James Tsoho who is in charge of the case of the alleged arms importers who are Russia nationals not to let them go scot free if they are found guilty.

On the other hand, Nigerian lawyers should be more patriotic in the course of discharging their duties. They must not because of the money they will charge and be encouraging or supporting the criminals that are importing arms into the country because they or any of their family members can be victims of the arms that are being smuggled into our country.

The Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, whose ministry is overseeing Nigerian Customs must be up and doing. Corruption in Nigeria Customs Service must be checkmated and any officer found aiding and abetting smuggling of arms into the country must be sacked and prosecuted. The Chiefs of Air and Naval Staff must also caution their officers from supporting the foreigners from smuggling arms into the country via our air and waterways.

Lastly, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru must also address members of the diplomatic community to warn their citizens against causing trouble in Nigeria either directly or indirectly, and should any foreigner be arrested for any offence in Nigeria, he/she must be allowed to face the full wrath of the law as it is done in other countries.  For instance, Iran, Saudi Arabia, China and other countries have executed many Nigerians while thousands are languishing in jail for trafficking cocaine and other hard drugs into their countries. Therefore, any citizen of these countries who smuggles hard drugs or arms into Nigeria should be punished harshly.

Nigeria has enough challenges  and no foreigner should be allowed to add to our problems.

Enough is enough.

•Ajiboye writes from Osogbo, Osun state. •E-mail: johntosin21@yayoo.com •Tel:+2348138966292