Spices Of Africa

Pictures: Zoro Monta's Birthday Party

2012-10-05T13:12:00.001+01:00

Ijebu Fasion week (Press conference in pictures)

2012-08-26T17:15:00.000+01:00

Boko Haram: JAMB may cancel exams in Borno, other volatile states

2012-03-03T18:04:00.001+01:00

The Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Dibu Ojerinde, has said there will be no Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in the volatile states in northern Nigeria.
Ojerinde made the announcement on Friday in Abuja while speaking with reporters at the 58th National Council on Education (NEC) meeting.
According to him, JAMB will be forced to cancel the examination if the Boko Haram attacks on primary and secondary schools in Borno State continue.
“When we reviewed the situation in volatile states, for instance Borno, we realised that some of the schools are being bombed, but our investigations showed that only primary schools are affected and not secondary schools.
“The board will be left with no option than to tell the candidates to go elsewhere to write the exams if schools which serve as centres are attacked.’’
The registrar regretted that the development could be quite unfortunate for the students.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Boko Haram had on February 28 attacked four primary schools in Maiduguri, setting the Gomari Costain Primary School and a section of the Maiduguri Experimental School, Kawanar on fire.
They also set ablaze Budum Kulo Gomna Primiary Schools and Abba Ganaram Primary School also in Maiduguri.
Meanwhile, three suspected Boko Haram members died on Friday after an explosion at a bomb factory in Kaleri, Maiduguri.
Col. Victor Ebhaleme, the Field Commander of the Joint Task Force (JTF) on Operation Restore Order (ORO), told newsmen in Maiduguri that the incident happened at about 10.30 a.m.
He said residents of the area were attracted by the big sound in a residential area at Kaleri and they alerted the JTF.
“On arrival, our men discovered mutilated bodies of three persons suspected to be Boko Haram militants. Apparently, they died while preparing the bombs.”
Ebhaleme added that several unexploded Improvised Explosive Device (IED) were also found in the house, which was completely destroyed by the blast.
“Several bomb making apparatus were also found in the house,’’ he said.

Uche Kalu happy with progress under Keshi

2012-03-03T18:00:00.000+01:00

Enyimba striker Uche Kalu has said that he is happy with the progress he has made since he joined the home-based Super Eagles under Stephen Keshi. Kalu told Goal.com that he has learnt so much from the coaching crew and is ready to contribute his quota to the progress of the team.
"I am so happy with what I have learnt from big boss. My game has improved and I know other players from the Nigeria Premier League would always attest to this fact. It is good that there is an enabling environment for the home lads to thrive. And I am sure we will take the opportunity to improve every aspect of our game," said Kalu.
Kalu failed to tie down a place with Moroccan side Raja Casablanca recently but is enjoying his return home. The training at home before the game against Rwanda was an eye opener for us," he said. Lawyer to the player Chike Onyeacho noted that Kalu is now an improved player.
"There is excitement in the air for the home based players and Uche Kalu immediately they came back from Kigali called me that this is one opportunity that they intend to grab with all seriousness.
"I am happy for the players in Nigeria because it is a new dawn. And I hope that it will change the game for good in the country," Onyeacho said.

Keshi: Yak, Osaze, others not blacklisted

2012-03-03T17:56:00.000+01:00

Nigeria head coach, Stephen Keshi has opened up to SuperSport.com that the local-based lads were by far the best performers against Rwanda.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria held their Rwandan counterparts to a goalless draw in a 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying in Kigali on Wednesday.
Keshi in the game against Rwanda started three local-based stars in Ejike Uzoenyi, Godfrey Oboabona and Azubuike Egwuekwe.
He also named four other NPL stars - Chigozie Agbim, Gabriel Reuben, Papa Idris and Uche Kalu - on the bench.
Keshi was clearly impressed with Enugu Rangers' winger, Uzoenyi during his chat with SuperSport.com and rated him above the rest of the starters for the Nigerian squad.
The Nigerian coach popularly called 'Big Boss' added that Uzoenyi was by miles the top man ahead of the likes of Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Peter Osaze Odemwingie and Ahmed Musa in performance during the game.
"Ejike for me was our best player among those that started. He was the one initiating almost every of our attacks even while we had the likes of Yakubu, Osaze and Musa on the pitch.
"But that doesn't mean Yakubu, Osaze and Musa and the rest of the squad aren't good. Footballers at times do have their off periods and in this case it happened to most of our foreign-based players and it only justifies that we have talent back home in the local league," Keshi remarked.
The former Mali and Togo coach when prodded further on his plans to drop a handful of foreign-based stars who did not lift their performance in Kigali, Keshi denied outright such move.
"Suppose Ejike didn't perform, will people also go to town to say I'm planning to drop him and other local-based players? I'll tell you that all that is mere speculation. I didn't tell anyone such. Because we are building doesn't mean we will pull down the old side and bring in a new team entirely. It's a gradual process in building a strong squad for the country," Keshi reacted to reports claiming he plans to drop Yakubu, Odemwingie, Dickson Etuhu and Joel Obi.
Keshi also said he is ready to keep the squad against Rwanda for subsequent games as he continues building the side.
The 50-year-old is also on the lookout for new addition to strengthen the squad especially from the home front, as he believes his team are still work in progress.
"We have games coming up against Gabon and Peru, and I won't just wake up and throw away this team. It's a building process we've started and it's a long-term plan. I will be looking for players to bring into the side to help out because we are not there yet," Keshi rounded off.

I stole N37.5bn •Ibori pleads guilty in UK •To be sentenced April 16

2012-02-28T23:46:00.001+01:00

“He was never the legitimate governor and there was effectively a thief in government house.”
FORMER governor of Delta State, who is standing trial in the United Kingdom (UK), Chief James Ibori, has pleaded guilty in a UK court to a 10-count charge of laundering $250 million (N37.5 billion) and conspiracy to defraud.

He is due to be sentenced on April 16.

Ibori, according to report, changed his plea to guilty and admitted stealing money from Delta State and laundering it in London through a number of offshore companies, as his trial at London's Southwark Crown Court was about to begin on Monday.

The British police had accused him of stealing $250 million (£160 million) during his eight-year rule as governor of Delta State.

Ibori was referred to as a “thief in government house” by the prosecutor.

The former governor was arrested in 2010 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and then extradited to London.

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) quoted prosecutor QC (Sasha Wass) to have said that Ibori, 53, had "tricked his way into becoming Delta State governor, by giving a false date of birth and claiming he had no criminal record.

“He was never the legitimate governor and there was effectively a thief in government house.

“As the pretender of that public office, he was able to plunder Delta State's wealth and hand out patronage."

Ibori's wife, Theresa, his sister, Christine, his mistress, Udoamaka Okoronkwo, and his London solicitor, Bhadresh Gohil, have all been convicted of money laundering.

The BBC had said that the convictions of the accused persons could only be reported on Monday after reporting restrictions were lifted.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had asked the UK's Metropolitan Police to look into the ex-governor's financial affairs.

"The vast sums of money involved were used to fund Ibori's lavish lifestyle.

Subsidy palliatives not abandoned —Jonathan

2012-02-28T23:36:00.003+01:00

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has debunked insinuation that his administration has abandoned the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment (SURE) programme which contains strategies for palliatives to cushion the harsh effects of full deregulation of the downstream sector of the petroleum industry.

Following the president's address at the recent 58th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a national daily had reported that the administration had abandoned the programme.

In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, in Abuja on Monday, the president observed that the insinuation had become the pattern by some political pundits whose definition of opposition was to undermine any good policy initiative of the Federal Government.

According to the statement, there has been a deliberate misrepresentation of the comments by the president at the NEC meeting on the issue of reviewing the SURE programme, "hence, it has been alleged that the Federal Government has abandoned or is attempting to 'truncate' theSubsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment (SURE) programme."

It added that, "at no time did President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan say that the Federal Government had abandoned the SURE programme.

"What he said in his opening remarks at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting last week, was that the full implementation of government’s palliatives to cushion the negative effects of the fuel subsidy removal as contained in the original SURE programme, was no longer feasible and will be reviewed in view of the partial rather than full removal of the subsidy on petrol.

"The SURE Programme was predicated on a policy of full deregulation as stated in the SURE document released to the general public. However, due to widely publicised events after the commencement of full deregulation, the government, after a series of negotiations with organised labour, reduced the pump price of petrol.

"It therefore follows that the funds that were expected to accrue from full deregulation will no longer accrue since the policy of full deregulation was stepped down for the time being.

"This new reality informed the President’s directive that the original SURE programme documents already circulated to the public, be withdrawn in order not to give the public false expectations.

"The SURE programme has not been cancelled. What President Goodluck Jonathan said at the 58th National Executive Committee meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is as follows: 'we developed this with the expectation that we were going to completely deregulate the downstream sector of the oil industry, (after) the 100 per cent removal of subsidy.'

"....'We couldn’t achieve that though there was an increase in the price. I don’t want this to be distributed; it will give a wrong impression.'”

The statement explained that these comments only showed that Jonathan was being transparent with the public rather than offer them unrealistic expectations.

While stressing that "sincerity of purpose is a virtue and should be encouraged," the statement pointed out to "those who are still in doubt," the Dr. Christopher Kolade Committee charged with implementing the SURE programme, was still at work and has not been disbanded while a new SURE document containing the reviewed palliatives would soon be released to the public.

It appealed to labour unions and other opinion moulders in the society to desist from misinforming the public about government’s well-meaning programmes geared towards addressing the critical needs of the citizenry.

Police boss assures Ogun bankers of security

2012-02-28T23:32:00.002+01:00

The Assistant Inspector General of Police, zone 2, comprising Lagos and Ogun states, Chris Ola, has assured bankers in Ogun State of their safety, despite the resurgence of armed robbery in some parts of the state.

Ola, who said this on Monday, while meeting members of the state Bankers’ Forum in Abeokuta, said the force had deployed more men and security gadgets that would further ensure their optimal performance.

The police boss stated that the state government in its bid to combat armed robbery cases in the state had procured five Armoured Personnel Carrier (APCs), as well as more than 100 operational vehicles for patrol.

Ola added that the police had decided to expand its dragnet to some remote areas in the state where some banks were operating.

It will be recalled that armed robbers, had last week, raided some banks in the state, which had created palpable fear in the minds of the bankers.

He said the police had started restrategising to ensure the safety of their operations.

Meanwhile, no fewer than 11 suspects were paraded by the state Police over allegations of armed robbery and car-snatching, among others.

The command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Muyiwa Adejobi, said the suspects were arrested in various parts of the state.

He said among the suspects were a six-man gang that specialised in snatching across the state through a lady syndicate.

“The gang has been doing this for a while now, terrorising innocent citizens and dispossessing them of their belongings, we fought tooth and nail before these criminals were eventually arrested, “he said.

He attributed the arrest of the suspects to combined efforts of the Police and various communities in Ogun, saying that “ we look forward to more smooth relationships with members of the public.

Prepare for a Lindsay Lohan Comeback Heading Your Way!

2012-02-28T23:23:00.000+01:00

Someone give Lindsay Lohan some butter, because our girl is on a roll!

And no. We don't mean parole. At least not this time.

We mean, totally on track for a comeback, and we made our decision: We're definitely on board with this new, successful LiLo! It all started with a positive probation report—her judge even said she was in the "homestretch"—and now Lindsay is gearing up for a full-fledged, televised comeback. And, oh, did we mention that this is all happening live?!

Lindsay will be doing a bunch of interviews in New York, almost as if it were a promotional tour. Obviously with her lack of professional projects recently, you might be asking what it is that she is promoting…Well, nothing. Unless you count a comeback and a total-180 ‘tude as something to show off—and we totally do!

She'll kick off the tour on Today this Thursday, where she will sit down with Matt Lauer for a no-holds-barred interview. That evening, she'll join Jimmy Fallon for Late Night With Jimmy Fallon. Finally, she'll host Saturday Night Live this Saturday:

"I was on the set with her today and there was a lot of great energy," her rep Steve Honig exclusively told press men, "and she is extremely excited about working with the writers, cast and crew."

Happy to hear, Camp Lilo! Especially since Linds has hosted SNL three times before (the first when she was only 17), but this time it'll be different, as a source on the set revealed the opening is "hilarious" and appropriately "self-depricating." Ratings gold in the making! We couldn't be more excited to see Lindsay put herself completely out there—although this time we mean it in a less literal sense than last month's Playboy shoot.

And just when you thought you were sick of Lindsay, let us remind you: She just got cast in the Elizabeth Taylor biopic, which—as we already told you—is kinda, sorta perfect!

Now there's just one more mess we're going to need Lindsay to clean up. Someone, get her back to her roots. In case you weren't sure, we mean her damn hair. Nothing could be more refreshing than to see Lindsay back to her old self, and we think that going back to her natural auburn color would be gorgeous—not to mention perfect for this comeback thing she's got going.

What about you, Awful readers? Do you think Lindsay's ready for this next big move?

Diddy Launches Revolt Music Video Network

2012-02-23T10:41:00.000+01:00

After last month news leaked that Diddy will be launching a Music video network, everybody has been wanting the details. Well finally Diddy has dropped his silence and gave us some info. In a recent blog video Diddy gave us all the info on his REVOLT Music Video Network.
"The revolution will be televised. Today is a very, very big day. I am here to announce my new cable network, Revolt. I'd first like to say thank-you to Comcast, the Comcast Diversity Council and NBC for recognizing the importance of minority ownership in cable television," Diddy said in a video. "When I was growing up, I used to watch television all the time and wonder, 'Why don't those people look like me?' ... So thank-you to Comcast, my hat goes off to you for being the first to step up and I would also like to encourage and invite Time Warner, DirectTV, Cable Vision and all the other distributors to come and get down with the get down because Revolt TV is bringing that revolution that television needs."

Jay Z and Kanye West to Tour Europe

2012-02-23T10:32:00.000+01:00

Jay-Z and Kanye West are bringing their Watch The Throne tour over the pond to Europe. The 12-stop-tour starts in London on May 20th. Check below to see if they The Throne is coming to a city near you.

May 20th O2 Arena London
May 24th Zurich Hellenstadion, Switzerland
May 26th Herning Arena, Denmark
May 28th Oslo Telenor Arena, Norway
May 29th Stockholm The Globe, Sweden
June 1st Paris Bercy, France
June 2nd Paris Bercy, France
June 3rd Antwerp Sportpaleis, Belgium
June 5th Frankfurt Festhalle, Germany
June 8th Dublin O2 Arena, Ireland
June 11th Manchester Men Arena, UK
June 13th Birmingham LG Arena, UK

Happy 24th Birthday, Rihanna!

2012-02-21T03:19:00.000+01:00

To think that we've witnessed this Barbados beauty win multiple music awards, dye her hair almost every color in our crayon box and land her own fashion TV show...they just grow up so fast.

Wait, is "grow up" the right term? Anyhoo...

Yesterday marks Rihanna's 24th birthday!

How will the edgy singer celebrate?

We really don't know what there is left to do, seeing as Ri-Ri has been celebrating her big day for a while now, but she can surely think of something. We also don't know if Chris Brown will be part of the festivities, but even if he is, they're "just friends" so we really shouldn't care either way.

What we do know (or at least assume) is that there will be cake. And who doesn't love cake?! (Speaking of birthday cake, did you hear about her possible collabo with Brown on her song?)

Whatever shenanigans this li'l lady gets into, we hope it's a birthday to remember.

Lagos may shut markets for three months

2012-02-20T05:34:00.004+01:00

Lagos State Government on Sunday said the Oke-Odo and Alamutu markets in Agbado Oke Odo and Mushin local government areas shut down on Friday might remained closed for three months.

The closure came barely three weeks after another market, Mile 12 Market, was shut over environmental offences.

Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello, who communicated the decision of the government to the market leaders, lamented that some markets in the state had refused to buy into the vision of the state in the area of environmental sanitation.

He said, “It is sad that most of our market men and women are still guided by the old traditional belief that rain is a blessing that must cart away refuse any time it rains.

“Lagos, as a coastal state, is susceptible to flooding, which is the more reason why we all must clear our drainages now, before the rainy season.”

He said the state government had embarked on pre-rainy season cleaning, clearing and dredging.

He expressed displeasure that in spite of government’s efforts, some people still disposed their waste indiscriminately.

He said, “For instance, traders in Alamutu Market have turned the drain constructed beside the market into a refuse bin.

“I have personally visited the area twice, to appeal to them to desist from this unsanitary habit. Meetings have been held with them, all to no avail.”

He also explained that traders in Oke-Odo Market; rather than trade within the confine of the market area, took over the entire stretch of a newly constructed road.

Bello alleged that the traders also dumped refuse indiscriminately in all the side drains as well as cause traffic snarl on that road.

“The State Government is left with no option but to close the market in order to prevent epidemic outbreak, and flooding when it rains.

“We are determined to sanitise our markets and environment. The rains are here and we shall ensure that the incidence of flood are reduced to the barest minimum in the state,” the commissioner said.

He warned that other market leaders in the state, who did not advise their members to buy into the government’s environmental policy also risked their markets being shut for three months.

NDLEA seizes 13.176 tons of Cannabis

2012-02-20T05:31:00.004+01:00

The Ondo State Command of the National Drug Laws Enforcement Agency on Friday seized 13.176 tons of Cannabis Sativa, popularly known as Indian hemp.

The drug, which was packed in bags of various sizes, according the NDLEA boss in the state, Mr. Walter Nicholas, was seized in a single operation.

Nicholas said it took his men three days to locate the point where the drug was packed in a forest.

He said while his men were evacuating the bags containing the drug, they were resisted by the owners, adding that the seizure was made barely one year after the command sized 13.6 tons of the illicit weeds from the owners.

“Should this quantity of drugs found its way into the society; the damage would have been beyond description.” Nicholas said.

He lamented that the more people were getting involved in the cultivation of cannabis because the barons and their cohorts had not been exposed.

“We will not fold our hands and watch anybody, no matter how highly placed, to destroy the future of our children in the pursuit of wealth,” he said.

Also, the state Commissioner for Natural Resources, Mr. Lasisi Oluboyo, raised the alarm that virtually all the forest reserves in the state had been taken over by hemp farmers.

He noted with concern that about 200 various hemp farms were recently discovered and destroyed at the Oluwa forest reserve while scores of others had also been discovered and destroyed at the Owo-Ofosu forest reserves.

He said the Special Task Force on Hemp Cultivation set up by the state government to discourage the illicit weeds’ growers, had been working closely with the necessary security agencies in the state to check the menace.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Sani Magaji, pledged to assist the NDLEA to ensure that the cultivation of the weed was reduced to the barest minimum.

He urged members of the society to rise up and condemn the arbitrary use of drugs by the youth and the get-rich-quick syndrome by some people.

Odemwingie at peace with Hodgson

2012-02-20T05:28:00.002+01:00

Osaze Odemwingie’s hat-trick against Wolves ruined Mick McCarthy but built bridges with his own manager Roy Hodgson.

West Brom striker Odemwingie had a disagreement with Hodgson, 64, earlier in the season, with the boss unhappy at the number of injuries the player was suffering.

But Odemwingie insists all that is forgotten and the relationship is now solid.

He said, “We are fine. And, if we weren’t, I would have been talking about leaving. He is an elderly person and in my country we always respect our elders.

“Sometimes I felt it was a bit harsh and I said that to him, but he said I shouldn’t take it in a bad way. He said he was frustrated that I wasn’t available and that was it.

“I’m very happy I could put aside all of those bad feelings and now I can relax more and have confidence in myself and the team.”

Hodgson has been linked to the England job and will have talks over a new contract in the summer, but Odemwingie hopes he stays.

“He has had success here and he has already built relationships with people in the club so he would be welcome,” said Odemwingie.

“When someone new comes in you have to start from the beginning, so if we can all get what we’re looking for this year then why change when things are going fine?

“I hope he stays, of course.”

West Brom’s win moved them eight points clear of the bottom three and Odemwingie, who now has seven league goals, feels the gap has all but guaranteed the team’s safety.

He said, “All of that pressure was taken off our shoulders and we are more sure of our place next season.

“I wouldn’t say the gap is what makes me confident. What makes me confident is every time we lose games at home we go away and get three points against good teams.”

Mikel snubs Villas-Boas

2012-02-20T05:26:00.000+01:00

Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi is believed to be among the senior Blues players that are not happy with manager Andre Villas-Boas’ handling of the team.

The Super Eagles player, who has been left out of the national squad by coach Stephen Keshi, deliberately ignored Villas-Boas’ handshake after he was substituted for Salomon Kalou in their 1-1 draw with Birmingham in the FA Cup on Saturday.

It is becoming apparent that the Portuguese has little control over some of the players even though he continually denies any friction with them.

According to ESPN, there was the evidence of player power when the network saw Didier Drogba host an impromptu team talk in the tunnel shortly before the start of the second half.

Drogba and Frank Lampard started the game on the bench, a situation that did not go down well with the players.

The players bypassed Villas-Boas and took decision into their hands when skipper John Terry visited referee Martin Atkinson’s room during the interval to complain about what Chelsea thought was Birmingham goalkeeper Colin Doyle’s first-half time wasting.

It is believed Drogba, Terry and Lampard have considerable influence over the other players, and Mikel, who joined the club from Lyn Oslo in 2006, has since been in loyal ties with the trio.

Villas-Boas, however, will not accept there was mutiny in the team as he maintained he was in control. He was amazed last week when details of the secret meeting he had with the senior players leaked to the press.

It was also revealed that some of the players have been reaching out to their former manager, Jose Mourinho, discussing issues of tactics at Chelsea with the Real Madrid manager.

When asked if his backing as manager was based on the team’s results, Villas-Boas responded bluntly: “No, it’s unconditional.”

Keshi ‘ll restore Eagles’ confidence- Etuhu

2012-02-20T05:20:00.002+01:00

Eagles’ midfielder, Dickson Paul Etuhu, has backed Nigeria’s Coach, Stephen Keshi, to restore the country's enviable place in world football soon.

The Fulham star, who is one of only 11 Europe-based stars called up for a 2013 Nations Cup qualifier in Rwanda, has also said he would fight for his first-team place at his London club.
Commenting on how he felt the first time he was handed a call by the Eagles, coach, Etuhu said:

It was a memorable day, it was a dream came true and I felt honoured when it came, it has been my dream to play for Nigeria all along, even when I was at Norwich City, we talked about it and I always tell my teammates then that I am sure I will play for my country one day and the day I was called, I was on top of the world and happy that I was about actualising one of my dreams as a player. “I was not treated well by the coach, you are in charge of a team for a year and you did not get in touch with one of the players you feel is still relevant. I respect everybody and deserve respect too.

I was not interested in playing under him because I was not treated well, the fact remains that I love Nigeria and wanted to represent it when called upon, but I rejected the call to play against Ghana because I was seen as a second fiddle. I was called because some players were not available. I am not going to rubbish myself like that. That was it.

“The first day I met him, I knew why he was the captain of the team for 14 years. He is a man who knows what he is doing and will look you straight in your eyes to tell you what he wants from you and otherwise. If you do it well, he applauds you and if you did not, he shouts at you till you adjust. He is just like the big coaches I have worked with in England. I see him succeeding. It was marvellous. We are together like a family, as a matter of fact, since I have been coming to camp, that is the first time I have seen a very high spirit in camp.

The training is like matches where everybody puts in his best. We always encourage ourselves and that will go a long way in the team. Yes. He can make us great again. His programmes at training have shown that we should all cooperate with him and give him a chance to build a solid team. No big team in the world springs up in a day, it is a continuous process, the likes of Spain, Brazil, Barcelona, Manchester United etc. We need to have continuity in the team as it helps a team to be strong and have a direction.

At a time, I was playing regularly and that is the joy of every player, but when I was not, I became sad. I wanted to keep playing, so I was frustrated when the coach felt otherwise, but I am back in the team now and hope I will keep playing regularly for the team because that will help me.

I am concentrating on my career. I want to retain my spot in the starting team. So, I am not thinking of a transfer now, but in football, you can't say. Our business is moving. That was playing at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. It was the highest level any player could play at, so being there was a great thing to me. It was a dream come true. That is my greatest moment as a footballer.

Woman slumps, dies during argument on N50 debt

2012-02-20T05:16:00.002+01:00

Adifase community in Apata-Ganga area of Ibadan, the Oyo capital was thrown into confusion last weekend after a middle aged woman who sold cassava flour, identified simply as Mama Fatimah slumped and died during an argument, which ensued between her and one of her customers said to be owing her N50.

The deceased, said to have recently got married to a masquerader called Aregbesola in the area had arrived her shop around 7.00p.m last Saturday and was preparing the cassava flour when suddenly she saw one of her debtors, a lady, who was said to have bought N50 worth of cassava flour on credit for over two weeks.

Mama Fatimah was said to have ran after the debtor with the intention to collect her money from her. A hot argument, Daily Sun gathered, ensued between the two after the lady insisted on not paying the money that night, since according to her, she had no money on her at the time.

It was during the argument, according to an eye witness that Mama Fatimah slumped and died, while the debtor to her heels. Efforts to revive the cassava seller, however, failed as she died on the way to the hospital.

The deceased’s husband, Aregbesola was said to have immediately reported the incident at Apata Police Divisional, claiming that his wife was murdered by the debtor.But in what appeared to be a division within the family, the children of the deceased were said to have kicked against the idea of their mother’s husband reporting the case at the police station.

To them, Aregbesola did not have any say on the corpse of their mother, since there was no child between them.
The deceased’s family later went to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the Apata Police Divisional, Ganiyu pleading for the release of the woman’s corpse for burial. Their request was said to have been turned down by the DPO on the ground that signal had been sent to the state police headquarters.

Aba to shut down as Ojukwu’s body arrives Feb 28

2012-02-20T05:05:00.002+01:00

Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) says markets and schools in Aba, Abia State, will be closed on February 28 to enable residents of the commercial city to pay their last respect to the body of Eze Igbo Gburugburu, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, which will be brought to the city on that date as the late Igbo leader’s remains makes its last journey to its final resting place.

Disclosing this in a chat with Daily Sun, MASSOB Director of Information for Aba region, Sunny Okereafor said the closure of markets and schools in Aba on February 28 to enable residents of the city come out and pay their last respect to the fallen hero was not only a way of fulfilling one of Ojukwu’s wishes but showing the love and high esteem in which the people held him.

He said Ojukwu equally showed tremendous love and respect for residents in that there was no major action he took during his life time, that he never came to Aba to either intimate and or confide in them, stressing that nothing would be too much sacrifice by residents in honour of the departed hero.

According to him, “Aba was so dear to the heart of the late Ikemba that there was no major public decision he took in life he did not come to Aba either to confide in, or seek the opinion of the residents. First of all, we should not forget that it was in Aba Ojukwu started work as district officer (DO) when he came back from England before joining the Nigerian Army.

“Again in 1967, Ojukwu came to Aba to intimate and perhaps seek the opinion of residents of the city before declaring the war and to cap it all, when he returned from exile; he also came to Aba to inform them. The same thing also happened when he decided to go into partisan politics,” he recollected.

Okereafor therefore urged all residents of the commercial city to come out en masse on February 28 at the Enyimba Stadium where Ikemba’s body would lie in state. Meanwhile, the Abia State government has put to rest the rumour which made the rounds recently that the corpse would no longer be brought to Aba as originally planned.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor T. A. Orji, Ugochukwu Emezue, hinted that Enyimba Stadium where Ojukwu would lie in state on February 28 was wearing a new look just as he assured that security had also been put in place for the Aba event.

Chelsea opens academy in Lagos

2012-02-20T05:01:00.000+01:00

Premiership giant, Chelsea, is planning to open a multi-million Naira football academy in Lagos. The club's Nigerian representative, Noah Olivier and President Soccer Africa Sports Management, Dominic Egbukwu, disclosed to Daily Sunsports that the camp would be sited on Victoria Island, Lagos, and would serve as Chelsea's breeding ground for promising young Nigerian players.

Said he: “Nigeria, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Cameroon and South Africa have been picked in Africa by Chelsea FC for its academy camp. My French partner, Olivier, and I have been mandated by Chelsea to take charge of the camp in Nigeria. Initially, they were scared of including Nigeria because of the Boko Haram issue, but we succeeded in convincing them that there was no cause for alarm in Lagos.

“We are expecting a 10-man Chelsea delegation from England any moment from now. They want to come and make inspection before giving us the go-ahead to throw the camp open. “It's going to be a big camp and it will admit about 500 youths between 15 and 18 years old. After screening which will hold at the National Stadium, Lagos, arrangements will be made for the feeder teams of the teams such as Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester United and PSG to come for invitational tournaments. The outstanding players among the the trainees will be given an opportunity to join the Chelsea youth team in England, just like they picked Kenneth Omeruo.”

Meanwhile, Egbukwu has made a passionate appeal to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to flush out the bad eggs involved in transfer of Nigerian players abroad. “Most of the so-called FIFA-licenced agents are responsible for frustrating our players. I'm not a FIFA agent and I don't want to be because I discovered that most of them use their licences to deceive players, promise them heaven and earth and at the end of the day, they would tie them down with contract papers and stay on top of the deal for their own selfish interest.

That was how they frustrated Kayode Olanrewaju and Gbenga Orukoyo's move to Dynamo Kiev and SuperSport respectively. This is not good for Nigerian football,” the former Enyimba player lamented.

EXCLUSIVE: City plan £35m Benfica swoop

2012-02-18T20:31:00.002+01:00

Manchester City are ready to make a £35million bid for Benfica star Nicolas Gaitan.
The Argentina international is also on Manchester United's radar, but City are hoping to beat their local - and title - rivals to his signature by simply out-bidding them.
City officials are understood to have contacted their Benfica counterparts this week and made clear their desire to sign the 23-year-old attacking midfielder.
Gaitan is viewed as one of the most exciting and dynamic young players in the world, and impressed in Benfica's Champions League encounters with United earlier this season.
City had him watched in a recent Portuguese League Cup game against Maritimo, and football administrator Brian Marwood is understood to have begun the process of trying to formalise a deal with Benfica.
United have been keeping tabs on Gaitan for the past year and had their scouts assess him last month, having also had him watched in games against Naval and Sporting Lisbon earlier this season.
But with manager Sir Alex Ferguson understood to have been set a spending limit of around £30m to spend in the summer, Gaitan looks to be out of reach - unless he raises additional funds through player sales.
Gaitan has a release clause of around £35m written into his contract and City are said to be willing to meet that figure in order to get their man.
United may instead switch their attention to Gaitan's team-mate Javi Garcia, a more defensive-minded midfielder who also impressed in those Champions League games against the Reds.

United defender Vidic hoping to return before end of the season

2012-02-18T20:26:00.001+01:00

Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a knee injury and could even be ready to play by the end of the season.
Vidic had surgery on his right cruciate ligament after suffering the injury in United's Champions League defeat at Basle in early December, and it was originally feared he could be out for as long as 12 months.

However, Sportsmail understands the former Serbia centre half is making rapid progress as he works on his fitness and is putting significant weight back on his knee during his rehabilitation sessions.
Vidic has been aiming to be fit by the time United head to Asia on a pre-season tour in July and that remains the target set by United's medical staff.
However, there is now an outside chance that the 30-year-old could be ready to play before the end of the season.

Speaking last month, Vidic said: 'Everything is going well. It's progressing in the right way. I have the motivation to work hard and I want to be back as soon as possible.'
Vidic suffered the injury on a night to forget for United, where they crashed out of the Champions League.
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson said afterwards: 'It is bad news. He will be a loss.
'I thought [the injury] was a bad one when I saw it.'

Ferguson and his medical staff will be mindful of rushing the player back too early. United supporters will likely recall Vidic being brought back from injury when clearly not being fully fit for a Champions League semi-final clash with AC Milan in 2007.
If he is to return for the season's final weeks, the defender could possibly feature in a Manchester derby showdown with City on April 28.
The defensive crisis has been so serious at Old Trafford this season, with Rio Ferdinand, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones also having spells on the sidelines, that midfielder Michael Carrick has had to play at the back.
Since joining the Reds in 2006, Vidic has become one of the most important players at the club.
He has helped United to win four league titles, and the European Cup in 2008.

Zlat: Quit Arsenal, Robin

2012-02-18T20:20:00.000+01:00

ARSENAL captain Robin Van Persie has been urged to quit the club.

AC Milan superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who destroyed the Gunners in midweek, says RVP must go to become a 'champion'.
He told SunSport: "When you don't win anything for years, people understand why you leave like Cesc Fabregas.
"Football is all about winning. If you don't win you want to go. I don't know Robin personally but I remember him from Holland and what a talent he was — now he is complete.
"I don't know what he is thinking but I know what I would do.
"I have made a lot of moves in my life — I take it as a challenge, an adventure.
"And I have won eight titles in eight years with different clubs in different countries.
"But if you stay in one place all your life it is easy to play football.
"You are at home, you are in the comfort zone.
"But if you move to five different places it is a real test. If you succeed that's when you become a real champion, that's when you get more respect."
Manchester City and Barcelona target Van Persie will have one year left at the Emirates come the summer and he could move for a cut-price fee then.

Even Eden Hazard can't solve Arsenal's issues, says Emmanuel Petit

2012-02-18T20:15:00.000+01:00

Former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit has said the current Gunners team is at the 'end of a cycle' - and even signing Belgian wonderkid Eden Hazard is unlikely to improve

them because they need multiple players, and experience.

The 41-year-old was highly critical of his former team, following their humiliating 4-0 Champions League defeat to AC Milan.
Arsene Wenger's men conceded two goals in the first half at the San Siro, with Kevin Prince Boateng and Robinho finding the net.

Milan punished the north London team further in the second half when Robinho scored another and Zlatan Ibrahimovic converted a penalty.
And Petit did not hold back when he spoke to So Foot about the game, calling the match 'a disgrace'.
'I agree with Wenger that it is surely the worst performance of the club in the European Cup,' he said.

'I wondered what had become of the team I knew. It's worse than I thought, It is an abyss that keeps happening weekend after weekend.
'And what is perhaps the most worrying thing is to say that the club will not do anything this summer to stop it.
'They will not return to the transfer market because of the current escalation, and I think they are right.'

The ex-Barcelona and Chelsea player said Arsenal needed a few experienced players - and only signing Lille attacker Hazard, who has been linked with a host of English clubs, would not help.
He added: ‘Signing Eden Hazard would be useful, but what has he done at the top level? In The Champions League? I haven’t seen it.
‘Arsenal need five or six players between 27 and 30, not more youngsters.
'Players with a strong character, who refuse to accept defeat, and are technically good. At the moment, in the middle, there is nothing.’

Petit also questioned the current squad and why Wenger had confidence in players like Andrei Arshavin, Tomas Rosicky and Theo Walcott.
'Arsenal haven't recovered from the departures of Cesc Fabregas [to Barcelona] and Samir Nasri [to Manchester City],' he continued.
'You have to send out a strong signal. You have to say to Arshavin, and to Rosicky: 'Gentlemen, thank you, but goodbye'. And soon.
'Walcott - somehow he's going to have to reach the next stage. It's been years that he's been at the same level.'

Guus Hiddink named Anzhi Makhachkala manager

2012-02-18T20:05:00.001+01:00

Ex-Chelsea caretaker manager Guus Hiddink been appointed manager of Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala.

The 65-year-old former Russia boss has agreed a contract until the end of the 2012-13 season with the big-spending club who had been linked with ex-England boss Fabio Capello.
His predecessor, Yury Krasnozhan, resigned on Monday after less than two months in charge at Anzhi.
"I'm glad to accept such an opportunity," the Dutchman said.
Hiddink guided Chelsea to FA Cup success in 2009 during his caretaker tenure, having agreed a short-term deal when Luiz Felipe Scolari was sacked in February 2009.
Most recently, he managed Turkey but left that post when they failed to qualify for Euro 2012.
As well as being appointed chief coach, Hiddink will also serve as vice-president for development, the Russian club announced.

Hiddink, who returns to Russia nearly two years after his term as national coach ended, said: "At the end of last year, we had long discussions on Anzhi and that's why now I made a prompt decision.

"The most significant thing for me is that the club is building plans on football development in the republic. It's as much important as the sports result of the first team and I'm going to pay special attention to this direction.
"We spoke much with [owner] Suleyman Kerimov about this after which I realized what a huge project I was invited to."
The club, based in Russia's Dagestan republic which borders Georgia and Azerbaijan, was founded in 1991 and enjoyed little success until the arrival of billionaire Kerimov in January 2011.
Since then, Anzhi have signed players such as Brazil World Cup 2002 winner Roberto Carlos, Chelsea full-back Yuri Zhirkov and Inter Milan striker Samuel Eto'o.
The team's players live and train in Moscow due to security problems in Makhachkala and travel nearly 1,250 miles for home matches.
Anzhi are currently in seventh place in the Russian Premier League. Hiddink's first league fixture in charge is on 5 March against Dynamo Moscow when the season recommences after the winter break.