News Trek

Siasia lands lucrative job in India, to coach Okocha.

2012-01-31T05:55:00.000-08:00

FORMER Super Eagles midfield maestro, Austin Jay Jay Okocha has been signed by Indian club Durgapur. Also on board is Samson Siasia who will be the coach of the team. Okocha will earn 550, 000 dollars (about N88.8m), while Siasia will take home 210,000 dollars (N33.9m).

Another Nigerian player, Robert Egbeta was signed by Kolkata for $350,000 (about N56.4m) These signing were part of an auction to herald the newly inaugurated India league, which will commence in March 2012.
Okocha and Siasia who were part of Super Eagles team to the USA’94 World Cup would play alongside other world cup stars like Argentine Hernan Crespo who signed for Barasat for $840,000, he is the highest earning player. Italy World Cup-winning captain, Fabio Cannavaro, is the next most expensive after costing Siliguri $830,000. Other players include Roberto Pires of France and ex England intentional Robbie Fowler
Organizers of the league hope to emulate the success of the Indian Premier League (IPL), the cricket tournament that attracts huge crowds and which inaugurated the auction system.

Siasia

They also believe that it will inspire more Indians to play football. India is ranked 158 of the 203 football-playing countries.
“I think that we are at the crossroads for Indian football. I am sure that the PLS will provide a new path,” Bhaswar Goswami, one of the organisers, told the BBC.
The tournament is expected to feature six teams. Each has a salary cap of $2.5m.

The long and short of the story! Celebrities married to shorter spouses.

2012-01-27T02:00:00.000-08:00

Love is always a beautiful story to tell. When it strikes, it’s victim no longer sees any physical impediment; no colour or racial detachments; no care that he or she is short or tall; they fall head over heels and nothing can make them change their minds. Groove Extra, today, brings you a special compilation of Nigerian celebrities who are hooked to men and women way taller or shorter than they are. It’s a long and short story and we bring them to you in all their grandeur.
Aki and Nneoma
At first, people watched them with skepticism. Then their wedding announcement hit the news stands and the looks of surprise or is it unbelief could not be hidden. In December, 2011, actor Chinedu Ikedieze, popularly known as Aki walked down the aisle with Nneoma; sealing their love before God and man.
Nneoma was officially made public to all that day and even when it was clearly evident she is way taller than her husband, the smiles that radiated from that pretty face tells you it’s not even on her mind. They are both in Abu Dhabi now, enjoying a sizzling hot honeymoon.

Julius Agwu and Ibiere
You see him and you can’t help but laugh. Julius is a walking comedy. He is a man who knows what he’s got and he flaunts it. Standing at five foot plus, he went after and married his strikingly tall wife, Ibiere who teeters at an amazing six feet. With her height, Ibiere will knock flat a professional model.
Julius knows this and guards her jealously. In May last year, they celebrated their third year anniversary together. True, she likes to keep a low profile but you could tell just how much Julius adores her whenever they appear in public side by side; one holding on to the arm of the other.
Muma Gee and her Prince
You all know this amazon on the mic. Her colorful stage performances are electrifying not to mention that powerful voice of hers. However, when Muma Gee met Prince Eke, that strength and solid rigidity she seemed to exude so consistently failed her. She fell fast and quick for a man who is literally a giant.
Prince Eke stands several inches taller than Muma Gee. At tip toe, Muma would barely reach her husband’s chin yet what Muma couldn’t make up in height she did with her outstanding personality and charisma. Port Harcourt stood still the day they stood before each other and took their marriage vows.

Olu Jacobs and Joke
You can’t get tired of calling Olu Jacob a ‘screen god’ or throwing the title ‘movie goddess’ to his wife, Joke Silver. They are about the best in their league right now and they are so in love. In September last year, they renewed their marital vows before family and friends after twenty five years of marriage.
Olu is well advanced in age but he still stands to incredible height when he’s beside his still amazingly pretty wife. Joke didn’t do bad for herself in the gift of height. But then, when it comes to staring her husband in the face, she has a lot of inches to cover with her eyes.
Alibaba and wife
Those who know Atuyota Akporobomeriere, popularly known as Ali Baba too well, will agree to the fact that the ace comedian is far taller than his wife, Mary in every rating.
While Ali-Baba measures above 6 feet, his partner is no near to his height, measuring just above the 5 feet. Mark.
Ali-Baba acknowledges this facts much when he warned that people should stop talking about “my wife and I.”
Lancelot Imasuen and Osa
Celebrated film director and producer, Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen and his wife, Osas is another typical example of disparity in height and size.
The film director appears taller and more bulky than his lovely wife. And you can acknowledge this claim, judging from the photograph of the couple as published in this page.

IBB quits partisan politics, vows to defend Nigeria’s unity.

2012-01-27T01:55:00.000-08:00

FORMER Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd), yesterday, warned those who are harbouring the thought of disintegrating the country to have a rethink as he would not hesitate to re-enlist in the military and fight if the issue of secession rears its head. Speaking at the Ninth Daily Trust Dialogue held at the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, Babangida, who chaired the event said as much as people were entitled to agitate for self-determination, the issue of disintegration was a no go area
He said: “There is always what you call the struggle for self determination and is quite easy for people to come out with. This same country we fought the war for almost three years for the purposes of living together. I carry a bullet in my lap, so nobody will talk to me about secession or breaking away. If you do, I will call a tailor, take my measurement, get back in to khaki to go and fight even at age 71.”
The former head of state, who said he had quit partisan politics, urged the media to de-emphasis issues that divide the country.
He also lashed Niger-Delta leaders over their possessive comments on President Goodluck Jonathan with disregard to the sensibilities of other Nigerians, who voted overwhelmingly for Jonathan at the polls.
Babangida spoke as Senate President David Mark and Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole urged media professionals to put the interest of the country above other interests.
No go areas
Insisting that Nigeria has come to stay as an independent country, Babangida listed critical issues, which he said were not negotiable in a united Nigeria, irrespective of challenges and perceived differences. They are indivisibility of the nation, capitalistic nature of Nigeria and states as federating units.
According to him, these issues must not be touched as the doctrine of Nigeria settlement had come to stay, adding that for three years during the civil war, Nigerians fought for the unity of the country.
The former military leader urged the media to desist from reporting stories that centre on Christian South and Moslem North because “wherever you go in this country, you will find in the North there are Christians as much as we have Muslims. In the South, it is the same but I think the emphasis is on Christian South , Muslim North.”
IBB quits politics
Bidding farewell to politics after trying to return to power since 2003, Babangida said he would no longer seek any political office though he might be involved in advising up and coming aspirants. He said the good news he had for the media was that with this declaration, he would no longer be kicked around and sought for by journalists for stories.
His words: “What I find difficult to understand however is that even after leaving office and not seeking any public position, a man is still the subject of insinuations and battering by the news media. I think I know what to do. I want to borrow a leaf from the former American president, Richard Nixon.
In 1962, when he lost the race for Governor of California, Richard Nixon decided to retire from politics and he told the pressmen, “I have news for you. You won’t have Nixon to kick around anymore.
‘’Today, I also have news for the Nigerian press. Although I may continue to be involved in advising up and coming aspirants, I have decided not to seek any political office again in this country. Therefore, my dear Nigerian journalists, you won’t have Ibrahim Babangida to kick around anymore!”
Babangida who noted that he had received the biggest media bashing in the last 30 years, told the audience that he was prepared for that following the advice he received from the Publisher of Vanguard Newspapers, Mr Sam Amuka, that he should develop very thick skin as the leader of the country because he would be bashed by the media, adding that he learnt a great lesson from what his friend, Amuka, told him.
Chides Niger Delta leaders
The former Military berated some Niger Delta leaders, who describe President Goodluck Jonathan as their son and saying that Nigeria would break if anything happened to the President. He noted that as elders and leaders from the President’s zone such comments were not expected from them, adding, ‘’anything that touches on our sensibilities as people, anything that touches on our unity as country, I will want to suggest that those are what I’ve always referred to as a settled issue in our Nigerian politics. We should not encourage those sort of things.
Mark, Oshiomhole
Also speaking at the event, Senate President Mark, who was the Special Guest of Honour and represented by Senate Majority Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, noted that the country was passing through its most challenging moment and urged the media not worsen the situation, adding that democracy was must for Africa and it must be deepened by the media.
Also, Comrade Oshiomhole stressed that media and politics were interwoven as they must exist together and enjoined media practitioners to put the interest of the country above other interests.
The dialogue attracted leading politicians, media owners and executives and prominent Nigerians such as Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, who represented the Senate President; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal who was represented by Imam Imam, his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity; Governor Adams Oshiomhole; Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega; Mr Sam Amuka, Publisher of Vanguard and former Minister of FCT, AVM Hamza Abdullahi.
Also present were former Minister, Idi Hong; representatives of Niger, Bauchi, Katsina, Gombe state governors, representative of Minister of Information, Labaran Maku; Former Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Patrick Adaba; Hon. Abubakar Bawa Bwari; Mallam Ismaila Isa Funtua, former president of the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN); Vice President, Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Issa Aremu; South Africa High Commissioner to Nigeria; and representative of ECOWAS Commission, among others.

Sam Dede: Another political appointment for Nollywood.

2012-01-27T01:28:00.000-08:00

Seasoned actor, Sam Dede, has been appointed the Director-General of Rivers State Tourism Development Agency. The appointment came on January 18 and has since taken effect.

The University of Benin Theatre Arts graduate also lectures at the University of Port Harcourt. He has often been described as the Al Pacino of Nollywood with his penchant for picking roles in action movies. He is equally a movie director and has over 10 movies to his credit.
The prolific actor has featured in several movies but he became a household name in 1996 when he acted in Blood Money. His popularity was consolidated when he took part in the blockbuster, Issakaba. The two-part movie released in 2001 was a play on Bakassi spelt backwards. It was aimed at capturing the activities of the then notorious vigilante group in the South-East.
Dede is reputed as a trainer. He is said to have trained the likes of Charles Okafor, Hilda Dokubo, Rita Dominic and Ejike Asiegbu at the University of Port Harcourt.
Since the enthronement of democracy in 1999, several actors and even actresses have been inducted into the Nigerian political terrain. While many have been courageous enough to contest elections, others have been appointed and yet, another set has played active roles in campaigns for politicians.
Former actor and scriptwriter, Rotimi Makinde, now has a ‘Honourable’ attached to his name by virtue of his present position as a member of the House of Representatives, representing Ife Federal Constituency.
Richard Mofe-Damijo, popularly known as RMD, is also the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in Delta State. The lawyer-actor has been missing from the movie scene since his appointment.
Songbird Onyeka Onyenu was also one of the first set of entertainers to embrace politics. Twice she was aspirant for the chairmanship of Ideato Local Government Area of Imo State. Eventually, she was appointed the chairman, Imo State Council of Arts and Culture by former Governor Ikedi Ohakim.
Last year, amidst mixed reactions, Nollywood’s ‘crying’ actress, Nkiru Sylvanus, was appointed Special Assistant, Lagos Affairs to Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha.
And in 2010, actor and former president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Ejike Asiegbu, was appointed Special Adviser to the Abia State Government on Culture. The appointment came barely a month after Hank Anuku took up appointment as the Special Adviser to the Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan on Tourism and Entertainment.
Many of them who were not given appointments have also tried getting into politics on their own. According to reports, Jide Kosoko and Kanayo O. Kanayo aspired in the April 2011 general elections to represent their constituencies in the National Assembly, Tony One Week, the gyration crooner, also contested in his state, Anambra and won.
As the nation continues to wax strong in democracy and politics, it is expected that more Nollywood stars will join the train.

Onuoha teams up with Taiwo at QPR.

2012-01-27T01:20:00.000-08:00

New Queens Park Rangers manager Mark Hughes bolstered his back four for the second time this week after signing Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha on Thursday.

England U-21 international Onuoha moved to Loftus Road 48 hours after Rangers signed Nigerian left back Taye Taiwo on loan from AC Milan.

Onuoha has agreed a four-and-half year deal and joins for an undisclosed fee, Rangers said on their website.

The 25-year-old played for Hughes when he was City manager and the Welshman said, “He is very versatile. He can play centre back or right back, and has good pace. He is a very good addition to the squad.

“Nedum had other options but his experience with me and the other guys here was a big factor in why he has come to us. I am pleased about that.”

Onuoha made his City debut as a 17-year-old in 2004 but has found his playing time with the club increasingly limited in recent seasons. He spent last season on loan at Sunderland and had featured just three times for the Premier League leaders in the current campaign.

Gyan makes goalscoring return for Ghana.

2012-01-20T07:34:00.000-08:00

Gyan had been a doubt for the Nations Cup after pulling his hamstring last month Asamoah Gyan allayed the fears of many Ghana fans by playing and scoring in an Africa Cup of Nations warm-up match on Wednesday.

The Black Stars beat Platinum Stars 2-0 in the South African city Rustenburg, thanks to goals from Gyan and Andre ‘Dede’ Ayew.

The former Sunderland striker drove home after 27 minutes, with Ayew adding a second five minutes later.

The United Arab Emirates-based striker, 26, had been expected to be out for three weeks but returned to training on Saturday following horse placenta treatment from a Serbian healer.

He managed 45 minutes for Goran Stevanovic’s side on Wednesday, before being withdrawn by the Serb coach at half-time as a precautionary measure.

The game at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace, which hosted a number of World Cup matches in 2010, was the second for Ghana after Sunday’s 1-1 draw in a practice match with South Africa.

The Black Stars have been training in the land where they reached the World Cup quarter-finals in 2010 ahead of flying to Gabon for the tournament on Friday.

Workers vs Chime: The unending war in the coal city.

2012-01-20T07:23:00.000-08:00

In spite of the suspension of the strike over the fuel subsidy removal, writes that civil servants in Enugu State are still at loggerheads with the Governor Sullivan Chime administration over the non-payment of their September salaries

In the weeks ahead, civil servants in Enugu State may have no option than to kick against Governor Sullivan Chime, for allegedly declining to order the payment of their September 2011 salaries, despite a series of pleas and entreaties. More worrisome is that magistrates in the state judiciary are also caught up in the web of the nonpayment of the September 2011 salaries.

The civil servants seem poised for a showdown with Chime, especially now that the governor prevented them from protesting the removal of fuel subsidy.

But the government says it is merely implementing the ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy. According to the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Chuks Ugwoke, “since the workers did not work in the period under review, there is no way they would be paid.”

Yet the workers said that they did not work because they embarked on “a legal strike” to demand ‘full payment’ of the new minimum wage, which was not, implemented as at that time. They posited that the strike was legally embarked upon in all the states of the federation and monitored by the national leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress. “Why then should the case of Enugu State be different?” a civil servant asked.

Back to the main issue, the civil servants in the state said recently that as soon as the saga between the Federal Government and the organised labour over the removal of subsidy was resolved; they might shut down the state with series of protests.

A magistrate, who spoke under anonymity, confirmed that they had not been paid their salaries for September 2011. According to the magistrate, “the nonpayment of our September 2011 salary has been sent to the appropriate quarters in government and we are awaiting their response.” For some obvious reasons, it is clear that magistrates and judges do not come open to address issues of this nature on their own. Rather, other prominent actors in the judiciary do the talking on their behalf.

Several telephone calls were placed to the Chief Registrar of the state High Court, Chief Magistrate Dennis Eko, to confirm this but he did not pick.

But according to a source in the state judiciary, the magistrates performed their duties in September 2011 even under the threat of insecurity. According to the source, “some of the magistrates sat and did overnight cases in police stations, especially at the state Criminal Investigation Department because there were so many people in police custody; and there was a dire need to decongest the cells.”

The source added, “They sat over those cases at the police stations because the courts were locked since workers were on strike. One of such times was when Chief Magistrate Phil Nwankwo sat under tight security and presided over the case against Osmond Ugwu, a factional leader of the Enugu NLC, and another.

An Enugu-based lawyer, Mrs. Chidi Obeke-Okoli, said, “It is disturbing and unbelievable that magistrates are among those owed the said September salary. In my opinion, this is what I consider a desecration of the bench and an obvious invitation to corruption on the bench. I heard that they were not paid, but also shocked that up till now the governor has been grandstanding on the issue.

“Legally speaking, our constitution in Sections 4, 5, and 6 has provided for the three arms of government: the Legislature, Executive and the Judiciary. The aim is to create separate functions for each arm and ensure checks and balance. Part II of the Third Schedule of the same constitution has also made provisions for the state civil service commission and the judicial service commission. When you look at those provisions you will find out that it is the judicial service commission that has the powers to hire and fire judicial officers, including the determination of who has worked and who did not work. This is only happening because the three arms of government are not truly independent because of the meddlesomeness of the executive arm of government.

“I therefore call on the governor to give immediate instruction for the payment of the withheld September 2011 salaries not just to the magistrates but also other civil servants in the state.”

When reached on her mobile telephone to react to the allegation, Nebo did not pick her calls and did not reply the text messages sent to her phone.

A senior staff in the Customary Court of Appeal who did not benefit from the largesse prompted by governor’s sister said, “This is not unconnected with the fact that the three arms of government are not really independent.” He added, “It is an abnormality for the executive arm of government to be dictating what happens in the judiciary.”

While the civil servants gear up for a ‘mother of all battles’ with Chime in the event that September 2011 salaries are not paid as soon as possible, the last may not have been heard of the minimum wage and labour controversy in the state.

Just last week, the Aba Unit of the Civil Liberties Organisation called on the Enugu State Government to effect the release of the NLC factional leader in the state, Osmond Ugwu from detention.

The CLO Chairman, Dr. Charles Chinekezi, explained that Ugwu’s detention reminds the citizenry of the dark days of military dictatorship.

He said, “We condemn the detention of Ugwu, and call on the Enugu State Government to release him. There is no doubt that his incarceration is politically-motivated; this is because of his unrelenting efforts to better the lots of Enugu workers. The allegation of attempted murder is unfounded. Government should release him.

“The resort to intimidation of the opposition which the Enugu State Government has demonstrated through Ugwu’s incarceration will not only aggravate the problem, but also lend credence to the widely held views that Chime’s administration does not tolerate opposition.”

As individuals, clerics, and groups within and outside the state, continue to appeal to Chime to release Ugwu and another detained labour leader, Raphael Elobuike, the governor has so far, rebuffed them.

Interestingly, Ugwu and Elobuike have been in detention for almost three months on the orders of an Enugu Magistrate Court. However, Chime, through Ugwuoke, insists that the government has no hand in Ugwu’s ordeal.

More so, members of the organised labour, who attempted to protest in Enugu last week against the removal of fuel subsidy, clashed with the police at the entrance of the state secretariat of the NLC.

The labour activists attempted to take off from the premises of the secretariat, but riot policemen, prevented them from going out.

The security operatives cordoned off the Secretariat, reportedly on the orders of Chime, who had prohibited any assembly or protests from groups in the state.

A source in the state police command said the police stopped the workers from carrying out the protest “because hoodlums may hijack it and disrupt peace in the state.” But most of the workers insisted that the police were economical with the truth.

A labour leader said, “Our problem is the other (factional) Chairman, Mr. Chumaife Nze. After the meeting he had with the governor last Sunday night, his stance changed. He has compromised the struggle and we demand his resignation. He has refused to resign and we may have no option but to forcefully remove him. For the police, they are only acting out a script.”

Even with the allegations against him, Nze still says he never compromised the struggle.

He said, “I am in support that the fuel subsidy stays. We would not relent in ensuring that we continue the struggle against the removal of fuel subsidy.”

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il dies at 69.

2011-12-19T03:35:00.000-08:00

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il has died aged 69 of a heart attack, state media announced Monday, plunging the nuclear-armed, famine-ridden and deeply isolated nation into a second dynastic succession. North Korea urged people to rally behind Kim’s youngest son Jong-Un, describing him as “great successor” to the leader who presided over the deaths of hundreds of thousands from hunger but still built an atomic arms arsenal.
South Korea put its military on emergency alert but urged its people to stay calm, and swiftly closed ranks with its close ally the United States. Analysts said there would likely be little turbulence in the North –at least for now.
The leader “passed away from a great mental and physical strain” at 8:30 am on Saturday (2330 GMT Friday), while travelling by train on one of his field trips, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

*Kim Jong. Photo: AFP

It urged people to support Jong-Un, who is in his late 20s and was last year made a four-star general and given top ruling party posts despite having had no public profile.
“All party members, military men and the public should faithfully follow the leadership of comrade Kim Jong-Un and protect and further strengthen the unified front of the party, military and the public,” a weeping female announcer, clad in black, said on television.
KCNA said Kim died of a “severe myocardial infarction along with a heart attack”. He suffered a stroke in August 2008 which triggered an acceleration in the succession plans.
Video footage from China Central Television showed people sobbing on the streets of Pyongyang. “How can I express all the sorrow… I can’t say any more,” a soldier said.
Kim’s funeral will be held on December 28 in Pyongyang but no foreign delegations will be invited, KCNA said. National mourning was declared from December 17 to 29.
“We must hold high the flag of songun (military-first) policy, strengthen military power a hundred times and firmly defend our socialist system and achievement of revolution,” it said.
At the North Korean embassy in Beijing, the capital of its main ally China, the national flag was flying at half mast. China offered its “deep condolences”.
North Korea’s propaganda machine has rolled into action to build up the same personality cult for Jong-Un that surrounded his father and late grandfather Kim Il-Sung, the founder and “eternal leader” of North Korea who died in 1994.
“The North’s top guys have already sorted out everything and the regime seems to be stable under the new leadership,” said Paik Hak-Soon of Seoul’s Sejong Institute.
“I don’t expect any major turbulence or power struggle within the regime in the foreseeable future.
“The Kim Jong-Un era has already started.”
Analysts stressed that North Korea was entering an uncertain period, although its senior figures were likely to stick closely together for now.
“The North Korean elite has a vested interest in maintaining the system and will assess Jong-Un’s ability to protect its interests,” said Bruce Klingner, a Northeast Asia expert at Washington’s Heritage Foundation.
South Korea summoned a meeting of the National Security Council and President Lee Myung-Bak called an emergency cabinet meeting.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff said it had increased monitoring along the border along with US forces in the country but no unusual activity had been observed.
North and South Korea have remained technically at war since their three-year conflict ended only in an armistice in 1953. The United States stations 28,500 troops in the South.
Lee had a phone conversation with US President Barack Obama about two hours after Kim’s death was announced at noon (0300 GMT), officials said.
“The president reaffirmed the United States’ strong commitment to the stability of the Korean peninsula and the security of our close ally, the Republic of Korea,” the White House said in a statement.
Japan, which has no diplomatic relations with North Korea, offered its condolences over the death but also called an emergency security meeting.
The news shocked South Koreans and some expressed fears of renewed conflict.
“I’m worried there will be a war. I thought it wasn’t true at first,” said student Song Bo-Na, 22.
KCNA, quoting a statement from the national funeral committee headed by Jong-Un, said Kim Jong-Il’s body would lie in state in Kumsusan palace where his father’s embalmed body is on display.
It said mourners would be allowed to visit from December 20 to 27.
Following the funeral, another event to mourn the leader would be held on December 29. Mourning shots are to be fired and three minutes of silence would be observed. All trains and ships will sound their horns.
Kim took over after his father and founding president Kim Il-Sung died in 1994, coming to power with a reputation as a playboy with a taste for the finer things in life.
But in the mid- to late-1990s he presided over a famine which killed hundreds of thousands of his people. Severe food shortages continue and the UN children’s fund estimates one-third of children are stunted by malnutrition.
Kim still found the resources to continue a nuclear weapons programme which culminated in tests in October 2006 and May 2009. The country is believed to have a plutonium stockpile big enough for six to eight weapons.
For several months there have been diplomatic efforts to restart six-nation nuclear disarmament talks which the North abandoned in April 2009.

Eagles win Copa Lagos.

2011-12-19T03:17:00.001-08:00

Nigeria’s Sand Eagles on Sunday beat their Brazilian counterparts, Reis da Praia (Kings of the Beach) to emerge champions of the 2011 Copa Lagos Beach Soccer.

The Sand Eagles surprisingly won the game over three periods by a high margin of 9-4 over the four-time Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup champions.
It was captain Isiaka Olawale that set the tone straight from the kick-off by putting Nigeria ahead.
His goal turned out to be the fastest of the three-day tournament.
The Sand Eagles came under pressure immediately and Brazil struck the woodwork twice and forced goalkeeper Abdullahi Isah into two quick saves. Azeez Abu stunned the South Americans with a second but Bruno trimmed the score to 2-1 immediately.
And Brazil’s tactics to shoot from everywhere paid off as the first period ended 2-2.
In the second period, Bruno put Brazil in the lead before Victor Tale drew level for the Sand Eagles at 3-3.
Brazil keeper, Marquinhos kept his side in the game by stopping Abu’s effort to leave the score at 3-3 after the second period.
The Kings of the Beach went 4-3 up and Olawale made it 4-4 within seconds.

Barcelona wins Club World Cup, beats Santos 4-0.

2011-12-19T03:06:00.000-08:00

Lionel Messi grabbed a classy brace as the “artists” of Barcelona out-classed the Brazilians Santos 4-0 to lift the Club World Cup Sunday and confirm their status as the best team on the planet. The clash between the European and South American champions in Japan had been billed as a showdown between Messi, widely acknowledged as the best player in the world, and 19-year-old Brazilian sensation Neymar.
In the event, it was no contest — either between the two supreme talents or their teams — as Barcelona picked up their second world crown after winning the competition in 2009, when Messi was again the difference.
Barca boss Pep Guardiola called his men “artists” and dedicated the 13th title in his three-and-a-half years in charge to striker David Villa, who flew home after fracturing his shin in the semi-final and faces five months out.
“We missed him very much. I talked to him a lot (since the bad injury) and I want to talk to him tonight,” said Guardiola, full of praise for his side who wore t-shirts in honour of their missing team-mate.
“They were like artists,” he said, turning to their spectacular performance that secured the official title as the world’s best side and saw the Catalan club net a cool $5 million.
“What was envisioned in their minds happened on the pitch.”
Messi, set up by Xavi, got the first after 17 minutes, before Xavi put Barcelona 2-0 up just seven minutes later to put them firmly in control, as prodigious forward Neymar struggled to get a sniff of the ball.
Cesc Fabregas, who pulled the strings in midfield, got the third on the stroke of half-time as the Spanish champions, who were at full-strength, threatened to run riot for the packed house of 68,166.
Messi got his second eight minutes from time as he rounded the keeper to roll the ball in after the influential Dani Alves threaded the ball through to him.
“We are extremely happy and our performance, especially in the first-half, was very satisfactory,” said Guardiola, who declined to single out one player for more praise than the rest.
“I’ve tried to get the players to work together as a team and use the strengths they have. Our players have been playing very well, but it’s important to keep that level going.”
His opposite number Muricy Ramalho said there was no disgrace in defeat.
“Barcelona have played various teams around the world and nobody can beat them. Eventually some team may, but I don’t think it’s possible now,” he said.
“This was not embarrassing and it was not a blow to us. We need to be humble — we were beaten by the best team in the world,” he said, adding Messi was without doubt the best but that Neymar would one day take that title.
Barca had the better of an open first 15 minutes, Messi forcing a save out of Rafael Cabral after skipping a couple of half-hearted Santos challenges.
Shortly after that the Argentine was at it again, taking a dinked pass from Xavi and lifting the ball delicately over Cabral from just a few yards out to put the Catalans into an early lead at the International Stadium in Yokohama.
It was all Barca, so it was no surprise when they went further ahead on 24 minutes, full-back Alves driving down the right wing and cutting inside to set up Xavi, who rifled the ball past an exposed Cabral.

Fuel subsidy removal, insecurity: Anarchy looms, say leaders of thought.

2011-12-12T03:49:00.000-08:00

SOME leaders of thought in the country, yesterday, reviewed the rising wave of instability and insecurity in the country, government’s insistence on removing fuel subsidy as well as the delay in restructuring the polity and returned a damning verdict: anarchy looms!

The leaders under the banner of National Consensus Group of Project Nigeria, warned that mass revolts were imminent in the country if the state of affairs remained unchanged.
The group’s spokesman, Mr. Wale Okunniyi, said in a statement that except Nigerians took their destinies in their hands by compelling the government to respect their will, the country might be plunged into a surprise extra legal intervention.
He said the eminent leaders’ group driven by senior citizens like Prof Ben Nwabueze, SAN, Alhaji Maitama Sule, Dr Tunji Braithwaite, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, Chief Audu Ogbeh, Dr Kalu Idika Kalu, Dr Lateef Adegbite, Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, Labour and civil society leaders among others were disappointed at the present state of affairs in the country orchestrated by system and leadership failure.
Indeed, one of the leaders, Professor Nwabueze, picked holes in the government’s current moves to amend sections of the 1999 Constitution, saying the country needed a brand new code book.
Okunniyi said: “Nigerians must note that the general insecurity in the land, the unabated suicide bombings and pervasive frustrations of the masses, the refusal of the ruling class to open up space for genuine national negotiation as well as the politics of oil subsidy versus minimum wage are all ominous symptoms of deeper structural and governance crisis in the country, which is beyond the present rhetoric of government.
“Given several assessments and consultations we have made on the dangerous state of affairs in the North, Niger Delta, South East, Middle Belt, etc, and on the widening gap of exclusions in governance, the fear of our rulers to allow for a genuine national dialogue and the resultant bottled up anger everywhere, I can bet that, there shall be an organized mass action and a major shaking in the country soon.”
New constitution, not amendment – Nwabueze
Stressing the need for the country to go for a fresh constitution, Nwabueze said most stakeholders in the country were unanimous on the issue. He said: “The question remains, however, as to how this supreme objective is to be accomplished. The answer, of course, is that Nigeria must be re-designed and rebuilt, not re-branded. To rebuild a house, you must re-design the super-structure. If the super-structure is not got right, the edifice must wobble continuously, as Nigeria has been wobbling since it was built by the British colonialists.
“Now, the super-structure of a state, like Nigeria, is its constitution. In the democratic age in which we live today, the generally accepted super-structure for a stable, enduring state, not a wobbly one, is a democratic constitution, otherwise called a people’s constitution. What is a democratic constitution or rather why is a democratic constitution called a People’s Constitution? The answer lies in the meaning of democracy itself. Democracy is a form of government in which the people is everything – the ultimate law-maker; the source of all power; the bestower of the mandate or authority, through their votes at elections, for the exercise of power by those elected to rule.
“A constitution is not democratic simply because it establishes a democratic form of government. Democratisation rests on a false and weak foundation if a democratic form of government, as enshrined in the constitution, is not in fact the choice of the people expressed by means of a national conference, followed by approval at a referendum or by a Constituent Assembly specially and specifically elected for the purpose.
The practical significance of a democratic constitution in the context of Nigeria, as in the context of the rest of Africa, lies partly in the nature and structure of our society. It is in this respect that Nigeria and Africa differ fundamentally from the U.S. and Europe. Whilst each of the original 13 colonies and, even more so, each of 50 States that make up the United States today, comprises peoples of different languages, races, religions and cultural backgrounds, each of those different peoples does not, by and large, inhabit a separate territorial area as to constitute a separate territorial entity, as is the case in Africa.
The diverse ethnic groups comprised in the state in Africa, the Hausa/Fulani, Yoruba, the Igbo, the Ijaws, the Urhorobos, the Itsekiris, the Ibibios and other ethnic groups in Nigeria for example, inhabit each a separate territorial area, which constitutes them a separate territorial entity. Creating a nation out of a diversity of peoples each inhabiting a separate territorial area and constituting a separate territorial entity confronts a problem fundamentally different in nature and character from that faced by the Americans since 1787.”
“Given this peculiarly complex nature and character of ethnic diversity of the state in Africa, something of the diversity must remain and be preserved after the creation of a nation out of it. This is necessarily implied in the notion of unity-in-diversity; it implies the preservation of diversity as a basis for creating a nation, not its complete obliteration which is like a delusion.
Therefore, any drive in this country towards re-building or re-creating Nigeria would be sheer self-delusion if it did not recognise and preserve something of the existence of the diversity of ethnic groups or if it tried to obliterate them completely. In any drive towards the creation of a nation out of a diversity of ethnic groups existing as separate territorial entities, the existence of such groups should be openly and frankly recognized as a social reality that can no more be wished away or banished than we can disregard our own individuality.”

FG halts retirement of non-teaching university staff aged 60.

2011-12-12T03:27:00.000-08:00

IN a move to prevent the non-academic staff in the nation’s universities from joining the ongoing strike by the academic staff, the Federal Government has directed vice-chancellors to stop retrenching non-academic staff of universities at the age of 60 pending passage of the bill by the National Assembly and assent by the President. National Association of Academic Technologists, NAAT; Non-Academic Staff Union of Education and Associated Institutions, NASU, and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, under the Joint Action Committee of the three unions, were set to begin an indefinite strike over failure by the Federal Government to implement the 2009 agreement.
The contending issues in the agreement are the 65 years retirement age, improvement in the funding level of universities, earned allowance, and career structure for technologists on CONTISS 14 and 15.
After meeting with the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyah Ahmed-Rufa’i and the Minister of Labour, Chief Emeka Wogu, SSANU President, Mr. Samson Ugwoke, said, yesterday, that the ministers showed the three unions evidence that the issues would be resolved soonest and that the government was doing everything to ensure accelerated passage of the bill on the 65-year retirement age and other related issues.
He added that the ministers told the union leaders that vice-chancellors of universities had been informed by the government not to “retire any members of the unions who clocks 60 years or have served for 35 years, pending when the issues will be finally resolved.”
Ugwoke said the ministers equally told the labour leaders to “report any vice-chancellor that disregard this order.”
He added that the ministers had assured that the earned allowance would be captured in the 2012 annual budget, while other issues were being resolved.
Ugwoke said: “As a result of discussions held and appeals made by the two ministers to allow the Federal Government a little more time to implement the 2009 agreement it entered with our three unions, we have resolved to grant a grace of 30 days (one month) beginning from December 9 within which the contending issues raised would be fully resolved and implemented.
“If they fail we shall resume our suspended strike action without notice.”

FIFA Club World Cup: Esperance fans run wild in Japan.

2011-12-12T03:14:00.000-08:00

Qatar’s Al Sadd will play Barcelona in the semi-finals of the Club World Cup after the Asian champions stunned Esperance of Tunisia 2-1 on Sunday, sparking fan violence and a pitch invasion.

The Doha side’s win means Asian teams have won all five meetings against African opposition at the intercontinental tournament, but more importantly Al Sadd will now test themselves against the sublime Catalans on Thursday.
The other major talking point will be how an irate Esperance fan managed to jump the barrier by the pitch and make for Al Sadd goalkeeper Mohamed Saqr before being dragged to the ground just feet away from him.
There were several other disturbances in the stands at the state-of-the-art Toyota Stadium at the end of an entertaining game, as furious Esperance fans clashed with police and stewards.
Esperance supporters and players were left seething at Chilean referee Enrique Osses after they had two “goals” ruled out for offside and had a strong claim for a penalty, all in the dying minutes.
Japan’s Kashiwa Reysol advanced to the semifinals of the Club World Cup on Sunday after a 4-3 penalty shootout win over Mexican side Monterrey.

Stephanie Okereke hits goldmine.

2011-09-09T07:10:00.000-07:00

Nollywood actress Stephanie Okereke has landed an ambassadorial deal with Japanese Corporation ‘Kaneka’, makers of ‘Kanekalon’ hair fibre.

Okereke’s deal, we gathered, will primarily be to promote the company’s product and participating in its marketing campaigns.

stephanie

As contained in a release, her responsibilities will include being part of Kanekalon’s Brand Building campaign, Kanekalon ‘Salon Storm’ Activation, Kanekalon ‘Night of a Thousand Braids’ event and other brand promotional activities.
Apparently the deal is finalized, as the actress’ television commercial for Kanekalon is already running on TV stations across the country.
The Marketing Manager, Kanekalon Division for Kaneka Corporation, Hideaki Nakamura noted that Kaneka’s decision to sign an ambassador is the company’s commitment to promote the African woman and more so, to expand its scope in Nigeria.
Nakamura added; “the deal with Stephanie is consistent with Kaneka’s policy of using the best talents everywhere the company has presence, to promote our product and Stephanie came highly recommended in this area.”
Speaking on the deal Ms Okereke promised live up to her billing and use the platform to preach and stipulate the African woman outlook.
“The African woman is legendary for her beauty and her strength, her style and grace; she is an epitome of beauty, and unmatched quality and a style icon. All this I hope to promote as Kanekalon ambassador,” she assured.

Lagos to unveil new education policy soon – Fashola.

2011-09-09T07:07:00.000-07:00

The Lagos State Government will soon unveil a new policy framework for the education sector, from nursery to tertiary levels, Gov. Babatunde Fashola, has said. Fashola disclosed this while receiving the Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company, Mr Chike Onyejekwe, in his office on Thursday in Ikeja.
He said that the new policy framework would address some of the challenges facing the education sector in the state with a view to repositioning it and making it more functional.
Fashola said that part of the unfolding policy was the ongoing transformational intervention at the Lagos State University (LASU).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the state government had recently banned satellite campuses and part-time studies at LASU.
The ban, according to the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Mr Fatai Olukoga, is to reposition the university and make it one of the best in the country.
Fashola said the government would do everything possible to make the state education system more functional and a model for other states.
“We are poised to reposition LASU to make it an enviable centre of academic excellence and human capital development.
“Our plans for LASU and indeed all the sectors of the education system, which are being discussed by the executive council, would be contained in a new policy on education that would be released in a matter of weeks,” `Fashola said.
The governor said the state welcomed partnership with corporate organisations and other well-meaning individuals in the area of educational development.
Earlier, Onyejekwe said Shell would continue to support educational development in the state, adding that the oil company planned to support infrastructural development at LASU.

Nigeria will bounce back, sports minister assures.

2011-09-09T07:05:00.001-07:00

Team Nigerian officials were jolted yesterday with the official release of the Medals Table of the on-going 10th All Africa Games in Maputo, Mozambique which saw South Africa in pole position with 20 gold medals while Nigeria with one gold, 3 silver and 4 bronze medals occupy the 8th position in the 17-Nation Games.

But Sports Minister, Alhaji Yussuf Suleiman was unruffled when he said that Nigerians should not worry as the tables would soon be turned insisting that Team Nigeria would finish among the first three nations on the medals table.
South Africa lead the table with 20 gold, 11 silver and 15 bronze while Egypt are second with 8 gold, 4 silver and 2 bronze and Tunisia are third with 5 gold, 10 silver and 6 bronze medals respectively.
The Sports Minister while briefing the Press yesterday at the Southern Sun Hotel to calm nerves said that there was nothing to be afraid of as Nigeria would soon hit the top with the commencement of Nigeria’s powerhouse like Athletics, Table Tennis men and women singles and others.
“It is normal to see this as South Africa have reaped from their catchment areas like Swimming. The tide will change once we enter into our special areas. One thing I know is that we are still in contention to finish among the first three nations in the Games”, Suleiman who was flanked by the Director General of the Nationals Sports Commission, Dr Patrick Ekeji, Chef de Mission to the Games, Alhaji Alhassan Yakmut and other top Government functionaries declared.
He however frowned on the cancellation of some sports where Team Nigeria had comparative advantage like Wrestling, Weightlifting and Powerlifting but noted that it was not enough reason for Team Nigeria not to do well.
“Yes, you know that those areas of our strength have been reduced but we should not use that as an excuse. I am confident that Team Nigeria will bounce back once our other key areas begin. I implore Nigerians here in Mozambique to support and cheer their players.
We have seen how support turns things around with the way Mozambique support their players”.

Annie Macaulay fights friend over 2Face.

2011-09-09T06:47:00.000-07:00

The last time Annie Macaulay talked about her relationship with 2Face Idibia her ex-beau and father to her daughter, it was on a note of finality.
“We have our lives to live. I don’t care what he does with his life”, she’d gushed to Weekend Groove.
But all that bravado may have been doused by her recent outburst on the wall of social network twitter where she poured venom on her former friend, one Dr. Ojia.

Annie Macaulay

Ojia, an Abuja based medical practitioner is reported to be the hottest item on 2Face’s menu list and our source say, this development has not gone down well with Annie who felt betrayed by her bosom friend.
‘Worst human I ve ever met…..Ojia! I don’t talk behind people’s backz.. I say it as it is! Beware people, of the very confused Doctor!! DEVIL in disguise‘.
Ojie who’s name has been associated with many prominent names in the entertainment industry is said to have also dated former West African Idol winner Timi Dakolo.
She is allegedly involved in a sizzling affair with the Benue State born super star musician.

Interpol issues arrest warrant for Gaddafi, son Seif.

2011-09-09T06:41:00.000-07:00

World police body Interpol called Friday for the arrest of fugitive former Libyan leader Moamer Gadhafi for his alleged crimes against humanity, following a request by the International Criminal Court.

Interpol said it had issued a “red notice” for the arrest of Muammar Kaddafi, his son Seif al-Islam and his intelligence chief Abdullah al-Senussi, one day after ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo asked for the agency’s help.
Interpol asked its 188 member countries “to take all measures consistent with their national laws to help the ICC locate and apprehend Kaddafi”
The “request for Interpol Red Notices will significantly restrict the ability of all three men to cross international borders and is a powerful tool to help in their location and arrest,” Interpol chief Ronald Noble said.
“Kaddafi is a fugitive whose country of nationality and the International Criminal Court want arrested and held accountable for the serious criminal charges that have been brought against him,” the secretary general said.
A red notice by the international police co-operation agency, which is based in the central French city of Lyon, seeks the arrest for an extradition or surrender of a person to an international court based on an arrest warrant.
ICC judges on June 27 agreed to Moreno-Ocampo’s request for arrest warrants against Kaddafi, 69, Seif al-Islam, 39 and Senussi, 62, for crimes against humanity committed by Libyan troops on their orders, using “lethal force” to quell the uprising against his regime.

Minister blasts coaches.

2011-09-09T06:39:00.000-07:00

Sports Minister, Alhaji Yussuf Suleiman bared his fangs yesterday on some coaches of Team Nigeria for their ineptitude that has seen some athletes lose medals that ordinarily they would have won.

Table Tennis was a glaring example especially in the Women’s Team Event where Egypt came from behind to pip Nigeria 3-2 to win gold. “I don’t want to say things that will demoralize our athletes.
It was purely a case of technical inefficiency from the bench. One on one, our athletes are better than the Egyptians. Anyway, I am going to have meetings with the coaches and their captains to correct these mistakes”, he said. The Minister did not also
spare the athletes. “The players did not do well, either. They did not show hunger and determination. We all saw the Egyptians going the extra mile and got victory they do not deserve. We have to change this attitude”, he cautioned.

Sharia court sentences two to amputation for theft.

2011-09-09T06:35:00.000-07:00

An Islamic sharia court in Zamfara State has sentenced two men to amputation of their right wrists for stealing a bull, with the amputation to be carried out in public if it is given final approval. The sharia court in the village of Nassarawan Mailayi in the northern state of Zamfara on Thursday ordered that Auwalu Abubaka, 23, and Lawalli Musa, 22, have their right hands chopped off for stealing a bull worth 130,000 naira ($867, 628 euros).
However, the two men have 30 days to appeal their sentence and the state governor must approve any amputation. Such sentences have only rarely been carried out in Nigeria.
“Based on the admission of guilt by the two of you of trespassing into the house … and stealing a bull whose worth is well above the minimum value to warrant amputation, I hereby order that each of you should have his right wrist amputated,” Judge Muhammadu Abubakar said.
“I hereby order that the sentence be carried out on October 8, on market day for members of the public to witness.”
The convicts were arraigned on August 8 following complaints to the police by a resident accusing them of stealing his bull from his house, which led to their arrest, court documents showed.
Sharia law is in place across 12 states in predominately Muslim northern Nigeria, but it is selectively enforced.
It provides for amputation of the wrist for theft and it would be the second time such a sentence is handed down in Zamfara, the first of Nigeria’s 36 states to reintroduce sharia law after the country returned to democratic rule in 1999.
In 2001, a notorious cattle rustler had his right wrist amputated following conviction by a sharia court in the state capital Gusau for stealing a bull after the then state governor approved the sentence.
The amputation drew outrage from local and international rights groups, which led to the overturning of more than a dozen amputation sentences across the 12 predominantly Muslim states.
Nigeria is Africa’s most populous nation, and its 150 million people are roughly divided between a mainly Muslim north and predominately Christian south.

GUS 8: 30 finalists emerge.

2011-09-09T06:29:00.000-07:00

At the close of work today, the 30 finalists for this year’s Gulder Ultimate Search (GUS) 8 will emerge.
The 30 contestants will be revealed at an elaborate event which will take place by 6pm at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island.
More than 21,000 persons enlisted to partake in the contest. After rigourous and painstaking physical selection exercises which held in locations in Abuja, Benin, Owerri and Lagos, the thousands of applicants were pruned to 60.
The 60 persons were then taken through professional psychological test to ascertain the depth of their mental alertness, level of creativity, impulse, temperament, preparedness and patience for the jungle life. 15 of them failed to meet with the required standards and were dropped.
Tonight, the 45 applicants will know their fate as another 15 will be asked to go home, while the final 30 contestants will proceed to the jungle.
The winner of this year’s edition of the reality TV show will go home with N7 million, a brand new SUV worth N10 million and N500, 000 wardrobe allowance.
This year’s version of the reality TV show has been tagged Contest of Champions.
Gulder Ultimate Search is Nigeria’s first 100% local content reality TV show. It was first staged in 2004 and has been organized annually. This year’s edition is the eighth in the series.

Armenia offered three million euros to reach Euro.

2011-09-09T06:21:00.000-07:00

Armenian football federation president Ruben Airapetyan has promised the national squad a three-million-euro bonus if they secure qualification for the Euro-2012 finals, local media reported Friday.

After eight of their 10 qualifying matches Armenia sit third in Group B on 14 points, one behind the Republic of Ireland and three behind leaders Russia. Slovakia are fourth, also on 14 points.
Airapetyan said: “Our team now has a real chance to secure qualification for the Euro. They will receive a three-million euro bonus in they make our joint dream come true.”
Armenia head coach Vardan Minasyan refrained from making any comments about the bonus — to be shared between the squad — but believes Armenia are firmly in contention to make the 2012 showpiece in Poland and Ukraine.
“There are four teams with serious chances of qualifying at the moment in our group,” Minasyan said. “I believe Armenia have just as much chance as reaching the Euro as the other contenders.”
Armenia, who started their qualifying campaign with two home defeats (1-0 to Ireland and 2-0 to Russia), have bounced back with four wins in later matches, including two unexpected wins over Slovakia.
Armenia midfielder Levon Hayrapetyan said he had a feeling that his team have “a real chance” of taking the runners-up spot in the group.
“We believed from the first minute that we could win the match at Zilina,” said Hayrapetyan. “Before the game we never thought that we’d win 4-0 but we always believed we could win.
“Now, after this win, there is a real chance (of qualifying) for us and we have to be focused for our next game.”
Armenia next face Macedonia at home on October 7 before winding their campaign up with a trip to Dublin to face Ireland four days later.

ICT is solution to unemployment .

2011-09-07T04:51:00.000-07:00

The chairman of Zinox Technologies Limited, Leo Stan Ekeh, has called on the economic team set up by the President Jonathan to invest heavily in Information and Communications Technology as a means of generating digital activities that would drastically reduce the number of unemployed youths.

Chief Leo Stan Ekeh, Chairman, Zinox

Ekeh who was a guest of the Lagos Business School last week, spoke as a panelist at the Nigeria-India partnership forum tagged Unlocking Opportunities for Entrepreneurs.
He expressed support for the Federal Government’s resolve to tackle youth unemployment but cautioned against tackling the problem through the conventional methods of stimulus and empowerment based on cash injections.
The Zinox Chairman said that the Government should concentrate on providing subsidized internet access all over the country, saying that the internet access would in turn, create tremendous networking opportunities and lead to digital activities that would generate employment and income.
He directed the country’s attention to India where an emphasis on ICT has turned the economy into the outsourcing capital of the world.
Ekeh also highlighted that today’s global youth restiveness demands that nations must invent ICT based approaches to engage the youth and gain the stability required for development.
He advised the Okonjo Iweala led economic team to begin the process of engaging ICT professionals in Nigeria immediately if the desire to make youth employment the arrow head of the policy is to be achieved.
Commenting on the Nigeria India partnership, Ekeh advised Nigeria to learn how India has managed its multi-ethnic and multi-religious backgrounds, and the work ethics that has produced the Indian pre-eminence.
He said that once these cultures were enshrined in the consciousness of Nigerians, success was just around the corner, because India and Nigeria share many things in common.

A statue to Aikhomu.

2011-09-07T04:46:00.000-07:00

The death recently of Admiral Augustus Aikhomu marked the passing of a man whose memory contemporary Nigerians should mourn with fondness.
That he has an assured place in our nation’s history is a certainty: Students chronicling Nigerian Armed Forces academic discipline will be asked his name in exam papers. Naval officer cadets will aspire to his rank and record. Indeed if Nigeria were another kind of place, his statue would be raised with public funds subscribed by a grateful nation.
For, Augustus Aikhomu did not only serve his country as Vice-President; he was Nigeria’s first full Admiral of the Navy. Let the Federal Republic last a thousand years and more yet there shall never again be another first full Admiral of the Nigerian Navy. Such is the eternal uniqueness that fate has bestowed upon Augustus Aikhomu.
A lot more can be said of the proud service of the officer and a gentleman to his young country. For me, however, he will always remain first and foremost the genial, humane, giving, humble, everyday ordinary bloke I was proud to call my friend.
You would not think you, were frolicking with a man of history if you met him in informal company.
I should be forgiven for repeating a narration of our first meeting, as I recalled in memoirs titled, Then Spoke the Thunder.
I was with the Admiral at his Lagos home early one night soon after he retired from Service as well as relinquished political office. The guards at the gate rang to say that Chris Okolie, former publisher of Newbreed magazine was asking to come in. I know dozens of Nigerian Big Men of lesser calibre who would have refused Chris admittance if only because he had not taken the trouble to make a prior appointment.
More importantly, it was Aikhomu after all who signed the government order by which Chris was clamped in prison detention without charge or trial during the Babangida regime. Aikhomu could not have known in what mood or for what purpose the unexpected visitor came to his home.
Chris came in with a smile and an impromptu statement. Speaking with emotion, he introduced a young man he said was his son.
He said he came to tell the Admiral that he bore him no ill will whatsoever. On the contrary, he judged Aikhomu to be one of the fairest military leaders Nigeria had had. He had often talked to his son about the Admiral and tonight he brought the young man to meet a good man. Aikhomu rose wordlessly and embraced Chris Okolie.
During the rest of what turned out to be a convivial evening, Chris’s son and I mostly sat listening to the former military authoritarian and the crusading journalist swapping stories and reminiscing about the circumstances that once brought their careers to clash.
I shall remember him always for his generosity and magnanimity of spirit. Aikhomu’s humility was not forced.
He once told my magazine, AfricaNow, in a poignant, intimate interview that the mud house in which he was born was washed away in a rainstorm, dispossessing his impoverished widowed mother.
“I cannot even point to a spot and say this is where I was born.” There were no tears, instead stated matter-of-fact.
I loved him for the trusting man that he was.
He quickly adopted you into his circumnavigations. That was because he was an exceptionally loyal friend who expected the same even of a new acquaintance. But if you thought this was naivety be careful that you gave Augustine Aikhomu no cause to write you off. For though he hated making an enemy; he hated disloyalty even more.
Some closet critics among those who had his ear said he was weak or inconsistent. How wrong they were. I watched the Vice-President grinding a State Governor to dust albeit with a sunny disposition that was characteristic of his style.
His Excellency the Governor was agitatedly pleading innocence for something he had done or had failed to do. Whichever it was wasn’t clear to me. I was meeting Aikhomu for the first time and thought maybe he was being playful. But His Excellency the Governor knew different. He knew he was under a rack.
“You know I cannot offend you, sir. I will never do that to you, sir!” the Governor went on, pouring a torrent of protestations, a knee touching the floor.
“There’s no need for that,” the Vice-President repeatedly told His Excellency, urging the pathetic fellow to resume his dignity.
That scene is etched in my memory on account of its seeming theatricality, but also — and perhaps more importantly —for its evidence of a military leader at court. Only those who know the topography of Esanland, its lack of waterways and its distance from the sea can appreciate the unlikelihood of a man from Irrua having a distinguished career in boats!
It had to take guts, application, determination and willpower to achieve the admiralty of the Navy. Aikhomu did it.
If called upon by rank or circumstance of high office to perform a difficult duty he did so without malice, in an iron fist in a velvet glove he pulled off with niceness when he could do so with grace.
As a leader; as a contributing construction worker in Nigeria’s search for a steady rhythm in its staggering, wobbling, march towards the destiny of nationhood, August Aikhomu, a man from a minority ethnic group, steadfastly played a historic role of compromise seeker, without arrogance, without rancour, without inflated demand.
His passion for Nigeria was evident in his passion for success in Nigerian sports.

SOUTH-WEST PDP: Which way forward?

2011-09-07T04:42:00.000-07:00

For a party that emerged from nowhere to dominate the region and then tether again towards extinction, the gathering of Southwest stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP last Saturday was markedly poignant.

Notable men and women of political power who directed the course of governance in the region now reduced to nothingness gathered at the OK Centre Abeokuta, Ogun State to mourn and reflect on their collective future. From the control of five of the six Southwest states, the PDP was last May reduced to the control of no state.
Its once dominant delegation to the National Assembly was equally nearly eviscerated. The party which boasted of the majority of the delegation to the National Assembly was after the election reduced to only one Senate seat and five seats in the House of Representatives.
It was thus not surprising that the majority of the members of the House of Representatives turned against the region when it came to the election of the Speaker of the House despite the initial zoning of the seat to the Southwest.
As early as 9:30 am last Saturday the venue was already crowded with party chieftains and supporters from the six states in the geo-political zone.
Leading the pack was President Olusegun Obasanjo, whose arrival attracted thunderous ovation.Also present were former governors on the party ticket Segun Oni (Ekiti), Olusegun Agagu (Ondo) and Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Osun) all of whom were removed from office by the courts, former Minister of Works, Senator Seye Ogunlewe, Chief Tunji Olurin, Minister of State, Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada, Minister of Police Affairs Navy Captain Caleb(rtd), Chief Kemi Martins.
Also present were party elders like Dr. Oluyomi Finih, Mr. Setonji Kosheodo, Chief Richard Akinjide, Rafiu Jafojo, Alhaji Tajudeen Oladipo among others. Alhaji Bamaga Tukur a national chairmanship aspirant of the party from Adamawa State was also present obviously for networking.
Following the welcome address by the host chairman, Chief Dayo Soremi, the chairman of the party in Ogun State former President Obasanjo the ranking party member from the zone gave his address.
According to him, Athe speakership of the House of Representatives, which the constitution of the party zoned to the South – West, is our legitimate right that must be given back to us.
The National Secretaryship of the party being zoned to the South-West is not an issue because naturally it belongs to the zone,” the former President said as he pressed for the perceived injustice done to the region to be reversed.
While calling on party members to close ranks in the light of their disadvantages, he urged them “to accommodate genuine run-aways from the party, who want to come back, but cautioned that “those who deliberately destroyed the party in the past and did not show remorse should be avoided like a plague.
Continuing Obasanjo said, AAs much as I agree with the suggestions that we must allow those who had strayed to return to the party, I want to caution that we must not totally forget the past because evildoers will never rescind from their bad deeds.
As far as the former President is concerned, the party can survive without members, whom he alleged contributed to PDP’s electoral misfortune.
Obviously noting the party’s experience in the hands of former Governor Gbenga Daniel in the run up to the last elections, he said: “Those who misbehaved last year, if you say we should forgive them totally, they will do worse things next year. But those who have shown remorse should be allowed back into the party. But there are some that what they did was so bad that by the grace of God, I will never be in the same party with them for the rest of my life.
Like other speakers, who spoke after him, he identified absolute indiscipline and gross violation of the party’s constitution as the bane of the party’s downfall, adding that this was not the time to lament about the past, but to look forward for better party cohesion.
There is nothing new under the sun. In the past, we stumbled and regained our stand, today, we are going to regain our lost glory especially in the South West,Obasanjo added amid cheers and standing ovation.
However, the former President, who canvassed unity among Nigerians, also vowed that he would die serving the country, adding that at the political level, it would be through the PDP.
While admonishing supporters not to allow rumour-mongers to destroy the party, Obasanjo charged them to prepare for future elections in other states, saying that the day an election result is announced, preparations for another one begins.
The national vice-chairman, Oladipupo on his part traced the party’s poor fortunes in the region to lack of unity, internal democracy and indiscipline among some leaders and members of the party.
He specifically blamed former Governor Daniel for the crisis in Ogun State describing his activities ahead of the election as a gross display of anti-party recklessness.
He also regretted the activities of the former governor of Ekiti, Ayo Fayose whom he alleged collaborated with the opposition to ensure the loss of Ekiti state to other parties, during the re-run and even during the court processes.
Today, some people are calling for his return to the party. While I am not against his return, the truth has to be said that this young man was one of the strong party members who contributed to the party’s destruction in Ekiti.
The crises in Oyo and Lagos states which led to the Action Congress of Nigeria taking over just like in Ogun state during the governorship elections also attracted his attention calling for urgent steps to stop internal wrangling among party members.
The meeting, ended with a communiqué with delegates calling on Ministers to do more to unify the party in their respective states, especially in the states where elections will hold before 2015.
According to the communiqué jointly signed by National Vice Chairman South West and Zonal Secretary Messrs Tajudeen Oladipo and Oluwaropo Adesanya, the party, examined the nefarious activities of hoodlums who are doing all to subvert the security of our nation, especially with the recent suicide bombing in the UN Building in Abuja, the meeting examined critically the state of the Party in the Zone and lamented the woeful performance of the Party in the Last General elections.
It further observed that the low performance of the party arose from politics of exclusion by party leaders to the extent that some of our leaders were even playing god.”
The communiqué also cited “the personalization of the party structure at all levels by some party leaders’ indiscipline within the rank and file of the party, lack of Commitment and loyalty to the Party.
In addition, the communiqué suggested that Aany organization/party without strong discipline cannot move forward: in the light of this we urge all Party faithful to exercise strong discipline at all times. In the light of the above, the state chapters are urged to set up a standing reconciliation committee and the composition of which must be reported to the zone within two weeks of the meeting.
While commending what it described as the leading role of Obasanjo, it examined the stabilizing role being played by the former president in the zone and commended Babafor this.
Missing in action
Whereas it was expected that the meeting, would present a platform where all party members including those aggrieved would meet and perhaps close ranks, but it wasn’t, as most notable chieftains were absent.
This development, observers argued, is an indication that South West PDP is still polarised by crisis. Indeed, the predominance of chieftains, who are seen to be loyal to the ex-president, indicated that the hangover of pre-election rivalries among party leaders, is still obvious.
Notably, among absentee party leaders were ex-Speaker Dimeji Bankole and Daniel who absented themselves despite the fact the meeting was held in their territory in Ogun State.