The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Wike to protesters: steer clear of Rivers

    The revolution march tagged: #RevolutionNow being spearheaded by the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) Omoyele Sowore drew reactions on Sunday from notable Nigerians and groups.

    Prof Wole Soyinka disagreed with security agencies that the planned march amounted to treason. He said there was nothing treasonable in it.

    The literary giant accused the security agencies of behaving predictably.

    Activist-lawyer Femi Falana toed Soyinka’s line. He urged the DSS to either release Sowore or arraing him in court.

    He said: “The State Security Service should release Mr. Omoyele Sowore, one of the conveners of the protests. In the alternative, he should be arraigned in court if there is reasonable suspicion that he has contravened any penal statute. However, the nation’s security agencies should stop embarrassing President Buhari who had cause, from 2003-2014,  to lead peaceful rallies to protest election malpractice and insecurity in the country.”

    Mike Ozekhome (SAN) accused the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration of not being tolerant to criticism.

    Ozekhome, who appeared as a guest on Channels Television’, said the government is “allergic to plurality of voices and criticism”.

    He said: “Dancing on the street saying we don’t want bad governance how does that amount to treason, unreasonable felony?

    “This government is allergic to plurality of voices, this government is allergic to criticism; this government is allergic to opinions. This government should know that Nigeria is a country with many colours.

    “You cannot sample opinions. We cannot all sleep on the same bed. This government should learn to be tolerant,” he said.

    But Rivers State Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike warned the protesters to steer clear of the state, stressing that nobody should attempt the #RevolutionNow protest in Rivers.

    Read Also: Presidency, DSS, activists clash over planned protests

    According to him, Rivers State is not part of the #RevolutionNow protest and whatever illegal agenda it seeks to pursue.

    Speaking through his media aide Simeon Nwakaudu, the governor said: “Rivers State does not subscribe to what the RevolutionNow protest represents and Rivers State is not part of the protest.”

    The governor directed security agencies to arrest anybody involved in the #RevolutionNow protest and also prosecute such persons.

    Governor Wike urged parents to guard their wards from being misled by agents of the march to disrupt peace in the state.

    “All council chairmen are directed to be at alert. If they suspect any illegal gathering, they should report to the security agencies for immediate action,” Wike was quoted as saying.

    The leadership of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) described the planned protest as an attempt by enemies of democracy and unpatriotic individuals to destabilise the country and the administration of President Buhari.

    In a statement yesterday in Abuja, NYCN President Almustapha Abdullahi described the planned protest as “ill-time and uncalled for”, adding that the organisation “will not be part of any unlawful gathering in the name of revolution”.

    He said the youth body will not take part in the march expected to take place simultaneously in 12 cities today.

    According to Abdullahi, exercising one’s right to freedom of speech, association and assembly should be done with decorum.

    The statement reads: ”#RevolutionNow Movement’s call for mass action across the country against the Federal Government of Nigeria is ill-time and uncalled for and that Nigerian Youth will not be part of any unlawful gathering in the name of revolution.

    “This can be best described as deliberate attempt to distabilise Nigeria and government of President Muhammadu Buhari. As such, any group of persons collaborating the call for revolution protest is unpatriotic.

    “At a time when Nigeria is battling with barrage of security challenges, no sane or right thinking individual will be instigating the populace against the government and calling for total shut down of Nigeria.

    ”The #RevolutionNow protest and the convener are opposite in nature, hence it became worrisome and explicitly pertinent for every concerned Nigerian to ask several questions.

    “We call all security agencies to take charge and not allow any dissidents and foreign agents to draw us back as a nation.”

    He urged youths to be law abiding and not allow any fourth columnist to use them as cannon fodders.

    “This set of greedy political jobbers who are perceived to be under sponsorship of the external enemies of our dear nation,” the statement added.

  • Zenith Bank, Akwa Ibom govt stage Principals’ Cup

    Akwa Ibom State Government has signed a partnership deal with Zenith Bank PLC to revive the Principals’ Cup football competition in the state after many years in limbo.

    The partnership is facilitated by HideaPlus Limited, a sport marketing/consultancy firm led by the Chief Operating Officer, Tony Pemu. The tournament is tagged Zenith Bank Akwa Ibom Principals’ Cup.

    Pemu said the tournament would involve all secondary schools in Akwa Ibom State and shall be played between September 30 and December 3, 2019, noting that the competition was aimed at discovering young talents with a view of harnessing them in sync with their educational pursuits.

    Read Also: Alamuwa emerges Ogun GTB/Principal Cup champions

    He hinted that at the end of the competition, a football clinic shall be put together where football scouts from within and outside the country shall feast from the talents harvested from the tournament.

    Also, the young talents discovered shall have the opportunity to meet with ex- international’s during the finals.

    At the signing of the partnership for the state government was the Akwa Ibom state Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Sir Monday Ebong Uko, the Chairman and Senior Special Assistant to the governor on sports, Elder Paul Bassey and the Director of Sports and Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Coach Lawrence Iquaibom.

     

    Read Also: GTB Masters Cup: Igbobi, Queens Colleges to defend titles

  • U20 WOMEN’S WORLD CUP: FIFA inspection team arrives today

    FIFA inspection team will arrive in Nigeria today to inspect facilities for the country’s FIFA U20

    Women’s World Cup 2020 hosting rights bid, the Nigeria Football Federation [NFF] confirmed on Sunday.

    Christopher Exley, Sara Jane Booth, Kliment Taseski, Rhiannon Ceirwen Martin and Heyral Kaj Jurgen are the FIFA officials expected in Abuja by Nigeria’s top football officers.

    The FIFA delegation from the headquarters of world football body in Zurich will make a detailed inspection of the hosts’ venues, training grounds, hospitals and stadia earmarked for the event.

    In a statement to the press, NFF spokesman Ademola Olajire said Lagos, Asaba, Benin City and Uyo have been picked as the four host cities for the women’s age-grade tournament billed for the summer of 2020.

    “A five-man inspection team from world football governing body, FIFA will arrive in Lagos on Monday for a four-day inspection of facilities and equipment that Nigeria has put forward to host the 10th FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup championship next year,” the statement read.

    Read Also: FIFA U-20 Female W/Cup: Obaseki assures Edo is prepared to host world

    “The inspection team will begin its work in Lagos on Tuesday, with visits to the Onikan Stadium (match  venue), St. Nicholas Hospital and Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (referral hospitals), Teslim

    Balogun Stadium, National Stadium Legacy Pitch, Eagle Club, Campos Square and the University of Lagos Sports Centre (training sites) before a courtesy call on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the Government House in Alausa.

    “Joined by NFF President Pinnick, General Secretary Sanusi, Mainasara Illo (Coordinator of the Bid), Aisha Falode, Commissioner of Police Garba Baba (security) and Dr. Paul Onyeudo (medical), the team will fly to Benin City same day to inspect facilities at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium (match venue), Western Boys College and University of Benin Sports Centre (training sites) and the Edo Specialist Hospital and University of Benin Teaching Hospital (referral hospitals).

    “The contingent will check out the facilities in Asaba and Uyo on Wednesday. In Asaba, the Stephen Keshi Stadium is the proposed match venue, while training sites are Asaba Squash Courts and St. Patrick’s College. The referral hospitals are St. Luke’s Hospital and Asaba General Hospital.

    “In Uyo, the focus will be on the Godswill Akpabio Stadium (match venue), Ikot Ekpene Stadium and Godswill Akpabio Training Pitch (training sites) and Ibom Specialist Hospital and University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (referral hospitals).

    “The inspection party will then fly to Abuja on Thursday for a meeting with the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports, Mr. Olusade Adesola (representing the Honourable Minister) and a courtesy call on His Excellency, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (GCON) at the Presidential Villa.”

    Nigeria reached the final in 2010 and 2014 but lost to Germany on both two occasions.

    No African nation has hosted a FIFA organised women’s football tournament – a streak Nigeria will be aiming to break by staging the 10th edition next year.

     

    Read Also: FIFA confident Women’s World Cup will sell over one million tickets

  • Akpeyi benched in Kaizer Chiefs’ win

    The hope of Nigerian goalkeeper, Daniel Akpeyi reclaiming his number one jersey at Premier Soccer League (PSL) side Kaizer Chiefs, is getting slimmer after he was benched on the opening day of the season.

    Kaizer Chiefs secured an impressive 3-2 away win over Highland Park at the Makhulong Stadium yesterday with young South African shot-stopper preferred ahead of the Super Eagles’ first choice goalkeeper at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

    Eric Mathoho scored the winner for Kaizer Chiefs in what was a ding-dong affair in their opening game of the new PSL season; as Amakhosi defeated Highland Park 3-2 on the road.

    Read Also: New League Season: Akpeyi to open shop against Etafia

    Bvuma who has been in goal in the absence of first choice goalkeeper, Itumeleng Khune, was between the sticks in the 2-0 Cup friendly defeat to Orlando Pirates last weekend.

    On Sunday, the 24-year-old goalie conceded two goals, but he wasn’t let down by his teammates, who put three past the opponent’s goal tender and secured a winning start to the new season.

    Akpeyi’s Chiefs future had been in doubt before the new season as the club had to make a decision on the foreign players-quota in the squad.

     

    Read Also: Battle of Alexandria: Akpeyi returns for Cameroon Clash

  • Club Brugge manager praises Okereke

    Red-hot Nigerian forward David Okereke has continued to receive praises from different quarters for his quality displays in the colours of the Belgian side, the latest of which is from the club’s head coach.

    Philippe Clement, Club Brugge manager, has poured encomium on the new acquisition from Italy after

    the Super Eagles’ hopeful netted another goal for the second consecutive game.

    David Okereke joined Club Brugge from Italian side Spezia only a few weeks ago and he grabbed a brace and an assist as the former league champions handed a 6-0 drubbing to Sint-Truiden in their first home clash of the new Belgian League season.

    Read Also: 15 Football legends who never played for native countries

    The 21-year-old, who was also on target, on the opening day against Waasland-Beveren, has now been backed by Clement to have a successful time in the Belgian league.

    “The tension that some players had before the game was clearly not noticeable with David. It turns out that he is sliding away like that, “Clement told the club’s official website.

    “When he came in last month, it seems as if he has been here for years. He is very bold in the group and very inquisitive. We will enjoy him a lot.”

     

    Read Also: Okereke: Olympic Eagles will avenge Flying Eagles loss to Sudan

  • Ese Brume wins 100m, Long Jump in Turkey trials

    Nigeria’s Ese Brume set a new Personal Best time to win the 100m race at the Buyukler Sampiyonasi meet in Turkey.

    Brume previously ran a time of 11.50s in the Semifinals before running a time of 11.41s ahead of Burcu Erdemir who ran 11.71s and Elif Polat in 11.81s.

    Brume also jumped a massive 7.05m on Sunday to win the women’s Long Jump finals, also breaking her PB in the event.

    She moves to 2nd on the African all-time list behind Chioma Ajunwa’s African Record of 7.12m. Blessing Okagbare is third on the list with 6.96m.

    Read Also: Liverpool 1-1 Manchester City (4-5 on pens)

    She had earlier set a new PB in the Long Jump when she jumped 6.96m at the 5th International Sprint-Relay Cup in Erzurum Kadin.

    Meanwhile, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi threw an impressive 21.26m throw at the Kamila Skolimowska Memorial in Centniewo, Poland to come in second in the  men’s Shot Put.

    Enekwechi, who is ranked 14th in the world, was beaten by Michal Haratyk at an equal Polish Record throw of 22.32m while Konrad Bukowiecki came in third at 20.58m.

    Jerry Jakpa shook off the disappointment of being left out of Nigeria’s African Games team  after finishing second at the National Trials, equaling his 200m PB of 20.59s (+0.6) to win at the Citius meet in Berne, Switzerland.

     

    Read Also: Relishing the gains of 19th National Sports Festival

  • Lewandowski questions Bayern’s transfer policy

    Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski has called on the club to make high-profile signings that can have an immediate impact rather than players with potential.

    Speaking after Bayern’s 2-0 loss to Borussia Dortmund in the German Supercup on Saturday, Lewandowski rued the lack of a game-changers among Bayern’s substitutes and appeared to question the club’s transfer policy.

    “Sure, the young players on the bench have potential, that’s true — but sometimes you need direct reinforcement from someone who can come in and help the team,” Lewandowski said.

    Read Also: Liverpool 1-1 Manchester City (4-5 on pens)

    In contrast to Dortmund, which has significantly boosted its squad over the summer, Bayern has only signed French defenders Benjamin Pavard and Lucas Hernandez, while Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery, James Rodriguez, Mats Hummels and Rafinha have all departed the club. German forward Fiete Arp has arrived from Hamburger SV though it is unclear if he will remain with the club or be loaned out for the season.

    Lewandowski had already called on Bayern to make more signings while the team was on its summer tour in the United States.

    “My opinion remains the same, because today was precisely the right time where we could have looked and seen what could happen if we had such a professional player ready to come on,” the Polish striker said Saturday.

    Bayern is reportedly in talks with Manchester City over Germany forward Leroy Sane. Both Kicker magazine and the Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper have reported that Sane has agreed to join the club for what would be a Bundesliga-record sum.

     

    Read Also: Man United revive Lewandowski interest

  • Dybala’s Juventus deal expires today

    Paulo Dybala must inform Juventus that he wants to move to Manchester United by Monday if the transfer is to go ahead, according to reports in Italy.

    The Argentine has been a target for the Red Devils for most of the summer but with Thursday’s deadline for the Premier League transfer window looming, time is running out to get a deal done.

    Italian daily newspaper Corriere dello Sport claims the Argentine must decide by Monday where his future lies, with a potential switch to Old Trafford one that involves Romelu Lukaku heading in the opposite direction.

    Read Also: Juventus confirms de Ligt signing from Ajax

    It follows a week where Dybala met up with boss Maurizio Sarri and other Juve chiefs for talks before he was ‘exiled from the first team and made to train alone’.

    Complications remain over such a deal, with the 25-year-old not against staying with the Bianconeri and having reservations of moving to United given their inability to offer Champions League football this season.

    In addition, United also have complications over the move as they have been left ‘disgusted’ by the request of Dybala’s agent Jorge Antun for a huge personal cut, in the region of £13.7m.

     

    Read Also: Juventus ‘reject Manchester City bid for Dybala

  • Barcelona to sign Neymar on loan

    Neymar has edged closer to a sensational return to Barcelona after the Catalans made a breakthrough in negotiations with Paris Saint-Germain.

    The Brazilian is determined to re-join Barcelona this summer and has told PSG he does not have a future at the club.

    Talks between the two clubs reached an impasse earlier in the summer but PSG are now more willing to sell Neymar with tensions between the player and high-ranking officials at the club reaching boiling point.

    SPORT claim PSG and Barcelona are now in advanced talks over a loan deal which will see Neymar make his move permanent the next summer. They also report that Barcelona are growing increasingly confident of reaching an agreement with the French champions.

    Read Also: BREAKING: Barcelona sign Real Betis Junior Firpo

    A definitive decision by PSG will be taken next week with the September 2’s transfer deadline fast approaching.

    The Parisians did not want to sell Neymar this summer but have been forced to consider letting him go after his actions.

    Reports over the weekend claimed the 27-year-old is at total war with the club and is not even speaking to the club’s Sporting Director, Leonardo, after he tried to block Barcelona’s move for him.

    PSG managed to win the French Super Cup in China on Saturday without Neymar thanks to goals from Kylian Mbappe and Angel Di Maria.

     

    Read also: Neymar could face jail for fraud over Barcelona transfer

  • Liverpool 1-1 Manchester City (4-5 on pens)

    Liverpool did what they have been doing for the last 12 months: throwing everything at the side one of their former executives described a few months as ‘a machine.’

    They created most of the chances, were denied a goal by the bounce of a ball, paraded the game’s outstanding player in Mohamed Salah.

    And yet still they lost by the last kick of the ball, in a penalty shoot-out during which one missed kick, by Georgino Wijnaldum, was enough to deny them the victory. Gabriel Jesus found the composure to make it five converted penalties from five.

    The outcome was a reminder, if they really needed it, that Liverpool are the ones with all the running to do in the nine months which lie ahead.

    Jurgen Klopp was one the one who headed out with his familiar battle armour on.

    Pep Guardiola felt able to dress down in summer attire: beige cargo pants and white T-shirt.

    For an hour or more, it had the makings of a very familiar script. Liverpool trailed to a side against whom the faintest flaw remains treacherous.

    Read Also: Liverpool not envious of rivals’ spending, signings – Klopp

    Joe Gomez and Trent Alexander-Arnold had allowed David Silva to occupy space between them in the game’s 12th minute and navigate a Kyle Walker free-kick into the path of Raheem Sterling who poked home.

    Alisson, short of match-readiness after his work for Brazil in the Copa America, would have expected to do better than allowing the ball to creep trough his legs and then escape his grasp.

    City proceeded to thread the ball around with a sense of security that was enhanced by the arrival of their new record signing Rodri at the back of midfield.

    The Spaniard slotted in immediately, looking a more elegant, mobile, version of Fernandinho, the man he has been bought to replace.

    Many of the moments of sublimity which followed belonged to Liverpool. Salah operated at a level which promised much for the nine months ahead, though his finishing could have been better.

    A cameo on the Liverpool right around the half hour mark told the story – Salah ghosting around Zinchenko, Otamedi and Silva in a tight space and emerging with the ball – and fully five chances fell to him.

    His decision-making could be questioned when he beat Zinchenko on the ground and in the air before racing free to shoot against the base of the post after 15 minutes: Divock Origi was in a more promising position. But his enervating run through the City left to hit the post again, on the hour mark, told of a player who will start this campaign in a better place than the last.

    The goal-scoring menace of Roberto Firmino was more fleeting – a half-volley on the spin after taking a high ball under control and looping it back over his head, in the game’s opening minutes.

    The grounds for optimism, from a Merseyside perspective, reside in the very distinct hints offered here that a City rearguard without Vincent Kompany is diminished. The Belgian did not always operate within the structure but his departure removes the calm sense of order that any unit requires.

    Nicolas Otramendi operating in his place, struggled to convince as he has always done at City. The young full back Oleksandr Zinchenko was second best to Salah in a difficult test. Guardiola sought out Kyle Walker for a talking to in which his discontent was transparently clear during a break in play, late in the first half.

    Virgil van Dijk thought he had pierced the deadlock just before the half hour mark when he arrived undetected to meet a corner with a half-volley which hit the underside of the bar and bounced onto the goal-line

    City’s only second half chance arrived on a break-away in which Sterling, fed through the centre by Walker, dithered and allowed the ball to run to Alisson. But they were displaying that trademark capacity to grind wins out when the equaliser came, exposing the flaw at the back of the team once more.

    A Jordan Henderson free-kick found van Dijk on the left of the box, from where his cushioned volley found the head of Joel Mati[, who got the better of Otamendi, to head home.

    How City defied a Liverpool equaliser only Walker knows. After Zinchenko had been beaten again by the man he was trying and failing to mark, Salah raced through on goal, struck a shot which John Stones blocked and subsequently looped a header over Bravo which Walker arrived to clear from the line with a scissor kick.

    There was time for Salah to feed substitute Xherdan Shaqiri for yet another strike at Bravo’s left post before the course of the 90 minutes was run. It brought the shoot-out from which City demonstrated their clinical streak.

    Read Also: Liverpool trio, Messi, Ronaldo, U.S. World Cup winners head FIFA award shortlists