The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Agitation for Igbo president grows

    Agitation for Igbo president grows

    By Frank Ikpefan, Abuja 

    A Pan-Ohanaeze Ndigbo socio-political organisation, Conference of Igbo Professionals Worldwide (COIPOW), has begun intensive campaigns, meeting and lobbying to ensure the Southeast produces the president in 2023.

    The group slammed the formation of a security outfit by leader of proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu, saying the move would thwart the plan as most leaders would see it in a bad light and withdraw their support.

    A statement on Wednesday by COIPOW’s National President Prof. Patrick Kalu, and National Secretary Uche Mbaka, described the security network as illegal, and appealed to the people not to take it seriously.

    The statement reads: “We thank key Igbo leaders that attended our emergency meeting in Awka, Anambra State, where we deliberated and agreed on pushing for Igbo president in 2023.

    “This is the sure way to go, and not the way Kanu wants. The gunpoint approach by Kanu is certainly not the way out, and he must be told so.

    “Igbo people deserve the presidency this time. They have all it takes to produce the next president, and that is what we should be pushing for now with one strong voice in unity and sincerity of purpose.

    Read Also: Ohaneze denies ACF’s allegation of killings, harassment of northerners

    “We cannot be demanding for president on one hand and supporting IPOB on the other hand. Nobody will take us serious if we do not take urgent steps to set the record straight by denouncing IPOB, its sponsors and founder.

    “It is on this premise that we condemn Nnamdi for forming the ‘Eastern Security Network (ESN)’ in some parts of the region. Forming this militia group when we should be seen as peaceful and law abiding is not the best. Let it be known that IPOB and ESN do not have our blessings and will never do.

    “We call on governors of the Southeast states and Ohanaeze Ndigbo to condemn and stop this criminality which may have grave consequences on the Igbo nation if nothing is done.”

     

  • WBF World title fight: Ridwan vows to floor Mathias

    WBF World title fight: Ridwan vows to floor Mathias

    Our Reporter

     

    Nigeria’s Riidwan ‘Scorpion’ Oyekola said he was ready for his Argentine opponent as they prepare for their WBF world title fight on Sunday.

    Ridwan will at the Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort (Hospitality) Ltd, Ibadan meet Lucas Mathias Montesino in a 10-round bout for the vacant International WBF super featherweight title.

    Speaking during a world press conference to herald the fight, Ridwan said that he is fully prepared for the challenge, noting that he would not disappoint his fatherland on Sunday.

    “This is a great opportunity I have been looking for and I give kudos to the promoter and the NBB of C for making this fight happen and I’ m going to emerge victorious at the end of the day.

    Read Also: Real One seeks support for WBF title

    Ridwan who refused to predict whether he will win by knockout or if the fight will last the distance, maintained that he is physically, mentally and psychologically prepared for the fight just as he appealed to fans to support him.

    In his remarks, the Argentine said he is not afraid of the home fans, insisting that he has what it takes to take the belt to Argentina.

    President of Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBB of C) Rafiu Ladipo said that the fight would observe all COVID -19 protocols.

    He was also full of praises for the sponsor of the fight Engr. Dotu Sanusi of Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort for his contributions towards the growth of not only boxing but other sports in the country.

    In other bouts, Nigerian Olaide Fijabi will meet Moses Dodzi of Ghana in a light welterweight fight while Akeem ‘ Dodo’ Sadiku of Nigeria will face George Amozu of Cote d’ Ivoire in an international super middleweight challenge.

  • Man Utd ready to offload Ighalo

    Man Utd ready to offload Ighalo

    Manchester United are looking likely to allow Odion Ighalo to leave when his loan deal ends in January.

    Ighalo burst onto the scene with some incredible early performances for Manchester United.

    However, since the start of 2020/21 term, he has seldom been utilised by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

    According to The Times, United do not plan on keeping the 31-year-old beyond his current loan deal, which expires in January on the 31st.

    Read Also: Ighalo linked with PSG switch

    But the decision to extend Ighalo’s loan back in June is looking like a poor decision and signing a new forward over the summer felt like an inevitability as Ighalo was always going to be deemed surplus to requirements.

    He has featured in just four games this season and Ighalo is yet to score this term, while he has hardly been a bargain buy in terms of wages.

    In terms of the positives, Ighalo’s end to the 2019/20 term for United was great.

    He played a vital role in a team that eventually finished in the top four and he’ll always be remembered fondly for that.

  • Ex-Berger player set to commission library in Enugu

    Ex-Berger player set to commission library in Enugu

    Our Reporter

     

    USA-based Nigerian soccer coach, Ikem Udeh, has vowed to leave no stone unturned in his vision to see Nigerian footballers combine education with sports.

    Towards this end, the Enugu State-born former Julius Berger of Lagos and Vasco da Gama of Enugu striker has embarked on the building of a modern library complex in Enugu.

    Udeh disclosed yesterday from his USA base that his pet project in Enugu is almost 90-percent ready and would start functioning by early next year.

    Basking in the euphoria of the project almost being realized, Udeh said he embarked on the project as a way of giving back to the society and to ensure that Nigeria breeds a new set of soccer stars that would not be academically deficient.

    Read Also: ‘Protocols are still in place in Enugu’

    He said: “When I was growing up in Enugu, I didn’t have the opportunity of combining playing football with education until I got a scholarship that saw me studying at Alabama A&M University.

    “I don’t want the kids back home to face the challenges that I faced. This is why I’m building a modern library where kids can go and read.

    “The library will be more of a community resource centre than just a collection of books, and the plan is “big.””

    Udeh, before going into coaching, played for Kansas City Wizards, a professional club side in America. He has in the past three years been coaching boys’ and girls’ youth teams in the Hoover-Vestavia Soccer Club.

  • CAF Competitions: Rivers Utd record away win

    CAF Competitions: Rivers Utd record away win

    Our Reporter

     

    Nigeria’s representative in the CAF Confederation Cup Rivers United yesterday moved closer to the group stage of the competition after beating South Africa’s Bloemfontein Celtic 2-0 in a first-round first-leg tie played at Seisa Ramabodu Stadium.

    Goals from Godwin Aguda and Fortune Omoniwari in the second half fetched Rivers United a 2-0 away win to put the team ahead of the second leg tie taking place in Port Harcourt.

    Aguda put the visitors ahead in the 71st minutes while Owoniwari completed the win in the 80th minutes to ensure that the Stanley Eguma-tutored side returned home with victory.

    However, it was not the same story for Enyimba in Sudan as Nigeria’s solve surviving team in the lucrative CAF Champions League were battered with a 3-0 defeat by Sudan’s Al Merriekh in Khartoum.

    Read Also: CAF club competitions: Enyimba, Rivers Utd progress

    Enyimba’s nemesis in the tie was Saif Terry, whose treble put the match beyond the visitors.

    Terry’s goals came in the sixth, 44th and 90th minutes to give the Sudanese side an edge going into the second leg in January 2021.

    With the result in Sudan, the Fatai Osho-tutored side now face a Herculean task to cancel out the 0-3 deficit in their bid to reach the money-spinning group stage of the continental tournament.

     

  • Fayemi signs N109.6b 2021 budget

    Fayemi signs N109.6b 2021 budget

    Rasaq Ibrahim, Ado-Ekiti

     

    EKITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi on Wednesday signed the 2021 budget estimate of N109 billion into law.

    He pledged to ensure timely completion of projects and rejuvenate the economy.

    The Appropriation Bill was passed by the House of Assembly on Tuesday, having been presented by the governor on October 27 for perusal and ratification.

    Dr. Fayemi, who spoke at the signing of the budget named: “Budget of Recovery and Economic Restoration”, remarked that the 2021 Budget estimate is N109, 666, 376, 722.61, out of which 53 per cent is appropriated for Recurrent Expenditure and 47 per cent for Capital Expenditure.

    He said the budget estimate was meant to usher the state into the second half of the administration with the objectives of completing projects and starting new ones that are critical to economic development.

    Read Also: Kankara: Fayemi, other Govs visit Masari

    The governor said the assent to the budget signified the readiness of the government to implement the budget and deliver on its promises to the people, adding that the budget would also increase the state’s ability to respond to economic challenges and achieve fiscal sustainability.

    He assured the people that the lined-up projects and programmes would immediately begin to receive attention for the benefit of the people.

    Speaker Funminiyi Afuye prayed for a robust economy that would enable the government to drive the five pillars of the administration to a desired end.

  • Akeredolu: we will recruit more into Amotekun

    Akeredolu: we will recruit more into Amotekun

    Osagie Otabor, Akure

     

    ONDO State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has said the state will employ more persons into the Amotekun Corps and give them equipment needed for successful operations in the fight against crimes.

    He spoke while receiving members of the Ifon Progressive Union led by its President, Chief Femi Awani.

    The governor said the worsening insecurity across the country was worrisome.

    He said arms and ammunition got into the wrong hands in the aftermath of the #ENDSARS protest.

    Akeredolu said the good virtues of Oba Israel Adeusi, the Olufon of Ifon, who was killed by suspected kidnappers, would not be forgotten.

    He described the deceased as one of his strongest supporters, calling for more collaborative efforts between the government and the people in providing security in rural areas.

    The governor said the Amotekun Corps would comb the forest at Ifon, but urged the people to support the security agency.

    Awani said the governor’s visit helped to douse tension that gripped the town after the killing of Oba Adeusi.

    He said the late monarch had been at the forefront of the campaign to combat crimes.

    Read Also: Akeredolu laments commissioner’s death

    A  group in Ondo State that supported the re-election of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, the Soji Ehinlanwo Group for Akeredolu Second Term (SEGFAST), has hailed the judiciary for its testimony to the candidature of the governor on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    It said Akeredolu was destined to turn the state around.

    The group, under the leadership of the United Kingdom (UK)-based ICT consultant, Prince Soji Ehinlanwo, said God has always been supporting the moves by Akeredolu to govern Ondo State despite some minor distractions.

    SEGFAST said the APC structure at the national level followed necessary guidelines and provisions to pick Akeredolu as the candidate for the August primary election.

     

     

     

  • Group advises Makinde on LAUTECH

    Group advises Makinde on LAUTECH

    Our Reporter

     

    A GROUP, the Ogbomoso Socialites, has urged Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde not to approve the resolution of the House of Assembly, which seeks to make Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso a multi-campus institution.

    A statement by the President, Mr. Akinola Oyegbile and Secretary Dr. Sam Amao, in Ogbomoso on Wednesday, said turning the university to a multi-campus institution would go contrary to the vision of its founding fathers.

    The statement said: “We as Ogbomoso sons and daughters are opposed to the suggestions that the only Oyo State tertiary institution in Ogbomoso land should revert to a multi-campus status. “We recall that the original aim of the founders was that the institution should be a full and complete university standing on its own.”

     

  • Muslim group holds triennial conference

    Muslim group holds triennial conference

    Our Reporter

     

    THE 35th Triennial Conference of the Muslim Association of Nigeria (MAN) will hold from tomorrow till Sunday.

    The Local Organising Committee Chairman, Alhaji Momodu-Thanni Onigbanjo, said the event would take place at MAN national headquarters, 20, Amosu Street, by UBA, off Bode Thomas Street, Surulere, Lagos.

    The three-day conference with the theme:  “Nigerian Muslims and Perspective of the New World Order”, will consider this sub theme: “Protests, Demonstrations & Civil Disobediences in the light of Islam”. The guest lecturer is Ustaz Zikrullah Kunle Hassan of the National Hajj Commission, Abuja.

    There will also be elections of MAN national executive officers on Saturday, to run the affairs of the association for the next three years.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Rivers PDP chieftains join APC

    Rivers PDP chieftains join APC

     Rosemary Nwisi, Port Harcourt

     

    SIX chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyibo Local Government Area of Rivers State have joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    This is despite the deepening crisis in the party, characterised by suspensions and counter suspensions.

    The defectors – Adolphus Nweke, Onyema Ihenna, Ibekwe Okere, among others – said the PDP is no better party. They hoped the party structure would become stronger after this crisis period. “We would rather be active members of the APC and partake in the dividend of the work, than answer big name and die in hardship”, they said.

    The defectors were received on Wednesday by the party leader in Oyibo, Gift Okere, and caretaker committee Chairman Chamberlain Okorie.

    Okorie noted that the PDP in Oyibo Ward 2 has crashed following the defection of key executives to the APC. He urged the new members to work for APC’s victory in the next elections.

    Read Also: Can Yemi Osibanjo help APC?

    He admonished them on the need for unity, cooperation and hard work to ensure victory for the party, even as he assured them of huge benefit under the leadership of Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi.

    Okorie alleged the absence of government projects in the council despite the defectors’ hard work and commitment in the PDP.

    He said: “PDP administration has done Oyibo people more harm than good. There is no Wike project in the council. When Rotimi Amaechi was governor, Oyibo council recorded key projects and human development programmes that posterity will be proud of.

    “Your decision to join APC is a good one and you will soon confirm it. Amaechi has nothing to give you, but I assure you he will continue to fight for the entrenchment of true democracy.”