The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Mikel listed for Chelsea’s U.S trip

    Mikel listed for Chelsea’s U.S trip

    Mikel Obi has returned to Chelsea to be part of the squad for the inaugural Guinness International Champions Cup in Miami, MTNFootball.com reports.

    The Nigerian international who has been a subject of transfer speculations this summer, is returning to ‘The Blues’ after he was given an extended holiday following his participation at FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil.

    He will be looking forward to play his first game under Jose Mourinho on his second return.

    Chelsea will play its first game at the competition in Indianapolis against Inter Milan on Thursday.

     

    The full squad:

    Goalkeepers: Petr Cech, Mark Schwarzer, Jamal Blackman

    Defenders: Branislav Ivanovic, Ashley Cole, David Luiz, Gary Cahill, John Terry, Cesar Azpilicueta, Thomas Kalas, Ryan Bertrandi

    Midfielders: Michael Essien, Ramires, Frank Lampard, Juan Mata, Oscar, John Obi Mikel, Kevin De Bruyne, Mako van Ginkel, Eden Hazard

    Forwards: Fernando Torres, Victor Moses, Andre Schurrle, Romelu Lukaku, Demba Ba

     

  • Northern governors mourn Odunewu

    Northern governors mourn Odunewu

    The Northern States Governors Forum has commiserated with the family of the late veteran journalist, Alhaji Alade Odunewu, who died on Thursday at the age of 85 years.

    Chairman of the forum and Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, in a statement, described the deceased as a thorough bred journalist who touched the lives of many in a positive way.

    “His death is a great loss to the journalism profession and humanity in general, “ the News Agency of Nigeria quoted the governor as saying in a statement signed by his press secretary, Malam Danladi Ndayebo.

    “As a newspaper columnist, through his membership of the Federal Electoral Commission (FEDECO), to his appointment as the Chairman of the Nigerian Press Council, Odunewu remained with the people,’’ it said.

    The statement expressed the hope that journalists who benefited from his immense knowledge and managerial acumen would keep the flag flying.

     

     

  • Spain train driver to be quizzed by judge

    The driver of a train that crashed near the Spanish city of Santiago de Compostela on Wednesday killing 78 people is due to appear before a judge, BBC reports

    Francisco Jose Garzon Amo has been detained on suspicion of reckless homicide and the judge will decide whether to press formal charges.

    Mr. Garzon is suspected of driving too fast on a bend.

    Reports say the train was travelling at more than double the speed limit at the time of the crash.

    Mr. Garzon, 52, was pictured being escorted away from the wreckage by police, blood pouring from a head injury. He left hospital on Saturday and was immediately taken to the central police station in Santiago.

    He has so far refused to make a statement or answer questions.

    Sunday’s court hearing will be closed but the judge will decide whether to remand the driver as an official suspect, release him on bail, or free him without charge.

    If the judge finds enough evidence for a criminal trial, Mr. Garzon will be charged and a date set.

    At least 130 people were taken to hospital after the accident and 30 remained in a critical condition on Saturday.

    All eight carriages of the train – packed with more than 200 passengers – careered off the tracks into a concrete wall as they sped around the curve on the express route between Madrid and the port city of Ferrol on the Galician coast.

     

  • Nigeria qualify for African Nations Championship

    Nigeria has qualified for the African Nations Championship on 4-3 goal aggregate.

    Although the home based Eagles lost the return leg against Cote d’Ivoire  in Abidjan on Saturday by 2-0, Nigeria qualified having won the first leg  4-1.

  • Rivers crisis is about 2015 says Amaechi

    Embattled governor of Rivers State, Chubike Amaechi has maintained that the crisis rocking his state is as a result of belief by some interest groups that he was preparing to contest the 2015 general elections.

    There has been growing insinuations across the country that the Rivers governor will contest the 2015 Presidential election as running mate to Jigawa state governor, Sule Lamido.

    Speaking on the Hausa service of thje British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) monitoresd in Kaduna, Amaechi said his primary concern was to govern and deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of Rivers state.

    He noted that it was rather too early for anyone to be talking about contesting the 2015 elections and dismissed insinuations that he was teaming up with those opposed to President Goodluck Jonathan because of his (Amaechi’s) 2015 ambition.

    According to him, those who are supporting him were not supporting him because they want him to be president, but because of they think governors are the ones to decidewho should lead them in the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF).

    Amaechi whose response in English to the questions was interpreted in Hausa language stressed that it will be wrong for anybody to say he would want to run for 2015 elections now although he admitted that the political crisis in his state was tight to a lot of assumption by some people about what is going to happen in 2015.

  • Edo Council Chairman dies of Kidney failure

    The chairman of Esan West Local Government Council of Edo State, Mr. Henry Irumundomon is dead.He reportedly passed away on Friday at University of Benin Teaching hospital where he has been receiving treatment  for Kidney related ailment . He was aged 57.

    Late Irumundomon was elected chairman of the council about  two months ago, and would have been celebrating his 100 days in office in August.

    The Chief Press Secretary to the council, Mr. Isaac Ogbeifun while confirming the death described his late boss as an upright man whose humility endeared him to  many.

    The late chairman had earlier been rumoured dead but the report  turned out to be false.

    The rumours had followed the hospitalization of the council boss after he suddenly collapsed at his residence in Ekpoma. But he returned alive from the medical trip.

    Reacting in a chat with Nation after returning  from the hospital, the late council boss had described the information as “bad rumour” peddled by those he said did not wish him well.

    Irumundomon had consequently advised them to be careful next time, so they do not loose the little credibility left in them.

    But the council boss health few weeks back reportedly deteriorated, prompting him to return to the hospital, where he eventually died.

    There weeping and wailing at the residence of the late council boss of Ekpoma on Friday.

  • Jonathan meets five Northern governors

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday  met with five northern  governors behind closed-doors at the Presidential villa, Abuja.

    The governors at the meeting included Kano State Governor, Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso, Adamawa State Governor, Murtala Nyako and  Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu.

    Also at the meeting were Yobe State Governor, Ibrahim Geidam and his Borno State counterpart, Governor Kashim Shettima.

    The details of the closed-door meeting were not made public.

    Some of the northern governors recently met with some former leaders including former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Military President, Ibrahim Babangida.

  • FG targets more Nigerians in Diaspora for development

    FG targets more Nigerians in Diaspora for development

    President Goodluck Jonathan has reiterated the determination of his administration to ensure that more Nigerians in Diaspora get involved in the development of their fatherland.

    Jonathan gave this assurance at a dinner in honour of Nigerians in the Diaspora, held at the Banquet hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja on Friday night.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Nigerians were in the country for the 6th Diaspora Day celebrations, tagged: “Diaspora Nigerians: Agents of Investment and Development.”

    The president, who was represented by Vice President Namadi Sambo, urged them not to relent in their efforts to make valuable contributions toward national development.

    “Like most developing countries in the world, Nigeria must leverage on the huge human capital of our nationals living abroad to impact on the development process at home.

    “Our ultimate goal is to engage Nigerians with the requisite knowledge expertise and financial acumen to join in the development of the Nigerian state irrespective of their country of abode,” he said.

    While assuring them that his administration would continue to sustain their partnership, Jonathan said government was looking forward to receiving their recommendations.

    “All hands must be on deck to realise the goals enshrined in the transformation agenda.

    “I wish to assure you of our unalloyed commitment to transform this country. We remain resolute in our chosen path in doing all that is necessary to achieve this goal, “the president added.

     

     

     

  • Strike: Anyim, ASUU meet Monday

    Strike: Anyim, ASUU meet Monday

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, will on Monday meet with the Academic Staff Union of Universities to address earned allowance and general university funding for infrastructure development.

    Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue disclosed this to journalists on Friday in Abuja after a meeting of ASUU with members of the committee on implementation of Needs Assessment Report to Nigerian Universities.

    Suswan is chairman of the committee, inaugurated earlier in the day by Anyim.

    He said an agreement was reached on many of the issues under negotiation except the two concerning earned allowance and general university funding for infrastructure development.

    Suswan explained that after many hours of deliberation the meeting agreed on major issues except the two.

    “These are the outstanding issues, otherwise other issues have been agreed on and we believe that by next week we should be able to agree on all the issues and, probably, ASUU will call off the strike,’’ the News Agency of Nigeria quoted the governor as saying to journalists.

    He said the committee would also meet with ASUU on August 1 to address the issue of infrastructure deficit in universities, adding that the meeting would involve all the agencies funding projects in the universities.

     

     

  • West Ham joins Odemwingie’s chase

    West Ham joins Odemwingie’s chase

    West Ham United is looking to capitalise on the failure of Crystal Palace and Fulham to secure the service of Osaze Odemwingie.

    The out of favour West Brom striker was rumoured to be on the verge of moves to Ian Holloway’s side and Martin Jol’s side, but both fell through, MTNFootball.com reports.

    That has left the door open for Sam Allardyce to add some panache alongside Andy Carroll, according to The Times.

    West Ham officials have turned their attentions to the Nigerian, having failed to agree terms with the former Chelsea striker Kalou – who reportedly wanted assurances of a starting role within the Hammers attack for next season.

    Al Nasr of Dubai is also considering increasing the initial offer for the former Lokomotiv Moscow striker.

    Al Nasr owners had asked WBA to inform them what they considered to be an acceptable fee by Tuesday, after their initial bid of £850,000 was rejected.

    But that deadline has now passed without further communication from ‘The Hawthorns,’ leaving ‘The Blue Wave’ to look elsewhere for summer recruits.