The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

Enyimba vs 3SC highlights Round of 16 fixtures

Six time Nigeria league winners Enyimba International of Aba have been drawn against Shooting Stars (3SC) of Ibadan in the Round of 16 of the 2013 Federations Cup.

The Aba Millionaires defeated lower division side Remo Stars FC 2-1 in the Round of 32 game played on Wednesday in Lokoja, while the Oluyole Warriors beat hard fighting JUTH FC 1-0 in Minna to book a Round of 16 ticket.

Another top clash in this round will see Federation Cup holders Heartland of Owerri were also handed a tough draw against Port Harcourt based Sharks FC, while it will be all Northern affair as Nigeria Premier League Champions Kano Pillars slug it out with Gombe United.

All games to be played on Saturday July 24th with centers to be announced later.

Round of 16 fixtures:

Enyimba Int’l vs Shooting Stars

ABS FC vs Lobi Stars

Kano Pillars vs Gombe Utd

Heartland vs Sharks FC

Akwa Utd vs Rangers Int’l.

Niger Tornadoes vs Warri Wolves

Nasarawa Utd vs Sunshine Stars

Akwa Starlets vs Abia Warriors

July 18, 2013
Rivers crisis can truncate democracy – Abubakar

Former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar has warned that the political crisis in Rivers State posses a threat to survival of the nation’s democracy.

He also warned that our fledging democracy may be truncated if politicians in the state and the country fail to put their house in order and avoid overheating the polity.
Abubakar gave the warnings on Thursday during an interview with members of the Correspondent Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Niger state chapter in his residence in Minna.

Describing the political crisis in Rivers state as sad and unfortunate, the former military leader counselled politicians in the state to resolve the disagreement in the interest of democracy.

“I hope those involved would take note of what democracy is and check themselves. What has happened in Rivers State is very sad. I hope that the politicians will try to put a break and reflect on what they are doing in order not to truncate democracy”.

Abubakar urged politicians to stop taking democracy for granted adding that there is a limit to what freedom is all about in democracy.

“In democracy, there is a limit to what freedom is all about. There is freedom of speech, freedom of association and what have you but this stops when you start infringing on others freedom,” he counselled.

The Peace Ambassador who has brokered peace in many African warring countries prayed for peace in the country as he maintained that no nation can exist without peace.

“Having been involved in peace process around the world on behalf of the African Union (AU), I always advocate for peace in our nation because I’ve seen the devastation of unrest in other countries. I pray the tidings of Ramandan would abide with all of us,” he stated.

July 18, 2013
Gov Obi clocks 50, declines to celebrate

Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi who clocked 50 on Thursday says he does not have the intention of rolling out drums today to mark the birthday.

He told newsmen in Akwa after the state executive council meeting that he will prefer to attend lecturers in honour rather than indulging in wasteful spending.

Obi said he stopped the executive members from making his birthday an issue because according to him, most of his Commissioners knew his views about unguarded celebration.

“I mean the business of governing a State is a serious one to start discussing birthday celebration when a serious State business of how to provide dividends of democracy to over 5 million Anambrarians are discussed, ” he said.

He said he would prefer attending lectures, where issues of governance and state’s welfare will be discussed, but not where people will eat and drink and probably forget themselves.

“Everybody knows my position on celebrations not to talk about now when the mood of the country is that of despondency due to unemployment, lack of infrastructure, threats of strike, among others.

As Nigeria is today, we do not need to celebrate because that will be insensitivity to the plight of our people. Rather, what the mood of the time calls for those in authority to think of how to tackle the issue of minimum wage and reduce the tension in the land. It is about time we told ourselves the truth,” he said.

Pressed on to reveal any significant thing he did to mark the birthday, he said, “if you insist, I reached out to most clergy men in the country with request for more prayers for peace and progress in our country and for God to touch the hearts of our leaders, including myself, to take decisions that will benefit the greater number of the people.”

Governor Obi said his birthday gift to the people of Anambra was in form of promise to them that he would continue to take their welfare as priority.

“I assure you that with the commissioning of Udoka Water Scheme, the other 17 water schemes in different towns will be commissioned by December. I assure you that we will build more roads. We have attracted the second biggest brewery in the world to Anambra, we shall attract more of such companies. I assure you that we shall continue to improve on all sectors. This is my birthday gift,” Obi said.

July 18, 2013
Tevez scores first goal for Juventus

Former Manchester City forward, Carlos Tevez has started his goal account on a promising note scoring his first goal for his new Italian side Juventus on Wednesday.

The Serie A champions defeated Val d’Aosta XI 7-0 in a pre-season friendly at Saint-Vincent.

The Argentina international having joined Juve in the last summer transfer window scored the second goal after defender Marco Motta opened the scoring in the 7-0 whitewash.

Alessandro Matri pounced with a third shortly after the break and fellow substitute Mirko Vucinic added two penalties in as many minutes.

Academy midfielder Federico Mattiello then dummied the goalkeeper to notch in the 90th minute and Matri made it 7-0 deep into stoppage time.

The Bianconeri also handed debuts to former Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente and Italy defender Angelo Ogbonna, who recently signed from Torino.

July 17, 2013
I will do everything to protect Amaechi, says First Lady

First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan has said she would never lift a finger to hurt or plan evil against Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

In a statement issued last night by her Special Assistant on Media, Ayo Osinlu, the First Lady noted that Governor Amaechi is her son.

The First Lady, who spoke at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, while receiving members of the Niger Delta Bishops Forum/South South Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), called on various interests in the Rivers State crisis to sheath their swords and find ways to restore peace to the state.

The statement reads: “Dame Jonathan particularly appealed to Governor Rotimi Amaechi to fly the olive branch, and resist being used by outsiders against his own people.”

While giving an insight into the genesis of the crisis in the state, she reiterated the need for the warring factions to employ dialogue as a means of resolving the contending issues amicably.

The First lady urged those who are crying more than the bereaved to stop magnifying the misunderstanding, while reiterating that Governor Rotimi Amaechi and Mr. Nyeson Wike remain her sons, brothers and kinsmen, and would do anything to protect both of them.

Expressing her commitment to ensuring that peace returns to Rivers State soon, she said that as the President of African First Ladies Peace Mission, her desire is to have peace in her home base.

Quoting copiously from the Holy Bible, Dame Jonathan brought out the vital, dynamic and creative resources for peace building as ordained by God, as well as the importance of respect for elders and those in authority.

She emphasized that she has committed the situation in Rivers state to prayers, saying: “Because I believe there is nothing prayer cannot do and when God says yes, nobody can say no”.

The First Lady, who charged the Bishops to pray that God should return Rivers State to its normal peaceful situation, expressed her faith that with God the present generation will leave a legacy of peace for generations yet unborn.

The Bishops, led by ArchBishop God-Do-Well, said that they were not influenced or bribed to pay the visit, but got inspiration from God to take practical steps to restore peace in Nigeria, especially Rivers State.

According to him, their visit was in fulfillment of the church’s responsibility to shape a culture of peace and justice.

Prayers were offered for peace in Nigeria, Rivers State and the well being of the first family.

July 17, 2013
FG sets up panel on Same sex, death penalty

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) presided over by President
Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday set up a committee to consider issues
of same sex marriage, abolition of death penalty and other human
rights issues towards Nigeria’s final report to the United Nations
Human Rights Council.

The Minister of Information, Labaran Maku disclosed this to State
House correspondents at the end of the FEC meeting at the Presidential
Villa, Abuja.

Stressing that Nigeria was due to send the second Cycle Universal
Periodic Review (UPR) report to the United Nations (UN) Human Rights
Council, Geneva, Switzerland after the first report sent in 2009, he
said that Nigeria has made substantial progress in thirty out of the
thirty-two issues raised in the 2009 report.

According to him, Nigeria has continued to differ with the
international community in the two areas of same sex marriage and
death penalty.

The Nigeria National Assembly had earlier passed anti-gay bill, which
prescribed a 14 year jail term for those involved in same sex
marriages and witnesses to such marriage. The bill is yet to be
assented to by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Maku said that the Committee set up yesterday and headed by the
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed
Adoke is to look at all the issues towards forwarding Nigeria’s final
position to the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council.

He said: “Also today, the council devoted most of today’s sitting to
discuss Nigeria’s impending second circle universal periodic report to
the United Nations Human Rights Council. Every country that is a
signatory presents a report every four years stating the profile of
the human right situation and what government and communities are
doing to promote the enforcement of universal human rights across the
world.”

“Our first report to the United Nations Human Rights Council was in
2009. We are due for a second presentation of our review report.
Earlier, a committee had been set up to work on a draft report to the
United Nations Human Rights Council. That draft report was presented
to the council today and council deliberated extensively on the
report.”

He went on: “We are happy to note that of the 32 issues that were
raised in the last report in 2009 relating to Nigeria, we have made
substantial progress in about 30 of those issues. These include issues
relating to press freedom, the rights of citizens, the rights of
women.”

July 17, 2013
MANDELA CHALLENGE: Keshi names 20 players

.Emenike, Nsofor makes a return

Super Eagles Coach Stephen Keshi has included now-fit Emmanuel Emenike in his 20-man-squad ahead of the high-profile international friendly against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in Durban on August 14.

The annual Mandela Challenge contest at the Moses Mabhida Stadium is in honour of ailing former South African President, Dr. Nelson Mandela, one of the world’s greatest statesmen.

Russia-based Emmanuel Emenike, top scorer at the 29th Africa Cup of Nations that Nigeria won in South Africa earlier in the year, returns to the squad for the first time since that feat, and there is also room for Newcastle United FC’s Shola Ameobi, who recently again made himself available for Nigeria.

Nimble-footed Chelsea FC ace Victor Moses is also back and while goalkeeper and skipper Vincent Enyeama is left out, sharp-shooting Obinna Nsofor returns after nearly two years in the international wilderness.

Former junior international forward Uche Nwofor, of VVV Venlo in the Netherlands, is a surprise invitee in a list dominated by the squad that represented Nigeria at last month’s FIFA Confederations Cup tournament in Brazil.

Coach Keshi has placed three home boys – defenders Benjamin Francis and Solomon Kwambe and striker Muhammad Gambo – and little known Norway-based Samuel Aaron on standby.

THE FULL LIST

GOALKEEPERS: Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel); Chigozie Agbim (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria)

DEFENDERS: Kenneth Omeruo (Chelsea FC, England); Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC, Scotland); Godfrey Oboabona (Sunshine Stars, Nigeria); Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves, Nigeria); Elderson Echiejile (Sporting Braga, Portugal)

MIDFIELDERS: Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Fegor Ogude (Valerenga FC, Norway); Victor Moses (Chelsea FC, England); John Ogu (Academica de Coimbra, Portugal); Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Nnamdi Oduamadi (AC Milan, Italy); Sunday Mba (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria).

FORWARDS: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Brown Ideye (Dynamo Kyiv, Ukraine); Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United, England); Emmanuel Emenike (Spartak Moscow, Russia); Obinna Nsofor (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia); Uche Nwofor (VVV Venlo, Netherlands)

STANDBY: Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars, Nigeria); Benjamin Francis (Heartland FC, Nigeria); Muhammad Gambo (Kano Pillars, Nigeria); Samuel Aaron (Sarpsborg ‘08 , Norway).

July 17, 2013
North must claim presidency in 2015, says Ango Abdullahi

The North on Tuesday gave an indication of a heated Presidential race in 2015 saying that either through rotation or its population, it will take back the Presidency from President Jonathan.

Secretary of the Northern Elders Forum and Former Special Adviser to President Olusegun Obasanjo on Food Security, Prof. Ango Abdullahi told newsmen in Kaduna that the various groups in the region were already working together to ensure that power return to the north in 2015.

He also said that former President Olusegun Obasanjo begged the north to allow him have a second term since the original arrangement for rotational presidency did not include having two terms, adding that the north had to allow Obasanjo to serve two terms in line with the constitutional provisions.

Prof. Abdullahi said that if the north cannot claim the Presidency through rotation, it intends to do so relying on its massive population, adding that based on population alone, the north can hold on to power in the country for as long as they wish to do so.

He said “I want to make it absolutely clear to you that the ACF and all these other groups that have emerged in the recent past are committed to the interest that underlies northern interest. There is no question about that.

“The north is determined and is insisting that the leadership of the country will rotate to it in 2015 and I am making that very clear to you. On behalf of all of us, ACF in front because they have been the oldest group and the Middle Belt Forum (MBF) and our other groups that have been very active and strong.

“All of us are likely to have this very tough and common agenda. Not that the north and power blind, no, it will be argued on the rational argument that are on ground today. The north on the basis of one man, one vote can keep power indefinitely in the present Nigeria state,” Abdullahi stated.

“If it is on the basis of one man, one vote, the demography shows that the north can keep power as long as it wants because it will always win elections”.

The former Vice Chancellor noted that the issue of rotational presidency between the North and South was accepted many years ago at the 1987 Political Reform Conference, where it was resolved that every part of the country should be part of the leadership.

He said that the north has always made sacrifices in the course in the interest f the country, adding that “some of us who participated in conferences- constitutional conferences from 1987 until the last one- the Political Reform Conference, it was accepted that every part of this country should feel part of the leadership and these are the basis of the acceptance of the rotation between the north and the south

July 16, 2013
Police ban use of unregistered vehicle in Ekiti

The Police Command in Ekiti said it has banned the use of unregistered vehicles in any part of the state.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Sotonye Wakama, made the disclosure in a chat with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ado-Ekiti on Monday.

According to him, it will no longer allow the use of unregistered vehicles in Ekiti and the ban is part of the command’s renewed strategy to check crime.

Wakama decried the poor attitude of some of the residents to vehicle registration, adding that driving such vehicles was inimical to the owners and the passengers.

“I wonder why people fail to realise that it is a criminal offence for anybody to drive an unregistered vehicle on the highway, not even police officers, are exempted from the law.

“Henceforth, anyone caught flouting the law in this regard shall be made to face the law, no matter how lowly or highly placed,” he told NAN.

The police commissioner said the command would not relent in its war against criminals.

July 16, 2013
Seven die in Egyptian clashes

Seven people have been killed in Cairo in overnight clashes between security forces and supporters of Egypt’s ousted President Mohammed Morsi.

BBC reports that police used tear gas to drive back protesters, some hurling rocks, who had blocked a main road in the capital.

The clashes came as a senior United States envoy visited Egypt, saying it had been given a “second chance” at democracy.

William Burns met interim leaders but was snubbed by rival groups, including Mr. Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood.

Mr. Morsi was ousted on July 3 in what many have said was a military coup. The army says it was fulfilling the demands of the people after mass anti-Morsi protests.

Monday’s battles erupted after hundreds of angry protesters blocked the October 6 bridge, a major arterial route.

July 16, 2013