The Nation Newspaper

Tag: criticism

  • Ozil criticism over the top —Arteta

    Mikel Arteta believes Mesut Ozil has been unfairly singled out for criticism since arriving at Arsenal and is backing him to silence his doubters this season.

    Ozil became the Gunners’ record signing when he arrived from Real Madrid in a £40 million (€50m) deal last summer, but drew criticism from sections of the media and supporters for a perceived lack of effort and inconsistent performances.

    But Arteta believes his team-mate is being judged by unfair standards because of his hefty price tag, and is adamant the German will be better in his second season in England.

    “When you pay £40 million for someone there are always going to be critics,” the Spaniard told Goal at the launch of Arsenal’s new PUMA kits.

    “It’s been over the top because Arsenal don’t usually spend that kind of money, so expectations are really high.

    “He’s never been in that situation before but he coped with it really well, he took it on the chin, he tried really hard and he was always in a position to help the team.

    “People forget how well he started and how many good moments he gave us during the season.

    “People want to pick out the bad ones, but everyone has bad ones. When you cost £40m, people look at you with different eyes.

    “Mesut is really relaxed. He’s been under big pressure, but hopefully next season he can be even better for us.”

  • Criticism of Alam’s pardon is ‘sophisticated ignorance’, says Abati

    Criticism of Alam’s pardon is ‘sophisticated ignorance’, says Abati

    The criticism trailing last Tuesday’s pardon of former Bayelsa State governor, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha by the Federal Government is nothing short of ‘sophisticated ignorance’, Special Adviser to the President on Media, Dr Reuben Abati, said yesterday.

    Abati, speaking on television, said most of the critics do not understand the issues involved in granting the pardon to Alamieyeseigha and other beneficiaries.

    He said such decision is not for the President alone to take but the Council of State which comprises eminent Nigerians such as former heads of state and retired Chief Justices of the nation.

    That a citizen has been sent to prison should not mean that the person should be locked out for ever by the society, he said, pointing out that state pardon is to help restore such convicts back in the society.

    He also dismissed suggestion that the Alamieyeseigha pardon is an indication that the Presidency will accommodate acts of corruption and that the president is ready, more than ever before, to deal with corruption squarely.

    Dr Abati said the previous ‘pardon’ granted to some former military officers including General Oladipo Diya, was not pardon but clemency.

    The previous clemency, he said, did not restore their full rights which was why they were not paid their entitlements or their ranks restored.

  • Eagles now used to criticism — Enyeama

    Eagles now used to criticism — Enyeama

    Super Eagles goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama has said that the team are thriving on criticism.

    The Maccabi Tel Aviv of Israel goal tender said the Eagles were not bothered by the barrage of criticisms from Nigerians, stressing that they have become used to it.

    The coach Stephen Keshi-led side were subjected to series of condemnations from football-loving Nigerians following their below-par performance at the beginning of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations, but the tune changed when the Nigerian side gave an outstanding performance during the quarter final clash against Cote d’Ivoire and improved on it against Mali in the semi final on Wednesday.

    Enyeama said whatever the team does it is always criticised by Nigerians.

    “Nigerians always criticize, so I am used to it. I have been in the team for 11 years and I know what it is all about, irrespective of what happens Nigerians will always criticize,” Enyeama said.

  • ACN chieftain: Ladoja’s criticism of Ajimobi childish

    A chieftain of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Oyo State, Alhaji Abass Oloko, has described former Governor Rashidi Ladoja’s comments on the performance of the Governor Abiola Ajimobi administration as “childish”.

    He was reacting to a statement credited to Ladoja on Tuesday in a national newspaper, where the Accord leader said Ajimobi was afraid to conduct council polls because of his “underperformance in office”.

    Ladoja said Accord would sweep the polls in the 33 councils, adding that ACN is dead with the demise of the late Alhaji Lam Adesina.

    Yesterday, Oloko described the criticism as “ignorant and childish”. He said the party remains united and alive, adding that the late Adesina left it in capable hands.

    The ACN chieftain said Ladoja was living in denial of the great things happening in the state.

    He said: “In an interview some months ago, Ladoja was singing the governor’s praises, but suddenly he started saying the opposite. Ladoja has nothing to point to as his achievement during his over three years’ tenure as governor.

    “I advise him to retire from politics and sort out his case with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He should not think of running for governorship again because he will fail and should stop making ignorant statements.

    “Ajimobi is not afraid to conduct council polls because our performance shall speak to the electorate for us. Conducting council polls involves huge money and the government is busy repositioning the state. We shall ensure that we conduct council poll before the end of this year.

    “I want all opposition parties to know that Ajimobi will continue to celebrate milestones that will make the people remember his tenure as a golden era in the state’s history. ACN is not like the Accord and its so-called members, who are seized with unending profligacy.

    Oloko urged Accord to busy itself with something productive, instead of “wasting its time on campaigns of calumny against a performing administration”.

    He urged the people to continue to support the government and ignore the Accord and other groups that are “keen on distracting the government”.

  • Tambuwal hails ACN for constructive criticism

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, has hailed the leadership of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) for its constructive criticisms.

    Tambuwal declared that ACN’s criticism is good for democracy and growth.

    He spoke at the weekend in Ila-Oragun, Osun State, at the Ajagunla Day celebration.

    The Speaker implored the ACN not to stop its constructive criticisms of the Federal Government’s programmes and policies, saying such would help the nation in the long run.

    He said: “The constructive criticisms our government get from ACN and other parties are not aimed at bringing down the government but I believe that they are meant to improve the quality of what the leadership is doing for the people and it should be taken as such.”

    However, the Speaker called on Nigerians to cooperate with the Federal Government for the nation to have peace, tranquility and stability.

    Present at the event were many dignitaries, including the ACN National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, the representative of the Minister of State for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada, wife of the former governor of Osun State, Mrs. Omolola Oyinlola, Chairman, Governing Board of Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Olajide Adeniji, first military administrator of Taraba State, Rear Admiral Adeyemi Afolahan, many traditional rulers from Kwara and Osun States and others.

    Tambuwal also spoke on the review of the constitution and rejected calls for a referendum.

    He said a “referendum is unconstitutional”.

    Tambuwal spoke to reporters at the Benin Airport en-route to Uromi for the funeral of the father-in-law of the member representing Esan North/South East of Edo State, Friday Itulah.

    The Speaker said: “I am a lawyer like the president of the NBA.

    “We are expecting a constitution that will incorporate the views of Nigerians. A referendum is unconstitutional.”

    Tambuwal explained that what many see as a frosty relationship between the lawmakers and the executive is healthy for the nation’s democracy.

    He said: “Whatever decision we are taking today, we believe we are taking it in the best interest of our fatherland.

    “Whatever steps we are taking in the House, we are taking that step because we want our people to get the best dividend of democracy from government.

    “Nothing more, nothing less. We have been cooperating with the executive and others to achieve this and we will continue to cooperate with them to achieve success. The areas of conflict are even embedded in the system but we are all working in the best interest of our people.

    “We are expected to work in harmony and always dialogue in order to get the best out of the system” he stated.