The Nation Newspaper

Tag: disciplined

  • ‘President too disciplined to rig Ekiti APC primary’

    ‘President too disciplined to rig Ekiti APC primary’

    Former Senate Deputy Chief Whip Gbenga Aluko has expressed confidence that President Muhammadu Buhari will ensure a credible primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of this year’s governorship election in Ekiti State.

    Aluko, who described the President as “too disciplined and cautious to rig the primary in favour of any aspirant,” recalled that he allowed the conduct of credible shadow elections in Edo, Ondo and Anambra states.

    The senator expressed confidence that the APC would floor Governor Ayo Fayose and his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the July 14 poll.

    Aluko addressed the 2,600 APC delegates from the 177 wards of the state at his country home in Ode-Ekiti, headquarters of Gbonyin Local Government Area.

    He said: “I have been President Buhari’s political associate since 2003, when it was not even politically safe and wise to support any other party other than the Alliance for Democracy (AD) in the Southwest.

    “I knew him to be too disciplined. Those thinking of his interference in Ekiti State APC primary should bury such thought.

    “We did primaries in Edo, Ondo and Anambra states. I think the party tried its best to ensure transparency. Whoever thinks he will be imposed is wasting his time.

    “Aside from this, I am the only aspirant who has built a vibrant industry in Ekiti State. The industry is worth over N1.5 billion and generates jobs for over 100 youths. This is also an additional advantage.”

    On the President’s recent appointment of 24 Ekiti APC chieftains into Federal boards and agencies, Aluko said the gesture confirmed that the President had tremendous respect for the state and other Southwest states.

     

  • ICPC seeks disciplined civil service

    THE Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Mr. Ekpo Nta, lauded the decision by the new Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Alhaji Bucker Goni Aji, to improve welfare packages for workers.

    Speaking during a visit by Aji to the ICPC, Nta said the Federal Civil Service “is the engine that propels government business and it needs a high level of discipline, integrity and efficiency which can only be attained by a well motivated workforce to achieve sustainable success.”

    He also spoke on the importance of proper time management saying “not keeping to time or working five days in the week is corruption.”

    He decried the situation where government offices are almost non-functional on Mondays and Fridays due to late arrivals and early departures by some civil servants on those days.

    Nta also called for the protection of whistle blowers as well as members of Anti-Corruption Transparency Units (ACTUs) deployed in Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government.

    He said there should be a policy where those who felt threatened for being whistle blowers in government could be transferred from federal to states or local government services and vice versa to protect them from victimisation.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Okonkwo must prove he’s disciplined — Keshi

    Okonkwo must prove he’s disciplined — Keshi

    Super Eagles handler, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, has said he called up experienced right back, Chibuzor Okonkwo, because he believes that every person deserves to be given a second chance in life no matter what, but the player must now justify his call up.

    It will be recalled that Okonkwo was among the first set of home based professionals Keshi invited last December but after a few days in camp he bolted out of the country for a fruitless trial with English Premier League side, Aston Villa. This was after Keshi had decreed that home based players must be ready to stay at least six months with the national team before attempting to travel abroad for greener pastures. Since then he has been overlooked.

    But Keshi said he deserves a second chance because he’s a versatile player and has the experience that can impact positively on the national team. “But he has to prove that he’s a better player in terms of discipline and action on the pitch”, he said. Okonkwo played the second half in the 1-1 draw against Nasarawa United on Thursday and showed flashes of his old self.

    Meanwhile former Super Eagles striker, Benedict Akwuegbu, former Club Owners Scribe, Arthur Kwame and Ondo Football Agency Director, Mike Idoko, were part of the crowd that watched the national team play out a 1-1 draw against Nasarawa United and gave the team thumbs up.

    Kwame said he believes the team was on its way to the glory days. Idoko on his part said he was thrilled by the quality on display by players from the Nigeria Premier League, while Akwuegbu said he came to lend his support to the team ahead of the championship in South Africa.

  • Anichebe is Everton’s most disciplined player

    Anichebe is Everton’s most disciplined player

    Super Eagles player Victor Anichebe is the most disciplined player in his English Premier League side Everton FC.

    The Survey recently conducted at the Merseyside, Anichebe was adjudged to be the most disciplined player having received the least caution from the Match officials.

    The Survey taken at the Goodison Park Area was done as part of the review for the 2011/2012 season.

    Other players who were considered alongside Anichebe includes American playmaker Landon Donovan, Louis Saha, Jermaine Beckford, amongst others but all of them have since departed the club making him the most qualified.

    The 2008 Beijing Olympic silver medallist has been cautioned on only 11 ocassions in all his eight seasons with the team.

    Anichebe has also been rated as the second best player in terms of goal scoring performance by his English Premier League side .

    The Nigeria international came behind Nikika Jelavic at the ratings as the Croat was able to amass 11 goals to top the best performer in terms of goal scoring.

    The rating which took into cognizance all the goals scored in all competitions for the 2011/2012 season.

    Anichebe, it would be recalled, is just returning from a short injury lay off and is yet to add to his two goals as he last scored in his team’s 3-0 away win at Swansea in September, 2012.

    It is expected that the promising player would look to make his mark at Everton at the current 2012/2013 season as his team manager David Moyes still looks to impose a lot of confidence on the huge attacker who most times comes in as the saving grace of the Merseyside team.

  • Gov. Ahmed charges Team Kwara to be disciplined

    Gov. Ahmed charges Team Kwara to be disciplined

    Gov. Abdulfatai Ahmed of Kwara on Saturday advised the athletes who would represent the state at the 18th National Sports Festival in Lagos to be disciplined.

    The Games, tagged “Eko 2012’’ will hold from Nov. 27 to Dec. 9 in Lagos.

    Ahmed, represented by Isiaka Gold, the Secretary to the Kwara State Government, said this in Ilorin as he bid farewell to the athletes at the Ilorin Township Stadium.

    “Discipline and determination should be your slogan if you want to emerge victorious and make Kwara proud,’’ he said.

    The governor also advised them to portray good image and follow the rules of the Games and assured the athletes that the state planned good employment for its youths.

    Earlier, the Commissioner for Sports, Ramat Adeshina, urged the athletes to be prayerful and be focused to get the desired result.

    According to her, 109 athletes and 23 coaches will represent Kwara and she described the Games as a transformation and high profile event.

    “You are our ambassadors and we expect much from you. We will continue to support you with our hearts,’’ she said.

    Team Kwara Captain, Yusuf Omotola, promised that they would put in their best to make the people of Kwara proud.

    “We believe we can do it but we only need your prayers and support,’’ he said.