The Nation Newspaper

Tag: emerge

  • New Pope may emerge March 24

    New Pope may emerge March 24

    The Catholic Church should have a new pope by March 24, the Palm Sunday, the Vatican said yesterday.

    “It is likely,” Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said.

    However, he warned that it was “a wish, an opinion and not a guarantee. We will have a guarantee when we will have seen the new pope from the lodge of Saint Peter’s.”

    Pope Benedict XVI resigned on Feb. 28.

    Benedict’s decision to step down as leader of the Catholic Church made him the first pope to relinquish the office since Pope Gregory XII in 1415 and the first to do so on his own initiative since Pope Celestine V in 1294.

    The Pope stated that the reason for his decision was his declining health due to old age.

    The conclave to select his successor will begin not later than March 20.

  • Two women emerge best at UNILAG

    The University of Lagos (UNILAG) yesterday held its Golden Jubilee convocation.

    Miss. Ibok Asuquo (Accounting Department) and Miss. Flora Gabtony (Psychology Department) emerged best and second best graduating students.

    Miss. Asuquo graduated with a Cumulative Grade Point (CGPA) of 4.89 while Miss. Gabtony followed closely with a CGPA of 4.88.

    UNILAG Vice-Chancellor Prof. Rahmon Bello said of the 2,352 graduates from the six faculties in the institution, 91 graduated with First Class honours.

    He said the university has produced 147, 835 graduates, many of whom are successful.

    The Pro-Chancellor, Deacon Gamaliel Onosode, said a convocation ceremony serves diverse purposes.

    He said: “To some people, it is a period of reaping the fruits of one’s labour while others see it as a period of public recognition and commendation. Yet, others see it as a period of crowning glory, during which students, who have attained some skills and knowledge, are formally given their licensces.”

    Onosode advised them to be good ambassadors of the university and wished them success in future endeavours.

    He said: “You have worked assiduously to acquire university education. You have acquired intellectual and professional skills, which should be utilised for the benefit of the nation.

    I urge you to be good ambassadors in all that you do and play active roles in the alumni association. Interacting with successful UNILAG graduates will offer you the opportunity to contribute to your alma mater as you climb the success ladder of life.”

    Giving her convocation speech, Miss. Asuquo thanked her parents and family for their support towards her success.

    She advised undergraduates to study hard and not forget their primary reason for coming to the university.

    Miss. Asuquo got N100, 000 VC award for best graduating student; 100, 000 UNILAG Alunmi Association award for best graduating student; 50, 000 Parents’ Forum award for best graduating student and 50, 000 late Prof. Adetokunbo Shofoluwe’s award for best graduating student.

  • New Kaduna deputy governor may emerge this week

    New Kaduna deputy governor may emerge this week

    There were indications yesterday that the Kaduna State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nuhu Bajoga, may be picked as the deputy governor.

    The ‘choice’ is heating up the political landscape and may put the new government in bad light before the people of Southern Kaduna, where the PDP has its strongest base.

    It was gathered that Governor Mukthar Yero may have settled for the choice of the 63 year-old Bajoga but youths from southern Kaduna and other concerned interest groups are said to have met him and advised him against accepting the position.

    Even though Yero asked party stakeholders at a meeting on Saturday to assist him in the selection, sources at the meeting told The Nation that the issue never came up.

    A source said: “We were actually expecting the matter to come up, but it never did.

    “Later, we heard that the party chairman has been selected and may be announced any moment from now.

    “But youths from southern Kaduna are kicking against that and I know a lot of people have met him and advised him against accepting the offer.

    “But it seems that he is bent on taking the position. That is the true situation at the moment. So, he may be announced any moment from now.”

    Another source said: “We don’t want him to take that position not because we don’t like him, but because it will deny us the opportunity of having the position of party chairman.

    “If he leaves the office, his deputy who is from Birnin Gwari will be elevated and we would have lost out again just like we lost out in the governorship, following Governor Patrick Yakowa’s death.”

    In a statement by its Convener, John Danfulani, the Coalition Concerned Southern Kaduna Professionals said Bajoga’s nomination is a calculated attempt to deny southern Kaduna the chairmanship position of the party.

    The coalition said: “We are against the selection of Nuhu Audu Bajoga as deputy governor nominee from Southern Kaduna , because it is a calculated plot to deprive the area from holding the PDP chairman that is of political value and significance.

    “We are reiterating our stand against Vice President Namadi Sambo’s choice of Bajoga, despite his co-called assurance of non-interferences.”

  • More talents emerge as Nigeria’s Got Talent heats up

    More talents emerge as Nigeria’s Got Talent heats up

    IT was a weekend of breath-taking performances as talent hunt show, Nigeria’s Got Talent, continued its series of semi-final rounds, with the ultimate aim of discovering that talent worth the sum of N10 million.

    In the words of Adaora Mbelu, the Project Manger, the search has led to some interesting discoveries. “Over the last two weeks, I have seen talents from another realm and this has made me have great respect for the talents on the show. The show is getting hotter as many of the contestants are bringing much more than we expected,” Mbelu said.

    Amongst other incredible semi-final acts that featured at the show, Ogechukwu Godwin stood out with his amazing violin performance of Nigeria’s popular hit song, Dami Duro. “You did your composition well, your swagger na die,” said Kate Henshaw and Yibo Koko who were so thrilled and impressed with Ogechukwu’s violin composition.

    The highly entertaining show also saw more exciting and dynamic acts take on the stage with their mind-blowing talent display. There was the unrelenting Heroes Comedy Dance Group, Chuka Solace, a rapper who impressed with his lyrical prowess.

    Samuel the Dance, whose hope is to further his education and assist his mother with the prize money, presented an impressive act.

    The Sisters, a Benin dance group, also had a shot at success, as well as the singer, Pretty Brown, from Abuja who tried her hands on rapping and singing. The night closed with Edet, the skater from Calabar who gave an exhilarating performance.

    The Airtel-sponsored first season of Nigeria’s Got Talent began to air September 16 and will run until December 2012.The Got Talent franchise worldwide, which is in its sixth year, has produced many notable performers in the last couple of years including Diversity, Bianca Ryan and Britain’s Got Talent’s 2009 1st runner-up, Susan Boyle, whose debut album became the fastest selling UK debut album of all time.

  • Amokachi at Glo Soccer Academy as 5 emerge from Abuja centre

    Amokachi at Glo Soccer Academy as 5 emerge from Abuja centre

    Impressed with the quality of talents he saw at the Glo Soccer Academy screening venue in Abuja on Monday, Daniel “The Bull” Amokachi has told the global soccer community that Africa is coming up fast to rule the world of soccer.

    Thrilled by the skillful display of football by the youths who thronged the Old Parade Ground, Abuja, for the screening, Amokachi advised the enthusiastic boys to take their training very seriously and ensure full utilisation of the opportunity offered by the Glo Soccer Academy to etch their names in the world of football.

    According to him, “Africans are gradually coming to dominate the centre stage of global football. I am convinced that the future of world football is in Africa. Foreign coaches know this and that is why they are beginning to show interest in our boys.”

    Meanwhile, five youths emerged from the Abuja screening centre which ended on Tuesday. They are Godfrey Peter, 15, of Government Secondary School, Minna; Aliu Yakubu, 14, of Sunna High School, Jos; Obongwu Anthony, 17, of Ogirioko Memorial Secondary School, Makurdi; Abdulrahman Umar, 14, of Sunnah High School, Jos; and Sunday Momoh, 16, of Kakuri Day Secondary School, Kaduna.

    They will join the rest boys at the Glo Soccer Academy Reality TV show in Lagos.

    Amokachi noted that the rough economic climate in Africa and culture helped to strengthen African lads to compete favourably with their counterparts in Europe, adding that “today, there are two or three African boys in almost all the top clubs in Europe competing very well with their peers from other parts of the world.”

    He advised the boys to be mindful of their poor background and utilise the opportunity offered by Glo Soccer Academy now for a better future.

    According to the former national striker, “I give credit to Globacom for setting up this Academy that ensures that the boys blend football with academics.

    “First, I am impressed by the level of the technical team led by Victor Ikpeba, working on the Academy. They are great African footballers of our time, and I have no doubt that they will do a great job in the Academy. I know they will go for the best because they know what it takes to be there,” Amokachi said.

    “Again, if Glo is partnering with Manchester United to send the winners to the club’s training school, and offer scholarship, it means that the company has guaranteed brighter future for the boys”, he said. He therefore encouraged the boys to work hard to make the final list. “However, don’t feel bad if you don’t make the final list as you will agree with me that everybody cannot be selected. But I am convinced that all of you here have a great future in football,” the Bull enthused.

    Coach Baffoe and his technical team advised those that did not make the selection not to be discouraged as they have a bright future in football. He praised the boys for their performances and regretted that Abuja centre could not produce more than the five selected. He advised them to try out their luck next year.

    The final screening will hold in Lagos on November 11 after which the train will move to Benin Republic.

  • Commissioner may emerge Akpabio’s deputy

    Speculations were rife in Akwa Ibom State yesterday over the likely emergence of the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Effiong Abia, as the Deputy Governor.

    Governor Godswill Akpabio is said to be favourably disposed to naming the lawyer as his deputy, following the exit of Mr. Nsima Ekere, whose resignation was ratified by the House of Assembly yesterday.

    Sources said Abia, who is interested in contesting the 2015 governorship election, may be compelled in the new deal to jettison his governorship ambition and accept to become the running mate to whoever emerges the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) flag bearer.

    There was also tension over the alleged plot to impeach the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mr. Samuel Ikon, because of his relationship with the erstwhile deputy governor.

    Over 20 Toyota Hilux vans conveying over 500 mobile policemen and armoured tanks were deployed in strategic locations around the Assembly Complex.

    People going into the Assembly were thoroughly searched at the gate.

    The speaker’s and his deputy’s cars were also searched before they were allowed into the complex.

    Sources said Ikon and his deputy, Udo Akpan, were surprised by the development.

    Around 12.45pm, Ikon led 20 of the 26 House members to ratify the resignation letter of the former deputy governor, which was sent to the Assembly by the governor.

    The letter, dated October 31, 2012 and signed by the governor, reads: ”I wish to inform the Akwa Ibom State Assembly that in a letter dated October 31, 2012, Ekere resigned from the Office of the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State on personal grounds.

    “Mr. Speaker sir, in pursuant of the above, I wish to inform the House that Ekere’s resignation has been accepted.

    “ The purpose of this letter is to intimate the House of the situation of things and to add that a nominee for the Office of the Deputy Governor will be forwarded soon to the House for clearance.”

    Speaking with reporters after the session, the Chairman of the House Committee on Information and Communications, Mr. Effefiong Antigha, said the heavy presence of security personnel was normal, adding that the security of lawmakers was important.

    Chairman of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation Onofiok Luke, who doubles as the Deputy Chairman on Information, denied any plot to impeach the speaker.

    He said the rumour was being spread by people, who wanted to destabilise the house leadership.

    Luke said the Assembly members enjoy a cordial relationship with the House leadership.

    Mixed reactions have continued to trail Ekere’s resignation.

    Some PDP stalwarts hailed his decision. They said he saved himself the embarrassment of impeachment.

  • Daniel, Kashamu emerge Ogun Pdp leaders

    Daniel, Kashamu emerge Ogun Pdp leaders

    •Martins-Kuye, Onabiyi, Otegbola step aside

    Chieftains of the Ogun State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday moved to improve on the ongoing reconciliation among various factions of the party.

    Former Governor Gbenga Daniel and the party’s financier, Prince Buruji Kashamu, emerged the leaders.

    The party leaders converged on the Victoria Garden City (VGC), Lagos home of the former Minister of Commerce and Industry, Senator Jubril Martins-Kuye, and chose Daniel and Kashamu as the party’s leaders.

    Martins-Kuye, Alhaji Sule Onabiyi and Senator Ayo Otegbola stepped aside to allow a more dynamic and vibrant leadership.

    Highlights of the four-hour meeting included the harmonisation of all the factions into a united “PDP family” under the Adebayo Dayo-led State Executive Committee.

    The party leaders agreed that the Dayo-led Exco was the validly and democratically elected body of the party’s leaders in the state.

    Some of the party chieftains at the meeting were Chief Kola Ogunjobi, Mrs Iyabo Apampa, Chief Niyi Adegbenro, Chief ‘Pegba Otemolu, Chief Dayo Abatan and Alhaji Semiu Sodipo.

    Others included Chief Duro Otesanya, Alhaji Sarafa Tunji-Ishola, Senator Lekan Mustapha, Hon. Dave Salako and Senator Tunde Osholake.