The Nation Newspaper

Tag: excites

  • Watford debut excites Ighalo

    Watford debut excites Ighalo

    Watford new signing Odion Jude Ighalo debuted for his English Championship side Wednesday night in a pre-season friendly against Coventry City, 24 hours after he sealed a season-long loan deal from Italian club Udinese.

    The former Nigeria U20 captain was thrown into the fray in the 68th minute in a 1-0 loss.

    Ighalo showed flashes of what the team should expect from him when the season gets underway.

    And he told AfricanFootball.com he is happy to debut for his new club.

    “I am here to play for Watford and help the team gain promotion to the Premier League.I am happy for my debut and I am looking forward to more games,” Ighalo said.

  • Nigeria’s performance in table tennis excites coach

    Nigeria’s performance in table tennis excites coach

    The Head Coach of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), Nosiru Bello, yesterday hailed Nigeria for picking second position in the table tennis event at the ongoing Africa Youth Games (AYG) in Gaborone, Botswana.

    Speaking on telephone with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) from Gaborone, Bello said he was delighted that Nigeria came second in the table tennis event at the AYG while Egypt was first.

    The coach said that table tennis had three events at the AYG, the boys’ and girls’ singles and the team event. He said Nigeria was overall second on the table tennis medal table with one gold and one bronze while Egypt was overall first with one gold, one silver and one bronze.

    Olasunkanmi Ogini and Ajoke Ojomu represented Nigeria in the table tennis events. Bello said that Ogini won the gold in the boys’ singles event while Ojomu won the bronze in the girls’ singles event.

    He said his two-man team deserved commendation, in spite of the fact that the country was second on the table tennis medal table.

    “They did well, although we would have loved it if they had taken the number one position on the table tennis medal table. I am impressed with the team’s performance because they proved a challenge to Egypt, unlike what has been happening in recent times. The main important event in table tennis which is the boys’ single was won by Nigeria’s Olasunkanmi Ogini.

    “Ogini was congratulated immediately after he won by the President of the African Table Tennis Federation as the new African number one junior player. So, Ogini has emerged the current junior champion in Africa, while Ojomu, for winning the bronze in the girls’ singles event, is now number three in Africa junior girls ranking,’’ the coach said.

    He said  Ogini did not lose any match right from the group matches to the final, before he was decorated with Africa Junior Champion at the final.

    “This shows that Nigeria abounds with talents and we are coming up now. If Egypt, current Africa number one table tennis nation, failed to win the boy’s singles event at a  competition of such magnitude, we deserve commendation, ‘’ he said.

    NAN reports that Nigeria lost to Mauritius in the team event at the quarter finals on May 27. The AYG is to end on May 30.

  • Auxiliary’s arrest excites Ajimobi

    Auxiliary’s arrest excites Ajimobi

    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has hailed the police on the arrest of a factional leader of the National Union of Road Transport Union (NURTW), Mr. Mukaila Lamidi, a.k.a. Auxiliary.

    He pledged to bring criminals who threaten the state’s peace to book.

    In a statement by his spokesman, Dr. Festus Adedayo, Ajimobi said: “I swore to protect the people from rampaging criminals. I swore that political affiliations would not colour my judgment. I detest crime and criminals and that is why ours is about the first government to openly disconnect with thugs and violence. We will continue to do this in the interest of the people.”

    He urged security agencies to step up the search for wanted persons and apprehend their collaborators, no matter how highly placed they may be in the society.

    Ajimobi said he was excited by Lamidi’s arrest, saying it was a testimony to the police’s competence to rid the state of violent elements.

    The police, in June, 2011, placed N500,000 ransom on Lamidi and NURTW Chairman Alhaji Lateef Oloruntoki, a.k.a. Tokyo, in connection with the murder of the National President of the Nigerian Medical Students Association, Bala Usman Shanono, a 500-Level medical student of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

    Shanono and some other travelers were killed at the Iwo Road motor park in Ibadan during a violent clash by NURTW factions.

    Lamidi and Oloruntoki were declared wanted for their alleged roles in the clash.

    Ajimobi said: “At a moment like this when the whole country is apprehensive of violence and violent individuals, especially the mindless killings of the Boko Haram sect, unauthorised ownership of guns and other criminal weaponry should bother every peace-loving citizen. This is why, as the Chief Security Officer of Oyo State, I am pleased that Auxiliary, who the police said they have evidence linking him to gun-running, has been arrested.”

    The governor said he was shocked that a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Senator Lekan Balogun, who is the Osi Olubadan, “would descend so low as to be Auxiliary’s spokesman”, adding: “All peace-loving citizens should ask Balogun what the connect is between a holder of the highly exalted office of the Osi Olubadan and a wanted dreaded criminal. Right now, we should put partisan politics aside and let savour the peace we have had in Oyo State in the last three years. Whether we are PDP, APC or Accord, we must all say ‘never again’ to the era of political thuggery, violence and brigandage that was the order of the day in our state before now.”

     

  • Nigeria Machine Tools excites at exhibition

    Nigeria Machine Tools (NMT), the first producer of oil industry branded stud bolts and nuts in West Africa, generated excitement among stakeholders in the oil and gas industry when it participated at the yearly Nigeria Oil and Gas Conference tagged ‘NOG 2014’.

    The event, which held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, attracted stakeholders in the oil and gas industry as well as service providers from across the world who came to showcase their products and services at the four-day event.

    Visitors to NMT’s stand were pleased to know that the highly sought after Flanges, stud bolts and nuts are produced locally.

    According to one of the visitors who is also a registered vendor with the international oil companies (IOCs), “we, the suppliers to the IOCs, are always on the look sout for better channels to source products for our clients and quality comes first before cost in this industry. One thing I can tell you is that if what I see here is what is obtainable from these people (NMT), then why will I have to go all the way to Asia or America to purchase the same products that I can easily get in Osogbo at the same spec and standard with what the foreign companies sell to us? I am happy Nigeria is gradually getting there.”

    Other visitors to NMT’s exhibition stand included top officials of the IOCs, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), oil servicing companies (OSCs), Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Ministry of Power, and PTDF, who came back to either inspect the products on display or to discuss with the company’s representatives.

    NMT’s Business Development Manager, Mr. Ikemefula Chikwendu, said: “The outing was good for us. We came to gain visibility and I believe we achieved that. The NOG happens to be the premier oil and gas annual gathering in sub-Saharan Africa and we have every reason to be here as we stand to benefit from the participation.”

    He added that “we had several visits from the IOC’s, OEMs, OSCs as well as the contractors who have been asking technical and commercial questions in relation to our products.  The interest is very visible, this is a wonderful exposure for us and we shall be here next year.”

  • Lagos’ environmental policy excites senator

    Residents have been urged to support the effort of the Lagos State government to make the state free of dirt and diseases that may arise from unclean environment. The lawmaker representing Lagos East Senatorial District, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, gave the advice when he joined residents in the district to participate in the monthly sanitation on Saturday.

    Ashafa, who inspected the exercise in several areas with his constituency office staff, praised Governor Babatunde Fashola for his environmental policies, which he said, made it possible for the state to easily combat diseases. He said that Lagos remained the cleanest state because of the importance the government attached to the monthly sanitation.

    Urging the residents not to always wait for the end of the month before cleaning their environment, the lawmaker said keeping homes and surroundings clean should be a continuous exercise to prevent outbreak of diseases and illnesses.

    He said: “The good people of Lagos East have been in support of the government’s efforts to continue to make Lagos a clean state. I was surprised that before the exercise began at 7am, some resident had started sweeping and removing dirts from the drainage. This tells us that residents did not wait for anyone to tell them what to do. Even in some areas, where residents did not come out, we talked to them and they joined us in the exercise.

    “This is the success of our frequent sensitisation programme on environmental sanitation. We did not sit in our house to tell people what to do, but we have also come out to participate in the exercise and show people that cleanliness is the best way to achieve godliness.”

    The senator, who was clad in white polo shirt, joined residents of Kazeem Street in the Kosofe area to remove dirt from the drains. Ashafa also moved into houses on adjoining streets to call out occupants for the exercise.

    Residents, who were elated by the presence of the lawmaker, trooped out to participate in the exercise. Ashafa told Biodun Adefehinti, who was playing football on the street, to be an environment ambassador in the neighbourhood. The senator said sanitation day was not meant for any other activity aside cleaning.

    Some of the areas visited during the three-hour exercise include Olowora in Isheri, Omole Phase II, Agbedina Avenue and Olabode Street in Oworonsoki, and popular Mile 12 market in Ketu.

    The senator donated sanitation materials such as rakes, brooms, waste bins, polythene waste bags and parkers to the residents and traders in the area.

  • Don Lulu excites with The Rush

    Don Lulu excites with The Rush

    Penultimate week, Umuahia, the capital of Abia State, came alive when a number of A-list entertainers performed at a show tagged: The Rush

    The show, a festival of music and comedy, got rave-of-the-moment artistes, including Tiwa Savage, D’Prince, Ruggedman and Uti Nwachukwu of Big Brother fame, among others, treating Umuahia revellers to a night of excitement.

    The much-talked about show, which was organised by 2 Flame Entertainment and supported by Don Lulu Filmz, took place at De-Latinos Event Place.

    It kicked- off with performances by Exnel (Aba first son), Muno (the lover-boy) and Slim Joe, the dancer who displayed an unusual creativity through his dancing.

    Almost immediately after, the venue became charged when Marvin Records’s stars, Tiwa Savage and D Prince, mounted the podium to do what they know how to do best.

    Anchored by Big Brother Africa’s Uti Nwachukwu, other performers at the show included rap music artiste, Ruggedman, SHEYMAN, DJ Kentucky, Mora-chi of the ‘Hapu ya Like Dat’ fame and several up and coming comedians who added colour to the event.

    According to Don Lulu, “The Umuahia glitz and glamour is the first in the series of carefully-planned new music and comedy concert tagged: The Rush. It is a celebration of music and comedy at its best.”

    While expressing his satisfaction over the success recorded at the maiden edition of the show, he said, “The epoch-making concert is aimed at re-branding the South-East, South-South as choice destination for visitors and business, while making it a haven for entertainers.

    “The night was warm and welcoming; it was devoid of any incident as the peace prevalent in the state left no one in doubt that Abia and, indeed, the South-East are ready for a show of such magnitude in the future.

    “After this time out, The Rush, which is fashioned in line with established shows like the popular Rhythm Unplugged, is coming with a slight variation. And it is expected to touch base in major cities and towns across the country,” he said.

    Among the dignitaries that graced the occasion were Abia State government officials, including Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Local Government Affairs, Hon. Emma Nwabuko; Commissioner for Information, Hon. Chikamnayo; former Special Adviser on The Diaspora, Hon. Kingsley Megwara; members of the House of Assembly as well as other top politicians and businessmen.

     

  • Foundation’s water facility excites residents

    CHI Foundation, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) vehicle of CHI Limited and its associates within the TGI Group, has commissioned a 60-metre-deep borehole as part of its CSR programmes.

    The facility consists of two-horse-power submersible pump with a 5,000-litre storage tank on four-metre steel tower, six dispensing points, 3.5 KVA generator, plant room, perimeter fencing and power supply among others. Sited in Bashorun in Idi-Ape area of Ibadan, Oyo State capital, the project costs N6million.

    The chairman, board of trustees, Chi Foundation, Right Rev Oluranti Odubogun, said: “Following a request by Bashorun Community in Idi-Ape area of Ibadan, Oyo State, the foundation recently constructed the borehole to provide clean and potable water for residents of the community to enhance their health since they lack access to safe drinking water.”

    Odubogun, who said that the major intervention areas of the foundation are health, education and public utilities, added: “But of all these activities, the main focus for the past years has been the provision of potable water for communities known to lack such facilities because a community with access to clean water is half-way through the journey of healthy living.”

    Chief M.S. Adigun and other leaders of the community, who inspected the borehole, expressed satisfaction and praised Chi Foundation, noting that the facility would go a long way in improving the quality of life of the residents of Idi Ape community with clean drinking water.

    Apart from the project, the foundation has sunk boreholes in the Ajibulu-Mafoluku area of Lagos State, Lekki Village, Ekiti Parapo College Ido-Ekiti, and Oke-Elesa Compound, Idio, Ile-Ife, Osun State.

    The foundation, it was also learnt, had awarded contracts for similar facilities to be provided for Ode-Aye Unity Secondary College, Ode Aye in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State and St. Saviours area in Isolo, Lagos.

  • Award excites council officials

    Local government workers across Lagos State have been urged to shun political interference in dispensing their duties.

    Mr. Akapo Emmanuel, a former commissioner in the Local Government Service Commission (LGSC), who spoke at the Unified Local Government Long Service Merit Award, which was held in Lagos, said workers must exude utmost diligence, objectivity and fairness to move the local government system forward in the state.

    He said: “The local government service must perform its role properly without allowing political interference in staff management because you will find it in the recruitment, posting and promotion of officers.”

    Akapo noted that local government service would continue to progress if workers are motivated with appropriate incentives, adding: “If you go to the local government, you will find junior officers using very foul languages against senior colleagues; it is not good for the service. It does not promote good work ethics. I believe there is the need to inculcate in some of them some elements of discipline.”

    While the LGSC’s chairman, Alhaji Oluwole Ojikutu admonished the retirees to keep up the good work in any environment they find themselves, the chairman of the award planning committee, Mr Adeleke Ipaye described the award as a kind gesture of appreciation to workers who have served meritoriously in their various cadres.

    One of the awardees, Mrs Joke Sanyaolu Adeola, said: “This is the first time the commission is retiring their workers properly. All council members that had left just left unceremoniously and I really appreciate the commission for doing this for us. We feel that we have been appreciated.”

  • Eagles call-up excites Soriola

    Eagles call-up excites Soriola

    Free State Stars’ Gege Soriola has assured the Super Eagles’ technical crew that they will see the best of him despite being handed a late invitation ahead of the August 14 Mandela Challenge contest between Nigeria and the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in Durban.

    Soriola benefitted from the injury-induced absence of Chelsea ace Kenneth Omeruo but the former Heartland of Owerri defender told SportingLife that he will not team up with the Eagles just to make up numbers.

    The centre-back said his experience with the team in past call ups will come in handy before and during the game with South Africa, if he is fielded on Wednesday.

    “I never gate-crashed the team. It wasn’t accidental that I was invited despite the fact that it came late. I showed that the coaches always have me in their plans. I will ensure I try my best to force my way into the team again,” Soriola expressed.

    Soriola and James Okwuosa of Chippa United were called up by Stephen Keshi as a late replacement for Emmanuel Emenike and Kenneth Omeruo.

    Emenike is still trying to adjust to life in Turkey after he completed his transfer to Fenerbahce a few days ago while Omeruo had a relapse on the shoulder injury he copped while on international duty with the Eagles at the FIFA Confederation Cup in Brazil in June.

  • Chelsea action excites Victor Moses

    Chelsea action excites Victor Moses

    Super Eagles and Chelsea forward, Victor Moses is excited over his first pre-season game under new Manager Jose Mourinho in Wednesday’s slim 1-0 win over Singha All Stars.

    The Nigerian international who was handed 45 minutes playing time by the Portuguese took to his twitter account moments the match ende , to shower his paraise to the Blues squad.

    “Great to be back out there and get 45 minutes under my belt. Great result too well done lads Chelsea,” an elated Moses tweeted on his twitter handle.

    Interestingly, it was a Romelu Lukaku goal, scored from the penalty spot in the first half, that gave the Mourinho’s tutored-side victory in his first official game since his return to Stamford Bridge and also the Singha 80th Anniversary Cup in the bargain.