The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Eze

  • Rangers shop for Uzoenyi, Eze, others’ replacement

    Rangers shop for Uzoenyi, Eze, others’ replacement

    Enugu Rangers are preparing for the start of the second stanza of the Glo Premier League without some of their star players who are certain to move abroad during the next transfer window.

    The club’s Director of Media and Publicity, Foster Chime told SportingLife that Emeka Eze, Ogonna Uzochukwu, Ejike Uzoenyi and some others were presently in touch with clubs outside the country and that Rangers have begun the hunt for their replacement.

    He said the Flying Antelopes’ management has never made it a habit to stand in the way of the progress of any of their players who wishe to move abroad and that it won’t start now with the latest players that are seeking greener pastures.

    “We are certain to add more players to our ranks with some of our players set to secure overseas deals. We don’t want to be caught unawares at all. We will do everything to ensure that we get capable replacement. Plans are underway to get the needed list of players from our coaches and immediately that is done, we will hit the transfer market.”

    Chime further told SportingLife that the players and coaches of the club have been given a week break and that they would resume on Monday June 23 for them to start preparation for their Round of 64 tie in the Federation Cup.

  • Eze denies threat to dump Enugu Rangers

    Eze denies threat to dump Enugu Rangers

    Enugu Rangers’ midfielder, Emeka Eze has distanced himself from the report in the media that he is seeking a move away from the Flying Antelopes where he got his premier league breakthrough some seasons back.

    Eze, who was discovered from a non league side in Enugu has become a household name in the Coal City side but the youngster has told SportingLife that he has not asked out of his present club.

    “I am happy in Enugu with Rangers and I don’t know where such report came from that I am unhappy and want to leave. Leaving Rangers now is like biting the fingers that fed me, with what I have achieved playing for Rangers, it is not yet time for me to leave the club.

    “I am not saying that I will end my football career with Rangers but when I decide to leave, it must receive the blessing of my present club because of what they have done for me. I am very happy with Rangers and all the officials at the club. Nobody should quote me out of context again,” Eze told SportingLife.

    Eze last Tuesday scored the lone goal that fetched Rangers a vital win in the friendly match the Flying Antelopes had with Nanka X1, which was played at the Nanka Sports Stadium, Nanka, Anambra State. Before the penalty goal scored by the midfielder, Rangers opponents whom they had previously beaten with relative ease were breathing down their neck.

  • ‘How I emerged Eze Epara Rebisi XII’

    ‘How I emerged Eze Epara Rebisi XII’

    What is the significance of your installation as a monarch?

    The journey began in 2011, precisely on the 18th of November. That was the date of the home call of my predecessor Eze Epara Rebisi XI, Eze Sunday Nnanta Woluchem, who passed on.

    Since then it has not been easy, but by God’s grace the legacy of peace that he left behind has kept the kingdom together. It has been our prayers that today should come so that the reign would continue. So, we thank God that the day has happened.

    What is your claim to the monarchy?

    We have seven communities that make up the Rebisi Kingdom. These communities emerged from the seven brothers of the same father, who is Rebisi, the founder of the kingdom. As God would have it, the way the Rebisi people live, everybody understands his or her position in the kingdom. There is the Ark of Authority (called the Owhor) given to each son of Rebisi. That Ark, we call it in local parlance Owhor. That is the mantle of authority.

    The first son of Rebisi, known as Olozu keeps the paramount Owhor, which is the ultimate Owhor. That is the staff of office with which he rules over the kingdom. The palace you are in today is not only the palace of Eze Epara Rebisi, but also the palace of the paramount Owhor holder of Rebisi. Therefore, we inherited the staff of authority to rule over Rebisi Kingdom. As it were, it is also the first class chieftaincy stool in Rebisi.

    We know that in every kingdom when a traditional stool is vacant there are claimants, what is the case here and if you have such challenges what are you doing to bring your brothers together?

    We know that there are other claimants to this throne, but having been chosen, what is your plan to ensure unity and peace?

    I would not say that there are claimants to this throne. If there is misunderstanding, it is borne out of ignorance because right from time immemorial, my ancestors that have gone before now have all inherited this position peacefully and they have all being accepted by Rebisi people. This is because Rebisi people know that it is only this palace that has authority to rule over them. So if anybody is feigning grievance, it must be out of ignorance. Therefore by the time we finish and beginning to run the councils: council of elders, council of chiefs, we will come together and discuss amicably whatever the grievance is. I will tell you, and am assuring you, that we will never have setback and we will overcome all the challenges.

    Who is the new Eze of Rebisi Kingdom?

    I am a 60-year-old freeborn of this Rebisis Kingdom. I grew up here as a child and I went to local school, then St. Paul School, Diobu. I proceeded to secondary school, which I finished in Stellar Marris College, Port Harcourt. My higher education was done in England in an institution called Central Lancashire University, Preston in England. I have been back in my country and my kingdom since 1981. I have continued to understudy the now my predecessor. So I had preparations not only from my father who was Eze Epara Rebisi the 10th, I continued my tutelage under Eze Epara Rebisi the 11th. I can tell you that if there is a university to study how to rule a kingdom I have attended and graduated. I have been prepared for this task at hand over time and I am happy to state that I am now ready for the challenges, responsibilities and duties of Eze.

    What are you interests and hobbies?

    Oh, I love football, who doesn’t?

    Do you support any club?

    Local clubs? I have to beg your pardon on this. Sharks and Dolphin are my primary local clubs but I will tell you that from 1974 while I was in England I have always supported one club and that is Liverpool Football Club and I have never changed. And you know, we never walk alone (laughter).

    I am married to a humble, loving lady called Felicia Woluchem. She is the first daughter of a Methodist bishop. We were university sweethearts and our romance ended in marriage. Our marriage is blessed with children. To the glory of God, the children are all adults now.

    How do you relax?

    I am an enthusiast of the internet. I am always on the net with my laptop. Sometimes you will be surprised I will be at my desk at ungodly hours, surfing the net. I read all local newspapers as early as 3am and it may interest you to know that the first local newspaper I read every day is The Nation. I read a lot and I listen to music. Those I the things I relax with but if there is football, wrestling or boxing on television, you will find me there when I have the time.

    What should your people expect from you?

    The Rebisi people should expect an action Eze. I believe that sometimes peace could be the inability to confront conflicts. When there are conflicting issues and you do not confront them, you might have peace, but it won’t be an enduring peace. We must tackle issues as they present themselves and to logical conclusions. I intend to build bridges, even with kingdoms that may not be as friendly now as we expect them to be. I will stay away from politics and the most I can do is to present the needs and aspirations of my kingdom through my local politicians – the councillors, my chairman or Mayor of Port Harcourt to the authorities that be because I believe in dialogue. When you dialogue, you understand problems and when you understand problems they become easier to solve.

    What is your advice to the key players in the Rivers crisis?

    My advice to the key players is to be honest with each other because honesty can lead you to places. What monarchs should see are results; politicians come up and they make promises and sometimes you don’t see them again until they need them (monarchs) for their second terms. They then come back and make more promises. If we get politicians that are responsive and care and also listen, our people will not grumble. What I expect the politicians to do is not just to feather their own nest alone; they should remember their constituencies and leave legacies positive behind. I can tell you without contradiction that we have seen positive changes with this government. Projects have been put on ground; these are things we can all see. I pray that the government should be allowed to continue its good works. They should dialogue with each other and settle whatever their differences are.

    The people of my kingdom have crowned a king that has vision and we will work assiduously to achieve the dreams of our people. So, whoever that feels aggrieved in anyway should seek the hand of friendship of the palace and the palace shall reciprocate in like manner.

     

  • Keshi favours Ogu, Eze

    Keshi favours Ogu, Eze

    Super Eagles handler, Stephen Keshi has showered praises on Academia de Coimbra of Portugal right wing attacker John Ogu and Rangers International Football Club midfielder Emeka Eze as his best performers against Mexico in the international friendly that ended 2-2 between Nigeria and Mexico at Huston, United States of America on the wee hours of Saturday.

    The two players are now in contention for shirts against Kenya in the 2014 World Cup qualifier slated for Nairobi this Wednesday.

    In a chat with SportingLife on Saturday before leading the Eagles back To Germany camp, Keshi disclosed from America that the two players really surprised him with their wonderful performance in the friendly tie.

    “I would say I am very impressed with the output of John Ogu and the Rangers midfielder (Emeka) Eze match. They were in their best element during match and I think they gave their all. I am actually more surprised with Emeka the way he quickly settled down with the rest of players in the match when he was introduced. I believe the two players will continue to gel with the team. In general all the boys played well and we only continue to improve”, Keshi disclosed.

    According to the Coach fondly called The Big Boss, his players gave him what he wanted and did not fizzled out in the match despite the vociferous fans that supported the Mexican team all the way throughout the duration of the match.

    Keshi also disagree with some people that nurse the believe that the idea that the team could have played better if players like Mikel Obi, Victor Moses and Ahmed Musa had played the match.

    “In as much as Mikel, Moses and Musa are quality players they are not indispensable in this team. You could see in the match that the team that played against Mexico proved that they are a quality side and did a good job against a strong side like Mexico.

    “One thing I want Nigerians to know is that any player who puts on the green-white-green jersey of Nigeria in a match merits the position and would always give his all to his nation in such matches.

    “It is not about names but the performance of players in match situations, dedication, patriotism and ability of such players to play to instructions when fielded. I would say the match has given us what we wanted and it will help us a great deal in our next match against the Harambee Stars of Kenya on Wednesday (June 5th, 2013) which is an important 2014 World Cup qualifier”, Keshi disclosed.

  • Coast clear for Ayogu Eze

    Coast clear for Ayogu Eze

    The alleged ambition of Deputy Senate President, Chief Ike Ekeweremadu, has been torn into shreds with the recent declaration by Enugu State Governor, Sullivan Chime that it is the turn of Enugu North to rule the state in 2015. In the last few months, posters of Ekweremadu have flooded streets within and outside Enugu, indicating his desire to contest the governorship polls in 2015. With his declaration, the governor had put paid to rumours that he is favourably disposed to handing over to Ekweremadu, who hails from Enugu West like Chime’s predecessor, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani. With Ekweremadu out of the 2015 equation, the coast seems clear for Senator Ayogu Eze, an indigene of Nsukka in Enugu North, who is also eyeing Chime’s seat.