The Nation Newspaper

Tag: focused

  • Musa focused on CSKA

    Musa focused on CSKA

    CSKA Moscow of Russia’s hitman, Ahmed Musa has played down on reports linking him with a future move to some clubs in the England Premier League and Turkey.

    Musa who was in the CSKA Moscow’s line up that defeated Viktoria Plzen of Czech Republic 3-2 in a UEFA Champions League Matchday 2 tie told SportingLife that his current pre-occupation is to guide his Russian club to the next round of the money spinning club competition and to ensure that the club bounce back from recent slump in the domestic league.

    CSKA Moscow are the holders of the Russian League and FA Cup and are presently fourth in the league with 21 points from 11 games and third in the Champions League behind Manchester City and Bayern Munich with 3 points from 2 matches.

    Musa confessed that he would like to take his football skills to the English Premier League at some stage in his career, but he noted it must be at the right time and with the agreement of his present club and the aspiring ones.

    “I don’t want to talk about speculation. I am happy with life in Russia and with CSKA Moscow. I don’t want to talk about a move now but it is nice linking me up with clubs in the EPL. Leaving Russia is not in my immediate programme even though it won’t be a bad ideal playing in the EPL and Turkey but I don’t think I am set for a move now,” Musa said.

    talkSport reported that three EPL clubs Sunderland, Everton and Arsenal and Turkish giants, Fenerbahce have all kept aside around £10m (about N2.6bn) to tempt CSKA resistance on their Nigerian prize asset next January during the transfer window.

    The former VVV Venlo of Holland speed star joined the Russian side in 2012 and has scored 17 goals in about 50 appearances.

  • Athletics coach: Okagbare must remain focused

    Athletics coach: Okagbare must remain focused

    Gad Onumaegbu, a retired athletics coach, has urged Blessing Okagbare to put behind her the disappointment of her sixth position finish in the 100m event, and focus on her other events.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Okagbare had ended up in the sixth position of the 100m event in the ongoing 2013 World Athletics Championships in Moscow.

    Onumaegbu told NAN on Tuesday in Lagos on telephone that if she had participated in the 100m event before the long jump, the result would have been different. He added that she would have to be professional in her approach in her build-up for her other events in the championships.

    “The 100 metres should have come before the long jump, it is better to do the sprint before the long jump. She has to show how dedicated she is in her approach to the other events ahead of her; and possibly pick up more medals,” he said.

    The retired coach also decried the undue burden of expectation that was placed on her shoulders by the leadership of the Athletic Federation of Nigeria (AFN), and blamed them for her inconsistencies.

    “It is quite unfortunate and the blame falls squarely on the leadership of the AFN who have over relied on her to deliver the goods. Other athletes are being overlooked it should not be so, emphasis should not be on her alone,’’Onumaegbu said.

    Meanwhile, Sule Oladimeji, a long jump coach, noted that the long jump event might have weakened Okagbare, but refused to blame her 100m loss on that.

    “The long jump might have taken a bit of steam from her, but that will not be the sole reason for her poor performance in the 100m race. Sometimes it is not just the form of an athlete but luck that can lead to an athlete’s success in a race,” he said.

    The coach urged Okagbare not to feel too discouraged about her performance in the 100m event, but use it to boost her performance in her other events.

    “I believe if she focuses well she will do well in the 200m race because she is more powerful in it and the country believes in what she can do,” he said.

  • Balogun urges Keshi to remain focused

    A veteran sports analyst, Tayo Balogun, on Saturday urged Super Eagles Coach Stephen Keshi to remain focused at the 2013 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) which kicked off on Saturday.

    Balogun, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on telephone, advised Keshi to pick a squad that would be able to execute his match plans in the competition. “If I were Keshi, I would be cautious and firm with my formidable squad.’’

    He urged the team to play cautiously in the defence and not leave any vacuum. “Keshi should stand firm with his squad at the championship and also ensure they play cautiously in the defence.’’

  • Akume clocks 59, urges ACN members to stay focused

    Senate Minority Leader, Senator George Akume, yesterday clocked 59 years and celebrated the day in a low key at his Judges quarters  residence in Makurdi with family, friends and political associates.

    The former governor started the day with a thanksgiving service in his house chapel, which was conducted by Rev. Fr. Utov of the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi.

    Thereafter, there was a reception at his residence where he addressed his admirers who turned out in their numbers singing Ishoir chenji (ACN songs) songs.

    Senator Akume later went down memory lane as he told the story of his life from growing up to civil service where he was made the Gboko Local Government caretaker chairman twice.

    Senator Akume narrated how he rose from the rank to become a permanent secretary in the civil service, thereafter won election and served the state for eight years.

    He said after serving the state as a governor, he is now a senator twice and gave God the glory for what he has done is his life and called on Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) supporters not to loose focus.

    He said: “Let me advised ACN supporters to remained steadfast in their support for party as very soon the ACN, CPC and ANPP are going to come together and take over power and install a government which will have the yearnings and aspirations of the people at heart.”

    The Senate Minority leader stated that very soon APGA will also join the merger train and appealed to the people to double their support for ACN ahead of 2015 elections.

    He said Benue State  belongs to everyone and the ACN as political party aspired for leadership position to provide credible leadership for the good of all and urged the people not be disappointed .

     

  • ‘Aregbesola’s focused leadership attracts accolades’

    ‘Aregbesola’s focused leadership attracts accolades’

    Osun State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Sunday Akere, at the weekend said the Rauf Aregbesola administration was getting recognitions and accolades from different quarters because of its focused leadership.

    The commissioner spoke in Osogbo, the state capital.

    He said the administration was proactive in the implementation of policies and was getting support and accolades “from far and near” for these.

    Akere said Aregbesola dredged several streams, rivers and water tributaries that threatened the lives of the residents for years during the raining seasons.

    The commissioner noted that the dredging has prevented flooding in the last 22 months of the administration.

    He said: “Before Aregbesola took over as governor of the state, the raining season had always been a period of sorrow, pain and anguish for several residents because flooding could sack them from their homes. The worst of such was experienced in July 2010, when property worth millions of naira were washed away and lives lost to floods.

    “Former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, rather than assuage the suffering of the people affected by the flood, derided and mocked them by asking whether he sent the rain water to their homes. But in a complete reversal of role and policy approach, Aregbesola swiftly went to work early in 2011 and moved heavy dredging caterpillars that were never seen before in the history of the state. In several towns, he cleared the waterways and packed away wastes and debris that obstructed the free flow of water during rain falls.

    “While reports of flooding and the attendant loss of lives were reported daily in other parts of the country in 2011, none of such was witnessed anywhere in Osun State. This made the people to applaud Aregbesola for his positive visionary style. As 2012 was approaching the raining season, without waiting for the forecast of woes and calamity, which the rain could cause, Governor Aregbesola went to work again. He dredged more kilometres of waterways; he did not fail to touch areas from where dredging had begun the previous year.

    “With the forecast of a downpour leading to the loss of lives, in a quantum never witnessed before in the country this year, Osun State still retains its flood-free rating, courtesy of the good works of Aregbesola.

    “In recognition and appreciation of this, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and some other agencies of government, under the Africa Adaptation Programme (AAP), are bringing the six states in the Southwest to Osun to share in the success story of the Aregbesola administration in the area of flood control.

    “The two-day high level meeting, holding on September 25 and 26, will bring together environmental stakeholders from the six Southwest states to Osogbo to discuss the topic: Addressing climate change, environmental conservation and sustainable development through a regional framework.

    “The states, during the meeting, will review common challenges, shared responsibilities and how to work together for a safer environment.”

  • Be focused, ACN tells Orji

    The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Abia State has advised the Governor Theodore Orji administration to focus on addressing the state’s challenges.

    The party said the protest by lawyers in Aba against the deplorable situation of state and federal roads in Abia is on course.

    Speaking through its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Offor Okorie, ACN said the lawyers did well by telling the world that Orji and his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have no plans for the masses.

    Okorie said the achievements of the Orji administration were only on the pages of newspapers and radio announcements.

    He said many roads in Abia were inaugurated on the pages of newspapers, radio announcement and billboards.

    ACN said: “How can a governor allow his people to suffer the way Abians are suffering? The reaction of the lawyers in Aba has shown the falsehood of the PDP-led government.

    “Very soon, the people at the grassroots, who have been deceived by the visionless PDP government at all levels of government, will revolt and the lies of the present administration would be exposed to the world.

    “For five years, Orji has been sleeping, forgetting his responsibilities. We pray he wakes up from his slumber and becomes productive in the remaining three years.”

    Offor said the people are tired of the “PDP’s deceit”, adding that only ACN can make a change.

    The governor said the ACN is being economical with the truth on the true position of things.

    He said his administration has built more roads than any other administration in the state’s history.

    Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Ugochukwu Emezue, Orji said: “When I came back from my working visit overseas, I told reporters that work would begin on Aba roads after the rains and same was repeated when Aba landlords visited me to support the planned demolition of illegal structures.

    “I directed the State Road Maintenance Agency to do palliative work on Aba roads, pending when the rains will stop, and I am happy to tell you that they are doing that very well.

    “The lawyers have not done anything new. They have exercised their rights in a democratic set up and are trying to distract me. I am aware of the neglect of Aba by past administrations and I am determined to change that by demolishing the already marked 1,800 houses that are obstructing the water ways.”