The Nation Newspaper

Tag: hails

  • Emordi hails Pillars’ resolve

    Emordi hails Pillars’ resolve

    Kano Pillars coach, Okey Emordi, has praised his side’s resolve after they defeated Bayelsa United 2-0 in week two of the 2015 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

    The reigning Nigerian champions played only their first game of the season on Saturday at the Sani Abacha Stadium, after failing to honour their week one match against Heartland due to an armed robbery attack which resulted in severe injuries to some of their players.

    And it is based on that setback that Emordi believes the 2-0 win over Bayelsa means more to them than just the three points.

    “The win means a lot to us as a team because we’ve been through a lot in the last one week,” he said.

    “The armed robbery attack was a bad one and we missed the Heartland game because of that. But to have come from that setback so soon to win our first game of the season means so much.

    “Even some of the players that were injured in the attack featured and played well in the win and that says a lot about the spirit and culture of this club.

    “The ultimate desire, of course, was to get all three points which we did, but given what we’ve been through, it definitely means a lot more.”

    Goals from Adamu Mohammed and Ubong Ekpai – one of the players injured in last week’s attack – ensured the Nigerian champions started the defense of their title on a good note.

  • Okorocha hails Catholic faithful, candidates

    Despite the abortion of the Imo State governorship debate, Governor Rochas Okorocha has hailed the parties and the candidates, who would have participated, on their conduct, which he said averted what could have been a major clash.

    The Governor in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, said: “It is a good development for Imo people that supporters of the parties met for such a function and there was no fracas. Nobody was injured.  It means Imo people have come to appreciate that beyond politics, we are still brothers and sisters, whether we are in APC or PDP or APGA or UPP.”

    Okorocha praised the Archbishop of the Diocese, His Grace Anthony Obinna and the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri for coming up with such a laudable idea of bringing the governorship candidates together to tell Imo people what they have in store for them if elected.

    He assured that “whenever the debate is re-scheduled, whatever caused the postponement will be addressed.”

    According to him, “there was the story of the supporters of the candidates and the parties holding mini rallies at the venue of the debate and creating a rowdy situation that scared people away.  The truth of the matter is that, in an event of that nature involving governorship candidates and the Owerri Catholic Archdiocese, such excitement and rowdy scenarios could not be ruled out, but the good thing was that there was no fracas.

    ”However, we took exception to the statement credited to the governorship candidate of the PDP, Emeka Ihedioha, who rushed to one of the radio stations in the state the moment the debate was cancelled and alleged that the APC supporters beat up a Reverend Father at the event.

    ”Although 80 per cent of the crowd at the venue of the debate were APC supporters, following the popularity of Governor Okorocha, the truth remains that APC supporters never confronted anybody, let alone beat up a Reverend Father.

    “Ihedioha is not the spokesman for the Owerri Catholic Archdiocese. It has a media director and information officers.  If Ihedioha’s claims were right, the Archdiocese would have spoken and it would have given detailed information on that.”

  • National Theatre boss hails AMVCA winners

    National Theatre boss hails AMVCA winners

    So many people were enthralled by the artistry of some filmmakers, which earned them laurels at the just-concluded Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards (AMVCA). One of them is the Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Theatre and National Troupe of Nigeria, Chief Ishaya Markus, who expressed hope that the achievement the filmmakers recorded will encourage Nigerian youths to pursue a career in the Nigerian film and entertainment industry.

    In a statement made available to the media, Markus congratulated all the nominees and winners at the awards show.

    The glamorous event held at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos last Saturday, attracting a large crowd of celebrities, motion picture practitioners and captains of industry.

    The National Theatre boss congratulated Mr. Steve Gukas from Plateau State, whose movie; A Place in the Stars was adjudged Best Movie (Drama).  He also praised the ingenuity of filmmaker Kunle Afolayan whose October 1 movie clinched nine laurels, including Best Director, Best Movie, Best Costume, Best Lighting Design, Best Actress in a Drama and Best in Art Direction out of the 13 nominations it got.

  • Galadima hails Malakia’s hospitality

    Galadima hails Malakia’s hospitality

    Former NFF President Ibrahim Galadima has praised the hospitality of officials and fans of Al Malaika Football Club of Sudan, who lost 0-2 to Nigerian champions Kano Pillars FC in the first leg of their 2015 CAF Champions League fixture in Juba at the weekend.

    Goals from Gambo Muhammad and former Enugu Rangers ace Christian Obiozor condemned the hosts to defeat and with a mountain to climb in the return leg at Sani Abacha Stadium next weekend. But Galadima, who is vice chairman of Kano Pillars’ Continental Campaign Committee, was full of adulation for the South Sudan champions.

    “In all my years of traveling, I am yet to see anything close to the good brotherliness and hospitality that Al Malaika FC officials accorded us in Juba. They treated us like brothers and even on their own mobilized Nigerians based in Juba to come and receive us at the airport and to support us at the stadium during the match,” said Galadima, who held the reins at the NFF between 2002 and 2006.

    NFF official Danlami Alanana who accompanied the Nigerian champions corroborated the assertions and also expressed pleasant surprise at the reception.

    “It was like a carnival. They did not treat us as opponents. Al Malakia FC officials didn’t pull any punches with hospitality for the entire Nigerian delegation, and I am aware that officials of Kano Pillars FC are also thinking of how to reciprocate the marvelous gesture when Al Malakia visit next week.”

    Both teams clash again in the second leg of their first round fixture in Kano on Saturday, 28th February.

  • FRSC hails Special, Regular Marshals partnership

    OGUN State Sector  Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Mr Adegoke Adetunji has praised the Special and Regular Marshals for working together in the bid to tackle road lawlessness.

    Speaking at the inauguration of Itori Special Marshal Unit, Adetunji said the Corps had made an impact with the creation of the Special Marshals.

    He put the statistics of crashes in the state at 47.7 per cent, with 24 per cent reduction recorded last year, compared with the same period in 2013.

    Adetunji  urged the Special Marshals to increase their patrols, saying the Corps’ vision for 2015 is the eradication of crashes.

    He said the attainment of the mandate requires the commitment of both Marshals.

    He appealed to the Special Marshals to be more effective and efficient.

    The state’s Coordinator, Special Marshals and Partnership, Elder Emmanuel Fagbenro, pledged the unit’s commitment to road safety.

    According to him, Special Marshal is charged by law to prevent and minimise accidents on the highways.

    He said the Itori Unit was created to cooperate with the Regulars to promote road safety.

    He urged the Special Marshals to focus on enforcement, public enlightenment and arrest of erring drivers to ensure total eradication of accidents on the roads.

    The Oniwasinmi of Wasinmi, Oba Emmanuel Osuntogun, hailed the Special Marshals for their efforts in preaching safety.

    He urged all road users to be  disciplined noting that the task of making roads safe is multi-faceted. “The lives of the citizens using the roads are vital for socio-economic renewal and national transformation,” he added.

  • APC chieftain hails Tinubu

    Kwara State All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Hon. Bashir Bolarinwa has hailed the contribution of the National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to the growth of democracy.

    He described him as a principled, dedicated and harworking progressive arrowhead, whose mission in politics is the liberation of the masses.

    Bolarinwa said in a statement in Lagos that Tinubu’s commitment to democracy has reflected in the emergence of a viable and formidabole opposition party, adding that it has also motivated Nigerians to agitate for power shift and positive change.

    The former House of Representatives member said: “Those of us who know you and  your antecedents will attest  that the big opposition party, the APC, is a product of foresight. The political wizardry in you has made you to remain focused,steadfast and strategic in bringing together opposition elements for positive action.

    “It is not out of place, if you seek to lead the APC to government, considering your efforts, sacrifice, financial commitment and other unseen troubles you  have been subjected to as a leader. Owing to a curious propaganda, political calculation is now based on religious factor.

    “But, as the National Leader, we salute your courage, sacrifice and selfless service to the progressive cause. As it is for now, Asiwaju is left with the position of the National Leader. Fine it is,but experience has taught us a lot of lessons about the complexity and unpredicability of human beings. My wish is that the position of the National Leader should, not only be morally recognised and verbally acknowledged by the party, it should also be entrenched in the party constitution. This, to me, will  enable you to continue to play the role of a bridge-builder and place you at a vantage to find a lasting solution to the myriad of problems facing the country.”

  • Mark hails victorious Falcons

    Mark hails victorious Falcons

    Senate President, David Mark has congratulated the Super Falcons for beating their Camerounian counterparts to retain the African Women Championship (AWC).

    A statement by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Senate President, Paul Mumeh, said that Mark thanked the Nigerian girls for lifting the soccer spirit of the country once more, saying  their remarkable feat in Windhoek, Namibia gaves the nation a sense of pride.

    He said: “Once more Nigeria has demonstrated her superiority in soccer in Africa  with the superlative performance of our girls in Windhoek. This remarkable record is commendable. The nation owes them a debt of gratitude.”

    The Senate President promised that the National Assembly will continue to make adequate budgetary allocation for sports development not only for the need to win more laurels but because of the potential of sports in the promotion of peace and unity of the country.

    Mark assured that the government would do the needful to honour the girls on their return home for making the country proud.

    He counseled the troubled members of  the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to resolve the dispute rocking the football house in order not to have a negative effect on soccer development.

  • Emir of Katsina hails MTN Polo

    Emir of Katsina hails MTN Polo

    The huge involvement of the king of telecommunication, MTN Nigeria, in the development of the noble game of polo in Nigeria and beyond, has received official commendation from the Katsina Emirate Council and the people of Katsina.

    Emir of Katsina, HRH Alhaji (Dr) Abdulmumuni Kabir, who made the commendation, praised the communication giant for partnering Katsina Polo Club in the promotion of the noble game of polo and for positively touching the lives of Katsina citizens in so many ways.

    The Emir made this declaration in his Palace while receiving a delegation of MTN officials, Nigerian Polo Federation (NPF) Executives and players, who paid him a courtesy call. He stated that the unequalled involvement of MTN in the promotion of polo and sports generally in Katsina State has helped in redirecting the energies of the youth and engaging them positively.

    Dr Kabir, who is also the life chairman of the NPF, expressed happiness at the commitment of MTN to Nigerian sports over the years and urged the telecommunication and ICT giant to do more, given the unifying and the diplomatic credentials of sports in Nigerian political history.

    “We are happy with MTN for engaging our youths positively in the area of sports and I would urge them not to rest as MTN stands to gain a lot by turning our people away from negative tendencies through sports,” the royal father stated.

    In his response, Regional Trade Marketing Manager, North West, Abdulhamid Hassan, who confirmed the readiness of the king of telecoms to once again partner the king of games in Katsina, stated that MTN will continue to promote the noble game of polo and sports generally in the country.

    “And in line with our position as an organisation which seeks to support the distinct lifestyle of its various customers, we have put everything in place to  make this year’s edition one of the most memorable in years,” he stated.

    Abdulhamid, who thanked polo enthusiasts for their loyalty to the MTN brand, also revealed that as a major highlight of the glamorous event, MTN will continue to showcase various life-enriching innovative products and services, specifically designed for its teeming customers and the northern elites.

    Earlier, the life president of Katsina Polo Club, Alhaji Lawa Kaita, who led the delegation, thanked the royal father for warmly receiving the polo family in his kingdom and urged MTN not to relent in its effort of promoting Nigerian sports and polo in particular.

  • Jonathan hails Falconets

    Jonathan hails Falconets

    • Urges team to go for trophy

    President Goodluck Jonathan has congratulated Nigeria’s Under-20 female football team, the Falconets for qualifying for the final of the on-going FIFA championship in Canada.

    In a statement yesterday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the President applauded the Falconets’ scintillating display which earned them a 6-2 victory in Wednesday’s semi-final match against North Korea.

    The President also commended the performance of the team in their earlier matches before the semi-final.

    The statement reads: “As the Falconets prepare for the final match of the tournament against Germany on Sunday, President Jonathan urges them to put in their very best effort to win the under-20 Women’s World Cup for Nigeria and Africa for the first time in the history of the competition.”

    He assured them and their handlers of the full support of the Federal Government and the prayers of all Nigerians for their triumph on Sunday.

  • Group hails philanthropist

    Members of the Southeast National Youth Awareness have hailed Prince Arthur Eze for his philanthropic gestures not only in the Southeast, but also in the country.

    The coordinator of the group, Chief Chukwuemeka Orjiako, told The Nation at the weekend in Awka that other Igbo sons and daughters should emulate the man.

    Orjiako, who is also the founder, Chukwuemeka Orjiakor Foundation, said Eze had shown that the plight of the needy and the less privileged touched him.

    He said he set up his  foundation to help the poor.