The Nation Newspaper

Tag: insist

  • MOSOP, others insist on end to oil exploration in Ogoni

    The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) and other civil society organisations, yesterday insisted that the federal government must end further oil exploration in Ogoni land.

    They noted that oil exploration in the Niger Delta particularly in Ogoni has done more harm than good, adding that the recent appearance of black soot in Port Harcourt was one of the harmful effects of oil exploration in the region.

    Ogoni Solidarity Forum (OSF) and Social Development Integrated Centre (Social Action) and Ogoni indigenes in the area led the peaceful rally from Peace Centre, MOSOP secretariat to Hospital road in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State.

    Some of the inscriptions on their placards include: ‘Oil is wicked’, ‘Fossil oil destroys our planet’, ‘With oil the feature is dark’, ‘A world without pollution’, ‘Ogoni say no to fossil fuel’, ‘Oil should remain in the ground’, ‘Our water, air and environment all polluted’ and more.

    Declaring the event open, MOSOP President, Comrade Legborsi Pyagbara, said both the state and federal government must find a lasting solution to solve the issue of black soot in Rivers State and other Niger Delta states.

    Pyagbara said what is happening to the residents of Port Harcourt was one of the reasons why Ogoni must join other voices around the world to stop the further exploration of oil in Ogoni land and other part of Niger Delta.

    “I’m happy that we have gathered here to continue the struggle for the common good of our people. I believe it is better to leave the oil on the ground because oil has done more harm to us. Today in Port Harcourt people are dying on daily basis over the appearance of black soot.

    “ As we are talking to you  now, even in Delta state, the people are  experiencing  the same thing.   We want the state and federal government to take a drastic action. What we are facing now is not an issue to be treated with lips service. What Ogoni people are facing today is enough messages that it is better to leave the oil on the ground.”

    The Director, Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) Nnimmo Bassey, said Ogoni is very significant location for the struggle to end oil exploration in Nigeria, particularly in Niger Delta region.

    He said refusal to break away from fossil fuel is a call for the continuous pollution of air, land and a creek, stressing  that inability to break away from fossil oil is an unacceptable call for unchecked climate change.

    “ Even the late  Ogoni environmental activist, Ken Saro-Wiwa declared that silence is treason. We are here to tell the world that refusal to break away from fossil fuel sentences Nigeria to a corrupt political arrangement that breeds corruption, violence and conflicts.

    “How can our environment be clean if we continue to depend on a resource that is polluting from exploration, exploitation   and consumption stages? Indeed, fossil fuels remain polluting even in their post consumption stage.”

    The Coordinator of Ogoni Solidarity Movement, Comrade Celestine Akpobari, confirmed that federal government have paid some amount of money to the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Programme (HYPREP)

    Akpobari, however, blamed the immediate past administration for the delayed implementation of the UNEP report, adding that there is  need for government to think towards moving away from oil which he believes will help the young people to develop talents and skills.

  • EFCC chair: Advisers ask Buhari to insist on Magu

    EFCC chair: Advisers ask Buhari to insist on Magu

    •Fault Senate’s rejection of anti-corruption agency’s boss
    •President may step into row

    Members of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Corruption (PACAC) have faulted Senate’s rejection of the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu.

    They have also canvassed President Muhammadu Buhari’s retention of Magu as the boss of EFCC in the light of the provision of Section 171 of the 1999 Constitution.

    A source in the Presidency also assured our correspondent last night that President Buhari “will not abandon Magu.”

    There were indications yesterday that the government may renominate Magu for the beleaguered office for the third time.

    It was however learnt that the President may step into the row by opening talks with the leadership of the National Assembly and other stakeholders, including the Department of State Security Service (DSS).

    Magu also got more backing from the Transparency International and Global Witness yesterday.

    The two organisations invited Magu to London to speak at an international conference on money laundering and assets recovery on March 2.

    The Executive Secretary of PACAC, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, who spoke exclusively with our correspondent, said all the advisers to the President on corruption have discovered that the Senate acted on old report.

    Owasanoye said: “There was no fresh investigation conducted by the DSS. The Senate only relied on the old report.  The DSS did not provide any new information for the Senate.

    “For all intents and purposes, we believe it was unfair for the senators to reach the conclusion they have reached.

    “We think there was no new information from the DSS. The Senate ought not to have rejected Magu

    “The Senate was privy to two reports from the DSS. It ought to have satisfied itself by considering the two and not one as it did.

    “The Senate also knew that the President had looked into the two reports and sent his conclusion to them, but they did not take cognizance of the President’s letter which overrides the DSS reports.

    “Even when Magu told the Senate that he was not with his response to the query issued to him, we expected the Senate to have asked him to bring his defence the following day in the spirit of fairness.

    “If you look at the proceeding in the Senate, there were too many gaps to be closed.”

    Asked of the committee members’ position on Magu, the PACAC Secretary said: “We believe that there is nothing inhibiting him from being in office as the Acting EFCC chairman. We are of the opinion that he should remain in office.

    “If you look at Section 171 of the 1999 Constitution, the President is empowered to retain him as long as he wants in acting capacity. As long as the President remains in office, Magu can continue to act as EFCC chairman.”

    Responding to a question, Owasanoye added: “If there is something new, we would have modified our position.

    “But the Senate acted on old report without considering the President’s points in the re-nomination letter.”

    According to Section 171 (1) of the 1999 Constitution, power to appoint persons to hold or act in the offices to which this section applies and to remove persons so appointed from any such office shall rest in the President.

    (2) The offices to which this section applies are namely

    (a) Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

    (b) Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

    (c) Ambassador, High Commissioner or other principal Representative of Nigeria abroad.

    (d) Permanent Secretary in any Ministry or Head of any Extra-Ministerial Department of the Government of the Federation howsoever designated; and

    (e) any office on the personal staff of the President.

    (3) An appointment to the office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation shall not be made except from among the Permanent Secretaries or equivalent rank in the Civil Service of the Federation or of a State.

    (4) An appointment to the office of Ambassador, High Commissioner, or other Representative of Nigeria abroad shall not have effect unless the appointment is confirmed by the Senate.

    (5) In exercising his powers of appointment under this section, the President shall have regard to the federal character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity.

    (6) Any appointment made pursuant to paragraphs (a) and (e) of subsection (2) of this section shall be at the pleasure of the President and shall cease when the President cease to hold office;

    Provided that where a person has been appointed from a public service of the Federation or a State, he shall be entitled to return to the public service of the Federation or of the State when the President ceases to hold office.”

    As at press time, it was gathered that the presidency may nominate Magu for the third time.

    It was learnt that President Buhari may step into the controversy over Magu before effecting a re-nomination.

    A highly-placed source said: “I think the Presidency will re-nominate Magu. His advisers on the fight against corruption want Magu retained.

    “But the President is likely to engage the leaders of the National Assembly, especially the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara.

    “There is likelihood that the session might be enlarged to include some stakeholders like the DSS leadership.

    Speaking with our correspondent last night, a presidency source said in confidence: “The President is set to receive official communication from the Senate. But I can assure you that the President will not abandon Magu.

    Barely few days after the Senate rejected his nomination, Magu has been invited by two leading anti-corruption organisations, the Transparency International and Global Witness to speak at an international conference on money laundering and assets recovery on March 21, 2017 in London.

    He is expected to deliver a paper on the topic: Give Us Our Money Back – Nigeria’s Fight Against Corruption: A Critical Conversation.

    A statement by the Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren said: “The invitation from the Global Witness and Transparency International is in recognition of the invaluable role the Magu-led EFCC has played in his more than one year in office in recovery of stolen funds.

    “ It also coincidentally comes a few days after members of the Nigerian Senate chose to overlook the strides achieved by Magu and instead refused his re-nomination by President Muhammadu Buhari as the substantive chairman of the EFCC.

    “The international conference, which is coming on the heels of the 2016 London Anti-Corruption Summit, will focus on the progress of Nigeria’s asset recovery and anti-corruption efforts.

    “It will also feature a panel of discussions for “critical exchange of views” between officials and non-government experts from Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

    “A few international personalities have been invited along with Magu to participate in the conference.

    “Among those from Nigeria are Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information; Prof. Itse Sagay, Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, PACAC; its secretary, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye and Olanrewaju Suraju of the Human and Environmental Development Agenda.”

  • ‘We insist on what is right at LASUTH’

    ‘We insist on what is right at LASUTH’

    Does Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) lack basic amenities as claimed by some patients? No, says its Chief Medical Director (CMD) Prof Wale Oke in this interview with OYEYEMI GBENGA-MUSTAPHA.

    Patients complain of disgusting services at LASUTH. Their complaints range from lack of vintage services at the laboratory and pharmacy to lack of bed space, why is that?

    The Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, visited the hospital recently during the launch of the helipad. He toured the hospital and the college. He checked Ayinke House, drainage system and the roads.  And he was also at the utility units, including the laboratory. He held a meeting with the management and Lagos State Ministry of Health, Alausa representatives. At the meeting, Ambode said the Built and Transfer (BAT) laboratory should be overhauled. Phillips Electrics Limited, under its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Biodun Disu, has taken over the laboratory’s restructuring on PPP basis.

    Structural changes are taking place at the lab, so it can accommodate more equipment for radiology, biochemistry, haematology, immunology and others. By April, the hospital would have a standard laboratory. Because of the work going on there, we request our patients to go out to do some tests like CT scan. With Phillips, LASUTH will have two MRI scanning machine, Mammogram machine, and X-ray facilities, among others.

    What happened to DEUX Project Limited that handled same?

    Deux Project was given the contract to handle the project at LASUTH and maintain it, but for one reason or the other, the government found it wanting. And the contract was terminated. The process of termination took long, but by June, the lab would be ready.

    And what about the dearth of medical personnel?

    As I am talking to you, about 78 new personnel have been recruited into the system. About 28 are consultants, 30 to 40 nurses; others, such as radiologists have been employed to complement the workforce. Employment of resident doctors is on. About 70 are needed. This will address the issue of being overworked. A teaching hospital such as this will always need more staff. In the last two years, a stock of the hospital was taken by the government. By end of this month, the government will employ more house officers. .

    How about non-availability of drugs, especially essential and orphan drugs?

    The Joint Venture Pharmacy (JVP) cannot always have drugs because as stocks are being taken, demands keep  coming in. And then to take new stocks requires a procedure; if a patient needs same that moment the drug can’t be readily available. I am always in support of patients, for the simple reason that it could be me or anybody; I have already been looking into that Pharmacy department to see how to improve on what obtains there. That department boasts of best hands in pharmacy nationwide. I will investigate further on non-availability of medical devices or utilities, such as laryngoscope and other ‘non-invasive’ devices. It is really an embarrassment that patients could not obtain that in the hospital. Another thing is that patients or their relatives are always in haste when in need of something. If an officer is working on a request, and another comes in, same will want to hurry the system and the personnel wouldn’t want to commit any error, so the person may feel offended or walk away, concluding that his requests are not available. Also, some misplaced their medical list and will just conjecture some name. That could frustrate the person attending to them, who normally will insist on seeing the list.

    But in a situation where the patient is with the list and yet cannot obtain same at the hospital’s Joint Venture Pharmacy. How do you explain that?

    Foreign exchange (forex)is nobody’s friend at the moment. Nationwide, forex is biting local production and importation of drugs and other devices. LASUTH is not the only one experiencing devaluation. When demands are being placed and agreement signed, the next minute there is a fluctuation and scarcity of forex, and the supplier calls in to say sorry the money released to him cannot service the request, what can one do? And patients are awaiting the supplies. It is a phase in our country. Forex will stabilise. And we get our supplies directly from manufacturers or representatives, which beats the prices down, so when patients go out, they either don’t find the supply of it is expensive or an outright fake.

    Before, patients complained about nurses’ attitude but now it has shifted to the Joint Venture Pharmacy. Why is that?

    Over the years, I have learnt that when somebody needs something in a hurry, such will hurry up the system.  And every staff is careful not to make error because if a wrong device or drug is applied results could be fatal. Every year since I resumed here, we always hold three workshops on attitudinal changes.  Very bad cases are referred here without any communication despite our having a communication system. Our communication system is not used at all. And when such patients come in, their relatives want everything done straight away; there is a place for preparedness, even for emergencies, for good results. Abroad, when a patient is being conveyed from point ABC to XYZ proper communication is done to ensure readiness for the patient. We may receive four or five such cases at a go, and then we are left to decide in frenzy. These are not excuses, though. I will look into that, promptly. I want to re-state that CEO and MDs of hospitals and other heads of parastatals are put to run, investigate and resolve issues. There are points where phone numbers are placed for patients to call and register their observations.

    Why did you order that tyres of ambulances and utility vehicles that are not Lagos branded, within LASUTH premises be deflected?

    It was done just once. And the reason being that we had arrangement with some diagnostic centres, that when the hospital needs their services they will be called upon. I left instruction with the Chief Security Officer (CSO) that he should confirm with the Head of Department once such wants to come in here, if we are expecting them or not. The simple reason being that, I don’t want the system to bring in charlatans that may want to capitalise on or exploit the state of our laboratory. The one day, I went to do ward round, and guess what, I saw a branded bus fully operating a laboratory here at LASUTH. That was embarrassing, you know. I gave them five minutes to move out. They didn’t and I got their tyres deflated. That sent a strong warning that I meant business, and they now follow the procedure the hospital laid down. As a teaching hospital, we need to do series of diagnosis. So, the new arrangement is to have minimum of five LASAMBUS buses here at the hospital on standby, which take care of the lacuna. Once the BT is fully operational, that will be totally resolved.

  • Oil spills: Rivers villages insist on clean-up, by Shell

    The row between Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and Bodo communities in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State is yet to subside, a week after the oil giant agreed to pay them £55 million (about $83.6 million) compensation to them.

    The communities, which include Romu, Gbe, K&B, Dere and Kpor Gol, want immediate clean-up of their land, and rivers ravaged by two oil spill in 2008 as part of the compensation.

    They said they were still licking their wounds, despite the huge compansation.

    The row will linger because of the disagreement over the volume of oil spilled. While Shell claimed only 1,640 barrels of oil was spilled over the Bodo communities, Amnesty International said over 100,000 barrels of oil was spilled. This resulted in the long litigation, which delayed the clean up of the affected community, because of their inability to reach a compromise.

    Bodo’s Chairman, Council of Chiefs, Mene Slyvester Kogbara, said money cannot adequately compensate for the loss incurred. He said his people incurred  pyschological, mental, and financial losses, adding that the trauma will take time to heal.

    According to him, the memories of those who lost their lives to hydrocarbon emission, hunger, malnutrition and other problems caused by the spills remain alive, arguing that only a proper clean up would remove the pains.

    He said: “Bodo people eat, drink and sleep on hydrocarbon. On the average, eight people die every six weeks from unknown ailmentss since there is no functional hospital to detect their illnesses. This is the big trauma people have been struggling to overcome. To reduce mortality rate, we are asking Shell to urgently clean up our rivers and land. Besides, productivity would be enhanced because people would go back to farming and fishing- their two major occupations

    ‘’Traditionally, Bodo people are farmers and fishermen. Part of the agreement, which Bodo communities reached with Shell, was the payment of £55million compensation, and cleaning of its land. Though Bodo is happy with the £55million compensation, which is divided into two – £35million for individuals who have agreed to be compensated for their losses and £20million for the community. The issue of cleaning the environment is more important to us. Without doubt, we are excited by the planned financial reward, but that cannot compensate for the loss of lives and our sources of livelihood which went with spills.”

    He said Bodo community is inhabited by over 15,000 people, adding that they can only start a new life after their lands and rivers have been cleaned.

    Also, a Director of Programmes, Centre for Envrionment, Human Rights and Deveopment, Steven Obodoekwe, said the communities depend on natural habitats, such as land and rivers for survival.

    He said the organisation was planning a meeting with Bodo communities to ensure that Shell fast-tracks the cleaning so that the people can engage in profitable ventures.

    Obodoekwe said the meeting was crucial because oil spills were threatening the existence of the community, and needed to be resolved.

    He said: ‘’Our organisation , which is based in Port Harcourt, was involved in the legal process that led to the compensation of Bodo people, and wants to see that all the agreements between Shell and the communities are abide with.’’

     The Environmental Adviser to an international organisation, the Nigeria-Canada Business Association, Ako Amadi, said the effects of oil pollution would remain for as long as Shell delayed the cleaning. He said the issue of reclaiming or recovering an environment is in various stages, stressing that it takes a longer period to recover an area that is polluted by oil.

    Amadi said: “The environment can be cleaned, but not recovered. Shell may clean up the community, but may not recover it. The two are not the same. After cleaning an environment, there is the need to restore it. Restoration takes place when plants and animals are re-introduced in an area to encourage the growth of the ecosystem. That is why I said it would take sometime before the land and rivers in Bodo are recovered.’’

    Outgoing SPDC’s Managing Director, Mutiu Sunmonu said the company understands the plight of the people, noting that it will not spare efforts in the cleaning. He said the development would help in re-uniting the people with the natural habitat.

    He said Shell has pledged to be fair with the Bodo community, and would stick to its promise.

    He said: ‘’From the outset, we have accepted responsibility for the two deeply regrettable operational spills in Bodo. We have always wanted to compensate the community fairly and we are pleased to have reached an agreement. We are fully committed to the clean-up process being overseen by a former Netherlands’Ambassador to Nigeria. Despite the delays caused by division within the community, we are pleased that clean-up will soon begin now that a plan has been agreed with the community’’

    Sunmonu, who doubles as the Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria (SCiN), said the company was working with the government, the civil soceity and international NGOs to create awareness on environmental pollution. He assured that Shell would continue to search for solutions to the problems, adding that the support of Bodo community leaders is needed to acheive the deired results.

    He, however, warned: “Unless real action is taken to end the scourge of oil theft and illegal refining, which remains the main cause of enironmental pollution and is the real tragedy of the Niger Delta, areas that are cleaned-up will simply become re-impacted through illegal activities.’’

    The United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) report had  directed Shell to address the problems in the oil polluted areas in Ogoniland.

    The Federal Government’s Hydrocarbon Pollution Restoration Project(HYPREP) was set up in July 2012 to implement UNEP’s recommendation.

    This, Sunmonu said, had not come to reality because of challenges facing the HYPREP.

  • Nigerians insist on National Conference

    Nigerians insist on National Conference

    Speakers at the fourth annual Gani Fawehinmi Lecture yesterday said Nigeria has not made any meaningful headway, despite staying together in 100 years of nationhood.

    They also said nothing has changed since the death of Chief Gani Fawehinmi, a frontline lawyer, who died in the struggle for the emancipation of the poor and the oppressed.

    Various speakers noted that a National Conference should be convoked soon so that Nigeria can make progress.

    They said it is at the round-table the people would decide on several issues to resolve the nation’s sundry challenges.

    President Goodluck Jonathan, in his speech at the event, said the late Fawehinmi stood for the change that the nation enjoys today.

    The President said the iconic crusader fought and died for his country.

    Dr Jonathan described the late Fawehinmi as a defender of the poor and the rule of law, adding that he was a patriot and a statesman, whose love for Nigeria and the people’s well-being were unparalleled .

    The President said his administration would keep the promises it made to Nigerians, including improvement in infrastructure, electricity, security, transportation and governance, which the late legal icon lived and died for.

    In a lecture, titled: Nigeria Centenary: Does it Worth Celebration? with a sub-theme: The State of Nigeria After Gani, the guest lecturer Prof Omotoye Olorode said the characterisation of the Nigerian nation depends on who is doing the characterisation.

    He noted that the characterisation has its beneficiaries and victims, those he called two contending forces.

    Prof Olorode said the reasons to reduce macroeconomic volatility, corruption, inequality and other challenges, which the late Fawehinmi and others fought for, are still prevalent.

    He said there must be a complete reversal of the present order.

    Ekiti State Govenor Kayode Fayemi, who was represented by Mr Funminiyi Afuye, the commissioner for Information and Strategy, said the lecture was becoming an important platform for discussing pertinent issues on the state of the Nigeria.

  • Reps insist Oteh must go

    The House of Representatives yesterday stuck to its guns on its resolution that the Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms Arunma Oteh, should be sacked.

    This is coming three days after President Goodluck Jonathan expressed dissatisfaction at the non-inclusion of the appropriation for SEC in the 2013 budget.

    The resolution of the House followed the passage of a motion of urgent importance raised by Garba Datti, who flayed what he called “blatant disregard of the resolutions of the House by the Executive.”

    The House first took the stance last year when it adopted the report and recommendations of the Ibrahim Tukur El-Sudi-headed Adhoc Committee, which probed the near collapse of the capital market.

    The lawmakers had asked President Jonathan time to sack the SEC boss because she did not possess requisite qualifications to head the regulatory commission.

    But, the President has ignored the resolution and faulted the decision of the National Assembly not to allocate funds to SEC in the 2013 appropriation, adding that it would have a negative impact on the capital market operations.

    The House went a step further yesterday by mandating its Committee on Legislative Compliance to ensure the Executive’s compliance with the resolution and report within three weeks.

    Datti, while moving the motion, said: “Most of these resolutions, though products of motions, hinge on fundamental public duty placed on public officers by the Constitution under the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy.”

    According to him, the motion “urging the removal of Ms Oteh, for instance, was hinged on the fact that her appointment as the director-general of the Securities Exchange Commission was a gross violation of the Commission’s Act, as she does not possess the minimum professional qualification prescribed for appointment to that position.”

  • PDP witnesses insist Ondo poll was rigged

    More witnesses of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in last October’s governorship election, Mr. Olusola Oke, yesterday appeared before the Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Akure, the state capital.

    Idowu Isiaka from Arigidi Akoko said the PDP initially won her polling unit, but it was rigged in favour of the Labour Party (LP).

    She said she was forced to sign the result after it was changed.

    Deborah Oyedemi from Ile Oluji, a trader, identified her statement and left without cross examination.

    Gbenga Adugbo, a trader from Oke Igbo, alleged that LP thugs were present at his polling unit.

    Adugbo said he voted at Unit 1, Ward 1 in Ile Oluji and the result was announced at exactly 4pm on the election day.

    Iyabo Isiaka, a trader from Ute in Ose Local Government, said people voted without accreditation at her polling unit.

    She said only LP agents signed the result sheet initially, but other agents were forced to sign in order to have a copy of the result.

    Ominidoha Bonsue from Ijaw Arugbo, Unit 4, Ward 1, said he served as Ward Coalition Officer of his party and was at his unit from 8pm until the election was over.

    He said the votes were counted before all agents but a different figure was recorded in the presence of the presiding officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Alaba Kazeem from Ikare Akoko said there was no accreditation in his unit and LP thugs disrupted the peace there.

    Suleiman Ganiyu from Ikare Akoko said voting materials were brought to his unit late.

    As at the time of filing this report, more witnesses were still appearing before the tribunal.

  • Newcastle insist on embattled Osaze

    Newcastle insist on embattled Osaze

    It is new year of missed fortunes for embattled Super Eagles and West Brom forward Peter Osaze Odemwingie. The 31 year old who recently arrested the headlines following his no twitter rant over decision of Coach Stephen Keshi to drop him from Eagles list to the nations Cup which gets underway in South Africa january 19, has become a must have for English premiership side Newcastle.

    The Toons are on the verge of losing impressive goal machine and Senegalese international Demba Ba and coach Alan Pardew believes Osaze is the best replacement for the Ba as the sides aims to improve its standings in the premiership this season.

    Talks were being intensified Tuesday with the coach ready to part with £3million (about N774million ) for Osaze who joined West Brom in August 2010 after three fruitful years romance with Russian side Locomotive Moscow.

    Speed of the 31 year old husband of Sarah Fallon is said to be the main attraction for Pardew who is still struggling Nigeria football Federation over the release or otherwise for Shola Ameobi for the Nations Cup.

    Pardew is equally said to be looking ahead to post AFCON Osaze/ Ameobi partnership. Osaze has 18 months left of the Abion contract and has signified interest in leaving the side.

    The former Bendel Insurance ace almost moved to the cash-rich Qatari League last summer but the Baggies were unable to strike a deal.

    Albion chiefs are keen to do business now rather than see his value plummet as he nears the end of his contract.

  • Venezuela insist on Mikel, Osaze, Musa

    The Venezuelan FA has insisted on having a full compliment of Nigeria’s foreign based players for its November 14 International Friendly in Miami, U.S.A.

    This is based on its agreement with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) during discussions.

    “Those were part of the terms reached by both parties that our foreign based players must play since they assured us of fielding their top players,” said SportingLife’s source.

    They believe the presence of Chelsea of England midfielder, John Mikel, CSKA Moscow’s Ahmed Musa, Osaze Odemwingie of West Bromwich Albion and other notable players would help raise the profile of the match which would be the first for both sides. They are expected to join the team in Miami from their clubs.

    “Using an entirely home-based side would be seen as a breach of agreement,” our source said.

    But despite the insistence, Chief Coach, Stephen Keshi has no plans of excluding the home-based players.

    “The coach will continue to give the local lads similar opportunities as their foreign colleagues but those that will make the team will be at his discretion,” added the source.

    The friendly is part of Nigeria’s build-up to next year’s Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

    Early this year, Nigeria featured an entirely home-based side against Peru in a friendly played in Lima which they lost by a lone goal.

    The team will regroup on November 4 after a short break following its 6-1 defeat of Liberia last Saturday in the final round of the Africa Nations Cup qualifier.