The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Kanu

  • MASSOB condemns Kanu’s arrest

    •IPOB demands release of its leader

    A faction of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has condemned the arrest of the Biafra Radio Director, Nnadi Kanu, saying it will cause more diplomatic harm to Nigeria’s image.

    Kanu was allegedly arrested at the weekend in Lagos by men of the Department of State Security (DSS) on arrival from the United Kingdom.

    In a statement yesterday, factional leader, Uchenna Mdau said the arrest would draw sympathy for Kanu and the Biafran cause from internal and external observers. He maintained that it was an indication that Radio Biafra had become a factor of reckoning in Nigeria.

    He accused the movement’s factional leader, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike of masterminding the arrest, even as he warned the Federal Government to release him or face global demonstration.

    Members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Aba, Abia State, have called for the release of its leader and director of Radio Biafra, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu.

    A group member, who pleaded for anonymity, condemned the arrest, saying the group would do everything possible to ensure that Kanu was released.

    “We are doing everything we can to secure his release. I won’t tell you what it is because we don’t want to be caught unawares. We know they (government) are not sleeping and we are not sleeping too.

    “In a few days, our plans will play out and I can assure you that even if soldiers were to block the streets, it would not stop us from registering our displeasure at Kanu’s arrest.

    “He is only a freedom fighter who believes that his people have been marginalised. We are still consulting and we will not relent. We will carry on with the struggle for the emancipation of the land of Biafra.

    “The Federal Government has no option but to release him because we will engage it in a show down at the appropriate time. His arrest will not deter us from doing whatever we want to do.”

  • Kanu joins photographers for ‘photo walk’

    Football icon, Kanu Nwankwo joined Nigerian photographers who staged a walk to mark World Photography Day in Lagos.

    The walk took off from the Freedom Park, Lagos Island, to Silverbird Galleria in Victoria Island and ended at Ember Creeks, Ikoyi, where an exhibition and a talk held.

    Nwankwo joined the entourage at the Silverbird Galleria where his appearance threw the place alive with excitement. While screaming his fond name, Papilo, in excitement, eager photographers and photo enthusiasts rushed to take snapshots with him.

    After the walk, he pledged support for the photography industry.

    According to him, the photography industry holds large potential that would yield a lot for the great country if well tapped.

    He urged photographers to keep their dreams alive and focus on being the best in what they do.

    “It feels great celebrating this day with photographers and lovers of photography across the world. It feels great to be loved by them; and seeing them rushing to me in exciting made me really happy, that I had made the day memorable for them. They made it memorable for me too.”

    The convener and founder of the World Photography Day Nigeria, Mr Yemi Royal, lamented that the industry has remained an untapped goldmine, urging government to support it.

    “There several opportunities waiting to be tapped in this industry, we are using this day to call on the government and investors to take advantage of what the industry has to offer. Our mission today is to engage, educate, empower and stimulate the photography community in Nigeria,” Royal said.

  • Kanu denies controversial sports firm

    Kanu denies controversial sports firm

    Former national soccer team captain, Kanu Nwankwo, has disassociated himself from Capstone Sports Management, the United Kingdom-based company.

    The former African Footballer of the Year, who starred for some clubs in the UK, alerted general public, clubs and other football stakeholders he had nothing to do with the company.

    “This is to inform the general public, clubs and all sports business marketers, agents, directors of football in Europe, Africa, Asia, America and anywhere in the world that Kanu Nwankwo, ex Arsenal and former national captain of Nigeria, hereby declares publicly that any company and clubs as well as football stakeholders dealing with Mr Samuel Okoronkwo of Capstone Sports Management UK is doing it on their own risk henceforth be careful,” Kanu said.

    This follows allegations the company had been using the name of the football legend to raise its profile.

    Okoronkwo, whose profile suggests he is a leading barrister with 29 years of commercial, professional and legal practice experience, runs Capstone Sports Management.

    Capstone Sports Management made headlines for the wrong reasons in 2013 after Arsenal sued the company, which was a corporate box holder at the Emirates Stadium, for £375,000 after an alleged bust up over unsliced bread

    The football side launched a High Court writ against the company amid claims it stopped paying for executive seats after Arsenal staff refused slice bread the company’s guests had brought into the team’s corporate box.

  • Kanu pays tribute to Keshi

    Kanu pays tribute to Keshi

    Former Super Eagles captain Nwankwo Kanu has described sacked coach Stephen Keshi as a hero and a legend.  The tribute is coming less than a month after the former Mali and Togo sweat merchant was shown the exit door after falling out with his employers, the Nigeria Football Federation.

    Incidentally Papilo’s tribute is coming just few hours after former international Sunday Oliseh was unveiled as the new Super Eagles coach.

    Kanu in what could pass for a call on the former coach to forget the past and still believe in the Nigerian project, the former Arsenal and Inter striker took to his twitter handle to equally canvass support for the national team.

    “Thank you Keshi Big Boss, good or bad you are a hero and legend. We all have to give back to Nigeria, so let’s support and make out team the best,” he said.

    The two-time African Footballer of the Year and two-time BBC African Footballer of the Year who made 87 appearances for the Super Eagles netting 12 goals in the bargain did not however stop at that as he equally used another tweet to congratulate Oliseh on his appointment while praying for God’s protection of the new helmsman.

    “Congratulations Sunday Oliseh, wish you all the best, God will be with you. Let’s give him all the support he needs to make out team the best in the world,” he tweeted.

  • Why Kanu’s Biafra radio must be stopped

    Ever since former President Jonathan lost the presidential elections on March 28, which some of us knew he will never win based on the facts that we all know and the statistics available, majority of Igbo have been unhappy and angry. They have been cursing and abusing the President and APC leaders wishing that President Buhari never existed and APC never formed. Many of them have been so frustrated after the elections that they are now looking for a way to get back to the APC controlled federal government.

    Now, one Nnamdi Kanu who has been dreaming about the State of Biafra has provided a space for them to vent their anger. Some of them have joined him to wish for the State of Biafra. Suddenly the so-called Radio Biafra has created a momentum for them. On facebook I have watched with a keen interest what these guys dish out on daily basis in the name of fighting for Biafra. They tell blatant lies, create havoc, make terrible noise, abuse other Nigerians, and preach unimaginable propaganda and hate that at once put Igbo land in potential danger. I have been waiting for the South-east governors to speak up but they have maintained a deafening silence that suggests complicity. I have also waited for our elders to call him to order but nothing has happened. With the so-called Radio Biafra, he has unleashed an unimaginable trailer-load of lies and potentially dangerous propaganda that has put Igbo nation in danger. It is now 45years after the Nigeria-Biafra Civil War and I think that the Igbo must rise up to stop this man who never saw the 1967-1970 Civil War and who may not know the implications of what he is doing. He has never consulted anybody to seek his opinion. He has been speaking to the gullible and not too educated people in Igboland, and very soon these uneducated people will take a dangerous decision that may decimate and destroy Igboland. Soon our people will start complaining that they were not consulted. To be fore-warned is to be fore-armed.

    Woe betides a nation whose leaders are children. If we elders do not talk about this evil, posterity will never forgive us. Let us speak out and if these children do not hear us, then it should be on record that we spoke. About a month ago the barrage of lies and uncontrolled propaganda Radio Biafra dished out everyday drew the attention of NBC which asked Nigerians to stop listening to this useless radio station.

    Now here are compelling reasons why Igbo must remain in Nigeria in their own interest. The Igbo fought a civil war of self determination between 1967 and 1970 and lost about one million people. This should be taken as a huge price for the unity of this country. Having paid this monumental supreme price I think Igbo should work for the unity of this country based on social justice, equity and fair play.

    Moreover, Nigeria has three major ethnic groups: Hausa/Fulani, Yoruba and Igbo. The Hausa/Fulani has Hausa people stretching all through the Sahel to the Sudan. They are mostly Muslims and they have contact with the Arab world. The Yoruba nation has Togo, Benin Republic, Sierra Leone and even up to Brazil and Cuba to run to where their kinsmen are. Igbo nation has no outlet anywhere in the world where the language is spoken. Therefore they must see Nigeria as where they belong and work for its survival.

    Nigeria provided a big space for Igbo to spread their tentacles, explore, excel and blossom. South East is too small for this highly mobile and dynamic people to thrive. The world pays attention to Nigeria today because of our size and population. If Nigeria splits into smaller countries the world will pack their bag and baggage and leave. Population and size make a nation a destination.

    Assuming we manage to get a State of Biafra, which state in the South-east will produce the first President? When Enugu State was created, the late Governor C.C Onoh sacked all the civil servants and teachers from Anambra State. Recently former governor T. A. Orji of Abia State sacked workers from Imo, Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu States. Now how can we manage Biafra with this attitude?

    The Igbo control 60-70% of all the imports in Nigeria and other Nigerians, Yoruba, Hausa/Fulani, Ijaw, Efik, Birom, Tiv, Idoma etc provides huge market for Igbo mobile and big time traders.

    Monumental inter marriages between Igbo and Yoruba and other ethnic groups have thrived for close to 70years now that we cannot just dismiss all these with a wave of hand.

    Igbo own huge and massive investments in property in Lagos and Abuja, and other state capitals in Nigeria. Now are you going to wish all this away?

    Other Nigerian cities have provided safe haven for Igbo as places to run to cool off whenever self inflicted crisis arise or other problems. When kidnapping became a way of life in the South-east, our people moved to other parts of Nigeria to settle. Now where will Igbo go when confronted with these problems in Biafra?

    How can Igbo thrive without their Lagos and Abuja or Port-Harcourt? What happens to all their connections and relationships in these places?

    Can someone tell Nnamdi Kanu that wars may be fought for 50 years and people will die to achieve Biafra? The war may even consume Nnamdi and all the members of his family and millions of others without achieving the purpose.

    We have been so inter-married, interwoven, intertwined, inter-related that the idea of separation may not be encouraged. I do not want to lose my friends from the other parts of Nigeria for anything.

    I can go on but there is no need to continue to do so. We must be strong enough to stop this  old problem of looking down on people who are different from us. This is the problem of Nigeria. Nigeria’s diversity is a big plus for all of us to excel. United we stand, divided we fall. I confess that Igbo have not played better politics in Nigeria since 1970 and that has been our bane. Anytime we want to change bad leadership in the country, Igbo as a block will resist it. It happened in 1993 and we lost everything. In 2015, Igbo were at it again but forces of history prevailed. Igbo can do better than this.

    However, I want Nigerian leaders to show leadership by carrying all Nigerians along in distributing power and resources. If there is no justice, there will be no peace. If there is no peace there will be no progress. Let justice prevail. Let us be fair to all concerned. If the truth must prevail and it must prevail, Nigeria has not been fair to Igbo since the end of civil war. They tell us that there is no victor and no vanquished but in actions and deeds, the victors are still celebrating and enjoying the spoils of the war while the defeated are still languishing in abject neglect. For instance, of all the six zones in Nigeria, only the South-east has five states. We have found solace in all these because we have found out that those who are still oppressing the Igbo in Nigeria are not better. We also take solace in the findings of the Fathers of the Second Vatican Council that all acts of indignity against human persons, against human society debase the perpetrators more than the victims.  It is not that the offended cannot forgive but have the offenders repented? This injustice must stop now for the sake of unity of this country.

    • Igbokwe writes from Lagos
  • Kanu: Flying Eagles will do Nigeria proud

    Kanu: Flying Eagles will do Nigeria proud

    Former Nigeria captain Nwankwo Kanu says the Flying Eagles will do the country proud and has urged Nigerians not to panic.

    Speaking to sl10.ng, Kanu says having followed the team right from their U-17 days, he is sure they will make Nigerians smile.

    “This is a very good team and I have followed them right from the U-17s when they became the world champions and who says they can’t be champions at the U-20 level?

    “I know the coach and I know they’re there to do us proud. I’m relaxed when I see them play and that feeling hasn’t changed. I urge Nigerians to sit down and relax because I’m not panicking and neither should they.

    “The friendly games they played, they won and not just winning but winning in style. I think we just have to support them and wish them well,” he said.

    The Flying Eagles opened their campaign against Brazil at the Taranaki Stadium in the early hours of today.

  • Kanu: Nigerian clubs don’t prepare for CAF Cup games

    Kanu: Nigerian clubs don’t prepare for CAF Cup games

    Former African Footballer of the Year, Kanu Nwankwo has tasked the organisers of the Nigeria Premier League, League Management Company(LMC) to create more enabling environment that will ensure that right clubs get to represent the country on the continent.

    Kano Pillars FC and Enyimba FC the two CAF Champions League representatives were bundled out of the competition in the first round after they lost out to North African clubs, Moghreb Tetouan of Morocco and Smouha SC of Egypt last weekend.

    Kanu who was the African best in 1996 and 1999 told Nationsport in Owerri that Nigerian clubs must do more if they want to go far on the

    He also stressed that clubs that are carrying Nigeria’s banner on the continent should be more prepared whenever they qualify for the

    continent and should not only rely on the Super 4 from the LMC if they do not want the country’s clubs to continue to struggle on the continent.

    Kanu said: “The league is growing and it is coming up. It is better than it used to be in the last two years. We have to give credit to LMC and also the clubs. But all the same we need more investors to pump money into the league. Without fund in it, nothing can happen we will only be complaining. Like what you said, I think whenever Nigerian clubs qualify for the continent they don’t tend to prepare very well. Their concentration level is not as when they are preparing for the league. They need to stop that attitude. They should know that they are not representing their states but the country.

    “LMC must also give more enabling environment to all clubs so that the right clubs get to qualify.”

  • Registration for Greensprings/ Kanu Football Camp begins

    Registration for the season four of the annual Greensprings/Kanu Football Camp has commenced across the country.

    According to the organisers, students who will like to be part of the one-week camping can  now register online on www.greenspringskanufootballcamp.org.

    The Director of Education, Greensprings School, Harry McFaul, said this year’s camp would be unique as over 500 participants and 80 coaches are expected to be part of the one-week exercise holding at the Lekki Campus of Greensprings.

    “What makes this year’s event unique is that there will be more time allocated to coaching and training of coaches so that even more people will ultimately benefit from the camp in the longer term. The camp will be larger offering more opportunities to potential football stars from across Nigeria. We have had enquiries from farther afield than ever before with large numbers of sponsored places offered to boys and girls who have potential – but maybe not the financial means to attend. In furtherance of Greensprings’ corporate social responsibility, there will be an outreach programme in Abesan Community, Lagos where Kanu Nwankwo will lead all the foreign coaches and their Nigerian counterparts in a one-day football clinic for residents in the area,” McFaul said.

    He added that the coaches would be drawn from England and Netherlands including Nigerian coaches.

    “There will  be specialist coaches from the UK, Holland and Nigeria. These coaches are trained in coaching young players to bring out the best in them, using methods that can be adapted and used long after they have gone back to Europe,” he added.

    Being the 30th anniversary of the school, McFaul promises that it would be an exciting moment for the participants.

    His words: “The camp has grown in popularity and success over the years and many students have blossomed as a result of being at the camp. In recent years a number of players were spotted and offered scholarships at Greensprings where they have been highly successful academically as well as on the football pitch. Some have been fortunate enough to gain places at football academies in England after attending the camp. There is a lot of excitement and anticipation surrounding the camp this year and we pray for a great time of fun and fulfilment for all who attend.”

  • Okocha, Kanu, Amodu, others off to London

    Okocha, Kanu, Amodu, others off to London

    • As Taleveras redeems pledge

    The trip of the first batch of  highly–qualified Nigerians for match reading and backroom analysis technique programme in the United Kingdom is assured, as sponsors Taleveras Foundation on Monday released the cheque for the amount of money to cover the trip and the programme.

    Chief Executive Officer of Taleveras Foundation, Mr. Igho Sanomi said on Monday in Abuja that his organisation was extremely proud to be involved in a process meant to facilitate the rapid development of Nigeria football.

    “We are doing this based on our belief that the potential is there for Nigeria football to be much better than what it is now, and everyone who has something to offer should come forward and be counted.

    “Taleveras Foundation is excited to be involved in this programme that will see the likes of Nwankwo Kanu, Jay –Jay Okocha, Coach Amodu Shaibu, Garba Lawal and Florence Omagbemi improved themselves in order to be able to deliver positive impact on Nigeria football in the very near future,” he said.

    NFF President, Amaju Melvin Pinnick, just back from CAF duties at the 30th Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea, praised Taleveras Foundation for the organisation’s professionalism, integrity and keen interest in the development of football in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

    “I was at the Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea, but I was not happy that the Super Eagles were not there to defend their title. The capacity building programme in the United Kingdom is one of the plans the present NFF Executive Committee has in place to reposition Nigeria football.

    “For me, and other members of the NFF Executive Committee and Management, Nigeria must never again fail to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations. I like to commend Taleveras Foundation for redeeming their pledge. I have been reliably informed that most of the persons listed for the trip have already secured entry visas into United Kingdom.”

    Officials reliably informed that the first batch will depart Nigeria for the United Kingdom on 25th February. Among those listed are former National Team Captains Jay-Jay Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, Garba Lawal and Yisa Sofoluwe, Coaches Amodu Shaibu, Sam John Obuh, Isa Ladan Bosso, Salisu Yusuf and Kelechi Emeteole, Edema Fuludu, Paul Aigbogun, Dahiru Sadi, Ann Chiejine, Siji Lagunju, David Ngodigha, Florence Omagbemi and Garba Musa.

  • GLO-CAF Awards: Okocha, Kanu lead ex-internationals to Gala Night

    GLO-CAF Awards: Okocha, Kanu lead ex-internationals to Gala Night

    Ex-internationals and former Super Eagles Captains, Austin ‘Jay-Jay’ Okocha and Kanu Nwankwo will be among the generation of old Super Eagles’ players who will attend the 2014 Glo-CAF Awards gala night coming up on 8th January in Lagos, Nigeria.

    In a statement from the organisers of the awards, Globacom, Okocha and two former African Footballers of the Year, Nwankwo Kanu and Victor Nosa Ikpeba, are expected to grace the awards aptly labelled the ‘Oscars’ of African football.

    It is believed that their presence at the event would spur younger football players to greater heights.

    Okocha distinguished himself playing with Einthract Frankfurt FC of Germany, Fernabache of Turkey, Paris St Germain of France and Bolton Wanderers of England.  He is noted for his flamboyant skills and dribbles on the pitch. A two-time winner of the BBC African Player of the Year, he was honoured with the Legends Award along with Ex-Moroccan International Mustapha Hadji at the 2011 Glo-CAF Awards.  He wore many caps for the Nigerian national team, Super Eagles before he retired about eight years ago.

    Similarly, Ikpeba, a former player of Monaco FC, popularly known as ‘Prince of Monaco’ played for the France-based team for many years before moving to Borussia Dortmund FC in Germany. He was also in Blgium where he played for Standard Liege.  He won the African Footballer of the Year Award in 1997.

    Ex-international, Kanu Nwankwo began his football exploits as a  striker in Ajax of Amsterdam and later moved to Inter Milan, Arsenal and Portsmouth amonst others. Nwankwo is rated as Nigeria’s most successful player and he earned global acclaim for his infinite capacity to score memorable goals. He won the African Footballer of the Year Award twice in 1996 and 1999.

    He captained the Nigerian senior national team, Super Eagles for many years before retiring from active football. He was the captain of the Atlanta Olympics-winning U-23 team in 1996.  He established the Kanu Nwankwo Heart Foundation which has assisted a number of young children across Africa with heart challenges.

    The three ex-Nigerian internationals will lead other Super Eagles players to the event where they will have the opportunity to reminisce on their Super Eagles days, as well as meet current and ex-internationals from different parts of Africa.

    The 2014 Glo-CAF Awards will hold at the Convention Centre, Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos on 8th January, 2015. CAF released the final list of three shortlisted players last week for the African Player of the Year awards.

    They are Nigerian Vincent Enyeama who currently plays for Lille in France, three-time African Player of the Year and Manchester City Midfielder, Yaya Toure, and Gabonese Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang currently playing for Borussia Dortmund in Germany.