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Tag: kick

  • Kinsmen kick as anti-Boroh’s protest rocks Bayelsa

    Kinsmen kick as anti-Boroh’s protest rocks Bayelsa

    Some youths from Bayelsa State, yesterday, blocked major roads in Kolokuma-Opokuma and Yenagoa areas seeking the removal of the Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Brig-Gen. Paul Boroh (retd).

    The protesters disrupted commercial activities and free-flow of traffic.

    But the kinsmen of Gen. Boroh warned the protesters to leave their brother alone lamenting that attacks on Boroh were being coordinated and sponsored by some corrupt politicians.

    The beneficiaries of the amnesty programme, who dominated the demonstration under the auspices of the Niger Delta for Accountability and Good Governance (NDAGG), appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to sack the amnesty coordinator.

    Some of the placards bore inscriptions such as, “Buhari sack Boroh now!”, “Corruption: Boroh Must Go!” and “EFCC submit your report on Boroh”.

    Speaking during the protest, some of the ex-militants such as Samuel Sogulu, Commander Rollins Ezetu, Commander Ebillo, Mr.Timi  Amgalabiri and Opukeme Orubo, insisted that the programme under Gen. Boroh have become an avenue for political aides and amnesty staff to amass wealth at the expense of peace in the region.

    But the kinsmen of Boroh under the aegis of Development and Justice Forum (DJF) condemned the protest, saying they were sponsored by failed politicians with the selfish motive of hijacking the amnest programme.

    The Coordinator of DJF, Mr. Christopher Abarowei, appealed to Buhari to dismiss the protest adding that Boroh’s penchant for due process, transparency and accountability exposed him to endless attacks.

    Abarowei said: “We view as wicked, malicious and unacceptable any action that will further put PMB at a disadvantage in view.

    ” They are angry with Boroh for instituting many reforms that had sanitised the amnesty office and prevent leakages of funds.

    “These people are no longer getting free money from the office because Boroh insisted that all the money must be applied strictly for the programme.

    “This is the reason they are fighting our innocent brother. The Federal Government should not be deceived by their antics. Boroh is the best thing that has happened for the Amnesty programme”.

  • Canadian kick-boxer loses belt in Bayelsa

    Amidst the hardship and anxieties in Bayelsa State, residents recently smiled broadly and laughed hysterically, temporarily forgetting their economic challenges. A live sporting show organised by the Renew Entertainment in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State restored happiness to their faces.

    The owner of Renew, an engineer, Mr. Gospel Oboro, for the second time in a year brought a live kick-boxing competition to Yenagoa to thrill his audience and promote sports tourism in the state.

    Oboro brought a world kick-boxing champion from Canada, Mr. Anthony Ford, to compete with an African champion, Mr. Menia Nimi Jack. All roads led to Renew, a firm that combines bar, club and sports entertainment. The arena located at Azikoro Road became a destination of choice for residents.

    Dignitaries also attended the event. The Director-General, Tourism Development Agency (TDA), Mrs. Ebiere Irene, represented the government. The Deputy Governor’s Protocol Officer, Mr. Solomon Diepreye, was also in attendance.

    Among them are traditional rulers such as the Paramount Ruler of Opokuma Kingdom, HRH, Okpoitari Diangoli and Paramount Ruler, Ekpetiama Kingdom, HRM, Bubaraye Dakolo. The rubber dub master, Raskimono and another entertainer Stone Cold thrilled the audience.

    When the fight started, Prince Leo of the Nigerian Police defeated another fighter identified simply as Isidore from Cameroon. But the main fight between Ford and Jack was the motivation that lured the mammoth crowd to Renew.

    After a long period of contest, Ford conceded defeat following many bruises inflicting on him by Jack, who was declared the winner. Ford’s belt was subsequently handed over to Jack.

    Oboro said Renew had an intention to bring back live show business of sports to the Niger Delta region. He said the firm made history by going international to bring a world-title champion to Nigeria.

    “I want our people to enjoy what other people are enjoying. We decided to bring back live show business of sport to the Niger Delta. We bring new innovation and now we have gone international, which is first in history in Nigeria to bring the world title champion to Nigeria.

    “It is not easy. For more than three months, I have been doing alot of planning, talking to international communities. I would say that l am among the people that have entered the Guinness Book of Records as the only first person to bring the world title fight to Nigeria and mostly the Niger Delta”.

    Ebiere thanked Oboro for raising the stakes of kickboxing in the country. Addressing Oboro, he said: “Many people dreamed but never achieved it. Some persons came across obstacles and they turned back, but you persisted.

    “We went to the governor and he promised that this time next year, we will have much bigger kickboxing so that Bayelsa will become known for kickboxing in Nigeria and African as a whole.

    “We promise you that by this time next year, we are going to have it bigger and better and government is ready to back us up and we promise we are going to create an auditorium for both kickboxing and boxing.”

    Also speaking, Dakolo said the event was brought to the attention of the traditional rulers’ council at short notice. But he described the event as groundbreaking and asked the firm to engage in more publicity.

    He said such events would bring the youths to productive existence and rebrand the Niger Delta region. He expressed gratitude to the governor for his promise to elevate kickboxing and other combat sports in the state.

  • …PDP governors kick

    The Peoples Democratic Party Governors Forum yesterday blamed the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for  its lost cases at the Court of Appeal arising from the April 11 governorship elections.

    Reacting to yesterday’s nullification by the court of the election of Mr.Udom Emmanuel as governor of Akwa Ibom State,the forum  said the development was imed at taking control of “oil-producing states by all means necessary” by the APC.

    Citing a recent statement  by Governor  Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State that it was a national security risk for the oil-rich states to be controlled by the opposition,the PDP governors in a statement by the coordinator of the forum, Osaro Onaiwu,  said the judiciary must rise above partisan influence if it must protect not only its sanctity and integrity, but also the country’s democracy and rule of law.

    It said:“the nullification of the election of His Excellency, Governor Udom Emmanuel by the Court of Appeal on Friday in Abuja should worry all those who truly desire good for this country.

    “It is becoming increasingly clear that the APC is bent on foisting a one-party state in Nigeria and to do so, it is ready to compromise the judiciary, destroy every fibre of integrity and sanctity of the judicial process through state compromise of the judiciary.

    “For 16 years that the PDP governed, it respected the right to opposition and did not balkanise the judiciary as we have witnessed in the past seven months of the APC regime,” the governors said.

    The governors expressed confidence that the people of Akwa Ibom State would resist the “obnoxious decline into fascism as was demonstrated recently in Bayelsa State, where the people stood firm against state terror and attempted imposition by the APC”.

  • Delta 2015: Aspirants kick against zoning

    Delta 2015: Aspirants kick against zoning

    Delta State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirants have kicked against zoning, saying that it is undemocratic.

    The aspirants, including Chief Ovie Omo-Agege and Dr. Andrew Warri,  said they preferred primaries where the flag bearer will be democratically elected by delegates.

    The aspirants, who spoke with reporters in Abuja, after picking their expression of interest and nomination forms at the PDP National Secratariat, said aspirants should be given equal opportunity to contest.

    Omo-Agege, who is the former Secretary to Government under former Governor James Ibori, said there was never a time where Deltans agreed on zoning.

    He said: “There was never anytime where it was agreed that there should be zoning in Delta state or stopping aspirants from all the three Senatorial Districts from contesting. Aspirants have always contested for the  governorship position irrespective of district.

    “The contest for governor is essentially the exercise of executive powers and I can tell you today that there is no part of Delta state in what is today Delta state that has not at one time or the other exercised executive powers.

    “Chief Denis Osadebe, who was a Premier of Mid-West/Bendel State, was from Asaba in today’s Delta State and he exercised Executive powers over what is today’s Delta State and even beyond. So, all the three senatorial districts in what is today’s Delta State have, at one time or the other, exercised executive power which is the essence of the governorship contest.”

    He urged the party not to exclude anybody who wishes to contest.

    “Everyone who is running should run, I do not seek exclusion for anybody, everybody should be allowed to run,  there should be a level playing field, we all should be allowed to go into the field and we hope that the best person will emerge.

    Dr. Warri said  the zoning introduced by the PDP will not work, adding that politicians are adopting zoning because it is politically convenient for them.

    He noted that zoning system was not adopted for the gubernatorial race in 2011.

    He added: “Anybody from Delta North. Delta Central and  Delta South can become governor because there is no articulated zoning system in Delta now. They are singing the song of zoning now just for political convenience.

    Omo-Agege said if elected in 2015, he would tackle the issue of incessant kidnapping by setting up Community Security Marshalls , create jobs, and provide  portable water.

    Dr. Warri also  said, if elected as the governor, medical tourism will be a thing of the past because he will  make Delta state a reference point in terms of healthcare delivery.

  • Workers kick against influx of expatriates

    Construction and Civil Engineering Senior Staff Association (CCESSA) has called on the Federal Government to intervene in the influx of expatriates into the industry, stressing that it cannot move forward without the government’s intervention on the high rate of expatriate quota menace in the industry.

    CCESSA’s President, Comrade Augustine Etafo at an interactive session with reporters in Lagos, also called on the National Assembly (NASS) to take necessary steps to fast-track the deliberations on the local content bill to ensure that the policy is established as a local content Act in the construction industry.

    He said: “CCESSA observes that the influx of expatriates into the construction industry is still a common occurrence and not still abated, and call on the Federal Government to intervene as more Nigeria experts are being sacked on daily basis, or not given opportunities to be gainfully employed in the construction industry.

    “We advise NASS to take all the necessary steps and fast tract the deliberations on the local content bill to ensure that the policy is established as a local content Act in the Construction Industry. We also advise the Federal, State and Local Government to  address the needs of the youth.”

    According to Etafo, CCESSA recently reviewed youth unemployment, high level of corruption that creates a wide gap between the rich and the poor, the poor infrastructural facilities as some of the key challenges which the government must pay attention to for the country to address these security challenges.

    While identifying policies that would help boost the level of economic activities in the construction sector as well as necessary changes to be effected to ensure job creation and also minimise brain drain in the Industry, Etafo called on the three tiers of government to intensity efforts in the creation of jobs for the teaming youth population who are graduating from the higher institutions on a yearly basis.

    On security, Etafo condemned the challenges in various parts of the country, adding that its implications in the industry could spell doom for both the industry and the country at large as people walk and work with fear.

  • ‘Stopping spot kicks has always been my strong point’

    ‘Stopping spot kicks has always been my strong point’

    Prime FC goalkeeper Adejare Adeniyi has revealed the secret behind his penalty saves in the ongoing Federation Cup tournament.  The 22-year-old, who has sharp reflexes in goal, said he had been a keen penalty stopper since his secondary school days at the Anglican Grammar School, Ogbomoso.

    Adejare became a hero at the club after saving the Omoluabi Giants in four Federation Cup matches which they won via spot-kicks at the ongoing tournament.

    He was instrumental to Prime defeating El-Kanemi Babes in the Round of 64, edging out last year’s finalists, Warri Wolves in the Round of 32, First Bank in Round of 16 and repeated same magic against Gateway United.

    The former Crown FC safehand has saved 10 out of 20 penalties to keep the 2012 Federation Cup giant killers in this year’s tournament.

    “I thank God for my form so far. It has been the will of God, but I have been a keen penalty stopper since I was in secondary school and stopping spot kicks has always been a part of me. I thank God for the performance of the team so far,” he said.

  • Cement manufacturers kick against new policy

    Cement manufacturers kick against new policy

    Cement manufacturers have kicked against the new government’s policy which restricts certain categories of the product to specific uses.

    They said the policy will lead to increase in the price of cement, as well as result  in its scarcity as there would be difficulty in responding to the new requirement in the production lines

    Speaking at a joint press briefing in Lagos, the  manufacturers, comprising  Lafarge WAPCO, United Cement Company of Nigeria (UNICEM) and Ashaka Cement, said the restriction placed on the usage of 32.5 grade of cement to plastering only, is an indirect  ban on the product. They said it is unacceptable to them.

    According to the Managing Director/CEO, Lafarge WAPCO, Mr Joe Hudson, the 32.5 grade  is not the cause of building collapse in Nigeria, adding that the grade is the best multipurpose cement which has been in use in many counties for many years.

    His words: “The new policy of the government to restrict the 32.5 grade will affect the investment on cement. There will be a big impact on the capacity because it will reduce the production of cement. The policy is capable of causing confusion.

    “The 32.5 grade has served and is still serving manufacturers, builders and corporate organisations well. The greatest buildings in Nigeria, like the Cocoa House, the NITEL building and other skycrappers, were constructed using this particular brand of cement. They are still standing and being used.

    “Coming to the grassroots level, this is the brand used in constructing most of our residential buildings which have stood the test of time, he said, adding that rather than laying the blame of building collapse at the doorstep of the so called inferior quality of 32.5 grade of cement, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), should focus on how to implement the building code of 2006, dealing with cement application and the use of unqualified engineers, among others.

    He said the argument that the 32.5 grade of cement is being produced for profiteering is not true and unfair.

    The Managing Director, Ashaka Cement, Leonard Palka, said the recent directive by the SON is unprofessional and capable of killing the industry,arguing that the restriction place on the 32.5 is not acceptable to them.

    “We have been in this business for more that 40 years, and for someone to now come and tell us that 32.5 is of less grade, is unprofessional. The claim that the grade has been banned in some countries, or that it is the cause of building collapse is absurd,” he said.

    The Managing Director, United Cement Company of Nigeria Limited (UNICEM), Mr Olivier Lenoire said it is not fair to say that cement is the cause of building collapse.

    He said the issue on ground is more of competition  and not technical.

    Last week, SON came out with a new policy on cement. The agency placed  restriction on the  32.5 grade, urging manufacturers to commence the production of the high-grade 42.5MPA.

  • Abe: Akume, Saraki, Peterside, Fani-Kayode kick

    Abe: Akume, Saraki, Peterside, Fani-Kayode kick

    There was a huge outcry yesterday over shooting of Senator Magnus Abe by the police in Rivers State.

    Senator Bukola Saraki, Senator George Akume, House of Representatives member Dakuku Peterside and former Minister of Aviation Femi Fani-Kayode, among others, fired broadside at the police.

    Saraki, in a statement by his media aide, Bamikole Omishore, said: “What has happened could be likened to the dark days in the country’s political evolution.” He cautioned political gladiators against plunging the nation into another political war theatre as such an attempt will be resisted by the people.

    He asked: “When has it become an offence to hold a peaceful political rally or gathering even when the Police authorities were duly informed of same?

    Saraki described the incident as “one of many which the Federal Government has failed, refused and or neglected to take a decisive and concrete action to deal with and as such, it encourages criminal impunity in our society”.

    “With 2015 election activities around the corner, the government through its security apparatus should ensure that Nigerians could freely move, operate and live their normal lives without being coarced or intimidated.”

    Saraki urged the Federal Government, particularly the police, to bring the culprit to book and stop police excesses.

    The Senator added that the progressives remained resolute and undaunted even in the face of political threat, because Nigeria is bigger than an individual and that freedom of association, freedom of movement and the protection of lives of the citizenry must be assured at all cost. Anything short of this, is not acceptable”.

    The former governor urged Federal lawmakers to speak out. “We owe this country a responsibility and a duty as we resume our legislative duties in the next few days,” he said, adding:

    “We all have a role to play, irrespective of our political affiliations or belief. We must collectively rise above board and reject a situation where law enforcement personnel would commit such a heinous crime and no reaction or comment has been made by the police authorities. Needless to remind us all that it is Senator Magnus Abe today, it could be any one of us tomorrow. Therefore, we all need to speak out now and condemn this act in its entirety.”

    The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), Dakuku Peterside, said the police in Rivers State had taken impunity to new heights and that all men of goodwill must rise to defend constitutionally-guaranteed right to freedom of association and freedom of movement.

    Peterside condemned the dispersing of an All Progressives Congress (APC) rally in Obio/Akpor council area of Rivers State.

    He said the shooting of innocent citizens and use of tear gas on APC members, who gathered for legitimate party activities, was bad. The Chairman of House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum (Downstream) said the Police in Rivers State is now the law and thus shows no regard for the law of the land and rights of citizens .

    He said: “ Mbu has lost every sense of civility and decency and it is now obvious he has learnt nothing from history . Commissioner of Police Mbu has shown by his action that the PDP-controlled Federal Government has zero tolerance for opposition and liberty of Nigerians to make their own choices.

    “Impunity is an integral part of governance for PDP and those at the apex of governance in the nation see nothing wrong with it as it serves their narrow political interest.”

    He called on all lovers of freedom to defend democracy as Rivers State is only a testing ground for those who want democracy destroyed at all cost.

    Fani-Kayode said: “The attack on Senator Magnus Abe and other members of the APC in Port Harcourt by agents of Nigeria’s security forces is disheartening and exceptionally dangerous. Just a couple of days ago, Governor Kwankwaso’s father was attacked and some of his people killed in Kano by unknown gunmen.

    “Such wickedness, intolerance and evil is rarely seen. Let those that believe that they can silence the voices of the opposition with threats of violence and death be rest assured of one thing- we cannot be intimidated and neither can we be silenced. First we heard about snipers being trained and lists of opposition figures being drawn up for assassination.

    “Now policemen are openly attacking the same innocent Nigerians and opposition figures that they are being paid to protect. This government has lost its mind and its bearing. The President is leading Nigeria on the road to hell and on the path to Kigali. The madness, the attacks, the killings, the insults, the persecution, the wickedness, the impunity and the intimidation must stop forthwith or else the consequences will be grave for the continued unity of our country. Once again, I ask where was Major Hamza Al Mustapha on the day that Obasanjo released his letter to the press? Once again I wish to know whether there is any truth in the allegation that he was in North Korea on that day and if he was, what was he doing there?

    Senate Minority Leader George Akume also condemned the shooting of Senator Magnus Abe. He described it as senseless and desperation of the side of the ruling party to clinch to power.

    Speaking in Makurdi, the Benue State capital during the inauguration of the Benue Sate Chapter of the Interim Executive Council(IEC) , Senator Akume urged the international community to intervene before Nigeria go the way of Sudan and Rwanda.

    The former governor of Benue State decried the worsening security in the country where hundreds are killed daily.

    A few day ago, the father of Kano State governor was attacked and today (yesterday) Senator Abe was shot by the police who are supposed to protect him, for the simple reason that he is from the opposition. He called on Nigerians to resist tyranny and vote out bad governors.

    A former Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Apostle Eugene Ogu, described yesterday’s attack by the police on Senator Magnus Abe as an affront on the National Assembly.

    He urged President Goodluck Jonathan to redeploy Commissioner of Police Mbu Joseph Mbu from the state.

    He said: “No pursuit of any office, whether political or otherwise, is enough to put the life of any person at risk as has been done to Senator Magnus Abe. It is condemnable in the strongest term, it is evil and satanic.

    “The attack on is an assault on the National Assembly, the Ogoni people, the Rivers people and Nigerians at large. Everybody must rise at this point to resist this evil. Enough must be enough,” Apostle Ogu stated.

  • Opposition parties kick against new Bauchi SIEC

    Opposition parties kick against new Bauchi SIEC

    Opposition parties in Bauchi state have kicked against the newly appointed members of the State Electoral Independent Commission (SIEC), claiming they are card-carrying members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The Bauchi chapters of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) last Friday unanimously rejected the reconstitution and composition of the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC).

    Spokesman of the opposition, Alhaji Nasiru Darazo of the ACN told newsmen in Bauchi that the appointment of only card- carrying members of the PDP into the electoral body clearly exposes the intention of the government to rig and manipulate the forthcoming local government elections.

    He said the recent approval of the reconstitution of the state SIEC by the Bauchi State House of Assembly (BAHA) as requested by the executive arm of government in the state was fraudulent.

    The BAHA approved the appointment of Alhaji Abdulmumini Kundak as chairman of SIEC.

    Other members include Alhaji Yerima Misau, Alhaji Shu’aibu Galadima, Alhaji Maikano Baraya, Mr. Idris Madaki, Alhaji Idris Zakarai, Alhaji Ahmed Mu’azu and Alhaji Danlami Iaa Siyi.

    The opposition parties appealed to the state government to appoint neutral persons to the commission in the interest of fairness and fair play to create level- playing field for all.

    Darazo said: “For now, we have lost confidence in the ability of the state government to be fair to all of us.

    “We have no confidence in the present electoral body and we will soon meet to take a common position before the preparation for the election, but we lost confidence in the present SIEC in the state.”