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Tag: Nigeria

  • Sanusi begs Nigerians over floppy CHAN Eagles

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) General- Secretary Dr. Sanusi Mohammed has pleaded with  Nigerians not write off the home-based senior national team known as Chan Eagles after they were thrashed 4 – 1 by Sparrowhawks of Togo in the 2020 African Nations Championship  qualifier on Sunday.

    Sanusi made the appeal in a chat with NationSport, saying the score line was unbelievable because Nigeria teams have not lost with such margin in recent times.

    He, however, expressed confidence that the CHAN Eagles would turn the tide against the Togolese when they visit Nigeria for the return leg bill for October 19.

    He also enjoined the team’s technical crew to work with NFF technical department in the areas that need to be corrected before the second leg.

    “You should know that in football anything can happen within 90 minutes of play,” Sanusi said. “The boys didn’t play badly because they equally missed some chances.

    “We should not write them off because Nigerians are fighters when it comes to the round leather game.

    The coaching crew have ample opportunity now to do the needful before the second leg,” Sanusi noted.

    The General-Secretary further stated that the players and the coaching crew would commence camping immediately in Abuja while the coach will look for experienced home-based players to fortify the team.

  • WC review: FIFA knocks Falcons over poor showing in France

    World Soccer Ruling body, FIFA, under the aegis of its Technical Study Group (TSG) has given a damning verdict on the performance of the Super Falcons at the recently concluded FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019.

    The Coach Thomas Dennerby-led side beat only Korea Republic (2-0) in their Preliminary Group A match but lost 3-0 to Norway and 1-0 to hosts France to sneak into the second round as one of the best losers. But the Falcons failed to progress further following an unimpressive 3-0 loss to Germany in the Round of 16.

    In an analytical review of the tournament, the TSG headed by American April Heinrichs and working in conjunction  with the FIFA Coaching and Player Development Department led by Branimir Ujevic, scored the Super Falcons below average  in almost all the departments of the game as it allocated 40 per cent for possession in all the four matches while they also came in distant 13th position in the overall standing.

    The team also came a distant 16th averaging a mere 25 percent in the Opponents and Opposition Defenders Bypassed category and were also awarded 21 per cent in the Crosses and Cross success.

    It would be recalled that the Super Falcons only scored two goals in four matches in France consequently the TSG awarded them with just 1.3 points  as per shots on target  even as the team  finished bottom as the team with the least distance coverage with 100.5km in four matches.

    Yet Super Falcons’ assistant coach at the tournament and former Nigerian international, Maureen Mmadu has stoutly defended the performance of the team in France, even as she admitted there is room for improvement.

    “I’m yet to digest fully the report of the TSG but the truth is that we did our best in France because it was the first time we reached the  round of 16  since  at the FIFA World Cup since 1999,” Mmadu who  is the only Nigerian women  with over 100  international caps told NationSport.

    “Our coaching crew led by Thomas Dennerby tried our best to impact discipline and professionalism into the team  and I believe we could have even done more if we’d continue with the program we have for the team  after the World Cup in France.”

    Mmadu who played in four FIFA World Cups with the Super Falcons in her active days said that Nigerian clubs and players would have to imbibe true professionalism to enhance the growth of the game.

    “We still have a long way to go but our players need to be as professional as their counterparts in Europe and they must be ready to sacrifice especially when they are playing for the Super Falcons,” she noted.

  • Plots to retain running mate tear Bayelsa PDP

    Members of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State have threatened to defect following plots by the party to retain Senator Lawrence Ewrujakpor as running mate.

    The nomination of Ewrujakpor, who hails from Sagbama Local Government, has kept the PDP on edge ahead of the November 16 governorship election.

    Governor Seriake Dickson convened a stakeholders’ meeting to review the controversies surrounding the candidate and explore the possibility of substituting Ewrujakpor’s name before the September 23 deadline given by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for candidate substitution.

    Members were, however, not happy that no statement was made on the matter after the meeting.

    Besides, many stakeholders did not attend the meeting where Dr. Nimibofa Ayawei was appointed director-general of the Senator Douye Diri Governorship Campaign Organisation.

    Ayawei, who chairs the Bayelsa State Internal Revenue Board, was a frontline aspirant in the primaries, which produced Diri.

    Read Also: Running mate crisis: Bayelsa PDP convenes stakeholders’ meeting

    A statement by the Secretary, Chief Godspower Keku, said Ayawei’s appointment was part of the key resolutions of a meeting by the Governorship Campaign Advisory Council.

    Though the stakeholders kept mum on Diri’s running mate, it was gathered that the candidate briefed them on the issue.

    A party member said Diri was under pressure to retain  Ewrujakpor.

    He added that he told stakeholders that there was no need to substitute his running mate.

    The source, who pleaded for anonymity, said: “Most of the party members are waiting for the decision to be made public. If the party leadership fails to make it public and the name remains till the expiration of the September 23 deadline, there will be mass exodus in the PDP.

    “The only way to save the party is to zone the deputy governorship to Bayelsa East. We need their votes. People are not happy at the development and they have communicated their grievances. We are asking the governor and other party leaders to save the PDP.”

    Following Diri’s election as the party’s governorship candidate, some leaders abandoned PDP and aligned with APC.

    A member of the House of Assembly representing Southern Ijaw Constituency 2, Target Sekiibo, moved to APC with his supporters.

    Gabriel Jonah, younger brother to Deputy Governor Rear Admiral John Jonah (rtd), led thousands in Nembe to APC.

    Similarly, a grassroots mobiliser and Dickson’s Special Adviser on Urban Crime Management, Abednego Don-Evarad, dumped the party in Ogbia for APC.

    Following the running mate crisis, Dickson sacked his aide, Hellen Bob, who reportedly pitched tent with APC.

    The source added: “Many people are warming up to leave the party but they are waiting for the decision of the party’s leadership on this running mate palaver. Some PDP lawmakers have travelled to Abuja to meet with the leadership of the APC and negotiate their way out of the PDP. We are still begging the party leadership to listen to the voices of its members and resolve this issue.”

  • Buhari unfolds plans to reverse climate change effects in Nigeria

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday in New York, the United States of America (U.S.A) announced robust plans and initiatives by his administration to reverse the negative effects of climate change in Nigeria.

    A statement by Mr Femi Adesina, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, in Abuja, said the plans were revealed in his address to the United Nations Climate Action Summit with the theme: A Race We Can Win. A Race We Must Win.

    While sharing the sentiment expressed by the UN Secretary-General that the world is on the verge of climate catastrophe, President Buhari stated that “undeniably, Climate Change is a human-induced phenomenon.”

    He stressed the need for Member States to step-up their collective climate actions in line with the request of the Secretary General.

    Read Also: Photos: Buhari speaks at UNGA-74 climate change summit

    “It is in this regard that I wish to reiterate Nigeria’s commitment to its obligation under the Paris Agreement, the aspirations enshrined in our Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and ensure a resilient future that mainstreams climate risks in our decision making.

    “I want to announce that the Government of Nigeria will develop a more robust sectorial action plan, and expand the scope of our Sovereign Green Bonds in line with our intended upward review of Nigeria’s NDC’s towards the inclusion of the water and waste sectors by 2020,” he said.

    On the water sector, President Buhari revealed that Nigeria would issue a Green Bond for irrigation and construct multi-purpose dams for power, irrigation and water supply.

    He said: “We will strengthen solid and liquid waste management systems to attract more private sector investors.

    “We will take concrete steps to harness climate innovative ideas by including youths in decision making processes as part of our over-all climate governance architecture.

    “We will mobilize Nigerian youths towards planting 25 million trees to enhance Nigeria’s carbon sink.”

    The Nigerian leader also disclosed that Nigeria had embarked on diversification of its energy sources from dependence on gas-powered system to hydro, solar, wind, biomass and nuclear sources.

  • Abducted SAN Onyemenam freed

    A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chike Onyemenam, who was kidnapped a week ago on the Benin/Asaba highway, has been released.

    Onyemenam was kidnapped on September 16 at Utulu junction on the Benin/Asaba express road.

    Read Also: 14 passengers abducted in Osun freed

    A family source confirmed that Onyemenam was released at the weekend after the family paid a ransom.

    The hoodlums were said to have asked for N15 million.

    “We give glory to God that he was not hurt,” the source added.

    The police, who said they were not aware of Onyemenam’s kidnap, confirmed his release.

  • PDP chieftain abducted in Benue

    The state of insecurity in the country was clearly illustrated in Benue State when a stalwart of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on his way to a security meeting was abducted by gunmen before he got to the venue.

    Mr Ben Akile, a chieftain of the PDP, was travelling from Zaki Biam to Katsina Ala in Benue North-East senatorial district when the vehicle he was riding in was stopped by gun-wielding men who seized him and took him away.

    Akile was on his way to attend a zonal meeting of the party where attendees were scheduled to discuss the insecurity in the middle belt and proffer solution to it.

    Read Also: Senate to back Buhari’s plans on economy, insecurity, says Sani

    Mr  Gabriel Suswam, a former governor of the state, was billed to be at the meeting.

    An eyewitness Paul Unande told The Nation that Akile was travelling alongside other top party leaders in a vehicle belonging to state party legal adviser Mr. Tela Mue when the gunmen stopped them.

    It was learnt that the abductors shot at them from the bush, robbed them of cash and other valuables before taking Akile to an unknown destination.

    At press time the gunmen were yet to contact the family of the victim.

  • Supreme Court to rule on British Parliament’s closure today

    The United Kingdom (UK) Supreme Court will give its judgment today on whether Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s decision to suspend the parliament was lawful.

    The top UK court made this known in a statement on Monday

    “The Supreme Court has now heard the two prorogation-related judicial review cases.

    “These took place between Sept. 17 and Sept. 19, 2019.

    “The judgment hand-down will take place on Sept. 24 at 10:30,” the court said.

    The parliament is to be prorogued from Sept. 9 to Oct. 14.

    Read Also: Brexit uncertainty triggers first September fall in house prices since 2010

    Two separate legal challenges were filed in England and Scotland, with their respective courts reaching different conclusions.

    Scotland’s highest civil court ruled Boris Johnson’s suspension of the UK parliament was unlawful.

    A panel of three judges at the Court of Session found in favour of a cross-party group of politicians who were challenging the prime minister’s move.

    The judges said the prime minister was attempting to prevent parliament holding the government to account ahead of Brexit.

    The current five-week suspension of Parliament, a process known as proroguing, started in the early hours of Tuesday.

    On the other hand, England’s High Court said the parliament suspension was a political rather than a legal matter.

    It claimed that under Britain’s unwritten constitution, the suspension was a matter for politicians, not judges, to decide.

    A panel of 11 justices will pass the final judgment, which may reassert the parliamentary supremacy.

  • NYSC hands over 65 ‘fake graduates’ to police

    The National Youth Service Corps has handed over 65 fake graduates apprehended during Batch B Stream 2 orientation course to the police for further investigation and possible prosecution.

    The organisation said the corps members were apprehended across the 37 camps for allegedly presenting fake certificates during registration.

    It said this was discovered by verification officers in some of the camps during registration.

    The NYSC disclosed this in a document obtained by The Nation at the scheme’s headquarters in Abuja.

    According to the document, three of the corps members claimed to have graduated from Istop University, Cotonou in Benin Republic, a claim the scheme said was  false.

    Some of the corps members facing prosecution include: Nasiru Yau, Sheu Muktar,  Iliyasu Usman, Offor Blessing Chinelo, Mezenwa Ngozi Chidinma, Nwachukwu Chimaobi Curtis, Ononuju Amarachi Nwamaka, Francis Joseph Arinze and Chigozie Evidence Chijioke.

    The paper reads: “The total number of fake corps members nabbed during the 2019 Batch B Stream II orientation course was 65. All of them were handed over to the police for further investigation and prosecution.

    “They were picked from different NYSC camps all over the federation.”

    Read Also: ‘NYSC didn’t post Corps members to religious organisations’

    In Kano State, the NYSC  last week said it rejected a total of 108 prospective corps members posted to the state for presenting questionable certificates among other infractions.

    The State Coordinator of the scheme, Mr Ladan Baba said 1,700 prospective corps members were deployed to the state but the office registered 1,592.

    “The most worrisome is the fact that some of them did not undergo any academic pursuits but obtained certificates through illegal means with allegations that some did so in Kano and environs,” he had said.

    Also on August 30, the NYSC had noted that it nabbed over 50 unqualified graduates who came with fake certificates to the orientation camps and attempted to be registered for the just concluded Batch B Stream II Exercise.

    The NYSC authorities said the fake graduates, from various tertiary institutions, “were decamped from the NYSC orientation camps and handed over to the law enforcement agencies for prosecution.”

    The NYSC Director of Press and Public Relations, Adenike Adeyemi explained that the Director-General of the NYSC, Brig Gen Shuaibu Ibrahim was stern in his warning that unqualified home-based and foreign-trained Nigerians would no longer pass through the scheme.

    “The NYSC is committed to stemming the tide of fraudulent mobilisation of unqualified home-based and foreign-trained Nigerians, especially those purported to have graduated from unaccredited universities in the West African sub-region,” she noted.

  • Kuku, ex-MEND leaders to join APC

    There are indications that the leadership of the outlawed Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) is planning to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    At the centre of the plan is Kingsley Kuku, former Special Adviser on Niger Delta and chairman of the Amnesty Programme under former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Leaders and ex-commanders of the disbanded armed group, hitherto led by Chief Government Ekpomupolo, otherwise known as Tompolo, had strong affinity with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) up till the February/March elections, having openly backed its Presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar.

    Read Also: Timi Frank lied on alleged N90b cash gift to APC, says FIRS

    A source close to the group said Tompolo had already directed his foot soldiers to be involved in the plan which will crystallise shortly before the November 16 governorship election in Bayelsa State.

    “We will soon witness what I call mass movement by the former commanders of MEND to the APC because we cannot remain aloof for too long. Already, our leader who we call GOC (referring to Tompolo) has even directed us to join the APC to help deliver David Lyon with the Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva.

    “As we speak, we are mobilising and very soon, you will see action across the entire Niger Delta. As at last week, our brother Shoot at Sight from Ondo State was with the minister with assurances that he will mobilise people in his state to join the APC.”

    It was gathered that the ex-militants have presented the return of Kuku to Nigeria as a condition precedent shortly after the Bayelsa election. “We have told Sylva that we will back him and indeed join the actors to help him deliver, but we want him to facilitate a soft landing for Kuku to return home. We want him and he has also agreed to join the APC as soon as he returns to the country. For now, his followers across the Niger Delta will be aligning with the APC pending his arrival,” the source added.

  • ‘Lawmaker raped me, promised to give me N20m if my husband divorced me’

    A businesswoman, Nkeiruka Cynthia Kamalu, has told a Federal High Court in Lagos that she was raped by a federal lawmaker, Uju Kingsley Chima, on August 9, 2015.

    Mrs Kamalu told Justice Nicholas Oweibo that following an incestuous relationship with Chima, the lawmaker offered to pay her N20 million if she was divorced by her husband, Mr Gabriel Igbibi.

    Chima is the Member, Federal House of Representatives for Ohaji/Egbema, Oguta and Oru West Federal Constituency of Imo State.

    She is seeking protection from Chima, who she alleged caused her to be arrested on 27th day of May, 2019 tortured, humiliated, detained for seven days by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and arraigned on a fictitious N40million theft charge.

    Kamalu made the allegations in a fundamental rights suit marked FHC/L/CS/1458/19 which came up on September 11, 2019.

    Her counsel, Chijioke Jiakponna, told the judge that Chima had been evading service. He alleged that when the bailiff called Chima on phone to inform him that he wanted to serve him, the lawmaker cut the call.

    Justice Oweibo adjourned till yesterday to rule on whether to allow substituted service.

    Monday, the court did not sit.

    When The Nation phoned Chima on Saturday evening for his reaction to the rape and N20m allegations, he said “I’m inside a court now, can we talk later? I’m inside a court.”

    Later that night and Monday, his number rang out.

    In her August 22, 2019 Affidavit of Urgency, Kamalu said she filed the suit due to the “intimidation, mounting surveillance and or illegal oral invitation threat of life and annihilation of property.”

    She said she had been living “in perpetual fear” of being further detained “indefinitely.”

    Kamalu is seeking several reliefs including a declaration that her arrest and detention “by the respondent at the State CID Police Headquarters, Owerri, Imo State (SARS) for seven days was unconstitutional.”

    Others include a declaration that her invitation by the police for another investigation while the case has been adjourned sine die at the Chief Magistrate Court, Owerri, violates her rights.

    She also wants an order restraining the Respondents, from further arresting, pursuing and intimidating her.

    “An order directing the 1st 2nd, 4th to 6th Respondents to release forthwith her Infinix Note 7 and lnfinix Note 8 illegally seized by the Respondents during the arrest and torture in Lagos.

    Read Also: I never raped anyone, my accuser is a liar, serial fraudster, says lawmaker

    “An order awarding damage in the sum of N50 Million to the Applicant for the unlawful arrest, torture, unlawful detention, insult, disgrace, intimidation and the embarrassing treatment meted out on the Applicant.”

    In her August 22, 2019 Affidavit in support of her application, Kamalu averred that she and Chima began dating in 1993 while she was in secondary school.

    “We dated for 10 years, after which he proposed marriage and we both agreed to settle down as husband and wife. Unfortunately, our parents kicked against our relationship on the ground that we are biologically related and that we were committing incest and could not get married, so I married another man called Gabriel Igbibi,” she said.

    The applicant said she reconnected with the lawmaker when she needed assistance to execute a contract she secured and that after she refused his advances, “he raped me.”

    “I lodged the case first at New Owerri Police Station wherein he influenced it and I wrote a Petition to the Inspector-General of Police, Force State Quarters, Abuja. The petition was assigned to Zone 9 Police Command, Umuahia, Abia State.

    “The 1st Respondent settled the police and they brokered peace between the 1st Respondent and me, wherein he promised to take proper care of me because he cannot withdraw himself from me.

    She said following their reconciliation, they resumed their incestuous relationship “fully again”.

    Kamalu added: “My husband got wind of the relationship between the 1st respondent and myself,” following which he filed for divorce.

    When she informed Chima he allegedly gave her money to hire a lawyer for the case.

    “The 1st Respondent promised that if the divorce succeeds, he will be giving me N20 million every six months and also buy me a property in any designated place in Lagos.

    “The marriage was dissolved at the Ikeja High Court, Lagos. After the divorce, the 1st Respondent told me that before he will take the relationship serious, I will have to bear a child for him.”

    According to her, she took in for him, but had a miscarriage. He then asked her to adopt a baby which would be his and claim that the baby was born in Canada, but that the baby also died.

    She further claimed that he made her swear to an oath of loyalty, but she eventually caught him with another woman.

    “I became infuriated and he became furious and warned me never to visit him again, that he is no longer interested in the relationship. I reminded him of the oath he forced me to take that no man must have any relationship with me again and the promise to be giving N20m every six months, buy me a property in a choice area, buy a brand new car every six months, which he had never fulfilled.

    “I told him that I would tell the whole world how he has ruined my life and deceived me out of my marriage where I had four children.”

    She told the court that this was why the lawmaker used the police to arrest her on May 27, 2019 and detained for seven days.