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CAF Confed Cup: Akwa United chief urges players to defeat Gambian side

Mr Paul Bassey, Chairman, Akwa United FC of Uyo, has urged the players to sustain the club’s winning tempo against their Gambian opponents in the CAF Confederation Cup encounter in Uyo.

Bassey made the appeal in an interview with the News men on Friday in Uyo.

The News men reports that Akwa United will host Banjul Hawks FC in the first leg fixtures of the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Sunday.

Akwa United are currently on top of the league table with 16 points after seven games.

The club won the AITEO Cup, formerly called the Federation Cup by defeating Niger Tornadoes 3-2 on penalties at the Agege Stadium in October, 2017.

Bassey said the club should ensure it was not only known in the country but also on the continent by defeating the visiting Gambian side.

“This year is good because the season started early enough. This has given us good match practice ahead of our CAF Confederations Cup game against our Gambian counterpart.

Read Also: Akwa United to reverse Nigeria’s failure in CAF Confederation Cup – Coach

“We are not worried about playing the first leg at home; the most important thing is to be able to showcase ourselves whether at home or away.

“We just need to play well and score some goals before going to Banjul for the second leg,’’ he said.

Bassey said that though the club had little information about the Gambian side, the players should defeat them.

“The truth is, we have little information about our opponents as we had difficulties in laying our hands on any of their videos either in training or competitive matches.

“However, from the little scouting we have done, we know that they are a formidable side and always try to slow the momentum when in possession.

“But they often look vulnerable at the back against more young and energetic teams like ours who play quick attacking football.

“We are not intimidated by their style of football as our boys have been equipped by the matches they have played in the league and we will be ready to crush the Gambians’ defensive tactics and formation,’’ he said.

“It was also very important that we won our last game at home against Wikki Tourists by a convincing 4-0 margin last Sunday as it was our final preparatory game before the continental tie.

“I was impressed by the way the players and technical crew responded and I am confident that the goals we recorded will give us the necessary confidence and boost ahead of Sunday’s continental tie.’’

The Hawks, who arrived in Uyo from Banjul on Wednesday will host Akwa United in the return leg scheduled for Feb. 21 at the Independence Stadium in Bakau, Gambia.

NAN

February 9, 2018
UN rights chief slams Papua New Guinea government

UN top rights official has slammed the government of Papua New Guinea’s human rights record, including the situation of refugees on Manus Island, during a visit to the island nation.

Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, met with PNG leader Peter O’Neill and other top officials during his one-day visit on Friday.

Hussein called on the government to take firm measures to combat corruption, build good governance and strengthen the rule of law.

“Papua New Guinea appears to be a country of contradictions.

“Despite exemplary laws and policies to protect human rights, they are reportedly often not enforced,’’ Hussein said in a statement.

He raised concerns about the plight of the Manus Island asylum seekers and refugees, and asked the government to identify lasting solutions, which would respect their human rights.

Read Also: UN accuses Congo forces of targeting officials during deadly protests

Hussein said in spite of being a resource-rich country, “much of its population lives in abject poverty, with acute malnutrition rates and minimal access to quality healthcare and education.”

He slammed the government saying it was “unacceptable” that the mining companies were granted licences to extract resources without the free and informed consent of local communities.

“The reported actions of some major corporations engaged in the extractive industries in Papua New Guinea are shameful.

“Many communities have been forcibly evicted from their homes, often reportedly violently, with impunity and allegedly sometimes with the complicity of local police,’’ he said.

Hussein said since PNG will be “in the spotlight” as it prepares to host the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, scheduled for November.

NAN

February 9, 2018
Trump urges congress to end U.S. visa lottery

U.S. President Donald Trump has called on Congress to end the visa lottery programme, citing a Justice Department crackdown on a recipient who abused resident status to finance terrorist activities abroad.

“Time to end the visa lottery,” Trump said in a Twitter post.

“Congress must secure the immigration system and protect Americans.”

Trump linked his message to a Justice Department press release regarding a complaint to revoke the resident status of a visa lottery program recipient who funded global terrorist activities.

Read Also: Trump has revived possibility of using atomic weapons tactically

The Justice Department’s complaint said a Sudanese national who gained lawful permanent resident status through the “diversity visa lottery program” ran a non-profit organization, the Islamic American Relief Agency, and through it funneled money to known terrorist organizations in Iraq and elsewhere.

Earlier, report revealed that US immigration enforcement arrests shut up 20 per cent in 2017 versus the previous year.

The report also said that former President Barack Obama’s immigration policy was more narrowly focused on arresting undocumented immigrants convicted of serious crimes.

NAN

February 9, 2018
Yobe to rebuild Birnin Ngazargamu, last headquarters of Kanem Borno

Yobe Government says it is rebuilding the 15th century Birnin Ngazargamu, the last headquarters of the Kanem Borno Empire under the ‘Mai’ Dynasty, to boost tourism and academic research.

The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Baba Malam-Wali, disclosed this to the News men in Damaturu on Friday.

The news men report that the ruins of the ancient city which was the capital of Kanem Borno Empire between 1460 and 1809 are still visible in its site.

Malam-Wali said the state government had constituted a committee under the chairmanship of the SSG with the Vice- Chancellor and the Registrar of the State’s University, historians, archeologists and Islamic scholars as members.

He said the committee was collecting archives on the history of Ngazargamu at the Arewa House, Kaduna, and Ibadan Museum, while the University of Maiduguri was commissioned to create a model of the city.

Read Also: UNICEF, WHO to vaccinate over 2 million children in Borno, Yobe

“Some scholars in Germany have already indicated interest to work in the project,” he said.

According to the SSG, the state government is partnering with the National Commission for Museums and Monuments to excavate the sites.

“We have also communicated to UNESCO for consideration of the city as a world Heritage site,” he said.

Malam-Wali also said that the site would showcase life in Ngazargamu, administrative skills, commerce and the rich Islamic knowledge the capital city was known for.

“The city has huge tourism potential which will be exploited by the state government to attract scholars, researchers and tourists from across the world with financial benefits to the state,” he said.

NAN

February 9, 2018
NDLEA educates youths against drug abuse in FCT

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), FCT Command,has launched a campaign to educate youths in the territory on the dangers of drug abuse.

The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the command, Mr Peter Adegbe,who is leading the campaign, said the exercise was targeted at youths in various strategic locations in the area.

Tagged: “The Sad End of Drug Abuse”, the campaign educated the students of Veritas University Bwari, on the relationship between drug and crime, violence, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs).

Read Also: NDLEA impounds 722.469kg of illicit drugs in Cross River

Addressing the students, Adegbe, said: “Drug abuse will bring lots of health hazards and that students who are drug-dependent will eventually drop out of school, look older than their age, might end up in jail and even become liable to die young.’’

Over 500 students of the university attended the function.

The PRO said the team would move the campaign to Jabi Park in the FCT on Saturday to train the Youth Association of the Anglican Church of Wuse Zone 5, on “drug and crime”.

He said medical personnel would also be on ground to conduct medical tests and give drugs to the youths.

NAN

February 9, 2018
2019: INEC to deepen engagement with stakeholders for credible polls

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lagos on Thursday pledged to deepen its engagement with stakeholders, for credible elections in 2019.

Mr Sam Olumekun, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Lagos gave the assurance at a one-day workshop on ‘Experience Sharing on the 2015 General Election’, held at the INEC office in Lagos.

The News men report that the commission’s Lagos office organised the workshop for its management staff and stakeholders across the state.

It was aimed at engaging the workforce in the analysis of its strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, as a guide to shaping its electoral activities in the 2019 elections.

Olumekun said: “It is said that experience is the best teacher, and so it behooves us to learn from our past mistakes and successes, so as to attain a more beautiful future.

“It is important for us to take stock, in an open and honest manner, of the activities of the past.

“It is, therefore, important for us to interrogate the past, see where we missed it, where we didn’t do well and derive policies that will help us move ahead.

“We must deepen our engagement with critical stakeholders to ensure successful 2019 general elections

“I charge you to strengthen and deepen engagement with stakeholders and not wait till the last day,” he said.

Read Also: INEC seeks collaboration with NIGCOMSAT for e-results

Olumekun said the commission must take the lead in demonstrating the integrity of the electoral process to the stakeholders.

On the challenges facing the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), the INEC REC urged the staff to rise to the occasion and improve the management of the exercise.

In his remark, the immediate past REC in the state, Mr Akin Orebiyii, said the state was lucky to have Olumekun as his successor, describing him as a thorough and proactive professional.

Orebiyii reiterated the need for robust engagement with stakeholders to ensure successful elections.

“INEC doesn’t conduct its elections alone. INEC works with stakeholders such as security agencies, National Orientation Agency, Political Parties and Community Development Association (CDAs).

“Others include the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), the media, election observers, market women, the youth, transport unions, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).

“If you have them (stakeholders), more than 50 per cent of the challenges would have been taken care of. There is need for confidence building between INEC and its stakeholders.

“We need to be open to them and ensure education and training for political parties and their agents,” the immediate past REC in Lagos said.

He urged INEC staff members to respect and build a robust, cordial relationship with all stakeholders for success in 2019.

Orebiyii highlighted some challenges faced in the 2015election to include mix up in voter registration and various allegations of hoarding PVCs, protests, among others.

He urged the staff not to sweep any issue under the carpet, but to be familiar with their wards and peculiarities.

Orebiyii said the 2019 elections would be a different ball game because so many things had changed, but urged the commission to deploy wisdom and experience to surmount emerging challenges.

The former INEC boss urged the commission to always have backups for every critical material — human and non-human.

He advised the commission to disseminate information through community leaders, traditional rulers and religious rulers, who must be carried along.

Some of the officers, who shared their experiences highlighted card reader failure, mix up in voter’s registers, PVCs, negligence of ad hoc staff and poor statistical skills of some collation officers, among others, as part of challenges they faced in the 2015 elections.

Mr Joshua Adelusithe, the Electoral Officer in Lagos Island, told NAN that the training was apt and would prepare the staff well to tackle whatever challenges that might arise in the 2019 elections.

NAN

February 8, 2018
Russia meddled in U.S election, says George W. Bush

Former U.S. President George W. Bush accused Russia on Thursday of meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, calling Russian President Vladimir Putin a “brilliant tactician”.

Bush, interviewed on stage at a business conference in the capital of the United Arab Emirates, said there was clear evidence that the Russians had meddled but whether that affected the outcome of the election was another question.

“But they meddled and that is dangerous for democracy,” he said, adding that Russia had done the same thing during the Cold War and was adept at trying to manipulate opinion in the U.S. and Europe.

“Putin is a brilliant tactician, who has the capacity to detect weakness and exploit it,” Bush said.

Read Also: George W. Bush frowns at new era of U.S isolationism

The Kremlin has repeatedly denied accusations by U.S. intelligence officials and others of interfering in foreign elections, including the 2016 U.S. vote.

In an apparent criticism of the immigration policies of U.S. President Donald Trump, Bush called for changes in U.S. immigration rules.

According to him, it is important to recognise that the U.S. has a history of welcoming people regardless of their religion or their place of birth.

“Our system is broken, but we have got to fix it. I had tried, but unsuccessfully,” he said without naming Trump.

“It is important for our economy and also important for our soul that the immigration system functions well.”

On Mexico, he said: “I view it as a relationship vital for our economy and our stability. We have got to enforce our borders and we have got to enforce our laws.

“There are people willing to do jobs Americans won’t do. A lot of Americans don’t like picking cotton at 105 degrees.

“But there are people, who want to put food on the tables of their families and are willing to do that.”

NAN

February 8, 2018
EPL preview: Arsenal new boys face early derby baptism of fire

New Arsenal signings Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan will get an early taste of the north London derby atmosphere when they face Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley on Saturday.

The pair enjoyed comfortable home debuts in last weekend’s 5-1 rout of Everton.

But their local rivals are sure to provide tougher opposition as the two teams continue their bids for UEFA Champions League qualification.

Spurs are fifth in the table, four points ahead of sixth-placed Arsenal, one behind fourth-placed Chelsea and two adrift of third-placed Liverpool with 12 games left.

Read Also: Fever may delay Aubameyang Arsenal debut

Arsenal outplayed Tottenham in a 2-0 victory in the reverse fixture.

But Spurs have reasons to be confident, having beaten second-placed Manchester United and drawn 2-2 at Liverpool in their last two games.

Liverpool travel to St Mary’s on Sunday to face a Southampton side who ended a 12-match winless run in the league.

The Saints climbed two points clear of the relegation zone with a 3-2 victory over West Bromwich Albion in their last match.

Chelsea, meanwhile, will welcome bottom club West Brom to Stamford Bridge on Monday on the back of losing 3-0 at home to Bournemouth and 4-1 away to Watford.

NAN

February 8, 2018
Anambra appoints 100 Justices of Peace

Mr Anali Chude, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Anambra State on Thursday inaugurated 100 persons appointed as members of Justice of Peace Corps in the state.

The ministry’s Public Relations Officer, Ms Bernadette Nwadike made the disclosure in a statement issued in Awka on Thursday.

Chude said that the appointments as Justice of Peace Corps were reserved for people with unquestionable character and integrity.

He said at the swearing-in event that those appointed should seek to promote and protect the rights of the masses within their jurisdiction.

Read Also: Fire guts six shops, goods in Anambra market

Chude outlined the duties of Justice of Peace to include issuance of warrant, bail, witnessing, affidavit swearing, certifying documents, statutory declaration and visits to police stations.

He admonished the candidates to uphold the confidence the government reposed on them and promote peace in order to move the state forward.

The Anambra State Chief Judge, Mr Justice Peter Umeadi who conducted the swearing-in ceremony, commended the state government for painstakingly selecting the candidates.

He urged the candidates to be `Peace Officers’ in their respective communities.

Umeadi announced that another batch of the 2017/2018 would be inaugurated in March.

NAN

February 8, 2018
Borno to spend N300m on traffic light installations in Maiduguri

Borno Government says it plans to spend 300 million on installation of 28 traffic light and street light in designated locations of Maiduguri in 2018.

The state’s Commissioner for Works and Transport, Alhaji Adamu Lawan, made the disclosure at a news conference held on Thursday in Maiduguri.

He said the measure was meant to guarantee security of lives and property of residents.

According to him, the ministry is currently undertaking street light installations of about 8.2 kilometres from Pompommari bypass to Baga road in Maiduguri.

The commissioner said the state government spent more than N528 million yearly on 20 generators to power street lights in Maiduguri.

Read Also: Boko Haram: Borno reconstructs 50, 000 houses, schools, clinics

He added that the government also provided 5,000 litres of diesel and lubricants to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply throughout the state capital.

“The ministry is spending about N44 million on monthly to power 20 generators, services and repairs as well as payment of staff allowances.

“We did not want the solar (energy) because the light is not as bright as the electricity. And the miscreants are always stealing the solar batteries,” he said.

According to him, the government is looking at powering the street light from the Power Holding Company because of the improved supply of electricity instead of generators,” he said.

NAN

February 8, 2018