The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigerian Professional Football League

  • NPFL: Enyimba FC pips Kano Pillars FC 1-0

    NPFL: Enyimba FC pips Kano Pillars FC 1-0

    Enyimba Football club of Aba on Sunday defeated Kano Pillars Football club 1-0 in the week 32 of the Nigerian Professional Football League match played at the UJ Esuene Stadium Calabar.

    The tension soaked encounter saw the two teams making frantic efforts to get the opener but none was able to break each other’s defense line.

    The match ended 0-0 at half time but the visitors were reduced to 10 men when Junior Lokasa fouled an Enyimba player and center Referee Wole Adeniyi from Oyo State wasted no time in giving him a red card.

    On resumption of second half, the home team tried to take advantage of their numerical strength by pushing forward but Yusuf Mohammed in goal for Pillars stood firm.

    However, in the 71st minute a penalty was awarded to Enyimba and the captain, Mfon Udoh, scored to put them ahead.

    In his reaction, Technical Adviser of Pillars, Ibrahim Musa blamed the referee for the loss.

    “Referees are the killers of Nigerian league. We try our best to teach these players what to do but the referees kill the game for us. My boys performed excellently well but we lost to very poor officiating,” he said.

    Coach Gbenga Ogunbote of Enyimba thanked his players for giving a good account of themselves.

    “It was a high tension match and thank God we won. I congratulate my boys we will take it up from there,” he said.

  • Expectations for the week

    Expectations for the week

    The Nigerian polity has continued to get heated up by displays from players in the political “industry”.  Various occurrences across the country have made tongues roll and the controversial large amount found in a private residence in Ikoyi is still making headlines across the country.

    Just last week, the presidency announced the immediate suspension of Secretary to the Federal Government, David Babachir Lawal and National Intelligence Agency boss, Amb. Ayo Oke. Their positions are still pending depending on the report of the investigative panel headed by Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo.

    Lawal was suspended for his alleged involvement in a contract given to an organization where he was signatory to the account; the bad thing was that the contract was not properly executed. Many Nigerians have expressed happiness in this action from the President especially as it’s believed that Lawal is a top member of the “cabal”.

    Earlier, the Senate had fingered him to have been involved in the deal, but a letter from the government and his refusal to appear before the Senate when invited seemed to have ended the case.

    Tosin Adeshina, a political analyst said: “The suspension is a good development as the actions of the former SGF has cast a blithe on the Federal Government. Even though it’s coming late, I believe it’s not too late to right the wrongs of the past.

    “The former SGF abused his office by awarding contract to his personal company which is against the Code of Conduct for public officers and he had paid a high price for it.

    “The lesson for political office holders is that public office must not be used for personal enrichment but a privilege to serve.

    “The Government is an authority for the people not an authority over them. As a result, government officials must stay away from acts that will bring disrepute to their integrity.

    “I will also like to advise President Buhari to take actions when necessary as foot dragging on important decisions is a sign of weakness on the President in particular and the Presidency in general”.

    On the other hand, Oke got his suspension for the controversy that surrounded the organization he headed that involved the found 13 billion naira in a private residence believed to be owned by a member of his family for “covert” operations.

    Now, the questions on the lips of many are – can there be any COVERT operation not known to the Commander-in-Chief?  Did Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers state and Femi Fani Kayode LIE to the general  public by getting the name of Rotimi Ameachi involved in this controversy? Is Amb. Oke standing in to cover up for some powerful politicians as claimed? Well, in some days’ time, the investigative panel should certainly have answers to this question and many others currently popping up in the minds of millions of Nigerians.

    One of the worst things to have happened to the Nigerian Professional Football League this season was announced last week, it came like a blast. Our league was no longer going to be shown on television again. Supersport, the station that used to ensure that at least one league match was beamed live to the world every weekend made it public that the League Management Company led by Shehu Dikko had broken some part of the “deal” and so they were going to stop the weekly live broadcast. For about two weeks now, the league had stopped being on television but until the clarification, it was not too clear what the problem was.

    Earlier in the season, Sikiru Olatunbosun of Mfm Fc had scored a screamer that made him win the award for CNN goal of the week. Infact, many have started tipping the goal to win the FIFA Puskas award early next year. But with this development, it’s unfortunate that people will no longer have access to seeing games again except they visit stadiums.  Obviously, a whole lot of development still needs to be brought into the Nigerian league to make it profitable and marketable to the world.

    Segun Odunayo tweets from @Segun_Odunayo

  • Expectations For The Week

    Expectations For The Week

    As we enter into another week, one wonders if the 2017 budget will be worked on by the Senate. Last week, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki said on the floor of the Senate that various committees are yet to submit their reports. With eight months left in the year, there is a high possibility that the budget will not be properly implemented – this is risky for the economic health of the country .

    The battle for supremacy between the Senate and the Presidency seems like a never-ending saga, however, a peace committee has been set up which is to be headed by Vice – President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo. The committee which has current ministers who were ex-senators as members will seek to settle the sudden “supremacy battle” currently hindering the smooth running of governance between the executive and legislative arms of the country.

    Recently, the Senate decided not to screen the 27 nominees for Resident Electoral Commission (REC) sent by the President until their recommendation of replacing Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu is adhered to. Magu, was rejected by the Senate for the second time despite re-nomination by President Muhammadu Buhari. Will the President’s proposed closed-door meeting with Saraki end the macabre dance in the senate?

    Also, the current suspension of Senator Ali Ndume for six months by the senate is said to be generating heat as some “stakeholders” are trying to settle the current case between the Borno Senator and the “super powers” in the red chamber. Ndume was suspended  for bringing the name of the Senate into disrepute after calling for the investigation of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and Senator Dino Melaye. Melaye was investigated after a certain online publication said he didn’t graduate from Ahmadu Bello University, a claim the Vice Chancellor of the institution has refuted. Saraki’s issue had to do with the importation of an SUV without paying customs duties; however, the ex-Governor has said the Senate (and not himself) was responsible for the importation.

    The current health crisis ravaging the country in recent times needs to be STOPPED. Meningitis, which is an inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord causes several neausating and incommodious effects on it victim – skin rashes, seizures, vomiting, fever, bodily temperature, increased sensitivity to light, confusion, tightness in the neck muscles etc. It has claimed over three hundred lives and there seems not to be a solution to it. The minister of health, Prof. Isaac Adewole has assured Nigerians that the Federal Ministry of Health under his purview would nip the outbreak of meningitis ravaging some states in the bud. He said his ministry is “in constant discussion with the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, E- health Africa and other international health agencies of supplies  of vaccines and injections”. With so many deaths already, the minister has to know that the time to act is NOW.

    As the Big Brother Naija enters into the final week, the excitement across the country from fans of the entertaining show is gradually getting to the peak. Just yesterday, Bally got evicted after getting nominated for eviction alongside Tboss, DebbieRise and Marvis. As it stands, Efe remains the only male standing in the house with four women (Tboss, DebbieRise, Bisola and Marvis) to contend with…A VERY LUCKY MAN! With over 11 million votes announced by show host Ebuka Uchendu for just yesterday’s eviction, the show organizers will be smiling to the bank after it ends at the weekend. After another week of performing various tasks, the housemate with the highest number of votes gotten by the viewers WINS in six days’ time.

    The excitement in the Nigerian Professional Football League has continued to draw more attention after the unpredictable nature of the league continued yesterday. Before round 18 games, MFM fc was sitting atop the log but after a 4-0 drubbing at Lafia and victories for both El-Knemi and Plateau United, the former climbs to second while the latter now lead the league and Mfm are presently third.  Without doubt, El-Kanemi’s next weekend encounter with Mfm fc at the Agege Stadium will be the match to watch; both teams have the same points (30 points) and are only separated by goal difference.

    Segun Odunayo tweets from @Segun_Odunayo

  • Expectations for the week

    Expectations for the week

    In Nigeria, no day or week passes without its uniqueness, controversy and news. Last week, many happenings around the various segments will still unfold this week majorly because there is continuous unending drama surrounding them.

    One of such happening is the great revelation by an online media that Kogi west representative at the Senate, Mr. Dino Melaye did not graduate from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

    The bold, tall and huge senator fired back warning his ‘enemies’ to back off and that he has seven degrees including a degree from the renowned Harvard University.

    Soon after his statement, Harvard University replied saying the Kogi born politician did not attend the institution. The senator even went on to post a picture of him observing the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in 1999 although his statement of result from Ahmadu Bello University shows he graduated in 2000.

    Sen. Melaye said he has sued the online publication alongside the publisher to court but obviously the public will want a clearer explanation on the actual situation of things.

    With the Vice-chancellor of the institution declaring on the floor of the Senate today that Melaye actually graduated with a third class in 2000, the last may not have been heard concerning this yet, and more revelations may burst up this week.

    The Senate has been in the news in more recent weeks and the claim by Senator Shehu Sani last week that the Secretary to the Federal Government, Babachir David Lawal awarded contracts to ‘ghost firms’ has put the red chamber more on the headlines. Last Friday, a statement from the SGF urged the general public not to be misled into the belief that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation has the authority or power to award contracts.

    With Lawal to appear before the Senate soon, many Nigerians are hopeful to get a clearer understanding of the situation. To strengthen the Nigerian democracy, the opposition party must be a good watch-dog to the government.

    However, the recent crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party has led to name-calling in the media. The two factions have been at each other’s neck and with a case already at the Supreme Court; one wonders how the dispute will be settled. This week may witness new twists and turns as per their crisis.

    At the weekend, the number one in the Nigerian Professional Football League spot got a new face although it was not an unfamiliar face. Last week, star striker of MFM FC and current highest goal scorer in the league, Stephen Odey added two goals which lifted his club to the zenith but with a loss for the Olukoya boys away at the Pantami Stadium in Gombe and a win for Plateau United yesterday brought the former league leaders back to the pinnacle with 28 points. Last season’s champions, Rangers International is languishing at the bottom of the table with 12 points.

    After Bassey’s eviction from the Big Brother Naija house yesterday, one wonders who will be next to leave this week. With just six housemates left, and Bisola being the new head of house, the show is gradually winding down and the fans are savoring all the excitement. Some housemates will be put up for eviction and the person with the least number of votes gets evicted on Sunday.