The Nation Newspaper

Tag: praises

  • APC chief praises Oyegun for Anambra peaceful primary

    APC chief praises Oyegun for Anambra peaceful primary

    An All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Ekiti State, Bamidele Faparusi, has hailed the Chief John Odigie-Oyegun-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the party for its transparency in handling the Anambra State governorship primary.

    Faparusi, also a former member of the House of Representatives, said the transparency further confirmed the ruling APC as a party that is committed to fight corruption, particularly those directly connected with electoral malfeasance in the polity.

    The aspirant was commenting on last Saturday’s primary in Anambra State wheren the party picked its candidate for the November 18 governorship poll.

    The party chieftain urged the winner of the primary, Tony Nwoye, to be magnanimous in victory. He advised him to extend the olive branch to other contestants for the success of the November election.

    Faparusi said the fact that Nwoye won through a credible and acceptable primary signposted the end of Governor Willie Obiano-led All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Anambra State.

    The former Federal parliamentarian expressed confidence that the party had laid a good foundation and a prototype of how Ekiti State primary would be to pick its governorship candidate for the 2018 election.

  • Group praises JAMB amid challenges

    A civil society   group, Joint Action  Coalition on Education (JACE), has showered encomiums on the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) on the success of the University Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), which began over the weekend. This is in spite of a handful of challenges that confronted the conduct of JAMB UTME.

    The group said this year’s edition met set standards when juxtaposed with past experiences, and that a few incidents recorded were largely due to human factor and not by systems or the process

    Speaking to  reporters at Ogba, Lagos, the group’s Southwest zonal coordinator Mr Ayokunle Adumashin, noted that no system is ever perfect, adding that the few glitches recorded could be corrected by continuous investment in broadband penetration and stability, in addition to improving on power supply in the country.

    Adumashin said the mock UTME conducted a fortnight to the main examination, proved useful in exposing candidates to what to expect in the examination. He admonished the government to strengthen  ICT in secondary schools to ensure that candidates do not experience cyber phobia anytime they are exposed to computers or technology.

    He praised JAMB Registrar, Prof Ishaq  Oloyede, and his team on the handling of the UTME, urging them to conduct an evaluation of the ongoing examination to forstall possible pitfalls in future.

  • Eighth Day fidau prayer for Adeleke in Ede

    Eighth Day fidau prayer for Adeleke in Ede

    The eighth day prayer (Fida’u) for late Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke was held yesterday in Ede, Osun State, amid praises and commendations.
    Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, his deputy, Mrs. Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola were among dignitaries at the event.
    Others include former Osun State Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, House Of Representatives Deputy Speaker Lasun Yusuff, former Oyo State Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, former House of Representatives Speaker Patricia Olubunmi Etteh, member of Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) Board of Trustees (BoT), Alhaji Shuaib Oyedokun, former Osun State Attorney-General and Commissioner For Justice, Niyi Owolade and former Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Musilu Smith.
    Traditional rulers at the event included Timi of Ede, Oba Munirudeen Olusola Lawal; Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Adewale Akanbi; Olufon of Ifon, Oba Almaroof Adekunle Magbagbeola; Orangun of Oke-Ila, Oba Dokun Abolarin and Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Abdulrasheed Olabomi.
    Through Adeoti, the Osun State government described Adeleke as a grassroots politician whose legacy would ever remain indelible in the political history of the nation.
    Oyinlola and Alao-Akala said Adeleke was a good ambassador of Ede who served Osun State and Nigeria meritoriously.
    The Chief Imam Offa in Kwara State, Sheik Muideen Salman, who noted that it has been destined that the deceased would die the way died, charged the people to take his death as the will of God.
    According to the cleric, nobody could kill anyone unless God allowed it to hapoen.
    However, he charged the political office holders to emulate the good deeds of Adeleke and be generous to the people, especially the less privileged.
    Referring to late Adeleke as an enbodiment of simplicity and generosity, he said the deceased’s positive impacts on the downtrodden would forever linger in the memory of the people.
    He said: “Adeleke’s destiny is favourable to humanity. So, I implore eveybody, especially the new breed politicians to learn from his ways of life. It is not only Adeleke that has gone with the wind mercy has equally gone with him.”
    Also, the security was tight at the event to ensure there was no breakdown of law and order.
    Combined team of security agencies including the police, men of the State Security Service, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Road Safety Service Commission and other para-military organizations were deployed to the Ede country home of the late Adeleke and other strategic positions in Ede to provide security for the guests.

  • Praises as The Nation man Adesanya retires

    Praises as The Nation man Adesanya retires

    After 10 years of active service, the Head Planner in the Production Department of Vintage Press Limited (publishers of The Nation), Mr Frederick Adesoye Adesanya, aka Baba Fred, has retired voluntarily.

    Mr. Adesanya was joined by members of his family and members of staff of The Nation to celebrate his retirement at the premises of the company’s corporate headquarters in Lagos.

    The Nation’s Deputy Editor, Mr Lawal Ogienagbon described Mr Adesanya as a brother, adding that “Mr Adesanya’s work ethic were highly commendable.

    “We fight but play together; he knows his job and I am happy for him. He has worked, retired, but he is not tired. He has gone through thick and thin but he kept it on and ensured the job gets done,” he said.

    He expressed his happiness that the retiree is healthy, strong and does not look his age.

    “I have a lot to say about him and I am happy that he has seen today. Many people, not as old as he is are gone, even those younger. I thank God for his life and pray his retirement will be the beginning of a new dawn in his life,” he said.

    The Nation’s Group Business Editor, Mr Simeon Ebulu, said Mr Adesanya left a legacy of hard work and diligence in the Production Department of the newspaper.

    “He enjoyed everything about his work and you can never find him angry because he was always busy,” Mr. Ebulu said.

    Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), The Nation chapter, Mr Musa Odoshimokhe, thanked the retiree for serving the company diligently, adding that Mr Adesanya would always go the extra mile to get things done despite the odds.

    Supervisor of the Graphic Artist, Mr Wasiu Odunsi, congratulated the retiree, saying he was always ready to take up responsibilities.

    One of the graphic artists, Mrs Angela Echefu, described the retiree as her friend, saying he was always there for all.

    In his response, Mr Adesanya said he enjoyed working for The Nation, adding that he tried his best on the job.

    He thanked all members of staff for the love shown him on his retirement, saying, despite the challenges, they have been supportive.

  • Emenike praises team mates

    Emenike praises team mates

    Former Super Eagles striker, Emmanuel Emenike has praised  his team mates after sealing a victorious goal for Fenerbahce against Dutch leader, Feyernood in the Europa League clash on Thursday night in Turkey.

    Emenike netted what turned out to be the game-winner in Fenerbahce’s 1-0 victory over Eredivisie table toppers, Feyenoord. The ex-Nigeria star was in action for 77 minutes before he was replaced.

    The 29-year-old striker has kept his consistency in front of goals this season again, scoring three goals in three consecutive matches for his Turkish club in the last three weeks.

    “We played a better Dutch team, but it seems our early goal gave us the edge,” said Emenike who scored the lone goal of the encounter.

    “As far as I am concerned we want to keep winning, we have dropped some points in the league and we are looking forward to regain a better momentum for us to catch up to the top and its possible.”

    “Its my responsibility to prove myself at every given opportunity, I am just thanking God because its working perfectly well for me again. I am not looking at my own personal ability, I think I have to give kudos to my team mates for fighting to the end. We are sincerely unstoppable in that game and probably that’s one of the reasons we won.”

  • Aigbogun praises Dream Team VI

    Aigbogun praises Dream Team VI

    • Congratulates Etebo too

    Warri Wolves head coach, Paul Aigbogun has hailed the Dream Team VI and one of his players, Oghenekaro Etebo whose goal has taken Nigeria to the 2016 Rio Olympics football event after they stopped hosts, Senegal 1-0 in the semi-final of the CAF AFCON played on Wednesday in Dakar.

    Aigbogun, who guided the Seasiders to second on the league table with 66 points from 38 matches to secure a CAF Champions League ticket for the club told SportingLife that Etebo is one of his assets in Warri Wolves and plans to launch the players better in the Champions League next year.

    He said Etebo’s goal which came from the penalty spot in the 75th minute has gone a long way to silence some Nigerians, who thought that the team would never make it to the final against Senegal.

    Aigbogun disclosed that the Dream Team VI qualification for the Olympics is a victory that is worthy of commendation by the country and the organisers of the league, the League Management Company(LMC) for producing the team made up of majorly home base team.

    Aigbogun told SportingLife:“I am extremely happy to hear this. Etebo is a very good player and the Dream Team VI too have done Nigerians proud in Senegal. They should hold on to win the title on Saturday because that is what they deserve at this point.

    The Delta born Britain trained coach, however, cautioned the team against complacency adding that anything order than the title on

    Saturday won’t be accepted by Nigerians.

    Aigbogun is presently in the England to re-unite with his family whom he has been away from since the beginning of the season in March this year.

  • Oliseh praises gutsy Swaziland

    Oliseh praises gutsy Swaziland

    Nigeria coach Sunday Oliseh has praised Swaziland for giving his team a fight in a World Cup qualifier in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

    Three-time African champions Nigeria scored two goals in the second half for them to go past a Swaziland side, ranked 130th in the world by FIFA and advance to the next stage of the qualifiers for Russia 2018 2-0 on aggregate after a goalless draw in Lobamba last week.

    “For a fact, Swaziland’s FIFA ranking is totally not justified. We should congratulate them. They posed us a lot of problems, they were always compact and resilence. They played with their hearts over the two legs and made things pretty difficult for us,” admitted Oliseh after a laboured home win in front of a full house at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt.

    “If I got a chance to play a friendly in the future I will invite Swaziland.”

    Nigeria, who have featured at five World Cups, will now 19 other countries who include Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Cameroon, Egypt, Mali, Senegal, South Africa and Algeria in the group phase of the qualifiers.

    The teams will be drawn into five groups of four teams each with the overall group winners qualifying for the World Cup in Russia in 2018.

  • Oboroakpo praises Oliseh’s abilities

    Oboroakpo praises Oliseh’s abilities

    Abia Warriors skipper Austin Oboroakpo was delighted with the 2 – 0 victory over Swaziland in a World Cup qualifier and has praised the coaching abilities of Super Eagles manager, Sunday Oliseh.

    After a goalless first half, the Hussey College, Warri product has revealed that Oliseh’s pep talk during the intermission motivated the squad to finish off their opponents in the second half.

    “We thank God that we were able to get the win at the end of the day, we were able to make the country proud and everyone is happy, ”said Oboroakpo to allnigeriasoccer.com.

    “During the interval, the coach told us to believe in ourselves, that we can defeat Swaziland with our effort and the advice paid off in the second half.”

    Oboroakpo had kind words to say about the foreign – based professionals, stating that the Super Eagles stars from Europe encouraged the home – based players to settle into the team quickly.

    “I want to say big kudos to the foreign – based players:  Mikel, Onazi, Ambrose and others for their support.

    “They made us feel at home, they cooperated with us . They deserve to be praised, they are champions and committed,” the central defender added.

    Oboroakpo partnered Celtic’s Efe Ambrose in the heart of the Super Eagles defense and went the distance at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium.

  • Pinnick praises Eaglets, wants focus on trophy

    Pinnick praises Eaglets, wants focus on trophy

    President of Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick has applauded the six-star performance of the Golden Eaglets in routing Australia to reach the FIFA U-17 World Cup quarter -finals early Thursday morning.

    The Cup holders started slowly as the Aussies swamped all over the pitch at the Estadio Sausalito in Vina del Mar, but the tactically aware and inventive Eaglets waited for the right time to land the sucker punch, and then took the game by the jugular as the young boys from Down Under literally went down under the superior savvy and precision of the world champions.

    “I must start by pouring encomiums on the players and officials of the Golden Eaglets, not just for the victory over Australia that has taken us closer to the objective of retaining the trophy, but also for their general comportment and discipline which has been acknowledged by all at the World Cup in Chile.

    “They have been doing the nation proud. The victories over USA, host Chile and now Australia were well –deserved, because they toiled and invented and never let up, even when leading the opposition. Even when they lost to Croatia, they played with their hearts. The NFF is very proud of Coach Emmanuel Amuneke and the players,” stated Pinnick.

    Before the players departed for Argentina for their final training camp, Pinnick met with Coach Amuneke and the players and charged them to do everything they could to retain the trophy, won for an unprecedented fourth time for Nigeria by the Manu Garba –led Class of 2013. The NFF boss reminded the players and coaches that President Muhammadu Buhari was the first Nigerian leader to receive the FIFA Cadet World Cup, in his first coming as a military Head of State in 1985. That year, Nduka Ugbade-led the squad that won the inaugural tournament in China.

    “I assure you that President Buhari will also be waiting to receive the trophy again this time, and you all would be the first group of footballers to be hosted specially by the President,” said Pinnick.

    On the eve of their first match against USA in Santiago, the players and coaches received an even heftier charge from President Muhammadu Buhari himself, telling them to go for the trophy.

    “The NFF is happy with the progress the team has been making, but I want them to focus hard on the challenges ahead and know that the trophy is the ultimate. They are so close to glory but they must be focused and have strong mental attitude on the field of play.”

    The Eaglets take on Brazil for a place in the semi-finals at the now –familiar Estadio Sausalito in Vina del Mar (where they pounded host Chile 5-1 and victimised Australia 6-0) on Sunday (starting 8pm Nigeria time).

  • Amuneke praises Osimhen, set for Brazil

    Amuneke praises Osimhen, set for Brazil

    Nigeria coach Emmanuel Amuneke has praised striker Victor Osimhen after his hat-trick helped the Golden Eaglets dump out Australia 6-0 to set up a World Cup quarter-final against “favourites” Brazil on Sunday.

    The Eaglets turned on the style by trouncing Australia early Thursday morning with Osimhen spearheading the goals charge to be the leading goals scorer with seven goals.

    “It was a very interesting match. We knew that Australia were a good team because they qualified from a very difficult group, but my players were able to recuperate themselves from the loss against Croatia and regained their level,” Amuneke said. “Victor (Osimhen) had a great game, although the philosophy of this team is to play collectively.

    “We are candidates to win the title, but so are Brazil. We will work to put up a good fight.”

    Amuneke added: “We will continue to believe in ourselves. Nigerians should continue to believe in this team. We have to work collectively to reach our objectives.

    “We will prepare very well so as to give a good account of ourselves against Brazil.

    “Brazil are a very good side, we played against them in Korea (in Suwon tournament) but this is the World Cup. Brazil will be the favourites to win this tournament but we will have a plan to beat them.”