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Tag: praises

  • Mark praises Eagles

    Mark praises Eagles

    Senate President, David Mark, yesterday thanked the Super Eagles for their soul lifting performance.

    Mark was overjoyed at the 2 – 1 victory of the Eagles against the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire

    He said that the victory brought joy and smiles to the faces of Nigerians.

    He urged the victorious Eagles to sustain the momentum.

    The Senate President in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, in Abuja promised that the National Assembly will do the needful to reward the Eagles.

    “Soccer remains the greatest ingredient for our unity,” he noted.

    He also thanked Nigerians for their overwhelming support and prayers for the Eagles.

  • Ministry praises FERMA over zero potholes compliant

    Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works, Dr. Abubakar Koro Muhammad, has praised the Management and staff of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) for living up to the expectations of Nigerians by delivering on the Presidential directive on Operation Zero Potholes by Yuletide 2012.

    He gave the commendation while on a working visit to FERMA Headquarters in Abuja, along with some directors and other senior officials of the Ministry.

    Dr. Muhammad noted that in the past, the overwhelming sentiment among members of the public was that of derision of FERMA on account of the poor condition of Federal roads. He said that was now history, having successfully overcome the challenges of rampant potholes on Federal roads.

    According to him, the agency should feel proud that such negative public commentary has now given way to commendation.

    He enjoined the agency to ensure the current positive image is sustained by remaining focused on its mandate all year round.

    He said the ministry of Works is happy to associate with the agency’s success story and that the Minister of Works, Arc. Mike Onolememen, and the rest of Management at the Ministry will avail the agency all the support and goodwill needed to sustain and improve on the achievement.

    Earlier, while briefing the Permanent Secretary on the history and operational structures of the agency, FERMA Managing Director/CEO, Mr Gabriel Amuchi, recalled that at the time of establishing the agency 10 years ago, about 75 per cent of Federal roads were in poor, weak, failed or collapsed state owing to many years of non-maintenance and the roads had out-lived their design lives.

    Amuchi said with careful planning and prudent utilisation of resources and effectively deployment of personnel to road maintenance, the agency has been able to reduce the level of disrepair to about 35 per cent over the period.

    Apart from maintaining road carriageways and their appurtenances, FERMA, he said, has also invested a lot in road support services, such as truck parks and observation camps as well as street lighting of critical locations and bridges nationwide. This, he said, were aimed at providing alternative parking spaces for trucks which park on highways thereby damaging them in the process.

    He also said the observation camps have assisted the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and Nigeria Police to provide first aid services to highway accident victims, as well as check crime at flash points located across the country.

    Other innovations by FERMA include the Rapid Road Recovery blueprint under which Operation Zero Potholes is being executed.

  • Orji praises Ihejirika for fighting crime in Abia

    Abia State Governor Theodore Orji has described the Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Azubike Onyeabor Ihejirika, an indigene, as an asset to the state.

    The governor urged other prominent indigenes to emulate him.

    Orji spoke at the Government House in Umuahia, the state capital, when he hosted the Army chief.

    He hailed Gen. Ihejirika for the role soldiers played with other security agencies in ridding the state of kidnappers.

    Orji noted that before the military joined other security agencies in fighting crime in Abia, criminals almost overran the state.

    The governor recalled that core investors left the state while the few that stayed behind could not sleep with their eyes closed.

    He said: “As a true son of Abia State, you did not waste time to come to the aid of your dear state when your assistance was needed. You despatched some of your men to help us check the excesses of the criminals, like kidnappers and armed robbers.”

    Orji said even after the criminals were chased out of the state, the Army chief did not withdraw his men.

    “Their continued presence in the state has helped to maintain peace, security and order,” the governor said.

    The governor stressed that the presence of soldiers gave the indigenes the confidence to return home with their friends for the Yuletide celebration.

    He said: “Dear General, it is a gesture we cannot easily forget as you have complemented our security efforts.”

    The governor said the efforts of the Army chief have made the state to become one of the safest in Nigeria.

    Oji said Gen. Ihejirika has assisted Abia to restore the confidence of investors in the state.

    He added that contractors have also returned to site to build new roads and repair bad ones.

    The governor said he was happy that Abians celebrated the Yuletide in a secure environment.

    Orji promised to always support the Army.

    Gen. Ihejirika, who was accompanied by his wife and top military brass, thanked the governor for his assistance.

    He reassured the people of the state of safety.

    The Army chief added that the soldiers are in the state to maintain peace and security.

    He warned the public against the abuse or misuse of the soldiers.

  • Newcastle coach praises Ameobi

    Newcastle coach praises Ameobi

    Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has praised one-cap Nigeria international Shola Ameobi for his late winner against Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.

    Ameobi, who made Nigeria’s preliminary African Cup of Nations roster, came off the bench to score in the 81st minute, his first goal in the EPL after 18 rounds.

    ”I know the crowd weren’t particularly pleased when I took Cisse, goalsacorer, off but I just felt Shola… he’s a big man and this was a big occasion and he likes big occasions. It said QPR on the programme but really it was bigger than that, I think we all knew that and he has that calm head – he knows what is demanded here – to produce a quality goal, and it won us the game,” Pardew was quoted as saying by the online edition of Daily Mail.

    Shola Ameobi could miss games against Norwich, Reading, Aston Villa, Chelsea and Spurs if he is selected by Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi for the African Cup and the Super Eagles progress to the finals of the competition.

  • NEW ATTACKING ROLE: Osaze gets West Brom praises

    NEW ATTACKING ROLE: Osaze gets West Brom praises

    West Brom manager, Steve Clarke, has hailed out of favour Super Eagles forward, Osaze Odemwingie after his return from suspension.

    Speaking with birminghammail.net on Wednesday, the former Liverpool coach revealed that the Nigeria international is more than willing to embrace his wide-positions for West Brom – revealing the role was not new to him.

    The Baggies top scorer striker has been used as a wide forward since Clarke’s summer arrival, a position the Eagles ace also occupied briefly under Roy Hodgson when the ex-Albion man ventured from his usual 4-4-2 formation.

    Due to Albion’s attacking options – they effectively have five strikers vying for one central role and two wide positions – Osaze has found himself on the flank.

    The 31-year-old has spent long periods of his career occupying wider roles, notably at Lokomotiv Moscow and during his earlier times at Lille, although he has expressed a preference for playing more centrally during interviews in the past.Clarke feels his experienced forward’s potency is not diminished from the position he is currently occupying.

    His two most recent performances have certainly taken the eye.

    “He came into the Manchester City game as a substitute and was really lively,” said Clarke.

    “They were starting to tire so it was a good time for him to come on.

    “He made a big contribution last weekend (at Newcastle) as well and has always been very motivated.

    “He wanted to see how the club would develop, he’s happy here, he’s comfortable, he’s a good worker and I have no complaints about him.

    “I remember watching him last season – he scored some goals from the right. He keeps telling me he got a hat-trick against Wolves playing on the right.

    “When we were at Chelsea and played Lokomotiv in a pre-season friendly, he was playing on the right then too.

    “It might be a new position to people watching him here but it’s not a new position to Peter.”

    Clarke feels Odemwingie has more than made up for his sending-off at Fulham. He was given a straight red card for violent conduct after lashing out at Sascha Riether. Odemwingie apologised after the game before sitting out three games.

    He was reintroduced to the side immediately after his ban and has impressed since.

    “It was a blow for him to be sent off at Fulham,” continued Clarke.

    “I said at the time it was out of character. I think he learned from it and he apologised for it. I he showed that in the game against Queens Park Ranger when I put him straight back into the side and he did very well.”

  • PDP chief praises Tinubu’s ruggedness

    PDP chief praises Tinubu’s ruggedness

    Former Minister of Mines and Steel Development and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chieftain in Ogun State, Chief Sarafa Isola, yesterday hailed the National leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, as a dogged fighter.

    The former Lagos state governor, he said, fight for any “cause and ideology he believes in.

    Isola, who was Secretary to State Government (SSG), Ogun State, during ex – Governor Gbenga Daniel’s first term in office, said Tinubu has remained consistent despite all odds.

    This, he said, has enabled him to provide leadership to the party, a quality he said is lacking in many politicians.

    According to him, politicians who can’t stand for something inevitably can’t provide the leadership required to develop and nurture the nation’s democracy.

    The ex – minister who is the Tayese of Egbaland spoke in his GRA home, Abeokuta, the state capital during an interaction with journalists on heels of the robust but unsuccessful outing of ACN in Ondo State.

    Isola said: “Look at Asiwaju Tinubu. He is a dogged fighter and had remained consistent in his party deploying his energy, time and resources for the party because of the ideology he believes in. “From the era of Alliance for Democracy (AD) to Action Congress (AC) through to Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), he has been consistent with the party of his ideology and he had the opportunity to join the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but he never did.

    “That is how it ought to be. Chief Segun Osoba is another politician who had remained consistent in his party right from AD despite all odds.

    “We must believe and stand for something. If you can’t stand for something, you can’t provide leadership and there would also be no ideology to pursue.

    “But look at our contemporaries today if it is not paying them well in one political party, they quickly jump ship. If it is not working in PDP, they move to ACN.

    “If it is not working for them in CAN, they rush off to CPC or APGA. We must develop and nurture our democracy to build our nation. I don’t believe in political prostitution.

    “My party – PDP, is having challenges in Ogun State but I have remained in PDP”.

    The Egba Chief, who said he lost his ministerial appointment to cabinet reshuffle during the administration of late Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua due to the local politics Ogun PDP, said he does not have now any aspiration for elective office at the state or national level.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • NFF praises Flying Eagles

    NFF praises Flying Eagles

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has praised the U-20 National Team, Flying Eagles, for its qualification for the 2013 African Youth Championship, following a telling 3-1 defeat of South Africa’s Amajita at the Kwara State Stadium, Ilorin on Sunday.

    NFF President Aminu Maigari, who joined Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed at the State Box for the big duel, said the Flying Eagles, six-time African champions, deserve credit for an inspired performance.

    “I am truly impressed with the performance of the team, and I can tell you that the NFF as a body and the entire Nigeria football family are impressed.

    “I will use this opportunity to pledge that the NFF will give the team all the support to prepare very well for the defence of its title in Algeria next year,” assured Maigari.

    Midfield impressario, Abduljeleel Ajagun, one of Coach John Obuh’s undetachables from the U-17 squad that finished as runners-up at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Nigeria 2009, hit a first-half brace before setting up top striker Alhaji Gero for a third and tie-determining goal early in the second period. The petite playmaker was fittingly selected the Most Valuable Player, picking up oil magnate Ifeanyi Ubah’s laid-on-line $2,000.

    Chelsea FC of England boy Kenneth Omeruo, on loan at Dutch top side ADO Den Haag, and Turkey-based Mohammed Goyi Aliyu, both also from Obuh’s U-17 side, held firm at the back while the delicate Chidi Osuchukwu pulled the strings effortlessly in midfield.

    It was hard going but Ajagun, team’s top scorer in the qualifying campaign with five goals, was at the right place to slam past goalkeeper Gershin Kock with seven minutes left in the first half.

    Celebrations were rudely cut short as the Amajita equalized straight from the re-start, only for Ajagun to again slam into the top right corner on the dot of half time.

    Seven minutes into the second half, Ajagun cleverly carved an opening from a sweeping move and set up Gero beautifully. The big striker made no mistake.

    NFF General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu, said at the final whistle. “We give glory to God for the victory. The Flying Eagles were impressive against an equally brilliant South African team.

    “We will work hard to give the team quality preparation ahead of the 18th African Youth Championship in Algeria next year March. And we now look forward to the Super Eagles qualifying for the 2013 African Nations Cup by beating Liberia in Calabar on Saturday.”

    Also at the match were Kwara State Commissioner for Sports, Barrister Bamidele Towoju, NFF Executive Committee members Barrister Chris Green, Barrister Olaleye Adepoju, Dr. Shehu Adamu and Yusuf Ahmed Fresh, and Director of Technical Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme.

    It is noteworthy that Nigeria has qualified for the finals of all major competitions she has entered this year, starting with the U-20 Women, Falconets’ qualification and participation at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Japan; the U-17 girls, Flamingoes’ qualification and participation at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Azerbaijan and the Super Falcons’ qualification for the 8th African Women’s Championship, which finals take place in Equatorial Guinea between 28th October and 11th November.

    The NFF can look forward to the Super Eagles qualifying for the 2013 African Nations Cup finals and the Golden Eaglets making it back to the African U-17 Championship, which finals hold in Morocco in April 2013.

  • Adeboye praises Lagos Chief Judge for freeing 233 prisoners

    The General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG),Pastor Enoch Adeboye, yesterday praised Lagos State Chief Judge Justice Ayotunde Phillips, for freeing 233 prisoners.

    On September 18, Justice Phillips freed 233 inmates from Kirikiri Medium and Maximum Security Prisons in Lagos, during her visit to the facilities.

    Adeboye spoke during a special prayer for judges and lawyers in the state at the church headquarters in Ebute Metta, Lagos.

    “When I heard the news that the Chief Judge of Lagos State released some prisoners, my heart leapt for joy.

    “The last time I was in Kirikiri Prisons, I found out that if some inmates had been convicted for offences they committed, the maximum sentence would have been three years, but they have been in prison for more than 12 years awaiting trial.

    “If it were to be in some developed countries, the prisoners would have sued government for robbing them of nine years of their lives,” he said. Adeboye observed that convicts often left prisons worse off.

    “Maybe we have not discovered a better way of dealing with some criminals, the only person I know that can change a prisoner on a permanent basis is Jesus.

    “There are some people that are in prison because they do not have anyone who would speak for them or defend them,” the cleric observed.

    Justice Bola Okikioloyinile told reporters that the prayer session was aimed at having fruitful legal activities in the state.

    Also speaking, Mr Wale Ogunade, lawyer and human rights activist, advised lawyers to always be on the side of justice.

  • Pdp praises Jonathan for stopping N5000 banknote

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has hailed President Goodluck Jonathan for reversing the planned introduction of N5000 currency note by the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN).

    It described the President’s action as an indication of his responsiveness to the wishes of the people.

    A statement by the party’s national Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, yesterday said the President has a listening ear, adding that the government has demonstrated that power really belongs to the people.

    Metuh maintained that the PDP will continue to anchor its policies and programmes on the needs of the people and will not relent in serving the interest of the nation at all times.

    He said: “The primary concern of the PDP is to ensure the welfare of the generality of Nigerians. We know full well that the opinion of the people in every government policy and action matters a lot if we must achieve this cardinal premise of our manifesto. This is the essence of this decision by the President to reverse the introduction of the N5000 note”

    Praising the National Assembly for standing on the part of the people in kicking against the proposed N5000 note, Metuh said the synergy between the lawmakers and the executive will lead to the success of the administration’s transformation.

    The statement added: “The critical role of the National Assembly as the representatives of the people is tangentially commendable at this juncture. We pay a deserving tribute to the maturity of the leadership of the National Assembly, Senate President, David Mark and the House of Representatives, Speaker Aminu Tambuwal in meeting with the President and in working together with him to guarantee the best for the nation.

    “We also commend Nigerians for their constructive criticisms of our programmes. Our party appreciates this pivotal role of the public in the making of good governance and shall continue to promote it.

    “It is for this reason that we established the Freedom of Information Act (FoIA), so that every Nigerian will have unrestricted access to information and be educated enough to make contribution on how the nation is governed.”