The Nation Newspaper

Tag: salute

  • Salute to heroism

    •Worshippers who stopped the suicide bomber in Gashua did a great job

    BUT for the vigilance of some worshippers at a mosque in Gashua village in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State, the country would have been thrown, once again, into mourning on May 20, when a female suicide bomber attempted to detonate the suicide vest strapped to her body. Mercifully, her satanic mission was foiled by vigilant worshippers who came to the mosque for early morning prayers.

    According to “Operation Lafiya Dole,” the new code name for the military’s fresh impetus to tackle the activities of Boko Haram, in a statement, “what would have otherwise been a devastating suicide bomb attack on a mosque in Gashua village in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State has been successfully foiled today (Sunday) by vigilant members of the community.” The statement, signed by Col. Onyeama Nwachukwu, Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, added that “a female Boko Haram suicide bomber had infiltrated the mosque, while members were about to commence a prayer session but was detected when struggling to detonate a suicide vest strapped to her body.” The woman was promptly arrested by the locals and handed over to soldiers at Azare,”  Katagum division in Bauchi State.

    It is unfortunate that suicide bombing has almost become a recurring decimal in the country in recent times. In March, three female suicide bombers died when their veils became entangled in barbed wire security fence erected by vigilante groups to fend off Boko Haram attack in Konduga town, 38 kilometres (23 miles) from Maiduguri. According to reports, “the bombers blew themselves up to avoid capture and injured one person nearby. Also, a suicide bomber on a bicycle killed three people in the same month, when he detonated his explosives on the outskirts of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. Before these incidents, two suicide bombers struck at a camp for displaced people in Dikwa, 90 kilometres (56 miles) east of Maiduguri, killing five in July, 2017. Reports said the attackers disguised themselves as traders who wanted to buy grains.

    Until about four years ago, little was heard of female bombers. But their number appears to be increasing, and this should be a source of concern. In the same vein, we should be worried about the military’s disclosure that some parents now willingly hand over their daughters to Boko Haram for this purpose. Not less worrisome is the idea of kid bombers, which also appears to be becoming fashionable.

    Nonetheless, we salute the heroism and selflessness of the worshippers in Gashua village who foiled the attempt to bring tears and sorrow into the country again. They have demonstrated that it is possible to foil suicide attempt without loss of life. Boko Haram has taught them the essence of being cautious and courageous. Apparently, their action was informed by the enlightenment campaigns embarked upon by the security agencies in the vulnerable places, as part of measures to guide the people on what to do when the insurgents strike.

    The worshippers’ heroic action also confirms the concept of security being a collective responsibility. If they had waited for security agencies before stopping the suicide bomber in her satanic mission, the story perhaps might have been different. When suicide bombers realise that people are ready to stop them before they strike, they are likely to think twice before embarking on the assignment because their mission is not just to kill themselves, but also to kill as many people as possible in the process.

    The security agencies should intensify the campaigns; they should not relent in telling the people what to do when they see anyone, male or female, fidgeting with their dress or behaving suspiciously. The campaigns should be done more on radio, which is the most popular of the mass media in that part of the country,  and in the local languages, especially in the areas most vulnerable to Boko Haram attacks.

  • Salute to master artist Oshinowo @ 70

    Salute to master artist Oshinowo @ 70

    After touring Nigeria for six years, armed with his camera, Moses Oghagbon, one of Nigeria’s contemporary artists held a solo art exhibition Scapes from Nigeria, at Nike Art Gallery, Lekki, Lagos in September 2011.

    It featured a rare collection of the nation’s landscape, among others. That effort set the tone for the subsequent shows that culminated into the yearly Argungu Series.

    Since 2013, when Oghagbon initiated the Argungu Series of exhibition at the Terra Kulture, Lagos, the art scene has been inundated with rich collection of landscape paintings on Argungu and its heritage. He has also celebrated the famous yearly Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival through his exhibition series in the past five years.

    But this year, Oghagbon has shifted the paradigm by dedicating the Argugnu  Series 7 to honour one of Nigeria’s master artists Kolade Oshinowo, who will be 70 on February 6. It will hold at the Terra Kulture Gallery, Tiamiyu Savage Street, Victoria Island, Lagos between February 17 and 26. By this effort, the Yaba College of Technology-trained painter, water colourist and photographer has demonstrated his strong belief in the artistic philosophy of Oshinowo and also to say a big thank you to a master of all times.

    According to the artist, “in this exhibition, I am exploring mixed media painting and featuring diverse mediums of paintings from Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival and my Kebbi State experiences to tell the story of the great people of the ancient Northeastern Nigeria, Argungu Emirate of Kebbi State in particular.’’

    No fewer than 40 works will be exhibited and they include Common goal Argungu (mixed media) Study Bisi (charcoal), Memories on Argungu I and II (mixed media) African beauty (oil on canvas).

    He said it was pleasing to him to identify with legendary Oshinowo the great master of masters, his teacher and an icon that has influenced the contemporary landscape of Nigeria art in no small ways. He added that for Oshinowo at 70, ‘’I am using this great opportunity to celebrate, honour and to say a big thank you for touching my life positively and that of others.’ Dedicating the show to Oshinowo is to be expected after all Oghagbon was a student under him at Yaba College of Technology Lagos, in 2003.

    On the link between Argungu series 7 and Oshinowo’s 70th birthday, the artist said it was about a ‘father and son documenting and representations for generations to come’. He described the Argungu series art exhibition is an idea borne out of the need to engender positive propagation and promotion of the rich cultural artistic heritage of the Argungu Emirate of Kebbistate for generations’ developmental consciousness in a sustainable manner.

    “It is important to acknowledge that visualdocumentation/representations are very potent tools of communication for social consciousness and orientation. Information disseminated re-vibrates indelibly in the recipient’s sub-conscious perpetually. The bedrock of meaningful development in any society or community has been identified and established as the conscious and passionate appreciation and respect for prevalent cultural trajectory,” he said.

  • Tinubu: Salute to courage as history beckons again

    Tinubu: Salute to courage as history beckons again

    Today, in Africa, the motherland of humanity, the self-glorification of the continent as the cradle of human civilisation is fast obliterating into a deprecable aqua of oblivion. It is becoming pellucid for any responsible and objective African personage that what would mark and herald the continent’s progress in spite of the traumatised stage that global political economy and neo-power geopolitics and stratagem have confined the continent to, is an audacious tackling of the continent’s current vaudeville of social, economic, political, religious and cultural phantasmagoria. Anything short of this is vacuous sloganeering.

    Yet, not many of African leaders in all spheres of life, with emphasis on the political sphere have come to terms with the afore-stated grim reality. In Nigeria, the over-rated giant of Africa, a giant standing on spaghetti legs, the ruling class just like the ruling class in most of Africa, is still wallowing in delusion of grandeur and self-delusional hocus-pocus instead of waking up from slumber to tackle the hard stuff of governance and development. The recklessness and tactlessness of the PDP administration under President Goodluck Jonathan clearly demonstrates the imperative of the enthronement of a philosopher-king-leader. A philosopher-king of the Platonic guardian class anchorage, naturally brings finesse, rigour, discipline, fortitude, tact and above all, vision to governance.

    Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, since the inauguration of the Fourth Republic has brought deft, organisational dexterity, benevolence, discipline and progressive bonhomie to Nigerian politics. The national leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC) has never been a pretender to power politics. He has always brought to bear his organisational skills and a given talent to strike the right chord at the right time. This is one African leader who is ideologically persuaded on how to turn the African fortune around as he continues to recruit well-heeled emergent leaders for the service of Nigeria. His knack for spotting and keeping very promising people with leadership potentials is unrivalled in contemporary Nigeria. A close look at the army of young turks  he worked with as governor of Lagos state between 1999 and 2007, who today are leading lights on the national stage foretells the sterner stuff of Asiwaju. His allies like Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Babatunde Fashola, Tunji Bello, Vice-president Yemi Osinbajo and a host of others amply demonstrate the sterner stuff of the APC national leader, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. His recent rapproachment with the Afenifere group is a political masterstroke and has left the PDP opposition befuddled and in the horns of discombobulation, especially with the tattered, shattred and battered nose its Oduduwa political subalterns received in the hands of hijackers of their recently held national convention. PDP Southwest operatives who had basked in the gregarious and temerarious mire of wittling down the prodigious influence of Asiwaju in the politics of the Southwest now have to go back to the drawing board. The great efforts of the APC national leader in building bridges across ideological, ethnic and religious divides put him ahead as the master-strategist nonpareil in Nigerian politics today.

    Love him or hate him, what critics and admirers of Bola Ahmed Tinubu cannot take away from him, is his organisational skills, a rare capacity to put his nose to the grind stone, a talent hunter, builder and investor in young men and women, imbued with cosmopolitan mien. As Senator in the aborted Third Republic, Asiwaju’s progressive jousting and performance in organising the opposition human rights and pro-democracy movements that challenged and defeated military dictatorship in the country is another testimonial to his progressive ranking.

    He did not only join in the mass struggle to resettle the military in its fortes, he galvanised numerous social forces (professional groups, radical patriots and socialists, minority ethnic rights groups, leading centrists, even progressive retired military officers, farmers, traders, taxi drivers, tailors, fishermen, leading members of the clergy and their followers) to ensure the nation survives the onslaught and devastating macho-politics of military jackboots. He gave life to radical newspapering in the country which called off the bluff and swashbuckling megalomania of the “kill-and-go” mien of the late General Sani Abacha.

    Indeed, at a time when many great and respected Nigerians were hunted and murdered for their anti-establishment political activities, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu doggedly and ruggedly refused to tergiversate.  He retreated into exile and battled the Abacha junta to luxation. Tinubu’s humanism and flair for constitutionalism was consummated as the governor of Lagos State between 1999 and in 2007.

    Today, we are living witnesses to the giant strides of Tinubu as governor.  In his bid to test and concretise the quest for federalism, the APC national leader as governor of Lagos State created local councils and funded them. Some other states which initiated the Lagos model could not withstand the onslaught of the federal government under the leadership of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo who dictatorially stopped the Lagos State’s federal allocation. Other states quickly retraced their steps and annulled their newly created councils. But, Lagos State under the dogged and cerebral Asiwaju, a federalist to the core, truly committed to the ideals of federalism in a multi-ethnic, multi-religious, multi- cultural Nigeria pushed on with his newly created councils without Federal allocations for a number of years till he left office in 2007. Critics would easily say that Lagos is rich with huge internally generated revenue which emboldened Asiwaju to dare then President Obasanjo, but we all do know that if Asiwaju was spineless and pusillanimous, or even opportunistic to curry Obasanjo’s favour, he would have caved in and abrogated the councils he created.

    It took the Supreme Court ruling for Lagos State to convert its new councils to Development Areas. The lesson from Asiwaju’s resilience and political sagacity is to put the question once again whether Nigerian States are ideologically committed to the struggle to refederalise Nigeria, with the states or federating units reclaiming some of their rights and functions? The great federalist believes in action than cheap propaganda. Nonetheless, the lesson was not lost. The Asiwaju political machine made a statement that remains a watershed in the struggle for federalism in contemporary Nigeria.

    As the nation returns to electoral politics in the months ahead, the All Progressive Congress (APC) must leverage on the political fortunes and far-reaching socio-political  networks of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. The Jagaban is already doing what he knows how best to do- reaching out to all that matter on the political stage, building bridges across the land to enhance the electoral chances of the APC.

    Asiwuja should and must also reach out to other politically estranged groups in the other geopolitical zones to fortify the chances of our great party in the 2019 general elections. Nigeria has always been Asiwaju’s political pet project and that is the more reason I call on him to shame and disappoint all those political Lilliputians who are praying so hard that there should be a crevice and snap in the tender and delicate political relationship between him and President Buhari. President Buhari needs Asiwaju Tinubu in 2019 just the same way Asiwaju Tinubu needs President Buhari in 2019. BUT A STEADY AND PROGRESSIVE NIGERIA NEEDS THE TWO OF YOU TOGETHER MORE. Truth be told. The other political parties are not offering better alternatives for the progress of our great country. History truly beckons again.

     

    • Honourable Obahiagbon is former Chief of Staff to former Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and a former member of the House of Representatives.

     

  • APC, Atiku, El-Rufai salute President Buhari

    APC, Atiku, El-Rufai salute President Buhari

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) “heartily welcomed” President Muhammadu Buhari back to the country yesterday after his medical vacation in the United Kingdom.

    The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary ,Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, was optimistic that  Buhari “is now well rested and has returned with new vigour and optimism to fix the challenges facing our people and fulfill the promises our party made to Nigerians during the 2015 elections.”

    It thanked the President for “following due process and properly handing over to his deputy, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and thereby saving the country the needless controversies and crises that we experienced in the past.”

    The party also commended Osinbajo for “competently holding forte on behalf of Mr. President and for his loyalty and commitment to the Change Agenda of our party”, and Nigerians for  ”praying for the health and safe return of the President.”

    The APC noted  that “government is fully committed to the party’s manifesto of Change, couched on true transformation in every area of national life.”

    Atiku welcomes Buhari home, urges unity

    Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, expressed joy and relief at the return of President Muhammadu Buhari from the United Kingdom.

    The former Vice President said  Buhari’s safe return is a happy moment not only as fellow party member, but also as a Nigerian that has tremendous goodwill and best wishes for the President.

    According to the Turakin Adamawa, the return of the President at this time would put to an end to the uncertainty and the conspiracy theories that attended his 50 days absence.

    Atiku Abubakar explained that, with the President’s return, Nigerians should unite behind their common interests and speak with one voice instead of nursing bitterness against one another because of political differences.

    The former Vice President prays to God to bless the President with many more years of good health and energy to serve his country successfully.

    El-Rufai takes to Facebook

    An excited Kaduna State Governor  Nasir el-Rufai  said on Facebook: “The President is back. He has landed safely in Kaduna and received by Deputy Governor, Barnabas Yusuf Bala,  and senior KDSG officials. The government and people of Kaduna State are proud to receive our First Citizen back to his home to face the task of rebuilding Nigeria. Alhamdulillah. Jumaat Mubarak to everyone.”

  • Henry, Wenger salute Iwobi

    Henry, Wenger salute Iwobi

    Nigeria international striker, Alex Iwobi, has received plaudits following his eye-catching performance for Arsenal in their 2-0 win at Everton on Saturday.

    The teenager making his first start in the Barclays Premier League for the Gunners scored his first senior goal and capped it up with a man-of-the-match outing at Goodison Park.

    The 19-year-old attacking winger has received encouraging words from his manager, Arsene Wenger and club legend, Thierry Henry.

    Wenger, who has shown faith in the Nigerian, branded Iwobi “an intelligent boy” while Henry believes that the youngster deserves to be part of the Arsenal setup following his hard work.

    Wenger said after the game: “He is an intelligent boy who loves the ball. He is very passionate about the game and wants to learn. I took him to train with the first team in pre-season and liked what I saw. He’s been improving quickly, month-by-month. That is why I integrated him into the team.”

    Iwobi, who is a nephew of former Nigeria midfielder, Austin ‘Jay Jay, Okocha, has been with Arsenal as a primary pupil and only inked a new deal in October last year.

    Despite being capped by England at under-16, 17 and 18 levels, he opted to play for Nigeria in the senior level and has made two appearances for the Super Eagles.

  • Mark, Saraki salute workers on May Day

    Mark, Saraki salute workers on May Day

    Senate President, David Mark, yesterday expressed solidarity with Nigerian workers, urging them to uphold the spirit of resilience that has propelled the nation to greatness.

    He also urged workers to sustain the hands that produce the wealth of the nation just as he told employers of labour to reciprocate the workers’ gesture through improved welfare.

    According to a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, in Abuja the Senate President said: “On this day as always, I salute the indomitable spirit of the Nigerian worker. I commend your resilience and steadfastness that have kept the nation alive.

    “I am to remind you to always make productivity the cornerstone at all times. That way, you will be contributing to the survival of the nation.

    “To this end, I earnestly request that we review our strategies and penchant or resort to industrial action at will.

    “I am convinced that dialogue remains the best road map towards resolving any disagreement no matter how complicated.

    “Resort to strike action always carries far reaching political and economic consequences which unarguably retard growth.

    “As a people, we must think otherwise in the interest of our nation. Development can only be achieved if labour and employers work along the same line.”

    Also yesterday, the Chairman Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki, saluted the workers as they marked the May Day celebration.

    Saraki urged them to remain steadfast and courageous in the face of current economic turmoil which has created a situation where some states are not able to pay salaries on time.

    Saraki, who issued a statement in Abuja, said: “Every first day in the month of May provides an opportunity to salute the efforts of the labouring hands behind the socio-economic balance of our great country.

    “I join millions of Nigerians not only to felicitate, but also to commend the boundless efforts and sacrifice by Nigerian workers.

    “In the quest for sustainability, stability, tranquility, and social growth of our fatherland, the civil servants remain the gear and the driving force. Today therefore will remain a historic day of appreciation.

    “I use this opportunity to implore our dear workers nationwide to remain steadfast and courageous as Nigeria passes through the current economic turmoil which has created the challenge of some states not being able to pay salaries on time.

    “This I believe our president-elect will urgently and aggressively attend to.

    “I commend the Nigerian Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress for the leadership they provide for Nigerian workers and urge them to close ranks to hold a united front to assist the 8th Assembly to build on the achievements of improving work conditions in Nigeria.

    “The labour of our heroes, past and present, must never be in vain.

    “As a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I am committed to raising and supporting Bills that will create jobs, protect the Nigerian workers and improve our work environment.”

  • 80-gun salute for the General

    80-gun salute for the General

    General Yakubu Gowon turns 80 on October 19th (today). A couple of things stand out when you meet him for the first time. Firstly, he is a people person. His gregarious nature is such that you know he loves good company, though he does not seek to dominate proceedings. Secondly, he can be disarmingly humble, offering you his handshake in a respectable rather than condescending manner as some of our “very important personalities” tend to do. Thirdly, the General can be wickedly funny. He would make fun of you, but not before he has poked fun at himself. Once in a while I hold my breath until the punch line is delivered. I have myself been at the receiving end of his barbs particularly as regards my height or my silver hair.

    I first met General Gowon in October 1980 at Warwick University where I had enrolled for a master’s degree while he was pursuing a doctoral programme in Politics. To be candid, I did not know what to expect. After all, the last time I saw him was about six years before in Kaduna at a public function which I covered for the New Nigerian. Then, as Head of State, he had the panoply of Nigerian officialdom, the ceremonial outriders, the security detail and the equipage. As a reporter among my colleagues, I think the best we got was a smile, his trademark grin, towards us. At Warwick what would be the story? How do you relate to your former Head of State now turned fellow student? Would he be friendly? Do you keep punctuating your discussions with “Your Excellency”?

    If only I had known that with Gowon such thoughts, no matter how felicitous were unnecessary. Firstly, he actually left a word for me that he was on campus from his base in London. Secondly, he insisted on being on first name basis like every other student. So, if you cared, call him Jack. If my memory serves me well, I believe we had tea together on the ground floor of the University library. Any lingering doubts that Gowon had adjusted after a nine year stint as Nigeria’s military head of state, all were blown away by his unaffected simplicity and charm.

    There were no nostalgic references to “when I was in power”, nor did he seem to miss the trappings of it. Of course you cannot forget his patented “honestly” or “sincerely” as he spoke. We drank from disposable plastic cups with the obligatory plastic spoons. He would stand up to greet fellow students, engage in small talk about the weather, the train ride from Euston Station to Coventry and whatever was of interest. He took in good spirit, criticism of his regime, displaying a loyalty streak to his much-criticised subordinates, particularly most of the governors.

    On a personal level, Gowon reminisced about times with my maternal uncle, the late Mr Abdul Aziz Atta, who had been Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance and later Secretary to the Federal Government under him. He would also ask after my elder brother, Mr W. O. Baiye ,who was his French interpreter and translator. For the one year I was at Warwick we saw each other fairly often. And when it seemed too far between, he would call or leave a note in my carrel or at the department. His capacity to relate very well has spun many a yarn and will still do, but a few factual encounters will be adequate.

    Once, a friend, Mohammed Sagagi (a doctoral student in Economics), and I were in the supermarket on campus.  Then, we saw Gowon across several aisles in the shop. Our concern was that no matter how hard we tried, Gowon would not let us carry his basket to the till. So, to avoid the embarrassment of not being seen to be courteous and helpful to a former head of state and an elder at that, we opted to feign ignorance of his presence. Unfortunately, we did not reckon with those giant mirrors in the supermarkets. Gowon not only identified us, he walked towards where we were! After pleasantries he not only insisted on carrying our items to the cashier’s till, he offered to pay. His action had very little to do with the state of his cash flow; it spoke much about his generosity of spirit, something those who have been much closer to him can adduce copious evidence of.

    On another occasion, Gowon was on a visit to Nigeria sometime in the mid-80s. I went to visit him at the State House, Marina where he was lodged. He apologised for not ever inviting me to visit their home in London. While I was trying to negotiate my way through an apology, Mrs Victoria Gowon rightly handed me a rebuke for not visiting as she believed that a formal invitation was not necessary. I am sure I would not be the first to say that the charming, thoughtful, and warm-hearted Victoria is a straight talker. After the visit, Gowon saw me to the car, waited till we drove off and waved goodbye. My driver was so chuffed by the fact that the Gowon he had heard about so much came to the car to greet and see us off. So carried away was Alabi the driver that I had to advise him to calm down and focus on the traffic!

    One of my time consuming habits is to read about the subject of Leadership. For me, memoirs and biographies provide the substance of that subject. Some great leaders wrote very helpful and thoughtful stuff but so did some not-so-great leaders such as George W. Bush, America’s President from 2000-8. His book, Decision Points is a readable account of his stewardship. On the contrary, former President Richard Nixon wrote that “Leaders are uncommon men. They should not try to appear to be common. If they do try, they will come across as unnatural–not only phony, but condescending.”So wrote Nixon in his book Leaders, published in 1982. Happily, Gowon has retained the common touch without being phony. That is why he deserves an 80-gun salute.

    Happy birthday, General Gowon.

     

    – Baiye, formerly Managing Editor with the New Nigerian, is a business executive based in Lagos.

  • Agu, Amadi salute Enyeama despite FIFA’s snub

    Agu, Amadi salute Enyeama despite FIFA’s snub

    Aloy Agu and Emeka Amadi, former Nigeria goalkeepers, have  hailed the heroics of Super Eagles’ first choice goalie at the Brazil 2014 World Cup, Vincent Enyeama despite not being on the shortlist of the three finalists for FIFA’s Golden Glove award.

    Enyeama whose agility kept Nigeria in the tournament until the 2-0 defeat to France in the Round of 16 was overlooked along with America’s Tim Howard who made a record 16-save performance against Belgium in the round of 16.

    The three finalists were from teams that advanced to at least the quarterfinals namely, Costa Rica’s Keylor Navas, Germany’s Manuel Neuer and Argentina’s Sergio Romero.

    “There is no doubt that  Enyeama would have been picked by FIFA as one of the three best goalkeepers at the World Cup if the Super Eagles had reached at least the quarter finals,” said Agu, a member of Super Eagles’ 1994 AFCON-winning team, who lost his teeth while on duty for Nigeria against Ghana in Kumasi in 1993.

    “He did so well in all the  matches he played  but we should not forget that FIFA has indices for picking the best players and goalkeepers at their tournaments. Not picking Enyeama has to do with the fact that the Super Eagles did not progress further than the Round of 16.”

    Speaking in the same vein, Amadi, the Golden Eaglets’ goalkeeper trainer who guided Dele Alampasu to win FIFA’s Golden Glove award at the 2013 Under-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates, admitted that Enyeama was one of the best goalkeepers at Brazil 2014.

    “We must be proud of what Enyeama did at the World Cup but my favourite for the Golden Glove Award is Neuer and this has nothing to do with the fact that I’d lived in Germany before,” Amadi added.

  • Niger’s coach salute Eaglets

    Junior Menas of Niger’s coach Soumaila Tiemogo has given the Golden Eaglets a resounding applause following his side comprehensive 10-1 aggregate loss to the Nigerians in the 2013 African Under-17 Youth Championship qualifier.

    The Nigerien youngsters were handed a 4-1 defeat in Niamey with a further 6-0 defeat at the weekend in Calabar. Tiemogo, who recently led his side to win the 2012 Airtel Rising Stars Tournament in Nairobi, said his boys gave a good account of themselves against a better team.

    “I think we played well over the two legs but we met a well-organised team,” Tiemogo said through an interpreter. “The Nigerian team simply outclassed us and I think there is nothing to be ashamed of because we were beaten by a very good team.”

    It would be recalled that Suleymanu Kabirou, the Junior Menas’ captain, had raised the alarm that it would be an uphill task for them to avenge their 4-1 loss against the formidable Nigerian lads.

    “We were shocked with the good handling of the ball by the Golden Eaglets,” Kabirou reportedly said after the first leg game in Niamey.” It was as if we were watching football on a playstation machine.”

    Similar view was expressed by coach Tiemogo after the second leg 6-0 loss. He refrained from picking any single player as the best amongst the Golden Eaglets, saying that the strength of the Nigerians lie in the fact that they play as a team with a very strong mentality.

    “Football has gone beyond individuals, though I saw some good players on the Nigerian side, what impressed me most are their collective style of play. They are a good team that simply outclassed us,” he added.