The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Segun Odegbami

  • Ex-soccer star Odegbami’s house burgled, six suspects arraigned

    Ex-soccer star Odegbami’s house burgled, six suspects arraigned

    Six men, who allegedly burgled the home of former Green Eagles star, Segun Odegbami and stole items worth N14.1 million, were on Wednesday arraigned at the Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

    The defendants are – Oke Moses (18), Abdul Azeez (22), Ajibade Rahmon (24), Isaac Okenuga (29), Olusola Orisansope (22) and Daramola Abiodun (22).

    They were docked before Chief Magistrate Folashade Botoku on a four-count charge of burglary, conspiracy, receiving of stolen property and stealing.

    According to the police, the defendants committed the offences between June 1 and 20 at about 2:00 a.m. at No.13, Saro Close, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    Prosecuting police officer, Sgt. Chijioke Njoku, told the court that two of the defendants, Moses and Azeez, unlawfully broke into Odegbami’s house and stole items worth N14.1 million.

    Items taken from the ex- soccer star’s residence are – one Iphone 7s plus valued at N490, 000, a Samsung Galaxy S3 phone valued at N150,000, two Apple laptops valued at N600,000 and a Rolex wristwatch valued at N12 million.

    Other items – are a box containing clothes and shoes valued at N500,000 and a phone charger valued at N5,000.

    The total value of the items is N14.1 million.

    Responding to a question from Magistrate Botoku, Njoku said following an investigation by the Victoria Island Police Division, Odegbami’s Samsung Galaxy S3 phone was traced to Okenuga who told the police that he bought it from Moses and Azeez.

    But Moses and Azeez, according to Njoku, denied burgling Odegbami’s home.

    The duo said they got the phone from a man under the pedestrian bridge at Ketu area of Lagos.

    Njoku said the alleged offences contravened Sections 287, 307 (b), 328 (1), and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 and punishable under same.

    The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    Magistrate Botoku granted them bail in the sum of N1 million each and two sureties in like sum.

    The sureties must be gainfully employed and show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

    The case was adjourned till August 17 for mention.

     

  • NNPC/Shell Cup is yielding desired result – Odegbami

    NNPC/Shell Cup is yielding desired result – Odegbami

    The Consultant to the NNPC/Shell Cup, Segun Odegbami, on Wednesday said that the competition had been yielding the desired results since its maiden edition.

    Odegbami made the assertion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos while reviewing the finals of the 19th edition of the annual NNPC/Shell Cup football tournament for secondary school boys.

    “So many players discovered at this tournament are all over the country and beyond, making their impacts in colleges, in universities; from time to time, we give the national team coaches the list of the players.

    “Often, they are invited to camp by our coaches; we have had a good relationship with the handlers of these national teams; in that regards, it is fulfilling its objective,’’ Odegbami said.

    On alleged poor officiating and dispute about the highest goal scorer, Odegbami told NAN they were technical issues that had being taken care of.

    “Well, that’s a technical thing, the organisers will have to ascertain what is true, they need to check if the assertion is true, then we can make corrections,’’ he said

    NAN reports that 2,750 schools participated in the 2017 edition concluded on Tuesday at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere, Lagos.

    NAN also reports that Arase Iyobor of Henson Demonstration School, Edo, was announced as the Highest Goal Scorer with seven goals.

    However, there was an argument that Ogbuehi Nzubechi of Holy Ghost School had eight goals.

  • Eguaveon’s resignation a product of a corrupt system, say Odegbami, others

    Eguaveon’s resignation a product of a corrupt system, say Odegbami, others

    Football enthusiasts have blamed Austin Eguaveon’s resignation as the coach of Sunshine Stars FC of Akure on the corruption that has eaten deep into football.

    `Mathematical’ Segun Odegbami, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said that the situation was sad.

    “It’s a psychological thing, this has been an issue for a very long time and nothing has been done.

    “I don’t know if anything can be done in this regard because it seems nothing has been done to make our referees better.

    “It’s like corruption in this country it has eaten deep into the system, in fact that’s what is wrong with our football.

    ” It is the same set of people that have been there that are still there so you don’t expect much from them, ” he said.

    Dosu Joseph, a former Super Eagles number one goalkeeper said that it was quite unfortunate, that for Eguaveon to resign after two matches and spoke volumes of the state of football in the country.

    ” The truth is at times human error comes into play but when it becomes consistent it shows something is wrong.

    ” For him to resign after two matches to me shows that he knows what he is doing and since he saw that he could not cope he did the needful.

    “It takes guts for him to do that ; it’s unfortunate that he resigned Sunshine has lost a good coach, ” Joseph said.

    Also sharing same view was Nduka Ugbade, he told NAN that there could be more to it.

    “I’m yet to call him, but there is more to it, that’s my assumption, Austin is a coach that knows his worth.

    ” It’s so unfortunate that things ended like this for Sunshine, they really needed his experience, ” he said.

    However, Wahidi Akanni, a board member of the Lagos State Football Association, said Eguaveon’s resignation due to referee’s conduct was not enough reason for his resignation.

    “The truth is our referees need reorientation but the truth is, it’s not enough for Eguaveon to resign that’s my take.

    “He should present his evidence to the relevant authorities, this is not to justify anything but the truth is officiating in the NPFL needs serious upgrade,” he said.

    NAN reports that Eguavoen left his post as the Technical Adviser of Sunshine Stars after the Week 23 match against Plateau United.

    Sunshine Stars played five games with the former Nigerian Coach in charge, winning two and losing three.

    The club defeated Rangers International of Enugu 2-0, lost 0-1 to Lobi Stars of Makurdi, defeated Enyimba International of Aba 1-0 and also lost 0-1 to 3SC of Ibadan and 1-2 to Plateau United of Jos. (NAN)

  • Eagles defeat stuns stakeholders day after

    Eagles defeat stuns stakeholders day after

    Some football enthusiasts are still shell-shocked to find words to describe the Super Eagles defeat by Bafana Bafana of South Africa in the campaign to qualify for the 2019 African Cup of Nations.

    Según Odegbami, a former Green Eagles player told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos that he was yet to find words to explain what went wrong.

    “Honestly I’d be lying if I said anything much concerning this match. I can’t comprehend what really happened.

    “It’s so sad that we lost on our own turf. Nothing could salvage it,’’ he said.

    Nduka Ugbade, Captain of the U-16 squad that won the 1985 FIFA Championship also told NAN that he was still in shock.

    “I don’t know what to say. It’s very sensitive. As passionate as I’m  about football, I can’t tell you exactly how I feel. I am still in a state of shock.

    “I know so many football fans will take a long while to get over this loss and I’m certainly not an exception,’’ he added.

    Bright Omokaro, a former Super Eagles defender told NAN that the players’ fitness level was low.

    “If you watch the match, you will understand that the players were not fit at all, apart from inexperience and all. It was sad to watch.

    “Even the technical crew, it wasn’t like they knew what they were doing. After the first half, I was expecting some drastic change,  but the match went on without much difference. It’s sad,’’ he said.

    Super Eagles lost 0-2 in its bid to qualify for the 2019 Nations Cup.

    The Nigerian team last qualified for Africa’s most prestigious tournament in 2013, which they won.

  • AFCON Qualifier: South Africa can’t stop Nigeria, says Odegbami

    AFCON Qualifier: South Africa can’t stop Nigeria, says Odegbami

     

    Former  Nigeria international, Segun Odegbami (MON), says South Africa or any other country cannot stop the Super Eagles from qualifying for the 2019 edition of the Africa Nations Cup.

    The Super Eagles will take on the Bafana Bafana in Cameroon 2019 qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on Saturday and Odegbami noted that there will be no justification for Nigeria to miss the AFCON again after missing out in the last two editions.

    In a chat with NationsSport in Lagos, the Nigerian football icon said, “I think it is abnormal that one of the richest countries in terms of natural talent of football, a country with our resources both mineral and human, a country with deep rich history in football should not be at any Nations Cup.

    “It is a totally unacceptable thing and we should all cover our faces, that for the past two editions, Nigeria was not there. There is absolutely no excuse why Nigeria should not be there again and I think this opportunity that comes up on Saturday is another time for us to remember who we really are when it comes to football.

    “South Africa cannot stop us, in fact, no country in Africa should be able to stop us going to the Nations Cup. Particularly now that we have more countries participating, it’s not like to eight that used to participate. We have developed a lot, we have the largest expatriate players in Europe out of Africa.

    “So I just see this as a time of recollection, a time of rebuilding. We see what Gernot Rohr has put together as a national team which has been encouraging since he became coach. We will all be witnesses to the match towards the Africa Cup of Nations in 2019,” Odegbami who won the Africa Nations Cup with Nigeria in 1980 added

  • Odegbami, Onigbinde, supporters’ club mourn Amodu

    Odegbami, Onigbinde, supporters’ club mourn Amodu

    Nigerians have again been thrown into mourning with the death early on Saturday of former Super Eagles coach, Shuaibu Amodu.

    Amodu, who was the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) Technical Director, reportedly died during a brief illness in Benin, Edo State, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

    Another former Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, died on Wednesday in Benin City.

    Amodu qualified Nigeria for the World Cup in 2002 and 2010 but was sacked before the commencement of both tournaments in Korea/Japan and South Africa respectively.

    He coached the defunct BCC Lions to win the 1989 FA Cup and led the club to win the now rested Africa Cup Winners the following year.

    Reacting to the NFF technical director’s death, ex-Green Eagles captain, Segun Odegbami, said Keshi and Amodu’s deaths in quick succession was shocking and had negative implications.

    “It is sad to be hearing the news of things happening in this manner, I think something really needs to be done, and something we need to know.

    “I think the people put in charge of sports don’t know anything about it. They don’t understand the pressure under which the real sportsmen work.

    “The players and coaches are dying slowly by the nature of their profession, but those at the helm of administration do not seem to know.

    “We have so many of them on their sick bed with no help going to them,’’ he told NAN in Lagos on Saturday.

    Odegbami urged the Federal Government to do something urgently about the welfare of sportsmen.

    Adegboye Onigbinde, who had also coached the senior national team, said: “I’m confused and sad. These are young active men dying in their primes, it’s so sad.

    “I’m frustrated that we are mourning again just few days after the death of Coach Stephen Keshi.”

    The Secretary, Nigeria Football Supporters’ Club (NFSC), Samuel Ikpea, told NAN that Amodu’s death was another tragedy for the football family and Nigerians in general.

    “This is unpleasant news this morning, a big tragedy to the football sector and the nation in general. It is really painful.

    “We have yet to get over Keshi’s death and only to wake up to get another sorrowful news about Amodu, I can’t understand what is happening.

    “I think the sad news is becoming alarming and calls for fervent prayers because we cannot continue to lose our football icons just like that,’’ he said.

  • Odegbami blames Kalu, Adamu for failed FIFA bid

    Odegbami blames Kalu, Adamu for failed FIFA bid

    Former Nigeria skipper, Segun  Odegbami , has blamed ex-FIFA executive committee member Amos Adamu and rival Orji Uzor Kalu for his failure to get the backing of other African countries in his quest to become the new FIFA boss.

    Odegbami, who was endorsed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to run for the FIFA presidency in February, could not muster nominations from five African soccer federations by Monday’s deadline to enable him stand for the FIFA elections.

    “Where were Amos Adamu and (Orji) Kalu yesterday (Monday)? It’s a Nigerian thing to bring down others,” africanFootball.com quoted Odegbami as saying on a radio interview monitored in Abuja Tuesday morning.

    “Well, I have done my own bit and it is left for others to do theirs.”

    Former Abia State Governor Kalu was linked with the FIFA presidential race, but he did not submit any documentation for his candidacy to the NFF.

    The NFF therefore endorsed Odegbami at the weekend.

    Adamu, who is now being investigated by the FIFA ethics committee, has publicly endorsed Kalu as the best candidate from Nigeria for the FIFA presidency.

  • NFF electoral system is flawed – Odegbami

    NFF electoral system is flawed – Odegbami

    Ex-Nigeria international, Segun Odegbami , has lamented the sorry state the Nigeria Football Federation has found itself in the past weeks, culminating in the world football governing body threatening to ban the country.

    He said the predicament rocking the football house was as a result of administrative incompetence of some officials at the helm of affairs.

    The former wing wizard also predicted more dangers ahead if the problems are not identified and fixed.

    “It is a disaster that happens every four years and unless we do something about it, there will be a repeat of this disaster in the next four years,” Odegbami told Goal.

    “There is something wrong and we have to identify and fix it. The electoral process is very faulty no wonder we are not progressing administratively because our football is growing steadily.”

    He narrated his ordeal while trying to purchase a form for the NFF election only to be disqualified.

    “I registered my intention to be part of the process, to contest for a position in the executive committee of the NFF.

    “I didn’t pick up a form to contest for the presidency, all I wanted to do is to find space within the executive committee and I did that because I realised that if you don’t buy a ticket, you will never win a lottery.

    “I purchased the ticket to examine the system and find out what it is and immediately I was disqualified, though, the decision was reversed. And after that, there have been all manners of confusion and crises.

    “We don’t know who to blame, we don’t know what the issues are and not to talk about the solution. It is all about confusion, “he stated.

    The former Green Eagles captain, however, did not rule out himself completely from heading the Nigeria football house in years to come.

    “If the issues are resolved, if the structure, guidelines and statutes are clear and done well to reflect progress, why won’t I put in my own bid to be a part of football in this country?

    “I have paid my dues. I am a sports ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and former captain of the senior national team.

    “My business is football. I own a sports school and I write football. So I can’t go anywhere else. If there is a level playing ground and the rules are clear and transparent, then by all means I will love to be a part of the leadership of football in the country,” he concluded.

    The NFF elections are expected to hold on September 30.

  • NFF poll: Umeh, Odegbami, Ogunjobi out

    NFF poll: Umeh, Odegbami, Ogunjobi out

    Nigeria Football Federation acting president, Mike Umeh, has been screened out of the forthcoming elections, while Chris Giwa is unopposed for the federation’s presidency.

    According to the electoral guidelines, Giwa, who is the owner of Nigeria premier league club, Giwa FC, will automatically be the new NFF president as he is unopposed.

    Giwa’s clearance comes despite his indictment by a fact-finding committee into Plateau United when he was the club acting chairman 10 years ago, africanFootball.com reports.

    It also fuels speculations that the sports ministry has carefully orchestrated what could now be best described as an appointment.

    Also disqualified is former secretary general of the NFF, Taiwo Ogunjobi.

    Former Nigeria captain Segun Odegbami, was also not cleared for the August 26 elections to the NFF executive committee.

    NFF electoral committee chairman, Amoni Biambo, made the disclosure Wednesday in Abuja while rolling out the list of cleared candidates.

    He explained that Ogunjobi was disqualified due to his ban from all football activities, while Umeh was screened out because he picked a form for vice president and submitted same for presidency.

    For Odegbami, his form was not properly endorsed and as such was not cleared.

  • Segun Odegbami eyes marriage again

    Segun Odegbami eyes marriage again

    THE coast appears clear for legendary Nigerian footballer, Segun Odegbami, to start scoring goals again, but not in the sense in which he did for the former IICC (now 3SC) football club of Ibadan or the Nigerian national team. He has only been given a clean matrimonial bill of health to formalise his union with Oyin Adeyemi, his lover of many years. A High Court in the Ibadan Division, Oyo State, is said to have formally dissolved his first marriage to Jumoke Tejumola Odegbami.

    A few years ago, the former Green Eagles captain was hosted by Oyin’s family in an introduction ceremony that saw Segun gladly inform the family that he was ready to tie the nuptial knot with their daughter. The family was joyous and expectant that the union would soon be consummated, but nothing appeared to be happening several years after.

    It was gathered that Segun could not go ahead with the said marriage because his marriage to his former wife had not been officially dissolved, even though they had gone their separate ways for years. This became a clog in Segun and Oyin’s wheel of matrimonial progress. But now, Segun is said to have finally divorced Jumoke and a marriage is in the offing for him and Oyin.