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Tag: Stephen Odey

  • N100m Fraud: Cross River SUBEB lauds EFCC’s intervention

    The Cross River Universal Basic Education Board (CR-SUBEB) has commended operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), for their prompt intervention in the attempt to defraud the board of N100 million.

    Dr Stephen Odey, Chairman of the board, gave the commendation on Thursday in Calabar while speaking with newsmen on the alleged attempt by suspected fraudsters to divert N100million Universal Basic Education (UBE) Matching Grant meant for the state.

    According to him, the suspects forged the signature of the SUBEB chairman and the secretary on a bank transfer form in an attempt to transfer the money to a different account before the bank alerted the EFCC amid suspicion.

    “This is a nefarious act perpetrated against the board and the State Government.

    “Fraudulent activities such as this are calculated attempts to cause problems for the board.

    “See the length people can go to commit crime; those people whom I do not know from anywhere, forged my signature and that of the board’s Secretary.

    Read Also: N229m money laundering: EFCC arraigns ex-minister, four others

    “If this was not uncovered by the EFCC, tomorrow people will carry stories that the money was withdrawn by the executive chairman.

    “I really commend the EFCC for their timely intervention and for swooping in to forestall the fraudulent attempt on the account, thereby vindicating the board,” he said.

    Odey said that on several occasions, EFCC had placed a lien on the board’s matching grant account as a result of frivolous petitions.

    The chairman said that one of the suspects had on interrogation admitted that he had never met or seen the SUBEB chairman nor the board’s Secretary.

    “To the best of my knowledge and being honest, I have never seen or known any of them in any way, and they both don’t know me in anyway either,” he said.

    Odey promised to remain transparent in all his dealings as the SUBEB chairman and warned the general public to stay away from fraudulent activities.

    The executive chairman in April apprehended a fraudster in the State with four forged award letters for execution of projects amounting to N135 million.

    NAN

  • STEPHEN ODEY: My dream came true with FC Zurich

    STEPHEN ODEY: My dream came true with FC Zurich

    Fresh from joining up with new club FC Zurich, striker Stephen Odey is thrilled with the fast way his short career is moving, reports TAIWO ALIMI. 

    Speaking from his base in Switzerland, the MFM FC former striker is impressed with the youth development programme of the club and looks forward to an inspiring four-year stint in Zurich.

    The 19-year-old became the third Nigerian player to represent the club after the late Rashid Yekini and Ike Shorunmu.

    “Zurich is a beautiful place and FC Zurich is big in Switzerland. I am impressed with the set up and one of the things that made me to sign for them is their youth development programmes,” explained the 19-year-old as he shed light on issues surrounding his transfer, growing up, MFM FC and aspiration. Excerpts…

    Transfer to FC Zurich 

    My transfer was tidied up on the last days of transfer deadline and I was invited to Zurich to sign the necessary documents. I actually signed a contract until the end of the 2020/2021 season.  I would have been cleared by FIFA immediately but some papers were still pending and that was what put the move on hold. But the management of FC Zurich quickly reached out to FIFA as soon as the TMS was documented, FIFA cleared my transfer and I was officially unveiled.

    Growing up

    I was born in Agege, a suburb of Lagos State, and that is where I learnt to play football on the streets. We are six children in the family and it was only my eldest brother, John Odey, who played football but opted out too early to make any mark at club levels. As the second to the last in the family, my mother had a soft spot for me and helped me a lot when I started playing football actively.

    I lost my dad in 2011 and his death affected me seriously because we spent a lot of money to keep him alive only to lose him in the end. Growing up was not too pleasant but my brother and mum sacrificed their time and career to make sure I don’t give up my soccer dream. In-fact, my brother had to give up his career to get a job at Mouka Foam to keep the family going. My mum sells groundnuts in Agege Market and with her meagre earning she helped me attend trainings and matches.

    Early football days

    As I said, I grew up in Agege area of Lagos and that is where I cut my football tooth. I attended Answar-ul-Islam Primary School and Diary Secondary School in Agege and it was there that I cut my football tooth. When I turned 11 years, I took one of my brother’s boots and I was using it till my mum gave me money to buy my first set of boots. My mother also supported me. She gave me transport fare, bought me jerseys, boots and camp fee because she found out that I loved playing football. I soon got the opportunity at Diary Secondary School to captain my school. My school took part in the second edition of GTBank Principals Cup, and we were lucky to get to the final of the tournament. We eventually won the cup and I was selected into the GTBank 13-man All Star Team of the Year. That competition helped me to make the limelight and the courage to move on.

    My exciting time with MFM FC

    In 2014, MFM came for me and because there were many of my friends in the team I quickly found my feet there. We were mostly youngsters and we understood ourselves very much. Sikiru Olatunbosun was my best pal in the team and between the two of us, we were able to turn around the fortune of the team. I played my first season with MFM in 2015. I scored five goals in the same season of the Nigeria National League, helping the club to gain promotion into the elite Nigeria Professional Football League. The following season, I also scored nine goals to become the club’s top scorer.

    Luck smiled on us in the 2017 season when we finished in third place. I scored a total of 18 goals.

    The same year, I received the NPFL Bloggers Award as the most valuable player of the month after scoring a hat trick.

    We wanted to lift the league title but qualifying for the continental title is also something. Though I will not be part of it, it is a good thing that I am playing abroad now and aspiring for bigger things. MFM have quality players and I expect they would recruit more quality players because the CAF competitions are tougher. Whenever I was away on trial, the team has coped. There are good players in the team. I think the team will continue to cope without me.

    Invitation to Super Eagles

    The invitation to the home-based Super Eagles happened in 2016 and it was a pleasant surprise. I think it was around August and it was largely based on my exploit in the local league. I was happy because that was my first season in the Premier League.

    The Eagles camp helped me a lot because I learned a lot from the players in camp. Generally, I picked up some tricks that have helped me, especially in the areas of quality of my passes, ball control and even my shooting techniques. Also, there was unity and there was nothing like ‘big boy’ or ‘big boss’ in camp. The players are quite young, which is a good thing. This means that all of us can play in at least three or four major tournaments in the future.

    At the end of the day, I did not make it into the final squad, but I am still young and my time will come soon. There are many more matches to play in the national team, so it will happen before long. Moving to Zurich is a motivation for me and that would go a long way in preparing me for the national team.

    My role models

    I love Brazil’s Ronaldo very much. He is one player that I love with a passion. I’ve always dreamt to be like him and score goals like him.  He was a phenomenal. However, since he no longer plays football, I love Luis Suarez. He is a great finisher; one of the world’s best strikers. I also look up to many players in the colours of Nigeria.

    Settling down at FC Zurich

    Zurich is a beautiful place and FC Zurich is big in Switzerland. I am impressed with the set up and one of the things that made me to sign for them is their youth development programmes.

    I’ve been training with the first team and I have coped well. I also joined the U21 team for some matches and it was nice.

  • ‘Cross River to employ foreign teachers for Obudu Model School’

    ‘Cross River to employ foreign teachers for Obudu Model School’

    Cross River Government says it will recruit foreign qualified teachers to teach in the British Canadian International Model School, Obudu in Obudu Local Government Area.

    Dr Stephen Odey, the Chairman, State Universal Basic Education ( SUEBEB ), made this known on Thursday in Obudu, while inspecting the ongoing construction work at the school.

    Odey said that the school modelled along those in Great Britain and Canada, would rank among the best in the country, in the areas of infrastructure and education curriculum.

    “Here, they are not going to be ordinary teachers within the locality; we are bringing teachers from abroad.

    “The concept is that the school will not only be for formal education; as part of extracurricular activities, students will learn music and engage in other activities,” he said.

    Odey said that between now and next September, education in the state would take a new dimension.

    The SUEBEB chairman said that the school would be equipped with the state-of-the-art facilities, competent staff and conducive learning environment in line with the global best practices.

    He described the school as one of the signature projects of the present administration in the state.

    Odey said that it would take basic education to the next level, not only in the state, but in Nigeria at large.

    He said that the state government chose to locate the school in Obudu, close to the Obudu Ranch Resort, so that the foreign students coming to the school would take advantage of the ranch.

    “Remember that this school is not only for people of Cross River; it is an international school; even those outside Cross River and Nigeria can bring their wards here,” Odey said.

    He expressed satisfaction with the level of works done by the contractor, urging him to speed up the process so as to complete the job on time.

    Also, Mr Kanayo Okoye, the Managing Director, Jukok International Ltd., the construction company handling the project, commended the state government for living up to expectations.

    Okoye assured the board chairman that the project would be completed within the stipulated time.

    “The job is being well funded and the governor is living up to expectations. The work is going on well.

    “We are hoping to deliver the project within the time frame the government has given us.

    “This is a massive project, we will not compromise on standards,’’ Okoye said.

    NAN

  • Plateau United extend NPFL lead, ends Shooting Stars unbeaten run

    Plateau United extend NPFL lead, ends Shooting Stars unbeaten run

    Plateau United on Match day 32, maintained their position as top of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) table after they defeated Shooting Stars of Ibadan 2-0 at the Rwang Pam Stadium, Jos.

    Emmanuel Odafe had given the hosts the lead after converting a Salmon Junior cross on 16 minutes, before Ibeh Johnson scored, scrabbling the ball in, after a goal-mouth melee on 78 minutes.

    This win ends Shooting Stars five-match unbeaten run in the NPFL, with the Jos-based side also failing to drop points at home in their last ten matches.

    Mfom Udoh scored the only goal for Enyimba in their 1-0 victory over Kano Pillars from the penalty spot. This goal marked his eleventh of the season. The twist in the game, however, came in the 35th minute, when Junior Lokosa of Pillars was shown a straight red for a rough tackle on Ifeanyi Anaemena on 35 minutes.

    The People’s Elephant also hit the bar on four occasions during the match, in a bid to extend their lead.

    In Sagamu, Austin Ogunye scored on 71 minutes to gift the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Football Club a slim 1-0 victory over already relegated Remo Stars, as they continue their chase to catch up with leaders Plateau United. He converted an assist from Adebayo Waheed to score for the Lagos side.

    Stephen Odey, however, missed chances during the match to extend his lead as the highest goal scorer of the domestic league.

    Akwa United lost 1-0 to El Kanemi Warriors in Maiduguri. Tchoanfine Pade scored from a header to gift the northerners the win against the third placed side on the table.

    At the end of match day 32 of the NPFL, Plateau United sit on top with 58 points, MFM FC is second with 55 points, Akwa United is third with 51 points and Enyimba FC is fourth with 50 points.

    At the rear, Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) stays at 17th position is 40 points, Enugu Rangers is 18th with 39 points, Gombe United is 19th with 37 points and Remo Stars stays at 20th place with 29 points.

  • Transfer Saga: Odey was tricked to Denmark — MFM FC

    Transfer Saga: Odey was tricked to Denmark — MFM FC

    Lagos-based MFM FC ace striker, Stephen Odey, currently enmeshed in a transfer saga in Denmark, was tricked into that country, the club’s Media Officer, Olawale Quadri said on Friday.

    Quadri told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos said that the player claimed that he was only invited for a facility tour with FC Midtjylland, Denmark until another move was introduced to him.

    NAN reports that MFM management had declared the 19-year-old Odey Absent Without Leave (AWOL) after the player was missing in the team’s camp.

    Qudari said that immaturity on the side of Odey made him to accept to travel to Denmark without seeking proper clearance and permission from the club.

    “What happened to Odey is a sign of immaturity. It was a mistake by the player. It is not possible for a player to leave without the permission of the club.

    “Since it has happened this way and he has realised that he committed an error, we cannot deny him; he is one of our outstanding players, we will seek an in house settlement of the issue.

    “When Odey comes back from his supposed trials, the management will decide if there will be any punitive measure against him or not.

    “We will not like this issue to be overblown by the media because Odey is still young and such bad publicity will not be good for his image,’’ he said.

    Quadri said that Odey had apologised upon realising his error and he was due to be back in the country soon.

    “When Odey was contacted on the phone, he was apologetic about his mistake and also said that communication breakdown was responsible for not informing the management before departing for Denmark.

    “He was remorseful about what happened and says he could have contacted the management, but that is his own side of the story.  He claimed he was not proud of what happened.

    “I believe when he come back he will tender an apology to MFM and the country. He is a registered player with MFM presently and on his way back to Nigeria.

    “Although the management was not carried along at the initial stage but when we contacted him he said he went for a facility tour,’’ he said.

     

  • Expectations for the week

    Finally, the Big Brother Naija show came to an exciting end yesterday after reaching its peak; Efe Ejeba, a graduate of Economics who hails from Delta state emerged victorious after securing 57% of the total number of votes casted by fans.

    To give you a quick recap, earlier in the program yesterday, Marvis, DebbieRise and Tboss were evicted making Bisola and Efe as the last two standing housemates; eventually, Efe was announced winner. The implication of his meteoric rise to fame means that he gets a cash prize of 25,000,000 naira and an SUV.

    The breakdown of the votes are: Efe (2,502,494), Bisola (704,072), DebbieRise (109,659), while Marvis and Tboss got 57,341 and 683,802 respectively.

    With these numbers of votes, the housemates won’t be the only ones smiling to the bank, the organizers too must be making so much ‘mazuma’ and wishing they can put this up twice in a year.

    After performing many tasks and taking part in this entertaining show, people are hopeful that these individuals will go ahead to blossom in their chosen careers like former Big Brother housemates, Karen Igho, Ebuka Uchendu and Tayo Faniran after now.

    The health crisis ravaging the country seems to be on the increase, over 420 Nigerians have been reported dead as a result of Meningitis. However, the glimmer of light for us all is that a solution is underway.

    In a hilarious slant, the Zamfara State governor added comic spice to the already tense situation when he declared that God was “punishing” his people with the disease.

    Many Nigerians including the Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi urged the state governor not to bring God into the picture but rather look for pragmatic solutions to assuage the health crisis that has overtaken his state. In a reprisal response, Yari reiterated his earlier comment, stating that his people have stopped living the life pleasing to God and He was using this medium to punish the people.

    Hopefully, natural solutions and “spiritual” ones too will be gotten quickly so that this very deadly disease will become a thing of the past.  Already, the federal government has commenced vaccination in Zamfara which happens to be the most affected state after recording over 200 deaths to this scourge.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has discovered monies whose owners haven’t showed up to claim them in recent times. They have also been able to get suspects arrested but they have not been able to properly prosecute their cases in court. Judging from very recent examples, the anti-graft agency needs to beef-up its prosecution process to ensure that they are not labeled ‘toothless dog’ by the public.

    President Buhari has equally called upon them to properly dig deeper into issues before dragging suspects to court.

    Mfm fc of Agege has moved back to the top of the Nigeria Professional Football League after trouncing El-Kanemi warriors of Maduguri 3-0 in Lagos at the weekend. With goals from wonderboy Sikiru Olatunbosun, goal king Stephen Odey and Austine Ogunye, the “Olukoya boys” now go top of the log with 33 points followed closely by Plateau United who have a game in hand.

    In an ugly incident over the weekend in the league, fans of Kano Pillars attacked the Akwa United team after losing the home game. Hopefully, proper punishment will be meted out to the club to serve as deterrent to others by the organizers of the league. Also, the organizing body has to ensure they bring the league back on television after two weeks of non-availability of league football live for all to see.

    Segun Odunayo tweets from @Segun_Odunayo

     

  • Expectations for the week

    [dropcap]A[/dropcap]s we begin a new week, several actions, decisions and activities will be taken in various walks of life across the country.

    From politics, sports, fashion and entertainment, this column will give you a quick peep into expectations for the week. Today, the debut of juicy news to expect hits your tabs, laptops and phones.

    First, let’s start with the melodrama by some of our incredibly talented thespians in the Senate. The seemingly unending saga involving the Customs boss Col. Hameed Ali, about his UNIFORM and the refusal of the senate to lay down its ego for an insubordinate retired colonel leaves much to be imagined.

    [quote font_size=”18″ color=”#000000″ bgcolor=”#e5c834″ bcolor=”#dd3333″ arrow=”yes”]Trending:

    Reliable sources have it that the Customs boss rather than appear on the stated date, met the Senate President, Bukola Saraki a day before in a closed-door meeting. Still unsatisfied with the meeting, the senators demanded he appeared before them last Friday.

    The iconoclast, Col. Ali, shocked everyone when he appeared in flowing white robes matched with a white cap…interesting! When asked why he didn’t wear his uniform, he said his letter of invitation did not specifically inform him of what to wear. He was “sent” back home to dress properly, and was told to appear this Wednesday in his uniform.

    Will Col. Ali appear in his uniform as stipulated by the Senate? This will be answered in the next forty-eight hours.

    Secondly, Nigerians will be eager to know what will become of the acting EFCC boss, Ibrahim Magu. Twice, he has been rejected by the Senate; the latest, on the grounds of failing the highly revered “integrity test” by some “men of integrity” in the senate. Their decision they say is predicated on the report by the DSS. Will the President resend his name to the Senate or nominate another individual? It is only a question of time!

    On the entertainment scene, the Big Brother Naija housemates may be reduced by one later in the week. Just yesterday, Thin Tall Tony (TTT) got evicted after getting the least number of votes. TTT, DebbieRise, T-boss and Efe were put up for eviction last week. As the show enters it’s closing stages, many viewers are expectant of more scintillating drama that has followed the show from the beginning.

    After Don Jazzy’s surprise visit to the housemates today, the viewers will love to know which celebrity will be next to visit the housemates.

    In sports, after defeating the league leaders at home yesterday to go second on the table, MFM FC have another home fixture on Wednesday which will make them go top of the league if they win. Star striker, Stephen Odey will have to be in his usual top form if the “Olukoya boys” are to continue their good home run. Will the Agege based club win and go top of the Nigerian football league? Time will tell…

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  • Stephen Odey eyes NPFL Goal King crown

    Stephen Odey eyes NPFL Goal King crown

    MFM FC striker Stephen Odey has said he hopes to finish as top scorer of the NPFL after he netted the first hat-trick of the season against Lobi Stars. MFM routed Lobi Stars 4-0 on Sunday with Odey grabbing a treble.
    “I am so excited that I scored the first hat-trick of the season. The credit must go to my team mates who assisted me to achieve it because football is a collective effort,” he said.
    “I am glad that I’m leading the goals chart now, hopefully I can finish as the highest goal scorer of the NPFL, but it is too early to discuss that. I just want to focus on how to assist my team in the league.
    “I stayed back in MFM to continue my development as a player. The coach (Fidelis Ilechukwu) has confidence in me also and so even when several clubs wanted me to join them, I insisted on staying at MFM,” he said.
    Odey first shone on his NPFL debut last season, but he turned down a chance to quit MFM FC despite serious interests from some of the country’s top guns.
    The teenage striker opened the scoring for MFM FC after 27 minutes, when he lobbed over Lobi Stars goalkeeper John Lawrence off an assist from Sikiru Olatunbosun.
    Odey then bagged his first brace of the season on 59 minutes to double his side’s lead when he blasted in a shot inside the visitors’ box with Adekunle Adegboyega creating the assist.