The Nation Newspaper

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  • ‘That’s why we love football’, says Spurs manager Pochettino

    Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino hailed his team as “heroes” after Wednesday’s astonishing Champions League quarter-final with Manchester City.

    The match ended in an away goals win for his team after ending 4-4 on aggregate.

    The 4-3 win on the night for Manchester City was so nearly 5-3 — and progress to the last four for City — but Raheem Sterling’s stoppage-time effort was ruled out by a VAR review.

    It correctly spotted Sergio Aguero off-side.

    “It was unbelievable – the way it finished,” said Pochettino.

    “I am so happy, so proud. My players are heroes to be here. I am so happy for them, so happy for the fans,” added the Argentine.

    Pochettino said he had gone through a wild mix of emotions during the final moments as four words flashed up on the big screen – “No goal, VAR, offiside” – confirmed that Sterling’s goal had been over-turned.

    “In a moment many things happened in your head, the disappointment was massive but they changed the decision,” he added.

    “That is why we love football. Today we showed great character and great personality it was an unbelievable game.”

    Spurs midfielder Christian Eriksen, who gave the ball away in the build-up to Sterling’s disallowed goal, did not disguise his relief.

    Read also: UCL: Tottenham Hotspur stun Manchester City to advance after 7-goal thriller

    “I must be one of the luckiest guys on the planet tonight. I thought it was all over but it was a fun game.

    “It was a rollercoaster, we gave them a lot but also got a lot. It was a weird game,” he said.

    Tottenham’s South Korean forward Son Heung-min, whose two strikes were part of the four goals scored in the opening 11 minutes, said it was an unforgettable game.

    “I have never seen something like this. It was tough and crazy but we are very proud of our teammates. It was madness,” he said.

    “Sometimes you are annoyed with VAR but today it is thank you. We fought together for 90 minutes. We showed unbelievable character and fight.” (Reuters/NAN)

  • Giroud demands important role at Chelsea FC next season

    Striker Olivier Giroud said on Wednesday he has been approached by other clubs to play for them next season, but he added he wanted to extend his stay Chelsea.

    The Frenchman however pointed out that staying at Stamford Bridge would depend on if manager Maurizio Sarri could offer him regular first team opportunities.

    Giroud, who is the top scorer in the UEFA Europa League with nine goals, is out of contract at the end of the campaign.

    Chelsea however have an option to extend it for another 12 months.

    The 32-year-old Frenchman has started just seven English Premier League games this season.

    He has seen limited opportunities since the arrival of Argentina international striker Gonzalo Higuain in January.

    “Trust me (to agree that) I’m very frustrated when I’m not on the pitch, but I just don’t want to show it,” Giroud told a news conference in London ahead of Chelsea’s UEFA Europa League quarter-final second leg against Slavia Prague on Thursday.

    Read also: Rope Skipping intercontinental workshop excite US coaches

    “You need to keep that frustration for you, and transform that into positive energy on the pitch.

    “I’m not happy to play the second role. That’s why I said next year I will need to have a more important role to play in the team.”

    When asked whether he has already had offers to go elsewhere, Giroud added: “Yes but I won’t reveal that now. The priority is Chelsea.

    “With what I’ve achieved here, there is no reason they won’t give me one more year. But I need to be happy, also.”

    Chelsea hold a 1-0 advantage over Slavia Prague from the away leg, courtesy of a late headed goal by defender Marcos Alonso.

    They will be without defender Antonio Rudiger, who limped out of Sunday’s 2-0 league defeat against Liverpool at Anfield with a knee injury.

    However, Chelsea’s assistant coach Gianfranco Zola expects the German international to return for the league trip to top-four rivals Manchester United on April 28.

    “It looks not as bad as we thought, luckily. When he came off limping, we were worried,” Zola said.

    “Yes, there is a strong possibility that we see him (against Manchester United). He’s a warrior and won’t want to miss a game like that.

    “The next few days will be very important to see if he can continue recovering.”(Reuters/NAN)

  • Fed Govt approves $20m foreign loan for Lagos transportation plan

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a loan of $20 million for Lagos State strategic transportation plan.

    The money is part of the $247 million loan approval granted at yesterday’s weekly FEC meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The other $227 million loan is for rural electrification and West Africa Power projects.

    The Finance Minister, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, who announced the loan approval, said the Lagos transportation project will be beneficial to 1.8 million residents.

    Lagos State, she said, has the capacity to repay the loan.

    The minister briefed State House Correspondents alongside the Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi; the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Bello Mohammed and the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.

    Mrs Ahmed explained that the nation’s borrowing is still within limit.

    She said: “The third loan approval is $20 million, for the Lagos State Strategic Transport Master Plan. This facility is from the French Development Agency. The objective of the project is to improve the living conditions of the inhabitants of Lagos urban area and promote urban development sitting by efficient and effective transport system.

    Read also: Renmoney takes tech to Lagos public schools

    “The project has two major components. The first is to rehabilitate urban roads and the creation of minimum of eight equality bus corridors and the creation of two multi-model inter-changes at Marina and Mile 2. The second objective is to provide technical support for implementation and management.

    “When completed, the project is expected to impact 1.8 million inhabitants of Lagos State and accumulative 1.5 million users per day for inter-model inter-changes without about 620,000 boarding at Mile 2 and 480,000 boarding at Marina. Another estimated 630,000 boarding at QBS.

    “The project is being undertaken by Lagos State agency, LAMATA, under its own strategy. So, the Federal Government is borrowing to unlearn to Lagos following the same terms and conditions that we signed. Our assessment is that Lagos State has the capacity to repay the loan.”

    Also, the FEC approved $150 million loan facility from African Development Bank (AfDB) and $50 million loan from African Grow Together Fund to finance the Nigeria electrification project.

    The project, Mrs Ahmed said, “is a nation-wide initiative to be implemented by the rural electrification agency. The project aligns with the strategy of federal government on electrifying rural community”.

    She said the project has four components: first is solar hybrid mini-grid for rural economic development; the second is productive appliances equipment for off-grid communities; the third is energising education and the fourth component is institutional capacity building.

    “When fully implemented, about 500,000 people will be able to have access to electricity for about 105,000 households. The maximum power that will be generated will be 76.5 megawatts (MW) installed generating capacity, part of which is 68,000 megawatts of solar.

    “Eight universities will benefit from this scheme and about 20,000 small, micro and medium enterprises across different communities in the nation,” she added.

    The other foreign loan approval of $27.3 million is for the West Africa regional power project.

    The project, the minister said, aims to connect Nigeria, Niger, Benin Republic, Togo and Burkina Faso with a high voltage 330 kilowatts transmission line to facilitate energy trade among participants.

    She said: “The second approval is the North Core Dorsal regional transmission project. This is a project that is part of the pipeline for the pipeline for the West Africa power pull priority projects. The intention is for the creation of regional power pull in West Africa. The post-project aims to connect Nigeria, Niger, Benin Republic, Togo, Burkina Faso with a high voltage 330 kilowatts transmission line, to facilitate energy trade amongst participants.

    “The project costs $640 million out of which each of the four countries involved has a component. Nigeria has the smallest component in this pact, which is a total loan of $27.3 million IADE facility. It is a concessionary loan.

    “This is a loan that the four countries are taking together; the other three countries have concluded theirs. So, this is one of the final stages for Nigeria to conclude its process.”

  • Rope Skipping intercontinental workshop excite US coaches

    Former world champion and the President/founder of the International Double Dutch League (IDDL), Laila Taliba Little is delighted with the opportunity to impact her knowledge in Rope Skipping sport on African coaches and youths at a three-day intercontinental workshop, NationSport reports.

    The workshop organized by the Nigeria Rope Skipping Federation is scheduled to hold at the Lagos State Sports Center, Mobolaji Johnson Sports Hall, Rowe Park, Yaba, Lagos from Thursday 18th – Saturday 20th April, 2019.

    Laila, who alongside four other world rated trainers and coaches from USA; Cynthia Banks, Geraldine Code, Emma Barnes and Ayanna Atsu Haarul
    who arrived the Muritala Muhammad International Airport aboard Delta Airline, were welcome by the officials of the Nigeria Rope Skipping Federation with members of the

    Nigeria Football Supporters Clud adding colour to the occasion.

    In a chat with NationSport on arrival in Lagos, Laila said she felt excited coming to Africa for the first time.

    “I am so excited to be here in Nigeria, this is my first time in Africa and I am so pleased, Alhamdulillahi.

    “I’ve been doing this rope skipping for a long time, since I was a kid. I’ve been dreaming about coming to Africa and to come to Africa and do something I love, is a blessing from God. I’m just privileged to be part of the program and start the sport here, it is a blessing. This sport gives opportunity to appreciate teamwork, gives you discipline and confidence to do whatever you want in life,” Laila told NationSport.

    While welcoming the visitors, Secretary General of the Nigeria Rope Skipping Federation, Olusesan Olukoya said over 1,000 school kids/students as well as 200 teachers from across the country would gain from their vast knowledge of the sport during the intercontinental workshop.

    He confirmed that delegates from other countries including Botswana, South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Togo and Benin Republic will be attending the workshop.

    The Vice President of the Africa Jump Rope Federation (AJRF) and Project Coordinator at the South African Gymnastic Federation (SAGF), Keo Mokolopo would be representing the World Jump Rope Federation (WJRF), while a board member of the International Jump Rope body would also be co-training at the intercontinental workshop.

  • Zone 3 Volleyball Club C’ship: Nigeria Customs face Ghana Police in final

    Nigeria Customs Service male team will face regional rivals Ghana Police in the final of the Zone 3 Africa Volleyball Club Championships at the Sports Hall of the University of Lagos on Thursday.

    The free-scoring Ghana Police team defeated hosts Nigeria Immigration Service 3-0 (25-21, 25-16, 25-17) in the first semifinals on Wednesday, while Nigeria Customs Service beat Nigeria Police 3-0 (29-27, 25-22, 25-23) in a keenly contested semifinal match.

    This is a repeat of the 2018 final of the Zone 3 Africa Volleyball Club Championships held at Teslim Balogun stadium, Lagos.

    The head coach of Nigeria Customs Service, Femi Akanni told NationSport that his team will not let Ghana Police take the day in the final.

    He said Nigeria Customs are better prepared for the championships this year.

    “We are ready for Ghana this time around. The mistake we made during the last championship will not repeat itself here. My boys are prepared to deny Ghana Police the title,” Akanni said.

    Meanwhile, Nigeria Customs Service will battle Nigeria Immigration Service in the women’s final.

    Nigeria Immigrations beat Kada Emeralds 3-1 (17-25, 25-15, 25-21, 26-24), while Nigeria Customs defeated Nigeria Army 3-1 (25-20, 23-25, 25-11, 25-13) in their respective semi final matches.Day 3 results:

    Finance of Benin 3 v 0 AS OTR of Togo (male)
    25-15
    25-15
    25-23

    Ghana Police 3 v 0 AS OTR of Togo (female)
    25-21
    25-13
    25-16

    Semifinal
    Nigeria Customs 3 v 1 Nigeria Army (female)
    25-20
    23-25
    25-11
    25-13

    Nigeria Immigrations v Kada Emeralds (female)
    17-25
    25-16
    25-21
    26-24

    Ghana Police v Nigeria Immigration (male)
    25-21
    25-16
    25-17

    Nigeria Customs 3 v 0 Nigeria Police (male)
    29-27
    25-21
    26-24

    Day 4 Fixtures:
    5th position: Finance of Benin v Entente of Benin 10am (male)

    3rd position: Nigeria Army v Kada Emeralds 12pm (female)

    3rd position: Nigeria Immigration v Nigeria Police 1:30pm (male)

    Final: Nigeria Customs v Nigeria Immigration 3pm (female)

    Final: Ghana Police v Nigeria Customs 4:30pm (male)

     

  • Arewa to govt: end killings

    The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) rose yesterday from its National Executive Council meeting with a call on the Federal Government to take the battle to the criminals responsible for killings across the country.

    It also urged the government to take measures that will restore peace in the states.

    The ACF was unsparing of governors of the North, who it accused of not addressing the issue of out-of-school children.

    According to the ACF, the lack of attention to such children, has pushed up to over 10 million the number of Almajiri children roaming the streets.

    The NEC meeting, presided over by the ACF Vice Chairman, Senator Abubakar Girei, who stood in for the Chairman, Alhaji Musa Liman Kwande, described the governors’ attitude towards the development of education is unfortunate.

    A communique issued by the ACF National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim Biu, said the quarterly meeting discussed exhaustively security challenges, especially the runaway banditry involving kidnapping and killings of innocent people on the highways as well as frequent attacks on communities giving rise to growing death toll in  Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, Kaduna and Taraba states.

    REad also: Nigeria at war with itself, says ACF scribe

    The Forum, while noting that, the underlying causes of insecurity differ from one geopolitical zone to another, empahised the need for the government to consciously develop appropriate measures to contain the situation.

    The communiqué reads: “The Council noted the effort of the security agencies and urged them to do more and take the war to the criminals that have continued to make life unbearable to our people.

    “The Council calls upon Federal Government to take drastic measures that will restore normalcy, peace and harmony in the affected states in order to assuage the fears of the people, in particular Zamfara State, where the bandits’ activities have been most cruel and devastating to the socioeconomic and political life of the people.

    “The Council also notes with concern the most recent communal clashes between the Tiv and Jukun communities in Benue and Taraba states respectively with attendant loss of lives and destruction of properties on both sides.

    “The Council condemns this unnecessary enmity between communities that have peacefully co-existed over the years and called on the states affected to put in a peacebuilding mechanism that will ensure harmony among the various groups.

    “The Council notes with concern the recent communal clash between Mada ethnic group and Fulani settlement in Akwanga Local Government Area of Nasarawa State and condemns such heinous crimes. It calls on the security agencies to fish out the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

    “Council also appeals to the communities to avoid using reprisal attacks as a way of addressing concerns, since such reprisals make victims of those who know nothing about the feuds. It, therefore, appeals for due process in addressing such grievances among the various communities.”

    On out-of-school children, the ACF said: “On the issue of more than 10 million children that are out of school in the North, the Council noted with concern the increase in the number of Almajiris and children roaming the streets and the unfortunate attitude of our states governors towards the development of education.

    “Recently the Emirs and chiefs in the North organised a conference on this burning issue and issued a communique on how the Northern states should tackle the situation. Unfortunately, very few states attended the conference or even sent representatives.

    “Furthermore, the Minister of Education recently lamented the attitude of state governments to accessing funds at the Universal Basic Education Commission for primary education development by paying their counterpart funding.

    “This is an unfortunate development, Council therefore appealed to the Northern state governments to seriously address this out-of-school children menace to avoid further escalation of insecurity and other vices that have bedeviled the North. Illiteracy, poverty and drug abuse are a result of poor education and nonchalant attitude of our leaders to good governance.”

  • $1.2b Malabu oil deal: Court orders arrest of Adoke, Etete, others

    A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Jabi has ordered the arrest of two former ministers  – Mohammed Adoke (Justice) and Deazia Louya Etete (aka Dan Elete) (Petroleum Resources).

    Also to be arrested are Raph Wezels, Casula Roberto, Pujato Stefeno and Burrato Sebastino, who are senior officials of Shell, Agip and Eni SPA.

    The order for their arrest was issued by Justice Danladi Senchi upon an ex-parte motion argued yesterday by Aliyu Yusuf, a director in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The five men are said to be linked to the alleged $1.2billion fraud associated with the Malabu Oil deal and for which three charges have been filed in three courts against them and their companies.

    Justice Senchi, after listening to Yusuf, issued the “warrant for arrest of the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th defendants/respondents”.

    In the motion, Wezels is listed as the 4th defendant, Roberto (fifth), Stefeno (sixth), Sebastino (seventh),  Etete (eighth) and Adoke (ninth).

    The judge also granted the applicant (EFCC) “leave to execute the warrant outside the jurisdiction of this honourable court”.

    Other defendants in the motion are four non-natural persons –  Shell Nigeria Exploration Production Company Limited,  Nigeria  Agip Exploration Limited, Eni SPA and Malabu Oil and Gas Limited.

    Yusuf, had, while moving the motion, told the court that the EFCC had filed a three-count charge since March 2, 2017 against all the defendants.

    He said Wetzels, Roberto, Stefeno, Sebatiano, Etete and Adoke are listed in counts one and three of the charge. The second count is directed at Etete and Adoke.

    Read also: Malabu oil block award ‘illegal’

    Yusuf said: “Since the charge was filed, it has been mentioned in court on several occasions, but the defendants have refused to submit themselves before the court for the purpose of their arraignment.”

    He said the arrest warrant was needed to apprehend the fleeing defendants, most of who are outside jurisdiction, for the purpose of bringing them before the court for them to plea to the charge.

    The EFCC stated, in a supporting affidavit, that the “fact that led to this charge was a case bordering on fraudulent allocation of Oil Prospecting Licence OPL 245 and OPL 214, conspiracy, laundering of over $1.2 billion, forgery of bank documents, bribery and corruption against Malabu Oil and Gas Ltd, Shell Nigeria Ultra Deep (SNUD), Nigeria Agip Exploration (NAE) and their officials.

    “After dqiscrete investigation, a prima facie case was made, culminating into the charge against the defendants now pending before this honourable court.

    “Apart from the instant charge most of the defendants herein, have two other criminal charges filed against them by the complainant/applicant at the Federal High Court, with charge numbers: FHC/ABJ/CR/39/l7 and FHC/ABJ/CR/268/2016, respectively.

    “The arraignment of the defendants in this case couldn’t take place because 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th defendents/respondente are at large and have refused to make themselves available.

    “All efforts to apprehend the fleeing defendants/respondents proved abortive.

    “In furtherance of efforts to apprehend the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th defendants/respondents, the EFCC contacted the Nigeria Police to assist in watch-listing them and facilitating their arrest and apprehension.

    “The Nigeria Police, in response, requested for detailed particulars and processes to enable them liaise with N’I’ERPOL and apprehend the fleeing defendants.

    “The Nigeria Police and the International Police Organisation (INTERPOL) and other relevant sister organisations have insisted that in addition to having a pending charge before a competent court, there must be warrants of arrest to enable the organisation to apprehend the defendants

    “Granting this application will facilitate the required liaison with INTERPOL and ensure that the defendants/respondents are apprehended and produced before the court for their arraignment on the charges filed against them.”

    In swift reaction to the court order, Adoke said the anti-graft agency erred by holding him personally liable for carrying out a lawful directive fromt he President.

    The former AGF said he will challenge the order citing and earlier order granted by the Federal High COurt, Abuja in 2017.

    His counsel, Msssrs Gromyko Amedu Solicitors said: “In view of this development, and the fact that the EFCC has refused to abide by this time-tested traditions of prosecution agencies, our client is left with no other option to challenge the unlawful order.”

  • Olowo passes on at 77

    A FIRST class monarch in Ondo State, the Olowo of Owo, Oba Folagbade Olateru-Olagbegi, is dead at 77 years.

    A palace source said the traditional ruler, who ascended the throne in 2003, attended a security summit held in the town on Tuesday.

    The monarch, it was learnt, developed complications after he retired to the palace and he eventually died.

    Although the state government was yet to make any official statement on the death of the traditional ruler, the news of Oba Olateru-Olagbegi’s death has spread across the state and beyond.

    Commissioner for Information Yemi Olowolabi said he was not aware of the development, stressing that only Olowo’s palace could confirm the story.

    Governor  Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, who hails from Owo, is presently on an official engagement outside the country.

    However, an official of Owo Local Government Area, who craved anonymity, confirmed the monarch’s death, stressing that the Chairman of the Local Government will later today announce it officially.

    The council officail said the monarch had been receiving medical treatment for over a year, attributing his death to health challenges he suffered since ascension to the throne.

    The late traditional ruler was a prominent lawyer and a lecturer in the Nigerian Law School, where he retired as a reader in 1999 to ascend the throne of his forefathers.

    He was honoured with the national award of the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR).

    Besides, he was appointed the Chancellor, University of Benin in 2015 and later the University of Abuja.

    The late monarch was a former chairman, Ondo State Council of Obas and Chiefs.

    He is the eldest son of the late Olowo of Owo, Sir Titus Olateru-Olagbegi II, who ruled the ancient town.

    He received the staff of office as Olowo on December 11, 2003, from the late former governor, Olusegun Agagu, after succeeding his father in 1999.

    Palace sources confirmed his death but emphasised that “we cannot announce it now because of various traditions to follow”.

    “Governor Akeredolu, who is an indigene of Owo, is presently out of the country for official duty, and must be formally briefed on Olowo’s exit before an official announcement,” a source said.

    He received his first degree in law from London, United Kingdom (UK) and attended Nigeria Law School in 1968.

    The late monarch later returned to Nigeria to practise Law under the late Fatai Williams.

    He is married to Ololade Olateru-Olagbegi, a lawyer and law lecturer at the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko and they are blessed with children and grandchildren.

  • Senate, House reconvene next week to consider Budget 2019

    REPORT of the much-awaited 2019 Appropriation Bill was laid in the Senate and House of Representatives yesterday.

    The Appropriation committees of the two chambers submitted a harmonised budget report for consideration and adoption.

    At the upper chamber, the Senate Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Mohammed Danjuma Goje, submitted the report while his counterpart at the Green Chamber, Mustapha Dawaki did the same.

    Read also: Senate passes seven bills rejected by Buhari

    Both chambers did not consider the report of the N8.83 trillion Budget, proposed by President Muhammadu Buhari for the 2019 fiscal year.

    The lawmakers, who have proceeded on Easter break are to reconvene on April 24 to pass the budget, it was learnt.

    The House of Representatives, which also adjourned plenary, will reconvene on April 23 to pass the budget.

    It is not clear whether there were major changes and additions made in the money bill as proposed by President Buhari.

    Senate President Bukola Saraki had mandated sub-committees to adopt the Executive submission of the budget in place of any ministry, department or agency that failed to turn up to defend their budgets.

  • MNJTF neutralises 39 terrorists

    THE Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) last night said 39 Boko Haram terrorists have been killed as its troops engaged the insurgents on the fringes of Lake Chad.

    It, however, said that 20 soldiers were wounded during the operation.

    Spokesman of the MNJTF, Colonel Timothy Antigha, said in a statement that the wounded soldiers have been airlifted off the zone for treatment.

    Bodies of the terrorists were shown in the photographs made available by the troops yesterday.

    Read also: Troops kill 27 Boko Haram terrorists, recover arms, ammunition

    Col. Antigha said in a statement: “In continuation of the ongoing Operation YANCIN TAFKI in the Lake Chad area, troops of the MNJTF and national forces yesterday dealt another blow on Boko Haram terrorists.

    “The terrorists attacked troops’ position in Cross Kaura, however, the vigilant and gallant MNJTF and national troops overwhelmed the terrorists, killing 39 and capturing equipment in the counter-attack.

    “Twenty soldiers, who were wounded in action have been airlifted out of the area of operation and are receiving adequate medical attention.”