The Nation Newspaper

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  • Nigeria needs committed leaders to be great again, says Gov. Ugwuanyi

    Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has said that Nigeria needs committed leadership, collective patriotism and sacrifice to be great again.

    Ugwuanyi made this assertion on Tuesday during the 59th Independence Anniversary of the country at Okpara Square, Enugu.

    The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, said that in spite of circumstances that had threatened the unity of the country, Nigerians had been more united.

    He said that Oct. 1 would remain a reference day in the history of the country.

    “Nigeria has been through the stormy weather and political turbulences that seriously threatened the unity of our Nation, but we have equally recorded brilliant promises that united and made us proud as Nigerians.

    “We have also seen economic prosperity with the economy of the Old Eastern Region rated as the fastest growing economy in the entire Africa,” he said.

    Ugwuanyi said that the country had also witness pathetic economic challenges that had slowed down the development of the nation.

    Read Also: Insecurity: Lawmaker hails Ugwuanyi

    “Our opinion is that Nigeria is still a growing nation and a problem identified is a problem half solved.

    “It is encouraging that we are not shying away from confronting our challenges as one people with one destiny.

    “Therefore, I have no doubt that with committed leadership and collective patriotism and sacrifice Nigeria will be great again.

    “Our heroes past shall smile again from their graves as we build a Nigeria of their dreams,” he said.

    He said that the youths of the country needed to be appreciated for their undiluted loyalty and faith in the nation.

    The governor said that his administration would continue to invest in the education sector as well as empower residents of the state.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the high points of the ceremony were march-past and cultural displays by primary and secondary schools in the state as well as a minutes’ silence in honour of the fallen founding fathers of the country.

    NAN

     

  • Buhari to hold town hall meeting with Nigerians in South Africa

    PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari will today depart Abuja for a three-day state visit to South Africa, following an invitation by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

    The two leaders are billed to discuss the welfare of Nigerians eking out a living in the former apartheid enclave.

    The visit comes against the background of recent xenophobic attacks, the evacuation of 502 Nigerians and the exchange of visits by Special envoys of Presidents Buhari and Ramaphosa.

    A statement by the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja, on Tuesday, said the two leaders would find common grounds for building harmonious relations among their respective citizens.

    ”While in South Africa, the Nigerian leader will hold a town hall meeting with Nigerians living in the country, to share in their experiences”, Shehu said in the statement.

    He said the President Buhari would use the opportunity to reassure Nigerians of government’s commitment to working for the protection of their lives and property and promoting peaceful co-existence.

    The statement reads: “President Buhari and his host will preside over the South Africa/Nigeria Bi-National Commission, during which a progress report will be presented.

    Read Also: President Buhari: Stop this internal bleeding

    “At the end of the meeting, both leaders will sign a joint communique.

    “The President and his delegation including Nigerian business representatives will also participate at a South Africa-Nigeria Business Forum with their host counterparts.”

    According to Shehu, President Buhari will be accompanied by governors Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Simon Lalong (Plateau) and David Umahi (Ebonyi).

    Also scheduled for the trip are: ministers Geoffrey Onyeama (Foreign Affairs); Maj.-Gen. Bashir Magashi (Defence); Saleh Mamman (Power); Rauf Aregbesola (Interior); Olamilekan Adegbite (Mines and Steel Development); Maigari Dingyadi (Police Affairs) and Mrs. Mariam Katagum (State, Industry, Trade and Investment).

    Also on the trip are: National Security Adviser Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno; National Intelligence Agency Director-General, Mr. Ahmed Abubakar and Nigeria Diaspora Commission Chairman/CEO Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

    Shehu said the President would return to Abuja on Friday.

  • UCL: Juventus crush Bayer Leverkusen 3-0

    Argentinian striker Gonzalo Higuain scored one goal and made another, while Cristiano Ronaldo added the third, as Juventus cruised to a 3-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen to go top of Champions League Group D in Turin on Tuesday.

    Juventus, who threw away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 away to Atletico Madrid on opening day, paired Higuain with Ronaldo in attack and it did not take long for the move to pay off.

    Goal-poacher Higuain exploited a disastrous attempt at a headed clearance by Jonathan Tah in the 17th minute, taking a touch before thumping the ball into the bottom left-hand corner to leave goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky no chance.

    With Leverkusen enjoying plenty of possession but creating precious little in front of goal, Higuain turned provider in the second half, whipping in a low cross from the left for Federico Bernardeschi to sweep home Juve’s second.

    Read Also: UCL: Bayern destroys Tottenham at White Hart Lane

    Keeper Hradecky nearly conceded a third in the 70th minute, taking a bad touch on a back pass that almost steered the ball into his own goal and then trying to get out of trouble with a risky short pass before the danger was cleared.

    Leverkusen’s best chance of the night fell to substitute Paulinho, but the 19-year-old Brazilian could not crown his Champions League debut with a goal and his lob went wide.

    Portuguese attacker Ronaldo had a frustrating night in attack but after uncharacteristically missing some decent second-half chances, he slotted the ball through Hradecky’s legs to make it 3-0 in the 88th minute.

    The win puts Juventus top of the group on four points and ahead of second-placed Atletico Madrid, who won 2-0 away to third-placed Lokomotiv Moscow, on goal difference.

    Leverkusen are bottom after their second straight defeat.

    NAN

  • Abraham may finally dump Nigeria for England

    Chelsea hotshot Tammy Abraham looks set to reject Nigeria and commit his future to England – if the striker gets called up for the upcoming Euro 2020 qualifiers.

    Gareth Southgate has been monitoring the in-form Blues star, 21, in a bid to ensure the Three Lions don’t lose the hot prospect.

    Abraham’s dad is close friends with the president of the Nigeria Football Federation and he could yet choose the African nation.

    However, it is now believed Abraham will put all speculation to bed and commit to England should he get the call from Southgate.

    Read Also: International future: Thursday is D-Day for Tammy Abraham

    England take on Czech Republic and Bulgaria in their Euro 2020 qualifiers later this month.

    And Southgate will name his squad Thursday – with Abraham widely tipped for a call-up.

    Abraham has been capped twice by England – both under Southgate. But both matches were friendlies, against Germany and Brazil in 2017.

    Southgate even sent his No2 Steve Holland to watch Chelsea lose 1-0 to Valencia in the Champions League – with explicit orders to keep tabs on Abraham.

    Abraham has scored seven Premier League goals this season – including a stunning hat-trick against Wolves and two apiece against Sheffield United and Norwich.

  • Ofili, Okon-Georgace fail to make final in 400m

    Nigeria’s duo of Favour Ofili and Patience Okon-George may have run their last race in the women’s 400m, after the Nigeria quarter-millers missed out from the final of the event at the ongoing IAAF 2019 World Championships holding in Doha, Qatar.

    The duo ran fastest time in the heat events with Ofili running her personal best to berth in semi-final but their efforts were not enough yesterday as they finished below the fastest time to miss out from the final round.

    In heat one, Okon-George ran 51.89secs to finish sixth, while Ofili ran 52.58secs to finish in same position like Okon-George in heat three to exit the event.

    Jamaican Stephenie Ann McPherson had gone out a little too hard heat three of the semi-final, but that was not the case as she built a big lead through the first 250m. She also had enough in the tank to carry her position through to the line and win in 50.70secs.

    Read Also: IAAF 2019 World Championships: Oduduru: I’m frustrated with AFN

    Poland’s Justyna Swiety-Ersetic also ran well through the final 50m to grab second in 50.96. She looks on in disbelief as that is confirmed up on the scoreboard.

    The US champion, Shakima Wimbley, was in the running until 300m, at which point she stopped with what looked like an injury, although she was able to jog through to the line. Her official clocking is 1:13.

    The 2016 Olympic champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo of Bahamas eases through the gears to win the second 400m semi in 49.66. Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson had started quickest, but the tall Bahamian easily reeled her in round the second bend before striding away for a very impressive win.

  • CAF Champions League: Enyimba’s Abd’Allah takes lessons after exit

    Enyimba head coach, Usman Abd’Allah has stressed that they have taken useful lessons from their painful exit from the CAF Champions League in the first round.

    The People’s Elephant were sent packing from the continental’s foremost club  competition by Al Hilal of Sudan 1-0 on aggregate after they played a barren draw with the North African side in Aba a fortnight earlier.

    Abd’Allah praised his players’ courageous display in Omdurman and described the only goal they conceded in the return leg as ‘stupid error’.

    He said it was unfortunate they had to exit the African club flagship competition but that they have taken the useful tips they learned and note it ahead of coming matches.

    Read Also: AHEAD FIFA U-17 WORLD CUP: Eaglets to depart for Brazil training tour October 8

    “I will have to say that even though it was painful that we have to bow out of the CAF Champions League we were not disgraced out,” Abd’Allah said at his post-match interview.

    “We were eliminated with our heads held high. I want to praise my courageous boys who gave their all in Omdurman.

    “We could have achieved a better result if not for the injuries we had in the game,” he noted.

    I won’t like to comment about officiating but I can say that we have a good account of ourselves.”

    Enyimba will still have another chance to remedy their season in the second tier African club competition

    which they have dropped to when the draw for the CAF Confederation Cup is made in October 9 in Cairo, Egypt.

  • AHEAD FIFA U-17 WORLD CUP: Eaglets to depart for Brazil training tour October 8

    The national U-17 side, Golden Eaglets, are expected to leave the country on 8th October for Sao Paolo, Brazil for the final build up to the FIFA U17 World Cup billed for South American nation.

    This much was disclosed  by the team’s head coach, Manu Garba through the team’s media officer, Francis Achi who explained that 30 players would  make the trip to Brazil before the final 21-man list  is selected.

    Garba was quoted as saying  that the closed camping in Sao Paulo will afford the technical crew the chance to fully access all the 30 players before a decision is made on the 21 that will don Nigeria colours in Brazil.

    Read Also: CAF Champions League: Enyimba’s Abd’Allah takes lessons after exit

    The coach, according to Achi,  commended the UEFA/CAF tournament in Turkey and stressed that the three games they played have enabled them to notice errors that must be corrected before the start of the World Cup.

    “It was a very good exposure for the boys especially after the last AFCON played in April,” Garba said.

    “Since April the team has not played any international  match and they met very stiff competition from almost all the teams that  took part in the tournament  in Turkey.”

  • Zenith Bank Basketball League: Air Warriors, Customs in early lead

    Air Warriors Women team continued from where they finished at the Abuja Zone of this year’s Zenith Bank Basketball League as they whipped Adamawa Super Flames in the four quarters to lead the Savannah Conference.

    The Air Warriors coached by Samson Sotiminu drubbed the Adamawa Babes 25-3, 49-14, 68-21 and 80-24 to establish the lead at the Conference.

    “Our goal is to go all out and clinch the title for the first time. We are prepared but we know it is not going to be easy but we are prepared for it,” Sotiminu said after the victory.

    Read Also: IAAF 2019 World Championships: Oduduru: I’m frustrated with AFN

    Also through yesterday are the Nigeria Customs ladies who narrowly defeated Plateau Rocks 53-49 and Blackgold Queens who defeated a sloppy Nigeria Army side 73-60.

    Meanwhile, the League continues on Wednesday with Plateau Rocks playing Adamawa Flames while Blackgold Queens take on Air Warriors.

    The other two matches are between Kaduna Angels and Nigeria Customs while Nigeria Army slug it out with Taraba Hurricanes in the last match of the day.

  • Commissioner demands more from finance managers

    FINANCE and account officers of the Lagos State government have been urged to go beyond reconciliation and cash book records if the state is to become accountable to the people.

    The Commissioner for Finance Dr. Rabiu Onaolapo Olowo made the appeal on Monday at a technical meeting with directors and heads of finance and accounts of all ministries, department and agencies of the government.

    The meeting which held at the treasury office resource centre, Alausa, Lagos, was the second edition in 2019.

    According to Olowo, “there is need for accountants, as finance managers of the resources of the State Government, to ensure that funds allocated to projects under them are not only judiciously spent, but to also ascertain that the projects executed are commensurate with the resources allocated for such projects.”

    “The whole essence of this”, according to him, “is for them to be more diligent in the discharge of their responsibilities and also ensure thorough compliance with all financials laws and regulations guiding the profession.

    “Finance and Accounts officers have been on top of their duties but I want them to go a step further by placing the value of projects side by side with the value of resources committed to such projects, this will allow government have value for every kobo of Lagosians spent because we are accountable to members of the public,” the Commissioner added.

    The State Accountant-General and Permanent Secretary, State Treasury Office, Mrs. Abimbola Umar, said the State Government will continue to train its Finance and Accounts officers in International Public Sector Accounting Standards, (IPSAS) to ensure that accountants working with the Government are IPSAS certified.

     

     

  • Council chief to public officers: fulfil your campaign promises

    THE Chairman, Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Area of Lagos, Hon Shuaib Fatia Ajidagba has urged public officers holders to deliver on their campaign promises as that would help them live a good legacy.

    Ajidagba said this at the Lagos City Biggest Leadership conference and award organised by Success in Leadership Conference 2019 in conjunction with Hall of Fame.

    The event brought together government representatives, business leaders, and youths.

    The chairman said that government at all levels must be responsible to the needs of the people as Nigeria is in dire need of development. Public office holders should, therefore, be alive to their responsibilities, he said.

    He asserted that leadership is about influence, impact and leaving a good legacy for others to follow, adding that Nigerians will be better off if leaders do things that better the lot of the people.

    He said it is sad that many public office holders have become self-centered and self-serving rather than serving the communities and the nation, adding that Nigerians are wiser now and would speak out with their votes.