The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Uche

  • Uche’s historic La Liga goal delights fans on StarTimes 

    Uche’s historic La Liga goal delights fans on StarTimes 

    A new chapter in Nigerian football history was written, as midfielder Chrisantus Uche scored a sensational goal for Getafe in a 1-1 draw against Athletic Bilbao, live on StarTimes. 

    This momentous occasion marked the beginning of an exciting La Liga season, with Nigerian fans eagerly anticipating more thrilling performances.

    Uche’s historic goal made him the youngest Nigerian to score on his La Liga debut at 21 years and 87 days, becoming the 23rd different Nigerian to score in the Spanish top flight. 

    Read Also: La Liga: Uche eyes bright start with Getafe on StarTimes

    This achievement is a testament to the talent and dedication of Nigerian players in La Liga, following in the footsteps of legends like Mutiu Adepoju and the Uche brothers, Kalu and Ikechukwu.

    What makes Uche’s achievement even more remarkable is his rapid rise to prominence.

     Last year, he scored zero goals in Spain’s 3rd tier, but he has since perfected his skills, scoring a stunning header into the bottom corner from 10 yards out. 

    Uche’s physical presence, dribbling skills, and overall confidence on the pitch are impressive, making him a player to watch in the upcoming season.

    Football fans can catch all the action live on StarTimes Sports Premium channel, with the platform offering every La Liga match for just N600 weekly on the StarTimes-ON app. This affordable subscription provides unparalleled access to the excitement of La Liga, with Uche’s historic goal setting the tone for an electrifying season.

    Meanwhile, after failing to play any part in last Friday’s away clash against Las Palmas, the Sevilla duo of Kelechi Iheanacho and Chidera Ejuke are expected to make their debuts against Villarreal, live on StarTimes.

    The Yellow Submarines picked a point in this corresponding fixture last season, but Sevilla will be keen to secure a win at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán stadium.

    With Uche’s impressive start and the upcoming debuts of Iheanacho and Ejuke, Nigerian fans are eagerly anticipating a thrilling La Liga season.

  • UCHE OGBODO My eyes are my selling point

    UCHE OGBODO My eyes are my selling point

    Despite her failed marriage to a footballer, Nollywood actress and producer Uche Ogbodo is far from being down and out. In this interview with ADEWOYIN ADENIYI, she talks about her life, relationships and her career. Excerpts

    What projects are you working on currently?

    I’m shooting at the moment N100, 000 000 for Sure, for Certified Films. We are on Day 3 of the shoot.

    It was reported on your last interview that you’re set to premiere two movies in Nigeria and UK, isn’t that too much to do?

    Yes! I started my own production company with the debut of #RIPTIDE as my first movie, then shortly followed by Stolen Vow. The latter will premiere in London come 26th of August 2017. But RIPTIDE will premiere in Nigeria. We are still trying to get a date. Well, I don’t think it’s too much; success isn’t an easy thing, so one ought to work hard to achieve it.

    How would you describe Uche Ogbodo now and then?

    Well, now Uche Ogbodo is more and defined now. I’m more mature and able to make better choices in my life now. I know what the hell I want from life. I might not know 100 percent how to get there yet, but I will get there at one step at a time. But then, hmmm Uche Ogbodo didn’t even know who Uche Ogbodo was, what she wanted or how to get it.

    What triggered your decision to go into acting?

    My love for art generally triggered my interest in a lot of ways.

    You recently asked your fans if you should accept a marriage proposal sent to your DM on Instagram. Does the opinion of your fans count when it comes to you getting married?

    Hahahahaha! Of course that was for jokes! I was only tapping into the saga of Banky & Adesua. That was my own DM Moment. Was just for a good laugh, my dear.

    Are you under pressure to remarry?

    Never! Well, not anymore. I used to be pressured by my mom but after I tried going into it, just to please her and it turned out a disaster, we had a long talk and she promised not to stress me over it anymore. So now I’m on a slower pace than I was previously.

    Do you believe in social media relationship or marriage?

    I believe anything is possible in life. People find love in different places and in different people. So, I believe anyone can fall in love, however it comes, but social media relationship has never worked for me. I get lots of these DM proposals all the time from different men, promising heaven on earth; but I never take them serious (laughs).

    So what is your decision on the marriage proposal? Could that Instagram proposal be a publicity stunt?

    Nothing like publicity stunt. Was only having a fun day. And please, I wasn’t serious about it.

    What’s your relationship with other actresses?

    Cordial.

    What are your challenges since your last marriage got dissolved?

    Inability to trust.

    How have you been able to raise your child as a busy single mom?

    I have help from my younger sister who lives with me. She is a strong pillar for me and my daughter. She is my daughter’s mum too.

    Do you miss your ex-husband?

    Never!

    What are the qualities you find in a man?

    Ambitious, good at heart and God-fearing.

    What has been your most embarrassing moment?

    My breakup saga.

    You look more stunning in recent time. How do you keep in shape and what is the secret of your new look?

    I work out to keep in shape and I try to eat healthy.

    What’s your favourite part of your body, and why?

    My eyes are my favourite right now. Cos I feel they are dreamy and sexy.

    Would you consider your favourite part as your selling point?

    Of course, yes! They are my selling point alright.

    What would you change if you could turn back the hands of time?

    I would be born with a silver spoon. Won’t need to work this hard to achieve all I want from life. It would be a lot easier financially.

    What do you think is the cause of marriage crisis or divorce in Nollywood?

    Lack of trust and understanding are the major causes of breakups with entertainers.

    How was it like producing a movie that cuts across the Igbo and Yoruba culture?

    It was really challenging but I’m happy I scaled through at last. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.

    How do you feel being under a new management?

    I feel good and more organised.

    Would you be producing more movies soon?

    Hopefully, by God’s grace.

  • Respect Nigeria’s secularity, Uche tells FG

    Prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Dr. Samuel Uche, has charged the federal government to respect the secularity of the nation for sustainable peace.

    He spoke at the maiden Synod of Methodist Church of Nigeria, Diocese of Ereko, last week in Lagos.

    Uche said government should sit up and project itself as unbiased and impartial in dealing with Nigerians and faiths.

    He said that when government respects secularity, issues like insecurity, ethnic and religious fanaticism will gradually vanish.

    “We urge government not to fold her hands in the wake of attacks on Christianity but defend her citizens and also respect the secularity of the Nigerian state,” he stressed.

    The Prelate advised that those found to be fanatical in Christianity and Islam should not be treated with kid’s gloves.

    According to him: “We have observed those found to have beheaded Mrs. Agbahime in Kano were set free to the dismay of others.

    “If properly handled, the case should have served as deterrence to others.

    “All Methodists people believe Nigeria cannot be free from religious miscreants until our government faces the business of delivering of democracy to all, irrespective of tribes and religions.”

    Bishop of Ereko Diocese, Rt. Rev Olakayode Adeogun, appealed to the government to provide adequate security for whistle blowers with their identities protected from evil doers.

    Adeogun lamented the socio-economic challenges in the nation were self-inflicted, stating the level of corruption unravelled by the current administration was mind-boggling.

    The cleric commended the whistle blowing policy to expose corruption, stating that it was working to great effects.

    He called on Nigerians to support the anti-graft war, while urging government to fight the Fulani herdsmen menace.

     

  • Uche trains with Malaga

    Uche trains with Malaga

    Ikechukwu Uche has joined in training with Malaga for the first time since sealing his move to the club from Tigres UANL.

    The 33-year-old joined the Andalusian side on loan from the Mexican outfit where injuries tainted his playing chances and the player posted pictures of his session on Twitter.

    The Nigerian joined the club on loan from Tigres UANL and  joined in with the club’s workout on Wednesday ahead Friday’s League outing.

  • 2015 African Games: Chukwumerije to lead taekwondo team

    2015 African Games: Chukwumerije to lead taekwondo team

    2011 African Games gold medalist and captain of Team Nigeria, Uche Chukwumerije will lead 16-man taekwondo team to the 2015 African Games holding in Congo Brazzaville.

    Chukwumerije (+87kg), 2014 German Opens champion and elder brother of Beijing Olympics bronze medalist, Chika, has been included in the eight-man men’s team list released by the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF) Wednesday.

    Also two Commonwealth gold medalists, Abubakar Adamu Isah (-54kg) and Mohammed Jamilu (-58kg) made the cut while 2011 African Games bronze medalist, Sunday Onofe (-80kg) is also included in the list.

    Other members of the men’s team are Edwin Samson Nduka (-63kg), Kolade Paul (-68kg), Olushola Segun (-74kg), and Ayodele Temitope Ebenezer (-87kg).

    The female eight-man team will be led by 2014 African Championship bronze medalist, Joy Ekhator (-49kg), who is the also the most experienced athlete among the women’s team.

    Others are Jimoh Morufat (-46kg), Chinazum Nwosu (-52kg), Fatimoh Abdullahi (-57kg), Ndu Vivian (-63kg), Ifeoma Dennis (-67kg), Uzoamaka Otuadinma (-73kg) and Esther Uzoukwu (+73kg).

    At the 2011 African Games in Mozambique, Nigeria finished fourth with two gold, one silver and seven bronze medals behind Egypt, Tunisia and Senegal which were top three teams in the taekwondo event.

    According to NTF President, George Ashiru, the team is capable of achieving the two gold medals target set by National Sports Commission (NSC) for the team.

    “We have selected the best nationally because they are the best in the country and what we need to do is just to expose them to international competitions. We had thought that we will be embarking of foreign tour before the games, but we have to make do with what we have and we are sure that we can achieve the target. We just need to rely on tactics and also work as a team at the games,” he said.

    Meanwhile, Nigeria will have their hands full at the 2015 Africa Games as Egypt, Tunisia, Mali, Cote d’Ivoire and Gabon are the top ranked teams in Africa based on the latest rating released by the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF).

    In the ranking of the eight weight categories released by WTF, athletes from Egypt dominated most of the rating while others were topped by athletes from Tunisia, Mali, Gabon, Cote d’Ivoire as well as Niger Republic.

     

  • Meet Uche, the octopus

    Just like Paul the octopus who shot to fame during the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa for correctly predicting the outcome of eight matches, there is a gentleman cum politician of our time who predicted that the incumbent president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, will lose the just concluded 2015 general election earlier this year. His name is Dim James, who I prefer to address as Octopus Uche.His prediction was not accentuated because he is not one of these prophets who politicised the straw of their oracular utterances.

    As anarchetypal democrat, he believed that for democracy to survivethere is need for a potent opposition just like the case of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the build-up to the 2015 elections. His prediction started to manifest when PresidentJonathan took side publicly on the Governors’ Forum imbroglio. And many wondered who was cajoling the president to protect the interest of a dubious few rather than respect and protect the sanctity of the choice of the majority. For obvious reasons, it was hard to imagine how 16 has come to be greater than 19. My basic mathematical knowledge fails me here.

    The result was the defection of five powerful governors to APC just because President Jonathan decided to strike his own sheep at his own peril. Anyway, that is a lesson for democracy.

    And with the benefit of such insight, Uche the Octopus was quick to warn anyone that the battle has been lost by President Jonathan. Many dismissed the warning with a wave of the hand, basking in the understanding that no incumbent leader loses out in our brand of politics. The last straw that broke the camel’s back was Mr President‘s unresolved rift with Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and the latter’s insistence ona single tenure by President Jonathan.

    His last public action of tearing his membership card and his subsequent support to General Buhari did more harm than good to PDP as a party. Even though majority of the party stakeholders saw this move as nothing, the Octopus saw it as a great damage and an irreparable one with the 2015 general election in sight.

    Even with the controversial postponement of the polls and GEJ’s last minute implosion in Lagos and the entire South west, the damage had long been done. The Octopus maintained his ground, predicating his argument on the fact that it is suicidal to negotiate at the war front with the enemy. In what seemed like flogging a dead horse, President Jonathan was unable to garner reasonable armoury to challenge the gospel of change championed by the Buhari camp. And even after the election, the party has been enmeshed in a flurry of scandals and internal elbow-shoving, showing the many cracks on the PDP wall.

    To be candid, this prediction stoked deep-seated hatred between the Octopus and his associate who failed to appreciate reality as well as close relatives who saw General Buhari as a religious extremist.

    But Octopus saw the enviable consistency in the man and the party which laid the platform for his glory. Like water, he remained unmoved and continued to maintainhis ground. This gives credence to the saying that “truth is incontrovertible; malice may attack it, ignorance may dribble it, but in the end there it is.”

    Even though this gentleman was not celebrated like our prophets when he made this prediction, one cannot help but acknowledge the strength of his faith, his foresight and his consistency and accuracy. In Uche the Octopus, we see a politician driven by the plight of his people and one that is poised to serve his people in truth. Also in him,we see a quintessential apostle of democracy who sees the future of the Nigerian dream.

    •Nzube, 500-Level Law student, ABSU

  • Uche ends three-month goal drought

    Uche ends three-month goal drought

    Nigeria striker Ikechukwu Uche ended his three-month league goal-drought by scoring the only goal for Villarreal in their 1-1 draw with Getafe in the Spanish Primera League on Sunday at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez.

    The 31-year-old opened the scoring from the penalty spot for the Yellow Submarines seven minutes into the second half.

    The Super Eagles forward had not scored in a Primera League game since scoring in his club’s 2-2 against Elche at the Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero in January.

    Since scoring on 3rd January, the Nigeria attacker has gone ahead to play as many seven league games without hitting the back of the net.

    But on Sunday, he ended his scoreless run by netting the opener for his side against his former team, but Diego Castro equalised in the 64th minute.

  • Uche hails teammates over draw

    Uche hails teammates over draw

    Super Eagles striker Ikechukwu Uche has hailed his Villareal teammates for getting a precious draw away to Champions League chasing Valencia.

    The former Getafe forward did not feature in the match as manager Marcelino Garcia preferred Luciano Dario Vietto and Jonathan dos Santos upfront. However, it was the home side that dominated proceedings as they had 51% of possession but were restricted to just three shots on target as the game ended 0-0.

    Uche tweeted after the game: ‘What an important point guys! Congratulation”!’

    The draw takes Villareal to 50 points on the La Liga log while Valencia occupies fourth spot with 61 points.

  • Uche warns against violence, bloodletting

    Politicians that plan to create crisis and shed blood should have a rethink, Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence Dr Samuel Uche, has said.    He spoke last Wednesday during a special interdenominational prayer for peace and safety at the Hoarse Memorial Cathedral in Lagos.

    Warning Nigerians, especially politicians against acts capable of truncating peace, Uche said those who have perfected plans to foment troubles will meet their waterloo.  According to him: “We should all embrace peace because we can only contest elections when there is still Nigeria.  “If we allow Nigeria to go up in flames, we are all done for. So, we must keep the peace and maintain violence-free atmosphere.”

    He stated that those unrepentant about bloodletting will face the wrath of God, who will not watch and see the nation go up in flames.  “We pray everyone keeps the peace but if they insist they won’t, may the God of Old Testament deal with them because this is His nation,” Uche added.

    He said Christians have been mobilising and praying for peace, urging all Nigerians to follow suit.

  • Uche unfazed by Campbell’s arrival

    Uche unfazed by Campbell’s arrival

    Villarreal’s Nigeria international Ikechukwu Uche is unfazed by competition in the squad following the arrival of  Joel Campbell on loan from Arsenal.

    The Gunners higher ups have struck a deal with their Spanish counterparts for the Costa Rica international to remain at the Estadio El Madrigal until the end of the 2014 – 2015 season.

    Joel Campbell will compete for a first team shirt in attack along with Ikechukwu Uche, Luciano Vietto and Giovanni dos Santos if the team’s recent lineups are anything to go by.

    ”Welcome to Villarreal @joel_campbell12.  I wish you the best! Good luck!” Ikechukwu Uche said.

    Joel Campbell is familiar to the La Liga, having worn the jersey of Real Betis during the 2012 – 2013 season, before moving to Greece for another loan spell with Olympiakos last term.

    Ikechukwu Uche has been named in the starting eleven 16 times this season, out of a possible 20, while he started two other games on the bench.

    The former Getafe man will reach the 100-goal landmark since his arrival in Spain if he scores against Barcelona at the Nou Camp on Sunday.