The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Warri

  • Pinnick tips Warri Wolves for double

    Pinnick tips Warri Wolves for double

    Chairman of the Delta State Sports Commission, Amaju Pinnick has tipped Warri Wolves to claim both the Nigeria Premier League and the Federations Cup this season.

    The Delta State club side are having a great season as they are second on the Premier League log and have also qualified for the semi final of the Federations Cup against Akwa United on August 21. Pinnick revealed that the motivation of the players by the club management has been the secret of their performance this seasn.

    “We are praying (to win double). If you look at Warri Wolves, you will be wandering why is it that we have between three to five players in the national team? This is because it is the club that believes in the career of the players. We are a club that believes in motivating the players. There are some clubs owing players from 2010, in Warri Wolves if you play a league game in the evening, the players immediately sign for their bonus. Owing players is alien to Warri Wolves, you can call any player, they will tell you. That is why they refer to us as Manchester City.

    “That is why I commend the Godwin Abigor led board, Kenneth Nwaomacha and Alex Amudo the Vice Chairman, they’ve done very well. The club is run very professionally, no player is being owed a dime. If you come to Warri Wolves camp, you’ll see various cars as if you are in national camp. We have players that earn up to nine million naira as sign-on, seven, six million. Our sign-on fee is structured, once you get into the team, you get 25 per cent for the first 10 games, another 10 games 25per cent, another 10 games 25 per cent and the final game, 25 per cent. Right now I think we’ve done up to 50 or 60 per cent and we have 25 per cent in the bank because the sign on fee from the beginning was kept in the bank 100 per cent. So, as time to pay reaches, they go to the bank and they pay the players the sign on fee,” he noted.

  • Warri Wolves to explore Spotlight’s weaknesses

    Warri Wolves to explore Spotlight’s weaknesses

    .Delta side secure tips on the Katsina reps

     

    Warri Wolves, have declared that Spotlight FC would find them too hot to handle, when they clash on Wednesday at the Kwara State International Stadium, Ilorin in the 2013 Federation Cup Round of 32.

    The Delta State representatives have asserted that they would not take their opponents lightly when they lock horns for the sides that would progress to the Round of 16.

    Warri Wolves’ Media Officer, Moses Etu, in a brief chat with SportingLife opined that the players of the club have always been motivated well to ensure they win all their matches irrespective of their opponents.

    He informed that the technical crew is always working round the clock to ensure that Wolves winning streak is not halted at Ilorin hence the decision to hit the venue of the match early enough to have at least a whole of proper drilling at the stadium.

    Etu said that Spotlight are not be total strangers to them, having been able to get two match tapes of their previous encounters.

    He said with the tapes, the coaches have been able to have a preliminary update on the team and their players’ make up insisting that they would play the National League side as if they are a fellow premier league club.

    “The team has left for Ilorin today(yesterday). The players and coaches left early enough so that they would have sufficient time to prepare for the key tie against Spotlight.

    “We know them because we were able to get their match tapes and the coaches have studied them.

    “The players have every reason to put all they have got into the encounter because of the promise from the State government to reward each player with a car if the league shield is won. Their salaries and signing-on fees are paid as when due. We believed that one shouldn’t be a media affair since it is a contract we signed with the players. If we paid what we promised them, we are only doing our part to fulfil part of the contract.

    “Even though, Kelvin Itoya, Lazarus Chukwu and Efe Yarhere are not eligible to play because they were not registered for the Federation Cup which is only done once at the beginning of the season, coupled with Azubuike Egwueke, Joseph Osadaiye and Oghenekaro Etebo who are on national team assignment, we still have more than enough to beat Spotlight and guarantee our place among the elite 16,” Etu stated.

    Warri Wolves have not won the Federation Cup before and their best in previous editions has been a berth in the last 16.

    They are second with 34 points from 20 games in the Glo Premier League despite having a game at hand.

     

  • JTF uncovers 35 illegal refineries in Warri

    JTF uncovers 35 illegal refineries in Warri

    •15 suspects arrested

    •Don’t give Boko Haram media visibility, says DHQ 

     

    The Defence Headquarters yesterday said the Joint Task Force (JTF) has uncovered 35 illegal refineries in a shrine in Warri and arrested 15 suspects as part of the war against oil theft.

    The Defence Headquarters spokesman, Brig-Gen Chris Olukolade, broke the news at a briefing by the Joint Security Committee in Abuja.

    Gen Olukolade said: “In the Niger Delta, the operations are making progress with the breakthrough, especially in the arrest of vessels involved in illegal bunkering and the destruction of illegal refineries.

    “Fifteen suspects have been arrested and three barges impounded. Some illegal refineries earlier destroyed were noted to have been reactivated elsewhere. Some notorious leaders of kidnap groups have also been arrested.

    “The troops are currently engaged in aggressive patrols to sustain this tempo of activities to checkmate and forestall emergence of new criminal groups in the region.”

    On the crisis in Plateau State, Gen Olukolade decried the unwarranted attack on men of the Special Task Force (STF).

    He added: “Despite the efforts and successes of the STF in executing its mandate in the Plateau, a trend of unwarranted attacks on men of the task force was noted.

    “This trend has been stopped as no recent case has been reported. Besides the rampant attack on communities, cattle rustling was also prevalent in the state. The STF has, however, been able to tackle this crime to some extent by recovering the stolen cattle and returning them to their owners.”

    He added: “Nigeria remains the fifth largest troops contributing country in peace support operations. The Nigerian military is currently involved in peace keeping missions in 11 countries.

    “Prominent among these missions are United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) ,United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Force in Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), United Nations Mission for Referendum in Western Sahara (MNURSO), United Nations Operation in Cote D’Ivoire (ONUC), United Nations Intervention Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), ECOWAS Mission in Guinea Bissau (ECOMIB) and the United Nations Multi-dimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MNUSMA). This particular mission was established by United Nations Security Council Resolution 21000 in 2013 to take over from African-led International Support Mission in Mali (AFISMA).

    “Accordingly, the Force Commander of defunct AFISMA, Maj. Gen Shehu Usman Abdulkadir has returned to Nigeria with his staff, following the transfer of the operation’s mandate to the UN.

    “Others include establishment of Level 11 Hospital in Sudan and Cote D’Ivoire. However, the level 11 hospital in Cote D’Ivoire is being relocated to Mali.

    “We are proud to say that in all these missions, which our troops are participating in, they have exhibited a high degree of professionalism and competency.”

    Olukolade pleaded with Nigerians to support the military because the nation is undergoing a “peculiar security challenge.”

    He said: “The security situation in Nigeria is a peculiar challenge and ought to be appreciated as such. The forces are now to focus on protecting the population while mopping up the remaining terrorists and preventing them from any freedom of action to perpetrate mayhem and terror.

    “Consequently, the security agencies call on all Nigerians to continue to support the ongoing fight against terrorism. We call for more understanding of the international community represented by the foreign media.

    “We urge them to be objective, fair and responsible in their reportage so as not to jeopardise the integrity of the operation.”

    The Defence spokesman urged the media not to give Boko Haram insurgents visibility.

    He said: “This is a typical style of insurgents in sustaining their mission even when it is obvious that they are no more relevant. We call on the media to deny them the visibility which they so badly desire.

    “It will serve a better purpose if our media would refrain from giving prominence or recognition to terrorists’ activities in the media channels. “The emphasis or attention given to their activities tends to embolden them to commit more atrocities simply to gain attention.”

  • Warri Wolves recall suspended Vice Chairman

    Warri Wolves recall suspended Vice Chairman

    MANAGEMENT of Warri Wolves has recalled Mr Alex Amudo , the Vice Chairman who was suspended for anti club activities.

    Mr Kenneth Nwomucha who has been serving in the capacity of Vice Chairman now has been named the Chief Operating Officer the Club.

    In a short statement released by the Media Officer, Moses Etu, Amudo was recalled after a crucial meeting Monday morning where it was gathered that he has shown enough remorse over his action.

    The Executive Chairman of the Delta State Sports Commission, Mr Pinnick Amaju who presided over the meeting enjoined all to work together to achieve the objective set for the Clubs this season.

  • Warri Wolves axe Amudo

    Warri Wolves axe Amudo

    •Appoint Nwaomacha as acting vice

    AS THE controversy surrounding the sack of Nduka Irabor’s League Management Committee LMC rages on, the management of Warri Wolves has decided to axe its vice chairman, Alex Amudo over his role in Sunday’s sack of the league body.

    SportingLife further gathered from one of its sources that the Oil-City dwellers have now appointed Kenneth Nwaomacha as acting vice-chairman.

    “We are yet to hear the last of the unfolding drama from the League managers. However, I want to confirm to you that Warri Wolves now have a new acting vice-chairman, (Kenneth) Nwaomacha,” said our source

    “The former, Alex Amudo was asked to step aside for not making the necessary consultations before backing the sack of Irabor’s LMC,” our source added.

    Interestingly, 17 clubs met, and voted that the LMC should hands off the League despite an initial warning from the Glasshouse that the meeting should not hold, and further desist from any act that would derail the body’s work.

  • Chambers advocates home-grown investment

    Chambers advocates home-grown investment

    The President of Warri Chamber of Commerce, Mines Industry and Agriculture, Alex Sharta has urged all wealthy Nigerians to invest in nation’s economy, saying such efforts will impact positively on the gross domestic product (GDP) among others.

    The chambers boss made this remark recently at a press conference to herald the forthcoming 50th golden jubilee celebration of the chamber in Warri, Delta State.

    Speaking earlier, the chairman of the local organising committee, Sir Simon Asite said, the 50th anniversary tagged: “The Role of Agriculture in nation-building” will also discuss other sub-themes like job creation, raw material production to power industrialization as well as commerce and human capital development.

    Among the dignitaries expected at the event include Chief Edwin Clark, former Federal Minister of Information, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, as the guest speaker and the Delta State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, etc.

  • SUNDAY MBA TRANSFER SAGA LATEST WARRI WOLVES INSIST ON N203M

    SUNDAY MBA TRANSFER SAGA LATEST WARRI WOLVES INSIST ON N203M

    •Ready for court action; Want Rangers to step aside

    •Yet to get NFF official decision

    •Top clubs from Germany, Ukraine, USA keep vigil on Eagles star

    •Oil-City side appoint FIFA licensed agent to handle interest on AFCON ace

     

    DESPITE claims that Enugu Rangers are studying an alleged 12 million Naira transfer fee (about $75,000) requested by Warri Wolves for AFCON star Sunday Mba, the management of Oil-City based outfit has placed one million Euros (about N203m) on the most sought after local league player.

    In a lengthy chat with SportingLife at the Warri City stadium on Saturday, the media officer of the team, Moses Etu stated that local football clubs should step aside because three top flight clubs from Germany, Ukraine and USA were on their toes to pick the Super Eagles star as soon as the controversy surrounding the player is cleared.

    Etu added that in spite of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) directive to resolve the issue, they were in fact ready to go to court with Rangers at any length.

    Etu said: “We have told the world that by the time the foreign clubs come, we would negotiate with them and we would let Mba go. “Mba cannot hold us to ransom, and we will not hold him to ransom either. What people are asking us is how much do we want to place on Mba, it depends on negotiation but actually we have place one million Euros on him, at the end of the day we would negotiate and all of us will be happy.

    “Like I told you, we have not less than fifteen clubs, the last one called from USA last week. And we have FIFA licensed agent Emmanuel Ibru handling the interest of clubs concerning Mba.

    “It goes beyond making enquiries, for now we are keeping the names of the club to our chest.”

    Speaking further, Etu said: “What they (NFF) are saying is that we should tell Rangers how much we want to sell the player. But the truth is we are not willing to sell the player to Rangers.

    “We have no less than fifteen foreign clubs, eagerly waiting to sign Mba who is our player. We have all the documents. Let me confess to you, the NFF has not officially communicated their decision to Warri Wolves, so we are waiting for the letter.”

    Etu added that N3.5 million was deposited into a private account of Paul Chidozie, the General Manager of Rangers in respect of the transfer of Sunday Mba.

    “We got a provisional clearance from Rangers on Sunday Mba when he joined us and we paid the sum of N3.5m to Rangers through the private account of the GM of the club, Paul Chibuzor, who instructed us to make such payment,” he said.

    It could be recalled that Sunday Mba scored Nigeria’s winning goal at the African Nations Cup final held in South Africa last February.

     

  • 32 countries to storm Warri

    32 countries to storm Warri

    : AFN expects 500 athletes

    Over 421 athletes from 32 countries have so far confirmed their participation at the maiden African Athletics Youth Championships billed for March 27-31 in Warri, Delta State.

    The Championships are open to athletes who are under-17 as at this year. Confederation of Africa Athletics (CAA) confirmed Nigeria as the hosts last year, at its congress in Porto Novo, Benin Republic. Some of the countries that have registered include traditional athletics nations like South Africa, Egypt, Kenya, Ethiopia and Algeria. Hosts, Nigeria have the highest number of entry with 80 athletes. Ethiopia have the second largest delegation with 42 athletes, South Africa is coming with 30 athletes, while Cape Verde, Guinea, Zimbabwe and Comoros Islands have only two athletes representing them.

    Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) secretary-general Maria Wophil said that more countries are still been expected to register for the Championships.

    “Our estimate is that about 500 athletes will be in Warri. This is huge. We are still expecting more entries as the deadline closes on March 4,” she said.

    Delta State Sports Commission Chairman and head of the Local Organising Committee, Mr. Pinnick Amaju said that Delta was working hard to ensure a successful hosting of the championships. He added that it will be one of best organised athletics events the continent has ever witnessed. The CAA, during an inspection visit in Warri had urged Delta to set a standard in the hosting of the maiden AYC.

    While inaugurating the LOC Delta State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, urged the committee to make a good show of hosting the championships. He stated that during the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in 2009, Warri was denied the opportunity of being one of the host cities because of “perceived security fears”. “ We want to use the AYC to show the world that Warri is a perfectly safe city to visit,” he said.

  • Maltina Dance Gig berths in Benin, Warri

    Consumers, especially youth in Benin and Warri had an exciting time during the second phase of the Maltina dance gig activation for the Southsouth zone.

    At the grand finale of the Benin activation, Nelson Abraga won in the male competition. He got a 2.5 KVA generator, Tana Steveson came second, winning a 21-inch plasma TV; Maxwell Aigbekan won a home theatre system as the third prize.

    In the female contest, Stella Ebioge came first while George Titilayo and Isoso Ekhoguagbon came second and third respectively winning the same prizes as their male category.

    In Warri, after the different stages of the competition, Desmond Afure of 5, Odigbo Street, emerged victorious in the male category winning the 2.5 KVA generator prize. Osibere Roland came second winning a 21-inch plasma TV, while Leo Eromosele, an admission seeker, won the third prize of a home theatre system in the male category.

    Emilia Johnson of 22, Ekpan Street, Udu Road came first while Sajere Somia and Eva Turner came second and third respectively winning the same prizes as their male category.

    The fourth placed male and female contestants were also given a consolatory prize of sling bags each while the audience had the opportunity to relish their favourite premium malt drink-Maltina and also got branded gift items.

    Speaking during at the event, the Account Manager, Bates Cosse Limited, the agency handling the activation, Mr Olatunji Aikomo, described the turn out and the performance of the participants as very impressive. He announced that the ‘Ginger Your Swag’ train will be moving to Anambra State next week for the continuation of the activation.