The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Yusuf Alli

  • Alli urges sustained grassroots talent hunt

    Alli urges sustained grassroots talent hunt

    A former Commonwealth Long Jump Champion, Yusuf Alli, on Tuesday advocated a sustained grassroots sports development programme to nurture budding talents.

    Alli told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that there was the need to go back to the drawing board to scout for potential world class talents through schools’ sports. He said schools’ sports would launch Nigeria back into success in track and field events.

    “Usain Bolt featured in schools’ sports, likewise I; when I went to the Moscow Olympics, I was still a student. If we can get students to show more interest in athletics, we can produce world class talents.

    “Through such a gradual programme, the incidence of age cheating in sports will be reduced; we need to get them young,’’ he said.

    He stressed the need for mentoring of athletes from early stages to encourage them to make a career in sports.

    “Nigeria has the same terrain and structure like Jamaica; so, I see no reason why we cannot produce more world beaters.

    Alli, however, praised the National Sports Commission(NSC) for efforts in sports development.

  • ICPC nabs PHCN official over alleged bribery

    ICPC nabs PHCN official over alleged bribery

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Wednesday confirmed the arrest of a Principal Manager with the Power Holding Companies of Nigeria (PHCN), Engr. Omololu Olusesi Gabriel, for allegedly demanding a bribe of N100, 000 from a customer to install two transformers.

    The commission has also put in place five toll free lines for whistleblowers.

    The ICPC made the disclosures in a statement signed by its Head of Media, Mr. Folu Olamiti.

    The statement said: “An ICPC sting operation has landed a top official of the Power Holding Companies of Nigeria (PHCN), Engr. Omololu Olusesi Gabriel into trouble as he has been nabbed by the operatives of ICPC for allegedly demanding a bribe of N100, 000 to install two transformers from a PHCN customer.

    “Omololu, a Principal Manager with PHCN Abuja Distribution Company in Zone 4, was arrested through a sting operation, following a petition filed against him.

    “The petitioner had formally applied to purchase and install two transformers – a 100 KVA/33/0.415 KV and a 50 KVA/33/0.415 KV, and had filed his application through the Principal Manager (PC and M) at the said PHCN office.

    “It alleged that Omololu on receiving the application demanded a bribe of N100, 000 for the release of one of the transformers, and had subsequently taken the half payment of N50, 000 from the petitioner.

    “Infuriated by Omololu’s insistence on collecting the balance of N50, 000 as condition for releasing the second transformer, the petitioner then turned to ICPC for succour and the Commission arrested the suspect after a sting operation when he collected marked money as balance.

    “Omololu’s schedule of duties as a public officer, include among others: protection of PHCN installations, testing of electrical equipment and preparation of permission letter for release of transformers, none of which required him to demand a fee from customers.

    “The ICPC operatives were able to establish that the petitioner, indeed, submitted two applications for permission to purchase and install two specification of transformers 100 KVA/33/0.451 KV and 50 KVA/33/0.415 to PHCN, and that the petitioner collected one of the approvals upon payment of N50, 000.00 demanded by the suspect.

    “And that the petitioner was denied the second approval for his inability to provide the balance of N50, 000.00.

    “The PHCN official would be facing prosecution for allegedly contravenes section 8 and 10 of the ICPC Act 2000.”

     

  • NGF poll: Governors split over Amaechi

    NGF poll: Governors split over Amaechi

    Barely four days to the election of a new chairman for the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), the 36 governors are evenly split on the re-election of Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

    Despite the pressure from the Presidency, 18 governors are in support of Amaechi’s return; 18 are not.

    Intense lobbying began at the weekend to prevail on a governor to break the tie because a simple majority is required for a winner to emerge.

    All efforts to prevent the Forum from going into election on May 23 collapsed on Friday as the two sides insisted on the poll.

    Amaechi has secured the support of Southwest governors (this does not include Ondo State); four Northwest governors; Three Northcentral; Three Northeast; two Southsouth; and One Southeast.

    Those against Amaechi are banking on four votes from Southsouth; four from Southeast; three from Northcentral; three from Northwest; three from Northeast; and one from Southwest.

    According to a source, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, moves to appeal to the two sides to resolve their differences have failed.

    The source said: “Despite intervention by some former governors to prevail on the governors not to go into outright election, which could split the NGF, they have all remained adamant.

    “While Amaechi is seeking re-election, the opposing camp is putting up Governor Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State or, at worst a compromise candidate in Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State.

    “So far, the votes are split 18-18 apiece. This is why intense lobbying has started. A winner can emerge through only simple majority.”

    A PDP governor from the Southsouth, who is co-ordinating the anti-Amaechi campaign, relocated to Abuja last week to embark on one-on-one lobbying of Northern governors.

    “The heat is so much on those trying to unseat Amaechi. And the development in the last one week in Rivers State has also made Amaechi to gain more sympathy,” a source said.