Nigeria star John Obi Mikel has insisted that the team is all that matters for Stephen Keshi’s men and that none of the players are looking for individual glory, saying that no-one wants to be the African side’s Diego Maradona.
The Chelsea midfielder stressed that it’s all about the team rather than about individual glory.
“I only care about the team. Nobody wants to be the Maradona of this team,” Mikel said at a press conference ahead of Nigeria’s round of 16 game against France.
“We don’t want to be talking about individuals. We all want to do our utmost for the team and I will keep giving my all.”
“It will be a spectacular game and we are very motivated. The match could be decided by details. It will be a close encounter.
“I have played against some of the France players before in the Champions League. The coaches have also done their homework on how to approach the game and have given us all the details we need,” he noted.
Monday, 30 June 2014
Drop Mikel now, keep Yobo- Fans to Keshi
If Stephen Keshi will listen to the fans of the Super Eagles, Chelsea star and Nigeria midfield’s maestro, John Mikel Obi will watch today’s match against France from the bench.
MIKEL-DROPIn
a recent poll conducted by our media online, on ‘ Should Keshi drop Mikel from the starting XI’, approximately 53 percent of participants want Mikel to be withdrawn from the starting XI while 47 percent wanted the man that was hailed as Nigeria’s best during the Confederation Cup in Brazil to start the game. Mikel was voted The Man of The Match in Nigeria first match at Brazil 2014 against Iran with credit for over 94 passes during the encounter.
In a twist of fate, most of the respondents wanted skipper Joseph Yobo to retain his starting spot in the team following his performance against Argentina.
John Mikel has come under heavy criticism of late, with fans taking swipe at him while some football pundits also labelled him the weak link in the Super Eagles.
Well, coach Stephen Keshi will make his decision today as Nigeria bid for a first appearance at the Quarter Final stage of the FIFA World Cup.
Do you agree with this poll? If yes, who should replace Mikel in the team?
MIKEL-DROPIn
a recent poll conducted by our media online, on ‘ Should Keshi drop Mikel from the starting XI’, approximately 53 percent of participants want Mikel to be withdrawn from the starting XI while 47 percent wanted the man that was hailed as Nigeria’s best during the Confederation Cup in Brazil to start the game. Mikel was voted The Man of The Match in Nigeria first match at Brazil 2014 against Iran with credit for over 94 passes during the encounter.In a twist of fate, most of the respondents wanted skipper Joseph Yobo to retain his starting spot in the team following his performance against Argentina.
John Mikel has come under heavy criticism of late, with fans taking swipe at him while some football pundits also labelled him the weak link in the Super Eagles.
Well, coach Stephen Keshi will make his decision today as Nigeria bid for a first appearance at the Quarter Final stage of the FIFA World Cup.
Do you agree with this poll? If yes, who should replace Mikel in the team?
The example Obasanjo showed the world in peace making — Ita Giwa
Senator Forence Ita-Giwa, daughter of one of the country’s pioneering female journalists, Mrs. Beatrice Ita and a former wife of one of the country’s most vibrant journalists ever, Mr. Dele Giwa, could be said to be a media baby. But beyond birth and marriage, Florence Ita-Giwa has unarguably earned her own name in the field of politics and community agitation.
I have been so impressed. The quality of the debate going on and participation from eminent Nigerians has impacted tremendously on the confab. The depth of the conference too has been amazing. It has gone much deeper that I imagined.
Ita-Giwa trained as a nurse and subsequently worked as a medical representative before her election to the House of Representatives in the Third Republic. She was subsequently elected into the Senate at the advent of the Fourth Republic in 1999.
She made history when she became the first woman to become a principal officer in the National Assembly at the turn of the century when she was elected deputy leader of the then All Peoples Party, APP Senate Caucus.
She, however, walked away from that position and the party in controversial circumstances when she stood against the plots of the Pius Anyim Senate leadership against President Olusegun Obasanjo in the period leading to the 2003 elections.
President Obasanjo was to appreciate her support after the election with her appointment as Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters.
Known around the country as Mama Bakassi on account of her support for the cause of the people of the Bakassi Peninsula, Ita-Giwa, after a hiatus in the political arena resurfaced as a delegate to the ongoing National Conference. In this interview she speaks on the success of the conference, the ceding of the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon among other issues. Excerpts
By Levinus Nwabughiogu
What is your assessment of the National Conference so far?
I have been so impressed. The quality of the debate going on and participation from eminent Nigerians has impacted tremendously on the confab. The depth of the conference too has been amazing. It has gone much deeper that I imagined.
The level of research that has gone into it by delegates and their various committees too is so insightful. Nigerians within and outside the country have come to make their presentations. All of these put together make the conference so far a success.
I am very optimistic that government will implement the decisions of the confab but the modalities are what I can’t tell now. We are collaborating with the National Assembly so that we all will be working towards one goal and direction.
What is your take on the Confab’s recommendation for the abrogation of pension and gratuities for governors?
Decisions of delegates at the confab are binding on all of us because we have collective goals and mandate. The issue of pensions or gratuity is one of the issues on the ground. If at the end it is unanimously passed that it should be expunged, so be it.
Senator Florence Ita Giwa
Meanwhile, let us not forget that the government and perhaps, the National Assembly will have a say on this. So what I feel and what I want may not really count per se. All we are agitating for is that the problems, challenges militating against our unity, our national development should be given preference and solved at once so that we can remain as one indivisible entity.
Bakassi is gone but your people are yet to get compensated for the destruction and alienation of their resources. As their representative and their political leader, what are your expectations?
I raised the issue last week while contributing to the report of the Committee on Foreign Policy and Diaspora Matters. I argued that the ceding arrangement which was ordered by the International Court of Justice, ICC, in The Hague and carried out by Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration was just to show to the world that two countries can settle a dispute without necessarily losing blood or staying perpetually in court.
I added that it would have been a misplaced priority if the issue of ceding Bakassi to Cameron led to war between both countries because all that my people needed to be placated with was better settlement through compensation.
I appealed to other stakeholders to prevail on the Federal Government to adequately compensate the people of Bakassi even though they have been relocated and I am happy that the confab graciously passed a motion urging the Federal Government to compensate my people. As someone with privileged position and the political leader of my people, I understood the fact that Nigeria was obliged to abide by that ruling and as such used Bakassi as a litmus test to show to the world that two countries can settle a dispute without loss of blood and without staying forever in court.
Harrowing experience
So I believe that having subjected my people to such harrowing experience and suffering, they need to be adequately compensated. Those at the refugee camp should be taken out of that place. They have spent three Christmases there and I want them to be adequately taken care of.
What faith do you have in the outcome of this conference?
I have strong faith. Nigerians had yearned for this process for many years and now it has come to pass. Notably also is the calibre of delegates here.
They are eminent Nigerians. Men and women who have served in various capacities. President Goodluck Jonathan too is a man whom we all know as a man of honour. Someone who has provided exemplary leadership and proven that he believes so much in the project called Nigeria. So I am optimistic that the outcome of the conference will be an all-round success.
As a former federal lawmaker, do you support subjecting the outcome of the conference to a referendum or to the National Assembly for ratification?
If Nigerians want the outcome of the confab to be subjected to a referendum, I have no problem with that. I am pro-people.
Use of a referendum
Although there is no express provision for referendum in the 1999 Constitution but I am also aware that other countries have gone through constitution drafting and amendment with the use of a referendum, therefore, ours may not be an exception. What I am saying in essence is that the final decision should rest with the peoples’ input at the end of the day to justify the relevance.
It is necessary that the people of this country give their decisions a seal of approval in order to make the conference meaningful to the people. I am of the opinion that every Nigerian should be carried along whenever the country is taking decisions on matters that border on the lives of the people, their liberty and future of the nation.
Recently, you addressed the media alongside former Senate President Senator Adolphus Wabara and former Deputy Senate President Senator Ibrahim Mantu who are equally delegates at the conference under the aegis of the National Unity Forum. The development gave many the impression that you are pursuing the second term ambition of President Jonathan. Is it true?
The National Unity Forum is a platform to foster the unity of Nigeria. It is devoid of ethnic or political affiliations. It is a medium that helps us to exchange ideas and seek consensus and it has worked out very well.
It is also a platform for a post conference bonding. Come to think of it, with such calibre of Nigerians, do you think we need any mask to work for anyone? We obviously do not. It’s a PDP affair and we generate ideas that have placed us on a vantage position even at the confab.
Attacks blamed on Boko Haram this year
A number of churches in northeast Nigeria were attacked by suspected Boko Haram Islamists on Sunday, near the town of Chibok where more than 200 teenage girls were kidnapped in April.
Witnesses say they fear that yet again, dozens have been killed.
Here are some of the deadly raids, kidnappings and bombings that have been linked to Boko Haram this year:
- February 15, 2014: An attack blamed on the extremist sect leaves more than 100 people dead in the mostly Christian village of Izghe in the north-eastern state of Borno.
- April 14: Gunmen kidnap 276 female high school students in Chibok, Borno. Fifty-seven managed to escape but the rest are still being held. Several foreign countries, including the United States, have joined forces to try to find the girls.
- April 14: A blast at a bus station packed with morning commuters at Nyanya, on the southern outskirts of Abuja, kills at least 75 people, the most deadly attack to date on the capital. Boko Haram claims responsibility. On May 1, a car bomb at the same spot kills 19, and leaves 80 injured.
- May 5: At least 300 people are killed in an attack in Gamboru Ngala, in Borno state near the border with Cameroon, which totally destroys the town.
- May 20: At least 118 are killed and 56 injured in two car bomb attacks on a market in Jos, central Nigeria, which go off within 20 minutes of each other. The regional governor blames Boko Haram.
- June 1: At least 40 are killed when a bomb explodes at a football stadium in Mubi in the north-east of the country shortly after a match. The attack is blamed on Boko Haram.
- June 3: Hundreds are feared dead in a suspected Boko Haram attack on four villages in Borno state, with local leaders putting the death toll as high as 500.
- June 17: 21 football fans are killed when a bomb rips through the viewing centre where they are watching the World Cup in Damaturu, northern Nigeria.
- June 24: Local officials report 30 killed and more than 60 women kidnapped in a series of attacks over several days in Borno state, although the Nigerian government denies the abductions.
- June 25: At least 21 people are killed and 17 injured in a bombing at a crowded shopping centre in the centre of Abuja. The attack — the third on the city in three months — is blamed on Boko Haram.
- June 29: Suspected Boko Haram gunmen riding on motorcycles target a number of churches during Sunday mass, opening fire on worshippers and chasing them into the bush. Witnesses fear dozens are killed.
Witnesses say they fear that yet again, dozens have been killed.
Here are some of the deadly raids, kidnappings and bombings that have been linked to Boko Haram this year:
- February 15, 2014: An attack blamed on the extremist sect leaves more than 100 people dead in the mostly Christian village of Izghe in the north-eastern state of Borno.
- April 14: Gunmen kidnap 276 female high school students in Chibok, Borno. Fifty-seven managed to escape but the rest are still being held. Several foreign countries, including the United States, have joined forces to try to find the girls.
- April 14: A blast at a bus station packed with morning commuters at Nyanya, on the southern outskirts of Abuja, kills at least 75 people, the most deadly attack to date on the capital. Boko Haram claims responsibility. On May 1, a car bomb at the same spot kills 19, and leaves 80 injured.
- May 5: At least 300 people are killed in an attack in Gamboru Ngala, in Borno state near the border with Cameroon, which totally destroys the town.
- May 20: At least 118 are killed and 56 injured in two car bomb attacks on a market in Jos, central Nigeria, which go off within 20 minutes of each other. The regional governor blames Boko Haram.
- June 1: At least 40 are killed when a bomb explodes at a football stadium in Mubi in the north-east of the country shortly after a match. The attack is blamed on Boko Haram.
- June 3: Hundreds are feared dead in a suspected Boko Haram attack on four villages in Borno state, with local leaders putting the death toll as high as 500.
- June 17: 21 football fans are killed when a bomb rips through the viewing centre where they are watching the World Cup in Damaturu, northern Nigeria.
- June 24: Local officials report 30 killed and more than 60 women kidnapped in a series of attacks over several days in Borno state, although the Nigerian government denies the abductions.
- June 25: At least 21 people are killed and 17 injured in a bombing at a crowded shopping centre in the centre of Abuja. The attack — the third on the city in three months — is blamed on Boko Haram.
- June 29: Suspected Boko Haram gunmen riding on motorcycles target a number of churches during Sunday mass, opening fire on worshippers and chasing them into the bush. Witnesses fear dozens are killed.
Chibok burns again; as gunmen kill 51, burn Churches, houses
Gunmen suspected to be members of Boko Haram Islamic sect, yesterday, attacked some communities in Chibok and Biu local government areas of Borno State, killing no fewer than 51 people. Those killed were mostly Christian worshippers. Five churches including Cocin, EYN and Deeper Life Bible Church in Kwada village, about 10 kilometres from Chibok were also burnt down when the gunmen laid ambush on them during church service.
The attacks were carried out on a day the Federal Government said last week’s bomb attack on Abuja was meant to intimidate the government and that it is a struggle for power.
File Photo: A car burns at the scene of a bomb explosion at St. Theresa Catholic Church at Madalla, Suleja, on December 25, 2011.
File Photo: A car burns at the scene of a bomb explosion at St. Theresa Catholic Church at Madalla, Suleja, on December 25, 2011.
It was in Chibok town that 276 female students of Government Girls Secondary School were abducted by terrorists on April 14 this year.
Boko Haram had two weeks ago written to Chibok communities threatening to carry out further attacks.
The attackers, according to report from locals in Chibok, made good their threat at a time the people were all in Church for the Sunday worship. A resident of one of the affected communities, Amos Bulus told news agents that, “the attackers killed and burnt houses after attacking worshippers in five churches in Kwada, before moving to Kautikari less than 8 kilometres to Chibok town, killing and burning down people’s houses and property. The security operatives were not on ground to defend us. In fact, those who ran into the bush were pursued and killed by the murderers.”
It was gathered from another source that the people living in Chibok town have fled their homes following the news of the attacks in Kwada and Kautikari.
A police officer, Peter Maina said he was called out from a Church service in Maiduguri, only to be informed that his brother was killed at Kwada when the insurgents attacked the village during church service.
Tears flow from Chibok natives
Our news agent also gathered that Chibok natives resident in Maiduguri could not hold back tears, yesterday, when they learnt that some of their villages came under deadly attacks .
At Chikwarkir village in Biu Local Government Area, a resident, Mallam Audu Zira told Our news men on phone that the terrorists came in pick up vehicles and motorcycles and opened fire on people before setting houses, and other property ablaze.
He said after killing one person, the terrorists carted away foodstuffs and motorcycles before they fled into the bush.
All efforts to reach spokesman of the Borno State police command, DSP Gideon Jibrin proved abortive as his line was switched off at the time of this report.
Sen. Mohammed Ali Ndume, representing Borno South Senatorial District also confirmed the multiple attacks on Chibok villages, yesterday, in a telephone interview in Maiduguri. He said the Federal Government should do more by deploying more troops to the affected areas of Chibok to secure other villages from being attacked by Boko Haram insurgents.
“The military and other security agencies should do more by not only deploying more personnel, but cooperating fully with members of the Local Vigilante Group in fighting terrorism and insurgency in this part of the state. They know the terrains of Sambisa Forest and can track insurgents in their hideouts.
“The two should work as a team to end this Boko Haram insurgency that will clock five years by July 29, 2014”, Ndume said.
Chibok girls: US reduces surveillance flights
Meanwhile, the United States said weekend that it had reduced its surveillance flights in the search for more than 200 schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram members on April 14 this year but added that the overall effort was unchanged due to more flights by other countries.
“We don’t have any better idea today than we did before about where these girls are, but there has been no let up of the effort itself”, Pentagon spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby told reporters. Kirby said the same level of effort was being sustained now through international involvement.
A U S defence official speaking on condition of anonymity told Reuters that US flights had been reduced only after a body of intelligence had been gathered and that the cuts had been offset by British and French supporters
The attacks were carried out on a day the Federal Government said last week’s bomb attack on Abuja was meant to intimidate the government and that it is a struggle for power.
File Photo: A car burns at the scene of a bomb explosion at St. Theresa Catholic Church at Madalla, Suleja, on December 25, 2011.
File Photo: A car burns at the scene of a bomb explosion at St. Theresa Catholic Church at Madalla, Suleja, on December 25, 2011.
It was in Chibok town that 276 female students of Government Girls Secondary School were abducted by terrorists on April 14 this year.
Boko Haram had two weeks ago written to Chibok communities threatening to carry out further attacks.
The attackers, according to report from locals in Chibok, made good their threat at a time the people were all in Church for the Sunday worship. A resident of one of the affected communities, Amos Bulus told news agents that, “the attackers killed and burnt houses after attacking worshippers in five churches in Kwada, before moving to Kautikari less than 8 kilometres to Chibok town, killing and burning down people’s houses and property. The security operatives were not on ground to defend us. In fact, those who ran into the bush were pursued and killed by the murderers.”
It was gathered from another source that the people living in Chibok town have fled their homes following the news of the attacks in Kwada and Kautikari.
A police officer, Peter Maina said he was called out from a Church service in Maiduguri, only to be informed that his brother was killed at Kwada when the insurgents attacked the village during church service.
Tears flow from Chibok natives
Our news agent also gathered that Chibok natives resident in Maiduguri could not hold back tears, yesterday, when they learnt that some of their villages came under deadly attacks .
At Chikwarkir village in Biu Local Government Area, a resident, Mallam Audu Zira told Our news men on phone that the terrorists came in pick up vehicles and motorcycles and opened fire on people before setting houses, and other property ablaze.
He said after killing one person, the terrorists carted away foodstuffs and motorcycles before they fled into the bush.
All efforts to reach spokesman of the Borno State police command, DSP Gideon Jibrin proved abortive as his line was switched off at the time of this report.
Sen. Mohammed Ali Ndume, representing Borno South Senatorial District also confirmed the multiple attacks on Chibok villages, yesterday, in a telephone interview in Maiduguri. He said the Federal Government should do more by deploying more troops to the affected areas of Chibok to secure other villages from being attacked by Boko Haram insurgents.
“The military and other security agencies should do more by not only deploying more personnel, but cooperating fully with members of the Local Vigilante Group in fighting terrorism and insurgency in this part of the state. They know the terrains of Sambisa Forest and can track insurgents in their hideouts.
“The two should work as a team to end this Boko Haram insurgency that will clock five years by July 29, 2014”, Ndume said.
Chibok girls: US reduces surveillance flights
Meanwhile, the United States said weekend that it had reduced its surveillance flights in the search for more than 200 schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram members on April 14 this year but added that the overall effort was unchanged due to more flights by other countries.
“We don’t have any better idea today than we did before about where these girls are, but there has been no let up of the effort itself”, Pentagon spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby told reporters. Kirby said the same level of effort was being sustained now through international involvement.
A U S defence official speaking on condition of anonymity told Reuters that US flights had been reduced only after a body of intelligence had been gathered and that the cuts had been offset by British and French supporters
Sunday, 29 June 2014
Jesus can never be a sacrifice for sins (2)
On the Mount of Transfiguration, God the Father counsels that, henceforth, we should only listen to Jesus. He puts this to dramatic effect by having Moses and Elijah, representing the law and the prophets, appear to speak to Jesus. A bright cloud overshadows them and when it clears, only Jesus remains. Then a voice comes from heaven, saying: “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” (Mark 9:7).
Let me take the liberty to paraphrase what God declares in this live parable. He says: “Jesus is my Son: Moses and Elijah are not. Listen to my Son. Don’t bother to listen to Moses and Elijah anymore.” In short, Jesus the Son is God’s only true and faithful witness. (Revelation 1:5). Listen only to him.
Jesus himself cautions that, as the Son of God, he is the only one who truly knows the Father. (Matthew 11:27). He maintains servants are fundamentally ignorant about the master’s affairs. (John 15:15). Moses, Elijah and others like them are only servants of God. Nevertheless, Christians have this tendency to listen to everybody but Jesus.
House of prayer
When we listen to Jesus, we discover he would never offer any sacrifice for sins because he insists sacrifices are useless. Jesus starts and ends his ministry by scattering the sacrificial implements in the Temple. He overturns the tables of the money-changers and drives out those selling doves for the sacrifices. Then he declares: “It is written, ‘my house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’” (Matthew 21:13).
By quoting Jeremiah 7:11, Jesus validates the prophet’s position that the sacrificial system is not of God. Jeremiah writes: “Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: ‘Add your burnt offerings to your sacrifices and eat meat. For I did not speak to your fathers, or command them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices.’” (Jeremiah 7:21-22).
Like Jeremiah before him, Jesus maintains the Temple is “a house of prayer;” as opposed to “a house of sacrifices.” Indeed, the Temple was the only place where sacrifices could be offered. However, even at its dedication, Solomon says nothing about sacrifices. Instead, he emphasises the need for repentance prayers. He maintains that in order to receive forgiveness, all that is needed is to repent and pray towards the Temple to God. (1 Kings 8:33-52).
He repeats this principle in Proverbs: “Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for.” (Proverbs 16:6). “To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.” (Proverbs 21:3). This position is repeated time-and-again in the prophets: “Take words with you, and return to the LORD. Say to him, “Forgive all our sins; receive us graciously, for we will offer the sacrifices of our lips.” (Hosea 14:2). The psalmist concurs: “The LORD is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18).
Jesus’ ministry
Accordingly, Jesus, “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6), maintains sacrifices are not the means to salvation. He says: “Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” (Matthew 9:12-13). In order to be saved, Jesus insists we have to repent of sin. Therefore, his ministry is devoted to calling sinners to repentance.
David has long declared this in the psalms. He says to God in repenting for his adultery with Bathsheba: “You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; you do not delight in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart- these, O God, you will not despise.” (Psalm 51:16-17).
However, God despises sacrifices. He says: “I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens, for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are mine. If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it. Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats?” (Psalm 50:9-13).
Micah is equally scathing about the sacrificial system: “Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:7-8).
Repent or perish
While some Galileans were offering sacrifices, Herod killed them all. Many found this confusing. They wondered why God did not protect them, seeing that they were offering the sacrifices to God. The presumptive answer was that their sins must have been particularly great. So they brought the matter to Jesus. But Jesus insisted their sins were no greater than those of others. Their mistake was in offering useless sacrifices instead of repenting of their sins. When we ignore the will of God and insist on our own counsels, we cannot expect protection from God.
Jesus then enunciates a great salvation principle: “Repent or perish.” He says to them: “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:2-3). If we sacrifice, we will perish. If we repent, we will not.
Therefore, it is ludicrous to maintain Jesus is a sacrifice for sins. Jesus will not offer to God the sacrifices he insists will not prevent people from perishing. This position is affirmed in David’s messianic psalm: “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but my ears you have pierced; burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require. Then I said, ‘Here I am, I have come- it is written about me in the scroll. I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.” (Psalm 40:6-8).
Christian dilemma
The same mistake these Galileans made is that which Christians are making today. Quoting Isaiah 29:13-14; Jesus says of the Jews: “In vain they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” (Matthew 15:9). Similarly, Christians today are still relying on sacrifices in order to obtain salvation, when we should focus on repentance. But now our fallacy is even more heinous: we are relying on the sacrifice of a human-being.
Jesus sent his disciples to go and preach everywhere. When they preached, they said absolutely nothing about the need for sacrifices. Instead, “They went out and preached that men should repent.” (Mark 6:12). When Jesus rose from the dead, this did not change. He gave the same mandate to his disciples: “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” (Luke 24:46-47).
Ramadan: Marks enjoins Muslims to pray against forces of evil
SENATE President, Senator David mark has enjoined Muslims in the country to pray for peace, unity and the continued survival of Nigeria as they begin fasting commencing the holy month of Ramadan.
Senator Mark in a goodwill message to the Muslim faithful signed by his Chief Press Secretary, urged them to pray for the nation and her people in order to overcome the trying times.
According to him, “More than any time else, the nation requires your support and prayer to triumph over forces of evil facing the nation. Our security operatives have been over stretched. Our people are daily being killed needlessly. Our only hope is in the divine intervention of the Almighty creator to salvage the situation.”
“It is has therefore become imperative that you commit yourselves to praying for the peace, unity and survival of Nigeria in this holy month of Ramadan.”
He also called for support and cooperation of all to the security operatives to combat the menace of insurgents ravaging the country.
The Senate President solicited religious tolerance between and among religious groups pointing out that in spite of the challenges especially insecurity, the unity of Nigeria should not be compromised.
Meanwhile, Senator Mark yesterday flagged off the construction of St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Asa -Otukpo, Benue state during which he tasked Christians to be more dedicated to the service of God and humanity.
He told the congregation at the ceremony that “our existence as God’s creatures becomes more meaningful and worthwhile when we serve God and be of help to humanity especially to the less privileged.
“For me, my life has been full of testimonies; I have lived my entire life at the mercy and grace of the Almighty God. He has been faithful to me. I will always show appreciation and be part and parcel of His works.
“We will all work together and build this church. That is one way we can support God’s work”.
Senator Mark on behalf of his family made a donation of N2.1million towards the construction of the new church.
Senator Mark in a goodwill message to the Muslim faithful signed by his Chief Press Secretary, urged them to pray for the nation and her people in order to overcome the trying times.
According to him, “More than any time else, the nation requires your support and prayer to triumph over forces of evil facing the nation. Our security operatives have been over stretched. Our people are daily being killed needlessly. Our only hope is in the divine intervention of the Almighty creator to salvage the situation.”
“It is has therefore become imperative that you commit yourselves to praying for the peace, unity and survival of Nigeria in this holy month of Ramadan.”
He also called for support and cooperation of all to the security operatives to combat the menace of insurgents ravaging the country.
The Senate President solicited religious tolerance between and among religious groups pointing out that in spite of the challenges especially insecurity, the unity of Nigeria should not be compromised.
Meanwhile, Senator Mark yesterday flagged off the construction of St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Asa -Otukpo, Benue state during which he tasked Christians to be more dedicated to the service of God and humanity.
He told the congregation at the ceremony that “our existence as God’s creatures becomes more meaningful and worthwhile when we serve God and be of help to humanity especially to the less privileged.
“For me, my life has been full of testimonies; I have lived my entire life at the mercy and grace of the Almighty God. He has been faithful to me. I will always show appreciation and be part and parcel of His works.
“We will all work together and build this church. That is one way we can support God’s work”.
Senator Mark on behalf of his family made a donation of N2.1million towards the construction of the new church.
Ramadan: Price of foodstuff, others soars in Yola
Following the commencement of this years’ Muslim Ramadan fast, the price of foodstuffs had risen sharply in Yola, Adamawa.
A market survey at the Jimeta Central Market revealed that a 50kg bag of foreign rice had increased from N7,500 to N8,600.
Similarly, a 50kg bag of beans which selling for N12,000, now cost N13,500.
Reacting to the development, Alhaji Ahmadu Bobboi, the state chairman, Foodstuffs and Grains Dealers association, attributed the price increase to high demand and short in supply.
Bobboi said a 50kg bag of maize that was sold at N6,000 is now going for N8,000.
“The price of a 50kg bag of groundnut has also increased to N23,000 as against N16,000 just few days before the commencement of the Ramadan fasting,’ Bobboi said.
However, Mr Silvanus Dimas, a provision trader at the market, also said that the price of 50kg bag of sugar had remained at N6,800.
“But big peak milk tin is now sold N4,800 as against N4,300, while the medium size of the peak milk is sold between N1,900 and N2,000,” Dimas said.
Dimas said big Nido milk now cost N5,200 as against N4,800, while the biggest size of Bournvita and Overtine tins go for N2,000 and N1,700, respectively, as against N1,700 per tin.
Malam Haruna Kawu, a chicken dealer, also said that the price of poultry products had increased as a cock now cost between N2,800 and N3,500, as against N2,500, depending on the size.
He said a big Turkey is now selling between N7,000 and N10,000 compared to about N5,500.
Similarly, the price of vegetables had soared by about 100 per cent.
Alhaji Adamu Dan-Wanzam, the state Chairman of perishable dealers association, said that a basket of tomato which cost N3,500, four days ago, now go for N8,000.
“A sack of pepper is now sold N13,000 as against N5,000 just four days ago,” Dan-Wanzam said.
However, he said that the price of Onion had remained stable at N6,000 per sack . (NAN)
A market survey at the Jimeta Central Market revealed that a 50kg bag of foreign rice had increased from N7,500 to N8,600.
Similarly, a 50kg bag of beans which selling for N12,000, now cost N13,500.
Reacting to the development, Alhaji Ahmadu Bobboi, the state chairman, Foodstuffs and Grains Dealers association, attributed the price increase to high demand and short in supply.
Bobboi said a 50kg bag of maize that was sold at N6,000 is now going for N8,000.
“The price of a 50kg bag of groundnut has also increased to N23,000 as against N16,000 just few days before the commencement of the Ramadan fasting,’ Bobboi said.
However, Mr Silvanus Dimas, a provision trader at the market, also said that the price of 50kg bag of sugar had remained at N6,800.
“But big peak milk tin is now sold N4,800 as against N4,300, while the medium size of the peak milk is sold between N1,900 and N2,000,” Dimas said.
Dimas said big Nido milk now cost N5,200 as against N4,800, while the biggest size of Bournvita and Overtine tins go for N2,000 and N1,700, respectively, as against N1,700 per tin.
Malam Haruna Kawu, a chicken dealer, also said that the price of poultry products had increased as a cock now cost between N2,800 and N3,500, as against N2,500, depending on the size.
He said a big Turkey is now selling between N7,000 and N10,000 compared to about N5,500.
Similarly, the price of vegetables had soared by about 100 per cent.
Alhaji Adamu Dan-Wanzam, the state Chairman of perishable dealers association, said that a basket of tomato which cost N3,500, four days ago, now go for N8,000.
“A sack of pepper is now sold N13,000 as against N5,000 just four days ago,” Dan-Wanzam said.
However, he said that the price of Onion had remained stable at N6,000 per sack . (NAN)
EFCC’s top official joins Benue governorship race
Immediate past commissioner in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Paul Harris Ogbole, has joined the Benue state gubernatorial race.
Ogbole declared to vie for the governorship position, weekend, when he led members of his campaign team and supporters on a courtesy visit to officials of the State Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Makurdi, the Benue state capital.
He said he decided to join the race after due consultations with political stakeholders and his supporters who urged him to present himself for service of higher responsibility.
“I have come today to intimate the leadership of our great party of my decision to vie in the forthcoming 2015 governorship race in line with the wishes and aspirations of my supporters who are spread across the entire state as well as my well wishers.
“I am joining the race with the strong conviction that I will emerge victorious, given my support base, and together we shall all consolidate on the achievements of the Governor Gabriel Suswam led administration.
“I therefore urge the party and our people to avail me their support, so that together we will build a Benue of our dreams.”
Receiving the team, the state Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Emmanuel Agbo said the party was open to every member to ventilate his or her ideas and aspirations.
“That is why we will continue to assure every member aspiring for one position or the other that we will avail you a level playing field and also continue to be impartial in all of our activities and disposition towards all aspirants so as to ensure a crisis free electoral process in our party.”
Ogbole declared to vie for the governorship position, weekend, when he led members of his campaign team and supporters on a courtesy visit to officials of the State Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Makurdi, the Benue state capital.
He said he decided to join the race after due consultations with political stakeholders and his supporters who urged him to present himself for service of higher responsibility.
“I have come today to intimate the leadership of our great party of my decision to vie in the forthcoming 2015 governorship race in line with the wishes and aspirations of my supporters who are spread across the entire state as well as my well wishers.
“I am joining the race with the strong conviction that I will emerge victorious, given my support base, and together we shall all consolidate on the achievements of the Governor Gabriel Suswam led administration.
“I therefore urge the party and our people to avail me their support, so that together we will build a Benue of our dreams.”
Receiving the team, the state Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Emmanuel Agbo said the party was open to every member to ventilate his or her ideas and aspirations.
“That is why we will continue to assure every member aspiring for one position or the other that we will avail you a level playing field and also continue to be impartial in all of our activities and disposition towards all aspirants so as to ensure a crisis free electoral process in our party.”
FIFA demands back-up letter from NFA for supporters to use musical instruments
Football’s governing body, FIFA, has agreed to allow the Nigeria Football Supporters Club to bring in its musical instruments into the stadium in Brazil, provided there is a back-up letter from Nigeria Football Association (NFA).
Rafiu Oladipo, the President-General of the club, said at a news conference in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Saturday that the club had consequently forwarded a letter to NFA requesting for the letter.
naija_supporters_club
Oladipo said that the letter must reach FIFA 24 hours ahead of the Nigeria/France second round match on Monday.
He added that the letter would also cover Nigeria for other matches in case the Super Eagles qualify for the quarter finals.
FIFA said it had not officially denied the club the right of singing, drumming and trumpeting during Nigeria’s matches but that the club had never requested officially.
The club had been denied the use of musical instruments in various stadia where the Super Eagles played their Group F preliminary matches, a development the players disliked.
FIFA had insinuated that members of club were likely to use the musical instruments as weapons during Eagles matches.
During Nigeria’s first round matches in Curitiba, Cuiaba and Porto Alegrie, the supporters’ musical instruments were seized at stadium gates but released after each match.
Oladipo said that members of the club were never known for violence and pledged not to allow them use the instruments as weapons during Nigeria’s matches.
He expressed confidence that Super Eagles would defeat France in the next round as Nigeria had beaten France before.
He, however, continued to solicit the support of Nigerians at home for the team, saying it was their prayers that had helped the team progress in the competition. (NAN)
Saturday, 28 June 2014
FG cautions against dangerous rumors
The Federal Government on Friday advised Nigerians to stop peddling dangerous rumours that could create fear and anxiety in the country.
The Coordinator of the National Information Centre, Mr Mike Omeri, on Friday gave the advice in Abuja while updating newsmen on the security situation in the country.
Omeri cautioned the public against spreading false alarm that could cause panic among the citizenry.
He appealed to the public to work closely with security agencies and to make effective use of the security alert phone numbers already made available to them.
Omeri said that the centre was aware of the false alarm and rumours in form of text messages being circulated in the social media with a view to creating panic and anxiety among the populace.
He said that rumours were making the rounds that some schools were being targeted for attack.
“We urge parents and school authorities to remain calm, cautious and more vigilant.
“ We wish to state that security agencies are working round the clock and have taken measures to ensure that schools are safe and academic activities go on unhindered,” he said.
Omeri also said that the activities of insurgents were now targeted at some major cities in the country and this development was a further wake up call on everybody to be more vigilant and cautious with activities around Nigerians.
He said the activities of insurgents had made it imperative for all citizens to resolve more than ever before to stand united as a people to end insurgency in the country.
“The government notes with concern the attempt by some persons working assiduously to demoralise our security agencies, particularly military personnel involved in the fight against insurgency in the North-East.
“While we do not want to go into details of operations currently taking place, it is advisable that the practice where some persons throw up figures of causalities either of the military or insurgents should be discouraged.
“The truth remains that the military is winning the war and the nation will surely triumph in this fight,” he said.
Omeri, however, commended security agencies for their prompt action which led to the arrest of one of the attackers and the killing of another in EMAB Plaza incident.
The coordinator described Wednesday’s attack at the shopping mall at Wuse 11, Abuja, as callous and inhumane.
He said the prompt action stopped the use of the terrorist gadgets to detonate the second and possibly the third deadly device. (NAN)
Nigeria,Algeria eye more world cup glory
History makers Algeria and Nigeria are one victory each away from a showdown that would ensure a World Cup semi-finalist from Africa for the first time.
The Algerian Desert Foxes tackle Germany and the Nigerian Super Eagles confront France Monday on the third day of second-round action.
And the winners of the Africa-Europe clashes meet on July 4 in a last-eight match-up at the global football showpiece in Brazil.
– JUNE 25: Ahmed Musa of Nigeria celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group F match between Nigeria and Argentina at Estadio Beira-Rio on June 25, 2014 in Porto Alegre, Brazi
Should the two Africans win, then one of them would be guaranteed to make further history by becoming the first ever World Cup semi-finalists from the continent.
Africa has been competing at the World Cup since 1934 with the best achievements being quarter-final places for Cameroon, Senegal and Ghana.
Nigeria became the first African country to reach the second round three times when they finished runners-up to Group F table toppers Argentina.
Stephen Keshi also made history by becoming the first African coach to guide a team into the knockout phase at a World Cup.
After three group-stage exits, Algeria progressed for the first time by finishing second behind Group H winners Belgium.
Nigeria and France will be meeting for the first time at the World Cup while debutants Algeria stunned the then West Germany 2-1 at the 1982 World Cup.
Keshi says his Super Eagles are representing Africa and not just the most populous country on the continent.
“We are the African champions and have a collective responsibility to not only play for our country, but also the continent.”
Veteran Nigeria centre-back and captain Joseph Yobo added: “We have achieved our first goal of reaching the second round.
“Now we must forge ahead to ensure our continent gets the best representation in Brazil.”
Strong, pacey striker Emmanuel Emenike could be a key figure against France after he tormented Bosnia-Hercegovina in a crucial 1-0 triumph.
Bosnian Algeria coach Vahid Halilhodzic acknowledges that Germany — second once and third twice in the past three World Cups — are formidable rivals.
“They are an outstanding team, so it will be difficult. Indeed, I would go further and say extremely complicated.
“Everyone talks about Algeria and Germany from 1982,” said the coach who played for the then Yugoslavia at that World Cup.
Germany defeated Austria 1-0 in Gijon — a result that ensured both countries advanced at the expense of the Algerians.
After the Germans took an early lead, the teams went through the motions to maintain the 1-0 scoreline that was mutually beneficial as it ensured both qualified in what became known as the “game of shame”.
The Desert Foxes must hope for more goals from striker Islam Slimani, whose headed equaliser against Russia secured a last-16 ticket.
While Algeria and Nigeria look ahead, fellow African qualifiers Cameroon, Ghana and Ivory Coast returned home in disgrace after timid first-round exits.
The Cameroonian Indomitable Lions seemed more interested in bonuses than results and conceded nine goals against Mexico, Croatia and Brazil.
A knee injury sidelined star striker Samuel Eto’o after the first game and the opening-half red carding of Alex Song for striking an opponent smoothed the Croatian path to victory.
An even greater embarrassment for the Lions was the attempted head-butting of Benjamin Moukandjo by team-mate Benoit Assou-Ekotto after an attack broke down late in the same game.
Ghana managed just one point against the USA, Germany and Portugal as the prediction of coach Kwesi Appiah that his Black Stars could win the World Cup proved pie in the sky.
Sulley Muntari and Kevin-Prince Boateng were expelled from the camp for indiscipline and a threatened training boycott over bonuses led to $3 million (2.2m euros) in cash being rushed to Brazil.
Difficult draws contributed to first-round departures by the Ivorian Elephants from the 2006 and 2010 World Cups, but there were no excuses this time with modest Greece deserved winners of the key game.
It was a dismal end for veteran striker Didier Drogba, who started only one match and bowed out of international football on a low note.
Friday, 27 June 2014
Musa,emenike "ll knock out france-keshi
Many out here in Brazil feel that the French national team have good players who can run down Nigeria when the two countries face each other in the second round of the World Cup on Monday.
Karim Benzema has been touted as the portent striker that would cause trouble for the Super Eagles who rattled Argentina before going down 3 -2.
Stephen Keshi was asked what he thought about the probability of Nigeria facing Karim Benzema. He replied quick as a flash: “And France will be facing Musa, Emenike … ”
There are reasons to be confident after a performance in which Eagles caused problems for Argentina and showed that on a good day, the African champions are as good as any of the teams to go all the way.
“All the teams are good. It doesn’t matter [who you face],” Keshi noted. “You have to appreciate that. It is only Nigeria that don’t appreciate that. Nigerians always think that every team we face we have to kill them 5-0, 10-0. It doesn’t work that way.”
Thursday, 26 June 2014
10 Suspected cultist ducked for murder,theft
– Ten suspected cult members were on Thursday hauled up before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos over alleged conspiracy, murder and theft.
The accused are — Azeez Akintunde, 28; Akeem Adebayo, 31; Akeem Abudu, 31; Kamoru Adeniyi, 35; Rasheed Ambali, 32; and Notik Awotugashe, 23.
Others include: Jamiu Sule, 25; Gbenga Adebanjo, 26; Akinsoye Solanke, 27; and Yusuf Ayoola, 28.
Akintunde, in addition to a charge of murder, is being tried for conspiracy and running an unlawful society.
Adebayo, Abudu, Adeniyi, Ambali, Awotugashe, Sule, Adebanjo and Solanke are charged with conspiracy, managing an unlawful society and unlawful assembly.
Ayoola is facing charges of conspiracy, stealing and willful damage to property alongside Ambali.
The prosecutor, ASP Charles Odii told the court that the suspected cultists with others still at large committed the offences on Dec. 27, 2012 at Imota near Ikorodu.
He said Akintunde, who is a member of an unlawful society known as the Odu’a Peoples Congress (OPC), shot and killed one Mr Saka Abudu during an argument.
According to the prosecutor, Adebayo, Abudu, Adeniyi, Ambali, Awotugashe, Sule, Adebanjo and Solanke belonged to another secret society known as the “Eiye” cult.
He said the accused also took part in an unlawful assembly of the cult at Ikorodu which caused great fear and panic among residents.
Odii added that Ambali and Ayoola went on a looting spree and stole a laptop and a home theatre, both valued at N295,000, property of one Mr John Aimofumen.
He said that Ambali and Ayoola also unlawfully and willfully damaged Aimofumen’s plasma TV, refrigerator and generator.
He told the court that the value of the vandalised property was N475,000.
Odii said the offences contravened Sections 41, 44(4), 221, 285 (5),(a), 348 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
The plea of Akintunde was not taken while the nine others pleaded not guilty.
The Magistrate, Mrs O. Olanipekun, ordered that Akintunde should be remanded for 30 days in prison custody pending advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
She granted Adebayo, Abudu, Adeniyi, Awotugashe, Sule, Adebanjo and Solanke bail of N250,000 each with two sureties each in like sum.
Ambali and Ayoola were granted bail in the sum of N500, 000 each with two sureties each in like sum.
Olanipekun adjourned the case to July 11 for mention. (NAN)
COEASU lecturers meet July 1 to review 6 months strike
The Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) on Thursday said it would hold its National Executive Council meeting on July 1 to take final position on its six-month-old strike.
The COEASU Chairman, Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka chapter, Lagos, made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
According to him, all the union chapter chairmen have been summoned to converge in Abuja for a meeting on Tuesday.
“The meeting will focus on reviewing and updating members on the level of discussion with the government toward ending the strike.
“After the meeting, we will take a decisive position on the strike,’’ he said.
Taiwo said the meeting between the union and the representatives of the Federal Government earlier scheduled to hold on June 24 was postponed till next week.
“The union has held series of meeting with the government but could not reach a logical conclusion,’’ he said.
The chairman urged the Federal Government to be more committed to meeting the demands of the union toward ending the strike.
“We want serious commitment from the Federal Government before we call off the strike.
“It does not worth it to call off the strike after a long time without any commitment from the government,’’ he said.
The COEASU lecturers had on Dec. 31 embarked on indefinite strike to demands for the implementation of 2010 agreement with the Federal Government and development of infrastructure in the institutions.
It also complained of poor funding, non-release of the white paper on visitation panel reports and imposition of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System. (NAN)
The COEASU Chairman, Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka chapter, Lagos, made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
According to him, all the union chapter chairmen have been summoned to converge in Abuja for a meeting on Tuesday.
“The meeting will focus on reviewing and updating members on the level of discussion with the government toward ending the strike.
“After the meeting, we will take a decisive position on the strike,’’ he said.
Taiwo said the meeting between the union and the representatives of the Federal Government earlier scheduled to hold on June 24 was postponed till next week.
“The union has held series of meeting with the government but could not reach a logical conclusion,’’ he said.
The chairman urged the Federal Government to be more committed to meeting the demands of the union toward ending the strike.
“We want serious commitment from the Federal Government before we call off the strike.
“It does not worth it to call off the strike after a long time without any commitment from the government,’’ he said.
The COEASU lecturers had on Dec. 31 embarked on indefinite strike to demands for the implementation of 2010 agreement with the Federal Government and development of infrastructure in the institutions.
It also complained of poor funding, non-release of the white paper on visitation panel reports and imposition of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System. (NAN)
Text of FIFA statement on Luis Suarez ban
Full text of FIFA statement announcing a nine match ban for Uruguay’s Luis Suarez for biting an opponent:
“The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has reached a decision in the case related to Luis Suarez of Uruguay following an incident that occurred during the FIFA World Cup match between Italy and Uruguay played on 24 June 2014.
“The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has decided that:
“· The player Luis Suárez is regarded as having breached art. 48 par. 1 lit. d of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC) (assault), and art. 57 of the FDC (an act of unsporting behaviour towards another player).
“· The player Luis Suárez is to be suspended for nine (9) official matches. The first match of this suspension is to be served in the upcoming FIFA World Cup fixture between Colombia and Uruguay on 28 June 2014. The remaining match suspensions shall be served in Uruguay’s next FIFA World Cup match(es), as long as the team qualifies, and/or in the representative team’s subsequent official matches in accordance with art. 38 par. 2a) of the FDC.
“· The player Luis Suárez is banned from taking part in any kind of football-related activity (administrative, sports or any other) for a period of four (4) months in accordance with art. 22 of the FDC.
“· A stadium ban is pronounced against the player Luis Suárez in accordance with art. 21 of the FDC as follows: the player Luis Suárez is prohibited from entering the confines of any stadium during the period of the ban (point 3). The player Luis Suárez is prohibited from entering the confines of any stadium in which the representative team of Uruguay is playing while he has to serve the nine-match suspension (point 2).
“· The player Luis Suárez is ordered to pay a fine in the amount of 100,000 Swiss francs.
“The decision was notified to the player and the Uruguayan FA today.
“‘Such behaviour cannot be tolerated on any football pitch, and in particular not at a FIFA World Cup when the eyes of millions of people are on the stars on the field. The Disciplinary Committee took into account all the factors of the case and the degree of Mr Suárez’s guilt in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Code. The decision comes into force as soon it is communicated,’ said Claudio Sulser, chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee.”
“The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has reached a decision in the case related to Luis Suarez of Uruguay following an incident that occurred during the FIFA World Cup match between Italy and Uruguay played on 24 June 2014.
“The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has decided that:
“· The player Luis Suárez is regarded as having breached art. 48 par. 1 lit. d of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC) (assault), and art. 57 of the FDC (an act of unsporting behaviour towards another player).
“· The player Luis Suárez is to be suspended for nine (9) official matches. The first match of this suspension is to be served in the upcoming FIFA World Cup fixture between Colombia and Uruguay on 28 June 2014. The remaining match suspensions shall be served in Uruguay’s next FIFA World Cup match(es), as long as the team qualifies, and/or in the representative team’s subsequent official matches in accordance with art. 38 par. 2a) of the FDC.
“· The player Luis Suárez is banned from taking part in any kind of football-related activity (administrative, sports or any other) for a period of four (4) months in accordance with art. 22 of the FDC.
“· A stadium ban is pronounced against the player Luis Suárez in accordance with art. 21 of the FDC as follows: the player Luis Suárez is prohibited from entering the confines of any stadium during the period of the ban (point 3). The player Luis Suárez is prohibited from entering the confines of any stadium in which the representative team of Uruguay is playing while he has to serve the nine-match suspension (point 2).
“· The player Luis Suárez is ordered to pay a fine in the amount of 100,000 Swiss francs.
“The decision was notified to the player and the Uruguayan FA today.
“‘Such behaviour cannot be tolerated on any football pitch, and in particular not at a FIFA World Cup when the eyes of millions of people are on the stars on the field. The Disciplinary Committee took into account all the factors of the case and the degree of Mr Suárez’s guilt in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Code. The decision comes into force as soon it is communicated,’ said Claudio Sulser, chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee.”
Ronaldo’s Portugal face early exit
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal face a sobering early World Cup exit on Thursday even if their world footballer of the year produces pyrotechnics in their final group game against Ghana.
The Real Madrid player came to the World Cup bracketed alongside Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Brazil’s Neymar as one of a triumvirate of true global superstars.
But while the Barcelona pair have produced moments of sublime skill and goals, the attention surrounding Ronaldo has mainly focused on the health or otherwise of his troublesome left knee.
Portugal — fourth in the FIFA world rankings — are rock bottom of Group G with a solitary point from their matches against Germany and the United States, both of whom have four points.
They were pummelled 4-0 by Germany and the fact they still have any chance of progressing at all is down to Ronaldo, who delivered a sublime cross for their equaliser in a 2-2 draw against the United States.
Despite that goal, headed in by Silvestre Varela in the dying seconds of time added on, the cold, hard reality is that if the United States and Germany draw in Recife, Portugal and Ghana, who also have one point, are doomed.
Portugal have insisted throughout the tournament that their star player is fit but he has failed to dominate matches in the way he does for his club and admitted that his side’s task is “virtually impossible”.
Ronaldo was sanguine after the match against the Americans, admitting that Portugal, despite their lofty ranking, were never among the favourites to lift the World Cup.
- ‘Better teams’ -
“I never thought we would be world champions. We have to be humble and recognise our limitations. There are things we cannot do, like running faster or having more quality,” he said.
“At the moment there are better teams and better players than our own,” added the 29-year-old, who had an outstanding season for Real that culminated in a 10th Champions League title for the club.
Paulo Bento’s side have also had to cope with a one-match suspension for defender Pepe after a red card in the Germany match and an injury to Fabio Coentrao that ruled him out of the rest of the tournament.
Portugal‘s task is made all the more difficult by their goal difference of minus four, meaning they must score a hatful of goals even to be in the mix. Ghana’s goal difference is minus one.
And they are unlikely to have it all their own way when they take on Ghana in Brasilia after the Black Stars gave Germany a fright before Miroslav Klose equalised to rescue a 2-2 draw.
Despite that setback Ghana, who reached the quarter-finals in South Africa in 2010, still harbour hopes of progressing to the round of 16.
The exact make-up of the team is difficult to predict after Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah made four changes for the Germany match from the side that lost their opening game to the United States, bringing in Schalke star Kevin-Prince Boateng, although he was taken off early in the second-half.
“We ran ourselves into the ground and played really well against a team of the calibre of Germany,” said defender Harrison Afful.
“We’ve still got a game to go and we’re going to give it our all to go through. If we don’t qualify, it won’t be for lack of effort.”
The Real Madrid player came to the World Cup bracketed alongside Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Brazil’s Neymar as one of a triumvirate of true global superstars.
But while the Barcelona pair have produced moments of sublime skill and goals, the attention surrounding Ronaldo has mainly focused on the health or otherwise of his troublesome left knee.
Portugal — fourth in the FIFA world rankings — are rock bottom of Group G with a solitary point from their matches against Germany and the United States, both of whom have four points.
They were pummelled 4-0 by Germany and the fact they still have any chance of progressing at all is down to Ronaldo, who delivered a sublime cross for their equaliser in a 2-2 draw against the United States.
Despite that goal, headed in by Silvestre Varela in the dying seconds of time added on, the cold, hard reality is that if the United States and Germany draw in Recife, Portugal and Ghana, who also have one point, are doomed.
Portugal have insisted throughout the tournament that their star player is fit but he has failed to dominate matches in the way he does for his club and admitted that his side’s task is “virtually impossible”.
Ronaldo was sanguine after the match against the Americans, admitting that Portugal, despite their lofty ranking, were never among the favourites to lift the World Cup.
- ‘Better teams’ -
“I never thought we would be world champions. We have to be humble and recognise our limitations. There are things we cannot do, like running faster or having more quality,” he said.
“At the moment there are better teams and better players than our own,” added the 29-year-old, who had an outstanding season for Real that culminated in a 10th Champions League title for the club.
Paulo Bento’s side have also had to cope with a one-match suspension for defender Pepe after a red card in the Germany match and an injury to Fabio Coentrao that ruled him out of the rest of the tournament.
Portugal‘s task is made all the more difficult by their goal difference of minus four, meaning they must score a hatful of goals even to be in the mix. Ghana’s goal difference is minus one.
And they are unlikely to have it all their own way when they take on Ghana in Brasilia after the Black Stars gave Germany a fright before Miroslav Klose equalised to rescue a 2-2 draw.
Despite that setback Ghana, who reached the quarter-finals in South Africa in 2010, still harbour hopes of progressing to the round of 16.
The exact make-up of the team is difficult to predict after Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah made four changes for the Germany match from the side that lost their opening game to the United States, bringing in Schalke star Kevin-Prince Boateng, although he was taken off early in the second-half.
“We ran ourselves into the ground and played really well against a team of the calibre of Germany,” said defender Harrison Afful.
“We’ve still got a game to go and we’re going to give it our all to go through. If we don’t qualify, it won’t be for lack of effort.”
Suarez banned nine matches, four months over biting
FIFA on Thursday banned Uruguay striker Luis Suarez for nine international matches and barred him from all football activities for four months for biting an Italian opponent.
FIFA spokeswoman Delia Fischer said the ban would be effective immediately, ruling him out of Uruguay’s World Cup second round match on Saturday.
“Such behaviour cannot be tolerated, especially during World Cup,” Fischer said.
FIFA spokeswoman Delia Fischer said the ban would be effective immediately, ruling him out of Uruguay’s World Cup second round match on Saturday.
“Such behaviour cannot be tolerated, especially during World Cup,” Fischer said.
21 killed in fresh Abuja explosion
A third deadly explosion in the Federal capital territory, Abuja in two months, yesterday, exploded at a shopping mall, EMAB Plaza, adjacent BANEX Plaza, Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse II, at 3. 50 pm. It killed no fewer than 21 persons and injured 17 others. The extremist Boko Haram sect claimed responsibility for the two explosions in April and May in Nyanya, a suburb of the capital.
Yesterday’s blast occurred at the gate of the shopping mall.
The quick intervention of soldiers saved the city from more blasts as they gunned down a suspect that was carrying another explosives-laden bag on a power bike. It was later defused by the police anti-bomb squad.
cene of the Abuja blast and victims receiving treatment at the Maitama General Hospital, Abuja. Photos: Abayomi Adeshida.
Scene of the Abuja blast and victims receiving treatment at the Maitama General Hospital, Abuja. Photos: Abayomi Adeshida.
Eye witnesses said that the bomb was placed in front of a taxi at a point where taxis drop passengers going into the plaza. Those affected mostly were, therefore, taxi drivers, fruit sellers and passers-by. 17 vehicles were also burnt.
The soldiers who were said to have rushed to the blast site, also arrested two suspects who were being held in a military facility.
George Adigwe, who participated in the evacuation of victims confirmed that 18 dead bodies were moved into the ambulances of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, for transportation to various morgues in Abuja metropolis.
See more photos here
Security sources at the scene said that it was likely that the dead suspect could have been heading for another target before he was shot by the soldiers.
Security and rescue officers who rushed to the scene of the blast cordoned off all entrances into the blast area.
The injured were taken mainly to Maitama General Hospital, which was the closest to the scene of the blast, as well as, Wuse General Hospital.
The bodies of those killed in the blast were taken to Maitama, Wuse and National Hospitals’ morgues.
I saw people burning —Eye witness
An eyewitness of yesterday’s bomb explosion which occurred in Abuja spoke to News men. He identified himself as Jason Ikenna Nwamadi and works at Emab Plaza, located at Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse II, where the blast occurred.
Narrating his experience he said: “At about 4pm yesterday, I was in my office which is located at the first floor when I heard the sound of a huge explosion. The effect of the explosion shook the entire building and everybody began to run helter-skelter.
“I ran with others towards the back of the plaza because the explosion occurred in front of the gate. We jumped the fence at the back of the premises with some women who were also running for their dear lives.
“After I jumped the fence, I ran through another path to get to the front of the plaza where the explosion occurred.
The spot where the bomb exploded was like a taxi park. It is usually a very busy place and the blast occurred at the busiest hour of the day.
“I saw people burning. One of those on fire was Christopher by name. He was burning on top of the bonnet of his Toyota Camry Car. He was eventually burnt beyond recognition. He was the driver to my boss Peter Akande. I don’t know where he has been taken to.
Most of those affected were hawkers of banana, groundnut and maize. Women and their children were also among the victims. Drivers of taxi cabs and passengers were also among those killed or injured.
At least 40 people lost their lives in the blast. Human parts littered the scene.
Soldiers kill suspected Abuja bomber, defuse another bomb
A middle aged man suspected to be the arrow-head of yesterday’s bomb blast at Emab Plaza, was killed by soldiers who arrived the scene of the blast about 25 minutes after being alerted of the development.
The timely intervention of the security men who were alerted by some traders that saw the bomber, saved another bomb that would have exploded after the first one at Emab Plaza.
The second bomb, according to eye witnesses, was planted at Banez Plaza, and was to be detonated shortly after the first one.
Besides the second bomb, the suspect, according to the sources, had another Improvised Explosive Device ,IED, inside a blue-coloured bag strapped to his back and was about detonating it through a remote controlled device when he was noticed and shot by the soldiers.
news correspondent, who was at the scene of the blast at the time it happened saw the suspect trying to run to another shopping mall to detonate the IED but was easily noticed by some traders. The traders who realised what he was about doing hit him with stones.
He fell down and stood up after few seconds but quickly brought out a small white device suspected to be remote from his pocket.
When asked by the soldiers to raise up his hands without moving any step, he ignored, a development that made them kill him immediately.
When the bag was searched, it was discovered to contain another bomb but which was immediately defused.
We saw bomber before blast —Traders
Meanwhile, some traders at Banez Plaza, who disclosed that they had noticed the strange movement of the suspect before the blast, regretted not reporting him to security agents.
Two traders who identified themselves to News men as Ifeanyi Eze and Ndubuisi Emeka, salesmen in two of the shops, said they saw the bomber with a strange bag going from one shop to the other in the plaza but didn’t inform security personnel at the plaza because they never envisaged he could do such a terrible thing.
“Although we alerted some of the private security men but they could not do anything much when they discovered he was highly intoxicated. They did not search the bag he was holding but they asked him some questions.
“When he told them he was a personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp just posted to the area, he was allowed to go even though they did not ask for his identification card,” Ifeanyi said.
He added that the private security men could not do much to the suspected bomber when they found out at the time of search that he had huge sums of money in his pocket.
How I escaped—Survivor
One of the survivors of the Abuja bomb blast says his decision to cross the road to serve a customer saved his life.
Ahmed Musa who sells fruits at the epicentre of the blast told news agents that but for his decision to cross the opposite road to sell fruits to a customer, he would have been dead.
Musa said: “I left my shop to serve a regular customer who parked across the road. That decision saved me. The force of the explosion threw me on the ground for a moment’ he said.
He explained that the explosion affected his ear as he could not hear clearly.
“I thank God for saving me. People doing this should leave us alone and alow us to live normal lives. We are struggling to survive” he said.
Police to prosecute suspect — Mba
Addressing Journalists at the scene of the blast, Force Police Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, (ACP) said that the arrested suspects would be prosecuted after a thorough investigation to determine those who sent them.
Mr. Mba said that the Police was putting in place measures to secure the business place and intensify the monitoring of plazas, shopping malls and other business places in Abuja.
Also speaking at the scene of the blast, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, Senator Bala Mohammed, who condemned the act, however, expressed condolences to the families of those who died, sympathy to those injured. He stressed that if not the frantic efforts put in place by security agencies, the bombers would have entered the plaza where a lot of casualties would have been recorded.
Senator Mohammed who, arrived at 5.50 pm, was accompanied by the Minister of State, FCTA, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide; FCTA Permanent Secretary, John Chukwu, DSS Director, Brigade Commander, among others.
Speaking further, the FCT Minister, who promised to take care of those injured, stressed that the Administration would ensure that security agencies were supported to protect lives and property.
Also speaking with Journalists, the Deputy Commandant- General (Operations), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, National Headquarters, Evans Chidi Ewurum, disclosed that those arrested as suspects in connection with the blast were being taken for interrogation, adding that the agency made available six ambulances to help evacuate victims from the scene to the hospitals.
Protest against FG at scene of blast; military, police booed
The bomb blast took a different dimension as youths took to streets at the scene of the blast protesting incessant bomb explosion rocking parts of the country, especially, the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.
The youths in their hundreds were chanting war songs in condemnation of FG’s inability to check spate of explosions nationwide.
They also booed solders and policemen drafted to the scene of the explosion. They asked: “What are you people coming to do here? We don’t want to see people here because you have failed to protect us.”
It took the reinforcement of security agents to disperse the angry youths making mockery of them and restore normalcy to the area.
FG appeals for calm
A statement issued by the Coordinator of the National Information Centre, Mike Omeri advised FCT residents to remain calm and go about their normal business, assuring that security agencies have fully mobilized to the scene of the incident and are handling the situation.
Omeri further said that every step is being taken by the government to check the activities of insurgents in the country, advising Nigerians to remain vigilant and conscious of movement of unidentified people around their areas. He expressed the sympathy of the federal government to the families of those that lost their lives just as he wished the injured speedy recovery.
Sam Nda-Isaiah condemns Abuja blast
The presidential aspirant of the APC, Sam Nda-Isaiah, has condemned in unequivocal terms today’s terrorist blast in Abuja.
Nda-Isaiah said this is one terror attack too many and that there is now a compelling need for the present government and security agencies to take more pro-active measures to secure life and property in the nation’s capital.
He said one area where security is lapse is the Abuja airport and called for tighter security checks at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International airport and all the other airports and gateways in the country.
The APC presidential aspirant called on all those charged with securing life and property in the country to discharge this onerous task with more dedication to forestall a situation where our people become afraid to go about their daily businesses in many parts of the country.
I cheated death —Okechukwu
An eye witness, Mr. Okechukwu said he cheated death as the blast threw him from his shop before he was picked up by people. Said he: “I am a disabled man trying to make ends meet in this plaza. I am lucky to be alive because I could not climb the fence when others were running and climbing fence. The blast threw me from my seat and when my brother could not see me on my seat, he thought I was dead. But for God I would have been dead.
My sisters were blown to pieces —Mather
Another eyewitness, Mather Godwin, a groundnut seller at the scene of the blast said her two sisters, one who was pregnant and another who was breast-feeding, were blown up in the blast, saying that she left the scene of the blast a minute before the blast. Mather, an indigene of Benue State said the blast went off minutes after she asked his sisters to meet her at home as she saw them shattered by the explosion.
“A man came and bought all my groundnuts and I went to my sisters and told them to meet me at home and shortly after I left the place I heard the blast and when I turned back, I saw their mangled bodies scattered. Two of them are Blessing and Angela and my friend’s sister was also blown up including all the banana sellers around the place, and their babies, she said.
Sadiq Bode, another eyewitness who narrated his experience said: “It happened at the exit gate of Emab Plaza from a vehicle suspected to be a jeep. I was inside the plaza when it happened. The bomber was stopped by the security man before he ran away. In fact, it happened when one influential person came to buy a phone in the market with team of mobile police men guarding him and when we heard the blast, we ran with them, including the policemen running with their guns, jumping fence. I don’t know if it was the big man they were targeting, but when I came back I did not see the people around the place again, all of them got blown up in the blast”.
Another eyewitness, a computer and phone repairer, who declined to give his name said: “The bomber came in Sienna bus and passed through the wrong gate and because there was hold up, a security man who was also blown up in the blast forced him to go back. That was when one man selling cigarette raised alarm that the driver was a suicide bomber and as he was shouting, he was running. The bomber came out of the car without shoe and with earpiece in his two ears he started running before we heard the blast and everybody started running. The most affected in the blast were the hawkers, women selling banana and groundnut”.
Bomb attacks calculated to distract, intimidate Jonathan — Maku
The Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, yesterday, condemned in strong terms, the bomb blast at EMAB plaza. Mr. Maku, who observed that the Abuja bomb blast occurred simultaneously with another bomb explosion in Mubi, Adamawa State, said the insurgents’ attempt to intensify the spate of bombings and killings in parts of the country was calculated to distract and intimidate the President and his government as the 2015 elections draw nearer.
In a statement sign by his press Secretary, Joe Mukta, the Minister, said the Federal Government was deeply saddened by these dastardly acts of murder against innocent Nigerians.
“Every time there is any major positive development in the country, it is quickly greeted with bombs and attacks on defenceless citizens. Every milestone recorded by government is followed by explosions and attacks to discourage the citizens and to turn them against the government,” he observed.
Mr. Maku called for unity among Nigerians in this trying moment in order to isolate and defeat the insurgents who are bent on creating panic and dividing the people with the aim of casting President Jonathan and his government in bad light.
12 bodies, 35 injured victims at Maitama Hospital
THE Minister of FCT, Mallam Bala Mohammed said, yesterday, that the unfortunate bomb blast was under control.
The minister who spoke at the Maitama District Hospital said the security situation in the capital city has been brought under control as new security measures will also be put in place.
He explained that “our neighbour to neighbour security watch in the FCT too is yielding results as we have beefed up security in all neighbourhoods.”
He told reporters that from available information, 12 victims involved in the blast were brought to the hospital and 35 injured persons were receiving treatment.
He promised that his ministry would foot the bills of the injured persons in the hospital.
The Telegraph Managing Editor, Bisala killed in blast
The Managing Editor of The Telegraph newspapers, Mr. Suleiman Bisala was one of those killed in the EMAB Plaza blast in Abuja, yesterday.
His colleagues said the late Bisala was at the Plaza to fix his telephone handset when the blast occurred. He had a long career at the Daily Trust newspapers before joining The Telegraph.
7 corpses at National Hospital Morgue, 7 receiving treatment
A Check by news agents at the National Hospital Abuja, yesterday, revealed that seven dead persons were brought to the hospital morgue, while seven injured are currently receiving treatment.
The Public Relations Officer of the National Hospital, Abuja, Mr Tayo Haastrup, told News Agents that out of the seven injured, two were in critical condition in the intensive care unit of the hospital.
A source confirmed to News agents that “many of the injured were in critical condition and it will take the grace of God for them to survive”.
16 soldiers, scores of insurgents killed in Borno clash
No fewer than 16 security operatives, including soldiers and dozens of suspected members of Boko Haram terrorists were reportedly killed Tuesday night, when insurgents attacked a military post in Bulabulin Ngaura in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State.
Sambisa-Forest1
Bulabulin Ngaura is located south of Maiduguri, along the troubled Maiduguri-Biu Road, about 60 kilometres from Maiduguri, the state capital, which had witnessed series of attacks, road ambushes and killings by terrorists.
One of the soldiers that escaped the attack told journalists in Maiduguri: “Some of my colleagues were abducted and many others escaped with bullet wounds. Dozens of Boko Haram insurgents who stormed our checkpoint at Bulabulin were also killed.
“The terrorists came in a convoy of over 30 vehicles, mounted with anti-aircraft guns and Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs.
“I was at the checkpoint when the terrorists came. We tried our best but they had the upper hand. They had AAGs and we had AK-47 rifles. We tried our best to repel them by killing many.
“Unfortunately, due to their large number, some of us escaped to Maiduguri and other places just as about 16 of us could not make it.
“As I am talking to you, 16 bodies of our colleagues have been brought to Maiduguri. This is beside those that sustained injuries and many others that are missing in action.”
A text message sent to the Director Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade’s phone line, asking for his comments on the incident, was not replied at press time.
Eagles show character in 2-3 loss – Eguma
Eagles show character in 2-3 loss – EgumaDolphins football club of Port Harcourt Manager, Stanley Eguma, said Super Eagles showed character in their last group F World Cup match in spite of losing 3-2 to Argentina.
Eguma told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt on Wednesday that the Eagles improved in their game and were unlucky not to level scores.
“The Eagles played well and showed character in their match against Argentina. There was a remarkable improvement in their match today.
“They have improved from their previous matches and I believe they will do well in the remaining matches,’’ he said.
The manager commended the team for qualifying for the round of 16 of the world cup and expressed optimism that they will win their opponents.
“This is football and anything can happen. As a coach, I am sure the Argentines will realise they played a hard opponent.
“The match was not easy for them. I equally know that in the round of 16 matches, we can make it.
“I have a feeling that the Eagles will play with all determination to win their remaining matches,’’ he said.
He commended Ahmed Musa, Eagles’ goals scorer, for “a wonderful outing against Argentina’’. (NAN)
Eguma told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt on Wednesday that the Eagles improved in their game and were unlucky not to level scores.
“The Eagles played well and showed character in their match against Argentina. There was a remarkable improvement in their match today.
“They have improved from their previous matches and I believe they will do well in the remaining matches,’’ he said.
The manager commended the team for qualifying for the round of 16 of the world cup and expressed optimism that they will win their opponents.
“This is football and anything can happen. As a coach, I am sure the Argentines will realise they played a hard opponent.
“The match was not easy for them. I equally know that in the round of 16 matches, we can make it.
“I have a feeling that the Eagles will play with all determination to win their remaining matches,’’ he said.
He commended Ahmed Musa, Eagles’ goals scorer, for “a wonderful outing against Argentina’’. (NAN)
Babatunde out of World Cup
It is not the best of news for a Nigerian team that zoomed into the second round of the World Cup with France as their next opposition.
One of the new kids on the block, Babatunde Michael has been ruled out of the remaining matches of the World Cup due to injury.
Babatunde’s hand inadvertently blocked the ferocious shot of Ogenyi Onazi which was goal-bound and it twisted his arm.
Stephen Keshi confirmed in a post match that the player was going for surgery and may not be lucky to feature in Nigeria’s remaining matches of the Brazil World Cup.
‘’It is sad that we may not see him play again in the World Cup. He is going for surgery. It is bad”, Keshi said, agonizingly.
Babatunde Michael
One of the new kids on the block, Babatunde Michael has been ruled out of the remaining matches of the World Cup due to injury.
Babatunde’s hand inadvertently blocked the ferocious shot of Ogenyi Onazi which was goal-bound and it twisted his arm.
Stephen Keshi confirmed in a post match that the player was going for surgery and may not be lucky to feature in Nigeria’s remaining matches of the Brazil World Cup.
‘’It is sad that we may not see him play again in the World Cup. He is going for surgery. It is bad”, Keshi said, agonizingly.
Babatunde Michael
Itsekiri leaders condole with Vanguard Publisher over mum’s death - See more at:
WARRI—ITSEKIRI Leaders of Thought, ILOT, has condoled with the Publisher of Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Sam Amuka, on the death of his mother, Madam Ariteshoma Amuka-Pemu (Nee Okoro).
In a condolence letter by its Chairman, Pa J. Ayomike and Secretary, Mr. Edward Ekpoko, the group extolled Madam Amuka-Pemu for attaining the ripe old age of 109.
“She will certainly be missed by many, including some of us who knew her as young boys decades ago in Sapele. She lived well and the lives of the children she raised including your very good self, even though a Sapele Boma Boy, are evidence of this. We join you in celebrating a life of a virtuous woman, who lived well.”
In a related development, His Royal Majesty, Ovie R. Ogbon, Ogoni-Oghoro I, the Ohworode of Olomu, in his condolence message, commiserated with the Okoro family of Oviri-Olomu and the Amuka family over the death of their mother.
“The death of our daughter is a painful one. She lived well, she had great children who have impacted lives positively. She lived a fulfilled life as she completed her work on earth. The Olomu people commiserate with Sam Amuka and his siblings and pray that God gives them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”
In a condolence letter by its Chairman, Pa J. Ayomike and Secretary, Mr. Edward Ekpoko, the group extolled Madam Amuka-Pemu for attaining the ripe old age of 109.
“She will certainly be missed by many, including some of us who knew her as young boys decades ago in Sapele. She lived well and the lives of the children she raised including your very good self, even though a Sapele Boma Boy, are evidence of this. We join you in celebrating a life of a virtuous woman, who lived well.”
In a related development, His Royal Majesty, Ovie R. Ogbon, Ogoni-Oghoro I, the Ohworode of Olomu, in his condolence message, commiserated with the Okoro family of Oviri-Olomu and the Amuka family over the death of their mother.
“The death of our daughter is a painful one. She lived well, she had great children who have impacted lives positively. She lived a fulfilled life as she completed her work on earth. The Olomu people commiserate with Sam Amuka and his siblings and pray that God gives them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”
INCREDIBLE: Woman gives birth after 14 years pregnancy!
Saturday June 7, 2014, will remain the happiest day in the life of Mercy James. Reason? That was the day she miraculously gave birth to a baby girl after 14 years of being pregnant.
1gThe baby was promptly and aptly christined Miracle. And why not? If the mother had delivered at the expected time the child would have been a teenager by now and possibly in secondary school at the JSS 3 level.
Mercy, a single parent, said of her ordeal during the 14 years she was pregnant but could not give birth: “When I first took in, I knew that I was pregnant with signs and test that confirmed that I was. Four months later, I went to hospital for another test, the result showed that I wasn’t pregnant, but had fibroid.
Subsequently, I began to experience bleeding, at least once a day. Sometimes, my tummy would protrude in the semblance of pregnancy. I went to different hospitals, and I kept on receiving the same result that nothing was wrong with me. But deep down inside , I knew that all was not well with me.
Churches and native doctors
“So I was taken aback when a midwife told me I was pregnant. But considering the test which showed I had fibroid, I was angry with the midwife for giving me what I felt was a false prophecy of hope. Thereafter, I started going from one church to another and from one native doctor to the other. The results that I got from them all remained the same. I became more feeble and confused that I prayed for death to come.
“I went again to the midwife two years after and complained to her about the pains that I was going through, she told me again that it was not fibroid but pregnancy; she advised me to be more prayerful so that God will deliver me from the hands of the devil. I kept on praying and at the same time asking myself that if truly I’m pregnant, why is it that the baby was not kicking?
“I bought many concoctions that they said could cure fibroid and drank them. I even drank 12 bottles of a local cleanser but to no avail. This went on for years. Then God took pity on me and decided to wipe my tears.
On the day I gave birth to my baby girl, I initially thought that worms were trying to come out of my body not knowing that it was a baby. This was what I told the midwife when we came to her. But after examining me she told me to push.
I ignored her. I became unconscious for about 15 minutes and when I regained consciousness, I heard the cry of a baby. I was surprised and confused seeing my baby. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Hmm,I thank God for my life and that of my baby Miracle. I named her Miracle because she is truly a miraculous child”.
Miraculous child
The midwife at the Celestial Church of Christ, Kadoso Parish, Ajegunle where Mercy gave birth confirmed the development, especially the role she played.
The woman who simply gave her name as Mrs Ajetima informed thus: “She was pregnant for 14 years and was unable to give birth during this period. Then on Saturday around 6:30am I saw two persons carrying her to this place. When she came inside, I laid her down and asked one of my daughters to examine her, after the examination, I found out that it was a baby that was about coming out and not worms. I asked her to push and she refused. My daughter gave her a hard slap on her laps since she refused to push.
Behold a baby with placenta came out! I started shouting, calling on people to come and see for themselves that Mercy was truly pregnant, because if not, people will start to say that that Celestial woman has given Mercy a baby. Within a twinkle of an eye, the whole place was filled with people. God is wonderful”.
Also affirming the happy development, Mercy’s closest friend, Odunayo Odeyemi had this to say: “I have known mercy for over nine years now. I met her with the pregnancy . In fact, she did not know that she was pregnant. I followed her to many places but her problems kept on increasing. Merely looking at Mercy then before she gave birth, you will notice that she wasn’t okay. I kept advising her to have faith in God because I had experienced the same thing. I was pregnant for three years and three months and God delivered me.
“Mercy came to me on that fateful day around 4am begging me to give her a pain reliever, that she was having pains all over her body. I dressed up and took her to a man that sells drugs. After taking the drug, on our way home, she started having serious pains. I called her brother and we both took her to the midwife. Hours later, she gave birth to a bouncing baby girl. We all were surprised because we never expected such a miracle to happen. She had a complete baby.”
Robert Davidson, one of Mercy’s friends, said that he concluded after seeing Mercy with a protruded tummy for three years that she had fibroid. So, “it came to me as a shock to learn that she delivered a bouncing baby girl.”
For Chidimma Ibe, a neighbour: “She always complained to me that she had stomach pains all these period. She told me that she had fibroid and sometime, she will complain of different things. She was totally confused as to what her condition was. I’m very much surprised and happy she gave birth to a complete baby girl. It was truly a miracle. God was on her side. God is wonderful because all the concoctions she took were enough to kill the baby.”
On the father of Baby Miracle, Mercy informed that they got separated on account of the ordeal that attended her pregnancy. “Friday is the name of my baby’s father. Actually, we are not married. He just proposed to me and I became pregnant for him. He knew about the pregnancy. He always gave me money for tests and scans but he got tired and left me after waiting for me for over a year without seeing any sign of a baby. I have no option than to go my own way,” she informed.
We gave too much respect to Argentina – Keshi
Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi reviewed the 3-2 loss to Argentina in their last group match that saw them qualifying to the second round of the World Cup, saying that Nigeria gave Argentina too much respect.
‘’I think that we gave Argentina too much respect in the first half. That is why we played deep not trying to concede goals. It is not in our character to play defensive game.
BRAZIL, Pôrto Alegre : Argentina's forward Lionel Messi (R) and Nigeria's goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama smile during a Group F football match between Nigeria and Argentina at the Beira-Rio Stadium in Porto Alegre during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 25, 2014. AFP PHOTO
BRAZIL, Pôrto Alegre : Argentina’s forward Lionel Messi (R) and Nigeria’s goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama smile during a Group F football match between Nigeria and Argentina at the Beira-Rio Stadium in Porto Alegre during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 25, 2014. AFP PHOTO
We are known for attacking football like Argentina. But that changed in the second half and we took control of the game and the possession.
I think that the game was good with my players improving in all games
Messi is from Jupiter
Stephen Keshi also poured encomiums on Argentine player Lionel Messi .
Despite the loss, Nigeria finished second behind Argentina and moved into the second round to face France.
Asked if his team played against Argentina or Messi, he laughed and said; ‘’Messi is a blessing to football. You can’t take it away from him.
There are other talented players in the Argentine team but I think that Messi is from another planet. Messi is from Jupiter”, he said causing an uproar of laughter from the media.
Wednesday, 25 June 2014
LANDLORD DRAGS CHURCH TO COURT OVER UNPAID RENT
The landlord of The Lord’s Chosen Church, New Nyanya, Mr Kola Sunmonu, yesterday, sued the church in a Mararaba chief magistrate’s court for allegedly failing to pay rent.
Counsel to the plaintiff, Mr Raphael Nnabuike, told the court that the defendant was supposed to renew the rent annually.
Nnabuike also said the plaintiff had let part of his plot of land, measuring 100ft by 100ft at New Nyanya, to the defendant at the rate of N35,000 each year.
He told the court that the defendant only paid the initial rent of N35,000 on July 3, 2012. Nnabuike said the rent expired on July 3, 2013 but the defendant did not renew the tenancy.
The counsel alleged that the defendant also refused to sign the tenancy agreement which the plaintiff drafted and gave the church.
He told the court that part of the agreement was that the defendant should not erect any permanent structure on the plot.
Nnabuike said the defendant had gone to erect a permanent structure on the plot.
He tendered a receipt of one year rent payment issued to the defendant by the plaintiff in 2012 as evidence.
The plaintiff, therefore, prayed the court to grant him permission to take immediate possession of his plot and also recover the arrears of six months rent, which amounted to N17,500, from the defendant.
The plaintiff also urged the court to help him recover N20,000, being the legal expenses he incurred from the case.
The pastor of the church, Mr Charles Nnabuife, who was in court without legal representation, told the court that the Lord’s Chosen Church preached what it practised.
Nnabuife said that the church was not in the court to contest the land with the plaintiff because it was not the owner of the land.
The defendant prayed the court to appeal to the plaintiff to give the church time to settle its rent.
It also prayed the court to beg the plaintiff to sell the said plot of land to the church if he planned to sell it.
The magistrate, Mr Habila Abundaga, asked Nnabuike, counsel to the plaintiff, to wade into the matter and resolve the dispute between the two parties before the adjourned date of July 24.
RETIRED MILITARY MEN PROTEST
IT was a sad day for retired military men under the aegis of Coalition of aggrieved Nigerian Military Veterans who made moves to storm the National Conference to drive home their predicaments but were stopped at the gate by men of the Department of State Service, DSS.
Retired Military men protesting at the Confab
The retired military men numbering over 100 from the 36 states of the country and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, gathered at the entrance of the NJI, singing songs in English, Igbo and Hausa, with some displaying placards with inscription like, ‘We have served our country!’ ‘We have served Africa’ ‘We have served the world’ ‘Have we committed crime? ‘Why is the government of the day committing genocide against us?’ ‘God will judge all of us.’ ‘We demand the harmonisation of military pension based on the consolidated Armed Forces Salary Structures of 2010 and 2011.’ ‘We are regarded as unproductive today.’
Meanwhile, a team of DSS led by the Conference DSS Coordinator, Ken Chukwurah, stormed the gate and prevented them from entering.
Chukwurah, who listened to the protesting veterans and asked if they had gone to the National Assembly before now and what they felt the delegates could do for them, adding that it was good they were not violent.
Leaders of the group, Innocent Nass and Comrade Gabriel Oaikhena, said they decided to come to the confab after series of protest to the National Assembly with no results.
Their request: “We demand that the 53.37 per cent Federal Government salary increase of 2009/2010 and the accruing three years arrears be paid to us without further delay.
“We demand that our pension rate be updated to the current (2013) salary scale of serving military personnel, and the arrears from date of commencement be fully paid to us. That is the harmonization of our pension rate with that of our still-serving colleagues.
“We find it impossible to believe that Nigeria is so poor that it cannot pay the very basic constitutional entitlement of its veterans who have sacrificed their youth in patriotic service to the nation.
It is even more painful with the fairly-regular news of double-digit billions of naira being stolen (including from pension fund), or found in the private bank account of government office holders and key-placed public servants, almost always with little or token consequences to those caught, tried and found guilty.
”We do not believe we have to become militants and take up arms before someone cares to address our pain. Nor do we have to go the Boko Haram way before someone makes a good analysis and comes up with solution to the problem. We deserve an honourable and respectful treatment as part of the heroes of this nation, until we are given our Last Post.
We, the surviving patriots, are not dead yet, and should not be treated as if our continued existence is constituting a nuisance and unnecessary expenses to the nation.
Car bomb goes off near lagos tank farm
A car laden with bombs yesterday exploded at the ever busy Folawiyo junction on Creek Road, Apapa, killing four persons, while several others were injured.
Eyewitnesses told Vanguard that the car, a Mercedes-Benz 190, exploded around 8:30pm, after it was parked beside a fuel tanker heading into Folawiyo tank farm.
The scene of the blast at Apapa.
Wreckage of the car
The explosion was said to have shocked residents of Apapa and its environs, which was also said to have affected two banks operating in the area, while many other buildings were also destroyed .
Many residents were scared that the explosion could have been the handiwork of the dreaded Boko Haram sect, who may have targeted the area being a depot of petroleum products.
When Vanguard visited the scene, the wreckage of the Mercedes Benz, was seen at the scene, while the remains of an unidentified woman also littered the ground.
An eyewitness who identified himself as Musa Ali, told Vanguard that he narrowly escaped death when the explosion occurred.
His words: “I am a truck conductor and my truck was on the queue. I was walking towards the Folawiyo junction when I heard the explosion and I thought it was an earthquake. When I looked up I saw a large ball of fire at the spot where I was to buy food and a woman in front of me was badly injured. Fire fighters quickly raced to the scene and after some minutes the fire was put off. When I went close I saw a deep hole at the point where the explosion occurred.”
Another eye witness said: “A car wired with a bomb device rammed under a trailer parked outside the tank farm which exploded at about 8.30pm. We were all scared when we heard the explosion and saw smoke everywhere. There was pandemonium as everyone started running helter-skelter and it was in the midst of this confusion that a man wearing a hijab ran into the compound to detonate another bomb. Apparently, the first bomb was meant to be a distraction.”
However, spokesperson of the Lagos state police command, Ngozi Braide confirmed the incident but stated emphatically that it was not a bomb explosion.
She could however not give details of how the tanker exploded, saying the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Apapa would brief her later.
Nigeria make world cup last 16
A double from Lionel Messi a day after his 27th birthday inspired Argentina to a 3-2 win over African champions Nigeria and assured them of finishing top of Group F at the World Cup finals on Wednesday.
Nigeria’s defeat — their fourth in four meetings at the finals against Argentina — came with the considerable consolation that they still progressed to the second round as Iran lost 3-1 to Bosnia-Hercegovina in the other group game.
Messi’s double — including a sublime freekick — and Marcus Rojo’s goal saw the Argentinians to the three points while Ahmed Musa scored a brace for the Nigerians.
Argentina — who have not won the trophy since 1986 — will play the runners-up of Group E next Tuesday while Nigeria play the group winners, who will probably be France.
Nigeria’s defeat — their fourth in four meetings at the finals against Argentina — came with the considerable consolation that they still progressed to the second round as Iran lost 3-1 to Bosnia-Hercegovina in the other group game.
Messi’s double — including a sublime freekick — and Marcus Rojo’s goal saw the Argentinians to the three points while Ahmed Musa scored a brace for the Nigerians.
Argentina — who have not won the trophy since 1986 — will play the runners-up of Group E next Tuesday while Nigeria play the group winners, who will probably be France.
Nigeria vs Argentina 2-3 at 50′
Nigeria vs Argentina 2-3 at 50′Nigeria, with captain Joseph Yobo earning his 100th cap, and Argentina were unchanged for their closing Group F clash in Porto Alegre on Wednesday.
However MESSI (Argentina) scored two goals at the 3′ and 45 while Nigeria hit the net through Musa at the 4′ all in the first half.
MUSA 47′ again hit the net to equalise for the Super Eagles but ROJO 50′ hit the Nigerian net to increase Argentina’s goals to three.
Coach Stephen Keshi remained faithful to the side that saw off Bosnia-Hercegovina 1-0 last time out, and his opposite number Alejandro Sabella stuck with the starting XI that saw off dogged Iran by the same scoreline.
Marcos Rojo of Argentina goes for a header against Emmanuel Emenike of Nigeria during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group F match between Nigeria and Argentina at Estadio Beira-Rio on June 25, 2014 in Porto Alegre, Brazil. (FIFA)
Marcos Rojo of Argentina goes for a header against Emmanuel Emenike of Nigeria during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group F match between Nigeria and Argentina at Estadio Beira-Rio on June 25, 2014 in Porto Alegre, Brazil. (FIFA)
Nigeria will go through as runners-up with a draw against already qualified Argentina, irrespective of how Iran fare against eliminated Bosnia in Group F’s other game.
Teams
Nigeria
Vincent Enyeama, Efe Ambrose, Juwon Oshaniwa, Kenneth Omeruo, Joseph Yobo (capt), John Obi Mikel, Ogenzi Onazi, Michael Babatunde, Ahmed Musa, Peter Odemwingie, Emmanuel Emenike
Coach: Stephen Keshi (NGR)
Argentina
Sergio Romero, Pablo Zabaleta, Ezequiel Garay, Marcos Rojo, Federico Fernandez, Fernando Gago, Angel Di Maria, Javier Mascherano, Gonzalo Higuain, Lionel Messi (capt), Sergio Aguero.
Coach: Alejandro Sabella (ARG)
Referee: Nicola Rizzoli (ITA)
Hundreds feared killed as bomb rips off Emab Plaza in Abuja
Scores of people are feared dead as a massive bomb blast rips off Emab Plaza, one of the biggest and most busy malls in Abuja.
The blast, which went off at 3:57 pm, triggered a big bang that set the massive shopping mall on fire.
As at the time of filing the report, human parts, shrapnel and blood were flying about, as confused men and women, who managed to escape from the building ran in different directions, calling for help.
“I can see human parts and some bodies scattered on the ground but we are too scared to get closer for fear of another bomb,” a reporter at the scene said.
“Many traders and visitors to the mall are still trapped in the burning building,” the reporter added.
Men of the Police Anti-bomb Squad were being expected to clear the site before rescue operations could be carried out by emergency workers.
The blast, which went off at 3:57 pm, triggered a big bang that set the massive shopping mall on fire.
As at the time of filing the report, human parts, shrapnel and blood were flying about, as confused men and women, who managed to escape from the building ran in different directions, calling for help.
“I can see human parts and some bodies scattered on the ground but we are too scared to get closer for fear of another bomb,” a reporter at the scene said.
“Many traders and visitors to the mall are still trapped in the burning building,” the reporter added.
Men of the Police Anti-bomb Squad were being expected to clear the site before rescue operations could be carried out by emergency workers.
LASU returning students have not paid new fee- union leader
The Lagos State University Students Union on Wednesday said that returning students of the institution had yet to accept the new tuition fee as directed by the university’s Governing Council.
The union’s President, Mr Nurudeen Yusuf, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that only 900 newly admitted students for the 2013/2014 academic session had paid the fee.
NAN reports that authorities of LASU had on June 23 said that more 900 students had paid the tuition.
The university’s Governing Council had on June 20 released a breakdown of the tuition fee as N76 and 750 to N158 and 250 for categories of students.
The breakdown was sequel to the June 11 reduction of the tuition by between 34 per cent and 60 per cent.
The reduction was directed by the state government.
According to Yusuf, the total number of students who have paid the fee should have been more than 2,000, if returning students had complied.
“We are about 8,000 students in LASU; the 2013/2014 newly admitted students are 1,014, which means only 900 could afford to pay before their matriculation.
“If the management claims that over 900 students have paid, it is the newly admitted students and definitely not the returning students,” he said.
The union leader said that the students would continue to defend their position on the fee.
NAN reports that the students are insisting that the fee should be reduced to N46,500 for returning students, while fresh students should pay N65, 500.
The tuition fee was increased from N25,000 in 2011 to N198, 000 for humanities and education, while medical students pay N350, 000. (NAN)
The union’s President, Mr Nurudeen Yusuf, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that only 900 newly admitted students for the 2013/2014 academic session had paid the fee.
NAN reports that authorities of LASU had on June 23 said that more 900 students had paid the tuition.
The university’s Governing Council had on June 20 released a breakdown of the tuition fee as N76 and 750 to N158 and 250 for categories of students.
The breakdown was sequel to the June 11 reduction of the tuition by between 34 per cent and 60 per cent.
The reduction was directed by the state government.
According to Yusuf, the total number of students who have paid the fee should have been more than 2,000, if returning students had complied.
“We are about 8,000 students in LASU; the 2013/2014 newly admitted students are 1,014, which means only 900 could afford to pay before their matriculation.
“If the management claims that over 900 students have paid, it is the newly admitted students and definitely not the returning students,” he said.
The union leader said that the students would continue to defend their position on the fee.
NAN reports that the students are insisting that the fee should be reduced to N46,500 for returning students, while fresh students should pay N65, 500.
The tuition fee was increased from N25,000 in 2011 to N198, 000 for humanities and education, while medical students pay N350, 000. (NAN)
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