FIFA U-17 World Cup Final: It'll be a tough match, says Ugbade

Category: National

Written by EDITOR
Lagos, Nov. 7, 2013 (NAN) The FIFA U-17
World Cup final between Nigeria and Mexico
on Friday will not be an easy one, says
Nduka Ugbade, an Assistant Coach of the
Golden Eaglets.
Ugbade told the News Agency of Nigeria
(NAN) on telephone on Thursday that this
was because both countries would be
meeting again.
NAN recalls that when both countries met at
the group stage, Nigeria defeated Mexico 6-1
at the ongoing FIFA U-17 World Cup
tournament in the United Arab Emirates
(UAE).
``The final will be the toughest match we'll
be playing, not just because it is the final
match, but because we'll be meeting the
defending champion (Mexico), for the
second time in the competition.
``Although we already know their style of
play, it still will not be an easy one.
``We are going to play a compact game to
overwhelm the Mexicans and eventually win
the cup,'' he said.
Ugbade told NAN that the Eaglets had come
this far and would put in their best to lift the
trophy.
He said that Isaac Success might also miss the
final match because he had yet to be
certified fit to play.
The Golden Eaglets trashed Sweden 3-0 on
Tuesday, to book a place in the final against
Mexico.
Nigeria won the 1985, 1993 and 2007
editions of the competition and finished as
runners up in 1987, 1995, 2001 and 2009.

Imo APC disowns Okorocha

Owerri
The leadership of the Imo State chapter of All
Progressives Congress (APC) has disowned
the state Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha,
saying he is not yet a registered member of
the party.In a communiqué jointly signed by
the party's interim Chairman and Secretary,
Mazi Nati Iwuagwu and Chief Ahamefule
Ibekwe respectively and made available to
newsmen in Owerri yesterday, the party
stated that under the provisions of the
Electoral Act on merger of political parties,
only members of the merged parties are
legal and automatic members of APC for
now.
According to the APC, no fresh registration of
new members had taken place in the party
in the state since the merger of the three
political parties on August 31, 2013.
The communiqué stated that every other
member outside the three merged political
parties was a 'concessional member' and
therefore, must wait for regularization by
formally registering with the party at his or
her respective ward in the state.
It, therefore, frowned at the alleged plot by
people it tagged: 'APGA rebels' to hijack the
party in the state with impunity and warned
those involved in the act to stop the arbitrary
constitution of interim officers of the party
in the state at all levels.
It stated: "That the attention of the national
interim executive of our great party must be
drawn to the events in the party in Imo State
for urgent and necessary action as we no
longer accept the existence of any APC
sitting governor in Imo State until he
becomes a duly registered member of APC.
"That we have firmly resolved to protect our
legacy right of membership of APC lawfully
acquired under Section 84 (4) and (5) of the
Electoral Act 2010 by every lawful means
including judicial option, if the issue of
defining the authentic membership of the
party in Imo State is not addressed within
reasonable time by the national interim
executive."

I now know Eaglets better – Mexico's coach

By John Egbokhan reporting from UAE
As the zero hour approaches to today's
final match of the FIFA U-17 World Cup
between the Golden Eaglets and El Tri in the
beautiful National Stadium in Abu Dhabi,
Mexico coach Raul Gutierrez has said that he
knows the Nigerians better.
Gutierrez saw his side battered 6-1 by the
Eaglets in their opening Group F game on
October 19 in Al Ain and remarkably was
still able to steer them to the final, where
they come up against the Nigerians, who
have grown into a goalscoring machine,
netting 23 goals.
Speaking after seeing his boys beat
Argentina 3-0 in the semifinal, the coach
who declared himself a "happy" man even
though he thought his team had played their
best, said "I will always be proud of this
team. Ivan (Ochoa) has always been a very
consistent player, mature despite his age and
that is reflected in every game he has
played."
Gutierrez was looking forward to playing
Nigeria again in the final. He pointed out
that three of the last four teams in the
competition had all emerged from the same
first-round group and thus had extra
knowledge of each other's game.
"I now know the Nigerians better. The last
time we played, I did not know them well
but I have since learnt a lot from them and
think that it is advantage for my team", said
the coach.

Why I restricted my wife's movement - Gov. Chime

ENUGU State governor, Mr Sullivan Chime,
has promised to continue to protect the
integrity of his wife, Clara, in spite of
campaigns against him.
Speaking with newsmen in Enugu, on
Wednesday, Chime said it had become
imperative for him to clarify issues about his
wife's health challenges, going by the
campaign of calumny against his person.
"Well, my wife has some medical challenges
and it would be very unkind for me to talk
about her condition on the pages of
newspapers.
"I have done everything to protect her
integrity and I am not going to expose her to
ridicule now, because some people want to
exploit her situation to drag me into a
needless war of words.
"We've been battling this prior to my
inauguration in 2011. It was so bad at a time
that she had to be taken out of here
(Governor's Lodge) for treatment.
"When she stabilised, I pleaded with her
doctors if she could be brought back here to
be receiving her treatment at home and they
graciously accepted.
"There was a time she was confined indoors
and that was strictly on her doctors' advice.
She's here and she can confirm or deny it.
Also, the doctors then advised against
allowing her access to telephones and her
laptop," he said.
The governor said his wife was safe in the
Government House, adding that her
confinement within the premises was at the
instance of her doctor, who was also present
at the briefing.
"Why would I want my wife locked up? If it
had been that I had issues with her, there are
many ways to resolve them. But that's not
the case. She is not well and I'm willing to do
anything to support and protect her.
"It was always more convenient for me to
have taken the easier route, but that would
have been very callous and ungodly.
"When I had my own health challenge, I was
receiving treatment in London and thinking
about her, making sure she received the right
treatment. I'm forever grateful to her doctors
who have done a great job.
"Both families are billed to meet very soon
and after that, I'll take a decision which will
be in the interest of both parties," the
governor said.
On his reaction to a purported petition to the
inspector-general of police by renowned
lawyer, Chief Femi Falana, the governor said
"he's my professional colleague, but
sometimes you leave people to their
conscience."
He said he was not worried about the
development, adding that when he was
receiving treatment in London, some of the
newspapers reported that he had died in
India.
Clara, who was present during the briefing,
denied sending any petition to the National
Human Rights Commission, alleging
unlawful detention by her husband.
She also denied contacting or engaging the
services of Falana or any other lawyer to
seek her freedom from an alleged
incarceration at Government House, Enugu.
"My doctor and I don't have any problem,"
she said.
On the current situation, Clara said she had
the key to her room and controlled her entry
and exit.
She, however, said her grouse was that she
had not been allowed to leave the premises
except on Sundays to attend mass.

NHRC writes Gov Chime, demands access to wife

ABUJA – Sequel to a petition that was sent to
it by wife of Governor Sullivan Chime of
Enugu State, Clara, alleging that she had
been illegally confined to a house arrest by
her husband, the National Human Rights
Commission, NHRC, yesterday, wrote a letter
to the Governor, requesting to have an
audience with his wife.
According to the Director of Information and
Communication at the Commission, Mr
Muhammed Nasir Ladan, the right body, has
commenced investigation into the petition,
and would want to hear from all the
concerned parties.
He said: “The NHRC has commenced
investigation into the complaint received
from Mrs Clara Chime and has requested
Governor Chime to grant the Commission
access to the complainant."
It will be recalled that the Enugu State First
Lady, advanced her quest for freedom from
alleged illegal house arrest, by petitioning
the Commission, begging it to come to her
aid.
Already, Lagos based human rights lawyer
and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Mr
Femi Falana, has equally petitioned the
Inspector General of Police, asking for the
intensification of efforts towards securing
the release of the Governor's wife.
In her letter to the NHRC, Mrs. Chime,
described her relationship with her husband
as "abusive", saying it had led her into
depression.
Whereas they have been married for five
years, Clara said their relationship had
broken down irretrievably in the past couple
of years.
"We do not have a relationship anymore and
the situation inevitably led to my nervous
breakdown. I have been diagnosed with
severe depression and at some point was
quite suicidal."
Alleging that she was subjected "to the most
horrific and intolerable of conditions to
cause my demise," Clara, enumerated the
major issues to include: lack of sexual
relationship with her husband for four years;
being deprived of responsibilities as a wife;
being prevented from bonding with her
four-year-old son; and being barred me
from receiving visitors, whether family or
friends.
She revealed that three weeks ago, a lady
friend who visited her was stopped from
seeing her; saying had been confined to a
complete incarceration from the outside
world.
"In effect, I am locked up in my bedroom,
without access to anybody," she pleaded.
According to the letter, "I am only allowed
food but no access to fresh air; I have been
locked up because I demanded to leave, even
without my son. Governor Chime recently
revoked my land allocation; the governor is
doing everything possible to break my will."
She told the commission that her desire is
simply to be allowed to leave.
"If I have committed any crime, I request
that due process should be followed. I was
also recently attacked by my husband before
the visitor mentioned above who is a living
witness and will be prepared to testify."
She also accused Governor Chime of paying a
doctor to inject her with all sorts of drugs,
and that she is sometimes restrained and
forced to take the drugs.
"I would also wish the Nigerian Medical
Council be informed of the activity of this
doctor who is only interested in my
husband's wishes and does not care about
my suffering. Medical confidentiality is not
part of this doctor's tool," she wrote.
Stressing that she has no intention of taking
her own life, she warned that should she die,
it must be clear that it must have been
brought about her husband.
"The possibility of the doctor injecting me
with a lethal substance must never be
underestimated. I have a friend who is a
good friend of the family and would
collaborate a lot in the event of any mishap
to me and wish not to mention the name but
he would contact you ultimately” she added.

Isaac Success fit for U-17 World Cup final

Coach Garba Manu has confirmed the availability
of Golden Eaglets’ vice captain for the Fifa U17
World Cup clash against El Tri on Friday

Isaac Success has been
certified fit for Friday’s
U-17 World Cup final
against Mexico. The
team's top striker in the
lead to the World Cup is back to full fitness after
getting injured in the second game of the
championship.
The Golden Eaglets striker has missed four
games in this competition after suffering a
hamstring injury in Nigeria’s 3-3 draw against the
Blagult of Sweden in the group stages in which he
scored a goal. He also scored a goal in the 6-1
demolition of Mexico in their opening game.
Head Coach of the high flying Eaglets however
insisted that the BJ Foundation Academy forward
who was top scorer at the African Junior
Championship in Morocco earlier this year will be
starting from the bench in the crunch cracker
against the defending world champions.
In his absence, Taiwo Awoniyi has impressed in
the Nigeria U17 attack scoring a total number of
four goals with five assists.
Isaac Success has two goals to his credit in the
competition after finding the back of the net
against Mexico and Sweden.

Nigerian Eaglets fly past Sweden to final

Nigeria was made to work for their 3-0
semi-final win over Sweden in Dubai,
a result that sends them to the final of
the FIFA U-17 World Cup. Taiwo Awoniyi
scored his third goal in two games to help
send the Golden Eaglets through to the final,
where they will meet Mexico in another
Group F rematch.
The game started at a tremendous pace, both
sides carving out half-chances inside the first
60 seconds. After the initial frenzy of attacks
cooled, the pattern of play became clear. The
Nigerians pressed forward in waves, trying
to pin Sweden back and cut off the supply
lines to foraging striker Valmir Berisha.
The Africans were far more dangerous in the
first half and they got the goal their
dominance deserved after just 21 minutes. It
was the same combination that produced
both goals in the quarter-final win over
Uruguay as Kelechi Iheanacho – one of the
best players here in UAE – pushed the ball
up through midfield and chipped in a
looping pass for Awoniyi, who hardly had to
break stride before pummeling past Sixten
Mohlin for his third goal in two games.
Iheanacho continued to be a thorn in the
Swedes’ side, no wonder considering he’s
scored five of Nigeria’s goals and assisted on
seven. The Scandinavians seemed to wilt in
the heavy heat and humidity of their first
game in Dubai.
Only seconds had ticked off the clock in the
second half when Chidera Ezeh headed
against the upright. It was a warning from
the free-attacking Nigerians, who kept
pressing for a second goal.
Coach Roland Larsson threw on big striker
Carlos Strandberg for the last half-hour,
desperately trying to find a way to breach
the Nigerian rearguard. But the Eaglets kept
pushing. Musa Yahaya tried an effort from
the corner of the box in the 66th minute that
skimmed the outside of the post. Awoniyi
had the ball in the net a few seconds after,
only to be denied by an offside call, much to
the chagrin of the partying fans in green.
Sweden would not go quietly, and
Strandberg nearly volleyed home with a
quarter-hour to go, only to be denied by
Alampasu. The resulting corner kick was
headed hard at goal by Linus Wahlqvit, but
his try was saved again by the Nigerian
keeper, who had his gloves on the right way
around at the Rashid Stadium.
In the end, the Nigerians were in no mood to
be charitable. They got their insurance goals
inside the last ten minutes. Samuel Okon cut
in from the left and hammered his shot low
and inside the post to end Sweden’s dream.
It was all over even before Chidera Ezeh
added a third seconds later to make it 3-0
and send Nigeria to the final, where they
will be pressing hard for their fourth title.
© 2013 FIFA.com

ASUU considers calling off strike after 13-hour meeting with Jonathan

Abuja – President Goodluck Jonathan on
Monday led a negotiation meeting with the
leadership of the Academic Staff Union of
Universities (ASUU) to end the protracted
strike embarked upon by the union since July
1.
The13-hour meeting started at about 2.30
p.m. on Monday at the Presidential Villa and
ended at 3.30 a.m. on Tuesday.
The meeting had in attendance the
leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress
(NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC)
led by their respective Chairmen
Abduwaheed Omar and Bobbo Kaigama.
The ASUU team was led by the union’s
President, Dr. Nasir Fagge, three former
presidents of the union, professors Dipo
Fashina, Abdullahi Sule-Kano and Festus
Iyayi as well as professors Biodun Osiyemi,
Victor Osodeke, Suleiman Abdullahi and Dr.
Victor Igbum.
On the government negotiation team were,
Vice President Namadi Sambo; Minister of
Labour, Chukwuemeka Wogu; Minister of
Finance and Coordinating Minister of the
Economy Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and the
Minister of State for Education, Mr Nyesom
Wike.
Also on the government side were the
Secretary to the Government of the
Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, the Chief of
Staff to the President, Mr Mike Oghiadome,
and the Executive Secretary of the National
Universities Commission, Prof. Julius Okojie.
Emerging from the meeting, Fagge told State
House correspondents that the president had
given the delegation a message to its
members which would enable the union to
call off the strike.
“We have had a lengthy meeting with Mr
President, rubbing minds on the ways to
address the problems of university education
in this country.
“We now have a message from Mr President
that we are going to take to our members
and we are expecting that our members will
respond appropriately to the message of Mr
President,” he said
Asked whether union would call off the
strike and return to work based on the
message from the meeting, Fagge said “that is
up to our members.”
Wogu, who spoke for the government, said
that the meeting ended positively and the
message of the President to ASUU “is full of
hope and high expectations.
“The message is full of hope and expectations
and our prayer is that they come back with
positive response.
“They might not even come back to meet us;
they might even take decisions there that will
meet your expectations.”
Wogu noted that the offer made by the
president was in line with the 2009
agreement reached with the union.
“The offer is within the issues that led to the
strike; the issues contained in the 2009
agreement and we did not go beyond the
agreement,” he said.
He appealed to Nigerians to be patient with
ASUU and gave an assurance that the
outcome of the meeting would be positive.
The president appeared to be in high spirits
when he entered the venue of the meeting.
While shaking hands with the ASUU
president, he exclaimed: “My president! All
the problems will be over today; our children
must go back to school.”
The president proceeded to shake hands with
everyone in attendance at the meeting.
Also, while shaking hands with Omar and
Kaigama, Jonathan said: “My presidents,
with you here, I am assured everything will
go on well, it is signed and sealed.”
The meeting went into a 30-minute break at
6.20 p.m.
During the period, the ASUU delegation went
out of the venue of the meeting to the road
where the bus that conveyed them was
packed and held consultations inside the bus
for about 25 minutes.
Prior to the arrival of the ASUU and labour
team for the meeting, the president held a
closed-door consultation with members of
his team.
The discussion, which lasted for about 40
minutes, was attended by the Minister of
Justice and Attorney-General of the
Federation, Mr Mohammed Adoke (SAN).
It will be recalled that ASUU embarked on
strike on July 1 over the government failure
to implement an agreement reached with the
union in 2009 for improved funding for
infrastructure development in the
universities and payment of lecturers’
Earned Allowances.
Government had set up two committees to
address the issues to resolve the crisis but the
inability of the committees to reach
agreements with ASUU led to the vice-
president taking over the negotiation.
On Sept. 19, the vice-president held a special
negotiation meeting with the leadership of
ASUU and offered an improved government
position on the matter but the union rejected
the offer.
Many Nigerians have appealed to ASUU to
call off the strike. (NAN)

At Igbo Day celebration, Ojukwu resurrects in Warri

Warri This year's Igbo Day celebration in Warri, Delta State, was remarkably different. Scores of members of Igbo ethnic nationality rose up in unison to celebrate the event at the Warri Township stadium.

Most prominent during the celebration of the event that lasted several hours was the imposing photograph of late Igbo leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu that overwhelmed the crowd, including masquerades and dancers that entertained the crowd at the colourful and historic event.

Described as one of the most successful events since the commencement of Igbo Day celebration in the oil city, even the non-Igbo threw away tribal inclinations and joined in the celebration in spite of the downpour of the day.

President of the Ohanaeze-Ndigbo, Delta South and Central Senatorial District, Mr. Nicodemus Egwuatu Eze, in his speech, reminded his fellow compatriots of the importance attached to the Igbo Day Celebration. According to him, the Ohazaeze-Ndigbo was organized in 2000 with Sir Peter Chukwu, from Imo State emerging as the pioneer president of the organization.

The president assured that no stone would be left unturned in ensuring that Igbos at home and in the Diaspora were accorded their pride of place. He explained that the organization has as its aims and objectives, the need to promote Igbo culture, tradition and language, and to liaise with the Government of Delta State in order to ensure the maintenance of peace and rapid socio-economic development of the state and the Igbo people. He said the organisation was also interested in settling intra-Igbo dispute and the promotion of a peaceful co-existence with other ethnic nationalities in Nigeria. He said he was determined to purchase land and build the Ohanaze-Ndigbo Delta Central and South hall.

While extolling the virtues of past and present leaders of the organization, the Ohanaeze-Ndigbo helmsman enjoined all aggrieved Igbos in the district to bury the hatchet and embrace one another in love and unity. "Igbos are known to be strongly united and resourceful anywhere they find themselves. We don't need to be quarrelling with one another because we are also known to be peaceful," he said.

The occasion, attended by various traditional rulers, also witnessed the presentation of an award of excellence to some hardworking Igbo leaders in the area, among whom were Chief (Sir) Chudi Okenkenta, Engr. Chinyere Wamuo, Chief Emeka Okeke and Nze Francis Onuora.

Man arrested for planting explosive under Delta speaker's seat

The police in Delta State have arrested a man in connection with the explosion that rocked the seat of speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Victor Ochei, at a political meeting in the state at the weekend.
Two cannons exploded at the venue of the meeting at Obomkpa, Aniocha North Council Area of the state, while the speaker was acknowledging cheers from well wishers at the venue.
The seat of the speaker was specially clothed along with other special guests.
Nigerian Tribune gathered that Ochei's seat was thrown meters up while a lady close by had her legs shattered.
The lady, identified as a personal assistant to a bishop of a new generation church in Asaba, was rushed to Delta State University
Teaching Hospital, Oghara, for treatment.
However, the police public relations officer, ASP Lucky Uyabeme, told newsmen in Asaba on Monday that police had intensified investigation into the incident to bring any
other accomplice to book.
Uyabeme debunked Sahara Reporter's report credited to him that the explosion was not targeted at the speaker, adding that he never
at anytime spoke with the correspondent of the social media outfit.
The speaker, Hon Ochei is jostling for the governorship position of the state come 2015.
The chief press secretary to the speaker, Mr Nkem Osu, who was also at the venue of the meeting, confirmed that the speaker was
targeted, describing it as a purely
assassination attempt on Ochei.

Meanwhile, the police in Ogwashi-uku have arrested one Eric Uredolor and Pius Eghwere for the kidnap of one Kayode Obuhoro of Obos layout, Osubi, near Warri recently while driving in his Highlander Jeep with
registration number JJJ 806 BD.

Conference won't stop Nigeria's break-up - Bishop

Retired Bishop of the Church of Nigeria
(Anglican Communion), Lagos-West Diocese,
Rt. Rev. Peter Adebiyi, has faulted those who
do not want the proposed national
conference to lead to Nigeria's break-up.
He said there are several indications that the
nationalities in the country are living
together under duress. He said this was
evident in the high level of religious
intolerance being experienced, which was
reflected in politics.
Adebiyi, who spoke on the state of the nation
in Lagos on Saturday, said it would be
suicidal for him to walk in some places in
the North in his robe without being attacked
for being a Christian.
He noted that such would not occur, if he
goes to the North as a foreigner. He said if
he was killed as a foreigner from
Yorubaland, there would be diplomatic row
but if he was killed as a Nigerian, only his
family would bear the loss.
He identified the born-to-rule mentality of
some northerners as one of the causes of the
crises in the country. "An average
northerner believes that he was born to rule
Nigeria and that is the essence of the
conference we are talking about," he said.
Adebiyi said, "Sometime, when I see people
speak about one Nigeria, I remain silent
because I know that Nigeria is not one. We
have an agglomeration of nations in Nigeria.
I will only go to where I'll be tolerated.
"It is only those who are after money; those
who are selfish that say we are a country.
How do I call where I'm not wanted my
own? Everything is a deceit; Nigeria is a
country of great deceit.
"It is time for every one of us, if this
conference is real, to say that 'this is what we
want.' If we cannot live together, why can't I
go home? What is wrong, if I say I'm going
home?"
The retired bishop blamed the failures of the
countries anti-graft agencies on lack of
political will by the government. He said
they were driven politically.
He stated that it would be difficult for the
head of an anti-graft agency appointed by
the President to investigate the President, if
indicted.
The bishop said, "I was a member of the
Code of Conduct Bureau at its inception in
1988; eleven of us were members. I was
there for 20 years until few years ago. I
cannot say what my eyes saw. At a point, the
bureau became a god that cannot bite
because the setup was good but the operating
value was bad."

Benue: Bride-to-be commits suicide after HIV test

-Makurdi

One Joy Ngarfarm Iorza of Usar community
in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue
State has committed suicide for testing
positive to HIV/AIDS.
Impeccable sources told Sunday Tribune that
the lady, whose had completed arrangement
to wed in the next few days, decided to end it
all when medical report indicated that she
and her husband-to-be tested positive to the
dreaded disease.
It will be noted that some Christian
denominations have made it mandatory for
intending couple to have medical test from
designated and approved hospitals before
agreeing to join intending couples together
as husbands and wives.
The source, however, told Sunday Tribune
that the mandatory test blew opened the
status of the intending couple who were
confirmed to have the disease.
However, the bride-to-be, who could not
withstand the shame and stigma, was said to
have hung herself on a tree at a bush nearby
her family house.
On discovering the ugly development, the
community and the family of the deceased
were said to have held the groom, whose
name was given as Anodoaver Anwa
responsible for the fate that befell their
daughter.
The incident was said to have been reported
at the police station, while the Public
Relations Officer PPRO of Benue State Police
Command, DSP Dan Ezeala, who confirmed
the story said investigation was ongoing to
unravel the circumstances surrounding the
whole incident.

How Amaechi stole show at First Lady's mum's burial

Port Harcourt

Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State shocked his opponents who had made
frantic efforts to black mail him on the death and burial of the mother-in-law of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. At thefuneral service yesterday, held at Okrika National
Secondary School, he not only attended the burial ceremony, but also sang, danced more
than others in attendance. This attracted thunderous ovation from surprised members of the congregation.
On Thursday also, the chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum, not only went to the Port Harcourt International Airport Omagwa to
welcome the president, two of them,
including thegovernor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson flew in the same chopper.
Governor Amaechi, who atsome point appeared spiritual and emotional as he danced some gospel tunes rendered by the
popular gospel artiste, Gozie Okeke, attracted the attention of the congregation, who respondedwith cheers.
The governor, who was obviously not perturbed by what people might say or perceive about his presence at the church funeral relished himself in different dance styles and steps to the admiration of all.

Groups launch plans to break Nigeria *Moves to revive Biafra Republic intensified

THE increasing threats to the corporate
existence of Nigeria amid reports that a
treaty ceding Nigeria to Britain for 100 years
would expire in 2014, was the main reason
the government of president resolved to
convene a National Conference, Sunday
Tribune can report.
Security reports filed before the president
from within and outside Nigeria, all pointing
towards turbulent sessions for the country in
2014, had also necessitated the idea of a
National Conference, according to fresh
findings.
Besides, some foreign diplomats, most
especially from Britain, were said to have
long affirmed to Jonathan that the threats on
possible breakup of Nigeria were real, a
reason he had been strongly advised not to
treat such issues with a kid's glove.
According to reports, the activities of some
United Kingdom-based Nigerians have been
pointing towards their preparations for
actions likely to precipitate agitations for the
breakup of the country. This was said to
have been based on the strong links they
have been keeping with separatist
international groups said to be disposed to
the dismemberment of Africa's largest
country, principally for economic gains.
The breakup of Nigeria, in the consideration
of the separatist groups, is expected to
provide a leeway for plunderers from
Europe and America to rip off the country,
more so against the backdrop that Nigeria
has never demonstrated the required
wisdom in managing the enormous
resources placed at its disposal since
independence.
Interest groups from the two continents were
said to have been feasting on Nigeria loss of
focus in managing its oil resources, most
essentially, while they have been core
beneficiaries of crude oil being stolen from
Nigeria in huge quantities in collaboration
with local sponsors.
Sunday Tribune investigations revealed that
a group of Nigerian intelligentsia including
university lecturers, retired Generals and
politicians, mostly from the Southern states,
have been filing documents to prove
ultimately that Nigeria should not exist
beyond 2014.
Part of their efforts, as revealed, was to use
the courts both within and outside Nigeria to
challenge the essence of the Nigerian
nationhood in respect of the controversial
colonial treaty making it up, while seeking
its breakup.
The Presidency, Sunday Tribune learnt, had
also been hinted about the moves to revive
the Biafran struggle for self determination of
the South-East zone of the federation, while
some Igbo youths based in the UK had
reportedly launched a Biafran Radio for
propagation of the Biafran struggles
beginning from 2014.
The setting up of the Biafran Radio is said to
have been at the instance of a UK-based
Nnamdi Kanu, who enjoys financial supports
from some businessmen in Nigeria. He is
also said to enjoy support from international
separatist groups that have never been
friends of Nigeria.
The mission statement of Biafran Radio
made available to Sunday Tribune read, "To
champion the liberation of Biafra through
peaceful/non-violence and legal means in
accordance with the UN Resolution
regarding the Self-Determination Rights of
indigenous nations in the document, A/
RES/61/295, adopted in September 2007, and
also in accordance with Article 20.1 of
African (Banjul) Charter of Human and
Peoples' Rights adopted in June, 1981."

Presidency divided over Jonathan's choice of Chief Rayond Dokpesi as his new Chief of Staff

News Monday, November 4, 2013

A major split has hit the Presidency over the decision of President Jonathan to appoint High Chief Rayond Dokpesi as his new Chief
of Staff.
Vanguard learnt from competent sources that the President has been confused by close political allies and aides, who have spoken
in favour and against the idea of bringing on board the DAAR Communications chief was a
member of his kitchen cabinet.
It was learnt that although it was Jonathan, who actually tabbed on Dokpesi to bring on his wealth of experience to bear on his administration and actually mobilised him to reach out to perceived northern political
blocks, some well-placed aides and
politicians in the ruling party, have asked him to jettison the idea.
The antagonists of Dokpesi, it was learnt, have tried to impress upon the President that it would be better for him to run the race to the end with the current CoS, Chief Mike
Oghiadomhe, who was also a deputy
governor like Jonathan and had shown uncommon loyalty and support to him.
The pro-Oghiadomhe group is also reported to have said that it would better for Jonathan to sink or swim with the Edo State politician
than to bring in a new hand that might come with his own challenges, thus adding to the
president’s political problems.
But a source close to Dokpesi told Vanguard that it was not clear whether the High Chief
was still keen on taking the presidential offer, given the seeming politics that was fast playing out.
The source explained that close aides and associates of Dokpesi had a tough time in convincing him to accept the offer by the President with a view to contributing his
quota to the development of the country.
“The truth of the matter is that it is the Presidency that needs Dokpesi more. We had to take time to convince him to take the job
so as the bring in his vast wealth of
experience to the administration. It would therefore not bother the chief is some people are confusing the President about him”.
“But we know that the President knows what he wants and cannot be distracted by narrow-minded interests,” the source said.

Blackout: Nigerians to experience a week of darkness

Monday, November 4, 2013

Nigerians will experience a week-long
electricity rationing that will put the country
into darkness for the period. This will be the
longest period in recent years that the
country would be faced with blackout.
The development is coming few days after
the Federal Government declared that its
hand-over of the assets and facilities of
PHCN including generation and distribution
plants to private firms was successful.
The authorities had explained that the
problem was due to the loss of 400
megawatts following repair works being
carried out by the Shell Petroleum
Development Company (SPDC), the major
suppliers of gas to the power plants
particularly Afam VI Power plant.
The management of Transmission Company
of Nigeria (TCN) in a statement in Abuja
yesterday said there would be a reduction in
generation output by 400mw, from today to
Saturday, November 9, 2013. According to
the statement, "this is due to the Shell
Petroleum Development Company's (SPDC)
scheduled maintenance work on Okoloma
gas plant supplying gas to Afam VI Power
Plant, thereby leading to the shutdown of the
power plant, resulting in nationwide power
rationing."
It explained further that the shutdown of
Afam VI power plant became necessary to
allow SPDC inspect and carry out routine
maintenance work on the Okoloma natural
gas station in Afam, Rivers State, to ensure its
technical integrity.
"Maintenance work on Okoloma gas plant,
SPDC revealed was important to guarantee
continuous and uninterrupted supply of gas
to Afam VI for power generation into the
national grid."

UEFA Champions League Tuesday Fixtures

Group A

Shakhtar    -   Leverkusen 8:45 PM

Sociedad    -  Manchester
United 8:45 PM

Group B

Juventus    -   Real Madrid 8:45 PM

Copenhagen  -  Galatasaray 8:45 PM

Group C

PSG      -    Anderlecht 8:45 PM
Olympiakos     -   Benfica 8:45 PM

Group D

Man City    -   PFC CSKA Moscva 8:45 PM

Viktoria Plzen    -    Bayern 8:45 PM

ASSU UPDATES 2

JONATHAN, ASUU IN
MARATHON MEETING • Meet
for over 10 hours •President
says, ‘We won’t leave until
this strike is called off’ -
Abuja. Tuesday, 05 November 2013
01:09
PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, on Monday, held a long meeting with the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
As of the time of going to press around 11.30 p.m, the meeting, which started around 2.45 p.m, was still ongoing.
ASUU, it will be recalled, commenced strike to press home its demands and fulfilment on the part of the government, the agreement they both signed in 2009.
Leaders of the striking ASUU, on Monday, abandoned the cozy conference hall of the First Lady wing of the Presidential Villa, venue of their meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan, to meet inside a Toyota bus to consider proposal put before them in a meeting with the president.
They had been locked in the meeting with the president for about three and half hours before emerging, only to hop into the bus parked outside the venue, apparently to have a private discussion that could not be monitored by government agents.
The initial meeting with the president commenced at about 2.45 p.m and lasted till about 6.30 p.m, after which the president left for his residence, while the ASUU leaders walked out of the First Lady’s wing, only to enter the parked bus to continue their deliberation over what had been put before them by the president.
When State House correspondents made attempts to get the lecturers to talk, some of them replied that they would return to continue their discussions with the president.
They did disembark from the bus after about 24 minutes to return to the meeting and were later joined by President Jonathan.
The meeting continued till late in the night. Before the commencement of the meeting, President Jonathan had, in a lighter mood, told them that all the contending issues must be resolved during the meeting to enable students to go back to school.
While exchanging pleasantries with ASUU president, he said “my president, all the problems will be over today. Our children must go back to school. With you here, we are covered. It is signed, sealed and delivered.” With President Jonathan were Vice President Namadi Sambo; Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Pius Ayim; Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; Minister of Labour,ChiefEmekaNwogu; Supervising Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike and the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Julius Okojie.
On the ASUU side were its national president, Dr Nasir Fagge, Professor Festus Iyayi, Professor Dipo Fashina and Professor Abdulahi Sule Kano, who were joined by president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Abdulwaheed Omar; his Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterpart, Bobboi Kaigama, among others.
Earlier, a meeting between Senate President, David Mark and the union leadership did not yield the desired result.
Mark had been mandated by the Senate, about two weeks ago, to mediate in the disagreement between the unversity lecturers and the Federal Government, over the non- implementation of the 2009 agreement by the government.
Speaking with newsmen after a closed-door session with Senator Mark, ASUU president, Dr Fagge, said the intervention by the Senate president was a welcome development in the effort to get the crisis sorted out and for the universities to be re-opened.
Before the closed-door meeting, Senator Mark said “as you are aware, I have been mandated by the Senate to meet with you and the Federal Government to resolve this crisis as soon as possible, so that the children will go back to the classrooms and I believe that is what you also want.”
Dr Fagge, on his part, noted that “members of ASUU are not just lecturers, we are also parents and also among us, we have students who are pursuing post-graduate degrees. So this strike directly affects us negatively.”

Leon Usigbe and Dapo Falade.

ASSU UPDATES

A crucial meeting between the leadership of the
striking members of the Academic Staff Union
of Universities and President Goodluck
Jonathan has dragged into the late night,
without words on whether a truce was in sight.
It was the first meeting between the union and
President Jonathan since the strike began 1
July, shutting down almost all state and
Federal government owned universities in
Nigeria.
The Federal Government had initially offered
the striking teachers N30billion to pay for
allowances piled up since government and the
union hammered out an agreement in 2009.
Government also offered N100billion to pay for
improvements of facilities in the universities.
ASUU rejected the offer as too small and
insisted on government implementing in full the
2009 agreement.
The negotiation with the president’s team
reportedly went on a short break at about 6.30
p.m.
The meeting started in the afternoon, at about
2:40 pm inside the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
On the President’s negotiating team are the
Vice President, Namadi Sambo, who had held a
deadlocked meeting with ASUU in the past,
Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala;
Secretary to the Government of the Federation,
Pius Anyim; Supervising Minister of Education,
Nyesom Wike; and Minister of Labour, Emeka
Wogu among others.
The ASUU team is led by its Chairman, Dr.
Nasir Isa Fagge, Prof. Abdulahi Sule-Kano,
Prof. Dipo Fashina and Prof. Festus Iyayi, Prof.
Suleiman Abdul, and Prof. Abdullahi Sule-Kano.
Also at the meeting are the President of the
Nigeria Labour Congress, Abdulawahid Omar
and that of the Trade Union Congress, Bobboi
Kaigama.
In banters with the ASUU team, President
Jonathan while shaking hands with Fagge said:
“My president, I hope it will end today. Our
children have suffered enough. We must find a
solution.”
All those in attendance responded with a loud
“amen.”
Jonathan also expressed similar optimism
when he greeted the NLC president:
“My president with you around today, there will
be no problem, our agreement is signed, sealed
and delivered.”

28 worshippers killed in Anambra stampede

 News    Sunday, November 3, 2013
Onitsha

NO fewer than 28 persons, who attended the weekly crusade at the Holy Ghost Adoration Ministry, Uke, in Idemili North local government area of Anambra State, lost their lives during a stampede at the end of the ceremony in the early hours of yesterday.

The crusade, organized by Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Obinma for prayers, healing and spiritual retreat, attracts thousands of people, but the one that was held yesterday on the Feast of All Saints turned tragic.

An estimated 100,000 worshippers reportedly attended the crusade because, besides coinciding with the Feast of All Saints, it was also the first Saturday of the month.

Apart from the dead 25 whose bodies were said to have been deposited at Immaculate Heart Hospital and Maternity, Nkpor and Charles Borromew Hospital, Onitsha, several others, who sustained various degrees of injuries, are receiving treatment in various hospitals in Onitsha.

Governor Peter Obi, who attended the crusade in company of 10 persons, including the National Chairman of All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, the candidate of the party in the November 16 governorship election, Chief Willie Obiano, as well as two siblings of the governor, was said to have left the crusade ground around 3.30am, before the tragedy.

Meanwhile, an unconfirmed report blamed the stampede on the governor. The report quoted eye witnesses as saying the stampede occurred when Obi started campaigning for his gubernatorial candidate and there were shouts of disapproval, causing his security aides to fire tear gas into the crowd.

But Obi, who said, yesterday, that he was heart-broken by the event, said he went home after the crusade satisfied on the rewarding spiritual encounter, only to get the news later.

He consoled all those affected one way or the other and said those responsible would be punished if found or God will punish them if not found.

The governor said: "When the spiritual director gave me the opportunity to speak, I noticed something unusual as I saw people carrying the posters of politicians at the adoration ground.

"I have been going for the crusade there and, on this occasion, I stayed for six hours and left. Our vehicles were parked two kilometres away and this is a place people have been visiting for a long time without any incident.

"It was later that I heard what happened and we are working hard with security agencies to find out those behind the incident. A holy place should not be a place for playing politics."

At the time the stampede occurred, many worshippers said they thought the governor and his entourage were still at the crusade, not knowing that he and his entourage had left the area two hours earlier.

An eye witness, Mr. Abuchi Ifebuzo, 31, told Sunday Vanguard at the premises of Crown Hospital, Nkpor where he and some of the injured persons were receiving treatment, that the crusade closed at about 5:08 am yesterday and, as the people were attempting to leave the ground, there was a stampede and people were falling on each other.

According to him, trouble started shortly after the event, when some people started shouting "fire' fire, fire," adding that, in the confusion that ensued, the worshippers started scampering for safety and, in the process, began to fall on each other.

Another eye witness at St Charles Borromeo Hospital, Onitsha, Chinenye Etinanma, who said he came to visit her sister who was equally a victim, said she escaped because they were the first set that encountered some people carrying the placards of politicians at the adoration ground.

While some of the worshippers attributed what happened to sabotage, alleging that some people raised false alarm of fire, others believed it was an act of God as the people were already on their way out when the stampede happened.

At the two morgues at Immaculate Heart Hospital and Borromew Hospital where the bodies were deposited, many people were seen wailing and crying uncontrollably following the loss of their dear ones.

A woman, who refused to give her name, said her mother was among the dead, adding that her father died only two months ago.

There were however some of the victims who were thought to have died, but regained consciousness later and were either driven home, or admitted into the hospital for further treatment.

Following the development, Governor Obi cancelled all his engagements for yesterday. Some of the events he had planned for the day included a governorship campaign rally at Nsugbe, the home town of the governorship candidate of PDP, Chief Tony Nwoye, a live radio programme, flag- off of some road projects, inspection of on-going shopping mall at Onitsha and the on-going stadium at Awka.

The governor was among the first group of persons to visit the scene of the incident and the various hospitals in company of two police Deputy Inspectors General, DIGs, visiting the state, Mr. Philemon Leha and Kachi Udoji, and the Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Bala Nassarawa.

Sunday Vanguard could not speak with the Spiritual Director of the Adoration Centre, Obinma, as he was said to have gone to brief the Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev Valerian Okeke. Obinma was also said to have visited the wounded in hospital.

Coordinator of the centre, Bro Achebe Nnadi, who was busy entertaining questions from people, said the problem was caused by a group of people who started shouting ‘fire, fire’ when there was none.

Meantime, Obi has directed that the names of all the wounded persons be compiled, although he could not say immediately if the state government was going to pick their hospital bills.

The governor also visited the Archbishop of Onitsha over the matter, although what they discussed was not made public.

He also said that a panel of enquiry would be set up immediately to ascertain the immediate and remote causes of the incident.