Under-17 World Cup: Nigeria Flies Pass Mexico, Zooms To Final

November 6, 2015

The Nigeria Golden Eaglets, defending champion, thrashed the Mexican side by 4 -2 last night in Chile.

Mexico opened the scoring through Kevin Magana, with stunning efforts from Kelechi Nwakali and Orji Okwonkwo seeing the African side ahead.

Diego Cortes’s remarkable solo effort leveled matters before Osinachi Ebere and Victor Osimhen’s late record-equaling penalty saw the Golden Eaglets into an all-African final against Mali.

Mexico controlled the ball in the opening stages of the match, and took the lead early on. Kevin Lara beat his man on the Mexican right and delivered a teasing cross into the middle. Aguirre tried to control with his chest, but Magana took charge and fired home.

Emmanuel Amuneke’s side began to grow into the game, with Kelechi Nwakali hitting a low drive from the edge of the Mexican penalty area with his venomous drive stinging the palms of Romero before the ball was cleared away.

The game see-sawed back Mexico’s way, with a free kick from the Mexican left headed goal-wards by Jose Esquivel. The chance forced a superb point blank stop by Akpan Udoh, onto the crossbar and eventually cleared behind.

Nigeria rode their luck, with a couple of good Mexican opportunities and after riding the storm, managed to level things up thanks to the superb technique of their captain. Nwakali spotted up a free kick from around 25 yards, and curled a perfect effort into the bottom left-hand corner. Romero stood no chance.

Amuneke’s charges sensed their opponents were on the back foot, and Okwonkwo took advantage, producing one of the moments of the tournament to see his side ahead. He cut inside from the left onto his right foot and thumped an effort in off the crossbar.

After the break, Mexico took time to reassert their rhythm after the shock of going behind. Cortes then stepped up to score what must be considered one of the best goals ever scored in the Estadio Ester Roa. He picked up the ball on the Mexican right just inside the Nigerian half and proceeded to dribble past five players, showing incredible close control before slotting calmly past Udoh.

Nigeria were undeterred by Cortes’s golazo and struck back. Ebere found space on the Nigerian right just inside the Mexican penalty area after a long through ball. His right-footed effort was too strong for Romero, who got a hand to the strike but could not keep it out.

John Lazarus was taken down in the Mexican penalty area, giving Osimhen the chance to score his ninth goal of Chile 2015 and go level at the top of the all-time U-17 World Cup goal-scoring charts. He slotted home with ease, adding gloss to the Golden Eaglets victory.

Nigeria head to Vina Del Mar on Sunday for an all-African final against continental champions Mali while Mexico will face off against Belgium in the match for third place earlier the same day. [myad]

State Security Accuses Sambo Dasuki Of Blackmail

Greenbarge Reporters

November 5, 2015

The Department of State Services (DSS) has accused the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd.) of grandstanding and blackmail.

It made it clear that Dasuki had consistently refused to appear before a committee set up by the Federal Government to investigate a N2billion arms transaction by the Goodluck Jonathan administration.

In a statement today by an official of the Service, Tony Opuiyo, the Service denied blocking Dasuki’s residence today, in violation of a subsisting court order granting him a relief to travel overseas for medical services, describing the allegation as “unfounded and malicious aimed at tarnishing the good image of the Service.”

The statement read: “It may be recalled that Dasuki was initially arrested and charged to court for unlawful possession of firearms and money laundering, for which reason his international passport was seized and on the order of the court, returned to the registrar for custody.

“What has however brought the seeming standoff between Dasuki and the Service, despite the court-ordered release of his international passport on November 4, 2015, is his refusal to appear before a Committee undertaking the investigation of an entirely different case.

“The public may wish to note that the government set up the committee to investigate procurement processes relating to a $2billion arms transaction by the last administration, under which Sambo was the NSA.

“It was on this premise that he was invited by the Committee to shed more light on his involvement in the deal. It therefore remains surprising and shocking that Sambo has refused to honour invitations of the committee but instead resorts to grandstanding and subtle blackmail of the Service.

“His refusal to appear before the committee has left the Service with no option than to adopt legal means to ensure his attendance.”

The service accused Dasuki of pulling all strings available to him to evade justice and put it in bad light, stressing that it was not persecuting him. [myad]

Mrs. Buhari Frowns At Sexual Abuse In Kano School

Greenbarge Reporters

November 5, 2015

The wife of the president, Mrs. Aisha Muhammadu Buhari has expressed concern over the recent reports of incidences of alleged sexual abuse of minors in a school in Kano.
Mrs. Aisha Buhari expressed the concern today when she received a group of concerned women and parents of some of the victims at the presidential villa Abuja. The meeting followed the receipt of a petition by parents of two of the victims of the sexual abuse.
The wife of the president who promised to take appropriate actions on the matter, acknowledged the steps being taken by the Kano state government to address the problem.

“I will do whatever possible to ensure that appropriate steps and actions are taken on this unfortunate incident ”
She commended the concerned mothers for taking a bold step in coming out to petition against such immoral tendencies in the society.

Some concerned women from Kano recently sought the intervention of the wife of President on the reported cases of child abuse in a school in Kano which led to the setting up of a special investigative committee to look into the series of complaints by Some parents on child abuse. [myad]

Prince Audu’s Running-Mate Jumps Fence, Disappears With ‘Okada’

Greenbarge Reporters

November 5, 2015

James Faleke, the running mate to Prince Abubakar Audu, the governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the November 21 election in Kogi state was said to have scaled the palace fence of the Ohimege of Koto, rode on a motorcycle, known as okada to escape from the campaign rally where Prince Audu was stoned.

Eye witnesses said that trouble started for the APC candidate in Kotonkarfe after keeping the people waiting till 5pm in the evening, which the people considered to be his usual attitude.

It was gathered on at the campaign venue, which was at the front of the palace, the governorship candidate failed to pay the royal father the usual traditional homage.

The APC campaign train had made a stopover at Koton Karfe in continuation of its rally. The rally later turned rowdy, with several stones and pure water thrown at the APC candidate and his running mate with shouts of Ole, barawo, return our stolen N11 billion.

The APC candidate who had to take to his heels, had his white flowing big gown (baba riga) torn and had to be smuggled into his car. [myad]

Ministers-Designate At Presidential Retreat

Greenbarge Reporters

November 5, 2015

Some of the ministers-designate at the Presidential retreat held today in the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Aso Rock. [myad]

Adamawa Sacks Varsity Vice Chancellor

Greenbarge Reporters

November 5, 2015

Adamawa state government has sacked the Vice Chancellor of the state University in Mubi, Professor David Shall.

This was contained in a letter, signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Malam Umar Bindir and addressed to the vice chancellor today

The letter indicated that Professor Shall was removed from office for alleged maladministration, explaining that the action followed a report of a Visitation Committee set up to investigate allegations of maladministration against him and the recommendation of a White Paper Committee set up to study the report.

According to the letter, the removal was with immediate effect, asking the sacked Vice Chancellor to hand over to the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Dr. Moses Zira Zaruwa.

It would be recalled that recently, some staff of the university petitioned the state government and the state House of Assembly accusing Professor Shall of misconduct.

The petitioners called for his suspension and suggested the constitution of a visitation panel in line with the University’s law, to investigate the allegations. [myad]

Nigeria’s Boundary Expansion, Buhari Orders Finance Ministry To Fund It

Greenbarge Reporters

November 5, 2015

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Federal Ministry of Finance to provide the funds expansion of Nigeria’s maritime boundaries and to conduct the geographical surveys which are essential for the submission.
President Buhari gave the order today after receiving briefing from the Director-General of the National Boundary Commission (NBC), Dr. M.B. Ahmad on the status of preparations for a submission by Nigeria to the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS).
Buhari, who also approved the constitution of a Presidential Committee to oversee the conclusion of work on the submission, which could lead to the expansion of Nigeria’s maritime boundaries from 200 nautical miles to 350 nautical miles, if approved by the CLCS, gave assurance that he was in full support of the move.
According to Article 76 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the continental shelf of a coastal state comprises the sea-bed and the sub-soil of the submarine areas that extend beyond its territorial sea throughout the natural prolongation of its land territory to the outer edge of the continental margin, or to a distance of 200 nautical miles from the baseline from which the breath of the territorial sea is measured, where the outer edge of the continental margin does not extend up to that distance.
A sovereign coastal state like Nigeria can extend its maritime territory beyond 200 nautical miles, up to a maximum of 350 nautical miles, if it can prove scientifically that the natural prolongation of its land territory under the sea extends beyond 200 nautical miles.
The objective of the submission being prepared by the National Boundary Commission is to claim for the country a potentially rich maritime territory of up to 104,000 square miles without any war or litigation.
There is a strong likelihood of the presence of large deposits of hydrocarbons, gas and other mineral deposits in the extended maritime territory. [myad]

Let’s Be Good Neighbours, Buhari Tells African Countries

Greenbarge Reporters

November 5, 2015

President Muhammadu Buhari has asked African nations to close ranks and work together wage a common war against terrorism that has brought untold hardship to the many parts of the continent.
Speaking at an audience with a Special Envoy of President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea, President Buhari said that since terrorism no longer respects national borders, the international community must urgently evolve and implement more effective collaborative measures to enhance global security.
“Good neighbourliness is essential for the security and economic development of African countries.
“Terrorism no longer respects borders. Therefore, we must keep on improving joint measures and actions against terrorism and other trans-border crimes.
“It was with this necessity in mind that I visited all of Nigeria’s neighbouring countries immediately after my assumption of office and we will continue to do our best to strengthen regional and international cooperation against terrorism.”
The Special Envoy, Mr. Agapito Mba Mokuy, told President Buhari that the security of Nigeria is very important to the entire West African region.
Mokuy, who is also the Equatorial Guinea’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, said that President Mbasogo was impressed by the progress being made towards ending the Boko Haram insurgency under President Buhari’s leadership.
He delivered an invitation from President Mbasogo for President Buhari to visit Equatorial Guinea at his earliest convenience. [myad]

Saraki’s Appeal Can’t Stop His Trial, Judge Rules

Greenbarge Reporters

November 5, 2015

The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) has ruled that the trial of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki must continue despite Saraki’s appeal at the Supreme court.

Counsel to the Senate President, Ahmed Mogaji had asked the tribunal to suspend further hearing on the matter pending the Supreme Court’s decision on the matter. His argument was, however, opposed by the prosecution, Rotimi Jacobs.

Ahmed Mogaji then walked out of the court and reportedly described the CCT’s ruling as judicial rascality.

Meanwhile. Ahmed Mogaji has resigned from defending Senator Bukola Saraki as a result of which Saraki has asked for adjournment to enable him engage another defense counsel.

The trial Judge obliged him by adjourning the case to November 18 and 19. [myad]

Dasuki Not Yet Free, Security Personnel Take Over His House

Greenbarge Reporters

November 5, 2015

National Security Adviser (NSA) under the government of Goodluck Jonathan, retired Colonel Sambo Dasuki is still contending with security personnel as they occupied his Abuja residence today.

Dasuki, who had just gotten a favourable judgment on the release of his international passport to enable him travel abroad to seek for medical attention, appears to have been stopped from undertaking the foreign trip by the State Security Service (SSS).

It would be recalled that a Federal High Court in Abuja had on Monday, asked the security agency to release his passport for him to travel out of the country for medical treatment.

Justice Ademola Adeniyi, who is presiding over the case of gun running and illegal arms possession, brought against Dasuki by the Federal Government, said Dasuki has a right to seek medical treatment in any country of his choice.

Adeniyi subsequently ordered the Registrar of the court to release Dasuki’s travel documents to him.

Operatives of the DSS had sincequestioned a former Governor of Adamawa State, Boni Haruna, who stood as surety for Dasuki. [myad]

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