Congo National Team Sends Nigeria’s To The Cleaner, With 2 – 0

October 8, 2015

Leopards of DR Congo, this evening, whipped the Supper Eagles of Nigeria by 2 goals to nothing. The two goals were scored in the first half of the friendly match, played in in Vise, Belgium.

This disappointing performance came just as the sport loving Nigerians were recovering from the disappointing goalless draw with Tanzania last month in the second match day of the 2017 Orange Africa Cup Of Nations qualifiers.
The match this evening, according to football game analysts, has also proved the incompetency of the Supper Eagles new head coach, Sunday Oliseh, whose clash with the team’s captain, Vincent Onyeama has resulted in the resignation of the latter (Onyeama) from the National Team just a few hours ago.

In today’s match, Crystal Palace winger, Yannick Bolasie located Dieumerci Mbokani, who turned sharply to fire past goalkeeper Carl Ikeme for the opening goal as early as the sixth minute.
A ball-watching Nigeria defence was punished for Congo to double their lead in the 30^th minute, when Jordan Nkololo tucked the ball home after a great piece of attacking play from the left wing
In the 41^st minute, Ogenyi Onazi’s free kick was heading for the top corner of the DRC goal, but goalkeeper Parfait Madanda did well to push it away for a corner kick.
Nigeria chased the game from the opening goal, but they did not create any clear-cut chance at goal and Congo were also resolute in their defending.
There were no goals in the second half as Nigeria failed to really trouble the Congolese defence.
The Leopards even had an effort by the tricky Bolasie chalked off for offside in the 63rd minute.
They looked the more likely to score again and Oliseh was forced to make a defensive change in the 65^th minute, when he brought in defensive midfielder Obiora Nwankwo for the ineffective Watford striker Odion Ighalo.
The introduction of Emmanuel Emenike and Moses Simon may have brought some urgency to the Eagles attack, but that was about it as they could only force a big save from the Congo goalkeeper in the dying moments of the encounter.
Three-time African champions Nigeria will now shift their focus to an even tougher preposition when they take on the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon on Sunday in Brussels. [myad]

Confirmation Of Amaechi, Amina Ibrahim’s Nomination As Ministers May Run Into Hitches

Greenbarge Reporters

October 8, 2015

Senate confirmation of the former Rivers state governor, Chief Rotimi Amaechi from Rivers state and another nominee from Kaduna state, Amina Ibrahim as ministers, may run into hitches.
Information reaching us indicated that while Amaechi’s confirmation is being threatened by petitions that have already been submitted to the Senate against him for alleged corruption at the time he was governor, Amina Ibrahim is alleged not to be an indigene of Kaduna state.
This is coming against the background of the Senate rule which says that approval of a person for the position of minister should enjoy the acceptance of at least two senators from the state of the nominee.
Speaking on the matter today at a news briefing, the Senate spokesman, Senator Sino Melaye,‎ said a minimum of two senators from the state of a nominee must have subscribed to their nomination.
Melaye said that whoever is on the list must satisfy the criteria of being a member of the House of Representatives, quoting section 147 (5).
The spokesman said that it is compulsory for all the nominees to show proof of assets declaration to the Code of Conduct Bureau for them to be able to face the Senate next week. He therefore advised all nominees to, as a matter of urgency, forward their curriculum vitae.
“It is mandatory that all nominees will show evidence of asset declaration as part of requirements for screening.
“‎No person shall be appointed as a Minister of the Government of the Federation unless he is qualified for election as a member of the House of Representatives.”
While the three senators from Rivers State have raised allegations of corruption against Ameachi, the Kaduna South Senator are arguing that Amina Ibrahim is not an indigene of the state.

The petition submitted against Ibrahim reads: “We strongly object to the nomination of the Ministerial nominee for Kaduna State, Amina Ibrahim Mohammed. Our objection is predicated on the fact that we have reasons to believe that she is not an indigene of Kaduna State but Gombe State. The nomination and subsequent confirmation of Ministers of the Federal Government is a constitutional exercise that must be strictly followed. First, section 14 (3) and (4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria provides thus:
“14 (3) The composition of the Government of the Federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity, and also to command national loyalty, thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few State or from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in that Government or in any of its agencies.‎”
It is gathered that so, the three Senators from Rivers State have submitted a petition against the confirmation of Amaechi. [myad]

Electricity Tariffs Cannot Remain At Current Levels, Says Vice President Osinbajo

Greenbarge Reporters

October 8, 2015

Nigeria Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has made it clear that until there is stability in the power sector, electricity tariffs cannot remain at the levels they are now. Osinbajo who spoke today as representative of President Muhammadu Buhari at the Annual General Meeting of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, (MAN), said: “at this point, if we wanted to have a cost effective tariff, the only way is to service that core value chain. The only way is to ensure that we are paying and compensating the value chain -from generation down to distribution- a cost effective tariff.” “Power is of course crucial and as the president said in his inaugural address, to which President Mbeki referred, the question of power is one that is absolutely crucial to manufacturing and practically everything else and we shouldn’t be rejoicing at 4000 Megawatts of power. But the problems are historical and several of those problems will need tackling head on, on a day-by-day basis. “One aspect of the problem that i want to speak about, because this also affects manufacturing, is the whole idea of the tariffs. Of course the president of MAN just said that we have one of the most expensive electricity in the world. “You cannot have that cost effective tariff without some pay. At the moment, (when you compare) how much it costs to produce power, and the amount of power that is generated, the losses on account of distribution are significant. In some cases you have up to 40% losses in distribution, and of course it is the DisCos that have to take that burden. “The GenCos (generating companies) are producing power but they expect to be paid for all the power that they produce. Now, if 40% of this is lost, it means the DisCos cannot collect 40%, but they have to pay for it somehow. So government has to come in and play some kind of role in order to ensure that the whole value chain is paid for. “But the most important thing is that the cost of power is reflective of costs that have to be borrowed at every stage of the value chain and today the cost of power, if it’s going to be reflective in any way is simply what it is. It will be very difficult indeed, except if we are going introduce yet another subsidy and by the way, a fair amount of that goes on already in the way that government supports the GenCos and the DisCos. “But I think that we must be ready to accept that for a while, until things stabilize somewhat, tariffs cannot remain at the levels at which they are today, they cannot remain at that level, and that just simply is the truth of the matter. “It certainly means that there may be higher costs, but I don’t think that a option of not having power is really what we want. The real issue of course is that at the end of the day, some of the cost goes to the consumer, but a cost reflective tariff is an absolute necessity, otherwise, privatization and all of that simply doesn’t make sense. “ Vice President similarly made it clear at the meeting that a review of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) restrictions on foreign currency is not imminent. “I want to make it absolutely clear that the position is not that a review of the CBN restrictions on foreign exchange is imminent. It is a short term measure, not a policy, and as things improve, we will have a discussion about what to do. But certainly not that a review is about to take place.” [myad]

My Trial Was Not A Big Issue Discussed With Buhari, Saraki Confesses

Greenbarge Reporters

October 8, 2015

The President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has made it clear that his current trial by the Code of Conduct Tribunal was not such a big issue that engaged the meeting President Muhammadu Buhari held last night with the leadership of the National Assembly at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Saraki who briefed news men shortly after the meeting said that the focus was on how to move the nation forward through the fulfillment of promises made during political campaigns.

“We are talking about what will make Nigeria work. We are talking about the promises we made during elections. Those are the big issues we are talking about and to ensure that there are no distractions.

“The focus is to ensure that the executive arm does things in the interest of the county. It is normal in democratic setting, from time to time; you see the parliament talking with the executive. And that is how to make things work.”

The Senate president stressed the commitment of the National Assembly to work harmoniously with all arms of government, and that Nigerians should be confident that government was working.

“We are committed to work together and it is going to be for the good of Nigerians at large. It is a good development. We are all committed to what we are all elected to do in order to make Nigeria work.” [myad]

Kogi 2015: I Will Spring Surprise, Labour Party Governorship Candidate, Phillip Salawu, Vows

Greenbarge Reporters

October 8, 2015

Governorship candidate of Labour Party (LP) in the November 21 governorship election in Kogi state, Dr. Phillip Omeiza Salawu has said that though he may look an underdog but that he will spring surprise at the end of the polls.
According to him, the election would bring out the essence of the famous fight between David and the Goliath as narrated in the Bible.
Dr. Salawu who spoke to Greenbarge Reporters in an exclusive interview in Abuja, quoted a verse from the Bible which says that …the race doesn’t always go to the swift, nor the battle to the mighty, nor food to the wise, nor wealth to the intelligent, nor favor to the knowledgeable, because accidents can happen to anyone.
He made it clear that the electorate in the state have already known the three outstanding candidates contesting the election, including him, adding: “the electorates know our histories and our performances when we served them at various stages since the state was created. The three of us (Prince Abubakar Audu of All Progressives Congress, the incumbent governor under Peoples Democratic Party and him) are not new in the governance of the state.”
The LP governorship hopeful who was Deputy governor to former governor Ibrahim Idris for nine years, made it clear that he and his team would not be intimidated by what some people see as ‘giants’ simply because of the amount of money they can wield, but that he would depend mainly on his personality and what he had done for the state when he had the opportunity of serving, even as ‘spare tyre.’
Dr. Salawu said that governor Idris Wada and Prince Audu have already inadvertently cleared ground for him to win the election, explaining that while Wada had abandoned workers to their fate without salaries for months, Prince Audu had once described workers in the state as deadwood.
“Remember that Kogi is purely a civil servant state and for the so-called giants to be so rude to the civil servants means that they don’t understand the people they are supposed to be governing.
“I am also aware that our brothers and sisters in the Eastern Senatorial District are tired of producing chief executives that have not been of any benefit for the development of the area. They have now realised that their sons who have been occupying the government House only cared for themselves and their immediate families and friends.”
The LP candidate said that the people of the Eastern Senatorial District have resolved that it is better to have a governor from other part of the state who would be more dispose to correcting the backwardness they have suffered all these years than their so-called sons and daughters.
Dr. Salawu made it clear that his coming into the contest, from another Senatorial zone would defuse the political tension that has been building up for sometime now, saying that there is great danger in power monopoly which some few Igala cabals have been displaying without realizing that “it is a time bomb.”
The LP hopeful stressed that his mission is to rescue, revive and restore the lost glory of the state through equity, fairness and justice, stressing that he is not contesting for the governorship for the purpose of vengeance over the injustice that had been done in the past. [myad]

I Am No More Available For Duties, Eagles Captain, Vincent Enyeama Throws In Towel

Greenbarge Reporters

October 8, 2015

From henceforth, I am no more the captain of the Nigerian senior football team. I am no more the goalie of the team. I am out of the team. I am no more available for international duties. I want to say thank you to every Nigerian fan and supporter worldwide. It’s been the most trying period of my life but I know that Nigerians are there for me and God is with me..God bless Nigeria.

These are the final words from the Super Eagles Captain and safe hands, Vincent Enyeama as he announced his resignation from the team today via his Instagram page.
The goalkeeper, who has put in 13 years into the Super Eagles, quit after his row with the Super Eagles Coach, Sunday Oliseh.
Oliseh had asked Enyeama to leave the Eagles Camp on Tuesday for coming late. Enyeama, had on Saturday laid his mother to rest in Nigeria. He then arrived the Eagles camp in Belgium on Tuesday.
Despite the intervention of top officials of the Nigeria Football Federation in the row, Oliseh stripped Enyeama of the skipper’s band, handing it over to Ahmed Musa.
Writing on his Instagram page, Enyeama said: “I have fought a good fight for more than 13years.I have finished my course, I have kept the faith and sang the anthem with passion. Henceforth, there is laid for me a crown which only God can reward me for my 13years of national services. God bless Nigeria.” [myad]

Buhari Support Group To PDP: Is British Police Also Witch-Hunting Diezani Alison-Madueke?

Greenbarge Reporters

October 8, 2015

The Buhari Media Support Group (BMSG) is now wondering why the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has not yet come out to accuse the United Kingdom police of witch hunt, for daring to arrest and investigate former Nigeria’s Petroleum Minister, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, who is currently facing corruption charges in that country.
The Support Group recalled the recent allegation by the PDP that the anti-corruption war was a political witch hunt against political opponents.
“The BMSG recalls that the PDP has repeatedly sought to discredit the anti-corruption crusade of the Buhari administration. The President would never cause, or pencil down anybody for investigation or trial when there is no evidence linking them to wrongdoing.”
The group which prides itself as being dedicated to promoting President Muhammadu Buhari’s agenda for change, in a statement, argued that President Buhari could not have told the British police how to do their job, or dictated to them to arrest innocent people and charge them to court merely because they were part of the PDP government.
In the statement signed on behalf of BMSG by Malam Muhammad Labbo
and Chief Cassidy Madueke, the group explained that, as a man who is conscious of his integrity, President Buhari would be the last person to link innocent people to crimes they didn’t commit.
This is even as it expressed surprise why the PDP leaders have abandoned Alison-Madueke to her fate in London, despite her loyalty to the party and illegal funding of the erstwhile ruling party with state resources while she was in government.
Even when it challenged PDP to appoint a formidable legal team to head to London and defend the former minister preparatory to her formal trial, the group called on the party to stop belittling and disparaging the anti-corruption war through unhelpful allegations that President Buhari is using the crusade to witch hunt his political opponents.
It reminded PDP that the consequences of corruption harm the larger society, regardless of whether they are APC or PDP supporters, even as it called on the PDP leaders to sincerely and patriotically join hands with the federal government to make Nigeria better.
The BMSG also called on PDP to freeze the billions of Naira which it alleged, Diezani donated to it as oil sector contributions preparatory to the last election, until a full certification is obtained on the legality of its sources. “This will prove whether the PDP is toeing the line of the anti-corruption war of the Buhari administration as it is claiming or not.” [myad]

FIFA Presidency: Sepp Blatter Out, Issa Hayatou In

Greenbarge Reporters

October 8, 2015

The President of the Confederation of African Football, Issa Hayatou, has emerged as the acting President of the Federation of International Football Association. This followed the suspension for 90 days, of both the FIFA President, Sepp Blatter, and Secretary General, Jerome Valcke.
The position of the world’s football governing body was contained in a statement today by its Independent Ethics Committee.
The statement said: “Today, in accordance with FIFA’s Code of Ethics, Joseph S. Blatter was relieved of all his duties as FIFA President following the decision of the Independent Chairman of the Adjudicatory Chamber of the Ethics Committee to provisionally ban him from all football activities on a national and international level.
“Joseph S. Blatter, for the duration of the 90-day ban, is not allowed to represent FIFA in any capacity, act on the organisation’s behalf, or communicate to media or other stakeholders as a FIFA representative.
“As mandated by article 32 (6) of the FIFA Statutes, Issa Hayatou, as the longest-serving vice-president on FIFA’s Executive Committee, will serve as Acting President of FIFA.
“It was also announced that the Independent Chairman of the Adjudicatory Chamber of the Ethics Committee issued a provisional 90-day ban for FIFA’s Secretary General, Jérôme Valcke.
“This decision follows FIFA’s announcement on 17 September 2015, that the organization had put Jérôme Valcke on leave and released him from his duties effective immediately. On that date, FIFA requested a formal investigation by the Ethics Committee.
“All operational business matters will continue to be overseen by Markus Kattner, Acting Secretary General.”

Meanwhile, Issa Hayatou who has been the FIFA Vice President, has said that he would not run for the presidency of the world’s football governing body, saying in a statement that his determination was to see rapid growth of world football in his short stay at the helm of affairs.
“Today, amid extraordinary circumstances, I have assumed the office of FIFA President pursuant to Article 32 (6) of the FIFA Statutes. I will serve only on an interim basis. A new President will be chosen by the Extraordinary Congress on 26 February 2016. I myself will not be a candidate for that position.
“Until the Extraordinary Congress, I pledge that I will dedicate my best efforts to the organization, the member associations, our employees, our valued partners, and football fans everywhere. FIFA remains committed to the reform process, which is critical to reclaiming public trust. We will also continue to cooperate fully with authorities and follow the internal investigation wherever it leads.
“Football has never enjoyed greater support throughout the world, and that is something everyone associated with FIFA should be proud of.” [myad]

I’m Determined Not To Lose Loyalty Of Nigerians, President Buhari Tells British Chief Of Defence Staff

Greenbarge Reporters

October 8, 2015

President Muhammadu Buhari said that If Nigerians are not catered for in terms of security, the leadership may lose loyalty of the people and he is not prepared for that type of situation.
“For a country to be efficiently administered, it must first be well secured because other social and economic initiatives cannot thrive in an atmosphere of insecurity.
“An environment has to be secured before it can be rehabilitated. Nigeria currently has about 1.5 million internally displaced persons and they need to be returned to their homes and brought out of trauma.
“Their schools, hospitals, churches, mosques, farms and livelihoods have been destroyed by insurgents. If they are not catered for, the country may lose their loyalty.
“When Boko Haram is pushed out and the environment secured, normal life will be restored. That is what we are determined to do. Other things like farming, economic activities and social life will then return. Nigerians are quite enterprising.”
President Buhari spoke today at an audience with Britain’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Sir Nicholas Houghton at the Aso Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He made it clear to his guest that significant improvements in national security is topmost priority of his administration because other socio-economic initiatives cannot be successfully implemented without adequate security in the country.
President Buhari reaffirmed his administration’s determination to end the Boko Haram insurgency as quickly as possible.
The President said that Nigeria appreciated Britain’s support for the retraining of its Armed Forces and asked for more assistance in other areas such as logistics, equipment and intelligence.
He also called for more international support for regional efforts to improve security in the Gulf of Guinea through which crude oil stolen from Nigeria is shipped.
In his remarks, General Houghton said that the Buhari Presidency was a huge opportunity for Nigeria to make progress.
General Houghton said that he was very impressed with the progress Nigeria has made in the war against terrorism under President Buhari and assured the President that Britain will continue to support the Federal Government’s efforts to end the Boko Haram insurgency.
“We will also help to ensure that the causes of insurgency are removed. Beyond the military dimension, we are also interested in the stabilization dimension.” [myad]

American Media Chief, Attiah, To Speak On “Nigeria After Boko Haram” At American University Of Nigeria

Greenbarge Reporters

October 8, 2015

Washington Post Deputy Digital Editor, Karen Attiah, will speak at the American University of Nigeria’s Distinguished Journalists’ Lecture Series on October 13.
Known for her comprehensive and insightful writing on African politics, human rights and development, Attiah will speak on: “Nigeria after Boko Haram.”
At the same event, veteran journalist and rights activist, the late Hajiya Bilikisu Yusuf, who was a delegate to the 1st International Peace and Development Conference hosted by AUN in June 2014, will be honoured for her contribution to peace building and community development in the North East.
Attiah has worked as a consultant with the World Bank on social media for the Africa Region, having previously reported for Associated Press, while she was in Curacao, contributing to Freedom House as an Africa analyst for their annual Freedom of the Press reports.
The African-American was a former Fulbright scholar and holds a Master of International Affairs from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs with a concentration in Human Rights and a specialization in International Media, Advocacy, and Communications. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from Northwestern University in Illinois.
The former Fulbright Scholar will be meeting with the AUN/US Agency for International Development literacy project team to learn about “A Year of Literacy” project.
She will also be appearing as a guest lecturer in some journalism classes as well as an entrepreneurship and development courses taught in the University.
To gain firsthand experience with the internally displaced persons in Yola, Attiah will be assisting with food distribution to IDPs and as well visiting other community projects hosted by the University. [myad]

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