The Nigeria under 20 football team, the Flying Eagles, has moved from its final group game to the group of 16, having today, thrashed its Hungarian counterpart by two goals to zero. The team will now face Germany in the next round in the ongoing FIFA Under 20 World Cup championship.
The team finished with 6 points from three games while Brazil finished top of the group after spanking Korea DPR also today.
It was Taiwo Awoniyi that got the two goals for Nigeria in the game against Hungary as the young striker popularly referred to as the ‘New Yekini’ finally came to the party after firing blanks in the Flying Eagles first two games against Brazil and Korea DPR.
Awoniyi opened his goal scoring account in the 33rd minute when he dodged his marker to volley in at the near post after Saviour Godwin gave in him a low cross.
He sealed second place and all three points for Nigeria in the 54th minute when he made the most of the chance gifted him by Hungary defenders who committed a comical error.
While African champions, Nigeria, face European champions, Germany, on June 11, other pairings involving African teams pitch Ghana against Mali; while Senegal, the fourth team from the continent, will play Ukraine in the Round of 16. [myad]
A senior official in the Federal Ministry of Health, Martins Ugwu, who has been practicing as a medical doctor for close to 10 years, has been arrested by the police upon discovery that he stole the medical license from his friend.
Ugwu, who is a Senior Medical Officer II on Grade Level 13, was found to have impersonated his friend, Dr. George Davidson Daniel, who is undergoing a residency training programme in Jos, Plateau State.
He allegedly stole the license from his friend for whom he was best man during his wedding in 2006. They both hailed from Orukpa in Ogbadibo LGA of Benue State.
It was learnt that Ugwu, who was due to be promoted as Assistant Director in Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, a parastatal of the Federal Ministry of Health, has been working in the civil service since 2006 under the name of Dr. George Davidson Daniel until he was indicted by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria as an impostor.
Ugwu, who was arrested by the police last Thursday, was however released a few hours later, fueling speculations that the policemen might have been compromised.
Ugwu’s arrest was sequel to an investigation by the MDCN, which registers all Nigerian doctors and regulates their practice, after investigations uncovered two Dr. Daniels—the same name on two separate identity photographs.
The MDCN, in a letter to the Chairman, Federal Civil Service Commission, dated June 4, 2015, signed by the Registrar, Dr. A. Ibrahim, described Ugwu as an impostor, adding that the case had been reported to the police for further investigation and action.
It reads: “Records available to the council revealed that this Dr. Davidson Daniel George is an impostor as he is impersonating another Dr. Davidson Daniel who is the genuine doctor and currently undertaking his residency training in Jos, Plateau State.
“Council summoned and interacted with the genuine doctor who gave some vital information on the impostor. Council has reported the matter to the law enforcement agency as a case of impersonation, with the genuine doctor deposing to a statement with regards to what happened between him and the fake doctor whose real name is Mr. Martins Ugwu.
“As it is, Mr. Martins Ugwu is an imposter. You may therefore wish to take further actions to deal with this matter in accordance with the provisions of the law.”
But the MDCN said it was dissatisfied with police handling of Ugwu’s case and promised to take up the matter with the Inspector-General of Police.
The council cited a previous arrest of a fake doctor arraigned for prosecution, insisting that prosecuting police officers have never called the council’s investigators to court as witnesses while the case stalled in court.
The council said so far, it is currently investigating and prosecuting some 40 cases of quacks in courts.
Ironically, Ugwu was part of a government committee that met more than 200 contingents returning from Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea where they had volunteered to help fight Ebola under an African Union mission, last week in Abuja.
The Head of Inspectorate Department, MDCN, Dr. Henry Okwuokenye, who led the team of investigators, confirmed Ugwu’s arrest in Abuja. [myad]
Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CSNAC) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately revoke the multi-billion Naira pipeline protection and waterways security contract awarded to a company owned by ex-Niger Delta warlord, Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo.
The anti-corruption group, in a statement issued today said that it is unfortunate that despite the huge sum of money the immediate past administration expended on the annual contract, “the water ways are still largely insecure and thousands of barrels of crude oil are still lost daily in oil theft and pipeline vandalisation.”
The chairman of CSNAC, Olanrewaju Suraju, said that there could be no justification for the newly inaugurated Buhari administration to continue the contract when more crude oil has been lost to pirates and other oil thieves since the contract was awarded.
“As a matter of fact, crude oil theft increased from 250,000 barrels/day before the contract to 400,000 barrels/day since the ceding of Nigeria’s territorial water to a private company without any record of experience in similar service,” he said.
Suraju recalled that in 2012, the Goodluck Jonathan administration signed a $103 million contract with Global West to protect the country’s maritime areas and stop piracy and oil theft, a job he explained was the primary function of the country’s navy as spelt out in the constitution.
He quoted the pioneer chairman of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Ahmed Ramalan, as saying the agency, through which the contract was issued, pays Tompolo N1.5 billion monthly for the pipeline protection contract, calling for the revocation of the contract as a means of revamping the economy.
Suraju further noted that other ex-militants under the aegis of the National Coalition of Niger-Delta Ex-agitators have also called for the contract to be reviewed.
The anti-graft network argued that since “the Nigerian Navy in conjunction with other law enforcement agencies were established to maintain security of the Federation and her waters,” adding that it is “improper delegation of duty to assign such an enormous task to a private company instead of equipping the relevant agencies to enable them carry out their constitutional role effectively.
“CSNAC is therefore by this petition demanding the immediate revocation of the said contract and the transfer of the said assignment to the Nigerian Navy and other relevant law enforcement agencies.
“Also, the Nigerian Navy and other law enforcement agencies should be equipped with the necessary equipments and resources required to enable them appropriately safeguard our waterways, in order to curb crude oil theft and pipeline vandalisation.
“That way, our economy would experience tremendous revamp as the profit that will be made from the sale of crude oil which hitherto would have be lost can be utilised for the benefit of the Nigerian people.”
Global West Vessel Specialist Agency Ltd, a company linked to Tompolo was given the $103 million contract during the immediate past Goodluck Jonathan administration. Tompolo was one of the Niger Delta militants who accepted the Nigerian government’s amnesty programme in 2010. The contract and other similar ones secured by Global West and other companies linked to the ex-militants have generated lots of controversy since they were made public. [myad]
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has formally assumed its new role as opposition, as it opened the first fire on the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of playing double standard and insincerity as the party that once chastised immediate past President Goodluck Jonathan for seeking regional cooperation to finding solution to the challenge of insurgency is now hailing President Muhammadu Buhari for toeing the same line.
PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh in a statement today said that in the days ahead, Nigerians should expect further unmasking of APC’s double standard and blackmail upon which they rode to power.
The party also condemned the venom with which the APC attacked well-meaning Nigerians for daring to offer constructive criticisms to President Buhari, following apparent loss of tempo in the fight against insurgency since he took office, describing such as unacceptable in a democracy especially in a country like Nigeria where the citizens have been enjoying freedom of expression in the last 16 years under the PDP.
“The APC must understand that the hallmark of democracy is freedom of expression and opinion, particularly on governance issues; inalienable rights of all citizens guaranteed by the constitution and which must not be denied them under any guise whatsoever.
“Though we had decided to give President Muhammadu Buhari and the ruling party sometime to settle down, indicators show that the APC is not getting its bearing right and the PDP as a party that has nurtured and sustained democracy in the last 16 years, we cannot fold our hands and watch our nation drift towards dangerous undemocratic paths.”
The PDP lamented that since the APC took over power at the centre, there has been no clear sign of seriousness and direction, but confusion, selfish infighting and hysteria for positions of power while the nation drifts, noting that the situation is unhealthy for democracy and national development.
“The concern of well-meaning Nigerians is that this may be a pointer to the fact that the APC lacks clear-cut directions on how to govern a nation as complex as Nigeria.”
The PDP observed that though some jostling for political offices are expected among politicians in a democracy, Nigerians are not comfortable with the confusion in the APC camp and the dimension it has assumed.
“The negative effect of the glaring political commotion in the APC is compounding President Buhari’s self confessed nervousness and puzzlement, his flip-flops and worrisome reneging on campaign promises for which Nigerians will continue to hold him accountable.
“Instead of fighting for positions, which betrays their lust, APC leaders should be more concerned with how to help President Buhari, who is still struggling with his ministerial list and basic appointments more than a week after his inauguration.
“They should be more concerned with how to end insurgency by the end of July as promised by President Buhari in his April 2, 2015 CNN interview.
“They should be concerned about how to pay N5,000 each to 25 million poor Nigerians beginning from the end of June; how to bring the naira to the same value with the dollar; provide allowances to the discharged but unemployed Youth Corps members for Twelve (12) months; provide free education and meals for school children among others as they promised during the campaigns.
“We invite the APC to note the concern of Nigerians that the pictures emanating from their camp are not reassuring in this direction.” [myad]
Former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Allison-Madueke
The immediate past minister of petroleum resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, has said that she is not a thief and therefore she had not stolen from the nation’s oil money all through her tenure as minister.
She said in an interview that she would go into her grave with a clear conscience that she never touched any money that belonged to Nigeria all through the time she was in charge of the nation’s cash cow.
This is against many corruption allegations that have been leveled against her, including the alleged missing $20 billion oil money and deals entered into by the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), the exploration arm of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). [myad]
The members-elect of the 8th House of Representatives on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), today, elected Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila from Lagos as the next Speaker. In a shadow election that was conducted by APC for its members of the House. Gbajabiamila polled 154 out of the 161 members-elect that voted while eight votes were invalid. It was gathered that 183 members-elect were in attendance. It was also learnt that Gbajabiamila’s major rival, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, walked out of the venue of the shadow election when it was clear that he did not have the number. Dogara, a returning lawmaker from Gombe, left the venue with 18 members-elect. Hon. Monguno from Borno State was elected as Deputy Speaker. It was learnt that the leadership of the APC is set to conduct the primaries for the Senate Presidency even as the Bukola Saraki’s camp called for a shift of the primaries to Monday. However, the party leadership is said to be insisting on holding the election today, Saturday. Saraki is contesting against Senator Ahmed Lawan for the Senate Presidency. Both Saraki and Lawan have been claiming that they are enjoying majority support from the 59 APC senators. [myad]
The former Nigeria’s information minister under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who contested the May 11, 2015 governorship election for Nasarawa state under the umbrella of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Mr. Labaran Maku has emerged the National Secretary of the party.
At the National Convention of the party held today in Awka, Anambra State, a former Special Adviser to the former Abia state Governor, Dr. Orji Uzor-Kalu on Special Duties, Dr. Victor Ikechukwu Oye, emerged the National Chairman, taking over from Chief Victor Umeh who led the party for over two decades with an impressive track record.
The Convention which used voice votes to ratify the election of the officers also ratified the appointment of Anambra state Governor, Chief Willie Obiano as Leader and Chairman of the Party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) and other members of the Board.
Governor Obiano called on the new APGA Exco to work had to improve the party’s popularity saying, “Fellow party faithful, let me say, and boldly too, that we are in a historic moment. Our country is on the threshold of a new beginning. Fellow party men and women, with this convention, we have a golden chance to lay a great foundation for the emergence of a viable opposition that will enrich democracy in our country. So, this is a rare moment. And we must seize it, define it and turn it into a milestone in the history of our nascent democracy”.
Speaking under the title “Rising to the Demands of our Times”, Governor Obiano further observed that “after years of playing at the margins of our country’s political history, the time has come to take a bold step out of the shadows and mount the centre-stage of Nigeria’s political theatre. The recent general elections gave us a chance to test our own strength and gauge or overall appeal across the country. We came back from the polls with the realization that this great party has not lost its basic appeal; that the alternative model of governance we offer is still the clear preference of the larger spectrum of Nigerians.
“Fellow party folks, the ebb and tide of our nation’s history has swept aside the old political arrangement and opened a door for a new political order. If my reading of Nigeria’s political temperature is right, there is no better time for our party to attain its manifest destiny and fulfil its age-old promise than now. Our dear country needs the light of inspiring leadership and the rays of a wise opposition. This generation has a responsibility to provide both in equal measure.
“So, as we settle down to the business of the day, let us bear in mind that Nigeria expects great things from us. Let us remember that we are gathered here today for the greater good of Nigeria. Let us remember that our country comes first.
“Under my watch, we shall always strive to lay down the right fundamentals and ensure a strict adherence to the rules. We shall pull the levers of purposeful leadership with a view to ensuring the emergence of a robust internal democracy. There will always be a fair attempt to ensure that no stakeholder is left behind and that no political wound is left to fester for too long. We shall build a strong political family where petty grievances will not be allowed to shape our overall approach to the weighty issues of the state.”
In his acceptance speech, the new chairman, Dr. Oye commended Umeh’s leadership for its steadfastness and pledged that his leadership would reconcile all genuine aggrieved members of the party so as to reposition it to play the role of the most formidable opposition party in the country.
Oye said the party in the next four years would take over the nation’s Presidential power and urged members of the party to give the new leadership all the necessary support to achieve the ambition, adding that in addition to entrenching internal democracy in the party, “every member would be availed equal opportunity to realize his or her political ambition.”
Earlier in his address, immediate past national chairman, Chief Umeh expressed satisfaction that his leadership of the party in the past eight years had helped in building the party as a formidable political party to reckon with in the nation’s politics though it was achieved through resilience and personal sacrifices.
He urged those he might have offended in the course of his leadership to forgive him as it was not deliberate but part of the “breaking of the egg so as to make an omelette.”
Umeh announced that his leadership has about N40 million in the party’s bank account for the new leadership to inherit and start firmly.
The Convention attracted delegates from across the country, including stalwarts like Dr. Alex Oti, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, Princess Chinwe Nwaebili, Prof. Joe Asike, Hon Oseloka Obaze, Hon Dubem Obaze and a host of others. [myad]
Barcelona have won their fifth European Cup in 23 years, their fourth Champions League in nine years. They have joined Liverpool and Bayern Munich in the quintuple stakes.
They deserved it but Juventus had them rocking and played very well, particularly in midfield.
Goals from Rakitic, Neymar, and Suarez sealed the victory for Barcelona. It ended Barcelona 3, Juventus 1.
Barcelona have won their fifth European Cup in 23 years, their fourth Champions League in nine years.
They have joined Liverpool and Bayern Munich in the quintuple stakes.
They deserved it but Juventus had them rocking and played very well, particularly in midfield.
Goals from Rakitic, Neymar, and Suarez sealed the victory for Barcelona. It ended Barcelona 3, Juventus 1. [myad]
President Muhammadu Buhari has authorised the Code of Conduct Bureau to make public his and the Vice President Yemi Osibanjo’s assets which they declared recently. He said that the need to make the assets public immediately after the Bureau completed its verification of the assets will be in fulfilment of one of their campaign promises. It is hoped that this process will be completed before the expiry of the 100-day deadline within which they said they would do this. The Senior Special Assistant to President Buhari on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu said in a statement today on behalf of the President that the duly completed forms by both the President and the Vice President were submitted to the CCB on March 28th, “a clear day ahead of their inauguration.” According to him, there is need to clarify some suggestions that the President and the Vice-President may not, after all, declare their assets publicly. “While such public display of concern is appreciated and valued, it must be said that it is a little precipitate. As required by law, the declaration and submission of documents to the CCB have been made, but there still remains the aspect of verification which the Bureau will have to conduct to authenticate the submissions made to it. “In the circumstances, it is only after this verification exercise, and not before, that the declaration can be said to have been made and validated; and only after this, will the details be released to the public. “There is no question at all that the President and the Vice President are committed to public declaration of their assets within the 100 days that they pledged during the presidential campaign. “The President and the Vice President wish to thank Nigerians for their show of concern, and for the confidence they have shown in their leaders’ integrity, as evidenced by the high pedestal of uprightness and expectations on which they have placed them.” [myad]
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