Flying Eagles didn’t celebrate miracle of damman — Odiari

Saudi ’89 U-20 World Cup Flying Eagles defender, Chinedu Odiari, tells ’TANA AIYEJINA about the ‘Miracle of Damman’, playing against Luis Figo and why he chose education over football

After the 1989 U-20 World Cup in Saudi Arabia, not much has been heard about you. What have you been doing since then?

After ’89, I went back to school. I actually left the country in 1991 for Zimbabwe where I played for one year before leaving for Italy. In June 1993, I went to the United States of America. And I have been there with my family ever since.

Close followers of Nigerian football expected you to move on to the Super Eagles after a brilliant outing at the U-20 World Cup. What happened?

Of course, I did. I went to the Eagles camp. As a matter of fact, they called me, Chris Ohenhen, Mike Onyemachara, Chris Nwosu, Bawa Abdullahi, Mutiu Adepoju, Tunde Charity and Sam Elijah. They called almost the first team of the Flying Eagles to the senior team. Some players reported, some didn’t. When we came back from the U-20 World Cup, some players left the country, especially the attackers. Personally, I wasn’t too keen about playing. All I had in mind was to complete my studies. Of course, I reported to Otta (camp), but the competition for places was too high and coupled with studies and club assignment, it wasn’t easy for me. So, I decided to take my club and studies first and I had to leave the country. I wanted to play football for a long time. I played for Reggiana when they were a non-division team and helped them to the third division in Italy. But I went to the US, continued with my studies. You know, in the US, you have the NCAA and Major League Soccer. I didn’t leave football entirely but I am happy to have studied Marketing and Enginerring to masters degree level.

Some of your mates continued with football and made money. Do you sometimes feel that you should have concentrated more on football rather than education?

'Why Nigeria Should Celebrate At 53' - Oshiomhole

Goverernor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole says Nigeria has cause to celebrate in spite of the challenges facing the nation.

He stated this Sunday  at the Interdenominational Thanksgiving Service held at the St Paul’s Catholic Church< Benin City, to mark Nigeria’s 53rd Independence anniversary.

According to the Governor, ”we celebrate independence not because we do not have challenges, just like you celebrate your birthday, not that you have become the richest man. Nigeria has problems. Every country has its own problems and our task is to remind ourselves that Nigeria is for all of us to build”.

He said “you cannot come from another part of the world to build Nigeria and if give up on Nigeria, you don’t have another country. All of us must rededicate ourselves and I do not believe that Nigeria has no future. The fact that leaders have failed does not mean that everybody has failed, it does not mean that there are no honest and responsible people in the country”.

PHOTOS: Man, Jailed For Faking His Own Kidnap

A man has been jailed for faking his own kidnap to extort money from his family.

Zubair Hussain claimed that his kidnappers were threatening to kill him and sent pictures of himself with a bag over his head and with his hands bound.

Hussain's distraught family received text messages claiming that the 24-year-old driver, from Sparkbrook, Birmingham, had been kidnapped on New Year's Eve.

The series of messages demanded money in order to ensure Hussain did not come to harm.

They then reported the supposed kidnapping to police and a large-scale investigation was launched by city detectives.

But 24 hours later authorities tracked Hussain to a house in the Ernsford Grange area of Coventry.

He was safe and well and there was no trace of anyone holding him against his will.

Zubair was subsequently arrested and charged with blackmail in April.

Zubair appeared before Warwickshire Justice Centre on Friday (27 September), where he pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced to eight months imprisonment.

Kogi dep gov escapes death as car crashes onto convoy • Driver, four policemen injured

The Kogi State Deputy Governor, Mr. Yomi Awoniyi on Sunday escaped
death  after a Mercedes Benz jeep with Lagos registration No. YAB 966
AQ crashed onto one of  the escort vehicles in the deputy governor’s
convoy.

The driver of the affected vehicle in the deputy governor’s convoy and
four policemen who were behind the escort vehicle sustained minor
injuries.

But Awoniyi who was on his way to Lokoja after an official engagement
in Abuja is reportedly hale and healthy and sustained no injuries.
An eye-witness who pleaded not to be named said the accident occurred
about 2pm at Yangoji, in Kwali, along Abuja-Lokoja highway.

He  said that the driver of a  Honda Accord with Lagos registration
No. LND 742 BE lost control of the vehicle while over taking the
Mercedes Benz jeep that was also heading to Abuja. In the process the
driver of the Honda Accord was said to have hit the jeep.

The driver of the jeep was also said to have consequently lost
control of the car and hit one of the vehicles in Awoniyi’s convoy.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor,  Mr. Micheal Abu
confirmed the accident later in a statement.

Nigerian arraigned in US for aiding al-Qaeda

A Nigerian terror suspect accused of trying to help al-Qaeda in Yemen appear before aUnited States federal courtroom on Friday.

Lawal Babafemi was accused of training with members of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and using his English skills to help publish the terrorist magazine “Inspire.”

Judge John Gleason ordered Babafemi, also known as “Ayatollah Mustafa,” held without bail. No plea was entered, reportsNBCnewyork.com.

Prosecutors said Babafemi is married with children in Nigeria and helped al-Qaeda attempt to recruit people who speak English to engage in acts of terror against Americans.

The FBI said Anwar al-Awlaki, the American cleric who became the al-Qeada commander in the Arabian Peninsula and was killed in a US drone strike, personally directed $9,000 be paid to Babafemi to assist in his recruitment efforts.

Sitting silently at a defense table, Babafemi wore a blue and white striped polo shirt as he listened to the hearing without the help of a translator.

BREAKING: Boko Haram Gunmen Kill 40 Yobe Agric College Students In Early Morning Attack

Unknown gunmen have launched a vicious attack on the College of Agriculture in Yobe state, killing 40 students.

Details of the attack are still sketchy but the provost of the college, Mulima Mata, confirmed the incident, which theNews Agency of Nigeria said occurred early Sunday morning.

The Yobe state command of the Nigeria police could however not be reached to confirm the incident.

Residents believe the attack has the imprimatur of the extremist Boko Haram sect which has in the past three years slaughtered thousands of innocent Nigerians in attacks on schools, places of worship, media establishments and security installations.

The corpses of the students have been deposited at the General Sanni Abacha Specialist Hospital and more are still been expected at press time.

The Nation learnt that the students were shot in their hostels and classrooms while fleeing from the attackers.

Gujba is about 60 kilometres South East of Damaturi the state capital The State Commissioner of Police Sanusi Rufai confirmed the attack but said the details of the attack are still sketchy.

Jonathan should ensure I’m not killed — Amaechi

The Rivers State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, on Saturday raised the alarm overhis safety and pleaded with President Goodluck Jonathan, to ensure that he is not killed.

Amaechi said this in an interview withSahara TV, which was monitored by one of our correspondents.

The governor, who narrated his ordeal in hands of the police and aviation authorities since he fell out with the President, said he felt unsafe.

“I don’t have an aide de camp. I don’t have a chief security officer. They’ve withdrawn so many policemen. They’ve withdrawn all policemen from the commissioners. I feel unsafe. I just know that they want to kill me. Beg Mr. President to ensure that I’m not killed because I’m sure they are planning towards that.”

Akpabio presents N70bn supplementary budget to Assembly

sent a supplementary budget of N70 billion for this financial year to the state house of assembly for approval.

This follows unanimous approval of the budgeton Thursday by members of the state executivecouncil presided over by the Akwa-Ibom State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio at the exco chambers of the governor’s office, Uyo.

Before now, Akwa Ibom State had approved N470 billion for the state’s 2013 budget and the Appropriation Bill was later signed into law by the governor.

Akpabio said the budget would fast track the completion of critical infrastructural projects in the state, mainly some roads project that his administration flagged off for construction this year.

Akpabio expressed the hope that on completion of the projects and other on-going ones would change lives and provide enabling environment for economic investments.

Government 419 Biometrics

The need to identify every Nigerian citizen does not call for lengthy explanations. It is therefore in order for the Nigerian Identity Management Commission whose mandate it is to do so to take steps which it considers necessary to meet the mandate. In this age of technology, the commission would probably have the right to acquire the biometrics of all citizens.

Another agency of government- the National Population Commission has the mandate of determining the numerical strength of the Nigerian population. In doing so, the commission would need to have an accurate record of each person who claims to be a Nigerian. As a result, the commission considers it expedient to subject us all to a biometrics exercise. Thus, the Identity Commission and the Population Commission are two government bodies that have in their records, names, face recognition, fingerprints and other details of all Nigerians

‘Debate on child marriage shows backward thinking’

ophilus OlaOlorun is the Pastor in-charge of Shalom Baptist Church, Akowonjo, Lagos. In this interview with DAPO AKINREFON, the cleric speaks on Boko Haram insurgence and other sundry issues. Excerpts:

Despite the declaration of state of emergency in some northern states, the Boko Haram sect continues its murderous attacks. Would you say the attacks are targeted?

The Boko Haram thing is a war directed at the Christian faith. The Nigerian state is under attack too. However, no matter how hard they try, they can’t prevail against the Church of Christ. I also believe that the insurgence is not just a political weapon to deal with the current leadership as some people are believed to be behind the murderous campaign. They are actually benefitting from it economically and politically.

How are the perceived sponsors benefitting from the campaign?

Tottenham, Chelsea Premiership Match Finish 1-1

Andre Villas-Boas's reunion with his former mentor Jose Mourinho ended with honours even as John Terry's header gave Chelsea a point at WhiteHart Lane.

Gylfi Sigurdsson ensured Tottenham had the first-half lead their dominance deserved but Chelsea were revitalised by the introduction of Juan Mata at half-time and Terry's equaliser came as he headed home the Spaniard's free-kick after 65 minutes.

Chelsea striker Fernando Torres was unluckily sent off with nine minutes left after receiving a second yellow card from referee Mike Dean following an aerial challenge with Spurs defender Jan Vertonghen - the conclusion of a lengthy battle between the pair, especially in the second half.

UNBELIEVABLE: Manchester United Loses To West Brom In A Premiership Match, First Since 1978

Saido Berahino's low strike earned West Brom their first win over Manchester United at Old Trafford since 1978.

Morgan Amalfitano's composed chip over David De Gea put West Brom in front after the break before Wayne Rooney's free-kick brought United level.

Berahino then got his first Premier League goal, with Marouane Fellaini's late effort ruled out for offside.

The defeat for United ensured their worst start to a league campaign after six games since 1989-90.

Less than a week on from their 4-1 hammering at the hands of Manchester City, United were desperate for three points and West Brom appeared to offer the perfect fixture with the Baggies without a win over United since 1984 and none at Old Trafford since December 1978.

But they were to be outdone by Steve Clarke's side who ensured United remain on seven points after six games, the same tally they had collected 24 years ago in the old Division One.

United boss David Moyes will have been frustrated with his side's hesitant approach in the final third and when they did breach the West Brom defence, the hosts were wasteful as Rooney headed over from Nani's cross.
READ MORE: http://news.naij.com/48388.html

PHOTOS: Pro- Al-Mustapha Youth Ask Him to Run for 2015 Elections

Numerous students and youth organizations gathered in Kaduna on September 28, 2013, Saturday, to celebrate Hamza Al-Mustapha’s release from prison and ask him to compete in 2015 elections.

Several hundreds of people gathered at the Murtala Square in Kaduna to honour the former soldier and Chief Security Officer to late Head of State, Sani Abacha.

The gathering, which was tagged ‘Al-Mustapha Unity Gathering’, was also witnessed some Kaduna politicians.

The youth chanted solidarity songs and flew banners in support of Major Al-Mustapha, in the watchful eyes of security officials.

Kenya Cabinet Was 'Warned Of Westgate Attack'

Kenyan government ministers received warnings of a possible attack before al-Shabab gunmen stormed the Westgate shopping centre, reports say. Four cabinet ministers and the head of Kenya's defence forces are said to be in the know.

Leaked intelligence briefings detailed plans for attacks in Nairobi and Mombasa, a Kenyan media reported.

At least 67 people were killed after al-Shabab stormed the mall on 21 September.

Briefings were given to the ministers "informing them of increasing threat of terrorism and of plans to launch simultaneous attacks in Nairobi and Mombasa around September 13 and 20, 2013", Kenya's Daily Nation quotes counter-terrorism reports as saying.

Royal Family Set Prince George's Christening Date

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge announced Friday that their baby,Prince George will be christened on October 23 at the Chapel Royal, St. James's Palace.

Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby will conduct the christening. 

His parents, Prince William and Catherine, have kept him out of the public eyesince he left the hospital a day later.

Media crews from around the world had spent days waiting to see the royal baby, who is the great-grandson of Queen Elizabeth II.

The world got its first glimpse of George since then in family photographsreleased last month. They were taken by Catherine's father, Michael Middleton, in the garden of his Berkshire home.

Prince George is third in line for the throne now occupied by the queen. Her son, Charles, would succeed her, followed by his oldest son, William.
READ MORE: http://news.naij.com/48391.html

President Jonathan Holds Media Chat Tomorrow

President Goodluck Jonathan will tomorrow, Sunday, speak on currentnational issues during a presidential media chat to be broadcast live at 7pm, local time.

A statement by Reuben Abati, Special Adviser to the President, Media and Publicity says, President Jonathan will in the course of the programme, field questions from a panel of journalists on current national issues and events, as well as policies and actions of his administration.

He further asked members of the public with questions for the President to respond via Twitter handle @mediachatng1.

 

The programme will be broadcast live on the network services of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) and the Voice of Nigeria (VON), according to Abati.
READ MORE: http://news.naij.com/48378.html

Labour gives IGP 21 days to redeploy Rivers CP

The Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress have issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, and the Police Service Commission to redeploy the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Joseph Mbu, in order to avert an indefinite workers’ strike.

You are here: Home / Entertainment / Dreamweddings What kind of bride’s mother will you be?

She is supportive, encouraging and anxious; she is her daughter’s best friend or competitor. She may be even playing the role of a ‘father’ due to circumstances beyond her control.

My mum my ‘wedding planner’

Traditionally the mother of the bride played the wedding planner’s role and today some mums still take the centre stage in planning their daughters’ weddings. Every mother wants to be involved and for some, it is the only way to scrutinise the wedding budget and ensure that all the important details are fully covered.

 On the other hand, planning a wedding should not be solely the bride’s mother’s role even if she is financing the wedding. She must be willing to respect the wishes of her daughter and her spouse if they want to plan their own wedding or take on a wedding planner to assist them. Her role is to advice and support throughout the planning process.

Akesan Robbery: Our men were ambushed, killed while on patrol – Police •Residents seek upgrade of police division

Akesan area of the LASU-Igando Road, Lagos. Inset: Abanet Hotel and Suites

Residents of Araromi in Akesan area of the LASU-Igando Road, Lagos, said they were terrorised by a gang of armed robbers last week Thursday, which resulted in the death of two policemen and a street guard.

The residents, who were no strangers to robbery attacks, were awaken by the sound of gunfire around 1am that night, putting the area in fear of another impending death.

Saturday PUNCH had reported on May 25, 2013 that a woman, Mrs. Solomon Otuoche, was killed when a gang of robbers stormed her apartment in Akesan during a midnight prayer session in her apartment in Akesan.

In the last two months, the Igando Police Division arrested 10 suspects in connection with various robberies in the area and handed them over to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Saturday PUNCH learnt.

Last week Thursday, the robbers attacked Abanet Hotel and Suites located on Taiwo Alonge Street, two streets away from where Otuoche had been killed four months earlier.

I’m not a bishop, only bishops are told to marry one wife – Oba Adedapo Tejuoso

Oba Adedapo Tejuoso, the Oshinle of Oke-Ona, Egba shareshis life experiences in this interview with ADEOLA BALOGUN

Monarchs  are called  Kabiyesi  (nobody can question him) in Yoruba land which is an attribute of the almighty God. If you had your way, would you stop people from calling youkabiyesi?

I don’t think there is a harm in calling a king kabiyesi  as long as the king is aware of the fact that there is a kabiyesi that is greater than any other kabiyesi  in heaven. We are representing God on earth.

If you had become a born again Christian as a young man, would you have accepted to be king?

You are speaking  as if you believe I control my own life. God knows exactly what each person would be. When I was young, I never for a day called myself a prince; I never even thought I would ever become a king. When I was about 35 years, the then Oshinle was ill in hospital and as we were discussing among ourselves, someone said, “By the way if anything happens to the king, you know they can call you to come and be Oshinle?’ I laughed. I said, ‘how could anyone imagine that as a mere 35 years old, I would accept to be king?’ And we laughed over it. I said never. I said even if I had attained the age of 50 and I was told to come and become king, I would probably consider it and take it as retirement benefit. But at 35, what have I achieved? The king recovered from the illness and reigned until I was 50 years and  four months before joining his ancestors. So, immediately I was told that he died, my mind went back to the time we discussed the issue. That was how I concluded that definitely, God knew what He was doing and I had no more excuse again. God wanted me to be king, He knew my mind and I voiced it out. That was exactly how I got to this throne. When I became king, my name was Oba Adedapo Tejuoso, Karounwi III, Oshinle Egba but when I was celebrating my 10th anniversary, God put it in my mind to add Oranmiyan. So my title today is Karounwi III, Oranmiyan, Oshinle of Egba. It was later that I discovered that Oranmiyan was a very important figure in history. He was the only king who ever reigned in Ile Ife, Benin, Oyo and in Oko which is the chief town of Oke-Ona, Egba, Abeokuta. Nobody can rule in Oke-Ona, Egba if he is not from Oko. The first person to sit on this throne was Oranmiyan and that is why God said I should add Oranmiyan to my title.

Next of kin: Should it be your spouse, child or sibling?

Next of kin could best be described as someone’s closest living relative. A spouse should naturally be the next of kin to his/her partner. But the society has changed. These days, some people prefer having their children as their next of kin. Of course, they have their reasons. Some Nigerians express their preference.

It will change after marriage

Oyin Damola

My dad, at the moment, is my next of kin. But when I get married, I will automatically change it to be my husband. But when we start having children, I think one of my kids will eventually become my next of kin.

 First my mum, then my wife

When it’s dancing time, I forget I’m a senator – Grace Bent

She hails from Ilesa, Osun State, but married to a northerner – Senator Grace Bent, 53, talks to BOSEDE OLUSOLA-OBASA, about her love story, political adventure and more

What inspired your involvement in politics?

I came into politics because it is a calling. Politics  is using power to defend the weak and serve the people.  I started in the university where I played responsible activism. Politics is not dirty; the players are the ones playing it dirty.

How did you gain the support of the Adamawa people in 2007 to represent them at the Senate, despite being a Yoruba?

 I believe that God has every man’s blueprint. It is a rare experience in Nigeria’s democracy. I was born in the North; I met my husband in Kaduna and married him. Adamawa State is a mini Nigeria because it has 84 different ethnic groups. I have added another to make it 85 – the Yoruba ethnic group. I have been able to endear myself to my people by God’s grace as a worthy daughter-in-law, wife, grandmother (I have grandchildren). God used Adamawa people to make a statement in Nigeria. I represented the largest constituency in the state – it has nine local governments and over 24 ethnic groups. That was why I strove not to disappoint them at the Senate.

Modest lifestyle of Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg

It is sometimes believed that someone’s financial worth can be deduced from the car they drive. Although somewhat popular, this assertion has been rubbished by the world’s youngest billionaire, co-founder and CEO of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg.

Some of his contemporaries or multi-millionaires and billionaires drive Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Rolls Royces, Aston Martins and Bugatti Veyrons, which come with hefty price tags running into hundreds of thousands of dollars and even millions.

Zuckerberg, 29, and currently worth $19bn, according to Forbes, drives an Acura TSX and a Honda Fit, which cost about $30,000 and $18,000, respectively.

Stop faking good sex, it may ruin your marriage

Many couples believe that when it comes to good sex, if you can’t beat them surely you can join them. They fake everything about sex from the beginning to the end. After many rounds of faking, sex becomes predictable and discarded. Some couples fight to regain the spark back and make blue films their guiding light but yet after a while they wonder; no explosions of passion. No breathy proclamations of desire, no tumultuous climax.

How can everyone in movies be having fiery, combustible sex when we barely create a spark?

Relax. Do you know that TV shows and movies give us this much lopsided representation of what sex is supposed to be like.  Everyone seems to be climaxing and having orgasms all the time from whatever they’re doing. They make you believe something is wrong with you or your spouse. Sex in the real world isn’t always perfect, and it doesn’t have to always end with an earth-shattering climax. Real-life sex can almost never measure up to the passion portrayed on the screen. Because films don’t talk about the fact that it’s likely that in an odd position, the acting couples pass gas or the love of their life has bad breath while they kiss. Or the shape and weight of their spouse is a big hindrance.

Nutrition and cancer

Cancer has killed many people of substance in Nigeria after going through fortune-wrecking medical treatmentat home and abroad.  Given the zero-survival rate forcancer patients worldwide, something must be fundamentally wrong with cancer treatment predicated on surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.  If nobody survives the perfidious medical treatment protocols for cancer, what is the motivation for the newly diagnosed cancer patients to thread the same path? Ironically, newly diagnosed cancer patients thread the sameroad to perdition.  Apparently, the wise saying that the frontrunners that slipped into gully gave a useful lesson to those coming behind is meaningless in the context of cancer treatment. Otherwise, it defies common sense that newly diagnosed cancer patients keep exploring chemotherapy, radiation and surgery that killed those who had cancer before them.

My first… Singer, Sean Tizzle

What was the first song you ever wrote?

I used to be in a group of three. We used to write songs then. I wrote Baby Girl.

Where was the first place you ever performed as a solo artiste?

That should be during Future Awards held at Ikeja (Lagos) some time back. That day was crazy. Somebody invited me but he didn’t give me the full details. The show was about inspiring kids and youth. I went there and I was singing romantic songs.

Awkward moment with Mandy

I was the MC at one show held at Lekki Beach(Lagos). It was a big show and the then Plantashun Boiz were meant to headline the show. The event was going on so smoothly till the crowd felt that something was missing. They thought that Plantashun Boiz weren’t coming. They didn’t know that the boys were caught in a terrible traffic at the entrance of the beach. I kept telling the crowd that the musicians would soon be on the stage.

But it got to a stage that they couldn’t take it any longer. They threw pure water sachet, ice cream wrappers and everything they could lay their hands on at me. The sad aspect was that the show was live on TV and radio. It was a very embarrassing event that I would never forget.

Nigerian Troops from Mali to Be Stationed in North East

The Nigerian Army, Federal Government are aiming to end the menace of Boko Haram insurgents in the North-East zone by December 2013.

To meet the target, the Federal Government has ordered relocation of more fighter jets to the zone to hunt for members of the Boko Haram sect, who have scaled up their attacks especially on rural communities in Borno State in the last one month.

FG has also deployed troops withdrawn from Mali to man flashpoints in the three troublous states.

The new offensive, according to military sources, “is the final onslaught against the Boko Haram terrorists in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states. Soldiers will comb everywhere for the remaining members of the sect. This mandate is from the Army Headquarters.”

Messi answers tax charges in court

---

28 September 2013, 09:25

Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi has appeared in court to answer charges of evading €4.16 million in taxes in a case that stunned the sporting world.

Dressed in a dark jacket and white shirt, the 26-year-old Argentine international made no comment before or after the closed-door hearing on Friday at a court in Gava, the coastal suburb of Barcelona where he lives.

Testimony by the four-time winner of the Fifa World Player of the Year award revealed his desire to resolve the matter, Messi's lawyer, Cristobal Martel, told reporters after the hearing.

"It showed little intent to defraud and great intent to resolve the situation with the tax office instead of entering into a bitter battle with the state," the lawyer said.

Crowds of reporters and fans gathered outside the court where first Messi's father Jorge Messi and then the player himself were quizzed on charges of evading tax on the striker's image rights to the tune of €4.16 million.