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Amaju Pinnick: NFF not ready to make Tammy Abraham mistake with Ovie Ejaria, others
NFF President Amaju Pinick has stated that the football federation is doing everything possible to avoid the mistake they made with Chelsea forward Tammy Abraham as they try to lure more players of Nigerian descent into the Super Eagles. The former Delta State FA chief made a bold statement in 2017 that the Chelsea player would choose Nigeria due to his close ties with his father. However, just hours after Pinnick’s announcement, Abraham himself put out a statement saying he will consider a future with England instead. In an interview on Thursday, the NFF President speaks highly of Ovie Ejaria but revealed that the federation is trying to do the right things and not make a repeat of the Tammy Abraham mistake. “Remember when I made public of Tammy’s allegiance and the player through his age...
Liverpool reiterate need for safe celebrations ahead of Villa clash
Liverpool have again urged their supporters to avoid mass gatherings in the city and to celebrate their Premier League triumph safely at home in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, chief executive Peter Moore said on Friday. Liverpool’s 30-year wait for their 19th English top-flight crown ended last week when Manchester City lost at Chelsea and thousands of fans turned up at their Anfield stadium to celebrate. Local media reported that fans launched fireworks at the Royal Liver Building, with a fire breaking out on the balcony of the landmark owned by Farhad Moshiri, the majority shareholder of the side’s local rivals Everton. Liverpool, Merseyside police and the City Council issued a statement condemning the “wholly unacceptable” behaviour, while manager Juergen Klopp requeste...
Abia gives EFCC seven days to issue apology for sealing state property
The Government of Abia State on Monday issued the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) a seven-day ultimatum to remove what it described as ‘offensive’ notices placed on some of its property, saying they are assets of the state government. The state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Chief Uche Ihediwa, who issued the ultimatum while speaking on the recent sealing of some property in the state by the EFCC, said some of the property purported to belong to a highly placed politician in the state are owned by the state. Ihediwa, according to a release by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of the state, Mr Onyebuchi Ememanka, demanded that the EFCC tender an unreserved apology to the state within seven days in view of the inconvenience its action has caused the st...
NDDC HQ shut over ‘coronavirus outbreak’
The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has ordered the immediate shutdown of the headquarters of the Niger Delta Development Commission in Port Harcourt following the sudden death of the Commission’s Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Chief Ibanga Etang. Chief Etang, whose death occurred in the early hours of Thursday at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital in Port Harcourt, was suspected to have died from complications arising from coronavirus disease. To this ends, Senator Akpabio has directed all staff of the Commission currently exhibiting symptoms not to panic but to report to the nearest NCDC centre in Port Harcourt for evaluation. The ministry in a statement by its Director, Press & PR, Mrs Deworitshe Patricia said the “Minister of N...
Playoff: LMC not fair to Plateau United – Abdu Maikaba
Plateau United coach Abdul Maikaba has reacted to the possible options on how to conclude the 2019/2020 NPFL season as pronounced by the LMC Chief Shehu Dikko. There are growing indications that a “Super 6” mini-tournament will be the vehicle of choice in resolving the 2019-20 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season. In his reaction, Plateau United coach Maikaba said ending the league with a playoff tournament is an unfair treatment to his side considering the 2018 scenario when the League was awarded to Lobi Stars. “I don’t see a situation where the team with 49 points will be joined with the team on 39 points to play ‘playoff’ together, He said. “It’s not even in the rule, so why not stick to the PPG rating and end the league? Why playoff? PPG should be the first option to be ...
Ekiti demands peaceful selection process, as seven contest vacant Oluyin stool
The Ekiti State Government has canvassed a peaceful and rancour-free process ahead of the selection and enthronement of a new Oluyin of Iyin Ekiti in Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state The Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, who gave the admonition on Wednesday at a meeting with kingmakers, the ruling house and contestants for the vacant stool, said government is interested in ensuring that peace reigns before, during and after the process. Egbeyemi advised the kingmakers to be transparent and maintain their integrity in selecting a new Oba for the town stressing that Iyin Ekiti has only one ruling house with all eligible princes free to contest. A statement by the Special Assistant (Media) to the Deputy Governor, Odunayo Ogunmola, said the throne became vacant followi...
Timipre Sylva wants Bayelsa APC members to remain strong
The Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, on Monday, advised members of the party in the state to remain strong and steadfast. Sylva gave the advice in a statement in Yenagoa, issued by the APC State Publicity Secretary, Mr Doifie Buokoribo. “Despite the troubling times in which we are all living in, APC members and supporters in the state must not lose hope,” he said. The minister observed that APC’s overwhelming victory in the Nov. 16, 2019 Governorship election that was voided by the Supreme Court on Feb. 13 still hurts. He said that the party cannot allow itself to be destroyed by that unfortunate incident. “It must survive it, reinvent and reposition itself for the great task of transforming Bayelsa...
PDP mourns Simeon Nwakaudu, condoles Governor Wike
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has expressed shock over the death of the Special Assistant to Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, on Electronic Media, Mr. Simeon Nwakaudu. In a statement of condolence signed by the spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP said: “the media industry and indeed Rivers state, have lost one of our brightest and patriotic media professionals; a loyal compatriot, who gave his all in serving our dear nation.” The statement further read: “Nwakaudu was a courageous and hardworking Nigerian, who dedicated his youthful life in serving our nation as an accomplished journalist, Special Assistant to Governor Wike during his tenure as Minister of Education and then as his Special Assistant on Electronic Media, where he contributed immensely in the implementation of...
SMBLF asks Nigerian government to declare ‘invasion’ of South, Middle-Belt by Almajiris illegal
Southern and Middle-Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) has called on the Federal Government to publicly declare the invasion of the South and Middle-Belt by teenagers, including Almajiris from far North, in spite of the ban on interstate movements imposed by President Muhammadu Buhari as illegal and direct the security agencies to immediately flush them out and ensure that they do not return. SMBLF made these demands on Sunday in a joint statement signed by Chief E K Clark for PANDEF, Chief Ayo Adebanjo on behalf of the Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, Chief John Nnia Nwodo (Ohaneze) and Dr Bitrus Pogu (Middle- Belt Forum). The group, while making the demands, expressed outrage at what it termed complacency on the part of Nigerian security forces at the invasion of their areas by teena...
Ohanaeze writes President Buhari over erosion menace in Alex Ekwueme’s home
Ohaneze Ndigbo, has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to as a matter of urgency order the Federal Ministry of Environment to attend to the continued erosion menace ravaging the country home of former Vice President of Nigeria, late Dr Alex Ekwueme in Oko, and other neighbouring communities of Nanka and Agulu in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State. The Igbo Social-Cultural organisation, Ohaneze Ndigbo, made the appeal for the Federal Ministry of Environment to attend to the situation before it will get out of hand, considering the huge contributions the late Icon has made to keep Nigeria as one. The Ohaneze issue the appeal on Thursday, in a letter titled “Save Us From The Ravaging Gully Erosion in Ekwueme’s home” directed to President Buhari. The social body expressed ...
