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AWCON 2022: Super Falcons Coach, Waldrum, Releases 32-Players List For Continental Showpiece

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

African Women Cup of Nations defending Champion, Super Falcons of Nigeria is set to defend its AWCON title and qualify for the 2023 FIFA Women World Cup to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

To achieve this feat, Super Falcons Coach, Randy Waldrum, has come out with a 32-Player list which will be pruned to 25-Players that will represent Nigeria at the AWCON tournament in Morocco in July 2022.

Former Captain of the Super Falcons, Onome Ebi, Asisat Oshoala and Francisca Ordega are among 32 players billed to storm Morocco for a a two-week training camp ahead of the 12th Women Africa Cup of Nations scheduled for the North African country from July 2 to 23, 2022.

Also on the list released by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) are Chiamaka Nnadozie (goalkeeper), midfielders Rasheedat Ajibade, Toni Payne and forward Desire Oparanozie.

The NFF disclosed that the training camp would begin on June 18, with all players already advised to arrive in Rabat on June 17.

Nine-time champions, Nigeria, will play in Group C of the 12-team tournament alongside South Africa’s Banyana Banyana, Botswana and Burundi. Nigeria’s first match of the competition, at which Africa’s four flagbearers to next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand will emerge, is against the Banyana at the Complexe Sportif Prince Abdellah in Rabat on July 4.

The full list of players includes; goalkeepers Nnadozie (Paris FC, France); Tochukwu Oluehi (Maccabi Kishronot Hadera, Israel); Rita Akarekor (Nasarawa Amazons) and Yewande Balogun (Coppermine United, U.S.).

The defenders are Opeyemi Sunday (Edo Queens); Glory Ogbonna (Santa Teresa FC, Spain); Ebi (En Avant Guingamp, France); Osinachi Ohale (Deportivo Alaves, Spain); Ugochi Emenayo (Konak Belediyespor Izmir, Turkey); Ashleigh Plumptre (Leicester City, England); Nicole Payne (West Virginia University, U.S.); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, U.S.) and Akudo Ogbonna (Edo Queens).

Peace Efih (Kiryat Gat, Israel); Amanda Uju Mbadi (Atasehir Belediyespor, Turkey); Halimatu Ayinde (Eskilstuna FC, Sweden); Charity Adule (Deportivo La Coruna, Spain); Toni Oyedupe Payne (Sevilla FC, Spain); Regina Otu (Minsk FC, Belarus); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal); Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid, Spain); Rita Chikwelu (Madrid CFF, Spain) and Suliat Abideen (Edo Queens) are the midfielders.

Others are;  forwards are Anam Imo (Pitea IF, Sweden); Ordega (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Desire Oparanozie (Wuhan Chegu Jianghan, China); Vivian Ikechukwu (WFC Gintra, Lithuania); Chinonyerem Macleans (GSK Gornik Leczna, Poland); Chinwendu Ihezuo (Meizhou Hakka Club, China); Ifeoma Onumonu (NY/NJ Gotham FC, USA); Uchenna Kanu (Tigres Femenil, Mexico) and Oshoala (FC Barcelona, Spain).

OPINION: APC Convention: How The Delegates May Vote

By
The Source
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Tonye Cole DG Resign

By Yinusa Duba

It is exactly two weeks to the Special National Convention of APC, and there are clear indications that bookmakers may be in for a shocker as Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is increasingly facing strong headwinds in his bid to clinch the Party’s presidential ticket.

A zone-by-zone analysis of delegates’ preferences, realignments of APC Governors, President Buhari’s behind-the-scene moves, and emerging voting patterns, indicate that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo will likely emerge winner at the Convention on June 1.

Of the 22 or so aspirants, only three – Osinbajo, Tinubu and Amaechi – are the serious contenders. The rest came into the race for many reasons, and so I won’t waste time profiling their chances.

In fact, I am sure that these unserious ones will step down before the Convention begins.

 

South West

In the South West region, Tinubu will take Lagos, his home base, and take a slight lead in Osun. The VP will win Ondo, Oyo, Ekiti and Ogun.  The governors of these these  states are solidly with the Osinbajo. But Osun is in strong contention by Tinubu and the VP, and so the votes would be almost evenly split between the two.

 

South South

While Chibuike Amaechi will take his home state of Rivers, Osinbajo will sweep Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Delta and Bayelsa.

In Bayelsa, Timipre Sylva’s firm grip on the delegates is the VP’s advantage. Sylva will easily align with President Buhari and vote Osinbajo.

In Akwa Ibom, the VP is banking on the supports of bigwigs like former Deputy Governor Nsima Ekere, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma and Senator Ita Enang, among others; while in neighbouring Cross River State, Gov. Ben Ayade is leading the battalion of supporters rooting for the VP.

In Delta, Senator Omo Ovie-Agege and Minister of State for Labour, Mr. Festus Keyamo, are the driving forces behind the VP. There would be serious contention for Edo State by both the VP and Tinubu. Although former APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, may be rooting for Tinubu in Edo, but the statutory delegates are solidly behind the VP.

 

South East

The South East delegates are going to the Convention with a sense of grievance. They would have loved to vote for an aspirant from their zone. But in the absence of that, the voting pattern would be disparate.

Those from Imo and Ebonyi would be influenced by their governors, while the rest would mostly make their independent decisions.

David Umahi and Hope Uzodinma would listen to Buhari’s persuasions and support Osinbajo with their delegates. Delegates from Enugu, Abia and Anambra will support the VP overwhelmingly, but a few would, however, line-up behind Tinubu and Amaechi.

 

Northern States

I can confirm that the delegates from the three Zones in the North (NE, NC and NW) will vote in the same pattern because most of the 19 Northern States are APC states whose governors will go along with the President; and we all know that President Buhari is not willing to support Tinubu.

Buhari is bent on having his VP succeed him. This is an established fact which has rankled the Tinubu team to no end. But it is what it is.

No APC governor from the North will antagonize the President. They respect, adore and revere the old man. Northern governors will support whosoever the President anoint. Although Tinubu will make some good showings in Kano, Zamfara and a few other places, his overall performance in the North will fall behind the VP’s.

Amaechi, on the other hand, will give a smattering performance in some places like Katsina.

Overall, the VP will score between 70% and 75% of the total delegate votes at the Convention.

Duba is an Abuja- based political pollster and analyst

2023: Why Adesina Turned Down Offer To Contest For Presidency; Who Takes N100m Paid For Forms?

By
Uche Mbah
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By Uche Mbah

Many people knew it would be an  uphill task for  Dr Akinwunmi Adesina, the suave and brilliant President  of the African Development Bank to leave his very high profile job to contest for the Presidential seat of Nigeria.

It is like going from the known to the unknown. To do that, he was required to leave his comfort zone for the  murkey waters of politics which outcome he would never be sure of till the end. He is doing his second term at the Continental Bank. No surprise, therefore, that he finally issued an official statement saying he was not interested in succeeding President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.

The questions, however, are: Why did Adesina not,  immediately, reject the N100m Presidential Forms when a group of people purchased it for him? Did they not sound him out?  Has Adesina officially become a card- carrying member of the All Progressives Congress, APC?

Akinwunmi was the Minister for Agriculture under President Goodluck Jonathan, and he was a member of the PDP. Most important, however, is: What will happen to the N100m? Will the APC keep the money, or will it go back to the anonymous people in the Group in which name the form was purchased?

For many weeks, speculations were rife that Adesina may be the dark horse presented by the Presidency to take over Buhari’s job come 2023. Speculations were that the Presidency, while encouraging the motley crowd to purchase forms as a fund-raising gimmick for the APC to prosecute the Presidential election,  had two options in former president Goodluck Jonathan and Adesina.

Jonathan has not personally made a commitment on the issue, but he is obviously not interested.

But Adesina, on Tuesday, May 17, explained himself in a statement  personally signed by him.

He said: “I have been extremely humbled by several calls from Nigerians at home and abroad that I should consider running for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,”

“I am very touched by all who have gone to great extent, with such huge sacrifices, of their own volition, to consider me worthy to be proposed for potential consideration.

“The coalition groups of youth, women, farmers, physically challenged and well-meaning Nigerians that have done this

have expressed their genuine free will, political right, freedom of expression and association for my consideration, with the interest of Nigeria at heart.

“While I am deeply honored, humbled and grateful for all the incredible goodwill, kindness, and confidence, my current responsibilities at this time do not allow me to accept to be considered.

“I remain fully engaged and committed to the mission that Nigeria, Africa and all the non-African shareholders of the African Development Bank have given me for Africa’s development.

“I remain fully focused on the mission of supporting the accelerated development and economic integration of Africa.”

He never filled the form. And so never returned it. Has the Support Group which bought the form for him retrieved their money? Or, has it become part of the funds being allegedly raised by the  APC to prosecute the 2023 Presidential election in the name of selling Presidential Forms to aspirants? Smart.

Oshiomhole Vs Fayemi: “You Asked Me To Rig For You” – Oshiomhole; You Are Suffering From Post Traumatic Stress Disorder – Fayemi

By
Ayodele Oni
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Kayode Fayemi and Adams Oshiomhole

By Ayodele Oni

The hitherto robust relationship between Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, and former National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress, (APC), Adams Oshiomole  has expired.  Both are now engaged in war of words.

First to fire the salvo was Oshiomole who claimed on a television programme that Dr Fayemi approached him while still in office as APC National Chairman to rig an election in his favour.

The Edo State former Governor did not specify on the programme which particular election Fayemi was seeking favour.

Fayemi has, however, responded saying the public should not take Oshiomole serious as he is still suffering from effects of his inglorious removal from office as chairman.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Fayemi, Yinka Oyebode, on Tuesday states:

“The attention of the Governor of Ekiti State and Presidential Aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Kayode Fayemi, has been drawn to a spurious allegation by a former National Chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, that the Governor once asked him to rig an election in his favour.

“The allegation, which was made on a National Television, is not only false, puerile and laughable, it is a figment of the imagination of the former APC Chairman as Governor Fayemi has never asked Oshiomhole to rig any election for him or any other person and never had any reason to ask for such.

“Members of the public are, therefore, urged to disregard the allegations by Comrade Oshiomhole, who apparently is still experiencing a post traumatic stress disorder on account of his removal as Chairman of APC.

“It is on record, Dr Fayemi was not responsible for Comrade Oshiomhole’s removal as Chairman of the APC. He has his Ward Executives and the Courts to blame for that.

“The Ekiti State Governor has always considered Comrade Oshiomhole a friend and political associate even if they had fundamental differences over his kangaroo approach of disqualifying Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, from the APC primaries and his unconscionable autocratic management of party affairs whilst he was chairman of the party.

“For avoidance of doubt, Governor Fayemi has no reason to approach Comrade Oshiomhole for favours for any election.

“Governor Fayemi has a stellar track record of being a consummate democrat even in difficult times.

“Many Nigerians can easily recall his historic concession speech in 2014 in an election that was clearly lost to electoral sleight of hand at the behest of the then People’s Democratic Party (PDP) –led  Federal Government.

“Others will also recall how he spent years in Court patiently pursuing the retrieval of his stolen mandate between 2007 and 2010. He has demonstrated nothing but decency, decorum, and fidelity to the rule of law in all his years in politics and public office.

“We challenge Mr. Oshiomhole to provide the public with independently verifiable evidence of his unsubstantiated claims, if true.

“Governor Fayemi remains steadfast in the pursuit of his aspiration to get the APC ticket for the 2023 Presidential election. No amount of mudslinging from disenchanted individuals would distract or discourage him.”

Kano: Police Say Explosion Was From Gas, Not Bomb

By
The Source
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Bomb Blast in Sabon Gari Kano

By Gideon Njoku

The Kano State Police has said that the fatal explosion which occurred at the Sabon Gari area of Kano was not a bomb but a gas explosion.

Earlier reports had attributed the blast to a bomb explosion targeted at a Prmary School.

However, the State Commissioner of Police,  Samaila Dikko, say it was a gas explosion.

The Kano State Government, which has also confirmed the story through the Commissioner for Information,  Malam Muhammed Garba, said the explosion happened opposite a School, at an Animal Feeds Store, Aba Road, Sabon Gari.

Both the Government and Police confirm that rescue operations are on.

Already, six persons have been rescued and taken to hospital, and three recovered dead.

Bomb Blast In Sabon Gari Kano; School Children Feared Dead

By
The Source
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0
Bomb Blast in Sabon Gari Kano

By Gideon Njoku

A bomb has, reportedly, exploded in the Sabon Gari area of Kano, Kano State. Precisely, the bomb exploded at Aba Street.

Eye witnesses allege it targeted a Primary School, called Winners.

Reports say it was fatal. Videos from the scene, already trending confirm it was fatal. And there are fears that a number of people, including School children, may have either died or injured.

Many buildings around the area were, also, affected. It, reportedly, exploded in the morning of May 17, 2022.

Sabon Gari is a densely populated area, especially, by Southerners, and more especially, the Igbo who live and do their businesses there.

There is yet no official statement on the blast either from the State Government or the Police.

The number of fatalities and  the injured is, also, not yet known.

Kano has been one of the most peaceful States in the North in recent times.

Also Read: Kano: Police Say Explosion Was From Gas, Not Bomb

2023: Atiku In Fresh Trouble After Aides Assault Journalists

By
James Orji
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By James Orji

For Atiku Abubakar, a Presidential aspirant under the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, it’s one week one problem.

Barely a week after the PDP Presidential hopeful ran into controversy over his decision to delete a tweet where he had condemned the brutal murder of Deborah Samuel, a Christian student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto,  by Islamic fundamentalists who accused her of blasphemy, the former Vice President has ran into another storm. This time his problem is not with a tweet he inexplicably deleted, it is with Journalists who he gave a raw deal.

According to reports, the former number two citizen ordered journalists out of the Plateau State Secretariat of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, when he visited on Monday to meet with the State leadership and delegates to solicit their support for his 2023 Presidential bid.

Atiku had arrived at the PDP Secretariat where he met journalists who were, naturally, there to cover the event. But to the shock of all present, especially the Journalists, Atiku ordered them to leave. “I have no business with you here. I came to see the delegates, not you”, Atiku a serial Presidential candidate, said.

Following his order, his security aides went on rampage, chasing the shocked journalists away. In the process they damaged a number of gadgets belonging to Journalists.

Some reporters who were subjected to brutality by Atiku’s action, and his disposition to Journalists who had helped him in his stormy political career, were left wondering what pushed him and his Aides to behave in such an uncivilised manner.

“It’s so unfortunate that someone who has benefitted immensely from the media allowed Journalists to be subjected to this kind of humiliation. Even when you don’t want them to cover an event, there’s a way to do it instead of unleashing your security Aides on them to beat them up,” one of those who witnessed the incident said.

Atiku, who is contesting the Presidential seat for the fifth time was, last week, taken to the cleaners by many Nigerians over what they described as his cowardice. He had earlier condemned the gruesome murder of Deborah who was stoned to death by her school mates for an alleged blasphemy but Atiku later recanted, took down his tweet, when some Islamic Fundamentalists threatened not to vote for him in the 2023 Presidential election if he gets the PDP ticket.

“There can not be a justification for such gruesome murder. Deborah Yakubu was murdered, and all those behind her death must be brought to justice. My condolences to her family and friends,” Atiku said in his tweet.

He later took down the tweet, and claimed he did not authorise it. He, also, allegedly, fired a Media Aide over it.

However, not a few people who followed the development expressed shock at Atiku’s reaction, Many said his ability to lead the country as Commander- in- chief, is in doubt.

The country, his critics say, need a fearless leader who will deal with issues objectively without pandering to religious or ethnic sentiments. He has not been able to defend his action since then, no matter how much he has tried. Said one of his loyalists: “He has dealt his credibility a bad blow.”

Peter Obi to Commonwealth boss: Education Remains Key To Solving Nigeria’s Problems

By
The Source
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Peter Obi and Rosie Glazebrook

The former Governor of Anambra State, and a frontline Presidential aspirant under the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, against 2023, Mr. Peter Obi, has said that education remained very critical to development, and remained the key to the many problems facing the country.

Obi spoke on Monday, May 16, 2021, after a breakfast  meeting with the Chief Executive of Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, Rosie Glazebrook in Lagos.

Obi, who recalled what education is doing in many parts of the world, said it remained the only enduring legacy by which the future generations would compete with their peers all over the world . He said that if our leaders understood as much, that ASUU would not be on strike now.

It would be recalled that as the Governor of Anambra State, Obi moved Anambra from 26th position in external examinations to number one among other states in Nigeria. It was after the spectacular improvement that the World Bank commissioned Prof. Paul Collier to study what Anambra State did on education, which they widely published and encouraged other countries to emulate.

Deborah: Post Graduate ABU Student Renounces Studentship In Protest Over Murder

By
The Source
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Ahmadu Bello University and Deborah Samuel

By Gideon Njoku

A Post Graduate student of the Ahmadu Bello University,  Zaria, has renounced his Studentship of the University, over the gruesome murder of Deborah Samuel Yakubu.

The ABU post graduate student of Political Science, Oyeniyi Oyewole Iwakun, in a letter to the Vice Chancellor of the University, so he no longer felt safe at ABU,  Zaria, Kaduna, ” which has similar features of religious cum tribal intolerance, orchestrated insecurity and uncurtailed activities of bandits and terrorists.”

Deborah, 22, a second year Home Economics student of the Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, was on Thursday, May 12,  stoned and clubbed to death by her school mates for alleged blasphemy. Her body was set ablaze thereafter. Her murderers videod the gruesome murder and posted on Social Media.

Two persons – Bilyominu Aliyu and Aminu Hukunci – were arrested. But on Saturday, May 14, Muslim fundamentalists, in their hundreds, stormed the streets of Sokoto, asking for the release of the arrested persons. In the process, they  went on a destruction and looting spree. At least two Churches, including the Catholic Cathedral, a Centre, and an uncompleted hospital were destroyed.

Business premises and shops belonging to Southerners were also destroyed and looted.

On Monday, when the two culprits were arraigned at a Magistrate Court, a Professor of Law at the Usman Danfodiyo University, Professor Mansur Ibrahim, led 33 other Lawyers in their defence.

Iwakun, in his renunciation letter addressed to the Vice Chancellor of the University, said it is Deborah today, and it will most likely be somebody else tomorrow.

He said the Vice Chancellor should accept his letter as a protest against the gruesome murder of Deborah, and his quest for justice for her.

Following is his letter, dated May 13, 2022.

The Vice Chancellor,

Ahmadu Bello University (ABU),

Zaria,

Kaduna State,

 

13th May, 2022.

“Dear Sir,

“RENOUNCEMENT OF MY STUDENTSHIP IN PROTEST OF THE GRUESOME MURDER OF SOKOTO COLLEGE STUDENT

“I, Oyeniyi Oyewole Iwakun, a Political Science postgraduate student with the admission number: P21SSPS8018 wish to inform you of my decision to renouce my studentship at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.

“This decision is in protest of the gruesome murder of an innocent 200 level student, Miss Deborah Samuel of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto on Thursday, 12th May 2022 by some uncultured and evil-minded religious extremists.

“I opine that no matter her offence, nothing justifies the action of her murderers.

“More worrisome, as shown in the online video in circulation on the social media, is the supervised and organized manner of her killing and cremation in  broad day light.

“As a detribalised young man with liberal views on religion, I see this ugly incident as most unacceptable. In recent times, it, therefore, births my skepticism about my safety in Zaria, Kaduna state which has similar features of religious cum tribal intolerance, orchestrated insecurity and uncurtailed activities of bandits and terrorists.

“It may be her today, but who knows who is next tommorow?

“Please accept this open letter as my contribution to the demand for justice for the late Deborah Samuel.

“It is my hope that the perpetrators of this dastardly act are brought to book as against the usual narratives in the past.”

“Yours Sincerely,

Oyeniyi Iwakun

Department of Political Science,

Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria”

How Accountant General Of The Federation, Ahmed Idris, Milked Public Treasury – EFCC

By
The Source
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EFCC Arrests Accountant General Of The Federation- Ahmed Idris

By Gideon Njoku

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has finally disclosed why it arrested the Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris.

The Commission had intercepted Ahmed at the Kano Airport on Monday, May 16, 2022, and flown him to its headquarters in Abuja for interrogation.

When the story broke, there was no official confirmation from the Commission. But late Monday, it finally confirmed the AGF’s arrest for alleged stealing, diversion of public funds, and money laundering to the  tune of N80 billion.

The statement reads:

“On Monday, May 16, 2022, operatives of the EFCC arrested serving Accountant General of the Federation, Mr. Ahmed Idris in connection with diversion of funds and money laundering activities to the tune of N80 billion (Eighty Billion Naira) only.

“The Commission’s verified intelligence showed that the AGF raked off the funds through bogus consultancies and other illegal activities using proxies, family members and close associates.

“The funds were laundered through real estate investments in Kano and Abuja.

“Mr. Idris was arrested after failing to honour invitations by the EFCC to respond to issues connected to the fraudulent acts,”

Mr Idris was re-appointed  the AGF in June 2019 by President Muhammadu Buhari to a second four-year term in office even after he had reached the retirement age of 60 years.

He is not likely to go back to the office again.

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