Super Eagles Coach, Gernot Rohr, has remained defiant on his decision to stick to just 30 Players to prosecute the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers and the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.
The Franco-German Coach had earlier hinted that he does not need all the players in Europe to prosecute matches for the National Team, but a committed, determined and in-form players are what he desires.
Rohr disclosed his determination to stand by his words following the failure of the National Team and the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, to secure a Friendly Match for the team due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 Pandemic ravaging the world.
The Bronze Medal winning Coach of the Super Eagles has also revealed that he is going to extend Call-Ups to Foreign-Based Goalkeepers following the injury Super Eagles and Kaizer Chiefs Football Club of South Africa goalkeeper, Daniel Akpeyi suffered, which ruled him out of the season.
Also, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, another goalkeeper, is yet to play any competitive match, making him match rusty, and with Francis Uzoho, another goalkeeper just recuperating from injury, Rohr is in a dilemma.
The only goalkeeper the team has is German- based Maduka Okoye.
Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, embarrassed by a damning article written by a staff of Daily Trust, and carried by the paper, is asking for a princely six billion Naira from the Publication and its writer.
Fani-Kayode ran into a storm at a press conference in Calabar where he thoroughly insulted a reporter from the Daily Trust stable, Stephen Eyo, calling him stupid, many times, for asking him who was sponsoring his trips across the PDP states to inspect projects.
His outburst against the reporter attracted strong condemnations from across Nigerians, including professional bodies in the Media Industry. Daily Trust also responded, decrying the incident, and standing by its reporter.
And even Fani-Kayode stood his ground, and said he was not going to retract the insults he heaped on Eyo, he later backed down, and apologised profusely to Eyo, his family, bosses and friends, saying he had disappointed them, and also disappointed himself.
Fani-Kayode has however demanded that Daily Trust Media should pay him N6 Billion and tender and unreserved apology Within 14 days, over an article written by the News Media, which he termed defamatory.
But his apology notwithstanding, the paper carried a damnimg article against him, written by Iliyasu Gadu, comparing him to a pig, which remains a pig, no matter how much clean it has been washed. It, also, reminded him of his alleged battles with drugs.
Not a few people thought the write-up was an over-kill, especially, as he had publicly apologised profusely.
At once, embarrassed and angry over the damning write-up, Fani-Kayode has threatened to sue the Media Trust Ltd, publisher of the paper, and the writer for six billion Naira. He is also asking for a public apology for alleged libel and defamation of character.
He gave them 14 days to apologise and negotiate with him over the N6 billion demand.
Fani-Kayode in the letter addressed to the Managing Director of the newspaper, dated August 31, 2020, and titled, ‘Defamation of the Character of Chief Femi Fani-Kayode by Iliyasu Gadu’ accused the company of defaming him in an article titled: FFK, the Drug Addled Thug in Designer Wears’ dated August 30, 2020.
The letter, which was signed by the former Minister’s lawyer, Adeola Adesipe, contained his demands.
In the pre-litigation letter, Fani-Kayode described the article as libellous and demanded an apology from the newspaper, which must be published in other national dailies.
The six billion Naira, he said, is due to the irreparable loss the article had caused him.
It read in part, “Be aware that our client has not only suffered immeasurable loss of goodwill, he is currently confronted with unbearable opprobrium by his fans, followers, and colleagues across the globe.“Our client is alive to his rights both in law and equity but is disposed to an opportunity to undo the evil you have done by retracting the said insalubrious remarks on the same platform it was published and apologising to him in two other national dailies.
“You are also advised to enter into negotiations with us for the sum of N6bn being a token amount for penitence as opposed to the magnitude of infraction caused to our client’s nobility.” The newspaper was given 14 days to comply with the demands in the letter or face legal action.
Fidelity Bank Plc has notified the Nigerian Stock Exchange that it will file its half year financial report by September 28, sequel to approval by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.
Guaranty Trust Bank, GTB and three others; United Bank for Africa, UBA , Zenith and Stanbic IBTC, had earlier issued similar notice to NSE.
According to the notice signed by Wzinwa Unuigboje, the company’s secretary, the Nnamdi Okonkwo led DMB said it has submitted the audited accounts to CBN, waiting to be approved after which it will now be published on the floor of NSE.
The bank further stated that “The Exchange has granted a 30-day extension of time to file the Bank’s Audited Half Year Financial Statements for the period ended June 30, 2020 (2020 H1 AFS). The Bank expects to publish the 2020 H1 AFS on or before September 28, 2020.
“In addition, kindly be informed that the trading window for dealings on the Bank’s shared shall remain closed to all insiders until 24 hours after the release of the Bank’s 2020 H1 AFS.”
Four other banks have all notified NSE on the delay in the approval of their financial reports for the first six months of the year by the CBN.
“This delay is occasioned by the fact that we are currently seeking the approval of our primary Regulator, the Central Bank of Nigeria (“CBN”) for the Half Year Audited Financial Statements, following which the said Financial Statements will then be released to the Market.
“We are working diligently to ensure that our Company’s 2020 Half Year Results are published on or before Friday 25 September 2020,” stated Stanbic IBTC Secretary, Chidi Okezie.
Zenith Bank, in a statement signed by Michael Osilama Otu, its company secretary, said: “The delay is to enable the bank conclude all outstanding regulatory requirements in the course of approval of the financial statements.
“Zenith Bank is however optimistic that the reports will be submitted to the exchange on or before September 30, 2020.”
Erih Obebeduo, Guaranty Trust Bank’s company secretary, said the CBN has yet to approve the audited financial statements.
“In view of the foregoing, the bank requested an extension of time from the exchange to publish its audited financial statements, subsequent to which a 30-day extension was granted.
“However, kindly be assured (to stakeholders and investing public) that if the approval from the primary regulator is received earlier, the bank’s audited financial statements would be released to the market earlier than the period approved by the exchange,” the bank said.
The United Bank for Africa, UBA in a statement signed by Bili Odum, its group company secretary, said the bank “optimistic that the audited financial statements will be submitted to the exchange on or before September 29, 2020”.
Multi-billionaire and President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has thrown his weight behind Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, for the World Trade Organisation, WTO Director General position.
The endorsement is timely, many say, in the sense that the second phase of the selection process is coming up next week, September 7, 2020.
Dangote’s support is also considered a big boost for Dr Okonjo-Iweala who had earlier suffered a hit as a result of African Union, AU rejection of her candidacy.
The former Nigeria’s Finance Minister is squaring up with eight other candidates, among them three women, but the former minister said she’s poised to take the job.
“I think I have the wind behind my back. I have had constructive conversations all around. Now there is an appetite and recognition for reform beyond where the WTO is now. I am passionate about how trade lifts millions from poverty,” she said
Her candidature was opposed by the continental body, on the basis that President Muhammadu Buhari substituted Okonjo-Iweala for Yunov Agah, Nigeria’s permanent representative to WTO who was initially nominated for the position.
Agah’s candidacy has now been withdrawn following Nigeria’s insistence, in a letter forwarded to the Union on June 4.
The Africa’s richest man said in a tweet “A vote for her by all is a step in the right direction. I fully endorse the candidature of Okonjo Iweala-Iweala to lead the WTO.
“In these challenging times, WTO needs the renowned skills and tested experience of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to lead the organisation through identified obstacles and strengthen its position as the prime facilitator of international trade.”
The candidate said: “I think I have the wind behind my back. I have had constructive conversations all around. Now there is an appetite and recognition for reform beyond where the WTO is now. I am passionate about how trade lifts millions from poverty.”
Prominent Individuals, groups mostly from the southern part of Nigeria have not relented in their efforts to shoot down the Water Resources Bill currently before the National Assembly, considered to be the reintroduction of the Rural Grazing Area, RUGA earlier rejected by many Nigerians.
Opposition to the bill has mounted in the last few days, with Professor Wole Soyinka, Afenifere, Ohaneze Ndigbo’s Middle Belt Forum, insisting that the Bill is a land grabbing ploy by the federal government.
Soyinka said the Bill had been roundly rejected two years ago and must not be brought back.
He said “A roundly condemned project blasted out of sight by public outrage one or two years ago is being exhumed and sneaked back into service by none other than a failed government, and with the consent of a body of people, supposedly elected to serve as custodians of the rights, freedoms and existential exigencies of millions. This bill – Bill on National Water resources 2020 – is designed to hand Aso Rock absolute control over the nation’s entire water resources, both over and underground.”
Those opposed to the bill believe that it’s another ploy on the part of the federal government to forcefully take lands belonging to states through the back door.
It will also remove the powers conferred on state governors by the Land Use Act to control lands under their jurisdiction.
The major suspicion is that the Buhari administration is trying to provide, Fulani pastoralists unhindered access to grazing lands across the country, in a similar manner it wanted to foist RUGA on Nigerians, but was vehemently rejected.
Governor Ortom described the Water Resources Bill as a “disguised land-grabbing legislation designed to grant pastoralists unhindered access to river basins, adjacent marine and coastal environments across the country.”
According to the governor “the bill, in addition to its provisions which are at variance with the Land Use Act, is a disguised land-grabbing legislation designed to grant pastoralists unhindered access to river basins, adjacent marine and coastal environments across the country.”
He said this is another “version of Ruga, whose objective is to create grazing areas in the 36 states of the federation for herders and their livestock, urging “the federal lawmakers to act as true representatives of the people for the sake of posterity, and to remember that the destiny of the country lies in their hands.”
Also a co-spokesman of the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum, SMBLF, Yinka Odumakin, in an interview with The PUNCH, warned “Freedom-loving Nigerians should be ready for protracted resistance to this move to grab land around waterways for Miyetti Allah by the executive arm of the government.”
While the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the Igbo apex socio-cultural organisation said it will go to court to seek redress if the bill is passed by the National Assembly.
The National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Prince Uche Achi-Okpaga who spoke with one of correspondents, said that “It is a tinder box that must certainly explode if they choose to embark on such a precipitous peregrination”.
Prince Achi-Okpaga said, “There is no gain saying that the implication is as envisaged that the Federal Government will acquire the water ways from the people and keep the same at the disposal of unwelcome visitors or aliens; a clear, unfair and natural case of robbing Peter to pay Paul
Meanwhile, the outbursts against the new bill came at the same time, Governor Ortom read the riots act to Miyetti Allah, the umbrella body of Fulani Herdesmen in the country, to drop their plans to establish vigilante group in Benue state.
The governor warned that any Fulani vigilante found in his state will be arrested and punished.
Despite the launch of Amotekun in Ondo State, and efforts by security agents in to reduce incidents of kidnapping, at Akoko axis, three health personnel were again abducted by suspected kidnappers, Monday evening.
The victims are the Chief Medical Director of General Hospital, Idoani, Dr. Olufemi Adeogun, a record officer, Mrs Foluke Ajibola, and a yet to be identified official.
They were reportedly ambushed and kidnapped at the bad portion of Owani/Idoani road, Ose LGA of Ondo state.
The driver of the vehicle, in which they were travelling was, however, lucky as he scampered to safety but with a gunshot in the arm.
He has been taken to an undisclosed hospital for treatment.
The state police Command confirmed the incident. Police Public Relations officer, Tee-Leo Ikoro said men of the command have already been deployed to comb the bush to rescue them.
With the latest incident, the residents of the state have expressed reservations about the recently inaugurated regional security outfit, Amotekun.
From the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma, emanates a simple, but strong message to the former Governor of the State, Senator Rochas Okorocha. “Okorocha should Know I am the Governor.”
Meaning: No ship has two captains.
Governor Uzodinma subtly dropped the message while on a visit to President Muhammadu Buhari at the Aso Rock Villa.
The Governor and Okorocha have had a long running political battle since the Governorship Primary of the Party – APC
Okorocha, the then incumbent Governor, had backed his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu, to succeed him in office. He gave it his all.
Nwosu was Okorocha’s Chief of Staff.
But Uzodinma, backed by almost every who-is-who in the state APC, and at the National level, snatched victory from Okorocha/Nwosu, after a bitter campaign.
His victory forced Nwosu to defect to the Action Alliance, AA, a party, allegedly, founded and funded by his father-in-law, for Plan B.
Rochas Okorocha
During the 2019 Governorship election, INEC declared the Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha winner, but the victory was annulled, seven-months later, by the Supreme Court. Uzodinma was declared the duly elected Governor.
Having also fought Ihedioha bitterly, both Okorocha and Nwosu quickly embraced Uzodinma, cleanly forgetting all the dirty mud thrown at him during the campaigns.
They pledged support.
And were seen tagging along with him, to the apprehension of many wary Imolites.
But the support, unknown to many, as was recently confirmed by Governor Uzodinma at a stakeholders’ meeting, came with a caveat. “Protect us from investigation”, Uzodinma was told.
When Ihedioha was in office, he had set up a couple of probe panels, based on popular requests, to look into a number of affairs in the state, spanning the eight years of Okorocha’s tenure in office.
When Uzodinma took over from Ihedioha, he surprised not a few people, by retaining the panels. He refused to dissolve them, insisting they were for the good of the state, and that he would run foul of the people if he does that.
According to the Governor, Okorocha personally asked him. He wouldn’t give in.
He also asked Uzodinma to allow his choice of the Party’s state Chaiman Mr Daniel Nwafor, to be in charge, instead of Marcel Nlemigbo. But Uzodinma wouldn’t give in.
These have brought tension between both of them.
A couple of weeks ago, the Governor told Imo stakeholders that the problems he is having with Okorocha stem from the non-dissolution of the probe panels, and not abandoning Nlemigbo. I refused to oblige him, the Governor said.
At the Villa, Uzodinma made light of the situation, but stood his ground.
He said he had no problems with the former Governor, but insisted Okorocha needs to know who is in charge.
”I have no problems with Okorocha, but he needs to know I am the Governor”, he said.
The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties, (CNPP), in Ondo State, has expressed concern over the spate of violence and intolerance being witnesssed among political parties ahead of October 20 Governorship election in the state.
Addressing a press conference on Tuesday in Akure, the chairman of CNPP, Mr Rotimi Boboye accused the ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC), of being behind series of reported violence in the state.
He stated: “We have observed the recourse to violence, intimidation and subterfuge by officials of the outgoing APC government in Ondo State.
“This dangerous development was manifested in the recent local government election largely boycotted by many political parties, while a few of our members participated.
“In the said sham of an election, not only were candidates of participating parties intimidated, harrased and violently assaulted, voters were disenfranchised and figures concocted to meet the pre planned agenda of the outgoing APC government.”
According to him, rather than abate, such violence has taken new dimensions with meetings of political parties being invaded by known thugs.
Boboye pointed out that the spreading violence may not be unconnected with the well articulated, though sinister position expressed by a self confessed militant, and who not only boasted of being in possession of high calibre arms, but went ahead to name known harbingers of violence that are to be recruited to cause mayhem from within and outside the State.
“Spreading across the state are confirmed incidences of battered heads, broken limbs and bruised bodies which allign with the ‘strategy’ openly canvassed by Mr lsaac Kekemeke which is yet to be condemned by his party, the APC.
“These have also been followed with illegal arrests, dehumanising treatment and detention of members of the opposition parties by police and military officers.
“The only way to avoid a sad repeat of the events of the better forgotten experience is to arrest the descent into anarchy that current trend portend.
“We expect nothing but professionalism and demonstrable fairness from the police and indeed all the security agencies.
“Our minimum request is that all agencies to be involved in the forthcoming polls display obvious neutrality and fairness to all.
“We are aware of clandestine plans to arrest and detain effective and active opposition politicians across the state on trumped up accusations before the election only to release them after the polls, we warn that such could only heighten tension which may result in public tumult.
“We as members of the CNPP have resolved to conduct ourselves in the most civil and most decorous manner in the forthcoming election, but will not watch the outgoing government and party throw our dear state into unpredictable darkness.”
The first Governor of Ekiti state, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, has declared that he is not in the race to succeed Dr Kayode Fayemi as Governor of the state.
Otunba Adebayo, who was governor of the state between 1999 and 2003, said speculations about his Governorship ambition in 2022 is not true.
In a statement by his media aide in Ado Ekiti, Mr Julius Toba- Jegede, the former governor, now Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment, said he made his marks when he served as Governor .
Adebayo was reacting to the recent erection of some billboards across Ado Ekiti, the state capital, and other strategic locations across the state by some political groups, calling on him to join the race in view of what they described as his good leadership traits.
There has also been speculation within the ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC) in the state that Adebayo is being tipped to succeed Governor Kayode Fayemi.
He said though he appreciates the various calls from the groups, he would rather be focused on his current assignment as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“I am aware of the recent development of people agitating for me to contest the governorship of Ekiti State in 2022.
“With every sense of humility and respect, I want to thank them for believing in me. However, I must state clearly that I am not interested in running for the office of governor of Ekiti State again.
“As a leader, it was a privilege to serve Ekiti as its first executive governor where I did my best leaving behind verifiable legacy projects.
“My interest now is to continue playing my leadership role of ensuring that our dear state is peaceful, well governed and to encourage the next generation of leaders to emerge.
“At the federal level, I am currently engaged with the responsibilities of my office as a Minister and how to ensure that the economic diversification goals of President Mohammadu Buhari for the country are achieved during this second term.
”At all times, I will be available to offer my advice, support and encouragement to all Nigerians who are serving and those who crave to serve in various capacities, especially those of Ekiti extraction.” the Minister said.
A United Nations projection on population has indicated that ten percent of the world population will not have enough food to eat this year. This, according to them, is due to the impact of COVID-19 on the world economy. According to the institution, the impact will go beyond hunger alone because millions more will likely experience the corollary effect of the hunger pandemic, which is not being able to eat healthy – a situation that can result in malnutrition and obesity.
Besides the World Bank, Bloomberg has projected that as many as 132 million more people than the World Bank projection will go hungry this year as the pandemic disruption of supply chains, disrupted distribution chains and grounding of economies takes its toll.
But the World Bank looks further.
According to it, by the year 2030, about a billion people will be faced with crippling hunger, an increase of about 200 million from the previous decade of 2010 to 2020. In the last decade, it was a little over 800 million.
Ironically, this is happening at a time of the celebration of global food surplus. The World Bank says that even hitherto comfortable countries may not be spared.
One thing that COVID-19 did, according to reports, was to increase the gap between the super-rich and super poor. Owners of social media platforms are declaring crazy profits as the number of pauperised world population grow. Millions have been thrown out of work due to the lockdown. Those affected are those with a high dependency ratio, and the stimulus package by the various governments only ended up shoring up global equities.
What makes the situation unmatched: The massive spike is happening at a time of enormous global food surpluses. And it’s happening in every part of the world, with new levels of food insecurity forecast for countries that used to have relative stability.
As many as 12,000 people could die a day from hunger linked to Covid-19 by the end ot this year, potentially more than those perishing from the virus itself, accordint to estimates by charity Oxfam International.
There are fears of political backlash through revolutions, as happened in France in 1775. Military incursions into government may be the end result in some African countries, as is happening in Mali.
“We have to make sure that we’re addressing gender inequality — if the international community is not doing that, we will fail to avoid the worst of the hunger crisis,” said Tonya Rawe, a director at hunger relief and advocacy group Care.
