10:04 04/06/2015
Abuja - Former Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi, has
accused his successor, Nyesom Wike, of threatening, coercing and
blackmailing officials of the past administration to implicate the
former in corruption.
Amaechi said the governor was approaching
especially civil servants to make false, phony and bogus statements that
would make legitimate government transactions appear as corrupt
practices.
Speaking through his media aide, David Iyofor the
ex-governor urged Rivers people, the media and the public to be
watchful, vigilant and discern the fraudulent acts of the current
governor to make him and his administration look bad.
“As I noted
earlier in a previous statement, Nyesom Wike is going ahead with his
plan of attempting to deride and discredit me and my administration by
blackmailing and arm-twisting key government officials to distort
legitimate government transactions in his desperation to cook up, and
fabricate baseless, concocted and unfounded cases of corruption against
me and the administration I ran” Ameachi said
He
alleged the current governor has tried to threaten, harass, and force
Permanent Secretaries and Directors of Finance and Administration (DFA)
in various ministries, parastatals, agencies in the state into doing his
bidding of painting me as corrupt in the administration of the State.
“The
State bankers and some of our contractors are also not spared in his
mission of tarnishing my reputation. As a matter of fact, Wike has only
one agenda as he governs Rivers State - the agenda to portray me as
corrupt, by whatever means, no matter how ridiculous and phony it looks”
Ameachi added
Amaechi
also described as a fraud the video and pictures of the looted and
vandalized Government House the current governor is circulating.
“The
images are a fraud, arranged and executed by Wike to enable him vote
billions of Naira from the state treasury to renovate and refurbish the
place, as well as accuse me of corruption. I repeat, this is clearly a
game, a grand conspiracy to siphon state funds under the sub-head of
renovating and refurbishing a supposedly 'vandalized and looted'
Government House, while also falsely smearing my image,” he said.
Thursday, 4 June 2015
Wada dissolves Kogi House of Assembly
10:05 04/06/2015
Lokoja - Governor Idris Wada of Kogi on Wednesday dissolved the 5th Kogii House of Assembly after completing the statutory four-year tenure from 2011 to 2015.
Wada performed the function at a valedictory session held to mark the end of the assembly inaugurated on March 3, 2011 at the Ibrahim Saba Assembly Complex in Lokoja.
The governor said that the constitution of the country empowered him to dissolve the house.
"I, Capt. Idris Wada, Governor of Kogi State by the powers conferred on me by Section 105(3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) today make a proclamation that the 5th Kogi State House of Assembly as presently constituted, having successfully completed its mandate, stands dissolved.”
Earlier, the out-going Speaker, Momoh-Jimoh Lawal said: “For every endeavour there is a time to begin and a time to end…as tenants of the house, we must by the same proclamation, vacate our seats.”
Lawal said that the house had upheld the principle of Separation of Powers as enshrined in the constitution and carried out its oversight functions with the cooperation of other arms.
He said that no particular arm of government could carry out its functions without carrying the others along, adding that the success of one arm was dependent on the other and the failure of one is the failure of all.
"The legal framework makes governance a collective responsibility and cooperation, a crucial element in the administration of state.
The speaker, who was full of thanks to the governor, the legislators and staff, said in spite of daunting challenges, he could say with pride that the house in the past four years had achieved remarkable success.
"We have worked very hard, using the instrument of legislation and oversight machinery to drive the economy effectively and accelerate development of the state.”
Members took turns to make their valedictory speeches.
Lokoja - Governor Idris Wada of Kogi on Wednesday dissolved the 5th Kogii House of Assembly after completing the statutory four-year tenure from 2011 to 2015.
Wada performed the function at a valedictory session held to mark the end of the assembly inaugurated on March 3, 2011 at the Ibrahim Saba Assembly Complex in Lokoja.
The governor said that the constitution of the country empowered him to dissolve the house.
"I, Capt. Idris Wada, Governor of Kogi State by the powers conferred on me by Section 105(3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) today make a proclamation that the 5th Kogi State House of Assembly as presently constituted, having successfully completed its mandate, stands dissolved.”
Earlier, the out-going Speaker, Momoh-Jimoh Lawal said: “For every endeavour there is a time to begin and a time to end…as tenants of the house, we must by the same proclamation, vacate our seats.”
Lawal said that the house had upheld the principle of Separation of Powers as enshrined in the constitution and carried out its oversight functions with the cooperation of other arms.
He said that no particular arm of government could carry out its functions without carrying the others along, adding that the success of one arm was dependent on the other and the failure of one is the failure of all.
"The legal framework makes governance a collective responsibility and cooperation, a crucial element in the administration of state.
The speaker, who was full of thanks to the governor, the legislators and staff, said in spite of daunting challenges, he could say with pride that the house in the past four years had achieved remarkable success.
"We have worked very hard, using the instrument of legislation and oversight machinery to drive the economy effectively and accelerate development of the state.”
Members took turns to make their valedictory speeches.
Blatter gets ovation as corruption storm grows
10:05 04/06/2015
Zurich - FIFA staff gave Sepp Blatter a standing ovation on Wednesday even as his resignation failed to quell a corruption storm that could yet touch world football's fallen leader.
About 400 staff at the FIFA headquarters applauded the 79-year-old Swiss official the day after Blatter announced he would step down.
"There was a long ovation lasting several minutes and Mr Blatter was very emotional," a FIFA spokesperson said.
Blatter's close associate, the combative secretary general Jerome Valcke told French radio he feels no guilt over a $10 million transfer to a disgraced official being investigated by US authorities. He said he would not immediately follow Blatter's example and resign.
The FIFA president's departure stunned the football world, but the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is now looking into Blatter's role in tens of millions of dollars of bribes given to football officials, according to US media.
Interpol meanwhile put six suspects, including two former FIFA executive members, on its most wanted list.
Critics of the 79-year-old Swiss official rejoiced at his thunderbolt announcement on Tuesday that he would stand down as soon as an election can be held to find a successor. No vote is expected before December.
His decision sparked a global race to take over as head of the world's richest and most powerful sporting federation.
South Korean tycoon Chung Mong-Joon, Prince Ali bin al Hussein, who was beaten by Blatter in a vote last Friday, and Brazilian football legend Zico all said they could take part. Most eyes remain on Michel Platini, the UEFA president who failed in his bid as kingmaker last week, who has not hinted at his plans.
Blatter, who has ruled FIFA for 17 years, won a fifth term in an election on Friday. But renewed criticism of his reign and new corruption revelations about FIFA forced him into a corner.
"While I have a mandate from the membership of FIFA, I do not feel that I have a mandate from the entire world of football - the fans, the players, the clubs, the people who live, breathe and love football," he told a press conference.
Blatter vowed that in his remaining months in office he would "focus on driving far-reaching, fundamental reforms that transcend our previous efforts."
A FIFA spokesman said Blatter gave a similar speech to staff on Wednesday when he was applauded.
US authorities have charged 14 football officials and sports company executives over more than $150 million in bribes.
The New York Times, which broke news of seven arrests before the FIFA congress last week, quoted law enforcement officials and other sources to back their report that the FIFA chief is now in the firing line.
"Now that people are going to want to save themselves, there's probably a race to see who will flip on (Blatter) first," one source told ABC News.
US Attorney General Loretta Lynch refused Wednesday, while on a trip to Latvia, to comment on the reports.
However, it emerged also on Wednesday that the Swiss authorities were yet to receive extradition requests from their American counterparts.
"We have not yet received formal extradition demands; we will release a statement when it happens," said justice ministry spokesman Folco Gallia.
Acting on a US request, Interpol on Wednesday put disgraced FIFA former executive members Jack Warner and Nicolas Leoz on their most wanted list and issued an international alert.
Four heads of sports marketing companies have also been put on the list.
Warner, a former FIFA vice-president, is in Trinidad and Tobago. Leoz, an executive member, is in poor health and reportedly under house arrest in his native Paraguay.
Warner is at the centre of the corruption storm, with US authorities focusing particularly on a $10 million transfer between South African authorities and Warner, which was made through FIFA.
Reports say US investigators believe Valcke authorised the transfer and the money was intended as a bribe. FIFA says it acted only as an intermediary for South Africa.
"I have nothing to blame myself for and I certainly do not feel guilty so I do not even have to justify my innocence," the French official told the France Info radio station in an interview.
"I don't have the power to authorise a payment, especially one of $10 million, and above all one that comes from another account separate from FIFA," added the 54-year-old, who has been secretary general since 2007.
In parallel to the US inquiry, Swiss prosecutors are looking into the award of the 2018 and 2022 World Cup tournaments to Russia and Qatar.
Qatar said that Blatter's resignation would have "no impact" on its World Cup preparations. The Kremlin also said that Russia was "surprised" by the resignation but it was also going ahead with plans.
Zurich - FIFA staff gave Sepp Blatter a standing ovation on Wednesday even as his resignation failed to quell a corruption storm that could yet touch world football's fallen leader.
About 400 staff at the FIFA headquarters applauded the 79-year-old Swiss official the day after Blatter announced he would step down.
"There was a long ovation lasting several minutes and Mr Blatter was very emotional," a FIFA spokesperson said.
Blatter's close associate, the combative secretary general Jerome Valcke told French radio he feels no guilt over a $10 million transfer to a disgraced official being investigated by US authorities. He said he would not immediately follow Blatter's example and resign.
The FIFA president's departure stunned the football world, but the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is now looking into Blatter's role in tens of millions of dollars of bribes given to football officials, according to US media.
Interpol meanwhile put six suspects, including two former FIFA executive members, on its most wanted list.
Critics of the 79-year-old Swiss official rejoiced at his thunderbolt announcement on Tuesday that he would stand down as soon as an election can be held to find a successor. No vote is expected before December.
His decision sparked a global race to take over as head of the world's richest and most powerful sporting federation.
South Korean tycoon Chung Mong-Joon, Prince Ali bin al Hussein, who was beaten by Blatter in a vote last Friday, and Brazilian football legend Zico all said they could take part. Most eyes remain on Michel Platini, the UEFA president who failed in his bid as kingmaker last week, who has not hinted at his plans.
Blatter, who has ruled FIFA for 17 years, won a fifth term in an election on Friday. But renewed criticism of his reign and new corruption revelations about FIFA forced him into a corner.
"While I have a mandate from the membership of FIFA, I do not feel that I have a mandate from the entire world of football - the fans, the players, the clubs, the people who live, breathe and love football," he told a press conference.
Blatter vowed that in his remaining months in office he would "focus on driving far-reaching, fundamental reforms that transcend our previous efforts."
A FIFA spokesman said Blatter gave a similar speech to staff on Wednesday when he was applauded.
US authorities have charged 14 football officials and sports company executives over more than $150 million in bribes.
The New York Times, which broke news of seven arrests before the FIFA congress last week, quoted law enforcement officials and other sources to back their report that the FIFA chief is now in the firing line.
"Now that people are going to want to save themselves, there's probably a race to see who will flip on (Blatter) first," one source told ABC News.
US Attorney General Loretta Lynch refused Wednesday, while on a trip to Latvia, to comment on the reports.
However, it emerged also on Wednesday that the Swiss authorities were yet to receive extradition requests from their American counterparts.
"We have not yet received formal extradition demands; we will release a statement when it happens," said justice ministry spokesman Folco Gallia.
Acting on a US request, Interpol on Wednesday put disgraced FIFA former executive members Jack Warner and Nicolas Leoz on their most wanted list and issued an international alert.
Four heads of sports marketing companies have also been put on the list.
Warner, a former FIFA vice-president, is in Trinidad and Tobago. Leoz, an executive member, is in poor health and reportedly under house arrest in his native Paraguay.
Warner is at the centre of the corruption storm, with US authorities focusing particularly on a $10 million transfer between South African authorities and Warner, which was made through FIFA.
Reports say US investigators believe Valcke authorised the transfer and the money was intended as a bribe. FIFA says it acted only as an intermediary for South Africa.
"I have nothing to blame myself for and I certainly do not feel guilty so I do not even have to justify my innocence," the French official told the France Info radio station in an interview.
"I don't have the power to authorise a payment, especially one of $10 million, and above all one that comes from another account separate from FIFA," added the 54-year-old, who has been secretary general since 2007.
In parallel to the US inquiry, Swiss prosecutors are looking into the award of the 2018 and 2022 World Cup tournaments to Russia and Qatar.
Qatar said that Blatter's resignation would have "no impact" on its World Cup preparations. The Kremlin also said that Russia was "surprised" by the resignation but it was also going ahead with plans.
AC Leopards to land In Nigeria in a chartered plane
11:17 04/06/2015
Abuja - As the momentum builds up ahead of the must win CAF Confederation Cup playoffs between AC Leopards and Warri Wolves scheduled for June 6, 2015 at the Warri City Stadium.
AC Leopards FC of Congo Brazzaville, Warri Wolves opponent in the second leg of the CAF Confederations Cup cracker on Saturday at the Warri City Stadium will arrive in Nigeria on Thursday in a chartered flight which will land in Port Harcourt.
The Media Manager of Warri Wolves, Moses Etu has informed News24 on Wednesday that the Congo team which defeated Warri Wolves by 3-0 in the first leg did not reveal much about their travelling arrangement thus the number of people coming could not be ascertained.
However, Wolves, the host team, has made an arrangement to convey them from Port Harcourt to Warri by road as soon as they land in the Garden City.
"They have informed us that they will be coming in on Thursday via PortHarcourt but we don’t know the number of people coming. We have made available vehicles to convey them to Warri as soon as they land in the Garden City," Etu stated.
Meanwhile, the Management of the Warri based team has advised those intending to come and watch the match should try and get a blue T-Shirt and with that will automatically watch the game free.
According to Etu, the Club wants to make the atmosphere quite different from what they have been used to and have decided that the blue shirt will serve as match ticket.
"We are trying to change the orientation of the fans and for this match, if you come with your blue shirt, you will be allowed to watch the match free and so we are appealing to our fans to get a blue T-Shirt and cheer the boys as they are ready to do their country proud," Moses Etu informed.
Abuja - As the momentum builds up ahead of the must win CAF Confederation Cup playoffs between AC Leopards and Warri Wolves scheduled for June 6, 2015 at the Warri City Stadium.
AC Leopards FC of Congo Brazzaville, Warri Wolves opponent in the second leg of the CAF Confederations Cup cracker on Saturday at the Warri City Stadium will arrive in Nigeria on Thursday in a chartered flight which will land in Port Harcourt.
The Media Manager of Warri Wolves, Moses Etu has informed News24 on Wednesday that the Congo team which defeated Warri Wolves by 3-0 in the first leg did not reveal much about their travelling arrangement thus the number of people coming could not be ascertained.
However, Wolves, the host team, has made an arrangement to convey them from Port Harcourt to Warri by road as soon as they land in the Garden City.
"They have informed us that they will be coming in on Thursday via PortHarcourt but we don’t know the number of people coming. We have made available vehicles to convey them to Warri as soon as they land in the Garden City," Etu stated.
Meanwhile, the Management of the Warri based team has advised those intending to come and watch the match should try and get a blue T-Shirt and with that will automatically watch the game free.
According to Etu, the Club wants to make the atmosphere quite different from what they have been used to and have decided that the blue shirt will serve as match ticket.
"We are trying to change the orientation of the fans and for this match, if you come with your blue shirt, you will be allowed to watch the match free and so we are appealing to our fans to get a blue T-Shirt and cheer the boys as they are ready to do their country proud," Moses Etu informed.
Flying Eagles beat Korea to revive hope
11:17 04/06/2015
New Plymouth - African Youth Champions, Nigeria, bounced back to reckoning in the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup with a comfortable 4-0 victory over North Korea in a Group E match, at the Taranaki Stadium in New Plymouth, New Zealand, this morning (06h00 CAT kick-off) to boost their hopes of advancing to the knockout rounds.
Two goals in the space of three minutes set the Nigerians on their way during a superb second-half performance, which helped them comeback to reckoning.
A 34-metre effort on goal from Musa Mohammed came off the upright as the Flying Eagles started the match on a positive note.
It was a good sign that the team had overcome the disappointments of losing 4-2 to Brazil in the group opener at the same match venue on Monday morning.
The passing and pressing game of the West Africans continued, but they were wasteful and complacent in front of goal.
They failed to turn their early dominance to the desired result they wanted.
Also read: ‘Flying Eagles’ll bounce back from opening day loss’
Livewire of the Flying Eagles, Godwin Saviour, who netted a brilliant brace, was denied by goalkeeper Jong Hun as Nigeria continued their search for the opening goal.
On the half-hour mark, a well-taken free-kick by Musa Mohammed was turned to the path of Taiwo Awoniyi by goalkeeper Jong Hun. The young forward missed a sitter from close range.
The Flying Eagles continued to boss the game. However the cutting edge was lacking and they grew frustrated as the first stanza approached it climax.
Goalkeeper Joshua Enaholo, who looked confident after his horrific performance against Brazil, made a good save late in the first half.
With the West Africans looking rejuvenated and refreshed at the beginning of the second stanza, they were in front three minutes into resumption.
A cross from the right-flank by Musa Mohammed was headed home by the skillful Godwin Saviour. The Plateau United winger out jumped goalkeeper Jong Hun to score.
In the 51st minute, the busy Godwin Saviour made it 2-0. He scored another to put Nigeria two goals up. Taiwo Awoniyi spotted his dangerous run with an intelligent pass. The Flying Eagles were back in contention for the knockout phase.
The Flying Eagles ran rings round the Asians with their patient build up from the back.
The floodgates then continued, as the imperious Kingsley Sokari found a third 19 minutes to the end of the match with a powerful drive 23 metres to goal, before substitute Isaac Success capped off a brilliant team performance by sealing the maximum points.
Flying Eagles Starters Vs North Korea U20: Joshua Enaholo, Musa Mohammed (c), Mustapha Abdullahi, Zaharadeen Bello, Wilfred Ndidi, Ifeanyi Ifeanyi, Idowu Akinjide, Bernard Bulbwa, Kingsley Sokari, Godwin Saviour, Taiwo Awoniyi
Reserves: Dele Alampasu, Ojo Olorunleke, Izu Omego, Chidiebere Nwakali, Ifeanyi Matthew, Musa Yahaya, Kelechi Iheanacho, Chidera Ezeh, Isaac Success, Moses Simon
-Soccer Laduma
New Plymouth - African Youth Champions, Nigeria, bounced back to reckoning in the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup with a comfortable 4-0 victory over North Korea in a Group E match, at the Taranaki Stadium in New Plymouth, New Zealand, this morning (06h00 CAT kick-off) to boost their hopes of advancing to the knockout rounds.
Two goals in the space of three minutes set the Nigerians on their way during a superb second-half performance, which helped them comeback to reckoning.
A 34-metre effort on goal from Musa Mohammed came off the upright as the Flying Eagles started the match on a positive note.
It was a good sign that the team had overcome the disappointments of losing 4-2 to Brazil in the group opener at the same match venue on Monday morning.
The passing and pressing game of the West Africans continued, but they were wasteful and complacent in front of goal.
They failed to turn their early dominance to the desired result they wanted.
Also read: ‘Flying Eagles’ll bounce back from opening day loss’
Livewire of the Flying Eagles, Godwin Saviour, who netted a brilliant brace, was denied by goalkeeper Jong Hun as Nigeria continued their search for the opening goal.
On the half-hour mark, a well-taken free-kick by Musa Mohammed was turned to the path of Taiwo Awoniyi by goalkeeper Jong Hun. The young forward missed a sitter from close range.
The Flying Eagles continued to boss the game. However the cutting edge was lacking and they grew frustrated as the first stanza approached it climax.
Goalkeeper Joshua Enaholo, who looked confident after his horrific performance against Brazil, made a good save late in the first half.
With the West Africans looking rejuvenated and refreshed at the beginning of the second stanza, they were in front three minutes into resumption.
A cross from the right-flank by Musa Mohammed was headed home by the skillful Godwin Saviour. The Plateau United winger out jumped goalkeeper Jong Hun to score.
In the 51st minute, the busy Godwin Saviour made it 2-0. He scored another to put Nigeria two goals up. Taiwo Awoniyi spotted his dangerous run with an intelligent pass. The Flying Eagles were back in contention for the knockout phase.
The Flying Eagles ran rings round the Asians with their patient build up from the back.
The floodgates then continued, as the imperious Kingsley Sokari found a third 19 minutes to the end of the match with a powerful drive 23 metres to goal, before substitute Isaac Success capped off a brilliant team performance by sealing the maximum points.
Flying Eagles Starters Vs North Korea U20: Joshua Enaholo, Musa Mohammed (c), Mustapha Abdullahi, Zaharadeen Bello, Wilfred Ndidi, Ifeanyi Ifeanyi, Idowu Akinjide, Bernard Bulbwa, Kingsley Sokari, Godwin Saviour, Taiwo Awoniyi
Reserves: Dele Alampasu, Ojo Olorunleke, Izu Omego, Chidiebere Nwakali, Ifeanyi Matthew, Musa Yahaya, Kelechi Iheanacho, Chidera Ezeh, Isaac Success, Moses Simon
-Soccer Laduma
GodWin gets visuals
11:16 04/06/2015
Lagos - Mavin Records have released the music video for Godwin, the chart topping song by Korede Bello.
The video was shot in Lagos by Adasa Cookey with cameo appearances by Don Jazzy, Dr Sid, Yaw and Elenu.
The song which is produced by Mavin records boss Don Jazzy.
Korede Bello is the first of the Mavin 2.0 acts including Reekado Banks and D’íja to get an endorsement deal.
Lagos - Mavin Records have released the music video for Godwin, the chart topping song by Korede Bello.
The video was shot in Lagos by Adasa Cookey with cameo appearances by Don Jazzy, Dr Sid, Yaw and Elenu.
The song which is produced by Mavin records boss Don Jazzy.
Korede Bello is the first of the Mavin 2.0 acts including Reekado Banks and D’íja to get an endorsement deal.
Amaechi accuses Wike of witch-hunt
He accused Wike of coercing and blackmailing officials of his administration into making false and bogus statements that would make legitimate government transactions appear as corrupt practices.
Amaechi in statement by his media aide, David Iyofor, noted that Wike was out to make him and his administration look bad.
He also described as a fraud the video and pictures of the looted and vandalised Government House, which the new governor has been showing.
Read more at Leadership.
Read more on: 2015 elections
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)