2015-01-26 17:29
LONDON - Didier Drogba is part of the furniture at Chelsea and it
is great to have him back at the club this season following his short
stints in China and Turkey, said goalkeeper Petr Cech.
There has been a neat symmetry in the two players' careers since they moved to Stamford Bridge from French clubs in 2004.
Drogba
joined from Olympique de Marseille, Cech from Stade Rennes, and the
pair won everything there was to win with Chelsea, culminating in the
2012 Champions League final in Munich when they became heroes at either
end of the pitch.
The Ivory Coast striker broke Bayern Munich
hearts with a late equaliser in normal time and the winner in the
shootout while the Czech Republic keeper was almost unbeatable in goal,
saving four penalties in the 120 minutes at the Allianz Arena.
"Didier is definitely special because he's been here in the time when
we (Chelsea) had the most success," Cech told Reuters in an interview
as Drogba was honoured by the Football Writers' Association at a dinner
in London on Sunday for his outstanding contribution to the sport.
"He
scored important goals in the big games, small games, and he's been
ever present so I think that him coming back has been great news for
everyone and he is showing his worth."
Drogba
left the west London club after his Munich heroics but he was unable to
resist the temptation of a second coming at Stamford Bridge and
returned at the start of the season to sign a one-year deal.
The
36-year-old is the second-choice striker behind Diego Costa for the
Premier League leaders these days but he is still an integral part of
manager Jose Mourinho's plans.
Drogba started Saturday's shock 4-2
home defeat by third tier Bradford City in the FA Cup fourth round but
is likely to be back on the bench for Tuesday's League Cup semi-final
return match against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge after the first leg
ended in a 1-1 draw at Anfield last week.
"It's never easy when
you try to come back and turn back time," said Cech, who has also
operated mainly as an understudy this season, to Belgium goalkeeper
Thibaut Courtois.
"I think that we are in a completely different
situation now, and we try, obviously, to replicate what we've done in
the past and keep winning titles, keep winning trophies."
The 32-year-old Cech said there was a unique bond between him and Drogba.
"When
you've known someone for such a long time... when you've been playing
with him for a long time... the relationship is different than when you
have someone you get to know for a few weeks," he explained.
"We
went through the bad times, the good times, and we always managed to
find a way to have success so I think it's something we have in common."
When
football fans think of Drogba and Cech, their minds instantly go back
to that joyous night in May 2012 when the pair linked arms and danced
around the Allianz Arena to celebrate Chelsea's first Champions League
triumph.
"That's a great memory for all of us, Chelsea supporters
and everybody involved in Chelsea Football Club, because it was the best
trophy we've won in the history of the club," said the giant keeper.
"When
you win something for the first time it is special and winning the
Champions League anyway is special. It had been our aim for years, ever
since I came to the club."
Monday, 26 January 2015
Nigeria vote delay would be Boko Haram 'victory' - APC
Abuja - Nigeria's opposition said Monday that delaying next
month's election because of raging Boko Haram violence would mark "a
victory" for the insurgents, and urged the government to respect the
electoral calendar.
The opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) charged the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with secretly backing postponement, and of using the Islamist attacks as justification.
"The truth is that the forthcoming elections terrify the PDP and the (President Goodluck) Jonathan administration to such an extent that they are looking for ways to postpone or scuttle the polls," APC spokesman Lai Mohammed said in a statement.
"Any postponement on the basis of the insurgency in the northeast will represent a victory for the terrorist group Boko Haram," he added.
The PDP has not come out in favour of pushing back the February 14 vote, but National Security Advisor Sambo Dasuki has said election officials needed more time to distribute voter ID cards.
Violence in Boko Haram's northeastern strongholds has escalated dramatically in recent months, most recently with the weekend assault on Borno State capital Maiduguri that was repelled by armed forces.
Jonathan's position on a potential delay was left unclear in a statement released Sunday following his meeting with US Secretary of State John Kerry.
The president said the May 29 date for inaugurating the winner of the election was "sacrosanct," but he made no specific comment on the inviolability of February 14 for voting.
"This is not reassuring enough," APC spokesman Mohammed said. "For us, the February 14th and 28th dates (of state governor and state assembly elections) are as sacrosanct as the handover date of May 29th."
Spokesman for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Kayode Idowu, told AFP Monday the body remains firmly committed to holding the election on February 14.
He denied reports published Monday in the APC-controlled Nation newspaper that the national security advisor had scheduled a meeting with the election chief to push for a delay.
Regarding Dasuki's argument that more time was needed to distribute voter cards, the APC said any claim of "INEC not being ready for the elections is sheer baloney".
The opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) charged the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with secretly backing postponement, and of using the Islamist attacks as justification.
"The truth is that the forthcoming elections terrify the PDP and the (President Goodluck) Jonathan administration to such an extent that they are looking for ways to postpone or scuttle the polls," APC spokesman Lai Mohammed said in a statement.
"Any postponement on the basis of the insurgency in the northeast will represent a victory for the terrorist group Boko Haram," he added.
The PDP has not come out in favour of pushing back the February 14 vote, but National Security Advisor Sambo Dasuki has said election officials needed more time to distribute voter ID cards.
Violence in Boko Haram's northeastern strongholds has escalated dramatically in recent months, most recently with the weekend assault on Borno State capital Maiduguri that was repelled by armed forces.
Jonathan's position on a potential delay was left unclear in a statement released Sunday following his meeting with US Secretary of State John Kerry.
The president said the May 29 date for inaugurating the winner of the election was "sacrosanct," but he made no specific comment on the inviolability of February 14 for voting.
"This is not reassuring enough," APC spokesman Mohammed said. "For us, the February 14th and 28th dates (of state governor and state assembly elections) are as sacrosanct as the handover date of May 29th."
Spokesman for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Kayode Idowu, told AFP Monday the body remains firmly committed to holding the election on February 14.
He denied reports published Monday in the APC-controlled Nation newspaper that the national security advisor had scheduled a meeting with the election chief to push for a delay.
Regarding Dasuki's argument that more time was needed to distribute voter cards, the APC said any claim of "INEC not being ready for the elections is sheer baloney".
Wande Coal’s album is finally coming!
2015-01-26 18:21
Lagos - After a seven year album break, singer Wande Coal is releasing his sophomore album.
The singer shared his joy Instagram over his upocomming album in 2015.
“Can't wait for you all to hear the music I've been creating. It's all about the music this year. Love all my die hard fans that have stayed with me through thick and thin, this album will be for you. #BlackDiamond” he wrote on Instagram.
Wande Coal’s album titled Mushin to Mo’hits was released in 2008 under the defunct Mo’hits Records.
Presently Wande Coal owns his own record label, Black Diamond Entertainment.
Lagos - After a seven year album break, singer Wande Coal is releasing his sophomore album.
The singer shared his joy Instagram over his upocomming album in 2015.
“Can't wait for you all to hear the music I've been creating. It's all about the music this year. Love all my die hard fans that have stayed with me through thick and thin, this album will be for you. #BlackDiamond” he wrote on Instagram.
Wande Coal’s album titled Mushin to Mo’hits was released in 2008 under the defunct Mo’hits Records.
Presently Wande Coal owns his own record label, Black Diamond Entertainment.
Ebola to have 'marginal impact' on African economy: UN
2015-01-26 18:21
Addis Ababa - Africa's economy is likely to suffer only a minor blow from the Ebola outbreak despite the "considerable" impact on Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, a UN official said Monday.
"From the start, the ECA was confident that the alarmist projections were wrong," said Carlos Lopez, the executive secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa.
"We could not visualise more than a marginal impact on the region's performance, given that the three most affected countries account for less than one percent of Africa's combined GDP," he said, adding that the "suffering experienced by Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone is considerable."
"Africa's growth forecast is still higher than in any other continent," said Lopez, who was speaking to top African diplomats ahead of an African Union summit on Friday and Saturday.
However he said conflict, insecurity and terror threats, together with a fall in oil and raw material prices, were weighing on the continent.
"Their impact on the continent's economic performances stretches from missed opportunities to contagious risk perceptions that are much more serious than those surrounding the Ebola outbreak," he said of the impact of conflict and terrorism notably attacks by Boko Haram in Nigeria, and fighting in Somalia, South Sudan and Central African Republic.
Addis Ababa - Africa's economy is likely to suffer only a minor blow from the Ebola outbreak despite the "considerable" impact on Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, a UN official said Monday.
"From the start, the ECA was confident that the alarmist projections were wrong," said Carlos Lopez, the executive secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa.
"We could not visualise more than a marginal impact on the region's performance, given that the three most affected countries account for less than one percent of Africa's combined GDP," he said, adding that the "suffering experienced by Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone is considerable."
"Africa's growth forecast is still higher than in any other continent," said Lopez, who was speaking to top African diplomats ahead of an African Union summit on Friday and Saturday.
However he said conflict, insecurity and terror threats, together with a fall in oil and raw material prices, were weighing on the continent.
"Their impact on the continent's economic performances stretches from missed opportunities to contagious risk perceptions that are much more serious than those surrounding the Ebola outbreak," he said of the impact of conflict and terrorism notably attacks by Boko Haram in Nigeria, and fighting in Somalia, South Sudan and Central African Republic.
Jonathan's campaign to Ondo set to end crisis
Ondo - The People's Democratic Party in the Ondo State said it is
anticipating President Goodluck Jonathan's visit, as he rallies at the
Democracy Park, Punch reported.
People in the state are hopeful that Jonathan's visit will end the crisis that has rocked the state during the past four months.
The Public Secretary of the party, Banji Okunomo, has stated that communities in the state are still not over the detention of first civilian governor, Chief Adekunle Ajasin. Therefore want nothing to do with the All Progressive Party.
About 100 000 people are expected to attend the presidential rally and is stated it would be the best held so far.
For more on this story visit Punch
People in the state are hopeful that Jonathan's visit will end the crisis that has rocked the state during the past four months.
The Public Secretary of the party, Banji Okunomo, has stated that communities in the state are still not over the detention of first civilian governor, Chief Adekunle Ajasin. Therefore want nothing to do with the All Progressive Party.
About 100 000 people are expected to attend the presidential rally and is stated it would be the best held so far.
For more on this story visit Punch
Jigawa to immunise millions of children against polio
2015-01-26 18:21
Dutse - The Jigawa government on Sunday said it planned to immunise 1 578 000 children against polio virus across the state in the first round of the 2015 exercise.The immunisation officer in the state, Hassan Kwalam, disclosed this during the inauguration of the exercise in Dutse.
He said there was no case of the virus in the state but continued vaccination would help to prevent the disease in the state.
According to him, the four-day immunisation will be conducted across the 27 local government areas of the state.
"We do not have any case of polio but routine immunisation would assist us to tackle and prevent any outbreak of the disease in the near future.
"As far as we are concerned, we have eradicated the virus from the state because there was no any reported case of polio in any part of Jigawa in the past 27 months.’’
Speaking at the event, the Emir of Dutse, Nuhu Sunusi, warned traditional heads of all the Emirates in the state against any complacency that could hamper the effort of eradicating the wild polio virus from the country.
Sunusi, who is also the Chairman of the North-West Zone of Traditional Ruler’s Task Force on Polio Eradication, said that even though there were no more new cases of the disease in the state, more should be done to contain the scourge permanently.
The emir noted that the persistence of the team working in the state together with the support of government was key to the success recorded so far in the new feat achieved of none discovery of new cases.
He reiterated the traditional institution’s continued support toward complete eradication of the disease.
Now the focus is on us by the international community to see if we can deal with the situation the way we dealt with the Ebola disease, and I know we can do it,’’ he said.
Too few ill for Liberia Ebola vaccine trial
2015-01-26 17:47
Davos - A steep fall in Ebola cases in Liberia will make it hard
to prove whether experimental vaccines work in a major clinical trial
about to start in the country, the head of the US National Institutes of
Health (NIH) said on Saturday.
The NIH might have to move some testing to neighbouring Sierra Leone, while regulators could end up approving Ebola shots based on efficacy data from animal tests backed by only limited human evidence, Francis Collins told Reuters.
Liberia, once the epicentre of West Africa's deadly Ebola epidemic, has just five remaining confirmed cases of the disease, a senior health official has said.
The sharp decrease in cases is clearly good news, but it poses a problem for scientists from the NIH, GlaxoSmithKline and Merck, who want to enrol 27 000 people at risk of infection in the pivotal Phase III Liberian study.
"It's going to be a hard trial," Collins said on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos. "It's possible we may have to move some of the effort to Sierra Leone, which is unfortunately in not quite such a good position as Liberia."
The big Liberian trial, the first of several planned for West Africa, aims to enroll at-risk people such as healthcare staff, family members and burial workers. It will test a GSK vaccine, a rival one from Merck and NewLink, and a placebo.
"It may, at this point, be hard to find 27 000 people at risk," Collins said. "It is going to be challenging."
Nonetheless, vaccines could still be submitted to regulators using efficacy data from non-human primate experiments, plus proof of safety and immune system response in humans.
"That is the default and certainly the FDA [US Food and Drug Administration] has that particular pathway available. If it is not possible to get the rigorous human data, it is still possible a vaccine could be approved," Collins said.
Healthcare experts meeting in Davos this week have stressed the need to keep up the fight against Ebola until there are zero cases in West Africa, where more than 8 600 people have died from the disease.
Jeremy Farrar, director of Britain's Wellcome Trust health charity, said vaccines and drugs were still needed for the current epidemic and to fight future ones.
Johnson & Johnson, working with Bavarian Nordic , also has an Ebola vaccine in earlier-stage clinical tests.
Reuters
The NIH might have to move some testing to neighbouring Sierra Leone, while regulators could end up approving Ebola shots based on efficacy data from animal tests backed by only limited human evidence, Francis Collins told Reuters.
Liberia, once the epicentre of West Africa's deadly Ebola epidemic, has just five remaining confirmed cases of the disease, a senior health official has said.
The sharp decrease in cases is clearly good news, but it poses a problem for scientists from the NIH, GlaxoSmithKline and Merck, who want to enrol 27 000 people at risk of infection in the pivotal Phase III Liberian study.
"It's going to be a hard trial," Collins said on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos. "It's possible we may have to move some of the effort to Sierra Leone, which is unfortunately in not quite such a good position as Liberia."
The big Liberian trial, the first of several planned for West Africa, aims to enroll at-risk people such as healthcare staff, family members and burial workers. It will test a GSK vaccine, a rival one from Merck and NewLink, and a placebo.
"It may, at this point, be hard to find 27 000 people at risk," Collins said. "It is going to be challenging."
Nonetheless, vaccines could still be submitted to regulators using efficacy data from non-human primate experiments, plus proof of safety and immune system response in humans.
"That is the default and certainly the FDA [US Food and Drug Administration] has that particular pathway available. If it is not possible to get the rigorous human data, it is still possible a vaccine could be approved," Collins said.
Healthcare experts meeting in Davos this week have stressed the need to keep up the fight against Ebola until there are zero cases in West Africa, where more than 8 600 people have died from the disease.
Jeremy Farrar, director of Britain's Wellcome Trust health charity, said vaccines and drugs were still needed for the current epidemic and to fight future ones.
Johnson & Johnson, working with Bavarian Nordic , also has an Ebola vaccine in earlier-stage clinical tests.
Reuters
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