Super Eagles Head Coach, Gernot Rohr, is not convinced of his players ability to reach the semi-finals of the Qatar 2022 World Cup despite their impressive form for their European clubs during the just-concluded season.
He, however, admits the likes of Paul Onuachu, who emerged Belgium’s Player of the Year and Golden Boot winner after a record-breaking season, Kelechi Iheanaco, Wilfred Ndidi, Samuel Chukwueze, William Troost-Ekong are top players, he says they don’t play for top-tier clubs like their African counterparts.
According to him; “They (other African countries) have players playing in the best teams in Europe, we don’t,” the Franco-German told ESPN.
“Our players are playing in lower clubs. We don’t have these players like Egypt, like Senegal, like Ivory Coast who are playing in the biggest clubs. Our players are playing in clubs who are not the best ones.
“Only Samuel Chukwueze won the Europa League with Villarreal. All others are fighting to stay in the league or are fighting to be starting player.
“When you see the world champions, France, the players are playing for Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, PSG and Manchester United.
“When we have players in the biggest teams, then we can say we have chance to get to the semi-final of the World Cup.”
He added, “But they have to struggle to stay in the (top) league. Which means that the level of the teams that they play for is not the same as the teams they play against.
“But we are happy about it to have some of them doing well. I think Onuachu, for instance, will have proposals from some bigger teams for the next season. Simy Nwankwo… I hope he will leave relegated Crotone. Terem Moffi too, I hope he will have a big club.”
Catholic Church Bans Father Mbaka From Commenting on Partisan Politics
The Enugu Catholic Diocese has banned the controversial Spiritual Director Adoration Ministry Enugu, Nigeria, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, from commenting on partisan politics.
This, is in a bid to protect its image and insulate the church from political controversies.
The church announced the ban in a letter his Bishop, Most Rev. Callistus Onaga, conveyed to him after his penance.
The letter also announced the conversion of the adoration ministry to chaplaincy to allow the diocese direct control of Adoration Ministry.
By this development, Mbaka will no longer solely oversee the activities of the ministry as its spiritual director, with a source explaining that making the ministry a chaplaincy, brings it under the control of the Enugu Diocese and gives the Bishop the power to appoint a chaplain to oversee its operations.
The Bishop further statef that he can appoint any ministerial officer “to assist the chaplains to oversee the pastoral activities of the ministry.”
According to him, ”There shall be no partisan politics either by way of active engagement or by prophetic naming of candidates for position of power.”
These directives were announced following Mbaka’s resumption to church activities of the ministry which was suspended following his one-month private retreat.
Following the desecration of the Catholic Cathedral Church allegedly by Mbaka’s supporters, he had announced the immediate shutdown of all activities in the ministry till June 10, 2021.
Recall that Mbaka’s supporters had attacked the Bishop’s Court and diocesan cathedral, destroying valuables, property and desecrating the Holy Altar of the church.
But Mbaka in a release he personally signed said he would be embarking on private prayer retreat for penance and atonement.
Fr. Mbaka thereafter apologised to the Catholic Church in Enugu and his Bishop for the desecration of the church.
The Federal Government has suspended the operations of microblogging giant, Twitter in Nigeria.
This was contained a press release signed by Segun Adeyemi, Special Assistant to the President on Media the suspension is with immediate effect.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, announced the suspension in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday,citing the persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence.
The Minister said the Federal Government has also directed the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to immediately commence the process of licensing all OTT and social media operations in Nigeria.
The Head of the Kano Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Mualledi Farouq Dogondaji on Friday charged members of the Chinese community in Kano to be law abiding in carrying out their businesses.
Dogondaji gave the charge when he received the Chairman of the Chinese Business Community Association of Nigeria, Kano Chapter, Mike Zhang, who paid a courtesy visit on him.
He further called on the Chinese businessmen to always respect the laws of Nigeria and pay their taxes as and when due.
Dogondaji also encouraged the Chinese Business Community to serve as a bridge between the Commission and Chinese Government as it will ease the Commission’s investigation activities through information sharing.
He further urged the Chinese to avoid any illegal business.
According to him; “On behalf of the Executive Chairman, Abdulrashid Bawa, I want to assure you of the Commission maximum cooperation in anything legal that you are doing.
“All well-meaning, law abiding foreigners can always count on the cooperation and assurance of the Commission in their businesses,” he added.
Zhang, in his remarks, described the EFCC one of the most important partners the Chinese Community must collaborate with in order to facilitate ease of doing business in Nigeria.
He called on the Commission to provide them with all the necessary assistance to be able to conduct their business and enhance the economy of Nigeria.
Zhang assured the Zonal Head that his organization will work hand-in-hand with the Commission in fast tracking EFCC investigations with links to China.
The Police Council meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday confirmed the appointment of Usman Baba as Inspector General of Police.
Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Maigari Dingyadi, made this public at the end of the meeting which lasted for over an hour.
According to him, the Acting Inspector General of Police got a unanimous confirmation from all stakeholders at the meeting.
It would be recalled that President Buhari had on April 6th 2021, approved the appointment of Usman Baba as Acting Inspector General of Police.
Following his confirmation, President Buhari directed the Police Boss to redouble efforts at ensuring peace and security nationwide.
Baba was a Deputy Inspector General of Police before his promotion.
…Proposes Amendment To Sections 7, 301, First Schedule, Part 2
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has said that the Strength of our country lies in the diversity and dynamism of her people.
He, therefore, called on Nigerians to seize the opportunity provided by the review of the 1999 constitution exercise to strengthen national bond and cohesion.
Bello equally said that submissions seeking amendments to the 1999 constitution should be guided by the principles of national unity, patriotism and peaceful co-existence of all Nigerians.
He further stated that, we should seize the opportunity provided by this exercise to strengthen our common bond as a people and guarantee the growth and development of our country.
The Minister made this known in his goodwill message to the National Public Hearing by the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution taking place in Abuja while commending the Senate Committee for its efforts in ensuring the success of its assignment.
He also made submissions to the Committee where he prayed for amendments to certain sections of the constitution which will amongst others bring governance closer to the people an also guarantee funding for the development of the FCT.
Seeking amendment to SECTION 7 of the constitution, “the Minister proposed the inclusion of a new sub section immediately after Section 7(5) to read as follows: A: (6) The functions to be conferred by law upon the Area Councils may include those set out in the Fourth Schedule to this Constitution and, where so conferred, shall be performed outside the Federal Capital City (FCC) and such areas as may be designated from time to time by the Minister in charge of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja”.
“The justification for this, according to the Minister, is that “Section 7 (5) as presently constituted gives room for duplicity of roles, conflicts and mismatches in planning, provision of infrastructure and service delivery in the Federal Capital Territory.
“The proposed amendment, the Minister explained is aimed at addressing the aforementioned problems and achieving harmony between the FCTA and the Area Councils. The Area Councils, he continued are entitled to their Constitutional mandates. However, they should do that outside the Federal Capital City (FCC) and, as a matter of expediency, collaborate with the FCT Administration, to ensure harmony in the development of infrastructure and provision of amenities”.
Collaboration between the FCT Administration and the Area Councils, the Minister hinted that its necessary because the Federal Capital Territory is a planned modern project with a centralized planning system, cohesive infrastructural coordinates and interconnected engineering designs.
In proposing amendments to section 301 of the Constitution, the Minister submitted that Section 301(c) to read: “References to persons, offices and authorities of a State were references to the persons, offices, and authorities of the Federal Capital Territory Administration with like status, designations, and powers, respectively”.
Justifying this submission, the Minister said “This current provision does not give full effect to Section 299 of the Constitution and as such requires an amendment that will effectively empower the Federal Capital Territory functionaries to discharge their statutory responsibilities including, but not limited to those specified by Presidential Order No. 1 of 2004.
Furthermore, Malam Bello added, “the proposed amendment will enable the Federal Capital Territory functionaries to assume the statutory roles assigned to certain Government functionaries under the Federal Capital Territory applicable laws as contained in the Schedule of the Federal Capital Territory Act”.
The Minister in his submission also proposed an amendment to the First Schedule Part 2 of the Constitution which is “Amend Area Council Headquarters for Abuja Municipal from Garki to a town outside the Federal Capital City.
On funding of infrastructure in the FCT, Malam Bello in his submission said “We propose that a definitive constitutional provision be made to ensure adequate and unhindered funding of the FCT through the creation of an FCT Infrastructure Development Fund, OR through a 1st line charge on the funds of the Federation or some other acceptable arrangement”.
The Minister further explained that this was essential considering the fact that Abuja, is home to an ever increasing number of Nigerians who have made the Territory their homes.
Of the 196 districts that make up the FCT, Malam Bello revealed that only 10 districts have been fully developed with infrastructure, 12 districts partially developed with 70 districts within the Federal Capital City undeveloped.
He said that with the rate of population growth, without a robust and well-structured funding arrangement, for the provision of and maintenance of infrastructure, the FCT might ultimately be birthing an urban slum.
Also present at the event were the FCT Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu and the Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Mr Olusade Adesola amongst other senior officials of the FCTA.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Malma Muhammad Musa Bello on Thursday led other top management staff of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to take their second dose of COVID-19 vaccine at FCTA Secretariat on Thursday in Area 11 Garki, Abuja.
He, however, called on FCT residents not to loose their guard because they have taken their second jab of COVID-19 vaccines .
According to him “Even though we are testing massively, but the incidences of positive cases have been coming low.
“But the fact that we have taken the vaccine, and a lot of our citizens have been inoculated or vaccinated doesn’t mean that we should loose our guard. Let’s continue to work very hard and pray to God almighty to continue to protect the FCT from COVID-19.
“Please let’s get vaccinated, because unless we get substantial number of our population fully vaccinated to the level whereby we can say the incidence of this particular disease have been conquered, we head no where.”
He further stated that , “I took my second dose of vaccination against COVID-19. I recall that I took the first jab on Thursday, 11th of March, 2021, and according to the health regulations, after twelve weeks I would have been due for the second jab which I took now.
“And I’m so pleased that from March 11 till date, when the FCT Administration rolled out its vaccination programme against COVID19, we have been able to vaccinate a substantial number of people, almost 98% of the doses allocated to the FCT.
“During the last few days, those who got the first jab have been taking their second one”, he stated.
He, however, assured that with the support of the very dedicated workers of the Health Secretariat, we will continue to work to ensure that every resident of the FCT is protected against COVID-19.
He said, he will continue to provide needed support in our hospital system, even if COVID-19 is over, at least it has helped us to improve on our capacity for oxygen.
“Already, our two oxygen plants have been almost concluded in rehabilitation. Going forward, I will appeal to all of you especially those of you in the health Secretariat to continue to work hard like you have done, and maintain all the facility that have been established for the purpose of this pandemic, so as to ensure that we will be very prepared”.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Thursday said Nigeria is dripping with bitterness and sadness in the wake of the insecurity and economic challenges facing the country.
This, according to him , is contrary to what God destined the country to be.
He said , God has created Nigeria to be a land flowing with milk and honey.
He spoke in Abeokuta, Ogun State on Thursday at the unveiling of a book authored by Femmy Carrena in his honour and titled “The Man, The General, The President”.
The book was reviewed by emeritus Prof. Michael Abiola Omolewa, a former Chairperson of UNESCO and the review was read at the event by Ndidi Amaka – Okafor.
Obasanjo noted that Nigeria has been destined to lead the black race, but “failure of leadership” has impeded the country from taking its place in the comity of developed nations.
GOtv Nigeria on Thursday announced that the Nigerian versus Cameroon friendly match will be available to GOtv customers on the Max and Jolli packages.
The match, which is scheduled for Friday, June 4, will be airing live on a special pop-up channel, SuperSport Nigeria Pop-Up (GOtv channel 35) at 7:30pm.
The Nigeria versus Cameroon friendly match was organized to help the Super Eagles stay in top shape ahead of the September World Cup qualifiers against Liberia and Cape Verde.
To ensure customers get to experience this match, GOtv has dedicated a special pop-up channel which will launch on Friday, 4th June at 6:20pm and close on Saturday, 5th June at 7:15pm.
“We know our GOtv customers will be looking forward to seeing the Super Eagles in action and we are thrilled to bring this match live to their screens with this special Pop-Up channel”, says MultiChoice Nigeria’s Chief Customer Officer, Martin Mabutho.
The game against the Indomitable Lions is the Super Eagles’ third international game in 2021 – with their last two outings being qualifiers for the Africa Cup of Nations. This will be the second clash in two years between Toni Conceicao’s men and Gernot Rohr’s team. The Super Eagles had the upper hand in their last encounter at the 2019 AFCON round of 16 in Alexandria.
Customers can reconnect their account to watch the Super Eagles in action on the GOtv Jolli package for only N2, 460 per month and on GOtv Max package for only N3, 600 per month.
Visit www.gotvafrica.com or download the MyGOtv app from your Apple and Google Play store to subscribe or upgrade your GOtv package to watch this match.
The Senate on Thursday hinted that it would use the 2014 Confab and the recommendations of the All-Progressives Congress Committee on True Federalism to review the 1999 Constitution.
While also stating that it will revisit and import into the amendment process, some bills in past constitution amendment that were not ratified by the House of Representative, State Houses of Assembly or assented to by the President.
The Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege said this while delivering the welcome address during a two-day national public hearing on review of the 1999 Constitution.
The exercise is aimed at further alteration to the provisions of the Constitution with a view to ensuring gender equity/increased women and vulnerable groups participation in governance, devolution of power, local government autonomy, and other 10 thematic concerns.
Senator Omo-Agege said that the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly “places high value on public participation in the law-making process.
And I assure you, this committee is strongly committed to its obligations to facilitate public involvement in the Constitution review process.”
He disclosed that the committee had received broad range of issues which it had at hand.
