Nigeria’s World Cup qualification and the media

Nigeria’s World Cup qualification and the media

— 21st October 2017

By George Aluo

Who says winning in the round leather game called football is not the best thing to happen to any country. Even if this assertion is not universally true, nothing can be truer than it in this clime called Nigeria.

Since last week when the Super Eagles qualified for the Russia 2018 World Cup, the country has largely been on the same page with every Tom, Dick and Harry celebrating and eulogizing the players that performed the feat.

For once, everybody is proud to be a Nigerian. During the Eagles game against Zambia, nobody talked about where a particular player hailed from. All we wanted was result. It didn’t matter if the team’s Franco German tactician, Gernot Rohr had fielded all Ijebu or Kalabari players. All we were interested in was let us land in Russia in style. The Eagles got the job done with a Shehu Mohammed (a northerner) emerging the MVP, while an Alex Iwobi (a southerner) scored the winning goal.

Unknown to many, a good number of the stakeholders who had rolled out the drums today celebrating the country’s qualification are those who ab initio wanted to play the spoilers role, but for the patriotic decision of the media not to play along.

It must be pointed out here that if there is any sector of our national life where the Pull Him Down (Phd) syndrome thrives very well, it is in the area of sports, especially football. Be that as it may, the incumbent board of NFF has an avalanche of enemies, who had vowed to stop them from succeeding. Most of these enemies had the backing of those in government…I don’t want to mention their names.

But this writer has not forgotten what some people said about Nigeria and the World Cup project. Their earlier submission that it would amount to sheer waste of time for Nigeria to be in Russia. This writer still recalled that some people believed Nigeria had no business being at the World Cup.

“That competition (World Cup) stinks of corruption; Nigeria is too poor to waste money on it. The cup that we can win is the African Cup of Nations. There is nothing again that will take us to another man’s balcony in the name of the World Cup. We already have the Commonwealth Games and the Olympics…we can attend such meets. I am opposed to the World Cup. Conspiracy in the World Cup is too much.” Nigerians have not forgotten who fired the above salvos when the battle for the soul of the NFF Glass House was raging.

Hear another of such salvos when the NFF hired Rohr: “I am not aware we have a new coach. Those who hired him are on their own…” Nigerians, who follow football, know who made these statements and the new tune they are singing now that we are Russia bound.

It would be recalled that the NFF President, Pinnick Amaju and his team knew no sleep when the World Cup qualifiers got underway in Ndola, Zambia. The soccer federation’s second Vice President, Shehu Dikko was to be arrested when he returned from Zambia with the Eagles. The man escaped because the band of supporters, who traveled to Zambia with Eagles ensured the police did not whisk him away at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja.

All efforts made by the “enemies” of Nigerian football to recruit the sporting press on their side were rebuffed.

This writer, alongside many of my colleagues had been accused of being on the payroll of Amaju, no thanks to the unwavering support he enjoyed from the media. While, I may not be able to speak for others, as a person, I know I m not on any persons payroll in the NFF.

The decision to support Amaju was purely on national interest and to the glory of God, that decision yielded dividend with the qualification of Nigeria for the World Cup, which is the world’s biggest single sports fiesta.

If the media had backed those who wanted Amaju out by fire by force, today, the country would have been the loser. That Nigerian football was not plunged into another round of crisis was because the media stood solidly by the Itsekiri born football buff called Amaju. Like him or not, Amaju has passion for the game. He is a young man that wants to take Nigerian football to the next level. He has a clear vision of where he wants to take Nigerian football to…so it behooves on all of us to support him in the interest of the nation. Those who want to take over the Glass House should wait for the next election, which would come up after the World Cup in Russia. If football stakeholders feel there is need for a change of guard, why not. What some of us don’t like is the idea of some people playing the spoilers’ role, a situation that does not help the country. That Nigeria did not qualify for the 2006 World Cup under Ibrahim Galadima was because of the same “show spoilers” role played by some people.

When Pinnick went for Gernot Rohr, some of us have not forgotten what some of those now celebrating our World Cup qualification said. When the NFF wanted to move Super Eagles games to Uyo, we know the politics that played out. We also know how the same people infiltrated the NFF board, ostensibly to destabilize it. We know the tacit support that was given to those who wanted to use the judiciary to truncate the nation’s football administration.

However, the NFF board (Amaju and his men) on their part must realize that they must be ready to justify the confidence reposed in them by the media. It must not be business as usual in the way the game is being run.

To keep enjoying the support of some of us (I want to repeat…not paid for) they must be transparent and carry every genuine stakeholder that can positively contribute to the development of Nigerian football along.

The soccer federation has of late attracted new corporate sponsors. To keep them and attract more, there must be financial transparency. In this era that money from government is no longer flowing, the way to go is corporate sponsorship. And as we all know, football is a big business in other climes. That is what it should be in Nigeria.

The biggest challenge facing Nigerian football is that of administration.

It is time to start getting it right. If FIFA, CAF and their affiliates in other countries are swimming in cash without depending on any government for money to fund their activities, one does not see any reason why the story would be different in Nigeria.

More importantly, to be autonomous and out of government control, as those running the game would want, the NFF must be able to bankroll its activities. The NFF cannot be asking for government money and expect those in government to watch the money “being shared” without asking questions or demanding for their own cut.

On the whole, to the glory of God, Nigeria has landed in Russia. Should every football stakeholder be on the same page, going far at the Mundial come next year, won’t be a mission impossible for the Eagles. We have got a bunch of young and talented players who are eager to make name. Just like Sebastian Broderick and his boys did at the Japan 93 FIFA JVC U-17 World Cup, the Eagles can spring the mother of all surprises in Russia by winning the World Cup.

Like Americans would say…Yes, we can! If only those who would later start taking credit for the job they did not do or help its course would allow the FA to be. Some of us wouldn’t want to know if the NFF budget is well “spend” or not ahead of the soccer show piece.

Produce Nnamdi Kanu in court of face jail, court tells lawmaker

— 17th October 2017

From: Godwin Tsa, Abuja

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, and two others standing as sureties for the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, to produce him in court and explain the IPOB leader’s whereabouts or forfeit the N100 million bail bond and face jail term.
This order equally applied to the two other sureties who stood bail for Kanu.
Nnamdi kanu’s whereabouts is yet to be known following the invading of his home in Umuahia by men of the Nigerian army, under the Operation Python Dance II.
The Federal Government is arraigning Kanu and three others before a Federal High Court in Abuja on a five count criminal charge bordering on treasonable felony.
He was however granted bail by the judge on April 24, 2017, on health grounds by Justice Binta Nyako.
Those who stood sureties for him were the Chairman of the Senate’s South East Caucus, Enyinnaya Abaribe; a Jewish priest, Immanuu-El Shalom and an accountant and Abuja resident, Tochukwu Uchendu.
Before Tuesday’s  proceeding, the federal government in one of the applications has asked the court to revoke the bail granted to Kanu, which appeared to have been allegedly breached by the IPOB leader since he was allowed to go home on bail.
When the case came up, Kanu was absent in court while his three other pro- Biafra agitators standing trial with him, Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu, David Nwawuisi and Bright Chimezie were produced in court by prison officials.
His counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, told the judge that his client had been missing after soldiers allegedly invaded the IPOB leader’s home‎ on September 14, 2017, adding that the Nigerian Army was in the best position to produce the defendant.
Meanwhile, a lawyer, Mr. Ogechi Ogunna, who appeared for Abaribe, informed the court that his client had filed a motion seeking to be discharged as Kanu’s surety.
But ‎the two other sureties, Immanuel Shalum Okabenmabu and Tochukwu Uchendu, were absent from court and not represented by any lawyer on Tuesday.
Responding to Abaribe’s application, Justice Nyako said his motion could not be heard until Kanu was produced in court.
Justice Nyako handed down three three options for Senator Abaribe’s to fulfil.
One of the options was for Abaribe to produce the defendant in court and then apply to be discharged as a surety.
The other option the judge gave was for Abaribe to be ready to forfeit his N100m bail bond.
While the third option ‎was for Abaribe to request to be given time to produce the defendant in court.
Abaribe’s counsel, Ogunna replied saying, “he (Abaribe) is not in a position to do any of these.”

However the judge insisted that Abaribe must opt for one of the three options.

With the judge’s insistence, Ogunna opted to be given time to produce him.

The two other sureties were not represented I court on Tuesday.

Earlier, prosecuting counsel, Mr. Shuaibu Labaran, noting that Kanu was not present in court, urged the judge to revoke defendant’s bail, order for his arrest, and direct the defendants’ three sureties “to show cause why the bail bond of N100m entered into by each shall not be forfeited or they be committed to prison.”
The trial was been adjourned until November 20.
Meantime, Abaribe had in his application that has FG as the 1st respondent, said he “lacks capacity to produce a person stated by the 1st Respondent to be a member of a terrorist organisation, or any persin whom the 1st respondent is reported to be interested in his whereabouts including the aftermat of the military operations in Abia state which commenced about 11th September, 2017”. He specifically prayed the court for an order “discharging the applicant as surety of the 1st/2nd respondent, and discharging the recognizance entered into by the applicant, and to discharge the applicant from the entire incidence of the bail of Nnamdi Kanu- the 1st defendant/2nd respondent in charge No. FHC/Abj/CR/383/2015: Federal Republic of Nigeria v Nnamdi Kanu, Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu, David Nwawisi. As well as, “An order discharging the bond executed by the applicant for the bail of the 1st Defendant/2nd Respondent in charge No. FHC/Abj/CR/383/2015: Federal Republic of Nigeria v Nnamdi Kanu, Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu, David Nwawisi and refunding the sum of N100, 000, 000.00 (one hundred million naira only) or any other sum paid into this honourable court or undertaken to this honourable court sequel to the bail of the 2nd respondent”. FG has already filed its own counter motion where it insisted that the federal lawmaker, having vouched for the IPOB leader, must produce him before the court for trial. Meanwhile, two former Aviation Ministers, Chief Osita Chidoka and Femi Fani-Kayode were in court to show solidarity to the “missing” IPOB leader. Speaking to newsmen after the proceeding, Chidoka who is a gubernatorial aspirant in Anambra state, urged the National Assembly to investigate what transpired during the Operation Python Dance II the Army conducted in the South East. Chidoka said he did not believe there was any form of insurrection in the region to warrant deployment of soldiers by FG. On his part, Fani-Kayode asked the Nigerian Army to produce Kanu who he said was only fighting for his constitutionally guaranteed right to self determination. “It is very clear to us that something must have happened to him and I am deeply concerned. If he is indeed in custody of the Army, they should let us know. If he is dead, let them release his dead body. “I call on the Nigerian military to stop this charade. If Kanu is with you, please release him. “The allegation that 28 persons were killed by the military in Kanu’s compound is unacceptable and I say shame on those that may not know Kanu but hear about all these allegations and still stay on the fence. I say shame on them. We are men of courage and we are here today”, Fani-Kayode who wore Igbo chieftaincy attire with a matching red cap, added. Kanu is facing four out of the five count amended charge that borders on treasonable felony, criminal conspiracy and alleged illegal importation of radio transmitters into Nigeria for the dissemination of hate messages. FG, among other things, alleged that Kanu had “on or about the 28th April, 2015 in London, United Kingdom did in a broadcast on Radio Biafra monitored in Enugu, Enugu state and other parts of Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, referred to Major General Muhammadu Buhari, GCON, President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a paedophile, a terrorist, an idiot and an embodiment of evil, knowing same to be false and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 375 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C. 38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004″.

Police’ll continue to raid IPOB leader’s family house –CP

Police’ll continue to raid IPOB leader’s family house –CP

— 13th October 2017

From Chuks Onuoha, Umuania

Commissioner of Police (CP) in Abia State, Anthony Michael Ogbizi, has said the police will continue to visit the country home of leader of proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB),  as long as they keep getting intelligence reports that arms are being stockpiled there.

Ogbizi stated this yesterday, when he interacted with newsmen at the Police Officers Mess, Factory Road, Umuahia.

The CP reacted over  a raid on Kanu’s home, last Sunday.

He said all items recovered there were itemised and marked as exhibits and that nothing was stolen during the joint military/police operation there.

He  said the police and army had intelligence report about the building and those around it, which made them storm the house that day.

Ogbizi said during the raid, lethal materials were recovered including Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) such as petrol bombs, double barrel rifles, IPOB staff of office, insignia and some vital documents.

He also said they arrested a suspected technician of the group, while some documents, “which we are perusing, contain vital information about the group, which we are going to investigate thoroughly.

“We even noticed a Biafran flag mounted on top of a telecommunication mast, very close there. We are going to the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) through which we are going to sanction all telecommunication operators whose mast are being used to hoist such flags.”

Ogbizi also disclosed they are investigating all telephone conversations between IPOB leaders, including text messages.

“We are going to go after all those who are found culpable, they should stop hiding to give the public false information.”

He noted that the joint military operation is targeted at curbing IPOB activities as leaving them could lead to them carrying arms, which may lead to chaos.

On the issue of police excesses, the Abia CP said the media should find a way to reach the CP or the area commanders to tell them what their men are doing. “After making the report, you leave the rest to us and see what we are going to do.”

Ogbizi seized the forum to solicit for the support of newsmen in the state, saying newsmen cover more areas than the police. “We need your support for the police in the state to do their work well.”

He announced that he will be holding a stakeholders meeting with all concerned in the state, including traditional rulers, town unions, president generals of various communities as well as student unions, on the way forward as regards security.

The new CP said his aim in the state is to reduce crime rate to the barest minimum, stressing that in no distant time, residents of the state will be free to walk the streets of the state without fear or any form of harassment from hoodlums.

On the upcoming Christmas period, Ogbizi said the command is ready to combat crime and ensure the safety of those who are living in the state and those who may be coming in to spend holidays.

Hold President Buhari, Ohanaeze, Southeast governors responsible if we take up arms – IPOB

The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, on Monday said President Muhammadu Buhari and the five governors of the south eastern states were working hard to criminalize it despite its non-violent stand.

In a press release signed by Emma Powerful, media and publicity secretary of the group, he said the Buhari administration and the five governors were worried that despite the brazen provocation and attack against its leader and members, the group had remained non-violent.

It said that President Buhari should be blamed if the group decided to shed its non-violent stand and take to arms as it has been pushed beyond limit.“It was the Nigerian government and her security operatives that brought violence into the Biafra agitation not IPOB. Should IPOB decide to engage in armed struggle at a future date, the world must hold the government of Buhari, Igbo governors and Ohanaeze Ndigbo responsible.

“We always held peaceful rallies and protests all around major cities across Biafraland without any violent incident or objection from the masses, but they decided to tag us terrorists in order to justify the violent crackdown on innocent Biafran populations. Our happiness is that today the world can see that IPOB is innocent and have totally vindicated us,” he said.

The group which referred to the governors and the leadership of Ohaneze Ndigbo as political contractors said they were envious of IPOB’s popularity and the demonstrable feat it had achieved in the struggle.

31 monkey pox cases in Lagos, Ekiti, Ogun, others

Monkey pox, which started with an index case in Bayelsa on September 22, has spread to six other states, including Lagos.

There are 31 cases, the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said yesterday.

NCDC National Coordinator/Chief Executive Officer Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu listed the states as Bayelsa, Rivers, Ekiti, Akwa Ibom, Ogun and Cross River.

He said   samples had been collected from each suspected case for laboratory confirmation.

Said Ihekweazu: “It is unlikely that many of the    suspected cases are actually monkey pox, but all are being    investigated.”

He said all the suspected   cases were receiving medical    care and the patients improving clinically in their    various states.

Ihekweazu said the centre    had activated an Emergency    Operation Centre (EOC)    to    coordinate the outbreak    investigation and response    across the affected states.    “The EOC is currently supporting    state    ministries    of Health in their response to the outbreak through active case finding, epidemiological investigation and contact tracing. Measures have been put in place to ensure effective sample collection and    testing to enable laboratory    confirmation. Risk communication activities have been    heightened to advise the    public on preventive measures. All 36 states and the    FCT have been notified for    preparedness,” he explained.

The Lagos State Government confirmed yesterday that it had recorded two suspected cases and appealed to residents to remain calm and vigilant.

Commissioner for Health Dr. Jide Idris told reporters that the two suspected cases were being investigated.

“Though no confirmed case has been recorded, there is need to sensitise members of the public and provide adequate information on measures for prevention and control of the disease in line with the policy of the state government,” he said.

Idris said the two suspected cases were recorded in a private hospital which he did not name.

He added that one of the suspected cases just came from Bayelsa State and ate bush meat.

Idris said the two suspected cases had been quarantined in their various houses pending the result of the investigation.

The commissioner said in the wake of this outbreak, the government was reiterating the need for members of the public to observe and maintain a high standard of personal and environmental hygiene at all times as part of the precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the disease to the State.

He urged the public to be vigilant and report any suspected case of the disease to the nearest public health facility or the Directorate of Disease Control in the Ministry of Health.

“Also, health workers are advised to practise universal safety precautions in the management of suspected or confirmed cases, wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment when attending to cases, wash hands after each contact with patient or contaminated materials while surveillance system must be strengthened.

“The state government has mobilised the Disease Surveillance Officers in the 57 LGAs and LCDAs in the state and health workers in both public and private health facilities have been placed on high alert,” Idris said.

Idris called on residents to remain calm and go about their businesses without fear as the government had put in place adequate measures to effectively prevent and control the spread of the infection to the state.

“In case of any suspected case of Monkey Pox, the Lagos State Ministry of Health should be notified through the following mobile lines: 08037170614, 09087106072,” the commissioner said.

IPOB declares sit-at-home in Anambra, November 18

IPOB declares sit-at-home in Anambra, November 18

— 9th October 2017

The Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) has declared sit-at-home in Anambra State on November 18, 2017 in protest and boycott of the governorship election in the state.

The group said that election boycott was the only legitimate tool left in the hands of the oppressed people to register its displeasure with the alleged ongoing genocide in its land.

A statement by the Media and Publicity Secretary of IPOB Emma Powerful said that Biafrans in Anambra must not only stay at home on that day, but must also make sure those around them do not vote on November 18, because if they vote, Nigeria will never again take Biafra agitation serious.

The speech states: “We want to bring to the notice of IPOB members in Biafraland particularly those in Anambra State that November 18 gubernatorial election is the day of destiny for all lovers of freedom. Every genuine Biafran desiring of freedom for Biafra from this Islamic bondage of Hausa Fulani caliphate called Nigeria, must not only stay at home on that day, but must also make sure those around them do not vote. November 18, 2017 is a date with history”.

“If we Biafrans succeed in demonstrating before international observers that we are serious about our freedom by locking down Anambra State on that day, the world will be in no doubt that Biafra is unstoppable. Our destiny is firmly in our hands. We must teach corrupt Igbo politicians that money cannot buy IPOB because we are special breed untainted by the corrupt tendencies of Nigerian politics. Locking down Anambra State will pave the way for IPOB to announce a date for substantive referendum later next year with or without the approval of Nigeria”

“Events in Catalonia and Kurdistan havde pointed the way forward for we Biafrans because it was clearly demonstrated by both nations that we can call for and conduct our referendum with or without the cooperation of Nigeria. Election boycott is the only legitimate tool left in the hands of we oppressed people to register our displeasure with the ongoing genocide in our land, arbitrary arrests, torture and reign of saboteurs in government houses across Biafraland. If we vote, Nigeria will never again take Biafra agitation serious”.