Ahead 2011 Africa Youth Championship:Gambia coach sure of victory over Nigeria. How possible?

By Thenation sports reporter

Gambia U20 coach Lamin Sarr is confident that his team will triumph over Ghana and Nigeria after being drawn with the West African giants in the ‘Group of Death’ at the Africa Youth Championship.

The Gambia will also face Cameroon in Group B of the tournament to be held in Libya later this year.

Defending champions Ghana are regarded as the favourites in the group while Nigeria are continental giants in youth football.

But Sarr insists he is happy to have drawn with some tough countries and he is confident they will advance to the knock-out stages of the tournament

“I was expecting anything in the draw and as far as I am concerned this is a normal draw and I am very satisfied with it,” Sarr said.

“All the eight teams reached the finals on merit so there is no easy or difficult side.

“I am not scared of any team as far as football is concerned and we are going there to prove a point.”

The Gambia boss says they have set a target for the side to reach the last four and secure a place at the U-20 World Cup in Colombia.

“We just have to qualify for the semifinals if we hope to play at the World Cup in Colombia. I believe in my players ability to achieve this target,” said Sarr.

Ghana are the Africa champions and made history two years ago when they became the first-ever African side to win the U-20 World Cup.

Nigeria have won the competition a record five times, Ghana are three-time winners and Cameroon have won the competition once (1995), were losing finalists twice (1993, 2009) and were third in 1999.

A New Year prayer for Nigeria

By Miriam Ndikanwu

Thenation

Every new year, the Lagos State Government holds a prayer session to thank God for the year and His mercies. It has become a tradition to hold this interdenomination service to which the cream of society is invited. Clerics from the various denominations officiate at the event. This year’s service was held last Sunday at the Ikeja House, Alausa. The expansive field in the premises where the event was held was filled.

Leading the dignitaries was the host Governor Babatunde Fashola; assisted by his wife, Abimbola. 

In attendance were former Governor Bola Tinubu, Deputy Governor Sarah Sosan, former Governors Lateef Jakande, Ndubuisi Kanu; Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria Chief Henry Ajomale; Senator Olorunimbe Mamora; Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas; Chief Rasak Akanni Okoya; Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye; members of the state Executive Council and local government chairmen, among other dignitaries. 

The service started about 5pm when the guest minister and General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, arrived at  the venue with Fashola, Tinubu and a few other dignitaries. 

Bible lessons were read by Mrs Abimbola Fashola; Princess Sosan; the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Inumidun Akande, and the Deputy Speaker, Tola Badmus-Olujobi. 

Special prayers were offered for Fashola, religious harmony, successful and peaceful outcome of the general elections. 

The various choral groups from various parishes of the RCCG, Day Star, and House on the Rock, as well as Blessings and the Boys among others put up spectacular performances. They added colour to the celebration as they rendered songs to the admiration of the audience. 

In his sermon, Pastor Adeboye said there was the need to give thanks to the Almighty God for sparing our lives to cross over to a new year.  

He buttressed his point with some tragedies that happened last year, adding:“Those of us still living were kept by His mercy and not because we are better than those who lost their lives in the unfortunate incidents.”

He said the irony of it all is that some people consider their situation as most critical. What they fail to realise is that their situation is still better than that of other people.  

Pastor Adeboye said God Almighty has remained faithful to Nigeria over the years by ensuring that evil doers do not triumph over the country. 

Earlier, Fashola sued for peace and brotherly co-existence among residents.

The governor said while the different modes of worship distinguish people, it should never divide them or sever the common bond of humanity that is represented by the fact that they share the same water, hospitals, market and ride the same buses. 

“Our consumption of meat, the giving and taking of money, transfusion of blood for medical emergencies are not distinguished by religious distinctions. Our drinking of water is blind to our faith,’’ he said. 

He reiterated that religious preferences are matters of choice and freewill which the Creator gave to all mankind without conditions. 

He listed some of the ways by which humanity can be promoted as renewing and enriching those values that promote the dignity of man and avoiding those that diminish man. 

“We must seek to enjoy life and its pleasures with restraint on one hand and plenty of love at every time. By love, I mean respect and care, compassion, empathy and values of that type. 

“It is the abundance of such values that will enrich our state and nation. They will transform our electoral processes from a do-or-die affair to a legitimate expression of desire for public service and leadership of God’s people.

“It is the abundance of such values that will reduce the incidence of insecurity that is characterised by the kidnapping of adults and children in desperation for money, an act that diminishes us as a people. It is the abundance of those values that will make us better followers of our leaders and invest us with the prerequisite moral platform to challenge their shortcomings,” he declared. 

Prominent among the officiating ministers  were:Prelate of the Methodist Church Dr Sunday Makinde; Anglican Archbishop of Lagos Diocese Rev Ephraim Ademowo; the General Overseer of the Foursquare Gospel Church, Rev Felix Meduoye; Pastor Taiwo Odukoya; Rev Mercy Ezekiel; Pastor Paul Adefarasin; Rev Sam Adeyemi and Prophet S.K. Abiara.

Nigeria Closes Schools For Voters' Registration

Story by Toly Timi (email - tolytimi@yahoo.com)

worldstagegroup.

 

The Federal Government of Nigeria on Thursday announced the extension of resumption date for primary and secondary schools across the country to February 4.

The extension would also affect pupils in privately owned schools.

This followed a request by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that the date be shifted ahead of the voters’ registration exercise in which majority of the schools are likely to be used as registration centres.

Announcing the extension in Abuja at a media briefing, Minister of State for Education, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi noted that the action became necessary in order “to accede to the request of INEC.”

He disclosed that “INEC wrote a letter requesting that we shift the resumption date from the 7th of January to the 4th of February and as you know, the government and the people of this country have paid a lot of premium to the issue of election and as a result, anything will be done to make sure that we do not have any excuse for Nigerians at the end of the election.

“We have directed that all schools in the country both private and public remain closed, the resumption will now be on the 4th of February, 2011.

“This resumption date has nothing to do with universities across the country. It is for primary and secondary schools nationwide and it include both private and public schools.”

He explained that the Ministry of Education had semi-oversight function over schools whether public or private noting that the voters’ registration period is a very sensitive period which involves movement materials.

“We do not want to discriminate between private schools and public schools as a result of which we have asked them to close for this period.

“Nothing will be too small for the benefit of the proper registration which will culminate into a proper election and for the greatness of the country hence we have created a level land to ensure for smooth registration.”

On whether government was making any provision to take care of the academic days that would be missed in the course of the registration, the Minister intimated stressed that government would find a way to ensure that the extension would be amended..

“We have decided to close down schools. Most of these schools will be used as registration centres nationwide and we do not want the interference of our children to create more difficult situation in the country and as a result, we have asked that the schools be closed down and we will make amend for this period that we have altered the calendar.

On the fate of the students preparing for the senior secondary examination, he said that “however, we should note that we have students who are in the thick of preparing for their examination . We have asked these ones to remain in school more particularly so as their numbers will not in any way affect what we are doing with INEC with regards to making available the schools for purposes of registration.”

Former Nigerian Minister Takes Leadership Of UN Agency

NIGERIAN HIV FIGHTER TAKES OVER

AS CHIEF OF UN POPULATION FUND

By Admin- Accramail

A former Nigerian health minister with wide experience in fighting HIV/AIDS has taken over the leadership of the United Nations agency charged with assisting countries with reproductive and maternal health, and population development.

Babatunde Osotimehin, who has also served as African spokesperson for the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, became the fourth Executive Director of the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) on 1 January, succeeding Thoraya Ahmed Obaid.

UNFPA supports countries in using population data for policies and programmes to reduce poverty and to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every birth is safe, every young person is free of HIV, and every girl and woman is treated with dignity and respect.

When announcing the Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's appointment in November last year, his spokesperson said that Dr. Osotimehin will bring a wealth of experience and passion to the work of UNFPA, coupled with extensive knowledge and understanding of the global and national framework and processes that are critical to the work of UNFPA.

His predecessor at UNFPA, Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, had said, “Dr. Osotimehin's qualifications and extensive experience position him well to lead the global agenda for population and development and to promote the right to sexual and reproductive health.”

Previously serving as Nigeria's Minister of Health from December 2008 to March 2010, Dr. Osotimehin has also served as Director-General of his country's National Agency for the Control of HIV and AIDS. He was a Visiting Fellow at the Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies, and has held several senior posts at the University of Ibadan. In recognition of his contributions, especially as a leader of Nigeria's response to HIV and AIDS, he was awarded the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger in 2005.

Niger delta election: More Than 20,000 Nigerian Police Deployed

Niger delta election: More Than 20,000 Nigerian Police Deployed, BBC.

More than 20,000 Nigerian police have been deployed to the oil-rich Niger Delta, where elections for a state governor are being held. 

The result of the last election, in 2007, has been annulled because of voting irregularities.

Last week, there were bomb attacks on political rallies in Delta State. 

The president of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, has campaigned on behalf of Emanuel Uduaghan, who was governor until the annulment. 

Correspondents say the election will test the president's support in a key state, ahead of general elections in April.

Delta state is re-running the election after an appeals court overturned Mr Uduaghan's election in November.

Police, riot police and military bomb disposal units have been deployed to ensure the security of the polls.

"It is the largest contingent ever deployed for a state election," Delta State police spokesman, Charles Muka told the AFP news agency.

President Goodluck Jonathan, who is from the Niger Delta, on Tuesday flew from Abuja to the state to support the campaign of Mr Uduaghan, who is from the ruling People's Democratic Party.

Nollywood Actor, Mr. Ibu’s Wife, Kids Kidnapped

Nollywood actor, Mr. Ibu’s wife, kids kidnappe

N50m ransom demanded, By AZUH AMATUS

Heavily armed men suspected to be kidnappers, yesterday night, invaded the Agbani Road, Enugu State home of top actor/comedian, John Okafor, popularly known as Mr. Ibu and abducted his wife and three children.

The abductors who came in a BMW car later released two of his children, a boy and girl, but were still holding the wife and one of the sons as at the time of filing this report. Daily Sun gathered that the kidnappers who immediately opened a communication line with the popular entertainer’s family were demanding a N50 million ransom before those currently being held captive would regain their freedom.

Confirming the ugly incident, devastated Mr. Ibu from Nkanu, Enugu State, who spoke via phone, condemned the act and pleaded with the kidnappers to immediately release his wife and son without any further delay. “I was at an event yesterday in Enugu when I got a call that my wife and children had been kidnapped by some heavily armed youths. I was also told the abductors came to my house in a BMW car and started trailing my family members since morning.

They later released two of my children, a boy and girl, but are still holding my wife and one of my sons. They are demanding N50 million ransom. Where on earth will I get such a huge amount from? God in heaven knows I do not have such amount of money anywhere in this world,” lamented the star of several Nollywood films, in an emotion-laden voice.

Crestfallen Mr. Ibu, who equally told Daily Sun the abduction was immediately reported at the Enugu State Police Command, went further to blame some politicians, whom he accused of arming innocent, frustrated and jobless youths with dangerous weapons, because of their greed for power.

“If you ask me to comment more on this incessant issue of kidnapping, I will blame it on desperate politicians who are the ones arming these jobless youths. My family and friends are praying that God should touch the hearts of these kidnappers so that they can release my wife and son immediately without any harm or ransom. I also want to thank the Enugu Police Command; they have been of immense help since the kidnap took place.”

Hilarious Ibu, one of the leading names in the nation’s motion picture industry, joined Nollywood as a production hand, before hitting it big as a comic star. He’s well-travelled with over 100 hit films to his credit, among them the blockbuster comedy, Mr. Ibu. Also reacting, top Nollywood Director/Producer, Mr. Theodore Anyanji, condemned the act in its entirety and urged the kidnappers to immediately set free, “an innocent mother and her hapless son.”

Sanusi Named World's Best Central Bank.

 Sanusi Named World's Best Central Bank.

This is An Article Written by Emele Onu for Thisday

The global financial intelligence magazine, The Banker, has conferred double awards on the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.

The awards are: World Central Bank Governor of the Year and African Central Bank Governor of the Year.

 

The Banker, a publication of the Financial Times of London, United Kingdom, noted in a release yesterday, signed by the Country Representative, Nigeria Office of the renowned magazine, Mr. Kunle Ogedengbe, that in the last 18 months Malam Sanusi has been in office, he has salvaged a crumbling Nigerian financial sector, including implementing reforms that have put Africa's most promising market back on the map for investors globally.

Editor of the magazine, Mr. Brian Caplen, noted in the 2011 January edition of The Banker, billed to be distributed at the World Economic Forum, Davos, Switzerland, that a few candidates' names can generate an overall consensus on judging panels and yet, when it came to finding the best global central bank governor of the year, Sanusi was chosen unanimously.

Sanusi, has been globally and locally acclaimed as a reformist that saved the Nigerian banking system from collapse, at a time it seemed all was not well with the industry.

The CBN governor had shortly after his assumption of duty in July 2009 initiated an examination of the 24 banks in the country. The examination showed 10 banks as grossly lacking in one or all of the test areas capital adequacy, liquidity and corporate governance.

The CBN governor removed the executive managements of eight of the banks and replaced them with CBN appointees, following which he rescued the intervened banks with a N620 billion bailout and launched full blown banking reforms encapsulating the setting up of asset management company, recapitalisation and the abolition of universal banking, among others.

 

Caplen stressed that Sanusi embarked on a radical anti-corruption campaign aimed at saving the 24 banks from the brink of collapse and pressed for the managers involved in the most blatant cases of corruption to be charged and convicted where found guilty.

 

"Despite the big challenge of facing up to powerful people, who held considerable sway in the country, Sanusi never looked back and got the support of the public as they were made aware of the scale of corruption, which made the public to support the change he promoted.

"Another key reform of the banking sector introduced by Sanusi has been to limit the tenure of bank CEOs to a maximum of 10 years. They will have to leave office at the end of their term regardless of their record. This policy has already led to change of leadership at UBA, Zenith and Skye banks," he added.

The editor said that the reforms initiated by Sanusi had been hailed as necessary to sanitise the banking industry and that observers had argued that, had these reforms not been initiated, Nigeria would have entered into another round of banking distress.

According to The Banker, the implementation of stricter disclosure policy by the CBN had also led to a culture of greater transparency in the sector.

The magazine noted that the reforms of Sanusi are to enhance the quality of the Nigerian banks, establish financial stability in the system, provide enabling and healthy financial-sector evolution as well as ensuring that the financial sector contributes to the real sector rather than just serving the banking sector alone.

The Banker, a publication of Financial Times Newspaper, which is regarded as the most influential newspaper in the world, is a global financial intelligence magazine published since 1926.

It is the definitive publication that provides guide to bank ratings and analysis globally and the definitive reference on international banking for finance experts, governments, chief finance officers, CEOs, Central Bank governors, finance ministers, and other decision makers globally.

According to the Global Capital Markets Surveys (GCMS), the only independent media benchmarking study available in the capital markets industry and provides insight into who reads what at the world's financial institutions, amongst monthly finance titles globally The Banker is number one in capital markets, EMEA region and bank as well as financial institutions.