Sunday, 26 August 2012

Soyinka, Tinubu advocate fresh ideas at book launch

Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka has launched the book entitled “Financialism:Water from an Empty Well” in Chicago, Illinois, United States with an advice to African leaders for a rethink of economic programmes, away from the ‘orthodox assumptions and givens under which their economies have taken a severe beating”. The rethinking as the professor of literature said becomes even more urgent with the collapse of the dominating economies of Europe and America.
The book launch took place Saturday 25 August, at the Rainbow Push Headquarters in Chicago , USA with Rev. Jesse Jackson as the host. The book was co-authored by former governor of Lagos state and national leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Brian Browne, former US consul general in Nigeria.
Soyinka launches the book, Financialism
Presenting the book to an audience consisting of two Nigerian governors, former American diplomats, civil rights leaders led by Rev. Jesse Jackson, Nigerian professionals from Chicago and around America and Canada, Nigerian lawmakers, council chairmen and youths, Soyinka warned that it is dangerous for leaders who were economic illiterates to insist that they are literate and end up placing their countries on the path of economic perdition. According to Soyinka one of such leaders ruled Nigeria for about 8 years recently and only succeeded in multiplying Nigeria’s economic woes.
“ I have no qualms declaring that I am not fully economic literate, that is why I leave it to the experts to figure out. I am not in the least embarrassed or ashamed to acknowledge myself an economic illiterate. This is quite unlike a former Head of State who was thus dubbed and never forgave his perceptive analyst, even after his death. That economist was my late friend, Professor Ojetunde Aboyade,” the only specialist, Soyinka said he relied upon for his economic insights.
Soyinka acknowledged the authors as key figures in the unfolding world where the book they have both written opens a new window in our understanding of how the world’s financial system is architectured to the disadvantage of some people.
“The skewed world of economics needs to be challenged, a world where the umbilical cord between produce and tally-card was slashed when no one was looking, and the latter has come to be a thing-in-itself, empowering a parasitic class of finance controllers who place the mere tally over and above the material goods – yet succeed in making the rest of the world fall in line! The collapse of the dominating economies of Europe and America is a call for re-thinking, away from orthodox assumptions and givens, under which satellite economies in a distant continent like ours have taken a severe beating, whether or not their governments choose to admit it”.
Rev. Jesse Jackson who moderated the book launching and signing said it was time both the African and African –American perspectives fuse into one because both are challenged by similar issues. He welcomed the fact that the exposition in the book raises fundamental issues and goes further to provide answers as to why Africans and African –Americans live under a discriminatory economic system.
Asiwaju Tinubu, who spoke earlier on, stated the rationale behind the writing of the book, which he located in the injustices of the present economic system and how the contradictions eventually caught up with the players who left the low level income earner and small businesses with the short end of the stick.” Productive capitalism relies on the discipline of the market place. What now occurs is that powerful actors exploit the license the market place affords them. In doing so, they endanger the very economies from which they unduly profit. In other words, they have emptied the well yet continue to seek to take water from it. These people practice a speculative brand of economics. My co-author and I have given this mutation of capitalism the name of “financialism.” Financialism is capitalism so shorn of all restraint that it cannibalizes itself”
Tinubu decried this wiping away of the earnings of this struggling segment of the society and explained why there must be a new thinking and approach on how to deal with this problem. According to Tinubu, “–Recurrent crises show that something is profoundly wrong with the global financial system. Unless we want to suffer these damaging jolts for the foreseeable future, we need to make systemic corrections. Both developed and emergent nations have committed the similar sin of turning what should be productive economies into factories of financial speculation that generate more financial paper than they do material products that real people can use to improve their living conditions”.
Tinubu gave an advice to Nigerian leaders: “Nigeria needs to be put to work. We have a lot of catching up to do. Asian governments support the industrialization of their economies. Wise European nations are starting to retool their industrial base. Nigeria cannot hope to achieve prosperity simply by exporting exhaustible natural resources. We must follow the historic route that all large nations have followed in reaching national prosperity. We must make, create and export what we make and create”.
Brian Browne, the co-author in his remarks argued that recession has put Black America into a structural recession. “The financial system has become over inflated to the point of killing the productive sector”.
Ambassador Howard Jeter who reviewed the book stated that the two perspectives from Africa and the United States offer an invaluable insight into the global financial structure and offers practical solutions and challenges what we know as impositions.
Governors Rauf Aregbesola and Abiola Ajimobi of Osun and Oyo states also lent their voices to the call for a more equitable global financial order.

Deji Bademosi, resigns his appointment with Channels Television

Deji Badamosi
 
 
Multiple award winning TV journalist, and one of the nation’s most talented broadcast journalists, Deji Bademosi, has resigned his appointment with Channels Television over what sources described as “irreconcilable differences” with the Chairman of the station, John Momoh.
Mr. Bademosi, who was Head of the television’s Political Desk, tweeted on Friday that he had quit his position at the station.
“My time with Channels Television has now ended. Looking to new challenges,” Mr. Bademosi, a Mass Communication graduate from the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, tweeted on Friday evening.
Both Mr. Bademosi and CHANNELS are reluctant to speak on the resignation of a reporter  who won several laurels for self and station.
When contacted on the phone Saturday, Mr. Bademosi, who was also Channels TV’s Head of Reportorial Team, said he’d rather not talk about the matter.
“I can only confirm that I resigned on Friday,” he said. “I don’t  want to say anything more because I remain grateful to CHANNELS for providing me the platform to showcase my skills.”
Mr. Momoh too confirmed the reporter’s departure. ”What’s wrong with someone resigning? Mr. Momoh told PREMIUM TIMES. “He’s tired of working here and has gone on to something else. It’s okay.”
Sources, however, say that the relationship between Mr. Bademosi, who had spent almost a decade at the organization, and Mr. Momoh has strained lately.
It was gathered that the last straw was when the management issued a directive, earlier in the week, that editors must get approval from Mr. Momoh, before assigning reporters to any assignment.
“The management ruled that editors must contact the chairman wherever he is in the world before assigning reporters to any assignment,” a highly placed official told PREMIUM TIMES Saturday.
“Things haven’t been rosy between him and the Channels management,” another source said.
"Before then, what led to the memo was a clash between the chairman and Deji.
“Deji had assigned a reporter to go and cover a PDP (Peoples’ Democratic Party) press conference in Ogun State,” the source added.
The press briefing was organized by the Bayo Dayo faction of the PDP, who are at loggerheads with the group led by former president Olusegun Obasanjo.
“While at the assignment, the personal assistant to the chairman called the reporter and asked him to leave the assignment and return to the office.
“The reporter refused,” the source said.
However, after the story, which had been approved by Mr. Bademosi and the controller of news, had been lined up in the bulletin for broadcast; the chairman’s assistant showed up again.
“The PA said that the chairman directed that the tape of the assignment be handed over to him, but they (Mr. Bademosi and the controller of news) refused.
“The chairman then personally came down and ordered that the tape be given to him. He confiscated the tape.
“Deji said that he could not work in an environment where editors do not have powers and must get approval from the chairman before any event is covered,” said the source, who added that Mr. Momoh attends editorial meeting and talks to editors “like babies.”
Mr. Momoh declined to comment on his directive that editors must seek his approval before detailing reporters to cover events.
“I think you should contact the director of news on that,” he said. ”I am the chairman of the company. I think you need to talk to the controller of news on that.”
But when one of the station’s two controller of news, Ambrose Okoh, was contacted, he denied knowledge of Mr. Bademosi’s resignation and the controversial directive by Mr. Momoh.
“I don’t have details of what you are talking about,” he said. “Come to the office on Monday so we can talk about it.”
Before his resignation, Mr. Bademosi anchored one of the most popular programmes on the station, ‘Politics Today’.

FIFA WOMEN’S UNDER-20 WORLD CUP FALCONETS AIM FOR VICTORY


FIFA WOMEN’S UNDER-20 WORLD CUP FALCONETS AIM  FOR VICTORY


A VICTORY against the Under-20 Women National Team of Italy will earn Nigeria the maximum three points and the top spot of group B at the on-going FIFA U-20 Women National Team in Japan.
Today  at the Univer Stadium in Kobe, Falconets of Nigeria battle Italy in one of the last group matches that will determine the teams to move into the quarter-final.
Out of two matches played, Nigeria has four points and are closely followed by Korea Republic with three points with Brazil and Italy having two points and a point respectively.
Interestingly, history is repeating itself today as both teams were at the 2004 edition of the age grade competition in Thailand, were drawn in group B and played the last match which ended 1-1.
This time around the girls are looking forward in shattering the history books by going for victory.
"We know what is at stake and we are not ready to bungle it. It is a win and nothing else so that others can know that we are in Japan for the trophy," Team Captain, Gloria Ofoegbu said.
Equally speaking, Deputy Captain, Ngozi Okobi said: "The team spirit has been reinvigorated after the 1-1 draw with Brazil.” The team will be in all green.
The girls have been grilled on how to convert set-pieces in training since arriving in Kobe from Saitama on Thursday afternoon.
Meanwhile Federation of International Football (FIFA) have appointed Qin Liang of China to take charge of the encounter which comes up 8.20am in Nigeria and 4.20pm in Japan. 
Born, on March 29, 1979, Liang who would be making her debut at the World Cup was at the centre when Norway defeated Canada 2-1 last Monday in Kobe.

Moses gets Wigan’s blessings


Roberto Martinez feels Wigan showed their intention to fill the void left by Victor Moses in their 2-0 win over Southampton.
Despite selling the young attacker - one of the key personnel in the Latics’ successfully beating the drop last season - to Chelsea, the club still managed to record a win at St Mary's with goals from Franco Di Santo and Arouna Kone.
Martinez said other members of his squad are now ready to step up, with the extra competitive edge aiding the team.
"I think the whole team took responsibility after losing Victor Moses. He leaves with our blessing. He has done everything he could to help our football club and with that he helped his career," the Spaniard told Sky Sports.
"He arrived aged 19 and you get really attached to him, but I think this group of players are desperate to fulfil his responsibility and his boots.
"We've got three games in this busy week. You're going to see a lot of players given an opportunity to show what they can do and that is a competitive edge we have in this group."
Martinez was also delighted with his side's performance in a tough atmosphere as Southampton hosted their first Premier League game in seven years in front of a near-capacity crowd.
"I think to say that I am pleased would be an understatement. I am very, very satisfied because we knew how difficult it would be and I thought the first half-an-hour showed that," he said.
"We started to keep the ball well, we opened up a few good opportunities and then to score two goals from open play away from home is always tremendous."

Jonathan, Obasanjo part ways?


Obasanjo  
Obasanjo
 
The emergence of President Goodluck Jonathan on the highest seat in the land has been largely credited to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, but the frosty relationship between the duo in the last one year is giving their loyalists a cause for worry, writes Remi Adelowo

It took the surprise visit of the Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, to the hilltop residence of former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo in Abeokuta, Ogun State, to arouse any suspicion that indeed, all may not be well between President Goodluck Jonathan and Obasanjo.
A further proof that Obasanjo may have distanced himself from the president was the widely reported outcome of the meeting between the former president and former military leader, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, in Abuja.
A joint statement issued by the two former leaders had suggested on the way forward to addressing the incessant security challenges in the country, while albeit insinuating that the president seems incapable of providing the right leadership at this critical period of the nation’s history. 
Originally planned as an incognito visit, it was a shocked Dickson, who on sighting newshounds after he stepped out of Obasanjo’s residence, searched for the right words to say on the reasons for his visit. Obviously laboring to sound convincing, the governor disclosed that he was simply on a courtesy visit to pay homage to the former president.
His aides had also reportedly told some journalists that the governor had come to solicit for the intervention of the former president on his (governor’s) alleged frosty relationship with lawmakers in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly.
Impeccable sources privy to the discussion between the governor and the former president, however, revealed that Dickson, at the instance of the Presidency, was on a fence-mending mission to repair the relationship between his godfather, Jonathan and Obasanjo, which despite denials by the principal characters, has almost completely broken down in recent times.
The governor, it was learnt, had allegedly pleaded with Obasanjo to join hands with the president in tackling the various challenges that the present administration has been battling with in the last two years. Dickson was also said to have worked on the emotions of the former president, reminding him on the roles he (Obasanjo) played in the emergence of Jonathan, both as acting president in 2009 and later as president in 2011.
In rounding up, Dickson told Obasanjo that now is the time that his support is most needed to stave off the several attacks directed at the president, particularly from influential political players from the North.
Wily as ever, Obasanjo according to sources, simply thanked the governor for the visit and said nothing more. “He was non committal to the requests of the governor, but promised to get back to him”, said a source.

Composition of PAC
The prelude to the thawed relationship between the erstwhile close allies started shortly after Jonathan was sworn-in as acting president following the death of late Umaru Yar’ Adua in April 2009. To chart an agenda and bring as many stakeholders as possible on board, Jonathan had inaugurated a Presidential Advisory Council (PAC), headed by former Army Chief and ex-Minister of Defence, Gen. Theophillus Danjuma, to come up with a blueprint for the fledlging administration. 
The council had as its members distinguished Nigerians, which included former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Professor Ben Nwabueze, to mention but a few.
Obasanjo, The Nation learnt, felt slighted that he was not consulted on the issue, but never broached this with the then acting president.  “He (Obasanjo) was not comfortable with Danjuma’s headship of the Council; you know his relationship with Danjuma has remained frosty since the latter quit his cabinet in 2006.”
The outcome of the 2011 general elections in which the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was swept away in all the South West states controlled by the party, according to sources, is also another bone of contention. Obasanjo, revealed another source, believed the president did not do enough to ‘support’ the party at the polls. “Right now, the man (Obasanjo) does not have a support base and he is blaming the president for this.”

The godfather palaver
Another complaint of the former president is the alleged refusal of the current president to seek his opinion on key national issues, but rather prefer the counsel of a prominent Ijaw leader, who is widely acknowledged as the president’s new godfather and an influential South-South politician.     

Cabinet reshuffle
 The first cabinet reshuffle carried out by President Jonathan in early 2011 was also cited as another grievance of Obasanjo. One of the former president nominees in the cabinet, Chief Jubril Martins-Kuye, who served as the Minister of Commerce and Industry was dropped, a decision that did not go down well with Obasanjo.

Alleged second term ambition
While the former president still feels proud that he played a significant role in ensuring power shift from the North to the South-South, he is, however, not comfortable with the alleged surreptitious moves by loyalists of the president urging him to contest for another term in office in 2015. Obasanjo wants power back in the North in 2015 to guarantee the political stability of the country, The Nation reliably gathered.

Early signs
The first early sign that the former president’s relationship with President Jonathan has not been cordial came when the former resigned his chairmanship of PDP Board of Trustees (BOT) early this year, citing the need to have more time to attend to his international engagements as the reason for his action.
Not a few Nigerians were also surprised when, at the last Council of States meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the former president quite unusually was conspicuously absent even though sources said he was in the country. The other ex-leaders absent at the meeting were Gen. Babangida, Gen. Yakubu Gowon and Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.
According to a source, “the former president is not hiding his displeasure with Jonathan; that explains why he has washed his hands off the affairs of the party and also stayed away from the Villa or calling the president to offer any advice.”
The icy relationship between the two men remains unresolved, just as the camp of the former president is allegedly working behind-the-scene to promote Governors. Sule Lamido/Rotimi Amaechi for the PDP presidential and vice-presidential tickets in 2015. The former president’s camp has since denied this report.

Osaze out injured


It would have been selection headache for Coach Stephen Keshi if he had named Osaze Odemwingie in his squad that will battle Liberia in next month's African Nations Cup qualifier. 
Reports Sunday informed that the Baggies ace, who was missing in the 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur  at the White Hart Lane, picked up a minor injury while in training at the close of last week thus forcing Steve Clarke to hand Marc-Antoine Fortune his first Baggies start of the season in a three-pronged attack. 
The extent of his injury was however not stated but it is expeted that the Nigerian, who will shake off from the injury, will miss the League Cup tie against Yeovil Town at the Huish Park Stadium but will be ready to fire West Brom as they host high-flyers Everton at the weekend.

Avoiding violence in Ondo election

Akeredolu, Oke and Gov. Mimiko Akeredolu, Oke and Gov. Mimiko
 

Politicians are beating the drums of war. Their followers are dancing to the peculiar tunes and fanning the embers of intolerance and discord.  Political campaigns create panic and tension, sending the wrong signal of do-or-die election. Steadily, a sense of fear of violence and electoral crisis is gradually being registered in the subconscious of the people. 
In Akure, the state capital, political meetings are disrupted. Other towns and villages are enveloped in anxiety.
The critical contest is between Olusegun Mimiko, medical doctor and incumbent governor on the platform of the Labour Party (LP) and Rotimi Akeredolu SAN, legal luminary and former President of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), who is the candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). In the forthcoming election, it appears that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which is fielding Olusola Oke, a lawyer, and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), which is fielding Soji Ehinlawo, and candidates of other mushroom parties do not enjoy high rating.
Expectedly, their supporters and followers are locked in hot media campaigns. However, what is worrisome is the orgy of violence associated with campaigns in the Sunshine State. There have been accusations, counter-accusations and denials. But these propaganda have not halted the trend of violence and tension.
Recently, the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, who had been inundated with complaints about the unruly behaviour of party thugs, spat fire and brimstone. He promised to relocate to Ondo State during the election to coordinate security activities. It is common knowledge that unemployed youths, idle artisans and peasants, and motor park boys usually form the bulk of the thuggery clubs. 
Thus, at a meeting he held with the executive members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers ((NURTW) in Abuja, the police boss read the riot act to arsonists. 
“Let me warn you that political thuggery will be ruthlessly dealt with. I want you all to take this message to your members all over the country that anyone who gets involved in violence would not be spared”, said the Inspector General who added: “I am issuing this warning in view of the fact that the date for for the Ondo State governorship election is around the corner. I am using this occasion to warn the Ondo State chairman of NURTW that the police will not tolerate thuggery from your members. I will be in Ondo State to monitor the election”.
About six years ago, it was a different ball game. Mimiko and Akeredolu were in the same political camp, as it were, waging war against the PDP administration of Dr. Olusegun Agagu. After Mimiko’s stolen mandate was retrieved, the collaboration between LP and AC(N) suddenly broke down. Now, members of the divided house are adorning a new outlook in preparation for a showdown in October.
The catalogue of violence stares observers in the face. It started with the face-off between LP and ACN members in Akure during the Adebayo Adefarati Memorial Lecture. In the twilight of life, the former governor was neither a chieftain of LP nor ACN. Sources said that both sides struggled to make a political gain out of the event. The organisers, nevertheless, had some guests in mind; elder statesmen, foremost politicians, top government officials from ACN-controlled Southwest, and relations. 
The programme was about to kick off when some thugs invaded the venue, demanding why some LP chieftains were denied entry into the hall. Instantly, hell was let lose. Akure ACN leader Chief Wumi Adegbonmire was rough-handled. Scores of dignitaries were injured. Other eminent persons ran for dear life. ACN spokesman Gboyega Adedipe in the state alleged that the disruption was caused by suspected LP thugs, an allegation vehemently denied by his LP counterpart, Kole Odogiyan.
However, since then, violence has characterised preparations for the election. It reared its ugly head again in Owo when Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, a staunch advocate of power shift in Ondo State, stormed the Achievers University to receive an award. 
“Thugs barricaded the road. It was laughable because they wanted to attack the convoy, unmindful of security details of the governor”, recalled Idowu Ajanaku, Akeredolu’s Media Adviser.
Few weeks later, Adegbonmire and some elders were chased out of a political meeting in Ijoka/Sijuwade area of Akure. With him were Chief Olu Adegboro, Prof. Adegbola Aderounmu and other ACN leaders. The old Action Group (AG) chieftain was filled with anger. “Can’t I hold a political meeting again. This is my town. I am the Asiwaju of Akure. This is the height of intolerance’, he protested.
Last month, there was commotion along Oba Adesida Road, Akure, when Akeredolu and his supporters were blocked by some youths brandishing dangerous weapons. The convoy was heading to Owo, his birthplace, following the governorship congress that endorsed him as the flag bearer. The police immediately rose to the occasion to and so averted what could have been a tragedy. 
Recently, in Irele, Ondo South Senatorial District, suspected thugs disrupted the empowerment programme organised by an LP  lawmaker. As LP and PDP supporters clashed, Oke, who later became the PDP governorship candidate, was attacked by thugs.
In Akure, the ACN state secretariat was vandalised. The security man was beaten to a state of coma. Adedipe blamed LP members for the mayhem, which he described as acts of hooliganism and barbarism. But Odogiyan disagreed, advising him to look for culprits elsewhere.
At the weekend, Ajanaku alleged that the indiscriminate arrest of ACN chieftains by police at Owo is now rampant, describing it as an affront on human rights. “It is part of the grand design to frighten our people and disperse our supporters. But the strategy will fail”, he said.
“In Ifon and Ute, the campaign offices of Chief Akeredolu have been vandalised. When Mimiko was campaigning for governorship in 2007, Agagu did not stop him. But this governor has refused to let ACN use OSRC and Akure Town Hall. Mimiko declared in that hall for governorship in 2007”, Ajanaku added.
Ondo State Information Commissioner Kayode Akinmade objected to the claim. “Ondo is peaceful and our people are ready for October 20. The hue about violence is just a face-saving tactic by the opposition. The plot to hire machineries has been uncovered and LP members are not involved. There is no panic in Ondo State”, he said. The commissioner did not elaborate on his allegation about machineries. 
Mimiko Campaign Organisation’s spokesman Kola Olabisi had a harsh words for the PDP and other parties, which he accused of peddling falsehood, saying that they are alarmists. He said LP secretariat was recently vandalised, although he did not give clues about suspects. He alleged that Oke was actually creating tension by promising to scrap developmental projects embarked upon by Mimiko. He said this is an unguided utterance, urging him to moderate his reactions. 
“PDP was allowed to use the ‘Democracy Park for its rally. If they (ACN) wants to use the town hall, they should apply to the appropriate authorities and if it is the ‘Democracy Park’, they should do so too. As to the issue of OSRC, all the parties in Ondo state are free to go there, afterall, it is the property of Ondo State”, Olabisi added.
Close watchers of the scenario in Ondo State contend that the forces struggling for political control were once upon a time united against the conservative bloc in the state. But the house split, following an inexplicable disagreement.  Now, LP government is the lone administration in the Southwest, which had been regained by ACN after a fierce battle against the PDP. 
To the ACN leaders; Chief Bisi Akande and Senator Bola Tinubu; and the five governors, there is a difference between LP and ACN, based on two criteria of fraternity with the national PDP and posturing on regional integration. 
Yet, other observers believe that, historically, in the Southwest, the sheer parting of ways among the supposedly members of the progressive family, could herald a bitter contest.  Following the split in the defunct AG, the federal and regional elections in the wild wild West ended in chaos. In the Second Republic, when there was defection of some leaders to the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), Ondo and Oyo states were in flames after the election. 
However, the root of violence is deep seated political intolerance borne out of the desire to either gain or retain power. In the long run, it is an ill-wind that blows nobody any good. A political scientist and lawyer, Dr Derin Ologbenla, observed that, any effort to totally eliminate violenvce from social life would definitely be a vain effort. But he clarified that when violence is endemic and persistent, or unimanageable, it may become an anathema to to political stability and economic development. 
Ologbenla, who teaches at the University of Lagos, Akoka, described electoral violence as an aspect of political violence. In his view, this may include all sorts of riots, demonstrations, party clashes, political assassinations, looting, arson, thuggery, maiming, kidnapping, and ballot snatching which occurs before, during and after elections. 
“All these could be regarded as election-motivated crises employed to alter, change or influence by force or coercion the electoral behaviour of voters or voting pattern or possibly reverse the electoral decision in favour of a particular individual, group or political party”, he stressed.
The university don described violence as part of winning tactics for dubious politicians. He distinguished between pre and post-electoral violence.  “The pre-electoral violence may occur where electoral laws or provisions are seen as favouring a particular candidate at the expense of the others. It could also occur when a particular candidate is over-ambitious and perhaps, sees the signals that he may likely lose the election to the opponents. Experience has shown in Nigeria that such a candidate may engineer violence to disrupt the electoral process”, he added. 
However, post-election violence may lead to more debilitating effects. Ologbenla warned that it may be spontaneous, adding that it may also be engineered by individuals, group or a political party who feels cheated, rigged out, alienated or deprived by the unfairness of the electoral process and the deprivation may be real or perceived. 
“In Nigeria, the purpose of such violence, apart from seeking redress through illegal means, including killing, maiming, destruction of property, is also “to destroy it, if we cannot have it”.
This latter perspective should not be lost on the handlers of the electoral process. How is the electoral agency responding to these inter-party conflicts? The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Akin Orebiyi, said reports on political violence may have been blown out of proportion by the media. “I don’t support violence, but what has happened in the state has not been properly reported. I was aware of what happened at Oba Adesida Road on the day ACN held its congress and the Irele incident. Police intervened immediately. We need to verify the claims’.  he said. To buttress his point, he said the reports about breaches in Ondo State ahead of the poll would pale into insignificance in the face of the disturbing violence that heralded the recent Edo State governorship election.  
Ajanaku disagreed, saying that reports about violence should not be ignored or treated with levity. “A culture of intolerance is growing in Ondo  State and we believe that LP members are responsible because they are desperate”, he maintained.
Orebiyi acknowledged that campaigns are hot in Ondo State. But he quickly added that “anybody who foments trouble will be consumed by trouble”.
Early in the month, a stakeholders’ meeting attended by representatives of 12 parties met in Akure. At the meeting, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials, State Security Services (SSS) men, an Assistant Inspector General of Police, a Deputy Inspector General, Mr. Abdulraman Akano, and commander of the Army Artillery, Akure, issued serious warnings to politicians in the state to desist from acts capable of breaching the law during electioneering.
Orebiyi assured that, with that warning, there would be no violence and break down of law and order. Besides, he said clashes among rival political supporters would be averted by the implementation of the campaign schedules jointly subscribed to by the various parties.
“At the stakeholders’ meeting, a committee was set up as a clearing house for campaigns schedules. Before any political party embarks on campaigns, it must inform the committee, which will make sure that campaigns do not clash. Through that, there will be no case of inter-party misunderstanding, fighting and breakdown of law and order. This will be implemented faithfully”, he stressed.

AFCON: Mikel opted out of Liberia clash —Coaching crew

Mikel Obi 
 Mikel Obi

CHELSEA midfielder Mikel Obi opted out of next month’s 2013 AFCON clash in Liberia because of the astro turf pitch in Monrovia.
However, with the Liberians now shifting the game from an artificial pitch stadium to one with natural grass, officials are mulling a return for Mikel.
Top officials insisted that Mikel was on coach Stephen Keshi’s list of call-ups for the September 8 clash in Monrovia, but the midfielder was later dropped after he told the coach he would struggle on the astro turf in Liberia.
“There is no question about it – Mikel is very much part of Keshi’s plans, but the coach had no option but to leave him out of the match in Liberia after he told him he does not like to play on artificial pitch,” a top official informed MTNFootball.com
“However, both Keshi and the player may now have a rethink after Liberia informed us that the match will now be played on natural grass.
“It’s up to the coach to make the final call now.”
Keshi has already raised concerns over how his Europe-based pros will adapt on the astro turf after they struggled on the surface against Rwanda earlier this year in another Nations Cup qualifier.
He has also been very particular in this regard about Mikel, who has not hidden his disapproval to playing on an artificial pitch as a player is more vulnerable to injury on it than on a grass pitch.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have already swung into action to ensure the Eagles performance was not affected by the pitch in Liberia after kit sponsors adidas agreed to ship boots specially meant for astro turf ahead of the game.

Friday, 24 August 2012

Ekiti ACN berates Ondo LP over ‘baseless allegation’




The Ekiti State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday berated the ruling Labour Party (LP) in Ondo State for accusing ACN of alleged plans to destabilise Ondo in preparation for the October 20 election.


Describing the allegation as “a campaign of calumny and outright falsehood”, ACN said good performance, as evident in other ACN-controlled states, would ensure its victory in Ondo and not gangster politics.


It recalled reports, which were allegedly promoted by the LP, that the Ekiti State Government and ACN leaders held meetings in Ado-Ekiti to cause a crisis in Ondo State ahead of the October poll.


A statement by its chairman, Chief Jide Awe, said its officials are no busybodies with the time to meddle in the party’s affairs in Ondo State.


The statement reads: “While we would not have dignified the allegations with a response, because they are nothing but tissues of lies, we felt compelled to set the record straight, in order to prevent the reading public from being fed with outright lies.


“We consider it apt to state that the Ekiti State Government, under the leadership of Dr. Kayode Fayemi, is committed to an all-round development, using the Eight-Point Agenda for transformation.


“This, the Fayemi administration is pursuing vigorously with substantial evidences of transformation. Thus, its officials have no business in meddling with the politics of Ondo State.


“Again, it is on record that Governor Fayemi and Governor Olusegun


Mimiko of Ondo State have a good working relationship, especially in development as it affects the two sister states. They also collaborate in the regional integration agenda of the Southwest. This is in spite of being leaders of different political parties.


“Therefore, for some leaders of LP to make such unfounded allegations and accuse ACN leaders of causing a crisis in Ondo State, smacks of irresponsibility and desperation, which do not show political maturity.


“While the ACN is prepared and able to win the coming governorship election in Ondo State, it is the desire of our leaders to win convincingly in a free and fair election that is devoid of violence. We rely solely on our record of good performances in the other


ACN-controlled states and the avalanche of goodwill from well-meaning Ondo State indigenes, who are equally longing for a major change.


“However, there is no law that forbids the state chapter of ACN from hosting the national leadership of the party or leaders of its state chapters in any part of Ekiti State or any other states in the country for that matter.


“It is a known fact that some desperate elements within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State have chosen Akure, the Ondo State capital, as the regular venue of their meetings, where they hatch the plans to attack some ACN leaders in Ekiti State.


“This vicious plan is informed by their inability to comprehend the peace and tranquility that have pervaded Ekiti State in recent times and the attendant development, which is a sharp departure from what obtained during their years of the locust.”

Another Yoruba honoured by Harvard University


Olupona
A NIGERIAN don at Harvard University, Prof. Jacob Olupona, has been named a Walter Channing Cabot Fellow for the current academic year by the authorities of the institution.
Olupona, of the Department of African and African-American Studies of the university, was among the eight persons selected for the prize fellowship, which was established in 1905.
The university, through a letter dated June 12, 2012, from the Office of the Dean, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, and signed by one Michael Smith, explained that Olupona’s outstanding contributions and his new book: City of 201 Gods: Ile-Ife in Time, Space, and the Imagination, earned him the award.
The letter read: “I am delighted to let you know that you have been chosen as a Walter Channing Cabot Fellow for the current academic year. As you may know, these prize fellowships are given annually to a select few faculty colleagues in recognition of their achievements and scholarly eminence in the fields of ‘literature, history or art, as such terms may be liberally interpreted…’ The divisional deans and I have decided to honour you with the award to reflect your outstanding contributions to your field, including the 2011 publication of City of 201 Gods: Ile-Ife in Time, Space, and the Imagination. Your award enhances the distinction that has always been associated with Cabot Fellowships.
“The fellowship carries with it an honorarium of $10,000 (subject to required tax withholdings), which will be included in your regular direct deposit for the month of June. A public announcement will appear on-line in the Harvard Gazette in June.”
The Cabot Fund was established in Cabot’s memory by his wife and children in 1905 to honour faculty members, who have distinguished themselves in literature, history or art.

Monday, 20 August 2012

Enough is enough - M.K.O.Abiola

Enough is enough - M.K.O.Abiola
Text of the proclamation speech by the late M.K.O. Abiola on Saturday, June 11, 1994 , announcing the formation of a Government of National Unity (GNU) at Epetedo, Lagos

PEOPLE of Nigeria , exactly one year ago, you turned out in your millions to vote for me, Chief M.K.O. Abiola, as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria . But politicians in uniform, who call themselves soldiers but are more devious than any civilian would want to be, deprived you of your God-given right to be ruled by the President you had yourselves elected. These soldier-politicians introduced into our body politic, a concept hitherto unknown to our political lexicography, something strangely called the “annulment” of an election perceived by all to have been the fairest, cleanest and most peaceful ever held in our nation. Since that abominable act of naked political armed robbery occurred, I have been constantly urged by people of goodwill, both in Nigeria and abroad, to put the matter back into the people’s hands and get them to actualise the mandate they gave me at the polls. But mindful of the need to ensure that peace continues to reign in our fragile federation, I have so far tried to pursue sweet reason and negotiation. My hope has always been to arouse whatever remnants of patriotism are left in the hearts of these thieves of your mandate, and to persuade them that they should not allow their personal desire to rule to usher our beloved country into an era of political instability and economic ruin. All I have sought to do, in seeking dialogue with them, has been to try and get
them to realise that only real democracy can move our nation forward towards progress, and earn her the respect she deserves from the international community.

However, although this peaceful approach has exposed me to severe censure by some who have mistaken it for weakness on my part, those with whom I have sought to dialogue have remained like stones, neither stirred to show loyalty to the collective decision of the people of
their own country, nor to observe Allah’s injunction that they should exhibit justice and fair-play in all their dealings with their fellow men. Appeals to their honour as officers and gentlemen of the gallant Nigerian Armed Forces, have fallen on deaf ears. Instead, they have resorted to the tactics of divide and rule, bribery and political perfidy, misinformation and (vile) propaganda. They arrest everyone who disagrees with them. Even the 71-year old hero of our nation, Chief Anthony Enahoro, was not spared. How much longer can we tolerate all this? People of Nigeria , you are all witnesses that I have tried to climb the highest mountain, cross the deepest river and walk the longest mile, in order to get these men to obey the will of our people. There is no humiliation I have not endured, no snare that has not been put in my path, no “set-up” that has not been designed for me in my endeavour to use the path of peace to enforce the mandate that you bestowed on me one year ago. It has been a long night. But the dawn is here. Today, people of Nigeria , I join you all in saying, “Enough is Enough!”

We have endured 24 years of military rule in our 34 years of independence. Military rule has led to our nation fighting a civil war with itself. Military rule has destabilised our nation today as not
before in its history. Military rule has impoverished our people and introduced a dreadful trade in drugs which has made our country’s name an anathema in many parts of the world. Even soccer fans going to watch the Green Eagles display in America are being made to suffer
there needlessly because Nigeria ’s name is linked with credit card and fraud and “ 419.” Politically, military rule has torn to shreds the prestige due to our country because of its size and population. The permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council that should be rightfully ours, is all but lost. For who will vote for Nigeria to get the seat if Nigerian military rulers do not respect the votes of their own people? Enough of military rule.

We are sickened to see people who have shown little or no personal achievement, either in building up private businesses, or making success of any tangible thing, being placed in charge of the management of our nation’s economy, by rulers who are not accountable to anyone. Enough of square pegs in round holes. We are tired of the military repetitive tendency to experiment with our economy: Today, they say “no controls.” Tomorrow; they say “Full controls”. The day after, they say “Fine tuning”. The next day, they say “Devaluation.” a few days later, they say “Revalue the same naira upwards again Abi?” All we can see are the consequences of this permanent game of military “about turns;” high inflation , a huge budget deficit and an enormous foreign debt repayment burden, dying industries, high unemployment and a demoralised populace. Our youths, in particular, can see no hope on the horizon, and many can only dream of escaping from our shores to join the brain drain. Is this the Nigeria we want?

We are plagued also by periodic balance of payments crises, which have led to a perennial shortage of essential drugs, that has turned our hospitals and clinics into mortuaries. A scarcity of books and equipment has rendered our schools into desolate deserts of ignorance. Our factories  are crying for machinery, spare parts and raw materials. But each day that passes, instead of these economic diseases being cured, they are rather strengthened as an irrational allocation of foreign exchange based on favouritism and corruption becomes the order of the day. Enough is enough of economic mismanagement! People of Nigeria , during the election campaign last year, I presented you with a programme entitled “HOPE ’93?. This programme was aimed precisely at solving these economic (problems) that have demoralized us all. I toured every part of Nigeria to present this programme to you the electorate. I was questioned on it at public rallies and press conferences and I had the privilege of incorporating into it much of the feedback that I obtained from the people. Because you knew I would not only listen to you but deliver superb results from the programme, you voted for me in your millions and gave me an overwhelming majority over my opponent. To be precise, you gave me 58.4 per cent of the
popular vote and a majority in 20 out of 30 states plus the Federal Capital Territory , Abuja . Not only that, you also enabled me to fulfil the constitutional requirement that the winner should obtain one-third of the votes in two-thirds of the states. I am sure that when you cast an eye on the moribund state of Nigeria today, you ask yourselves: 
“What have we done to deserve this, when we have a president-elect who can lead a government that can change things for the better?

Our patience has come to an end. As of now, from this moment, a new Government of National Unity is in power throughout the length and breath of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, led by me, Bashorun M.K.O. Abiola, as President and Commander-in-Chief. The National Assembly is
hereby reconvened. All dismissed governors are reinstated. The State Assemblies are reconstituted, as are all local government councils. I urge them to adopt a bi-partisan approach to all the issues that come before them. At the national level, a bi-partisan approach will be our
guiding principle. I call upon the usurper, General Sani Abacha, to announce his resignation forthwith, together with the rest of his illegal ruling council. We are prepared to enter into negotiations with them to work out the mechanics for a smooth transfer of power. I pledge that if they hand over quietIy, they will be retired with all their entitlements, and their positions will be accorded all the respect due to them. For our objective is neither recrimination nor witch-hunting, but an enforcement of the will of the Nigerian people, as expressed in free elections conducted by the duly constituted authority of the time.

I hereby invoke the mandate bestowed upon me by my victory in the said election, to call on all members of the Armed Forces and the Police, the Civil and Public Services throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria , to obey only the Government of National Unity that is headed
by me, your only elected President. My Government of National Unity is the only legitimate, constituted authority in the Federal Republic of Nigeria , as of now.” People of Nigeria , these are challenging times in the history of our continent, Africa , and we in Nigeria must not allow
ourselves to be left behind. Our struggle is the same as that waged by the people of South Africa , which has been successfully concluded, with the inauguration of Mr. Nelson Mandela as the first African President of that country. Nelson Mandela fought to replace MINORITY rule with MAJORITY rule. We in Nigeria are also fighting to replace MINORITY rule, for we are ruled by only a tiny section of our armed forces. Like the South Africans, we want MAJORITY rule today, that is rule only by those chosen by all the people of Nigeria as a whole in free and fair elections. The only difference between South Africa and Nigeria is that those who imposed minority rule on the majority rule whether it is by black or white, remains minority rule, and must be booted out.

I call on you, heroic people of Nigeria , to emulate the actions of your brothers and sisters in South Africa and stand up as one person to throw away the yoke of minority rule for ever. The antics of every minority that oppresses the majority are always the same. They will try to intimidate you with threats of police action. But do not let us fear arrest. In South Africa , so many people were arrested, during the campaign against the Pass Laws, for instance, that the jails could not hold all of them. Today, apartheid is gone for ever. So, let it be with Nigeria . Let us say goodbye forever to minority rule by the military. They talk of treason. But haven’t they heard of the Rivonia treason trial in South Africa ? Did those treason trials halt the march of history? People of Nigeria , ourtime is now. You are the repository of power in the land. No one can give you power. It is yours. Take it! From this day, show to the world that anyone who takes the people of Nigeria for fools is deceiving himself and will have the people to answer to. God bless you all.Long live the Federal Republic ofNigeria.Long live the Government of National Unity.

Sunday, 19 August 2012

‘Nigeria spends more on education, achieves less’

Despite spending so much more on education, learning outcomes of Nigerian learners are behind those of other sub-Saharan African countries, Finance Minister Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has said.
Delivering a keynote address entitled: “Reforming Nigeria’s Education System: Paradigm Shift” at the 2012 Isaac Moghalu Foundation (IMoF) Leadership Lecture in Lagos recently, Mrs Okonjo-Iweala blamed the problem on lack of transparency in the implementation of the budget.
She said: “Nigerian students in grades four and six performed worst out of 22 African countries that participated in UNESCO’s effort at measuring learning outcomes – the Monitoring Learning Achievement (MLA) assessment  - in 1996, behind countries like Niger, Togo, Gambia, Burkina Faso, Mali and others in Africa.  
“But the alarming finding is that Nigeria’s position did not improve when the test was taken again in 2003.  Among fourth graders, only 25 per cent (in 1996) and 35 per cent (in 2003) of answers that were provided on the test were correct; only 32 per cent (in 1996) and 34 per cent (in 2003) answers in the Mathematics test were correct.  In national examinations of primary school pupils in four main subjects in 2001 and 2003, only 20 per cent of fifth grade students could correctly answer over 30 per cent of the test, and less than one per cent could correctly answer over half of the test questions.,” Dr. Okonjo-Iweala said.
She went on:“It is obvious that substantial inefficiency persists in the use of education resources.  Federal government allocations to the education sector have averaged nearly eight per cent of the total budget between 2004 and 2012.  The 2012 education budget is N409.5 billion.  There is also the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TEFT) – a two per cent tax on the assessable profits of all registered companies in Nigeria to improve the quality of education in the country.  TEFT raised N130.75 billion in 2011.  There is also UBEC’s allocation of N63.12 billion.  
“Yet, the standard of education is not commensurate with the financial outlay.  According to a World Bank study in 2008, federal and state governments aggregate spending on education, as a per cent of GDP, is higher than the average of sub-Saharan countries, but on par with South Africa and Kenya. Yet, learning outcomes in Nigeria are weaker than in these two countries.  Much of this inefficiency is the result of weak budget management and accountability.”
She added that until the problem of poor learning outcomes was addressed, the impact of education on the development of the economy would remain minimal.
“But to yield sustained benefits at the national level, research shows that education needs to be more about learning outcomes and skills acquisition than just years of schooling.  So regardless of the number of years spent in the classroom, or the level of academic qualifications a nation’s workforce attain, if they lack the right technical and practical skills…the impact of such an education system on economic growth will be very limited,” Dr. Okonjo-Iweala said.
The Executive Director of IMoF, Mrs Maryanne Moghalu said the foundation would contribute its quota to address some of these challenges by enhancing access to quality education for underprivileged children in rural areas through its scholarship scheme.
She added that the foundation inaugurated in 2005, is shopping for N300 million to provide secondary and tertiary scholarships for 200 youths and called for support in this regard.
“As we face the future, we are determined to increase and maintain the impact of IMoF. To achieve this, we need the partnership support of men, women, and organisations with goodwill and a strong sense of social responsibility.  
“Our immediate goal is to raise funds for N300 million to endow the Isaac Moghalu Memorial Scholarships and put 200 youths on full scholarships for secondary and university education, in the case of the latter, to obtain qualifications in science and technology, the professions, and entrepreneurial skills,” she said.

Relationship: Develop your own rules...


Relationship: Develop your own rules...
We would all agree that when it comes to issues on relationships, ‘everybody knows but nobody really knows.’ Relationship issues always seem to sprout up the ‘counsellor or coach’ in everyone. Whenever an issue on relationship is raised, everyone has something to say, an advice or caution to give, and a story to tell. Isn’t it amazing? Amazing how a single issue raises up dust, practically turning everyone into an authority in their own rights.
Everywhere we go, and everywhere we turn, we see quotes on love and relationship. We are bombarded with rules: the does and don’ts, and the pros and cons. But they work, you say. Really? Do they? Do they apply to everyone? Do these rules apply at all times?
In law, I was taught that there is always an exception to the general rule. With this in mind I say, never base or judge your relationship on these relationship rules, quotes, and clichés you see frequently. We all are different. Coming from different backgrounds, with different life lessons which had shaped our different perceptions and outlook on life, and consequently, relationships. So, these rules can’t apply to everyone.
What works for x, will not necessarily work for y and z. Nothing, and nobody, is a standard authority on love or relationship. So begin every relationship with an open mind and heart. Explore and find out what works for you in your relationship, don’t venture into one with a big book of rules. Overtime I have realised that, no matter how much you know, or think you know, it is never enough. People change. So what happens to your rules when your friend or spouse changes?
For me, it is a school, in which we are constantly learning, changing, and growing. There is saying on relationship I love, it reads “We are not the same persons this year as last; nor are those we love. It’s a happy chance if we, changing, continue to love a changed person.” I guess that says it all.
Now you ask, are you saying that we throw caution to the wind, and accept anything and everything in our relationships, in the name of change? Good or bad, right or wrong? No. I am saying ‘make your own rules.’ Healthy, happy and self-made relationship rules. Never compare your relationship with someone else’s. What works for them ‘may’ not work for you. Ever heard the Mexican saying, “What cures Sancho makes Martha sick.”?
Again, you ask, so do we refrain from reading books on relationship? Is everything out there wrong? Hell, no. Do read. Some of them are great, and are written by amazing authors. Personally, I love any and every book written by Michelle Mckinney Hammond. She’s an awesome writer. And I recommend her books for every woman. Men, too. If you’re interested. So, read, listen, learn, make and apply whatever works for you, and build strong, healthy and happy relationships.

Students earn valuable training outside school

Being a triangular student – one whose activities revolve around the classroom, the library, and the hostel – may earn students First Class grades, but participating in extra-curricular activities may benefit them better in the long run.
This was the experience of students who participated in the IdeaThrophy competition organised by Unilever Nigeria to challenge undergraduates to think outside the box and proffer creative solutions to problems.
Members of the winning team from the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, were each rewarded with ipad 3. They will visit South Africa to meet the leaders of firm, and, later London to represent Nigeria in the global edition of the competition.
Team Aspire, from the Federal University of Minna, came second in the competition and its members went home with laptops, while members of third placed Team Deluxe Brains got Blackberry phones.
University of Lagos (UNILAG) Team Achievers may have been disappointment that their campaign with pupils of the UNILAG Staff School failed to impress judges enough to earn them the top three prizes. Nevertheless, they will not forget the experience they have gained and the privileged opportunity they got to rub minds with the top management of Unilever and other respected professionals during the boot camp organised for finalists. 
Joseph Adebayo, a 200-Level Mechanical Engineering student, said of the experience: “It has been great, especially at the boot camp.  It was an avenue to build myself.  We learnt about leadership, time management, effective presentation and communication skills and how to relate socially.”
His teammate, Peace Omoruyi, said though stressful, participating in the competition made him learn about things outside engineering.
“It was stressful.  We had to do a lot of research and stayed up all night. We had to leave our comfort zone. But the experience has been worth it. I know a lot of things I am going home with. I have also met with a lot of Nigerians and they have given us experiences from their lives,”he said.
The winning team, made up of Brenda Agidi, Owolabi Opeyemi and Adeyemi Williams, developed the best campaign to market Lifebuoy soap, one of the organisation’s products, to young people and communities among the seven teams that featured in the final of the competition at Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja.
But had they not won the competition, the trio who went by the name “Team Lifebuoy Musketeers,” would not trade the wealth of experience they gained practisng their ideas on the field, and learning from seasoned professionals during the boot camp with the time and money they invested in participating.  
Brenda, a 400-Level student of Geology, who said she and others contributed N73,000 to implement the case study given them by Unilever, said the knowledge she gained is waiting to explode.
“I would not have felt any regrets if we had not won because what we have learnt is more valuable than the gifts. 
“We are grateful for the advice we got from personalities, such as Prof Pat Utomi.  It is not just about academics,” she said.
Unilever’s Human Resource Manager, Mrs Tolulope Agiri, said the aim of the competition is to bridge the gap between town and gown.
“This is not just about winning the competition.  We believe the students have changed because of this competition.  This has been a journey where we engaged managers of Unilever to speak with them,” she said.
Managing Director of Unilever, Mr Thabo Mabe said the competition is a way of giving back to the society.
“The IdeaTrophy is all about saying thank you to Nigeria. We are here to work together to create a better future for all,” he said.

KESHUI BLUFFS MINISTER: Eagles won’t be distracted

Super Eagles handler, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi has assured soccer-loving Nigerians that he would do everything within his capabilities to qualify Nigeria for the 2013 Africa Nations Cup holding in South Africa and then he would try and have a shot at winning the trophy.
Keshi, while reacting to an online story claiming that the Nigeria minister of sports, Bolaji Abdullahi issued the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) an order to win the 2013 Africa Nations Cup even if it will cost Keshi his job as the Eagles Chief Coach, told SportingLife that that would amount to distraction and confusion in his team if care is not taken.
Part of the story on the website reads: “Sports minister Bolaji Abdullahi put down the ultimatum that Nigeria has been ordered to win next year’s Africa Cup of Nations even if it means that Coach Stephen Keshi is fired to achieve this”.
Keshi, however, told SportingLife that, “In as much as I don’t believe this story, the Honourable Minister has the right to charge any sport in the country to succeed. I regard this, if it is true, as a motivation to bring the best in us and this should further fire us up to win our matches against Liberia which I believe is the most important task before us now.
“My only fears are that if such pronouncements are not handled maturedly and reasonably it may bring unnecessary pressure and confusion to the team. We have almost achieved what we have set out for ourselves and this declaration from the Minister may set us back and backfire. So, we need encouragements for us to concentrate on this campaign of being at the Nations Cup. 
"My only fears are that if such pronouncements are not handled maturely it may bring unnecessary confusion and distraction to the team. But like I said, we are focused and determined to book a ticket to the finals of the 2013 Nations Cup and we are preparing for the first leg match away to Liberia where we are targeting a good result that will make the return leg in Nigeria a mere formality. After we qualify for the Nations Cup in South Africa we can now concentrate on how to do well in the competition.
 "I am particularly happy with the Nigeria Football Federation who are fully behind this team and are doing their best to help us achieve our aim of qualifying this team for the 2013 Africa Nations Cup in South Africa. I am very sure with the support and prayers of Nigerians and with hard work and mother luck on our part, we will be in South Africa next year”, Keshi assured.  

WIGAN 0-2 CHELSEA: Mikel plays for 90 mins

Super Eagles midfielder, John Obi Mikel proved to Roberto Di Matteo and indeed Chelsea fans that he's good enough to command a starting shirt after he played 90minutes with the UEFA Champions League reigning kings kicking the new season off to a winning start with a comfortable 2-0 defeat of Wigan Athletic on Sunday afternoon.
The match was over as a contest after just seven minutes, with the goals coming from Branislav Ivanovic and a Frank Lampard penalty.
Wigan had chances to claw their way back into the game but their lack of a proven goalscorer told against them, with former Blues forward Franco di Santo particularly guilty of some glaring misses.
Chelsea's Eden Hazard, the only Blues debutant on show, created both goals for his new team.
His exquisite turn and slide rule pass found Ivanovic in just the second minute, with the Serbian defender holding off the challenge of Ivan Ramis before slotting past Ali Al Habsi.
Ramis, making his Latics debut, also gave away the penalty when he scythed down Hazard in the box. Lampard stepped up and made no mistake, shooting powerfully home.
Mikel, whose defensive qualities was called to question several times, watched helpless as his countryman, Victor Moses a a reported Chelsea target dazzled the Blues midfielders and defence line with the view of looking for a come back goal as Roberto Di Matteo's side took their foot off the pedal and invited Wigan to run on them, with Petr Cech forced into fine saves from Moses, di Santo and new striker Arouna Kone.

ABDULLAHI TO NFF: Sack Keshi if...

 Bolaji Abdullahi Bolaji Abdullahi
 
• Says Nigeria must lift Nations Cup • Jonathan puts minister under fire
Nigeria have been ordered to win next year’s Africa Cup of Nations even if it means that coach Stephen Keshi is fired to achieve this.
Sports minister Bolaji Abdullahi put down the ultimatum. He is under fire after a disastrous showing by the country at the recently-ended Olympics in London, where Nigeria failed to win a single medal.
MTNFootball.com exclusively gathered that Abdullahi invited top officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Friday and read the riot act, insisting that everything be done for the Eagles to win at South Africa 2013 even if it means sacking the current coach Stephen Keshi would guarantee this success.
“The minister ordered that everything be done to make sure Nigeria are champions at the next AFCON in South Africa,” a top source informed MTNFootball.com
“He went as far as saying that if they need to do away with the present coach of the team to ensure this, then they should go ahead and do so.”
The source added: “It was a very serious meeting and the minister was very clear and direct about what he expects from the NFF.” 
President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed huge disappointment with the country’s performance at the London Olympics and demanded for drastic changes in the sports ministry.
Nigeria last won the Nations Cup 18 years ago and face Liberia in a final eliminator for a place at next year’s tournament beginning on September 8 in Monrovia. The Eagles, African champions in 1980 and 1994, failed to qualify for the 2012 AFCON in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea leading to the dismissal of coach Samson Siasia.
Keshi, who has a four-year contract and has been given a semi-final target at the AFCON, has done the minimum to get the team to the final round of the qualifiers for the 2013 edition of the tournament.
However, there are still some reservations as regards his insistence on working mostly with players from the Nigeria Premier League ahead of their Europe-based colleagues.