Zamalek plan to beat Rangers in Enugu, arrive in Nigeria Thursday…See full details

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Zamalek’s Ayman Hefny (right) celebrates his goal against Enugu Rangers when the teams clashed in the first leg of their CAF Champions League qualifier in Cairo…at the weekend. PHOTO. ENGLISH.AHRAM.ORG.

• Flying Antelopes plan Barcelona-like comeback
Egyptian giants, Zamalek, who defeated Enugu Rangers 4-1 in their CAF Champions League first leg last qualifying round, began training for the second leg of the tie yesterday with the intention of beating the Nigerian champions in Enugu on Sunday.

Zamalek are expected to arrive in Nigeria on Thursday for the tie in which the over all winners will move to the group stage of the CAF Champions League.

Speaking before his team began their training session for the return leg yesterday, Zamalek Coach, Mohamed Helmi warned his wards to stay vigilant for the away match.

Helmi told the club’s official website that “victory is just a step towards qualification, which will require effort and focus in Nigeria.”

The five-time Champions, who will visit the Nigerian league holders for the return leg on Thursday, gave an outstanding performance in the first leg, winning the praise of critics and fans.

“Zamalek played a great game. I deeply thank the players for the great show,” football director, Ismail Youssef, said after the game at Cairo’s El-Salam Stadium.

However, while Zamalek have already started looking beyond Rangers in their dream of winning the Champions League trophy, one of the Nigerian champions’ star, Edoh Ocheme, believes his side can upturn the huge deficit. But he agrees the task is enormous.

“I’m still confused how we conceded those number of goals… I think the goals are simply too many. I never thought we could concede more than a goal in the encounter. I wept profusely when the goals kept coming that we were three goals down in the first 45 minutes.

“Well we have come to accept the outcome as it’s as no amount of crying could change the result of the match,” he said.

“Right now we have our jobs well cut out as we must score at least three unreplied goals to progress to the next stage of the competition.

“The task looks daunting but not insurmountable once we are able to do the needful as well as prepare adequately for the reverse fixture clash.

“All hopes are not lost as we are quite capable of scoring the three mandatory goals in the first 45 minutes just as Zamalek SC performed at their backyard in Cairo.

“At least we have role models in Barcelona to copy as well as look up to as we get ready for the reverse clash.

“Barcelona have shown that in football nothing is conclusively done and dust until it’s completely over.

“That’s the mentality we will bring into the second leg coupled with some self-belief I’m sure we will upturn the disadvantage to advance to the next stage of the competition.

“Nigerians should not write us off, we have a second chance to make amend and we will do it to the cheering of our teeming fans,” the former Giwa FC star said.

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Court shifts ruling on Shell, Agip applications to Friday in Malabu deal (Read full details)

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PHOTO:WIKIPEDIA

Federal High Court, Abuja, has moved ruling on two separate applications filed by Shell Oil Exploration Nigeria Limited and Agip Oil, seeking to vary an order made on January 26, till Friday, March 17.

The order had granted temporary forfeiture of the Oil Prospective Licence (OPL 245) bloc to the Federal Government.

The ruling could not go on as earlier scheduled by the court following three fresh applications filed by Malabu Oil, seeking to be joined in the matter as well as for an opportunity to be a party in the already heard applications filed by Shell and Agip.

Counsel to Malabu Oil, Abdullahi Haruna, informed Justice John Tsoho that the applications had been served on parties and that they have responded accordingly.

He also stated that the joinder application was aimed at reopening hearing to accommodate Malabu Oil on the applications made by Shell and Agip.

The purpose, Haruna explained to the court, was to enable Malabu Oil join others as respondents.

But counsel to Agip and Shell, Babatunde Fagbola and Muyiwa Balogun, respectively had opposed the applications and urged court to dismiss them summarily.

Fagbola described the application as frivolous and consequently urged the court to dismiss it summarily from the bench.

He argued, “when a court hears a matter and adjourns for ruling, party(ies) cannot pull back the hands of the clock.”

On his part, Balogun reminded the court that at the last adjourned date being February 27, “counsel to Malabu Oil drew attention of the court to his applications that were yet to be filed and served, but that the court ruled that the proposed applications should be in abeyance.”

“By this applications, Malabu Oil is asking the court to sit on appeal over its own ruling.”

Balogun therefore asked the court to dismiss the applications summarily.

Counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Johnson Ojogbane, did not file any application but rather left the issue at the court’s discretion.

However, Haruna, pursuant to Order 27, Rule Six of the Federal High Court Rules, filed what he described as “innocuous application” by way of motion on notice, introducing a further affidavit (criminal charge filed against the defendants) by the Federal Government before Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court Abuja.

In his ruling on that, Justice John Tsoho, granted leave and deemed the further affidavit as properly filed.

Though Shell and Agip had told the court not to accord any probate value to the further affidavit (criminal charge) because it was not yet filed when their applications were argued and date fixed for ruling.

But after taking submissions of counsels, Justice Tsoho, who expressed dismay over the applications, remarked that even though Malabu Oil’s application was irritating, “in the interest of fair hearing, an application before a court must be heard.’’

He consequently adjourned ruling on Malabu’s applications to March 17.

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‘Big Bang Theory’ sparks new prequel series…Read full details

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Big Bang Theory'

CBS announced on Monday it has given the green light to “Young Sheldon,” a prequel of its award-winning ratings smash comedy, “The Big Bang Theory.”

Created by “Big Bang” executive producers Chuck Lorre and Steven Molaro, the half-hour single-camera comedy series will premiere later this year, although the number of episodes has not been announced.

It will star Iain Armitage as a nine-year-old version of nerdy genius Sheldon Cooper — one of the main “Big Bang” characters played by Jim Parsons, who narrates the new show as the adult Sheldon.

Jon Favreau (“Iron Man,” “The Jungle Book”) will direct and executive produce the first episode from a script written by Molaro, while Zoe Perry takes on the role of Sheldon’s mother Mary Cooper, played by the actress’ real-life mother Laurie Metcalf in “Big Bang.”

Armitage, the son of Shailene Woodley’s character in HBO’s “Little Big Lies,” will play socially awkward Sheldon as a super-intelligent student who is already in high school despite his tender age.

“Big Bang,” now in its 10th season, has been the biggest comedy ratings draw on broadcast television for years, and CBS is considering another two seasons. The show has won multiple Emmys.

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Eschew indiscipline, participants urged at Ibile Youth Academy (Read full details)

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Vice Chairman, Lagos chapter of the National Youth Council, Rashidat Yusuf (left); Pharm. (Mrs.) Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf and chairman, Comrade Olayinka Oresile at the parade to mark the International Youth Day.

The Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Princess Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, has enjoined participants at the just concluded Ibile Youth Academy (IYA) to inculcate discipline in order to become better members of the society.

Akinbile-Yussuf offered the homily during a visit to Ikeja Youth Centre, one of the five centres of the leadership training programme in company of the Special Adviser to the governor on Civic Engagement, Mr. Kayode Joseph.

She said: “I urge you to embrace discipline and punctuality in all your endeavours as well as value team building as an integral part of social interaction because undisciplined persons cannot contribute meaningfully to the society.”

Meanwhile, it was a busy week at the major centres of the leadership academy as facilitators engaged and trained participants on various topics and development skills.

At the Oto-Awori Youth Centre in Badagry Division, a media practitioner cum motivational speaker, Goke Ilesanmi, taught participants on necessary skills to attract employment while a development expert, Ezekiel Soleji, spoke on the importance of good representation in the society.
 
Mrs. Taiwo Fibisile, a Youth and Health Officer, sensitised participants at the Ikorodu Centre on the effect of sexually transmitted diseases and necessary precautions to prevent the diseases.Epe Youth Centre witnessed a fitness exercise to enhance physical and mental alertness of participants in the programme.
 

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SERAP urges minister to recall sacked whistle-blower over alleged fraud (Read full details)

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Nigeria's minister of foreign affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama. PHOTO: TWITTER/ GEOFFREY ONYEAMA

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama has been urged to ensure the immediate and unconditional reinstatement of Mr. Ntia Thompson the whistle-blower who was sacked for exposing an alleged $229,000 fraud in the ministry.

The request followed an open letter to the minister by Lagos-based rights group, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) yesterday.

In the letter, the organisation urged Onyeama to “act swiftly to comply with the policy of President Muhammadu Buhari’s government and international standards, which guarantee full protection and restitution for any whistle-blower against harassment, intimidation, victimisation or any form of retaliation.”

SERAP in the letter dated March 10, 2017 signed by its Deputy Director, Timothy Adewale said: “By sacking Mr. Thompson, your ministry would seem to shield information on the alleged fraud that the public has a right to know.

“Therefore, should you fail or neglect to act as requested within seven days after the receipt and publication of this letter, SERAP will be compelled to pursue appropriate legal action against your ministry to challenge the unfair treatment and victimisation of Mr. Thompson.”

The letter copied to the President of African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina, reads in part: “We also urge you to act swiftly to identify those involved in the alleged fraud and hand them over to the appropriate anti-corruption agencies for further investigation and prosecution, as well as recover any stolen public funds.

“Impunity for reprisals against Thompson would send a message to all potential whistle-blowers that your ministry lacks the commitment to their protection.

“SERAP is seriously concerned that Thompson’s unfair treatment by the leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs simply for disclosing alleged fraud is a fundamental violation of his right to freedom of expression and breach of President Buhari’s whistle-blowing policy, which seeks to protect individuals who make access to such allegations possible,” it added.

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Delta government, SDP trade words over N14.5b Paris fund (Read full details)

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Ifeanyi Okowa, Delta State Governor

The Delta State chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has alleged that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa misappropriated the N14.5 billion Paris club collected by the state.

The party’s chairman, Mr. Oke Idawene, told journalists yesterday in Asaba, that Okowa has refused to tell the people how the money was spent. According to him, the governor collected the fund in December last year, but allegedly spent it on frivolous projects, while claiming to have utilised it to develop the state.

Idawene said the current teachers’ strike in the state is a confirmation that Okowa had failed on the Anioma agenda and the fulfillment of his campaign promises.

“The SDP had two months ago cautioned the people against Okowa’s utterances on the strike, which are clear indications that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is a mockery in the state,” he said.

The SDP chieftain also accused the PDP of failing in human capital development and security matters, a situation that had exposed the residents to attacks by the Fulani herdsmen.

He warned that the state might soon be unable to pay workers’ salaries unless the alleged mismanagement is looked into.Idawene declared that the SDP had started to mobilise the people to vote out the PDP in 2019 governorship election.

Reacting, the state Chairman of the PDP, Kingsley Esiso, described the SDP’s allegation as a misplaced priority.He said the party exists only on the pages of newspapers, stating that Okowa had done considerably well in the past one year and half years.

Esiso stressed that the residents have no regrets in voting for Okowa and warned the SDP against unguided statements.Also, the state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Patrick Ukah, dismissed the allegations as the handiwork of the enemies, adding that Paris fund was judiciously spent to develop infrastructure in the state.

“What Okowa has done in the last one and half years are visible and before the end of his four-year tenure, he would transform the state beyond the unsubstantiated allegations of the SDP.”

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Joni Sledge of ‘We Are Family’ group dies at 60…Read full details

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his file photo taken on August 16, 2006 shows Joni Sledge of the Musicl group Sister Sledge attending the "We Are Family" CD & DVD release party hosted by Rodney Jerkins and Robert Goodwin in New York City. Joni Sledge, one of four sisters who together sang one of disco's most enduring songs with "We Are Family," has died, a representative said Saturday, March 11, 2017. She was 60. The singer died at her home in Arizona on Friday, March 10, 2017 with the cause of death yet to be determined, publicist Biff Warren said. "We miss her and hurt for her presence, her radiance and the sincerity with which she loved and embraced life," a family statement said. Daughters of two performers, Joni and her three sisters — Debbie, Kathy and Kim — grew up in Philadelphia and enjoyed moderate success touring in the 1970s with R&B songs.Bryan Bedder / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP

Joni Sledge, one of four sisters who together sang one of disco’s most enduring songs with “We Are Family,” has died, a representative said Saturday. She was 60.

The singer died at her home in Arizona on Friday with the cause of death yet to be determined, publicist Biff Warren said.

“We miss her and hurt for her presence, her radiance and the sincerity with which she loved and embraced life,” a family statement said.

Daughters of two performers, Joni and her three sisters — Debbie, Kathy and Kim — grew up in Philadelphia and enjoyed moderate success touring in the 1970s with R&B songs.

But the sisters found a major hit in 1979 with “We Are Family,” which was written by Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards, who had emerged as key figures in the disco craze with their band Chic.

Joni Sledge, in an interview last year with The Guardian, said the sisters had become professionally frustrated by the time they made “We Are Family” and had considered other careers, such as studying law.

“Recording the track ‘We Are Family’ was like a one-take party — we were just dancing and playing around and hanging out in the studio when we did it,” she said.

Rodgers offered condolences on Twitter, saying, “We did something pretty amazing together.”

Despite the message of family unity, Kathy Sledge left the group to pursue a solo career and tensions ensued, with Joni and Debbie remaining the core members.

Sister Sledge came together in various forms for performances that included the massive Festival of Families by Pope Francis in Philadelphia in 2015 and last year’s presidential campaign of Hillary Clinton.

Joni Sledge, speaking in 2015 to Women’s Wear Daily, said that the group’s main hit — with its chorus, “We are family / I got all my sisters with me” — carried a time-tested message of unity.

“It’s just as powerful today. That’s one of the good things about it. It teaches respect,” she said.

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Chilean singer Angel Parra dies in Paris aged 73…Read full details

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This file photo taken on September 14, 2003 shows Chilean singer and guitarist Angel Parra performing at the Parc of the Courneuve during the Fete de l'Humanite in La Courneuve, near Paris, Chilean singer and guitarist Angel Parra, a figure of the Chilean diaspora, died on March 11, 2017 in Paris at the age of 73 years of cancer, according to the ambassador of Chile in France.Joël SAGET / AFP

Noted Chilean singer and guitarist Angel Parra died in Paris on Saturday aged 73 after a three-year battle with cancer, the Chilean ambassador said.

“It’s a great loss for Chile and for art,” Marcia Covarrubias told AFP. “Angel Parra lived in France for 40 years and it too became his country.”

Born in 1943 in Valparaiso to famous singer, composer, folklorist and songwriter Violeta Parra, the singer was “not only the member of a dynasty of incomparable creators” but was also a “charismatic and generous personality,” Covarrubias said.

Parra’s repertoire included a 2013 album “Venceremos”, a homage to former Chilean president Salvador Allende who committed suicide after being ousted in a CIA-sponsored military coup in 1973, and an acclaimed CD of his mother’s songs.

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Gunmen shot dead assistant registrar at his residence (Read full details)

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The Assistant Registrar, College of Education, Katsina-Ala, Benue State, Ugoh Terseer Akagbue was shot dead in the presence of his wife and children.

The Guardian gathered that they took his vehicle, some money, and handsets, besides demanding for some valuable documents of the college. Confirming the incident, the Provost of the College, Professor Mathias Nder said he has reported the case to the police and sympathizes with the family of the deceased.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Benue State, ASP Moses Yamu also confirmed the incident. Yamu said following a tip off, the Police chased the criminals, resulting in a gun duel along Katsina- Ala- Takum road, with the gunmen abandoning the snatched vehicle.

The PPRO explained that the following morning when the Police returned to the scene of the gun battle, one of the kidnappers, Aondongu Shaapera was found dead in the bush.

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Stakeholders worried about France’s role in fight against Boko Haram terrorism

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A Cameroonian policeman patrols in Maroua, in the extreme northern province, west of the Nigerian border / AFP PHOTO / REINNIER KAZE

A Coalition of stakeholders committed to restoring peace in the north east under the aegis of Concerned Statesmen and Patriots In Nigeria (COSPIN) has expressed concern over what it described as the role of France in the activities of Boko Haram terrorists in Nigeria.

Addressing a press conference yesterday in Abuja, convener of the coalition,
Professor Emmanuel Ome said the concern is necessitated by the silence of French authority despite the arrest of its nationals during the raid on ground zero in Sambisa forest by the Nigerian Army.

He said France also owes Nigeria and the world an explanation regarding the sighting of its aircraft just across Nigeria’s borders with Cameroon, Chad and Niger on numerous occasions by IDPs and victims of Boko Haram attacks.

According to Ome, the Nigerian government must conduct further investigations into the roles being played by France and other countries in its internal affairs, using Boko Haram as an occupation force with a view to fashioning corresponding diplomatic responses to these threats.

He expressed surprise that despite the huge presence of French troops in neighbouring countries, Boko Haram terrorists have been receiving training as well as freely moving weapons across the borders of those countries which he said are mainly Francophone countries.

He said, “The fact that Boko Haram fighters that are fleeing suddenly have access to superior firearms that are even more sophisticated than what they had before they were chased out of Sambisa Forest. Who is supplying these weapons? How are these weapons being shipped? Why are the neighbouring countries to Nigeria’s north-east, all Francophone, not been able to flag deliveries of weapons to the terrorists?

“Why has France not come out to declare its position on the several fighters of French origin that were apprehended with Boko Haram fighters in Sambisa Forest? The fact that these terrorists’ instructors were declared as French nationals should have provoked diplomatic fallout but France maintained a deafening silence in the matter.

“French President François Hollande has hosted, or caused to be hosted, several summits on Boko Haram only for things to get worse. He would have to prove that these conferences are not the cover he uses to make our security and intelligence community to share sensitive operational information which he in turn hand over to the monsters that he bred.

“The worrisome pattern that Boko Haram always kidnap experts of French origin each time it is broke and the government of their countries is always in a hurry to pay ransom in millions of dollars. This is nothing short of creating a legitimate front to pass money to Boko Haram in the public glare. Each time Boko Haram seals such transactions it is able to pay its fighters and buy new equipment.”

Ome urged the United Nations to intervene and stop what he described as undue interference and sabotaging of Nigeria whether by France or by any other foreign interest.

According to him, the damage done by the insurgency has unleashed unthinkable humanitarian crisis that is already a blot on the collective human conscience and the situation must not be made worse by this policy of foreign interference.

He said further, “we are appealing to our brothers and sisters in ECOWAS and AU to begin making modifications to their economy should the need arise to boycott French goods on account of the destabilisation plot in Africa.”

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Why Nigeria’s education standard is poor

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The Senate Deputy Minority Leader, Emmanuel Bwacha has attributed the decline in the nation’s education standard to continuous emphasis on paper qualification rather than skills acquisition.

Senator Bwacha who disclosed this at a summit organized for secondary school teachers in Wukari Local Government Council of Taraba State said all hands must be on deck to address the declining trend.

With three universities in Taraba State coupled with others spread across the country, the lawmaker said the time has come to prepare qualified candidates for the institutions.

The Senator who is representing the southern geo-political zone of the state in the upper chamber said the fallen standard of education has put the nation in dilemma particularly in Taraba State where graduates cannot compete favourably with their mates elsewhere.

“We shall begin to look at areas of legislation; we shall check whether that certificate you are holding is truly yours; if not we shall ask you to give way for the qualified person who can defend his certificate.”

The convener of the summit, Emmanuel Attah said the summit was aimed at improving performance in post primary school external examinations including the West African Senior Certificate Examination (WASSC) and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) among others.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2m6rN5p