Onukaba Ojo, former MD of Daily Times dies at 57

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Adinoyi Onukaba Ojo

• Atiku, Saraki, NUJ, others mourn
• Scholars task FG on roads, security

Former Managing Director of Daily Times, Dr. Adinoyi Onukaba Ojo is dead. He was killed in a motor accident caused by armed robbers who blocked the Akure-Abuja highway.

The late Ojo, who was former Senior Special Assistant on Media to former Vice President, Abubakar Atiku, died in Akure about 10:00p.m on Sunday.The former Aviation correspondent of The Guardian was returning to Abuja from Abeokuta where he attended the inauguration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library.

The Guardian learnt that Ojo, who left Abeokuta with some of his friends lost his life after about 10 minutes drive from Akure. It was gathered that when the driver sighted armed robbers robbing passengers he quickly stopped the car and the occupants dashed into the bush but Onukaba was not so lucky as he was crushed by an oncoming vehicle in an attempt to cross to the other side of the road.

One of his relations, Yusuf Itopa, who is former Chief Press Secretary to the former deputy governor of Kogi State, Chief Philip Salawu, confirmed his death to newsmen in Lokoja yesterday.

Meanwhile, Nigerian scholars have continued to react to the death of Ojo. They enjoined the Federal Government to improve roads and the security situation in the country to forestall loss of lives.

Former Dean, School of Communication, Lagos State University, Prof. Lai Oso, said Onukaba’s death was a big loss to Nigerian Journalism and the literary world.

Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr. Deji Elumoye, described the late Onukaba as a consummate journalist and the best in the country on the aviation during his time.

Head of Mass Communication Department, University of Lagos, Dr. Sunday Oloruntola, said it was a very sad event, as Onukaba was a very young, brilliant, dynamic journalist.”

However, Atiku and Senate president, Bukola Saraki are among prominent Nigerians mourning the death of Ojo. While Atiku described his death as shocking and painful beyond words, Saraki described him as a quintessential intellectual, consummate administrator, complete gentleman and a detribalized Nigerian.

Also, Co-founder of Taijo Wonukabe Limited, Mr. Taiwo Ojo, who was still in shock over the incident, said Ojo death was painful, adding: “We will keep his memory alive.”

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Toxic fumes from cars, power plants raise ‘ageing brain’ risk

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PHOTO: en.wikipedia.org

Globe-trotting pollutants increase chances of developing some malignant growths four times higher than predicted

Invisible particles in the air we breathe may elevate the risk of dementia by 92 per cent, experts have warned. Toxic fumes from cars and power plants are infiltrating brain cells, causing them to swell in response. This leaves the brain at risk of succumbing to the devastating condition, according to a new study.

Experts believe that dangerous levels of pollution in cities could actually be responsible for a fifth of global dementia cases. And scientists also discovered the risk was greater for women – especially if they possess a well-known “dementia gene”.

Researchers from the University of Southern California, United States (U.S.), analysed data of 3,647 women between 65 to 79 who didn’t have dementia.

“Microscopic particles generated by fossil fuels get into our body directly through the nose into the brain,” said study co-author Professor Caleb Finch.

“Cells in the brain treat these particles as invaders and react with inflammatory responses, which over the course of time, appear to exacerbate and promote Alzheimer’s disease. Although the link between air pollution and Alzheimer’s disease is a new scientific frontier, we now have evidence that air pollution, like tobacco, is dangerous to the aging brain.”

The study, which was published in the Translational Psychiatry journal, is the first of its kind conducted in the US. It noted that women who live in heavily polluted areas – such as near main roads or busy city centres are 81 per cent more at risk for cognitive decline.

Also, a new way of looking at how pollutants ride through the atmosphere has quadrupled the estimate of global lung cancer risk from a pollutant caused by combustion, to a level that is now double the allowable limit recommended by the World Health Organization.

The findings, published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Early Edition online, showed that tiny floating particles can grow semi-solid around pollutants, allowing them to last longer and travel much farther than what previous global climate models predicted.
Scientists said the new estimates more closely match actual measurements of the pollutants from more than 300 urban and rural settings.

The study was done by scientists at Oregon State University, the Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, or PNNL, and Peking University. The research was primarily supported by PNNL.

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Relief for Ranieri as Ndidi rocket downs Derby

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Leicester City's Nigerian midfielder Wilfred Ndidi (3R) returns with team-mates for the restart after scoring their seond goal in the first half of extra time during the English FA Cup fourth round replay football match between Leicester City and Derby County at King Power Stadium in Leicester, central England on February 8, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Paul ELLIS

Wilfred Ndidi put a smile back on Claudio Ranieri’s face as the Leicester midfielder’s first goal for the troubled champions inspired a 3-1 win over Derby in Wednesday’s FA Cup fourth round replay.

Ranieri has found himself under fire after Leicester slumped to within one point of the Premier League relegation zone less than a year after their fairytale title triumph.

Amid claims Ranieri has lost the support of his squad, the Leicester boss was given a vote of confidence by the club’s Thai owners on Tuesday.

But Ranieri was in danger of an embarrassing Cup exit when second tier Derby forced extra-time at the King Power Stadium thanks to an Abdoul Camara equaliser after Andy King’s opener.

Ndidi was Ranieri’s saviour as the Nigeria international, who joined from Belgian club Genk in January, came off the bench to score with a superb long-range effort before Demarai Gray’s solo strike clinched Leicester’s first win in six matches.

Next up for Leicester in the Cup is a fifth round trip to third tier Millwall on February 18, but Ranieri knows ensuring top-flight survival is all that matters this season.

Having labelled Sunday’s trip to fellow strugglers Swansea as a “big battle” it was no surprise Ranieri made 10 changes from last weekend’s 3-0 defeat against Manchester United.

And with Derby boss Steve McClaren making eight changes for the promotion chasers, what could have been a blood and thunder cup tie was more akin to a reserve fixture for long periods.

Ranieri’s approval rating with Leicester’s supporters remains high and they sung his name loudly in the opening stages.

– Catalyst –
However, his makeshift line-up laboured to reward the fans’ good faith in a turgid first half.

On the brink of half-time, Jacob Butterfield almost put Derby ahead when his fierce low strike was turned away by Leicester goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler.

Having struggled in the first half, Ranieri’s side finally pieced together an incisive attack to take the lead in the 46th minute.

Gray was the catalyst, cleverly working space for a cross to the far post, where Marc Albrighton nodded back across goal to King and the long-serving Leicester midfielder headed home from close-range.

But when Derby’s Camara smacked a free-kick straight at Zieler moments later, it foreshadowed more frustration for Leicester.

In the 61st minute, Albrighton gave away a free-kick 25 yards out and this time Camara struck gold as the Guinea winger’s shot took a wicked deflection off Ben Chilwell and flashed past the wrong-footed Zieler for his first ever Derby goal.

Late in normal time, Derby keeper Jonathan Mitchell somehow avoided a red card from referee Mike Jones despite stopping Ahmed Musa’s raid by racing out of the area and blocking with his hand.

Derby had a lucky escape when Max Lowe chested the ball against his own post, but Leicester finally conjured a moment of inspiration to win it four minutes into extra-time.

Riyad Mahrez fed fellow substitute Ndidi who advanced unchecked before unleashing a blistering strike that beat Mitchell and went in off a post.

Gray capped Leicester’s encouraging finale in the 114th minute when he went on a mazy run through the Derby defence and guided a cool finish into the roof of the net.

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FG accuses Cross River of misappropriating N19b bailout fund

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Chief Okoi Obono-Obla

The Federal Government has accused the Cross River State government of misappropriating N19billion, which was given to it as bailout fund to pay salaries and pension.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Prosecutions, Okoi Obono-Obla, told The Guardian on Tuesday that “the president had bailed the state out twice but the funds were not judiciously used?”

He explained that the Federal Government gave N7.8billion to the state in July 2016 and another N11.5billion in December to settle all outstanding indebtedness.

Obono-Obla asked: “Why has Governor Benedict Ayade not paid civil servants and pensioners. Why are the residents not asking questions if we must clamour for true federalism?”

Also, the National Vice Chairman (South-South) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ntufam Hilliard Eta, urged the governor to explain how the bailout fund and the Paris Club debt were spent, since they were loans.

He appealed to the governor to invest in infrastructure that would benefit the masses, adding that the state’s position during the public hearing organised by the Senate, showed lack of accountability.

The state Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), John Ushie, had, last week, threatened to go on strike to compel the governor to pay them their entitlements.

But, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor and Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Christian Ita denied that the fund was misappropriated.He said: “What Obono-Obla is doing is personal pursuit of a narrow interest. The delay at the local councils level had to do with technical hitches in the process of bio-verification.

“We are aware that while some people have not earned their salaries for up to six months, others had been paid up to March 2016. So it is not a question of lack of money but that of trying to address the technical challenges.

“Government had raised an inter-ministerial panel, mandating commissioners to go to local councils to supervise the exercise. As soon as it is completed, everybody would be paid,” he said.

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Leicester fairytale lurches into nightmare

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Leicester City's Danish goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel (R) makes a save to prevent Manchester United's Spanish midfielder Juan Mata having a shot on goal during the English Premier League football match between Leicester City and Manchester United at King Power Stadium in Leicester, central England on February 5, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Ben STANSALL /

The urgent tone in Kasper Schmeichel’s voice said everything about the fate that has befallen Leicester City, fairytale Premier League champions become shock relegation candidates.

“We’re the reigning champions and quite frankly it’s been terrible. It’s been embarrassing,” the Danish goalkeeper told a television reporter after Leicester’s 3-0 defeat at home to Manchester United on Sunday.

“It’s time for every single one of us, right from the top to the bottom of this club, to stand up and be counted because if we don’t, we’re going to end up getting relegated.”

A year on from a stunning 3-1 win at Manchester City that sent them five points clear at the league summit, the loss to United left Claudio Ranieri’s men a solitary point above the relegation zone.

Just nine months after the dizzy climax to their 5,000-1 title triumph, Leicester face the prospect of becoming England’s first defending champions to be relegated since Manchester City in 1938.

Beaten only three times last season, they have lost 13 times already this term — losing their last four league games without scoring a goal — and are still to win a single game away from home.

“Last season was a freak, so this is what you’d expect from Leicester: fighting relegation,” said former Liverpool defender turned Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher.

“They have got to do something before the end of the season because one of the great sporting stories of all-time could become a story for all the wrong reasons.”

Leicester’s woes are embodied by the dismal form of Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez, the rough-cut attacking stars whose goals and assists catapulted the Foxes to the title last May.

Leicester’s top scorer in 2015-16 with 24 goals, Vardy has found the net only five times since the start of the campaign.

Mahrez won a glut of individual awards after scoring 17 goals and supplying 11 assists last term, but the Algeria winger has scored only three times and created just two goals since the start of the season.

– Tactical tinkering –
One-man midfield N’Golo Kante, Leicester’s other stand-out player last season, was the only departure during the close season and the club have failed to plug the hole created by his move to current leaders Chelsea.

“(Robert) Huth and (Wes) Morgan without Kante in front of them are like Huth and Morgan,” Leicester old boy Gary Lineker tweeted sardonically as United’s forwards gave Leicester’s centre-backs the runaround on Sunday.

Injury has hampered Nampalys Mendy since he signed from Nice and with Daniel Amartey an unconvincing stop-gap, Leicester splashed out £15 million ($18.7 million, 17.4 million euros) to sign Wilfred Ndidi last month.

Leicester lost head of recruitment Steve Walsh to Everton after last season’s triumph and their transfer activity since has been patchy.

Islam Slimani, a club-record £30 million acquisition from Sporting Lisbon, has been a useful addition, his six goals to date including winners against Porto and West Ham United.

But Ahmed Musa has not convinced, Mendy has barely played, Ron-Robert Zieler has looked a less than capable deputy for Schmeichel and Luis Hernandez lasted just half a season before being sold to Malaga.

Ranieri’s tactical tinkering has also come under the spotlight.

Leicester stuck with a tried and tested 4-4-2 system throughout last season, but the Italian’s attempts to broaden his players’ horizons this term have produced some confused performances.

Reports emerged last week that Ranieri is facing squad unrest over his tactics and selection decisions and he is now the British bookmakers’ favourite to be the next Premier League manager to lose his job.

Leicester face a potentially defining run of fixtures, with Wednesday’s FA Cup replay at home to east Midlands rivals Derby County followed by a trip to fellow strugglers Swansea City.

They will then visit Sevilla for the club’s first ever Champions League knockout game, a reminder of glories past that are rapidly retreating into memory.

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Madrid extend lead as Barca, Sevilla slip-up

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Real Madrid's forward Alvaro Morata is congratuled by Real Madrid's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo (2L) after scoring a goal during the Spanish league football match Real Madrid CF vs Real Sociedad at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on January 29, 2017.<br />GERARD JULIEN / AFP

Real Madrid extended their La Liga lead to four points and still have a game in hand over their title rivals as Cristiano Ronaldo was on target in a 3-0 win over Real Sociedad at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Earlier on Sunday, Barcelona were left to rue La Liga’s lack of goal line technology as they weren’t awarded a clear goal in a controversial 1-1 draw at Real Betis.

However, Barca still moved up to second on goal difference as Sevilla were reduced to 10 men after just two minutes in a 3-1 defeat at Espanyol.

Madrid had won only one of their previous five games and were dumped out of the Copa del Rey by Celta Vigo in midweek.

However, even without six first-team regulars through injury, Real took a huge step towards a first La Liga title for five years against an in-form Sociedad, who remain just one point off the top four in fifth.

“After a few difficult days we were back to being ourselves tonight. It was a complete performance against a strong opponent,” said Real boss Zinedine Zidane.

“We can say it has been a good night for us because our rivals have drawn or lost.”

Mateo Kovacic opened the scoring with the only real chance of the first-half as he timed his late run from midfield perfectly for Ronaldo’s through ball and slotted low beyond Geronimo Rulli.

The roles were reversed six minutes into the second-half as this time Kovacic’s pass split the Sociedad defence and Ronaldo coolly chipped the onrushing Rulli for his 20th goal of the season.

Sociedad’s uphill task was made impossible 15 minutes from time when Inigo Martinez was sent-off for a second bookable offence.

And Alvaro Morata made the 10 men pay as he bulleted home Lucas Vazquez’s cross for the third eight minutes from time.

‘Metre over the line’
There was far more drama at the Benito Villamarin as Barca were largely outplayed by Betis, but still felt hard done by after referee Alejandro Jose Hernandez failed to award them an equaliser when the ball crossed the Betis line shortly after Alex Alegria’s opener 15 minutes from time.

“We have to help the referees,” Barca boss Luis Enrique told BeIN Sports Spain.

“The technology can help them. I say that for all situations not just ones that go for me, but against me too.”

Luis Suarez did at least rescue a point in the dying seconds, though, as he slotted home Lionel Messi’s through ball for his 21st goal of the season.

However, he was less understanding as he claimed the ball “was a metre over the line.”

The hosts dominated opening 75 minutes as Dani Ceballos saw a dipping long-range effort come back off the bar before Ruben Castro struck the post with Marc-Andre ter Stegen beaten at his near post.

The German goalkeeper had a moment to forget for the opening goal as he failed to get a good connection on an attempted punch under pressure from two Betis players and the ball fell kindly for Alegria to tap home.

Conceding appeared to wake Barca from their slumber and they were doubly denied by Hernandez seconds later as Neymar went down inside the area and the ball ricocheted off Riza Durmisi and over his own line despite Alissa Mandi’s best efforts.

Yet, La Liga’s refusal to implement goal line technology due to pricing fears cost Barca dearly as no goal was given.

Betis should have sealed the three points when Castro broke clear on goal eight minutes from time, but Ter Stegen redeemed himself with a fine save.

And that miss proved crucial as Messi finally found the space to slip a pass through the Betis defence and Suarez dispatched the ball into the far corner.

“The feeling I have is that we have won one point (not lost two),” added Enrique.

There was also refereeing controversy at Espanyol as Sevilla’s shot at moving top lasted barely two minutes when Nico Pareja was very harshly sent-off on top of conceding a penalty for a trip on Pablo Piatti.

Former Sevilla favourite Jose Antonio Reyes showed no mercy to his former club as he converted from the spot, but Stefan Jovetic levelled for the 10 men inside 20 minutes.

Reyes haunted Sevilla once more as his free-kick was headed home by Marc Navarro in first-half stoppage time. And Gerard Moreno sealed the three points for Espanyol as this time Navarro was the supplier for his headed finish.

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