Gabon 2017: Cameroon, Egypt go head to head in Cup of Nations final…See full details

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Egypt's national football team players run during a training session on February 4, 2017 in Libreville, on the eve of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations final between Egypt and Cameroon. PHOTO: ISSOUF SANOGO / AFP

Traditional continental giants who had fallen on hard times, Egypt and Cameroon are looking to cap remarkable revivals when they meet in the Africa Cup of Nations final on Sunday.

The first winners of the trophy 60 years ago, Egypt have been African champions a record seven times but were making their comeback in the competition here after missing the last three editions of the Cup of Nations amid political upheaval in the country.

Behind them Cameroon are, alongside Ghana, the next most successful side in the history of the tournament with four victories, the last in 2002.

While Egypt were seen as dark horses on their return to the Cup of Nations for the first time since their run of three straight triumphs in 2006, 2008 and 2010, Cameroon were dismissed as outsiders.

Apparently handicapped by the refusal of several leading players to accept call-ups from Belgian coach Hugo Broos, instead a team lacking in stars has eliminated hosts Gabon and fancied duo Senegal and Ghana to make it this far.

Sunday’s match at the 40,000-seat Stade de l’Amitie in Gabon’s capital Libreville kicks off at 1900 GMT and will be preceded by a closing ceremony, which begins around an hour and a half earlier.

It will be the third meeting of the countries in the final — Egypt won on penalties in Cairo in 1986 and triumphed 1-0 in Accra in 2008.

That was Cameroon’s last final appearance, but while then they had the likes of Samuel Eto’o and Rigobert Song, their current team has no such big name stars.

“For these young players — 14 of the 23 are playing at their first Cup of Nations — it is possibly a unique opportunity in their careers to win the trophy,” Broos said.

Speaking to reporters on Saturday, captain Benjamin Moukandjo added: “Of course when you get to this stage you want to win but I think looking at the run we have had we have already done well.

“I don’t think anyone here would have bet a cent on us beforehand and that’s a real shame for them.”

Egypt have been solid and unspectacular on their run to the final, the only goal they have conceded coming in the semi-final against Burkina Faso.

– Cuper finally a winner? –

After drawing that match 1-1, they went through on penalties, 44-year-old goalkeeper Essam El Hadary saving two spot-kicks to take the Pharaohs through and keep alive his dream of winning the title for the fifth time in a remarkable career.

Like Broos with Cameroon, Hector Cuper has done a fine job in reviving the fortunes of the Egyptians, whose squad contains only four survivors from their 2010 triumph in El Hadary, Ahmed Fathy, Mohamed Abdel-Shafi and Hull City wing-back Ahmed Elmohamady.

“Egypt will not be very different to what we have seen so far, whether people like that or not, whether that means we will be attacking or not,” Cuper said on Saturday.

Cuper’s own career has featured numerous disappointments in finals, most notably in successive seasons in the UEFA Champions League with Valencia in 2000 and 2001.

The Argentine did not take kindly on Saturday to a question about the number of finals he had been in and lost, but he can take some comfort from Egypt’s own record in finals — they have won seven of eight in the Cup of Nations.

The injuries have been piling up for them, however, and there is a doubt surrounding the participation of centre-back Ahmed Hegazy. Strikers Ahmed Hassan and Marwan Mohsen are out and Mohamed Elneny of Arsenal has had a calf problem.

“We will wait until the last moment to see how the players are feeling. They are very tired, but a final is different to other games and there are a huge number of factors in play,” added Cuper.

On Saturday, Burkina Faso secured the consolation prize of third place after beating Ghana 1-0 in Port-Gentil thanks to a late Alain Traore free-kick.

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Sean Tizzle – Alhaji [Mp3 + Lyrics]

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Sean Tizzle officially drops his Much Anticipated EP titled ”Moving Forwards” .

Here is a track off the EP, titled “ Alhaji”, produced by Black Jersy.

Download and enjoy below…

DOWNLOAD

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Gabon 2017: Cameroon, Egypt go head to head in Cup of Nations final

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Egypt's national football team players run during a training session on February 4, 2017 in Libreville, on the eve of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations final between Egypt and Cameroon. PHOTO: ISSOUF SANOGO / AFP

Traditional continental giants who had fallen on hard times, Egypt and Cameroon are looking to cap remarkable revivals when they meet in the Africa Cup of Nations final on Sunday.

The first winners of the trophy 60 years ago, Egypt have been African champions a record seven times but were making their comeback in the competition here after missing the last three editions of the Cup of Nations amid political upheaval in the country.

Behind them Cameroon are, alongside Ghana, the next most successful side in the history of the tournament with four victories, the last in 2002.

While Egypt were seen as dark horses on their return to the Cup of Nations for the first time since their run of three straight triumphs in 2006, 2008 and 2010, Cameroon were dismissed as outsiders.

Apparently handicapped by the refusal of several leading players to accept call-ups from Belgian coach Hugo Broos, instead a team lacking in stars has eliminated hosts Gabon and fancied duo Senegal and Ghana to make it this far.

Sunday’s match at the 40,000-seat Stade de l’Amitie in Gabon’s capital Libreville kicks off at 1900 GMT and will be preceded by a closing ceremony, which begins around an hour and a half earlier.

It will be the third meeting of the countries in the final — Egypt won on penalties in Cairo in 1986 and triumphed 1-0 in Accra in 2008.

That was Cameroon’s last final appearance, but while then they had the likes of Samuel Eto’o and Rigobert Song, their current team has no such big name stars.

“For these young players — 14 of the 23 are playing at their first Cup of Nations — it is possibly a unique opportunity in their careers to win the trophy,” Broos said.

Speaking to reporters on Saturday, captain Benjamin Moukandjo added: “Of course when you get to this stage you want to win but I think looking at the run we have had we have already done well.

“I don’t think anyone here would have bet a cent on us beforehand and that’s a real shame for them.”

Egypt have been solid and unspectacular on their run to the final, the only goal they have conceded coming in the semi-final against Burkina Faso.

– Cuper finally a winner? –

After drawing that match 1-1, they went through on penalties, 44-year-old goalkeeper Essam El Hadary saving two spot-kicks to take the Pharaohs through and keep alive his dream of winning the title for the fifth time in a remarkable career.

Like Broos with Cameroon, Hector Cuper has done a fine job in reviving the fortunes of the Egyptians, whose squad contains only four survivors from their 2010 triumph in El Hadary, Ahmed Fathy, Mohamed Abdel-Shafi and Hull City wing-back Ahmed Elmohamady.

“Egypt will not be very different to what we have seen so far, whether people like that or not, whether that means we will be attacking or not,” Cuper said on Saturday.

Cuper’s own career has featured numerous disappointments in finals, most notably in successive seasons in the UEFA Champions League with Valencia in 2000 and 2001.

The Argentine did not take kindly on Saturday to a question about the number of finals he had been in and lost, but he can take some comfort from Egypt’s own record in finals — they have won seven of eight in the Cup of Nations.

The injuries have been piling up for them, however, and there is a doubt surrounding the participation of centre-back Ahmed Hegazy. Strikers Ahmed Hassan and Marwan Mohsen are out and Mohamed Elneny of Arsenal has had a calf problem.

“We will wait until the last moment to see how the players are feeling. They are very tired, but a final is different to other games and there are a huge number of factors in play,” added Cuper.

On Saturday, Burkina Faso secured the consolation prize of third place after beating Ghana 1-0 in Port-Gentil thanks to a late Alain Traore free-kick.

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Egypt’s goalkeeper, El Hadary eyes fifth cup title

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Egypt's national football team goalkeeper Essam el-Hadary attends a training session on February 4, 2017 in Libreville, on the eve of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations final between Egypt and Cameroon.<br />ISSOUF SANOGO / AFP

When Essam El Hadary, the Egyptian goalkeeper who will start in today’s Africa Cup of Nations final, made his international debut, his current teammate, Ramadan Sobhi had not yet been born.

First capped in 1996, El Hadary was the man whose saves in a penalty shootout against Burkina Faso on Wednesday took the Pharaohs through to a date with Cameroon in Libreville.

The combined age of the two Burkinabe players he thwarted – Bertrand Traore and goalkeeper Herve Koffi are 21 and 20 respectively – still does not match that of El Hadary, who is unique and still going strong at 44.

“All I have done all my life is train. I can’t do anything without football,” he said after playing in Egypt’s 0-0 draw with Mali that began their campaign in Gabon.

He had turned 44 just two days before that game. His teammates made him a cake, although he insists that he hates celebrating birthdays and preferred to mark the occasion by becoming the oldest ever player at the Cup of Nations.

Named on the bench at kick-off, he soon came on for the injured Ahmed El Shennawy to break the previous record set by fellow Egyptian Hossam Hassan, who was barely 39 and a half when he played at the 2006 tournament.

“I am the happiest person in Egypt at playing at the Cup of Nations again,” he said later. “I had a feeling before the match I would play. I dreamt of breaking the record.”

He has remained the last line of defence in Hector Cuper’s solid and hard-working side and had gone 653 minutes without conceding in the Cup of Nations until Aristide Bance’s strike for Burkina Faso in the semifinal.

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MAN laments economic situation

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By Chidi Nkwopara, Owerri
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria,  MAN, says despite the promises and measures taken by the Federal Government, “the economic situation in the country remains worrisome”.

The MAN President, Dr. Frank S. U. Jacobs, spoke while flagging-off the 29th Annual General Meeting of Imo/Abia branch of the body.

“The economic situation of the country remains very worrisome and this calls for greater synergy between the government and MAN in order to pull the economy out of recession”, Jacobs said.

He also expressed worry that the economic recession has made quite a number of industries to be recording lower capacity utilization and profitability, adding that some have downsized their workforce in order to remain in business.

According to the MAN boss, “the manufacturing sector remains the most viable ally of government, as it creates wealth, generate employment and engenders skill acquisition among other things”.

While asking Nigerian manufacturers to be creative and work out means of remaining in business, Dr. Jacobs also pleaded with his colleagues to key into the resources-based industrialisation policy, which the Federal Government has adopted.

“Government should create attractive incentives for investors, who would engage in the processing of the abundant agricultural and mineral resources from primary produce to secondary or intermediate products”, the MAN President said.

Continuing, Dr. Jacobs reasoned that government has to look for viable options of making foreign exchange available to manufacturers.

Welcoming the participants earlier, the Chairman, Imo/Abia MAN, Barr. Romanus Anyanwu, identified ever increasing input cost occasioned by the inaccessibility of foreign exchange for raw materials and spares, multiple taxes and levies by all tiers of government, as well as fake and substandard imported products, are some of the major problems facing manufacturers.

Anyanwu equally grieved over the militarized form of collecting taxes by government and agencies, high cost of funds, inadequate long term loans to support Nigerian manufacturers and inadequate electricity power supply and exploitation of members through outrageous estimated bills.

 

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Abubakar-Njodi, a VC and worthy alumnus

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By Olatunde Aina

Since his appointment over two years ago, this administrative colossus has embarked on projects that are not only visible but also beneficial to generations yet unborn.

Known for his un-ending passion for excellence, Prof. Ibrahim Abubakar-Njodi, Vice Chancellor, University of Maiduguri’s accomplishment in just two years at the helm of affairs at this citadel of learning exudes nothing else except class.

Even in the face of challenges such as insecurity, meagre resources, and insufficient manpower, he was still able to churn out success to surmount the myriad of bottlenecks confronting the institution.

His uncommon exploits has proven that with sagacious service-delivery in the area of administration from our vice-chancellors in Nigeria. They can stand to gain tremendous mileage in terms of partnership and support from the international communities.

Born on January 13, 1959 at Kaltungo in Kaltungo local government area of Gombe State, he attended L.E.A Primary School, Kaltungo from 1967- 1973 and later ECWA Primary School from 1973–1975 all in Kaltungo. He later went to government teacher’s college Jama’are in Bauchi state from 1975–1980. He was offered admission into the University of Maiduguri from 1981–1985 where he obtained B.sc Physical and health education. He then joined the services of the University of Maiduguri as a graduate assistant in 1987 and later proceeded for his master’s degree from 1988 to 1991 in the same University specializing in health education. He proceeded to the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka for his Ph.D.in public health education from 2000–2003.

Njodi was appointed acting Dean, Faculty of Education (2008–2010)and was subsequently elected substantive Dean, of the same faculty in 2010, thereby emerging the first alumnus of the university to serve as Dean of the faculty.

The VC was appointed Deputy Vice Chancellor(Academic Services) in 2010 and ultimately Vice-Chancellor from June 2014 to date, therefore becoming the first and second alumnus to serve in these capacities respectively.

As a refined administrator par excellence, his outstanding qualities have not gone un-noticed. He has been awarded several professional fellowships and awards; even from his home front, he is seen as a remarkable achiever in his native Kaltungo chiefdom. He was deservedly decorated with the traditional title of “Dan Rimin Kaltungo”, because his dexterous works have had a great impact from all and sundry.

Ultimately, the highly revered Shehu of Borno has also awarded him with the traditional title of Shettimallmube of Borno. He has accomplished a wide varieties of achievement in just few years at the saddle in the university of Maiduguri, he has ensured smooth academic programmes on campus, he embarked on building new structures and rehabilitated old buildings to improve infrastructures, even in the face of dwindling financial budget accruable to the university.

He explored viable investment mechanisms which has yielded great result in other to achieve set goals in projecting the citadel of learning into a first-class university not only in northern nigeria, but africa at large.

He also scored highly in the area of staff refresher courses and re-training programmes to maintain and sustain academic prosperity amongst the staff in continuation of their quality impactation on students in the university.

Ibrahim-Njodi has become a reference point for other university administrators that have allowed challenges battling their universities to over-whelm them to see the pictures clearer that there is light at the end of the tunnel after all. If only they could imbibe and formulate top-notch policies that could bring their projections and blue-prints for success to the fore.

Little wonder, accolades keeps pouring from far and near for this sagacious administrator, a scholarly icon with a knack for achieving excellence which has become his hallmark in all his endeavors.

• Aina is based in Lagos.

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Breaking: 2face backs out, cancels planned protest 24hrs to Buhari’s resumption

AFCON 2017 Final: Pharaohs are battle weary, Cuper cries out

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Pharaohs of Egypt, Héctor Cúper has revealed that his players are exhausted from playing tough games in the tournament.

The Pharaohs qualified to the final game after beating Burkina Faso on penalties, while Cameroon defeated the Black Stars 2-0 and Cúper thinks that both teams   have   the  same style of play.

“Cameroon is a very strong and an organized team. They’ve deservedly qualified to final,” the Argentine manager said in his press conference on Saturday.

“I think that we have the same style of play and the game will be tough for both teams.

“My players are exhausted, there have been short intervals between matches. We are now rehabilitating the players to find out who will be available for the game.

“I hope to win the title, but that depends on luck and the players’ performance,” he added.

The 61-year-old then spoke about the Italian style of play and the resemblance between it and his, revealing that he learned a lot during his time in Italy with Inter Milan and Parma.

“I have spent a good managerial stint in Italy and learned many things there. The Italian football was at its best and and the Italian league was the best in the world,” Cúper added.

“Mohamed Salah is there now and is one of the best players in the Italian league after he adapted quickly and improved his performance,” he concluded.

 

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AFCON 2017: Rohr roars for Indomitable Lions

2018 WC Qualifiers: Rohr confident Eagles will maintain form

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Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has expressed optimism that the World Cup 2018 campaign of the team will remain intact, despite not playing at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Two of the Super Eagles group opponents, Algeria and Cameroon featured in the AFCON 2017 tournament, which the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon’s are poised to win.

“We are in good position to qualify. I don’t think our not participating in the AFCON will have effects on the team.

“I sincerely believe we will do everything possible to qualify for the World Cup going by the commitment of the players,” he said.

He said he was relying on his relatively young and success hungry team to keep the momentum.

“It is an interesting challenge, to have a new team, a young team, to build a team with players who really have the spirit of the country, who want to play, to fight, to give their all, who don’t want to speak about material things, but who are here because they want to play for their country,” Rohr said.

“We have a good captain with experience, we have found some defenders to make us stronger at the back and I think the spirit and harmony of the team is very good. But we know the important times come now.  The Super Eagles top group B with six points, having defeated Zambia 2-1 and Algeria 3-1 in their opening two group matches. They face a very tough tie against Cameroon on August 28 in Uyo, a match that could determine the fate of the two teams.”

 

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When powers of an Acting President are neither executive nor absolute

Adeboye’s lecture: Atoyebi, others extol his virtues…advocates separate office for A-G

TOSIN ADEBOWALE: Activist who shares stories of abused, raped, physically assaulted women

Africa mining sector meets amid commodity price comeback

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Commodities like iron, copper and tin are soaring, raising hope among analysts this year's Mining Indaba in Cape Town may spur funding for new mining ventures. PHOTO: AMY COOPES/AFP/File

Investors and mining firms gather Monday at Africa’s biggest industry conference amid a newfound optimism that the uptick in commodity prices could shore up investment after years of downturn.

The annual four-day Mining Indaba in Cape Town takes place as demand in China, one of the world’s biggest consumers, begins to stabilise.

Commodities like iron, copper and tin are soaring to new heights, raising hope among analysts that this year’s conference may spur funding for new mining ventures.

“A lot of these prices are up 100 percent from what they were a year before, some only fifty percent, but some three or four hundred percent, so this should be the biggest Indaba we’ve seen in a couple (of) years,” said Peter Major, mining analyst at Cadiz Corporate Solutions.

The devastating price slump saw several commodity-dependent economies across Africa stagnate, with companies cutting jobs and some shutting down operations.

Africa’s biggest copper producers Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) were among the worst hit, with thousand of jobs lost over the last three years.

The jobs bloodbath also hit South Africa, the continent’s most diversified economy which is battling poor growth.

The World Bank’s latest commodities forecast, however, confirms the worst is finally over, with prices on a solid climb thanks to strong Chinese demand and a tightening supply.

Copper prices jumped 10 percent in the last quarter of 2016, “the first double-digit quarterly gain in nearly five years”, the report said.

The bank is now projecting metals prices to rise by 11 percent in 2017, a significant improvement from an earlier forecast of just 4 percent.

“Policy efforts by China to boost commodity-intensive infrastructure and construction sectors were a key driver of demand last year,” the report said.

“Prices also received a boost following the US election on expectations of higher infrastructure investment and increased optimism for the global economy.”

By the end of 2016, iron ore was selling at $80 a tonne, nearly double its price a year earlier, and metals like zinc were both up for the fourth straight quarter.

Although the mood was shifting, Major warned against being overly excited about improvement, saying it looked like an “over-recovery” and adding “I don’t trust it”.

Rene Hochreiter, an analyst at Noah Capital Markets, said the prices would return to the mean “sooner or later”.

“There might be a bit of euphoria at the moment with it shooting over the mean and it will come back down, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to go negative,” he told AFP.

“I just hope this time it’s not a false start,” he added. “I’ve seen too many of those and I don’t want to get too excited, but it feels a lot better than it has for a number of years.”

Recovery optimism has also been reflected in conference numbers, with delegate registrations up year-on-year for the first time “in quite a few years”, according to organisers.

Slow mining production had been cited as one of the major contributors to South Africa’s poor growth, currently at an annualised 0.2 percent.

The country exports a slew of resources including platinum, gold and diamonds, but companies must navigate a volatile strike-prone labour force and legislative red tape.

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Tuface cancels planned protests (Read full details)

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The artist announced the cancellation of the planned protests on Saturday night, citing security concerns.

Nigerian pop artist Innocent Idibia, also known as Tuface, has called off the nationwide marches he organised to protest against the government’s handling of the economy.

Tuface cited security concerns for the cancellation though he initially insisted on going ahead with the marches scheduled for Lagos and Abuja in spite of repeated warnings from the Lagos State Police Command and Nigeria Police High Command.

“After due consultations, it has become clear that the One Voice Nigeria protest scheduled to hold in Lagos and Abuja on Monday the 6th of February is under serious threat of hijack by interests not aligned with our ideals,” he said in a video post on his Instagram page.

Nigerian police spokesman, Jimoh Moshood, had cited same negative security implications of the protests for the reason the police advised Tuface and other groups not to proceed with their plans.

“The Nigeria Police Force is currently in possession of credible intelligence reports that other interest groups are equally planning to hold a counter protest/marches on the same days at the same places/cities as the Tuface group. Moshood said in a statement on Friday.

“If these various planned protests/demonstrations are held as scheduled, that there may be a breakdown of law and order, with attendant loss of lives and property.”

Tuface insisted his intentions for spearheading the plans to protest were noble and that it would be counterproductive for him to ignore the adverse security reports.

“The point I’m intent on making is not worth the life of any Nigerian. I mean, it is in fact motivated by the need to demand a better deal for the ordinary Nigerian,” he said.

The pop star has been an advocate for youth’s participation in politics with much of his activism devoted to campaigning against electoral violence. Through his “Vote Not Fight: Election No Be War” initiative, he sought to dissuade youths from engaging in political thuggery.

The cancelled protests, he said, were organised to promote good governance and to spur the government into formulating policies that would halt the rot in the Nigerian economy.

This is “a call for good governance,” he said. “A call for an urgent explanation into the reckless economic downturn nationwide. A call for nationwide protests as we say No to the Executive, No to legislatures, No to judiciary…. You have all failed us.”

He said there was a “need for Nigerians to rise against what is happening in this country having waited patiently for the legislatures that were elected to represent the people all to no avail.”

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Tuface cancels planned protests

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The artist announced the cancellation of the planned protests on Saturday night, citing security concerns.

Nigerian pop artist Innocent Idibia, also known as Tuface, has called off the nationwide marches he organised to protest against the government’s handling of the economy.

Tuface cited security concerns for the cancellation though he initially insisted on going ahead with the marches scheduled for Lagos and Abuja in spite of repeated warnings from the Lagos State Police Command and Nigeria Police High Command.

“After due consultations, it has become clear that the One Voice Nigeria protest scheduled to hold in Lagos and Abuja on Monday the 6th of February is under serious threat of hijack by interests not aligned with our ideals,” he said in a video post on his Instagram page.

Nigerian police spokesman, Jimoh Moshood, had cited same negative security implications of the protests for the reason the police advised Tuface and other groups not to proceed with their plans.

“The Nigeria Police Force is currently in possession of credible intelligence reports that other interest groups are equally planning to hold a counter protest/marches on the same days at the same places/cities as the Tuface group. Moshood said in a statement on Friday.

“If these various planned protests/demonstrations are held as scheduled, that there may be a breakdown of law and order, with attendant loss of lives and property.”

Tuface insisted his intentions for spearheading the plans to protest were noble and that it would be counterproductive for him to ignore the adverse security reports.

“The point I’m intent on making is not worth the life of any Nigerian. I mean, it is in fact motivated by the need to demand a better deal for the ordinary Nigerian,” he said.

The pop star has been an advocate for youth’s participation in politics with much of his activism devoted to campaigning against electoral violence. Through his “Vote Not Fight: Election No Be War” initiative, he sought to dissuade youths from engaging in political thuggery.

The cancelled protests, he said, were organised to promote good governance and to spur the government into formulating policies that would halt the rot in the Nigerian economy.

This is “a call for good governance,” he said. “A call for an urgent explanation into the reckless economic downturn nationwide. A call for nationwide protests as we say No to the Executive, No to legislatures, No to judiciary…. You have all failed us.”

He said there was a “need for Nigerians to rise against what is happening in this country having waited patiently for the legislatures that were elected to represent the people all to no avail.”

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Ibori arrives, treated to heroic welcome in Delta

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Allegedly Met With DSS

Former governor of Delta State, James Ibori, yesterday arrived the country aboard the British Airways, after serving his jail terms in the United Kingdom over charges bordering on corruption and money laundering.

Agency reports quoting an official of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, said British Airways plane conveying Ibori touched down in the airport early in the morning.

According to the reports, the former governor was picked up by some people to an undisclosed place. The identity of those who received him was not disclosed, but it was rumoured that he was briefly taken to the office of the Department of State Security Service for debriefing, before being allowed to leave for his home state.

At his home state, Delta, it was celebration, as his loyalists and notable personalities trooped to Osubi Airstrip, Warri to welcome home their hero.
They had massed at the airstrip as early as 9am, singing and dancing to give him a befitting heroic welcome.

Some of the personalities at the airstrip were former commissioners who served under Ibori, party leaders from various local councils and several hundreds of youths who happily branded themselves “Ibori Boys”.

At about 10 am, news filtered in that Ibori was already airborne and on his way to Warri. Every plane that landed was thought to be conveying the former governor; many loyalists were restrained by the airstrip personnel from running towards landing planes.

At about 2:27 pm after many people had waited for over six hours, the news filtered in again that Ibori’s flight had been diverted to Benin. A sudden feeling of disappointment immediately enveloped the airstrip. People lamented that they had been made to spend a lot of time at the strip, only to be told that Ibori would arrive through the Benin Airport.

As they made to leave, a commotion ensued when another plane landed and words quickly spread that it was Ibori’s flight that landed. Cars and jeeps started making a U-turn only to discover that it was a hoax and that indeed Ibori would land at the Benin Airport.

At Benin airport, he was shielded from the prying eyes of journalists who had besieged the airport as early as 9am, when news of his arrival filtered into the state.

At exactly 2.20pm, a private jet with black and red stripes marked 5N-IZY landed and Ibori and few persons believed to be family members alighted amidst tight security of highly kitted, stern looking and heavily armed mobile policemen and plain cloth operatives.

Indication that an eminent personality was being expected started when two unmarked Toyota Land Cruiser jeeps, an orange colour Murano jeep drove to the parking lot at the VIP wing of the airport, the occupants briefed other persons believed to be members of the entourage.

Few minutes later, an additional four other unmarked black Toyota jeeps and three Hilux vans, all loaded with security personnel drove into the airport complex.

Some persons believed to be aides, dressed in black jacket were the first to alight from the jet, then Ibori himself, who wore a black top on a black jeans came down and was accompanied into the VIP waiting room.

He was shielded into one of the stationed jeeps.The battle ready security men whose hands were on the triggers were apparently drafted to keep the few journalists around from getting close and taking photographs of the private jet and Chief Ibori.

Many of the airport staff and security were not aware of the arrival of Ibor. The convoy drove off at about 2:47pm on at speed with Chief Ibori’s vehicle leading the way.

It was learnt that the Benin airport was used as a decoy to divert attention of the mammoth crowd of family members, political associates, friends and well-wishers, who converged at the Osubi airport to receive him.

Meanwhile, his media aide, Tony Eluemunor, said the former Governor arrived his village Oghara at about 4:40pm local time to a well-planned welcome ceremony put together by his kinsmen.

Ibori was released from British prison in December after serving half of his 13-year sentence, taking into account pre-trial detention. Born on Aug. 4, 1959, Ibori was the governor of Delta from May 29, 1999 to May 29, 2007 on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)

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Ibori arrives, treated to heroic welcome in Delta

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Allegedly Met With DSS

Former governor of Delta State, James Ibori, yesterday arrived the country aboard the British Airways, after serving his jail terms in the United Kingdom over charges bordering on corruption and money laundering.

Agency reports quoting an official of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, said British Airways plane conveying Ibori touched down in the airport early in the morning.

According to the reports, the former governor was picked up by some people to an undisclosed place. The identity of those who received him was not disclosed, but it was rumoured that he was briefly taken to the office of the Department of State Security Service for debriefing, before being allowed to leave for his home state.

At his home state, Delta, it was celebration, as his loyalists and notable personalities trooped to Osubi Airstrip, Warri to welcome home their hero.
They had massed at the airstrip as early as 9am, singing and dancing to give him a befitting heroic welcome.

Some of the personalities at the airstrip were former commissioners who served under Ibori, party leaders from various local councils and several hundreds of youths who happily branded themselves “Ibori Boys”.

At about 10 am, news filtered in that Ibori was already airborne and on his way to Warri. Every plane that landed was thought to be conveying the former governor; many loyalists were restrained by the airstrip personnel from running towards landing planes.

At about 2:27 pm after many people had waited for over six hours, the news filtered in again that Ibori’s flight had been diverted to Benin. A sudden feeling of disappointment immediately enveloped the airstrip. People lamented that they had been made to spend a lot of time at the strip, only to be told that Ibori would arrive through the Benin Airport.

As they made to leave, a commotion ensued when another plane landed and words quickly spread that it was Ibori’s flight that landed. Cars and jeeps started making a U-turn only to discover that it was a hoax and that indeed Ibori would land at the Benin Airport.

At Benin airport, he was shielded from the prying eyes of journalists who had besieged the airport as early as 9am, when news of his arrival filtered into the state.

At exactly 2.20pm, a private jet with black and red stripes marked 5N-IZY landed and Ibori and few persons believed to be family members alighted amidst tight security of highly kitted, stern looking and heavily armed mobile policemen and plain cloth operatives.

Indication that an eminent personality was being expected started when two unmarked Toyota Land Cruiser jeeps, an orange colour Murano jeep drove to the parking lot at the VIP wing of the airport, the occupants briefed other persons believed to be members of the entourage.

Few minutes later, an additional four other unmarked black Toyota jeeps and three Hilux vans, all loaded with security personnel drove into the airport complex.

Some persons believed to be aides, dressed in black jacket were the first to alight from the jet, then Ibori himself, who wore a black top on a black jeans came down and was accompanied into the VIP waiting room.

He was shielded into one of the stationed jeeps.The battle ready security men whose hands were on the triggers were apparently drafted to keep the few journalists around from getting close and taking photographs of the private jet and Chief Ibori.

Many of the airport staff and security were not aware of the arrival of Ibor. The convoy drove off at about 2:47pm on at speed with Chief Ibori’s vehicle leading the way.

It was learnt that the Benin airport was used as a decoy to divert attention of the mammoth crowd of family members, political associates, friends and well-wishers, who converged at the Osubi airport to receive him.

Meanwhile, his media aide, Tony Eluemunor, said the former Governor arrived his village Oghara at about 4:40pm local time to a well-planned welcome ceremony put together by his kinsmen.

Ibori was released from British prison in December after serving half of his 13-year sentence, taking into account pre-trial detention. Born on Aug. 4, 1959, Ibori was the governor of Delta from May 29, 1999 to May 29, 2007 on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2l5Zd3E

At least 2,000 march on Trump’s Florida resort…Read full details

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At least 2,000 people marched Saturday near President Donald Trump’s Florida golf club, voicing outrage at his executive order to bar refugees and travelers from seven Muslim-majority countries.

Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were attending the annual Red Cross ball at Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s “Winter White House,” located in an upscale area on Florida’s east coast.

“I fought during World War II,” protestor Rob Resaid said. “For years and years, people fought for freedom in this country.

“And now it’s being taken away. And we have to stand up now before all of our rights are taken away.”

Marchers chanted “This is what democracy looks like,” and “No ban, no wall,” referring to Trump’s plan to build a wall on the US-Mexican border.

In an executive order issued on January 27, Trump slapped a blanket ban on nationals of seven mainly Muslim countries — Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen — barring their entry to the United States for 90 days.

Refugees were also barred from entry for 120 days, except those from Syria, who were blocked indefinitely. On Friday, a US federal judge suspended the ban, a move which the Republican president — who took office on January 20 — condemned and vowed to fight.

The US Justice Department said Saturday it was appealing the judge’s suspension. The protest in West Palm Beach was just one of several staged in cities around the world Saturday to voice outrage to Trump’s travel ban.

In Washington earlier in the day, hundreds of protesters marched from the White House to the US Capitol, chanting and waving signs in an expression of solidarity with immigrants targeted by Trump’s order.

Near Mar-a-Lago, one demonstrator said she felt she had to speak out. “I’m worried for the future of our children… our grandchildren, what’s going to happen now?” Diane Spencer said. “I’m worried about everything. He thinks he can do whatever he wants… the man is a mad man.”

Vía Uzomedia http://ift.tt/2kFQCnh

Biotechnology solution to food insecurity

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“We recognise that food security is paramount and biotechnology, the green alternative policy of the government, will achieve its goal of ending hunger, ensuring food security and promoting sustainable agriculture.

Prof. Benjamin Ubi, the President, Biotechnology Society of Nigeria (BSN), has identified food insecurity as an underlining cause of some of the greatest challenges in the country.

Ubi, who said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja, added that biotechnology would ensure adequate food security in the country.

“We recognise that food security is paramount and biotechnology, the green alternative policy of the government, will achieve its goal of ending hunger, ensuring food security and promoting sustainable agriculture.

“This will also provide a form of economic diversification as it will bring with it a new set of skill requirements and expand job opportunities.

“The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) reinforce this with Goal 2 which seeks to end hunger, achieve food security and improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture since 75 per cent of crop diversity has been lost from farmer’s field,’’ Ubi said.

He also said that better use of agricultural biodiversity could contribute to more nutritious diets, enhanced livelihoods for farming communities and more resilient and sustainable farming system.

“The effects of climate change have had a devastating effect on food security, food availability, food accessibility, food utilization and food systems stability.

“And for Nigeria to be food sufficient, we must look to scale, underscoring the need for modern and climate smart agricultural practices.

“We must look to increase investment, including through international cooperation, rural infrastructure, agricultural research and extension services, technology development as well as plant and livestock gene banks in order to enhance agricultural productivity capacity.’’

Ubi said that the practice of safe modern biotechnology should be encouraged to ensure zero hunger by welcoming technology that would provide safe and adequate food for Nigerians.

He, therefore, implored stakeholders to put more efforts in developing the country’s local resources to meet agriculture demands both at local and international trade platforms.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2laO9OE