₦airaland Forum

World number one Rafael Nadal proved he is a class apart on clay as he won a record-equalling sixth French Open title with a dramatic win over Roger Federer.

The 25-year-old Spaniard matched Bjorn Borg's tally of victories at Roland Garros with a 7-5 7-6 (7-3) 5-7 6-1 victory in three hours and 39 minutes.

Nadal, who has now won 10 Grand Slam titles in total, also ensured he will remain at the top of the rankings ahead of Novak Djokovic.

In a thrilling encounter, the Majorcan withstood a Federer fightback after failing to capitalise when two sets and a break in front.

"To win this final against one the best players in the world and in history is something which is really fantastic for me," said Nadal. "It's one of my most beautiful dreams."

Federer, 29, had begun in the same flowing form that ended Djokovic's 43-match unbeaten run in the semi-finals, pressuring the five-time champion with his forehand and breaking at the first opportunity.

Nadal appeared nervous and the first set was heading to Federer when the Swiss dominated on set point at 5-3, running around his forehand and creating space for a drop shot, only to see it land a fraction wide.

A cross-court backhand got Nadal out of trouble and began a stunning turnaround as the Spaniard suddenly found the depth and vicious spin off his groundstrokes that have helped him dominate at Roland Garros.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/13661505.stm

@OP,
Can you add more to the list

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor & Clifford Ndujihe, Deputy Political Editor

THE Goodluck Jonathan administration that has just taken off would in the next four years and possibly beyond through its policies and programmes shape the lives of Nigerians and possibly the country’s international stakeholders.

How the administration progresses would be defined by the input and actions of its key members and stakeholders and possibly detractors.

Notable personalities that would shape the contents and character of the administration include First Lady, Patience Jonathan, Vice President Namadi Sambo, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Senate President David Mark, Governors led by their new leader Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, opposition leaders Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Muhammadu Buhari among others.

Below is a portrait of how they could influence the administration.

Patience Jonathan

Mrs. Patience Jonathan may never have shied away from the limelight. In the next four years she is expected to use her matrimonial bond to the President to not just help him at the home front, but to also influence policy and programmes. While the capacity of the First Lady to influence policy may remain unknown, she is nevertheless expected to be in good position to influence appointments and shape the direction of the President’s relationships with some key actors in the polity.

One particular area of interest would be the relationship between the President and the new chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi. Mrs. Jonathan who comes from Rivers State had a well reported face-off last year with the Rivers State Governor when she visited home and publicly reprimanded the Governor over his public works projects in Okrika, her birth place.

While the duo have since then sought to play down their differences, it is largely believed that they continue to bear a mutual suspicion of one another.

Mrs. Jonathan was also the driving force in the decamping of Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State from the Progressive Peoples Alliance, PPA to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Her imprint is large in the politics of Abia State and it would not be surprising if her influence through her husband’s power expands to other neighbouring states, particularly Cross River State. She presently has very close relationships with Obioma, the wife of Governor Liyel Imoke.

Wives of public officers have made it a matter of necessity to embrace the First Lady with the consequence that the First Lady would also be in good position to influence the ministers to her favour.

Vice-President Namadi Sambo

Given President Jonathan’s declaration that he is going to spend only one term in office, Vice-President Sambo’s political schemes to position himself as a possible successor would expectedly influence the shape and character of the administration.

Given the difficult challenges of the last northern Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar in defending northern interests and at the same time aligning with a sitting President, Sambo would be expected to face similar challenges. He, however, unlike Atiku would not be faced with the problem of fighting a sit-tight President from within as Atiku did during the third term saga.

Well, that is unless Jonathan reverses his declaration on a single term.

How Vice-President Sambo deals with the interests of potential presidential rivals from the north would also be interesting. One prominent contender would be Governor Rabiu Kwankwanso of Kano State who is not eligible for another term after 2015 and around whom there are now speculations of a presidential race in 2015.

Such speculations were said to have inspired the internal intrigues within the national secretariat of the PDP ahead of the 2011 elections when some powerful forces sought to deny the Governor the party’s gubernatorial ticket until reports of a security breakdown in Kano forced the hands of the party.

Senator David Mark

Senator David Mark as President of the Senate was believed to have been a stabilizing factor in the difficult and teething days of the Jonathan presidency last year. He is expected to continue in the same role after his expected return as Senate President in the forthcoming leadership contest.

How Senator Mark utilizes his influence on the presidency remains a matter of conjecture given continuing buzz in some quarters of his own desire for the presidency.

Given that the presidency may be zoned to the North in 2015, such speculations may not be ruled out given the prospects of Senator Mark using the platform of the Senate to achieve what some say is a life ambition nurtured from his eventful days in military politicking.

Willy-nilly as Senate President, Senator Mark is in good position to shape the character of the Jonathan administration through his consideration of the administration’s legislative proposals.

As the chairman of the Senate committee on the whole which would screen the administration’s most prominent appointments, notably ministers, Senator Mark could readily block any nomination. He would off course as in the recent past determine the nominations from his native Benue State.

Olusegun Obasanjo

As the political godfather of the sitting President, Obasanjo would ofcourse not be easily discountenanced even if his vote bringing power was almost inconsequential to the President’s election victory.

President Obasanjo is expected to influence the administration’s appointments especially as they concern the Southwest. It was as such not surprising that a caucus of Southwest PDP leaders had some few weeks ago resolved that all appointments in the Southwest should be channeled through him.

It was in that direction that the Southwest caucus resolved on Rep. Maurina Ajibola as the zone’s choice for Speaker of the House of Representatives.

An insight into the negative influence of President Obasanjo on the Jonathan presidency was given when President Jonathan at the national caucus of the PDP ruled that the issue of zoning was settled and the consequent order on the members of the House of Representatives to honour the choice of the Southwest.

The unfolding dispute between the President and the members of the House of Representatives shows the extent to which Obasanjo may bring problems for President Jonathan.

Even before the administration had taken off the former President had already stirred trouble for him in his dealing with another vital arm of government.

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu

The national leader of the leading opposition political party with control of six states including the commercial city state, Lagos Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is well positioned to bear influence on the administration for good or for bad.

How Tinubu responds to the administration may indeed depend on how the administration itself responds to lingering legal issues concerning the ACN leader.

What was supposed to be an attempt by the administration to put the Asiwaju out of circulation on account of some legal issues arising from his two term administration of Lagos State it is believed could have provoked a negative backlash with the Tinubu instigating trouble for him.

Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.)

The erstwhile Head of State and flag bearer of the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC had prior to the election promised not to challenge the outcome of the elections in the tribunal. But party officials have since reversed him and taken the party’s case to the tribunal.

Buhari remains a very popular person among his core constituency in the Muslim North and has recently won credibility as a statesman among non- northerners in the South.

How he fights the case at the presidential election tribunal would bear much imprint on the administration’s efforts to woo opponents of the President in the north.

Sanusi Lamido

The controversial CBN governor has been known to dish out monetary promises that had kept the government, investors and the citizenry on their toes since he came on board two years ago.
He is expected to do more now.

Unless he is relieved of his job, he is expected to be a key player in Jonathan’s economic rejuvenation programme.

Oronto Douglas

Barrister Oronto Douglas, renowned environmentalist, lawyer and civil activist is unarguably one of the President’s closest advisers. Since about 2004 when he crossed the Rubicon from activism towards public service he has consistently been nearby to offer advise to Dr. Jonathan.

Though he entered government as a commissioner for information and strategy under the Dipereye Alamaiseiyeha administration, he resigned when the later was impeached and though he was reportedly invited by Governor Jonathan to remain in office, he declined but remained very supportive of the Jonathan administration helping behind the scene.

He is expected to play a role in laying strategic blueprints and measuring key parameters that would define the Jonathan legacy.


http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/05/personalities-who-will-shape-jonathans-presidency/

Sincerely speaking, as an Arsenal fan I would have supported Man U, if not for Evra- the guy can talk too much

Now I'm happy, at least he will keep mute for next few months

Qatar 2022 World Cup officials have described allegations they paid bribes in return for votes as "distressing, insulting and incomprehensible".

On 10 May, UK MPs published evidence from the Sunday Times newspaper claiming two African Fifa officials were paid $1.5m (£930,000) by Qatar.

But in a 1,700-word statement, Qatar attacked the source of the evidence now being investigated by Fifa.

It described the allegations as "serious, unsubstantiated and false".

Qatar officials criticised the Sunday Times for failing to provide details of the alleged bribes it claims were offered to Fifa executive committee members Issa Hayatou and Jacques Anouma.

It claimed the credibility of the newspaper's submission was compromised by the fact that its reporters were posing as corrupt representatives from the United States bid.

A whistleblower, who provided the paper with information, was probably an "embittered" ex-employee "with a significant axe to grind", the statement said.

Qatar went on to suggest the allegations were part of a long-running campaign to discredit their bid, which beat off competition from the United States, South Korea, Japan and Australia in December to earn the right to host the 2022 event.

"What is concerning and unfair is that there appear to be those who are unable to accept that a team from a country like Qatar could perform in this way and are ready - on the basis of no evidence - to assume the worst," the bid committee wrote.

"Qatar is excited at the prospect of hosting one of the world's greatest sporting events and is determined to deliver a World Cup truly deserving of football fans around the world."

Fifa president Sepp Blatter has refused to rule out a rerun of the voting for the 2022 tournament if the allegations are proven.

Blatter is competing against Qatar's Mohammed Bin Hammam in the Fifa presidential elections on 1 June.

In November, Fifa executive committee members Amos Adamu and Reynald Temarii were banned from voting in the 2018 and 2022 World Cup hosting ballot over claims they asked for money in exchange for World Cup votes.

Four other Fifa officials, all former executive committee members, were suspended.

In a statement, The Sunday Times said it "welcomed the Qatar Football Association's desire for a full inquiry into allegations of vote buying.

The statement added: "Our investigations have already led to the suspension of six Fifa officials and we are hopeful that allegations made by a whistleblower will be taken seriously by both Qatar and Fifa."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13499697.stm

Former President Ibrahim Babangida, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and their contemporaries in the Northern Political Leaders Forum, NPLF abstained from Sunday’s inauguration following a collective decision to boycott the occasion.

Besides, Babangida other prominent leaders of the NPLF including erstwhile National Security Adviser, Gen. Aliyu Gusau, erstwhile Finance Minister Mallam Adamu Ciroma were prominently conspicuous by their absence yesterday though it was learnt that they were invited to the ceremonies.

Babangida attended the inauguration of Governor Babangida Aliyu in Minna while Atiku was believed to have been in his residence in Abuja.

The decision of the NPLF leaders to abstain from the inauguration was reached at a meeting by the NPLF leaders days before the Sunday inauguration.

The NPLF leaders Vanguard learnt hinged their decision to abstain on what they claimed was their distrust on the President to keep his promises.

“The leaders prior to the inauguration had resolved not to attend the ceremony because of two reasons even though most of them were invited.

One is that the NPLF is yet to believe that the President is one that can keep his words on issues.”

“The second is that the NPLF also does not believe that the President has extended a genuine hand of reconciliation because we believe that there are still some people around the President who believe that it is better to keep some people out and we do not believe that the President is not sympathetic to that idea,” the source revealed last night.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/05/why-ibb-atiku-abstained/

Imo State goverrnor, Mr. Rochas Okorocha, said yesterday that his administration would audit the accounts of the state government, rather than engage in the ritual of probing the immediate past Ikedi Ohakim’s administration.

Okorocha made the stand of his administration known while addressing the mammoth crowd that gathered at Dan Anyiam Stadium Complex, Owerri, to witness his swearing- in and inauguration.

He said: “My government is not out to witchhunt anybody. People have been asking if I will probe the Ikedi Ohakim administration. I am not interested in probing anybody but I will audit the accounts of the state government.”

He described Ohakim as “my brother,” adding that the former governor had gone back to his Isiala Mbano country home.

According to the governor, his campaign promise of giving free education to all Imo children remains irrevocable. He stressed that he would review the issue of the provision of health facilities in the state.

Governor Okorocha said: “The approximate income of the state is about N2.2 billion, while the wage bill is approximately N1.9 billion.

“My administration will be corruption-free. I will not tolerate or engage in any form of corruption. I will not tolerate any act of deceit.”

Okorocha warned civil servants that his administration would not tolerate indolence, adding that for every single seat, more than 100 employable but unemployed youths were waiting to take it over.

It was the considered opinion of Okorocha that years ago, Imo people could not say who governed the state, stressing that democracy had actually started in Imo State.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/05/ill-audit-state-acounts-okorocha/

LAGOS—INDICATIONS emerged, yesterday, of plans by the leadership of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to give the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, a soft landing over the alleged N10 billion scam levelled against him. Vanguard gathered that the Speaker is under pressure to indict two front runners for the Speaker and deputy speaker, Messrs Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and Emeka Ihedioha over the scandal.

A source who told Vanguard that the plot was being allegedly perfected to prevent the Speaker from being quizzed by the EFCC, said: “As battle for the Speakership of the house hots up, Bankole is expected to appear before PDP leadership on Tuesday, May 31, 2011. And as a way of giving him (Bankole) a soft landing, he is expected to indict Tambuwal and Ihedioha.”

Vanguard learnt that at the closed door session, where the Speaker had previously briefed members of the House, these two names were not mentioned, adding that the game plan was to thwart the ambition of Tambuwal and Ihedioha so that “they will be arrested before being given the opportunity to explain themselves before the EFCC.”

It was also gathered that as a way of ensuring its candidate from the South west emerged as Speaker of the House of Representatives, PDP was expected to move against its members with cases before the tribunal.

The source said: “Another plot by the party is that those PDP members who have cases at the tribunal and fail to support the party’s choice from the South west, will find it difficult to win at the tribunal. Once you refuse to fall in line, the party will make it difficult to make your case scale through by saying your name was submitted in error. With that, such member will fail to reclaim his or her stolen mandate.”

It would be recalled that Bankole was supposed to be a guest of the anti-graft commission on Thursday, May 26, 2011 to clear the air over the alleged scandal.He was supposed to explain the allegation of corrupt practices levelled against him by civil society groups and some aggrieved lawmakers.The House had a rowdy session recently when Dino Melaye, one of the suspended members who was re-admitted, raised the alarm that the Speaker incurred N10 billion loan on behalf of the House without the knowledge of its members.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/05/n10bn-scandal-pdp-plans-soft-landing-for-bankole/

THE Nigeria left back Taye Taiwo has disclosed the reasons why he left Marseille to join Italian powerhouse AC Milan. The former Gabros defender is leaving the Phocéen, and the club is not getting a penny for his transfer fee.
''This is not normal because I have always been present for the team, I'm long gone and I saw the arrival of plyers who earned more than me. "I do not want to sign another three years at Marseille. The salary did not suit me, '' says Taiwo to French sports daily L'Equipe.

In the best interest of Nigeria, I pray he proves me wrong, cos I'm not expecting any good from someone as clueless as he is

N7.56 billion has been grounded

Owo ti wogbo

Ekiti, Yoruba

That sounds more like the difference between a leader with a vision and a clueless politician to me

wesley80:
^^ Get a life. U sound like a bigger mumu. In what context did the president make the statement? When your understanding is limited by your mental capacity u should refrain from throwing insults.

I think your fingers faster than your brain, if not you would have known I did not quote him out of context. Those are his words,
mumu of the highest order

And that mumu you call president is already saying 4 years is too short to do anything . . . . . smh

joecrack:
Many a time,i ask myself,ponder and wonder,why this vexation towards gej,see N'Landers venting crass anger on this man,you can feel their adrenaline pumping,i bet abacha and ibb put together wont be hated like this.some for the fun of it would quote and misquote everything outta proportion,someone had posted saying gej said he would do absolutely nothing cuz 4 years was nt enough,for God sake when did he ever make such comment.
He was making comments as regards nigerias foreign policy and was hinting there was need for ministers to stay long on the job so there could be some kind of continuity and stability in govt policies,at that point he intertwined that even the presidency and gov'norship,4years was really not enough to achieve all what you set out for.imagine a simple harmless comment,which in discreetely looking at without bias,the man was right,in view of the fact that our democracy and economy is just evolving with diverse socio-politico issues at play.
Next thing anti gej guys begin to read negative meanings into all this,someone earlier posted he was trying to test the ground for tenure elongation,haba,wouldn't that be overbiting the good-luck nigerians have given him.
All these just reminds me of the US,Obama was regarded as a green horn,he is minority,he does not fit into your normal US president,he is no heavyweight,he is weak blah blah blah,these are corresponding xtics some nigerians label gej.but see obama today,the guy has come out strong gunning for second term,see top republican bigwigs dropping their ambitions,the man they called weak is launching into wars that they are complaining and telling him to soft pedal,bush couldn't get osama in 6yrs obama did in less than 3,thats how the man would ride to white house again.And believe thats how gej would shame haters,all those bitc.hing him would eat their words back.
No be naija we dey

your name should have been Joe-crap

GEJ is the smartest person in the whole world  

He just used the brains of over 22 million people  

Nigeria is in deep poo for another 4 years, smh

I started since I was 6, now I'm 26, I've still not finished it

Bliss4Lyfe:
The COURT, Let me ask you a question since your a know it all about Nigeria politics: Where was the court to interpret the constitution during Jonathan succeeding Yaardua fiasco. In any other country that would have been a smooth handover but not Nigeria.

Where was the court to enforce Atiku return to government as VP because in any other country that would have been the case.


This judiciary section in Nigeria is weak and easily over powered by the executive and legislative.

Rhino.5dm:
My people what shall i do with this one? . . .kill or let him live

My brother, sometimes I wonder if he still has any living cells in his brain. Let's just enjoy the display of his folly

otitokoro1:
I will want you to watch the film tittle " Sometimes in April" could help you,

Βουκέφαλος:
The Topic should be changed to IS IT TIME TO GET ANNIHILATED AGAIN?

seanet02:
Salivating in advance for the complete take over of sprawling mansions to be abandoned/forceful taken from ibo drug peddlers. Common go fast.

Mynd_44:
I just hope after the swearing in, there is no noises being about the transportation or feeding allowances of the dogs
and dogmeat that is just GROSS

Bawss1:
Nice thread. Shouldn't it be in the Travel section though?

Yea it should

Mine was Lagos to Abuja (Aero contractors), we landed safely then the door refused to open 

It wasn't a funny at all as we spent like 10 minutes inside after the landing while they were trying to fix it, and everyone was becoming very restless.
We later went out through the back door 

Why are we making noise? N107bn was allegedly spent on the presidential election and we are crying for just N5bn 
I was actually expecting more or has the excess crude oil account finally reached d ground level

You aint seen nothing yet, It's just the beginning of fresh soiled air, Just make sure you have your air freshener 

I guess his own world would end by then

2mch:
Andy Uba's Fake Credentials Resurface At Anambra Election Tribunal

Drawing attention to Mr. Uba’s declaration that he attended tertiary institutions that include Concordia University Canada, and California State University, the petitioner claims that Mr. Uba could not have been admitted in those institutions of learning because he lacked the minimum entry requirement.  The petitioner also challenges Mr. Uba’s declaration of a “Bachelor of Science (AWAITING) 1985 -1992” in his application, saying, “The 1st Respondent is presently not enrolled in any University to be expecting any Bachelor of Science twenty (20 )years after his last academic adventure.”

Awaiting result since 1992

Calculia:
@ Jarus and Aisha2,

Withover 1000 views just from the politics section since the topic Nigerian Bill Gates of Africa was created on Friday.

This is an intellectual social networking site for Nigerians and that is why i joined to engage in stimulating intellectual debate concerning Nigerians .

Please kindly place the topic on the front page so we can get a wider opinion and debate. Thank you in advance for your consideration.
https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-670431.0.htm

You don't have to lobby to get your thread on the first page only threads with relevant info make it there
so stop wasting your time,

The speech you quoted was made over 4 years ago, and everyone knows about it already. you've only succeeded in bring up the controversies again.

Beaf:
Fashola is an excellent governor, but 10MW is not much more than a few big generators can produce. Its still a great move though, cos it can always be expanded.

A few big generators indeed

In the last 12 years, if the FG had produced 10MW per year in each of the 36 states, we would have a total of 4320MW by now

Al Qaeda's new leader, 59-year-old Saif Al-Adel, is planning a major terrorist attack on London to avenge the death of his former boss Osama bin Laden.

Soon after being officially appointed the new chief of Al Qaeda, Saif al-Adel called on his men to crush London.

Confirming the news, a Taliban spokesperson said, "Our new leader has asked for a big plan for London. He believes the UK is the backbone of Europe and must be crushed."

Saif Al-Adel is a former Egyptian special forces soldier. The 59-year-old fought the Russian forces in Afghanistan in 1980s.

He was also once Osama Bin Laden's security chief and is on FBI's most-wanted list since 2001, carrying a 3 million pound reward on his head.


Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/world/new-al-qaeda-chief-plans-attack-on-london-to-avenge-osama-s-death-report-107416?cp