₦airaland Forum

Super Eagles defender, Brian Idowu has disclosed that the Super Eagles’ primary target is to qualify for the last sixteen of the World Cup.

The Russia-born left-back also said that the fans are backing the team as they prepare for their World Cup opener against Croatia.

Born in Saint Petersburg, Russia, it is all but confirmed that the versatile left-back will make his competitive debut against the Croats.

”It’s clear – everyone has come for the victory in this tournament, the situation will clear up as the tournament progresses,” Idowu told journalists in Essentuki.

”We will prepare for the first match with the Croats, depending on the results we will try to leave the group, achieve maximum common goals.

”There is faith and support of the Nigerian people, and we will try so that they can be proud of us. The reception is wonderful, the base is pleasant, everything is in order, the field is good.”

SOURCE-
https://nairatrend.com.ng/2018-world-cup-idowu-reveals-super-eagles-primary-target-in-russia/

SPAIN have sacked Julen Lopetegui just two days before their first World Cup match – despite the late efforts of senior players.
RFEF president Luis Rubiales revealed the decision after a dramatic morning when a press conference was called for 9.30am and then delayed over an hour and a half. Lopetegui Lopetegui was announced as the new Real Madrid manager yesterday and Rubiales has confirmed he has now sacked him.
He said: “We have been forced to dispense with the national coach, we wish him the best of luck, what the Spanish gets, will have to do with the work he has developed. “We have to work on a series of decisions that come two days before the beginning of Russia 2018. There is a lot to do. “I do not feel betrayed, Lopetegui, while he has been with us, has done an impeccable job, another is how this has been done, without knowledge of the federation. “We will touch the staff as little as possible, as soon as we have something to communicate, we will do it.” Spain’s World Cup campaign is now in chaos with their first game against Portugal on Friday.


On Tuesday, Real Madrid announced the Spain boss would take over as their new manager following Spain’s involvement in the World Cup. “Julen Lopetegui will be the Real Madrid coach after the celebration of the 2018 World Cup,” the Real Madrid statement read. “Real Madrid C. F. announce that Julen Lopetegui will be the coach of the first team during the next three seasons. “Julen Lopetegui will join the club after Spain’s participation in the World Cup, after two years leading the national team.” And now the 51-year-old will be replaced a day before the tournament starts. Rubiales is said to be fuming at the Real Madrid announcement, only learning about it 15 minutes before it was made public, after Lopetegui signed a new deal with Spain until 2020 on May 22. But now it is being reported that the players
– led by Sergio Ramos – wanted him to stay. Spain are among the favourites for the tournament but face a huge task should Lopetegui go. It is being claimed the most likely candidates to replace him are Under 21 manager Albert Celades or Fernando Hierro. Spain open their campaign on Friday against Portgual before facing Iran and Morocco.

The press in Spain were split on the decision to make the announcement of the appointment now. Spanish newspaper SPORT branded the appointment as ‘reprehensible’.
“The consequences of it can be disastrous for the Spanish team,” wrote Lluis Miguelsanz. “What is clear is that Lopetegui has been negotiating his future as the new Los Blancos coach while preparing for the World Cup, something that is ethically already reprehensible.


“There is no doubt that the coach has all the right in the world to train whoever he wants, but his standing is questioned by the proximity of the start of the competition. “The situation demands immediate explanations.” Spanish newspaper Marca, meanwhile, appeared to defend Real for their appointment and dampened down worries over its timing.

Marca, known to be a Real mouthpiece, published: “That it was not the ideal moment is evident … but it is also true that circumstances have determined this outcome. They added: “It is clear that the arrival of coach Julen to Madrid has not been done at the most opportune time for the national team. “But with the professionalism and commitment of all, the squad should not be affected. Surely it is like that.”

SOURCE-
https://nairatrend.com.ng/just-in-spain-sack-coach-lopetegui-on-eve-of-world-cup/

President Muhammadu Buhari has returned to Abuja after two-day official visit to Morocco where he was received and accorded `five-star’ Royal reception by the Moroccan leader, King Mohammed VI.

The presidential aircraft conveying the President and some members of his entourage back home from Rabat, Morocco, landed at the presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at about 5.15p.m.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Governors of Ebonyi and Jigawa, Dave Umahi and Badaru Abubakar respectively who were part of the president’s entourage to Morocco; the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris and other top government functionaries lined up to receive President Buhari at the airport.

While in Morocco, Mr Buhari and King Mohammed VI of Morocco held bilateral talks where Nigeria and the Kingdom of Morocco signed three agreements, which included a regional gas pipeline that will see Nigeria providing gas to countries in West Africa sub-region that extend to Morocco and Europe.

The two African leaders also focused on strengthening economic relations in gas resource development, global investments and agricultural training and management.

The feasibility study of the agreement on the pipeline would be concluded by July 2018, while construction of the pipeline would be phased based on needs of countries over the next 25 years.

The 5,660 km long Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline (NMGP) will reduce gas flaring in Nigeria, encourage diversification of energy resources and cut down poverty through the creation of more job opportunities.

The NMGP will further encourage utilisation of gas in the sub-region for cooking, and discourage desertification.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the two-day president’s official visit, Nigeria and the Kingdom of Morocco affirmed their will to create South-South cooperation model.

To this end, the two countries welcomed the significant progress made in various areas of cooperation, such as agriculture, fertiliser production, energy infrastructure and mining.



The communique, which was issued in Abuja on Monday, said King Mohammed VI and Mr Buhari had noted with satisfaction the milestones achieved and underscored their commitment to the agreement signed on the Regional Gas Pipeline.

The pipeline will connect Nigeria’s gas resources, those of some West African countries and Morocco, thereby fostering integration and development of countries in the West African region.

The two Heads of State also noted progress made in other areas of the bilateral cooperation, as evidenced by the Agreement between OCP of Morocco and the Fertiliser Producers and Suppliers Association of Nigeria to invest in fertiliser production.

They noted that already the Memorandum of Understanding between OCP and the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority on the establishment of a Basic Chemicals Platform, specifically to develop a significant Ammonia Production Plant had been signed.

”On the basis of their exemplary cooperation, the two Heads of State agreed to develop a partnership in the field of agriculture, particularly through the signing of Cooperation Agreement on vocational training and technical supervision,” the two leaders said.

On regional and international issues of mutual interest and concern, King Mohammed VI and President Buhari confirmed their willingness to consult and coordinate the positions of the two countries in regional and international organisations, including the African Union.

Mr Buhari congratulated King Mohammed VI on Morocco’s election to the Peace and Security Council of the African Union.

He also congratulated him on the successful completion of his mandate as African Leader on Migration Issues.

He further noted that this had culminated in the presentation of the African Agenda for Migration and the creation of the African Observatory on Migration.

Mr Buhari also paid tribute to the personal commitment of King Mohammed VI to sustainable development in Africa.



On his part, Mr Mohammed congratulated Mr Buhari for his leadership in the regional initiative against terrorism in the Lake Chad region.

He also lauded his efforts in the fight against corruption and his role as the African Union anti-corruption champion.

The two heads of state, in the spirit of the holy month of Ramadan, according to the communique, underscored their commitment to moderation, tolerance and peaceful coexistence, as taught by Islam.

The two leaders also expressed deep concerns about violent extremism, terrorism and the persistence of security threats in Africa.

They affirmed their resolve to strengthen cooperation in efforts to combat radicalisation in Africa and beyond.

”The visit reinforces the positive bilateral relationship between Morocco and Nigeria since the Royal Visit to Abuja in December 2016.

”At the end of the working visit, President Buhari, on behalf of his delegation, expressed his deep appreciation for the warm reception and hospitality of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the government and the brotherly people of Morocco,” the communique said.

Mr Buhari also met with the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Morocco, Saadeddine Othmani, at the Royal Guest Palace, Rabat, Morocco, on Monday.

At the meeting, the president said, “Nigeria’s strongest selling point remains an “intellectually aggressive and economically ambitious’’ populace that always seeks self-improvement and self-actualisation in any part of the world.’’

Mr Buhari also met with the head of the Moroccan legislature, Habib El Malki and the President of the Advisers on Commerce, Ben Chemmas.

The Nigerian leader ended his two-day visit to the Kingdom of Morocco with a visit to the mausoleum where he laid wreaths on the tombs of past kings.

Link via-
https://nairatrend.com.ng/breaking-buhari-returns-to-abuja-from-morocco/

ALMUSTAQIM:
FASHOLA IS WORKING

APC IS WORKING

GOD BLESS NIGERIA


#PMB1523

run for your life before Buhari haters come catch you

A Senior Magistrates’ Court sitting in Lokoja has adjourned till July 26, hearing in the case of illegal possession of arms and illegal dealing in arms against the Kogi West senator, Dino Melaye and two others.

The Senior Magistrate, Sulyman Abdullah, adjourned the case when it came up for mention on Monday, to enable the parties involved to prepare well for hearing of the suit.

Mr Sulyman said he would “wholeheartedly” want trials in the court to be concluded speedily, but he would have to look at the rules of the court.

“This is a case that this court will appreciate that everyone puts what he or she has on the table. I am not comfortable with sworn depositions replacing oral testimonies of witnesses.

“The application of the prosecution is refused and I want this trial to be concluded in the normal ways trials are done and will be ready to take evidence day-to-day if need be,” he said.

Alex Izinyon (SAN), leading the prosecution had reminded the court that the pleas of the defendants were not taken on arraignment on May 3.

Mr Izinyon submitted that the court had jurisdiction to try the case and therefore urged it go ahead to take the pleas of the defendants.

Mr Melaye who was granted bail on May 16 by the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Nasir Ajanah, had his plea taken alongside other defendants, saying the allegations were false.

The prosecution counsel applied for the leave of the court to have prosecuting witnesses forward their depositions to the defence.

He said the deponents would attend the court to adopt the depositions and have their depositions cross examined.

Yemi Mohammed, holding brief for Mike Ozekhome, counsel to Mr Melaye, objected to the application.

He said that the case was a criminal one in which witnesses must give their testimonies in the open court, adding that the “front-loading short-cut system” would be prejudicial to his client.

Mr Melaye was arraigned on May 3.

The senator was arraigned along with Kabiru Seidu, 31, aka “Osama” and Nuhu Salihu, 25, aka “Small” for alleged illegal possession of firearms and illegal dealing in arms.

SOURCE-
https://nairatrend.com.ng/illegal-possession-of-firearms-court-adjourns-melayes-case-till-july-26/

Femi Fani-Kayode, has instituted a contempt proceedings suit against Mr. Lai Mohammed, the Nigeria's Minister of Information, for listing his name in recently released 'Looters List'.

Fani-Kayode, through his lawyer, Mr. Ferdinand Orbih, Monday, told a Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Rilwan Aikawa, that his application against Mohammed was brought pursuant to the provisions of the Sheriffs and Civil Processes Act, as well as the Court's Civil Procedure Rules.

He said his application was seeking leave of the court, to serve the motion on notice, on the Minsier of Information, alleged acts of contempt.

Orbih (SAN), also told the court that the Minister had had published a list of looters some weeks back, and had named the first accused as number 19 on that list.

According to Fani-Kayode's lawyer, the defence views such act very seriously, as it is an attempt to interfere with the proceedings before the court, and portray his client as already guilty of the charges preferred.

He therefore, urged the court to grant the exparte application enabling the defence to serve the said motion on notice on the Minister in Abuja, by substituted means, as personal service may not be feasible.

He argued that the court possessed powers to order that the motion be served on any responsible senior official of the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, and therefore, urged the court to grant his application.

In a short ruling, Justice Mohammed Aikawa held : "I have perused the application including the supporting affidavits and I am satisfied that the application ought to be granted.

"The application is granted, save that it should be served on his confidential Secretary in Abuja" he said.

In related development, the Court also adjourned until October 2, the Money laundering trial of a former Minister of State for Finance, Nenandi Usman, Fani-Kayode and others, charged with N4.6 billion fraud.

Usman, Fani-Kayode are charged alongside one Yusuf Danjuma, a former Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), and a limited liability company, Jointrust Dimentions Nigeria Limited, on a 17 county charge bordering on money laundering by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

All the accused had pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The accused persons trial could not proceed, due to the absence of the EFCC witness in court.

The prosecutor, Mr. Idris Mohammed, had told the court that his witness, who is to be cross-examined was indisposed, due to ill-health.

He said: "our witness who also resides outside the court's jurisdiction, was pregnant and following medical advice, is currently on bed rest.

"On that premise, I urged the court to grant an adjournment."

Lawyers to the accused persons, which comprises of: Mr. Ferdinard Orbih (SAN), Wale Balogun, and K. C Nwofo, did not oppose the application for adjournment.

Following prosecutor's request and opposition not raised by the defence counsels, Justice Aikawa, adjourned until October 2, for hearing of the motion on notice, and for continuation of trial.

In the charge, the accused were alleged to have committed the offences between January and March 2015.

In counts one to seven, they were alleged to have unlawfully retained over N3.8 billion which they reasonably ought to have known formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act of stealing and corruption.

In counts eight to 14, the accused were alleged to have unlawfully used over N970 million which they reasonably ought to have known formed part of an unlawful act of corruption.

Meanwhile in counts 15 to17 Fani-Kayode and one Olubode Oke who is said to be at large, were alleged to have made cash payments of about N30 million, in excess of the amount allowed by law, without going through a financial institution.

Besides, Fani-Kayode was alleged to have made payments to one Paste Poster Co (PPC) of No 125 Lewis St., Lagos, in excess of amounts allowed by law.juui

All offences were said to have contravened the provisions of sections 15 (3) (4), 16 (2) (b), and 16 (5) of the Money laundering (prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012.


SOURCE-
https://nairatrend.com.ng/fani-kayode-drags-lai-mohammed-to-court-over-looters-list/

Cristiano Ronaldo is still keen on leaving Real Madrid in the summer and apparently remains “very angry” at his current situation.

Madrid-based newspaper, Marca reports that Ronaldo is still keen on moving before next season, despite the offer of a bumper new deal from the LaLiga giants.

The Portugal captain had hinted at a departure from Madrid, after the Champions League final and remains unhappy at the club over their attempts to renew his contract.

Real have offered Ronaldo a £28.5m annual contract although he reportedly demanded for a £64m-a-season, five-year deal to remain at the Santiago Bernabeu.

That includes a fixed £22m per season, with the remaining £6.5m reserved for bonuses.

SOURCE-
https://nairatrend.com.ng/transfer-latest-angry-cristiano-ronaldo-set-to-leave-madrid-after-new-deal-snub/

A Lagos High Court sitting in Igbosere on Monday sentenced a 28-year-old man, Kingsley Inyang, to life imprisonment for defiling his church member’s 12-year-old daughter.

Justice Sedoten Ogunsanya convicted Inyang following a trial lasting one year and three months.

The judge found him guilty of having unlawful sexual intercourse with the girl, a Junior Secondary School (JSS) Two pupil, contrary to Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Justice Ogunsanya held that the Lagos State prosecution team led by Mr. Adebayo Haroun proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.


She found that Inyang’s defence was inconsistent with the testimony of his girlfriend, who stated that on the day of the incident, he spent only 15 minutes with her, contrary to Inyang’s claim that he was with her the whole day.

Inyang, of No.16, Adetunde Arogundade Street, Fagba, a Lagos suburb, was arraigned on March 3, 2017.

According to the prosecution, he committed the offence at his home.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted bail.

According to the prosecution, Inyang committed the offence on July 26, 2015.

During the trial, the girl told the court that the first time Inyang defiled her was on a Sunday evening after a fellowship service, following which he threatened to assault her if she told anyone.


Three days later, as she and her younger brother passed his house on their way home from bible study and he beckoned on her again.

“He sent my brother outside and forced me to make love to him and said that I should not let anybody know, otherwise he was going to beat me,” the girl said.

SOURCE- https://nairatrend.com.ng/man-gets-life-imprisonment-for-defiling-teenager/

The Nigeria Police Force said that assumption of duty and documentation for prospective recruits would close on June 13 in all training schools across the country.


Police
Police
Training for all successful candidates in the recently-concluded medical screening commenced on June 8.


The Force spokesman, ACP Jimoh Moshood, in a statement in Abuja on Sunday, said that successful candidates had been notified through text messages and via email.

“However, those who did not receive the message can check for their names and training institution through the under-listed websites. https://psc.org.ng/candidateslist/ www.policerecruitment.ng,” he said.

Moshood said that the list of the candidates and their respective training institutions were displayed at every state Command Headquarters in the 36 swtates and the FCT.

He said prospective recruits were expected to arrive at the training schools before the expiration of the date.


“Failure to report at the Training Schools by June means that such candidate has declined his/her offer for recruitment into the Nigeria Police Force,” he said.

He said that the prospective recruits were required to come along with pairs of white shorts, pairs of white round neck vest, pairs of white canvas and white socks.

Others are: White Pillow cases, pairs of bed sheets, sport wears, mosquito net, cutleries, brooms, cutlass, and other personal effects.

They are expected to come along with their certificates, credentials and 16 recent passport photographs.

President Muhammadu Buhari recently gave approval for the recruitment of 6,000 police constables into the Force to address its manpower shortage. (NAN)

Link via-
https://nairatrend.com.ng/police-recruitment-assumption-documentation-closes-on-june-13/

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will on Monday fly out of their base at the Avita Resort in Bad Tatzmannsdorf, Austria to Russia for the 21st FIFA World Cup finals – their sixth appearance in seven finals since making a memorable debut in the USA in 1994.

Since emerging from an appropriately –styled ‘Group of Death’ in the African qualifying series, becoming the first African team to reach the finals in Russia, the Eagles have played against Argentina, Poland, Serbia, DR Congo, England and Czech Republic in friendlies, winning two, drawing one and losing three.

Sweet victories over two –time world champions Argentina (finalists at the last finals in Brazil) and Poland were followed by defeat by Serbia, a draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo and losses to England and the Czech Republic.

Coach Gernot Rohr would be the first to admit that the statistics from these friendly encounters are not head –turning, but he insisted at the weekend, just as Captain Mikel Obi did few days earlier, that the underdog tag that has come as a result suits the three –time African champions nicely.

“We are okay with the garb of the underdog. But the defeats have done something for us – we have our heads firmly on our shoulders and we are focused.

“Together, we have reviewed the matches and learnt so many lessons. We will approach the World Cup matches differently,” said Rohr.

Nigeria’s first match of the finals is against Croatia on Saturday, with the Eagles logging a balanced record of having won their opening match at the World Cup on two occasions, drawn once and lost twice.

On the three occasions, they have not lost their opening match (1994, 1998, 2014), the Eagles have progressed to the Round of 16.

An underwhelming recent record, being the lowest –ranked team in Group D and the lowest –ranked African team in the finals, plus a recent tag by FIFA as mere ‘perennial World Cup appearance –makers’ all tend to project the Eagles as a side waiting to be rolled over.

That would be the biggest mistake of the so-called big teams.

Nigeria’s senior team has the knack for coming to the party when least expected. Lumped in a fiery assembly with Cameroon, Algeria and Zambia in the African qualifying race, the Eagles made short work of the pool, emerging runaway winners with a match to spare, and with the distinction of hammering African champions Cameroon 4-0 on a spectacular evening in Uyo.

In 1994, the Eagles, after winning the Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia, failed to excite in friendly games leading to the World Cup. But as debutants, they thrashed Bulgaria 3-0 on a sunny afternoon inside the Cotton Bowl in Dallas.

Four years later, they lost 1-5 to the Netherlands in their last friendly game before heading to France, only to shock World Cup favourites Spain 3-2 in their opening game at the Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes.

Rohr has only lost one competitive game since taking over the Super Eagles two years ago, and the former German international defender says his wards know how to get their spring back when the whistle goes for kick –off at the Kaliningrad Arena on Saturday.

“We will take it one match at a time. I love this group because we know how to rise to the occasion together. Nigeria will be ready for Croatia.”

For sure, the tactician has the pieces to craft a crack squad capable of surprising the bookmakers in Russia. Young goaltender Francis Uzoho has logged useful hours since making his debut against Argentina in Krasnodar in November last year, and deputies Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Daniel Akpeyi are even more experienced.

The dependable ‘Oyibo Wall’ of Leon Balogun and William Ekong can trust either of Abdullahi Shehu and Bryan Idowu or Tyronne Ebuehi and Elderson Echiejile to cover the flanks well enough, and Kenneth Omeruo and Chidozie Awaziem are also available.

Skipper Mikel John Obi retains his steel and ball – holding ability in midfield, with Wilfred Ndidi having recovered from injury in good time and John Ogu showing versatility in recent games. Oghenekaro Etebo, Ogenyi Onazi and Joel Obi add to the options in that sector.

NIGERIA’S 2018 FIFA WORLD CUP SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho; Daniel Akpeyi; Ikechukwu Ezenwa

Defenders: Abdullahi Shehu; Tyronne Ebuehi; William Ekong; Leon Balogun; Chidozie Awaziem; Elderson Echiejile; Kenneth Omeruo; Bryan Idowu

Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi; Mikel John Obi; Ogenyi Onazi; John Ogu; Oghenekaro Etebo; Joel Obi

Forwards: Odion Ighalo; Victor Moses; Simeon Nwankwo; Alex Iwobi; Ahmed Musa; Kelechi Iheanacho

SOURCE- https://nairatrend.com.ng/super-eagles-to-arrive-russia-on-monday-for-world-cup/

omanzo02:
Hope he won't call us morons, lazy youths and goof again? Anytime that man come close to microphone the words that comes thru that gap tooth becomes codeine induced