₦airaland Forum

Ke ife neme neba? Ke ebe umu nwanyi nno? Achorom ndi uku ukwu nno? kebe ngesi we ta hancha nile? Adim very fit, chei!
Ify over to you. Ti kwanyi na oda'm.

Abuja – A 32-year old applicant, Ahmed Hassan, has been sentenced to one month imprisonment by an Abuja Senior Magistrates’ Court for wearing shoes into a mosque in Nyanya.

The Senior Magistrate, Mrs Nkwadimi Buba, however, gave Hassan an option of N2,000 fine.

Earlier, the police prosecutor, Cpl. Silas Nanpan, had told the court that the crime was reported to the Nyanya Police Station on Nov. 26 by one Umar Safe of Tipper Garage, Nyanya.

Nanpan said that the convict on Nov. 25 trespassed into the mosque and lay down there with his shoes on, knowing that the act was un-Islamic.

The convict could not give a satisfactory account of his action, he said, adding that the offence of criminal trespass contravened Section 348 of the Penal Code.

When the case came up for mention, Hassan pleaded guilty to the charge but begged the court for leniency.

Delivering judgment, Buba sentenced the convict to one month imprisonment with an option of N2,000 fine. (NAN)

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/11/applicant-gets-1-month-for-wearing-shoes-in-mosque/

By Henry Umoru
ABUJA—THE Managing Director of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON, Mustapher Chike Obi, yesterday, said the N620 billion released by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN for the rescued bank had been paid back.

Chike Obi who spoke when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other financial institutions with members of the Board of Directors, said that those waiting to acquire the rescued banks must wait for one and half years before their hope could be met, adding that it would take between twelve and eighteen months before all the rescued banks can be sold to willing buyers.

He said: “The process would not take less than 12 months or even more than, we can sell next month, but if we do, there would be problem and so, we must follow the process.”

Chike Obi who explained that the delay in the sale of the banks was due to the non appointment of financial advisers, said, “the process would not take less than 12 months. We can sell next month but if we do, there would be problem and so, we must follow the process”.

He told the Committee which was chaired by its Vice Chairman, Senator Isa Mohammed Galaudu, that the banks were now in position to break even, adding: “They will start making profits next year, but I can tell you that they are all doing well, they will start making profits next year. AMCON had stopped buying loans from the banks with effect from November 1, 2011 and henceforth, punitive terms would be applied among other strict measures to buy non performing loans from the banks.”

He told the committee that AMCON had stopped buying loans from the banks with effect from November 1, 2011, noting that henceforth, punitive terms would be applied among other strict measures to buy non performing loans from the banks.

Chike Obi, however, maintained that the decision of AMCON was informed by the need to discourage mismanagement and designed to encourage the rescued banks to perform its statutory role and secure depositors funds, adding that the rescued banks were operating at “dismal negative costs” after losing N2 billion every month and constituting time bomb to the nation’s economy.

According to him, through the intervention of AMCON, they have started doing well, just as he disclosed that the agency was being funded from the federal government statutory N10 billion, recovering of non-performing loans which he put at 70 so far, and sinking fund to which all the banks have contributed as means insurance.


http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/11/n620bn-bailout-fund-paid-back-to-cbn-amcon-boss/

Gowon Regrets State Creation! Lol.

By AbdulSalam Muhammad
KANO —Former Military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), yesterday, expressed regret that creation of state started by his administration had been bastardized to serve as a means of dividing Nigerians instead of uniting them.

Gowon, who spoke at the international conference on Islam, peace building and political engagement, organised by the Bayero University Kano, argued that the politics of state creation had triggered the battle for supremacy and the contest for power to the disadvantage of national unity.

Gowon also argued that the battle for supremacy among contending forces for political power was the major factor militating against efforts to sustain national unity and peaceful co-existence in the country.

He noted that efforts by successive administrations to entrench the culture of peace and harmony had remained a mirage due to ethnic polarization and religious misunderstanding, which he said, were mostly fuelled by those he described as “political charlatans.”

According to him, “politics with the attendant struggle for power in the country has deepened suspicion among Nigerians and poisoned national unity and peaceful coexistence. Many are quick to forget that the national unity they so much seek to undermine was paid for by the blood of patriots, who today would weep at our attitudes. The question asked by many these days is whether our sacrifices to keep Nigeria one were worth? My answer to this question is still yes!”

Gowon stressed that the task of keeping Nigeria a united and indissoluble entity is a task that all Nigerians must endeavour to accomplish, pointing out that ‘we must work to achieve national unity, peaceful coexistence and inter ethnic harmony’.

He called on members of the dreaded Boko Haram Sect and other militant groups in the country to sheath their swords and give peace a chance, as violence is an ill wind that blows no one any good.

The former Head of State said that at no time has the practice of Islam in Nigeria been so challenged by identity crisis as it is now. The former Head of state also called for constitutional amendment to accommodate issues that frustrate peace building efforts.

“I wish to quickly state that our political journey as a nation has tended to play the ostrich over a few issues that have continued to resurface as thorns in our flesh in our efforts at peace building.

“These issues are constitutional in nature and we have the opportunity to address them now that the Justice Belgore Committee is set to look into the issues requiring constitutional amendment.

Eminent Nigerians, religious leaders across the divide, politician and the academics witnessed the one day International conference .

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/11/state-creation-has-been-bastardized-gowon/

Effiong son na professor? Very good.


The Creation and Mutilation of Biafran Refugees
When Gowon’s administration decided to enforce Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s philosophy
of utilizing starvation as a legitimate instrument of war, Biafra’s socioeconomic reality made it
fairly easy for the policy to be implemented. Prior to the war, a serious refugee problem had
already begun to develop when thousands of Easterners (mostly Igbos)
1
were forced to flee the
North following the mob massacres that took place there in May, June, July, August and
September, 1966. Alluding to the September scenario, which involved participation by Northern
troops,
2
Major-General Alexander Madiebo, Commander of the Biafran Army, recaptures the
aftermath graphically:

1
Although distinctions are made between “Igbo” and “Ibo,” in this paper I will keep things simple by using “Igbo”
throughout to represent the people and their language. I regret if anyone is offended by this decision.
2



The resumed killings brought with it an influx of refugees into Eastern Nigeria from all
over the Federation of Nigeria. They came back…in pathetic and shocking conditions.
Most of them had one or the other part of their bodies either broken or completely
missing. Thousands of children arrived, some with severed limbs and others emasculated.
The adults bore the full brunt of the killings….Those whose limbs were not severed,
brought them back shattered and had to be amputated anyway. Many others had their
eyes, nose, ears and tongues plucked out. The highlight of this horror was the arrival in
Enugu of the headless corpse of an Ibo man! Women above the age of ten were raped and
many of them came back in stretchers. The remaining Eastern Nigerian soldiers in
Lagos…arrived either naked or in their underpants and the big gashes on their bodies
showed that they had been thoroughly beaten and tortured. There was hardly a single
family in Eastern Nigeria which did not suffer a loss through these massacres.
3
If those who took part in the slaughter of thousands of Easterners were not directed by the
July 1966 coup plotters, they were certainly motivated by their actions. Gowon’s new regime did
nothing concrete to stem the wave of violence; in fact, it didn’t even condemn the killings. The
regime’s subsequent actions essentially reinforced the anti-Eastern aggression as it implemented
a series of policies that deliberately sought to further marginalize, degrade and suppress
Easterners. Those who couldn’t find their way back to the East were compelled to register and
carry passes in Lagos and other parts of the country where they lived.
4
Clearly, they had lost their recognition and rights as citizens of the country. By October of the same year, government
enforced a food and economic blockade of Eastern Nigeria by air, land and sea (which continued
throughout the impending war), and denied issuance of Nigerian passports to people of the
region. Even postal, telegraphic and transport services between other parts of Nigeria and the
East were put to a stop by Gowon’s regime.
5
The above measures demonstrate deliberate and
callous efforts to deprive Easterners tenable legitimacy and to exclude them from the larger
Nigerian federation. This is very critical, especially for those who are quick to lambast Biafrans
for attempting to tear Nigeria apart. It is evident that the people were not simply trying to break
away for self-seeking reasons, but were succumbing to ruthless forces that had repeatedly
expressed an unwillingness to tolerate and coexist with them.
The dire situation and plight of Easterners was exacerbated as the war gained momentum
and the enemy made considerable inroads into Biafra, leading to the constant relocation of
civilian populations that lost shelter and the basic means to fend for themselves. The relatives
and friends that initially catered to the needs of returnee Easterners in 1966 soon found
themselves in desperate need of accommodation, sustenance and security. A refugee crisis was
imminent and soon became a major burden for the young, ailing nation. Starvation was indeed
proving to be an effective weapon (even if not a moral one) and the calculated economic
blockade of Biafra impeded sufficient relief supply from abroad. Perhaps this blockade was most
sadistically demonstrated on June 5, 1969, when an International Red Cross Plane, a DC-7, with
a mixed crew of Swedish, American and Norwegian citizens, was shot down by a federal MiG
war plane.
6
Throughout the war, relief planes flying into Biafra’s Uli Airstrip from Sao Tome
faced the real threat of being shot down by enemy planes and antiaircraft weapons.
Economic blockade and attacks against relief planes were just a few of the methods used
to ensure that Awolowo’s starvation policy was fully realized. All resources, institutions and
facilities that were considered potential sources of food and nourishment soon fell victim to the
enemy’s bombing onslaught, including refugee camps, hospitals, villages, farmlands and
marketplaces. The prime victims were not just civilians but women, the elderly and children,
since Biafran males from roughly ages 13 and up typically enlisted in the army or were
forcefully conscripted, hurriedly trained and sent off to the warfront. Apart from the reports on
these air raids, I know them to be true because on many occasions I witnessed and sought shelter
from them in bushes and/or bomb shelters.
7
[b]I clearly remember the first bombing of Ikot Ekpene
in 1968 and the almost ceaseless strafing of Umuahia and its environs, also around 1968, when
we resided there. Some other notorious air raids have been well documented and took place on
the following dates (circa) and locations, resulting in several deaths and injuries:
 March 3, 1968: Saint Mary’s Hospital, Urua Akpan, current Akwa Ibom State (two
killed, 21 injured)
 March 5, 1968: Villages in Dere near Port Harcourt, current Rivers SState (20 killed,
several injured)
 April 5, 1968: Shopping center in Aba, current Abia State (26 killed, several injured)
 April 16, 1968: Village in suburbs of Arochukwu, current Abia State (42 killed, several
injured)
 April 21, 1968: Church in Owerri, current Imo State (60 killed, several injured)
 April 22, 1968: Aba, current Abia State (120 killed, several injured)

7
In 1968 my mother almost lost her life when bombs were dropped in the vicinity of the Umuahia market. She had
gone to the market in the company of Mrs. Ironsi, wife of the former head-of-state. In another such bombingincident a friend of my parents, Mrs. Nkele, was killed.

 April 23, 1968: Aba, current Abia State (75 killed, several injured)
 April 25, 1968: Umuahia, current Abia State (180 killed, hundreds injured)
 April 27, 1968: Aba, current Abia State (148 killed, several injured)
 May 3, 1968: Okigwe township and Orodo village in Owerri Division, current Imo State
(36 killed, 75 wounded)
 May 6, 1968: Church missionary school, Assa in Ngwa Division, current Abia State (94
refugees killed, 65 wounded)
 May 7, 1968: Eleme near Port Harcourt, current Rivers State (19 killed, several injured)
 May 9, 1968: Umumasi and Umukoroshe (now Rumuomasi and Rumukoroshe) near Port
Harcourt, current Rivers State (87 killed, several injured); Mbawsi and Okpuala, current
Abia State (60 killed, 140 injured)
 May 11, 1968: Obehie market near Aba, current Abia State (27 killed, several injured);
Ibiono, current Akwa Ibom State (four killed)
 May 12, 1968: Port Harcourt Shell BP residential area and Elelenwa near Port Harcourt,
current Rivers State (120 killed, 250 injured)
 June 13, 1968: Abonnema, current Rivers State (45 killed, over 100 injured)
 September 2, 1968 (circa): Hospital at Ihiala, Current Anambra State (75 killed, 270
injured)
 September 6, 1968 (circa): Hospital and marketplace at Ihiala, current Anambra State
(130 killed, 60 injured); hospitals at Ozubulu and Nnewi, current Anambra State (several
killed)
 October 12, 1968: Leper Colony in Uzuakoli, current Abia State (47 killed, 102 injured)8
 December 13, 1968: Streets, markets and fields in Umuahia, current Abia State (27
killed, 100 injured)
 December 21, 1968: Umuahia, current Abia State (43 killed, several injured)
 December 22, 1968: Three churches in Umuahia, current Abia State (28 killed)
 February 7, 1969: Afor Umohiagu village near Owerri (more than 300 killed, several
injured)
 February 20, 1969: Umuahia, current Abia State (60 killed, several injured)
 February 21, 1969: Clinic at Amokwe Item, current Abia State (five pregnant women
killed)
 February 24, 1969: Red Cross headquarters, hospital, clinic for convalescence and market
place in Umuahia, present Abia State (several killed and injured); market in Eziama
Mbano village; current Imo State (17 killed)
 February 26, 1969: Ozu Abam market and Ohafia Street in Umuahia, current Abia State
(over 250 killed, several injured)
 March 2, 1969: Umuahia, present Abia State (five killed, eight injured)
 March 8, 1969 (circa): Urua Akpan and Ikot Umo Essien villages in Annang Province,
current Akwa Ibom State (98 killed, 62 injured)
 March 11, 1969: Marketplace and town, Umuahia, current Abia State (35 killed)
 May 3, 1969: Umu-Ovaha, current Abia State (18 killed, 40 injured)
 September 8, 1969: Clinic in Ojoto, current Anambra State (16 killed)
September 17, 1968 was one of the bloodiest and gruesome days of the war. On that day, bombs
were dropped on a marketplace, a clinic for kwashiorkor patients and a church in Otuocha
Aguleri, killing an estimated 510 and injuring over a thousand.
There were also a series of non-bombing incidents, like the killing of civilians through
cannon fire on roads and farms in Ikot Ekpene (current Akwa Ibom State) on March 6, 1968 (25
killed, several injured). On August 16, 1968 Nigerian soldiers massacred an estimated 2000
people at Owaza and 300 in Ozuaka, two villages lying between the Imo River and Aba town.
On the same day in Awka, current Anambra State, Nigerian soldiers opened fire on refugee
camps, slaughtering up to 375 refugees. Later that month, on August 27, civilians were murdered
at Ogwe, near Aba, purportedly instigated by one Lieutenant Macaulay Lamurde. The next
month, on September 10, 47 men were lined up and shot at the Afoagu market near Udi in
current Anambra State for apparently refusing to declare their support for the enemy. A similar
scenario was played out in Lokpa Village, Okigwe, present Imo State, when 60 individuals were
lined up and shot in cold blood by Nigerian soldiers. These attacks were premeditated, merciless
and anything but humane.
8
How the enemy could reconcile its declarations of unity and “one Nigeria” with such
sadism is as paradoxical as it is farcical. In the words of Raph Uwechue, “By bombing hundreds
of civilians to death and destroying the homes and property of hundreds of thousands more, the
Federal Government can hardly justify its claims to be protecting and liberating the very same
people.”
9[/b]




In September 1969, at the Addis Ababa Summit of the Organization of African Unity
(OAU), President Julius Nyerere pushed the case for Biafra’s sovereignty. He seized the
opportunity to recount the macabre conditions that Biafran civilians were subjected to:
The break-up of Nigeria is a terrible thing. But it is less terrible than that cruel war.
Thousands of people are being shot, bombed or seeing their homes and livelihood
destroyed; millions, including the children of Africa, are starving to death. (It is estimated
that possibly more people have died in this war in the last two years than in Vietnam in
the last ten years.)
10
Even though the US demonstrated a largely lukewarm attitude to the gruesome war crimes that
were being committed, one of its presidential candidates at the time, Richard Nixon, spoke out
and observed that “genocide is what is taking place right now, and starvation is the grim reaper.
This is not the time to stand on ceremony.”
11
He then called on President Lyndon Johnson to
urgently invest ample time and energy to help alleviate the crisis and suffering. Though some
could argue that Nixon’s comment was more political than sympathetic, he spoke the truth. The
large scale carnage endured by Biafran civilians eventually captured the conscience of the
international community and this was shockingly demonstrated on March 30, 1969 when a
woman in Paris, France burned herself to death near the Nigerian Embassy to protest the
genocide. A similar action was carried out by a Columbian University student, the 20 year old
Bruce Mayrock who, on May 30 of the same year, burned himself to death near the United
Nations (UN) Headquarters in New York while carrying a placard that read: “You Must Stop
Genocide – Please Save Nine Million Biafrans.”
12
The more they were decimated along with their communities, homes, businesses and
means of livelihood, the more civilian populations became helpless and turned to refugee camps
for sustenance. Yet, Biafra’s refugee crisis, as taxing as it was, also exhibited the resolve and
indomitable survival spirit of its people, thanks to the countries that supported (or at least
sympathized with) the Biafran cause, including Portugal, Gabon, Tanzania, Sao Tome, the Ivory
Coast, Zambia, Ireland, France and Haiti. Within a year after the war began, refugee camps were
hurriedly established throughout Biafra and were largely sustained by humanitarian
organizations like Caritas International, Holy Ghost Fathers of Ireland (now Spiritans), the
World Council of Churches, Joint Church Aid, Concern Worldwide, Catholic Relief Services,
the Salvation Army and the International Red Cross among many others. All available space and
amenities were employed for that purpose, whether they were makeshift, bamboo-constructed
buildings or former school and government buildings. The grim reality; however, is that the
refugees could not be guaranteed permanent shelter and were constantly itinerant as they had to
seek safety from a persistent and merciless enemy that continued to make tremendous inroads
into Biafra. Recounting her role as Reverend Sister and pediatrician in Biafra in 1968, Pauline
Dean recalls the fall of Port Harcourt to the enemy and the initiation of fresh, bleak refugee
problems:
A Father they met said there were STREAMS of refugees out of PH last week walking
the 60 miles to Owerri. One woman delivered a baby at one village – got up and walked
and delivered the twin at the next village. One twin died…. One woman delivered triplets
– she and all the babies died. They were being strafed along the way.
13
Dean goes on to describe her visit to a refugee camp set up in Ikot Ebok, also in present Akwa
Ibom State. Though brief, her story conveys the overwhelming sense of anguish, lack, futility
and despair that sometimes typified the camps and the refugees:
The children with kwashiorkor are terrible and are not getting better. Two people died in
the camp yesterday. The women are very marasmic – scabies is epidemic. Water is a

13
Dean, 24.12
problem as no one has come to fix the well. The stream is 3 miles away and many are too
tired and weak to walk there. We brought a long rope for the bucket but it wasn’t long
enough to get water from the bore hole…. On a mat lying turned to the wall was a sick
man. Dying – cold. I asked what was his name – no one knew….Pulse down to 40. No
one knew how long he had been sick or what his symptoms were. All we could do was to
baptize him.
14
Luke Aneke documents the massive problem of “severe protein malnutrition”
(kwashiorkor) that had to be dealt with at a hospital run by the Holy Rosary Sisters in Emekuku
near Owerri. According to a New York Times report of the children’s wards, “All the children
had yellowish, almost golden hair, scaling skin, body sores, swollen ankles and legs, diarrhea,
lack of appetite, and an apathetic, lethargic look.”
15
Another New York Times description of
famine conditions in Biafra states that, “Death strikes everywhere: in hospitals, in mission
stations, even by the roadside. At the Okpala Mission…Rev. Ken Doheny is close to weeping as
7,000 children assemble at dusk, their bony hands outstretched.” But there isn’t nearly enough to
feed them.
16
Although I had been aware of and observed the horrors caused by air attacks and the
rapidly growing food and health problems, nothing prepared me for the misery and agony I
witnessed at Ifakala, a large village at the time in Mbaitoli in modern Imo State. Umuahia had
just fallen to the enemy and we relocated to Ifakala where we were temporarily accommodated
by the family of my father’s first aide-de-camp.




By Philip U. Effiong, Ph.D.

Biafran Refugees: A Tale of Endurance and Brutality

[flash=400,400]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8_2E88m_Y0[/flash]


You can skip to 0:42

mtaj:
So it's this man that you hate? Well, I'll not angrily reply to this post until you reply.

Now, how about this Canada-based Yoruba woman who prayed that the man's soul rot in hell? http://www.newsdiaryonline.com/war_over_ojukwu.htm

Should we say that all Yorubas or Southwesterners are happy that Ojukwu is dead. I personally didn't like the man's idea of secession, but he seemed to have been at peace with being a Nigerian before his death. And I suppose it's a different matter to be happy that a man whom you consider a rebel is dead and to pray that he rot in hell.

haha, you dey quote a 49 year old mad woman with over 40- facebook usernames?
Anyone who takes her quote serious should visit the doctor ASAP!
That woman disgraced herself on a Nigerian facebook group.
Go read how Nigerian kids all over the world dey bash her like tomorrow no dey.
The funny thing be say, the kids dey call her aunty Kemi, lol, before cursing her.
That woman is mentally unstable.

Emordi resigned as the coach of Enyimba paving the way for Maikaba to take over
Former African champions Enyimba have named assistant boss Abdu Maikaba as their new coach.

Maikaba's elevation is the latest in a revolving door of coaching at the club following the exit of Okey Emordi.

The 46-year-old Maikaba has been at the club since 2009 after previous spells at Kano Pillars, Buffalo and FC Abuja.

Club chairman Felix Anyansi Agwu says they are embarking on an ambitious restructuring programme to revive the fortunes of the Peoples' Elephant.

DID YOU KNOW?
Continue reading the main story
Before Enyimba won the African Champions League in 2003, no club from Africa's most populous nation had ever been crowned continental champions since the tournament began in 1964
"The appointment of Maikaba is the first step of our restructuring execise. Everyone knows the situation the club finds itself in at the moment," Anyansi told BBC Sport.

"We will also have big names arriving at the club in the coming weeks as we finalise our negotiations.

"Professionalism and a little patience is the key as the board takes time to get things organised and improved.

"I'm very confident that come next-season we'll have a strong squad on the pitch and on the bench."

Two time winners of the Caf Champions league [2003 and 2004] Enyimba lethargic performance saw them crash out in the semi-final this year.

The six time Nigerian league champions also lost the 2011 FA Cup to big rivals Heartland of Owerri.

With two Caf Champions league crown, two Caf Super Cup, two Nigerian FA Cup trophies won, the club is arguably the most successful side in the West African country.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/15906557.stm

Rangers have signed Sone Aluko until the end of the season after reaching a compensation agreement with Aberdeen to which the player made a contribution.

Aluko left the Dons in the summer but his former employers were due a fee.

The Ibrox club have an option to extend Aluko's stay and the winger could make his debut against Kilmarnock on Sunday.

"At some point someone is going to have to compromise and make a sacrifice and I'm the one who did that," Aluko told the Rangers website.

"There was a bit of a stand-off between the clubs for a while over compensation and that could have dragged on with tribunals and all the rest.

Continue reading the main story
I'm ready to play if the manager needs me. I'll do that any time and although I'm a bit behind the boys, I'll do my best and give my all
Sone Aluko (pictured)
"I've almost bent over backwards to be here. Once I got the chance, I was adamant I wanted to be at Rangers and I can't thank the people around me enough for helping me get here."

Aberdeen chief executive Duncan Fraser told his club's website: "The club has been adamant throughout that the principles under which an agreement could be reached involved the recognition of our right to training compensation and that we would only deal with another club directly and not through a third party.

"Rangers accepted these principles and, once they had decided that they would make a contract offer, we were able to agree a mutually acceptable position."

The 22-year-old Nigeria winger had been on trial with the Scottish Premier League leaders and scored in a bounce game against St Mirren.

He spent close to four years at Pittodrie, initially on loan from Birmingham City, and scored 13 goals in 129 appearances for Aberdeen playing mainly on the wing, although he was also used up front.

RANGERS' CURRENT TOP SCORERS
Continue reading the main story
Nikica Jelavic, 11 goals
Steven Naismith, 9 goals, out for the rest of the season
Kyle Lafferty, 5 goals
Carlos Bocanegra, Maurice Edu, Gregg Wylde, 2 goals
"It's good to be here," added Aluko.

"Anyone who has played in Scotland for longer than five minutes knows all about Rangers and Celtic and this is the biggest team in the country in my opinion.

"I've not played a lot in the last four months but I knew that if I got an opportunity like this I had to be ready for it so I've kept working hard.

"Now I'm ready to play if the manager needs me. I'll do that any time and although I'm a bit behind the boys, I'll do my best and give my all."

The Ibrox side were keen to enhance their forward options following Steven Naismith's injury, which has ruled him out for the rest of the season.

"He can play on the left and he can play through the middle," said Rangers first team coach Ian Durrant before the Aluko deal was concluded.

Continue reading the main story
We want to hold on to everybody
Coach Ian Durrant on speculation linking Rangers players with moves
"He has also been in the SPL for a few years with Aberdeen so he brings a bit of experience to the team for such a young lad.

"It's well known with Steven being out that we're short up front and Sone can play in a variety of positions."

Meanwhile, Durrant is hopeful Rangers can preserve their squad and maybe even expand it during the January transfer window, with speculation linking striker Nikica Jelavic and others with moves away from Ibrox.

"I see Nikica on a day-to-day basis and I feel that he wants to do well for our club and long may that continue," said Durrant. "We want to hold on to everybody.

"If the player decides he wants to go and try something else, it's up to him.

"But the manager has spoken to Nikica and the likes of Allan McGregor and Steven Davis, and we are delighted they are still playing with Rangers.

"We get CVs every week and you get the occasional agent who will drop a name in. There is a period coming up to January where we are getting offered 25, 30 players a week.

"We are always looking. We can always enhance our squad and if the players are there we have to try to get them."

Durrant also indicated that India international strikers Sunil Chhetri and Jeje Lalpekhlua will begin trials at Rangers after Christmas.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/15721331.stm

^^^^ It's still on. Ask the mods.

Ileke put that stuff down. I am not sure that's Lagos. and that's not the reason why this thread was created.

By Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos 26/11/2011 01:42:00

Eighteen victims of Thursday’s blood letting in Barkin Ladi, Plateau State, by people suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, were given a mass burial yesterday by the authorities of Barkin Ladi Local Government.
Sixteen of the dead were from a single family-that of Pam Choji Pam,the councillor representing Takwok in the council. They include his wife, children, mother-in-law and other relations.
Over 20 people were killed overall in what is the latest in the long list of premeditated killings in the state.
The assailants were said to have invaded the town on Thursday morning, burning houses and killing indiscriminately, apparently to avenge the  Sunday attack on Razak village in which seven people were killed.
Choji said gunmen even fired at the bereaved and sympathisers yesterday as they were burying the 18.
“Even while we were burying the dead, the Fulanis were shooting at us,” he said, adding:” We went round and found two more bodies and we are still searching the bush to see whether there are more in the bush.”
About 400 residents, mainly women and children, who were rendered homeless by the invaders, are taking refuge at the Barkin Ladi.
Tension was evident everywhere in the town yesterday after about 50 houses were burnt and the LG secretariat left in ruins.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshall Oluseyi Petirin, visited the scene yesterday to personally assess the situation but things almost got out of hand after a hit and run vehicle knocked down a student who, along with others from the State Polytechnic, Barkin Ladi, was protesting the violence in the state.
The student later died and the others blocked the highway in anger. The situation was said to be degenerating when the CDS’s convoy ran into the barricade.
The soldiers in the advance vehicles were said to have started shooting in the bid to disperse the protesters and pave the way for AM Peterin to pass. Two of the protesters were hit in the process and died.
The Special Task Force (STF) assigned to quell the violence, yesterday, paraded 163 suspects  arrested in connection with the intermitent crisis.
It also seized from them assorted arms nd ammunition, including four barrel guns, two AK 47 rifles, nine locally made guns, two magazines of AK 47 ,52-7.62 special bullets,3-7.62MM special NATO bullets, 46 catridges,55 matchets,61 arrows,61 bows, three iron rods, 26 knives, seven diggers 12 axes and 12 spears.
The spokesman of the JTF, Captain Charles Ekeocha, told newsmen: “I can’t imagine civilians using AK 47 rifle while fighting one another. There is no kind of weapon that is not being used to attack fellow human beings-guns, cutlasses, knives, bow and arrow, catapult, clubs, spear - just name it.
“The remote cause of the violence was a case of cow rustling between the Beroms and the Fulanis. We were able to rescue 20 cattle and return them to the owner but people took the law into their hands to attack in revenge.”
The Chairman of Barkin Ladi LG, Mr.Emmanuel Loman, described  the latest attack  as ethnic cleansing.
“I really condemn this act. It is barbaric, I am not happy at all.
Despite the effort of the state government, the perpetrators still carried out their wicked act. I t is high time  this nonsense stopped,”he said.


http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/news/27609-plateau-renewed-violence-16-family-members-two-other-victims-get-mass-burial.html

man & his wife quarreled. After the fight, the wife went into the bedroom. A few minutes later, the husband also trooped into the bedroom only to find the wife busy packing her suitcase! He asked "You are packing! Where are you going?" She answered "To my mother" The man paused for a while & also got his big brown pure leather suitcase & started packing his clothes. The wife angry stared at him , & said "You are packing! Where are you going?"
He replied "Oh ya! I"m going 2 my mother!" The wife replied, "To ur mother!! And wot about the children! Who is going 2 look after them?"
The man replied, "You are going 2 your mother! I'm going 2 my mother. The children should go to their mother!!! Good Night!!, lol

Katsumoto:
How could Calabar have taken orders from Ojukwu when Decree 34, promulgated by Ironsi in just January 1966 made all civil servants report to Lagos. In a twist of wicked irony, the day after Ironsi signed decree 34, Ojukwu would declare publicly that the Igbo would export Igbo civil servants to other parts of the country even though their intended destination was the North because Ironsi had also banned compulsory Hausa tests for workers in the Northern region. How then can Ojukwu claim a few months later that the Warden at Calabar reported to him? Was Ojukwu paying the wages of federal workers?

I will get back once I check the books. I am away from home and I can't check those books online.

WTF!

GAR3TH:
Source was from an audio recording of a town hall meeting

source

Yinkay:
The source is below.


http://www.nigeriavillagesquare.com/newsflash/exclusive-chief-obafemi-awolowo-on-biafra-in-his-own-words.html

How can that be the source? Did you check the date on your link? 27th Nov, 2011.
I guess this fake story was hurriedly written.
I need a more credible source. If it's an audio, put it up on the internet and let everybody listen to it.
For now, this is pure junk!

Aigbofa:
" I’m Happy Ojukwu Died As A Nigerian"

Another way of saying; I won, he lost.

bayooooooo:
You are a genius!

Gowon lost. We all know this except He has flown his family out of jos, Plateau.

^^^^lol Are you normal?

Where is the God Damn source to this article?
I will not believe this article [b]till I see the source [/b]even if it is true.

All stories should be back with a source.

I just repeated same again. Where the F0rk is the source?!!!

Dutch Eredivisie side, VVV Venlo say they hope to sell three of their Nigerian imports - Michael Uchebo, Alex Nkume and Ahmed Musa- in the January window.

Uchebo is attracting interest from a horde of clubs in Western Europe. Stoke City are understood to be ahead of other suitors for his signature. Venlo are said to be desperate to do away with Uchebo because the Nigeria-youth teamer does not have a good relationship with the rest of his teammates(excluding his compatriots).

On the other hand, Alex Nkume has failed to convince officials of the club of his pedigree since his arrival in Holland. Soon , he runs out of contract and Venlo are not prepared to offer him a new deal because of his wages as a foreigner. Non-EU players above 21 years must be paid at least 264,000 annual wages according to league regulations. That, Venlo can not afford.

Bundesliga outfit Schalke 04 lead the race for the signature of the new golden boy of Nigeria football, Ahmed Musa Venlo have placed a bounty of ten million euros on Musa's head, though transfer market experts value him at half that tag, at five million euros. Musa's transfer fee is on the 'high side' because the Dutch club are trying to cash in. Only 1/6th( one-sixth) of the player's transfer fee goes to the coffers of Venlo. According to reports, the rest of the transfer fee will be pocketed by his agent and entourage!

http://www.completesportsnigeria.com/news/2011/11/venlo-hope-to-sell-musa-in-january

Sunday Oliseh rejected an offer from Dutch giants Ajax in order to realize his dream of coaching the Super Eagles, it has been reported in the Dutch media.

The former Super Eagles captain applied for the national team’s job after Samson Siasia was sacked, but he was beaten to the post by Stephen Keshi.

It has now emerged that the 2005 UEFA Champions League winners were willing to give one of their former players a place on their bench.

However, who has studied for and bagged a UEFA A (advanced) coaching licence, was reportedly eyeing a higher position that what was on offer.

to be a youth coach at the club. Oliseh will immediately be somewhere as head coach to work.

"In recent months I had an offer from Ajax to work as a youth coach to get my coaching career started," Oliseh told German Spox. "There was also the possibility of being assistant coach at Standard Liege, but I rejected both offers. It was not in my plans, I first wanted to get my trainer license. I'm ready to be head trainer. "

Oliseh played two seasons for Ajax, who in 1999 sold to the Nigerian Juventus. "But Amsterdam has created a desire to later head trainer," says the former quarry worker basket. "I learned to read a race.
That my ex-teammates Danny Blind, Frank de Boer, Michael Laudrup and Shota Arveladze all (Main) became coach, is no accident. "

Oliseh was one of the many newcomers at Ajax in the summer of 1997, after manager Louis van Gaal left for Barcelona.

"I had a great time in Amsterdam," he recounts. "My best time as a player was at FC Köln. But at Ajax, I learned the tactical aspect of football which I greatly appreciated.

That is where the desire to become head coach in the future was developed. That my ex-teammates Danny Blind, Frank de Boer, Michael Laudrup and Shota Arveladze all became coaches is no accident. “

http://www.completesportsnigeria.com/news/2011/11/oliseh-rejects-ajax-sliege-for-eagles-job

Golden State power forward, Nigerian Ekpe Udoh, 24 years old signed a one year contract with the Israelite club Bnei Hasharon, just as the period of NBA lockout.
Nicknamed the “nightmare”, Ekpe Udoh (2.08 and 109 kg) was trained by Baylor Bears in Oklahoma before being called by the Golden State Warriors.
In the 2010 NBA Draft, Udoh was the 6th overall pick by the Golden State Warriors. Because of a wrist injury, Udoh did not play[10] in a NBA game until December 11, 2010 when he made his debut against Miami Heat in the final 3 minutes of the game, scoring 2 points.


http://www.completesportsnigeria.com/news/2011/11/udoh-signs-for-israeli-club

New Super Eagles Star, Ugochukwu Ukah Debunks Mixed Parentage


MY BACKGROUND
My name is Ugochukwu Ukah. I am a Nigerian from Mbaise local government area in Imo State.Probably because of my complexion, people always ask me if my father and mother are from Nigeria.They tend to assume one of them must be a foreigner, but that is a misconception because both of them are Ibos from the Eastern part of Nigeria.It is a thing of pride for me to say I am a Nigerian, because this country is great and blessed with all the potentials to be one of the best countries in the world.
You can say the challenges are there but I believe we can achieve this feat with unity and the spirit of determination we are known for.I have never been ashamed to tell people my nationality even when I am outside the country because I love my fatherland.

CHILDHOOD DAYS
I was born in Parma,Italy.I spent most of my childhood days over there and the first time I visited Nigeria was when I was six years old. I enjoyed my childhood days so much and thank God for everything. Those were the days you knew little about life; the challenges, ups and downs and what the future had in stock for you.
But as one begins to grow your perception about life takes a new turn, you begin to think of what you want to be in future as well as having a family of your own.
Football has always been a part of me right from my childhood and I am glad today that I’m a professional footballer.

EXPERIENCE IN NIGERIA
The first time I visited Nigeria, I was a child and so I can’t really say much about that time because I was still very young. I can remember I also visited the country a few times after that, but stopped coming after a little while.
I visited all alone for the first time last year, that was after a long time and I really enjoyed myself.It was a whole new experience for me. Getting to see my fellow countrymen, learn the culture and know more about the country.
It is easy to say that the two environments are totally different from one another,but it is important to appreciate what you have and find means of making it better with time.
I would like to visit the country regularly in years to come.I have made a lot of friends and visited some places in Nigeria and it would be great to come down again in future.

CLUB CAREER
Everything started with Parma, the academy team. That was where I learnt to polish my skills as a defender. I also had stints with some other Italian teams like; US Brescello, Reggiana, Truentina and Pro Vasto.
In 2005,I moved to England where I joined Queens Park Rangers,I was with them for two years before crossing over to Poland to link up with Widzew Lodz. That is where I am currently playing.

SUPER EAGLES DEBUT
I made my debut for the Super Eagles in the international friendly match against Zambia last week.I was glad to put on the national colours of Nigeria after a brief wait.
It was the former Manager, Samson Siasia, who first invited me to the team but I didn’t get to play in the friendly against Ghana in London. All the same,I was not distraught because I knew my chance would definitely come.
So,I was happy when I got the invitation to be part of the team once again for the Botswana and Zambia games,even though it was under a new Manager.
I was not selected for the first game against Botswana,but got the opportunity to show what I can do in the Zambia game and it was a worthwhile experience for me.
When I was first invited to play for the Super Eagles, I never hesitated to play for the team. The fans are getting to know me and I hope I will have more opportunities in future.

EXPERIENCE IN POLAND
The Polish League is highly competitive and interesting too.In the past we had some Nigerian players feature for with Polish teams and we still have some around.In every country I have played in,I’ve been able to learn about one or two teams which have helped me as a footballer.
My team Widzew Lodz is one of the top sides in the Polish League. We have always aspired to put in our best in what is one of the toughest leagues in the world. We have also played in Europe a couple of times.
The League itself is also improving every season and we have seen quality players from other top European countries and other parts of the world,coming to play in Poland.I believe everything is going well for the country.
Poland will be co-hosting the European Championship with Ukraine next year, that is also a wonderful opportunity for the national team to show they can compete with the other teams in the continent.

THOUGHTS ON EAGLES DEFENCE
We have top quality defenders in the team even though there have been some criticisms about our performances.For me, I wouldn’t want to say this is what I can do or that I should command a regular shirt. That is the job of the coaches.
But I believe with time, the entire team will get better. It’s pretty bad that we are not going to the Nations Cup next year,but we can make up for that disappointment by qualifying for the next edition in South Africa and the 2014 World Cup.
The new coach needs time to settle down and get the team to play the way he wants us to play. Football is a team game,all the different components must function well to get a good result.I believe it is not about the defence alone.
Once we blend as a team under the new boss, things will improve for us. I hope to be part of the team when we gather for the next assignment against Rwanda.

ON STEPHEN KESHI
Even though I didn’t really know much about him before I came down for the last two games, he showed why he was called the Big Boss in his playing days with the way he related with the players.I believe he has the right pedigree to be successful on the job, but we have to give him the necessary support.
As a defender,I have a lot to learn from him because he played in the same position as myself during his playing days.
Here,the fans are always eager for the team to do well but they must also realize that we need their support not only during happy times but in difficult times too.

http://www.completesportsnigeria.com/news/2011/11/ukah-i-am-not-a-mulatto

Ex Stationery Stores star, Chukwuma Akuneto will back out orders from the touchline after he was promoted by the management of Manchester FC with the primary responsibility for developing training and tactical plans throughout the club.
The widely travelled schemer was the asistant coach at the Manchester youth side and has been adjudged as one the succes stories of the club last season.

The decision was made by the Manager, Karl Marginson,on the need to take more advantage of the individual strengths within the management and coaching team.
“Chuks Akuneto, previously Youth Team Manager, has been brought in as First Team Coach and the youth team is now being managed by Dave Brown. This will free up the Assistant Manager (Roy Soule) and Head of Player Development (Darren Lyons) to contribute more in other areas that are vital to the continuing development of FC United of Manchester. Goalkeepers’ coaching continues to be managed by Paul Chapman,” he said.

http://www.completesportsnigeria.com/news/2011/11/akuneto-bags-manchester-job

PointB:
Don't mind that lying tongue Ahj harem. Umeh the chairman of APGA is on record calling for SNC, but lairs like that discredited aboki would want to say otherwise for selfish purpose. SNC is necessary today to  prevent war tomorrow!

If you go through what He's written here, you will find out that almost everything is false and baseless.
He said Fulani are indigenous in Anambra, Cross River and rivers. Can you beat that?
The sharia legal system should do justice to him.

Relax101:
Gen Yakubu Gowonthisdaylive.com

Former Head of State, Gen Yakubu Gowon has described late Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu as a great Nigerian who believed so much in the unity of the country.

Gowon said he was happy Ojukwu died as a Nigerian and not as a Biafran.

Gowon who spoke to our correspondent on Saturday said although he and Ojukwu had divergent views during those critical moments in Nigeria’s history, events later proved that Ojukwu had an undying love for Nigeria to the extent that he aspired on more than one occasion to be President of Nigeria.


Speaking philosophically, Gowon said it was appointed unto man that one day, he must leave mother earth; and since it was Ojukwu’s time, no one could question destiny.

He said when Ojukwu was recuperating in a London hospital, he called his daughter to wish him well and to tell him to come back so that they could continue the struggle to keep Nigeria as one indivisible entity.

Gowon said even though he and Ojukwu had divergent interest that led to the civil war, his greatest happiness was that Ojukwu died with the belief in the unity of Nigeria.

The former head of state added, “My greatest happiness is that he went away a happy Nigerian; he even tried the presidency once or twice and for that I admired his courage.”

Gowon said even though some people did not want him to reconcile with Ojukwu, he felt so good when he shook hands with him as a friend and comrade.

He said one of the greatest lessons Nigerians had learnt from the unfortunate events of the Nigerian civil war was that never again would Nigerians pick up arms against one another.

On his assessment of Ojukwu as a soldier, Gowon, said although they were not in the same unit, he nonetheless admired Ojukwu’s courage as a true Nigerian soldier, adding that Ojukwu served the army well.

He said, “Well we did not serve in the same unit so I cannot say how he fared in his own unit, but we both served in the army before the change of government and he became the governor; I continued in the presidency until crisis separated us and we became opponents based on principles. Yes I believed in the national interest and he also believed in a national interest. But I believed in the bigger one — the Nigerian national interest.”

He gave credit to Ojukwu and the Igbo race for justifying the reasons for the war, adding however that at the end, everybody agreed that the Nigerian project was the greatest justification for going to war.

Gowon said that was the reason he never referred to Ojukwu as an enemy, but a fellow combatant.

“As at that time, I considered him as a Nigerian who will always come back to Nigeria and we were able to reconcile although other people tried to make sure that we didn’t. We were able to discuss on many occasions and even three years ago, I visited him in his home,” he said.

Also, former President Olusegun Obasanjo expressed sadness at the death of his “friend and colleague,” Ojukwu.

Obasanjo in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria said, “It is with deep sadness that I received the news of the demise of my friend and colleague. He and I were subalterns in the army at Nigeria’s independence in 1960.

“In a way, his death marks the end of an era in Nigeria. I condole with his family and pray for the repose of his soul.’’

http://www.punchng.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=5886:i’m-happy-ojukwu-died-as-a-nigerian-—-gowon&Itemid=542

Gowon pls stop!
Your backyard is on fire and you talking crap!

[quote author=alj_harem link=topic=812393.msg9644014#msg9644014 date=1322421466]Bros you are highly mistaking

Nigeria is in a delicate ethnic balance and SNC would not only affect the big 3 but also the balance.

Why do you think igbo politicans don't want it ?  

Why do you think it is only the northern and western Nigeria that want it ?

do you know the implication of SNC ?

and if there is, Have you though on how it would affect, edo, rivers, delta, kogi, niger, yobe, adamawa, benue etc

this is not about Fulani but about the Minorities. THEY DO NOT WANT SNC trust me on this[/quote]You see the bas//tard called Alh Harem.
You see how he lies to get his point across.
Show me a link.
You are a demon that should be burnt!

Gen Yakubu Gowonthisdaylive.com


Former Head of State, Gen Yakubu Gowon has described late Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu as a great Nigerian who believed so much in the unity of the country.

Gowon said he was happy Ojukwu died as a Nigerian and not as a Biafran.

Gowon who spoke to our correspondent on Saturday said although he and Ojukwu had divergent views during those critical moments in Nigeria’s history, events later proved that Ojukwu had an undying love for Nigeria to the extent that he aspired on more than one occasion to be President of Nigeria.


Speaking philosophically, Gowon said it was appointed unto man that one day, he must leave mother earth; and since it was Ojukwu’s time, no one could question destiny.

He said when Ojukwu was recuperating in a London hospital, he called his daughter to wish him well and to tell him to come back so that they could continue the struggle to keep Nigeria as one indivisible entity.

Gowon said even though he and Ojukwu had divergent interest that led to the civil war, his greatest happiness was that Ojukwu died with the belief in the unity of Nigeria.

The former head of state added, “My greatest happiness is that he went away a happy Nigerian; he even tried the presidency once or twice and for that I admired his courage.”

Gowon said even though some people did not want him to reconcile with Ojukwu, he felt so good when he shook hands with him as a friend and comrade.

He said one of the greatest lessons Nigerians had learnt from the unfortunate events of the Nigerian civil war was that never again would Nigerians pick up arms against one another.

On his assessment of Ojukwu as a soldier, Gowon, said although they were not in the same unit, he nonetheless admired Ojukwu’s courage as a true Nigerian soldier, adding that Ojukwu served the army well.

He said, “Well we did not serve in the same unit so I cannot say how he fared in his own unit, but we both served in the army before the change of government and he became the governor; I continued in the presidency until crisis separated us and we became opponents based on principles. Yes I believed in the national interest and he also believed in a national interest. But I believed in the bigger one — the Nigerian national interest.”

He gave credit to Ojukwu and the Igbo race for justifying the reasons for the war, adding however that at the end, everybody agreed that the Nigerian project was the greatest justification for going to war.

Gowon said that was the reason he never referred to Ojukwu as an enemy, but a fellow combatant.

“As at that time, I considered him as a Nigerian who will always come back to Nigeria and we were able to reconcile although other people tried to make sure that we didn’t. We were able to discuss on many occasions and even three years ago, I visited him in his home,” he said.

Also, former President Olusegun Obasanjo expressed sadness at the death of his “friend and colleague,” Ojukwu.

Obasanjo in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria said, “It is with deep sadness that I received the news of the demise of my friend and colleague. He and I were subalterns in the army at Nigeria’s independence in 1960.

“In a way, his death marks the end of an era in Nigeria. I condole with his family and pray for the repose of his soul.’’

http://www.punchng.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=5886:i’m-happy-ojukwu-died-as-a-nigerian-—-gowon&Itemid=542

Gabriel Agbonlahor















England and Aston Villa Gabriel Agbonlahor, who has a Nigerian father and Scottish mother, talks about his parents separation, his affection for Villa and racism in football in this interview with The Sunday Times.


Gabriel Agbonlahor comes to the media room at Aston Villa’s training ground wearing jeans, casual top and expressing wariness. Interviews aren’t his cup of tea and when the club’s head of media, Brian Doogan, tells him how good it will be for him to be written about in The Sunday Times, Agbonlahor casts his eyes towards the heavens.

When the selling continues, the player cuts in with a smile: "Hey, Brian," he says, "just leave us, right? Just leave us." Mischievously but seriously he plays his media man, like Joe Pesci to Ray Liotta in Goodfellas: "I’m funny how?" Soon, there are only two in the room and one of them feels like the presenter of a television quiz needing to start with easy questions.

Agbonlahor is 25, the club’s longest serving player, and will soon be Villa’s all-time leading scorer in the Premier League. "I don’t think about that," he says, disapprovingly.

"I can’t be looking at things like that. You do the best you can, score as many goals as you can for the team and can’t be thinking about some personal stuff." The last bit isn’t so much an observation as a warning: don’t give me flattery. So the quizmaster reaches for the cards with the more difficult questions.

"What happened with Joey Barton and you in 2008? It was reported as something racist that you didn’t pursue." Challenged, he engages: "With him it is a different situation. Everybody’s got their opinion of him, he’s just a different character. When the thing happened, I could have had something done about it, through the FA or whatever, but I decided to let it go. I wouldn’t say it was racist.

"From his point of view maybe it was a joke, I didn’t take it personally. It was just him as a person. He has calmed down a lot since joining QPR. He’s concentrating on his football and when he does that he’s a good player."

Agbonlahor is a young black man from working-class Birmingham playing a game that has an issue with racism. "For something racist to come out of your mouth on a pitch, for me that means you are racist," he says. "If you’re angry at somebody winding you up, there’s other things you could call them, names that everybody in football uses.

"I’ve been angry at people in games, I’ve used the c-word, call them a b******, the bad words people use, but for something racist to come out of your mouth, almost without you realising what you’re saying, that relates to who you are as a person. That cannot be left on the field; it has to be dealt with afterwards."

He was born in Erdington, not far from Villa Park, the fourth child of Samson and Tina. Samson is Nigerian, Tina is Scottish; their union didn’t last. Tina left when Gabriel was two. You broach the subject tentatively, suggesting it must have been tough.

"No, it wasn’t," he says. "If I was a different age, say five or six, it would have been, but when you’re an infant, you’re not going to remember that. My mum left when I was two and I’ve not seen her since. Dad remarried when I was four or five to the woman I call "Mum". Her name is Mary and she’s always been my mum, we’re a close family." He speaks deliberately and with certainty about the mother he never knew.

"I am really glad that I did make it as a footballer. I showed it was her loss sort of thing. Me making it, [if you’re her] you probably think to yourself, ‘If I had been a proper mum and stayed around, I would be having the benefits of my son being a professional footballer’, like my family has. It has obviously been her loss."

"It’s been written that you have reconciled."

"No, that’s bull****. Somebody leaves when you’re two years old, you’re not going to want to speak to them and I never would, to be honest."

He had enough problems with Samson and Mary over his schoolwork.

"Dad is a clever man, a PhD in science. I was quite smart in primary school but my heart wasn’t in it. Charisma, my brother, got into grammar school and played rugby, even though I always thought he was the best footballer of the three of us.

"Luckily for me, I didn’t pass the exams for grammar school and ended up going to a school where they played football. Everything happens for a reason. I used to get in trouble with my parents over bad grades but I wasn’t interested in school, wasn’t interested in getting a job and wasn’t interested in anything but football.

"My dad was good about it. With him, if you didn’t want to do your homework you had to be practising football in the back garden or the local fields. I think that I proved to him that I was serious."

He was a kid when Villa took a stake in his life. An invitation to a six-week trial; play a few games for the 13s, they said, see how you like it; a trip to Crewe Alexandra, the game a dream, the three goals his passport to a new life. It surprised him that when it mattered, he was able to play his best. Hardly had they travelled back down the M6 than Villa had signed him.

One season has followed another, a good striker/winger at a mid-range Premier League club, but not yet an England regular. He is contracted to remain at Villa until 2015. There’s been a lot of good players at the club in his time — Gary Cahill, Gareth Barry, Stiliyan Petrov and Ashley Young are the four to whom he has been closest.

"How tough is it when the train leaves taking your friends [Barry and Young] to Champions League clubs?"

"I don’t see it like that. I am enjoying my football at Aston Villa. Last season was tough, but I got through it. This season’s been better. If I’m enjoying my football why would I leave and risk not playing regularly at some other club? Villa is my local club, close to my family and friends, and if you asked a lot of players would they like to play at the club in the city they were born, many of them would take that rather than go to a bigger club." Being the local boy confers privilege. As part of the Premier League players’ scheme to promote participation in football, Agbonlahor got to present local club Continental Star with £25,000 worth of kit to be dispersed among 25 local teams — all paid for by Villa’s first-team squad. He wants you to understand that in this, the most mercenary football age of all, he is connected to his home club.

"Last season I wasn’t playing well and I got a bit of stick from our fans, but it was probably deserved. They can see when you’re not playing well and they’re straight onto you. That is fair enough, given the wages we get and the fact they are paying for expensive tickets.

"With its history and its fan base, this is a good club. When things weren’t going well last season, I signed my contract taking me to 2015 because this is where I want to play my football."


http://www.punchng.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=5897:my-mother-abandoned-me-when-i-was-two-agbonlahor&Itemid=552

OP
Where is the source?
Put up a link!

Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mallam Sanusi Lamido, on Saturday, threw his weight behind the removal of fuel subsidy.

Speaking at the 37th convocation ceremony of the University of Benin, Edo State, Sanusi said government this year alone sold over $8bn to oil marketers for the importation of petroleum product, adding that the economic implication portends danger to the Nigerian economy.


He added that the removal of fuel subsidy was a measure that would be of long term benefit to Nigeria.

He said, “Today, we have sold over $8bn to oil marketers in the name of importing petroleum products in 2011 alone. Today, the biggest export from United Kingdom to Nigeria is petroleum products, we are an oil-producing country, every time you import products, you are keeping refineries in Europe open, creating jobs in Europe and making profits for European companies.

“We need to pay that subsidy and invest in our own refineries; a significant part of the oil that is supposed to be imported into the country sometimes never get here or is transferred across the borders to other West African countries. A significant part of the product that comes in at N65 per litre does not get sold at N65 across the country.

“So let us understand how the regime works, for a country that is an oil producing one not to have its own refinery, not to have a its own petro-chemical industry, is totally unacceptable.”

The CBN governor called on Nigerians to be ready to take the bitter pills of ensuring difficult economic situations are endured to guarantee stable economic environment where businesses can strive for the benefit of the citizenry.

He added that Nigeria’s situation was part of the current global economic crisis which has left many countries grappling with heavy debts.

“It is always important for us in Nigeria to always remember that we don’t live on an island.

“We will continue to have an economy that remains extremely vulnerable to movement in commodity prices and we therefore cannot afford to ignore dark clouds on the global horizon.”

He challenged the academic community to join in the ongoing debate of the extreme difficult economic decision that needed to be taken.

Chancellor of the university, who is also the Lamido of Adamawa, Dr. Muhammadu Musdafa, commended the university and pointed out the need to improve infrastructure and access to social services in the institution.

Sanusi and the former Head of Service to the Federation, Steve Orosaye, were conferred with honorary doctorate degrees of sciences by the university during the event.

http://www.punchng.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=5869:sanusi-backs-fuel-subsidy-removal&Itemid=542

[quote author=jason123 link=topic=812098.msg9642660#msg9642660 date=1322405149][/quote]HEy Jason, WTF do you mean?
That's his opinion so damn it.
I have heard worse here from you so nack yourself Akpako.
Nonsense!