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Winning Sidney Olympic silver medal was the turning point for Nigerian born Spain's Gloria Alozie as she reveals how she rise to stardom, difficult support from her parent and her new project in Nigeria in this interview with Talkingpoint360.com’s Augustine Akhilomen

Can we meet you?

My name is Gloria Alozie a Nigerian-born Spanish track and field athlete.

Many Nigerians have been wondering what you are currently up to at the moment.

Well I am currently in Nigeria working on a project that is been sponsored by MTN to unearth another new 'Gloria Alozie'. The project is basically meant for students that are still in the secondary schools and we have selected these four students that will undergo so many rigorous trainings before that can match up to what we truly desire.

So far, it has been a good experience for the entire team and we believe we can can get the best out of them, where they will become one of the great athletes in Nigeria.

Talking about yourself, how will you describe your early days an athlete in Nigeria?

Wooow, it is not really easy getting to the top considering the fact that I had to go through 'hell' before achieving my heart desires of becoming a champions in the athletics field. The truth is, I had a tough time getting the support of my parent to selecting athletics ahead of my education because they wanted me to be an educated elite in the society.

But then, any time I am opportunity to visit the stadium back then after school hours, I feel so delighted to an extent that I spend so much time running but long and short distance race before going home.

So how were you discovered to represent Nigeria as an athlete?

Hmmmm...one thing is certain in life, if you continue to do what you love to do always, one day you may just be fortunate to be favoured. And that's what happened to me when I was first discovered to run for my school during.....

Source: https://www.talkingpoint360.com/exclusive-interview-nigeria-still-hold-a-place-in-my-heart-gloria-alozie/

Super Eagles midfielder and captain, John Mikel Obi says attention is focus on the team's final World Cup fixture against Argentina at the Krestovsky Arena on Tuesday.

Mikel piloted the defensive midfield role of the Super Eagles in Friday's 2-0 win over Iceland in their second Group D match and would be hoping to outsmart an Argentina side that would be desperately seeking for the three points after losing 3-0 to Croatia on Thursday.

Nigeria needed just a win against the Albiceleste to book a round of 16 places and the former Chelsea midfielder stated that they would well focus on Tuesday.

“We have celebrated the win on Friday but today is another day and the focus is on Argentina. That is the only thing on our minds now. It is important that we keep the focus and plan our strategy quite well.

“We thank Nigerians from all over the world for their support. Their faith in us and their belief in our ability have continued to propel us. We will set up very well against Argentina to get a result.”

Source: https://www.talkingpoint360.com/were-focus-and-ready-to-dent-argentinas-world-cup-dream-mikel/

Former Governor of Delta State , Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan , has declared his ambition to contest for the position of the state South Senatorial District in during the 2019 general elections.

The two-time governor of Delta State, who had rejected reports credited to him that he has stepped down on mutual consent, revealed that he's prepared to serve his people under the umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP).

“I have not stepped down for anybody and I am not going to even contemplate stepping down for anyone . In fact, I have put my hands to the plough and there is no going back. By the grace of God, we will be in Abuja in 2019.”

“It was for the interest of President Goodluck Jonathan ’ s votes from Delta that made me to withdraw from the 2015 senatorial race , last minute . The stability of the state was very important to me . I needed to concentrate on the state and..

Source: https://www.talkingpoint360.com/no-going-back-on-my-senatorial-race-in-delta-state-uduaghan/

The Nigeria Football Federation President, Amaju Pinnick has appealed to Nigerians not to crucify the Super Eagles but keep supporting the team as they face Iceland on Friday at the World Cup in Russia.

It will be recall that the team lost 2-0 to Croatia on Saturday to send Nigeria bottom of Group D with zero point.

Nigeria must have to win their next match against Iceland to have a good chance of qualifying to the knockout stages of the tournament even before facing Argentina in their final Group D match.

However, Pinnick revealed that it's still possible for Nigeria to beat Iceland If Nigerians rally round the team.

"The Federal Government through the Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung , who is here in Russia supporting the team and giving them words of encouragement, has appealed to Nigerians to keep supporting the team .
“The NFF is also appealing to them to continue to encourage the team with kind words and prayers.

“At this tournament, world champions West Germany have.........

Source: https://www.talkingpoint360.com/2018-world-cup-dont-crucify-super-eagles-anything-can-still-happen-in-russia-pinnick/

In a bid to ensure that the Super Eagles qualify to the knockout stages of the World Cup, the Federal Government have motivated the players by way of paying them $15,000 (N5m) if they beat Iceland on Friday.

Confirming the reports was the Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung, who said he had to add $5,000 to the $10,000 from his personal pocket in order to boost the morale of the Super Eagles .

“It is unfortunate that we did not win, which would have served as a morale booster at the group stage, but we will not lose hope.

“The Federal Government is doing its best to ensure that the Super Eagles excel in Russia. Even President Muhammadu Buhari took time out to motivate the players yesterday and to assure them of his unflinching support for the team.

“I personally added $5,000 to their winning bonus to motivate the team, but we must still keep our hopes alive because this is just the beginning.

“I urge the players to remain focused while the technical department will have to put heads together with the coach to salvage our next two matches against Iceland and Argentina. If we win our next matches against Iceland and Argentina, then we can qualify from the group,” he said.,,,,

Source: https://www.talkingpoint360.com/beat-iceland-receive-n5million-fg-promises-super-eagles/

Governor Umaru Al -Makura of Nasarawa State has stated that he will not sponsor any candidate as his successor in 2019.

Al -Makura stated this on Saturday when Permanent Secretaries and Chairmen of the 13 Local Government Areas paid him a Sallah homage in Lafia .

He said that though he was not going to sponsor any candidate , the state needed someone that would maintain the existing legacy .

“But in supporting anyone , I will be very very careful in doing so and I will do so without any sentiment .

“So , all those contesting would be scrutinised to make sure we have the best that would continue to work towards maintaining peace and progress in the state ,” he added .

The governor challenged the council chair.............

Source: https://www.talkingpoint360.com/i-wont-back-any-candidate-for-2019-elections-al-makura/

Senior Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Sen. Ita Enang, on Saturday said President Muhammadu Buhari’s government was the most transparent.

Enang stated this when lawyers from Akwa Ibom, under the auspices of Akwa Ibom Lawyers Forum, visited him in Abuja.

He urged lawyers and all Nigerians to feel free to approach government functionaries on activities of government they were not clear about, rather than forming wrong opinions about government’s intentions.

The president’s aide said that as an important part of the society with ability to shape public opinion, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) should avoid the temptation of acting on unfounded information.

He advised NBA, lawyers and other Nigerians to always seek clarifications about government activities, saying the present administration was open to giving clarifications on its policies and activities.

“President Buhari’s government is the most transparent in Nigeria and he has put in all he can to serve the nation.

“The president and all of us working with him are the servants of the people and we are always ready to attend to concerns by Nigerians about t.....
Source: https://www.talkingpoint360.com/buharis-government-is-the-most-transparent-in-nigeria-enang/

Iceland proved they won't be pushover at the World Cup after holding 'almighty' Argentina 1-1 in Group D opening fixture on Saturday, to send a statement of intent to Nigeria and Croatia.

Sergio Aguero opened scoring for Argentina with a fine finish and it was thought that would be the turning point of Iceland thrashing.

But they weather the storm after Augsburg’s Alfred Finnbogadottir levelled scores for Iceland to earn them a vital one point.

Iceland who will face Nigeria in the second Group B match on Friday, now share one point with Argentina.

Source: https://www.talkingpoint360.com/iceland-hold-argentina-send-statement-of-intent-to-nigeria-croatia/

Super Eagles captain and midfider, Mikel Obi thrown his weigh behind team goalkeeper, Francis Uzoho to keep the Croatia star players such as Luka Modric, Rakitic and Mario Mandžukić quite in today's World Cup Group D opening fixture.

The young Nigerian goalkeeper will be the youngest goalkeeper at the World Cup if selected today by Super Eagles technical adviser, Gernot Rohr to man the goalpost.

Having made his debut against Argentina in an international friendly game last year and kept most of Nigeria's warm-up matches, the former Chelsea star believed that Uzoho has the capability to withstand any pressure.

"He's a very young goalkeeper. I think the good thing about him is that he's always very calm. It's good for us, it's good for him. He knows how to deal with pressure, he has a lot of responsibility, but we try to help him as mu.............

Source: https://www.talkingpoint360.com/uzoho-not-wary-of-modric-mandzukic-rakitic-mikel/

Nicki Minaj has announced a new UK and Ireland joint tour with Future , due to take place in 2019.

The Queens rapper is set to release her new album ‘Queen’ this summer, having already shared two tracks from the record in ‘Barbie Tingz’ and ‘Chun Li’ .

Minaj will be joined by Future on her upcoming world tour, dubbed the NICKIHNDRXX tour.

After a run of US dates later this year, the pair will arrive in the UK in March, opening the tour in London. They will then visit Birmingham, Dublin, Glasgow, and Manc.............

Source: https://www.talkingpoint360.com/nicki-minaj-announces-2019-uk-and-ireland-joint-tour-with-future/

Jennifer Lopez wants to ''take her time'' with Alex Rodriguez romance, despite the pair having been together for over a year.

The 48-year-old singer and actress has been dating the former baseball shortstop for over a year now, but the pair aren't rushing to tie the knot or have children together because Jennifer - who already has 10-year-old twins Emme and Max with her ex-husband Marc Anthony - doesn't want to repeat the same ''mistakes'' she's made in the past.

Speaking to 'Good Morning America' on Monday (11.06.18), she said: ''We have to take our time. I've made plenty of mistakes in my past and ... we're mature now. We're grown ups and we're going to take our time and we're going to do things at our own pace. And our life right now is incredibly wonderful. Between our kids and our work we're truly blessed. We don't need anything more right now.''

Despite taking things slow, the 'Shades of Blue' actress has previously admitted she would be willing to marry Alex in the future, in what would be her fourth marriage after having tied the knot to Ojani Noa, Cris Judd an...

Source: https://www.talkingpoint360.com/jennifer-lopez-to-take-time-in-romance/

Ex internation, Waidi Akanni has advised Super Eagles technical adviser, Gernot Rohr to work on the team defence before the start of the World Cup in Russia.

Having been pitted alongside Argentina, Croatia and Iceland in Group D of the composition, Akanni told Soccernet.com.ng that the friendly games played so far by Nigeria have exposed the weaknesses in the team defence.

"I am not really satisfied with the performance of the Super Eagles defensive wise considering the fact the defenders find it difficult to deal with set-pieces against Czech, Serbia and Poland respectively," Akanni noted.

"Players such as Leon Balogun and William Troost-Ekong doesn't seem to get it right with set-pieces and that may be too dangerous for us knowing fully that Argentina and Croatia are very good with a very good specialists on set-pieces.

" The Technical crew just have to ensure they mend the wall properly before our first game against Croatia on June 16." He said.....

Source: https://www.talkingpoint360.com/2018-world-cup-fix-super-eagles-defence-or-get-punished-by-argentina-and-croatia-akanni-tells-rohr/

President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday participated in the closing of 2018 Ramadan Tafsir with a pledge to continue to ensure justice in governance so that he could meet his creator with confidence hereafter.

President Muhammadu Buhari addresses the guests during the Democracy Day Lecture held at the International Conference Centre in Abuja.

The President stated this when he attended the closing of the 2018 Ramadan Tafsir held at the Aso Rock Mosque, Abuja.

He said he was not unmindful of the socio-economic realities across the country and promised to continue to do his best in addressing challenges facing the nation.

President Buhari reassured Nigerians that all sections of the country would continue to be treated with sense of justice and fairness.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) observed that since the commencement of 2018 Tafsir on May 17, President Buhari had been regu....

Source: https://www.talkingpoint360.com/nigerians-will-be-treated-with-sense-of-justice-and-fairness-buhari-assures/

Oyo State Government has declared Tuesday, June 12 as public holiday throughout the state.

According to the State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Toye Arulogun, the declaration by government was to commemorate the anniversary of June 12 1993 election generally and widely believed to have been won by Late business mogul, MKO Abiola.

The Oyo government expressed satisfaction that 25 years after the election adjudged to be the freest and fairest in the history of Nigeria, the winner of the election, the late Abiola, was recognized by the Federal Government.

The Oyo government also commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the posthumous award of the highest honour of the land, the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) on Abiola.

It lauded the decision to make June 12 as the Democracy Day in recognition and honour of the martyrdom of Abiola and others who fought for the actualization of democracy in Nigeria.

The state government described the late poli...............

Source: https://www.talkingpoint360.com/oyo-ogun-declares-june-12-as-public-holiday/

Management of Falz record has declared that they won't be intimidated by threat from any group hoping to sue them to court due to Falz's song 'This is Nigeria' video.

Falz who has come under heavy attacks from a religious group, Muslims Rights Concern, (MURIC) in Nigeria, promised to remain unmoved by threat and has been backed by his father, Femi Falana, who's a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and human rights activist.

“The video has been very well received. Even initially when I was releasing it, I didn’t anticipate the magnitude of reaction… I thought there will be some form of reaction and conversation but I didn’t know how largely it will be received.

In a tweet through his management, Falz said they are playing the waiting game.

“The video has been very well received. Even initially when I was releasing it, I didn’t anticipate the magnitude of reaction… I thought there will be some form of reaction and conversation but I didn’t know how large.............

EDITOR SOURCE: [url]https://www.talkingpoint360.com/i-see-nothing-wrong-with-this-is-nigeria-video-falz/[/url]

Minister of Information and culture, Alhaji Lai Muhammed says they will make every efforts to promote Nigeria's tourism through music.

Lai Muhammed disclosed this at the just concluded 61st United Nations World Tourism Organisation, UNWTO, Commission for Africa (CAF) conference on Thursday.

“We have been able to brand Nigeria tourism; Nigeria tourism is unique especially with the creative industry.

“Although we still have safari and wildlife in Nigeria, no doubt, but our greatest strength lies in our creative industry, our music, films and theatre.

“This is an area where we want to build on. It is an area where we have comparative advantage over many other countries,” he said.

Source: https://www.talkingpoint360.com/well-rebrand-nigerias-tourism-through-music-lai-muhammed/

Nigerian musician, Eedris Abdulkareem says the currently economic hardship been experienced by the country was planted by the administration of former President, Olusegun Obasanjo.

Eedris who had in the past criticized Obasanjo's regime with the song 'Nigeria Jagajaga', lamented the poor state of the nation's political, social and economic problems.

In this latest attack, Eedris in an interview with Lindaikeji, stated that the former military head of state was the architect of Nigeria's woes.

“Obasanjo served as a military president and also a civilian president.

“He had the opportunity to correct the wrongs. He was selfish and wanted th............

Source: https://www.talkingpoint360.com/obasanjo-murdered-nigeria-eedris/

Source: [url]https://www.talkingpoint360.com/british-media-killed-my-world-cup-dream-ibrahimovic/[/url]

With six days until the first ball is kicked to get the 2018 World Cup underway, excitement is at an all-time high.

But it appears Zlatan Ibrahimovic is still not satisfied with his omission from the Swedish national team and believes the Swedish media cost him a spot in the squad.

Speaking, as he often does, about himself in the third person, the LA Galaxy striker told reporters: 'The media says they are better without me so that's why I believe in them.

'This is the Swedish media mentality. I don't have a typical Swedish name. I'm not the typical Swedish attitude, behaviour and that and still I have..........

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Source: [url]https://www.talkingpoint360.com/british-media-killed-my-world-cup-dream-ibrahimovic/[/url]

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Source: https://www.talkingpoint360.com/offa-robbery-allegation-ive-presented-my-letter-to-police-saraki-reveals/

Senate President, Bukola Saraki has disclosed that the police have received a written letter which he tendered to them over the Offa Bank robbery allegation leveled against him.

It will be recall that the police had issued a 48-hour ultimatum for the former Kwara State Governor to response to early this week, took to his official twitter handle to disclose that he has forwarded his response.

“In line with their request, earlier today.....

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Source: https://www.talkingpoint360.com/offa-robbery-allegation-ive-presented-my-letter-to-police-saraki-reveals/

Source: https://www.talkingpoint360.com/ambode-hails-buharis-declaration-of-june-12-as-new-democracy-day/

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday hailed the announcement by President Muhammadu Buhari declaring June 12 as the New Democracy Day in honour of the late presumed winner of the June 12 1993 Presidential Election, Chief Moshood Kasimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola.

The Governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, lauded the President, saying that the development was a historic and symbolic moment in the nation’s political trajectory.

“This is a welcome development. It is a historic moment in our nation and I join other Nigerians to commend President Buhari on thi......

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Source: https://www.talkingpoint360.com/ambode-hails-buharis-declaration-of-june-12-as-new-democracy-day/

Source: https://www.talkingpoint360.com/flashback-general-ibrahim-babangidas-broadcast-that-annulled-mko-abiolas-1993-presidential-ambitions/

Former military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), in a nationwide broadcast, officially announced the annulment of June 12, 1993, presidential election believed to have been won by Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Below is the full text of his address:

Fellow Nigerians, I address you today with a deep sense of world history and particularly of the history of our great country. In the aftermath of the recently annulled presidential election, I feel, as I believe you yourself feel, a profound sense of disappointment at the outcome of our last efforts at laying the foundation of a viable democratic system of government in Nigeria.

I, therefore, wish, on behalf of myself and members of the National Defence and Security Council and indeed of my entire administration, to feel with my fellow countrymen and women for the cancellation of the electi...........

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Source: https://www.talkingpoint360.com/flashback-general-ibrahim-babangidas-broadcast-that-annulled-mko-abiolas-1993-presidential-ambitions/

https://www.talkingpoint360.com/2018-world-cup-mourinho-tips-argentina-nigeria-to-qualify-from-group-d/

Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho has tipped Lionel Messi's led Argentina and Super Eagles of Nigeria to qualify from Group D of the FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Mourinho who is expected to serve as an analyst for one of Russia's television stations told Russia Television network RT that the Super Eagles has the quality to go through what has been tagged a 'difficult' by some pundits.

''In group D the first place will be taken by the kid (forward of Argentina's national team Lionel Messi,ed ). Second place ... Very difficult choice, but I put on the African team - Nigeria,'' Mourinho told Russia Television network RT.

Nigeria will play Croatia in the opening fixture on June 16 before facing Iceland and Argentina in their final group game.

https://www.talkingpoint360.com/2018-world-cup-mourinho-tips-argentina-nigeria-to-qualify-from-group-d/

https://www.talkingpoint360.com/sexual-abuse-claim-on-idps-senate-to-probe-amnesty-international-report-on-nigerian-army/

The Nigerian senate have decide to carry out a thorough investigation on claims made by the International Amnesty on reports that the Nigerian army sexually abused the right of women of the Internal Displaced Person's (IDP's) in Borno State.

The senators have set up an ad-hoc committee that would investigate the allegations made against the army.

The motion which was moved by the All Progressive Congress (APC) Kaduna State, Shehu Sani, he revealed that it's important for the lawmakers to look into the case.

“Scores of women described how soldiers and Civilian JTF members have used force and threats to rape women in satellite camps, including by taking advantage of hunger to coerce women to become their ‘girlfriends’, which involved being available for sex on an ongoing basis,” the report released in May reads.

“This report is not only a thesis by AI, it contains names identity, photograph, instances and personal confessions of victims of................

https://www.talkingpoint360.com/sexual-abuse-claim-on-idps-senate-to-probe-amnesty-international-report-on-nigerian-army/

Nigerians will never forget in a hurry the great philanthropist, popular Nigerian businessman, publisher, politician and aristocrat of the Yoruba Egba clan Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, he won the 1993 presidential election that was annulled by the former military head of state, General Ibrahim Babanginda

Abiola affectionately known as MKO Abiola died in 1998. His 1993 presidential victory with accurate election results was dubiously annulled by the preceding military president Ibrahim Babangida because of alleged evidence that the results were corrupt and unfair.

Regardless of one’s ethnicity, educational background, tribe,culture, Nigerians voted en mass for a man who recognized the importance and value of democracy in the country.

The election was declared Nigeria’s freest and fairest presidential election by national and international observers at the time, with Abiola even winning in his Northern opponent’s home state. Abiola won at the national capital, Abuja, the military polling stations, and in over two-thirds of Nigerian states. The reason why the election was so historic, was because men of Northern descent had largely dominated Nigeria’s political landscape since independence.

Talkingpoint360.com selected 15 facts about MKO Abiola’s political ambitions and life that might be of interest and relevant to present democracy in Nigeria and Africa.

1. Moshood Abiola was his father’s twenty-third child but the first of his father’s children to survive infancy, hence the Kashimawo.

2. MKO showed entrepreneurial talents at a very young age, at the age of nine he started his first business selling firewood. He would wake up at dawn to go to the forest and gather firewood, which he would then cart back to town and sell before going to school, to support his father and his siblings.

3. As a business person, he had investments in 102 countries.

4 As a philanthropist, he donated, in 1991, N120 million to all higher institutions in the country among other organizations.

5. His financial assistance resulted in the construction of 63 secondary schools, 121 mosques and churches, 41 libraries, and 21 water projects in 24 states of Nigeria, and he was grand patron to 149 societies or associations in Nigeria.His commitment to the plight of ordinary Nigerians included establishing Abiola bookshops to provide affordable, locally produced textbooks in the 1980s when imported textbooks became out of the reach of ordinary Nigerians as the naira was devalued. He also made available daily necessities such as rice and soap at affordable prices in the market.

6. As a chief, he bagged more traditional titles than any other Nigerian.

7. Following common tradition, Abiola took four wives; Simibiat Atinuke Shoaga in 1960, Kudirat Olayinki Adeyemi in 1973, Adebisi Olawunmi Oshin in 1974, and Doyinsola (Doyin) Abiola Aboaba in 1981.

https://www.talkingpoint360.com/15-key-facts-about-mko-abiola-and-june-12/