FIFA Vice President Prince Ali bin Al Hussein on Tuesday threw down the gauntlet to incumbent Sepp Blatter for the leadership of football’s scandal-tainted world governing body.

The 39-year-old Jordanian prince said he would be a candidate against Blatter, 78, who will seek a fifth term, when FIFA holds a presidential vote on May 29.

Prince Ali, an ally of Blatter rival Michel Platini, the UEFA president, said he had been encouraged by other FIFA members to stand.

“I know Prince Ali well. He has complete legitimacy to occupy the highest responsibilities,” Platini told AFP.

“We are now going to wait for his proposals and his programme for the future of football,” the UEFA leader added.

The prince is guaranteed nearly all the 54 UEFA votes and must now aim to sway enough FIFA members from his Asia region and other confederations against Blatter to get 105 backers at the election.

The rivalry threatens to become bitter.

The prince said his campaign would be based on getting FIFA away from “contoversy”.

“I am seeking the presidency of FIFA because I believe it is time to shift the focus away from administrative controversy and back to sport.

“The headlines should be about football, the beautiful sport, not about FIFA.”

FIFA has been dogged by scandal since 2010 votes that awarded the 2018 World Cup to Russia and 2022 event to Qatar. The prince, a FIFA vice president for Asia since 2011, has been among leaders who want the full release of an inquiry into the vote process.

“This was not an easy decision. It came after careful consideration and many discussions with respected FIFA colleagues over the last few months,” Prince Ali said.

“The message I heard, over and over, was that it is time for a change.

“The world game deserves a world-class governing body — an International Federation that is a service organisation and a model of ethics, transparency and good governance.”

Prince Ali, a son of the late King Hussein of Jordan, was one of the most senior FIFA officials to call for the full publication of lawyer Michael Garcia’s report into the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bids.

FIFA’s executive has voted to release an “appropriate” edited version of the report and Blatter has ruled out any suggestion that Qatar could lose the right to host the 2022 tournament.

UEFA’s Platini and European federations have led calls for Blatter to keep an earlier promise to stand down when his fourth term ends.

But the 78-year-old Swiss official says he has a “mission” to finish.

She is not a celebrity but her story is shocking. Olive Nebo Ozioma a graduate of University of Nigeria, Nsukka who is in her 20’s was so excited about seeing the first day of 2015 and took to her Facebook page to announce how excited she was, not knowing she will die the following day.

“OMG!!! Its 2015….. Is anyone feeling this vibe with me? Am sure you are! Lets celebrate together! We are blessed…. Hip Hip Hip!!!, ” she wrote exactly at 3.37am on January 1st, 2015.

And the following day, she went to jog and she died during the process. Her friends have been talking about her online and say it’s such a sad loss. May her soul continue to rest in peace.

The President of Igando Customary Court, Lagos, Mr Ruphus Adeyeri, has said that the sin of adultery is threatening most marriages in the country.

Adeyeri told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lagos that most married men and women were engaged in extra-marital affairs for reasons best known to them.

“Most spouses are perpetrators of infidelity, they get involved in it for one reason or the other,’’ he said.
Adeyeri, who is also a marriage counselor, attributed the cause of infidelity to economic reason, said that many families could not meet up with responsibility of taking care of their homes.

According to him, there is a limit a woman can bear, when she discovers that her husband cannot provide for the family, she seeks assistance outside.

“The issue of money makes women to cheat on their husbands when he cannot meet their needs financially, she falls for a man who showers her with money.’’

He said that infidelity was just a way of life to some people; they could never be satisfied with one man or woman.

“They are just wired to be unfaithful, some are serial cheaters, they cheat for the thrill of it,’’ he said.
Adeyeri said that when spouses become unfaithful to each other, most of them resulted to divorce as the only solution.

He said that many partners, who come to court for dissolution of their marriages, came alleging adultery on the part of their spouses.

The court president noted that insatiable sex could also lead to extra-marital affairs, pointing out that many spouses always accused one another of dissatisfaction or denial of sex.

“Many couples complain of being sex starved by their spouses or that they are not satisfied with their spouse’s sexual lives, while some couples withhold sex as a form of punishment for their spouses.’’

According to him, divorce has a social effect, especially on children, and the society is put at risk if the children are not catered for, they may turnout to be a nuisance to themselves and the society.

“Most of the children roaming the streets, committing havoc and those who drop out of school are mostly from divorced parents.’’

He said that no single man or woman could train a child effectively or provide adequate care no matter how rich he or she was, as God had made it the responsibility of both parents.

Adeyeri admitted that there was no perfect family in the world, no perfect man or woman, the couple must agreed together to make things work out.

“No marriage is made in heaven, spouses only agree to work together in unity,’’ he said.

He said that adultery set in when a partner feels neglected by his spouse, who pays more attention to his/her career, children or relatives, thereby leaving the partner no choice than to seek for attention outside the marriage.

He asserted that spending little time with your partner could increase the chance of infidelity.

According to him, the secret of a successful marriage is trust, patience, understanding, confidence and unity of purpose.


Adultery Is Threatening Marriages In Nigeria, Says Counselor
Wisdytech | January 4, 2015 | Religion | No Comments

The President of Igando Customary Court, Lagos, Mr Ruphus Adeyeri, has said that the sin of adultery is threatening most marriages in the country.

Adeyeri told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lagos that most married men and women were engaged in extra-marital affairs for reasons best known to them.

“Most spouses are perpetrators of infidelity, they get involved in it for one reason or the other,’’ he said.
Adeyeri, who is also a marriage counselor, attributed the cause of infidelity to economic reason, said that many families could not meet up with responsibility of taking care of their homes.

According to him, there is a limit a woman can bear, when she discovers that her husband cannot provide for the family, she seeks assistance outside.

“The issue of money makes women to cheat on their husbands when he cannot meet their needs financially, she falls for a man who showers her with money.’’

He said that infidelity was just a way of life to some people; they could never be satisfied with one man or woman.

“They are just wired to be unfaithful, some are serial cheaters, they cheat for the thrill of it,’’ he said.
Adeyeri said that when spouses become unfaithful to each other, most of them resulted to divorce as the only solution.

He said that many partners, who come to court for dissolution of their marriages, came alleging adultery on the part of their spouses.

The court president noted that insatiable sex could also lead to extra-marital affairs, pointing out that many spouses always accused one another of dissatisfaction or denial of sex.

“Many couples complain of being sex starved by their spouses or that they are not satisfied with their spouse’s sexual lives, while some couples withhold sex as a form of punishment for their spouses.’’

According to him, divorce has a social effect, especially on children, and the society is put at risk if the children are not catered for, they may turnout to be a nuisance to themselves and the society.

“Most of the children roaming the streets, committing havoc and those who drop out of school are mostly from divorced parents.’’

He said that no single man or woman could train a child effectively or provide adequate care no matter how rich he or she was, as God had made it the responsibility of both parents.

Adeyeri admitted that there was no perfect family in the world, no perfect man or woman, the couple must agreed together to make things work out.

“No marriage is made in heaven, spouses only agree to work together in unity,’’ he said.

He said that adultery set in when a partner feels neglected by his spouse, who pays more attention to his/her career, children or relatives, thereby leaving the partner no choice than to seek for attention outside the marriage.

He asserted that spending little time with your partner could increase the chance of infidelity.

According to him, the secret of a successful marriage is trust, patience, understanding, confidence and unity of purpose.

“Trust, understanding and patience are some of the important virtues that sustain a relationship, these virtues are the foundation of a strong bond between two people,’’ he opined.

The counselor advised couples to always place their family on the rock of Jesus Christ as He is the head of the home.

He urged couples to be good communicators and listeners as this would strengthen their relationship.

“Couples should communicate effectively, avoid conversations that will cause their spouses pain, the more open you are the closer the bond you will have with your spouse.

“Partners must also be able to resolve conflicts effectively as every couple have disagreement. You should also accept that you cannot change your partner.’’

The All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Maj.-Gen.Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), will hold his rally at the Uyo Township Stadium in Akwa Ibom State on Tuesday (tomorrow).

A release on Sunday jointly signed by the state chairman of the party, Dr. Amadu Attai and the Secretary, Mr. Efiong Etok, indicated that the rally would be attended by the APC elders, leaders and supporters, including the Rivers State governor, who is also the Director-General of the Muhammadu Buhari Campaign Organisation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi.

According to the statement, the National Chairman of the APC , Chief John Odigie Oyegun and other leaders of the party will also be in attendance.

The highlight of the rally, according to the statement, will be the presentation of the party flag to Mr. Umana Umana, who is the party’s governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom State.

Meanwhile, a group, Buhari/Osinbajo Solidarity, in a meeting in Uyo on Saturday, called for synergy towards enthronement of a people-oriented government in May 29, 2015.

The convener of the meeting and former commissioner in the state, Mr. Joe Ukpong, who spoke with newsmen, declared that the essence of the meeting was to brainstorm on how to mobilise massive support for Buhari and his running mate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Speaking on the combination of Buhari and Osinbajo as a perfect pair, Ukpong, said their victory in 2015 would bring positive change to Nigeria.

“In 2015, we are going to have two competent professionals steering the affairs of the country. While one is an accomplished army general with experience as a former Head of State, the other is a renowned Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

“So, it is a perfect pair. I want to call on all Nigerians to give the All Progressives Congress the necessary support in order to bring positive changes to the country,” he said.

Ukpong, a one-time senatorial candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, also sought for support for the APC governorship candidate in the state, Umana. He noted that a vote for Umana as a governor of the state would be a vote for progress and development.

Present at the meeting were leaders of the Yoruba community in Akwa Ibom State, members of the University of Lagos Alumni Association, Nigerian Bar Association and members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God.

Others were members of the Hausa Community in Akwa Ibom State, retired military men, youths and women leaders.

Gov. Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom has granted amnesty to eight prisoners serving various sentences in Uyo, Calabar, Ikot-Ekpene and Port Harcourt in the spirit of the New Year celebration.

Akpabio made the announcement when he visited Uyo Prisons on Friday.

He converted the death sentence of six other inmates to life imprisonment and also donated N10 million to other inmates for medical attention.

Those pardoned from Uyo, Calabar and Ikot-Ekpene Prisons were; Ofonime Udoh, Mbong Udobong, Akpan Akpan, Uweh Okon, Emmanuel Inyang, Udo Isonguyo, Bassey George and Edem Etim.

The six converted from death to life imprisonment were; Ndifreke Ekanem, Samuel Ekanem, Patrick Ekene, Oduok Jimmy, Charles Isong and Eyakeno Imoh serving in Port Harcourt Prisons.

He noted that the Nigerian Constitution empowered him to grant pardon to any prisoner in the country.

“I advise those pardoned to be of good behaviour so that they will be fully integrated into the society,” he said.

Akpabio, who decried the living conditions of the prisoners, directed the Controller of the Nigerian Prisons Service, Dr Regina Akpan, to liaise with the state Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr Emmanuel Enoidem for assistance.

Responding, Akpan thanked the governor for the various donations he had made to the prison.

Akpan also commended the state government for reforming the prisons service in the state.

“The Uyo prison is made up of 52 females, four babies and two expectant mothers in addition to 834 inmates awaiting trial.

“We plead that the state government intervenes in the provision of facilities and renovation of the Uyo Prison,” Akpan said. (NAN)

ROZZAYY:

How u take see me

The Nigeria Football Federation has proposed six “Grade A” friendly matches for the Super Eagles in the New Year, AfricanFootball.com reports.

The matches include the much-advertised Brazil friendly in Uyo billed for March.

There will be five other matches one of which will also be played in Nigeria.

The NFF leadership has promised to make use of all the FIFA friendly windows in 2015 as the African champions rebuild after the failure to qualify for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea.

The other FIFA windows are – June 8-16, August 31 to September 8, October 5-13 and November 9-17.

These matches are outside the two AFCON warm-ups against Cote d’Ivoire and Sudan in Abu Dhabi early next month, which will be played by players from the domestic league.