SOME 50-KEY REASONS WHY THE OKOWA TEAM KEEPS CELEBRATING AHEAD.-Ikem Smart

1. The distinguished Senator and Delta State governor in the person of our principal "Dr. Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa" believes in God
2. He has all it takes to govern the State
3. His candidacy cuts across the length and breadth of the State
4. He has general acceptability before the people of Delta State
5. The people are wiser now and surely knows who is for them
6. He's a detribalised Deltan that will carry all and sundry along on assumption of office come May 29th, 2015.
7. We have a principal that is moved by the pains and feelings of the masses as and the downtrodden as a man with passion
8. He has a listening ear
9. He's not self centered
10. He is a man that believes in equity, justice and fair-play
11. He's a man of truth as he cannot say what he cannot do; little wonder they call him the "Ekwueme"
12. He's outspoken and fearless especially in the presentation of issues that affects his people
13. He's a highly responsible and disciplined man
14. He's a good, caring and loving family man.
15. He has the requisite academic qualification and standard that can compete with any in the world.
16. He's one humble man that grants listening ear to all irrespective of ones status in life (rich or poor).
17. He's healthy and good to go at any time.
18. He has the required political pedigree in terms of experience, delivery capabilities and abilities
19. He's proactive, always thinking ahead.
20. He's not a push around as he always knows what to do at any given time going by his rights
21. He's not a walk-over
22. He's at home with the politics of the State and Federal
23. He's political dossier surpasses that of other candidates in terms of experience, maturity, acceptability,passion to serve his people,integrity and humility.
24. He's has touched enormous lives through his many contributions to mankind as his generosity speaks volumes.
25. He's a technocrat who has proven himself beyond every reasonable doubt of a leader with vast knowledge of leadership skills.
26. He's divinely equipped with knowledge, understanding of; and solution to the peoples pains and needs.
27. He's the true hope of emancipation that Deltans needs now.
28. He has the fear and love of God
29. With him,the derailing morals of the State will be restored.
30. With him,the peace and security of the State will be sustained
31. With him, hardwork, mutual social responsibility and meritocracy, justice and the rule of law shall be experienced.
32. With him lies the true face of our new Delta that's long being awaited.
33. With him(being a leader that is different from the rest), Deltans shall experience the much awaited good governance and dreams of yester-years of having a better, socially and economically viable State.
34. He's a unique, versatile and interesting leader as Deltans would be at home with his style of leadership as a home groomed politician.
35. His emergence would spell greatness for the good people of Delta State as he's not a greenhorn in political leadership.
36. He's the governor to drive the State to a new level of political, economic, social-cultural and infrastructural development as he's a man with the midas touch.
37. He's a leader known by his people
38. He's a faithful servant that will keep making Delta and Deltans proud.
39. He's competent, dependable, trustworthy and hardworking with a team player ability.
40. He's highly receptive, accommodating and kind, always running an open door policy with his constituents.
41. He's a man that is characteristised with professional and administrative excellence with laudable achievements.
42. In the Nigeria Senate today, he remained the best voice of the Anioma legislator that has ever been having more than 12 bills to his credit within the short period of stay.
43. He's magnanimity, leadership charisma amongst others,has really stood him out to the envy and admiration of political foes and allies.
44. He's is cherished and adored by many Deltans with pride to lead them as their governor come 2015.
45. Deltans are truly satisfied with their choice of Okowa as governor come 2015 having acquired all necessarily required experience having sojourned in politics this while.
46. He leads the way as a pacesetter and political kingmaker,while others follow
47. He's a political bulldozer, being a dogged and a political lion.
46. He remains a man of noble character and exemplary living.
47. He remains the man to beat as his candidature going by his political resume surpasses that of others.
48. He remains a born leader, gentle and fearless in his doings.
49. He's ever-ready to put in smiles on the faces of the people.
50. He has utmost regards forgender equality.

What more can we say here? Just join and rejoice with us as God has finally blessed us with the governor that we "Deltans" really need.

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Our Senior Pastor Has Taken My Wife, She Now Cooks for Him – Husband Cries Out

All is not well at the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Nyanya Parish. Allegations and counter-allegations, bordering on immorality and blackmail are threatening to tear the church apart.

A former member of the church is accusing the senior pastor, Mfom Umoren of befriending his wife, while the pastor is accusing the man and others, pointing fingers at him for blackmail.

wife

Mba Kalu Achowa, a staff of the Federal Ministry of Interior in Abuja and a founding member of the church, had alleged that his wife of 18 years had practically abandoned her matrimonial duties and had virtually relocated to the pastor’s house…

Another woman, Mrs. Ibiam, who is a members of the church, also said Pastor Umoren harassed her.

According to her, “He even threatened me that he was going to force me if I kept refusing. To ensure that he enticed me, he increased my salary from N27, 000, which was agreed by the school committee to N30,000. He gave me a perfume, which I refused to use. Till this day, the perfume is still with me.”

In a petition to elders of the church, Achowa alleged that Pastor Umoren’s friendship with his wife had ruined his marriage. According to him, his wife was always with Pastor Umoren from morning till night.

The petition partly reads: “She leaves home early in the morning and comes home most times 10.30pm or 11pm. Pastor Umoren has taken over my wife.”

“How can a married woman go to the minister’s house, whose wife lives in Lagos, and cooks for him? She stays with him both in his house and office. I am pained as a man whose wife has decided to shift her matrimonial duties to this minister.

“Since the arrival of Pastor Umoren, my wife, who was a good woman, has changed. I have become an object of caricature in the church, where I worshipped, even before getting married to her. Pastor Umoren has turned my wife into what I do not know. Sometimes, I wonder if she is the woman I married about 18 years ago. My wife has sent me a text message and said she was already tired of the marriage and wanted a divorce.”

Achowa has not stopped at writing petitions. It was gathered that the aggrieved husband once caused a scene in the church. One member of the church, who spoke to Daily Sun, recounted an incident that happened in the church during service on a Monday morning.

He stated: “One particular Sunday morning, the woman held the Bible while Pastor Umoren followed behind. To our surprise, the husband of the woman, Mr. Achowa, rushed into the church during the procession, grabbed the Bible from the wife and started pursuing Pastor Umoren around the church. It was something you could only see in one of these Nollywood home videos and members were embarrassed. It took the intervention of members to calm Mr. Achowa down before the service could continue.”

Mr. Achowa is not the only aggrieved membe, pointing fingers at Pastor Umoren. Mrs. Ibiam Uzoamaka, the former head teacher of Presbyterian Divine Academy, a school owned by the Presbyterian Church, said her appointment was recently terminated because she had issues with the pastor.

In His Reaction to the allegations The pastor refuted all the claims. In a telephone chat with our correspondent, he said his accusers were out to blackmail and tarnish his image. He said as a man of God, he could not have been involved with any woman. He equally denied the drama about how the husband of one of the women attacked him during a church service.

Pastor Umeren saidd: “They are not only mere allegations, they are all lies. The woman in question had always had problems with her husband, long before I was posted to the parish. The woman is very spiritual and she is an elder in the church. I can tell you that 99.9 per cent of the members of the church can tell you that there was nothing like that.

“The story that Mr. Achowa attacked me during a church service is not true. He did not come near me. He came to the church on a Sunday morning and collected the Bible from his wife. People dragged him out of the church. I did not buy perfume for any member of the church. I do not even use perfume myself. I have been born again since 1983 and I did not have s*x with my wife before we got married. I do not involve in things like that.”

Mrs. Achowa, when contacted, said: “If you have a copy of such an allegation, you ought to tender it before me. I do not know you. I cannot talk about it. Anybody can call from anywhere and claim to work with The Sun Newspaper. The person that gave my contact should have given you the description of my house and how to see me.”

“I do not know how you got my phone number. I do not have anything to say about it. You cannot just call me and expect me to react. If I want to come to your office to state my own side of the story, how do you guarantee my security? You said some people came to your office. They have their interest. I do not think it is safe for me to come over there.”

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Maybe Arsenal Underestimated Anderlecht- Wenger

Arsene Wenger admits Arsenal’s performance in Tuesday night’s 3-3 draw with Anderlecht was “poor” defensively.

The ‘Gunners” watched a 3-0 lead slip as Aleksander Mitrovic’s last-minute header leveled scores for the visiting Belgian outfit on the nick of full-time.

“You have to give them (Anderlecht) credit. They did fight until the end and we had a poor defensive performance from the first to the last minute,” said a frustrated Wenger.

“From the first to the last minute. We never felt comfortable and we got punished. Our performance was not good enough to do it.”

Arsenal would have clinched qualification, if they had held on to three points at full time, but now look to take just a point from their remaining two matches to progress into the round of 16 of the Uefa Champions league.

Mikel Arteta converted from the penalty spot and the in-form Alexis Sanchez doubled the hosts’ lead with what was the 500th goal at the Emirate Stadium.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain added the third two minute to the hour mark but Anthony Vanden Borre had some tricks up his sleeves, as some sloppy defending in a closing half-hour of sustained pressure cost the north London outfit the game. The defender pulled two goals back for the visitors in 12 minutes before Mitrovic capped a late rally by the reining Belgian Pro League champions with a spectacular diving header equaliser.

Wenger said: “At 3-0 there was a combination of switching off and thinking the job was done and also fatigue, you could see we were not competing for the challenges.

“Maybe we underestimated Anderlecht subconsciously. That’s Champions League- you need to be at that mental level and we were not. After 60 minutes, at 3-0 up, subconsciously you can think the game is won.”
Arsenal will entertain Borussia Dortmund in three weeks’ time in their final home game of the group stage and requires only a draw to join the German Bundesliga outfit in the knockout stage.
We have to win our next game and see if we have a chance of winning the group,” Wenger added.

“I’m confident because one point should be enough but it’s not done. Everybody is really down tonight.”

Dortmund marched on to the second round for a third consecutive season following a 4-1 win over Turkish club Galatasaray.

Third-placed Anderlecht must now win their remaining games- starting with Galatasaray visit to Brussels- and hope Arsenal loses theirs to stand a chance of progressing.

Vanden Borre, who sparked the ‘Purple& White’s’ revival under a rainy Emirate condition, said it was “incredible” but thinks the match gives them that “confidence” to roar on.

“I don’t think we have played badly in any of our games in the Champions League and playing a game like this will really give us confidence above all because we have a young team,” he reckoned. “Now we have to take on Galatasaray and show that it is not by chance that we are here.”

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Whoever Emerges As APC Flag Bearer Is Better Than Jonathan – Atiku

A former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, on Tuesday, said all the presidential aspirants on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, are far better than President Goodluck Jonathan.

“Any of the APC aspirants is better than Jonathan; whoever wins the party primary is better than President Jonathan”, Atiku said in Minna, Niger State at the public declaration of Mr. Sam Nda-Isaiah for the presidency.

Describing the LEADERSHIP group founder as a “personal friend”, the former vice president, who is also seeking the presidential ticket of the APC, disclosed that he and the other four aspirants had agreed to back whoever emerges as the flag bearer during the primary election in order to bring an end to the Jonathan administration.

He added, “We are united. We have resolved to support whoever emerges. We are not fighting each other; that is why I am here today. Our target is to rescue the country from the misrule of the PDP”.

The former VP, who earlier received a backlash from the Presidency over his comment that the worsening state of insecurity could be attributed to a leadership deficit in the country, decried the state of the nation under the PDP, saying that it had been grounded to a halt.

He said, “It is a known fact that we don’t have functioning hospitals, no good schools for our children, no electricity and no good road, that is why we must change the PDP government and rescue the country from further harm”.

He, therefore, asked the APC faithful, particularly those vying for elective positions, to return to their wards and constituencies to engender change.

Also speaking at the event, the governor of Rivers State and Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum, Chibuike Amaechi, asked the members of the party to be ready to work hard in other to achieve the desired change.

He stated that President Jonathan and the PDP are not only desperate, but would resist the change the APC was yearning for.

“If you think President and the PDP will just leave office, you are joking”, he said. “We all have to ensure that we work and vote them out. We should be ready to demand and ensure the change, even at a point of death”.

The NGF chairman further explained that the desperation of the president and the PDP to hold on to power was manifested by the manner the security details of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, were withdrawn.

He also lamented the manner the PDP-led federal government was using the police and the State Security Service, SSS, saying their actions had exposed them as an off-shoot of the ruling party.

“It is a known fact that it is only the National Assembly and the Court that can determine who is the Speaker and not the Police and SSS, so we must all rise and vote the PDP out”, the governor said.

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Presidency Blasts Atiku Over Comment, Insists Jonathan Administration Best Since Independence

Critics of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration need to be examined by Psychiatrists, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to the President, Dr. Doyin Okupe, said on Tuesday.

The presidential aide was reacting to a statement credited to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, in which he raised the alarm over the activities of the members of the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram, in the North-East.

Atiku had blamed the worsening insecurity problem on leadership deficit in the country.

But Okupe, in a strong rebuttal, said such statements were not expected from a person of Atiku’s standing especially as he had been part of the system.

He said, “Those people saying that this government is clueless need psychiatric test. From now on, anybody who says this government is clueless should be referred to a psychiatrist.

“It is obvious that people are also trying to make mileage of insurgency. On Monday, a very notable member of the Nigerian leadership institution, in particular Alhaji Abubakar Atiku, took a swipe at the Federal Government and at the President.

“You know, it’s difficult to comment publicly about people who have held very important and highly dignified position in our polity, but when people go to the extent of trying to make political gains out of national tragedy, it is difficult not to say something because this is part of the misinformation which the Nigerian public has been subjected to.

“Atiku said that we have problems with leadership, both political leadership and military leadership. For a former Vice President, I believe the comments passed by Atiku Abubakar, I don’t want to use the word ‘irresponsible’, but I will say it is a little bit out of place.

“It is not something you expect from an elder statesman, somebody who has been in the system and who understands how government works”.

Okupe, who expressed anger at the former VP’s statement, pointed out that it was wrong on many levels to speak ill of the armed forces by someone who is aspiring to become president because he would command the same military if elected.

He alleged that it was statements from people like Atiku in the build-up to 2011 presidential elections that emboldened the insurgents to take up arms against the state.

“I remember very well that before the 2011 elections, it was the people like Atiku Abubakar who said that those who make peaceful change impossible make violent change inevitable.

“That was his statement and that was what poured out some of these young people who have been brainwashed to take up armed against their state”, he said.

Okupe insisted that the Jonathan administration was doing everything possible to contain insurgency, adding that there was hardly any country not currently battling with insurgency.

He added that insurgency remained the problem facing the country and that government had been battling it and would overcome it, especially with the calibre of people serving in the government.

He also added that the present government remained the best since independence in 1960.

He said, “We have capable people who have made name running this economy; people like (Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Olusegun) Aganga; (Minster of Finance, Ngozi) Okonjo-Iweala and others and people are saying this government is clueless.

“How can these capable people be running an economy where the government is clueless. Is this possible?

“But I want to say here that Jonathan administration is the most successful since 1960”.

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Piracy, Kidnapping Not On The Increase In Nigeria, Says Navy

The Nigerian Navy on Tuesday debunked claims that piracy and kidnapping on the nation’s territorial waterways have been on the increase.

According to the Chief of Policy and Plans, Rear Admiral Ameen Ikioda, the Navy was doing its best to ensure the prevention of maritime related crimes in the nation’s territorial waters.

Speaking while briefing journalists on the forthcoming Chief of Naval Staff Annual Conference with the theme ‘Transforming for Enhanced Nigerian Navy Operational Efficiency’ scheduled to take place in Lokoja, Kogi State from November 9 to November 14, 2014, Ikioda said that isolated incidents that occurred should not be interpreted as an increase in piracy and kidnapping in the maritime domain.

The chief of policy and plans explained that the determination of the Navy to tackle the incidents of crude oil theft, piracy and kidnapping led to the establishment of three commands for effective patrolling of the nation’s waterways.

The commands, according to him, are the Western Naval Command which operates from Lagos to the Benin River; the Eastern Naval Command whose operational activities extend from the Benin River to the River Nun and the Eastern Naval Command whose operatives patrol from Calabar to the River Nun.

Ikioda stated that the establishment of the Central Naval Command, where most of the crimes are committed, had resulted in a drastic reduction of such crimes in the nation’s waters.

“It is not true to say that they (piracy and kidnapping) are on the increase. They are not on the increase.

“The Navy is doing the best it can in the present situation to maintain the waterways; that does not mean we will not have one or two cases…

“We can’t be everywhere but we are doing our best to react to calls as they occur. We try to do the needful where the navy is located”.

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Boko Haram In Control Of 8 LGAs In Borno – Shettima

The Borno State Governor, Mr. Kashim Shettima of on Tuesday expressed worry on how Boko Haram had taken over eight out of the 27 local government areas of the state.

Shettima disclosed this while receiving members of the Federal Government Sub-committee of the Victims Supports Fund in Maiduguri.

He said that the continued attacks on communities in the state had created hardships on the people.

Shettima said, “The insurgents have taken over nearly eight LGAs in the state.

“They have taken over Gamboru-Ngala, Kala-Balge, Marte, Dikwa, Gwoza, Bama, Askira-Uba and part of Konduga local government areas.

“The insurgents have also carried out recent attacks in Abadam, Kukawa”.

Shettima, however, expressed optimism that the insurgency would end in a short while, saying “I strongly believe that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

“We are going to bounce back very soon by the grace of God”.

Speaking earlier, retired Air Marshal Jonah Wuyep, the sub-committee chairman on data collection, had commended the governor for his supports to insurgency victims.

“We commend the responsible leadership of Shettima for what he has been doing in helping victims of insurgency in the state”, Wuyep said.

He said that the state alone could not be able to effectively provide help to victims of insurgency, especially with the renewed attacks on villages.

“Borno alone cannot be able to handle the problems of Internally Displaced Persons because lots of things needed to be done.

Wuyep said, “The Federal Government will step in to provide supports to the IDPs.

“The sub-committee was set up to gather data on the number of IDPs and infrastructure that were destroyed for government to intervene.

“The president is worried about the plight of the IDPs that is why the victim support fund was inaugurated.

“Our sub-committee was set up to get the details on the ground so that government can intervene”.

He said that the sub-committee decided to visit Borno first because of the enormity of damage done by the insurgents in the state. (NAN)

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Genevieve shares flawless no makeup pic

She is still chilling in South Africa..Beautiful lady

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These Photos Of Ex Beauty Queen, Munachi Abii Will Surprise You

Former most beautiful girl in Nigeria, Munachi Abii, is a year older today.

Born 5 November 1987, Munachi Gail Teresa Abii Nwankwo, is a Nigerian rap / hip-hop artist, songwriter, pageant winner, television presenter and model who performs under the name Muna.

The ex-beauty queen who is an Owerri-native was born and raised in Port Harcourt. Muna was encouraged by her family to pursue her passion for music and arts. After obtaining her O’Level qualifications from Federal Government Girls College Abuloma, she studied International relations and Diplomacy at the Benson Idahosa University where has since graduated, and served as a youth corper in Rivers State.

During her second year at University in 2007, Muna won the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageant.Her platform as reigning queen was Polio and Sickle cell Awareness,and she represented Nigeria at Miss World in China later that year.In 2009, Muna worked with MBGN 2000 winner Matilda Kerry on a project to raise awareness on cervical cancer.

The beauty pageantry has however served as a gate to many of her achievements. To celebrate this year’s birthday, Muna Abii has released new sizzling photos today. Photographed by Paul Ukonu, the ex beauty queen poses in a jungle setting spotting African inspired head wraps, clothing and accessories.

Enjoy viewing the photos below:

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PHOTO: See What Tiwa Savage’s Hubby Did For Her

Tiwa Savage and Hubby

Just few months after their marriage problems rumor, Teebillz has done something surprising for his beautiful wife and singer, Tiwa Savage.

Tiwatope Savage-Balogun, known by her stage name Tiwa Savage, is a Nigerian singer-songwriter, recording artist, performer, and actress who got married some months back to her heartthrob, Tunji Balogun in a high-classed wedding in Dubai.

However, the currently signed Sony/ATV Music Publishing and Mavin Records singer’s marriage has for a while now been in the microscopic eyes of everyone due to a rumor that they are having marital issues. While some people think its the usual marital challenges faced by newly weds, some were of the opinion that it was a financial problem, with insinuations that Teebillz was sidelining the beautiful singer off some of her performance fees.

The claims were corroborated when the singer, Tiwa Savage ‘relieved’ her husband who was also her manager, his ‘managerial’ duties, thereby, employing a new guy to be her manager. However, with various turns of events from the singer and her hubby, all of these might just be a speculation…or maybe they have settled all the challenges and have decided to stay married.

This is because during the heat of the rumor, the singer released a single, ‘My darlin’ which she dedicated to her husband, She also took to her Instagram page yesterday night to showcase the sweet surprise she got from her sweetheart.. Yes, the singer may not be wearing her wedding ring publicly as much as a lot of people would want her to, but that does not necessarily suggest something is up.

She took to her Instagram page yesterday to make it known that her husband got her a dog..obviously the singer is a dog lover. See the dog and her words below:

It would be recalled that few weeks ago, the singer was said to be having an affair with one of the aides of Lagos State governor with the report clamoring that it was the affair that caused havoc in her home.

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Ini Edo looking Fab....

Newly single Ini Edo looks better than ever these days....Beautiful woman..

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Amber Rose flaunts $$$ bundles, says Mastu rbating is fun...

 

Some fans are saying that's child support money from Wiz Khalifa lol.. Let her enjoy

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How Nicki Minaj smashed ex-BF's Benz, threw him out of her house

Just last week, Nicki Minaj's longtime boyfriend before the fame ,Safree Samuels confirmed breakup rumours after emerging without his massive tattoos of her face and name on his body.Many have been wondering what happened considering their last public outing was during a happy summer vacation ..TMZ reports that though they don't know why they broke up,during the summer,they got into an argument.

"She started screaming, he got pissed, and she exploded in anger, grabbing a bat and chasing him out of the house. She then smashed the windows of his 2012 Mercedes with a baseball bat, threw his clothes in the garbage .Cops were called to the house, but no arrests were made. Safaree was escorted out of the house and left.

As for why Nicki didn't get in trouble ... it appears she owned the Mercedes, but allowed him to use it, and you can't get arrested for destroying your own property.They broke up a short time later. Wise move"

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Buoyant Man City seek demolition of Ahmed Musa-CSKA

With confidence restored by victory over Manchester United, Manchester City will attempt to rescue their Champions League campaign when they tackle CSKA Moscow at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.

Sunday’s 1-0 defeat of United in the derby saw City snap a run of three games without victory and took them to within six points of Premier League leaders Chelsea, but in Europe their fate is in the balance.

Having picked up only two points from their first three Group E matches, City no longer have any margin for error and will be left on the brink of a third group-stage exit in four years if they fail to win on Wednesday.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side squandered a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 at CSKA two weeks ago and with a home game against Bayern Munich and a trip to Roma to follow, the English champions cannot afford to drop points again.

City left-back Gael Clichy, who was called into the team to face United after Aleksandar Kolarov was injured in the warm-up, has urged his team-mates not to get carried away by their derby triumph.

“It’s a totally different competition, so it’s not because we’ve won (against United) that we’re going to play well and win against Moscow,” he told the City website.

“Hopefully we can start winning, because we haven’t won a game yet in this competition. We still have a chance to go through and that’s the main objective for the club.

“A team like us should go through and do well in Europe. It starts on Wednesday and that will be a big game as well.”

City were aggrieved that some 350 home fans managed to obtain sponsors’ tickets to watch the teams’ last meeting after CSKA were ordered to play three home matches behind closed doors as a punishment for a series of offences including racist chanting.

UEFA subsequently reduced their punishment to playing two home matches without supporters, although CSKA are still banned from selling tickets to their fans for the club’s remaining two away games.
Source: Vanguard

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It’s wait and see in Delta

WARRI—WHAT Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State did in 2007, when he assumed office was to conscript ex-militant leaders and their agreed represen-tatives into a strategic security group: the Delta Waterways Security Committee, DWSC. Alongside other professionals, they were saddled with the responsibility of ensuring safety on the waterways of the state.

Ex-militant leader and founder of the defunct Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger-Delta, MEND, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, endorsed some of his lieutenants as members of his group.

Other ex-militant leaders in the state, including Ezekiel Akpasubowei and Aroni Oputu of Deadly Underdogs, were later drafted in to buoy up the group.

Some of the ex-militant leaders, who thought the committee was another money-spinning one, were frustrated at what they saw. They believe the governor played a fast one on them by gathering them into a group and abandoning them to their fate.

Top from left: Okowa, Gbagi, Orubebe, and Omo-Agege, Olejeme, Ochei, Obuh and Elumelu

However, many thought that all was well between Uduaghan and Tompolo, giving the camaraderie they show outside, particularly with the latest emergence of his younger brother, Mr. George Ekpemupolo, as two-time chairman of Warri South-West Local Government Area.

However, the Executive Secretary of Tompolo Foundation and top player in the Tompolo camp, Mr. Paul Bebenimibo, told Niger Delta Voice that what exists between the two men was a cat and mouse relationship.

‘Count Tompolo out of Warri S’West polls’

First, there is the chairmanship matter that has pitched Tompolo against human rights activist and lawyer, Mr. Festus Keyamo, who is representing Mr. Weyimi Omadeli, alias Bobby, the chairmanship candidate that was swapped at the 11th

No space in Baylesa

YENAGOA— ONCE upon a time in Bayelsa State, ex-militants, especially their leaders, were held in awe.

They were quartered in the Creek Haven (read Government House) annex, fondly referred to as Super Lodge and they received monthly allowance from the state government.

This was aside the Federal Government amnesty stipends.

They wielded influence in the corridors of power in the state and, to a large extent, called the shots in the politics of their respective local government areas in the hinterland where they once held sway.

Some of them even moved with police escorts with siren- blaring pilot vehicles to the consternation of other road users.

It was, therefore, not surprising seeing the ex- militants rallying support for ex-governor, Timipre Sylva, during his trying moment with the leadership of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the Presidency in his quest to secure the party ticket for second term.

However, their influence in the politics of the state and the councils have been whittled down by the present administration, which wasted no time in evicting them from the government lodge.

They currently have no role to play in the politics of the state and their local government areas where the governor’s men are effectively in charge of affairs.

Though some ex-agitators, led by former leader of the defunct MEND, Ebikabowei Victor-Ben, alias Boyloaf, were appointed by the state government into a special task force, State Centre for Youth Development, to curb criminality in the creeks of the state, security has not improved on the waterways.

Also on the board as Secretary is Mr. Egba Claudius Diekemi. Others are Kakas Amgbare (Sabgama council), Inemo Angalapele (Kolokumo/Opokuma council), Joseph Dienduomo (Ekeremor council), Pastor Reuben Wilson (Southern Ijaw council), Dini Atoni (Ogbia council), Mangite Asari (Nembe) and Miss Emmanuela Victor (Brass).

Also in the board are Jackson, Toikuma Toboula-yefa ThankGod, Omangima Harry, Alfreda Olungwe, Gift Bokiri, Tina Bailbond and Ebiasuode Timipre.

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UK to return £6.8m of Ibori loot to Nigeria

London –  The UK government is to return  an additional 6.8 million pounds of the  confiscated loot of former Delta Governor, James Ibori, to Nigeria.

Mr Rupert Broad, UK Metropolitan Police Senior Investigator, disclosed this in London on Tuesday at a meeting on “Supporting Policing in Nigeria: What Role for Police in the Nigerian Diaspora” held in the House of Commons.

While speaking  on UK and Nigeria’s anti-corruption partnership, Broad said “out of the eight million pounds  confiscated from Ibori, 1.2 million pounds had so far been retuned to Nigeria, while the rest was waiting for redistribution as to when it would be sent back to Nigeria.”
He also said that an additional 80 million pounds had been temporarily confiscated from Ibori and his associates, including Mr Patrice Gohil, one of his lawyers.

“Approximately, 80 million pounds is temporarily frozen and a confiscation hearing has been fixed for April 2015, where the judge will determine how much was stolen, after which it would be returned to Nigeria.”

The  British Southcrown  Court in April 2012  sentenced  Ibori  to 13 years jail term for fraud and money laundering.

Broad, who attributed the success of the Ibori case to partnership with the nation’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC), said “the case signified Nigeria’s commitment to the fight corruption.

“In the light of the Ibori case, Nigeria has done a fantastic job in tackling corruption.

“Corruption does not go away easily,  addressing it requires continuous process and the UK
Metropolitan Police  will continue to collaborate with Nigerian authorities on cross border international investigation.”

Similarly, Mr Nsikan Etuk, the Director of the UK Nigeria Police Forum, said that the diaspora was a powerful tool for the reformation of the nation’s police force.

Etuk, who spoke on “Supporting Policing in Nigeria”, expressed the commitment of the Forum incollaborating with government in tackling challenges impeding efficiency in policing in the country.

He said that the Forum, whose membership included serving and retired police personnel, was established following challenges facing  the Nigerian community in the UK.

In the same vein, Amb. Kunle  Bamgbose, the Nigerian Deputy High Commissioner to the UK, said the nation’s police officers were among the brightest in Africa, adding that they were only impeded  by operational challenges.

He said “inadequate equipment such as communication gadgets, the lack of efficient forensic laboratories  and other logistic problems are some of the challenges facing the police force.”

Bamgbose, however, said “it is difficult to impose UK policing culture in Nigeria because the environments are different.”

According to him, partnership in training and capacity building of officers will be an ideal area of collaboration.

The meeting, which had participants from the Nigerian community, was chaired by Mrs Meg Hillier, the Chair of the UK All Party Parliamentary Group on Nigeria. (NAN)

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