Doha erupted in cheers on Thursday when the news spread that FIFA has picked the country as the host of the 2022 World Cup ahead of the United Sates, Australia, South Korea and Japan. The announcement of the vote by Fifa President Sepp Blatter in Zurich was greeted with delight from patriotic and loving supporters of the Qatar bid.
The news was received with great joy as the Qatar 2022 Bid committee staged a fan zone at the Aspire Park, saw residents of the city honking their car horns in wild celebration of the victory.
Crowds watching the live broadcast on a giant television screen at the Aspire Park started arriving from 2pm as families came with their canopy, mats and chair to witness the historic event.
Children’s faces were painted with the Qatar maroon colour and the national flag, T-shirt, trumpet and scarves were freely given to thousands of fans.
As the evening approached the crowd became thicker, and the Vuvuzela took the air as young Qatari’s blew the trumpet with chants of “Qatar, Qatar, Qatar.”
Aardina Richards, a Dutch national said, “I have been in Doha for three months and I am happy for the Qatar victory but sad for the Netherlands & Belgium bid, though back home people weren’t expecting victory because there are lots of issues that needs to be solved than building stadiums and staging a World Cup.”
Shyju V an Indian resident expressed his joy, when he said, “Qatar’s World Cup bid put on a characteristically polished presentation, its successfully assuaged concerns about its heat, telling everyone that Qatar play a significant role in the heart of the Middle East.
With FIFA giving Qatar the hosting right it will definitely be a unifying factor in the region and a plus for global peace.”
By hosting the world cup Qatar will be fulfilling the dreams of every Arab, said Haithem Rashid, a Tunisian resident.
Hosting the biggest soccer fiesta will boosts the economic fortunes of the country and the inhabitants as whole, said Yemi a Nigerian resident.
Sharif Marri, a Qatari resident, said, “I want to thank Fifa President Sepp Blatter for creating the environment that won Qatar this high ranking and historical feat. We all know Qatar in terms of staging world class events and its football followership is well known to all as witnessed in the Brazil versus Argentina match. I think we are on track, and the game has just begun.”
Qatar will be the first country to host the world cup in the Middle East, with the 2018 edition going to Russia ahead of the joint Spain & Portugal bid.
Thursday, December 02, 2010
Saturday, November 20, 2010
No hiding place for FIFA's Amos Adamu: EFCC
LAGOS- THERE may be no hiding place for disgraced former Director General, National Sports Commission (NSC) and suspended FIFA Executive Committee member, Amos Adamu, as indications have emerged that Nigeria’s anti-graft body, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), is set to spread its drag net to various parts of the world in its bid to track him down.
Adamu has been banned for three years from all football related activities and fined 10,000 Swiss francs by the ethics committee of FIFA for complicity in a cash-for-votes scandal blown open by Sunday Times of London and for breaching various articles of FIFA Code of Ethics.
Although, the EFCC had said shortly after the news of Adamu’s suspension came on Thursday that he would be interrogated as soon as he returns to Nigeria, it was learnt yesterday the anti-graft agency was looking for a quick avenue to track Adamu as soon as possible.
The Spokesman of EFCC, Femi Babafemi had told Brilafm sports radio that Adamu had refused to return to Nigeria since the commission showed interest in investigating the scandal.
“The chairman of the commission, Mrs. Farida Waziri, has instructed our operatives in charge of the matter to liaise with FIFA and see how we can get evidence of the whole investigation against Amos Adamu. This is a case that we have been working on since, and the decision by FIFA solidifies our position. Adamu has refused to come to Nigeria since we showed interest in the matter,” Babafemi said.
Meanwhile, FIFA President, Sepp Blatter promised yesterday that a “new FIFA” would choose the hosts for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, but admitted that changes would be needed to avoid corruption scandals.
Blatter sought to turn the page on the damaging World Cup bidding and corruption allegations after an executive committee meeting in Zurich, although he admitted that some collusion among FIFA’s decision makers was inevitable.
Nonetheless, FIFA’s president stressed that they were taking on greater responsibility now that world football’s showcase event was gaining more than sporting stature.
“Having this importance also in the economy, then we have a political dimension,” Blatter told journalists. “Now we have to have a look at how to act in the future to avoid such situations, definitely this is an item which is now under scrutiny,” he added, a day after FIFA’s ethics committee banned two executive committee members for one to three years over bribery or misconduct.
Adamu has been banned for three years from all football related activities and fined 10,000 Swiss francs by the ethics committee of FIFA for complicity in a cash-for-votes scandal blown open by Sunday Times of London and for breaching various articles of FIFA Code of Ethics.
Although, the EFCC had said shortly after the news of Adamu’s suspension came on Thursday that he would be interrogated as soon as he returns to Nigeria, it was learnt yesterday the anti-graft agency was looking for a quick avenue to track Adamu as soon as possible.
The Spokesman of EFCC, Femi Babafemi had told Brilafm sports radio that Adamu had refused to return to Nigeria since the commission showed interest in investigating the scandal.
“The chairman of the commission, Mrs. Farida Waziri, has instructed our operatives in charge of the matter to liaise with FIFA and see how we can get evidence of the whole investigation against Amos Adamu. This is a case that we have been working on since, and the decision by FIFA solidifies our position. Adamu has refused to come to Nigeria since we showed interest in the matter,” Babafemi said.
Meanwhile, FIFA President, Sepp Blatter promised yesterday that a “new FIFA” would choose the hosts for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, but admitted that changes would be needed to avoid corruption scandals.
Blatter sought to turn the page on the damaging World Cup bidding and corruption allegations after an executive committee meeting in Zurich, although he admitted that some collusion among FIFA’s decision makers was inevitable.
Nonetheless, FIFA’s president stressed that they were taking on greater responsibility now that world football’s showcase event was gaining more than sporting stature.
“Having this importance also in the economy, then we have a political dimension,” Blatter told journalists. “Now we have to have a look at how to act in the future to avoid such situations, definitely this is an item which is now under scrutiny,” he added, a day after FIFA’s ethics committee banned two executive committee members for one to three years over bribery or misconduct.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Spanish club Malaga eyes soccer aficionados in Qatar
WITH a view to promote sporting activities and expand its reach in Qatar, Spain’s Malaga Club de Fútbol participated in the just-concluded Aspire4sport exhibition.
Bought recently by Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser al Thani for €10.5million, the club currently plays in Spanish La Liga league.
Victor Varela Luiz, communications director of Malaga FC, said: “This is for the first time in the history of the club that we are having an investor from the Middle East region.
We want to consolidate the club in La Liga and aspire for greater heights.” The Spanish league is quite popular around the world with soccer giants like Barcelona and Real Madrid on its rolls.
Malaga officials are hoping to create a fan base in Qatar and in other parts of the region.
Lauding the efforts of Sheikh Abdullah al Thani at Malaga who has also inherited the club’s debt of €36 million, Varela said: “Since his arrival there has been a radical change in the sporting activities of the club.
Its budget has increased from €30m to €70m.” “Sheikh Abdullah al Thani has said that his goal would be to help Malaga FC consolidate its presence on the Primmera Division and fulfill the hopes of its teeming fans around the world with great professionalism and hard work,” said Luiz.
“A new beginning has been made by getting the services of former Real Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini and with the recruitment of new players,” added Luiz.
Luiz said that the club had experienced a manifold jump in facilities with the arrival of Sheikh al Thani.
“A new turf of good quality has been laid and noted professionals have been hired to maintain it,” said Varela.
“All the facilities used by trainers and players have been refurbished.
The locker rooms of hosts as well as visitors have been renovated; gymnasium, video areas, anti-doping laboratory and trainers’ offices have all been enlarged and refurbished,” said communications director of Malaga FC.
He said that improvements had also been made in the infrastructure earmarked for fans with a special section dedicated for the disabled people.
“Besides, a new state-of-the-art public address system has been acquired from the Johannesburg stadium which will provide a good audio visual experience to the spectators,” he added.
Established in 1948, Malaga is currently ranked 16th on the points table in La Liga this season and is a modest club whose highest rank had been seventh.
Bought recently by Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser al Thani for €10.5million, the club currently plays in Spanish La Liga league.
Victor Varela Luiz, communications director of Malaga FC, said: “This is for the first time in the history of the club that we are having an investor from the Middle East region.
We want to consolidate the club in La Liga and aspire for greater heights.” The Spanish league is quite popular around the world with soccer giants like Barcelona and Real Madrid on its rolls.
Malaga officials are hoping to create a fan base in Qatar and in other parts of the region.
Lauding the efforts of Sheikh Abdullah al Thani at Malaga who has also inherited the club’s debt of €36 million, Varela said: “Since his arrival there has been a radical change in the sporting activities of the club.
Its budget has increased from €30m to €70m.” “Sheikh Abdullah al Thani has said that his goal would be to help Malaga FC consolidate its presence on the Primmera Division and fulfill the hopes of its teeming fans around the world with great professionalism and hard work,” said Luiz.
“A new beginning has been made by getting the services of former Real Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini and with the recruitment of new players,” added Luiz.
Luiz said that the club had experienced a manifold jump in facilities with the arrival of Sheikh al Thani.
“A new turf of good quality has been laid and noted professionals have been hired to maintain it,” said Varela.
“All the facilities used by trainers and players have been refurbished.
The locker rooms of hosts as well as visitors have been renovated; gymnasium, video areas, anti-doping laboratory and trainers’ offices have all been enlarged and refurbished,” said communications director of Malaga FC.
He said that improvements had also been made in the infrastructure earmarked for fans with a special section dedicated for the disabled people.
“Besides, a new state-of-the-art public address system has been acquired from the Johannesburg stadium which will provide a good audio visual experience to the spectators,” he added.
Established in 1948, Malaga is currently ranked 16th on the points table in La Liga this season and is a modest club whose highest rank had been seventh.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Messi: Its time to beat Brazil
As the countdown continues to the inauguaral FIFA Ballon d’Or, the unified award that merges the FIFA World Player of the Year and France Football's Ballon d’Or, FIFA.com spoke exclusively to Argentina’s Lionel Messi, the recipient of both honours last year. Once again in the running this time around, the Barça superstar discussed a range of issues, including the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, his extensive charity work and his country’s upcoming friendly against Brazil.
FIFA.com: Lionel, you often talk in interviews about being motivated by new challenges, though surely there is not much left for you to win?
Lionel Messi: That’s true, I’ve gone about achieving all the objectives I’ve set myself except for the World Cup. I was really annoyed at the way we went out against Germany. It was a really harsh blow because we were expecting so much more, but everything started unravelling for us at the worst moment. I thought that we could have gone far, so it was a shame.
Your Barcelona team-mates Xavi and Andres Iniesta have admitted they were relieved to see Argentina knocked out by Germany. They felt La Albiceleste would have been tougher semi-final opponents.
It’s true. We didn’t go into the tournament on song, but we improved with each game and hit good form. We’d earned the respect of everybody thanks to the football we’d played and our results. And I think they (Xavi and Iniesta) know that Argentina are always difficult opponents, whatever form they’re in. We proved that in the friendly game we played in Buenos Aires, when we thrashed Spain.
Are your Spanish colleagues favourites to claim the FIFA Ballon d’Or?
It’s clear to me that the World Cup will have a big impact on the final decision this year, which is going to give them an edge. If I don’t win then I sincerely hope that it goes to one of my Barça colleagues. All the odds are in favour of Xavi and Iniesta and to be honest they’re great people and great players who deserve it more than anybody.
All the odds are in favour of Xavi and Iniesta and to be honest they’re great people and great players who deserve it more than anybody.
Messi on the FIFA Ballon d'Or award
Who would give the FIFA Men’s Football Coach of the Year award to?
I’ll go with my team again, I’ll stick with my colours. I’d vote for Pep Guardiola, not just because of the trophies we’ve won but because of his commitment and footballing philosophy. And also because of what his arrival in the Barça dugout has meant. Nor have I forgotten Jose Mourinho who, aside from the treble he won with Inter [Milan], has begun changing the face of Real Madrid. But going back to the World Cup again, that’s going to be decisive and for that reason Vicente del Bosque and Joachim Low come to the fore. I just don’t know, there are some great nominees but I think those four are in with the best chance.
You said recently that you feel like people use you to create rifts within the Argentina squad. Is that really how you feel?
Of course, it seems like people want to blame me for everything. Whenever any issue arises I’m said to have been involved even if I’ve had nothing to do with it. That’s why I always focus on what I know, which is playing football, and try to be very careful with what I say because people always try and twist things. They try and look for hidden meanings where there aren’t any, which irritates me. I repeat what I always say: I want the best for Argentina in every way. I never try to make trouble for anybody.
Have you spoken to Diego Maradona recently?
Yes, we chatted not long ago. I was very happy under Diego, just like I am now under [Sergio] ‘El Checho’ Batista. I’m just like any of the other players that are part of the national squad, I concentrate on playing – I’m just a footballer. Issues involving the AFA (Argentinian Football Association) are for other people to take care of. They’re the ones who make the decisions, it has nothing to do with me.
Away from football, how well did you and Maradona get on?
Really well. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: we had a very good relationship and we still do. People always have something to say, while there are third parties who want to alter the facts and can cause confusion. But I repeat that during the World Cup in South Africa we got on spectacularly well.
Are La Albiceleste in the process of a generational overhaul?
Definitely. We’re a group of players that know each other well, that won Olympic gold together in Beijing and which even has the same coach as back then. In the team that won the final was [Sergio] Romero; [Pablo] Zabaleta, [Ezequiel] Garay, [Nicolas] Pareja, [Luciano] Monzon; [Fernando] Gago, [Javier] Mascherano, [Angel] Di Maria, [Juan Roman] Riquelme; [Sergio] ‘El Kun’ Aguero and me, with [Ever] Banega, [Ezequiel] Lavezzi and [Jose] Sosa coming on as subs. The majority of us who were there (in Beijing) are still in the senior squad and also travelled to the World Cup in South Africa.
Do you think Riquelme will come back into the frame?
As I always say: there’s always room for great players. But I repeat that the decision’s not down to me. I’ve got no problem (with Riquelme), but that kind of decision will be down to Batista.
Tell us your thoughts on Javier Pastore.
He’s come on leaps and bounds at Palermo. I didn’t know much about him when he played for Huracan, but I got to see his quality first-hand at the World Cup, even though he didn’t play much. We played alongside each other (in 8 October’s 1-0 friendly defeat) in Japan and we struck up a good understanding. You can see he’s tough, he’s physically fit and he’s going to go far – I’m convinced of it.
It seems like people want to blame me for everything. Whenever any issue arises I’m said to have been involved even if I’ve had nothing to do with it.
Messi on the media's coverage of his role with Argentina
I assume your ultimate goal is Brazil 2014, but the 2011 Copa America is the next major item on Argentina’s agenda.
Yes, no doubt about it. The Copa America is going to be very important for us because we’re playing at home and that puts twice the pressure on us to aim for the title. We have to do our jobs very well and win it.
Which rival teams are the biggest threat?
Brazil, as always, and a Uruguay side that did very in South Africa with Luis Suarez and Diego Forlan up front, backed up by a compact unit. I’ve not forgotten Paraguay either, whose defensive prowess makes them uncomfortable opponents for any team. They really made Spain sweat at the World Cup. Then there’s Chile too, though I don’t know how [Marcelo] Bielsa’s departure is going to affect them. They’re all very strong national teams and dangerous opponents.
On the subject of Brazil, you’re set to come up against them in a friendly on 17 November.
That’s right and I’m particularly looking forward to this match. We already came up against them at Olympics in Beijing and beat them 3-0. It’ll be special thanks to the team we’re playing and also the fact I’ll come face to face with Ronaldinho, a person I’ve got great affection for. To me he’s truly like a brother and someone who, along with Deco, helped me so much when I was starting out at Barça. I care about them a lot and always wish them the best. Do you know what? I’ve never beaten Brazil with Argentina’s senior side, including that defeat in the Copa America final in Venezuela (in 2007). I think it’s about time I broke my duck! (laughs)
What New Year’s resolutions will you be making for 2011?
The same as last year: to win as much as I possibly can. I’m always aiming for more titles, especially one which would be my first (senior trophy) with Argentina: the Copa America. And I also hope that I can stay clear of injuries.
Moving away from football slightly, and it’s clear you do a lot of charity work. Can you tell us more about it?
It’s the Foundation that carries my name (La Fundación Leo Messi). My dad Jorge and my brother Rodrigo both work there, as do a lot of other people. For my part, I try to do my bit to make people’s lives more bearable, in particular children across the globe who are having problems.
Prior to the 2010 FIFA World Cup, you took part in a FIFA campaign aimed at helping South African children.
Yes, the Football for Health campaign. Everything that’s focused towards children is good because at that age they soak up everything, and if we can help then all the better. It’s not just me, other footballers must do so too. There are a lot of players who also have foundations, schools or even hospitals in their native countries.
An adidas campaign is coming up, your Foundation has set up a children’s park for sick children at the Valle Hebron Hospital in Barcelona and it sponsors an exchange programme between doctors in Barcelona and your hometown Rosario. What can you tell us about these projects?
I don’t know the details yet, but the adidas thing will be more focused on South America. There are children who suffer from exploitation and need all our support to be able to get an education, so that once they’re adults they have a chance in life. The doctor idea came from my dad: we’re going to give a grant to several doctors to enable them to finish their training here (in Barcelona). That way they can go back and put what they’ve learnt into practice in our homeland. And the park project is something important that we want to extend to other centres too. A Christmas visit we made to the hospital had a huge impact on me, that’s where the idea came from and a lot of people have got involved. Thank God, a lot of projects are coming to fruition.
This charitable streak is a characteristic you share with your good friend Ronaldinho, who is also known for his charity work with children.
There’s nothing more satisfying than seeing a happy and smiling child. I always help in any way I can, even if it’s just by signing an autograph. A child’s smile is worth more than all the money in the world.
Culled from FIFA.com
FIFA.com: Lionel, you often talk in interviews about being motivated by new challenges, though surely there is not much left for you to win?
Lionel Messi: That’s true, I’ve gone about achieving all the objectives I’ve set myself except for the World Cup. I was really annoyed at the way we went out against Germany. It was a really harsh blow because we were expecting so much more, but everything started unravelling for us at the worst moment. I thought that we could have gone far, so it was a shame.
Your Barcelona team-mates Xavi and Andres Iniesta have admitted they were relieved to see Argentina knocked out by Germany. They felt La Albiceleste would have been tougher semi-final opponents.
It’s true. We didn’t go into the tournament on song, but we improved with each game and hit good form. We’d earned the respect of everybody thanks to the football we’d played and our results. And I think they (Xavi and Iniesta) know that Argentina are always difficult opponents, whatever form they’re in. We proved that in the friendly game we played in Buenos Aires, when we thrashed Spain.
Are your Spanish colleagues favourites to claim the FIFA Ballon d’Or?
It’s clear to me that the World Cup will have a big impact on the final decision this year, which is going to give them an edge. If I don’t win then I sincerely hope that it goes to one of my Barça colleagues. All the odds are in favour of Xavi and Iniesta and to be honest they’re great people and great players who deserve it more than anybody.
All the odds are in favour of Xavi and Iniesta and to be honest they’re great people and great players who deserve it more than anybody.
Messi on the FIFA Ballon d'Or award
Who would give the FIFA Men’s Football Coach of the Year award to?
I’ll go with my team again, I’ll stick with my colours. I’d vote for Pep Guardiola, not just because of the trophies we’ve won but because of his commitment and footballing philosophy. And also because of what his arrival in the Barça dugout has meant. Nor have I forgotten Jose Mourinho who, aside from the treble he won with Inter [Milan], has begun changing the face of Real Madrid. But going back to the World Cup again, that’s going to be decisive and for that reason Vicente del Bosque and Joachim Low come to the fore. I just don’t know, there are some great nominees but I think those four are in with the best chance.
You said recently that you feel like people use you to create rifts within the Argentina squad. Is that really how you feel?
Of course, it seems like people want to blame me for everything. Whenever any issue arises I’m said to have been involved even if I’ve had nothing to do with it. That’s why I always focus on what I know, which is playing football, and try to be very careful with what I say because people always try and twist things. They try and look for hidden meanings where there aren’t any, which irritates me. I repeat what I always say: I want the best for Argentina in every way. I never try to make trouble for anybody.
Have you spoken to Diego Maradona recently?
Yes, we chatted not long ago. I was very happy under Diego, just like I am now under [Sergio] ‘El Checho’ Batista. I’m just like any of the other players that are part of the national squad, I concentrate on playing – I’m just a footballer. Issues involving the AFA (Argentinian Football Association) are for other people to take care of. They’re the ones who make the decisions, it has nothing to do with me.
Away from football, how well did you and Maradona get on?
Really well. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: we had a very good relationship and we still do. People always have something to say, while there are third parties who want to alter the facts and can cause confusion. But I repeat that during the World Cup in South Africa we got on spectacularly well.
Are La Albiceleste in the process of a generational overhaul?
Definitely. We’re a group of players that know each other well, that won Olympic gold together in Beijing and which even has the same coach as back then. In the team that won the final was [Sergio] Romero; [Pablo] Zabaleta, [Ezequiel] Garay, [Nicolas] Pareja, [Luciano] Monzon; [Fernando] Gago, [Javier] Mascherano, [Angel] Di Maria, [Juan Roman] Riquelme; [Sergio] ‘El Kun’ Aguero and me, with [Ever] Banega, [Ezequiel] Lavezzi and [Jose] Sosa coming on as subs. The majority of us who were there (in Beijing) are still in the senior squad and also travelled to the World Cup in South Africa.
Do you think Riquelme will come back into the frame?
As I always say: there’s always room for great players. But I repeat that the decision’s not down to me. I’ve got no problem (with Riquelme), but that kind of decision will be down to Batista.
Tell us your thoughts on Javier Pastore.
He’s come on leaps and bounds at Palermo. I didn’t know much about him when he played for Huracan, but I got to see his quality first-hand at the World Cup, even though he didn’t play much. We played alongside each other (in 8 October’s 1-0 friendly defeat) in Japan and we struck up a good understanding. You can see he’s tough, he’s physically fit and he’s going to go far – I’m convinced of it.
It seems like people want to blame me for everything. Whenever any issue arises I’m said to have been involved even if I’ve had nothing to do with it.
Messi on the media's coverage of his role with Argentina
I assume your ultimate goal is Brazil 2014, but the 2011 Copa America is the next major item on Argentina’s agenda.
Yes, no doubt about it. The Copa America is going to be very important for us because we’re playing at home and that puts twice the pressure on us to aim for the title. We have to do our jobs very well and win it.
Which rival teams are the biggest threat?
Brazil, as always, and a Uruguay side that did very in South Africa with Luis Suarez and Diego Forlan up front, backed up by a compact unit. I’ve not forgotten Paraguay either, whose defensive prowess makes them uncomfortable opponents for any team. They really made Spain sweat at the World Cup. Then there’s Chile too, though I don’t know how [Marcelo] Bielsa’s departure is going to affect them. They’re all very strong national teams and dangerous opponents.
On the subject of Brazil, you’re set to come up against them in a friendly on 17 November.
That’s right and I’m particularly looking forward to this match. We already came up against them at Olympics in Beijing and beat them 3-0. It’ll be special thanks to the team we’re playing and also the fact I’ll come face to face with Ronaldinho, a person I’ve got great affection for. To me he’s truly like a brother and someone who, along with Deco, helped me so much when I was starting out at Barça. I care about them a lot and always wish them the best. Do you know what? I’ve never beaten Brazil with Argentina’s senior side, including that defeat in the Copa America final in Venezuela (in 2007). I think it’s about time I broke my duck! (laughs)
What New Year’s resolutions will you be making for 2011?
The same as last year: to win as much as I possibly can. I’m always aiming for more titles, especially one which would be my first (senior trophy) with Argentina: the Copa America. And I also hope that I can stay clear of injuries.
Moving away from football slightly, and it’s clear you do a lot of charity work. Can you tell us more about it?
It’s the Foundation that carries my name (La Fundación Leo Messi). My dad Jorge and my brother Rodrigo both work there, as do a lot of other people. For my part, I try to do my bit to make people’s lives more bearable, in particular children across the globe who are having problems.
Prior to the 2010 FIFA World Cup, you took part in a FIFA campaign aimed at helping South African children.
Yes, the Football for Health campaign. Everything that’s focused towards children is good because at that age they soak up everything, and if we can help then all the better. It’s not just me, other footballers must do so too. There are a lot of players who also have foundations, schools or even hospitals in their native countries.
An adidas campaign is coming up, your Foundation has set up a children’s park for sick children at the Valle Hebron Hospital in Barcelona and it sponsors an exchange programme between doctors in Barcelona and your hometown Rosario. What can you tell us about these projects?
I don’t know the details yet, but the adidas thing will be more focused on South America. There are children who suffer from exploitation and need all our support to be able to get an education, so that once they’re adults they have a chance in life. The doctor idea came from my dad: we’re going to give a grant to several doctors to enable them to finish their training here (in Barcelona). That way they can go back and put what they’ve learnt into practice in our homeland. And the park project is something important that we want to extend to other centres too. A Christmas visit we made to the hospital had a huge impact on me, that’s where the idea came from and a lot of people have got involved. Thank God, a lot of projects are coming to fruition.
This charitable streak is a characteristic you share with your good friend Ronaldinho, who is also known for his charity work with children.
There’s nothing more satisfying than seeing a happy and smiling child. I always help in any way I can, even if it’s just by signing an autograph. A child’s smile is worth more than all the money in the world.
Culled from FIFA.com
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Brazil-Argentina match tickets sold out
SOCCER fans of Qatar, consider yourself lucky if you have already booked your ticket for the friendly match between eternal rivals Brazil and Argentina at Khalifa International Stadium on Wednesday.
For, there are many who may not be as lucky as you are to be able to watch their favourite football stars in action in Doha as tickets for Wednesday’s thriller are reported to be already sold out.
According to the Qatar Football Association (QFA), tickets for the match were available on the QFA website and over 50 percent of the tickets were sold out in the first week of the launch of its sale on October 21 last.
An official who chose to be anonymous said, “The QFA could still release some tickets because the staffers of corporate organisations for whom these tickets were booked may not be available on the match day.” The 50,000-seat Khalifa Stadium which will host the world’s most glamorous match had also hosted the England versus Brazil match last year.
Visit any ticket sale outlet in the city and you will come across soccer crazy people with disappointment writ large on faces.
At one such outlet in Doha, a football fan told Qatar Tribune that he was offered a VIP ticket for QR1000.
“This is greed beyond measure.
I think measures should have been taken to prevent a situation like this where soccer buffs have to choose between paying twice the price of a ticket or forgoing the thrill of watching soccer giants’ clash.
That means these avaricious individuals are making money out of real fans’ desire to see their heroes in action.” At the Villaggio mall, groups of fans were seen discussing the unavailability of match tickets and eager to pay any amount to see two of the world’s great sides at play in Doha.
Adrian Neilsen, a Swede said, “I bought my ticket online but I have been trying to purchase for my family to no avail.” According to Mohamed Ali, a Lebanese fan of Argentina’s Lionel Messi, match tickets were sold in large numbers to residents who bought them in bunches of hundreds at one time, not quite a proper thing to do.
“Tickets for such events must be sold one ticket to one person at a time, and not in the way it was done,” he quipped.
“To think that Messi will be in Doha and I won’t get to see him in flesh and bone is painful,” he added.
A soccer fan from England, Maurice Huddlestone, said, “I tried buying online but was told they were sold out.
I came to try my luck at the sale outlet, but only encountered disappointment.
Now I see no chance of watching the match from the stands.” The rivalry between the two nations has thrown up some classic, often violent, moments, like the ill-tempered group match during Argentina’s 1978 World Cup or Brazil’s thrashing of Argentina in Spain in ’82, with Maradona being sent off in the process.
As recently as the last World Cup in South Africa, Diego Maradona said his Argentina team was a Rolls Royce driven by Lionel Messi, while Luis Fabiano compared Brazil to an aircraft.
“It’s a jet, a low-flying jet,” Luis Fabiano said.
“For sure we will surprise a lot of people out there.” Participation of several soccer stars like Lionel Messi of Argentina and Ronaldinho of Brazil in the match is confirmed.
The match is an opportunity for Qatar to bolster its already impressive bid for the 2022 World Cup.
For, there are many who may not be as lucky as you are to be able to watch their favourite football stars in action in Doha as tickets for Wednesday’s thriller are reported to be already sold out.
According to the Qatar Football Association (QFA), tickets for the match were available on the QFA website and over 50 percent of the tickets were sold out in the first week of the launch of its sale on October 21 last.
An official who chose to be anonymous said, “The QFA could still release some tickets because the staffers of corporate organisations for whom these tickets were booked may not be available on the match day.” The 50,000-seat Khalifa Stadium which will host the world’s most glamorous match had also hosted the England versus Brazil match last year.
Visit any ticket sale outlet in the city and you will come across soccer crazy people with disappointment writ large on faces.
At one such outlet in Doha, a football fan told Qatar Tribune that he was offered a VIP ticket for QR1000.
“This is greed beyond measure.
I think measures should have been taken to prevent a situation like this where soccer buffs have to choose between paying twice the price of a ticket or forgoing the thrill of watching soccer giants’ clash.
That means these avaricious individuals are making money out of real fans’ desire to see their heroes in action.” At the Villaggio mall, groups of fans were seen discussing the unavailability of match tickets and eager to pay any amount to see two of the world’s great sides at play in Doha.
Adrian Neilsen, a Swede said, “I bought my ticket online but I have been trying to purchase for my family to no avail.” According to Mohamed Ali, a Lebanese fan of Argentina’s Lionel Messi, match tickets were sold in large numbers to residents who bought them in bunches of hundreds at one time, not quite a proper thing to do.
“Tickets for such events must be sold one ticket to one person at a time, and not in the way it was done,” he quipped.
“To think that Messi will be in Doha and I won’t get to see him in flesh and bone is painful,” he added.
A soccer fan from England, Maurice Huddlestone, said, “I tried buying online but was told they were sold out.
I came to try my luck at the sale outlet, but only encountered disappointment.
Now I see no chance of watching the match from the stands.” The rivalry between the two nations has thrown up some classic, often violent, moments, like the ill-tempered group match during Argentina’s 1978 World Cup or Brazil’s thrashing of Argentina in Spain in ’82, with Maradona being sent off in the process.
As recently as the last World Cup in South Africa, Diego Maradona said his Argentina team was a Rolls Royce driven by Lionel Messi, while Luis Fabiano compared Brazil to an aircraft.
“It’s a jet, a low-flying jet,” Luis Fabiano said.
“For sure we will surprise a lot of people out there.” Participation of several soccer stars like Lionel Messi of Argentina and Ronaldinho of Brazil in the match is confirmed.
The match is an opportunity for Qatar to bolster its already impressive bid for the 2022 World Cup.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Two Nigerian student escapes deportation, Immigration officers probed
Two Nigerian student who are being deported for misusing their student visas in Malaysia escaped on Thursday morning after one of two Immigration officers who were escorting the Nigerians for deportation claimed seven unknown men had used forced to free the two when he had stopped the van carrying the men at a petrol station near the airport.
The two Immigration officers had been placed under immediate suspension pending investigations.
KLIA Immigration Depot director Datuk Mohmed Asri Yusof said the two Immigraiont officers had taken the Nigerians to the airport together with a Palestinian, who was also to be deported.
He said one of the officers then escorted the Palestinian into the airport at 12.15am to check his flight home while the Nigerians remained in the van with the other officer as their flights was only scheduled for 2.55am.
However when the first officer returned after seeing off the Palestinian he found that his colleague had driven the van, with the Nigerians still inside, to a Petronas station nearby, supposedly to purchase some drinks.
"Fifteen minutes later the second officer contacted his colleague, who was still at the airport, to say he had been stopped by seven African men who had used force to free the two Nigerians before handcuffing him to the steering wheel," he told a press conference after attending the National Registration Department Innovation Day launch on Thursday.
The second officer lodged a police report on the incident at 1.30am while the first officer lodged his report at about 3.30am.
The two Nigerians, Solomon Udo Eneh and Osuji Chinedu, were being deported after they were found to have abused their student visas.
Yusof appealed to the public to report anyone suspected of being an illegal immigrant to the police.
Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Mahmood Adam told the same press conference that the ministry was keen to know how the two Nigerians, who were handcuffed, managed to escape.
The ministry, he said, also wanted to identify any weaknesses in the escorting procedures that might have led to the incident.
He said the ministry was currently also working on tightening the standard operating procedure in escorting, transporting and deporting foreigners.
"The Immigration Department's Flying Squad has launched a manhunt together with the police and I believe we will be able to find them," he said.
The two Immigration officers had been placed under immediate suspension pending investigations.
KLIA Immigration Depot director Datuk Mohmed Asri Yusof said the two Immigraiont officers had taken the Nigerians to the airport together with a Palestinian, who was also to be deported.
He said one of the officers then escorted the Palestinian into the airport at 12.15am to check his flight home while the Nigerians remained in the van with the other officer as their flights was only scheduled for 2.55am.
However when the first officer returned after seeing off the Palestinian he found that his colleague had driven the van, with the Nigerians still inside, to a Petronas station nearby, supposedly to purchase some drinks.
"Fifteen minutes later the second officer contacted his colleague, who was still at the airport, to say he had been stopped by seven African men who had used force to free the two Nigerians before handcuffing him to the steering wheel," he told a press conference after attending the National Registration Department Innovation Day launch on Thursday.
The second officer lodged a police report on the incident at 1.30am while the first officer lodged his report at about 3.30am.
The two Nigerians, Solomon Udo Eneh and Osuji Chinedu, were being deported after they were found to have abused their student visas.
Yusof appealed to the public to report anyone suspected of being an illegal immigrant to the police.
Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Mahmood Adam told the same press conference that the ministry was keen to know how the two Nigerians, who were handcuffed, managed to escape.
The ministry, he said, also wanted to identify any weaknesses in the escorting procedures that might have led to the incident.
He said the ministry was currently also working on tightening the standard operating procedure in escorting, transporting and deporting foreigners.
"The Immigration Department's Flying Squad has launched a manhunt together with the police and I believe we will be able to find them," he said.
Tuesday, November 09, 2010
Mad man attacks Obasanjo
The nation’s security system was thrown into another serious embarrassment on Monday as a man suspected to be mentally deranged attacked former President Olusegun Obasanjo at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
The incident occured at about 8am, when the unnamed suspect forced open the door of a car conveying Obasanjo from the airport and jumped into the vehicle. Obasanjo, who had just arrived from the airport from a trip, was being driven in a convoy out of the presidential wing when he was attacked.
According to eyewitnesses, the alleged attacker sneaked up to the car in which Obasanjo was riding when it slowed down to join the road linking the international airport with the old domestic terminal. After jumping into the car, the suspected attacker was said to have grabbed Obasanjo.
THE PUNCH learnt that it took the timely intervention of Air Force officers and security aides attached to Obasanjo to save the former president from harm. He was later surrounded off by a team of security men.
The attacker, who appeared to be in his forties, could not say exactly what prompted him to attack the former general. The alleged attacker was taken to the military commander’s office at the airport and later transferred to the airport’s police station.
The Commissioner of Police, Airport Command, Mr. Chris Ola, confirmed the incident on the telephone.
He said, “The incident was a security breach. We have commenced an investigation into the incident to ascertain if there were some people behind the attack.
“We can’t ascertain if the man is a lunatic becauise you can’t call somebody a lunatic unless a medical excamination proves.”we will take him for medical examination tomorrow (today).”
Before the incident, the suspect was said to have been wandering aimlessly around the airport.
Culled from Punch Newspaper
The incident occured at about 8am, when the unnamed suspect forced open the door of a car conveying Obasanjo from the airport and jumped into the vehicle. Obasanjo, who had just arrived from the airport from a trip, was being driven in a convoy out of the presidential wing when he was attacked.
According to eyewitnesses, the alleged attacker sneaked up to the car in which Obasanjo was riding when it slowed down to join the road linking the international airport with the old domestic terminal. After jumping into the car, the suspected attacker was said to have grabbed Obasanjo.
THE PUNCH learnt that it took the timely intervention of Air Force officers and security aides attached to Obasanjo to save the former president from harm. He was later surrounded off by a team of security men.
The attacker, who appeared to be in his forties, could not say exactly what prompted him to attack the former general. The alleged attacker was taken to the military commander’s office at the airport and later transferred to the airport’s police station.
The Commissioner of Police, Airport Command, Mr. Chris Ola, confirmed the incident on the telephone.
He said, “The incident was a security breach. We have commenced an investigation into the incident to ascertain if there were some people behind the attack.
“We can’t ascertain if the man is a lunatic becauise you can’t call somebody a lunatic unless a medical excamination proves.”we will take him for medical examination tomorrow (today).”
Before the incident, the suspect was said to have been wandering aimlessly around the airport.
Culled from Punch Newspaper
Tuesday, November 02, 2010
Nigerian pilgrim commits suicide in Makkah
A Nigerian woman who was on pilgrimage to Makkah in Saudia Arabia committed suicide by jumping from the 10th floor of a residential building where she was staying.
It was reported she's in her early fifties and suffers mental illness
Maj. Abdul Mohsen Al-Maiman, spokesman of Makkah police, confirmed the woman's death, adding that she was suffering from mental problems. "She died jumping from a toilet window," he said.
Police have launched an investigation to know whether there were any criminal motives behind the incident. The woman was residing in a building in Kudai.
In another development, a Nigerian man, who was in his forties, committed suicide. The man who was living illegally in the Kingdom hanged himself on a light post in a desolated area in Makkah. Al-Maiman said police are investigating the incident.
May their souls rest in peace.
It was reported she's in her early fifties and suffers mental illness
Maj. Abdul Mohsen Al-Maiman, spokesman of Makkah police, confirmed the woman's death, adding that she was suffering from mental problems. "She died jumping from a toilet window," he said.
Police have launched an investigation to know whether there were any criminal motives behind the incident. The woman was residing in a building in Kudai.
In another development, a Nigerian man, who was in his forties, committed suicide. The man who was living illegally in the Kingdom hanged himself on a light post in a desolated area in Makkah. Al-Maiman said police are investigating the incident.
May their souls rest in peace.
Deutsche Bank employee aids 419
FIFTEEN people including a high-ranking employee of Deutsche Bank in Madrid – were arrested for defrauding victims up to €40,000 a time with so-called Nigerian Letters. The group worked on the orders one Prince Emeka Nuanba, a Nigerian arrested earlier this year for sending hundreds of similar letters and emails to potential prey.
Seventeen premises were searched in different towns and cities at the end of October, with five Spaniards amongst the detainees as well as Britons, Nigerians and Germans.
In a “first” for an operation like this, the investigation led directly to a bank worker although Deutsche Bank was at no time aware of its employee’s role in the elaborate confidence trick.
The bank employee occupied an important post as the interventor – a combination of auditor and assistant manager – at the Deutsche Bank’s Paseo de la Castellana branch in the centre of Madrid.
Australians, Europeans, Mexicans and Saudi Arabians were amongst those who received official-looking letters informing them that they stood to inherit a vast sum from a dead relative of whose existence he or she was previously unaware.
Anyone who swallowed the bait was then told it was necessary to travel to Madrid in order to claim the inheritance. The money was held by the Bank of Spain and could only be paid out by Deutsche Bank, the bank employee would explain.
To get at the money, it was necessary to present paperwork which the bank was prepared to handle for a fee ranging from between €10,000 and €40,000, the interventor would tell those who believed the original letter.
Documents, apparently stamped by the Agencia Tributaria, Spain’s tax authority, gave procedures a veneer of respectability but as victims later found, they were as phoney as the hypothetical inheritance.
“We’re in this to get rich,” claimed the bank worker in a tapped telephone conversation and although only one per cent fall for the deception, with an estimated 40,000 letters and emails each day, the Nigerian Letters make money.
This latest investigation was just one more in ongoing police operations into scams which as well as lost inheritances sometimes inform recipients that they have won the Spanish lottery.
Another centres on dyed banknotes earmarked for philanthropic works in Africa, with punters promised a cut if they buy chemicals to return it to its original state. Other letters promise foreigners well-paid jobs in Spain in return for fees for dealing with the red tape.
Over the last seven years, National Police have received around 20,000 complaints and arrested more than 600 people linked to Nigerian letters, while returning more than 2.8 million euros to victims.
But the letters keep on coming and, incredibly, so do the victims.
Seventeen premises were searched in different towns and cities at the end of October, with five Spaniards amongst the detainees as well as Britons, Nigerians and Germans.
In a “first” for an operation like this, the investigation led directly to a bank worker although Deutsche Bank was at no time aware of its employee’s role in the elaborate confidence trick.
The bank employee occupied an important post as the interventor – a combination of auditor and assistant manager – at the Deutsche Bank’s Paseo de la Castellana branch in the centre of Madrid.
Australians, Europeans, Mexicans and Saudi Arabians were amongst those who received official-looking letters informing them that they stood to inherit a vast sum from a dead relative of whose existence he or she was previously unaware.
Anyone who swallowed the bait was then told it was necessary to travel to Madrid in order to claim the inheritance. The money was held by the Bank of Spain and could only be paid out by Deutsche Bank, the bank employee would explain.
To get at the money, it was necessary to present paperwork which the bank was prepared to handle for a fee ranging from between €10,000 and €40,000, the interventor would tell those who believed the original letter.
Documents, apparently stamped by the Agencia Tributaria, Spain’s tax authority, gave procedures a veneer of respectability but as victims later found, they were as phoney as the hypothetical inheritance.
“We’re in this to get rich,” claimed the bank worker in a tapped telephone conversation and although only one per cent fall for the deception, with an estimated 40,000 letters and emails each day, the Nigerian Letters make money.
This latest investigation was just one more in ongoing police operations into scams which as well as lost inheritances sometimes inform recipients that they have won the Spanish lottery.
Another centres on dyed banknotes earmarked for philanthropic works in Africa, with punters promised a cut if they buy chemicals to return it to its original state. Other letters promise foreigners well-paid jobs in Spain in return for fees for dealing with the red tape.
Over the last seven years, National Police have received around 20,000 complaints and arrested more than 600 people linked to Nigerian letters, while returning more than 2.8 million euros to victims.
But the letters keep on coming and, incredibly, so do the victims.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
10 Nigerians to be deported from Zambia
The Nigerian embassy in Lusaka is in the process of securing air tickets for the deportation of 10 Nigerians who have been in a Zambian prison for different crimes.
Folake Marcos Bello, the Nigerian High Commissioner to Zambia, confirmed the development to newsmen in Lusaka recently.
She said the Nigeria government is keen to see its citizens abide by the law in wherever they reside and will not condone criminals.
Zambians who responded to the news pleaded for them not be deported
Folake Marcos Bello, the Nigerian High Commissioner to Zambia, confirmed the development to newsmen in Lusaka recently.
She said the Nigeria government is keen to see its citizens abide by the law in wherever they reside and will not condone criminals.
Zambians who responded to the news pleaded for them not be deported
Friday, October 29, 2010
Onyekachi scores third goal of the season
Nigeria's Onyekachi Okonkwo won a man of the match award, after scoring his third of the season in a Qatar Stars League match on Thursday.However a late dramatic goal from Al Sailiya denied his team Al Kharaitiyat maximum points.
Yahia Kebe had a fine shot from 25 yards, which was blocked by the Sailiya keeper Mohamed Anyas.But Onyekachi Tico collected the deflection and scored to put Kharaitiyat ahead.
However, Faouzi Mubarak’s strike forced the teams to split the points.
Kharaitiyat should have wrapped the game in the first half itself after creating numerous chances but their players failed due to poor shooting.
Kebe’s free kick in the 20th minute was too high and four minutes later, Onyekacki blasted over the cross bar after exchanging passes with Alaa Abdul Zahra.
The home side continued to dominate with Mosaab Mousa’s fierce shot being well blocked by Mohamed Anyas for a corner-kick.
Sailiya managed to survive three sharp attempts by Kharaitiyat off the resultant corner.
First it was Zahra whose header inside the box was confidently cleared for another corner by the goalkeeper.
Then Nabil Mohammed had his shot cleared on the goal line by Sailiya’s captain Mugib Hamed Taha.
In the 43rd minute, Onyekchi dribbled his way into the goal area and forwarded the ball for Mosaab Mousa to shoot.His attempt was however too high .
Kharaitiyat finally capped its dominant spell by opening the scoring.
A powerful Kebe shot was deflected by the rival keeper, and in the ensuing goalmouth scramble, Tico slammed his third goal of the season.
Sailiya soon had an opportunity to level the scores from a corner, but after leaping like a salmon, Dagano Moumoune ballooned his shot over goalkeeper Khalifa Abubakar, the Kharaitiyat custodian.
Later, Zahra scored a goal but the referee disallowed it for a handball foul.
Soon after Dagano’s wasted chance, Mubarak struck home with a booming left-footed shot after a dazzling run by Majed Mohammed.
With the draw both side are placed at seventh and eighth slots in the the league
Yahia Kebe had a fine shot from 25 yards, which was blocked by the Sailiya keeper Mohamed Anyas.But Onyekachi Tico collected the deflection and scored to put Kharaitiyat ahead.
However, Faouzi Mubarak’s strike forced the teams to split the points.
Kharaitiyat should have wrapped the game in the first half itself after creating numerous chances but their players failed due to poor shooting.
Kebe’s free kick in the 20th minute was too high and four minutes later, Onyekacki blasted over the cross bar after exchanging passes with Alaa Abdul Zahra.
The home side continued to dominate with Mosaab Mousa’s fierce shot being well blocked by Mohamed Anyas for a corner-kick.
Sailiya managed to survive three sharp attempts by Kharaitiyat off the resultant corner.
First it was Zahra whose header inside the box was confidently cleared for another corner by the goalkeeper.
Then Nabil Mohammed had his shot cleared on the goal line by Sailiya’s captain Mugib Hamed Taha.
In the 43rd minute, Onyekchi dribbled his way into the goal area and forwarded the ball for Mosaab Mousa to shoot.His attempt was however too high .
Kharaitiyat finally capped its dominant spell by opening the scoring.
A powerful Kebe shot was deflected by the rival keeper, and in the ensuing goalmouth scramble, Tico slammed his third goal of the season.
Sailiya soon had an opportunity to level the scores from a corner, but after leaping like a salmon, Dagano Moumoune ballooned his shot over goalkeeper Khalifa Abubakar, the Kharaitiyat custodian.
Later, Zahra scored a goal but the referee disallowed it for a handball foul.
Soon after Dagano’s wasted chance, Mubarak struck home with a booming left-footed shot after a dazzling run by Majed Mohammed.
With the draw both side are placed at seventh and eighth slots in the the league
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Former IG of Police berates police force
With the 2011 elections around the corner former Inspector General of Police, Musiliu Smith berated the police force, when he said the police lacked needed resources to adequately maintain law and order during the forthcoming elections.
Speaking at a conference where he delivered a paper titled, "Security Institutions and Electoral Reforms", at the Obafemi Awolowo Institute of Governance and Public Policy.Smith said the police is faced with issues bothering on inadequate staff and poor funding.
"The Nigeria Police Force, no doubt shoulders a major security responsibility for elections. With a staff strength that is still under 500,000 (inclusive of specialists and those manning police stations nationwide) to cover at least 120,000 polling stations and annual poor funding that makes it impossible to provide officers and men with attractive/motivating service conditions and necessary logistics in the right quantity and quality, it will be sheer wishful thinking to expect efficient performance", he said.
At the moment, Nigeria is busy with plans for the next general election, but there may not be free and fair election in 2011 if police would not be there to take full charge, because they are poorly funded.
Speaking at a conference where he delivered a paper titled, "Security Institutions and Electoral Reforms", at the Obafemi Awolowo Institute of Governance and Public Policy.Smith said the police is faced with issues bothering on inadequate staff and poor funding.
"The Nigeria Police Force, no doubt shoulders a major security responsibility for elections. With a staff strength that is still under 500,000 (inclusive of specialists and those manning police stations nationwide) to cover at least 120,000 polling stations and annual poor funding that makes it impossible to provide officers and men with attractive/motivating service conditions and necessary logistics in the right quantity and quality, it will be sheer wishful thinking to expect efficient performance", he said.
At the moment, Nigeria is busy with plans for the next general election, but there may not be free and fair election in 2011 if police would not be there to take full charge, because they are poorly funded.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Amos Adamu declares self ready for FIFA probe
Nigeria's Amos Adamu a FIFA executive committee member will face the ethics panel hearing of FIFA at its Zurich headquarter today.
He was alleged to have asked for a $800,000 bribe to guarantee his vote for one of the bidding nations for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. He has however declared he's ready to face the committee later in the day.
There are few Nigerians that elicit as much passion when their names are mentioned as Amos Adamu. He is as hated as much as he is loved.
Those who love him describe him as a generous individual, quick to dispense cash and favours. Through this quality his has built up a sizeable army of foot soldiers in the Nigerian sports establishment; men and women who are ready at a moment’s notice, to walk through fire for him.
At the other end are his many haters, those who see him as the embodiment of all that is wrong with Nigerian sports. To these people, he has spent decades building an empire at the expense of Nigerian sports, which he was supposed to develop - first, as Director of Sports Development in the Ministry of Sports and then later as Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC).
Kojo Williams, a former Chairman of the Nigeria Football Association, NFA, who was impeached described the Adamu as a serious indictment of Nigeria. This is embarrassing. I think the Government should open all the papers on Adamu.
Ex-international, Adokiye laughed when he said, “Oyibo don catch am."
The Chief Justice said that there should be time to allow the appropriate quarters conduct investigation into the sordid scandal. “I think that we should allow time for them to conduct a thorough investigation first. But we know his antecedents. He hosted several tournaments without rendering accounts. He used his position as Director General of the National Sports Commission to acquire international positions. And it is so glaring that he used his positions in CAF and FIFA to serve his selfish ends. It is so embarrassing to this country."
Adamu has traversed the spectrum of Nigerian sports. A former university teacher, who holds a doctorate degree in Physical Education, he was appointed sole administrator of the Nigeria Football Association in 1992. A year later, he was appointed Director of Sports Development in the Ministry of Sports.
In 1999, he was actively involved in the organisation of the U-20 World Cup hosted by Nigeria and was also an intrinsic part of the organisation of Africa Cup of Nations jointly hosted by Nigeria and Ghana. That same year, he was chosen to head COJA, the organising committee of the 2003 All Africa Games, which Nigeria hosted.
Allegations of fraud rocked the organisation of the games and Adamu continues to face allegations of financial impropriety even though none of them has been proven. In 2005, he was named part of the organising committee of the 2010 World Cup hosted by South Africa. The following year, he became a member of the FIFA Executive committee and in 2007 became President of the West African Football Union (WAFU).
In 2008, Adamu was transferred from the Ministry of Sports to the office of the Head of Service of the Federation.
He was alleged to have asked for a $800,000 bribe to guarantee his vote for one of the bidding nations for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. He has however declared he's ready to face the committee later in the day.
There are few Nigerians that elicit as much passion when their names are mentioned as Amos Adamu. He is as hated as much as he is loved.
Those who love him describe him as a generous individual, quick to dispense cash and favours. Through this quality his has built up a sizeable army of foot soldiers in the Nigerian sports establishment; men and women who are ready at a moment’s notice, to walk through fire for him.
At the other end are his many haters, those who see him as the embodiment of all that is wrong with Nigerian sports. To these people, he has spent decades building an empire at the expense of Nigerian sports, which he was supposed to develop - first, as Director of Sports Development in the Ministry of Sports and then later as Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC).
Kojo Williams, a former Chairman of the Nigeria Football Association, NFA, who was impeached described the Adamu as a serious indictment of Nigeria. This is embarrassing. I think the Government should open all the papers on Adamu.
Ex-international, Adokiye laughed when he said, “Oyibo don catch am."
The Chief Justice said that there should be time to allow the appropriate quarters conduct investigation into the sordid scandal. “I think that we should allow time for them to conduct a thorough investigation first. But we know his antecedents. He hosted several tournaments without rendering accounts. He used his position as Director General of the National Sports Commission to acquire international positions. And it is so glaring that he used his positions in CAF and FIFA to serve his selfish ends. It is so embarrassing to this country."
Adamu has traversed the spectrum of Nigerian sports. A former university teacher, who holds a doctorate degree in Physical Education, he was appointed sole administrator of the Nigeria Football Association in 1992. A year later, he was appointed Director of Sports Development in the Ministry of Sports.
In 1999, he was actively involved in the organisation of the U-20 World Cup hosted by Nigeria and was also an intrinsic part of the organisation of Africa Cup of Nations jointly hosted by Nigeria and Ghana. That same year, he was chosen to head COJA, the organising committee of the 2003 All Africa Games, which Nigeria hosted.
Allegations of fraud rocked the organisation of the games and Adamu continues to face allegations of financial impropriety even though none of them has been proven. In 2005, he was named part of the organising committee of the 2010 World Cup hosted by South Africa. The following year, he became a member of the FIFA Executive committee and in 2007 became President of the West African Football Union (WAFU).
In 2008, Adamu was transferred from the Ministry of Sports to the office of the Head of Service of the Federation.
Chilean Miners and the Nigerian State
The joyful news of the rescue of the miners trapped under the earth in Chile for months should be a good news for everyone everywhere. But not in Nigeria. This great news has turned into a sad fable about failure of the state in Nigeria.
On Thursday, I received an email with these words: “Last night I dreamt that 33 Nigerian miners were trapped underground and the government decided to send a capsule down to rescue them one after the other.
When the miners knew of the rescue plan, they began to argue amongst themselves on who goes first. Zoning was suggested but they could not agree on which zones will go first. Eventually in a struggle to determine who goes first, several of them got injured and MEND issued a threat message warning that they would set off a bomb if any South-south miner was critically injured. Meanwhile, the FEC had awarded the capsule contract to JB and we are still awaiting delivery three months later.
There is a probe going on to unravel this and retrieve the award sum before we get to the issue of what formula to adopt for the rescue and which miner comes out first. In the mean time, traditional rulers from the miners’ town are paying solidarity visits to the president to thank him for his efforts to rescue the miners.
And the first lady had just invited the wives of the Nigerian miners to Abuja for dinner at the Hilton! The first ladies from the 36 states will also be in attendance. All including the wives of the miners will wear the Goodluck for President Ankara.
CNN reported early this morning that after 10 months underground all the 33 Nigerian miners have died and the Nigerian government has declared seven days of mourning during which the Nigerian flag will be flown at half mast to honour the dead. Meanwhile, JB has sued the FGN for the balance of the contract sum”.
I think this is a wicked joke about Nigeria. I was more shocked when I read this fiction on Page Three of THISDAY newspaper of the same day. I found it distasteful that this comprehensive put-down of the capacity of the Nigerian state found its way into a well respected newspaper like the THISDAY. I was horrified about how foreigners would think about us after reading the fiction about the rescue of miners in Nigeria.
But my distress and horror were limited when I realized that going by media reports of how Nigeria has managed disasters in the past, this fable may not be as surreal and unimaginable to foreigners as I initially thought.
But the truth is that this story captures the problem of the last 50 years of Nigerian independence and the challenge of the next 50 years. Nigeria’s major problem is the absence of the sense of citizenship. Modern states are built on the conceptual foundations of citizenship. If there are no citizens there cannot be modern states as we understand them today. Democracy is possible where we have citizens.
Accountability is imaginary if citizens do not exist. It is not a happenstance that Saudi Arabia is not a democracy. There are no citizens there in the proper sense. There are of course nationals, but not citizens.
Only where people have rights that the states are ready to protect even against the leaders and ruling elites can we begin to talk of a modern democratic state.
So, the heroic effort of the Chilean government to dig the depth and rescue the miners quagmired under the earth is a clear demonstration of both the democratic disposition of the government and its capacity to deliver on its commitments. The central issues here are citizens and the capacity of the state. And this is where the sad fable about Nigeria calls for serious attention.
Chile could go this far because it values its citizens. The state exists for the citizens hence it could expend every resource to make sure not one of those miners trapped under the earth remained trapped. Even the United States marveled at the feat accomplished by not so rich Chile.
Now imagine what could have happened if the leaders (sorry, rulers) in Chile cared no hoot about the fate of those dispensable miners. Or like President Obasanjo at the bomb blast in Lagos, the Chilean President had shrugged off the concerns of the citizens and berated them for not being grateful that he managed to visit the tragedy sites.
In these circumstances we would not be talking about a historic and courageous rescue operation. We would have forgotten these miners and wished their widows and children God’s grace.
The real problem in Nigeria is not ethnicity as many people propogate. The problem is that there are no true citizens. No group of Nigerians is treated well as citizens. If the tragedy happened in Sokoto or Kano and all those trapped were Hausa-Fulani, the wheel of rescue would still be clogged. If it happened in Aba or Akure, the result would have been the same.
The problem is not that our leaders care only for people from their ethnic group. The problem is that they care for no one. The state is not for the citizen. The citizens are to sustain the state. Actually, the state is another name for a shifting oligarchy of those who have captured the state.
The lesson from Chile is simple and clear. The state becomes capable as it focuses on the welfare and wellbeing of the citizens. State capability means nothing if the state does not bother whether its citizens live or die.
A country that has won a natural lottery and can open the tap to get oil revenue without the contribution of its citizens may not care much if some of its citizens are trapped under the earth because it does not need the people to produce. Even when the state does not suffer from oil curse, its institutions and directive principles of state policy may dispose its elite to disregard the citizen. Such is the Nigerian case.
When such is the case, the tragedy like the one that happened in Chile will end disastrously. That is the message in the sad fable.
On Thursday, I received an email with these words: “Last night I dreamt that 33 Nigerian miners were trapped underground and the government decided to send a capsule down to rescue them one after the other.
When the miners knew of the rescue plan, they began to argue amongst themselves on who goes first. Zoning was suggested but they could not agree on which zones will go first. Eventually in a struggle to determine who goes first, several of them got injured and MEND issued a threat message warning that they would set off a bomb if any South-south miner was critically injured. Meanwhile, the FEC had awarded the capsule contract to JB and we are still awaiting delivery three months later.
There is a probe going on to unravel this and retrieve the award sum before we get to the issue of what formula to adopt for the rescue and which miner comes out first. In the mean time, traditional rulers from the miners’ town are paying solidarity visits to the president to thank him for his efforts to rescue the miners.
And the first lady had just invited the wives of the Nigerian miners to Abuja for dinner at the Hilton! The first ladies from the 36 states will also be in attendance. All including the wives of the miners will wear the Goodluck for President Ankara.
CNN reported early this morning that after 10 months underground all the 33 Nigerian miners have died and the Nigerian government has declared seven days of mourning during which the Nigerian flag will be flown at half mast to honour the dead. Meanwhile, JB has sued the FGN for the balance of the contract sum”.
I think this is a wicked joke about Nigeria. I was more shocked when I read this fiction on Page Three of THISDAY newspaper of the same day. I found it distasteful that this comprehensive put-down of the capacity of the Nigerian state found its way into a well respected newspaper like the THISDAY. I was horrified about how foreigners would think about us after reading the fiction about the rescue of miners in Nigeria.
But my distress and horror were limited when I realized that going by media reports of how Nigeria has managed disasters in the past, this fable may not be as surreal and unimaginable to foreigners as I initially thought.
But the truth is that this story captures the problem of the last 50 years of Nigerian independence and the challenge of the next 50 years. Nigeria’s major problem is the absence of the sense of citizenship. Modern states are built on the conceptual foundations of citizenship. If there are no citizens there cannot be modern states as we understand them today. Democracy is possible where we have citizens.
Accountability is imaginary if citizens do not exist. It is not a happenstance that Saudi Arabia is not a democracy. There are no citizens there in the proper sense. There are of course nationals, but not citizens.
Only where people have rights that the states are ready to protect even against the leaders and ruling elites can we begin to talk of a modern democratic state.
So, the heroic effort of the Chilean government to dig the depth and rescue the miners quagmired under the earth is a clear demonstration of both the democratic disposition of the government and its capacity to deliver on its commitments. The central issues here are citizens and the capacity of the state. And this is where the sad fable about Nigeria calls for serious attention.
Chile could go this far because it values its citizens. The state exists for the citizens hence it could expend every resource to make sure not one of those miners trapped under the earth remained trapped. Even the United States marveled at the feat accomplished by not so rich Chile.
Now imagine what could have happened if the leaders (sorry, rulers) in Chile cared no hoot about the fate of those dispensable miners. Or like President Obasanjo at the bomb blast in Lagos, the Chilean President had shrugged off the concerns of the citizens and berated them for not being grateful that he managed to visit the tragedy sites.
In these circumstances we would not be talking about a historic and courageous rescue operation. We would have forgotten these miners and wished their widows and children God’s grace.
The real problem in Nigeria is not ethnicity as many people propogate. The problem is that there are no true citizens. No group of Nigerians is treated well as citizens. If the tragedy happened in Sokoto or Kano and all those trapped were Hausa-Fulani, the wheel of rescue would still be clogged. If it happened in Aba or Akure, the result would have been the same.
The problem is not that our leaders care only for people from their ethnic group. The problem is that they care for no one. The state is not for the citizen. The citizens are to sustain the state. Actually, the state is another name for a shifting oligarchy of those who have captured the state.
The lesson from Chile is simple and clear. The state becomes capable as it focuses on the welfare and wellbeing of the citizens. State capability means nothing if the state does not bother whether its citizens live or die.
A country that has won a natural lottery and can open the tap to get oil revenue without the contribution of its citizens may not care much if some of its citizens are trapped under the earth because it does not need the people to produce. Even when the state does not suffer from oil curse, its institutions and directive principles of state policy may dispose its elite to disregard the citizen. Such is the Nigerian case.
When such is the case, the tragedy like the one that happened in Chile will end disastrously. That is the message in the sad fable.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Nigeria's Uti wins Big Brother Africa All Stars
Nigerian musician/model/actor, Uti Nwachukwu has emerged the winner of the Big Brother All Stars after 91 days away from family members, mobile phone, internet and totally cut off from the outside world.
Uti Nwachukwu, carted away the $200,000 cash prize with Munya from Zimbabwe as the 1st runner up.
This is the second consecutive win Nigeria as Kevin Chuwang Pam won Big Brother Revolution in 2009.
The last live eviction show started with host IK sitting in a parachute amidst, fireworks and acrobatic display. IK entered the house to interact with the final five housemates: Uti from Nigeria, Sheila from Kenya, Munya from Zimbabwe, Mwisho from Tanzania and Lerato from South Africa.
The finale featured performances from MI, Jesse Jagz and 2Face as well as Wyre from Kenya musician Maye Hunta.
The five housemates were shown footages of memories of some flashback of events in the house beginning with Lerato. The nine housemates earlier evicted from the show: Sammi B from Ghana, Hannington from Uganda, Meryl from Namibia, Yacob from Ethiopia, Tatiana from Angola, Kaone from Botswana, Code from Malawi, Jen from Mozambique and Paloma from Zambia, all gorgeously dressed up were introduced on stage to grace the final show and also add colour to the event beamed live across Africa and beyond on DSTV.
It was time to get down to serious business and the first house mate to be evicted from the final five (the tenth housemate evicted) was sexy Sheila representing Kenya. The “Bushman” Mwisho representing Tanzania who got engaged to Meryl in the All Stars house was the eleventh housemate to be evicted and the second to leave the final five.
Rapper MI and Jesse Jagz from Nigeria set the stage on fire with the splendid performance. Housemates, viewers and live studio audience were sent down memory lane once again, via the conflicts in the house, the happy moments, the challenging tasks, the time outs, the emotional moment, the parties and pool and so on.
When presenter IK asked final three Lerato, Uti and Munya how they feel for being the final three, they express mixed feelings. Lerato said she had a lot of thing going on in her mind, Munya said he was tensed and the situation was nerve-racking whiles said Uti he doesn’t know what to say.
South African representative Lerato, who was evicted from the house, sent to the barn and voted back into the house, was the twelfth housemate and the last lady to be evicted from the house. At this point the final two contenders for the $200,000 cash prize Munya and Uti were left in the house and Uti jokingly told Munya “Eih mister challenger?” you want to challenge”. They shared a friendly hand shake as they waited for the winner to be announced.
The man who has made every woman on the African continent feel like a queen came on stage and this was none other than 2Face Idibia and shortly after.
Footages of all nine evicted housemates treated to all dinner in the Sky were shown to viewers where the individual housemates expressed their opinion on the Big Brother All Stars game. Meanwhile Munya and Uti were still in the house awaiting their fate while sharing a bottle Champagne.
DJ Black Coffee and Tumalo were on stage to do their own thing my wowing the audience, after which how the various housemates were evicted from the house was shown.
Finally, came the moment of truth when host IK announced that it was time to know the winner of the Big Brother Africa All Stars. The winner was Uti with 8 countries voting for him and 7 countries for Munya who was in shock.
Munya who had survived about nine evictions on the Big Brother All Stars house looked very surprised and disappointed when Uti’s name was mentioned. Munya shed uncontrollable tears as he walked to the stage, whiles Uti kept asking himself how he was able to win the game. Uti also won extra $1000 in addition to his $200,000 ultimate prize because no housemate was able to discover his secret.
Uti Nwachukwu, carted away the $200,000 cash prize with Munya from Zimbabwe as the 1st runner up.
This is the second consecutive win Nigeria as Kevin Chuwang Pam won Big Brother Revolution in 2009.
The last live eviction show started with host IK sitting in a parachute amidst, fireworks and acrobatic display. IK entered the house to interact with the final five housemates: Uti from Nigeria, Sheila from Kenya, Munya from Zimbabwe, Mwisho from Tanzania and Lerato from South Africa.
The finale featured performances from MI, Jesse Jagz and 2Face as well as Wyre from Kenya musician Maye Hunta.
The five housemates were shown footages of memories of some flashback of events in the house beginning with Lerato. The nine housemates earlier evicted from the show: Sammi B from Ghana, Hannington from Uganda, Meryl from Namibia, Yacob from Ethiopia, Tatiana from Angola, Kaone from Botswana, Code from Malawi, Jen from Mozambique and Paloma from Zambia, all gorgeously dressed up were introduced on stage to grace the final show and also add colour to the event beamed live across Africa and beyond on DSTV.
It was time to get down to serious business and the first house mate to be evicted from the final five (the tenth housemate evicted) was sexy Sheila representing Kenya. The “Bushman” Mwisho representing Tanzania who got engaged to Meryl in the All Stars house was the eleventh housemate to be evicted and the second to leave the final five.
Rapper MI and Jesse Jagz from Nigeria set the stage on fire with the splendid performance. Housemates, viewers and live studio audience were sent down memory lane once again, via the conflicts in the house, the happy moments, the challenging tasks, the time outs, the emotional moment, the parties and pool and so on.
When presenter IK asked final three Lerato, Uti and Munya how they feel for being the final three, they express mixed feelings. Lerato said she had a lot of thing going on in her mind, Munya said he was tensed and the situation was nerve-racking whiles said Uti he doesn’t know what to say.
South African representative Lerato, who was evicted from the house, sent to the barn and voted back into the house, was the twelfth housemate and the last lady to be evicted from the house. At this point the final two contenders for the $200,000 cash prize Munya and Uti were left in the house and Uti jokingly told Munya “Eih mister challenger?” you want to challenge”. They shared a friendly hand shake as they waited for the winner to be announced.
The man who has made every woman on the African continent feel like a queen came on stage and this was none other than 2Face Idibia and shortly after.
Footages of all nine evicted housemates treated to all dinner in the Sky were shown to viewers where the individual housemates expressed their opinion on the Big Brother All Stars game. Meanwhile Munya and Uti were still in the house awaiting their fate while sharing a bottle Champagne.
DJ Black Coffee and Tumalo were on stage to do their own thing my wowing the audience, after which how the various housemates were evicted from the house was shown.
Finally, came the moment of truth when host IK announced that it was time to know the winner of the Big Brother Africa All Stars. The winner was Uti with 8 countries voting for him and 7 countries for Munya who was in shock.
Munya who had survived about nine evictions on the Big Brother All Stars house looked very surprised and disappointed when Uti’s name was mentioned. Munya shed uncontrollable tears as he walked to the stage, whiles Uti kept asking himself how he was able to win the game. Uti also won extra $1000 in addition to his $200,000 ultimate prize because no housemate was able to discover his secret.
Three Nigerians shortlisted for CAF awards
Three Nigerians made the shortlist for the 2010 edition of the Glo Confederation of African Football (CAF) Footballer of the Year award.
Dickson Etuhu, Osaze Peter Odemwingie and Kalu Uche were the only Nigerians picked in the nominees for this year’s award.
The provisional list of Caf for the 2010 award is full of surprises, as Nigerians will be shocked to find Etuhu in the list and John Obi Mikel excluded despite the player being touted as having improved his game in recent games for Chelsea.
Explaining the rationale for the shortlist respected Caf instructor, Adegboye Onigbinde, said that every award has it criteria for nominating players.
He opined out that it should be remembered that the likes of Etuhu, Odemwingie and Kalu Uche appeared in several international matches for Nigeria in which Mikel did not.
Onigbinde used the 2010 Fifa World Cup as an example.
“You cannot win awards when you don’t play at the very big stage. Yes no doubt playing for your club is good but every award has its own criteria for picking nominees and the Caf award is no exception.
“So the players nominated for the award must have picked based on certain co-efficient like playing in the Fifa World Cup this year and also other international matches for their countries.
The absence of Mikel might be due to such lack of picking enough co-efficient to be nominated,” the former Nigerian head coach said.
However, Mikel’s Ghanaian teammate, Michael Essien, is also missing from the provisional list of 30 and his case is believed to due to the injury that kept him away from competitive football for a long period, which led to his missing the Mundial in South Africa.
Apart from Etuhu, Odemwingie and Uche in the Caf nominees, it is learnt that Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana produced five players each.
The trio of Cameroon, Egypt and Morocco has three players each like Nigeria while Algeria produced two.
Benin Republic, DR Congo, Mali, Senegal, South Africa and Zambia all have one player apiece in the Caf award’s provisional list.
Perennial nominees such as Chelsea’s Didier Drogba and Samuel Eto’o of Inter Milan and Cameroon are part of those named in the shortlist.
Other top names in the hat are Asamoah Gyan and Andre Ayew of Ghana, the Toure brothers – Kolo and Yaya and their Ivorien teammate, Salomon Kalou.
The 30-man list is expected to be trimmed to 10 by Caf’s three committees of media, technical and football
Dickson Etuhu, Osaze Peter Odemwingie and Kalu Uche were the only Nigerians picked in the nominees for this year’s award.
The provisional list of Caf for the 2010 award is full of surprises, as Nigerians will be shocked to find Etuhu in the list and John Obi Mikel excluded despite the player being touted as having improved his game in recent games for Chelsea.
Explaining the rationale for the shortlist respected Caf instructor, Adegboye Onigbinde, said that every award has it criteria for nominating players.
He opined out that it should be remembered that the likes of Etuhu, Odemwingie and Kalu Uche appeared in several international matches for Nigeria in which Mikel did not.
Onigbinde used the 2010 Fifa World Cup as an example.
“You cannot win awards when you don’t play at the very big stage. Yes no doubt playing for your club is good but every award has its own criteria for picking nominees and the Caf award is no exception.
“So the players nominated for the award must have picked based on certain co-efficient like playing in the Fifa World Cup this year and also other international matches for their countries.
The absence of Mikel might be due to such lack of picking enough co-efficient to be nominated,” the former Nigerian head coach said.
However, Mikel’s Ghanaian teammate, Michael Essien, is also missing from the provisional list of 30 and his case is believed to due to the injury that kept him away from competitive football for a long period, which led to his missing the Mundial in South Africa.
Apart from Etuhu, Odemwingie and Uche in the Caf nominees, it is learnt that Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana produced five players each.
The trio of Cameroon, Egypt and Morocco has three players each like Nigeria while Algeria produced two.
Benin Republic, DR Congo, Mali, Senegal, South Africa and Zambia all have one player apiece in the Caf award’s provisional list.
Perennial nominees such as Chelsea’s Didier Drogba and Samuel Eto’o of Inter Milan and Cameroon are part of those named in the shortlist.
Other top names in the hat are Asamoah Gyan and Andre Ayew of Ghana, the Toure brothers – Kolo and Yaya and their Ivorien teammate, Salomon Kalou.
The 30-man list is expected to be trimmed to 10 by Caf’s three committees of media, technical and football
Friday, October 15, 2010
Abuja carnival 2010
If you intend visiting Nigeria in the month of November, then the Abuja carnival is the place to be.
Nigeria's cultural diversity is phenomenal. An exploration of this diversity will no doubt take an adventurer on a journey into hundreds of cultures with individual uniqueness and peculiarities.
The 2010 Abuja Carnival edition which coincides with Nigeria's Golden Jubilee Anniversary will feature remarkable sights and sounds of Nigeria, showcase the creative spirit of Nigerian people, hospitality and passion for festivity.
Abuja Carnival in its sixth edition is gradually assuming the status of Africa’s most prestigious, colourful and prominent cultural carnival. Events ranging from street parties, Floats, Boat regatta, Durbar, Masquerade displays, Music concerts, Exhibitions, After-parties, and Food fair have been carefully selected.
MAIN CARNIVAL EVENTS
26th November 2010
• Cultural Exhibition - 4.00 pm
27th November 2010
• Main Street carnival at 9.00 am
(Carnival Routes)
• Opening Ceremony at Eagles Square - 5.00pm
28th November 2010
• Youth & Children Event
• Durbar - 3.00pm
• Exhibition of the Traditional Cuisine at OPG - 5.00 pm
• Cultural Night - 7.00 pm
29th November 2010
• Street Show for Masquerade
• Boat Regatta at Jabi Dam at 3.00 pm
• Command Performance at Transcorp Hilton - 7.00 pm
30th November 2010
• Second Street Carnival - 9.00 am
• Closing Ceremony at Eagles Square -
5. 00 pm
27th - 29th November, 2010
• Musical Fiesta at the Eagles Square - 7.00 pm till dawn
Nigeria's cultural diversity is phenomenal. An exploration of this diversity will no doubt take an adventurer on a journey into hundreds of cultures with individual uniqueness and peculiarities.
The 2010 Abuja Carnival edition which coincides with Nigeria's Golden Jubilee Anniversary will feature remarkable sights and sounds of Nigeria, showcase the creative spirit of Nigerian people, hospitality and passion for festivity.
Abuja Carnival in its sixth edition is gradually assuming the status of Africa’s most prestigious, colourful and prominent cultural carnival. Events ranging from street parties, Floats, Boat regatta, Durbar, Masquerade displays, Music concerts, Exhibitions, After-parties, and Food fair have been carefully selected.
MAIN CARNIVAL EVENTS
26th November 2010
• Cultural Exhibition - 4.00 pm
27th November 2010
• Main Street carnival at 9.00 am
(Carnival Routes)
• Opening Ceremony at Eagles Square - 5.00pm
28th November 2010
• Youth & Children Event
• Durbar - 3.00pm
• Exhibition of the Traditional Cuisine at OPG - 5.00 pm
• Cultural Night - 7.00 pm
29th November 2010
• Street Show for Masquerade
• Boat Regatta at Jabi Dam at 3.00 pm
• Command Performance at Transcorp Hilton - 7.00 pm
30th November 2010
• Second Street Carnival - 9.00 am
• Closing Ceremony at Eagles Square -
5. 00 pm
27th - 29th November, 2010
• Musical Fiesta at the Eagles Square - 7.00 pm till dawn
Thursday, October 14, 2010
T B Joshua blacklisted in Cameroon
The Cameroonian government has blacklisted Prophet Temitope Balogun Joshua of the Synagogue Church of All Nations, saying that he is an agent of Satan hoodwinking unsuspecting members of the public with “diabolical miracles”
Cameroon Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr. Henri Eyebe Ayissi, in an official communiqué he issued this week titled “The Devil Is In the House”, described T.B. Joshua as a “son of the devil” pretending to be “a man of God”.
The Minister warned hundreds of Cameroonians trooping to Lagos, South West Nigeria, for miracles in Joshua’s church, to desist from taking the trip or face the consequences as the country will not stand by them.
The communiqué written in French reads in part “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs warns those who by naivety or deception of Emmanuel TV’s captivating images, or even those who by hopelessness, envisage taking the pilgrimage to Pastor T.B. Joshua’s Synagogue Church Of All Nations in Lagos, that they will do so at their own risk.
“The Cameroonian Government warns these pilgrims that they will face the consequences alone. This is motivated by the painful and shameful fact that Cameroonian men and women, in search of deliverance and blessings, once in that church, find themselves in bestial and pitiable conditions.
“Women are raped; pilgrims dispossessed of their belongings by armed robbers and left to sleep in the streets at the mercy of gangs. Many cases of assassinations have even been recorded. And this is without other cases that are not recorded at the Cameroonian Embassy in Lagos with the victims too ashamed to narrate their infernal odysseys once they are out of Hell,” the Minister said.
The Minister said that while the bible asks us to be discreet with gifts and donations to the poor, T.B. Joshua is seen daily dolling out bags of rice to indigent people.
Cameroonian newspapers which published the communiqué this week tell tales of hundreds of Cameroonians who sold their properties or borrowed money in the hope of getting miracles in T.B. Joshua’s Church, only to be disappointed in Lagos.
The newspapers report that Joshua’s TV station has gained popularity in Cameroon and many people are tempted to take the trip and receive healings and sudden blessings.
It says that Joshua is now in many households in Cameroon and many people believe the flashy images they watch on television.
One newspaper writes in French “witnesses who come back from that pandemonium reveal that to secure an appointment with this Jesus-Christ-reincarnate, they had to spend 150, 000 FCFA (about N50, 000) and the amount keeps going up, depending on the treatment and the case.
“This has led to confusion and disillusionment from Cameroonians, who on their way to Damascus, now find themselves refugees at the Cameroonian Embassy in Lagos.”
The newspaper report says further: “There are many here in Cameroon, convinced of the power and the blessings of this “man of God”. However, they forget that Jesus Christ is in our hearts through faith and with our practice of the Ten Commandments and our relationship with one another. Before the publication of the communiqué by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the bible said over 2000 years ago, ‘And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceives you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many’.”When contacted this morning, T.B. Joshua denied that he has been blacklisted in Cameroon.
He said that Cameroonians who come to his church only heard about him in Cameroon and started trooping to the church in Ikotun, with most of them without accommodation. He said that had he been aware of their presence around his church, he would have provided accommodation for them.
Cameroon Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr. Henri Eyebe Ayissi, in an official communiqué he issued this week titled “The Devil Is In the House”, described T.B. Joshua as a “son of the devil” pretending to be “a man of God”.
The Minister warned hundreds of Cameroonians trooping to Lagos, South West Nigeria, for miracles in Joshua’s church, to desist from taking the trip or face the consequences as the country will not stand by them.
The communiqué written in French reads in part “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs warns those who by naivety or deception of Emmanuel TV’s captivating images, or even those who by hopelessness, envisage taking the pilgrimage to Pastor T.B. Joshua’s Synagogue Church Of All Nations in Lagos, that they will do so at their own risk.
“The Cameroonian Government warns these pilgrims that they will face the consequences alone. This is motivated by the painful and shameful fact that Cameroonian men and women, in search of deliverance and blessings, once in that church, find themselves in bestial and pitiable conditions.
“Women are raped; pilgrims dispossessed of their belongings by armed robbers and left to sleep in the streets at the mercy of gangs. Many cases of assassinations have even been recorded. And this is without other cases that are not recorded at the Cameroonian Embassy in Lagos with the victims too ashamed to narrate their infernal odysseys once they are out of Hell,” the Minister said.
The Minister said that while the bible asks us to be discreet with gifts and donations to the poor, T.B. Joshua is seen daily dolling out bags of rice to indigent people.
Cameroonian newspapers which published the communiqué this week tell tales of hundreds of Cameroonians who sold their properties or borrowed money in the hope of getting miracles in T.B. Joshua’s Church, only to be disappointed in Lagos.
The newspapers report that Joshua’s TV station has gained popularity in Cameroon and many people are tempted to take the trip and receive healings and sudden blessings.
It says that Joshua is now in many households in Cameroon and many people believe the flashy images they watch on television.
One newspaper writes in French “witnesses who come back from that pandemonium reveal that to secure an appointment with this Jesus-Christ-reincarnate, they had to spend 150, 000 FCFA (about N50, 000) and the amount keeps going up, depending on the treatment and the case.
“This has led to confusion and disillusionment from Cameroonians, who on their way to Damascus, now find themselves refugees at the Cameroonian Embassy in Lagos.”
The newspaper report says further: “There are many here in Cameroon, convinced of the power and the blessings of this “man of God”. However, they forget that Jesus Christ is in our hearts through faith and with our practice of the Ten Commandments and our relationship with one another. Before the publication of the communiqué by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the bible said over 2000 years ago, ‘And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceives you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many’.”When contacted this morning, T.B. Joshua denied that he has been blacklisted in Cameroon.
He said that Cameroonians who come to his church only heard about him in Cameroon and started trooping to the church in Ikotun, with most of them without accommodation. He said that had he been aware of their presence around his church, he would have provided accommodation for them.
28,000 Nigerians maybe denied passage
Twenty-eight thousand Nigerian pilgrims who were supposed to arrive in Israel in the upcoming months will have to find payer fervently, after the Transportation Ministry’s security department barred El Al from flying to the Abuja for fear of terrorist threats.
According to Rafi Ben Hur, a senior deputy director-general at the Tourism Ministry, the pilgrims were scheduled to fly on El Al chartered planes leased to a local airline in a series of flights between November to January.
The planes, El Al’s Boeing 747-400, were to be leased to Nigeria Airways, but operated by El Al’s crew and cabin staff.
As a safety precaution, the airline’s logo and symbols were to be removed.
“The massive pilgrimage is a state project in Nigeria. They subsidize the Christian’s pilgrimage to the Holy Land, just as they do the Muslims’ pilgrimage to Mecca. We cooperate with the Nigerian government on all tourism related issues and attempt to remove all the obstacles they encounter,” said Ben Hur.
“The Transportation Ministry won’t let any Israeli airline fly to Nigeria, so the solution will probably have to be based on foreign airlines. The biggest looser in this case is El Al, which was forced to give up on a large amount of passengers.”
Ben Hur was optimistic that a solution would be found and that the thousands of tourists would make it to Israel.
“We are meeting with the Nigerian ambassador this evening and with the organizing team on Sunday. I’m sure we will be able to work out a solution. We do not plan to give up on these groups, their visits mean too much for us,” said Ben Hur.
According to Ben Hur, the Nigerian pilgrimages have been taking place since the beginning of the decade and the number of people continuously grows every year.
“We owe a great appreciation to the Nigerians. They were the only tourists that arrived in Israel in our hardest times, during the second intifada. When everyone else stayed away, they continued to arrive and filled up our empty hotels,” said Ben Hur.
“Even today, when tourism numbers are back up, they help us out during the quietest time of the year.
“Twenty-eight thousand people visiting Israel for 10 days contribute a great deal to the tourism industry and the national economy by staying in hotels, dining in restaurants, renting buses and hiring tour guides. They are also the nicest visitors we could ask for,” he said.
Ben Hur added that he hoped the Tourism Ministry could intervene on the pilgrims’ behalf before the Transportation Ministry, but said he honored its position and wouldn’t compromise security.
“It would be a shame if they can’t fly directly to Israel. Any stopover reduces the length of their stay here and too many logistics may reduce the number of arrivals,” said Ben Hur.
In March 2009, Israir brought about 15,000 pilgrims from Nigeria to Israel in an airlift operation involving some 60 flights that lasted more than two months.
Both El Al and the Transportation Ministry declined to comment on the issue.
According to Rafi Ben Hur, a senior deputy director-general at the Tourism Ministry, the pilgrims were scheduled to fly on El Al chartered planes leased to a local airline in a series of flights between November to January.
The planes, El Al’s Boeing 747-400, were to be leased to Nigeria Airways, but operated by El Al’s crew and cabin staff.
As a safety precaution, the airline’s logo and symbols were to be removed.
“The massive pilgrimage is a state project in Nigeria. They subsidize the Christian’s pilgrimage to the Holy Land, just as they do the Muslims’ pilgrimage to Mecca. We cooperate with the Nigerian government on all tourism related issues and attempt to remove all the obstacles they encounter,” said Ben Hur.
“The Transportation Ministry won’t let any Israeli airline fly to Nigeria, so the solution will probably have to be based on foreign airlines. The biggest looser in this case is El Al, which was forced to give up on a large amount of passengers.”
Ben Hur was optimistic that a solution would be found and that the thousands of tourists would make it to Israel.
“We are meeting with the Nigerian ambassador this evening and with the organizing team on Sunday. I’m sure we will be able to work out a solution. We do not plan to give up on these groups, their visits mean too much for us,” said Ben Hur.
According to Ben Hur, the Nigerian pilgrimages have been taking place since the beginning of the decade and the number of people continuously grows every year.
“We owe a great appreciation to the Nigerians. They were the only tourists that arrived in Israel in our hardest times, during the second intifada. When everyone else stayed away, they continued to arrive and filled up our empty hotels,” said Ben Hur.
“Even today, when tourism numbers are back up, they help us out during the quietest time of the year.
“Twenty-eight thousand people visiting Israel for 10 days contribute a great deal to the tourism industry and the national economy by staying in hotels, dining in restaurants, renting buses and hiring tour guides. They are also the nicest visitors we could ask for,” he said.
Ben Hur added that he hoped the Tourism Ministry could intervene on the pilgrims’ behalf before the Transportation Ministry, but said he honored its position and wouldn’t compromise security.
“It would be a shame if they can’t fly directly to Israel. Any stopover reduces the length of their stay here and too many logistics may reduce the number of arrivals,” said Ben Hur.
In March 2009, Israir brought about 15,000 pilgrims from Nigeria to Israel in an airlift operation involving some 60 flights that lasted more than two months.
Both El Al and the Transportation Ministry declined to comment on the issue.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Onyekachi scores brace for Kharaitiyat
KHARAITIYAT rode a brace by Onyekachi Tico Okonkwo to defeat Umm Salal 3-2 in a keenly-contested Qatar Stars League (QSL) match at Qatar Sports Club in Doha on Tuesday.
In another QSL match played on Tuesday at the same venue, Lekhwiya edged tableleader Qatar Sports Club (QSC) by a solitary goal.
This was QSC’s first defeat in five matches.
The lone goal of the match came through a penalty, which was converted by Bakari Kone.
Kharaitiyat first went into a two-goal lead but it was wiped off before scoring the winner.
Players of both the teams played with a lot of intensity to break the deadlock.
Kharaitiyat eventually emerged the winner due to the athleticism of Tico, who had earlier drawn the first blood in the 14th minute.
Kharaitiyat shot into the lead when Mohammad Husain’s hasty clearance rebounded into the Umm Salal box after hitting a rival player.
Both Tico and Alaa Abdul Zahra raced into the box to get hold of it.
Tico was the first to reach it and he made no mistake in shooting it into the net past the hapless goalkeeper.
The pace with which Tico ran for the man caught the Umm Salal goalie off guard too.
Kharaitiyat consolidated the lead in the 39th minute when Abdulla Darwish intercepted a pass from Umm Salal defender Dahi Saad al Naeimi and sent a floater inside the box from the right.
Yiha Kebbi Kebbi first chested down the ball and shot it in a flash into the net.
Stung by two reversals in quick succession, Umm Salal reorganised itself and launched several attacks through coordinated game.
Its efforts were rewarded in the 44th minute when Davi’s cross from the left found the out-stretched foot of Gabriel Francisco and the deflection saw the ball went past the falling goalkeeper.
Umm Salal continued to play in the same vein in the second session and succeeded in gaining parity in the 63rd minute.
Davi on this occasion received a cross at the left edge of the box.
After neatly trapping the ball with his left foot, he beat Daryo Kan before shooting from an acute angle.
Umm Salal grew in confidence and was now pushing for the lead for first time in the match.
But in the process, it left ample space for the Kharaitiyat players to exploit in the 66th minute through Tico.
Kebbi Kebbi headed into the vacant area and Tico outpaced Younes Yaghoob Darwish to reach the ball.
He then drew out the Umm Salal goalie and slotted the ball through the right of the goalkeeper.
Umm Salal squandered a golden opportunity to come back into the match again when a free-kick awarded to it right at edge of box flew past the right post.
In another QSL match played on Tuesday at the same venue, Lekhwiya edged tableleader Qatar Sports Club (QSC) by a solitary goal.
This was QSC’s first defeat in five matches.
The lone goal of the match came through a penalty, which was converted by Bakari Kone.
Kharaitiyat first went into a two-goal lead but it was wiped off before scoring the winner.
Players of both the teams played with a lot of intensity to break the deadlock.
Kharaitiyat eventually emerged the winner due to the athleticism of Tico, who had earlier drawn the first blood in the 14th minute.
Kharaitiyat shot into the lead when Mohammad Husain’s hasty clearance rebounded into the Umm Salal box after hitting a rival player.
Both Tico and Alaa Abdul Zahra raced into the box to get hold of it.
Tico was the first to reach it and he made no mistake in shooting it into the net past the hapless goalkeeper.
The pace with which Tico ran for the man caught the Umm Salal goalie off guard too.
Kharaitiyat consolidated the lead in the 39th minute when Abdulla Darwish intercepted a pass from Umm Salal defender Dahi Saad al Naeimi and sent a floater inside the box from the right.
Yiha Kebbi Kebbi first chested down the ball and shot it in a flash into the net.
Stung by two reversals in quick succession, Umm Salal reorganised itself and launched several attacks through coordinated game.
Its efforts were rewarded in the 44th minute when Davi’s cross from the left found the out-stretched foot of Gabriel Francisco and the deflection saw the ball went past the falling goalkeeper.
Umm Salal continued to play in the same vein in the second session and succeeded in gaining parity in the 63rd minute.
Davi on this occasion received a cross at the left edge of the box.
After neatly trapping the ball with his left foot, he beat Daryo Kan before shooting from an acute angle.
Umm Salal grew in confidence and was now pushing for the lead for first time in the match.
But in the process, it left ample space for the Kharaitiyat players to exploit in the 66th minute through Tico.
Kebbi Kebbi headed into the vacant area and Tico outpaced Younes Yaghoob Darwish to reach the ball.
He then drew out the Umm Salal goalie and slotted the ball through the right of the goalkeeper.
Umm Salal squandered a golden opportunity to come back into the match again when a free-kick awarded to it right at edge of box flew past the right post.
Nigerian in Qatar celebrate Independence Day in style
DOHA THE Cultural opulence of Nigeria was highlighted by Nigerian expatriates in Qatar as part of the celebration of the golden jubilee of their independence, at Marriott Hotel on Saturday.
The event — organised to mark the Independence Day of Nigeria which falls on October 1 — was an occasion for the Nigerian expats to demonstrate unity in diversity as represented by various ethnic groups in the country.
Each group showcased its typical traditional heritage and culture for the audience, which included the Ambassador of Nigeria to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), HE Bashir Yuguda, and envoys of many other countries.
Addressing the gathering, HE Yuguda expressed his happiness over the unity among Nigerians despite their ethnic differences.
“I am elated to see the patriotism, passion and commitment Nigerians in Qatar demonstrated in celebrating this special day.
Nigeria is a country with over 150 million people, 250 ethnic groups and 4,000 dialects.
But, with the special grace of God, we remain one as a nation,” the ambassador said.
He pointed out that though Nigeria went through difficult times during the civil war and military governments, the country was moving forward as a leading economic and political nation in Africa.
He said that Nigeria, as a regional power in Africa, was faced with many responsibilities.
“The challenges of regional power come with heavy burden.
I am proud to say that with active support of my countrymen in international community, Nigeria is living up to the expectations in maintaining law and order in Africa as well as contributing to the United Nations peace-keeping missions across the globe,” Yuguda said.
The envoy was appreciative of the Nigerians’ conduct and wellbeing in Qatar despite having no Doha-based ambassador over the years.
He hoped that Qatar would have a full-fledged Nigerian ambassador by next year.
South African Ambassador to Qatar HE Dr Vincent Zulu, Japanese Ambassador HE Kenjiro Monji, Egyptian Ambassador HE Mahmoud Fawzy Abou Dounya, Senegalese Ambassador HE Adama Sarr, Sudanese Ambassador HE Ibrahim Abdullah al Faqiri, Eritrean Ambassador HE Ali Ibrahim Ahmad as well as Libyan and Tunisian ambassadors attended the colourful ceremony.
Various cultural and dance groups like Otu Ofuobi women, Egbe Omo O’Odua, Edo/Benin and Oghene groups, as well as a solo Hausa musical performance by Rakiya Lawler, entertained the guests on the occasion.
While the ‘Identity Sisters’ opened the entertainment floor, Nigerian artiste Mina Ochoche stole the thunder with her special track ‘Let us pray for Nigeria’.
A Nigerian R&B singer, Mima Ikyor, who was flown into the country especially for the occasion, captivated the audience with her soulful songs.
There was also a special poem (Ewi) recitation by Yemi Emiola.
Commenting on the event, Egyptian Ambassador to Qatar HE Mahmoud Fawzy Abou Dounya said: “This is a spectacular National Day celebration.
I am highly impressed.
This shows that Qatar is a friendly country where all nationalities can flourish and live a peaceful normal life.
I congratulate Nigerians on this occasion.” His Japanese counterpart HE Kenjiro Monji said: “Nigeria and Japan are good friends.
I am here to show Japanese solidarity with Nigeria and share the joy of the country’s 50th independence celebration.” Earlier, in his welcome address, President of Nigeria in Diaspora, Qatar chapter (NIDO-Qatar), OJ Millar, said this year’s independent celebration was special to Qatar residents because it was the first show which Nigerian ambassador to Qatar had witnessed.
He thanked all Nigerians in Qatar for their support and cooperation for the successful organisation of the event.
Qatar Airways and Marriott Hotel Doha supported the event.
The event — organised to mark the Independence Day of Nigeria which falls on October 1 — was an occasion for the Nigerian expats to demonstrate unity in diversity as represented by various ethnic groups in the country.
Each group showcased its typical traditional heritage and culture for the audience, which included the Ambassador of Nigeria to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), HE Bashir Yuguda, and envoys of many other countries.
Addressing the gathering, HE Yuguda expressed his happiness over the unity among Nigerians despite their ethnic differences.
“I am elated to see the patriotism, passion and commitment Nigerians in Qatar demonstrated in celebrating this special day.
Nigeria is a country with over 150 million people, 250 ethnic groups and 4,000 dialects.
But, with the special grace of God, we remain one as a nation,” the ambassador said.
He pointed out that though Nigeria went through difficult times during the civil war and military governments, the country was moving forward as a leading economic and political nation in Africa.
He said that Nigeria, as a regional power in Africa, was faced with many responsibilities.
“The challenges of regional power come with heavy burden.
I am proud to say that with active support of my countrymen in international community, Nigeria is living up to the expectations in maintaining law and order in Africa as well as contributing to the United Nations peace-keeping missions across the globe,” Yuguda said.
The envoy was appreciative of the Nigerians’ conduct and wellbeing in Qatar despite having no Doha-based ambassador over the years.
He hoped that Qatar would have a full-fledged Nigerian ambassador by next year.
South African Ambassador to Qatar HE Dr Vincent Zulu, Japanese Ambassador HE Kenjiro Monji, Egyptian Ambassador HE Mahmoud Fawzy Abou Dounya, Senegalese Ambassador HE Adama Sarr, Sudanese Ambassador HE Ibrahim Abdullah al Faqiri, Eritrean Ambassador HE Ali Ibrahim Ahmad as well as Libyan and Tunisian ambassadors attended the colourful ceremony.
Various cultural and dance groups like Otu Ofuobi women, Egbe Omo O’Odua, Edo/Benin and Oghene groups, as well as a solo Hausa musical performance by Rakiya Lawler, entertained the guests on the occasion.
While the ‘Identity Sisters’ opened the entertainment floor, Nigerian artiste Mina Ochoche stole the thunder with her special track ‘Let us pray for Nigeria’.
A Nigerian R&B singer, Mima Ikyor, who was flown into the country especially for the occasion, captivated the audience with her soulful songs.
There was also a special poem (Ewi) recitation by Yemi Emiola.
Commenting on the event, Egyptian Ambassador to Qatar HE Mahmoud Fawzy Abou Dounya said: “This is a spectacular National Day celebration.
I am highly impressed.
This shows that Qatar is a friendly country where all nationalities can flourish and live a peaceful normal life.
I congratulate Nigerians on this occasion.” His Japanese counterpart HE Kenjiro Monji said: “Nigeria and Japan are good friends.
I am here to show Japanese solidarity with Nigeria and share the joy of the country’s 50th independence celebration.” Earlier, in his welcome address, President of Nigeria in Diaspora, Qatar chapter (NIDO-Qatar), OJ Millar, said this year’s independent celebration was special to Qatar residents because it was the first show which Nigerian ambassador to Qatar had witnessed.
He thanked all Nigerians in Qatar for their support and cooperation for the successful organisation of the event.
Qatar Airways and Marriott Hotel Doha supported the event.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Over 300 Nigerian expats register for e-passport
DOHA OVER 300 Nigerian expatriates in Qatar registered to get their old machine-readable passports (MRP) replaced with new chip-based e-passports during the three-day exercise, which concluded at Al Aseef hotel on Sunday.
President of Nigeria in Diaspora, Qatar (NIDO), OJ Millar said that the turnout surpassed expectations.
“We had expected around 130 persons coming for the registration because only 100 people had initially shown interest before the officials from Nigeria came for the exercise.
The response on the first day made us readjust our plans in order to attend to all the applicants,” Millar said.
Those who could not register for e-passport in Doha would have to do it in Nigeria before December 31, the deadline set by the government, he said.
A team of officials from the Nigerian embassy in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Nigeria Immigration Service from Abuja came to Doha to conduct the exercise in collaboration with NIDO, a community association of Nigerians in Qatar.
The team was led by Ken Okeh, minister/head of chancellery at the Nigerian embassy in the UAE.
Madara Wakili, financial attaché at the embassy, and Yankasai Abdul, Habibu Almu and Olowooye Oluwagbayi from the Nigeria Immigration Service headquarters in Abuja were the other members of the team.
The officials said the data collected during the exercise would be processed in Abuja after which e-passport would be issued to the applicants.
It would take three weeks for the e-passports to be brought to Doha for distribution, the officials said, adding that Qatar was the second country in the Middle East after the UAE where Nigerians got the opportunity of registering them for e-passport outside the country.
Millar said the preference given to Nigerian expats in Qatar for e-passport registration proved the importance of Qatar for the Nigerian government.
He hoped that both Qatar and the UAE would also be the first to get permanent machines for the processing and issuance of e-passport in the region.
Meanwhile, commenting on the exercise, Dr Sammani Abdullahi, a lecturer at Qatar University, said: “I am highly impressed by the level of coordination for the whole exercise.
I also observed that the officials came with the forms we filled earlier which showed that the forms were forwarded to Abuja for attention.
If they had not rendered this service to us in Doha, I would have had to travel to Nigeria with all my family members to register and get e-passport.” He thanked Nigerian Ambassador to the UAE and Qatar, HE Alhaji Bashir Yuguda for responding to the call of the community in Qatar.
Another Nigerian expat, Segun Obanoyen said the exercise saved many people the stress and cost of travelling back to Nigeria to meet the deadline.
He thanked the NIDO executives for coordinating with the Nigerian embassy in Abu Dhabi and making the exercise a success.
Itodo Peter, a Vodafone staff, said: “I am happy with the exercise and appreciate all those who contributed to make this programme a reality.”
President of Nigeria in Diaspora, Qatar (NIDO), OJ Millar said that the turnout surpassed expectations.
“We had expected around 130 persons coming for the registration because only 100 people had initially shown interest before the officials from Nigeria came for the exercise.
The response on the first day made us readjust our plans in order to attend to all the applicants,” Millar said.
Those who could not register for e-passport in Doha would have to do it in Nigeria before December 31, the deadline set by the government, he said.
A team of officials from the Nigerian embassy in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Nigeria Immigration Service from Abuja came to Doha to conduct the exercise in collaboration with NIDO, a community association of Nigerians in Qatar.
The team was led by Ken Okeh, minister/head of chancellery at the Nigerian embassy in the UAE.
Madara Wakili, financial attaché at the embassy, and Yankasai Abdul, Habibu Almu and Olowooye Oluwagbayi from the Nigeria Immigration Service headquarters in Abuja were the other members of the team.
The officials said the data collected during the exercise would be processed in Abuja after which e-passport would be issued to the applicants.
It would take three weeks for the e-passports to be brought to Doha for distribution, the officials said, adding that Qatar was the second country in the Middle East after the UAE where Nigerians got the opportunity of registering them for e-passport outside the country.
Millar said the preference given to Nigerian expats in Qatar for e-passport registration proved the importance of Qatar for the Nigerian government.
He hoped that both Qatar and the UAE would also be the first to get permanent machines for the processing and issuance of e-passport in the region.
Meanwhile, commenting on the exercise, Dr Sammani Abdullahi, a lecturer at Qatar University, said: “I am highly impressed by the level of coordination for the whole exercise.
I also observed that the officials came with the forms we filled earlier which showed that the forms were forwarded to Abuja for attention.
If they had not rendered this service to us in Doha, I would have had to travel to Nigeria with all my family members to register and get e-passport.” He thanked Nigerian Ambassador to the UAE and Qatar, HE Alhaji Bashir Yuguda for responding to the call of the community in Qatar.
Another Nigerian expat, Segun Obanoyen said the exercise saved many people the stress and cost of travelling back to Nigeria to meet the deadline.
He thanked the NIDO executives for coordinating with the Nigerian embassy in Abu Dhabi and making the exercise a success.
Itodo Peter, a Vodafone staff, said: “I am happy with the exercise and appreciate all those who contributed to make this programme a reality.”
SOYINKA’S PARTY IS A RAY OF HOPE FOR COMMON MAN, SAY EXPATS
Poet, playwright, philosopher & Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka has launched a political party named the ‘Democratic Front for People’s Federation’ in Nigeria ahead of the upcoming presidential elections.
He said the new party is aimed at fighting corruption and giving hope to youngsters.
Excerpts: FIDELIS ODOGBO Writer & Education Consultant The formation of a political party by Wole Soyinka is a very good development for Nigerians.
It is really a step in the right direction.
There are many good people who want to change Nigeria for better, but do not have the right platform to do so.
Soyinka’s party will be of great help to such people.
I think his active participation in politics will force our corrupt politicians to think about the damage they have done to the country.
Even if the party does not make any serious impact on the coming elections, it will certainly come up with a manifesto on how to tackle problems in Nigeria.
I hope that corrupt politicians will not be allowed to enter Soyinka’s party.
MUSA ADENIYI Document Controller at Retaj I praise Soyinka for launching a new political party.
It will serve as a platform to challenge the corrupt political groups.
I hope sincere and like-minded people will work with him to save our great nation.
His Democratic Front for People’s Federation will surely make a political formation with only patriotic people as its members to represent respect, reputation, character, service to humanity and good governance.
I hope the wanton display of wealth in the face of abject poverty will soon be over in Nigeria.
I congratulate Soyinka for trying to cleanss our country’s dirty politics.
I know the task is difficult, but there is no harm in trying.
LAWAL OLUSHOLA Accountant The political scene in Nigeria is murky and I have doubt whether Soyinka’s party will be able to make much of a difference.
I think he should have remained what he is and wielded his pen with more vigour.
I fear that his hard-earned reputation as an activist and a critic will go for a toss in the dingy world of politics.
He should remain an elder statesman, activist and an objective commentator.
I don’t see him achieving any tangible result in the political arena.
We love him because of his literary prowess and oratory.
I want him to remain so.
He should also remember that when the late human right lawyer and activist, Gani Fawehinmi, tried the same thing during 2003 general elections, his party failed miserably.
FARAMADE BETHANY AKANNI Qatar Petroleum staff I believe Soyinka has taken the right step.
We should give him full support in order to strengthen the nation’s young democracy.
The politics of Nigeria needs people of his calibre and integrity to take the country forward.
So far, we have been suffering at the hands of dishonest and corrupt leaders.
Majority of the political parties are full of illiterates, who only fight to serve their interests.
UGOCHUKWU OGBONNA Chemist I think Prof Soyinka’s new political party is a step in the right direction.
I do not agree with those who think that the move will lead to whittling down of his activist prowess.
I congratulate Soyinka for registering a party that was denied registration in 2002.
Although the party is not expected to make much impact on the forthcoming elections, it will certainly go a long way in setting the political agenda in Nigeria.
The new party has said that its basic role is to make sure that things are done in the right way in Nigerian political system.
With Soyinka as its national chairman, I hope the party will ensure a free and fair election.
Its activists can play a major role in curbing election fraud.
CORDELIA BELLO Qatar Petroleum staff I think that Soyinka is capable of leading our country.
He has the aura to attract youngsters who can play a major role in reforming the country’s political system.
We must support the new party in order to ensure that we have a responsive and accountable leadership which can curb corruption.
The upcoming elections are a real test for us and we must not waste the opportunity .. KALU OKORE Political Analyst Soyinka’s entry in politics is a strong message for Nigerian politicians.
Now they must know that the political game will be no more played in old fashion.
They must now realise that they have to be on the side of the people, meaning that promises made during election campaigns must be fulfilled.
Prof Soyinka, Nigeria’s first and only Nobel laureate, has been a long-time activist.
He was detained by the government during the civil war in Nigeria.
It is interesting to see that he is now redirecting his energy into mainstream politics.
His party may not win the elections but his presence will surely keep the other players on their toes and force them to make realistic promises to the electorate and fulfil them later.
I believe he will continue to be a strong critic of unpopular moves and actions of the government.
Public affairs have suffered a serious setback in Nigeria because of lack of strong opposition.
I think Prof Soyinka will emerge as the voice of the people.
ABIDOGUN BIMBOLA Social Scientist I am surprised that Soyinka has decided to enter politics.
However, I think this move will be a wake-up call for our corrupt politicians and they will try to mend their ways.
I fear that the Nobel laureate may lose his sheen as politics is a field where it is very difficult to remain clean forever.
I wish him good luck.
ADEDAPO ALUKO Building Engineer Wole Soyinka’s party has provided a good platform to rightthinking and progressive Nigerians to join hands and save the nation.
It is really good to see that the most vocal social critic in Nigeria has opted to form a new party to help the struggling masses.
I think this is the only way to confront selfish and power-drunk leaders who are hell bent on ruining our nation.
KELECHI OKONKWO Planning Engineer I am happy with Soyinka’s decision to float a new party.
Though the new formation is not expected to do very well at the hustings, it will certainly be a formidable opposition.
We are tired of old politicians who have hardly anything new to offer.
Soyinka has always been in the forefront of fighting against corruption and knows Nigeria very well.
We must support him.
IDRIS OLA OLADEJI Safety Officer Soyinka’s party has provided a ray of hope for the common man in Nigeria.
We must support this group that, I think, will change the lives of the people.
It is synonymous with respect, reputation, character, service to humanity and good governance.
This is a welcome development and will change the political landscape of our country.
MORONTOUN BOLA Teacher We salute the effort of Soyinka to salvage the nation from the clutches of corrupt leaders.
We should support his party with all our might.
The Nobel Laureate is the right person to rule our country, as he has been our role model for long.
We know the task is difficult, but if we try we will surely make a difference in the lives of the struggling masses.
EFFIONG EBONG Qatar Gas staff I really believe in what Professor Soyinka said while launching the new party.
“The DFPF, for now, is disinterested in the overall national scene.
But after taking control in one state, one council, one ward, would begin to reach out through example to others, gradually evolving a civic rule that governs and performs through mutual collaboration,” he said.
He has really given us an opportunity to serve our country and we must not let the chance go by.
The political and economic scene in the country is dismal, and Soyinka is the only hope.
JOHNSON ADU Safety Officer This move was long overdue.
We needed a party that could represent the people.
I hope the DFPF will deliver the goods and groom leaders from the grassroots level to the local government, state and federal levels.
Nigeria is in dire need of good leaders and Soyinka has provided us a platform in this regard.
IROLE AUSTIN Architect I think Soyinka did the right thing by joining politics.
I salute him for his courage to form a new party.
He must lead us in the fight against corruption and political anarchy.
The task is difficult but not insurmountable.
He must move step by step and his dream of reforming the country will be fulfilled.
He said the new party is aimed at fighting corruption and giving hope to youngsters.
Excerpts: FIDELIS ODOGBO Writer & Education Consultant The formation of a political party by Wole Soyinka is a very good development for Nigerians.
It is really a step in the right direction.
There are many good people who want to change Nigeria for better, but do not have the right platform to do so.
Soyinka’s party will be of great help to such people.
I think his active participation in politics will force our corrupt politicians to think about the damage they have done to the country.
Even if the party does not make any serious impact on the coming elections, it will certainly come up with a manifesto on how to tackle problems in Nigeria.
I hope that corrupt politicians will not be allowed to enter Soyinka’s party.
MUSA ADENIYI Document Controller at Retaj I praise Soyinka for launching a new political party.
It will serve as a platform to challenge the corrupt political groups.
I hope sincere and like-minded people will work with him to save our great nation.
His Democratic Front for People’s Federation will surely make a political formation with only patriotic people as its members to represent respect, reputation, character, service to humanity and good governance.
I hope the wanton display of wealth in the face of abject poverty will soon be over in Nigeria.
I congratulate Soyinka for trying to cleanss our country’s dirty politics.
I know the task is difficult, but there is no harm in trying.
LAWAL OLUSHOLA Accountant The political scene in Nigeria is murky and I have doubt whether Soyinka’s party will be able to make much of a difference.
I think he should have remained what he is and wielded his pen with more vigour.
I fear that his hard-earned reputation as an activist and a critic will go for a toss in the dingy world of politics.
He should remain an elder statesman, activist and an objective commentator.
I don’t see him achieving any tangible result in the political arena.
We love him because of his literary prowess and oratory.
I want him to remain so.
He should also remember that when the late human right lawyer and activist, Gani Fawehinmi, tried the same thing during 2003 general elections, his party failed miserably.
FARAMADE BETHANY AKANNI Qatar Petroleum staff I believe Soyinka has taken the right step.
We should give him full support in order to strengthen the nation’s young democracy.
The politics of Nigeria needs people of his calibre and integrity to take the country forward.
So far, we have been suffering at the hands of dishonest and corrupt leaders.
Majority of the political parties are full of illiterates, who only fight to serve their interests.
UGOCHUKWU OGBONNA Chemist I think Prof Soyinka’s new political party is a step in the right direction.
I do not agree with those who think that the move will lead to whittling down of his activist prowess.
I congratulate Soyinka for registering a party that was denied registration in 2002.
Although the party is not expected to make much impact on the forthcoming elections, it will certainly go a long way in setting the political agenda in Nigeria.
The new party has said that its basic role is to make sure that things are done in the right way in Nigerian political system.
With Soyinka as its national chairman, I hope the party will ensure a free and fair election.
Its activists can play a major role in curbing election fraud.
CORDELIA BELLO Qatar Petroleum staff I think that Soyinka is capable of leading our country.
He has the aura to attract youngsters who can play a major role in reforming the country’s political system.
We must support the new party in order to ensure that we have a responsive and accountable leadership which can curb corruption.
The upcoming elections are a real test for us and we must not waste the opportunity .. KALU OKORE Political Analyst Soyinka’s entry in politics is a strong message for Nigerian politicians.
Now they must know that the political game will be no more played in old fashion.
They must now realise that they have to be on the side of the people, meaning that promises made during election campaigns must be fulfilled.
Prof Soyinka, Nigeria’s first and only Nobel laureate, has been a long-time activist.
He was detained by the government during the civil war in Nigeria.
It is interesting to see that he is now redirecting his energy into mainstream politics.
His party may not win the elections but his presence will surely keep the other players on their toes and force them to make realistic promises to the electorate and fulfil them later.
I believe he will continue to be a strong critic of unpopular moves and actions of the government.
Public affairs have suffered a serious setback in Nigeria because of lack of strong opposition.
I think Prof Soyinka will emerge as the voice of the people.
ABIDOGUN BIMBOLA Social Scientist I am surprised that Soyinka has decided to enter politics.
However, I think this move will be a wake-up call for our corrupt politicians and they will try to mend their ways.
I fear that the Nobel laureate may lose his sheen as politics is a field where it is very difficult to remain clean forever.
I wish him good luck.
ADEDAPO ALUKO Building Engineer Wole Soyinka’s party has provided a good platform to rightthinking and progressive Nigerians to join hands and save the nation.
It is really good to see that the most vocal social critic in Nigeria has opted to form a new party to help the struggling masses.
I think this is the only way to confront selfish and power-drunk leaders who are hell bent on ruining our nation.
KELECHI OKONKWO Planning Engineer I am happy with Soyinka’s decision to float a new party.
Though the new formation is not expected to do very well at the hustings, it will certainly be a formidable opposition.
We are tired of old politicians who have hardly anything new to offer.
Soyinka has always been in the forefront of fighting against corruption and knows Nigeria very well.
We must support him.
IDRIS OLA OLADEJI Safety Officer Soyinka’s party has provided a ray of hope for the common man in Nigeria.
We must support this group that, I think, will change the lives of the people.
It is synonymous with respect, reputation, character, service to humanity and good governance.
This is a welcome development and will change the political landscape of our country.
MORONTOUN BOLA Teacher We salute the effort of Soyinka to salvage the nation from the clutches of corrupt leaders.
We should support his party with all our might.
The Nobel Laureate is the right person to rule our country, as he has been our role model for long.
We know the task is difficult, but if we try we will surely make a difference in the lives of the struggling masses.
EFFIONG EBONG Qatar Gas staff I really believe in what Professor Soyinka said while launching the new party.
“The DFPF, for now, is disinterested in the overall national scene.
But after taking control in one state, one council, one ward, would begin to reach out through example to others, gradually evolving a civic rule that governs and performs through mutual collaboration,” he said.
He has really given us an opportunity to serve our country and we must not let the chance go by.
The political and economic scene in the country is dismal, and Soyinka is the only hope.
JOHNSON ADU Safety Officer This move was long overdue.
We needed a party that could represent the people.
I hope the DFPF will deliver the goods and groom leaders from the grassroots level to the local government, state and federal levels.
Nigeria is in dire need of good leaders and Soyinka has provided us a platform in this regard.
IROLE AUSTIN Architect I think Soyinka did the right thing by joining politics.
I salute him for his courage to form a new party.
He must lead us in the fight against corruption and political anarchy.
The task is difficult but not insurmountable.
He must move step by step and his dream of reforming the country will be fulfilled.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Gharaffa faces uphill task against KSA's al Hilal
AL GHARAFFA Sports Club despite going down 0-3 to Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia in first leg quarterfinal of the AFC Champions League in Riyadh last week, is in an upbeat mood as it takes on the Saudi club in the return leg on home turf on Wednesday.
Gharaffa coach Caio Junior, well aware of the fact that his players have a mountain to climb, put up a brave front on eve of the match.
He said, “In football the approach is either theoretic or practical.
Hilal will come all out to play and maintain its lead.
We will, however, be at an advantage because my players are in good shape and will enjoy the support of home crowd.” Ciao emphasised the value of fans’ support and said that his players greatly value them.
He urged them to pack the stadium on Wednesday and make the atmosphere ‘an intimidating one’ for the opponent.
Gharaffa, however, will miss the services of star Brazilian midfielder Juninho in the match.
Coach Caio Junior exhorted his players to prove that theirs is not a one-man team.
Caio said he has got capable player to replace him in the squad and the replacement had proven himself in the Qatar Stars League encounter against Lekhwiya.
“Juninho will not be playing for us and it gives me a chance to evaluate the team’s performance without him,” said Junior, adding, “This won’t do us any harm as I believe rest of my players can compensate for his absence.
We played without him against Lekhwiya and won comfortably.” The Qatar Stars League champion club comes to the match high on confidence after beating a strong Lekhwiya side in its opening QSL match, with Iraqi striker Younes Mahmoud and Clemerson de Araujo producing some magic.
Younis Mahmud, though not underestimating his opponent, is optimistic of Gharafffa advancing to semifinal of the prestigious tournament.
“Hilal players are used to playing such matches.
They have a lot of experience.
But we are Qatar champion and will make it crystal clear that we are capable of progressing beyond this stage.” Hilal, who has been consistently impressive under Belgian great Eric Gerets, is positive of a good outing in Doha.
They are expected to welcome back Christian Wilhelmsson to the starting line-up after the Swedish winger missed the first leg through suspension.
Gerets, said, “Naturally in any competition, matches become tougher in the later stages.
Ghaffara is a strong team and many good players play in the team.
“We will take things seriously and search for goals.
We will try not to concede goals as we are eager to maintain our 3 goals advantage.” Defender Osama Hawsawi knows it is vital for Al Hilal not to slip against Al Gharaffa in the second leg.
He said his teammates were determined to put up a stellar performance against them.
“We are prepared and confident of progressing,” he said.
“I know Gharafa will come all out to attack.
They will be fearless in their approach as they have nothing to lose.
We will, however, search for goals as attack is the best form of defence.” The match will be officiated by officials from Singapore.
The referee is Abdul Malik, who will be assisted by Jeffrey Goh Gek Pheng and Mohammed Mousa Abu.
The final of Asia’s top club competition will be staged at Tokyo’s National Stadium on November 13.
Winner of the tournament will qualify for the lucrative FIFA Club World Cup in December 2010.
Gharaffa coach Caio Junior, well aware of the fact that his players have a mountain to climb, put up a brave front on eve of the match.
He said, “In football the approach is either theoretic or practical.
Hilal will come all out to play and maintain its lead.
We will, however, be at an advantage because my players are in good shape and will enjoy the support of home crowd.” Ciao emphasised the value of fans’ support and said that his players greatly value them.
He urged them to pack the stadium on Wednesday and make the atmosphere ‘an intimidating one’ for the opponent.
Gharaffa, however, will miss the services of star Brazilian midfielder Juninho in the match.
Coach Caio Junior exhorted his players to prove that theirs is not a one-man team.
Caio said he has got capable player to replace him in the squad and the replacement had proven himself in the Qatar Stars League encounter against Lekhwiya.
“Juninho will not be playing for us and it gives me a chance to evaluate the team’s performance without him,” said Junior, adding, “This won’t do us any harm as I believe rest of my players can compensate for his absence.
We played without him against Lekhwiya and won comfortably.” The Qatar Stars League champion club comes to the match high on confidence after beating a strong Lekhwiya side in its opening QSL match, with Iraqi striker Younes Mahmoud and Clemerson de Araujo producing some magic.
Younis Mahmud, though not underestimating his opponent, is optimistic of Gharafffa advancing to semifinal of the prestigious tournament.
“Hilal players are used to playing such matches.
They have a lot of experience.
But we are Qatar champion and will make it crystal clear that we are capable of progressing beyond this stage.” Hilal, who has been consistently impressive under Belgian great Eric Gerets, is positive of a good outing in Doha.
They are expected to welcome back Christian Wilhelmsson to the starting line-up after the Swedish winger missed the first leg through suspension.
Gerets, said, “Naturally in any competition, matches become tougher in the later stages.
Ghaffara is a strong team and many good players play in the team.
“We will take things seriously and search for goals.
We will try not to concede goals as we are eager to maintain our 3 goals advantage.” Defender Osama Hawsawi knows it is vital for Al Hilal not to slip against Al Gharaffa in the second leg.
He said his teammates were determined to put up a stellar performance against them.
“We are prepared and confident of progressing,” he said.
“I know Gharafa will come all out to attack.
They will be fearless in their approach as they have nothing to lose.
We will, however, search for goals as attack is the best form of defence.” The match will be officiated by officials from Singapore.
The referee is Abdul Malik, who will be assisted by Jeffrey Goh Gek Pheng and Mohammed Mousa Abu.
The final of Asia’s top club competition will be staged at Tokyo’s National Stadium on November 13.
Winner of the tournament will qualify for the lucrative FIFA Club World Cup in December 2010.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Nigeria's Onyekach Okonkwo debuts for new club
Nigeria's Onyekachi Okonkwo made his league debut for top division Qatari club al Kharaitiyat, spotting jersey (10) and he played the entire ninety minutes.
SECOND-HALF goals from Sebastian Soria and Marcio Jose de Oliviera gave Qatar Sports Club a deserved victory 3-2 over Al Kharaitiyat and put them among table toppers of the Qatar Stars League, presented by Masraf Al Rayan, in the opening week.
Mercurial Soria earlier struck first in the 10th minute when he neatly finished a sublime, low cross with a powerful shot inside 18 yards.
Kharaitiyat, who rallied strongly after the reverse, was handed a chance to equalise in the 12th minute when Abdullah Alawi brought down Alaa Abdul Zahra.
The free-kick was from 25 yards but Yahia Kebe’s effort was saved by the goalkeeper to the delight of the home fans.
With 20 minutes into the game, Kebe could not be stopped from getting a goal.
Kharaitiyat equalised after a clever pass from left winger Abdulla al Battat freed its top striker Kebe who calmly slotted the ball home.
Nigerian international Tico Okonkwo, making his league debut for Kharaitiyat, had a good first-half with his ball distribution and dribbling abilities, which resulted in a free-kick from 25 yards after he was pulled down when racing his way into the danger area.
The resultant freekick was brilliantly converted by Kebe for his second goal of the match.
The pressure was apparently on Qatar Sports Club as its lost concentration might have seen it concede another goal in the 35th minute by Zahra.
He needed just a simple touch to increase the goal tally but as he chose to crash the ball into the net, the shot went too high.
Trailing 1-2 at the break, QSC decided to pull all stops in the second session.
Its slick play helped it to dominate the early exchanges.
Enterprising de Oliviera dribbled his way into Kharaitiyat box which created a goal-mouth scramble in which Soria struck the equaliser in the 55th minute.
The tight match took a toll on the nerves of QSC coach Sebastiao Lazaroni, who was challenging the decisions by referee Khamis al Kuwari frequently.
But in the 63rd minute, the referee finally gave marching orders to the coach when he showed resentment over the booking of Fadel Omar Said.
QSC was fired up after this and laid a siege on the Kharaitiyat’s goal.
In the 77th minute, Soria could have struck again but he slammed the ball wide.
But de Oliviera was not the one to spurn the chance when he got it after beating the off-side trap in the 81st minute.
He darted inside and put the ball over from a close range to give QSC the maximum points and claim the $1,500.
SECOND-HALF goals from Sebastian Soria and Marcio Jose de Oliviera gave Qatar Sports Club a deserved victory 3-2 over Al Kharaitiyat and put them among table toppers of the Qatar Stars League, presented by Masraf Al Rayan, in the opening week.
Mercurial Soria earlier struck first in the 10th minute when he neatly finished a sublime, low cross with a powerful shot inside 18 yards.
Kharaitiyat, who rallied strongly after the reverse, was handed a chance to equalise in the 12th minute when Abdullah Alawi brought down Alaa Abdul Zahra.
The free-kick was from 25 yards but Yahia Kebe’s effort was saved by the goalkeeper to the delight of the home fans.
With 20 minutes into the game, Kebe could not be stopped from getting a goal.
Kharaitiyat equalised after a clever pass from left winger Abdulla al Battat freed its top striker Kebe who calmly slotted the ball home.
Nigerian international Tico Okonkwo, making his league debut for Kharaitiyat, had a good first-half with his ball distribution and dribbling abilities, which resulted in a free-kick from 25 yards after he was pulled down when racing his way into the danger area.
The resultant freekick was brilliantly converted by Kebe for his second goal of the match.
The pressure was apparently on Qatar Sports Club as its lost concentration might have seen it concede another goal in the 35th minute by Zahra.
He needed just a simple touch to increase the goal tally but as he chose to crash the ball into the net, the shot went too high.
Trailing 1-2 at the break, QSC decided to pull all stops in the second session.
Its slick play helped it to dominate the early exchanges.
Enterprising de Oliviera dribbled his way into Kharaitiyat box which created a goal-mouth scramble in which Soria struck the equaliser in the 55th minute.
The tight match took a toll on the nerves of QSC coach Sebastiao Lazaroni, who was challenging the decisions by referee Khamis al Kuwari frequently.
But in the 63rd minute, the referee finally gave marching orders to the coach when he showed resentment over the booking of Fadel Omar Said.
QSC was fired up after this and laid a siege on the Kharaitiyat’s goal.
In the 77th minute, Soria could have struck again but he slammed the ball wide.
But de Oliviera was not the one to spurn the chance when he got it after beating the off-side trap in the 81st minute.
He darted inside and put the ball over from a close range to give QSC the maximum points and claim the $1,500.
Thursday, September 02, 2010
e-passport facility for Nigerians in Doha soon
DOHA NIGERIAN expatriates in Qatar could acquire electronic passports in Doha itself in mid-September.
However, the opportunity to get the new passport in Doha will be available for a limited period of just three days.
Thereafter, it can be obtained only from the Nigerian embassy in the UAE.
The initiative for this comes from the Nigerian embassy in the UAE and the Nigerians in Diaspora (NIDO Qatar).
OJ Millar, president of NIDOQatar said, “As the December 31, 2010 deadline for phasing out the old machine readable passport (MRP) approaches, all hands must be on deck to ensure that all e l i g i b l e Nigerians, outside the country who wish to have the chip-based e-passports are issued the same.” “As a measure of our commitment and diligence in serving the community, we have liaised with the Nigerian Embassy in the UAE for a three-day exercise to issue the epassport to residents who have not acquired theirs saving them the trouble of travelling to Abuja or Lagos for that purpose,” he said.
December 31, is the deadline set by the Federal Government of Nigeria after which (from January 1, 2011) only those Nigerians who hold e-passport would be allowed to enter or go out of Nigeria.
In order to check the growing cases of forgery, duplication, identity theft and other related crimes, which continue to dent the country’s image, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), in 2007, introduced the e-passport.
OJ Millar also pointed to the implication that if you have residential status, you need a new passport, given that travelling with your old passport with a Qatar ID to Nigeria automatically nullifies it if it is not embedded in the e-passport.” The harmonised ECOWAS smart electronic passport issued by the Nigerian Immigrations Service is powered by biometric technology in accordance with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) specifications for international travels.
The e-passport is supported by a powerful data base that ensures verification of data claims from any point of entry or departure; the traveller’s identity can be ascertained and any ambiguity arising from identity problems addressed.
Nigeria is the first country in Africa to acquire the e-passport technology and among the first five nations of the world to adopt the biometric technology to the delight of International Migration Experts and security agents worldwide.
Welcoming the move for issuing of e-passport at Doha, Frank Idozie, a Nigerian resident said, “I’m happy with the idea of getting my e-passport here without having to travel all the way to Abuja.
It will save me not only the pain of a long journey to the country and back, but also lots of money.” “This is a welcome development and we appreciate the efforts of government.
I enjoin Nigerians in Diaspora to sustain the enlightenment campaign so that everybody gets the new passport before the deadline expires,” said Florence Ijachie, a resident.
However, the opportunity to get the new passport in Doha will be available for a limited period of just three days.
Thereafter, it can be obtained only from the Nigerian embassy in the UAE.
The initiative for this comes from the Nigerian embassy in the UAE and the Nigerians in Diaspora (NIDO Qatar).
OJ Millar, president of NIDOQatar said, “As the December 31, 2010 deadline for phasing out the old machine readable passport (MRP) approaches, all hands must be on deck to ensure that all e l i g i b l e Nigerians, outside the country who wish to have the chip-based e-passports are issued the same.” “As a measure of our commitment and diligence in serving the community, we have liaised with the Nigerian Embassy in the UAE for a three-day exercise to issue the epassport to residents who have not acquired theirs saving them the trouble of travelling to Abuja or Lagos for that purpose,” he said.
December 31, is the deadline set by the Federal Government of Nigeria after which (from January 1, 2011) only those Nigerians who hold e-passport would be allowed to enter or go out of Nigeria.
In order to check the growing cases of forgery, duplication, identity theft and other related crimes, which continue to dent the country’s image, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), in 2007, introduced the e-passport.
OJ Millar also pointed to the implication that if you have residential status, you need a new passport, given that travelling with your old passport with a Qatar ID to Nigeria automatically nullifies it if it is not embedded in the e-passport.” The harmonised ECOWAS smart electronic passport issued by the Nigerian Immigrations Service is powered by biometric technology in accordance with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) specifications for international travels.
The e-passport is supported by a powerful data base that ensures verification of data claims from any point of entry or departure; the traveller’s identity can be ascertained and any ambiguity arising from identity problems addressed.
Nigeria is the first country in Africa to acquire the e-passport technology and among the first five nations of the world to adopt the biometric technology to the delight of International Migration Experts and security agents worldwide.
Welcoming the move for issuing of e-passport at Doha, Frank Idozie, a Nigerian resident said, “I’m happy with the idea of getting my e-passport here without having to travel all the way to Abuja.
It will save me not only the pain of a long journey to the country and back, but also lots of money.” “This is a welcome development and we appreciate the efforts of government.
I enjoin Nigerians in Diaspora to sustain the enlightenment campaign so that everybody gets the new passport before the deadline expires,” said Florence Ijachie, a resident.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Golden Jubilee: Govt, US-based Nigerians Plan Huge Celebrations In New York
LEADING Nigerians abroad under the banner of a US-based foundation and their friendly international associates and foundations are collaborating with the Federal Government to host a historic 50th Independence Anniversary celebration in New York next month.
It will hold at the world-class Waldorf Astoria Hotel, on the evening of September 23, according to the Nigeria Higher Education Foundation (NHEF) and the Nigeria Mission to the United Nations.
President Goodluck Jonathan will be the keynote speaker at the compelling gala to mark the nation’s Golden Jubilee.
The celebrations would be held on the sidelines of the annual UN General Assembly, which is expected to draw well over 100 world leaders, including President Jonathan, who is already listed by the UN as one of the early speakers at this year’s world summit of the General Assembly.
Nigerian Governors and ministers are also participating at the US-based independence celebrations including Governors Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State and Peter Obi of Anambra State, and the Ministers of Education and Health, Professors Ruqayyah Ahmed Rufa’i and Christian Onyebuchi Chukwu respectively.
Highlights of the 50th Independence celebrations in New York include a day-long symposium entitled, ‘Nigeria at 50: Education… The Imperative for Nigeria’s Future,’ before the gala and dinner on the same day.
Dr. Ferdinard Ofodile, an award-winning American plastic surgeon and Professor of Medicine at the prestigious Columbia University in New York, said the NHEF is collaborating with the Federal Government through Nigeria’s Ambassador and the Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Prof. Joy Ogwu, to organise events.
Ofodile, who is also the Vice President of the NHEF, explained that the foundation wants to use the opportunity of the 50th Independence Anniversary of Nigeria to raise awareness about higher education in the country.
It is also to highlight the need for continuous collaboration between Nigeria and her international friends to ensure that federal universities fulfil their objectives in the country.
NHEF, formed in 2004 by a group of top Nigerian professionals in the US, and is currently led by notable New York investment banker, Wale Adeosun, actively raises money and uses its base here in the US to create international linkages for some federal universities in Nigeria.
Lorrete Nixon, the Executive Director of the foundation, in a press release over the weekend, said that the anniversary celebrations in New York would also feature renowned international economist, Professor Jeffrey Sachs of the Columbia University ’s Earth Institute and Mr. Fred Hochberg of the US Export Import Bank.
Others are lgwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe (Agbogidi), Obi of Onitsha; the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Olufemi Bamiro and his counterpart from the Ahmadu Bello University, Professor Abdullahi Mustapha; Ambassador Bunu Sheriff Musa, Chairman, Ahmadu Bello University Governing Council and other distinguished participants from Nigeria, the US and around the world.
At the Gala, following the symposium, the NHEF will host an Annual Awards, where US-based Nigerian, Mr. Jide Zeitlin, an Obama nominee as US Ambassador to the UN and notable investment banker in the US, Mr. Jonathan Fanton of MacArthur Foundation and US Ambassador to Nigeria, Robin Sanders, would be honoured.
It is at this gala that President Jonathan will deliver a keynote address.
It was Jonathan Fanton, as the head of the MacArthur Foundation, who announced the donation of a major $250,000 grant to the UI in 2005, and also provided seed money for the takeoff of the NHEF in 2004.
Since then, the NHEF has been raising international support through funds and programmes for Nigerian universities.
The press released stated that “the events are a reminder of how important higher education is and how seriously Nigerian officials and its international supporters are in assisting these institutions (to) reach their goals.”
It noted that the symposium would serve as a forum for exchange of ideas about the role of education in accelerating the economic development of Nigeria.
The talkshop will feature presentation on topics such as:
• Altering the trajectory of cultural, health and economic development in Nigeria through education.
• Are Nigeria’s institutions of higher education relevant to Nigeria’s development in the 21st Century?
• Capacity building in Nigerian Universities — The case for links between business-education-government and the global campus as incubator.
Also, according to the release, “like much of the continent, many African nations are preparing to celebrate their 50th year of independence, but not many of them will do it at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City with the nation’s president in attendance.
The NHEF, which is composed of several high-flying US-based Nigerian medical doctors, lawyers, bankers, academics and other professionals, “seeks to promote excellence in higher education in Nigeria.”
This it does by raising awareness about the role of Nigerian universities in the social, economic and political development of the nation, as well as introducing a broad base of organisations, donors and professionals to these institutions.
Currently, NHEF is working with various universities in different capacities but its initial focus is on five federal universities including Ahmadu Bello University, Bayero University, University of Ibadan, University of Port Harcourt and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
It will hold at the world-class Waldorf Astoria Hotel, on the evening of September 23, according to the Nigeria Higher Education Foundation (NHEF) and the Nigeria Mission to the United Nations.
President Goodluck Jonathan will be the keynote speaker at the compelling gala to mark the nation’s Golden Jubilee.
The celebrations would be held on the sidelines of the annual UN General Assembly, which is expected to draw well over 100 world leaders, including President Jonathan, who is already listed by the UN as one of the early speakers at this year’s world summit of the General Assembly.
Nigerian Governors and ministers are also participating at the US-based independence celebrations including Governors Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State and Peter Obi of Anambra State, and the Ministers of Education and Health, Professors Ruqayyah Ahmed Rufa’i and Christian Onyebuchi Chukwu respectively.
Highlights of the 50th Independence celebrations in New York include a day-long symposium entitled, ‘Nigeria at 50: Education… The Imperative for Nigeria’s Future,’ before the gala and dinner on the same day.
Dr. Ferdinard Ofodile, an award-winning American plastic surgeon and Professor of Medicine at the prestigious Columbia University in New York, said the NHEF is collaborating with the Federal Government through Nigeria’s Ambassador and the Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Prof. Joy Ogwu, to organise events.
Ofodile, who is also the Vice President of the NHEF, explained that the foundation wants to use the opportunity of the 50th Independence Anniversary of Nigeria to raise awareness about higher education in the country.
It is also to highlight the need for continuous collaboration between Nigeria and her international friends to ensure that federal universities fulfil their objectives in the country.
NHEF, formed in 2004 by a group of top Nigerian professionals in the US, and is currently led by notable New York investment banker, Wale Adeosun, actively raises money and uses its base here in the US to create international linkages for some federal universities in Nigeria.
Lorrete Nixon, the Executive Director of the foundation, in a press release over the weekend, said that the anniversary celebrations in New York would also feature renowned international economist, Professor Jeffrey Sachs of the Columbia University ’s Earth Institute and Mr. Fred Hochberg of the US Export Import Bank.
Others are lgwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe (Agbogidi), Obi of Onitsha; the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Olufemi Bamiro and his counterpart from the Ahmadu Bello University, Professor Abdullahi Mustapha; Ambassador Bunu Sheriff Musa, Chairman, Ahmadu Bello University Governing Council and other distinguished participants from Nigeria, the US and around the world.
At the Gala, following the symposium, the NHEF will host an Annual Awards, where US-based Nigerian, Mr. Jide Zeitlin, an Obama nominee as US Ambassador to the UN and notable investment banker in the US, Mr. Jonathan Fanton of MacArthur Foundation and US Ambassador to Nigeria, Robin Sanders, would be honoured.
It is at this gala that President Jonathan will deliver a keynote address.
It was Jonathan Fanton, as the head of the MacArthur Foundation, who announced the donation of a major $250,000 grant to the UI in 2005, and also provided seed money for the takeoff of the NHEF in 2004.
Since then, the NHEF has been raising international support through funds and programmes for Nigerian universities.
The press released stated that “the events are a reminder of how important higher education is and how seriously Nigerian officials and its international supporters are in assisting these institutions (to) reach their goals.”
It noted that the symposium would serve as a forum for exchange of ideas about the role of education in accelerating the economic development of Nigeria.
The talkshop will feature presentation on topics such as:
• Altering the trajectory of cultural, health and economic development in Nigeria through education.
• Are Nigeria’s institutions of higher education relevant to Nigeria’s development in the 21st Century?
• Capacity building in Nigerian Universities — The case for links between business-education-government and the global campus as incubator.
Also, according to the release, “like much of the continent, many African nations are preparing to celebrate their 50th year of independence, but not many of them will do it at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City with the nation’s president in attendance.
The NHEF, which is composed of several high-flying US-based Nigerian medical doctors, lawyers, bankers, academics and other professionals, “seeks to promote excellence in higher education in Nigeria.”
This it does by raising awareness about the role of Nigerian universities in the social, economic and political development of the nation, as well as introducing a broad base of organisations, donors and professionals to these institutions.
Currently, NHEF is working with various universities in different capacities but its initial focus is on five federal universities including Ahmadu Bello University, Bayero University, University of Ibadan, University of Port Harcourt and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Online sale of AFC Asian Cup tickets commences in Doha
FOOTBALL fans can now buy tickets online for the forthcoming AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011.
The ticket sale for Asia’s flagship soccer event was initiated at the Fours Seasons Hotel by the Qatar Local Organising Committee (QLOC) Executive Board member Mohammed Mubarak al Mohannadi.
The continental football feast will be held in Doha from January 7-29, 2011 and will showcase the best 16 teams of Asia.
Speaking to Qatar Tribune on behalf of QLOC Chief Executive Officer Saoud al Mohannadi, Mubarak said: “We are proud to launch the website for the online ticket sale of our tournament, a most convenient purchasing method which is now used in most international sports championships.” Al Mohannadi said in a message for the launch: “In coordination with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), this will be the first time that a major sporting event in Qatar has been able to provide its own official online ticket sales service.” AFC President Mohamed bin Hammam also urged fans to book their seats early in the five stadiums for their favourite teams.
“The AFC is pleased to launch the online ticket sales of the Asian Cup Qatar 2011.You can now start buying your tickets to watch the top 16 teams in action in Doha”, said bin Hammam.
Dr Athanasios Batsilas, the Chief Operating Officer, said the system developed by the organising committee and the AFC is dynamic, effective and userfriendly.
‘The organisers spared no effort in producing a website that is user-friendly right from the time of purchase to witnessing the matches.” Fans buying tickets will receive an immediate confirmation email listing his or her details as well as all details of the purchase.
The customer can go with his or her confirmation to any ticket outlet to collect the tickets.
The counter ticket sales will be launched later in the year.
At that stage, tickets will be available on a first-come-first-served basis at select tickets outlets in Doha.
“We have worked closely with the AFC to provide this dynamic, user friendly service.
It will give thousands of fans across the Asian continent an opportunity to reserve their seats six months before the start of the tournament”, said al Mohannadi.
Different categories of the tickets have been reasonably priced to ensure that they are within the reach of all soccer fans, and the AFC will monitor closely with the ticketing service provider to ensure smooth sales of tickets and distribution, al Mohannadi added.
The ticket sale for Asia’s flagship soccer event was initiated at the Fours Seasons Hotel by the Qatar Local Organising Committee (QLOC) Executive Board member Mohammed Mubarak al Mohannadi.
The continental football feast will be held in Doha from January 7-29, 2011 and will showcase the best 16 teams of Asia.
Speaking to Qatar Tribune on behalf of QLOC Chief Executive Officer Saoud al Mohannadi, Mubarak said: “We are proud to launch the website for the online ticket sale of our tournament, a most convenient purchasing method which is now used in most international sports championships.” Al Mohannadi said in a message for the launch: “In coordination with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), this will be the first time that a major sporting event in Qatar has been able to provide its own official online ticket sales service.” AFC President Mohamed bin Hammam also urged fans to book their seats early in the five stadiums for their favourite teams.
“The AFC is pleased to launch the online ticket sales of the Asian Cup Qatar 2011.You can now start buying your tickets to watch the top 16 teams in action in Doha”, said bin Hammam.
Dr Athanasios Batsilas, the Chief Operating Officer, said the system developed by the organising committee and the AFC is dynamic, effective and userfriendly.
‘The organisers spared no effort in producing a website that is user-friendly right from the time of purchase to witnessing the matches.” Fans buying tickets will receive an immediate confirmation email listing his or her details as well as all details of the purchase.
The customer can go with his or her confirmation to any ticket outlet to collect the tickets.
The counter ticket sales will be launched later in the year.
At that stage, tickets will be available on a first-come-first-served basis at select tickets outlets in Doha.
“We have worked closely with the AFC to provide this dynamic, user friendly service.
It will give thousands of fans across the Asian continent an opportunity to reserve their seats six months before the start of the tournament”, said al Mohannadi.
Different categories of the tickets have been reasonably priced to ensure that they are within the reach of all soccer fans, and the AFC will monitor closely with the ticketing service provider to ensure smooth sales of tickets and distribution, al Mohannadi added.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Nigeria community elects new executives
NIGERIANS in Diaspora Organisation, NIDO-Qatar, Nigerian community in Qatar previously known as DOHANAIJA elected new executive members at the Millennium hotel recently.
Around 100 Nigerian expatriates gathered to elect new office-bearers of the organisation which paved the way for the dissolution of DOHANIJA and adoption of a new constitution.
Formation of NIDO-Qatar is in line with the directives of the Federal Government of Nigeria which has just established a Diaspora Commission.
In view of that, amendments were made to the previous constitution as advised by the community to reflect the visions and missions of the new organisation.
The newly elected NIDOQatar officials are Olu Jimoh Millar(President), Raymond Bob-Ume (Vice- President), Godfrey Awinoron (Secretary- General), Sunday Aigbomian (Assistant Secretary-General), Ebele Ume (Treasurer), Olayemi Adams (Financial Secretary), Victor Okwusah (Social Secretary), Victor Ikoli (Public Relations Officer), Noimot Olayiwola, Taofeek Bello, Mary Dehinbo, Adeboye Dehinbo(Welfare Officers) and ex-officio Hafeez Muhamed.
The president, OJ Millar, who was also the immediate past president of DOHANAIJA, was elected unopposed to serve as the first President of Nigerians in Diaspora, NIDO-Qatar.
He thanked members of the community for their commitment to the development of the association, especially during its transformation period.
The new public relations officer assured members of the community of prompt information dissemination.
He also promised to ensure that the organisation is wellprojected both in Qatar and Nigeria.
A member of the community, Effion Ebong expressed his happiness that new faces were elected into the new executive committee.
He urged the executive to work on integration and orientation of Nigerians arriving in the country.
The Association operates as a charitable organisation.
It renders assistance to Nigerians in Qatar, in areas of welfare, legal, immigration support, education advisory, resolution of disputes with sponsors and employment assistance.
Around 100 Nigerian expatriates gathered to elect new office-bearers of the organisation which paved the way for the dissolution of DOHANIJA and adoption of a new constitution.
Formation of NIDO-Qatar is in line with the directives of the Federal Government of Nigeria which has just established a Diaspora Commission.
In view of that, amendments were made to the previous constitution as advised by the community to reflect the visions and missions of the new organisation.
The newly elected NIDOQatar officials are Olu Jimoh Millar(President), Raymond Bob-Ume (Vice- President), Godfrey Awinoron (Secretary- General), Sunday Aigbomian (Assistant Secretary-General), Ebele Ume (Treasurer), Olayemi Adams (Financial Secretary), Victor Okwusah (Social Secretary), Victor Ikoli (Public Relations Officer), Noimot Olayiwola, Taofeek Bello, Mary Dehinbo, Adeboye Dehinbo(Welfare Officers) and ex-officio Hafeez Muhamed.
The president, OJ Millar, who was also the immediate past president of DOHANAIJA, was elected unopposed to serve as the first President of Nigerians in Diaspora, NIDO-Qatar.
He thanked members of the community for their commitment to the development of the association, especially during its transformation period.
The new public relations officer assured members of the community of prompt information dissemination.
He also promised to ensure that the organisation is wellprojected both in Qatar and Nigeria.
A member of the community, Effion Ebong expressed his happiness that new faces were elected into the new executive committee.
He urged the executive to work on integration and orientation of Nigerians arriving in the country.
The Association operates as a charitable organisation.
It renders assistance to Nigerians in Qatar, in areas of welfare, legal, immigration support, education advisory, resolution of disputes with sponsors and employment assistance.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Eight out of eight for Paul the Octopus
Eight picks, eight correct, eight tentacles. Paul the Oracle Octopus is clearly the biggest winner of the World Cup after recording a perfect prognostication record whether he knows it or not (he probably doesn't).
The big question was whether Paul's predictive superpowers would translate to the final - the first match he was asked to predict that did not involve his native Germany. But such piddly concerns did not bother Paul. Mostly because he's an octopus. Just as he predicted, the European champions Spain became world champions for the first time with an Andres Iniesta goal in extra time. And as the Spanish celebrated, Paul floated in his tank, sure of his genius and probably craving a fresh clam.
Since Paul is an international celebrity of the highest order now, everyone wants a piece of him - both literally and figuratively. Italy is trying to claim that he was caught in Italian waters, Spanish businessmen are trying to buy him for €30,000 ($38,000), and Dutch priests tried to dismiss him.
But in Spain, Paul is an icon. The Spanish prime minister has already spoken of his desire to protect "Pulpo Paul" and the mock up of a new version of Spain's flag could be dangerously close to becoming real.
So what becomes of Paul now? Well, he'll probably continue to live out the remainder of his days at the Sea Life aquarium in Oberhausen, Germany, no longer forced to pick his food out of flag-covered boxes while surrounded by an obscene number of media types. He will swim at his leisure and continue to be oblivious to the existence of sports. He will retire a winner and a global sensation - what every other octopus (and even a few pundits) wishes they could be.
All hail Paul.
The big question was whether Paul's predictive superpowers would translate to the final - the first match he was asked to predict that did not involve his native Germany. But such piddly concerns did not bother Paul. Mostly because he's an octopus. Just as he predicted, the European champions Spain became world champions for the first time with an Andres Iniesta goal in extra time. And as the Spanish celebrated, Paul floated in his tank, sure of his genius and probably craving a fresh clam.
Since Paul is an international celebrity of the highest order now, everyone wants a piece of him - both literally and figuratively. Italy is trying to claim that he was caught in Italian waters, Spanish businessmen are trying to buy him for €30,000 ($38,000), and Dutch priests tried to dismiss him.
But in Spain, Paul is an icon. The Spanish prime minister has already spoken of his desire to protect "Pulpo Paul" and the mock up of a new version of Spain's flag could be dangerously close to becoming real.
So what becomes of Paul now? Well, he'll probably continue to live out the remainder of his days at the Sea Life aquarium in Oberhausen, Germany, no longer forced to pick his food out of flag-covered boxes while surrounded by an obscene number of media types. He will swim at his leisure and continue to be oblivious to the existence of sports. He will retire a winner and a global sensation - what every other octopus (and even a few pundits) wishes they could be.
All hail Paul.
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