Emenike grabs hattrick for Spartak Moscow

  

MOSCOW Nigerian forward Emmanuel Emenike scored a hattrick as nine-time Russian champion Spartak Moscow trounced thrashed 3-0 city rivals Lokomotiv to stop the railway-backed side's 12-match unbeaten streak under Portuguese manager Jose Couceiro.

Spartak started in lively fashion, clinching the lead in the second minute through Emenike, who sent the ball into an unguarded post from three metres following Aiden McGeady's short cross.

Lokomotiv poured on the attack seeking an equaliser but Emenike made it

2-0 for Spartak in the 15th minute firing home from the edge of the box.

Emenike completed his hat-trick six minutes after the interval, scoring again from the edge of the area past Lokomotiv Brazilian goalie Guilherme.

In the closing stages Lokomotiv's Nigerian striker Victor Obinna reduced his team's chances of saving the day as he was sent off for two bookable offences, the pair of yellows received within just two minutes.

Meanwhile, Brazilian veteran Roberto Carlos, the co-manager of big-spending side Anzhi Makhachkala, finally notched his first win in the Russian league with a 2-1 success over visiting Amkar Perm on Saturday.

Russian international left-winger Yury Zhirkov, who joined Anzhi in August from English Premiership side Chelsea, put Anzhi into the lead, firing home a rebound after a corner with a help of a ricochet three minutes before the break.

Cameroon international striker Samuel Eto'o added a goal with nine minutes to go, firing into the top right corner from 20 metres to secure Makhachkala a well-deserved win.

Amkar's Ukrainian forward Ilya Mikhalev netted a late consolation in injury time with a 10-metre header but failed to save a point.

The win ended Anzhi's five-match winless streak and assured the side a top eight placing, sending them through to the title phase.

"We dominated the playing and should score much more goals today," Zhirkov said.

"But after missing a series of chances we lost the initiative and allowed Amkar to score. Luckily we managed to keep our lead through and clinch a place in the upper half of the league to play for the title next year."

             

Nigerian join other immigrants to take oath of US citizenship

Zuyu Nu, (second from right), from China and serving with the US Navy, congratulates Adeniyi Ismail Rufai from Nigeria also serving with the Navy before they took the oath of US citizenship along with 125 others during a naturalization ceremony beneath the Statue of Liberty  during ceremonies marking the 125th anniversary of the Statue at Liberty Island in New York, on October 28,  2011.

NEW YORK Scores of immigrants including a Nigerian (Adeniyi Ismail Rufai) serving with the United States Navy waved tiny flags after taking the oath of United States citizenship at the foot of the Statue of Liberty on Friday, 125 years after the beacon welcoming visitors and immigrants was dedicated.

"We are a nation of diverse people," Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar said during the naturalization ceremony on Liberty Island. "And that diversity strengthens our nation."

The new Americans, 125 immigrants from 46 countries, pledged to renounce foreign power, then posed for photos with their citizenship certificates.

"I feel like if you live in a place, you should have a say in the politics," said Paul Currie, who moved to the United States from South Africa eight years ago. "Otherwise, you're an outsider."

Silvia Hodges, who came to the U.S. from Germany in 1999, said the ceremony made her feel "like I belong here — and I really want to vote."

The Statue of Liberty, a gift from France, was conceived to symbolize the friendship between the two countries and a shared love of liberty. President Glover Cleveland dedicated the statue on Oct. 28, 1886.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said, "If anybody around this world wants to pick up their family and move so that their family can have freedom ” freedom to speak, freedom to be in charge of their own destiny, all the freedoms that we have incorporated into the Bill of Rights ” they always welcome to America."

Qatar ready to offer Capello megal deal to build football league

 If reports are anything to go by, England manager Fabio Capello is set to be offered a staggering £30million to transform the footballing scenery in Qatar.

 The mooted four-year deal could force the FA into swift action as Qatar want the Italian in place in an initial consultancy role as early as January.

 Qatar currently have no professional league and want to use Capello’s expertise to assist in launching one.

And according to the Sunday Mirror, they see the English national boss as the type of iconic figure to give them major credibility in the market.

 Capello’s contract with England will come to an end after next summer’s European Championship finals.

 He has ruled out extended that deal and talk of retirement, despite receiving numerous offers to return to domestic club management in Europe.

But the Qatar offer is something entirely different and could extend well beyond the initial four-year offer.

They have already started to branch out with major financial projects with Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona in Spain and Paris St Germain in France.

 But their ultimate aim is to launch their own league and entice the biggest players in the world to showcase it.

Iconic Australian team to train in Doha, Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi and Doha will play host to the Carlton Football Club, one of Australia’s most distinguished sporting teams, who have chosen Qatar and UAE as their training base for a week-long high performance, pre-season camp.
 The club, which is based in Melbourne, is the most successful team within Australia’s largest and most popular domestic sporting organisation - the Australian Football League (AFL).
 In its first ever visit to the region, the club is spending two weeks based at the ASPIRE Academy for Sport Excellence in Qatar with the delegation of 50 players, coaches and fitness staff then set to arrive in Abu Dhabi on November 3.
 The team will utilize the world-class training facilities at the Emirates Palace and will have the opportunity to experience a vast array of recreational activities across Abu Dhabi for team development and bonding.
 “We are honored to be part of this event and to host Carlton Football Club at Emirates Palace and in Abu Dhabi which is certainly becoming the region’s sports city and hub,” said Bugra Berberoglu, Emirates Palace General Manager. The club will find all it needs with the wealth of facilities and services the Palace will offer especially with our sports facilities that are second to none.”
 Top of the team’s agenda will be hosting a unique community sporting event on Friday November 4 at the Emirates Palace. 
 The day will include an open training session aimed at educating the public about AFL, followed by an introductory youth training session held by the players for children aged five to 12.
 Former AFL premiership player, now Carlton’s Senior Coach, Brett Ratten said the team was very excited about their first visit to Abu Dhabi and was looking forward to spending time introducing the concepts of AFL to the locals.
 “Our time in Abu Dhabi will be divided between our pre-season training commitments as well as promoting our team and our game within the region,” Brett said.
 “There is a lot of interest in our trip from our members and supporters, so we are look forward to experiencing all the gifts the UAE has to offer and promoting this back to Australia.”
 Carlton’s visit has already generated much attention from Australian media and will provide a direct boost in promoting Abu Dhabi tourism opportunities into the Australian market. 
 The visit was a direct outcome of a previous Emirati delegation trip earlier this year to Australia, by the Department of Municipal Affairs, who were looking at infrastructure management and world’s best practice. 
 “As a football team we are looking for every advantage to ensure that we can move to the top of our game, which is why we decided to hold our first overseas pre-season training camp here,” Brett said.
 “With a wealth of training and leisure facilities, Abu Dhabi is a top international sports hub for elite sporting clubs across the world, who are looking to push the benchmarks of their pre-season training.”

Resurgent Qatar SC comeback to beat Ahli 4-

DOHA Three goals in the second half from Abdullah Oaddou, Sebastian Soria and Mohammed Omer ensured Qatar SC cancelled Al Ahli’s first half lead to win 4-3 during a round five-fixture of the Qatar Stars League at the Al Arabi Stadium on Saturday.

Qatar SC was trailing 1-3 in the opening 45 minutes but a resurgent performance from Qatar produced three goals in the second half to script an unlikely 4-3 win as coach Abdulla Mubarak of Ahli watched in disbelief.

Al Ahli's Dioko Kalutiyuka scored two goals in the 7^th and 29^th minute while his teammate Hicham Aboucherouane scored one in the 34th minute. After Marcinho Jose de Oliveira's goal in 11th minute, Qatar SC hit back through Abdullah Oaddou in the 57^th minute, Sebastian Soria scored a spot kick in the 65^th minute and Mohammed Omer completed the comeback with a goal in the 68^th minute to seal the 4-3 win.

Kalutiyuka scored the curtain raiser in the seventh minute of the match, following a defensive blunder by tall Moroccan defender Ouaddou, the striker benefited from the defender and goalkeeper’s lapse of concentration. After collecting a long ball from the centre of the pitch, Kalutiyuka charged towards the Qatar goal even as Ouaddou lunged at the Al Ahli striker.

Ouaddou mistimed his lunge allowing Kalutiyuka to take the ball forward, go past the goalkeeper Mohammed Mobakar and flick the ball into the empty net.

In the 11^th minute, Marcinho leveled the score for Qatar following a lob pass from the right flank, which evaded Ahli’s Abdulla Mustafa Saif, giving the striker space to shoot the ball from close range.

As the match progresses, Ahli was opening the defense of Qatar with well timed passed that usually exposes the inept defending of its back four.

And the chance came in the 29th minute, another defensive lapse allowed Ahli to take the lead for the second time.

Kalutiyuka picked up loose ball from the feet of defender Mohammed Omar and smartly hit the ball over the head of goalkeeper Mobarak for his second and Ahli's second goal at the half-hour mark.

In the 34th minute, the mental agony for Qatar SC coach Al Sheeba increased manifold as defender Khaled Saleh failed to mark Aboucherouane who flicked one from close range as Al Ahli went 3-1 up.

After missing a sitter in the 53rd minute, Ouaddou scored four minutes later off a snap-header following a pass from Yousef Safri positioned near the corner flag.

Ahli had their chances in the second half, Aboucherouane failed to make any use of a free kick from the edge of the box on the hour mark.

In the 65^th minute, the referee spotted an infringement inside the box after Marcinho was fouled. He awarded a penalty, which Soria converted calmly to bring the score to 3-3.

Qatar SC scored its winning goal in the 68th minutes, following a move initiated by Soria, which opened space for defender Omer to neatly dispatch a rebound ball from close range for his side’s fourth goal.

Asari-Dokubo claim ties with 'martyr' Gaddafi

   
LAGOS Asari-Dokubo, Nigerian ex-militant leader who claims to have lived in Libya and to have had links with Muamer Gaddafii called him a "martyr" on Friday and vowed that his killing would be avenged.
"Gaddafii spilled his blood as a martyr to rekindle the fire of revolution all over the world," Mujahid Asari-Dokuboi, head of the Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force, said. "Those who murdered him will not go scot-free."
 There have been reports that Asari, who previously led a violent militancy in Nigeria's oil-producing Niger Delta region, received military training in Libya, but he was vague on the details of his stay there.
 Kadhafi was accused of using Libya's oil wealth to fund and arm rebel groups across Africa.
"Even if I got training in Libya, what is wrong with getting training in Libya?" said Asari, a 48-year-old who was born into a Christian family but who converted to Islam in 1988.
He said he spent time in Libya in 1990 and 1991.
"I was invited by the Libyan government and given a scholarship to go study Islam," he said.
"When I arrived in Libya, they thought that I had revolutionary ideas, so I became close to the leadership and I started talking to them."
Asari said he met other foreigners with similar ideas while in Libya.
 He said he returned and held talks with Gaddafi in early 2010, and claimed he was given $100,000 during that trip. He said however that his movement was not given significant financial support by Gaddafi over the years."The people of the world will rise up against this," he said of Gaddafii's death.
"The time is coming and they will regret this murder they committed against the people."
Asari argued that Libya under Gaddafi had the "highest literacy rate and the best health care in the whole of Africa. As a foreigner, I saw with my eyes."
Asari's group was involved in violence in Nigeria particularly in the early part of last decade.
He was arrested in 2005 on treason charges after he threatened to relaunch his armed campaign for an independent republic in the Niger Delta, but was released in 2007.
Asari says that his movement is now on "sabbatical" since a native of the Niger Delta, Goodluck Jonathan, has been elected president of the country, which is Africa's most populous nation and its largest oil producer.

Baba Suwe's 'pooh-pooh' 1million Naira richer

Image Merchant Promotion, a publishing outfit in Abuja is offering popular Yoruba comedian Baba Suwe one million Naira for an exclusive right to to his story that is widely referred to as "expensive shit of Baba Suwe".

 The media organisation noted that the controversy over the case of the artiste was important to the public, as his continued detention had generated a lot of debate in both the economic and entertainment sectors.

Hajia Sikrat Yushau, the Chief Executive Officer of the outfit said, " “Not minding other interests by legal practitioners to represent Baba Suwe in suing the government and the anti-narcotics agency over his ordeal, in the event that he is innocent, we strongly believe that such information from publishers of factual publication like ours could interest the members of the public.”
After excreting three times in one week under strict surveillance and without any trace of hard drug in the excreta,  the comedian, Baba Suwe and his lawyer Mohammed Bashir will file N1 billion suit against the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) over his arrest and detention on Monday.

Baba Suwe who was arrested on the 10th October at the Muhammed Murala International Airport on suspicion  to have ingested substances suspected to be hard drugs, but there has been no evidence to substantiate the claim, even after the suspect has defecated thrice under close observation.

Despite the fact that the ace actor had excreted  three times without any trace of drug found, the NDLEA said Baba Suwe would still continue to remain under its observation until he makes the fourth excretion.

What is your opinion on the NDLEA's handling of the drama.

http://victorikoli.blogspot.com/

Malaysian PM to stage house party for Manchester derby game

The Manchester derby match over the weekend in the English Premier League will have a new attraction as die-hard Man United fan Malaysian Prime Minister

is throwing open his home on Sunday for football fans to watch Manchester United take on Manchester City, in a rapport-building exercise ahead of expected elections.

Najib, a Manchester United supporter, sent out messages on Facebook and Twitter Wednesday to invite football-mad Malaysians to his official residence in the administrative capital of Putrajaya to watch the match.
"Having been to a few football viewing parties before... I decided it is high time for me to host my own session," he said.
"I'm looking forward to lepak (hang out) with more of my Facebook and Twitter friends," he added.
Officials said big-screen televisions and overhead projectors will telecast the match live at 9.30pm (1330 GMT) in the residence, to those who register their interest on the premier's website by Thursday.
It is the latest attempt to woo voters by Najib, who came to power in 2009 after his predecessor was forced to stand down following an electoral drubbing. The next polls are expected to be called sometime next year.
Najib has faced declining opinion poll numbers over the brutal quashing of a electoral reform rally in July, rising racial tensions in the multi-ethnic nation and an increasingly cloudy economic outlook.
Last month, the premier went on a charm offensive, appearing on radio talk shows and youth concerts in a bid to shore up support.
Both Manchester clubs, who will meet at Old Trafford Sunday, remain unbeaten this season and lead the race to top the Premier League.

Qatar to award contract for World Cup stadia in November

QATAR will award a management contract next month to oversee construction projects for the 2022 World Cup soccer tournament, an industry source said.

More than six companies are vying for the contract, expected to be awarded in November, including British construction consultants Arup, Mace and Turner International, a construction industry source in Doha said. “It is a lump sum contract for 13 years, and will be awarded to one team comprised of about 50 people. A lot of firms have teamed up with each other, to make sure they have the best quality resources,” the source said. “It is a big deal, so the usual suspects are pitching for it.” Britain’s Mace separately confirmed in an interview that it was in the running for the Qatar soccer project and expected a decision before December. The Gulf Arab country last December won the bid to host the 2022 soccer tournament, and is preparing to build housing, infrastructure, transport and sport facilities for the event. Industry commentators say the programme management contract would be worth hundreds of millions of dollars, with the winning group to oversee the construction of the stadia as well as awarding contracts to builders. “The (programme manager) will coordinate with all government agencies on the large projects. We want to make sure that close coordination is done early on and that systems are in place, so we do not have to go back and make changes later,” 2022 Supreme Committee Spokesman Nasser Al-Khater said last month. The programme manager will also bring on board consultants, contractors and suppliers, he said. Qatar will spend $4 billion to host the event, including the cost of constructing stadia, the committee has said. Stadia are estimated to cost between $200 million and $400 million each to build. The country will build nine new stadia and renovate three existing facilities. 2022 Supreme Committee secretary general said in June that the country planned to complete construction of the first stadium for the 2022 soccer World Cup by 2015.

Mayor of London urges Nigerians in Diaspora on role in Nation's development

MAYOR of London, Boris Johnson has said that Nigerians living in the United Kingdom (UK) have all it takes to assist Nigeria in the country’s development.

Johnson, who was represented by Colin Bloom, Member of Parliament, spoke at the recently concluded Nigerian carnival organised by the Central Association of Nigerians in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland (CANUK), urging them to brace up to change the country. Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan’s wife, Patience, at the event said Nigeria needs peace for sustainable development, just as she urged Nigerians in the Diaspora to join hands with the government. Represented by the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Zainab Maina, Patience said, “It is through peace and harmony that the nation can grow. We should articulate our grievances with a view to resolving them, rather than take to violence, maiming and killings.” The Mayor said Nigerians are very energetic, hardworking and progressive people worldwide, stressing, “Nigeria is a beautiful country for beautiful people. Your carnival is very important and it serves as a tool to unite Nigerian people living in the UK.“ She called on the over 2,000 Nigerians who came from different parts of the UK to use their diverse cultures to project the image of the nation. Speaking in the same vein, Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the UK, Dr. Dalhatu Sarki Tafida said the Mission had been repositioned to better serve the interest and welfare of the community, while promoting a sense of belonging, unity and amity among Nigerians in the UK. He appealed to all Nigerians in the UK to “join us in the pursuit of the transformation agenda of the Federal Government by making their modest contributions in every way possible.” Dalhatu stated that this year’s event unlike last year’s was slightly different, noting that it was the first time the organisers will be collaborating with CANUK to hold the occasion.

Police arrests 6 The Nation Newspaper reporters over story

The Nigerian Police raided The Nation newspaper office in Abuja on Wednesday after detectives arrested four reporters over a publication purporting that former head of state instructed Goodluck Jonathan to sack some government officials.

When police arrived at its premises, some reporters working there fled onto nearby streets. The police were apparently searching for material to identify the source who gave the newspaper the alleged letter from former President Olusegun Obasanjo to President Goodluck Jonathan. "The police invasion, apparently meant to decapitate the paper's leadership and disrupt production of the Wednesday edition, paralyzed work at the newspaper house for many hours and unsettled staff," read the statement from Kunle Fagbemi, one of those supposedly wanted by the police. Detectives had earlier arrested four editors from the newspaper on Tuesday after failing to find the publication's senior leadership at its Lagos office, a statement from its general editor said. The police later arrested two reporters who accompanied the editors to a police station, as well as the newspaper's chief of security, said Victor Ifijeh, the publication's managing director and editor in chief. The private daily newspaper, one of many publishing in Nigeria's outspoken free press, blamed the harassment on an October 4 front page story about the letter. The newspaper alleged the letter outlined Obasanjo's desire for Jonathan to replace the leaders of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund and four other agencies with his own candidates. The letter has hit a nerve in Nigerian politics, as it recommends replacing leaders from the Muslim north as opposed to the country's Christian south, where Jonathan and Obasanjo both come from. Some also view Jonathan as beholden to Obasanjo's interests, so the letter raises new concerns about Jonathan's independence as a leader. Obasanjo denied the authenticity of the letter and threatened legal action, but the newspaper said it stood by its story. Federal police spokesperson Olusola Amore confirmed the arrests on Wednesday, saying officials in Abuja received a letter of complaint from Obasanjo alleging someone forged his signature on the letter. Ifijeh criticized the arrests, saying officers randomly arrested editors after finding the official they wanted was on vacation outside of the country. "Obasanjo is not bigger than the law," the editor said. "He should learn to do things in the proper way, follow the due process not intimidate the president and the police to take the law into their own hands."

'Underwear bomber' pleads guilty to US airline attack

DETROIT, Michigan- Nigerian man also called the "underwear bomber" pleaded guilty on Wednesday to trying to blow up a US-bound airliner on Christmas Day 2009, saying he had explored to payback the killing of innocent Muslims.

During a six-minute speech to a shocked courtroom on the second day of his high profile-trial in Detroit, Michigan, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab insisted his actions were righteous and that the true crime was US foreign policy.
"I am guilty of this count in US law but not in the Koran," the 25-year-old Nigerian said as he confessed to trying to kill 289 people on a packed transatlantic airliner using explosives hidden in his underwear.
"The United States should be warned that if they continue and persist in promoting the blasphemy of Mohammed and the US continues to kill and support those who kill innocent Muslims then the US should await a great calamity through the hands of the Mujahedeen... or God."
The botched plot, which US officials say was the work of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, failed because the explosives did not fully detonate and instead caused a fireball.
Passengers and crew members were able to restrain Abdulmutallab and put out the fire as the Northwest flight from Amsterdam made an emergency landing in Detroit on December 25, 2009.
Since many of the counts Abdulmutallab pleaded guilty to carry mandatory minimum sentences of 30 years without parole which must be served consecutively, he is expected to spend the rest of his life behind bars.
Abdulmutallab kept his description of how he carried out the plot to the absolute minimum required to satisfy the judge that he was indeed guilty of all charges.
Reading calmly from a prepared speech, he stood straight in a black skullcap, gold tunic and blazer.

Abdulmutallab said he "had an agreement with at least one person" to attack the US in retaliation for US support for Israel and in revenge for the killing of innocent Muslims in Palestine, Yemen, Iraq, Somalia, Afghanistan and beyond.
"I carried with me an explosive device onto Flight Northwest 253, again to avenge my fellow Muslims," said Abdulmutallab, who has confirmed that he traveled to Yemen for Al-Qaeda training prior to the attack.
"I attempted to use an explosive device, which under US law is called a weapon of mass destruction, which I call a blessed weapon to save the lives of innocent Muslims for the US used weapons of mass destruction on innocent Muslims," he told the court.
"If I said I did it, but the American people are guilty of the sin and (President Barack) Obama should pay for the crime the court would not accept that," he said.
"However, according to US law which is unjust... my actions make me guilty to a crime."
Abdulmutallab's calm and respectful demeanor on Wednesday was in sharp contrast to his disruptive behavior during jury selection.
This was marked by incendiary outbursts, including a pledge that militants will wipe out "the cancer US," and praise for radical Al-Qaeda cleric Anwar al-Awlaqi and former leader Osama bin Laden, both killed in US raids.
Abdulmutallab is to be sentenced on January 12.

South Africa starts nationwide census

Johannesburg South Africa began a nationwide census on Monday which will last three weeks and aims to count and categorize all people in the country. The first people being counted were the homeless and babies born after midnight, along with those staying at guest homes and hotels, according to national broadcaster SABC.

The government has been preparing the population for the count for months, with an advertising campaign under the slogan "you count," hoping to allay any fears people might have of letting the census workers into their homes. "It will help us to plan well to build a better life for all," said President Jacob Zuma. The census will include questions about income and access to services. This will be the third count of the nation since apartheid ended in 1994. The country is estimated to be home to about 50 million people.

Ex-Cape Verde leader Pires wins African governance prize

The former president of Cape Verde, Pedro Pires, on Monday won a lucrative prize for excellence in African leadership awarded by the business tycoon Mo Ibrahim's foundation. Pires, who led the former Portuguese colony off Africa's northwest coast for a decade until August, is the first winner of the award since 2008 because no suitable candidate could be found for the past two years. Cape Verde has been praised for its stable democracy and peaceful elections and in 2008 became only the second country after Botswana to be promoted by the United Nations out of the ranks of the 50 least developed countries. Salim Ahmed Salim, the Chair of the Prize Committee, told an audience in London: "President Pires's democratic credentials were further enhanced when he announced he was stepping down at the end of his second term. "Dismissing outright suggestions that the constitution could be altered to allow him to stand again, he said: 'This is a simple matter of faithfulness to the documents that guide a state of law'. "Throughout his long career, president Pires has been dedicated to the service of his people, including those in the diaspora, while retaining his humility and personal integrity." The Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership carries a $5.0 million (3.7 million euro) prize paid over 10 years and $200,000 annually for life from then on. The last winner of the prize launched in 2006 by the

, was Festus Mogae, the former president of Botswana, in 2008. The foundation also published this year's Ibrahim Index of African Governance, which ranks 53 countries according to 14 sub-categories, grouped under safety and the rule of law, participation and human rights, sustainable economic opportunity and human development. Mauritius stayed at the top of the index, With a score of 82 out of 100, ahead of Cape Verde (79), Botswana (76), Seychelles (73) and South Africa (71). Two countries whose leaders were overthrown in the Arab Spring, Tunisia and Egypt, were ranked ninth and tenth respectively. Somalia remained at the bottom with a score of eight, with Chad (31), Zimbabwe (31), Democratic Republic of Congo (32) and Central African Republic (33) ahead of the troubled state. Ibrahim said that imbalanced development in Africa could lead to more revolutions such as the uprisings seen in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya. "If economic progress is not translated into better quality of life and respect for citizens' rights, we will witness more Tahrir Squares in Africa," he said. "What we see is stagnation, and in many countries reversal in human rights and participation. "That reversal in the rights of citizens must be stopped and African leaders must really pursue a balanced development agenda. "If you don't believe us, just look at Tahrir Square. When you look at the data which emerged, you see that development has to be equitable," he added, referring to the protest hub in Cairo. "Tunisia and Egypt were in the top 10 of the index. There is great progress in human development, a lot of young people well-educated, but terrible human rights, terrible democracy, lack of participation and no jobs for young people. "You end up with what happened in Tunis and Cairo. What we need is a balanced development across the board."

Odemwingie blames TB Joshua for Eagles ouster

Super Eagles and West Bromwich Albion midfielder Osaze

said the predictions of a leading faith healer had unnerved Nigeria ahead of a dramatic 2-2 draw with Guinea, who leveled at the death to top the table and rob Nigeria of a slot as one of the best runners-up. Controversial Pastor TB Joshua foresaw last weekend during a church service that the Super Eagles would not make the Cup of Nations for the first time since 1998, when they were suspended for failing to defend the title two years earlier because of political differences with South Africa. "The prediction of Prophet TB Joshua really affected us," admitted Odemwingie, who has lost his goal touch in the English Premier League and struggled against Guinea until being booed off the field when substituted. Speaking in the same vein, Turkey's Samsunspor striker Ehkigo Ehiosun said the players were not for missing out in the qualification for next year's African Cup of Nations

Siasia fails to qualify Nigeria for African Cup of Nations

ABUJA Samson Siasia's

led Super of Nigeria became the latest marquee name to miss out on qualification for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday after they were held to a 2-2 draw by Guinea. Guinea finished top of Group B with 14 points from six matches, while Nigeria were second on 11 points. In the other match of the group, Ethiopia defeated bottom team Madagascar 4-2. Two-time champions Nigeria last failed to qualify for the Nations Cup in 1986 when they were eliminated by Zambia. Defending champions Egypt and four-time winners Cameroon have also failed to qualify for the African football showpiece to be staged in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea in January. Nigeria suffered a massive setback 10 minutes into the second half when Ismael Bangoura smashed home a rebound after a shot from distance came off the post. The Super Eagles drew level in the 64th minute when Russia-based striker Obinna Nsofor fired home from inside the box after he was set up by substitute Ahmed Musa. Nigeria then took the lead in the 71st minute when substitute Ikechukwu Uche shot home after he was set up by an Emmanuel Emenike header from inside the box. Guinea then got the result they needed five minutes into stoppage time when Traore Ibrahima sneaked in a low shot beyond goalkeeper Dele Aiyenugba.

EFCC targets another ex-governor in graft probe

LAGOS Nigeria's anti graft body, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission declared an ex-state governor wanted on Friday over corruption allegations involving hundreds of millions of dollars, the fourth ex-governor caught up in graft investigations this week. "The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared former governor of Gombe state, Danjuma Goje, wanted over allegations of mismanagement and diversion of over 52 billion Naira (324 million dollars, 240 million euros) (in) state funds," it said. Goje was governor of the northeastern state from 2003 to 2011 and elected as a senator in April elections. The EFCC said Goje had failed to come forward for interrogation over the alleged fraud. The agency on Thursday detained three former state governors who left office after April elections as part of corruption investigations: Gbenga Daniel, Adebayo Alao-Akala and Aliyu Akwe Doma respectively of Ogun, Oyo and Nassarawa states. The three are among more than a dozen former governors that the EFCC is investigating for corruption, a source in the agency said. Nigeria's 36 state governors are given immunity from prosecution while in office. Public office holders in Nigeria -- and particularly state governors -- have often been accused of stealing funds, sometimes running into hundreds of millions of dollars. The country, Africa's most populous nation and its largest oil producer, is regularly ranked as one of the world's most corrupt. Former Nigerian dictator Sani Abacha, who died in 1998, was alleged to have siphoned off up to $2.2 billion from the country's central bank.

2013 Diversity Immigrant Visa Lottery Registration Begins

The US State Department has announced that applications for the 2013 Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery will be accepted online beginning noon Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on October 4, 2011, and ending at noon Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on November 5, 2011. This annual program makes US immigrant visas available through a computer-generated random lottery drawing to persons who meet strict eligibility requirements.

The Department of State will only accept completed Electronic Diversity Visa (E-DV) Entry Forms submitted electronically at www.dvlottery.state.gov during the registration period. Paper entries will no longer be accepted. No fee is charged for entry in the annual DV program.

Successfully registered entries will result in the display of a confirmation screen containing the applicant’s name and confirmation number, which must then be printed. Each entrant will use the information on the confirmation screen page to check the status of his/her own entry through the Entrant Status Check (ESC) available at www.dvlottery.state.gov. Only those entrants who keep their confirmation screen page information will be able to check their entrant status and, if selected, receive application instructions and notification of their IV interview appointment.

All entrants, including those not selected, will be able to check the status of their entry through the E-DV website starting May 1, 2012. The U.S. Embassy will not be able to provide a list of successful entrants. All entrants should keep their confirmation number, regardless of results processing, until June 30, 2013. If an entrant loses the confirmation number, the U.S. Embassy will not be able to provide it. DV-2013 visas will be issued between October 1, 2012 and September 30, 2013.

People may prepare and submit their own entries or have someone submit the entry for them. Regardless of whether an entry is submitted by the individual directly or assistance is provided by an attorney, friend, relative, etc., only one entry may be submitted in the name of each individual, and the person entering DV-2013 remains responsible for ensuring that the information is correct and complete. Submission of more than one entry for the same person will disqualify the applicant.

To receive a Diversity Visa to immigrate to the United States, those chosen in the random drawing must meet all eligibility requirements under US law.

The US Government does not employ outside consultants or private services to operate the DV program. Any intermediaries or others who offer assistance to prepare DV entries do so without the authority or consent of the U.S. Government. Use of any outside intermediary or assistance to prepare a DV entry is entirely at the entrant's discretion.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit all application information, including digital photographs, early in the one-month registration period. Heavy demand may result in website delays. No entries will be accepted after 7:00 pm local time on November 5, 2011. Please visit the official Diversity Visa Lottery website at http://www.dvlottery.state.gov/, for authoritative information and answers to frequently asked questions.

1200 African migrants evacuated from Libya

More than 1,200 African migrants who have been stuck in the southern Libyan desert town of Sabha for weeks in dire conditions have been evacuated and are on their way to Chad, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said on Monday. The group, half of whom are Chadian, were among up to 3,000 migrants stranded in Sabha due to fighting, the agency said.
Interim government forces overthrew forces loyal to deposed leader Muammar Gaddafi there nearly two weeks ago.
"A convoy of 15 trucks with 1,206 migrants left Sabha on Sunday for Gatroun and is now en route to Chad," IOM spokeswoman Jemini Pandya said.
"This is the first really big group. We have negotiated safe passage for them," she added.
The sub-Saharan migrants, who feared being caught in the crossfire in Sabha, had also been victims of harassment and discrimination, sometimes accused of being foreign mercenaries backing loyalist forces, according to the Geneva-based agency. Those evacuated include a large number from Nigeria, as well as migrants from nine other countries -- Burkina Faso, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Mali, Morocco, Senegal, Somalia and Sudan, she said. Women and children are among the group. The migrants will be taken to Zouarke, along the Nigerian-Chadian border, a trip that will take a week before going to Faya-Largeau in Chad. It is not possible to go directly from Libya into Chad as the border area is heavily mined, the spokeswoman said.
Non-Chadian migrants will be brought to their home countries or their intended final destinations.
"They had been caught in the middle of this conflict for control of Sabha. The fighting had prevented us from getting supplies into our centre in the town and in getting the migrants out," said IOM Chief of Mission in Chad, Qasim Sufi. "The migrants are extremely relieved that they will now be able to get home and put this experience behind them," he said. At least several hundred more migrants still in Sabha are seeking evacuation, but hundreds of Somalis appear to be moving north on their own, possibly heading for Tunisia, Pandya said. The operation is financed by the European Community's Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Office (ECHO), as well as the U.S. and German governments, the IOM said.

Arik airline to start UAE flights in November

Good news!!!
Nigeria's Arik Air is expected to launch services from Abu Dhabi International Airport next month.

Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) and Nigeria's largest international carrier said operations would start on Tuesday November 29.
ADAC added that it was looking to West Africa for further route launches in the future.
Three non-stop weekly flights will connect the UAE capital to the city of Lagos, the companies said in a statement.
The new service, which will departing Abu Dhabi on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday, which will offer passengers Lagos, with other travel connections to Senegal, Cote D'Ivoire and Ghana.
James E Bennett, CEO at Abu Dhabi Airports Company, said: "Abu Dhabi Airports Company is delighted to welcome Arik Air as the first West African carrier to operate to Abu Dhabi International.
"The capital's airport operator is working closely with various airlines to support their development initiatives that will ultimately benefit Abu Dhabi International Airport passengers with more choices."
Arik Air currently offers flights to 25 destinations in Nigeria, around Africa and across the rest of the world.
From Lagos it serves 19 cities with 229 weekly departures and from Abuja it flies 133 weekly services to 15 airports.

FG May Ban Overseas Medical Treatment by Government Officials.

If its

true that the Federal Government has said it has begun the process of laying out a plan to restrict government officials from travelling abroad for medical treatment, then i will say our better days are approaching.

Recently the Minister of Health, Onyebuchi Chukwu, said that a policy is in the pipeline to enforce every government official to get medical attention in Nigeria if government was going to foot such bills. He, however, said only conditions that had been proven treatment could not be taken care of in Nigeria would such officials be allowed to travel abroad.
Traveling abroad for medical treatment by government officials have almost become a tradition among our so called leaders. It’s evidently a status symbol among our past and present leaders.
We are all witnesses to the numbers of trips our former head of states have made all in the name of medical treatment. Top ranking government officials frequent overseas for medical attention. This is similar to what is happening in our educational sector, whereby leaders play politics and pay less attention to the problems of striking lecturers and decaying educational infrastructures because their children are studying abroad.

This practice of going abroad for medical treatment by government officials have to stop. It’s a trench on the wealth of the nation. Corrupt government officials will use it as means to siphon or launder money overseas. Going abroad for treatment will divert government’s attention from equipping the Nigerian hospitals. It has a multiplier effects on the health system in Nigeria. The best thing will be to put a ban on this habit.

One must not lose sight of the appropriateness to upgrade Nigeria’s tertiary health institutions to world class standards.
The respect for human rights is also an issue that must be given priority. Government must also respect people's right especially when they are ready to foot their bill and when it is obvious that not all medical cases could be handled in the country.

Nigeria silent on Palestinian UN recognition

Nigeria is refusing to disclose how it will vote when the United Nations Security Council decides on the Palestinians' request for UN membership, as increasing diplomatic pressure mounts on the country.

Nigeria appears to be a crucial vote as Palestinians try to secure support from at least nine of the 15 council members. The US has said it will veto the request. However, the US could avoid that if Palestinians fail to get those nine votes.

Last Thursday, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad al-Malki told reporters that both Nigeria and Gabon assured him of their support. Damian Agwu, a spokesman for Nigeria's Foreign Ministry, said Sunday that Africa's most populous nation had yet to offer their support to anyone on the matter.

"We have noted the positions of both parties. Both have been lobbying Nigeria both inside the country and outside," Agwu said. "We are keeping how we are voting close to our chest."

The Palestinian group has asked the UN to grant full membership to a state in the West Bank, Gaza and east Jerusalem, lands Israel captured in the 1967 Mideast war. Nigeria, a non-permanent member of the Security Council serving a yearlong term on the body, is viewed as a swing vote.

The diplomatic push on Nigeria has already begun, with Palestinian officials saying they planned to send a delegation to the country to argue their case. But oil-rich Nigeria already falls under the strong influence of the US, which is one of the country's top buyers of crude oil pumped from its southern delta. The United Kingdom also carries heavy political power in its former colony as well.