Sao Paulo (Brazil) – Football’s world governing body FIFA has been urged to change its rules over concussion by players’ union FIFPro.
It came after Uruguay’s Alvaro Pereira continued playing after he was knocked unconscious in the win over England.
FIFpro wants players suspected of being concussed to be temporarily substituted so they can be assessed by doctors.
The players’ union has accused FIFA of failing to protect the 28-year-old midfielder and wants its own medical team at games to make assessments.
Pereira was knocked out during England’s 2-1 defeat by Uruguay in Group D of the 2014 FIFA World Cup on Thursday and the result leaves Roy Hodgson’s men on the brink of an early exit.
Pereira admitted he was briefly unconscious but insisted he had wanted to continue after arguing with his team doctor.
“I said sorry a thousand times to the doctor because I was dizzy,” the Sao Paulo player said. “It was that moment with your adrenaline flowing in your body; maybe without thinking what I really wanted to do was to help get the result.
“What really matters is that everything is okay. Nothing happened. It was just a scare.”
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
The Defence headquarters Friday disclosed that a wanted notorious gang leader of the Boko Haram who has led many attacks against the military and the police including the killing of two soldiers along Lokoja Kaduna road in 2013 has been killed.
In its blog of Friday, June 20th, DHQ said, “A notorious terrorist who has led serial attacks on security personnel, Mallam Husaini has died in an encounter between his group and a military convoy along Jos – Bauchi highway”.
“Husaini who leads a cell of the terrorists billed to operate in the Plateau is known to have led an attack on Headquarters, Police Special Anti-Robbery Squad in Abuja, in November 2012”.
“He also led the attack on a military convoy moving from Lokoja to Kaduna where 2 soldiers were killed in January 2013”.
“The terrorist’s gang had attacked a military convoy while on an operational patrol between Jos and Bauchi”.
“At the end of the encounter, the Ford bus used by the terrorists was captured, 8 primed Improvised Explosive Devices, rifles, pistols and about 70 rounds of ammunition”.
“Also at Malamfatori in Borno State, security personnel in pursuit of a band of terrorists who attacked a police station recovered the vehicles stolen by the gang as it was abandoned while they fled into Niger Republic”.
“Other items which included uniforms of security organisations as well as protective gears, boots and other goods which they had stolen from various locations towards Nigeria – Niger border were also recovered by troops”.
“In another development, two men, Sani Sule and Idris Rume who were found loitering around the Aba Prisons have been arrested by officers of the Nigerian Prisons and handed over to troops in the state for further investigations”.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Kano – The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, on Friday turbaned Malam Sa’ad Shehu Gidado as the new Waziri of Kano.
Gidado replaced Sheik Nasir Muhammad Nasir, whose appointment by the late emir, Alhaji Ado Bayero, on June 6, was rejected by the State Government.
Speaking at the ceremony in Kano, the emir charged the new Waziri to work diligently for the progress of Kano Emirate.
He said the title was based on merit and urged him to discharge his duties with utmost fear of God.
Sanusi implored him to justify the confidence reposed in him by providing meaningful advice, which would assist in ensuring justice and fairness to all.
The Emir also called the appointee to cooperate with other council members to enable him discharge his duties effectively.
Responding, the new Waziri, thanked the emir for giving him the opportunity to serve the emirate.
He pledged to work with justice and fairness for the accelerated development of the emirate.
He solicited the support and cooperation of all to enable him discharged his duties.
Gidado as born in 1966 at Kurawa Quarters, Kano and attended Jarkasa Primary school from 1972 to 1978.
He proceeded to Government Arabic Secondary School Gwale from 1980 to 1986.
He also attended Aminu Kano College of Islamic and Legal studies from 1986 to 1989.
He was appointed the registrar of the Emirate Council in 2001. (NAN)
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Kano— The Presidency may have finally cleared the coast for Mohammed Abacha, the son of late General Sani Abacha, to join forces with pro Jonathan supporters and win back Kano State for Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, next year.
Competent sources told Vanguard that Wednesday’s withdrawal of the N446.3 billion money laundering charge against Abacha was aimed at giving him a clean bill to be able to run as PDP gubernatorial candidate in the next election.
A close associate of the family admitted, yesterday, that the Abachas were very excited about the withdrawal of the case against Mohammed by the Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke, and that he would likely proceed with his gubernatorial campaign programme.
Some well wishers were also said to have stopped by on Wednesday and yesterday to congratulate Abacha and sympathise with him over his lingering trial by the government.
A top source in Kano explained, yesterday, that the Presidency, which considers Mohammed Abacha as one of the most influential young politicians in Kano, had primed him to challenge the rising political clout of Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso and secure victory for PDP in 2015.
Political structure
The Presidency, it was further learnt, believes that it was the solid political structure put in place by Mohammed Abacha that secured victory for Kwankwaso, who defected to APC last year.
The governor, who is said to be nursing a presidential ambition on APC’s platform, is, however, facing severe opposition from the Presidency particularly, after installing the former Central bank of Nigeria, CBN’s Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, as Emir of Kano, against the wish of the Presidency and his party, which reportedly preferred a different person.
The feeling in the Presidency is that with the appointment of the former Kano governor, Ibrahim Shekaru as a minister and the quashing of the charge against Abacha, it would be possible for them to whittle Kwankwanso’s political influence and make PDP take over Kano in the next election.
Campaign posters emerge
In preparation for the takeover of the mantle of power by Abacha, his giant, colourful and intimidating campaign posters have been placed by the side of the Kano State PDP Secretariat along New Court Road, Jedi Jedi Quarters of Kano metropolis in addition to opening of his campaign office along Audu Bako Way, also in the city.
Adorning the big office are the posters of Mohammed, President Goodluck Jonathan and the National Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu.
A Kano politician described Mohammed Abacha as someone who enjoys a very “smooth rela-tionship and support of the youths of the town” and also has a deep understanding of the politics of the state.
The politician said: “Let me tell you, the junior Abacha enjoys the support of the people and also has a good working relationship with Shekarau.”
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
ABUJA—President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, set up a committee to fashion out the best way to invest part of the recovered loot of former Head of State, General Sani Abacha.
This followed the planned release of $227 million, about N36.32 billion, from the Government of the Principality of Liechtenstein, which is part of the looted funds recovered from the Abacha family.
To ensure the proper utilisation of the funds, President Goodluck Jonathan decided to constitute an inter-ministerial committee to identify the best projects and programmes in which to invest the funds.
According to a statement from the Special Adviser to the coordinating minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Nwabuikwu, the President had also directed that part of the funds be saved in the Future Generations Fund, which is one of the funds managed by the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority, NSIA to help secure the economic future of both Nigerian youths and unborn Nigerians.
“We can confirm that Nigeria will on June 25, receive the sum $227 million from the Government of the Principality of Liechtenstein, part of looted funds recovered from the Abacha family,” the statement said.
In line with the agreement reached with the Principality of Liechtenstein, it was stated that the World Bank will assist in monitoring the utilisation of the funds in specific projects.
The return of the funds is the culmination of a robust 16-year effort by the Federal Government of Nigeria to retrieve the funds.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Breaking the long silence following several calls from fans for new songs, multiple-award-winning pop singer, Ayo Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid has announced that his music collaboration with Chris Brown will be featured on his upcoming LP.
Wizkid who has been updating his social media on his progress with his new album took to Twitter again to share the good news with his fans.
His latest tweet reads: ‘My bro @chrisbrown nd i recorded something hot last night! The world aint ready for this one! raaaaaaah!!!‘….
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
DORA AKUNYILI first gained national attention after she was appointed Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC.
It was the era of counterfeit drug production or I should say that Akunyili brought to the fore the fact that the Nigerian drug industry had almost been entirely taken over by quacks. She made the world know that by far more Nigerians were dying from ingesting fake drugs than they were from the diseases that the drugs were meant to cure.
Her brief appearance at the Jonathan Conference in Abuja a few weeks ago after about two years absence from the national stage was therefore a farewell call on Nigerians that had admired and appreciated her duty call in the years she made fake drugs the main issue of public discourse as DG of NAFDAC.
There is no doubt that the ignoble trade in fake drug production had been going on for God knows how long before Akunyili berthed at NAFDAC.
But she made Nigerians and the rest of the world realise what rot we had all been sitting on. Even though the kingpins of the multibillion Naira trade in counterfeit drugs were believed to be people primarily from the Eastern part of Nigeria from where she came, Akunyili took no prisoners in her battle against them. It was a battle that brought hired killers on her trail and almost cost her her life as lethal shots missed her skull by mere whiskers.
Yet she did not stop, literally putting her life on the line for the sake of Nigerians. Her passion for her job was unmistakable and the call of duty was for her clearly stronger than the call of blood and allegiance to kin interest. Having lost a dear sister to the menace of counterfeit drug she became the scourge and nemesis of the merchants of this killer trade.
Dora Akunyili had both the brain and drive for her job as DG of NAFDAC, a position that seemed tailor-made for her. Hers was one of the best and flawless appointments of the Obasanjo years and arguably one of the best ever public appointments in Nigeria. Whatever reservations Nigerians may have about Obasanjo or his presidency, he had a knack for recognising real talent and he scored a bull’s eye with his appointment of Akunyili.
She proved you didn’t have to be a minister, governor or president to make an impact. She also proved that having the total support of one’s boss and the free hand to operate is central to success in a public office. Akunyili enjoyed both from Obasanjo.
She was one of several women that defined the face of the Olusegun Obasanjo administration and gave that administration a sense of purpose. Her death in India where she had been taken for medical care over a week ago is surely a national loss.
Her reputation as a thoroughbred technocrat and a very honest one at that had preceded her to her position as director. Thus her appointment by Obasanjo was entirely earned and based on pure merit.
Although Obasanjo appeared to be making a conscious statement in the manner he appointed women into prominent positions in his administration but the appointment of Akunyili must have been one of those not influenced by political affiliation even if her name had come to Obasanjo’s ears through a political associate who had himself been a former minister and politician, Dr. Onaolapo Soleye.
Dr. Soleye, a Yoruba man, had been struck by the story of this woman who was reported to have returned the unspent balance of money meant for her medical expenses while holding a public office.
When Obasanjo sent out informal searchers for Nigerians with the right professional, technical and moral pedigree to help his fledgling administration it wasn’t long before Akunyili’s name came to his hearing. She had beauty. She had brains. But above all she had the courage of her conviction.
Which is very much unlike the third rate female team that has so far besmirched the Jonathan administration. When one compare the women in the Obasanjo administration to those of the Jonathan administration, when one thinks of these women including one or two that first found their way into public office through Obasanjo, one realises just how far we have fallen. There is a clear and unmistakable difference in quality, a difference due in no small measure to the personal attributes and experience of the individuals to whom these women were/are answerable.
Even Akunyili’s last call to duty in Abuja, the Jonathan conference was of a far lower quality and calibre than the kind of responsibilities that had brought her deserved national attention. The only thing that hinted of failure in Dora Akunyili’s sterling credentials was her foray into politics, the nemesis and waterloo of the most gifted and most dedicated Nigerians.
Her loss couldn’t have been personal but that of the people denied the privilege of her contribution. Perhaps driven by a desire to impact on her immediate community Akunyili contested in 2011 for the position of senator in her native Anambra State on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance. She lost perhaps on account of the platform she contested on or the candidate she contested against. Her effort to overturn the verdict was bogged in controversy. It was her last major act on the public stage before she re-emerged several weeks ago in Abuja.
Far from the ebullient figure that oozed vitality, the picture that greeted Nigerians was of a much depreciated Akunyili. She looked weak physically. But hers was a conqueror’s spirit, stubborn to the very end in the affirmation of her conviction.
Nigerians were rightly shocked by the sight of her. Her head-turning looks now much ravished by illness attracted far more comments from Nigerians than her contribution on the floor. Her presence at that conference was an act of courage that could only have come from a woman that personified courage like Dora Akunyili. Even when she quelled questions about her health, admitting she had been ill she assured us all that she was getting better.
In retrospect one can say that Dora Akunyili came to the conference in a conscious attempt to bid Nigerians a final farewell even as the night drew perilously near. To tell us all not to forget what she stood and fought for. We are the worse for it for since she left NAFDAC all seems quiet at that end.
It’s as if the counterfeit drug lords have had their career terminated. But we know Akunyili’s exit from NAFDAC didn’t and couldn’t have put paid to the activities of killer drug makers. Dora has come. She has seen and has conquered. It’s our call what we make of her legacy.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
ABUJA—A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, yesterday, aborted moves by the House of Representatives to commence hearing on the allegation that the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison Madueke, spent about N10 billion on chartered private jets.
In a ruling yesterday, Justice Ahmed Ramat Mohammed, ordered the legislative house to shelve its plans to begin probe into the allegation on June 25.
The judge further directed all the parties to maintain status quo till July 3, a date the High Court slated to hear the substantive suit that is challenging the powers of the Public Accounts Committee, PAC, of the House of Representatives to investigate such allegation.
The court order was sequel to an oral application made by counsel to the minister, Mr. Etigwe Uwa (SAN), who, yesterday, informed the court that despite the pendency of the suit, the House, on May 23, wrote a letter to the Petroleum Minister and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, asking them to ensure that they appeared before its probe committee on June 25, 26 and 27.
Uwa told the court that the House had in the said letter threatened that it would not hesitate to invoke its powers and issue a warrant of arrest against the minister should she fail to appear before the committee on the aforementioned dates.
He said: “My Lord, the 2nd defendant in particular (House of Reps), in their letter to my clients, said they noted with dismay that we approached this court in a bid to stop them from performing their constitutional duties. They also boasted that no arm of the government has the power to stop them.”
Letter of undertaking
Besides, Uwa told the court that they had already written a letter to counsel to the House of Reps, Mr. A. B. Mahmood (SAN), requesting him to enter an undertaking that his client would not take any action capable of overreaching or jeopardising the ‘Res’ of the dispute before the high court.
He said: “We sought an undertaking from him that his client will not proceed with the hearing as planned so as not to destroy the ‘Res’ of this suit or make nonsense of the proceeding before this court.
“If they are allowed to conduct the hearing, our suit, which has already been granted an accelerated hearing, will be overtaken by events and thus occasion an irreparable damage on my client.”
The House of Reps, through its lawyer, Mr. Aminu Sadauki, insisted that the court lacked the requisite powers to stop it from going ahead with the planned probe.
According to the House, “we cannot enter an undertaken on behalf of an arm of government carrying out its constitutional duty.
“If my Lordship makes the order as prayed by the plaintiff, it would amount to granting their reliefs even before hearing the substantive suit. I, therefore, urge this court to refuse this application.”
On its part, the National Assembly, which was joined as the 1st defendant in the matter, through its counsel Mr. Obasi Nwabueze, said they were equally served with a letter from the plaintiff seeking the maintenance of status quo.
Nwabueze said his client resolved to leave the issue to the discretion of the court.
Court berates House
After listening to all the parties, Justice Mohammed stressed that though Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution conferred exclusive powers on the National Assembly, he however noted that Section 6 of the same constitution imbued the court with the statutory powers to mediate and adjudicate disputes involving any organ of the government.
He berated the House for accusing the court of attempting to usurp its constitutionally guaranteed oversight function, noting that the 2nd defendant, having already briefed a lawyer and submitted itself before the court, ought to have shown respect to the court by putting its planned action in abeyance pending the outcome of the suit.
Justice Mohammed ruled: “The court has the inherent power to intervene with a view to protecting its sanctity and integrity. Consequently, I hereby direct parties in this suit to maintain status quo from now till the next adjourned date.”
Minister, NNPC’s suit
It will be recalled that the Petroleum Minister and NNPC, in their joint suit, prayed the court for an order of interim injunction restraining the defendants, whether by themselves, their members, committees or agents from summoning or directing them to appear before any committee, particularly PAC, which was set up by the House of Reps to conduct the investigation.
Besides, the plaintiffs sought for an order of the court stopping the House of Reps committee from asking any official of the ministry or NNPC to produce any paper, note or other documents or give any evidence in line with a letter from the House dated March 26, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
They are further urging the court to issue an order of interim injunction restraining the defendants from issuing a warrant to compel the Minister’s attendance, or the attendance of any official of the ministry or NNPC, with regard to the investigation and to also in the alternative, make an order of status quo, directing the parties to maintain the current position with regard to the investigation, as of the date of filing of the suit.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
At least, no fewer than 8 communities and villages bordering Cameroon Republic, Gwoza, Askira Cuba Local Government Areas of Borno state and Madagali, the headquarters of Gulak Local Government Area of Borno state were on Thursday afternoon razed and completely sacked when some suspected Boko Haram terrorists laid separate ambushes, living scores dead, several others injured with displacement of residents into the bush for safety.
Our Correspondent gathered from reliable sources that the insurgents who had separated themselves into groups and stormed Yaza, Kirshinga, Kwargulam, Kuda, Shuwari Bayan kogi of Madagali in Adamawa state and some remote villages near Lassa in Askira -Uba at about 2pm wrecked havoc by killing several people including aged, youth and teenagers before setting ablaze many houses, churches, shops, vehicles after carting away with food stuffs and hard earned cash of money belonging to the poor innocent residents.
CAMEROON, Amchide : This photo taken on June 17, 2014 in the border town of Amchide, northern Cameroon, shows police forces of the multi-purpose intervention brigade holding a surveillance position, as part of a reinforcement of its military action against Nigerian Islamist group Boko Haram.
A resident of Kirshinga who spoke to our Correspondent on phone, but declined mention said, about 20 suspected terrorists invaded Kirshinga Market on Thursday at about 2pm and opined fire on traders and customers killing many of them, before setting ablaze shops and vehicles loaded with grains among others.
He added that immediately after the deadly attack, many residents who were lucky to have escaped from the scene scampered for safety and ran into the bush.
He explained that the whole of the village is now deserted as many houses and property were set ablaze by the insurgents who had a field day without confrontation from either the armless residents nor security operatives.
Also , an unanimous resident of Maiduguri whose wife hail from Yaza village in Adamawa told our Correspondent that ‘the wife received a message that some suspected insurgents invaded their community on Thursday afternoon and killed many people with the setting ablaze of the entire village, but luckily the parents of his wife were able to escape unhurt with their houses and belonging were all destroyed using Improvised Explosive Devices and petrol bombs.
Although, all effort made to confirm from the Borno state Police Cimmissioner, Mr. Tanko Lawal and his Public Relations Officer, DSP Gideon Jubrin was not successful as their phone lines were not reachable as at press time, a top security source confirmed the separate attacks in many communities of Gwoza, Askira Uba and Madagali council areas of Borno and Adamawa states, which he said claimed many lives with property worth millions of naira destroyed on Thursday when gunmen suspected to be terrorists laid different and coordinated attacks.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured stakeholders not to panic during the anticipated voting exercise for Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti State saying the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, has given an assurance of maximum security in the state.
Security personnel at the entrance to the Independent National Electoral Commission office in Ado-Ekiti of today’s governorship election in the state, yesterday.
This statement was made by the Public Relations Officer, INEC, Mr. Taiwo Gbadegesin, during an interview session with the press in Ado-Ekiti on Friday.
He said: “ We want to appeal to our people not to panic in view of the presence of security personnel in town; they are to protect us,’’.
Gbadgesin, also assured physically challenged persons of adequate security during Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti.
National Youth Service Corps members receiving election materials at Ado Local Government Area office of the Independent National Electoral Commission ahead of today’s governorship election in the state, yesterday.
He expressed that the commission was conscious of the peculiar condition of that category of Nigerians and would make sure they perform their civic responsibility.
The spokesman said the commission had embarked on a sensitisation programme since February to educate residents, particularly rural dwellers, on the need to ensure a peaceful election.
INEC, he added, had met members of the traditional institution as well as other stakeholders to enlighten them on the need for a peaceful poll.
“We are very much optimistic that we will not have any problem,’’ he said.
He also allayed the fears being expressed by some journalists covering the election over their safety.
Gbadegesin, however, advised politicians to eschew acts capable of breaching the peace during and after the election.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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