Yobo not fit for Eagles squad, Laloko declares

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Veteran coach and former Nigeria Football Federation technical director, Kashimawo Laloko said yesterday that coach Stephen Keshi will be making a mistake if he includes Joseph Yobo into his plans for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

He argued that the Super Eagles captain who played a cameo role at the 2013 Nations Cup success in South Africa and has not played for the Eagles since then, has passed his prime and he was only angling to go to Brazil 2014 and make the record of being the Nigerian player with the most attended world cup.

“ I don’t see what a person like Yobo is coming to do other than to create record; he wants to say he has been to the World Cup three, four times.
“That is the reason; otherwise you look at his ability, his performance, his age, his technical preparation; we have younger players who can play in that position better than he.

“At the end of the day Keshi has the final decision. What we should guard against is the pressure of the press and others who are influencing him to begin to force players on him.
“But I am sure that Keshi being a good player himself must know what he requires to get a good team,” Laloko said.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

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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Injured Ronaldo a doubt for King’s Cup final against Barca

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Read Time:1 Minute, 4 Second

Cristiano Ronaldo has sustained a muscle injury in his left thigh, Real Madrid announced Thursday, making the Portuguese striker a doubt for next week’s King’s Cup final against Barcelona.

“Tests which Cristiano Ronaldo underwent have shown up a muscular injury to his left biceps femoris,” Real said, adding that his return to action was dependent on his reaction to rehabilitation.

According to the As newspaper website, Ronaldo could be out for two weeks, which would mean him missing the King’s Cup final in Valencia on Wednesday as well as the Champions League semi-final, first leg match on April 22-23.

Ronaldo, scorer of 28 league goals this season, didn’t play in Real’s 4-0 La Liga victory over Real Sociedad on Saturday or Tuesday’s 2-0 defeat by Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League quarter-final, second leg, officially because of a left knee injury.

Real, third in La Liga behind city rivals Atletico Madrid and Barcelona, host Almeria on Saturday in league action.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti was handed welcome news, however, after Brazilian left-back Marcelo resumed training on Thursday.

His return comes 10 days after a hamstring injury that ruled him out of the Borussia Dortmund matches.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

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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War is over! NFF, Keshi resolve list issue

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Read Time:1 Minute, 13 Second

Emeka Inyama says that there is no tension between the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi as all previous disagreements have been amicably resolved.

Inyama who is the Chairman of the NFF’s Media and Publicity Committee revealed that the issues that led the Federation to query Keshi have been amicably resolved after the tactician satisfactorily answered to the query.

“There have been very worrying issues between the Federation and the Super Eagles,” Inyama said.

“It seemed as if there was war, but honestly I want to assure you today that there is peace and no tension between the federation and coach Stephen Keshi.

“Keshi is an employee of the NFF and we are his employers. We have had a wonderful working relationship since Keshi was employed.”

Inyama, who is also the Chairman of the Nigeria National League (NNL), reiterated that the Federation have no plans to hire a foreign technical adviser, as they have utmost confidence in the capability of Keshi.

“I want to use this platform to clarify that the Federation does not have any plans whatsoever to hire any other coach for the World Cup,” he assured.

“We have confidence in Stephen Keshi and we will support him to win. We are focused on the World Cup and in two months’ time, we will go to Brazil and come back with a commendable result,” he added.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

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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Still on Osaze, Ike Uche

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Read Time:2 Minute, 54 Second

I want to continue from the last point you made which was on complementing the efforts of Emenike in Eagles attack.

The situation in Eagles is similar to the current one in our track and field where Nigeria has become a one-athlete nation. Blessing Okagbare is the only world class athlete Nigeria has and the whole country, for now, banks on her for medals from the Olympics to the World Championships. Our hopes crash if she falls sick or fails in any of  these events.

Too bad. Imagine Eagles attack without Emenike! We saw it at the FIFA Confederation Cup. And we saw his impact in Ethiopia during the World Cup qualifiers in Addis Ababa and in Calabar. Imagine if he didn’t play that match in Ethiopia. Brown Ideye has repeatedly failed to live up to expectations as a good support striker. I don’t think he has the quality to feature in the World Cup.

Some Nigerians think Shola Ameobi could fit in. I hope so. But he has to play more games with the Eagles to blend well with our style and understand his mates better. I saw Ezekel Imo against Mexico and I want to see him in more matches. Unfortunately, time doesn’t appear to be our friend now. The World Cup is already here.

It is against this background that I join Mr. Ude in asking Ike Uche to quickly get in touch with Keshi and apologise like Osaze has done. A friend called me last week to comment on Mr. Udeh’s contribution which he read on line last Friday.

He said that aside the tactical indiscipline Ike Uche was reported to have not projected Keshi in good light before the former sports minister. In my column that Mr. Udeh referred to I recalled that the Segun Adeniyi Panel, which I served as a member, added in the code of conduct that players must not discuss technical matters with administration officials but should feel free to suggest ideas to their coaches.

Whatever wrong Ike Uche did, he should apologise to Keshi and pledge to be a good team player. Nigerians want our best in the World Cup. Yomi Jones is one Nigerian who believes in Nigeria and who gets excited to see Nigerians excel in various fields especially sports. Yomi Jones made a name in the aviation industry.

He was  Deputy General Manager, Lufthansa and one of those who made the German Airline very popular in West Africa before President Obasanjo charged him with the responsibility of reviving the Nigeria Airways and appointed him Managing Director. And he did a great job of it before saboteurs set in.

Yomi Jones has a story but for now he wants Nigeria to do well in Brazil and called last week to add voice to those appealing to Keshi to “forgive and accommodate all players who may help our team in Brazil.” But Jones insists on discipline and team spirit.

It is also on this note that I appeal to Keshi to reconsider Osaze Odewengie and Ike Uche if they apologise and he truly feels that they can help the team. If he feels otherwise and he knows of players who can work with Emmanuel Emenike in our attack in Brazil and produce results the choice is for him to make. The friendly matches and camping in USA will be crucial, critical and will determine a lot.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

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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Stoke can beat Chelsea again – Hughes

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Mark Hughes wants Stoke City to take confidence from December’s 3-2 win over Chelsea when they meet at Stamford Bridge today.

Oussama Assaidi’s stunning late strike saw them pick up three points late last year in a thrilling affair at the Britannia Stadium.

As the former Chelsea striker prepares to visit the club with Stoke for a second time this year, following defeat in the FA Cup fourth round, Hughes wants to complete an unlikely double.

“We can take a lot of confidence from the fact that we have played and beaten Chelsea in the league once this season,” he said.

“It was a tremendous occasion for us, especially with the manner in which the winning goal came about – in the final minute when they had no time to get back on level terms.

“We have played them at Stamford Bridge in the cup too this year, and we were in that game from start to finish. We didn’t really create the opportunities that we would have liked, so we would like to improve upon that.”

Stoke take on a Chelsea side smarting from two defeats on the spin – losing to Crystal Palace in the top flight and Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League. While they are without Ramires due to suspension, Jose Mourinho also has doubts over Ashley Cole and Samuel Eto’o for the visit, and Hughes wants to prepare well for whatever side Chelsea put out.

“When you go to a club who have resources like Chelsea do then it can be difficult to know what sort of team they will put up,” he added.

“At the moment though Jose has a few lads missing so we can gauge some kind of an idea of what he is likely to do.

“Until the team is confirmed an hour before kick-off you can never be sure, so we will do our homework on them, but we will put a lot of our efforts into making sure that we play to the levels that we have performed to recently.”

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

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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Lee Evans threatens legal action against Athletics Federation of Nigeria AFN

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Former 400m world record holder, Lee Evans could be heading for the courts to clear his name of dope charges after he was slammed for four years by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN.

An AFN medical and doping committee hearing found Evans, who has been coaching in Nigeria for close to four years, culpable in the testing positive to steroids of a junior female athlete during the African Youth Championships in Warri, Delta State. Another coach Abass Rauf was banned for life.

But Evans has been seething with anger and despair as he felt his hard earned reputation in athletics has been tarnished by the AFN who he believes, did not give him a fair hearing and impulsively hammered him with the four-year ban.

“Lee is very angry and he is considering going to court to clear his name. He is of the view that he was not given a proper hearing,” said Lagos state coach, Adu Uruemu.

Lee who previously had a coaching stint in Nigeria in the early 80’s was brought back to Nigeria in 2008 by the AFN with an aim of making him head coach, but that move was suffocated by intrigues of various interests at the AFN and the National Sports Commission. Cross River State signed him up, but in 2012 he left Calabar in a hurry, claiming that it was a small town and he needed to work in Lagos, where there is more life and money.

A member of the AFN who pleaded anonymity, because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, stated that coach Lee who reportedly admitted giving a food supplement to the young athlete, was given a fair hearing and was accordingly sanctioned.

“Due process was followed. He was given a fair hearing, by the AFN and based on our findings, we made our report and he was rightly sanctioned.

“The young girl who tested positive mentioned his name. And he was invited to the hearing and he stated his side of the story. Lee is free to go the Court of Arbitration for Sports  if he is aggrieved by the out come of the hearing,” said athletics official.

Commenting on the issue, Bruce Ijirigho, who recruited coach Lee for the Cross River grassroots development programme, lamented that it was unfortunate that his one time pal found himself in the dope mess.

“If you give any supplement that is bound to enhance the performance of any athlete that is doping. It does not matter whether they are on the banned list or not.

“It is rather unfortunate Lee found himself in this kind of mess.” Ijirigho stated.

It was gathered that the athletics officials have for long kept watch on athletes coached by the former  American-born track star. This was with the suspicion that there was something behind their high performance in local meets.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

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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Wenger backs Barcelona transfer ban

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LONDON (AFP) – Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said on Friday that he supports FIFA’s decision to hand Barcelona a year-long transfer ban for breaching rules on signing under-age players.

The Spanish champions were sanctioned on Wednesday by FIFA’s disciplinary committee for breaking regulations in the cases of 10 players aged under 18 who were signed between 2009 and 2013.

They were banned from signing players in either of the next two transfer windows and fined 450,000 Swiss francs, (369,000 euros, $509,000), although the club say they will appeal to FIFA and, if necessary, to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

“Certainly they have not respected the rules,” said Wenger, who believes the whole system needs reviewing for the good of the game.

Under FIFA’s rules, a player under the age of 18 can only be transferred if the player’s parents have moved country; the move takes place within the European Union if a player is aged between 16 and 18; or the player’s home is less than 50 kilometres (31 miles) from the national border being crossed.

“The rule is quite simple, you cannot move the players before the age of 16 unless their parents move for professional reasons, so that of course creates a bit of a debate – do the parents move for professional reasons or not?

“In this case, FIFA has judged the parents moved for football reasons and that is why they were banned because they have not respected the rules.”

Wenger added: “I think the rules need to be changed, because there is more competition now to get the young players, and you will always be in a debate as to why did the parents move?

“There is more money in the game, so the parents will be tempted to give their young boys a chance to have a great career.

“What is not right is that the children move under the age of 16 without their parents. That is absolutely not right.

“Do they have to change the rules so you allow children to move with their parents if the club takes care of the parents? Maybe we have to go that way because it happens.”

Arsenal were themselves once criticised by Barcelona for taking on Cesc Fabregas as a youngster after the player had initially been at their academy.

Barcelona, who brought Lionel Messi from Argentina when he was just 11, argued that FIFA have ignored the educational benefits enjoyed by players at their world famous La Masia academy.

If upheld, the ban would have serious consequences for the Catalans as they would not be able to replace veterans Victor Valdes and Carles Puyol, who have said they will leave the club in June.

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Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

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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FIFA helped Nigeria qualify for World Cup – Ethiopian coach

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Read Time:1 Minute, 24 Second

Former Ethiopia coach Sewnet Bishaw has launched a scathing attack on FIFA, claiming world football’s governing body conspired to see them miss out on a place at the 2014 World Cup.

The Walia Antelopes failed to secure a ticket to this year’s Brazil showpiece after losing their qualifying play-off against Nigeria, with the Super Eagles winning 2-1 in Ethiopia before securing a 2-0 victory at home in the return leg.

Mikel Obi in action for Nigeria during the World Cup Qualifier match against Ethiopia at the U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar , Saturday. November 16, 2013. Photo: NAN

But Bishaw, who was relinquished of his duties with the Ethiopian national team following their failure to qualify, believes FIFA played a huge role in the side’s shortcomings, accusing them of “bringing the game into disrepute”.

“FIFA didn’t want us (Ethiopia) to qualify (for the World Cup) because who knows Ethiopian football and who wants us to qualify when we were playing against the current African Champions,” the coach told Football411 in an  interview.

“We played our hearts out and we wanted to win and qualify for the World Cup but FIFA didn’t like that. They awarded penalties for them (Nigeria) which were never penalties, and these things happens because FIFA wants them to qualify for the World Cup.

“It was a shame for Ethiopian football because we fought from the (first) blast of the whistle to the end. For me, Nigeria didn’t deserve to qualify because they were aided by FIFA, which is not good for the game of football.”

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

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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CHAN 2014: Ghana vrs Nigeria: Ghana Must Go, Eagles Boast

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Eternal West African foes, Nigeria and Ghana have another opportunity today to revive their rivalry as the home-based Eagles take on the Black Stars in the second semi-final of the 2014 African Nations Championship in South Africa.

Before the top-of-the-billing clash at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein, Libya and Zimbabwe will battle for the other ticket at stake.

Since last Saturday when both Nigeria and Ghana secured the semi final tickets, aficionados of the game in the continent knew that memories of this edition of CHAN will be one to treasure.

Despite this showdown devoid of high-profile foreign-based player  the mind-game being played by both sub-regional rivals has helped to add quality to the competition.

The player who played a major role in  reviving Eagles when Morocco was three goals up in the quarter final, Ejike Uzoenyi, insists Nigerians have nothing to worry about today.

“At this point we don't fear (Ghana); we can only respect them for reaching this stage because it's not easy.”

He however admitted that football fans in the country should not look forward to an easy match.

“One fact remains, nobody should expect an easy match but my belief is that having eliminated South Africa and Morocco, we can't hope for anything less than the cup,” stressed the petit- bomber.

His captain and first choice goal keeper of the team, Chigozie Agbim also re-echoes Uzoenyi's desire to play in the final after overcoming the Ghanaians today.

“Our desire in every game is to win and I believe in the semifinal, we will win by the grace of God.

“We came to compete. So, any day we can play against any country. We are not afraid of any country, including Ghana,” stressed Agbim.

Agbim assured Nigerians that Eagles would strive not to repeat the kind of mistakes they made against Morocco when they were trailing 3-0 at half time.

“We have learnt our lessons and it will not happen again,“ he further assured.

Eagles coaching crew led by Stephen Keshi should be happy now that right-back, Solomon Kwambe, is now available for selection after serving a one-match ban.

How the Black Stars will survive their goal scoring problem remains an uphill task for Coach Maxwell Konadu and his colleague.

They have just a miserly four goals to show so far as against the 12 that the Eagles have pumped into opponents' goals.

“Our attack has been such that we only manage one goal per match but we have been defending very well. That for me is a sign of a team that is progressing and I don't think it is a bad thing to defend very well,” coach Konadu admitted on Monday.

“It is also important to score goals but in cases when you score one goal in a match and manage to defend it, that means you will win.”

Luckily for him, the trio of Michael Akuffo, Abeiku Ainooson and Kwabena Adusei, who picked up knocks in the quarter-final clash against DR Congo are now available for selection.

Right-back Godfred Saka, who picked up a foot injury in the second Group C match against Libya, is now ready for the clash with Nigeria.

Nigeria has not defeated Ghana since 2006 when Eagles nicked a 1-0 win in the group stage of the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

For more Ghana football news visit GHANAsoccernet.com

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Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

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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Stopping Jonathan in 2015 will have grave consequences – Ezeife

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Read Time:13 Minute, 25 Second

Stopping Jonathan in 2015 will have grave consequences – Ezeife

A former governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, is angry over the current   political developments in the country. In this  interview, he says the panacea for a   united Nigeria  is the re-election of President Jonathan next year.

What is your view about unfolding political events in the country?
I want to use this opportunity to emphasize something central to the problems we are presently facing. The explanation I am about to give provides insight into the defection of the G-5 governors, the activities of the fundamentalist Islamic sect, Boko Haram, or even the   present status of the All Progressives Congress, APC,   which is the   leading opposition party in the country.

All the attacks   by these groups on   President Goodluck Jonathan stem from one thing: Some people believe they are born to rule while others are born to be ruled. They therefore see the present situation where a person who was born to be ruled is now ruling as a reversal of the natural order of things. How have they reacted?
After Jonathan’s victory in 2011, mayhem was unleashed on parts of Nigeria.

Blood flowed; the Igbo have not recovered from the losses  they suffered due to the massacre of their people that year. A prominent APC member is already setting the stage for  another  carnage after the 2015 elections.
Should such  candidate win? These people ruled the country for 38 and a  half years. In the course of ruling the country, they ruined Nigeria. However, they ruined the North  more than they ruined other parts of Nigeria.
Every attack from these groups against President Jonathan   is designed to prevent him from running for the 2015 election.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo ignited  the problem. The G-7 or G-5 governors also played their part. They toured almost the entire country and visited all past military heads of state. Obasanjo also consulted other former military rulers before writing his   letter. All these activities are geared towards proving   only one thing: the person who is ruling was not born to rule.

Can you comment on the view held by some Nigerians that President Goodluck Jonathan’s proposed National Dialogue was designed to actualise his political ambition of being re-elected in 2015?
At this juncture in Nigerian history, President Jonathan’s interest and Nigerians   interest in the continued existence of the country have become coterminous. If you   say because you oppose President Jonathan’s bid for a second term in office, you are also opposed to a National Dialogue, you are saying no to one Nigeria.
The truth of the matter is that opposing President Jonathan’s second term is like opposing the continued existence of Nigeria as one united country.

What do you think would happen if as a result of the handiwork of the opposition, President Jonathan is disallowed from running for second term? Can you control what would happen?   Whether you are from the North, South or West, you can’t stop President Jonathan from going for  second term and winning.   Everybody can make noise but if those who are making noise should think deeply, they would realize that the continued existence of Nigeria as one country is anchored on Jonathan’s continuation in office come 2015.

What happens if President Jonathan contests the 2015 election and loses?
We would be faced with the same problem. Niger Delta boys would blow up all the oil pipelines and then a part of the country could say they are no longer interested in Nigeria; they could say Nigeria legally expired when the nation marked its centenary and that they are now on their own. This is not what I want, but I am afraid it could happen if we foolishly think of only our short term interest instead of thinking   of the long term implications.   However, if he contests and loses in a free and fair atmosphere where Nigerians truly vote against him, it would be less bloody than if he is not allowed   to contest.

But there have been those who have also threatened that blood would flow if   President Jonathan insists on contesting the election…..
Junaid Mohammed and his fellow travelers must know that we don’t want the blood of ordinary Nigerians to flow again. This time around, it is the   blood of those who are threatening to spill blood that would flow. It is just like somebody   who is   claiming he is born to rule. He should rule himself only. People should stop making intimidating statements.

I am making a plea to all Nigerians, be they from the North, South, East or West to consider that it is in the nation’s long term interest to give the continued existence of Nigeria a chance. From we the Igbo, we are not issuing any threats. We have been absorbing all kinds of punishment.   We in the East are for one Nigeria. The people of the West and North should also be interested in one Nigeria.

What do you have to say about  President Goodluck Jonathan’s proposed National Dialogue especially against the background of the criticisms by the opposition?
For a long time, those who understand   and love Nigeria  have been demanding   for a Constitutional Conference. This month marks 100 years of the amalgamation of Nigeria. Some see it as an opportunity to quit Nigeria; others see it as a period for a review of our basic laws. For me, whatever I say   I am saying it based on my commitment to the continued existence of one Nigeria.

Both small and big ethnic groups in this country today would find that their long term interest is anchored on the persistence and sustainability of one Nigeria.
For instance, if you consider the Igbo, we have voted with our feet for one Nigeria; by our action of developing and commercializing   whereever we are as if we are at home, we have demonstrated our commitment to one Nigeria in action. We have invested more outside Igbo land than within Igbo land. So, I don’t see the Igbo wanting to leave Nigeria tomorrow.

For the Yoruba, even though   it is rumored that they are ready for any eventuality and already have their constitution, flag and anthem, they remain the dominant group in finance and   industry in Nigeria. Therefore, they still like the big market a united Nigeria offers. In the North, the Hausa-Fulani are the greatest beneficiaries of one Nigeria.

In the beginning, the amalgamation was motivated by the need to cover the economic deficiency of the North with the surplus   from the South. There was a resource gap.   Today, the resource gap is wider than it was in 1914. The biggest resource for development today is education; and the gap between the North and South in education today is so wide. When you talk about agriculture, the North has a huge mass of land.

National resources have been used to build a lot dams in the North and this has facilitated the development of agriculture in the region. Today, the North is feeding the whole country. Would they want to be exporting their food stuff to America?   Apart from the big groups, the minorities are also benefitting from Nigeria which is a big country. This is because if they are on their own, they would be irrelevant but since they belong to Nigeria, they benefit from its status as a big country.   No group in this country would triumphantly walk away from a Nigeria that is properly structured, well organized and works.

President Jonathan would become the greatest leader Nigeria ever had if he organizes a successful National Conference.   He would then be the reason for the continued existence of one Nigeria.   In addition,   there is need for the Federal Government to take urgent action over the constant clashes between farmers and herdsmen in different parts of the country.   These incessant killings must stop.   Nobody is prepared to drive herdsmen away but if these killings persist, then some people may begin to avoid cow meat and eat only chicken meat so that peace can reign in the country.

Can   you comment on the recent   brickbat between Prof Ben Nwabueze and the Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee PAC   on the proposed National Dialogue, Senator Femi Okorounmu?
This is a matter of monumental confusion. What I read concerning Okorounmu’s statement was that Igbo Leaders of Thought led by Prof. Nwabueze are complaining about something that may not be in the report submitted by the committee. This is what is implied in Okorounmu’s statement. Some of   the recommendations we made for the confab were on equality of zones for representation. We also reached an agreement on   the process of selecting members to the confab and   on the issue of  referendum. There was an agreement on these issues by the entire southern Nigeria and some parts of the North.

However, Okorounmu said he didn’t know what the Igbo Leaders of   Thought were talking about. He insisted that what they were talking about was not in the report. This is where the monumental confusion comes in. How would Prof. Nwabueze not know what he is talking about? How would he be referring to a non-existent recommendation.

We are waiting to see what happens next; but we sent competent people to the committee. Prof. Nwabueze himself was nominated into the committee but he turned down the nomination for personal reasons. We then had to replace him with Prof. Anya O. Anya who is also very competent; a holder of the National Merit Award and a solid academic. We also had Dr. George Obiozor.

If   the recommendations of delegates from southern Nigeria who were in that committee were omitted, then there must be compelling reasons for that to happen. We cannot throw away the baby with the bath water; we can find a way of continuing.

What do you think would be the fate of the 2014 Budget now that it appears that the All Progressives Congress, APC, has become the majority party in the National Assembly?
Whether  the APC has 100 percent membership in the National Assembly or not, Nigeria must continue. I appeal to the National Assembly  not to indulge in too much politics. Do they want to demonstrate that nothing has been achieved by President Jonathan? If an institution  becomes the obstacle to Nigeria’s development, would members of that same body turn around to accuse the President of not developing the country?

The performance of President Jonathan is already far ahead of that of his predecessors. If the National Assembly uses its  power to approve or not to approve the budget to make Nigerians suffer and you come back to tell us that the President has not performed and that we should vote for you, we are not fools.

Therefore, the National Assembly should ensure that   excessive politicking is not disruptive of the system and the welfare of the people. We have heard of the 50 questions that were presented to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. We have also heard that the answering of those 50 questions must come  before the consideration of the budget. Yes, it is easy to criticize a person or group that has been in power for long. It is easy to find fault with the People’s Democratic Party, PDP.

If the Federal Government is starved of funds to provide  for the welfare of Nigerians in 2014, we know who to hold responsible. We must not allow people   to gain from any negative outcome.
The President must also make the  effort to reach an understanding with the National Assembly. The problem the Presidency has with the National Assembly reared its ugly head right from the beginning of   President Jonathan’s current tenure in office.

The PDP zoned the Office of Speaker of the House of Representatives to the South-west. But due to political intrigues, members of the House from the South-west sold the speakership to another zone. Infact, what we are witnessing  is that those who sold the office that was zoned to their own part of the country are now turning round to blame the President for what happened.

I am not blaming the National Assembly all the way because there are certain things that I   have observed where the National Assembly stands on issues affecting certain individuals; and the Executive insists on following a parallel line. This should not be the case especially when the issues involved are not major. The President must find ways of working with the National Assembly,  especially the House of Representatives. Otherwise, they could for one minor issue suffocate the whole country.

What is your reaction to the recent face-off between President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi?
President Goodluck Jonathan should immediately suspend him over the   false alarm he raised concerning the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation NNPC’s alleged non-remittance of $49.8 billion into   the Federation Account.
I am surprised. I didn’t know that the report of the CBN indicating that a whopping sum of $49.8 billion was missing from the Federation Account   was false.

That gives the impression that the CBN Governor is working against the government he is serving. He tried to make President Jonathan look bad in the eyes of the public. The money involved was so huge that to lie about it   was a serious affair.

Irrespective of who is involved or my personal relationship with  him, given the present situation, the President should act presidentially. There is no way the Governor of CBN could   be trading words with the President.   He should   be suspended immediately from office. If this had happened under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the CBN Governor wouldn’t have been allowed to enter his office again after making a bold statement that the President could not remove him from office.

I read the second statement made by the CBN over the alleged missing billions of dollars but there was no mention of the fact that the Governor’s earlier claim was a mistake. The statement simply mentioned the role of the CBN. That kind of mistake is impossible. It was a deliberate action to impugn the President and his government. This is not a matter of being a   humble and simple Christian; there are presidential powers that must be respected.

Media   reports   in circulation   give the impression that the President can never bite even though he has teeth.   Sometimes the President needs to exercise his powers. This time around,   even though the President won’t   bite anybody, he needs to show his teeth and perhaps bite.

Falsehood from Sanusi or anybody   is not acceptable. Suspending him won’t affect the economy.   Even though the CBN Governor   insisted that $10 billion of the sum NNPC   ought to have paid into the Federation Account is   still missing,   the difference between approximately   $50 billion and $10 billion is like the difference between night and day. My position is that his later admission that it was a mistake and now   only   $10 billion   is like the action of a sinking man who is ready to hold on to any straw to prevent him from going under.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

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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