Super Eagles head coach Finidi George has promised to deliver on his assignment and raise a team Nigerians will be proud of.
Finidi was unveiled by the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, in Abuja on Monday.
The unveiling ceremony was attended by Minister of Sports John Enoh, NFF President Ibrahim Gusau and top officials of the sports ministry and NFF.
The 53-year-old’s assistants were also revealed at the event.
Speaking after his unveiling, Finidi said in a video posted on the NFF YouTube channel: “This is a great opportunity given to me to manage the Super Eagles. It is not an easy job for anybody but I’m so happy. For me, it’s just to start working immediately, which I’ve been doing even before signing this contract.
“I just want to say a big thank you for this great opportunity and I believe the God that has brought me here will make everything perfect.
“My job is to make Nigerians and the football federation proud and I believe I will not let anybody down and make sure we get the job done.”
Super Eagles: I’ll not let you down – Finidi vows
Super Eagles: I’ll not let you down – Finidi vows
Sports Minister hails NFF for appointing local coach for S’Eagles
Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh on Monday praised the leadership of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for settling for an indigenous Head Coach for the Super Eagles, despite the plethora of foreign tacticians who applied for the job.
Enoh, who spoke at the unveiling ceremony of the Eagles’ new substantive Head Coach, Finidi George at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, charged the NFF to give the former winger all the support to succeed, while also soliciting the support of all Nigerians for the new helmsman.
“As a student of the University of Calabar in those days, I used to go to the UJ Esuene Stadium to watch Calabar Rovers, which included Finidi George. I am excited to see him seated here as the new Head Coach of the Super Eagles,” he said.
President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau exuded delight with the ‘new chapter’ the Federation is opening about the Nigeria game, saying the football-governing body is determined to fully support George and his assistants to lead the Super Eagles to new heights.
“When we returned from the Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire, we began the search for a new Head Coach. There was a plethora of foreign applicants, far more than the indigenous applicants.
“However, we undertook a thorough process that has produced an indigenous Coach and we are very happy about that. Finidi George was part of the technical crew that came close to winning the AFCON, and we have faith in him that he will lead the team to the title next time.
“Our objective now is to ensure the enthronement of excellence at all levels of the National Teams.”
Read Also: Nothing wrong if Finidi wants foreign assistants, says Pinnick
Gusau also revealed that the Federation gave George the free hand to pick his assistants, and that the tactician has already picked Daniel Amokachi and Benjamin James as assistants, as well as Olatunji Baruwa (goalkeepers’ trainer), Chima Onyeike (Fitness Trainer) and Mehmet Ozturk (Analyst).
George, who evinced quiet confidence all through, stated that he will invite for international assignments, only players who feature regularly at their clubs either in Nigeria or in the diaspora, and promised that the Super Eagles will remain even more competitive in the years ahead.
“My first target is to make sure that we are in line to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup by winning the upcoming two matches against South Africa and Benin Republic. The 2025 AFCON qualifiers will soon start and we must also be prepared for those as well.
“I know what the NFF wants as it is boldly written in the contract, and I will work very hard to add value to the team and put myself in the position to earn even more than I will be earning from the take-off.”
On relationship with the players, George said: “I have always had a cordial relationship with all the players as an assistant coach. I am still the same person even as Head Coach now, only that the title has changed. There will be no controversy regarding relationships with the players. These are professional players and we have to give them what they’re used to in Europe; you don’t need to slap anyone to get him to do the right thing.
“I will try my best to ensure the team starts functioning properly and we start winning games again. There is no pressure on me; I have tough skin. I just want to call for your support. I know this is not an easy job, but with the support of everyone, we can achieve our objectives.”
Also at the ceremony were NFF 1st Vice President, Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu; NFF Board Members Alhaji Sharif Rabiu Inuwa and Mr. Timothy Heman Magaji; Deputy General Secretary, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme; Technical Director, Augustine Eguavoen; GMD of GTI, Alhaji Abubakar Lawal; Adviser/Consultant to Hon. Minister, Ken Egbas; NFF directors Babatunde Akinsanya, Ademola Olajire, Okey Obi, Ali Abubakar Muhammad and Dayo Enebi Achor; prominent football stakeholders Jude Anyadufu and Abubakar Danfulani and; former Nigeria internationals Pascal Patrick and Nasiru Jibril.
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Fubara’s chief of staff alleges financial inducement as impeachment plot against governor thickens
A political firestorm has erupted in Rivers State following allegations by Edison Ehie, the Chief of Staff to Governor Similaye Fubara, that he was offered money to initiate impeachment proceedings against his principal.
Ehie made the claim during a rally in Ahoada East Local Government Area of the state at the weekend.
He said: “They invited me, your son, to impeach the governor and I told them clearly, I was not interested.
“They gave me all the money that was hidden before, which I rejected. And because I refused, they conspired and declared me wanted.”
Ehie’s claims are yet to be substantiated, and no official confirmation has been issued by the Rivers State government or law enforcement agencies regarding the alleged bribe offer.
READ ALSO:Rivers: Lawmakers loyal to Fubara to screen Commissioner-nominee on Monday
This incident comes amidst reported clashes between Governor Fubara and supporters of his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.
Analysts suggest several possible motivations behind Ehie’s allegations. One possibility is that they are a strategic move to garner sympathy for the governor and shore up support within the PDP. Alternatively, they could be a genuine attempt to expose corruption within the state’s political landscape.
The Rivers State House of Assembly will need to address these allegations formally if there is any merit to them. An investigation may be launched to determine the truth behind Ehie’s claims.
Regardless of the truth behind the allegations, this incident further exacerbates tensions within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State.
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Obi can’t win chairmanship election in Lagos, Kano – Reno Omokri
Former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, has resumed his tirades against presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, Peter Obi.
Omokri, who has been on a warpath with the former Anambra State governor, said on his X platform on Monday that Obi has nothing to offer as a politician.
He added that the LP candidate would not win a chairmanship contest in Lagos or Kano States.
Omokri also lambasted Obi’s supporters, saying they are suffering from mass hypnosis in their support for the LP chieftain.
He wrote: “Many Nigerians are controlled by their emotions as well as tribal pulls, and are not sentient enough to see beyond primordial sentiments.
“And that is what I see when people ask me why I oppose Peter Obi since he is the best candidate. Now, let us consider that statement on its merits.
“If a Second Class Lower Philosophy degree holder applies for a job along with a PhD in Water Engineering, a Master in International Relations, and a First Class in Accounting, who would you employ?
READ ALSO:Nigeria’ll only progress if Nigerians pay taxes instead of tithes —Reno Omokri
“If a man who built no schools for eight years competes with a fellow who built 140 schools in that same period and another who built a total of 18 schools, who would you go for?
“Finally on this score, if a person under whom poverty doubled is in rivalry with one under whom poverty almost halved and another who increased wealth in his domain by 78%, who would you expect to win?
“If you put ethnic sentiments aside, Peter Obi cannot compete with a Local Government Chairman in either Lagos or Kano.
“Regarding physical achievements in office, the Chairmen of Eti-Osa, Orile, Ibeju-Lekki, and Kosofe LGAs in Lagos outperform Obi.
“We play party politics in Nigeria, and of course, if a candidate is in your party, you try to package him and cover his faults.
“But after elections, you must do a post-mortem. Obi’s only purpose in 2023 was to decide the PDP’s votes and make it possible for the APC to win. And if he contests again in 2027, it will be rinse and repeat.
“You cannot expect a deep-thinking person like me to believe that Obi would transform Nigeria when he could not transform Anambra.
“I refuse to surrender my intellect because of the mass hypnosis that Obidients are labouring under. And if that means they will continue insulting me, then so be it.
#TableShaker”
Many Nigerians are controlled by their emotions as well as tribal pulls, and are not sentient enough to see beyond primordial sentiments. And that is what I see when people ask me why I oppose Peter Obi since he is the best candidate. Now, let us consider that statement on its… pic.twitter.com/0ej97QNFxf
— Reno Omokri (@renoomokri) May 13, 2024
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Rivers lawmakers who defected to APC have lost their seats – Falana insists
Femi Falana, a human rights lawyer, says that members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressives Congress, APC, last year, have forfeited their positions.
TVN recalls that about 25 members of the state assembly who are loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike dumped the PDP for the APC following the face-off between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Minister.
The move by the lawmakers led to the establishment of another faction of the assembly as the governor declared their seats vacant.
Despite intervention from President Bola Tinubu, the crisis has continued.
Speaking on the matter, Falana who appeared on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, asserted that the lawmakers would be ousted from their seats for transitioning to the APC.
According to him, the constitution has made it clear that “unless you can show and demonstrate that there is division in a political party that sponsored your election, you cannot remain in any legislative arm if you decamp to another party.
“The whole idea is that the constitution set out to ban political prostitution on the part of legislators.
“The Supreme Court made this clear in the case of Adetunde and the Labour Party, that you cannot decamp and then remain a member of a legislative house in Nigeria unless you can show that there is a division in your party.
“It doesn’t mean a division in a local government or a state. It has to be on the national level. That is the position of the court,” he said.
Rivers lawmakers who defected to APC have lost their seats – Falana insists
Electricity tariff hike: Nigerian workers shut AEDC offices
The Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress have shut down all Abuja Electricity Distribution Company offices to demand the reversal of the electricity tariff hike.
TVN gathered that the NLC prevented staff members of AEDC who resumed work on Monday from entering their offices.
“Apo office AEDC has been closed by NLC. We were asked to return home when I got to the office around 7:00 am on Monday. Other colleagues in our offices in Abuja were told to do the same”, a staff member of AEDC who preferred anonymity said.
Recall that in a joint notice by NLC Acting Secretary-General Chris Uyot and the TUC Acting Secretary-General, Ankan Hassan, Nigerian workers vowed to ground offices of the 11 Discos Nationwide and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission.
Nigerian workers had called for a reversal of the April 3 electricity tariff for band A customers to N225 per Kilowatt-hour from N68 kwh.
However, NERC ignored the NLC, TUC reversal call, announcing a minor tariff reduction to N206 kwh.
Unsatisfied with the tariff reduction, the organized labour vowed to shut down discos and NERC offices to meet their demand.
The development comes as Nigerians grapple with the ripple effect of soaring headline and food inflation, which stood at 33.20 per cent and 40.01 per cent in March 2024.
Electricity tariff hike: Nigerian workers shut AEDC offices
Atiku’s aide reveals how Wike’s ambition forced Peter Obi out of PDP
Paul Ibe, spokesman for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, has shed light on the internal power struggle that led to former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi’s exit from the party.
Ibe, who spoke during an interview with Channel Television’s Seun Okinbaloye, alleged that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, frustrated Atiku’s efforts to zone the 2023 presidential ticket to the South-East.
He added that the development ultimately forced Obi out of the PDP.
According to Ibe, Atiku was willing to step aside if the party had zoned the ticket to the South-East, but Wike’s ambition to secure the ticket for himself thwarted the move.
READ ALSO:Nigerians come for Atiku’s aide, Daniel Bwala for defending Tinubu’s absence
Obi left the PDP in May 2022 and joined the Labour Party where he secured the right to contest in the last election.
He finished third in the election. behind President Bola Tinubu and Atiku.
Ibe said: “Atiku did not force Peter Obi out of the party, Wike was instrumental in the exit of Obi because Wike had promoted the zoning of the presidency to the south.
“Atiku Abubakar had said that he was prepared to get himself off the ticket if the party zoned the ticket to the South-East.
“Wike frustrated that effort because he believed that if it was zoned to the south, not the southeast, he would be in the best position to be able to get the ticket.”
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Lokpanta Cattle market must be free from criminals, smelly abattoir – Otti
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti has restated the determination of his administration to eradicate every form of criminality from the Lokpanta Cattle market in Umuchieze, Umunneochi LGA of the state.
This is even as the governor expressed worry on the dirty condition of the market and admonished the traders on the need to clean up their environment.
Otti said this on Sunday when he paid an unscheduled visit to inspect the ongoing perimeter fencing projects around the cattle market while returning from Enugu.
“I stopped around the abattoir and I found that the place is very dirty and smelly. So, we have to ensure that it is clean because it is what people eat.
“If they get contaminated, people will fall sick, and you don’t want to sell your cattle, sell your meat and somebody eats it and gets sick. So, you have a responsibility to keep the abattoir and everywhere you are clean,” he said.
He reiterated that the market would become a non-residential place but a trading environment, saying that the Abia state government is making a plan to locate where the traders will live.
Otti, who thanked the traders for their support, said all genuine traders would receive protection and support from his administration, even as he charged the traders to fish out every criminal found around the place.
“So, everyone who is doing a legitimate business, the government will protect you. What we don’t want are criminals.
“You must fish out every criminal because the day they will attack, they may be attacking you. Criminals don’t ask where you come from, what religion or what language you speak”, he told the traders.
Lokpanta Cattle market must be free from criminals, smelly abattoir – Otti
Falana tackles Fubara over directive to Rivers Assembly, insists on legislature’s independence
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has criticized the Rivers State Governor, Simi Fubara, for directing members of the state House of Assembly to convene at the Government House for plenary.
Falana, who featured in Channel Television’s Sunday Politics, emphasized that the legislature was independent of the executive arm of government.
He argued that the governor’s directive was an overreach as the Assembly has the autonomy to determine its own sitting venue.
He noted that the independence of the legislative and executive arms of government is enshrined in the constitution, and Fubara’s action undermines this principle.
The rights activist suggested that the governor may have issued the directive before the Rivers State High Court intervened, but insisted that the legislature’s independence remains unassailable.
He said: “The House is independent of the executive. So the governor cannot tell the house where to sit.”
READ ALSO:PDP to APC: Bury the idea of impeaching Gov Fubara
Fubara had on Friday issued an executive order for the immediate and temporary relocation of the sitting of the Assembly to the Auditorium, Admin Block of the Government House, Port Harcourt.
In an official Gazette, Executive Order of the Rivers State Government 001-2023, Fubara cited the unsafe state of the Assembly complex.
This development raises concerns about the balance of power in Rivers State and the potential for executive overreach.
Falana’s intervention highlights the importance of upholding the constitutional separation of powers and ensuring that each arm of government respects the autonomy of the others.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the Assembly will respond to the governor’s directive and assert its independence.
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Adeleke’s chieftaincy title acceptance undermines governance priorities – APM
The Allied Peoples Movement, APM, Osun State chapter, has criticised the installation of Governor Ademola Adeleke as the Asiwaju of Ede.
The party also labeled it as an abuse of power and a conflict of interest.
In a statement signed by the party’s chairman, Wale Adebayo, he lamented that such actions could set a bad precedent, conflict of interest, and potential nepotism.
Governor Adeleke is set to be installed as the Asiwaju of Ede land by the Timi of Ede land, Oba Munirudeen Adesola Lawal.
Also, the event is being used to mark the 64th birthday anniversary of the governor.
TVN reports that the previous holder of the chieftaincy title was the governor’s late elder brother, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, who was the first executive governor of Osun State and three term senator representing Osun West Senatorial District, between 2003 and 2007 and 2014 to 2017 before his demise.
According to Adebayo, “Governor Adeleke’s decision to accept a chieftaincy title on a Monday morning is highly concerning and raises serious questions about his priorities as the state’s leader.
“By prioritising a ceremonial event over his official duties at the start of the workweek, Governor Adeleke is sending a troubling message that personal prestige and ceremonial honours are more important than the welfare and progress of the people he is supposed to serve.
“This action suggests a lack of urgency and commitment to addressing the pressing issues facing Osun State, and may undermine the trust and confidence of the people in his leadership. It also sets a poor example for other public officials and reinforces a culture of self-serving leadership, rather than one that prioritizes the public good.
“It raises questions about Governor Adeleke’s priorities and whether he is truly focused on delivering good governance and meaningful progress for the people of Osun State, or if he is more interested in personal aggrandizement and ceremonial honours.
“The people of Osun State deserve a leader who is fully committed to their welfare and progress, and who prioritizes their needs above personal interests.
“This sets a dangerous precedent that could erode public trust and faith in the state’s leadership.
“Furthermore, the governor’s decision may embolden other public officials to prioritize their own personal prestige and self-aggrandisement over the critical work of serving the people. This would be an unacceptable dereliction of duty and a betrayal of the public’s confidence.
“Governor Adeleke must reconsider this course of action and demonstrate an unwavering focus on the urgent matters of governance.
“The people of this state deserve a leader who will put their needs first, not one distracted by ceremonial honours. We urge the governor to recalibrate his priorities and dedicate himself fully to the duties of his office.
“Specifically, the APM is concerned that future governors may seek similar titles, creating a culture of seeking personal honours rather than focusing on governance.
“A governor holding a chieftaincy title may create a conflict of loyalty, where their responsibilities to the state may be compromised by their new traditional obligations.”
Adebayo added that the governor’s frequent trips abroad were personal and not in the best interest of Osun State.
“His frequent travels outside the state are for personal reasons, such as attending parties, rather than for official business or development opportunities for Osun State.
“As the chief executive of the state, his primary responsibility is to serve the people of Osun State and work towards its development and progress.
“If his travels are not focused on achieving these goals, but rather on personal indulgences, we view it as dereliction of duty and a betrayal of the trust placed in him by the people of Osun State.
“It is imperative that he maintains a high ethical standard and separates political and traditional institutions to ensure good governance and accountability,” the statement added.
Adeleke’s chieftaincy title acceptance undermines governance priorities – APM