FG Expresses Optimism About The Outcome Of Talks With ASUU

 

The federal government is very optimistic that the outcome of the negotiations with the Academic Staff Union of Universities, which lasted till the wee hours of Tuesday morning, were very fruitful, Minister of Labour and Productivity, Emeka Wogu has said.
Wogu said, Tuesday, that the over 12-hour long meeting which started Monday at 2.40 pm focused on the 2009 Agreement with the union.

Mourinho urges Chelsea response

Jose Mourinho has urged a swift response from his Chelsea side when Schalke 04  visit in the Champions League on Wednesday.

After six successive wins in October, the Blues lost 2-0 at Newcastle on Saturday to extend Mourinho’s winless run at St James’ Park.

Now they return to home Champions League action for the first time since the September loss to Basel which ended a near 10-year, 29-match unbeaten run in the group phase of Europe’s elite competition.

And after response to that setback with victories at Steaua Bucharest and Schalke, Mourinho has called for a similar rally that would enhance claims on a place in the knockout stages.

“We are in a stable position to qualify in the Champions League but if we lose again, we are in a difficult position so Wednesday is an important game for us,” Mourinho told Chelsea’s official website.

“You win by effort, you win by commitment, you win by ambition, you win by quality and you win by expressing yourself individually but in the team context. I tell my players every time I can, every time I have meetings with them, don’t forget why you are getting results.”

Mourinho has promised changes against Schalke, though not the wholesale ones he made in matches against Arsenal and Newcastle.

Seven Boko Haram militants killed in Borno –Army

The 7 Division of the Nigerian Army in Maiduguri said it had killed seven suspected Boko Haram sect insurgents in a renewed onslaught in suspected hideouts of the suspected terrorists in Borno.
The spokesman for the division, Lt.-Col. Mohammad Dole, said this in a statement on Tuesday in Maiduguri.
Dole said, “In simultaneous operations conducted by troops from 5 Brigade at Ngala area and 21 Brigade at general area of Bama on Monday, the military recorded huge successes as seven suspected Boko Haram militants were killed and several others injured.

NNDC presents N315.8bn budget to National Assembly

The Niger Delta Development Commission on Tuesday presented its 2013 budget estimate of N315.8bn to the National Assembly.
Tagged ‘Budget for sustainable development of Niger Delta region’, the acting Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Patricia Atako, told the Joint Committee  of the National Assembly on Niger Delta that the 2013 budget estimate showed an increase of N65bn over that of 2012 which stood at N250.8 bn.
Atako explained the 2013 budget was based on the commission’s “determination to maintain prudence and stay focused in the development of the Niger Delta region despite the daunting challenges it is facing.”
She said, “The N315.8bn estimate was based on the revenue brought forward from 2012 budget of an internally generated revenue and the Federal Government contribution to the Commission for 2013.
“The budget estimate also comprised provision for Excess Crude arrears, oil and contributions from oil and gas companies, and contributions from the Ecological Funds.”
Atako said total estimated recurrent cost for 2013 was N27.2bn, comprising N15.2bn for personnel cost and N11.9bn for overhead cost.

FG Expresses Optimism About The Outcome Of Talks With ASUU

 

The federal government is very optimistic that the outcome of the negotiations with the Academic Staff Union of Universities, which lasted till the wee hours of Tuesday morning, were very fruitful, Minister of Labour and Productivity, Emeka Wogu has said.
Wogu said, Tuesday, that the over 12-hour long meeting which started Monday at 2.40 pm focused on the 2009 Agreement with the union.

Omotola Jalade, David Mark, Others Receive Chieftaincy Title In Ondo Kingdom

 

As part of activities marking the 60th birthday and 7th installation anniversary anniversary of the Osemawe of Ondo Kingdom, Oba Victor Kiladejo, Nollywood superstar Omotola Jalade Ekeinde will be conferred with honarary Chieftaincy title.

Others to be honoured include The Senate President, David Mark and the Minister of Communication and Technology, Mrs. Bolaji Johnson, President of Black Archaeologists in America, Olakunle Akinboboye and a Business Mogul, Engr. Raymond Akinyele.

According to the Chairman of the Planning and Organizing Committee, Chief Noah Fadayomi, the awardees were divided into two categories.
Mark and other non-indigenes fell into the first category of the awards, and they were picked due to their commitments to nation building.

Germany Invites British Ambassador To Explain Spying Report

 

Germany has invited the British ambassador to come to the foreign ministry to discuss a newspaper report that a covert spying station was operating in Berlin with hi-tech equipment mounted on the embassy roof.
Documents leaked by former U.S. National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden show that Britain’s surveillance agency is operating a network of “electronic spy posts” from within a stone’s throw of the Bundestag and German chancellor’s office, the Independent reported.

Wilshere ruled out against Dortmund

Football | Champions League

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere will miss their Champions League Group F match at Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday with an ankle injury and could be out for longer, coach Arsene Wenger said on Tuesday.
Wilshere stayed in London after injuring his ankle in training last week and would undergo further tests on Thursday, Wenger told reporters.
"He has not travelled. He has another test on Thursday. If he does not pass that, he is out for Sunday and for England," Wenger said.

Arsenal to target Lewandowski - Wenger

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has said the Gunners must contain Poland striker Robert Lewandowski in Wednesday's Champions League clash at Borussia Dortmund in their bid to stay top of Group F.
Lewandowski netted the crucial 82nd-minute goal which sealed Dortmund's impressive 2-1 victory at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium a fortnight ago to throw the group wide open.
Having become the first player to score four goals in a Champions League semifinal, Lewandowski warmed up for Arsenal with an 18-minute hat-trick in Friday's 6-1 Bundesliga rout of VfB Stuttgart.
"Usually at home, Lewandowski is quite dangerous and the best way to keep him quiet is by controlling the ball," said Wenger.
"We want to control possession and we want to control the game."
With Arsenal, Dortmund and Napoli all level on six points, the Gunners top the table on goal difference and having lost to Dortmund in London, Wenger's side is desperate to win the return.
"We definitely want to win after losing at home," said Wenger.
"Dortmund is a very positive side, so at least you have a guarantee that both teams will be trying to win the game."

Nigeria reach U17 World Cup final

Football | Fifa U17 World Cup

Taiwo Awoniyi © Gallo Images

 The Nigeria Under-17 football team, the Golden Eaglets produced a masterclass of attacking football in Dubai to beat a well-drilled Sweden side 3-0 on Tuesday.
Sweden had the first chance in the first minute of the game when Elias Andersson burst through the right with great pace but his deflected cross was hooked wide by Valmir Berisha to send the Nigerian nerves jangling early on.
Berisha had scored twice against Nigeria in the group stages.
Three minutes later, Nigeria had a chance to respond after some lax Swedish defending freed Musa Yahaya in the penalty area but the youngster hesitated a split second too late and the chance was gone. Seconds later, Taiwo Awoniyi had a chance to make amends but his shot lacked power.
The Nigerians were struggling to get into their stride as the well-organized Europeans marked well and denied the Africans of space for their highly skilful individuals to play their usual expansive game.
As a result, the Golden Eaglets were restricted to long range shooting and one of such from Yahaya in the 11th minute merely warmed the palms of the Sweden goalkeeper, Sixten Mohlin.
It was quite cagey in the opening minutes as the Swedes looked to catch Nigeria on the break and almost managed to do so in the 14th minute when an unmarked Linus Wahlqvist placed a header wide off a pinpoint cross with just the Nigerian goalkeeper, Dele Alampasu at his mercy.

MDAs to spend N400bn before Dec. 31 –Okonjo-Iweala

 

Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has said that Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government have a balance of N400bn to be spent before the end of the year according to the 2013 budget.

Okonjo-Iweala said this on Monday while appearing before the Joint Senate Committee of Finance and Appropriations meeting on 2013 budget to address the allegation of bloated revenues estimates.

She said N1.01trn out of N1.05trn realised, had been released, leaving the balance of N400bn.

She added that the total inflow from the Excess Crude Account stood at $14.36bn while the outflow of $9bn had been shared among the three tiers of government and for the payment of oil subsidy.

She further said that $1bn was paid into the Sovereign Wealth Fund, leaving a balance of $4.3bn.

She explained that utilisation rate of what had been released stood at 72 per cent.

The minister said, “This means that we still have in excess N260bn waiting to be used by MDAs. On top of that we are now releasing N150bn. We should have up to N400bn still waiting to be utilised before the end of the year. This is because the money for the past three quarters had not been fully utilised.”

Oduah to appear before Senate tomorrow

Oduah

The troubles of the embattled Minister of Aviation, Ms Stella Oduah, aren’t over yet as indications   emerged on Monday  that she might also  appear before the Senate plenary  on Wednesday   to explain her roles in the October 3, 2013 Associated Airlines plane crash in Lagos.

She will also take questions from Senators on the controversial N255m bulletproof car scandal involving her and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.

An indication of this emerged shortly after the Senate Committee on Aviation postponed indefinitely, a public sitting where officials of the NCAA  were already  seated on Monday, ready  to answer questions on the  controversial cars.

Jonathan, ASUU meeting: Varsity teachers still undecided

The over 12 hours marathon meeting between President Goodluck Jonathan and striking members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities ended at about 3.30am on Tuesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja without a commitment from the union members.

ASUU President, Dr. Nasir Isa Faggae, told State House correspondent that the delegation was taking back an undisclosed message to their members following which a decision will be taken on the union’s next line of action.

Ike Uche Scored Late in Villarreal’s 1-0 Win at Elche

  Super Eagles striker Ikechukwu Uche scored a late winner to hand Villarreal a 1-0 win over Elche at the Manuel Martinez Valero Stadium on Monday.

The solitary strike helped the ‘Yellow Submarines’ bounce back from Thursday’s defeat to Getafe and it was the side’s third victory away from home.
Coach Marcelino Garcia’s high-flying team moved three-point clear of fifth-placed Athletic Bilbao in the table, while Elche remain 10 points behind in 13th after recording their fifth defeat of the season.

Ike Uche Celebrates Scoring Against Elche (PI).

ATP Tour Finals: Del Potro Overcomes Gaquet as Wawrinka Beats Berdych

 

Former finalist Juan Martin Del Potro won a terrific contest against Richard Gasquet in the opening night session at the ATP World Tour Finals in London.

Del Potro, seeded fourth, came back from a set down to win 6-7 (4-7) 6-3 7-5 and take an early lead in Group B.
In front of a near-capacity crowd of around 17,000, the Argentine took his record since the US Open to 16 wins in 18 matches.
Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer meet in the same group on Tuesday.

Juan Martin Del Potro.

Stanislas Wawrinka vs. Tomas Berdych
Stanislas Wawrinka claimed a three-set victory over Tomas Berdych in the opening match of the ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena in London.

Hayatou Visits Eaglets, Praises Team’s Resilience

 

President of the Confederation of African Football, Alhaji Issa Hayatou, on Monday paid an inspirational visit to the Intercontinental Hotel abode of the U-17 National Team of Nigeria, during which he encouraged the Golden Eaglets to set a tournament record by winning a fourth world title here in the United Arab Emirates.

Hayatou, in company with CAF 2nd Vice President, Almamy Kabele Camara, and FIFA Executive Committee member, Mohamed Raouraoua, praised the resilience of the Nigerian youngsters especially in the quarter final duel with Uruguay on Saturday.
“You have displayed a high level of skill and intelligence in this tournament that we have not seen in an African team for a long time. I am not surprised at your progress here because I saw you at the CAN U-17 Championship in Morocco and I was highly impressed.

Caf President, Issa Hayatou.

“I am particularly excited with your performance against Uruguay, despite missing a number of injured players. I believe you are already in the final. The African football family is fully behind you,”

Bolt, Farah, Headline Final Three for Athlete of Year Award

 

Usain Bolt, the world’s fastest man, joined world high jump champion, Bohdan Bondarenko, and double Olympic and world 10,000 and 5,000 metres champion, Mo Farah, on the shortlist for the male Athlete of the Year award announced on Monday.

Bolt, who has won the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) award four times in the last five years, will be aiming to make it three in a row in the year he became the most successful athlete in world championship history.
The Jamaican won golds in the 100m, 200m and 4×100 relay at the Moscow world championships in August to take his all-time tally to eight golds and two silvers.

Usain Bolt and Mo Farah Trade Poses at the London Olympics.

I’ve Learned My Lesson – Alampasu

 

Nigeria is through to the semi-finals of the FIFA U-17 World Cup after getting the better of Uruguay in a fine 2-0 victory in the last eight. Among their outstanding performers was goalkeeper Dele Alampasu, who has endeavoured to learn from past mistakes as he continues to make himself at home on the world stage.

There was no mistaking the Golden Eaglets’ dressing room in the bowels of Sharjah Stadium on Saturday, the African hopefuls united in expressing their euphoria following another impressive demonstration of force. Laughter and cries of joy escaped from inside as their imposing No1, standing nearly two metres tall, exited to share his thoughts with FIFA.com.
“They’re the toughest team we’ve faced so far,” said Alampasu, fresh from playing his part in eliminating La Celeste. “They’re good tactically and very disciplined. They switch well between long balls and short passes, and we had to be very focused.” The South American side certainly tried everything to find a weakness in their rivals’ rearguard, only to come up short, and several Uruguay players shed tears of anguish when they conceded the second goal ten minutes from time.

Dele Alampsu (Pictured in the Middle) and Teammates Express Profound Appreciation in Al Ain. Getty Image.

Leader at the back
Nigeria’s leader at the back was all smiles, in contrast, having silenced the likes of Leandro Otormin, Francis D’Albenas and Franco Pizzichillo. “I had my eye on those three in particular,” he said. “I forbade my team-mates from letting them shoot. I kept telling them to stay on top of them and block their efforts. I shouted at my defenders a lot to adjust their positioning and marking.”
The custodian had to do more than simply use his voice, however, notably producing an excellent double save in the first half before killing off any suspense with a solid showing at the end. “It’s my job to save my team, to save my country,” he said. “We’re all fighting to be the best we possibly can and do something big in this tournament.”

Actress Uche Elendu Gets 24 Carat Gold Plated Blackberry Porsche Gift

 

Apparently, this is the year of golden phones and ipads and what not.
Nollywood actress (not so famous though) Uche Elendu just received an expensive gift from her hubby and has been rubbing it in all our faces.

Hilarious: Who Rocked The Pose Better??

 

I came across this photo early this mornig and I couldn’t hold back my laugh.

O'Neill, Keane to coach Ireland

Football | International

Ireland is set to appoint Martin O'Neill as manager and Roy Keane as his assistant, more than a decade after the former captain walked out on the team at the 2002 World Cup, FAI chief executive John Delaney said on Tuesday.
Delaney said that the pair had still to sign contracts but that he saw no impediment to O'Neill taking over from Giovanni Trapattoni, who quit in September, and that the former Aston Villa and Celtic boss would be unveiled on Saturday.

Al Ahly fail in stadium bid

Football | CAF Champions League

Al Ahly have failed in their attempts to have Sunday's Caf Champions League final played at the Cairo International Stadium, the club confirmed late on Monday.
“All our attempts to change the match venue failed, so we had to inform Caf that Arab Contractors will host the match,” Ahly's general manager Hassan Massoud told an Egyptian website.
The Egyptian giants could not convince the country's strict military authorities to have the match moved to the 70 000-seater stadium and would now have to play the crucial second-leg tie at the Arab Contractors Stadium, 12 kilometres from the international arena.
With a crowd capacity of 30 000, it would drastically reduce the effect of fanatical Ahly supporters on the game, but Pirates would now have to battle poorer pitch conditions in their bid for a second African title.

Moyes packs Fergie's book for trip

Football | Champions League

Manchester United manager David Moyes has the perfect troubleshooting guide with him if Tuesday's encounter at Real Sociedad is not going to plan, having packed Alex Ferguson's autobiography in his suitcase.
When his retired predecessor's book came out last month, Moyes said he was too busy to read it but that seems to have changed after British media published photographs of it in the bag he took on Monday's flight to Spain.