Labour may go on strike over minimum wage

•Urges govt to dialogue with ASUU
THE move by the Senate to move the National Minimum Wage Law from the exclusive to the concurrent legislative list may attract the wrath of the labour movement.
  President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Abdulwaheed Omar, who refused to disclose the specific action labour would take should the Senate make the move, revealed that the NLC would await the outcome of the deliberations of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) expected to take place this weekend before unfolding its plans.
  Speaking at the end of its emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja Thursday, Omar said the NLC is also worried by the breakdown of negotiations between the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Federal Government over the on-going strike action by the universities’ lecturers.
  Omar, who lauded the House of Representatives for resisting the pressure from some state governors to move the wage law to the concurrent legislative list, said the labour movement would mobilise its members against any move to further pauperize the working poor.
  “We will not want to pre-empt the outcome of the NEC of TUC which will be held this weekend. But we are ready to ensure that the Senate does not succeed in its attempt to move the national minimum wage to the concurrent list. This is because that will expose the workers to danger and put them at the mercy of employers who are willing to pay less than the N18,000. Besides, there is no provision for the private sector in the amendment and this is a worry to us. However, we thank the House of Representatives who has refused to tow the line the Senate is treading in this matter. We will mobilise and resist the move. While we don’t want to say too much at least for now, we will put in some steps aimed at stopping the Senate from achieving what it sets to achieve,” he said.
  He hinted that both the NLC and TUC would harmonize their positions next week and roll out what they plan to do to thwart the possible amendment of the law.
  Omar, who said most of the state governments are now paying the N18,000 minimum wage, explained that some workers at the local councils are still facing difficulties owing to the instability of the allocation going to local councils in the country.
  The NLC chief also berated the Anambra State government for paying its workers less than their colleagues in other states and attempting to return public schools to missionaries and privatize the public health institutions. He alleged that the state pays the lowest wage to its workforce in the country.
  He stated that the labour centre would soon unfold plans aimed at redressing the low wage in Anambra State.
  Omar expressed NLC’s unhappiness about the breakdown of negotiation between the government and ASUU, offering to mediate in the matter not just to ensure that negotiation resumes, but that it results in tangible end that will ensure speedy return of teachers back to the Ivory Towers.

Fake CNN correspondent nabbed in Bayelsa

Yenagoa
A 36 years old man, Paul Yempe parading himself as the correspondent of the Cable News Network (CNN) in Bayelsa State was yesterday arrested in the office of the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Energy.
His arrest was made possible by the Chairman of the Bayelsa State chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr Tari Akono.
Yempe, who was handed over to officials of the State Security Service (SSS) is undergoing interrogation about his activities in Bayelsa State.
As of the time of arrest, Yempe was in possession of the identification card of the Rivers State Broadcasting Corporation known as Radio Rivers and a fake identification card of the CNN.
Checks indicated that Yempe, who has been targeting top government officials, had swindled top members of the State Executive Council over claims that he was shooting a documentary on the activities of Governor Henry Seriake Dickson.
While a Commissioner was said to have parted with huge sum of money, another top official of the government was said to have lodged Yempe in high-brow hotel and processing the approval of a large sum of money to finance the CNN documentary.
Akono, who explained how Yempe was nabbed, said his insistence that he works for CNN led to the fake CNN ID card in his bag.
“The attempt by the fake journalist to affirm his genuineness led to the discovery of a fake CNN Identification card in his bag. He came to the office of the Energy Commissioner claiming to have come for an interview as part of a documentary he is working on for the state. I asked the Commissioner to allow him in and apprehended him. I asked him for his camera but he said he is using his mobile handset as a recorder.”

Anambra 2014: Can Anambra North make It?

From NWAKALOR CHINONSO, Onitsha


The Stage is almost set for the gubernatorial election in Anambra State and the political gladiators in the state are already jostling around   to make themselves relevant and the people conscious of their political ambition.  Incidentally too, the lacuna created by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been filled up, as the body has come up with a programme for the election. Unless there is a change in the timetable, the election will take place on November 16, this year, while the handover to the elected Governor will be on March 17, 2014, thereby ending  the eight years of Mr.  Peter Obi’s rule in the state.
As usual, in Anambra where everyone believes that he or she is not only qualified to contest, but even more qualified than any other person, a lot of people have declared their intention to contest, while many more are still likely to declare.  Nobody will be surprised at the number of people already on the field of play, especially when one realizes that in the last gubernatorial election in the state, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) alone had more than 40 governorship aspirants, whose posters adorned the streets of Anambra State.
Presently, more than 50 gubernatorial aspirants from different political parties and from all the three Senatorial zones in the state have emerged, and it does not appear as if the political field is yet saturated, because many more seem to be putting on their fighting gloves. This is in spite of the fact that the State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi has widely announced to all and sundary that the next Governor of Anambra State has been zoned to Anambra North Senatorial District. His argument for that decision which still appears to be an individual’s decision is that Anambra North has so far been marginalized in the scheme of things in the state, because the area has not produced any governor since the creation of Anambra State in 1991.  His contention is that fairness demands that Anambra North should be given the opportunity to produce the next governor for the state in order to correct the imbalance.
Much as those pieces of submissions appear convincing and logical, the fact is that many aspirants have emerged from both the Anambra Central and Anambra South Senatorial Districts, even though it seems that there are more aspirants from Anambra North than from any of the other two Senatorial Districts.
Those aspiring from the two Senatorial zones whose Governor Peter Obi’s zoning formular does not favour have advanced their argument which tends to project the Governor as trying to bring division among the various Senatorial zones and among people who have been co-existing peacefully since the creation of the state.
They have also argued in unism that the issue of zoning of any  elective position in the state is such a serious matter that could not be dictated by any individual, but an issue which could only be discussed and resolution taken on a round – table conference of stake holders.  Many of them have declared variously at different fora, that the issue of zoning political offices has never been tabled at any meeting in the state and as such, an imposition of such an issue could not be accepted by the political leaders, no matter how palatable it may appear.
One fact has actually emerged from all enquires over zoning.   That fact is that virtually every stakeholder agrees that zoning if adopted could assist in dousing the political tension that is characteristics of elections in the state, but what everyone opposes is imposing it on the people.
It also seems that the aspirants and indeed leaders of other political parties believe that if the zoning policy is adopted now as proposed by Mr.  Peter Obi, it would give the Governor’s party-the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) an advantage, as the people of the North could see it as what the Governor and his APGA Government of the State did for them and therefore vote for APGA candidates massively.
The aspirants from Anambra Central and Anambra South Senatorial Districts have also argued that in past elections interested persons from the North contested with others and were not barred, so there is no genuine reason why the 2014  should now be reserved for them alone.
It is also their argument that the policy if allowed, will give Governor Obi the opportunity to select a candidate by himself which will make nonsense of democracy we all clamour that it thrives.
Although many people from Anambra North have expressed delight about Governor Obi’s view to draw the governorship race exclusive to them, the general opinion is that the Governor has inadvertently drawn the antagonism of other zones against them as some people have vowed never to yield to such a plan now.
Another serious implication of that policy is that aspirants from the area seem to have swallowed it hook, line and sinker and have come out in large number.  There are more aspirants so far from Anambra North Senatorial District now than there had ever been in any past election. Some may see it as healthy, but a proper political analyses will easily convince one, that the situation may eventually yield adverse result to the zone.
The implication of Governor Obi’s policy is that unless the aspirants from Anambra North think fast and act fast, leading to some of them dropping their ambition, they may end up losing even the nomination of their parties to their counterparts from the Central and the South Senatorial Districts.  If that happens, they cannot stand for the election proper how much more winning it.
Serious contenders so far from Anambra North Senatorial Zone include :
Prince John Emeka:
Prince John Emeka hails from Anam in Anambra West Local Government Area of Anambra State.  He is of a royal family, being the son of H.R.H Late Igwe Emeka.  He was former Minister for Water Resources and had contested Senatorial election for Anambra North and won, but later his victory was nullified in the court.  He seems to be enjoying the support of a large percentage of people from the Senatorial Zone.  According to sources, he is presently believed to be contemplating defecting to the All Progressive Grand Alliance where he intends to vie for ticket to make his gubernatorial ambition a reality.  Sources close to him said this decision was predicated on the conviction that the nullification of his electoral victory at the court was plotted by some powerful members of the PDP in the state who believed that if he was allowed to go to the Senate, he would use that position to consolidate his plan for the 2014 governorship election.  He therefore feels that being in the same party with such people who can work against him when it matters most does not argur well for him.  His other reason however, is that the state governor as the state leader of the party could at the end, convince APGA to conceed the Governorship ticket to somebody from Anambra North.  Prince Emeka’s permutation is however now beclouded with uncertainty as to which way even the APGA could go, judging from the recent Appeal Court, Enugu, judgement which pronounced Chief Victor Umeh as authentic National Chairman of APGA.
Hon Victor Afam Ogene:
Hon Victor Afam Ogene is from Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State. He is presently representing Ogbaru Local Government Area in the National Assembly Ogene is one who has age and education to his adventage, and is one of the strongest proponents of Anambra North producing the next governor.  Another fact to his advantage is that opinions in his area adjudge him as already doing very well, both in his contributions at the House of Representatives and in drawing democracy dividends close to communities within his area of representation.  He was known to have made huge personal donations to the widows, the less privileged and the unemployed youths in his local government area.  Hon.  Ogene was one of the first group of people to declare his intention to contest the governorship election on the platform of All Progressive Grand Alliance ( APGA).
Senator Emma Anosike :
Senator Emma Anosike had been in the Senate using the platform of Peoples Democratic Party to represent Anambra North Senatorial District.  He is one of the strong pillars of PDP in Anambra North Senatorial zone and has remained consistent with the party, in spite of all odds.
Senator Anosike has come out strong and has announced his intention to contest the governorship still on the platform of PDP.  His earlier position in the Senate and consistency in the PDP and major stakeholder in the politics of not only Anambra North, but the state in general, projects him as one of the gubernatorial aspirants to watch in the 2014 gubernatorial election of the state.
Meanwhile, his posters are already pasted all around the places while his foot Soldiers are going round, telling the people of Anambra State what the former Senator has up his sleeve.
Chief Paul Odenigbo:
Chief Paul Odenigbo was until recently, the former Secretary to Anambra State Government. His position at that level in government has exposed him to high level experience in human management and analysts said that it will be an advantage to him, because he has acquired enough knowledge about the working of government and Anambra State in particular.

Mr. Oseloka Obaze:
Mr. Oseloka Obaze is from Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State.  He is presently the Secretary to Anambra State Government, a position which Chief Paul Odenigbo occupied before he came.
Observers are however of the opinion that Mr.  Obaze is yet to adjust to the political style of Nigeria and Anambra State in particular, having just returned from America where he lived for a long time.  There is also the notion that he is not a good mixer and not many people are comfortable with the way he wants everybody that comes around him to adjust to his American way.   It is widely believed that the Anambra State Governor Obi is solidily behind him in the bid to replace him in 2014, a position which political observers said should amount to a continuation of Mr.  Obi’s leadership of the state.

Mr. Chinedu Idigo :
Chinedu Idigo hails from Aguleri and before now, had practised law in Lagos.  He is from the royal Idigo family and the son of a Prominent journalist, late Chief Gab Idigo.
Mr. Idigo is a very young man whom the youths in Anambra North have indeed endorsed as their choice for the governorship come 2014.
Left to the youths, he has no problem mounting the seat of power, but he has some battle to do with older contenders who feel that he is too young and inexperienced for the position of a governor he wants to occupy.

Dr. Chike Obidigbo :
Dr Chike Obidigbo is a well known industrialist and employer of labour. He hails from Umunya in Oyi Local Government Area. Several opinions are that he is the choice of the State  Governor, Mr.  Peter Obi, although nothing has happened publicly to confirm that opinion.
Observers said that he has all it takes to win the gubernatorial election and lead well, judging from his vast experience in human and financial management. His company has branches across the South- East and has more than 2,000 people in its employ.
It is said that Dr. Obidigbo has sufficient resources to fund his campaign unlike most of the other contenders. His gentle disposition is also said to be an advantage to him.

Mr Patrick Obianwu :
Mr. Patrick Obianwu is a Lagos based architect who feels that there is urgent need for him to come and rebuild Anambra State.
From all indications, he has the will and has in the last few months been making franctic effort to ensure that his dream becomes a reality.
He hails from Onitsha where he had his early life education. Mr.  Obianwu is driving towards his ambition through the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).  It is however understood that Onitsha people are thinking on the line of conceding the governorship to a candidate from Anambra East or West Local Governments which has larger population in order to ensure that the Anambra North Senatorial District emerges as the governor. If that happens, Mr. Obianwu’s ambition will be jeopardized.

Students give FG, ASUU 7-day ultimatum to end strike

From NWAKALOR CHINONSO, Asaba


Peeved by almost two-month old strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), yesterday issued a one-week ultimatum to the Federal Government and the union’s leadership to resolve their differences or face serious consequences.
The students said if the impasse was not resolved within the next seven days, it will mobilise students on a nation-wide riot in what it described as ‘operation occupy Nigeria’.
The students’ body  appealed to ASUU to return to the classroom and continue negotiation with the Federal Government since the latter claimed to have released over N100 billion for infrastructural development and another N30 billion for allowances.
This was the highpoint of a protest by the students who blocked the Asaba end of the River Niger Bridge to press home their demands. The protest caused traffic snarl for several hours as the students stalled movements to the eastern part of the country even as those returning were barred.
NANS coordinator in the South-South and South-East, Comrade Chinonso Obasi, stated that students were at the receiving end of the strike and vowed that they would take their destinies in their own hands if the parties failed to reconcile within a week.
“We are appealing to ASUU that since  the Federal Government has been able to release N100 billion for infrastructural development and N30 billion for allowance, they should go back to classroom and continue their negotiation or agitation. This is our prayer and wish.
“We are giving them one week to open the schools or be ready to face corrosive consequences in form of nation-wide demonstration and riots. We are ready to mobilise for that and it will be operation occupy Nigeria,” he said.
Lamenting the effect of the strike,  Obasi said students have become prone to accidents on the  highways and the female students have been reduced to sex hawkers on the streets.
His words: “I stand to tell you that a lot of accidents have been recorded and 99.9% of the victims are Nigerian students. If they were in classrooms, they would not have fallen victims of road crashes.
“Our female students have become commercial sex hawkers on the streets in order to make ends meet. This colossal effect is more than what ASUU is agitating for. Hence, we can no longer fold our arms and watch things go wrong.”

40m Nigerians need good jobs – SURE-P

Ado-Ekiti
     
The Chairman of Subsidy Reinvestment and Employment Programme (SURE-P), Dr.  Christopher Kolade, yesterday expressed concern over the plight of 40 million Nigerians who need good jobs. 
Speaking during the sensitization and mobilisation programme organized by the Graduate Internship Scheme (GIS) in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State yesterday, he said President Goodluck Jonathan was committed to solving the employment problem through the SURE-P.
Kolade, who was represented by the Technical Assistant to Community Services, Women and Youth Employment (CSWYE) of SURE-P, Mr. Emeka Ekpunobi, noted that through the GIS, President Jonathan was making efforts to ensure that the employment problem, which had accumulated for years was addressed drastically.
“Through the GIS, we have the mandate to create 50, 000 jobs. This sensitization workshop is therefore very important to us because it is part of our commitment to ensure that the GIS achieves the objectives for which it was set up,” he said.
He noted that President Jonathan had demonstrated his commitment to tackling the challenge of youth employment by providing the necessary platform and funds.
The programme, which was organised by the GIS in collaboration with Kalends Consulting, was aimed at making Nigerian graduates more employable through training and mentoring.
The consultant, Mr. Kayode Longe noted that the Graduate Intership Scheme was being organised to expose young graduates to the labour market where they would be more exposed to realities and challenges in the industry that will let them be employable.
The Project Director of the GIS , Mr. Peter Parka said: “National Bureau of Statistics in 2011 indicate that 23.9 per cent of Nigerians are unemployed. This means that about 40 million Nigerians need employment. Government is concerned about this high unemployment rate and its doing everything possible to reverse it.”

Ondo guber: Mimiko wins

Jubilation trailed the decision of the  Supreme Court, affirming the judgment of the Court of Appeal that declared Governor Olusegun Mimiko as validly elected governor of Ondo State.
In a unanimous judgment yesterday, the apex court threw out the multiple appeals challenging the election of Mimiko describing it as unmeritorious.
The appellants, Chief Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) and his defunct political party, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) as well as his counterpart from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olusola Oke, had filed appeals against the decision of the Court of Appeal.
Also, Mimiko and his Labour Party (LP) filed a cross-appeal against the judgment of the Court of Appeal which was equally dismissed by the Supreme Court.
The development caused  jubilation amongst supporters of the governor, who had thronged the court to keep vigil for the anticipated judgment.
The environment was electrifying  as praise-singers went into work, singing praises to God and for justices of the Supreme Court and the governor.
Delivering his lead judgment in the appeal brought by ACN and Akeredolu, Justice Nwali Sylvester Ngwuta held that the allegations of manipulation of the voters register with respect to the injection of 100,000 names as well as the allegations of substantial non-compliance and infractions against the Electoral Acts were not substantiated by the appellants.
In addition, Justice Ngwuta held that the failure to produce the alleged manipulated voter register for the purpose of comparing it with the one used for the election by the appellants made their case fatal.
He said even if it was proved that the 100,000 voters turned out and voted for the governor and the court proceeded to remove their votes, the governor could still have won given the wide margin between them.
The court held that the evidence of the expert produced by Akeredolu were based on hearsay and therefore inadmissible in law.
“The evidence of the alleged experts lacked credibility and the court is not bound to accept the evidence of an expert especially when the expert witness trade himself as hawking his profession for a fee.
“The court has a duty to treat such evidence with disdain. Afterall, ‘he who pays the piper dictates the tune.”
“Overall, the issues raised in this appeal lacked merit and are hereby dismissed. I hereby affirm the judgment of the Court of Appeal.
Also, the appeal brought by the PDP and its candidate, Chief Olusola Oke suffered a similar fate as it was equally dismissed.
In her lead judgment, Justice Mary Peter-Odili, held that the alleged acts of non-compliance with the Electoral Act as well as multiple addition of names in the election register and non- display or publication of same did not in anyway vitiate the out come of the election.
Besides, Justice Odili held that the appellants, “failed to prove that the alleged injection or additional names into the register substantially affected the outcome of the election.”
In his concurrent judgment, Justice Samuel Nkanu Onnonghen said the register was not produced in court and there was no evidence that those people whose names were injected in the register participated  in the voting at the election.

Why I sacked Youths Devt Minister – Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, gave reasons for the sack of Alhaji Inuwa Abdulkadir as Minister of Youths Development, saying that he mismanaged elections into the National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN.
Meanwhile, Abdulkadir’s sack is being flayed in some sections of the North, who claim that the administration failed to use the extensive network of the former minister in cutting deals with Northern leaders.
Abdulkadir, who was sacked as minister by the President on Tuesday, was the pioneer Secretary of the Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, and was believed to have formed an extensive network of contacts across northern Nigeria in that position.

*Inuwa Abdulkadir

Responding to what it claimed were misrepresentations in the media on the sack of the minister, presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, in a statement yesterday, gave reasons for the removal of the minister.
The media had been awash with reports that Abdulkadir was sacked for his supposed close relationship with some alleged political foes of the president, prominent among whom are Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal and Governor Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State.
Other reports had attributed the sack to the former minister’s alleged deliberate attempt to undermine the election of a supporter of President Jonathan as the new NYCN president.
The statement
The statement said: “While many media outlets erroneously attributed the Minister’s sacking to his disloyalty or closeness to a particular governor or governors said to be opposed to the President, the most disingenuous and malicious speculation was by a national newspaper, which claimed that Alhaji Abdulkadir was fired for “failing to ensure that a Pro-Jonathan candidate emerged as President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN.
“We wish to assure the general public that nothing could be further from the truth. President Jonathan regards all Nigerian youths as his wards and constituents.
“Claims that he had a preferred candidate in the NYCN elections are completely baseless and without justification as there was absolutely no reason for him to prefer one candidate over others.
“President Jonathan remains sincerely and unwaveringly committed to doing all within his powers to promote the credibility and integrity of the electoral process at all levels in the country.
“He firmly believes that a culture of free, fair and credible election must be constantly nurtured and encouraged amongst Nigerian youths and all other sections of the country.
His ‘sin’
“In point of fact, it was Alhaji Abdulkadir’s regrettable deviation from this presidential commitment in the management of the NYCN elections that led to the decision to relieve him of his appointment as Minister of Youth Development.
“President Jonathan was very displeased with the mishandling of the NYCN elections in Makurdi and Minna by the Ministry of Youth Development, which resulted in the unfortunate fractionalisation of the youth council.
“The President found the Ministry’s failure to provide appropriate leadership towards open and transparent youth council elections unacceptable.
“President Jonathan is sincerely committed to doing everything possible to ensure that the Nigerian youth, on whom the country’s aspirations for a bright and prosperous future depend, are given the best possible upbringing and orientation.
“The President, therefore, expects all officials of his administration to exhibit greater rectitude and sensitivity on issues related to youth development, and comport themselves at all times in a manner worthy of emulation by Nigerian youth.”
‘He’s an asset’
Meanwhile, there was concern, yesterday, that in sacking Abdulkadir the administration let off one of the most experienced and knowledgeable persons in the administration on issues about the North.
As pioneer secretary of ACF, Abdulkadir was said to have developed an extensive network of friends and contacts in the North through whom the administration could have articulated its political and other objectives.
A government official told Vanguard, yesterday: “There are very few persons around with the kind of network that Inuwa has.
“In his position as ACF secretary, he developed the kind of contact that crossed all ethnic and religious divides in the North as he worked with people like Sunday Awoniyi, Yakubu Gowon, Shehu Shagari in the setting up of ACF.
“It was somebody like Inuwa that was needed to reach out to Boko Haram and Northern leaders, but he was left hanging out.”

Manchester United and Liverpool will renew their rivalry at the end of September after they were drawn together in the third round of the Capital One Cup.

Manchester United and Liverpool will renew their rivalry at the end of September after they were drawn together in the third round of the Capital One Cup.
The two sides will meet at Old Trafford on 24 or 25 September after Liverpool came through a second-round test by Notts County on Tuesday night and the match is one of five ties featuring only Barclays Premier League sides.
Aston Villa will host Tottenham Hotspur after Paul Lambert's side recorded a straightforward 3-0 victory over League One club Rotherham United. Andreas Weimann opened the scoring after 19 minutes before Christian Benteke headed home Gabriel Agbonlahor’s cross five minutes before the interval. Fabian Delph completed the scoring in the second half with an accomplished finish after a fine build-up.

"I thought some of the football was excellent"
Paul Lambert

"You have to earn the right to win a football match," Lambert told the club's website. "We carried on where we left off in the last three games. Some of the football was excellent."
Everton booked a third-round tie away to Fulham after they edged past Stevenage Borough 2-1 at Goodison Park. The visitors went ahead through Luke Freeman while Gerard Deulofeu equalised with a curling shot just before half-time. With neither side able to add to their tally within the 90 minutes, the match went into extra-time and substitute Marouane Fellaini sealed the win with a close-range strike with five minutes to go.
The other all Barclays Premier League ties have Arsenal travel to The Hawthorns to take on West Bromwich Albion, who beat Newport County on Tuesday night, while Cardiff City will travel to West Ham United after a 2-0 victory at Accrington Stanley. Two goals in two minutes from Nicky Maynard and Rudy Gestede were enough for Malky Mackay's team but the win was overshadowed by the injury to new signing Andreas Cornelius, who was carried off just before the break.
Newcastle United will play Championship side Leeds United after they beat Morecombe 2-0 in a hard-fought tie at the Globe Arena. The teams were well matched, with the Magpies having to make two goal-line clearances, until Shola Ameobi broke the deadlock with six minutes to go when his goalbound effort was deflected in. Younger brother Sammy Ameobi scored with a neat finish in the final minute.

"This was a tough, tough game, make no mistake"
Alan Pardew

The Ameobis are now the first siblings to score in the same competitive match for the club.
"It was a big win," manager Alan Pardew said. "This was a tough, tough game, make no mistake. We were really under the cosh with the power of that team and we withstood that."
Striker Kenwyne Jones scored a hat-trick in the 3-1 victory over Walsall to ensure Stoke City progressed to the next round, where they will play Tranmere Rovers.
Holders Swansea City will begin their campaign at Birmingham City in the third round, Sunderland host Darren Ferguson's Peterborough United, Manchester City play Wigan Athletic in a repeat of the 2013 FA Cup final, Southampton take on Bristol City, Chelsea and Norwich City travel to Swindon Town and Watford, while Hull City are at home to Huddersfield Town.

Capital One Cup third-round draw

Manchester United v Liverpool
Sunderland v Peterborough United
West Ham v Cardiff City
Manchester City v Wigan Athletic
Burnley v Nottingham Forest
Newcastle United v Leeds United
Southampton v Bristol City
West Bromwich Albion v Arsenal
Swindon Town v Chelsea
Tranmere Rovers v Stoke City
Watford v Norwich City
Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur
Hull City v Huddersfield Town
Leicester City v Derby County
Birmingham City v Swansea City
Fulham v Everton
Matches to be played 24 or 25 September.

Capital One Cup second-round results

Accrington Stanley 0-2 Cardiff City
Aston Villa 3-0 Rotherham United
Everton 2-1 Stevenage
Morecambe 0-2 Newcastle United
Stoke City 3-1 Walsall

Nollywood actress, Yvonne Jegede is back..... Releases hot new photos of her...

Nollywood actress, Yvonne Jegede is back..... Releases hot new photos of her...

The Sexy dark skinned Nollywood actress Yvonne Jegede, who left the scene in the year 2007 to study International Relations in Cyprus is back to. Yvonne, who was one of the chicks in 2face Idibia's African Queen video, has been spotted on movie locations since her return to Nigeria.

ANAMBRA 2013: My plans and prospects – Comrade Tony Nwoye

Comrade Tony Nwoye, the former student activist emerged as the candidate of the PDP for the forthcoming gubernatorial elections at the primaries conducted last weekend. Following his nomination, he spoke to Vanguard in a brief interview. Excerpts:
Can we know the significance of your victory at the polls?
My victory confirms that power belongs to God. We campaigned across the wards in the 21 local government areas and left the rest to God. And that confirms to us that President Jonathan and the national leadership led by Bamanga Tukur are committed to internal democracy in the party. It confirms that the president did not interfere with the PDP primaries in Anambra. PDP members in Anambra State felt that this man who is a former state chairman should be given a chance. My people at the grassroots helped me to convince and mobilise people for my victory.
Given that two parallel primaries where held and another factional candidate Senator Andy Uba emerged, on the strength of this don’t you think it has implications for your candidacy?
There were no parallel primaries. The Supreme Court in one of its judgments said something in that direction. You talk of parallel when two things are equal. You can’t describe a fraudulent exercise as primaries. The Supreme Court has said that if a state conducted its primaries, it amounts to a fraud. It affirmed that only the national working committee  has the power to conduct primaries.

Tony Nwoye

We had notable party chieftains who attended the primaries that produced me. We had Governor Shema, Senator Ndoma Egba among others, who were in attendance. All these men of proven integrity gathered together at the police headquarters and x-rayed the whole situation before going to the field. How can someone now claim to have emerged as candidate through a fraudulent process? Who were the delegates that elected him?
The PDP national working committee is equal to the task. We are also equal to the task here in Anambra. How did they elect their delegates? They bought forms from the national secretariat, appeared before the screening panel and when the panel now went to work at the Ekwueme Square they preferred to go to a different place where nobody will oppose them and claimed to have had primaries.
What do you make of claims in some quarters that your emergence was programmed to pave way for Senator Uba given that you emerged ahead of other leading contenders?
How could that be possible? Under what basis? How can someone with my background be programmed to win? The people saying that are APC and APGA because their conclusion was that Uba or Ukachkwu would hijack the PDP ticket. They know that once someone of our caliber and from our background becomes the candidate, it would not be an easy ride for them.
Their fear is because of the voting pattern especially in Anambra North. We have seven local governments in Anambra North in addition to Awka north. All we need to do is to stop APC from rigging in Idemili and stop the governor from rigging in Anaocha. That ends the election. The same forces who are causing confusion were the ones that conspired to stop me from going to the House of Representatives after my victory.
If  INEC decides to stand its grounds on the recognition of the Uba faction, what will you do?
They can not do that. They can not. They wrote a letter that they recognized Oguebego  but that is different from having primaries. Let us assume that they recognised Oguebego.. But Oguebego is not the one to conduct primaries. The National Headquarters recgnised Ken Emeakayi as the state chairman.  INEC can not try it. Prof Jega dares not to try it.
What do we expect from you in the days ahead?
We expect total reconciliation. We are already reaching out to our brothers who contested but failed. Only one person can be governor. So we shall all witness the healing process.

ANAMBRA 2013: My plans and prospects – Comrade Tony Nwoye

Comrade Tony Nwoye, the former student activist emerged as the candidate of the PDP for the forthcoming gubernatorial elections at the primaries conducted last weekend. Following his nomination, he spoke to Vanguard in a brief interview. Excerpts:
Can we know the significance of your victory at the polls?
My victory confirms that power belongs to God. We campaigned across the wards in the 21 local government areas and left the rest to God. And that confirms to us that President Jonathan and the national leadership led by Bamanga Tukur are committed to internal democracy in the party. It confirms that the president did not interfere with the PDP primaries in Anambra. PDP members in Anambra State felt that this man who is a former state chairman should be given a chance. My people at the grassroots helped me to convince and mobilise people for my victory.
Given that two parallel primaries where held and another factional candidate Senator Andy Uba emerged, on the strength of this don’t you think it has implications for your candidacy?
There were no parallel primaries. The Supreme Court in one of its judgments said something in that direction. You talk of parallel when two things are equal. You can’t describe a fraudulent exercise as primaries. The Supreme Court has said that if a state conducted its primaries, it amounts to a fraud. It affirmed that only the national working committee  has the power to conduct primaries.

Tony Nwoye

We had notable party chieftains who attended the primaries that produced me. We had Governor Shema, Senator Ndoma Egba among others, who were in attendance. All these men of proven integrity gathered together at the police headquarters and x-rayed the whole situation before going to the field. How can someone now claim to have emerged as candidate through a fraudulent process? Who were the delegates that elected him?
The PDP national working committee is equal to the task. We are also equal to the task here in Anambra. How did they elect their delegates? They bought forms from the national secretariat, appeared before the screening panel and when the panel now went to work at the Ekwueme Square they preferred to go to a different place where nobody will oppose them and claimed to have had primaries.
What do you make of claims in some quarters that your emergence was programmed to pave way for Senator Uba given that you emerged ahead of other leading contenders?
How could that be possible? Under what basis? How can someone with my background be programmed to win? The people saying that are APC and APGA because their conclusion was that Uba or Ukachkwu would hijack the PDP ticket. They know that once someone of our caliber and from our background becomes the candidate, it would not be an easy ride for them.
Their fear is because of the voting pattern especially in Anambra North. We have seven local governments in Anambra North in addition to Awka north. All we need to do is to stop APC from rigging in Idemili and stop the governor from rigging in Anaocha. That ends the election. The same forces who are causing confusion were the ones that conspired to stop me from going to the House of Representatives after my victory.
If  INEC decides to stand its grounds on the recognition of the Uba faction, what will you do?
They can not do that. They can not. They wrote a letter that they recognized Oguebego  but that is different from having primaries. Let us assume that they recognised Oguebego.. But Oguebego is not the one to conduct primaries. The National Headquarters recgnised Ken Emeakayi as the state chairman.  INEC can not try it. Prof Jega dares not to try it.
What do we expect from you in the days ahead?
We expect total reconciliation. We are already reaching out to our brothers who contested but failed. Only one person can be governor. So we shall all witness the healing process.

ANAMBRA 2013: I ‘ll make another history –Gov. Peter Obi

By Nwakalor Chinonso and Nneli Franis
Awka, Anambra State.
29/08/2013
2:00pm


MANY had in the past dismissed Governor Peter Obi as a kindergarten politician with no fighting fibre or political presence in the politically charged Anambra theatre. Purveyors of such claim have for long asserted that the governor lacks the capacity to hand over to a chosen successor.
It was, however, a different Obi that many saw last weekend after the APGA governorship primaries when the governor boasted of his readiness to ensure the party prevails in the forthcoming governorship election.
His boast followed the success of what many believe to be his personal candidate for the office, the former banker, Chief Willie Obiano.
Noting his political feats in Anambra, the governor said: “I was the first person to pursue his electoral mandate for three years and eventually get it. I was also the first governor to be impeached and the impeachment reversed by court.”
“Again, I was the first Anambra governor, both in old and new Anambra, to complete two terms and, by the grace of God, I will be the first Anambra governor to hand over to his party’s candidate after completing two terms.”
According to Obi, the forthcoming governorship election is crucial to APGA, reminding members of his party that the journey to enthrone another APGA government has just begun.
The first move, he said, is to bring everybody together, including those who aspired to be governor, but could not make it. “For us to win the medal, we must work as a team,” he concluded.

Soludo, Ogene, Odenigbo, Uzoh, Mrs. Ekwunife , Okonkwo, Ndubuisi and Ifeanyi Uba

Who wants Ngige out?
The APC is yet to hold its governorship primaries, but some folks in Anambra are apparently not waiting for the primaries to tackle the party’s presumptive nominee, Senator Chris Ngige.
Ngige’s chances of picking the APC ticket brightened last week after his major rival and predecessor in the Senate, Senator Annie Okonkwo agreed to step down for him following strong persuasions by Governor Rochas Okorocha. In fact, Senator Okonkwo followed his decision by collapsing his own formidable political machinery into Ngige’s campaign and agreeing to become the campaign manager for Ngige.
Now, even before the formal endorsement of Ngige as the APC candidate, a civil society group, the Conference of Nigeria Registered Voters has petitioned INEC, over what it claims as the system adopted by APC in picking its governorship candidate for the November 16 gubernatorial election in the state.
Chairman of the group, Mr. Jezie Ekejiuba, in the petition addressed to the chairman of INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega said APC has hot followed the provisions of the Electoral Act in selecting its flag bearer for the election.
He said: “It may interest your commission to know that at the time of this petition, APC has not no interim state executive of state chairman of the party recognized by your commission. Also, the party has not conducted any congress or primary at the ward and local government levels and has not issued nomination forms for the three governorship aspirants of the party.
“Besides, it is improper for Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State to announce to the whole world that the party primaries of September 2 would be a mere formality because the party already has a candidate in the person of Senator Chris Ngige.
“The adoption of Ngige is a clear violation of the provision of Section 87 of the Electoral Act (as amended, which provides for nomination of governorship candidates of political parties where there are two or more aspirants.”
According to him, APC has, in addition to Ngige, two other aspirants namely, Mr. Godwin Ezemo and Mr. Hyger Igwebuike.
Ekejiuba threatened to lodge his petition at the Federal High Court under originating summons to seek the interpretation of the provision of the Electoral Act relating to the nomination of governorship candidates.
Nwoye seeks peace with past enemies
The PDP candidate, Comrade Tony Nwoye who was yesterday received by the national leadership of the party has been going out of his way to repair damages and hurt sensibilities that preceded his emergence.
But even more than that, the former student activist is also reaching out to established political interests in the state who took the posture of “siddon look” in the run up to the primaries.
As party chairman for about three years, Comrade Nwoye obviously hurt many political chieftains in the state, especially given the impression that he was at that time an associate of the then powerful presidential aide, Andy Uba who has now turned a senator. Indeed, Senator Uba emerged as governor of Anambra State in 2007 under Nwoye’s watch as party chairman.
Following his emergence as the party’s candidate, Comrade Nwoye it was learnt has been making a tour of many of those he may have hurt to appease them. Where not, Nwoye has equally been making phone calls to soothe frayed nerves of political chieftains.
Obiano is spotless — Menakaya
THOSE who have questioned the propriety of APGA choosing a political greenhorn to fly the party’s flag in the election can now be assured of one plausible reason the party machine moved towards Willie Obiano.
The chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees, Chief Tim Menakaya has disclosed that Chief Ralph Obiano’s victory was informed by the party’s resolve to present a candidate with an unquestionable record.
Menakaya, who said this in a chat with Vanguard in Akwa, also dismissed claims that those who stepped down for Obiano were forced to do so.
His words: “His emergence is an asset to the party because he is clean and has got good background. He represents a new dawn. That was why he was elected. He emerged because he will continue the good work the party accordingly.”
He further said, “People should stop peddling rumors and learn to appreciate a good product. No body was forced to step down. Those who did that acted on their own and in the interest of the party. At the end we are happy that are presenting a good candidate. What is left is for Obiano to go out there and win the election for the party.”
…He is no weakling — Obidigo
CHAIRMAN of Anambra East Local Goverment Area Mr. Chinedu Obidigbo has debunked claims that the APGA candidate, Chief Willie Obiano is a weakling who would be eaten raw by the candidates of the two major other parties, Chris Ngige of APC and Tony Nwoye of PDP.
He also dismissed assertions that Obiano has no structure in the state as he affirmed that with Obiano, APGA is certain to claim victory in the forthcoming election.
“What do they mean that he has no structure? What manner of structure are they talking about? Those claims are baseless and hold no weight. The party has spoken by presenting its best.”
“So the question of him being weak only exists within the imagination of the people making the claims.”
“I am saying this for the umpteenth time that there is no chance for any political party in Anambra State. APGA has done creditably well to deserve continuation. So what we are looking for now is consolidation”

Andy Uba, four others shun PDP summon; Tony Nwoye receives certificate of return

Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Andy Uba, and four other persons invited by NWC to come and explain why they held a parallel primary during the last Anambra PDP primary election on Wednesday failed to comply with the summon.
Andy Uba alongside his brother Chris Uba, Ejike Oguebego, Benji Udeozor, and Tonia Nwankwu were asked to obey the summon or face sanctions.
The members did not only stay away, they also refused to send an apology for their inability to attend the meeting.
Sources said that the Senator was sighted in Asokoro in the Central Area of the city.
Meanwhile, Tony Nwoye, a former president of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, who won the primary approved by the party leadership was at the national secretariat yesterday to collect his certificate of return.
In a chat with journalists shortly after the brief programme, Nwoye said the alleged recognition given to Andy Uba by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would not stand.

He maintained that the electoral umpire cannot stop him from contesting the election.
According to him, accepting any candidate submitted by the Ejike Oguebego faction of Anambra PDP by INEC amounts to illegality before the law, insisting that the law was clear on who has the right to submit the name of a party candidate to INEC for election.
“It is the national chairman of the party and secretary that present a party’s candidate for an election. Once a party presents a candidate, INEC cannot object to it,” Nwoye said.
He described the primary that produced him as transparent, adding that he had reached out to all the other aspirants to support him.
Apparently referring to the Uba camp, he said he would not allow “whoever wants to be a clog in the wheel of progress to succeed.”
“Chris Uba cannot write names of delegates in his bedroom. If his brother who is my former boss cannot face party members for the primaries, how can he face (Chris) Ngige and other parties?”
He stated that he was seen as a green horn before the exercise, adding that he struggled to be recognised to attend a dinner held by the national chairman for Anambra State aspirants because he was sidelined.

Governor Okorocha under fire for passing abortion bill into law

Gov Rochas Okorocha

There’s an ongoing war between Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha and Catholic Medical Practitioners Association over the abortion bill, which the governor recently signed into law.
The law, which was sponsored by the Majority Leader and member representing Ahiazu Mbaise state constituency, Mrs. Adekunle Ihuoma, is to be cited as “Imo State of Nigeria, Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law Number 12 of 2012”.
It permits every woman to procure abortion at will.
According to the new law, every woman shall have the right to enjoy reproductive rights, including rights to medical abortion in cases of sexual assault, rape, incest and where the continued pregnancy endangers the life or the physical, mental, psychological or emotional health of the mother.

The law also states that “every woman shall have the right to take decisions about her health needs and requirements.”
The law was very specific that a woman “shall have the right to determine the processes concerning reproduction in her body.”
However, the decision of the state government on the bill does not go down well with members of the Catholic Medical Practitioners Association, who have described the law as anti-God.
Chairman of the association, Dr. Phillip Njemanze, while reacting to the new law, said “the law is anti-God, dehumanizing and totally unacceptable to the association.”
“The law is devastating. With its signing into law by Governor Okorocha, abortion has been legalized in the state and anybody, just anybody can now ask for abortion as a right in the state.”
He recalled that the National Assembly had earlier rejected the bill, especially as it was against humanity, noting that the law would encourage human trafficking.

AMCON takes over Ifeanyi Ubah’s Capital Oil

The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria has taken over the management of Capital Oil and Gas Industries.

The Head of Corporate Communications, AMCON, Mr. Kayode Lambo, said in a signed advertorial on Wednesday that the management’s takeover of the indigenous downstream player would last for two years.

He explained that the takeover became necessary after AMCON acquired Capital Oil and Gas’ outstanding facilities from various banks.

The corporation said, “Following discussions with COG, a resolution was reached, which was subsequently adopted as terms of settlement in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/714/2012 at the Federal High Court. One of the key conditions of this settlement is that AMCON takes over executive management of the COG for a period of two years.

“Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, the erstwhile Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, has consequently relinquished his role as head of the organisation. In the interim, AMCON has appointed an acting managing director to ensure accountability and continuity of operations.”

AMCON said its takeover of the executive management of the COG within the two-year timeframe would stabilise the company, adding that it planned to ensure seamless operations at the company.

The agency added that it would, within the two years, “drive the turnaround of the company’s operations in order to meet various timelines and goals set by COG’s board of directors and AMCON.”

“This change of management was effected on June 21, 2013,” AMCON said.

When contacted on the telephone by our correspondent, the Administrative Manager, Capital Oil and Gas Industries, Mr. Ugochukwu Ehighibe, confirmed the development.

“Yes, we have an agreement with them,” he said.

AMCON had shut the premises of Capital Oil and Gas in 2012 following an Abuja Federal High Court ruling that the agency should take over the company’s properties and assets over an alleged N48.014bn debt.

The closure of the company’s 196-million-litre capacity storage tank often used by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation for products storage had hampered products distribution across the country then.

Justice Abdul Kafarati, however, on December 13, 2012 set aside the ex-parte order of November 13, which directed AMCON to take immediate possession of the properties and assets of Capital Oil and Gas as well as those of its managing director, Ubah, over the firm’s alleged indebtedness to the corporation.

But AMCON in an advertorial said it remained firm in its “resolve to vigorously pursue the indebtedness and ensure the recovery of the debt in the interest of the economy.”

The Managing Director, AMCON, Mr. Mustafa Chike-Obi, had put Capital Oil and Gas’ total indebtedness at N65bn as of December 2012.

“It was N53bn plus N12bn of interest accumulated over the last two years, and the interest is accruing at the rate of about N800m to N900m a month,” he had said.

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