Real Betis employ Finidi George

A member of the all-conquering 1994 Super Eagles, Finidi George, has been appointed a member of the technical crew of his former club, Real Betis in Spain.

The right winger, who was at one time adjudged to be the best crosser of the ball, was officially presented on Wednesday as the new International Director for the Spanish club side. George would be working hand in hand with coach Pepe Mel.

One of his tasks will include scouting for players. He expressed delight at being recognised by the club where he played for four years, and expressed his readiness to start work. “It is an opportunity you (the club) gave me to join the technical body and I look forward to work to bring in good players,” he said. He went on to say he would use the opportunity of his global assess and profile to raise the club to greater heights. “I am going to focus on football outside Spain like Africa, Europe and other places where there are good players who can come to Betis,” he said. “I know the coach very well and I actually played with the assistant coach Roberto Rios and the trainer Jesus.”

His career

Finidi joined Real Betis in 1996 from Ajax, in a deal worth $7.6 million, scoring 38 goals in 130 appearances before moving on to Real Mallorca, and Ipswich Town, in the English Premier League, before ending his career at Real Mallorca. At Ajax, he cemented his place as a legend by providing many memorable assists. In that club, he scored 18 goals in 85 appearances. He started his career as a central midfielder with Sharks in Port Harcourt, joining his older brother, Alari George, before his skills drew the attention of national selectors. He then spent two seasons with Calabar Rovers before returning to Sharks in 1993. In Port Harcourt, where he grew up and began his career, he is most admired for his creativity in midfield; but it was as a winger that he gained global recognition for the accuracy of his crossing, which was even rated ahead of David Beckham and Luis Figo at his prime.

Dutchman Clemens Westerhof recognized this, and Finidi’s crosses brought out the best in Rashidi Yekini making the latter Nigeria’s all time top scorer. He has been living in Spain and is very fluent in Spanish and Dutch. At the national scene, he made a goal scoring international debut for Nigeria against Burkina Faso in a thrilling 7-1 defeat where he set up 3 goals, scoring the last after coming on for Austin Eguavoen at half time. He also scored twice in the World Cup qualifiers that secured Nigeria’s first ever qualification for the USA 94 FIFA World Cup. Finidi featured for Nigeria at the Senegal 92 (bronze), Tunisia 94 (gold and Cup,) Nigeria/Ghana 2000 (silver) and Mali 2002 (bronze).

He also represented Nigeria at the USA 1994 and France 98 World Cup and was vice-captain to Sunday Oliseh when the team qualified for the 2002 World Cup; but both of them were controversially omitted from the final squad. His goal against Greece is best remembered for his “dog” celebration and is often replayed.

2011: Ibadan youths protest against IBB candidature

IBADAN—THE presidential campaign of the former military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, IBB, suffered a major setback in the South-West yesterday as youths numbering 500 staged a protest against his re-emergence as the president.

While marching on major streets in Ibadan, the youths passed through the Old Ife road to Agodi telling residents in the city why IBB should be the last to be voted for having spent eight years on the exalted position before.

Armed with placards with various inscriptions such as “Say No to IBB,” “Don’t give in to IBB’s lies, they chanted anti-Babangida songs.

The Anti-Babangida Coalition, spoke through its National Coordinator, Mr. Sina Odugbemi, “We are saying No to IBB. We don’t want Nigerians to pass through the experience again. When they come with their gimmicks, we want people to see beyond their beautiful posters and rhetoric. We need to let them know what we passed through under IBB.”

Vanguard gathered that the youths stopped at each intersection and addressed the people not to waste their votes in 2011 by voting for the former ruler.

They said, “We are saying No to IBB. We don’t want Nigerians to pass through the experience again. When they come with their gimmicks, we want people to see beyond their beautiful posters and rhetoric. We need to let them know what we passed through under IBB.”

Police arrest lawmaker’s aide with Indian hemp

The personal assistant to a member of the House of Representatives who was arrested on Wednesday with 10 sacks of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp in Edo State said yesterday that he took advantage of his boss’ pilgrimage to engage in the illicit business.

The 37-year-old man, Nurudeen Ibrahim who works for Abdulazeez Abubakar, the member representing Mafaranka Federal Constituency of Zamfara State, was arrested by policemen along Auchi-Afuze road with sacks of Indian hemp loaded in the booth of the lawmaker’s official Peugeot 407 car, marked NASS FL 124 REP.

Mr. Ibrahim, who was paraded by the Edo State Police Command, told journalists it was the second time he was coming to buy Indian hemp in Edo State, having earlier engaged in the illicit business during the last Muslim holiday.

He said his friend introduced him to the business which he took up in order to “make up” and he used his friend’s car to convey the consignment of the weed during the first trip to Edo State.

Action to regret

Mr. Ibrahim, who claimed to have bought the 10 sacks of cannabis for N50, 000, also informed the police that he has somebody in Abuja who helps him to sell the weed.

“This is the biggest regret I ever have in life,” said Mr Ibrahim, who claimed to have worked for Mr Abubakar for three years. He also blamed his ordeal on those who sold the weed to him, alleging that they were the ones who leaked the information to the police.

Edo State Police Command spokesman, Peter Ogboi, advised those in authority to open their eyes and monitor the activities of their aides, pointing out that the suspect has taken the advantage of his work with the lawmaker to engage in drug dealing.

He said the case would be transferred to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and eventual prosecution.

Chelsea name Nigerian Emenalo as assistant coach

Chelsea have named Nigerian Michael Emenalo as their assistant manager, the Premier League leaders said on Thursday.

The 45-year-old replaces Ray Wilkins as Carlo Ancelotti's right-hand man. Wilkins left Stamford Bridge last week for undisclosed reasons.

Emenalo joined Chelsea in 2007 and has been working as the club's Head Opposition Scout.

He represented Nigeria as a defender at the 1994 World Cup and played for clubs including Molenbeek in Belgium, England's Notts County and San Jose Clash in the United States

Nigerian militants warn of more kidnappings

Militants in Nigeria's southern Niger Delta warned on Friday that they would carry out more kidnappings from oil installations after the military rescued 19 hostages from one of their camps this week. "Our fighters have being instructed to carry out more raids on oil installations from where fresh hostages will be taken," the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) said in a statement emailed to media.

Nigeria tops in school enrolment in US

Nigeria still leads other Sub Saharan African countries, whose citizens are studying in the United States, a statement by the US embassy in Abuja said yesterday.

According to the statement, a total of 6,568 Nigerians were enrolled in regionally accredited institutions in the US for the 2009/2010 session. The statement, which attributed its source to the Institute for International Education (IIE) annual Open Doors report on the flow of international students to the US said, “Nigeria has maintained its position as the number one country in Sub Saharan Africa for sending the largest number of students to the U.S.

“Nigeria’s increase contributed to the worldwide increase of 2.9% to 690,923 international students in the United States, and helped minimize sub-Saharan Africa’s decrease of 1% over the past year. A total of 6,568 Nigerian students were enrolled in regionally accredited institutions in 2009/10.”

The US Mission’s EducationUSA Advising Centres (EAC) in Lagos and Abuja, according to the statement, celebrated International Education Week (IEW) between November 15 and 19, 2010. The embassy said that, as part of its contribution, the Abuja centre will host several activities, including undergraduate and graduate essay writing workshops and session with selected secondary school students, parents, and teachers.

IEW is a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education to promote programmes to prepare Americans for a global environment, and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn, and exchange experiences in the United States.

The U.S. Mission’s EducationUSA Advising Centre (EAC) promotes U.S. education by providing students and parents in Nigeria with unbiased information and counsel for study in U.S. universities and colleges.

Some of the services provided include guidance on the U.S. college application process, standardised testing, student visa requirements, and pre-departure orientation.

SSS recovers car bomb in hotel

Officials of the State Security Service (SSS) yesterday displayed a car that they said Henry Okah, purchased and wired with a bomb for use in the twin bombings in Abuja on October 1st.

Marilyn Ogar, a spokesperson for the agency, said the car, a Mazda 626 saloon with a Lagos license plate, was discovered parked in a hotel in Port Harcourt. The hotel’s management had discovered that it had been parked there for a long time. A sister of one of the suspects in custody assisted the service in recovering the fully-wired vehicle, which was towed to Abuja.

Other items recovered

Ms. Ogar also revealed that military items, including 10 bulletproof jackets, a large number of camouflage vests, boots, water bottles, and camp tents were intercepted from “a popular transport company which runs cargo courier services from Lagos to Port Harcourt.”

“The military items were sent by Charles Okah to one of the suspects for onward movement to militants in the creeks,” said Ms. Ogar. “In view of these discoveries, the service seizes this opportunity to warn transport and courier companies to be more circumspect in handling goods for customers, as they will be held responsible for conveying prohibited items.” The SSS said the new suspects, including those caught with military items will be charged to court on 25th of November.

Reps to sanction members opposed to Electoral Act

House of Representatives members in staunch support of the heavily-criticised amendment to the Electoral Act that gives lawmakers automatic membership of their parties’ National Executive Committee have demanded that members opposed to the amendment be sanctioned, NEXT learnt yesterday.

Their target are lawmakers who have gone public to state their opposition to the contentious amendments. The renewed determination to ensure the passage of the bill comes as a second member of the House viciously condemned the bill on a Television programme yesterday.

Ita Enang, the chairman House committee on Business and Rules, criticized his colleagues on a TV show on Thursday for introducing and seeking the passage of the proposed sections. He described the bill as “toxic” and called on Nigerians to press for its rejection.

“Certain provision in the bill to amend the Electoral Act is toxic,” he said. “We only allow it come to the floor and passed second reading so that the public will have the opportunity to contribute to it, it does not mean that the bill enjoys the support of the House.

“At the public hearing, the public will be able to make contribution and reject it because the 1999 Constitution had already empowered the political parties to run their affairs, it is not the responsibilities of the National Assembly to make such laws and it must be rejected”.

In his capacity as the chairman of the Rules and Business committee, Mr. Enang approved the bill for listing on the Order Paper for debate during the second reading of the bill.

He however urged his colleagues to reject the contentious clause in the bill at the final reading, saying it will not stand the test of time.

Growing opposition

Mr. Enang said the lawmakers should be more concerned with resolving the uncertainty caused by the court ruling which declared the amendment of the 1999 constitution as incomplete without the assent of the president.

He appeared with Patrick Obahiagbon, the Edo state lawmaker who staged the first public opposition to the bill’s passage at a press conference last Monday. Mr. Obahiagbon had said the attempt to introduce the controversial law, amounts to “legislative rascality”.

Since then, condemnations against the bill have grown with several opposition parties threatening mass protest against its passage.

Source said yesterday that majority of the members who have supported for the bill, view the remarks of the colleagues as contemptuous, and are already making calls for sanctions against them when the House resumes next week.

Eseme Eyiboh, the House spokesperson could not be reached yesterday.

Senate denies doing secret work on state creation

The Senate yesterday denied doing any selective work in favour of certain proposals for state creation submitted to it by people agitating for new states.

The senate spokesman, Ayogu Eze, on Thursday in Abuja, denied allegations that the senators have shortlisted a list of new states which they intend to rubber-stamp during the state creation exercise.

“There is no list of states to be created that has been drawn by the national assembly,” he said. “That matter is not being considered right now but we hope that we will consider it in the life of this sixth national assembly.” He added that currently, the lawmakers are only receiving requests and collating such requests and that the issue of state creation has been relegated until the constitution review exercise is finished.

“We don’t have any reason whatsoever at this stage to eliminate any request or to include any request because we have not started the consideration of any request,” he said.

Mr Eze said all the requests for creation of states are with the senate’s 44-member ad hoc committee on the alteration of the constitution, which would bring out criteria for selection of the states to be created - in accordance with section 9 of the constitution - “when the time comes.”

“All the requests that have been received are with us, we have not drawn up any list, we have not thrown away any request, and we have not taken any request onboard. All of them are intact as they have been made,” he said.

He insisted that the state creation exercise will follow the same pattern with that of the constitution alteration, as outlined in section 8 and 9 of the constitution. He added that it is through such a process that the lawmakers will determine which states would be created, depending on the mood of the public.

Altruistic lawmakers

He also added that the insistence of the lawmakers that the president need not sign an amendment to the constitution before it becomes effective is not an “ego trip,” but a necessary argument that will benefit the constitution in the end.

He also defended the ongoing amendment to the 2010 electoral act, part of which seeks to make the lawmakers members of the National Executive Committees (NEC) of their various parties.

“We are not making laws for ourselves because we are not going to stay in the national assembly forever,” he argued. “We think that if you pull in the representatives of the people into the decision making bodies of the parties, we are making it more democratic; we are bringing in more voices, and views; we are enlarging the political space within the parties and increasing the participation.” He added that the amendment is not strange, considering that only a few parties in Nigeria do not have all their national assembly lawmakers as members of the NEC.

Jonathan warns militants to desist or face fire

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday warned criminals who continue to hide under acronyms to engage in criminal acts of self-enrichment that they no longer have a hiding place, as orders have been given to law enforcement agencies to hunt them down. The President also affirmed that government will continue to pursue its programmes for the re-orientation, rehabilitation and reintegration of all genuine militants who had laid down their arms under the amnesty programme.

He commended the military high command and officers and men of the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta for the safe rescue of the seven foreign and 12 Nigerian oil workers held by kidnappers in the region, yesterday.“While the Federal Government will continue to take all necessary steps to guarantee the safety of lives and property, as well as the security of oil workers and installation in the Niger Delta, all law-abiding citizens have nothing to fear,” the president said.

The security forces yesterday handed the freed hostages to their employers on Thursday.The release of the hostages is seen as a victory for Mr Jonathan’s administration.

Charles Omoregie, commander of a military taskforce in the Niger Delta, said the military had taken over several suspected militant camps in the region’s three main states, including those run by a newly emerging kingpin, known as Obese.“Two camps have been taken over in Delta, two in Bayelsa and three in Rivers ... (The hostages) were all rescued from Obese’s camp here in Rivers state after a sustained military operation.” He said the raids started on Monday and that Obese, thought to be a newfield commander of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND)militant group, had contacted the security forces via former militant leaderswho accepted amnesty last year to tell them he was ready to surrender.

Mr Omoregie praised the role that former MEND field commanders, including Boyloaf and Farah Dagogo, who acceptedlast year’s amnesty, played in ensuring the release of the hostages.

Shocking Experience

The seven expatriates were taken from an offshore oil rig operated by exploration firm Afren on November 7. Eight of the Nigerians were abducted from an Exxon Mobil platform a week later, while the remaining four were employees oflocal construction firm Julius Berger.

One hostage, Canadian Robert Croke, described the ordeal.“It was a shocking experience. They gave us mattresses to sleep on,virtually nothing else. We were begging for food and water because what we were exhausted,” he told reporters. “We were not maltreated, they were not hostile to us, it was just that we lacked the basic necessities.”