Flying Eagles resume training in Nnewi

Nigeria's under-20 men football team, the Flying Eagles, are to resume training in Nnewi, Anambra on Monday, an official said on Saturday in Abuja.

The team’s secretary, Aliyu Lawal who said this in a statement, said this would be with players who made the team’s final squad to the 2013 African Youth Championship (AYC).
 
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the team is preparing for the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey, scheduled for June 21 to July 13.
 
Lawal said the 21 players who participated in the AYC held in Algeria have been asked to report to the Beverly Hills Hotel in Nnewi.
 
NAN reports that the Flying Eagles who finished third at the AYC which ended on March 30 have been on break since returning to the country.
 
The Flying Eagles, who are drawn against Cuba, South Korea and Portugal in the first round of the U-20 World Cup, are also due for a training stint in Europe before the trip to Turkey.
 
They are expected to feature at the Toulon Tournament in France as part of their preparations for the U-20 World Cup.
 
NAN reports that the players expected at the Nnewi camp include Jonah Usman, Emmanuel Daniel and Samuel Okani who are all goalkeepers.
 
Others are defenders Ikechukwu Okorie, Chizoba Amaefule, Shehu Abdullahi, Kingsley Madu, Aigbe Oliha, Hassan Abubakar and Aliyu Goyi, as well as midfielders Moses Orkuma, Ovboka Agboyi, Uche Agbo and Abduljaleel Ajagun.
 
The rest are strikers Alhaji Gero, Umar Aminu, Kayode Olanrewaju, Christian Pyabara, Bright Ejike, Edafe Egbedi and Chidi Osuchukwu.(NAN)
 

Continue ReadingFlying Eagles resume training in Nnewi

Ex-Deputy Gov’s Murder: Family Thought We Were Kidding – Kidnappers

A note left on the corpse of the killed former deputy governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chudi Nwike, by his kidnappers has shown that they were provoked by the family’s failure to bring the ransom they demanded for his release in cash. Nwike’s...

Continue ReadingEx-Deputy Gov’s Murder: Family Thought We Were Kidding – Kidnappers

Amaechi Says Report On Helicopters, Jets Acquisition Mischievous

Gov. Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers on Thursday described as ``false and mischievous'' the report that Rivers Government acquired four aircraft in preparation for 2015 election.

A national daily alleged that Amaechi had in the last four months, acquired four aircraft, two armoured helicopters and two private jets, for political campaign in the 2015 presidential elections.

An armoured helicopter sells at about $18 million, while the Gulf Stream costs $10 million.

The paper further reported that $56 million (N9 billion) was spent on the acquisition of the helicopters and the two Jets.

Amaechi, who spoke with State House Correspondents, however, dismissed the report, alleging that the newspaper was only trying to be popular by being mischievous.

He admitted that the State Government acquired the two helicopters for security surveillance not for political reason.

He said the helicopters would be controlled by the Nigerian Air force for patrol of the state.

“The truth is that, and the Federal Government is aware, they gave us approval to buy two helicopters to fly around the state for the purpose of security and we have done that, we bought and we paid.

“Up till now, they have not allowed the helicopter to come in. May be they are afraid that it is for 2015. Please help us beg them on behalf of the state that we need the aircraft to be able to secure the people of the state.

“Again, it is not within our control, it is in the control of the Nigerian Air force. Well, we will hire a civilian pilot but Nigerian security will manage it, not us. So, how will you use what is in the hands of Nigerian security to campaign? You see the mischief?”

According to him, the two helicopters will ensure that Rivers is under watch for 24 hours.

Amaechi also dismissed the insinuation that he was contemplating decamping from the PDP to another party. (NAN)

Continue ReadingAmaechi Says Report On Helicopters, Jets Acquisition Mischievous