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Northern Speakers Want Northern Govs Included In Amnesty C’ttee

The Northern Speakers Forum on Sunday appealed to the Federal Government to include Northern Governors in the Amnesty Committee set up to tackle the Boko Haram insurgency.

A communiqué signed by the communiqué chairman, Mr Stephen Onmeje, and made available to newsmen in Minna, commended the Federal Government for taking steps that would lead to negotiations and possible acceptance of the amnesty.

The speakers also want various state governments, elders and traditional rulers from the region to ensure that peace returned to the region in the interest of  the region’s development.

They called on the National Assembly to hasten the passage of the Hydro Power Producing Area Development Commission (HYPPADEC) Amendment Act, 2012 to ensure the commencement of the commission’s activities.

“Conference commends the Niger Government for contributing substantially to the success of the HYPPADEC and recommended that all states that cut across rivers Niger and Benue to be included in HYPPADEC states.

“On Mambilla Hydro Electricity Project, the forum resolved to continue persuade the Federal Government for the actualisation of the project.

“Conference thanked Federal Government for the construction of new Federal Secretariat in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, in line with its communiqué after the forum’s 22nd meeting held in Lafia on Dec. 10, 2011,’’ it said.

The communiqué also commended the present constitutional amendment process and suggest that the contentious issues, such absolute autonomy of the legislature, local government autonomy and revenue sharing be properly addressed.

It also called on the Federal Government to repair the dilapidated roads, such as  Lambatta-Lapai-Bida-Mokwa road in Niger, Nguru-Gashua-Bayamari road in Yobe as well as the completion of Kano-Maiduguri road expansion.

“The conference appealed to the Federal Government to revisit the 33KVA power project from Gombe to Damaturu and Maiduguri,’’ the communique said. (NAN)

Continue ReadingNorthern Speakers Want Northern Govs Included In Amnesty C’ttee

FA Cup semi-final: Silva Injured; Terry, Lampard On Bench

Manchester City midfielder David Silva missed out on Sunday's FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea due to injury, while John Terry and Frank Lampard were left on the bench for the Blues.

Silva suffered a hamstring problem in Monday's win over Manchester United and the Spaniard was unable to recover for the Wembley clash.

City boss Roberto Mancini was able to recall Argentina forward Sergio Aguero in place of Silva after his winner at Old Trafford.

Mancini also maintained his Cup routine of selecting Costel Pantilimon in goal ahead of England international Joe Hart.

Blues interim manager Rafael Benitez opted to leave out the vastly experienced Terry and Lampard as he preferred John Obi Mikel in midfield and Branislav Ivanovic in central defence.

Senegal striker Demba Ba was declared fit to start ahead of Fernando Torres after recovering from an ankle problem.

 

Continue ReadingFA Cup semi-final: Silva Injured; Terry, Lampard On Bench

United Dismiss Stoke To Close In On Title

Manchester United extended their lead at the top of the Barclays Premier League to 15 points from Manchester City with a routine 2-0 win over Stoke City, who are just three points above the relegation zone.

Michael Carrick put United ahead just four minutes in while Robin van Persie's second half penalty sealed victory for Sir Alex Ferguson's men, meaning they can now wrap up the title as early as next Monday's match against Aston Villa.

It was the perfect start for United as Van Persie's corner was not cleared by Geoff Cameron and Carrick was on hand to scramble home his second goal of the campaign.

The visitors came close to a second in similar circumstances as Patrice Evra fired over from another Van Persie delivery while Wayne Rooney, playing in a central midfield role, saw his effort well saved by Asmir Begovic.

Stoke, whose fans produced 60 seconds of applause for late 14-year-old fan Kameron Bourne on the 14 minute mark, did offer a test for United's backline.

They went close to a leveller when Robert Huth headed wide from Glenn Whelan's free kick as they looked for a way back into the game.

Stoke were unusually troubled at defensive set pieces and Carrick headed wide from Rooney's corner while an audacious Van Persie effort from 45 yards went well wide of its target.

Dutchman Van Persie, who was without a United goal since February before this game, saw plenty of the ball and was next to go close as his shot from the edge of the area was pushed around the post by Begovic.

As the game became more physical, with Andy Wilkinson left with a head bandage and a change of shirt, Rooney fired a 30-yard free kick off target as United continued to have the better chances.

But buoyed by a passionate home crowd, Stoke put the visiting defence under pressure with Shawcross deflecting wide a Charlie Adam corner.

Stoke had the wind advantage in the second half but it took them a while to get going in a slow start after the break.

It was United who were first to create a chance in the second 45 minutes as Javier Hernandez played in Van Persie with a delicate pass but the Dutchman shot into the side netting from the angle.

Jonathan Walters fired over on the half volley for Stoke from Ryan Shotton's header down after Steven Nzonzi's cross from the left.

Adam, making his first Stoke start since January, offered the Potters a fair bit of creativity and his fizzling left footed drive nearly caught David De Gea out.

Adam shot from the halfway line with the wind behind him forcing the United keeper to backpedal but he made a comfortable save.

Kenwyne Jones was next to fire in a shot from the edge of the area but it missed its target as Stoke showed they still had some attacking threat in them.

But just as it looked like the hosts would have a chance, United hit them on the break with Van Persie fouled by Wilkinson in the area from Rooney's 67th-minute pass.

Van Persie confidently took the spot kick, ignoring the wind which had blown the ball off its spot, to fire low and hard to Begovic's left.

The relief was evident as the former Arsenal player celebrated with his manager Alex Ferguson.

Stoke heads did not drop though and they were nearly back in the game when Shotton shot straight at De Gea after running onto Adam's cross-field pass.

The hosts sent on former United player Michael Owen as he winds down his career but other than an Adam free kick that was pushed away by De Gea, Stoke struggled to find a goal as they lost for a sixth time out of seven.

Continue ReadingUnited Dismiss Stoke To Close In On Title

Jonathan Must Ensure Oyerinde’s Killers Are Brought To Justice – Ugolor

Reverend David Ugolor,  is the Executive Director of African Network for Environment and Economic Justice, (ANEEJ). He was alleged by the Police of masterminding the murder of Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde, who was the Principal Private Secretary to Co...

Continue ReadingJonathan Must Ensure Oyerinde’s Killers Are Brought To Justice – Ugolor

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