Thunder Entertainment

Thursday, 24 April 2014

FG Inaugurates Organising Committee For 2014 Nigeria Oil, Gas Forum

Minister-of-State-for-Trade-and-Investment-Dr-Samuel-Ortom

— April 24, 2014

The Federal Government has inaugurated the organising committee for the 2014 Nigeria Oil and Gas Trade and Investment Forum.
The inter-ministerial committee was inaugurated on Wednesday in Abuja by Mr Samuel Ortom, Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment.
Ortom reiterated that the Federal Government would continue to promote the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority in Rivers as the gateway for the oil and gas industry in Africa.
He said that the present administration was committed to consolidating the successes achieved in the past two editions of the forum to further strengthen the economy.
The minister said the 2013 Oil and Gas Trade and Investment Forum recorded over 2,500 participants, 100 exhibitors and over 500 investment enquiries.
“I am particularly happy that last year’s edition of the forum was a huge success.
“I am proud of the achievement of the ministry’s organising committee and our partner, Orlean Investment West Africa Limited,” Ortom said.
He said that the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority was structured and designed to address specific needs and requirements of the corporate bodies in the industry.
“Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone was established as a tax-free centre for processing of goods that encourage acquisition of skills, job creation and transfer of technology.
“It also encourages local content participation, enhanced foreign exchange earnings and backward integration in the country,” he stated.
Orton urged the organising committee to work hard to ensure that this year’s forum recorded better success in terms of attracting more domestic and foreign investment into the sector.
The committee’s terms of reference include organising a two-day trade and investment forum on oil and gas from Oct. 30 and to showcase the Onne Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone as a successful free trade zone in Nigeria.
Others are to mobilise relevant stakeholders, public and private sector investors (local and foreign) for the forum as well as monitoring and following up on the outcomes of the forum.
Members of the committee are drawn from the federal ministries of Industry, Trade and Investment; Petroleum, Transport and Niger Delta Affairs as well as Orleans Invest West Africa.
Other members are the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, Nigeria Ports Authority, Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority, Nigeria Export Processing Zone Authority, Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission, Nigeria Customs Service and Nigeria Immigration Service. (NAN)

FG Remains Committed To Oil Sector Deregulation – Alison-Madueke

By Juliet Alohan

— March 19, 2014

Despite strong resistance against plans to deregulate the downstream oil and gas sector, minister of petroleum resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, has said the federal government’s commitment to deregulating the sector “remains unwavering.”
She made the declaration yesterday in Abuja during her ministerial address on the topic “State of the Industry: Achievements and Steps to the Next Level,” at the on-going 2014 Nigeria Oil and Gas (NOG) Conference and Exhibition.This is even as the director, department of petroleum resources, George Osahon, also disclosed that the country’s crude oil reserves and production were drastically dropping, a situation he said calls for great concern given the country’s dependence on oil revenue.
The minister in her presentation said: “In terms of downstream deregulation, now that the power sector reforms are well underway, the Nigerian government’s commitment to restructuring the oil and gas sector remains unwavering.
“In this regard, downstream deregulation remains an important part of the reform framework going forward, that seeks to restore financial sustainability and investor confidence in this sector of the national economy now and into the future.
“We are aware that government had sought to deregulate the sector, and continued regulation we are aware as well have several negative effects.
It is physically unsustainable, it discourages investment and principally it benefits the rich not the masses in the society that we intend to reach in the first place.”
She emphasised that deregulation remains the only way in which capital investment can be encouraged and new employment opportunities created for both foreign and local operators adding that in a democratic polity there has to be a balance amongst different policies of government and the needs and desires of the people of Nigeria.
The minister further stressed that as the country moves towards liberalising the sector and encouraging private investors, new regulations and guidelines along with strong regulators are obviously needed.

Oil Theft: Shell Declares Force Majeure On Forcados Blend

By Juliet Alohan

— March 26, 2014

The Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) Joint Venture yesterday, declared force majeure on lifting of Forcados blend effective 09:00hrs, Nigerian time.
A statement by the company disclosed that the declaration of force majeure was due to ongoing repairs on the 48-inch crude export line at Forcados Terminal in the Western Niger Delta.
Shell spokesperson, Precious Okolobo, who signed the statement, said the subsea line was shut when a leak was discovered on March 4, 2014, leading to suspension of SPDC and third party crude oil exports through the terminal.
“Helicopter over flights showed a slight sheen around the export line. A joint investigation conducted by representatives of communities, SPDC, regulators and security agencies determined that the leak was caused by third party interference; unknown persons had installed a crude theft point on the line in water depth of about eight metres,” the statement said.
It added that SPDC has mobilised equipment and materials to the site, and is working to repair and reopen the line as soon as possible.

Any Protection For Children In Mining?

Ruth Tene Natsa

— April 10, 2014

Children are said to be the future of a nation and are supposed to be loved and protected. Unfortunatly, poverty and lack of a political will to protect the Nigerian child leave many of them roaming the streets and labouring under harsh conditions. Ruth Tene Natsa, takes a look at the Child Rights Act (CRA) and how it can help protect children.
Nigeria adopted the Child Rights Act (CRA) in 2003 to domesticate the convention on the rights of children.
11 years down the line, only 16 of 36 states have domesticated the law to protect the rights of children.
The CRA defines a child as a person who has not attained the age of 18. The Act, while adopting the fundamental human rights as stipulated in the 1999 Constitution in addition, has 16 rights recommended to protect the lives of children.
These include rights to a name, survival and protection, dignity, parental care, protection and maintainance, freedom and universal primary education, freedom from discrimination, right to health and food among others.
Unfortunately, poverty, laziness by parents and even the absence of a political will by states to domesticate the CRA in their various states made it neccessary for children to engage in all kinds of jobs to support their parents. It was created to protect the child from all forms of abuse from the family and the society at large. However, it is obvious that this has not taken any effect in the country as many instances of child labour abound.
A young child, Abdul, said, “I have to work because my mother is poor. I go to school in the morning and when i return, i come to the quarry site to crush rocks. If i am lucky, i get between N300 and N1,500 a day.”
Another young child, Joe, is a child miner at Kwagiri village, Kaduna state. He told LEADERSHIP that he has been a rock crusher for two years and is happy doing it as he can support his mother and have some money in his pocket.
“I go to a government day secondary school, and after school hours, I come to the quarry site to crush small rocks in exchange for some money,” Joe said.
Kwagiri quarry is not the only site that allows children in. Various mines abound where children are seen in their droves crushing stones, hawking food, and in some cases kept as paid mistresses or prostitutes by old miners through the supervision of quarry madams.
Another victim of child mining is Halima who hawks food to workers in the mine even during school days. She told LEADERSHIP that she had to work to earn some money to support her father’s farming income and her mother’s petty business.
“I go to school at least three times a week but i like to come to the quarry because i get money to meet some of my small needs,” she revealed.
These cases are not much different from many other incidences of children labour and it is not only in mining that children are used as labourers. This also happens even in agriculture.
On a visit to Olam Rice farm in Nassarawa State, LEADERSHIP caught up with 13 year-old Gambo who through a translator said had never been in school. Asked how much he is paid for loading trailers in the farm, he said he earns between N500 and N1,000 daily and between N7,000 weekly. He will love to go to school, but his parents are both illiterate and can not afford it, he stated.
Helpful as this may seem, it is a terrible state of affairs where children take the responsibility of fending for their families or are expected to support them. they become the breadwinners instead of being protected against the deplorable society.No wonder there is an increase in child rape, child trafficking, slavery and cases of child abductions.
To curb this menace of child abuse, it is absolutely neccessary that states that have not domesticated the CRA be encouraged to do so. Children should not be sent hawking and crushing rocks when their mates are in school learning the basics of life through education. The FG should impose it on the states to ensure that the rights of Nigerian children are protected.
Stay up to date, follow us on Twitter; @thundergist

Time to Curb Chinese/Indians Invasion of Nigerian Minerals Sector

ome / Business / Mines and Steel / Time to Curb Chinese/Indians Invasion of Nigerian Minerals Sector

Ruth Tene Natsa

— April 17, 2014

The need for foreign investors and expertise in the nation’s solid minerals sector has made it necessary to open up the sector to both local and foreign investors, but the fear of invasion and a total take-over by foreigners has led to other worries. Ruth Tene Natsa speaks on the challenges this may portend.
Recently the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Architect Musa Mohammed Sada, cried out against the domination of the nation’s minerals and metals sector by Chinese and Indians to the detriment of millions of jobless Nigerians.
The minister as a result, stressed the need for more collaboration between the ministry and its stakeholders in order to expose activities of the sector to citizens who have continued to remain ignorant to its existing opportunities.
Sada assured “It was the intent of the federal government that Nigerians become major operators in the nation’s mining operations while being placed in the map of major mining nations”
While several opportunities for job creation and poverty alleviation exist in the solid minerals and mining sector, the fear of lost investments as a result of the long-term investment necessary for solid minerals will always militate against both local and international investors/investments.
Even though foreign investments are necessary for the development of the nation’s minerals and metal sector, the need to protect the rights of citizens is paramount, as many of such investors not only take advantage of the cheap and excess labor, but in several cases, deny citizens of the right to enjoy what benefits the law stipulates.
Sada earlier had observed that most Chinese and Indian mining operations in Nigeria fail to meet with the minimum employment targets for Nigerians which includes having higher number of locals employed in expatriates companies; safety precautions for workers on site; proper salary structure to protect the rights of local workers as well as proper tax clearances to ensure federal government gets its due.
The need to control the domination of the two nationalities is because they have invaded Nigerian quarries and obey the laws guiding their acceptance into the sector. LEADERSHIP findings have revealed that many Chinese and Indian quarries have a high number of expatriates employees, their companies provide little or no safety precautions for local workers and language barrier continue to hinder proper communications between the Indian /Chinese and Nigerian nationalities.
It is to be recalled that the federal government in a bid to ensure that mining and quarry sites operate within the constituted laws guiding the sector in 2013 threatened shutting down several quarrying operations particularly those of Hongyum Quarry Limited (a Chinese operation)and also threatened the revocation of license to Perfect Stone quarry.
The Minister ordered the “denial of explosive renewal, as a result of poor safety precautions and ordered the blacklisting of Perfect Stone quarries as they failed to provide proper answers to the queries directed at them, pending when they could provide proof of full compliance while insisting that “there was to be no renewal of the Hongyum operations after 5 years as everything about their activities proved environmentally wrong”.
Sada said “ The purpose of letting these companies operate is for the provision of jobs for Nigerians and if these jobs are now being taken away by people from other places and those that are employing Nigerians are being challenged in terms of competition, definitely we will do something. One of the reasons we came out here is to see for ourselves what is on ground so that we know where the rules are being violated. We are not going to invent new rules, within the rules are embedded there and we intent to ensure its compliance.”
Architect Sada maintained that except companies met the required standards of the law, they were to be shut down, until they were able to meet with standards which centered on environmental compliance, royalty payments, employment of Nigerian citizens, proper preservation/storage of mining explosives, provisions of conducive working environment as well as meeting up with community development agreement in tandem with the community Social responsibility CSR among others.”
Stay up to date, follow us on Twitter; @thundergist

Poor Funding, Bane of Steel Industry

Ruth Tene Natsa

— April 24, 2014

A major challenge to the development of the nation’s steel sector is the near neglect of the Ajaokuta Steel Complex and the under utilisation of the nation’s National Steel Raw Materials Exploration Agency (NSRMEA) due to poor funding. Ruth Tene Natsa takes a look at the implications of this neglect.
The call for the privatisation of the Ajaokuta Steel complex as a panacea to its long neglect has received various reactions from stakeholders.
Stakeholders are of the view that the development of the steel sector will not only ensure employment for the teeming unemployed youths, but will also be the solution to the nation’s huge demand for iron/steel materials needed for construction and developmental purposes, while contributing greatly to the gross domestic product(GDP) of the economy.
While that may be so, numerous challenges continue to hinder the development of the steel sector. This include poor funding, lack of equipment, lack of expertise, absence of a steel law and a total lack of political will by the government of the day to ensure the development of the steel sector. This is most evident in the long neglect of the Ajaokuta Steel Complex and the poor funding of the steel and mining sectors in general.
Speaking in an exclusive telephone interview with LEADERSHIP recently, the minister of mines and steel development, Mr Musa Mohammed Sada, said, “there is a big problem because we, the regulators, have no law empowering us to make efficient impact towards ensuring quality steel production in the nation.” He added that “the present dispensation was working towards ensuring that proper regulations are created to protect the Nigerian steel sector.
“Laws are critical because as it stands, there is nobody empowered to analyse the quality or content of steel made in Nigeria. Steel is produced from part scrap, but in some cases, we have observed that factories produce from 100 per cent scraps and there is nothing we can do about it because of the absence of a law.”
The minister revealed that the ministry had visited several steel factories in the past but maintains that the absence of a steel law hindered proper sanctioning of erring factories. He added that the matter was being presented before the Federal Executive Council (FEC) after which it will be presented to the National Assembly to ensure that a steel law was enacted to preserve the sector
The privatisation of the sector in the 70s led to its near collapse while the call for the privatisation of the Ajaokuta Steel Complex to ensure its completion continues to lead to several arguments among stakeholders.
“What I want the executive arm of government to know is that no private investor would invest $513 million or N83 billion to complete the Ajaokuta steel plant and equally invest in completing the remaining required external infrastructure because the risks are too high with changing government policies,” the chairman, House Committee on Steel Development, Sadiq Asema Mohammed, said. “We know that the steel sector is private driven all over the world like in Russia, India, South Korea, among others and in all of these countries their steel industries were first and foremost developed by their respective governments before the private sector took over. Even now in Europe and the United States of America (USA) where their steel sector has matured, their governments still keep a tight rein and interest in their steel industry.
“If we sell the National Iron Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO), our best iron ore mine, to whoever, where lies our national interest? in whose interest are we privatising the NIOMCO or Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited?”
Also an interview with the director-general of the National Steel Raw Materials Exploration Agency (NSRMEA), Mr Alex Ohikere, revealed that major challenges to the activities of the agency lay in the area of equipment.
“Because of the kind of activities we carry out, sound equipment are needed. A few years ago, all the rigs in our possession were obsolete and we used to spend a lot of money almost on a daily basis for maintenance. But luckily in 2010/2011, government intervened and funded the supply of two new crawler-mounted drilling rigs with accessories and also funded the supply of a low-bed because the rigs need to be moved from Kaduna to where the drilling activities are ongoing. The rigs must be carried on a low-bed so one can see the number of vehicles involved in the activities we do,” Ohikere said.
The DG added, “We also need water for core drilling. So in a typical field work, we need the rig, low-bed, water tanker, and of course field vehicles; so it is capital intensive. Apart from the procurement, we try to repair/refurbish some of the obsolete plants and equipment. It’s a known fact that rigs do not die, however, they are very expensive to maintain.”
Stay up to date, follow us on Twitter; @thundergist

FG Loses N113.4bn To Import Policies

Samson Echenim

— April 24, 2014

The federal government lost about N113.4 billion to restrictive import policies in the first quarter of 2014, the Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN) has said.
STOAN chairman, Mrs Victoria Haastrup, who made the observation at an industry forum in Lagos yesterday, also said the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) has failed to keep to terms of concession agreement entered with the terminal concessionaires in 2006.
She said: “The federal government generates a lot of revenue from the port terminals. The recent policy somersault on imports resulted in revenue drop across board, even in the Nigerian Customs, whose revenue dropped from N191.3 billion in the first quarter of 2013 to N77.9 billion in same period of 2014.”
Haastrup specifically lamented poor power supply at the port, which falls under the provision of the NPA in the concession agreement, stressing that the lack of public power supply to the terminal had tremendously increased cost of their operations, “while still paying the NPA electricity bills.” She urged the port’s authority to consider putting independent power plant production in place.
According to her, multiplicity of service process by customary government agencies in the port and frictions among maritime statutory agencies due to alleged overlapping functions constituted bottlenecks to international best practices in seaport terminal operations.
“Port access vehicular traffic control system is chaotic. It has reduced the turnaround time of trucks resulting in high cost of haulage and congestion of the terminals. Dependency on only one mode of transport for movement of cargo from the port terminal is a big challenge,” she said.
Also advising the Nigeria Shippers’ Council in its new role as the seaport economic regulator, the ENL Terminal owner said, “The Council must be decisive in its regulatory role so as to ensure uniformity in the imposition of charges and fees. It must also ensure that only those necessarily required to be operating at the Ports are allowed to operate.”
Stay up to date, follow us on Twitter; @thundergist

TOP 5: Sexy Women In Sports

TOP 5: Sexy Women In Sports by Fola Akintomide

Credit: http://rollingout.com/

If you ask a guy what two things he loves the most, the likely answers are going to be women and sports. There you have it! Guys don’t joke with sports, especially those that feature some sexy ladies.
It is no surprise that being sexy doesn’t affect the work rate of an athlete. Whether they are surfing, scoring goals, running or skating, these women work endlessly at maintaining their sexy bodies. But aside their eye candy shapes, these women are also good in their respective sports.

If you’re not a women’s sports fan, we are optimistic that after you check out our list 
of the top 5 sexiest women in sports, you will have a different mindset.

Here goes…

Serena Williams
Have you ever wondered why there are so many spectators at a tennis match? Apart from the great serves and wonderful follow ups, the reason why tennis especially one with Serena Williams in play is one of the most viewed sports today is because of some of the great views guys are served with along with the expert serving of the ball.
s11

Serena might have won so many grand slams and so many other accolades in her career but her sizzling figure still remains the highlight of every game she’s ever played in (at least to most guys).
This beauty has always captured everyone’s attention with her raw talent and physical attributes. Since appearing on the scene with her sister, Venus Williams, Serena has become a popular figure not only for her tennis skills but also for her well chiseled body and beauty.

Tia Norfleet
Fast money, fast cars, fabulous lifestyle! … This sums up the life of former NASCAR legend’s daughter Tia Norfleet who is the first and youngest African female American driver on the NASCAR league. Not only does she look chic in dinner wears, she looks stunning in her racing uniform.

Ezinne Okparaebo
What is there not to love in a female sprinter? Norway’s fastest female sprinter Ezinne Okparaebo is one of the sexy athletes with a well-structured body and deserving abs to go with it. Regardless of what she wears, the sight of her booty is always a sight to behold.
www

Destinee Hooker
It’s hard for an athlete to look like a Victoria secret model, something which doesn’t happen on a normal day. Volley ball icon Destinee Hooker is one person who is a delight to watch on and off the volleyball court.

Nothing beats a great pair of legs, calves, knees and thighs. The volleyball gamer possesses all these qualities and some.

Natalie Gulbis
There could be no other reason for men’s sudden interest in golf. Out of the 10,000 spectators at an LPGA tour; men occupy more than 5,000 seats. The sexy females in golf have made it more interesting with their works of art as bodies.

Gulbis is one of the reasons men tune in to watch LPGA games. She also gained more fans when she recently posed in a body painted bikini for Sports Illustrated.

- See more at: http://www.happenings9ja.com/happenings/posts/entertainment-lifestyle/sports/TOP-5-Sexy-Women-In-Sports#sthash.gTEqETO8.dpuf

We Luvin': UCL’s Final Four by Soyem Osakwe

Credit: www.caughtoffside.com

In the wake of Manchester United, PSG, Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund all dropping out at the quarter finals of the UEFA Champions league; four spectacular teams (Real Madrid, Chelsea, Atletico Madrid and reigning champions - Bayern Munich) are left to slug it out for a chance at becoming the champions of Europe. We love these top four teams and we can’t wait to find out who eventually wins the UCL.
This season’s semifinalists are very dissimilar yet very alike in the quest for the UCL trophy. The semi’s should be very exciting as Atletico Madrid which is perceived to be the weakest team in the draw takes on the Special One’s Chelsea. However, Chelsea will do well not to underrate them. Athlético wields a strategy and approach that can matchup with anybody’s. As we’ve seen against Barcelona, this team doesn’t need the ball to be effective, and they’re perfectly capable of creating mistakes high up the field.
Chelsea on the other hand should never be taken lightly. If they beat PSG, they can beat anybody, and while a lot of that had to do with the Parisians not rising to the occasion at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea is one team to look out for.
Real Madrid another favorite is a deeply dangerous but very flawed team, one that looked vulnerable in both defense and midfield against Borussia Dortmund. Given recent loses in La Liga, this is no longer the team that climbed to the top of the table in March and frankly speaking we don’t think they are excited to play reigning champions- Bayern Munich who are huge favorites.
Over here at Happenings, we are rooting for Chelsea simply because they put in a good fight against PSG and we would be super excited to watch another UCL final between Chelsea and Bayern Munich. This time however, Drogba isn’t around to tip the scales in Chelsea’s favour

- See more at: http://www.happenings9ja.com/happenings/posts/entertainment-lifestyle/sports/We-Luvin-UCLs-Final-Four#sthash.ebPyrok2.dpuf

MIDWEEK SPORT SPIKES: Manchester United And The David Moyes Drama by Fola Akintomide

Credit: Happenings

It has been a disappointing season for Manchester United board and fans as their 2013/2014 season has been below an average performance so far, the reds are currently the 7^th position on the premier league table.
As they struggle to finish in an UEFA Europa league spot, the management of Manchester United are considering a replacement for the chosen one, David Moyes who has been struggling to have a consistent winning form since he took over from Alex Ferguson at the start of the season.

Barcelona have been making necessary arrangements to make an appeal for the transfer ban they got some weeks back and have also listed Chelsea’s David Luiz as one of their top prospect for next season if the transfer ban is lifted.
Athletico Madrid boss Simeone reiterates Chelsea target Diego Costa could leave the club, the Blues are closing in on a €40 million deal for the striker, with the Atletico Madrid coach admitting the London side has the financial power to force such a move through.
Dzeko, Ramos & Dortmund's summer shortlist to replace Lewandowski at the end of the season. Jurgen Klopp's side will be left with a gaping hole in their frontline this summer and have a number of candidates to fill the void left by the Poland striker,
Chelsea is lining up a shock move for Arsenal centre-back Thomas Vermaelen. The Belgian has slipped down the pecking order under Arsene Wenger and his contract expires in 2015.
Tottenham head coach Tim Sherwood is amongst the favourites to succeed Alan Pardew at Newcastle should owner Mike Ashley pull the trigger, and will bring St James' Park favourite Les Ferdinand with him.
Manchester United will have to pay extra to sign Adam Lallana from Southampton with Bournemouth owed 25% of any transfer fee which will ramp up his price.
Dimitar Berbatov is keen to extend his stay at Monaco and make his loan move from Fulham permanent.

Stay tuned for update on the latest transfers same time next week.

- See more at: http://www.happenings9ja.com/happenings/posts/entertainment-lifestyle/sports/MIDWEEK-SPORT-SPIKES-Manchester-United-And-The-David-Moyes-Drama#sthash.wmsQFHeG.dpuf

FLASHBACK: Nigeria’s Greatest World Cup Moments by Chinedu Okorie

Credit: www.goal.com

The world probably did not know what it was missing in international football until USA 94 when the Green Eagles now called the Super Eagles of Nigeria came on the scene. As one of the most populous black nation, Nigeria is endowed with so much talent and gifted citizens that the world got to see a glimpse of some at the World Cup. For their performance at the World Cup in 1994, the Eagles won the second best entertaining team in the tournament and it was their first time at the World Cup.
However, the “Giant Of Africa” led by Coach Stephen Keshi will once again this 2014 storm the world Cup in Brazil and preparations have been ongoing to ensure a great performance by the Super Eagles. But before June 12^th2014, when the World Cup will start, www.Happenings9ja.com has put together some of the most memorable World Cup moments the Nigerian football team has had. Take a look:
Yekini Scores Nigeria’s First World Cup Goal
Nigeria scored her first ever World Cup goal against Bulgaria through Rashidi Yekini in the 1994 tournament hosted by the United States. Playing against a European team for the first time at that level, the Eagles were not expected to score first. But Yekini defied the odds to score first in the 21st minute and had a joyous celebration afterwards.
Samson Siasia's Goal Against Argentina

In that same USA’94 tournament,after Nigeria had beaten Bulgaria 3-0 in the first game and watched Argentina defeat Greece in the match before ours; Nigeria was not favoured against the South Americans. But the unexpected happened in the 8th minute as Samson Siasia took advantage of a loose ball and blasted a shot past Argentina’s goalkeeper Luis Islas to record Nigeria's only goal in the match. Argentina eventually won 2-1 but no one would forget in a hurry that they almost lost to Nigeria.
Topping Group D In Style At France’98
Winning one game and losing another did not give assurance of qualifying for the knockout stages but beating Greece in the last game was a task that must be done. However, goals from Finidi George and Daniel Amokachi in the 45th and the 90th minutes placed Nigeria on top of the group and confirmed the team a place in the second round of the tournament.
Stylish Celebration
Former Italian football player Marco Tardeli may have started solo celebration at the World Cup, but Finidi George and Daniel Amokachi took the act to another level after scoring against Greece in their third match at the 1994 World Cup. Finidi mimicked a urinating dog while Amokachi performed a disco dance step. Both acts had their places in the ranking of World Cup celebrations.
Nigeria’s Loss To Italy
Perhaps one of the most memorable matches for Nigeria at the USA '94 was the defeat she suffered in the hands of the Italian international team nicknamed “Azzurri”. The Azzurri almost went out as the Eagles led by a lone goal until the dying minutes when Roberto Baggio got an equalizer to send the game into extra time. A defensive blunder by Nigeria resulted in a penalty which Baggio converted into a goal and ended Nigeria's dream of reaching the quarterfinals. The effect back home was devastating for all Nigerians but then, it was a fair try.
Second Best Entertaining Team
The Eagles did not advance beyond the round of 16 of the 1994 World Cup but their performance won them the second best entertaining team in the tournament.
Eagles Jerseys
Just like every other country, the Nigerian team made their entrance into the World Cup in 1994 with their jerseys and the design was voted as the most beautiful in the tournament.
Best FIFA Ranking
Nigeria attained its best position on the FIFA rankings before the World Cup. The country was placed 5th in the world for the first time in April 1994.
Sunday Oliseh's Heat Shot Against Spain
France’98 is another World Cup tournament that Nigeria and Nigerians will always remember and be proud of. The Super Eagles did the almost impossible in their first match as they defeated the tournament’s favourite team Spain 3-2 in Nantes on June 13. Goals from Mutiu Adepoju and Garba Lawal had cancelled out Hierro's and Raul's goal but a heated shot from Sunday Oliseh sent the whole nation into wild jubilation.
Enyeama's Super Save Against England
Nigeria did not do well generally at the 2002 Korea/Japan World Cup perhaps because Coach Adegboye Onigbinde went with a bunch of inexperienced young players. After losing 1-0 to Argentina and 2-1 to Sweden, Nigeria was out of the race for the second round ticket as the Eagles confronted England. The match ended 0-0 and one big moment of the encounter was the brilliant save by keeper Vincent Enyeama in the tie. It was a fantastic shot by Manchester United midfielder, Paul Scholes, and Enyeama, who was making his first World Cup appearance, dived full length to push the ball out. It was rated as one of the most remarkable saves of the competition.
So, there you have it guys- most memorable moments of the Super Eagles at the World Cup. Very soon, hopefully Nigeria will be adding to this list of memorable experiences in the forthcoming World Cup in Brazil as Coach Stephen Keshi is grilling the boys for the tournament.
Is there any great moment Nigeria experienced during the World Cup that we missed out on? Please let us know.

- See more at: http://www.happenings9ja.com/happenings/posts/entertainment-lifestyle/sports/FLASHBACK-Nigerias-Greatest-World-Cup-Moments#sthash.bMUTgqBd.dpuf

FLASHBACK: Nigeria’s Greatest World Cup Moments by Chinedu Okorie

Credit: www.goal.com

- See more at: http://www.happenings9ja.com/happenings/posts/entertainment-lifestyle/sports/FLASHBACK-Nigerias-Greatest-World-Cup-Moments#sthash.bMUTgqBd.dpuf

Violence: Mob Set Man Ablaze In Ogun

Segun Olatunji

— April 24, 2014

There was commotion in Saje area of Abeokuta in Abeokuta North local government area of Ogun State on Tuesday night when an unidentified man was set ablaze by an irate mob.
The incident which occurred somewhere between Kugba and Saje areas attracted many residents and caused a traffic gridlock in the area.
A resident who pleaded anonymity said the man was not resident in the area and though he had been seen around the area for about two days, no one could say anything about where he came from.
“We have been seeing him around here since Sunday but we thought he had come to celebrate the Easter festival with someone in the area. This evening, around 6:35pm, we were here relaxing and chatting after the day’s hectic work – you know that most of us in this area are into gravel and granite business – I even requested someone to get me a bottle of beer.
“As we were here, we heard the noise from around the bridge and before we could comprehend what was happening, people had bombarded the area and the man was pinned down by some boys. We enquired to know his offence and we were told that he sprayed a perfume into the eyes of a lady, whom we met writhing in pains and behaving abnormally. He was asked to give the young girl the solution which he failed to provide.
“The action infuriated the boys who were still worried over some of the boys arrested yesterday by the police at Ijaiye area so, they decided to give him their judgment instantly before the arrival of the police,” he narrated.
LEADERSHIP gathered that the girl, a secondary school student was in company of her elder sister when the man accosted them and allegedly pretended to be asking for directions when the incident occurred.
Policemen from various police stations were deployed to the area but by which time the mob had dispersed for fear of being arrested, while his victim who was yet to regain consciousness was taken away by some of her relatives.
Meanwhile, the charred remains of the mobbed man has been deposited at the General Hospital Mortuary, Ijaiye, Abeokuta.
Stay up to date, follow us on Twitter; @thundergist

SPORT SPIKES: Top African Players To Watch At FIFA World Cup 2014 by Fola Akintomide

Credit: Happenings

With less than 100 days to the kickoff of the 2014 FIFA world cup, fans and football analysts around the world have been considering the 22 players that would make each team in Brazil come June 12^th.
Nigeria, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Algeria and Cameroon are the five teams representing Africa in the football tournament; we would be focusing on the top players to watch out for in the most prestigious football competition.

- See more at: http://www.happenings9ja.com/happenings/posts/entertainment-lifestyle/sports/SPORT-SPIKES-Top-African-Players-To-Watch-At-FIFA-World-Cup-2014?gclid=CMeKm6mK-b0CFWkJwwodIBMA1g#sthash.f65b9vOZ.dpuf

SPORT SPIKES: Top African Players To Watch At FIFA World Cup 2014 by Fola Akintomide

Credit: Happenings

SPORT SPIKES: Top African Players To Watch At FIFA World Cup 2014 by Fola Akintomide

Credit: Happenings

SPORT SPIKES: Top African Players To Watch At FIFA World Cup 2014 by Fola Akintomide

Credit: Happenings

Crime: ‘How Syndicate Use Girl 6, To Solicit For Alms

Agency Report

— April 24, 2014

The National Coordinator of the a non-governmental organisation, Hands that Care, Mrs Jacinta Nworie has narrated how a six member syndicate allegedly use a little girl of about six, suspected to be suffering from cancer of the cheek to solicit for alms for their personal gains, under the guise of assisting her.
Nworie who reported the incident to the police said she came in contact with the suspects and the victim soliciting for alms at Agboju Junction, on the Badagry Expressway and decided to assist the victim through her organisation.
She however said after a brief chat with the victim, she discovered that the suspects had been using her to make money in different states.
“The victim told me that they had been to nine states in different regions of Nigeria to beg for money, saying they always lodged in hotel for days.
“One of the suspects claimed they usually lodged in one room. He revealed that they had been in the business since August 2013,’’ Nworie said.
The coordinator called on the police to ensure that the suspects were prosecuted for using the girl to solicit for money for their selfish gains.
Spokesperson for the state police command, DSP Ngozi Braide who confirmed the arrest of the six suspects, including two women, to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said the suspects were arrested through the effort of a non-governmental organisation.
She said the suspects had been detained at the Festac Police Station, pending conclusion of investigations, while the victim was in the custody of the NGO.
Braide further stated that the police would collaborate with the NGO to prosecute the suspects as soon as investigations are concluded.
Stay up to date, follow us on Twitter; @thundergist

U-17 Wafu Tourney: Golden Eaglets Beat Mali 2-0 Again

NAN

— April 24, 2014

The national under-17 male team, the Golden Eaglets, on Wednesday beat their Malian counterparts 2-0 in their second match at the ongoing U-17 West African Football Union (WAFU) tournament.
The Golden Eaglets had beaten the same team on Monday with the same goal margin in their first match of the tournament holding in Togo.
In a statement signed by the team’s Media Officer, Morakinyo Abodunrin, two second half goals gave the Eaglets the win which has now placed them top of Group B.
They now have six points from two matches in the two-team group, following the withdrawal of Niger Republic.
According to the statement, the team’s head coach, Emmanuel Amuneke maintained the same starting line-up he had on Monday.
It said the Eaglets scored through Orji Okonkwo in the 48th minute and Kehinde Ayinde in the 84th minute.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Golden Eaglets will now face the runners-up of Group A in one of the semi-final matches on Thursday.
NAN also reports that the U-17 WAFU tournament which started on April 19 will end on Sunday, April 27.(NAN)

Wednesday, 16 April 2014

NDLEA Arrests 2 Suspected Drug Dealers In Gombe

NDLEA Arrests 2 Suspected Drug Dealers In Gombe

Agency Report

— April 15, 2014

The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Gombe has arrested two suspected traffickers with 7.1 Kilogrammes of cocaine.
Mr. Aliyu Adole, Commander of the agency, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gombe on Tuesday.
He said that one of the suspects was arrested along Gombe-Kano road with the substance which led to the arrest of the other suspect.
“My patrol team intercepted a bus coming from Kano with a young man found with cocaine, in an attempt to question him, he ran into bush before he was arrested.’’
Adole further said that investigation had been concluded, and they would be charged to court for prosecution.
The commandant called on the people of the state to assist the agency with useful information that would lead to the arrest of such people before they destroyed their lives.
He advised parents, traditional and religious leaders to ensure that their children and wards were properly guided. (NAN)
Stay up to date, follow us on Twitter; @thundergist

Court Remands Minor For Over Rape Of Toddler

Home / Crime / News / Court Remands Minor For Over Rape Of Toddler

Court Remands Minor For Over Rape Of Toddler

Agency Report

— April 15, 2014

A Gusau Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday ordered a 15-year-old boy to be remanded in a remand home for allegedly raping a three-year-old girl.
The accused is a resident of Unguwar Dallatu in Gusau.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Daniel Longwal, told the court that one Aminu Umar of Unguwar Dallatu, Gusau, reported the case at Central Police Station, Gusau on April 3.
Longwal said that the complainant reported that the girl was playing in front of his house when the suspect, a servant in the house, took the girl to a corner and raped her.
The prosecutor said the offence contravened Section 283 of the Penal Code.
However, the suspect pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Magistrate, Alhaji Aminu Ibrahim, thereafter, ordered that the accused be remanded in the home and adjourned the case until April 22. (NAN)
Stay up to date, follow us on Twitter; @thundergist.blogspot.com

Insecurity: Gusau Seeks Closer Collaboration Among Armed Forces

Adebayo Waheed

— April 16, 2014

The minister of defence, Lt.-Gen. Aliyu Gusau (rtd) has called for greater collaboration among the armed forces in the fight against insurgents in the country as he commended the Nigerian Air Force for “doing a good job” since its creation.
Gusau gave this charge on Monday in Abuja at a dinner and award night to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) where the chief of defence staff, Air Chief Marshal Badeh, was also honoured for his elevation.
He commended NAF for its support and participation in operations within and outside Nigeria since its creation. He noted that the force, in the last 50 years, had proved itself to be a competent one to rely on and to be reckoned with.
“The Air Force has achieved many successes in transporting our troops and provided logistic services to the National Emergency Management Agency. I have not known of any Air Force in the world that is as versatile as our Nigerian Air Force which operates 16 different types of aircraft.
“I will like to use this opportunity to congratulate officers, airmen and women of the Nigerian Air Force for the services they are rendering to our nation,’’ he said.
Gusau said the successes recorded so far were due to the good leadership of the force and the effective training of its personnel.
The minister also commended the leadership style and performance of the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh.
“For those retiring, you are still in the reserve for the next three years, so be rest assured that the Air Force and the nation can call you to come back when necessary. I will like to convey the greetings of the president to the air men and women as you celebrate 50”.
In his speech, the Chief of Defence Staff, who was also the immediate past Chief of Air Staff said his tenure before elevation was challenging but exciting.
Badeh said the tenure was challenging because it coincided with the largest deployment of aircraft, assets and personnel outside the shores of the country since the end of ECOMOG operations in Liberia and Sierra-Leone.
“It also marked the heightened increase in the deployment of assets and personnel to the North East in support of the ongoing insurgency operations. In spite of these challenges, however, we were able to record some modest achievements by building upon the foundation that had to be laid by my predecessor.’’
Earlier, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu, said that the NAF had a lot to celebrate. He said barely two years after its establishment, the service was faced with the daunting challenge of the civil war, in spite of its inexperience and yet it made a successful outing.
“As we celebrate 50 years of existence as a service, we might ask, do we really have cause to celebrate? I say yes, we have cause to celebrate…His tory tells me that barely three years after her establishment, the Nigerian Air Force was faced with the daunting challenge of the civil war. Despite her inexperience and the limited resources available, the Nigerian Air Force creditably played her role in the fight for the unity of Nigeria.
He said at the end of the civil war, NAF continued to develop and by the late 1980s, it was the `toast of the African continent’. He said that sadly, the shining era was followed by a period of decline, during the prolonged military rule, which lasted until the 21st century.
“Notwithstanding these challenges, we have retained the capability to retain the protection of Nigeria’s territorial integrity both at home and abroad.’’