Catalonia Friendly To Decide Eagles’ Final 23-Man List

With the camp of the Super Eagles in Faro, Portugal in high spirits following the arrival of Russia-based duo Ahmed Musa and Emmanuel Emenike as well as Spain-based duo of Nosa Igiebor and Ikechukwu Uche, there are strong indications that Nigeria’s tune-up clash with Catalonia coming up tonight, will go a long way in determining the players that will eventually make the final list to the 2013 Orange Africa Cup of Nations commencing on January 19.
Informationng.com gathers that the Eagles gaffer is looking forward to a sterling performance from players as they hope to have a great outing in South Africa.
To underscore the relevance of the match in deciding the fate of players that will make coach Stephen Keshi’s final 23-man list, most of the foreign-pros flew in over the weekend with Holland-based defender, Kenneth Omeruo first to join the team of 14 home-based players that arrived the camp on December 27.
InformationNigeria

Anderson Cooper Dodges Kathy Griffin's Sexual Hijinks During CNN's New Year's Show

Kathy Griffin and Anderson Cooper kept things as lively as ever as they hosted CNN's New Year's coverage on Monday night.
Griffin's past New Year's Eve antics have included taking her shirt off, dropping the f-bomb and shouting a heckler down. This year, she dropped to her knees and went straight for Anderson Cooper's crotch.
"Kathy, oh, did you drop something?" he joked. She made multiple attempts, but he pulled her back up every time -- and even intercepted her with a "No Nudity" sign that CNN placed on set after Griffin stripped down to her bra last year.
Monday night was their sixth year ringing in the New Year together on CNN. Cooper, who is already pretty used to Griffin's New Year's Eve antics, was already giggling nervously ten minutes into the show. That's when Griffin told him, "I'm going to tickle your sac." She continued, "Do you have a sac?"
"I don’t know what you’re talking about," Cooper said. "I have no sack of Christmas presents here."
"Do you call your privates your Christmas presents?” Griffin wondered. "Typical hot guy."
HuffingtonPost

Murray-Bruce, Asoluka, Mustapha, others get board jobs

 by: Vincent Ikuomola

Board members of nine government agencies were named yesterday by the Federal Government.
Former Director-General of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) Mr. Ben Murray-Bruce tops the list with his appointment as chair of the board of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN).
Murray-Bruce is also the chairman of Silverbird group – a privately-owned media outfit which controls radio and television stations.
Apart from the FRCN, boards of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), National Examinations Council (NECO), the National Export Promotion Council (NEPC), the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone, Port Harcourt, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Voice of Nigeria (VON) and Agricultural Research Development Council of Nigeria, were also constituted.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Anyim Pius Anyim said the boards would be inaugurated later.
Notable names include the National Organising Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party, Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha; National Auditor of PDP, Chief Olabode Mustapha; Editor of SUNDAY SUN Mrs. Funke Egbemode and Col. Edward Mark, younger brother of Senate President David Mark.
Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria: Chief Bisi Ogunjobi (chair). The board members are: Dr. Godwin Duru, Representative of the Federal Ministry of Works, Two Representatives of the Central Bank of Nigeria, The Managing Director of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria and three executive Directors of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria.
Federal Capital Development Authority: Senator Bala Mohammed (chair), Former Ogun State Deputy Governor, Alhaja Salimot Badru, Ayekeme Whisky Kashim Bukar Shettima, Col. Edward Mark, Aliyu Musa Dagoggo, Dr. Uche Uzochukwu and Mrs. Mather Onwuzurumba are memebrs.
Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria Mr. Ben Murray-Bruce (chair). Mrs. Bola Doherty, Farouk Dalhatu, Mrs. J. N. Chinedu, Hajia Hauwa Kida, Chief Elvis Agukwe, Abubakar Sarkin Fawa Damboh, Mrs. Funke Egbemode, Representative of the Federal Ministry of Information, Representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Director General of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (members).
National Examinations Council Dr. Paddy K. Njoku (Chair). Members are: Senator Umar Ibrahim Tsavri, Hajiya Aishatu J. Dukku, Hon. Terlumun Akputu, Chief Yemi Oluyemi, Chief Mrs. Cheryl Amonu, Hon. Paschal Ugbome, Representative of the Federal Ministry of Education, two Representatives of All Nigeria Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools, three Representatives of Universities in
Nigeria, the Registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, the Registrar of the National Examination Council, Representative of the Nigerian Employers Consultative Association, Representative of the National Parents Teachers Association and Representative of the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council,
Nigerian Export Promotions Council Mrs. Grace Clark (chair). Members are: Alhaji Mohammed Soli Jibia, Representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Representative of the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, Representative of the Federal Ministry of Tourism. Culture and National Orientation, Representative of the Nigerian Customs Service, Representative of the Nigerian Chambers of Commerce, Industries. Mines and Agriculture, Representative of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Representative of the Association of Nigerian Exporters, Representative of Farmers Association and the Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council.
Onne oil and Gas Free Zone, Port Harcourt: Mr. Chris Asoluka (chair). Members are: Gen. Geoffrey Ejiga (Rtd), Kelly Azike,
Representative of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Representative of the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, Representative of the Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Representative of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Representative of the Federal Ministry of Justice, The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Plc, The comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service, Representative of the Nigerian Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture, Representative of the Corporate Affairs Commission, Representative of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Representative of the Rivers State Government, The Managing Director of the llnna Oil and Gas Free Zone, Port Harcourt.
Standard Organisation of Nigeria: Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha (Chair). Members are: Mrs. Roseline Ekum, Suleiman Kogun, Representative of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Representative of the Ministry of Defence, Representative of the Federal Ministry of Health, Representative of the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, Representative of the Federal Ministry of Transport and Representative of the Federal Ministry of Works are members.
Voice of Nigeria: Andy Aghaji (Chair). Members are Mr. George Korgba, Hassan Ahmed, Prof. Fred Onyeoziri, Mr. Oruruo Steve, Mr. Bature Umar Sambo, Representative of the Federal Ministry of Information, Representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and The Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria.
Agricultural Research Development Council of Nigeria: Chief Olabode Mustapha (Chair). Members are Gen. P. C. Taja (Rtd), Bawa Magaji, Yerima Kitaf, Emeka Nwakpa, The Vice-Chancellor of one of the Universities of Agriculture, The Chairman, Committee of Deans of the Faculties of Agriculture of the Universities in Nigeria, Chairman committee of Deans of the Faculties of Veterinary Medicine of the Universities in Nigeria, The Chairmen of the Governing Boards of Research Institutes established Under Section; the Director of Agriculture, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural development, The Director of Fisheries, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, The Director of Forestry and lives-Stock, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural development, representatives of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Representative of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, The Executive Secretary of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria.
 TheNation

“Our father left behind unfinished business” – Azazi’s children

Akpo-Olade and Pelede, the first daughter and the last son of the late Gen. Andrew Azazi, said the former National Security Adviser left behind unfinished business.
The traumatised children in their tributes at the burial of their father, named the Yenagoa City Centre project as top on the list of the unfinished business.
Akpo-Olade in her tribute on Saturday, said her father was passionate about developing the city centre, adding that he spent much time designing the project.
She also said her father dreamt of establishing a factory that would produce special fruit juice in the country.
Her father’s visions and dreams for better Nigeria and Bayelsa State, including the city centre project, she said, were the first things she remembered when she received the report of the December 15 helicopter crash in which Azazi and five others were killed.
Akpo-Olade, who gave the late Azazi his first grand child, said she never believed that her father was on board the ill-fated helicopter until her brother confirmed the report to her.
She, however, regretted being outside the country when the incident happened.
She said, “I remember the day my sister called me, I was out of the country. She called me to say that there was an helicopter crash and that there was a possibility that our father was in the helicopter.
“I screamed and said it can’t be possible. I remembered all his dreams and visions and l said to God, this can’t be possible. What is going to happen to all the things he believed in and fought for.
“I remember the Yenagoa City Centre, something that he derived joy from when he talked. He presented this to so many people; they were excited about it. I say God for his dreams, please don’t let it be.
“But I had to accept the reality when my brother told me that he was dead. At this point I said God why did I have to be away when this thing happened.”
Similarly, Pelede said his father was planning to establish a foundation before the unfortunate incident.
He said, “I was together with my father all the day before this thing happened. We talked about different things ranging from values and foundation and how to better peoples lives.
“My father was a very good person. He touched a lot of lives from both officers of the Nigerian Army and civilians. He was a man of virtue.”
 DailyPost

I Don’t Regret Dumping England For Nigeria – Victor Moses

Chelsea forward, Victor Moses, has said that he does not have any regrets after chosing to play for Nigeria over England.

The striker, who joined the London side from Wigan this season, said he made the right choice to play for Nigeria even though there was also an opportunity to play for England.
Moses, who has become an integral part of the Super Eagles side currently preparing for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, revealed that he had enjoyed every moment of his stay with the Nigerian national team.
“Yes, the opportunity beckoned on me to play for England, but I choose Nigeria because it has always been my ambition to play for the Super Eagles,” Moses told Goal.com.
“I don’t regret turning out in the colours of the Super Eagles. I love Nigeria and I was prepared to come and play for the nation.
“I have enjoyed every minute of my stay with the team. Coaches in England should not blame themselves that they could not convince me to wear the jersey of the Three Lions after playing for the junior side
“I waited for the opportunity to be invited to play for the national team of Nigeria and immediately they found me worthy, I did not waste time to honour the call.
“Nigeria has always been my choice if called up and when they did I was happy.
“I want to say that my game has been improving since I started playing for the Super Eagles after meeting with the coaches and players.”
Naij

Facebook lover nabbed for defrauding friend

The Police in Lagos on Monday arrested a Facebook lover for defrauding his lover of N200,000.
The Police said in Lagos that the suspect posed as a medical doctor to enable him swindle his unsuspected facebook girl- friend. The suspect claimed he would use the amount to secure a job for her with the Nigerian Customs Service.
Parading the suspect (names withheld), the Police spokesperson, Lagos state Police Command, Ms Ngozi Briaide, said the accused was arrested and charged to court about three years ago for a similar offence.
Ngozi stated that the police could not immediately explain how he was freed in court without being convicted, noting that the suspect had become a serial fraudster who was in the habit of defrauding young girls.
According to her, the 36-year- old suspect was arrested after one out of the latest five victims complained to the Police on Nov. 15, adding that the suspect was thereafter arrested on Dec. 23 by detectives from Ogudu Division.
The spokesperson alleged that the first victim, Mrs Adebiyi Adenike, a graduate became his friend on Facebook after being attracted by the suspect as a Surgeon.
”He requested for the sum of N200,000 as PR and with her original certificate to enable him secure employment for her into the Customs and that he had a slot at the service,” she said.
Ngozi stated that both the suspect and the victim met and set out for the journey to Abuja, but along the way to Air Port, the suspect pretended as if his vehicle had fault and asked her to come down and push the car. ”
As soon as the victim pushed the car, he zoomed off with the victim’s credentials, ATM and PHCN cards,” she said. Ngozi gave the names of other victims defrauded by the suspect as Miss Okunola Folashade, Miss Ibrahim Bukola and Miss Adefemi Mercy.
She said that they were all NYSC members who were defrauded by the same suspect on their way to Ibadan for community assignment.
The spokesperson alleged that they boarded his car to Ibadan on Dec. 20, but on getting to the Tollgate, the suspected diverted to the old Lagos/Ibadan road where he pretended as if the car developed fault and asked them to push thereafter he zoomed off with all their belongings.
Ngozi said that the items stolen from the victims included a Laptop, unspecified cash, certificates, ATM card, Toaster Machine, cell phones and clothes.
The fifth victim, Miss Akinbo Atinuke, also boarded the suspect’s vehicle at Berger on Dec. 11, on her way to Ibadan, where the accused branched to a filling station and pretended the car could not start again, adding that the victim also pushed the car and he zoomed off.
The spokesperson said that the victim also lost her Laptop, Phone, SSCE Certficate, ATM card, NYSC discharged certificate, the sum of N104,000 which she withdrew from a bank with her ATM card.
Ngozi said that the suspect would be charged to court since all the witnesses were available with some exhibits, adding that the suspect has also made confessional statement.
Naijaurban

I Don't Know She Is Into This Kind Of Business – Husband Laments After Couple Was Caught With 75 Bags Of Weed

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) in Kano State have arrested a husband and wife for being in possession of over 75 bags of dry leaves, suspected to be cannabis sativa.
The disclosure was made on Monday, in Kano, by the state commander of the narcotic agency, Alhaji Garba Ahmadu, who said the woman Hajiya Fatima Jimoh, 40 and her husband, Folorunso Jimoh, were arrested with the exhibits weighing about 757.5 kilogrammes at two warehouses owned by the suspect, located at the different parts of Kano metropolis.
According to him, Hajiya Fatima was nabbed at their residence in Dandishe, Dala Local Government Area of the ancient commercial city.
The NDLEA boss said “She was arrested alongside her husband, Folorunso, who denied knowledge of his wife’s illegal business, saying, ‘I do not know she is into this kind of business. I am not aware of her involvement in drug trafficking. I just came back from a journey before I was arrested by NDLEA officials.’”
However, Fatima, who confessed to have been dealing in cannabis sativa for long, confirmed her husband’s claims saying, “Honestly, my husband is not aware of this business. He is not into it with me. I do not bring it to the house and he has not in anyway gotten involved in it.”
Naij