Update from Super Eagles’ camp: Victor Moses cleared, Emenike may start from bench

By Ifreke Inyang

Chelsea forward Victor Moses, has recovered in time, to feature in Sunday’s AFCON final against Burkina Faso, while powerful striker Emmanuel Emenike, might have to make his impact from the bench.
“I can say 100% that Moses will play the final. He was sharp and quick in training yesterday (Saturday),” Ben Alaiya, the team’s spokesman said.

He also said that despite the fact that Emenike, had suffered a hamstring injury against Mali, he could play a role in the game.
“He may not start, but he could still come in. He shouldn’t be ruled out completely, but in case he does not make it, we have capable replacements.
“Ikechukwu Uche was our leading scorer in the qualifiers and he could have a chance to prove himself as he has been mostly on the bench.
“We also have Ahmed Musa, who has also not been starting, and Brown Ideye.”
Stephen Keshi had previously stated he would wait till the last minute, to make a final decision of the two players.
DailyPost

"Too Much TV Lowers Sperm Count"

According to a new study by the Harvard School of Public Health study excessive TV-watching could deplete sperm count.
The investigation of the relationship between TV viewing, physical activity and semen quality reveals that men glued to the tube more than 20 hours per week had 44 percent less sperm than those who watched no TV.
Meanwhile, men who log in 15 or more hours of weekly exercise seemed to boost their sperm production to nearly 75 percent higher than those who exercised less than five hours.
More studies show that the quality of sperm, measured in concentration of sperm and sperm count, is declining in Western countries, with drops of up to 38-44 percent in concentration.
Numerous factors from lower levels of physical activity to exposure to environmental chemicals explain the trend.
The scientists analyzed the semen quality of 189 relatively healthy New York men aged 18 to 22, who were asked about how often and how intensely they exercised, as well as the amount of time they spent watching TV, videos or DVDs. The men were all normal weight and height, and the majority did not smoke.
Reporting in the British Journal of Sports Medicine the researchers found that on average, the men spent from five to 14 hours exercising and four to 20 hours a week in front of the TV.
Men who spent 20 or more hours a week in front of the TV had a sperm count that was on average 44 percent lower than that of men who spent less time watching TV. And those who were the most physically active also enjoyed a 73 percent higher sperm count than those who were more sedentary.
Being more active and watching less TV were associated with a higher sperm count and sperm concentration for the young men overall.
The connection between TV viewing and sperm count could be a marker for other factors that distinguish those who spend more time in front of the screen than those who don’t.
For example, the TV watchers are likely to be more sedentary, and therefore have less healthy diets than those who spend less time in front of the TV.
Those who don’t watch hours of television are also more likely to be physically active, and regular exercise has been linked to healthy sperm counts in previous studies.
And then there is the physical explanation for why spending too much time on the couch can lower sperm counts: it’s possible that increased scrotal temperatures from remaining in the sitting position too long can contribute to poorer-quality sperm.
The conclusion is that while lower sperm counts don’t necessarily mean a man is less fertile, staying active may help to keep sperm healthy.
Naij

Tafawa Balewa, Mbanefo get Unilag honourary degrees : Jonathan’s rename of UNILAG ill-advised - Babalola

 by Nurudeen Oyewole, Lagos

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Former Nigerian Prime Minister, late Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was  yesterday conferred with a post-humous Honorari Causa, Doctor of Letters of the University of Lagos (UNILAG).

Also conferred with the same honour by the institution were former Nigeria Permanent Representative to United Nations, Chief Arthur Mbanefo and Chief Afe Babalola (SAN).
Balewa and others were honoured at the UNILAG Golden Jubilee Anniversary Award ceremony which took place at the varsity main campus, Akoka, Lagos yesterday.
Visitor to the institution, President Goodluck Jonathan described Sir Balewa as an exceptional leader who contributed to the nation’s growth just as he was partaker in the continental and global peace.
“I salute the three doctorate awardees of today, starting with our first and only Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa of blessed memory. Sir Balewa was an exemplary leader who contributed to the growth of Nigerian nation. He also contributed immensely to continental and global peace. Chief Afe Babalola and Chief Arthur Mbanefo are also men of pedigree and integrity whose contributions to the development of this University are immeasurable,” the President said.
While acknowledging the varsity’s gesture, the representative of Tafawa Balewa’s family, Alhaji Yakubu Tafawa Balewa said the family was grateful to the management of UNILAG for deeming the late Prime minister fit by awarding him post-humously.
Also speaking, Chief Mbanefo who was awarded Honourary Doctor of Science said   though there has been proliferation of honourary degrees by Nigerian institutions to people of questionable characters, he nonetheless cherished the award confered on him by UNILAG.
The third awardee, Chief Babalola in his remark said being a former Pro-Chancellor of the University, he was quite delighted with the award as some of his contributions to the institution’s growth are already manifesting.
Babalola who is also a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, described the decision of President   Jonathan to rename University of Lagos (UNILAG) after the late politician and business mogul, Chief MKO Abiola as ill advised.
Babalola, however, counseled the new governing council to be chaired by Prof. Jerry Gana to meet with the President and seek an out-of-the court settlement on the development.

12 PDP governors may join new party

 by Olusola Fabiyi, Abuja

governor of Niger State, Dr. Babangida Aliyu

About 12 governors, who are members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, may join the newly formed political party, All Progressive Congress.

Our correspondent gathered that the governors were already talking with the leaders of the newly formed political party.

Investigations further showed that some of the governors were already thinking of how to leave the party and join the newly formed APC.

The new party was formed by the merging of the Action Congress of Nigeria, All Nigeria Peoples Party, All Progressive Grand Alliance and Congress for Progressive Change.

It was gathered that some other minor political parties had also discussed with the newly former political party.

Sources close the PDP said the party was already fidgeting that some of its governors and lawmakers could leave the party.

A member of the National Working Committee of the PDP, who spoke with our correspondent on condition of anonymity, said the leadership of the party and the Presidency were afraid that their governors could abandon the umbrella.

Umbrella is the symbol of the PDP.

He said behind the show of ‘we don’t care’ by the party’s leadership, there was concealment of fear, as the party was afraid that the current crisis rocking the party could consume it and make it a minority party in the future.

He said, “The party’s leadership is afraid. I must tell you. We are not convenient at all because the formation of the party is coming at a time we are having problems in our party.

“Don’t forget that the NWC is divided. The governors are angry. We cannot hold National Executive Committee meeting. We are even finding it difficult to elect the chairman of our Board of Trustees.

“We are also having financial problems in the party as the governors have refused to fund us the way they used to do before the crisis started.

“So, if anyone is telling you that we are at peace and are not worried as a result of the formation of the party, such a person is being economical with the truth.”

The source also added that though the party is convenient with the attitude of his members in the Senate, the same thing could not be said of the House of Representatives.

“We know that the opposition is in control of the House, because though the Speaker, Mallam Aminu Tambuwal belongs to our party, he is more popular among the opposition political parties,” the NWC member said regrettably.

Among governors touted that could leave the party, four are from the North-West, three from the North-East, two from the South-South and three from the North-Central.

Our correspondent further gathered that these governors, especially those from the North, would move if it was clear that President Goodluck Jonathan would run for a second term.

“His second term ambition, if he declares it, will quicken the death of this party,” a source close to the party said.

Reacting to the development, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Chief Olisa Metuh, told our correspondent that that would not happen.

He said he was sure that none of the governors would leave the ruling party and join the opposition, whose future he said was not known.

Metuh said, “Definitely, such will never happen. We are not afraid of the newly formed party. Our governors are too committed to the PDP to join the APC.

“You cannot leave the ruling party to join an opposition party, whose future you cannot even tell. It has never happened in the history of this democracy for the PDP to lose any of its governors to the opposition.

“Yes, it is agreed that the party is having some challenges, but we are managing the situation. When other parties had challenges, we knew how they handled them.

“We are therefore not afraid that some of our governors could leave the PDP and join the APC.”

Also, the spokesperson for the CPC, Mr. Rotimi Fashakin, told our correspondent that the APC would gladly welcome the PDP governors, adding that it was high time the governors abandoned what he called the “torn umbrella, which can no longer stop the rain.”

Fashakin said, “It is not impossible for the governors to join us. The governor of Niger State, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, just said today (Thursday) that Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) remains his leader and that he is happy at the birth of APC.

“APC is a success story that has come to stay. The governor also added that the formation of the new party would stop all riffraffs from contesting the presidency.

“So, even if all the governors of the PDP want to come, they are welcome. APC is a party with large heart.”

Punch

Arise TV is illegal – NBC tells Nduka Obiagbena

By Wale Odunsi

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has disclosed that Arise TV, a new broadcasting channel owned by ThisDay publisher, Nduka Obiagena is illegal and cannot go on air.
Obaigbena had announced a launch of the 24-hour news channel on February 3, saying the station would broadcast from “its main news centres in London, New York, Johannesburg and Lagos” and “supported by a further eight bureaux around the globe stretching from Beijing to Rio de Janeiro.”
According to him, Arise TV would ”rival existing giants in the global market”.
”We will attract a global audience interested in emerging markets, developing countries and evolving politics. With headquarters and bureaux throughout Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas, we are ready to speak to our audience and give them a voice as well.
“We are a new international network established to reflect the new world order not hardwired to the old and built to reflect the modern way news is consumed. Nowhere is this more important than in the emerging economies.’
“There will be no state funding and no state agenda. Our coverage will be balanced, comprehensive and completely independent.
“Our efforts will concentrate on robust journalism anchored on imperatives of the marketplace.”
He added that a sister channel, ARISE 360, which will be entertainments-based with fashion, music sport and pay per view films, will start broadcasting towards the end of the year.
But in a statement issued on Wednesday, the National Broadcasting Commission, said Arise TV had not been licensed to operate in Nigeria.

The statement by the Director-General Yomi Bolarinwa said “Arise News has not applied to the commission for a broadcast licence and does not have a licence to operate in Nigeria’s territory,’’
He recalled a publication in Thisday Newspaper of Feb. 4 which said that the TV station would commence “soft launch on Feb. 5 following a two-day test broadcast.”
Bolarinwa further said that: “The NBC wishes to draw the attention of the public to the fact that the said television operation has not applied to the commission for a broadcast licence in accordance with the provisions of the law governing the establishment and operation of broadcasting stations in Nigeria as provided in Sections 2(1) (b)(c), 2(2) and 11 of the NBC Act No. 38, 1999.”
“Section 2(2) states that no person shall operate or use any apparatus or premises for the transmission of sound or vision by cable, television, radio, satellite or any other medium of broadcast from anywhere in Nigeria except under and in accordance with the provisions of this Act.”
“Section 11 states that a request by a person for authority to own, establish or operate a radio, sound, television, cable or satellite station shall be by way of an application for a licence addressed to the Director-General of the commission and in the form prescribed in the second schedule to this Act.”
Obiagena once floated ThisDay in South Africa but the branch was closed down within months by the South African Government. He was accused of owing staff salaries for months.
DailyPost

Army Puts Retired General, Others Under Watch

The authorities of the Nigerian Army have put a retired Major General under close watch over the allegations of nepotism against the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika.

Also being closely watched are a few of the accomplices of the general, who are strongly suspected to have aided him in whipping up ethnic sentiments in the army.

The general was said to have served in the army for the mandatory 35 years but was retired compulsory during the last retirement exercise involving some 51 top officers of the army.

Investigations showed that his retirement came unexpectedly to him as the Chief of Army Staff had initially agreed to retire the generals on their birthdays.

Defence sources did not give the reasons for the change of mind on the part of the COAS for the retirement of the affected generals, some of who were said to have made separate cases for service extension to afford them the opportunity to build their personal houses.

It was learnt that the army was giving a serious attention to the issue of the ethnic dimension in the military because of its implications. It is considered inimical to national unity.

It was, however, not clear whether the army would move to apprehend those suspected to be behind the allegations that have caused grave concerns in the military in recent time.

Since a group of military personnel under the aegis of Group for the Salvation of the Nigerian Army cried out over alleged ethnicity and favouritism in promotions and postings in the army under Ihejirika, the army has been silent on the allegations.

Although an official response has not been given on the issues contained in the petition which was reportedly forwarded to the National Assembly, army officials are insisting that a combination of officers, who were retired and others who were not promoted were behind what they described as a campaign of calumny against the army chief.

The group had claimed among others that the promotion exercise had created disenchantment within the army because it was skewed in favour of a particular section of the country.

The anonymous authors of the document appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan, the National Security Adviser, Bello Dasuki, and the National Assembly to intervene in the purported division rocking the army to prevent unpalatable consequences.

The Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna was mentioned as one area where no person from the South had been appointed as commandant for years.

It was alleged that even positions like the Adjutant and Registrar of the institution were exclusively reserved for a particular part of the country.

Ihejirika was said to have attracted the ire of some powerful individuals when he broke the jinx and appointed Emeka Onwuemegbu, a former Defence Spokesman, as the commandant.

Investigations further showed that the decision to challenge the entrenched imbalance was responsible for the anger among some military personnel.

It was learnt that only officers from a section of the country were being posted to the Brigades at Obinze and Port Harcourt.

 The situation was the same at the Warri Battalion until Ihejirika ensured that changes were made in the postings to those places.

“What other investigation are you talking about? The army knows who is behind this deliberate move to discredit the service. We know the man behind it. He is gone and no matter what he does, he cannot come back. It is the President and Commander-in-Chief that has the power to recall anybody.

“It is that particular general and a few of his boys that are behind this attempt to destroy the army by whipping up ethnic sentiments. He has got to his retirement period; you don’t behave as if you are more important than others.

“And because the issue is sensitive; you know it involves ethnic sentiments, the army is taking it very seriously because ethnic sentiments are being raised against the leadership.

“The man is really balancing things. Haba, this army is called the Nigerian Army; it belongs to all of us. He is making efforts to balance years of sustained partiality in the postings and people are angry.

“They are angry because the Chief is up against a partial practice that has lasted several years. Take a look at postings to the military formations in the South-South and South like the Port Harcourt Brigade, the Obinze Brigade and the Warri Battalion, no southerner has been posted there since the 1990s because they say they are from there.

“Since the 1990s, this is the first time this monopoly in postings has been broken,” the source said.

Since reports of the allegations broke out, the army has not come up with a comprehensive defence on the issue. The Army Directorate of Information has kept mum over the allegations.

 Naij

Some PDP governors may join APC – Lai Mohammed

by Abbas Jimoh

Lai Mohammed

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Spokesman for the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Lai Mohammed, says some governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are likely to join the newly floated merger  party, the All Progressive Congress (APC) unveiled by the four main opposition parties, among other issues. Excerpts:

Weekly Trust: What is the focus of the joint party formed by the four main opposition parties?
Lai Mohammed: The aim is to salvage Nigeria from the brink of collapse. It is an amalgamation of progressive parties who have watched with dismay the gradual slide into anarchy, insecurity and almost absence of infrastructure. These are some of the reasons driving this party contrary to what the PDP is touting. It is not about those who want to be president, it is about serving Nigeria.
How is the merger party going to accommodate the political ambitions of opposition leaders?
General Muhammadu Buhari and Bola Tinubu are the most vilified Nigerians today and those of us who closely work with them know that contrary to that assumption, they are among the most patriotic Nigerians. What is paramount to both of them is salvation of Nigeria and not their individual or personal ambitions.
The ANPP seems uncomfortable with the merger as some chieftains of the party are still opting for alliance in place of merger, was this matter resolved before the formation of APC?
The mandate of the ANPP merger committee led by former Kano State governor Ibrahim Shekarau has been read to us yesterday (Wednesday) and is clear that the mandate of the committee is to merge, matters have gone far beyond that, as we know two days ago, ten governors adopted the merger, meaning that any political party today which is not ready with us is not speaking for the people of the state they represent and also for the party itself and like I said, we are not going to accommodate individuals’ ego or ambition rather we are more interested in the corporate existence of this country.
How about the APGA crisis and what is the stance of the Labour Party in this arrangement?
Any progressive party that want to join us are free to come, it is not closed but open ended, but you must believe in what we believe in.
 Apart from the presidency, what plan is the APC having for the states?
With this merger, the scope is beyond the presidency, we will definitely win more states, more members of the National Assembly. Also, there are many governors in the PDP today who are only waiting for the conclusion and formalisation of the party before they come to join us.
Are you saying some PDP governors are decamping to APC?
Just wait and see, they are preparing and will re-contest on the APC platform, same goes for many PDP National Assembly members and even many of the PDP stalwarts. What we are going to witness very soon is a mass exodus of people from the PDP and other parties into the APC.
 Are you prepared to handle splinter groups to avoid disintegration like what happened to the Alliance for Democracy (AD)?
Whoever is not going may stay behind, the train will move and leave them behind, don’t forget that in this merger, it is not 70 or 80 percent, it is 100 per cent, so, our appeal and strategy has been known and accepted by Nigerians going by the reactions since the announcement of the merger. Nigerians have been waiting for this to happen and the celebration shows what they have been waiting for the arrival of the mega party.
 How are you taking the PDP’s reaction to the merger?
They may attempt to destabilise and we are not unaware of their schemes, we are not naive and I can assure you that this movement is bigger than that.

WeeklyTrust