Messi smashes Liga goalscoring record with a fantastic hat-trick

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> </div><br /><br/><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1zaoHtd" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://ift.tt/1zaoHtd" width="400"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><b><br/> </b> <b>Lionel Messi smashed the all-time Liga goalscoring record with a sublime hat-trick as Barcelona slaughtered Sevilla 5-1 at Camp Nou on Saturday night.</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The prolific Argentine took the his tally of Spanish top-flight goals to 253 with a treble either side of the break, moving past Telmo Zarra's record of 251 that had stretched back to 1955.<br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Messi, who made his Liga debut in 2004, has achieved the feat in 289 appearances - 11 more than the legendary Athletic Bilbao forward Zarra.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The 27-year-old found the net with a delightful first-half free-kick, placing it into the top corner to move level, before claiming the landmark outright in the second period as he capped a memorable evening.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />His first La Liga goal came as a 17-year-old against Albacete in May 2005, and he had not scored in the league since netting at home to Eibar on October 18.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />But his wait for another career milestone ended in style as Barca continued their title push with a resounding success.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />After Messi's superb set-piece had ensured he would dominate the headlines, Jordi Alba's own goal at the start of the second half brought Sevilla level.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Barca were ahead again in the 49th minute as Neymar headed past Beto.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Ivan Rakitic, who captained Sevilla to Europa League glory last season, nodded in with 25 minutes to go to make it 3-1, but the day belonged to Messi.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He slid a shot home with 18 minutes left to finally overtake Zarra, before completing his hat-trick and rounding off a stunning performance with a solo goal in the 78th minute.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Such a comprehensive win always looked likely as Barcelona put Sevilla under plenty of early pressure.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Initially, they struggled to find a way past Beto, and Messi was presented with an opportunity he would have been expect to bury in the eighth minute.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />On this occasion, he fired a tame effort straight at Sevilla's Portuguese goalkeeper before Luis Suarez was also denied three minutes later.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />But normal order was restored after 21 minutes, as Messi took centre stage. His sublime free-kick from just outside the area curled into the top-left corner.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Luis Enrique's men failed to seize the initiative from there, although Sevilla could not make the most of their increased possession as Carlos Bacca continued to look isolated in attack.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Barca should have gone into half-time 2-0 up, but Daniel Carrico produced a last-ditch block to deny Alba in the 44th minute and then, from the resulting corner, Beto kept Neymar at bay with his left foot.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Sevilla looked bright at the start of the second half and they were level in the 47th minute as Vitolo skipped past two challenges down the left and saw his cross turned in by Alba.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />They were on level terms for just a few moments, though, as Neymar steered home Xavi's deep free-kick with a fine glancing header.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Sevilla's forays forward in search of an equaliser ultimately proved to be their undoing, as Barca soon netted their third on the counter-attack, Rakitic heading in Suarez's cross to effectively end his former team's chances.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He chose not to celebrate, but Messi offered Sevilla no such courtesy - and rightly so - as he claimed his place in the history books.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The Argentina star slotted in an easy finish after good work from Neymar in the 72nd minute, delighting the Camp Nou faithful.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Messi then added Barca's fifth and his third to round off an historic night, jinking past a couple of challenges before firing low after a clever interchange with Neymar.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Messi smashes Liga goalscoring record with a fantastic hat-trick

Lionel Messi smashed the all-time Liga goalscoring record with a sublime hat-trick as Barcelona slaughtered Sevilla 5-1 at Camp Nou on ...

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Invasion of our Lagos office, worst political scandal in Nigeria's history — APC

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1vA42Ba" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://ift.tt/1vA42Ba" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><b><br/> </b> <b>The All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned Saturday invasion of its offices in Lagos by security agents, calling it perhaps the worst political scandal in Nigeria’s history.</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />In a statement, Saturday, in Ijebu -Ode, by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the invasion can only be likened to the Watergate Scandal that led to the resignation of US President Richard Nixon in 1974, as a result of the June 17, 1972, break-in at the Democratic National Committee (DNC) headquarters at the Watergate office complex in Washington, D.C., and the attempted cover-up of its involvement by the Republican Nixon Administration.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />It therefore called for an independent inquiry to fish out those who ordered the needless and unprovoked attack on the offices of the APC and ensure that they face very serious consequences, irrespective of their status.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />”Saturday’s attack is another one in the string of attacks and illegal actions of the PDP-led administration. The attack was unwarranted and unjustifiable. To attack one of the offices of the opposition party, APC, where legitimate operations of the party were being undertaken is an act of fascism and totalitarianism. To the point of brigandage, the invasion of the APC centre is an assault on the APC and its entire membership across the country. It must not go unpunished,” APC said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The party said though it had been tipped off about an impending attack on the ‘secret warehouse’ of our leader Bola Ahmed Tinubu, ”we dismissed such plan because there was no ‘secret warehouse’ anywhere and also because we never imagined that the government will attack the offices of an opposition party in a constitutional democracy. Obviously we under-estimated the desperation of the Jonathan Administration and its worsening proclivity to impunity.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Giving details of the invasion, the APC said in the early hours of Saturday morning, a combined team of men of the DSS and OP-MESA stormed the Bola Ajibola Data centre belonging to the APC in the Ikeja area of Lagos and arrested 25 APC data agents and 3 security guards.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />”In what was a gestapo-like operation, the APC membership data centre located at Number 10, Bola Ajibola street, off Allen Avenue in Ikeja, came under siege between the hours of 5:30 am and 7:30 am on Saturday. An operation of terror and brigandage was unleashed on a legitimate operation of a leading national party. They came without a search warrant for the premises. Over 50 security operatives drafted from Abuja operations blocked the two major street entrances to the APC data entry centre, pulled down the gates and spent over 2 hours ransacking and vandalizing the centre.<br/><br /><br/><br />”More than a dozen computers were destroyed. The server was also vandalized along with other equipment in the building. Just like the Watergate scandal in the USA, the state-sponsored security operatives apparently acting at the behest of the ruling PDP government turned the office upside down, and pulled out and vandalized everything in sight.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />”If the PDP-led government and the security agents had done due diligence and acted professionally, they would have known that the APC data centre is a legitimate operation and the staff are Nigerian youths who were left jobless by the Jonathan government. Apart from the Lagos centre, the operation is decentralized and similar centres are functional in about six different locations around the country.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />”They chose to believe the lie that it was a warehouse belonging to one of the national leaders of the party where dangerous weapons were being kept, when in fact it is a centre for entering the data provided by the millions of Nigerians who registered as members of the party during its membership registration exercise,” the party said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />It described the invasion as another act of impunity, now a trademark of the Jonathan-led presidency which is being edged on by the hawks in the PDP.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />APC called the invasion of its offices an attempt to suppress the opposition, get details of its membership with the intention of using it to rig the 2015 elections and also to destroy the spirit of democracy.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />”When in Oct. 6th, 2013 we issued a statement alerting Nigerians that the Jonathan Administration was using Rivers State as a testing ground for creeping fascism ahead of the 2015 elections, some said we were raising a false alarm.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />”Well, here we are. In the past five months, the PDP-led government has stepped up its acts of impunity and terror against the leaders of the APC and all non-PDP actors. Elected officers, who are not PDP members, have had their rights repeatedly violated by the police and other security operatives. Never before has an elected government been so scared of the opposition to the point of shutting it down.<br/><br /><br/><br />...vandalised CPU<br/><br /><br/><br />…<br/><br /><br/><br />”Now that they have overreached themselves by attacking the offices of the main opposition party and destroying part of its membership database, can the PDP-led government still claim to be operating under the rule of law? Can the government sincerely tell the world it is now ready for a free and fair elections in 2015? This is one impunity too many, and we will not allow it to be swept under the carpet,” the party vowed.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Invasion of our Lagos office, worst political scandal in Nigeria's history — APC

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned Saturday invasion of its offices in Lagos by security agents, calling it perhaps the w...

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Al-Shabab claims responsibility for Kenya killings

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1zaoIxb" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="http://ift.tt/1zaoIxb" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Al-Shabab fighters from Somalia hijacked a bus in Kenya’s north and killed 28 non-Muslims on board after they had been singled out from the rest of the passengers, police officials said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Two police officers said that the bus travelling to the capital Nairobi with 60 passengers was hijacked 50km from the town of Mandera near Kenya’s border with Somalia.<br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The officers insisted on anonymity out of fear of reprisals because of an order from Kenya’s police chief that officers should not speak to the media.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the dawn bus attack in a statement on Saturday, saying the attack was revenge for raids carried out by Kenyan security forces on mosques in the coastal city of Mombasa. Kenyan police said they found explosives and arrested more than 150 people in the mosque raids.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“The Mujahideen successfully carried out an operation near Mandera early this morning, which resulted in the perishing of 28 crusaders, as a revenge for the crimes committed by the Kenyan crusaders against our Muslim brethren in Mombasa,” Sheikh Ali Mohamud Rage, a spokesman for the group, said in the statement.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The interior ministry confirmed Saturday’s attack, saying via its official Twitter handle: “Security agencies are in pursuit of the criminal gang. We’ll give a comprehensive update once preliminary reports are out.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Police said that the attackers, who were heavily-armed, fled towards the border between Kenya and Somalia, adding that a security team has been deployed to the area to capture the attackers.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />A reporter for Kenya’s Standard newspaper told Al Jazeera the attack happened at 5:45am local time.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Quoting Mandera County Commissioner, journalist Boniface Mungeri said the attack was carried out by “about 100 gunmen who commandeered” the bus and forced the passengers out.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />(Al Jazeera)<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Al-Shabab claims responsibility for Kenya killings

Al-Shabab fighters from Somalia hijacked a bus in Kenya’s north and killed 28 non-Muslims on board after they had been singled out from th...

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JTF demolishes stolen crude depot, sets trucks ablaze

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1zaoGFC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ift.tt/1zaoGFC" width="400"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta, Operation Pulo Shield, said it had destroyed a depot for stolen crude and set ablaze two trucks with crude in Eleme community in Rivers.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />A statement signed by Lt.-Col. Mustapha Anka, the Spokesman for the task force issued in Yenagoa on Saturday, said that the building housing the illegal depot was demolished during the operation.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />According to the statement, the illegal crude storage facility was connected to a 28-inch compromised Rukpoku-Bonny crude oil pipeline operated by Shell.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />News Agency of Nigeria reports that the pipeline was breached at Elelewo Community in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers and a hose connected to the illegal storage facility.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The storage facility consisted of a well reservoir where the stolen crude was stored before loading to trucks between 12.00 am and 4.00 am.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The JTF sais, “Two trucks with 45,000 liters capacity each, loaded with stolen crude oil were intercepted and arrested during the operation.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“One of the tankers arrested had registration number RV XA 356 BGM, while the second had no plate number.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“The loaded trucks were about leaving the premises before the anti oil theft team of the task force intercepted them.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The JTF said that no arrest was made as the suspects absconded on sighting troops.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“The trucks and contents with the hose were taken to a safe location and destroyed in line with the mandate of the task force.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“The Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps, Department of State Security and the SPDC surveillance team witnessed the destruction,” the statement read in part.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />(NAN)<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

JTF demolishes stolen crude depot, sets trucks ablaze

The Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta, Operation Pulo Shield, said it had destroyed a depot for stolen crude and set ablaze two trucks w...

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15 die in Enugu auto crash

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br/><br /><br/><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1zaoG8P" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://ift.tt/1zaoG8P" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />No fewer than fifteen persons have been confirmed dead in a ghastly motor accident at Oji River in Enugu State.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Our correspondent learnt that the fatal crash occurred along the old Enugu-Onitsha expressway on Friday.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />It was gathered that the accident occurred when a truck ran into a Toyota Siena bus.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The Public Relations Officer of the Enugu State Police Command, Ebere Amaraizu, who confirmed the development, disclosed on Saturday that the police evacuated about 15 bodies at the scene of the accident.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Amaraizu explained that the driver of a truck lost control of the brakes.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The driver of the truck has been arrested, while the police has commenced investigations into the incident, according to the police spokesman.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

15 die in Enugu auto crash

No fewer than fifteen persons have been confirmed dead in a ghastly motor accident at Oji River in Enugu State. Our correspondent learnt t...

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EPL: Arsenal 1-2 Manchester United

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><b><br/> </b><br/><br /><br/><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1vA40Jy" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="http://ift.tt/1vA40Jy" width="400"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><b><br/> </b> <b>Manchester United weathered a storm to secure a 2-1 victory that leaves Arsenal 15 points adrift of Premier League leaders Chelsea.</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The hosts dominated for most of the opening hour at Emirates Stadium but found United goalkeeper David de Gea in excellent form.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br />The same could not be said for De Gea's Arsenal counterpart, Wojciech Szczesny, whose failure to deal with a ball into the box led directly to Kieran Gibbs' 56th-minute own goal on the end of Antonio Valencia's drilled cross, before the Pole was then forced off injured.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />United then made light of high-profile defensive absentees by closing out their first competitive away win of the Louis van Gaal era, a triumph sealed by Wayne Rooney on the counter-attack five minutes from time.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />It could have been three late on when Angel di Maria missed with a one-on-one breakaway opportunity, before Olivier Giroud gave Arsenal something to cheer with a superb finish on his return to the side after a fractured tibia.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />There were, though, injuries to Jack Wilshere and Szczesny as Arsenal's miserable record against United was extended to only one win in 15 attempts - and the gap to Premier League leaders Chelsea was extended even further.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Danny Welbeck shook off a hamstring problem to lead the Arsenal attack against his former club, while Arsene Wenger preferred Mikel Arteta to Mathieu Flamini in midfield.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Van Gaal's latest response to United's defensive injury crisis was to name Tyler Blackett and Paddy McNair in a re-shaped back three.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />McNair produced an important early block to deny Welbeck and the England international headed over in the ninth minute as Arsenal began in the ascendancy.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Wilshere and Welbeck were then able to test United goalkeeper De Gea as his new-look defence allowed too much room on the edge of the penalty area.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />In the 15th minute, De Gea atoned for a terrible clearance by keeping out Wilshere's resulting one-on-one opportunity when the midfielder should have left him with no chance.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Left wing-back Luke Shaw's departure with an ankle problem further increased United's defensive uncertainty and the alert De Gea had to race from his goalmouth to deny Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Wilshere was fortunate to remain on the field after thrusting his head towards Marouane Fellaini in a 29th-minute clash – a reflection on his frustration at Arsenal losing their early control of the match.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Di Maria was central to United’s improvement, flashing a speculative strike narrowly wide and then setting up Rooney, only for Arsenal full-back Calum Chambers to make a vital 38th-minute block.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />An excellent pass with the outside of his foot from Oxlade-Chamberlain sent Welbeck racing into the United box from the left-hand side early in the second half, but De Gea was equal to the task once more.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />A misunderstanding between McNair and Fellaini had Wilshere racing through on the United goal again soon afterwards, but a challenge involving both United players resulted in ankle damage and an early end to the Arsenal man's afternoon.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />To compound Wenger's worries, his team fell behind in the 56th minute.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Poland international Szczesny failed to deal with a cross from Shaw's replacement, Ashley Young. In doing so he knocked Gibbs to the floor and the defender put the ball through his own net when Valencia drove a cross back into the area.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Szczesny injured himself in the process to bring about an unplanned Premier League debut for substitute goalkeeper Damian Martinez.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />In-form forward Alexis Sanchez placed a header into De Gea's hands as Arsenal sought a response and Santi Cazorla, on for Wilshere, had a rasping effort saved.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Arsenal committed increasing numbers forward late on, meaning Rooney was able to race onto Di Maria's pass before lifting the ball beyond Martinez, and his team up to fourth in the table.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Di Maria then passed up a glorious chance to add a third on the break and Giroud, back in the side after his fractured leg, smashed a powerful shot into the top corner to make United sweat midway through an elongated nine minutes of stoppage time, but there was to be no comeback.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

EPL: Arsenal 1-2 Manchester United

Manchester United weathered a storm to secure a 2-1 victory that leaves Arsenal 15 points adrift of Premier League leaders Chelsea. The...

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Eagles 3-2 loss is a wakeup call – Keshi

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1rQE1tS" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="http://ift.tt/1rQE1tS" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><b><br/> </b> <b>Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi, said on Saturday that the team’s loss to the Congolese national team will serve as a wakeup call to his players.</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Keshi spoke to sport writers in Calabar shortly after Nigeria lost by 3-2 to Congo in Africa Nations cup qualifying match.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Its a shame that we had opportunities and we could not score, mostly in the second half.<br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“In the first half, they were winning by 2-1, its part of the game. Maybe it will be a good lesson for the players, may be too much confidence and let’s see how the game will go in South Africa,” he said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Keshi also said that at the interval, he told his players to play their normal game and in the second half they really woke up.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />On their second match against South Africa, next week, Keshi said, “we have to win, if we will qualify.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“To Nigerians, we say this kind of thing happens at times, this is football,” Keshi said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Vice President of Congo Football Federation, Mr. John Paul Fouane, told the News Agency of Nigeria that despite their victory, Nigeria had a good team.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“I am very happy because Nigeria is a good team. We were surprised at the outcome of the match.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Today is not good for Nigeria and Nigeria should not be underrated. Nigeria is still good and has chances of qualifying for the Nations cup,” he said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Nigeria had scored the first goal in the 15th minute when Efe Ambrose nodded in a pullout from Ahmed Musa.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Congo equalised in the 17th minute through Oniangue Chince.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Congo’s midfielder, Bifouma Thievy, scored the second goal in the 42nd minute and the third in the 50th minute through a penalty kick.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Gbolahon Salami scored the second goal for Nigeria in the 89th minute.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Eagles 3-2 loss is a wakeup call – Keshi

Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi, said on Saturday that the team’s loss to the Congolese national team will serve as a wakeup call to h...

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Real Madrid's James Rodriguez voted sexiest man of 2014

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1Akh3vT" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="http://ift.tt/1Akh3vT" width="400"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><b><br/> </b> <b>Colombian soccer star, James Rodriguez has been voted the sexiest man of 2014 following his World Cup heroics and estimated €80 million transfer to Real Madrid.</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><i>People En Espanol</i> magazine awarded the title to the Colombia superstar, who recently launched his own range of branded underpants, after going from promising talent to global superstar overnight by grabbing the Golden Boot in Brazil this summer.<br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />James' wife insisted that his personality is what makes the attacking midfielder so alluring, not necessarily his boyish good looks - though it probably also helps that he earns more in a week than most people on the planet earn in a year!<br/><br /><br/><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1rQE0pY" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="http://ift.tt/1rQE0pY" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />"He's a very attractive man," Daniela Ospina said. "But what I most like is the way he is, his personality. It's what I really love."<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Meanwhile, James' mother insists that fame has not gone to the 23-year-old's head and that he remains humble about his talent on the football pitch.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />"He is still the same," Maria del Pilar Rubio added. "What characterises him most is his humility, "<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Past winners of the English language version of the award include Hollywood actors Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Johnny Depp, Matt Damon and Ryan Reynolds.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The 'sexiest man on the planet' tag now gives James bragging rights in the Santiago Bernabeu dressing room over Cristiano Ronaldo, although the new Madrid player still has some way to be considered hotter than his Ballon d'Or-winning team-mate on the pitch.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Real Madrid's James Rodriguez voted sexiest man of 2014

Colombian soccer star, James Rodriguez has been voted the sexiest man of 2014 following his World Cup heroics and estimated €80 million ...

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Jonathan will contest 2015 presidential election, says Anenih

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1v8foMM" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="http://ift.tt/1v8foMM" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><span style='font-size: large;'>The Chairman, PDP Board of Trustees (BOT), Chief Tony Anenih, said on Tuesday in Calabar that President Goodluck Jonathan would contest the presidential election in 2015 on PDP platform.</span><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Anenih said this while addressing party faithful at the maiden zonal tour of the South-South by the new PDP chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“I want the national chairman to go home with a word from the father that come 2015, Jonathan will run for presidency for the second term, ‘’ he said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He said that the party was becoming stronger in the South-South, adding that “if we continue like this, the load in 2015 will be lighter than the load in 2011,” he said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The BOT chairman further said that the party had worked hard for next weekend’s governorship election in Osun, adding that PDP was sure of clinching victory in the election.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“We are working and we are sure that we will win Osun, come Saturday,” he said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The National Chairman, PDP, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, said the party would ensure that internal democracy prevailed in its choice of candidates for various elective positions in 2015.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Mu’azu said that the party would not entertain any short-cut or favouritism in selecting the candidates.<br/><br /><br/><br />He said that as the ruling party, the PDP would set a good example on internal democracy.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He also advised PDP members and supporters to shun rumour mongering and falsehood because of their implications on party success and stability.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“The opposition has seen that we are winning in all fronts and they are ready to destroy us. Therefore, let us be careful as we are in a very trying time,’’ he said.\<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Gov. Ibrahim Dankwanbo of Gombe State, said that the North-East PDP was in full support of Jonathan’s administration.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“I want to assure the people of South-South that we in the North-East are in solidarity with you and the president.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“I want to assure you that we, the PDP governors in the North East, will work to ensure that President Jonathan returns as president in 2015,” the governor said. (NAN)<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Jonathan will contest 2015 presidential election, says Anenih

The Chairman, PDP Board of Trustees (BOT), Chief Tony Anenih, said on Tuesday in Calabar that President Goodluck Jonathan would contest th...

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Onazi forgives Matuidi, out for a few weeks

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1pHV8zj" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://ift.tt/1pHV8zj" width="400"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><b><br/> </b> <b><br/> </b> <b>Lazio and Nigeria midfielder Ogenyi Onazi has forgiven Blaise Matuidi for the horror tackle that saw him taken off the pitch during the round of sixteen tie against France.</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Also Onazi would have to spent the next few weeks on the sidelines after PSG midfielder Blaise Matuidi stepped on his ankle during the second half of the France – Nigeria second round World Cup tie.<br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />There have been conflicting reports on the injury as some reports said he suffered a double fracture of the fibula in his left legOgenyi-Onazi<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />However, the Corriere dello Sport claims Onazi assured Lazio directors there are “no fractures.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He still posted a picture of his leg in plaster, so the situation remains unclear.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Lazio also released a tweet for the player: “Forza Onazi! You’ll be back better than ever!!! Good luck and Stay Strong!!”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Nigeria Coach Stephen Keshi was furious with the fact Matuidi only received a yellow card for that challenge.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“I want to know why the referee didn’t send Matuidi off. It’s shameful, as he’d already gone in with two dangerous tackles. The tendency was to favour the French.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Matuidi apologised in public and private for the challenge. “I didn’t go in to hurt him and I’m disappointed, as I’m not a bad player. I apologise. I went into their dressing room to apologise.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />As for Onazi, he forgave Matuidi via Twitter. “Hi @MatuidiBlaise thanks for your support and concern. Let the game go on.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Thanks to you guys, my friends and fans for your love, support and encouragement. Hoping to do much better next time.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Eddy Onazi would have to spent the next few weeks on the sidelines after PSG midfielder Blaise Matuidi stepped on his ankle during the second half of the France – Nigeria second round World Cup tie.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The injury was so serious that the Lazio starlet had to move straight to the dressing room after he left the pitch in the 59th minute.<br/><br /><br/><br />Despite what appeared to be a red card offense, the American referee Mark Geiger only issued a yellow card to the Frenchman, and his action was criticized by Stephen Keshi in his post match comments.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“The referee decides what happens on the field. I am not happy because on two occasions Onazi was fouled and nothing was done by the referee. And now he is going to be sidelined for weeks,” Stephen Keshi told reporters.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />21 – year – old Eddy Onazi suited up four times for the Super Eagles at the World Cup.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Onazi forgives Matuidi, out for a few weeks

Lazio and Nigeria midfielder Ogenyi Onazi has forgiven Blaise Matuidi for the horror tackle that saw him taken off the pitch during th...

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Police chase, teargas protesting LASU students

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1hGe9OE" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://ift.tt/1hGe9OE" width="400"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><b><br/> </b> <b>Policemen on Tuesday chased away hundreds of Lagos State University, LASU, students who were protesting the hike in school fees at the Lagos Governor’s Office with teargas and guns.</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The students had come to the governor’s office on Tuesday afternoon with three BRT buses and occupied the entrance leading to Governor Babatunde Fashola’s Office despite the entrance leading to the office being barricaded by policemen attached to the Rapid Response Squad, RRS.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />They sang anti-Fashola songs for several minutes before the police swooped on them following an order by the RRS Commander, Hakeem Odumosu who told his men to arrest and disperse the protesting students.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The policemen shot sporadically into the air and released teargas right in front of the Governor’s office, an action that made the students scamper in different directions, leaving some injured and requiring medical attention.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The policemen chased the students unto the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway until they hurriedly crossed the expressway and pitched their tent at the Magodo Gate. Other students who had run in different directions returned to join them at the Gate.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Two students and the driver of one of the BRT buses were arrested by the police and the bus impounded by the police.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Police officers with guns were seen searching for LASU students to arrest while the road leading to the governor’s office from the Lagos State House of Assembly was barricaded by police vans.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />President, LASU Students Union, Yusuf Nurudeen told PM NEWS at Magodo Gate, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria that they came to the Governor’s Office to know why the State Government had not announced reduction in fees being paid by the students after the Committee set up by Fashola submitted its report on Monday.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“We also learnt that the government will be meeting with the Governing Council of the school today and that is why we came. We beat the barricade set up by the police and we were singing peacefully at the entrance of the governor’s office when we saw policemen.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“They shot at us, teargassed us, shot live bullets at us right in front of the governor’s office. It is sad that they shot at us. We came to hear the announcement of the reduction in school fees. The police cannot do this without the order of the governor,” he said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />According to him, about three students were injured and had been rushed to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, while two others were arrested, saying that “they pursued us from the governor’s office to Magodo Gate. We will continue to protest.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />However, Lagos Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Aderemi Ibirogba said the State Executive Council was yet to conclude on the school fees issue, saying that the decision will be made Wednesday.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Police chase, teargas protesting LASU students

Policemen on Tuesday chased away hundreds of Lagos State University, LASU, students who were protesting the hike in school fees at the L...

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2015: 10 Reasons Nigerians should re-elect Jonathan

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1oS3X4P" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://ift.tt/1oS3X4P" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><i>As the renowned American Diplomat and Political Scientist Henry Kissinger stated, ” those who are indifferent to power will be overtaken by power seekers”.</i><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />True to this statement, the average Nigerian has been indifferent or lukewarm towards political power and consequently, the political elites have dominated power since independence. As the 2015 elections draw nearer, I have studied the unfolding dynamics and permutations, my conclusion is that all factors considered, it is in the best interest of Nigeria to re-elect President Jonathan for another four years. I have summarized my reasons below.<br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />My first reason is that Nigeria has recorded remarkable economic growth under President Jonathan. Only two Months ago, Nigeria overtook South Africa as the continent’s largest economy after it overhauled its gross domestic product data for the first time in more than two decades. According to verifiable figures for 2013, released by Nigeria’s statistics bureau, Nigeria’s GDP hit $503bn (£307bn) – nearly double previous estimates and well ahead of South Africa at around $350bn.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />This pushed Nigeria up 12 places to become the 24th largest economy in the world – on par with Poland and Belgium and ahead of Argentina, Austria and Iran. This is a huge achievement. For the past two decades, South Africa remained the largest economy in Africa. This development was not achieved overnight. It was a result of the direct dynamic approach of the President in terms of greater investment in entrepreneurship and private sector participation.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The anticipated resultant effect of this is the attraction of more foreign investment to Nigeria. It is also a development that would motivate local investors to invest in Nigeria. The Diasporas also have been boosted by this development so in the coming months Nigeria would receive greater local and international attention in terms of investments.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />My second reason is that President Jonathan has recorded significant improvements in the power sector, backed up with greater roads and infrastructural development. The bold privatization of the defunct NEPA paved way for improved power supply in Nigeria. Most Nigerians can confirm that although we do not have power supply round the clock, however there has been a commendable improvement. There has been also greater road rehabilitation in Nigeria like the Lagos-Benin Road, the ongoing second Niger bridge etc. This government has also commissioned many new schools especially in the north of Nigeria aimed at bringing education to the door steps of the commoners.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Thirdly this administration has pursued a robust foreign policy since inception. Nigeria which previously lagged behind in the comity of nations, has now assumed her rightful position as a leader in the international community. The recent successful hosting of the World economic summit is a testament to this. Nigeria under President Jonathan has been a dynamic force in Africa and beyond. Nigeria has been leading the peacemaking initiatives in the West African sub region, with our troops deployed in Mali, Liberia and beyond. Nigeria’s partnerships with our international allies like the UK, US and France have deepened and improved under the Jonathan led administration.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The number four reason is the need for continuity and stability in our democracy. Having made tremendous progress as discussed above, there is an important need for continuity in order to sustain these achievements.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />In developing Countries, change of governments usually come with drastic change of policies and reckless abandonment of ongoing projects. We cannot afford to start afresh all over again. What is needed is a sustained initiative and a planned change of government after another four years.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Furthermore having a new government with new projects and policies may cause confusion and instability, and if not well handled may scare away investors. Other democratic institutions like the Judiciary and Legislature are also growing and maturing under the Jonathan led administration. This is largely due to the independence and freehand accorded other institutions by the President. The President believes in the doctrine of the separation of powers in deeds and words and as such never interferes with other arms of government.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Another important reason Jonathan should continue is that he is a democrat in all ramifications. Even some elements of the opposition attest to the democratic disposition of the President. President Jonathan’s tolerance of the opposition is unprecedented in the annals of Nigeria. In the first republic, the leader of the opposition Chief Obafemi Awolowo and his supporters were harassed and imprisoned. Many neutral observers saw this as a form of political persecution. In the second republic, the ruling NPN allegedly tried to intimidate and capture all States by all means including the Ondo State Gubernatorial election “victory” of 1983 which caused an uproar in Ondo state.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The fourth republic witnessed the worst brutality and suppression of the opposition, accompanied by widespread politically motivated assassinations, some unresolved till date. The climax was in 2004 in Anambra State where a sitting governor was abducted, allegedly on the orders of the OGA AT THE TOP of the time. But today, members of the opposition can sleep with two eyes closed, thanks to the liberality of the President. The President has a non violent body language which connotes peace. Today many opponents throw personal abuses and insults at the President without facing any consequences. Many African leaders wouldn’t take personal insults and abuses from the opposition or anybody for that matter. In the recent past this would have been unthinkable. Those critics who think the President is weak should realize that it takes strength of character to absorb insults and abuses without negative reactions. To his credit, there has been no politically motivated assassinations till date. Friends and Foes agree that Mr. President cannot “hurt” a fly.<br/><br /><br/><br />President Jonathan and other PDP chieftains during the party's campaign in Ekiti State.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />President Jonathan and other PDP chieftains during the party’s campaign in Ekiti State, weekend.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Similarly the President has supervised fairer elections than his predecessors. Many States today are controlled by the opposition. In fact it is on record that opposition parties have won more elections under President Jonathan than under all previous dispensations put together. This can be attributed to the democratic inclination of the President. He has reasonably erased the do or die politics of the past.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Again, victory for Jonathan is victory for the common man. Jonathan can be said to be the first Commoner from a humble beginning to emerge President. The political elites have dominated politics in Nigeria from time immemorial. It doesn’t matter if they are from the North or South, Christians or Muslims. The elites had always been in power in Nigeria. Jonathan emergence was an act of God which no mortal envisaged. Therefore ordinary and working class Nigerians must ensure that the elites do not bully Jonathan out of office. At the moment the elites have united with the sole purpose of recapturing power for themselves and their descendants. They are using sensitive issues like insurgency and insecurity to blackmail the President. Nigerians should not be fooled by the antics of these desperate folks. No single godfather owns Nigeria. Nigeria belongs to us all. Therefore we are all equal stakeholders and therefore the will of the majority must prevail.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Similar to the above is the seventh reason. Jonathan is the first minority to be elected President. Therefore Jonathan represents hope for the down trodden and minorities in Nigeria. From independence the major ethnic groups dominated politics in Nigeria. It was unimaginable then to have a minority as President. Today we have a minority as President on a platter of gold. Added to this is that the South-South region where Jonathan comes from accounts for over 90% of the resources Nigeria has been using to run for over four decades now. Strangely Jonathan is the first President from this region. It would be a good idea to allow Jonathan govern Nigeria with our support. Jonathan can do better with our support and cooperation. Those opposed to his ambition based on the so called unwritten agreement should realize that Nigeria and her Constitution are greater than any parochial arrangement.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Moreover another four years of Jonathan would mark the beginning of the end of the era of godfatherism in Nigerian politics. The so called godfathers in our national political life have held Nigeria to ransom, without rhyme or reason. They place unrealistic and unreasonable demands on the incumbents. The first battle Jonathan fought was to liberate himself from his so called godfather which he has successfully and bravely done. The next four years would give the President the opportunity to level all inequalities and provide a level playing field for all Nigerians, to enable eligible candidates contest and win elections without depending on godfathers.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The ninth reason we should re-elect President is because of the lack of a credible opposition. Opposition in Nigeria has weakened due to the absence of a defined ideology. We have seen members of the opposition jump from party to party without any ideological framework. The only constant feature is the lust for power. As a result we do not have a formidable opposition that can make a difference politically.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The recent merger of several political parties to form the All Progressive Congress (APC) was received warmly with great expectations. At last the vibrant opposition has arrived! So we thought! How wrong we were! Most Nigerians expected a strong opposition that would mobilize Nigerians behind them. We expected an opposition devoid of pettiness and cheap blackmail. We expected an opposition that would be defined by principles and ideals. We expected an opposition that would present a clear cut, well defined, and practicable alternative to the present. We expected a credible opposition based on principles. To say the APC dashed our hopes is an understatement. APC missed the opportunity to stand out as the new national umbrella. All we hear is ” Give us Power”. But what are you going to do differently? What are your plans? Nigerians need to know what agenda you have before they give you power. The PDP has been in power since 1999. As expected some Nigerians have some reservations on the performance of PDP. This is not unexpected considering the fact that the Party has been in power for fifteen years now. But the pertinent question is, what will APC do differently? APC has refused to tell Nigerians what they have in stock for us. Instead they are over driven by the lust for power without a defined agenda. Mere criticizing the incumbent without proffering solutions is grossly inadequate. What Nigerians are waiting to hear is the action plan of APC. Does any Nigerian know how the opposition would tackle this insurgency? Does anyone know their plans to create jobs? Does anyone know their plans to fight corruption? What about Education, Power, Healthcare? The list is endless. If the opposition wants to be taken seriously by Nigerians, first it needs to go back to the drawing board and define the agenda. Then communicate the agenda to Nigerians and allow Nigerians to decide who governs them in a free and fair election. At the moment the present opposition style of chasing shadows leaving the substance behind has played to the advantage of the incumbent.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />It is either the opposition steps up the game by addressing issues, not personalities, or forget the 2015 Elections. As long as the opposition continues to chase shadows, the incumbent would have an easy ride come 2015.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Finally Nigeria should re-elect President Jonathan because of the present circumstances of security challenges, which the President is working hard to contain and defeat. Put differently, the country is in a state of war with terrorists, and we cannot change the Commander-in-Chief in the middle of the war. In fact it would be morally wrong for Mr. Jonathan to abandon ship halfway down the sail without achieving total victory against the terrorists. We should therefore rally round the President in solidarity and defeat the terrorists. The prevailing opinion in Nigeria and the Diaspora is that President Jonathan should hang on and fight these insurgents to the very end. Let us therefore renew his mandate on the 14th of February, 2015.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />God bless Nigeria.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><i><b>Edozie Okeiyi, is Director of Media and Strategy Great Nigeria Movement.</b> </i><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

2015: 10 Reasons Nigerians should re-elect Jonathan

As the renowned American Diplomat and Political Scientist Henry Kissinger stated, ” those who are indifferent to power will be overtaken b...

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Terrorism: Court Denies Lecturer’s Bail Application

<script type="text/javascript"> <script size='468x60' src='http://srvpub.com/adServe/banners?tid=22528_31474_5' type='text/javascript'></script> <script type='text/javascript'> google_ad_client = "ca-pub-6630608044863529"; google_ad_slot = "4870332095"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; </script> <script src='//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js' type='text/javascript'> </script> <div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><p><a href="http://ift.tt/1lFpQWw"><img alt="dr.-muhammed-nazeef-yunus" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-182890" height="300" src="http://ift.tt/1eaYSOB" width="295"/> </a> </p><br /><br/><br /><p>An Islamic scholar and a university lecturer, Dr. Muhammed Nazeef Yunus and two others, who are standing trial for their alleged involvement in terrorism activities have been refused bail by a Federal High Court in Abuja.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Yunus, a lecturer at the Department of Islamic Studies, Kogi State University, Ayingba, Salami Abdullahi (a.k.a Asta) and Musa Umar were charged with act of terrorism, an offence that ran contrary to section 17 of the terrorism Prevention Act 2013 (as amended).</p><br /><br/><br /><p>In his ruling, trial judge, Justice Gabriel Kolawole said he would not grant the accused persons bail considering the gravity of the allegation and the security challenges posed by the Boko Haram insurgents, especially the recent murder of school children in Yobe state.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>“The bail application by the accused persons failed, according to Komolafe, who ordered accelerated hearing in the matter.</p><br /><br/><br /><align><ins class='adsbygoogle' data-ad-client='ca-pub-0909255462614293' data-ad-slot='7578597399'> </ins> </align><br /><br/><br />="left"><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/> </div><br /></div>

Terrorism: Court Denies Lecturer’s Bail Application

An Islamic scholar and a university lecturer, Dr. Muhammed Nazeef Yunus and two others, who are standing trial for their alleged involveme...

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