Yemen president flees palace after jet attack

Yemen’s president has been forced to flee his presidential palace after two fighter planes targeted his residence in Aden, a government official has said. 

President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi was evacuated on Thursday after the planes opened fire, hitting his residence in the southern city.

“President Hadi has been evacuated to a safe place but he has not left the country,” Hadi’s aide told the AFP news agency as a plane made a second pass over the palace.

The aircraft dropped a bomb or fired a missile at the compound in al-Maasheeq district of the southern port city, where Hadi is based, the official said, in a sharp escalation of Yemen’s months-long armed turmoil.

Residents said anti-aircraft guns opened fire at the planes, and smoke was seen rising from the area, but it was not immediately clear if Hadi was in the compound.

A Yemeni security source said the situation at the presidential palace “was under control and there was nothing to be worried about.

Nigeria face Senegal in African Youth Championship final

Coach Manu Garba’s side will slug it out with the hosts for their seventh trophy in Sunday's African U20 Championship final

Pirlo ruled out of Dortmund clash

The veteran faced a race against time to be fit in time for the second leg on Wednesday, but his club have confirmed he will play no part in the game
Andrea Pirlo has been ruled out of the second leg of Juventus ' last-16 Champions League tie with Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday.
The 35-year-old picked up a calf injury in the first leg in Turin and has not featured since, but still retained hope of winning his battle with fitness to play a part in the game.
However, the club have now confirmed the match has come too soon by releasing a statement on their official website.
"Andrea Pirlo: the ultrasound scan showed a good evolution to the healing of the wound, but not enough to make him available for the trip to Dortmund.
"The midfielder will therefore continue his rehabilitation program."
Pirlo's absence means Claudio Marchisio is likely to start alongside Arturo Vidal and Paul Pogba in the Juventus midfield.
Massimiliano Allegri's side lead 2-1 from the first leg, in which goals from Carlos Tevez and Alvaro Morata secured victory.

I'm not leaving Man City - Dzeko

The Bosnian striker has only recently signed a new contract and intends to see it out, while he has not given up hope of fighting back against Barcelona in the Champions League  
Edin Dzeko has rejected suggestions that he could leave Manchester City this summer, despite enduring a frustrating campaign, and insists that he is committed to the club.

The Bosnia-Herzegovina international has started just nine times in the Premier League this term, scoring four goals, and Wilfried Bony's arrival has seen him shunted even further down the pecking order.

But the former Wolfsburg striker, who only recently signed a new four-year deal with the reigning champions last summer, is ignoring speculation that he could leave and is focused on the league campaign.

"I have just extended my contract with City and that should be a clear message to all the talk about me leaving Manchester," Dzeko told the Anadolu Agency.

"I don't want to comment on rumours. I am happy at City and focused on the club and their great fans."

On his goalscoring record at City, he continued: "Maybe I could have scored more often but I can't complain. I am happy because 50 goals in the Premier League is a great achievement. Our goal is to win titles and try and catch Chelsea."

City are currently five points adrift of the Blues and are at risk of crashing out of the Champions League but Dzeko is eyeing an improved display against Barcelona at Camp Nou.

"The first leg was very important for us and we tried not to lose at home but we were not good, especially in the first half," the 28-year-old continued. "Who knows how it might have been if we didn't get a red card?

"Now we want to surprise Barcelona. We want to play better than we did at the Etihad Stadium and we will see if that is enough to progress."

Man City losing Milner hope

Manchester City will not be offering James Milner a better contract offer than the one currently on the table, with the ball now in the midfielder's court. Liverpool and Roma are ready to snap up the 29-year-old for free this summer.

Manchester City boss Pellegrini vows to 'continue fighting'

A shock defeat by Burnley leaves the reigning Premier League champions five points behind Chelsea, who have two games in hand, but the Chilean is not ready to give up
Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini issued a rallying call to his players after their Premier League title defence suffered a big blow in their 1-0 defeat at Burnley.

George Boyd scored the only goal just after the hour at Turf Moor, which moved the hosts to within one point of fourth-bottom Sunderland in the table.

Defeat leaves champions City five points behind leaders Chelsea, who play one of their two games in hand at home to Southampton on Sunday.

"When you have mathematical chances, you must continue fighting," Pellegrini told reporters. "The most important thing is trust in what we are doing, try to win the next game and we will see at the end of the season where we finish.

"We are in second in the table so that is not bad. There are 27 more points that we must fight for. We know that, [with] every point we drop, it is more difficult to reach the top of the table."

Pellegrini argues that his side had not played badly against Burnley but that they had not created enough chances.

"I don't think we played really bad. We created three or four chances. Burnley had, I think, one shot on target and they scored a goal," he added. "That was a normal performance that we need to improve and we will try to do it."

Pellegrini refused to criticise his players for their effort when asked if he felt that his side had played badly or lacked desire, continuing: "I am sure that they tried to give everything but maybe it was not a good day creatively."

The City boss also revealed that midfielder James Milner was not risked on Saturday because of a knee injury, with one eye on the midweek second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Barcelona.

"Milner had a kick to his knee so it was important for him to rest. I hope that he will be fit for Wednesday," Pellegrini said.

Not so special: Mourinho solely to blame for Chelsea elimination

The Portuguese manager faulted his players' concentration in defeat against PSG, but his overall strategy was poor on the night and hamstrung his side unnecessarily

There are so many intangibles in football, and not everything is down to the influence of the men on the touchline. It was former Argentina international Jorge Valdano who said that, no matter the level of control-freakishness involved, one coach’s brain cannot compete with the infinite possibilities of eleven men in the heat of a football game.
That has not stopped managers from trying though, seeking to minimise risk and maximise reward. Somewhat incongruously, those who prefer to manage this way, poring over every bit of minutiae, are referred to as modern managers, and exact a high price. None more so than Jose Mourinho.
The Chelsea boss is one of the finest managers of the last decade, boasting two Champions League crowns and league titles in every nation he’s managed in. In spite of his record, he divides opinion like no other. There is no right way to play football, and to argue the merits of aesthetics over pragmatism is a fool’s errand, but after the Blues’ elimination at the hands of PSG last night, it is clear that extreme pragmatism has its limits.

Chelsea | Out-thought, out-muscled, out-played by PSG
For a club of Chelsea’s standing to play 120 minutes against PSG, 90 of those against ten men, and fail to muster significant attacking intent, is simply mind-boggling. The Stamford Bridge side came into the tie as favourites, and enforced their position of comparative advantage with a score-draw away at Parc des Princes.
This, in spite of the fact the Blues looked a hollow shell in the French capital, sleepwalking through the match in a daze brought on by fatigue and niggling injuries. If the French champions could not dispatch them on their own turf, then what hope was there for the second leg?
Laurent Blanc’s side came to Stamford Bridge and played with a swagger and assurance befitting the name of the competition, even after Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s somewhat harsh red card. To say they deserved to win would be an understatement, even the normally pugnacious Mourinho could not deny them the compliment.
“The individual performances were not good enough and when you concede two goals from two corners it’s about lack of concentration, lack or responsibility to cope with the markers and the space you have to control,” said the Portuguese manager.
“When a team cannot cope with the pressure of being one player more and playing at home, we couldn’t cope with that pressure.”
Exactly that, though Mourinho may have been better served pointing the finger at himself. At no point did his Chelsea seek to control the game or assert themselves as a superior outfit. Matter of fact, over two legs, Chelsea never for any stretch played like the favourites they were.
In the end, it was he who bottled it, he who could not handle the pressure of being the favourite. It is he who has to service a cloying need to always be the underdog, the young upstart trying to crash a party he is being barred from by ‘powers that be’. At 52, managing a club with the muscle Chelsea can boast of, the shtick is starting to get really old.

Mourinho | We've heard it all before...
It’s easy to question the quality of Chelsea’s defending on both corners, but underneath it all, the Special One cannot spare himself. Why his team found themselves under pressure that late in the game when they should have been comfortably ahead does not hold up to scrutiny.
Roman Abramovich, in attendance at Stamford Bridge, cannot have been nodding in approval. For the second time in as many seasons, Mourinho has contrived to get an uber-talented, expensively-assembled team to play less than the sum of their parts.
Last year’s semi-final saw the Blues come away with a goalless draw from Vicente Calderon, stringent in their desire to afford their hosts no space whatsoever and offering no attacking threat. Mourinho’s hubristic willingness to wager all on the home leg was cruelly exposed by Atletico Madrid, who showed no such inferiority complex in London, and ran out deserved 3-1 winners.
For a coach like Mourinho to make the same mistake twice in two years is damning. For this error to be a strategic one, an area where he exercises his greatest strength, is downright criminal. It speaks of a deep-seated, primordial need to instinctively suppress spectacle and expressionism.
That is the one big drawback of pragmatism, it rarely elevates.
On a night when Chelsea needed to take control and find another level, they instead let the game descend into a scrap, one from which their visitors emerged smelling of roses. Chelsea, champions-elect of England, slunk away with their tails between their legs, reeking of opprobrium and needless toil.

I’m tired of sheep making s**t up - Dani Alves

After being strongly associated with a move to Paris Saint-Germain, the Brazil international has launched a volley back at the press
Dani Alves has attacked the media over the persistent speculation regarding his Barcelona future.
The contract of the right-back, 31, expires in June and, as he is eligible for a Bosman move, he has been widely reported to have agreed a deal with Paris Saint-Germain.
The Brazil star, however, has hit out at these suggestions and says that when there is something concrete to report, he will be the first with the news.
"Do you really believe what they say? I’m a bit tired of listening to sheep making up s**t," he posted to his official Instagram account.
"I love this club for everything I have experienced and for what I still have ahead of me here but, if one day I have to leave, I will have the same balls that have got me where I am today to say it myself. I don’t need any sheep to speak for me."
Alves, whose agent indicated he is in "advanced discussions" with another major club earlier in March, signed for Barcelona from Sevilla in 2008 and has since accumulated over 200 Liga appearances for the Catalans.
He has enjoyed a trophy-laden spall at Camp Nou, which includes four Primera Division titles and two Champions League crowns

Morocco fires back: Nigeria lied, our king didn’t talk to Jonathan

King Mohammed VI and Jonathan

The Moroccan authorities have denounced as a lie, the claim by the Federal Government that President Goodluck Jonathan had a telephone conversation with King Mohammed VI.

The North African Kingdom also recalled its ambassador to Nigeria over what it described as the “incredible twist” that Nigeria introduced into the dispute.

Rabat said that it was stating in   the “clearest and strongest terms,” that “there has never been a telephone conversation” between the two leaders.

In two separate   statements issued within 24 hours   on Wednesday, it accused the Goodluck Jonathan administration of using the King   for electioneering.

The two statements were posted on the kingdom’s official website, Maroc.ma.

The first was titled, ‘Morocco Denies False Allegations About Alleged Phone Conversation Between HM The King, and Nigerian President’ while the second statement, is titled ‘Morocco recalls its ambassador in Abuja for consultations.’

Last week, the Moroccan royal palace said the king had declined a request for a telephone conversation with   Jonathan.

But the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja on Monday denied the snub, saying     the two leaders had spoken extensively. It also denied that the Federal Government was using Mohammed VI to woo   Muslim voters in Nigeria.

“This information is absolutely not correct as the President did in fact speak to the Moroccan monarch… both leaders spoke extensively over the phone on matters of mutual interest and concern,” the   Foreign Affairs ministry had said.

The ministry added that it was “preposterous to suggest that Mr. President’s telephone call to the Moroccan monarch was intended to confer any electoral advantage.”

However, the North African country , in the statements denounced the claim by Abuja as “unethical practices.”

“The king has actually declined the request of the Nigerian government because it is part of the internal electioneering,” it added.

Before issuing this lengthy press release, Rabat had issued a terse statement to debunk the claim by Abuja that the heads of state had a telephone conversation.

The statement read, ”Morocco is surprised at the incredible twist given by Nigeria to an alleged phone conversation that never took place between HM King Mohammed VI and Nigerian President, the King’s Office said Tuesday.

The King’s Office categorically denies the false allegations made by Nigerian authorities about an alleged phone conversation between the Sovereign and Nigerian President.”

Nigeria, Algeria and South Africa have long backed the move for     independence by the people of a tract of the Sahara Desert led by the   Polisario Front.

The tract has been at the centre of a long-running dispute between Morocco and fighters of the Polisario Front.

The territory is said to be rich in phosphate   and experts have also said that it is rich in oil.

When contacted, the Director, Public Affairs Communication Division, MFA, Ahmedu Ogbole-Ode, said the ministry has not received an official communication from Morocco on the withdrawal of its envoy.

On the controversy over the telephone conversation between Jonathan and the Moroccan monarch, the director said the ministry would respond once it gets a directive from “higher authorities to do so

JTF arrests 28 suspects, destroys illegal refineries

The Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta, Operation Pulo Shield, says it has apprehended 28 suspects for oil theft, including one Mr. James Ogbe, who attempted to bribe the outfit with an undisclosed amount of money.

Coordinator, Joint Media Campaign Centre, JTF, Lt. Col. Ado Isa, said in a statement on Wednesday that troops arrested 25 of the suspects in six illegal distillation camps  while carrying out illegal oil bunkering and oil theft.

ADVERTISEMENT

He said the JTF patrol arrested them along the Sector One area which comprised  Ondo, Delta, and Edo states.

He said the suspects  were arrested at  illegal oil bunkering sites at Egbokodo, Beneth Island and Otegele in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.

He said the suspects operated with 23 pumping machines, 19 cooking pots, 48 Cotonou boats, 50 surface tanks and 10 dug out pits filled with stolen crude oil and illegally acquired Automated Gas oil.

Also discovered, according to Isa, were 22 pieces of 2000 litre capacity plastic tanks and 162 200 litre capacity drums, all filled with substances suspected to be stolen crude.

He said the sites  and the materials were destroyed and the suspects taken into the JTF custody for further interrogation.

On Ogbe, the JMCC Coordinator said he was arrested for attempting to bribe the troops with undisclosed sum of money in order to secure the release of some illegal bunkering trucks earlier arrested by the JTF.

He said the trucks were arrested along Eminye Road, Oleh and Agbakoro in Isoko South and Ughelli North LGAs of Delta State.

Isa said, “The trucks, filled with substances suspected to be stolen crude were arrested along with two drivers of the trucks.

“Mr. Ogbe confessed to be the owner of the arrested trucks and its contents which were illegally siphoned from an oil company’s pipeline situated behind Premium filling station in Effurum, Delta.

“The troops on further search of his Navy Blue 2004 model Honda Accord discovered a small generator, connecting hoses and welding materials used for the operation. The trucks and the products were evacuated to a safe place and destroyed while the suspects and the Honda car are in the custody of the JTF for further investigation.”

The spokesperson said the troops in the Sector 2 area of the operation, in conjunction with southern Ijaw Local Government Area Oil and Gas task force conducted anti-illegal oil bunkering operations at Gbenekruko, Bayelsa State.

He said in the search, the outfit discovered two functional illegal refineries where oil thieves  operated with various illegal bunkering equipment.

He said the sites with the equipment were destroyed immediately.

Military moves to liberate Bama

The Nigerian Army has launched a major operation to liberate the strategic town of Bama, Borno State from Boko Haram insurgents.

Investigation revealed on Tuesday that deployment of ground forces and equipment was preceded by days of targeted aerial operations in Bama and its environs.

An intelligence source, who made this known, said that the military was expecting a productive result from Bama which was captured by the insurgents in September last year.

He said, “The battle for Bama has started; troops have started going in. You know that the Air Force was deployed last week to carry out targeted bombardment of the town.

“Bama promises to be a tough one because those people have fortified the place; they planted mines around the town but our soldiers are in high spirits.

“By the Grace of God, we are expecting results tomorrow. The aerial bombardment started at the weekend and now the ground troops are moving in…”

Bama and Gwoza are believed to be the two surviving operational bases of the Boko Haram in the country since the commencement of the latest military offensive against the sect.

Our correspondent could not get the Director, Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade, to speak on the operation as the calls to his mobile did not connect.

But late on Tuesday, another military source claimed that they had liberated the town.

He added that the development led to   jubilation in the Maimalari Barracks, the headquarters of the 7th Division of the Nigerian Army in Maiduguri.

The source, who also said that the General Officer Commanding   the   division, Lamidi Adeosun, led the operation.   attributed it to the renewed motivation given the troops.

He said, “We are happy that our Commander-in-Chief(President Good-luck Jonathan) has been able to upgrade us and as we speak, we have the right equipment to end the war in the next one week.

“The GOC is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that we meet the deadline for elections.

“The general did not even use our crack boys in Konduga. He just took his team from our supply of new boys here and drove straight into Bama on Monday, leaving the Konduga guys to rest   till we took over Bama, chased the bad people out,   removed their flag and installed our authority.

INEC poorly prepared for elections –PDP govs

The Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum has kicked against the use of card readers for the March 28 and April 11 general elections.

The governors, at an interactive session with the media and civil society organisations in Lagos on Tuesday, also faulted the Independent National Electoral Commission   preparedness for the elections.

Before the interactive session titled ‘Sustenance of Democratic Values and National Development,’ ended, The PUNCH learnt that   INEC had summoned leaders of all the   political parties in the country to a meeting on Thursday over the polls.

As if acting a script with its governors, the PDP also on Tuesday sent a letter to the electoral body detailing its observations on Saturday’s Card Readers mock in 12 states.

The governors at the Lagos forum were Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom); Liyel Imoke (Cross River); Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa); Babangida Aliyu (Niger); Sule Lamido (Jigawa); Bala Ngilari (Adamawa); Ayo Fayose (Ekiti) and Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo).

Others   were Ibrahim Shema (Katsina); Jonah Jang (Plateau); Mukhtar Yero (Kaduna) and Ibrahim Danwambo (Gombe).

The PDPGF usually holds its meetings in Abuja or any PDP state but this time round they   chose Lagos,   a stronghold of the opposition All Progressives Congress for the interactive session.

Akpabio, who is the chairman of the PDPGF, said Lagos was chosen because it is the headquarters of the media and activism in Nigeria.

Akpabio said that Lagos had been plagued by the propaganda of the APC and that the PDP wanted to showcase its achievements in the city.

He said the postponement of the elections were justifiable. Although the governors did not canvass for the use of Temporary Voter Cards, they maintained that people who do not have Permanent Voter Cards should be allowed to vote.

Akpabio said Nigerians should be grateful to the PDP for ensuring that the country had the longest span(16 years) of democracy.

He said, “The continued quest of the PDP-led Federal Government for free, fair and credible elections is witnessed in President Goodluck Jonathan’s robust support through adequate and sustained funding as well as the free hand given to INEC to operate.

“But surprisingly, in our own opinion, INEC appears ill-prepared for the 2015 elections. For example, at the time the polls were shifted due to security concerns, over 23 million registered voters had yet to collect their PVCs and you know there are some countries with populations of about just three million.

“Twenty-three million would amount to disenfranchising more than five West African countries in their own elections.

“It will be recalled that even the INEC chairman(Prof. Attahiru Jega) admitted on the floor of the Senate that over one million PVCs had yet to be printed in far away China.

“According to the INEC chairman, the postponement was a blessing in disguise. How then can Nigerians reconcile the purported readiness of INEC for the February 14 election with the testing of card readers more than a month after the postponement? More than three weeks after the elections have been shifted, they are then testing the card readers that would have been used. Given the failure rate of the card readers during the recent mock exercise, it is apparent that many Nigerians will be disenfranchised even when they are registered to vote.

“We re-assert that on no account should any registered voter be disenfranchised for non-possession of PVC even when the person has a TVC when it is not due to one’s own personal fault; even when the card reader has rejected or refused to recognise the thumbprint or the battery is dead and there is no electricity in that area to charge it.

“We don’t want anyone disenfranchised and we are pleading also that elections should not be shifted again because the impression is that we were not ready for elections even though we know that we would have won the elections if they had been allowed to hold.”

Also, Imoke said prior to 2011, Jega was seen as a man of integrity and that was why he was appointed by   Jonathan.

He, however, said recent happenings in INEC were beginning to prove otherwise.

Imoke said no one should be disenfranchised on account of the PVC or card reader.

He said, “The facts are before us. The testing of card reader and its failure   have not been addressed. PVCs remain unprinted as we speak. INEC has no right whatsoever to disenfranchise any Nigerian.

“I will appreciate it if the media can focus on this issue. I will not want to go to a polling unit and be told that as a result of no fault of mine, my card was rejected. My picture is on my PVC, it looks like me and it is me but because the card reader cannot recognise my fingerprint, I will not be allowed to vote?

“So for us, it is important that we understand democratic values and appreciate that the values of democracy rest squarely on equity and the right of every Nigerian to participate in the process of selecting their leaders.”

Jang, who is the chairman of a faction of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, said he had not been able to collect his PVC.

He said that it was ironic that INEC was insisting on the use of card readers when its chairman had said last year that the card readers would be tested   before being used for major elections.

While reading a message alongside Akpabio, he said, “I received a text message from someone this(Tuesday) morning and it reads, ‘During a meeting with a team from the United States last year, Jega had said card readers would not be used for the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections because they were too crucial to be used for experiments.

“INEC said the card readers would be tested in by-elections but now INEC is insisting on using card readers for elections. Are governorship elections of two states more crucial than a presidential election?

“I don’t even have a PVC. What happens if my PVC does not find its way to Plateau State before the elections?”

The governors said Nigerians should not be deceived by the mantra of change propagated by the APC.

Akpabio said the APC Presidential candidate, Maj.Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), truncated democracy under the guise of fighting corruption but only ended up arresting Nigerians arbitrarily.

He said Buhari had returned with the same issue of corruption, which according to him, is   deceitful as those campaigning for him are extremely corrupt.

While responding to a question from journalists over the use of government-owned jets for party campaigns, Jang said democracy was for the rich in most parts of the world and people needed such luxury for protection.

He said, “All over the world, democracy is for the rich. Even in the US, congressmen and senators are rich. You cannot become the President if you are not a millionaire.

“If I leave my house without security, there is no guarantee that I will get back home safely because as a governor, you would have offended some people.”

Governor Aliyu said the APC presidential primary of last December was not won by Buhari but his victory was paid for with money.

INEC summons political parties, PDP writes commission

INEC has however summoned leaders of all registered political parties to a meeting on Thursday. The meeting is aimed at briefing the political parties on its preparation for the elections.

Investigations   showed that among the issues to be discussed is the outcome of the card reader test.

INEC’s National Commissioner in Charge of Information, Voter Education Committee,   Chris Iyimoga, confirmed the   meeting.

He added that the 37 Resident Electoral Commissioners will meet on Wednesday(today).

Another meeting has also been slated by the commission with international observers in Abuja on March 19.

Meanwhile, the national leadership of the PDP has sent a letter to the commission detailing its observations on the mock card readers test.

It said it observed three major elements during the exercise which must be corrected before the elections.

The Deputy National Chairman of the party,   Uche Secondus, told journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, that INEC must work on the card readers to ensure that identified lapses were rectified .

He said, “We urge INEC to test the card readers. We believe that has been done but the result of it has not been made known to the public.

“There are various opinions and reports from various locations across the country. From our own perspective, the card reader as tested on Saturday by INEC has three major elements, this is based on our observations and reports reaching us from the field.”

Secondus described some of the card readers as having very high sensitive setting,   low sensitive setting and   medium sensitive setting.

He said, “The high sensitive setting makes it difficult for accreditation which takes up to 15 to 20 minutes while the medium and low sensitive makes it easy for accreditation which takes about five minutes to four minutes as the case may be.

“So, we concluded that the card readers have some major default and this can be corrected by INEC or those who provided the technology.

Kaduna denies Buhari access to rally venue – APC

Kaduna denies Buhari access to rally venue – APC 

 

Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.)

The All Progressives Congress in Kaduna State on Tuesday said the Kaduna State government denied the party’s presidential candidate, Maj. Gen Muhammmadu Buhari (retd.), access to the Murtala Mohammed Square, Kaduna, for his North-West zonal rally ahead of the rescheduled March 28 and April 11 general elections.

Our correspondent learnt that preparation for the rally, which is expected hold today (Wednesday), had reached an advanced stage when the zonal office of the party was informed that the state had refused the party the permit to use the facility.

“The PDP is jittery already. They are simply afraid of the popularity strength of the APC in the state and indeed the northern part of the state,” a party official, who asked not to be named, said.

The spokesman for Governor Mukhtar Yero, Malam Ahmed Mayaki neither picked calls to his mobile nor respond to a text message sent to his phone on the development.

Meanwhile, the APC in the state has accused the Yero-led administration of preparing the ground for crisis ahead of the elections in the state.

Spokesman of the APC Campaign Council in the state, Mr. Samuel Aruwan, at a media briefing said those championing hatred and disaffection in the state were those in government.

He noted that the government was not interested in ensuring peace and that it had been paying lip service to the issue of peace in the state.

Aruwan said the Kaduna State government had engaged in promoting violence in the state.

He said, “As a movement of the people, the APC is resolutely committed to free, fair and credible elections, held in an atmosphere of peace.

“The PDP government of Kaduna State is actively stoking religious and ethnic tension. Along with its affiliates and supporters, the PDP has been trying to whip up religious resentments against General Muhammadu Buhari and Mallam Nasir el-Rufai (the APC governorship candidate)”.

The Great Debate: Jordon Ibe - Do Nigeria need him?

The Liverpool starlet is on the brink of an England call-up - how big a loss would his decision to represent the Three Lions be for the Super Eagles?

DEBATE 
             

The Liverpool starlet is on the brink of an England call-up - how big a loss would his decision to represent the Three Lions be for the Super Eagles?

DEBATE
By Solace Chukwu & James Ezimoha

As explored recently by Goal, Jordon Ibe has emerged as one of the revelations of the Premier League season after some exceptionally composed and mature performances for Liverpool.
Ibe is an England youth international, having represented the Three Lions at U18, U19 and U20 level. However, he is also eligible for Nigeria and could feasibly opt for an international future with the Super Eagles.
The youngster currently stands on the brink, does he follow in the footsteps of someone like Victor Moses, for example, and represent the land of his origins rather than the side he featured for at youth level? Or does he attempt to emulate someone like Gabby Agbonlahor, who sought an international future with England?
Regardless of Ibe’s choice, should Nigerians be bothered or even care about the decision of this young wideman? Even if he does opt for the Super Eagles, do the three-time African champions even need him?
Two of Goal Nigeria’s finest give their views…
                                 Ibe is exactly what Nigeria are looking for
The vision of the present administration of the Nigerian Football Federation gives a veritable answer to the above question. Amaju Pinnick, the NFF president, has not hidden his desire to fish out and incorporate young talents of Nigerian origin littered in the Diaspora into the national team at all levels.
This radical action (or reaction) by the NFF to cast its net far and wide with the view of attracting only the best into the national team can only be seen as a step in the right direction.
Looking at how the Super Eagles have lost their verve in the last 12 months or so, it has been lauded as a welcome development by the general consensus.
Jordan Ibe’s stock under the wings of Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool has been on the ascendancy in the last couple of weeks, and his emergence into the spotlight has been crucial as the Reds have reignited their top-four surge.
The winger’s pace, trickery and composure have been crucial for the Merseysiders in recent games, both in the domestic league and in their European adventure, testament that his loan spells at Wycombe Wanderers, Birmingham City and Derby County have helped in setting the youngster on the path of greatness.
With his eye-catching displays at Anfield, is it any surprise that the English FA, according to the English media, are looking to fast-track him into the Three Lions?

Ibe | It's no wonder England are hovering...
Nigeria must certainly not go to sleep on this one.
The 19-year-old winger has represented England at U18, U19 and U20 levels…but so did our very own ‘messiah’ Victor Moses, who took Nigeria and African football by storm in 2013.
The impact of the Stoke winger with the Super Eagles since he pledged his allegiance to Nigeria presents a solid foretaste of what Ibe could also offer if Pinnick and Co. can convince him to don the Green and White.
It is painful, and embarrassing, too, that Nigeria lost the likes of Bayern Munich star left-back David Alaba, and Juventus centre-back Angelo Ogbonna, to mention but two, to Austria and Italy, respectively.
Having missed out of the 2015 Cup of Nations in embarrassing fashion, Nigeria must do all in her power to lure the best to represent the national teams.
The signs are crystal that Jordon Ibe could bring a whole new dimension to Nigeria’s right side
The blossoming of Jordon Ibe into a Premier League-level footballer has come as a surprise to everyone.
Well, except maybe Brendan Rodgers, who thought highly enough of him to terminate his loan at Derby and thrust him into the high-octane, fractious atmosphere of the Merseyside derby.
However, to proclaim him the solution to all of Nigeria’s problems is reactionary and blinkered. The best way to make a decision, especially with these circumstances, is with clear eyes, as Nigerians say. This means dispassionately, perhaps with brutal honesty.
His numbers while on loan at Derby at not bad for a 19-year-old: 24 appearances, five goals and a single assist. That’s the thing though – they’re not excellent either. Stats are not everything, of course, but for an attacking player whose strengths lie in his direct style of play, these do not scream ‘prodigy’.
His return to Liverpool has seen him catch the eye, much the same way Raheem Sterling did as a free-spirited scampering menace in 2012. Why the sudden seachange?
My colleague Ed Dove noted earlier in the week: “…I must admit that I didn’t see the kind of talent that he’s demonstrated regularly since making the first team at Liverpool.”

Ibe | Too soon for necessity
Can such a sudden transformation be relied on? Can the evidence of seven appearances for Liverpool be considered more tenable than that of two dozen games in a lower division? While it raises the possibility that he always had the personality and talent to succeed at a higher level, it also brings the possibility of a regression to the mean pretty soon.
The Super Eagles struggled for sharpness and efficiency in attack in recent months, with the likes of star striker Emmanuel Emenike misfiring. There is need for rejuvenation in the attacking third, which has fed the Ibe frenzy.
However, if you don’t shoot, you don’t score.
Across all competition this season, the Anglo-Nigerian averages a measly 1.3 shots-per-game, and this while playing for two teams: Derby and Liverpool, who espouse attacking principles and dominate most games offensively.
This is a damning indictment, and in the cold (perhaps cynical) light of day, calls for the 19-year-old’s inclusion in the Super Eagles are premature. He may be an option at some point in the future, when his all-round game becomes just that: rounded.
Until then, Nigeria do not need Jordon Ibe.




 

Francis Coquelin: Arsenal will go to Manchester and Monaco full of confidence and hungry to win

Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin insists Arsenal's Champions League last-16 tie with Monaco is not over after they fell to defeat in the first leg.

The Gunners were favourites to advance before the tie, but the 3-1 defeat at Emirates Stadium means Arsene Wenger's men will need three goals at the Stade Louis II on Tuesday March 17.
Coquelin, however, is confident Arsenal can haul themselves back into the contest and go beyond the round of 16 for the first time since they were beaten in the quarter-finals by Barcelona in 2009-10.
He told Arsenal's official website: "We've got a lot to fight for. We've got a big game in the Champions League [the last-16 second leg against Monaco] and we need to try and turn that one around. Everything is possible in football."
But before attention can turn to European football, Arsenal must travel to Old Trafford as Wenger's men continue their march towards a second successive FA Cup crown.
The sides have not met in England's primary domestic cup competition since the same stage in 2011, when United ran out 2-0 winners.
Coquelin added: "The most important thing is that we've rebuilt our confidence now and we can go there [Monaco] and to Manchester full of confidence to try to get a result."

Holders Arsenal to face Bradford or Reading in the FA Cup semi-finals

Welbeck comes back to bite Manchester United as former star fires Arsenal to Wembley

Breaking News: England knocked OUT of the Cricket World Cup after defeat to Bangladesh

Diego Costa: I was on the brink of Liverpool move

Holders Arsenal to face Bradford or Reading in the FA Cup semi-finals

Welbeck comes back to bite Manchester United as former star fires Arsenal to Wembley

Breaking News: England knocked OUT of the Cricket World Cup after defeat to Bangladesh

Diego Costa: I was on the brink of Liverpool move

Holders Arsenal to face Bradford or Reading in the FA Cup semi-finals

Welbeck comes back to bite Manchester United as former star fires Arsenal to Wembley

Breaking News: England knocked OUT of the Cricket World Cup after defeat to Bangladesh

Diego Costa: I was on the brink of Liverpool move

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal: Race for the Champions League will go down to the wire

Mark my words: Man United boss expects tight fight for top four

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal expects the battle for Champions League qualification to go right down to the wire.

Van Gaal says his team are involved in a "rat race" with Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool and Southampton for the last two Champions League qualification places.
United sit fourth in the standings, one ahead of Southampton and two ahead of Liverpool, who lead Spurs by four points - although the north Londoners have a game in hand.
Van Gaal agrees with Arsene Wenger's claim that the contest will still be alive when United and Arsenal take on Hull and West Brom respectively on the last weekend of the season - although he does not know whether the Arsenal manager was right when he said 72 points would be enough to secure a top-four finish.
"I don't think of how many points (it will take), but he is more experienced in the Premier League so I want to believe him," the United manager said.
"But it is going to the last week, I know that.
If Wenger's estimate is right, United will have to win seven and draw one of their last 11 matches.
That will be no easy task given that they have to face five of the other six teams in the top seven before the end of the season.
The Red Devils host Spurs, Manchester City and Arsenal and they also have to travel to Chelsea and Liverpool.
United may have only lost twice in 21 matches but some fans have been unhappy with the slow pace of their play. And during the 2-0 win over Sunderland on Saturday, United fans booed when Jonny Evans played the ball back to goalkeeper David de Gea.
Van Gaal understands the supporters' frustrations but insists passing back to the goalkeeper is sometimes not the worst option for a defender.
"You have to give credit of your doubt to your player and you have to support him," Van Gaal said.

"When you make a mistake in defence it is more or less always a goal against. You have to see that also, the fans have to see that.
"But I agree with the fans that we don't have to use so much the goalkeeper, because I have seen also moments where we can play a higher tempo without interfering with the goalkeeper, but the goalkeeper is also the 11th player."
United have received a boost after it emerged their midfielder Ander Herrera will not have to go to Spain to testify in a match-fixing trial until the end of the season.
Herrera is one of 41 people who could be called to appear as witnesses in a case relating to Primera Division matches involving his former club Real Zaragoza towards the end of the 2010-11 season.
The case was due to begin on Thursday, but Press Association Sport understands it has now been put back until June.
Herrera strongly denies any wrongdoing and has vowed to co-operate with the authorities in Spain on the matter.

Barcelona's Gerard Pique fined £7,600 for abusing police officers during row in which he allegedly said: "You are envious of me because I am famous

Gerard Pique has been fined €10,500 (£7,600) for behaving in a 'derogatory' way with police officers.

The Barcelona and Spain defender was reprimanded after a row outside a nightclub in October triggered by the city's traffic police fining his brother for parking in a bus lane.
According to the police report, Pique is alleged to have said to the officer: "You are envious of me because I am famous."
He is also alleged to have branded the officers a 'f***ing embarrasment' during the spat and said he would call their bosses and get the parking fine dropped.
Judge María Asunción González fined Piqué for “derogatory behaviour and for being verbally aggressive”.
The 28 year-old World Cup winner earns around £110,000-a-week at the Catalan club and has two children with Colombian singer Shakira.

David Luiz hits out at Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho: 'He is not special for me

Lippy Luiz: Outspoken Brazilian defender is not happy with the way he was treated by Jose Mourinho

Paris Saint-Germain defender David Luiz has laid into Jose Mourinho by saying the Chelsea manager is not special to him.

His comments come just days before he is due to return to Stamford Bridge on Wednesday in the last-16 Champions League second leg between the sides which is locked at 1-1.
Luiz, speaking for the first time about Mourinho since he was sold by the Portuguese manager for £50 million last summer, suggested although his time at Chelsea was successful, he still doesn't appreciate the way he was treated.
Asked what made Mourinho special, he said: "He is special for you, not for me. I had some great moments at Chelsea and won a lot of titles. I was very happy.
"They are having a great season, defend well and have great players but above all I know my team. We will try to score there and play like we know how.
"We will have a good game plan and implement it the best way possible to achieve a great performance. Both can still qualify.

Manchester United 1 Arsenal 2: Welbeck comes back to bite Van Gaal as former Old Trafford striker fires Gunners to Wembley

Danny Welbeck came back to haunt his former club as Arsenal knocked ten-man Manchester United out of the FA Cup quarter-finals with a dramatic 2-1 victory at Old Trafford.

The Gunners remain on course to defend the trophy courtesy of Welbeck’s second-half winner, his eighth goal for the club since joining from United on deadline day last September for £16 million.
Welbeck latched onto a dreadful back-pass from Antonio Valencia to round United goalkeeper David de Gea and give Arsenal their first victory here in 11 meetings dating back to 2006.
Wayne Rooney had earlier cancelled out Nacho Monreal’s opener before Welbeck struck and Angel Di Maria was sent off for grabbing referee Michael Oliver’s shirt as he protested a yellow card for diving.
Arsenal made five changes from the team that beat Queens Park Rangers in the Premier League last Wednesday including Wojciech Szczesny replacing David Ospina in goalIn a raucous atmosphere aided by Arsenal’s 10,000-strong travelling contingent, the visitors made a positive start and took the lead through an unlikely source. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain began to jink his way through the heart of United’s defence before shifting the ball out to onrushing full-back Monreal, who beat De Gea smartly at his near post from close range.

United’s response was immediate. Angel Di Maria, who cut in from the right flank onto his left foot at almost every available opportunity, did so in the 29th minute to devastating effect, whipping a cross for Rooney to convert with a powerful header past Szczesny.
The England captain’s movement was clever but manager Arsene Wenger would no doubt question the large gap between centre-backs Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny which afforded Rooney the space to score.
      Louis van Gaal made a double change at the break, introducing Phil Jones and Michael Carrick for Luke Shaw and Ander Herrera while Arsenal lost Oxlade-Chamberlain to injury early in the second half with Aaron Ramsey replacing him.
Arsenal restored their advantage as a goal kick lofted forward by Szczesny found its way to Valencia, who underhit a pass back towards his own goal and Welbeck raced onto it to beat De Gea and celebrate his first goal against the team he joined as an eight-year old.
Hector Bellerin had been booked early on the first half for a bad tackle on Ashley Young and the Spanish right-back was fortunate not to be sent off when fouling the same player in the 64th minute.
Referee Michael Oliver opted to book Marcus Rojo instead for a separate incident moments earlier and Wenger used the reprieve to take Bellerin off and replace him with Calum Chambers.

It was in fact United who were reduced to ten men as Di Maria picked up two yellow cards in a matter of seconds. Oliver booked the Argentina winger for diving and he reacted furiously by grabbing the back of the referee’s shirt as United’s players crowded around the official.
Di Maria was then given his marching orders with a second yellow card - perhaps surprisingly not a straight red - and United were left to chase down an equaliser with ten men.
At the other end, De Gea produced a marvellous stop to deny Santi Cazorla before substitute Adnan Januzaj raced into the box past Monreal and fell to ground, only to be booked, rightly, for diving by Oliver.
Arsenal advanced to the semi-finals with United left to focus solely on the race for Champions League football.

Mancini: Yaya Toure will only join Inter in Italy

The Inter coach is desperate to be reunited with the Cote d'Ivoire international, who is said to be considering leaving Manchester City this summer
Roberto Mancini says that Yaya Toure will join Inter if the Manchester City ace decides to move to Italy.
The Cote d'Ivoire captain still has two years to run on his contract with the Premier League champions but there is mounting speculation that he will leave the Etihad at the end of the 2014-15 campaign.
Former City boss Mancini has made no secret of his desire to be reunited with the midfielder and has now intimated that Toure has promised to join him at San Siro should the 31-year-old move to continue his career in Serie A.
"If Yaya Toure comes to Italy, it will be only to join Inter," the Nerazzurri boss told Gazzetta TV.
Mancini also revealed that he has already failed with one previous attempt to lure a City player to the Giuseppe Meazza, defender Micah Richards, who is currently on loan to Serie A side Fiorentina.
"I tried to bring Micah Richards here in January," he said. "He was one of my players when I was at Manchester City, too.
"Fiorentina seemed open to the idea but it didn't come off."
Mancini boldly added that he fully expects Inter to compete for the Serie A title next season.
"Yes, next year we will be a Scudetto contender," he stated. "This faith comes from what we are doing now. We have a great foundation.
"I see the guys improving all the time. Everyone is growing. Next year we can count on fighting with Juve, Napoli and Roma for the title

Di Maria "not so smart", says Van Gaal

The Manchester United manager has criticised the Argentine winger after he was dismissed in the FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Arsenal for diving and pushing the referee
Louis Van Gaal has criticised Angel Di Maria, calling the Argentine "not so smart" as he was sent off in Manchester United's FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Arsenal.

Di Maria was booked for diving as he went down easily under an Aaron Ramsey challenge, and was then shown a second yellow card just seconds later for appearing to push referee Michael Oliver.

And United boss Van Gaal believes that the 27-year-old should have handled the situation better.

"We have to see every decision of the referee in the circumstances," the Dutchman stated. "I want to see on videotape how he has decided and in what way.

"But I know and Angel Di Maria knows that he doesn’t have to touch the referee. That is not so smart of him.
Emotion is not so easy in such a match but I mentioned it also before the match. I know a red card is easy to give in this kind of match.
I cannot give comment on whether it was a fair red card and I think you know why.
He knows he doesn’t have to touch the referee. Every player knows that".
Van Gaal was also unhappy with his side's performance, which leaves them with just Champions League qualification to fight for in the remaining two months of the season.
It’s very disappointing when you don’t lose from your opponent, you have lost from yourself," he stated. "That’s very disappointing and that’s also why the players are very disappointed. You know that it could be different  of course, a match will be decided by goals. This match has been decided by goals and when you see the second goal, it was nothing. We gave it away but the man who did that was the best man on my team. That’s also for him so disappointing. He didn’t do it on purpose, it happens.
I think always a negative result and this is a big blow for us. We have to recover, we are sportsman. But I cannot say that the motivation of my team was bad. It’s always good and today again we showed fighting spirit.
            When asked about Danny Welbeck - who got the winning goal to send Arsenal through to the semi-finals and dump his former club out of the competition - the United boss said: "It happens in football. It was a surprise Wenger put him in the line-up in that position. He was very motivated but I think we gave that goal
              Van Gaal also defended Radamel Falcao, who remained on the bench despite the Red Devils chasing an equaliser for the final half-hour.Falcao has scored four goals and three or four assists.  That’s his contribution and he has also stimulated the other players.Selling Welbeck and signing Falcao has not worked out?] You are very happy to say that now. I can’t change facts, so you can continue

Well-beaten by Welbeck: Danny boy comes of age on his return to Manchester

COMMENT: The United academy graduate was deemed surplus to requirements but his runs and overall energy would have benefited Van Gaal's side, even if the Dutchman thinks otherwise
  
Danny Welbeck grew up just three miles from here dreaming of hearing his name ring around this famous stadium after scoring a winning goal.

But the Manchester United academy product won’t have expected it to be like this.

As he was substituted 16 minutes from time, Welbeck’s name was sung loud and proud by the army of 9,000 Arsenal supporters, while many home fans booed the boy from Longsight with venom.

Perhaps in one sense the United support were voicing their displeasure about the sale last summer of one of their brightest local prospects to a rival club.

Maybe they were angry that Welbeck had celebrated after scoring the goal that put Arsenal 2-1 up and booked their place in the FA Cup semi-finals as they look to retain their trophy. United were sunk by Welbeck’s strike just after the hour mark after the £16 million striker latched on to Antonio Valencia’s horrific backpass, rounded David De Gea and slotted into an empty net.

Arsenal had opened the scoring through Nacho Monreal’s strike at the end of a fine team move before Wayne Rooney equalised shortly afterwards with a header from a fine Angel Di Maria cross – a rare moment of quality from the hosts.

But Di Maria ended up watching the game from the United dressing room after he was sent-off for two bookings in the space of 30 seconds: a dive and a grab on the referee. It summed up an evening for United in which nothing went right.

Di Maria was the poster boy of United’s £150m summer spending splurge that was supposed to set them up to win trophies again following the David Moyes disaster. But as Louis van Gaal sat glumly in the dugout for most of the match, before putting in a rare appearance in his technical area, he might have wondered whether he will still be in the job next season if United are unable to hold their nerve in the Premier League and finish in the top four this season.

With Tottenham and Liverpool up next, they cannot afford a repeat performanceMost likely, the United fans were fed up with yet another pedestrian performance from their team
    How United could have done with some of Welbeck’s energy and urgency in the final third during the second half, when they failed to play with any penetration.

His speed and movement troubled United’s disorganised and vulnerable defence on a nervy evening for Chris Smalling, Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones. The hosts' back four were spared an embarrassing scoreline by several fine saves from De Gea in goal, particularly to keep out strikes from Santi Cazorla and Alexis Sanchez.

Welbeck was sold to make way for Radamel Falcao, another galactico signing who has scored just four goals in 20 appearances and was an unused substitute here for the second match in a row.

As Falcao and Juan Mata sat on the bench for the full game, United’s brilliant supporters watched Van Gaal’s men aimlessly, desperately smash long balls towards Marouane Fellaini in search of an equaliser.

Van Gaal’s philosophy is based around keeping the ball, but for United’s 58 per cent possession the Dutchman was out-thought by Arsene Wenger as Arsenal defended diligently and looked dangerous on the counter-attack.

There is no point in dominating possession if it’s this sterile, if there is so little quality around the edge of the opponents’ penalty area despite a star-studded squad at his disposal.

Surely there is a balance to find between playing in a manner that goes nowhere and a Plan B of punting hopeful long passes towards the biggest man in the squad.

At half-time Van Gaal substituted Ander Herrera – a player who at least looks to play ambitious forward passes – and kept on the predictable, one-paced Daley Blind.

It made little sense and it backfired, just as the decision to sell Welbeck last summer came back to bite his boyhood club as he secured only a second win in 16 matches in all competitions for Arsenal against United.

It may not have been the way he used to dream about it, but Welbeck had made his point to United.

Nadia Buari breaks silence on fresh twins

Beautiful Ghanaian actress Nadia Buari has spoken for the first time since she was reported to have given birth to a set of twins in Atlanta, USA.
Nadia’s father, Alhaji Sidiku Buari confirmed to the Ghanaian media on Monday March 2, 2015 his daughter gave birth to “lovely twins”.
The actress this morning took to Instagram to thank all who have shared in her “joy”.
“My heart throbs and thrive in joy by the much love you all have shown me, and my little angels. We are eternally grateful,” she wrote.
She also added, “May my joy of the moment become your moment of joy as we enjoy this moment of God’s blessings together.”
News of Miss Buari’s delivery came as a surprise to many given she was not publicly seen with a baby bump in the months leading up to the arrival of the twins.
Her ‘fiancé’ Jim Iyke who was widely reported as the father of the twins also came out to deny such claims.
Meanwhile, fresh connections to an old University sweetheart of Nadia’s are being made. The actress is yet to reveal who she will be sharing parenting duties with.

My jolly ride in Lagos train –Mercy Johnson

Actress and mother of two, Mercy Johnson, has opened up on why she embarked on a train ride in Lagos recently. Accord­ing to the actress whose picture and that of her daughter, Purity, were spotted in an air-conditioned train has since gone viral, it was in her bid to beat traffic on the ever busy Lagos roads that culmi­nated in the decision.
“My picture and that of my daughter, Purity, in a Lagos train have surfaced online and quite a number of people have asked me what I was doing in a train and in Lagos for that matter, not Paris or London.
“I was around Iddo at Ebute Metta when my Range Rover developed a mechanical fault and I had to make a very important appointment in Ikeja, re­gardless of the usual traffic congestion in Lagos. Luckily, a member of my manage­ment team was around and he suggested a train ride and we were in Ikeja in less than 30 minutes but that is not the crux of this matter.
“Like I mentioned earlier, I have had to answer questions in private and public as to why I would board a train because trains in Nigeria are considered a means of transportation for the masses and not for the so rich. A friend called and said I just devalued my brand by being on that train with ordinary people. I couldn’t help but laugh. Are we extra-ordinary people because we are celebrities?
“In as much as I understand the concept of branding, packaging and exclusiveness, I will never trade the expe­rience to sit, interact and feel the pulse of so-called ordinary people,” Johnson concluded.

Yul Edochie VS Uti Nwachukwu: Who’s the ultimate ladies’ man?

They are hot, cute, sexy and up­wardly mobile. They are made of the stuff women dream of. Blessed with drop dead gorgeous looks, these dudes are dominating the Nigerian entertainment industry. However, two names stand out among the crowd: Yule Edochie and Uti Nwachukwu. Today, movie buffs determine who between the pair is the ultimate ladies’ man.
UTI NWACHUKWU:
Big Brother Africa winner, Uti Nwachuk­wu, is an actor, TV presenter, model and compere. The native of Agbor, Delta State, is a graduate of Computer Science & Edu­cation. Though, he was the third evictee at BBA 3 in 2008, he bounced back at the 5^th edition tagged: BBA All Stars and tri­umphed. Uti has featured on Tinsel and sev­eral movies till date. His efforts earned him the 2013 GIAMA Best New Actor award.
YUL EDOCHIE:
Yul, son of seasoned actor and broadcaster, Pete Edochie is a graduate of Theatre Arts from the University of Port Harcourt, Riv­ers State. He joined Nollywood in 2005 and today, after carving a place for himself as one of the fast rising actors; Yul has also branched into movie directing. Some of the movies he has featured include Pleasure & Crime, Lonely in Paradise, and The Lamb among others.
…And the people’s verdict:
It’s a tie –Edith Chinonso, under­graduate
For me, it is a tie. They are both hand­some, popular and A-list actors. But they also have their strengths and weaknesses; so it is a tie.
Uti is sexier –Bisi Adebanjo, under­graduate
Both Uti and Yul are qualified to be rated as ultimate ladies’ men. But as far as I am concerned, Uti is the ultimate ladies’ man. He is sexier, taller and looks more African and masculine so, I prefer him to Yul.
I like Uti’s lips –Yetunde Johnson, student
What I like most about Uti are his lips and I believe you don’t need me to lecture you on what couples do with their lips behind closed doors. However, Yul is also a ladies’ man because apart from being handsome, he is rated as one of the best dressed Nollywood actors.
Yul is more handsome –Queen At­tamah, banker
Both actors are among the most hand­some ever in Nollywood. And apart from that, they also have immense carriage and that is what thrills me most about them. For me, no matter how handsome and rich a man is, if he lacks qualitative car­riage and swag, count me out!
Uti is driving me crazy! –Ayorinde Jennifer, civil servant
The truth is that Uti is endowed with awesome masculine features such that should he attempt to bare his body, he will leave several women panting. His features are tempting and driving many girls crazy, and I am no exception.
Yul sexier but… –Oluchi Uzoegbu, student
By my assessment, Yul appears sexier and more handsome than Uti Nwachuk­wu. But the thing is that Uti is more of a ladies’ man than Yul. Going by Yul’s pattern of role interpretation, which is usually 80 per cent reflective of actors’ natural behaviour, he cannot take care of his woman better than Uti, who appears more cool-headed and homely.
I see Uti in my dreams –Linda Chi­dalu, Global Consulting
It is Uti. He is seductive all over. And I must confess to you that I have stopped watching any movie that features him because I always end up dreaming about him at night. That is how much I am lusting after him. But I have realised that thirsting for him would lead me nowhere as there are several other fans like me out there.
Both are perfect ladies’ men – Blessing Uduak, undergraduate
Both Yul and Uti are perfect ladies’ men going by all standards. They have the swag, intellectual know how, good looks and they are celebrities. Every woman must have something to admire about them. They are both handsome and cute. What I’m trying to point out is that both of them are total packages.
Give it to Uti –Kemi Adeseye, ac­countant
I believe that this exercise is only meant to entertain your readers. Other­wise I would say that looks are usually deceptive. Judging artistes based on their outward appearances or their works is just like trying to tell a book from its cover. It could be counter-productive at the end of the day. However, judging only from their looks, Uti and Yul have all it takes to put a woman in the mood by mere looking at them. And if I were to choose, it would be Uti.
They are both tempting –Jude Eze, entrepreneur
No one has it all in life. Both actors are greatly talented and versatile such that when assessed critically, one will observe that they both have their strengths and weaknesses. For instance, their styles of role interpretation are different. And that is because they are different individuals. And that extends to their female fans too. While some will prefer party A, others will tell you they are dying for party B. So, in terms of looks, if I were a woman, both of them would tempt me.
Yul is juicier –Angel Ebugha, chemist
I like guys that look clean and I don’t give a hoot making the first move. If Yul were not married, I would have schemed myself into his arms just because he looks clean. His regular clean shave al­ways makes him sexy, juicy and perpetu­ally a ladies’ man unlike Uti who spots dread locks and facial hair. If I were his girl, I would ignore his locks because he keeps them neat. But having a guy that keeps facial hair is one horrible decision I will never consider.

Why I kissed Flavour –Chidinma

MTN Project Fame Season 3 winner, Chidinma Ekile, hit the limelight after she won the reality show contest a couple of years ago. In this chat with TOSIN AKINOLA, she opens up on her career and why she kissed Afropop star, Flavour. Excerpts:
What inspired your music career?
Music has always been flowing in my veins. I have been singing since the age of six. I joined my church choir at the age of 10 though, I was never serious about music because my father was strict; he always wanted us to be indoors.
How did you get to know about Project Fame?
I heard about the academy through a friend of mine who helped me out, stood by me and encouraged me that I could do it. I told my mother about it but I was afraid to tell my daddy because I knew he would never give me the go-ahead. So, I told my mum to help speak on my behalf but she was like ‘no, you know the kind of man your father is, I can’t face him o’. Later, I went to his room and I was talk­ing to him from behind the door because I just couldn’t face him to explain myself. Then he asked me, ‘what is it?’ I told him about the competition and he asked who the organisers were and I told him that it was MTN. Luckily for me, every­thing happened like a miracle after my explanation and my father gave me his nod. My mother was surprised and she said I was very lucky. I was so excited I couldn’t believe that my father had just given me the go-ahead because at times, when I returned late from choir practise, he would lock me out and I would sleep outside.
So, what was his reaction during the show?
My mother supported me all the way but my father supported me partially. However, when my father later saw that it was getting serious by the day, he actually visited me after some weeks and I was shocked because I never expected him in the Academy. And I was like ‘Wow! My father actually came to watch me sing?’ I was so excited and happy and that gave me inspiration to do more because I wanted to make dad proud, and God helped me to achieve my goal.
How has the platform impacted your life?
Project Fame has done a lot for me. It changed my thinking and made me to know better. It made me to know the kind of people I should move with, and above all, it made me popular and then the op­portunities kept coming by the day. My life changed positively and ever since I have never lacked any good thing. For in­stance, I never believed that I could drive my own car at such an early age. All this is just like a dream to me till today. I appreciate MTN a lot for helping people discover who they are. If not for God and MTN, I would have been a house-help or a bread hawker today. Thanks to God Almighty, thanks to Project Fame.
How is your boyfriend coping with your fame?
I don’t have a boyfriend and I don’t want to have one because I am still too young and I don’t want any distraction from any man. That is the reason I don’t want to rush into any relationship. I don’t want to make a wrong choice. I am a strong lady and a goal getter so I am focussing on my career for now. I don’t have a boyfriend and I am not searching.
Okay, what relationship do you have with Flavour? You kissed him in a video recently.
(Laughter) Flavour is just a friend and colleague, no strings attached. The kissing thing was just acting. I am an actress and I can do anything to make my music more colourful. However, that was my first time of doing that, but it really means nothing to me because we don’t have strong feelings for each other be­yond music. What you guys saw was just acting. Little wonder most of my friends and fans have been asking the same question, ‘Chidinma, why did you kiss Flavour?’ But I always laugh and tell them that it was just acting. What of if I become an actress to­morrow and I kiss someone on set, would it become news? Flavour is just a colleague, please.
What are you currently working on and what inspired it?
I have a video dropping this week en­titled, Kite. It is all about love. You know, just like the kite could fly so high so too the love in my heart could fly so high. I wrote the song to express what I believe should happen between two partners. I am a songwriter and every good writer must be a good researcher. I did my research and got what I wanted. Let me use this opportunity to tell my fans and loved ones to get the video of Kite, which drops this weekend. I love you all and God bless you.

No ill feelings losing to Desmond Elliot – Lukmon Lawal

His dream is to see youths achieve greater heights in their careers, but the decadence and indiscipline of today’s youths leave butterflies in his stom­ach. He sponsored The Surulere got tal­ents show and paid medical bills for over 250 Surulere dwellers’ late last year. Aside that, he talks on radio frequently about traffic laws and issues about the state of the nation. Lukmon Oyewole Lawal, a re­searcher and chartered accountant was one of the contestants in the APC prima­ries for Lagos State House of Assembly but lost the contest to Nollywood actor, Desmond Elliot. Sunday Sun cornerd him at another forum, precisely at Akintan Sec­ondary School Surulere recently. It was the school’s annual inter-house sports day. That sunny afternoon, he delivered a mo­tivational speech on careers to students.
Excerpts:
You sponsored the first Su­rulere got talent show and paid over 250 Surulere dwell­ers’ medical bills before the APC primaries. You lost , and today you are still contributing to the success of today’s youths. What’s your motivation?
I’m a Surulere boy. I had my primary and secondary education in Surulere. Akintan is one of the highly populated schools in terms of enrolment.
They have about 2,000 students. It was their inter-house sports lately. It was an occasion where all students were in a vi­brant mood. I was there to capture their conscience so that the presentation will be meaningful to their lives and they will see vividly why they should make the right choices, why they must be useful to the system and not be dependent. As a young person, I am very particular about young people today. The statistics of failing young persons is alarming. Today, we are grossly unemployed, we are also not unemploy­able. Some cannot write a short profile of themselves, they don’t have any commu­nication or presentation skills, they don’t have any intuitive capacity whatsoever and they’re OND and BSC holders. This is why we should really rise up and say “No”. We must create a better future for our gen­eration. This generation are drink addicts, lotto addicts, and cultists and according to research, six out of ten are not employable.
That is an indictment on our education system. Three out of every ten young per­sons are likely to go into cultism; another four are likely to be lotto addicts. These are pointers to a very bleak future for this generation. In the course of my political forays, I researched all the laws in Lagos State from 1995 till date on road traffic laws and it still saddens me that some people are still doubtful after we have demonstrated clearly how potent that law had been. It has reduced fatal accidents as well as improved healthcare generally.
Those involved in accidents from Okada have reduced but people are still using it as a political tool, that they are going to return Okada to the roads. I find that saddening. Beyond that, I have a workable modem that I believe will improve performance in WAEC pass rate of 31.2 per cent in 2014, 7 per cent in 2013, 2.6 in 2009. We have to improve the pass rate. We have to demon­strate to these children the importance of education.
The now, now syndrome in the society must stop. They must be told that a career path whether in formal training or in voca­tional skills is important. They must be told that they must be functional adults. Today, we have lots of adults in our systems that are not functional. Seventy percent of pris­oners today are awaiting trial, 90 percent of that figure are young persons that are not prepared for adult life A good system is supposed to guarantee youths qualitative education, so that at 18years, when you do any wrong thing or make a wrong choice, the law will sanction you. On our streets, violence is now a way of life.
The presentation was on career paths and I’m happy and proud that one of the governorship aspirants, Akinwunmi Am­bode, listened to my presentation recently and was very impressed. Today, it’s an ini­tiative of Akinwunmi Ambode on youths and education development.
When you lost the APC ticket for Lagos House of Assembly to Desmond Elliot, how did you feel? A lot of people felt you are a better candidate as per your contribution to Surulere in terms of boosting students edu­cation performance and health care.
To be honest with you, it was a painful loss. The vehicle for representation is the political party and the party is supreme. To that extent, the emergence of Desmond Elliot is not a problem. He’s a brother and friend. I’m happy that in the course of my campaigning, I was able to distinguish my­self with a clear vision and laudable pro­grams and today, I am a positive reference point. And that’s why my vision on educa­tion and youths empowerment programs will thrive. We really need to do a lot. Today in Lagos, you will agree with me that the goals of qualitative education is something we must address. It’s really giving us a lot of nightmare in different aspects of our lives. Young people are not asking questions, they don’t even know what to ask anyway. We need pep talks on qualitative educa­tion and if we can do that, we will spend less on security and on prison projects. The issues are education, youth empower­ment, healthcare, and reduction of okada accidents. It’s appalling that some people still look at these as political gimmicks. It will only take an educated electorate to say “No, what you are giving me is not true, I’m better informed” but when thousands are not educated, then anything will fly.

What’s your relationship with Desmond now?
Very fantastic. He was supposed to be here to listen to my presentation. The party is having a lot of campaign rallies he has to attend; he gave his word that he would at­tend even if it’s for thirty minutes. He has also promised that we are going to work on my vision together. He’ll be in the House of Assembly by the grace of God and as a friend and brother and being of the same generation, I will make sure I avail him bills that I know he could sponsor on the floor to move our generation forward.
You lost your parents at a very tender age, how was life grow­ing up as an orphan?
Sincerely, I must thank my elder sister, Mrs. Remi Cole. She was a trained nurse and she got to the pinnacle of her career. She instilled a lot of discipline in me. At the university level, I struggled, I did menial jobs and all kinds of things to survive. I did phone call business at that time on cam­pus and there was no GSM. To the glory of God, I lost my father at age 7. In those days, it was tough. I was brought up by my eldest sister from the age of ten. She really instilled a lot of discipline and focus in me. I was lucky to be a bright brain in primary and secondary schools and my teachers saw leadership qualities in me.
I was class captain most of the time and I won prizes. To a large extent, I am happy for my upbringing . I think a lot of young persons today are disadvantaged. They should be given opportunities. I had a lot of interviews with young people and they told me that they took to cultism because they don’t have work to do, they told me they used to be political thugs. We need to work more on education and create employment and especially making our youths func­tional in adult life. It’s a failure in our edu­cational system that an SS3 student cannot read. I am the founder of Ultimate Youth Initiative and the platform has been doing a lot of programs that have earned me 20 media appearances.
Some say “Uncle, I want to further my studies and there’s nobody to help me.” It saddens me and this is a country where we have people that can do much more and lift people up, it’s not only government’s responsibility. We need more people to sponsor education. As a person, I have approached potential sponsors, but they wouldn’t, oblige me , but if it’s entertain­ment they jump at it. I believe we should focus more on education. We really need a synergy between the government and pri­vate sector. We need these people to spon­sor these programs more. I’m the convener of Akinwunmi Ambode Youth and Devel­opment Initiative.