Sixty three years ago, the Brazilian city was the location for one of the biggest upsets in footballing history, USA’s win over England during the 1950 FIFA World Cup. Should Tahiti emulate that result, shock-waves will be felt across world football.

Eddy Etaeta’s Tahiti have been in Brazil since 7 June, while Nigeria touched down eight days later, laving many to think that the extra preparation time benefit the islanders?

The Super Eagles will be looking to take an early lead at the top of Group B by giving their goal difference a significant boost against a team who are 107 places below them in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking. With Uruguay and Spain lying in wait, Stephen Keshi’s side will be looking to put their part-time opponents to the sword. Tahiti meanwhile are daring to dream.

This is the pair’s first meeting at international level, although they did square up at the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2009 in Egypt. Nigeria prevailed 5-0 on that occasion, a first-round match held in Cairo when Obiora Nwankwo, Ibok Edet, Kehinde Fatai, Nurudeen Orelesi and Daniel Adejo were on target.

Nigeria are one of two undefeated sides in the FIFA Confederations Cup, the other being Denmark. The Super Eagles went unbeaten in their previous participation in 1995, earning one win, two draws and losing only on penalties to Mexico in the match for third place.

Eagles defender, Efe Ambrose said that the Eagles are ready for the Tahiti tie

“It is a match we know we need to win and, to do that, we need to be fully concentrated. We cannot afford to take any chances. Big shocks have happened before in these kind of tournaments and we don’t want to be the victims this time,” said the Celtics defender.

On his part, Tahiti striker, Steevy Chong Hue said that they were not going to be awed by their more illustrious foes.

.“For an amateur player it is a dream to face the best players in the world. However for it not to become a nightmare we have to keep working really hard so we are ready for the first game,” he said.

The incident took place on November 5, 2007 when the duo broke into the residence of the parents of the girl at Young Africa Close, Ovwian, armed with a gun and knife.

Prosecution told the court that after robbing parents of the young girl of valuables, they went ahead and had carnal knowledge of the girl (names withheld) serially, causing her severe injuries and psychological trauma.

Delivering judgment, the trial judge, Justice O. Tobi said the confessional statements of the accused admitted in evidence during trial passed the veracity test and was not in doubt, saying the prosecution led by P. T. Daubry had proved the essential ingredients of the three-count charge preferred against the accused persons.

The court declined the plea for mercy by the defence counsel, Mr. M. Oshemele, on the ground of law and proceeded to hand down the mandatory punishment for the offence they committed as prescribed by law.

Amaechi, told his Plateau State colleague to stop impersonating him as chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, and urged him to keep within the bounds of decorum.
Jang in a riposte dismissed Amaechi’s charge as funny. Jang reiterated his claim that his endorsement by 19 Northern governors was tantamount to an election, boasting that he was set to show his superior claim at a meeting of the forum he has summoned for today.

The exchange followed Governor Jang’s summon of a meeting of the NGF for today ahead of a scheduled meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan over disputes on the sharing of the federation account for the month of May.

Governor Amaechi while urging governors to honour the meeting with the president, however, disowned the meeting of the NGF summoned by Jang.

Governors stick to their earlier positions

Yesterday, several governors stood on their previous positions in the NGF. Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum, NSGF, Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, it was learnt, was outside the country and may not send a representative to the Jang meeting. His colleague in Benue State, Mr. Gabriel Suswam who is also outside the country on official assignment, could send a representative to attend the Jang meeting.

“Any meeting called by Governor Jang as chairman of the NGF would be honoured by Governor Suswam,” an aide said. Several other governors, it was learnt, yesterday, stuck to their known positions on the division in the NGF.

Governor Amaechi in a statement yesterday said: “On Saturday, June 15 and Sunday, June 16, reports in the media credited to my brother governor, Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State announced that he has called for a Nigeria Governors’ Forum meeting. Ordinarily I would have ignored these reports as I do not imagine that as governors who hold our people’s mandate through the democratic process of free and fair elections, we would do anything to impugn our integrity.

“However as Chairman of the Nigeria Governor’s Forum, elected by my colleagues to safeguard their integrity and that of the forum, it has become imperative for me to request my brother, Governor Jang, to remain within the confines of decorum and cease to impersonate me and to stop parading himself as NGF chairman. There is only one chairman of the forum, duly elected by a vote tally of 19:16 on Friday, May 24, 2013.

“For the avoidance of doubt, I as chairman of the NGF have not called for any Governors’ Forum meeting for Monday, June 17, 2013. The only meeting scheduled for Monday June 17, is a meeting of all Governors with His Excellency, President Goodluck Jonathan scheduled to hold at 9pm at Aso Rock Villa. All governors should please ensure attendance at this meeting with Mr. President.

This storm shall pass — Amaechi
“I wish to reassure my brother governors that this storm shall pass and we all will be reunited as one family committed to our nation’s unity and supporting Mr. President in his vision for a Nigeria that safeguards the rights of all its citizens to good governance and democratic norms.

“Governor Jang is my brother and friend and I harbour no ill feelings against him, but it is important that he stops this impersonation, as it could threaten all the good work we all have done together.

“May I remind Governor Jang that there is a legal action that has been instituted against him by Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State to stop him from parading himself as the chairman of NGF. As leaders elected by our people, Nigerians are closely watching us. We must comport ourselves according to the dictates and principles of democratic and lawful practices and norms.”

We’ll see today — Jang

Responding to Amaechi, Jang through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ayuba Pam described Amaechi’s assertion as funny.

Asserting that he was elected by the majority of governors and was in no way impersonating anybody, Jang said:

“It is funny to say that a man who was nominated by consensus by the Northern governors who are 19 and presented to the larger meeting of the governors would impersonate anybody. It is all about who is in charge of the forum and tomorrow’s (today’s) meeting convened by Jang will show who really has the support of majority of the governors.

“We do not want to join issues with Governor Amaechi because he is still a member of the governors’ family and just like Governor Jang has said repeatedly, this is a family problem that would be resolved amicably.

“All we can do is to appeal to Governor Amaechi to extend the same cooperation that Jang gave him when he was the chairman of the forum to Jang. Jang was always among the first governors to be in Abuja each time he (Amaechi) called a meeting and we urge him to reciprocate this. We even encourage him to attend tomorrow’s meeting convened by Jang because the agenda is for the benefit of every state”, he said.

‘Eye Awodi’: The Eagle kept me wondering since then. The Nigerian Coat of Arms (our National bird) has Eagle standing on top of the shield. We are made to believe that it represents ‘Strength’. The Eagle is present in the national emblems of both ancient Roman Empire and modern United States of American civilizations. Nigeria, aspiring to be ‘Giant of Africa’ probably, adopts Eagle too while our constitution was also modeled along Americans. United States of America has ‘Liberty and In God we Trust” as their motto so also was Nigeria ‘Peace, Unity, Freedom’ but was changed in 1978 (we didn’t fight for any freedom they must have reasoned) to ‘Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress’.

‘Awodi jeun epe san’ra’ – Eagle merriments in curse.
Let’s examine this within the Yoruba idiom and it’s transliteration to Nigerian situation. Why must our symbol signify merriment in curse? Are we not doing many things imaginably insane?, crude?, and wicked, yet, sentimentally, alluding all kinds of reasons why we should forge ahead in questionable “unity and faith”. How explainable is the ‘quota system’ that qualifies a candidate in Gombe with 58 points or Kebbi with 9 points while Lagos candidate should score 133 to gain admission into University in a test of 200 questions? The helpless boys and girls from eastern fringe are worse affected, under an alleged nation in search of peace! Some of the students from alleged educationally backward states would later rapidly get promoted to ranks of director, permanent secretary and later federal minister or legislator based on ‘quota system’. They will be making laws that shape destinies of us in millions!
Nigeria it is, that a head of a federal institution, allegedly exposed as abusing his office and tax payers money to womanize and all he could deny was he did not have a hand in the employment of the woman and that in any case, they were both adults. Really? No shame in reveling in curse?

Ai le w’oju Awodi l’oje k’Aladie so o di Oosa – Because of fear, Fowl owner turns Eagle to a deity!
The likes of IBB, OBJ, and other shameless corrupt leaders are relevant because they have some of us still worshiping them in the rottenness that has become our lots. Some of us still venerate at Bourdillon Road at the feet of a demi-god who runs Another Corporate Network so as to have a bite in what belongs to us.

‘Awodi nfo ferere, o l’ohun fe m’Oluwa. Ibi ti yio fo de ko ye mi o, o fe s’eleya ni’ (Juju musician General-Prince Adekunle)–
The eagle soars relentlessly, to high heavens expeditiously in reaching God’s enclave, but shame shall it’s lot be!
How over ambitious! ‘Giant of Africa” and “Big Brother” are some of the idiosyncrasies we pride ourselves in recent times. We strive to outdo each other as if we are permanently in a competition. At bus-stops, in Churches, at social gatherings, we want to be noticed and feels ‘Me and only me first syndrome’. That he has 3 (three) houses, I want to have 10 (ten) and even more that no one can beat. Nigeria gives neighbors grants and electricity, when the home front is hungry for the same items, all just for pride and to look big!

‘Awodi nra baba, inu al’adie nbaje’ – As eagle hovers, owners of chickens grieve in nervousness.
Nigerians are ridiculously becoming more perfumed as thieves and untrustworthy. It takes extra personal effort to shed the toga anywhere in the world as a’ genuine working class’ Nigerian because of the toga ‘419’ and ‘Yahoo-Yahoo (an acronym for scams in Nigeria) some unscrupulous Nigerians had given Nigeria. We even cheat the name ‘Eagles” when we compete; last week, a Nigerian soccer star (a twin) celebrated his 25th birthday in UK while the other had his 33rd in Nigeria! We don’t trust our politicians because of their penchants for stealing and they too, to our face, steal us dry!
Our leaders are truly Awodis –Eagles, how?

Emi ‘o le j’oye Awodi ki nma le gb’Adie-I can’t be conferred a chieftain, titled; Awodi, if I can’t steal a fowl!
So, no wonder they are concerned only about what they can steal.

A kii ko Adie re apata loju Awodi – No one exposes fowls on top of rocks in the sight of Eagle.
An NGO on voters’ registration awareness were frustrated when all they got as response from street and local voters was ‘how much are you going to pay so we can go to registration centers” They have been tutored to believe that “you better get what you can get anyhow from them before the election”. See how they understood the power of votes (fowl) and the Awodis?

Awodi re ibara…won se bi eye ku – The Eagle went home and his adversaries thought he was dead.
With all the Eagle symbol that has good meaning and many advantages, among which are success, power, triumph, royalty (imperialism) or social status, and omniscience, I think we are only displaying one out of ten; resilience; ‘never-say-die’ and ‘suffering and smiling’.

If we ever have the chance to sit together for true National Reform, it may make some sense to take a second look at our name, symbol and motto.
Ile ni a nwo ki a to s’omo l’oruko; Family antecedents or values dictates the name of the child.

Deleola Daramola
Cleveland Ohio, USA

Ng’onamo said on Friday the Flames will do everything possible to progress in the qualifiers.

“We will try everything to throw Nigeria off balance and we will deploy all methods to achieve our ambitions,” he was quoted by Nyasa Times as saying.

Ng’onamo had conceded the ticket to the Super Eagles after Kenya held his team to a 2-2 in Blantyre on Wednesday, but Nigeria’s surprise 1-1 draw with Namibia in the other group fixture in Windhoek later in the day revived Malawi’s qualification hopes.

The Eagles would have booked their passage to the final round with victory over Namibia.

Nigeria lead the group on nine points, two ahead of Malawi. The winner of the group will be decided in the final match between the two teams in Calabar on September 6. The Flames will need to win to sail through while a draw will be enough for the African champions.

Malawi had celebrated a Robert Ng’ambi’s goal 10 minutes before regulation time only to be heartbroken when substitute Chimango Kayira scored an own goal and Ng’onamo lamented the development.

“This is a painful result. And effectively the Flames’ dreams to qualify for the World Cup is over,” he said.

“That is end of the road, our players lacked concentration.”

But Ng’onamo made a U-turn as Nigeria failed to beat Namibia to become the first country to reach the final round comprising five home-and-away ties with the winners qualifying for Brazil.

Reacting to the result of the Windhoek clash, Ng’anoma said “what a relief”.

He added, “It’s not over yet. We have to go back to the drawing board and see how we are going to approach the last game in Nigeria.”

Former Malawi captain Peter Mponda predicted victory for the Flames in Calabar.

Anything can happen, who knew Nigeria were going to be held by Namibia. That should be a motivation,” he said.

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi, who rued his team’s missed against Namibia, promised to finish the job in September.

“I have no doubt that we will qualify for the World Cup,” the Tunisia ’94 Africa Cup of Nations winner said.

This was disclosed by his first son, Pastor Paul Obadare, during a press briefing organised by the family and his protégés in Lagos on the burial arrangement.

Obadare said, “The coffin to be used for the burial of our father, Apostle Timothy Obadare, is taken after the type used for the burial of the late Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston.”

However, Saturday PUNCH’s check showed that these celebrities were buried in Batesville-branded golden caskets, which cost between $25,000 and $30,000.

He said the late founder of World Soul Winning Evangelical Ministry deserved to be so honoured.

Paul, who is the General Overseer of the church in the United States of America, described his father as a national figure, who made lasting impact on the nation in his time.

He said other events lined up for the burial of the renowned evangelist include an exhibition of snapshots of crusade documentaries.

He added that there will be lying-in-state in Ilesha, Osun State in a transparent ambulance.

“Our father was a renowned teacher of the bible, a great missionary, crusader and devoted apostle of Jesus Christ. He lived a well-fulfilled exemplary life of a good Christian.

“He served man and God before his passing. We the children, biological and spiritual, have come together to give him a deserving burial as a national figure.

“There will be service of songs in Ilesha, Akure, Ibadan and Lagos, while he will be interred at a mausoleum prepared for his final rest at WOSEM conference ground at Ilesha-Ife, in Osun State,” he added.

Meanwhile, one of his protégés, Pastor Ladi Thompson, among others, extolled the virtues of the late preacher.

The competition at tagged Festival of Champions kicks off in Brazil on Saturday with the 2014 World Cup hosts taking on Japan in the opening match.

Brazil and world champions Spain are leading the champions of the six continents in the championship, which is a dress rehearsal for next year’s World Cup.

The Eagles begin their campaign against Oceania champions Tahiti in Belo Horizonte on Monday and Lawal is confident the team can go all the way.

Lawal, who represented Nigeria at the France ’98 and Korea/Japan 2002 World Cups, said the Eagles boast quality players to pick up victories against their tough Group B opponents Spain and Uruguay.

He said the national team fans have no cause to worry about the star-studded Spain side boasting Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Fernando Torres, Juan Mata, David Villa and David Silva, as well as Uruguay’s prolific scorers Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez.

“In football anything can happen and I believe the Eagles have a chance to win the competition,” Lawal told our correspondent on the telephone on Friday.

“Yes, Iniesta, Xavi and Cavani are world-class players but we also have big players in our team. They only need to believe in themselves.

“Winning our first game (against Tahiti) in the competition is very important and the Eagles should give their best in the encounter, because it will decide their fate in the tournament.

“It (victory) will give the team much-needed boost of confidence for their next match (against Uruguay on June 20) and anything can happen.”

The much-travelled former Lobi stars player rejected suggestions the Eagles should focus on World Cup qualification and enjoy themselves at the Confederations Cup.

Lawal, who plied his trade in Tunisia, Greece, Holland, Sweden, China and Portugal before hanging up his boots last year, said playing in the tournament will help coach Stephen Keshi in his rebuilding process.

“The Confederations Cup experience will be of great benefit to the players and help Keshi, too,” the ex-Roda star, who represented Nigeria at four editions of Africa Cup of Nations (2000, 2002, 2004 and 2006), said.

“The Eagles should aim to win the tournament because they are a fantastic side. Many didn’t give them a chance to win the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.”

Cameron spoke on a British Broadcasting Corporation programme monitored in Lagos.

He said he would take up the issue with President Goodluck Jonathan soon.

The prime minister said he would restate his government’s strong objection to the passage of the bill.

The prime minister was reacting to a question by a Nigerian resident in London, Bisi.

“When we meet with Nigerian politicians and leaders, we will be clear about those things we agreed on. We have to be clear where we disagree. We will make clear where we stand on those issues,” he said.

When asked whether Britain would consider stopping a projected 50 per cent increase in aid to Nigeria or cutting it outright, Cameron said, “Nothing is off the table. We need to have these conversations. We also have some very important objectives with Nigerians, for instance on how to deal with the appalling rates of poverty in Northern Nigeria, which are part of the problems confronting the country.”

Britain and some Western Nation had previously expressed opposition to the bill.

Cameron had in October 2011 threatened to cut off aid to countries which ban gay and lesbians.
-Punch

The ‘arrest’ of the minister, whom a fellow cabinet member was overheard hailing as ‘Wicked Wike’ recently, had nothing to do with the tug of war between him and his state governor, Rotimi Amaechi. It was just one of the big men’s banters that always precede such meetings.

Abubakar had arrived the venue ahead of Wike to witness the swearing in of the chairman and members of the re-constituted Police Service Commission. He apparently had an unfinished business with the minister. Immediately Wike arrived, he grabbed the police boss from behind. As he turned to see the person that had the effrontery to hold his uniform which is always adorned with many medals in that manner, the IGP declared, “You are under arrest!” Pronto, the minister stretched his two hands towards the police boss and said, “Handcuff me.” He held Wike and dragged him into the chamber’s tea room where he was “interrogated.” The duo returned to the chambers a few minutes after, laughing. The minister must have been granted bail on self recognition!

-Punch

Their arrest came barely three weeks after some of their members were paraded at the Lagos State Police Command, where they confessed to have sold live human beings for N40,000, hands—N4,000 and head—N8,000.

Those recently arrested are Gazali Akewadola (60), the native doctor who allegedly offered N40,000 for a live human being, Alfa Taofeek Akinola (35) and Kazeem Sanni (25).
To the bewilderment of all, Gazali confessed that live human beings were cheaper than buying dead human parts, saying all parts of a live human being are vital in the preparation of money ritual.

For instance, he said a life human being was bought for N40,000, “but at the end of the day, you get a lot of expensive parts from it. Aside that, it is even more potent because the efficacy of the charm or concoction prepared with live human parts cannot be compared with the ones prepared with dead parts.

“When a life human being is killed, one will get fresh blood which is used in preparing some charms. The same body will also give you hairs from private part, head and some mustache which are used for other ritual purposes. The private part is also very useful for the preparation of effective concoction. The head,flesh intestines, liver, heart, eyes, lips and tongues can be used for pepper soup which is usually very delicious than that of animal meat. I usually take the pepper soup so as to assure those who patronize us that it is not harmful. It also fortifies one spiritually.

“If you buy a full human being for N30,000 or N40,000 and pieces it, you will end up getting N100,000 or more because you will get more than 10 parts that will yield more money for you.”

Gazali who hails from Folahan, Ado-Odo in Owode Yewa Local Government Area of Ogun State, further said: “I am an Islamic teacher and a cleric. I own an Islamic school in Owode Yewa. I am also married with eight children. I am also a native doctor. I cure people of their ailments and help those who want to get rich quick, by using human parts to prepare charms and concoctions for them.

We use soft bones to cure epilepsy

“Most of the human parts I bought were sold to me by Kazeem Sanni. He used to sell dead human head between N3,000 and N8000, depending on the market price. The soft bones that can easily be grinded into powder are very cheap. It is just for N1,000. It is used to cure ailments like epilepsy.”

Asked why he did not use any of his children since he has eight of them, he said that would reduce the potency of the ritual concoction, adding that its potency depended solely on strangers being used. He said their victims were usually abducted from Lagos State and beyond, with the use of charms.

He further disclosed that aside the N40,000 paid to Sanni to get him a live human being, he gave him another N5,000 and a charm to hypnotize the male victims. But he said the plan almost failed as Sanni was almost caught. He, however, expressed regrets that despite the use of human parts to make other people rich, he ended up not only being poor but arrested along the line.

Money ritual charm changed my level

The second suspect, Alfa Taofeek, who is also an indigene of Owode Yewa in Ogun State confessed to have bought a human head from the third suspect, Kazeem, which he grinded and mixed with local gin.

According to him, “it was to enable me get rich. I am a Muslim cleric and I have been making people rich through this means but became jealous at a point and decided to get rich as well, since I was unable to get enough money from my clients.

“After drinking the concoction prepared with a human head, I got more customers and made more money. I even threw parties on a monthly basis to celebrate my new level.

“I also used part of the money to sponsor the graduation ceremony of some of my students in the Islamic school known as Alfa Taofeek Islamic School, at Owode Yewa.”

Customs officers lured me into money rituals

On his part, the third suspect, Kazeem Sanni, claimed to have opted for the money ritual business due to frustration from Customs men.

He said: “At a point, business was no longer moving because Customs men at the border were always seizing the goods, at the end of which their owners would force me to pay for them. I became frustrated even contemplated selling my father’s landed property. I decided to consult Alfa Taokeek Akinola to find out the cause of my predicament. He instructed me to get a human head in order to be rich. After that, he requested a live human being. I attempted kidnapping someone so that I can cut off his head but it was not possible. He then instructed me to exhume dead body from the graves which I did and got him three at the rate of N3,000 each.”

Their arrest, as explained by spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, Ngozi Braide, was in compliance with the Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko’s directive to SARS Commander, Abba Kyari, to get the fleeing suspects, after the arrest of three members of the syndicate on May 15, 2013, with human parts.