Chelsea striker Diego Costa available to face Queens Park Rangers

Jose Mourinho has confirmed that Diego Costa is available for Chelsea's home match against QPR on Saturday after three weeks out, but stressed that the striker needs "special care."

Mourinho again fanned the flames of his dispute with Vicente Del Bosque over Costa after the Spain coach said he would be "stubborn" over selecting him.

That comment came after Mourinho's recent plea for Spain to allow him to rest, and the Chelsea boss told a news conference: "The only thing I can say is what everybody knows -- which is the time he was having problems in Chelsea and the way we managed to keep him playing, but after the national team we lost him for four matches.

"Crystal Palace, Maribor, Shrewsbury and Man United -- four matches in three different competitions. Now he's again available, but he needs obviously to be again under special care. We are going to do that. It's the only thing we can do -- nothing else.

"He's available. That's good for us. It's difficult with only one striker available. When you have two, obviously the situation improves.

"We don't have [John Obi] Mikel -- it's not good for us. He's always an option. But the fact we have recovered Ramires is a compensation for that loss. So the situation is a bit better."

Costa is set to be called up for Spain's Euro 2016 qualifier against Belarus, as well as their friendly against Germany next week.

"That's not my call, that's not my decision," Mourinho said. "I am always supportive of players playing for their countries when the players are in condition to do it, and when the players in the national team follow the same procedures to recover from the problems they have.

"I'm nobody to stand in the way of the national team. I cannot stop him going."

In-form Diego Costa has missed four matches for Chelsea.

He praised the form of Didier Drogba, who has scored three times in his last three games, saying it gives him a "fantastic problem."

"To be important you don't need, at the age of 36, to play 90 minutes of 50 matches," he said. "To be important you need to be there when the team needs you to be there.

"And, obviously, he was fantastic for us in the last week when we were in real trouble without Diego and [Loic] Remy [who has also been injured and is out until after the international break], doing something that nobody should do -- playing two 90 minutes of football with 48 hours difference. He managed to do that in an absolutely fantastic way.

"It is a fantastic problem for me, and the perfect problem is when Remy is back. That's the perfect problem, to have all three.

"When we made that group of three in the beginning of the season, we thought we did well. Three levels of investment. Three levels of expectation. Three levels of contribution. Three levels of different qualities as a striker, and the team is so happy with that. We have three very good strikers in our squad."

David Silva to miss Manchester derby for City, out for 3-4 weeks

Manchester City midfielder David Silva will miss Sunday's derby against Manchester United and faces up to four weeks out with a knee injury, manager Manuel Pellegrini has confirmed.

Silva was hurt in the early stages of Wednesday night's 2-0 home defeat to Newcastle in the Capital One Cup as he tangled awkwardly with Ryan Taylor.

David is a very important player but we have a squad and we will have to replace him with another player," Pellegrini told a news conference ahead of Sunday's match at the Etihad Stadium.

Silva's absence also rules him out of next month's vital Champions League group matches at home to CSKA Moscow and Bayern Munich. The 28-year-old's injury means he is doubtful too for Spain's Euro 2016 qualifier against Belarus in mid-November.

Silva was substituted shortly after his collision with Taylor.

Midfielder Yaya Toure was also withdrawn as a precaution during the Newcastle defeat due to a groin problem but Pellegrini expects him to be fit to feature this weekend.

Pellegrini said: "Yaya has a small problem. We will see him on Saturday but I think he will not have any problems."

Also on the positive side, playmaker Samir Nasri appears to have come through his return to action in midweek, after seven games out following groin surgery, unscathed.

Keshi invites Uche, 24 others for Congo, South Africa matches

Coach Stephen Keshi has called up 25 players for the must-win 2015 Cup of Nations qualifying matches against the Red Devils of Congo and Bafana Bafana of South Africa.

Highly rated, Spain–based striker Ikechukwu Uche is called for the first time in nearly two years, and there is also a first senior team opportunity for Nasarawa United midfielder Tony Edjomari.

Home–based defender Solomon Kwambe also return, and Aaron Samuel (who got one of the goals against Sudan), Hope Akpan, Sunday Emmanuel and home–boy Emem Eduok have further chances after being called for the matches against the Falcons of Sudan.

Skipper and goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, defenders Godfrey Oboabona and Elderson Echiejile, midfielders Ogenyi Onazi and Mikel Obi, and forwards Ahmed Musa, Emmanuel Emenike and Babatunde Michael are also invited.

All the players are expected to report at the Bolton White Apartments, Wuse, Abuja on Sunday, 9 November.

The Squad
Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Lille OSC, France); Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel); Chigozie Agbim (Gombe United, Nigeria)
Defenders: Elderson Echiejile (Monaco FC, France); Juwon Oshaniwa (Ashdod FC, Israel); Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC, Scotland); Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars, Nigeria); Godfrey Oboabona (Rizespor FC, Turkey); Kenneth Omeruo (Middlesbrough FC, England); Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves, Nigeria)

Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Hope Akpan (Reading FC, England); Raheem Lawal (Eskisehirspor FC, Turkey); Omatsone Aluko (Hull City, England); Tony Edjomari (Nasarawa United, Nigeria)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Emmanuel Emenike (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey); Gbolahan Salami (Warri Wolves, Nigeria); Osaguona Ighodaro (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria); Ikechukwu Uche (Villareal FC, Spain); Aaron Samuel (Guangzhou R&F, China); Sunday Emmanuel (SV Scholz Grodig, Austria); Babatunde Michael (Volyn Lutsk, Ukraine): Emem Eduok (Dolphins FC, Nigeria)

Rooney passed fit to face Man City

Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney has been passed fit for the Manchester derby on Sunday, manager Louis van Gaal said on Friday.

However, Radamel Falcao has been ruled out of the clash with reigning Premier League champions Manchester City.

Van Gaal dismissed reports England striker Rooney was suffering from a foot injury and said his skipper would be fit to start at Eastlands after serving a three-game suspension.

But Falcao, who missed the last two games following a kick in training, is still injured and the Colombian will, therefore, miss the match at City’s home ground.

Some reports suggested Rooney was doubtful after he was apparently seen hobbling at a sponsor’s event at Old Trafford on Monday.

“Rooney was not injured. The media was writing that but he was never injured,” Van Gaal told a news conference on Friday.

“Maybe his shoes were too tight, that is possible. But he was never injured and he shall play. He is my captain.”

However, turning to Falcao, van Gaal added: “Falcao is still injured.”

United make the trip across Manchester looking to close the current four-point gap between themselves and City.

Tambuwal Asks Court To Stop PDP From Removing Him As Speaker

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Tambuwal and his party, the All Progresives Congress, APC, on Friday dragged his former party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the national chairman of the party, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, the deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Inspector General of Police, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, before a federal high court in Abuja.

The Speaker who recently defected from the ruling party to the opposition wants the court to stop moves being made by the PDP to declare his seat vacant.

Tambuwal insists that he remains the Speaker of the House of Representatives until the expiration of his current term which is 5 June, 2015.

He wants the court to make an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from taking any steps whatsoever to abrogate, diminish or infringe on his rights and privileges as the Speaker of the House of Representatives before the expiration of his current tenure.

Further more, the embattled Speaker wants the court to restrain INEC from accepting any nomination of candidates or otherwise organizing or conducting a ‘bye election for the purpose of replacing him or taking over his seat as the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

He also asked the court to make an order of mandatory injunction compelling the defendants to restore his security details all rights, benefits and privileges appurtenant to members of and the office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

He averred that he was not elected Speaker of the House of Representatives by reason of his membership of the PDP and that his defection from the party was due to crisis in the party which led to the emergence of two factions.

Nigerian Breweries seeks approval for Consolidated Breweries merger

Nigerian Breweries Plc said on Friday it would seek shareholders’ approval for its planned merger with Consolidated Breweries Plc on Dec. 4.

The company made the announcement in a notice to the shareholders, obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos.

According to the notice, the company is planning to exchange four of its shares for five shares of Consolidated Breweries Plc.

It said that the shareholders, at the meeting, would be asked to consent to an order of a court sanctioning the merger to allow the actualisation of the deal.

NAN reports that Heineken, the majority shareholder in Nigerian Breweries in 2005, acquired a controlling stake in Consolidated Breweries.

The company intends to merge both businesses to take advantage of Nigeria’s growing market for beer and malt drinks.

Nigerian Breweries recently won the Securities and Exchange Commission’s approval for the merger.

Nigerian Breweries, listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, is expected to be the surviving entity after the merger.

The company said that both companies would continue to operate as usual until regulatory and other approvals were obtained.

“The proposed merger of both companies is expected to create value for all key stakeholders, particularly shareholders and drive benefits from increased economies of scale, enhance operating and administrative efficiencies,” it stated.

Doctors perform first heart surgery on foetus in India

Doctors at a hospital in the southern city of Hyderabad have reportedly performed a heart surgery on a foetus in a 25-year-old woman’s womb, local media reported on Friday.

The cardiac surgeon, Nageswara Rao, told reporters in Hyderabad that in a medical feat, the surgery was the first to be carried out in India.

The doctors at Care Hospital said that they had to perform the heart surgery on the foetus to correct a serious condition that has no cure once the baby is born.

“At 25-26 weeks, the left ventricle started deteriorating, getting damaged and shrinking.

“We realised this is going to be a serious condition where the left side of the heart will be too small and not useful and it won’t be possible to perform surgery after birth,” Rao told the media.

He added that they decided to go for the procedure called ‘foetal aortal volvotomy’.

Etisalat Celebrates 20 million Customers in Six Years

Nigeria's most innovative telecommunications company, Etisalat Nigeria, has confirmed its billing as the fastest growing telecommunications network in the country, as it marks six years of operations with a rise in its active subscriber base from 17 million as at December 2013 to 20 million.

Noting that this represents an 18% growth rate, Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Matthew Willsher, described the growth as a significant milestone, attributable to the loyalty of Nigerians to Etisalat’s innovative products and services..

“I must emphasize that the remarkable growth we have recorded is a direct result of two factors - the loyalty and warmth of our millions of customers and the commitment of our staff, who serve as a vital link in the chain which drives our operations. We remain committed to constantly improving our products and service delivery,” an elated Willsher noted.

In just six years of operations, Etisalat has become a major industry player despite the highly competitive nature of the Nigerian telecoms market. The company has introduced a wide variety of innovative and unparalleled products and services such as the first-of-its-kind educational tool in the youth market, Cliqlite; the first loyalty proposition in the Nigerian telecommunication industry, Etisalat GEM and the new state of the art Gold Series and Flagship Experience Centres.

The company also has a sterling reputation for customer service and is the only telecoms operator in Nigeria that continually exceeds all the quality benchmarks set by the industry regulator, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

FG may seek death penalty against child marriage

A 14-year-old Nigerian girl accused of murdering her 35-year-old husband by putting rat poison in his food could face the death penalty, Nigerian prosecutors said Thursday.

The trial of Wasila Tasi’u, from a poor northern Nigeria family, has sparked a heated debate on the role of underage marriage in the conservative Muslim region, especially whether an adolescent girl can consent to be a bride.

Prosecutors at the High Court in Gezawa, outside Nigeria’s second city of Kano, filed an amended complaint that charged Tasi’u with one count of murder over the killing of Umar Sani two weeks after their April wedding in the village of Unguwar Yansoro.

Lead prosecutor Lamido Abba Soron-Dinki said that if convicted, the charge is “punishable with death” and indicated the state would seek the maximum penalty.

Nigeria is not known to have executed a juvenile offender since 1997, when the country was ruled by military dictator Sani Abacha, according to Human Rights Watch.

Tasi’u entered the court wearing a cream-coloured hijab and was escorted by two policemen.

Her parents, who have condemned their daughter’s alleged act, were in the public gallery — the first time the three were in the same room since Tasi’u’s arrest in April, her legal representatives said.

The English-language charge sheet was translated into Hausa for the accused by the court clerk.
Tasi’u refused to answer when asked if she understood the charges.

The case was adjourned for 30 minutes so the charges could be better explained to the defendant, but when the alleged offences were read again Tasi’u stayed silent, turned her head to the wall and broke down in tears.

“The court records (that) she pleads not guilty,” Judge Mohammed Yahaya said, apparently regarding her silence as equal to a denial of the charges and adjourned the case until November 26.

Activists, including in Nigeria’s mainly Christian south, have called for Tasi’u’s immediate release, saying she should be rehabilitated as a victim and noting the prospect that she was raped by the man she married.

But in the north, Islamic law operates alongside the secular criminal code, a hybrid system that has complicated the question of marital consent.

The affected families have denied that Tasi’u was forced into marriage, arguing that girls across the impoverished region marry at 14 and that Tasi’u and Sani followed the traditional system of courtship.

According to Nigeria’s marriage act, anyone under 21 can marry provided they have parental consent and so evidence of an agreement between Tasi’u and her father Tasiu Mohammed could undermine claims of a forced union.

But defence lawyer Hussaina Aliyu has insisted the case is not a debate about the role of youth marriage in a Muslim society.

Instead, she has argued that under criminal law a 14-year-old cannot be charged with murder in a high court and has demanded that the case be moved to the juvenile system.

Nigeria defines the age of adulthood as 17 but the situation is less clear in the 12 northern states under Islamic law, where courts theoretically have the right to consider people under 17 as legally responsible.
Guidelines for how courts should blend Islamic and secular legal codes have not been well defined.

Rivers PDP Secretariat on fire, less than 24 hours after anti-Wike rally

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Secretariat along Port Harcourt/Aba Expressway in Port Harcourt, has been set on fire in the early hours of today by unknown persons after tying up the security guards on duty.

Confirming the fire incident, Jerry Needam, the Special Adviser to Felix Obuah, Chairman of PDP,on Media said early arrival of state fire service helped to put out the fire.

Also confirming the fire incident, Obuah said that “An attempt to burn the party secretariat has being carried out by desperate politicians who want the party to postpone the party’s ward and local Government Congresses scheduled to take place tomorrow, Saturday. They have failed because arrangements have concluded and we are going ahead. Nobody can stop it. PDP will come tops”.

“We have watching on news of some desperate politicians threatening the party.” Obuah said.

The fire incident is happening less than 24 hours after 15 governorship aspirants held a mega rally insisting on rotation of power in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, at the Liberation Stadium.

Many of the aspirants urged President Goodluck Jonathan and national leadership to intervene in crisis rocking the state branch of the party allegedly hijacked by the Nyesom Wike, former Minister for Education who also has ambition to be governor.

At the time of this report, fire fighters were at scene to put out the fire.(PM News)

Steven Gerrard says he won't retire, could make move in 2015

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has admitted that he could leave Anfield at the end of the season.

The 34-year-old's contract expires next June, and he has not so far been offered another one. As things stand, he would be free to sign a pre-contract agreement with another club in January. Gerrard, who has been with Liverpool since age 9, insists he will still be playing next season -- but not necessarily for the Reds.

He told the Daily Telegraph: "I won't be retiring this summer. I will play beyond this season. We will have to wait and see if that's at Liverpool or somewhere else. That's Liverpool's decision."

Gerrard, who captained England at the World Cup in Brazil this summer, retired from international football in an attempt to prolong his club career.

But he has had a frustrating start to the campaign, as Liverpool have so far failed to match the standards that saw them finish runners-up to Manchester City in the Premier League last season.

Luis Suarez, last season's 31-goal top scorer, was sold to Barcelona for 75 million pounds, while manager Brendan Rodgers spent heavily on bringing in nine players.

Gerrard has indicated that he would have liked to see Liverpool spend a larger chunk of that money on trying to bring in a big name such as Cesc Fabregas or Diego Costa, both of whom joined Chelsea before the start
of the season.

But he believes that a move for either player would have gone against the transfer policy operated by owners Fenway Sports Group.

He said: "When you come close to the title, it is important you keep your main players. It's not just about those coming in, it's about what got you there.

"You need to keep that together and add to it. When you are taking big chunks of it away and adding five or six into it, it's not going to happen overnight.

"I would love a Fabregas or Costa here, but I have to understand how the owners want to do it and accept I am a Liverpool player, not a Chelsea or Manchester City player.

"They [Fenway Sports Group] have gone on record saying they want to bring exciting young talent into the club. You can't just expect that to click overnight."

Reps may defy Tambuwal

There were also indications   that the House   might reconvene within the next one week to take further actions over Tambuwal’s defection.

The PUNCH learnt that the decision to reconvene the House was also one of the outcomes of the meeting   between Jonathan and some principal officers of the House and PDP leaders.

The principal officers were the Deputy Speaker, Mr. Emeka Ihedioha; the Majority Leader, Mulikat Akande-Adeola; and the Deputy Majority Leader, Mr. Leo Ogor.

By enabling provisions, the House requires the approval of one-third of the total number of 360 members to reconvene the House.

A reliable source in the House, who confided in The PUNCH on Thursday, said, “What will happen is that about 120 members will sign and pass over to the speaker, asking that the House should be reconvened. That is what is going to happen in the next one week.”

Tambuwa Police Withdrawal: APC, SANs, others blast Jonathan, PDP

The APC, the Progressives People Alliance, and Senior Advocates of Nigeria   on Thursday blasted   Jonathan and the PDP   for ordering the police to withdraw   Tambuwal’s security aides.

Specifically, the APC charged   Jonathan to show better understanding of democracy by restoring the police security details.

This was contained in a statement   by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in Abuja.

According to the party, the withdrawal of the speaker’s security details amounted to the usurpation of the role of the judiciary by the IG.

The party said this was more so bearing in mind that the question of the interpretation of Section 68(1)(g) of the constitution on which the   Police anchored its “illegal act” is currently before the courts for resolution.

The statement partly read, “For avoidance of doubt, the position, including the manner a person becomes the Speaker of the House of Representatives is to be found in the constitution, and no constitutional provision or legislation says membership of the ruling or dominant party in the House is a pre-requisite.

“Furthermore as the number four citizen of Nigeria, the security details and apparatus attached to the person of the speaker are not based on his lineage, person and or political leaning. It is on account of the position and the protection required for that position and in Nigeria’s best interest.

“The APC rejects this challenge to democracy and modern society. We reject President Jonathan’s illegality and call for respect and compliance with the law.

“We reject this meddling in the affairs of the Legislature, especially given the resolution of   Jonathan and his close advisers yesterday at their meeting to ask the Deputy Speaker,   Emeka Ihedioha, to unlawfully reconvene the House before the adjourned date.”

Also, the APC Caucus in the House     described the withdrawal of the security details of the speaker as “incredulous.”

The caucus warned that   Jonathan would be held responsible should any harm befall Tambuwal.

Its Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila,   said, “The NPF does not belong to the PDP. More importantly, the Executive cannot determine for the legislature, an independent institution and arm of government who will head it or who its speaker should be.

“This is the height of impunity. It is ironic that the institution that appropriates and gives money to the police is the same institution being denigrated and abused by the same police.”

While the PDP Caucus   described the action as unnecessary, the speaker’s office said it was as surprised as Nigerians.

The   Deputy Majority Leader of the House, Mr. Leo Ogor, who spoke for the PDP Caucus, warned that there should be no external interference in the defection of the speaker.

Ogor said, “It is totally uncalled for. Let members be allowed to deal with the defection of the speaker by themselves.

“We are fully ready to handle it and I assure you that as soon as we resume, we will take care of it.”

Imam had before the statement he signed on behalf of Tambuwal, said they resumed on Thursday   to find out that the police personnel attached to the speaker had been withdrawn.

“We came to work this morning and what we found was that all the security men did not report for duty. We are puzzled but that is the situation,” Imam stated.

The Progressive Peoples Alliance while condemning the withdrawal of security operatives, advised the House   to challenge the action in court.

Its National Chairman , Mr. Peter Ameh, said, “There are people who were elected into the two chambers of the National Assembly and they left, where were the Police then? Did the Police withdraw their security details? Let us not take sides; the Police is meant for all, to protect every citizen of this country.”

Also, SANs like Femi Falana, Yusuf Ali   and Emeka Ngige   flayed the police action, saying it was against the law   and portended danger for the country’s democracy.

Falana advised   the acting   the IG to immediately   restore them, reminding him   of previous judicial decisions cautioning the Police against taking sides with political interest groups.

He said, “The police orderlies   were attached to the Speaker by virtue of his office and not on account of his office and not on account of his membership of the ruling party.

“The withdrawal of the orderlies by the police authorities is a partisan demonstration of abuse power.”

Ali   said, “To become the Speaker of the House of Representatives is by election by members of the House. Once you are elected, unless the House comes together to remove you, you remain the Speaker. At this moment his is still the Speaker because the House is not in session. He adjourned the House as the Speaker. 

The Police cannot take it upon themselves to begin to interpret the constitution.”

Similarly, Ngige said the police were being partisan, adding the Tambuwal ‘s defection should not attract such treatment from the security agency.

He said, “The IG cannot interpret the constitution because it is not a court of law. Unless a court declares his seat vacant that is when the removal of his security will arise. But if no court has made such a pronouncement the IG is throwing himself into the arena as a partisan person by removing his security.”

Senators Babafemi Ojudu; Robert Boroffice ; Kabiru Marafa and Olufemi Lanlehin also condemned the action of the police.

They said it was   dangerous for the nation’s democracy.

I go to beer parlour every Friday – Fayose

Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, has said he patronises drinking joints every Friday in order to get close to the ‘common man’ in the state.

The governor said this in Abuja on Thursday while defending the concept of “stomach infrastructure” introduced by his government.

He told journalists that it would be wrong to assume that stomach infrastructure meant only sharing of food and money to the people.

Fayose said, “I also go to beer parlour on Fridays to stay with the common men there. Governance is not church; it is about diverse characters and you must relate with them as such.

“Christmas is coming, why do people go out of their ways to be shopping or doing other things if it is not just to make people merry?

“So, I’m grooming chicken, buying rice, yams, plantain, and the rest of them. I am sure if I give them to families during the festive period, they will be happy. So, stomach infrastructure is a way of life.”

The governor said that most people who committed crime did so because they felt that life was no longer worthy of living for them and that there was no one to tell them that there is life for them.

He said it was because of this that he set up a department for stomach infrastructure and also appointed a special assistant and a personal assistant on it.

“So, my style, without apology, is that stomach infrastructure is a way of life for me, I will relate well with my people to alleviate poverty and hunger,” he added.

He said that the welfare of the people in the society mattered, hence his condemnation of spending N3.3bn on the building of Governor’s House by his predecessor, ex-Governor Kayode Fayemi.

“That is not to condemn or fight anybody but I have another instance, the University of Ado Ekiti has most of its courses yet to be accredited and they needed about N800m to sort out those problems, will the governor be living in affluence when the whole state is in darkness?,” he asked.

On the face-off between him and members of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, the governor said he was already discussing with the speaker.

He said he was sure that the leadership of the House was ready to work with him.

He said, “I am an experienced governor and I know the game. Very soon, my House of Assembly will be together, working to keep the ground running; they want to work with me and I want to work with them.”

Jonathan calls for emergency meeting over Tambuwal

President Goodluck Jonathan appeared worried and on Wednesday summoned an emergency meeting of prominent PDP members to forge a line of action.

Tambuwal had on Tuesday announced his defection to the opposition All Progressives Congress to contest the governorship election in his home state of Sokoto. He also adjourned the House to 3 December.

On Wednesday as the PDP big guns gathered in Aso Rock, lamenting his departure from their party, Tambuwal got a celebrity reception at the special convention of the APC. Called to speak, he swore in the name of God, that by May 2015, the APC would have swept the PDP out of office.

The PUNCH reported that the meeting of the PDP leaders in Aso Rock came hours after the House said the PDP, individuals and groups condemning the defection of the speaker to the All Progressives Congress should not dictate to it on how to conduct its affairs.

In attendance were the National Chairman of the PDP, Adamu Mu’azu, the Deputy Speaker of the House, Emeka Ihedioha; the Deputy Leader of the House, Mr. Leo Ogor; and a member from Delta State, Ndudi Elumelu, in attendance.

Some PDP governors such as Gabriel Suswam (Benue); Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom); Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa): Ibrahim Dankwabo (Gombe) and Sullivan Chime (Enugu) were also part of the meeting, according to PUNCH.

Top government officials who attended the parley included the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim; the National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki; and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Muhammed Adoke (SAN).

“The issue of the Speaker and his exit was one of the fundamental issues discussed at the meeting,” he said.

APC unveils presidential aspirants, Atiku missing

The All Progressives Congress on Wednesday presented its presidential aspirants to members at its mini convention in Abuja.

Those present were former head of state, General Muhammadu Buhari, Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo, Mr Sam Nda-Isaiah and Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano State. Conspicuously missing from the line-up was former vice president of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar.

Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, who presented the presidential aspirants at the convention said Atiku was not in the country. He explained that Atiku travelled abroad.

The presidential aspirants who took turns to speak to their members assured them that they are only contesting the highest office to bring about the much needed change that Nigerians crave.

In his message, Okorocha said: “President Jonathan is not the problem of the APC. The only problem is to produce an acceptable, presentable candidate to defeat PDP.

“If my presidency will not end insurgency, put food on the table for the common man, produce free education to university level, then may it not work,” Okorocha said.

Kwankwaso on his part, thanked delegates who were present for his declaration on Tuesday saying, “APC as a party is here to save our great country Nigeria”.

In his message, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari said he was happy and overwhelmed by how the Speaker of the
House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal announced his switch to APC.

“I had to ask questions and I was told he is a lawyer. It takes a lawyer to do what he did; declare and send everyone on holidays. I am overwhelmed,” Buhari said.

Bournemouth draw Liverpool in League Cup

Championship side Bournemouth will play Liverpool in the quarter-finals of the Capital One Cup.

The south coast side have never featured in the last eight and will now host eight-time winners Liverpool at the Goldsands Stadium.

Derby have a home tie against Premier League leaders Chelsea, while League One Sheffield United welcome high-flying Southampton.

Newcastle, who knocked out holders Manchester City, travel to Tottenham.

The ties will be played in the week beginning 15 December.

Sheffield United reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup last season and are enjoying another good cup run after knocking out MK Dons in the previous round.

Championship leaders Derby are rewarded for coming from 2-0 down to beat Fulham 5-2 with a home draw against the Premier League leaders.

Bournemouth - the third of the non-Premier League sides left in the competition - eliminated West Brom on 
Tuesday.
 
Full quarter-final draw:
Derby v Chelsea
Tottenham v Newcastle
Bournemouth v Liverpool
Sheffield United v Southampton

Suspected Ebola patient causes panic at Lagos airport

Passengers and other users of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos were on Wednesday thrown into panic as a suspected Ebola patient was flown into the country by Royal Air Maroc in the early hours of the day.

The Moroccan airline arrived Lagos from Casablanca at 6am.

The victim, one Theophilus Onnakhinon, a Nigerian, was said to have been flown into the country by the airline, while his younger brother, Chinedu Eroka, absconded from Sierra Leonean authorities.

As at the time of filing this report, it was not clear why Eroka absconded from the Sierra Leone.

A source close to the Port Health Services at the airport, who spoke on condition of anonymity, explained that the passenger had already been treated for the Ebola Virus Disease and declared cured.

The source said the passenger was assisted into the country by a Nigerian consular official, Mrs. T. Mohammed.

According to the source, the consular officer accompanied  Onnakhinon into the country in order to avoid stigmatisation by Nigerian health officials and others at the airport.

On arrival, he was immediately handed over to the Port Health officials, who immediately isolated and quarantined him.

As of the time of filing this report, Onnakhinon was still being observed by the Port Health officials.

The source said that the essence of his being quarantined was for the officials to determine his health status and confirm that he was indeed free of the disease before being allowed to integrate into the society.

The source said, “It is true that there was an Ebola scare at the Lagos airport today, but the fact is that the victim had been cured of the disease in Sierra Leone before being assisted into Nigeria by our consular officer in that country.

Jonathan blames NFF crises for Eagles’ poor performance

President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday identified internal crises as reasons behind the abysmal performance sometimes put up by the country’s male national football teams.

He however noted that in spite of the numerous crises suffered by the Nigeria Football Federation, the female football teams had been putting up spectacular performances because of the high level of discipline among them.

Jonathan spoke when the Super Falcons formally presented the golden trophy they won at the just-concluded African Women’s Championship in Windhoek, Namibia to him.

The Minister of Sports, Tamuno Danagogo, led the team’s captain, coach and other officials to present the trophy to the President shortly before the commencement of the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting.

The President said a team could only succeed when there is discipline and commitment. He commended the women’s national team for doing the nation’s proud.

He said, “Today, we are quite pleased to receive the cup from you. You have made the country proud. Nigeria is known to be a soccer country.

“The male teams have been doing very well. But somehow sometimes, because of certain internal crises, we tend to lag behind.

“But the female teams have been doing wonderfully well. We didn’t expect that you would win, but still, that you won for this country is remarkable.

“We thank you for your commitment because it requires discipline to achieve this height. No matter how good you are, even in the academics, you see brilliant boys and girls who ordinarily would have made first class but because of lack of discipline, they don’t make it.

“So, if there is no discipline, you cannot excel in anything. You have the skills but you have also shown discipline that made you excel. We will continue to adore you.”

Jonathan promised to formally receive the victorious players on November 5 in order for the Federal Government to properly appreciate them.

Danagogo had in presenting the trophy to the President, extolled the virtues of players for displaying high level of dedication and discipline which he said was unprecedented.

He said, “We bring you good tidings from Namibia. The legendary good luck is still continuing in sports. We have been dominating female football in Africa over the years although we lost in 2012.

“Due to your (President’s) support and tenacity, we won. The discipline and dedication displayed by the players during the tournament is unprecedented.”

A FIFA suspension threat is still hanging over Nigeria due the current NFF crisis that began since July at the World Cup in Brazil.

Health of boy attacked by dogs worsens

It appears the condition of four-year-old Omonigho Abraham, who was attacked by two dogs in the Igando area of Lagos State about a month ago, has worsened in the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja where he is currently receiving treatment.

PUNCH Metro learnt from his father, Odia, that Omonigho’s scalp which was torn off by the German shepherd dogs during the gruesome attack, had not healed and had been giving off an offensive odour.

He said this had given the family serious concern.

Odia told our correspondent on Wednesday that attempts to get the medical report of his condition had also been frustrated by some medical officers in the hospital.

He said, “My boy still complains of pains in different parts of his body. Also, when they open the bandage on his head, you will see that there is no much difference. It’s still like the first time the incident happened.

“In fact, for up to two weeks no consultant or doctor attended to him, and his head started smelling.

“We have been told he may still have to be admitted for six months or up to one year, for the doctors to do a skin-grafting surgery on his open skull. They will cut skin from parts of his body, to cover up the skull.”

He added that he had also continued to foot the bills of the boy, despite the instruction of the state government to the hospital management not to collect any money for his expenses.

Our correspondent gathered that a non-governmental organisation had to raise money for Omonigho’s drugs and over N100, 000 had been purportedly spent in buying drugs, among other expenses.

The report of a fundraising for Omonigho’s medical expenses was said to have angered the management of LASUTH who allegedly accused Odia of making money off his son’s predicament.

The father of three told our correspondent he was called into a meeting on Tuesday in which the management of the hospital promised to start implementing the state government’s pledge to the Abrahams.

He said, “The Lagos State Government, through its Ministry of Health, has already played its part by writing a letter to LASUTH that it would foot all the bills for which we are grateful.

“But when the letter got to them, they did not implement it. I was still buying the drugs till yesterday (Tuesday) that I was exhausted and I cried out that I did not have any money to buy drugs again.

“That was when the management of the hospital led by the Chief Medical Director, apologised and promised to start implementing the state government’s order.

“I have decided to wait for at least a week and see if they will change, like they promised.”

Odia said the Delta State Government and a few other people were interested in the medical report which had not been issued to him.

“The real issue I have now is that they (LASUTH) have not released the medical report which I asked for since October 16. They (LASUTH) have been directing me from one person to another and I am getting tired. If I see the report, I will know what exactly to do about this issue.”

Attempts to get the reaction of the management of LASUTH proved abortive as its Public Relations Officer, Dele Johnson, neither picked his call nor responded to a text message sent to his phone.

New Fanta Apple Flavour Hits Nigerian Market

Nigeria’s vibrant soft-drinks market got sparked-up this week with the launch of the new Fanta Apple flavor by beverage giant, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited.

According to the company's Marketing Director, Patricia Jemibewon, the new apple flavoured drink has been specifically formulated for the youthful consumer segment with a great fruity apple taste that Nigerians would love.

“The apple-flavoured drink is targeted particularly at the youth and has been developed for Nigerian taste buds.We have had an excellent response on our other variants and with the national launch of Fanta Apple, we are extending our market leadership in the fruit-flavoured sparkling drink segment,” Jemibewon said.

She disclosed that the new Fanta Apple flavor is the result of extensive market research in the beverage sector which confirms that current offerings in that segment did not completely meet expectations of discerning young consumers who constantly desire unique refreshment.”

Senior Brand Manager, Flavours at Coca-Cola Nigeria, Toyin Nnodi spoke on the brand essence of the sparkling drink. “The Fanta Apple Flavour variant has been specially formulated with a focus on the young, active, daring and unconventional young adults who desire and yearn for a change from the conventional soft drinks. It comes at a time when Fanta Orange has established itself; the new product complements the company's sparkling portfolio.”

With the addition of Fanta Apple, Coca-Cola Nigeria now offers consumers a wide range of flavor choice under the Fanta brand which already boasts of the all-time consumer favourite and segment leader, Fanta Orange, as well as Fanta Pineapple. The new Fanta Apple will be available to consumers across the country in the 50cl PET pack, 35cl and 50cl glass bottles and the 33cl on-the-go cans.