Nigerias U-17 hockey male team is to play their Ghanaian counterparts in the finals of the ongoing U-17 West African 5s Hockey tournament on Tuesday.

The five-aside hockey tournament is holding in Accra, the Ghana capital.

The Nigerian side beat Burkina Faso 17-0 and defeated Togo 9-1 to qualify for the finals, while Ghana eliminated Togo 11-0 to get to the finals.

Fatai Atanda, Technical member of Nigeria Hockey Federation hailed the boys for getting to the finals and expressed optimism that they would lift the trophy.

He said in an interview with NAN that the performance of the team was an indication that Nigeria will do well in the African Youths Games coming up in July in Algeria.

Atanda charged the boys to continue with their performance, stressing that their efforts point the road to a stronger national team of the future.

The starlets would likely represent Nigeria in Algiers for African Youths Games from July 18-28.

Source: NAN

The Nigerian national football team, the Super Eagles, lost 0-2 to Serbia in a pre-World Cup friendly match at the Hive Stadium in London on Tuesday.

The Eagles, managed by coach Gernot Rohr, ended their six-match unbeaten run no thanks to a second half brace by Aleksandar Mitrovic.

Rohr made four changes to the side which started against Poland on Friday, with Ogenyi Onazi given the nod in the midfield while Ahmed Musa replaced Kelechi Iheanacho in attack.

At the back, Chidozie Awaziem was picked following Leon Baloguns injury concern.

Mitrovic was a thorn in the flesh of the Super Eagles defence led by William Troost-Ekong throughout the match, as he kept on creating chances for the Serbians.

Goalkeeper Francis Uzoho was jittery at the opening stage and almost gifted the Serbians the lead in the first half when his indecision led to Mitrovic heading a loose ball into the net.

The Serbian forward protested that the ball had crossed the line but there was no goal-line technology or video assisted referee in use.

However, his persistence paid off in the 68th minute when he guided the ball home following a good footwork by Dusan Tadic, before completing his brace the 81st minute.

Serbia had lost 1-2 to Morocco in their previous friendly match and needed a morale-boosting display against the Super Eagles.

The Eagles best chance fell to Alex Iwobi after a deft touch by Wilfred Ndidi but the Arsenal player saw his effort blocked by a Serbian defender.

Odion Ighalo was introduced in the second half in place of Victor Moses, who was unusually quiet in the match but it didnt stop the Serbians from dominating proceedings.

Rohr threw in John Ogu and Moses Simon to firm up his side but the Serbians exploited the right side of Eagles defence to the advantage of Mitrovic.

Junior Ajayi was introduced late on for his senior national team debut nothing could deny the Europeans a perfect outing against the three-time African champions as they went home winners.

Source: NAN

Spain sent out a warning to their World Cup rivals as Real Madrids Isco grabbed a hat-trick in a 6-1 thrashing of Argentina, who were missing the injured Lionel Messi, in a friendly on Tuesday.

On what was supposed to be a historic night for Argentina captain Javier Mascherano, who joined Javier Zanetti on 142 caps as his countrys record appearance holder, things quickly turned sour as Diego Costa, Thiago and Iago Aspas also found the net.

It will have made uneasy viewing for coach Jorge Sampaoli and emphasized more than ever how reliant his side are on their talisman Messi, who has been struggling with a muscle problem.

Should the Barcelona forward be missing at any point during this years finals in Russia, Argentina are likely to struggle judging by their meek surrender in the Spanish capital.

Without Messi on the pitch there was room for someone to take the game by the scruff of the neck and Real Madrids outstanding Isco filled the void.

The diminutive midfielder dictated play from the centre of the pitch throughout as Spain ruthlessly and consistently exploited the high Argentine defensive line.

Argentina might have taken the lead in the opening five minutes, but striker Gonzalo Higuain volleyed wide from close range which was an omen of things to come.

Costa then bravely prodded in from close range after 12 minutes, despite being clattered by goalkeeper Sergio Romero. Both players required lengthy treatment and eventually left the pitch at different stages.

Romeros replacement, Chelsea back-up Willy Caballero, who starred in Fridays 2-0 win over Italy, suffered a nightmare. A wayward pass with his first touch saw Isco gleefully sweep home Spains second in the 27th as they threatened to run riot.

Defender Nicolas Otamendi briefly offered the visitors hope as he towered above the defense to nod in before the break.

But after the restart it was again all Spain with haphazard goalkeeping and defending all contributing to a procession for the former world champions, who condemned Argentina to their heaviest defeat since a 2009 loss by the same score to Bolivia.

Spain face European champions and Iberian rivals Portugal as well as Iran and Morocco in Group B at the World Cup, while Argentina will play Iceland, Croatia and Nigeria in Group D.

Source: NAN

American Sloane Stephens had cause for a double celebration Tuesday after beating Germanys Angelique Kerber 6-1, 6-2 to reach the WTA Miami Open semi-finals.

The US 13th seeds comprehensive triumph in tricky wind conditions over the former world number one ensured Stephens reached the last four at Key Biscayne for the first time.

It also means the reigning US Open champion will finally be named in the worlds top 10 when the WTA release their rankings next week.

I am so tired of hearing that I am number 11 in the world, said a smiling Stephens, who will face either Victoria Azarenka of Belarus or sixth-ranked Czech Karolina Pliskova for a place in Saturdays final.

Its very exciting to get there, something I have wanted to do for a while. Getting into the top 10 is pretty special and something I have worked on for a long time.

Stephens previous best here in Key Biscayne came with a quarter-finals run in 2015 so the emotions on display at the end of what was an ultimately straightforward win over the world number 10 were understandable.

Since her debut Grand Slam triumph at the US Open last September, the 25-year-old has struggled to follow on. Stephens arrived at Key Biscayne having not beaten a top-50 player since the run at Flushing Meadows.

But this week has seen the American, who was raised in South Florida, get back to her roots and to winning ways.

Reigning Wimbledon champion Gabrine Muguruza was emphatically dispatched in straight sets Monday before Kerber received similar treatment.

Wind hampered both players but it was Stephens who adapted far better, the power of her groundstrokes and superior movement leaving Kerber frustrated and unable to find a way into the encounter.

The wind is uncomfortable for both of us. But it can help push you outside of your comfort zone. You just have to embrace it, Stephens said.

Stephens took just 23 minutes to wrap up the first set, Kerber looked sluggish from the start.

Kerber was deep in conversation with coach Wim Fissette during the break, being urged to assert herself.

Kerber saved four break points in the fifth game but Stephens was did not allow her opponent into the match and a 22nd winner sealed the triumph.

You have to execute your game well and make sure you stick with it, Stephens said. Its easy to start doing other things so I just need to keep to my plan and make sure I didnt venture off.

Kerber admitted coming through a grueling three-set win over qualifier Wang Yafan the day before had left her flat.

I was really feeling a little bit tired today, Kerber said. It was windy, it was tricky, but Ive played so many matches in the last three months that I was feeling it a little bit in my body.

Source: NAN

Mr Theophilus Ohuoba, the National Chairman, Intellectual Think-Thank for Atiku(ITTA, has urged former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar to formally declare his intention to run in the 2019 presidential election without further delay.

Ohuoba, in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, said that Atikus presidency would among other things, build a robust economy that would create wealth for all Nigerians.

He said that there would be an unprecedented participation of youths in Atikus government which would be unparalleled in the history of Nigeria.

The ITTA national chairman said that there would be 40 per cent youth affirmative action in Atikus government.

According to him, the former vice-president will restructure Nigeria in a way that the North, South, East and West will be carried along.

To this end, we are calling on Atiku to formally declare his intention to contest the 2019 presidential election without further delay.

We assure him that Nigerians are desirous of a leader that commands his kind of leadership credentials and he must heed to the call to serve by contesting the 2019 presidential election.

ITTA has a mandate and this is to work with all well-meaning Nigerians to ensure that come 2019 Atiku becomes the president of Nigeria, he said.

Ohuoba said that Atiku was a detribalised Nigerian with a progressive and resourceful background.

ITTA had on March 24, inaugurated its national and state executives.

Ohuoba had during the inauguration said that the zonal and state coordinators of the group would go back to their various bases and inaugurate their executives.

He said they would move to the grassroots to mobilise delegates and subsequently voters to support Atikus candidacy.

Source: NAN

By Rotimi Ijikanmi

The apology rendered to Nigerians by thePeoples Democratic Party (PDP) appeared to have been rejected by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), as theFederal Government has said looted funds should be returned rather than the partys apology.

A statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday quoted the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, challenging the party to show the genuineness of its apology through a discernible change of attitude.

Mohammed said PDP should complete its apology to Nigerians by returning all the funds looted from the public treasury during its 16 years in power.

The PDP presided over an unprecedented looting of the public treasury, perhaps the worst of its kind in Nigeria or anywhere else in the world.

Therefore, the best evidence of penitence for such a party is not just to own up and apologise, but to also return the looted funds as anything short of that is mere deceit.

The minister said with the paucity of funds, the administration had spent an unprecedented amount of money on infrastructural development and Social Investment Programme, among others.

He added that returning looted funds would provide more money for the programmes and make life more meaningful for Nigerians.

Mohammed also reminded the PDP of the quote: If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging, saying it applies to the PDP at this time.

PDP, press the reset button. Stop sabotaging the work of this administration, which is packing the mess you left behind, through your reckless statements and unfounded allegations.

Play responsible opposition politics. Put Nigerias interest over and above partisan interest.

Temper your desperation to return to power. Spend quality time in the purgatory and you will be forgiven, he said.

The PDP had on Monday reflected on its 16 years stewardship and admitted it made mistakes and asked Nigerians to forgive its wrongdoings.

National chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, who spoke at a public discourse, had said the party was sorry for its mistakes.

Source: NAN

President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the reversal of tenure elongation of Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and other National and State Executive Officers of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He described the elongation of their tenure by one year as unconstitutional.

He told the National Executive Committee meeting of the party in Abuja on Tuesday that he had reflected on the elongation and also sought advice and had come to the conclusion that it is unconstitutional.

The APC had in its NEC meeting on February 27 extended the tenure of members of National Working Committee (NWC) led by John Odigie-Oyegun by one year.

This motion was duly carried by a majority of members present at the last NEC Meeting, even though some of our party members have since spoken up very vehemently against it. Others have even taken the matter to court.

I have taken some time to review and seek advice on the resolution. And what I found is that it contravenes both our party Constitution and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

While the APC Constitution, in Article 17(1) and 13.2(B), limits the tenure of elected officers to four years, renewable once by another election, the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), in section 223, also prescribes periodic elections for party executives at regular intervals, which must not exceed four years.

Furthermore, Article 31 of our Party Constitution provides that any principal officer wishing to re-contest or contest for another post, must resign from his current post at least one month before the election

Buhari said he was optimistic that the on-going meeting would provide an avenue to resolve the outstanding issues and consolidate plans towards making APC stronger.

Buhari explained, however, that it was expected that a fresh elections be conducted once the tenure of the current executives approaches its end.

A Caretaker Committee cannot remedy this situation, and cannot validly act in place of elected officers.

Furthermore, I think if we deviate from the constitutional provisions, we might be endangering the fortunes of our party. If the tenure of our party executives can be legally faulted, then it means that any nominations and primary elections that they may conduct, can also be faulted.

This is not to talk of divisions that would arise, and is already arising within the party, when some of our members feel that they are being denied the right to aspire to executive positions, or that internal democracy is not at play within the party.

I am therefore of the firm view that it is better to follow strictly the dictates of our party and national constitutions, rather than put APC and its activities at grave risk.

He said that a timetable had already been approved for the holding of congresses and elections.

I think these should be allowed to go forward and all efforts should now be geared towards making them a great success.

Source: NAN

Nigerian youths have formed a political party, Modern Democratic Party (MDP), to enable them place active role in the upcoming elections in 2019 and beyond.

The formation of the party came at a time that when Not Too Young To Run Bill is still pending assent of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The registration of the political party is an strategy to enable the youths in Nigeria to position themselves for political leadership.

The new party, led by 27-year old activist and entrepreneur, Prince Bukunyi Olateru-Olagbegi, represents the new face of active youth involvement in politics.

The party which was registered by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on January 10, 2018, intends to galvanise youths into engaging in policy formulation, government accountability and running for political office.

According to Olateru-Olagbegi, the party belongs solely to Nigerians who yearn to see a difference in politics and governance.

He explained that the mission of the party is to be home for those who are weary of the status quo and want to be part of something fresh, new, untainted and different.

We are focused on harnessing the mental and physical resources of this unique generation of youth brimming with fresh ideas and innovations which will finally put Nigeria in its rightful place on the world stage.

We know that the journey ahead of us will be long.

This is not a party registered for the 2019 presidential elections. We are here for the long haul and wish to call on all true patriots of our fatherland to get involved as we embark on this journey towards building Nigerias first and truly Modern Democratic Party, Olateru-Olagbegi said.

Last year, the Nigerian Senate passed the Not Too Young To Run Bill which seeks age reduction for elective officers in the country and allows the youths an opportunity to contest for the office of the president at the age of 35, and governor or senator at the age of 30.

As young people across the country are calling on Buhari to assent to the bill, the Modern Democratic Party has gone ahead to unveil its manifesto and planned activities in preparation for next years general elections.

The party is a youth-driven political organization committed to producing and sustaining efficient, transparent and accountable leadership in all spheres of governance for the benefit of Nigerian citizens.

The party meant for an emerging generation of young people with an unwavering love and belief in Nigeria and her potential to take its rightful place as one of the greatest nations on earth.

Nigerias youth have finally come of age, they have become mature, and they fully understand the shifting power dynamics of Nigerian and global politics.

Never in the history of Nigeria has there been such a technologically-savvy generation with access to information and knowledge that can transform this country profoundly.

MDP hereby offers to Nigerias emerging and immensely talented generation a credible and powerful platform to realise their dreams for this great nation, he said.

The vision of the party is to build a nation where the aspirations of citizens can be realized irrespective of their social, political, ethnic or religious convictions.

It values includes fairness, inclusiveness, transparency and accountability.

Source: NAN

The All Progressives Congress National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Tuesday applauded President Muhammadu Buhari for steering the party back to the correct path, after the president in a surprising announcement ruled against elongation of the tenure of the APC National Working Committee (NWC), .

Tinubu heaped praises on the president in a statement released by Tinubus Media Officer, Mr Tunde Rahman, in Lagos.

President Muhammadu Buhari had earlier on Tuesday advised the party to dump the elongation of the tenure of National and State Executive Officers of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He told the National Executive Committee meeting of the party in Abuja on Tuesday that he had sought advice on the elongation, and had come to the conclusion that it was unconstitutional.

The APC, at its NEC meeting on Feb. 27, decided to extend the tenure of members of National Working Committee (NWC) led by John Odigie-Oyegun by one year.

In his reaction, Tinubu said: President Buharis action saves the party from serious legal turmoil.

If the elongations were deemed illegal, then all subsequent party actions, including the nomination of all of our candidates for elective offices, might also be of questionable legality.

Such a predicament would constitute an unnecessary and mortal blow to the party and its role in promoting progressive governance to Nigeria.

Moreover, President Buhari has affirmed for all to see that our party is one based on the rule of law coupled with a firm adherence to internal democracy.

While it would have been easy to allow the ill-conceived motion of 27 February to stand, President Buhari showed principle and courage by steering the party back to its original and correct path.

According to him, the President has spoken.

Today is a good day for those who cherish democracy and legality.

His action will also serve to strengthen the party by allowing party members, including present incumbents, to seek to contribute to the party by vying for executive offices as they see fit.

His action will go far in advancing the process of internal reconciliation that is now underway, he said.

Tinubu said it was time for the party to move forward and begin to plan and organise the needed congresses according to the existing timetables.

After all, a party bearing the name All Progressives Congress should be the last party to resist holding congresses in which all its people have a fair say and fair chance to aspire to any position in the party for which they are qualified to hold.

Again, this is a good day for the APC and democratic practice in Nigeria.

We shun the politics of old to move toward a new and better way of governing ourselves and this nation, he said.

Source: NAN

The inconclusive Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting has forced finance minister Kemi Adeosun to liaise with the NNPC over discrepancies in payment into the Federation Account.

This is coming after FAAC noticed discrepancies of about N37.76 billion in revenue presented by the NNPC.

Adeosun, who is also the Chairman of FAAC, said she called for an emergency meeting next week with the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mr Maikanti Baru, and other key management staff over revenue payment into the Federation Account.

The minister, in a statement made available to newsmen by her Senior Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Oluyinka Akintunde, assured Nigerians that the FAAC meeting would hold on Wednesday at 9. a. m.

She said that the Accountant General of the Federation, Commissioners of Finance and Accountant-Generals of the 36 States would also be present at the meeting.

Similarly, she said that other representatives of the NNPC, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Nigeria Customs Service, Department of Petroleum Resources would also be at the meeting. (NAN)

Source: NAN