Soyinka : Nigeria is sick and empty

Renowned Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka has described Nigeria as sick and empty, deserving of the term “shithole” as described by United States President, Donald Trump.

Soyinka said this while speaking at the Ripples Nigerian Dialogue titled “Rebuilding trust in a Divided Nigeria,” held at The Wheatbaker Hotel in Ikoyi, Lagos.

“We have become laughing stocks in the eyes of the public.

“We have earned the term of shithole. Nigeria is sick and empty. Some retrogressive forces won’t just stop. Everything Nigeria touches rusts.”

He condemned the humiliation of Nigerians by  military personnel, stating that the humiliation of Nigerians led him to relocating abroad.

“The treatment of Nigerians by the military led me to relocating to a saner clime. I remember invading Obasanjo’s residence in Lagos and challenging him concerning the way Nigerians were being treated. It is a disgrace to us, as a nation. We have been left behind in nearly every field.

“There are lessons to be learnt from the diaspora. We need to peep across the Atlantic to see how other countries have been faring,” Soyinka said.

Drawing illustrations from his lecture titled “From Miyetti to Haiti: Notes from a Solidarity Visit,” Soyinka emphasized the need to end slavery in our  society.

Soyinka emphasized the need of looking in the mirror to solve Nigerian problems and encouraged  youths to resist the passage of the Hate Speech bill.

The round table featured  Soyinka, Professor Pat Utomi, represented by Mr Rasheed Adegbenro, Ex Governor Peter Obi and Dr. (Mrs) Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi.

The session was moderated by former Presidential spokesman Reuben Abati. - The Nation

Nigeria is a huge joke !! People will stop shouting over allowance of senators if I reveal what govs earn - Peter Obi

Peter Obi, a former governor of Anambra state, says what governors earn in Nigeria is immoderate.

Speaking as a panelist at the dialogue organised by Ripples Centre for Data and Investigative Journalism in Lagos on Thursday, Obi told the audience that if he revealed how much a Nigerian governor earns, the outrage would be hotter than what trailed the N13.5 million monthly pay of senators.

“None of you knows what a governor earns, quote me anywhere if you know you won’t be here,” he said.

“It is something you can’t imagine. You just know the one of senators, and you are shouting, but what if you know that of the governors?”

Comparing Nigeria with the US, Obi spoke of the modesty in the earnings of public office holders in America.

“America’s GDP is way above Nigeria’s but an American senator earns $174,000 (about N50 million) a year and you can imagine what his Nigerian counterpart earns in a month,” he said.

“In America, governors earn according to their state. The governor of California is the highest paid in America, and he earns $192, 000. The smallest state earns $70, 000. But in Nigeria, I can tell you because I’ve been there, the cost of just keeping convoys alone is in millions. And when people ask me why am I saying these things, I tell them that even if we made mistakes yesterday, can’t we correct it today?”

Obi said while in power, he reduced the vehicles in his convoy to four, adding that he never used a bulletproof car.

“I asked them, why are all these vehicles following me, and nobody was able to explain to me. I didn’t stop it because of them following me, but the cost of maintaining them was high. I asked them why do we need to spend about N30 million fueling these vehicles that 60 percent are empty when following me?” he said.

“What is the essence of a bulletproof car? Anyone who wants to kill you would come when you are out of the car. For eight years I didn’t use, and they didn’t kill me.”

In 2017, Nasir el-Rufai, governor of Kaduna state, made public details of his state’s expenditure, including security vote.

On the payslip shared by the governor, the Kaduna state government paid the governor a net salary of N470,521.74 for the month of February 2017.

Obi also noted that politicians are fond of making promises they cannot fulfil when voted into power.

“You told us that you are going to solve a problem, and we voted you, and now you are telling us that you met a problem, what do you expect to meet?” he asked.

“You shouldn’t tell us the story of what you met there, we do not expect 100 percent result, but 100 percent effort. We voted you because you said you are going to solve this problem.” - Cable Nigeria

Daddy Freeze : Better to buy alcohol at night club than give money to church

Controversial on-air personality (OAP), Daddy Freeze has explained why it’s more rewarding to patronize a night club by buying their liquor, than giving it to a Pentecostal church.

Freeze said this after Quilox boss, Shina Peller saved accident victims over the weekend, along Sagamu road using his mouth to “draw fuel” from a bus as FRSC ambulance had none.

Freeze took to his Instagram page to upload photos of Shina and wrote:

“Why it’s more rewarding to use your money to buy liquor in @shinapeller‘s nightclub #Quilox than for you to give it to a Pentecostal church.

“There was an accident along the lagos Ibadan expressway and my good friend from the same hood as I, SHINA was passing by. Not only did he stop to help, he siphoned fuel with his mouth because the ambulance on the scene did not have enough fuel. He also gave one of his vehicles to take the injured to the hospital.

“How many of your fake ass Daddy GOs would do this? How many of them would use those their dirty, lying ass mouths anointed by satan himself to draw fuel? How many will even stop?

“Many of the accidents along that road are caused by the traffic around the numerous satanic institutions set up where developed countries would have set up factories.

“When Jesus was alive he drank alcohol and was accused to be in the presence of sinners (possibly in Night Clubs) so enjoying a bottle of Champagne or Henny with coke and ice at quilox in responsibility and moderation is actually Christ like.

“Matthew 11:19 NIV: The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ What could he have been drinking that they labeled him a drunkard? Lucozade boost?

“More so, another reason to patronize them lies in the fact that the club employs people who earn a living through it and it pays taxes as instructed by our first pastors, the disciples; something most pastors and churches are blatantly disobeying.

“Romans 13: NIV [6] This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. [7] Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue;

“Here are my 2cents, stop over at quilox on a Friday and empty your pockets there, so the thieves won’t have anything to steal from you on Sunday, while you are at it, drink responsibly! ~FRZ #FreeTheSheeple”. - 

Footballer, artiste, other stowaways arrested in Lagos

Nine Nigerians and a Niger Republic national trying to enter Europe illegally have been arrested by security operatives in Lagos.

The suspects were apprehended inside two Merchant Vessels – MV MSC PAOLA and MV MAERSK CHANNIA – by officials of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) and the Nigerian Navy (NN) respectively.

Five of them were apprehended by naval personnel during routine patrol on Monday, while others were caught by NIS officers on Sunday by the Fairway Buoy.

Parading the suspects on Wednesday, NIS Lagos Seaport and Marine Comptroller, Modupe Anyalechi, said those arrested on Sunday were discovered inside a rudder truck of MV MSC PAOLA.

Anyalechi listed the suspects as Orire Popoola, Kelvin Wessey, Erukudami Moses, Odiyeye Abiye, Agba Victor, Odogwu Michael, Kelly Onikan, Pope Ekele, Asumah Ukpere and Wessem Nasuru.

She said: “Our efforts have made it almost impossible for stowaways to access vessels from the quayside; hence, they now resort to using canoes with the assistance of fishermen, to get into vessels through the propellers when the vessels are gradually sailing to the high sea along the channel.

“This was confirmed in the confession of the stowaways. Their reason for this act, as they claimed, was in search of greener pastures in Europe and the western world. Unknown to them, some of these vessels are coastal ships, whose activities are limited to West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea.”

One of the suspects, Odogun, an artiste, said he had been performing at different shows without making headway in life, adding that he thought the risk would change his destiny for the better.

He said: “I do not hate my country and I am not trying to run away from Nigeria. I just needed a place where I can find help. I am an artiste and I have gone for many shows without making it. I am not aware of the risk I took; but I believed whatever the risk involved, God would save me and I would not die.

“And thankfully, I did not die even when I was apprehended by my own government. My mother died two months ago and my father is crippled. I am the first child of my father and my only brother is in the village.”

Popoola, 28, admitted he boarded the vessel in search of better life, adding that he went in as an individual.

He said: “I will take any risk to find my way out of Nigeria. I have no job. I am doing nothing. I believe if I can follow a ship to Europe, I can be anything I want to be. I thought the ship was going to Holland or anywhere in Europe where I could make it.”

Wessey, 24, who claimed to be a Lagos State indigene, said he wanted to leave the country to play for a football club in Europe.

He said: “I have been suffering for many years to be somebody in life, but no way. I am a footballer; but I don’t have connection. I want to play for big clubs in Europe. I know Nigeria has academies here, but I don’t have any connection. I felt if taking this risk will make me achieve in life, then so be it. I know I could have died while doing this. But I did it on purpose.

“I lost my mother in October 2017. I have no relative or helper. I cannot steal or rob or carry gun, which I believe will be adding hardship to my life. I will rather take the risk of going abroad to be somebody in life. Now that I have been arrested, only God knows what will happen to me.” - Daily Post

PL latest : Keane blasts 'schoolboy' Paul Pogba

Pogba has been blasted for his "schoolboy" performance against Sevilla by Manchester United icon Roy Keane.

The Red Devils' record signing has found his form under severe scrutiny in recent weeks and has been in and out of Jose Mourinho's starting XI.

Pogba was brought off the bench with the score at 0-0 in Tuesday's Champions League last-16 tie, but looked devoid of confidence – emphasised by a woeful misplaced pass that went straight out of play – as United crashed out 2-1 on aggregate.

Keane believes Pogba's form is emblematic of the problems faced by Mourinho and his squad.

"Pogba, we've spoken about Pogba a number of times. He's not the only problem," Keane told ITV.

"But if he can't get in the starting XI, you're in trouble.

"He comes on, you expect good players to affect the game, he came on and did nothing.

"We saw with the goal, his reaction to it was like a schoolboy. He doesn't smell danger. The reason you're in a team is if one of your mates makes a mistake, you cover for him.

"You make up for him, nobody is helping each other. They're playing as individuals." - Goal

PL : Sackings up 56% from last season

Over the years, a controversial term has crept into football dialogue. ‘Short-termism’ is a phrase used to criticise teams opting for short-term managers, rather than sticking to one manager for an extended period. If a club isn’t getting good and consistent results, managers tend to be in the firing line as owners of clubs have mounting pressure from fans, and from a monetary and business point of view, to succeed. Thus, short-termism is – what seems to be for many clubs – the only viable option.

As a result, sport ticketing website Ticketgum.com analysed how managerial changes have differed during a season from the Premier League’s ‘kick-off’ 26 years ago, in 1992, utilising statistics from football websites Transfermarkt.co.uk and Soccerbase.com.

Ticketgum analysed the data and found that since the Premier League was established, a staggering 10 seasons out of 26 have had more than 10 managerial changes during a single season – that’s 38% of all seasons since 1992. In this football year alone, England’s top-flight League has had a staggering 14 managerial changes thanks to the most recent sacking of Mauricio Pellegrino from Southampton FC – an increase of 56% from last season’s nine sackings. As a result, this season has seen the joint-highest number of changes with the 2013/14 season, four years ago. With just eight games left this season, it is certainly possible that the Premier League could exceed the current figure by the end of the season.

Which clubs have changed their manager the most?

Ticketgum.com sought to find out the top 20 clubs who have changed their manager the most in their Premier League history. Newcastle United rank in first place for changing their manager a whopping 19 times. In second and third place is Aston Villa and Sunderland respectively, with 13 changes each. Tottenham Hotspur ranked in fourth place, with 12 managerial changes in 26 years and Crystal Palace following closely behind with 11.

At the other end of the table, ranking 20th, Hull City have just 4 changes, alongside Liverpool whom also have 4 changes, and Manchester City and QPR both have made 5 changes over their stint in the top-flight. Shockingly, between first-place (Newcastle) and 20th place (Hull City), there is a difference of 15 managers.

Out of the top 20 clubs, 12 are currently in the Premier League this season (17/18) and the remaining 8 are relegated. Of the 12 teams, as it stands, 6 teams are currently in the bottom half of the Premier League. Consequently, this is a strong case that short-termism is not beneficial for the majority.

For instance, table toppers Newcastle United are a prime example of how constantly changing manager is not helpful for club progression. If you look at the 2000-2004 era, whilst under the management of Sir Bobby Robson, Newcastle were doing well, even hitting 4th and 3rd position in 01/02 and 02/03, respectively. However, when Robson was sacked for a poor start to the League in 2004, it all began to go downhill, with the club changing their manager consecutively for seven seasons. This resulted in the club reaching the relegation zone, and even getting relegated twice in the last 20 years.

On the other hand, despite Tottenham Hotspur being the 4th highest club for the number of managerial changes, their spell of short-termism has come to an end now they have settled on one manager for almost 4 years. So far, Mauricio Pochettino has led 208 games in charge for the team – and arguably they’re in the best form and positioning since 1992.

In addition to Spurs, Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and Everton are the only other teams to have had a manager surpass 200 games in charge since 2009. When considering the current managers in the Premier League this season, there have only been four managers who have surpassed 200 games in charge. These have been Arsene Wenger with 1,222 games in charge of Arsenal, followed by Bournemouth’s Eddie Howe (263 games), Burnley’s Sean Dyche (251) and Mauricio Pochettino who has been in charge for 208 games for Tottenham Hotspur. All of these clubs are either in the top half or mid-table, showing that having one single manager for a long period of time perhaps is better than short-termism.

However, it can be argued that staying committed to a long-term manager can sometimes be counter-intuitive. When considering Arsenal, despite being under Wenger for 21 years, winning trophies and fluctuating between 1st and 4th place (averaging around 3rd place over the last 20 years), it is arguable that Arsene Wenger is losing his touch following the recent string of results from Arsenal.

Furthermore, even though Tottenham Hotspur are in their best form, and progressing significantly through bringing in youth players, under Pochettino they have not yet won anything. - Read sport

Court sends fake engineer to 1,230 years for N28m scam

A Lagos High Court in Igbosere has sentenced a self-proclaimed site engineer and housing agent, Babatunde Habeeb, to 1,230 years imprisonment for a N28 million scam.

Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye convicted Habeeb, also known as Babatunde Salaudeen, of defrauding 101 accommodation seekers under the pretext of renting them 13 apartments in a building at Alapere-Ketu, Lagos.

She found him guilty of 82 counts of conspiring with his elder brother, Alhaji Ishola Salaudeen, and obtaining the N28m under false pretence.

According to the prosecutor, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Alhaji Salaudeen, who owns the property, is at large.

The court said the EFCC proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

According to the commission, the convict committed the offences in 2013. - The Nation