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In preparation for the 2011 polls, 26 registered political parties yesterday announced their resolve to contest all elective offices in Lagos on the ticket of one political party. All candidates of the coalition known as The Coalition of Lagos State Political Parties (COLASOPP) are to campaign and contest under the name, logo and emblem of the adopted political party. Although yet to settle for any party, the main aim of the coalition is to take over the administration of Lagos in 2011.

At a press conference in the Ogba area of Lagos yesterday, the chairman of the Board of Trustee of COLASOPP, Dr. Adegbola Dominic who is also chairman of the Action Party of Nigeria (APN) said the coalition would contest all elective offices from governorship to councillorship in Lagos..

Although the group and their parties remain largely unknown, Daily Sun gathered that the strength of the group is coming from key members of the Lagos business community who are believed to be disenchanted with the new tax regime in the state. They say the new order has made it even more expensive to do business in Lagos than it ever was in the eight years before Fashola’s election.

Among those believed to be gearing up to fund the push to ensure that Fashola does not return is a billionaire industrialist who has interest in automotive business. There is also another billionaire banker who is said to also have vast interest in the telecommunication (GSM) business.

The team is believed to have galvanized key members of the orgnised private sector in the state to ensure that Fashola does not return.

To further swell their ranks, the group is also waving a seemingly irresistible carrot in the direction of the Igbo community in Lagos, as the financiers of the coalition are promising the Igbo community the deputy governor slot.

The calculation, according to Daily Sun findings, is to see how the decisive Igbo votes, thought to be in the neighbourhood of 30-40 per cent of the registered voters in Lagos can be swung to the coalition and effectively kick out Fashola.

Although Dominic did not go into detail about the bigwigs behind the coalition, he said the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), as represented by Fashola had failed Lagosians and tended to concentrate his development efforts in the areas where the elite live, while leaving out the rest 70 per cent of Lagosians who are in the rural areas.

While speaking at the press conference, Dominic described the ruling ACN in Lagos as a fluke saying: “The orchestrated achievement of Governor Raji Fashola is mere media hype. We are determined and indeed ready to shock those pretenders when by the grace of God we dislodge their pretentious administration in the 2011elections. We have the means, we have the people and we have strong reasons to take over from Fashola.”

He described the much-touted achievements of the Fashola administration as a disaster because the amount of money that came to Lagos in the past 12 years since the ACN was in charge of affairs would have transformed many nations in Africa if such huge amount ever came their way.

Dominic said: “The ACN has been in government in Lagos State for the past 12 years and the so-called achievement is in fact a disastrous performance when you consider the enormous resources at its disposal from the Federation Account and the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). It is estimated that the ACN government in Lagos State has squandered N38.4 trillion in 12 years. Many African countries cannot boast of this amount of money in 20 years.”

The Lagos ACN, Dominic said, had been spending Lagos money to sponsor failed governorship candidates in other states of the federation.

Recently, a group,” the true face of Lagos” accused Governor Raji Fashola of gross financial impropriety. One would expect the governor, an eminent professionals in such circumstances, to insist and submit himself for investigations. Instead, the governor and his friends went to court to frustrate the process.”

The coalition rolled out what it called a catalogue of failure of the ruling party in Lagos. It includes: “massive unemployment, roads in deplorable condition which are impassable during raining season, schools turning out illiterates, educational institutions regularly on strike, masses living in slums, healthcare disorderly and under funded, doctors and other paramedical staff almost permanently on strike, chaotic traffic.” It further noted that “the economy of the state has deteriorated in the past 12 years.”

Dominic pointed out that the State government has concluded plans to erect tollgates on a number of roads to enrich a few elites at the expense of the masses.

When it was pointed out to Dominic that the 26 political parties in the coalition are not known to wield any political influence in Lagos, he said: “It is not the strength of the parties that matters, the important thing is that when we come out and people listen to us, we are confident that people would vote for us.”

Chairman of the coalition, Chief John Nwuche remarked: “Watch out for us. We will surprise you. We shall not capture Lagos. That is the language of the military. But we are set to win at the 2011 elections in Lagos.”
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Colombian football team robbed in South Africa two weeks ahead of the World Cup..

The Colombian football team has been robbed in South Africa two weeks before the start of the World Cup.
The team lost £1,800 pounds worth of U.S. dollars and euros on Tuesday after players were targeted at their hotel in Johannesburg.
Two female workers at the five star Hyde Park Southern Sun were arrested for allegedly taking the cash from the players' suitcases after they arrived to play an international friendly against South Africa.

Police spokesman Eugene Opperman said the pair had been charged with theft and appeared in court.
He said: 'They are accused of taking the money after going through suitcases and bags in several rooms on May 25.


'We were informed about the theft the following day and officers investigated. The suspects were cleaners at the hotel. They were arrested at the hotel and are being held in custody.
'It appears it was an inside job.'
The theft allegation is likely to be seen as a major embarrassment to South Africa so close to the start of the tournament.
South Africa's Times newspaper named the pair as Lucky Mahlatsi, 25, and Jeanet Mashimbyi, 29, from neighbouring Lesotho.
They will reappear in court next week.
Charges against a third woman were dropped because of lack of evidence.
The Colombian national team, who did not qualify to play in the World Cup, arrived in South Africa on Monday.
Last night they lost 2 - 1 in a friendly against the tournament hosts at the flagship Soccer City stadium.
The Hyde Park Southern Sun will host England's group stage rivals Slovenia during the tournament.
The eastern European squad is expected to arrive in South Africa on June 7.
Some of the 31 visiting nations have already arrived in Johannesburg and other teams are expected over the weekend..
Organisers have repeatedly stated their confidence in the ability of the police to protect players' and fans during the tournament.
But last year officers were called to investigate theft charges against the Egyptian national team during their stay in South Africa.
The players lost around £1,600 in U.S. dollars after being targeted at their Johannesburg hotel during the Confederations Cup.
Today a Fifa spokesman declined to comment on the robbery but said the security arrangements in place for the Colombian team's visit were not the same as those that had been arranged for World Cup teams.

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Nigeria Vs Argentina Today At 3:00pm

The Super Eagles team that would come face to face against the Argentinian side this afternoon includes Enyeama, Odiah, Taiwo, Shittu, Yobo, Kaita, Etuhu, Obasi, Lukman, Aiyegbeni and Nsofor.

The match which is scheduled for 3:00pm today (Nigerian time)would take place at the Ellis Park in Johannesburg.




Main Article Comments:

Are these fo&^%£$*ols going to South Africa to draft bills? Is senate on recess? How can 62 out of 108 senators leave at the same time to go and jolly with Goodluck Jonathan in South Africa ?
How many countries sent more than 6 senators to the world cup ?


Na! They ain't there for you, me or Jonathan. . . SA babes have been welcoming teams by displaying the lovely pointies God blessed them with.

What a mishap,so the plane didn't crash!
We would have been atleast 62 thieves less by now.


Main Article:

NFF sympathises with 62 Senators


NFF President Sani Lulu Abdullahi said on Friday that the Football Federation was grateful to God for sparing the lives of 62 Senators of the Federal Republic who were involved in a near mishap in Lagos on Thursday.


The lawmakers, according to reports, had chartered an aircraft from France for the flight to South Africa to support President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan at Friday’s opening ceremony in Johannesburg, to which the Nigeria leader was invited by President Jacob Zuma.

However, their aircraft developed landing gear fault just after take-off at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, and the pilot had to return quickly to base to avert disaster.

“We have the Almighty God to thank for this. What would we have been saying? God is great and it is important that we always give Him thanks anytime things like this happen,” said Lulu Abdullahi.

The Senators eventually arrived and joined a strong Nigeria reception team for President Jonathan who arrived in Johannesburg at about 6.30 pm South African time on Thursday morning.


Other News: SA Goes Nude for World Cup
Ooops! What an eye-catching scene over there in South Africa, venue of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, which kicks off in less than 24 hours.
If you aren’t feeling the World Cup excitement yet, then the body language of thousands of South African ladies across the country readily puts you in great competition mood.
The babes are baring everything they have; their beauty, curves and poise all to make the visitors feel at home during the mundial.
While many say posing unclothed is a normal way of life amongst young South African ladies, some believe that the trend is restricted to the grossly under-developed areas of the former apartheid enclave. Whatever the insinuations, South Africans are already in a joyous celebration of their country’s readiness to host the world and they are not hiding it.



South African dancers cheer Chile's national football team before their friendly international against New Zealand at the Kanyamazane Stadium near Nelspruit yesterday, two days ahead of the start of the 2010 World Cup football tournament. AFP PHOTO



Only yesterday during the pre-World Cup friendly match between Chile and New Zealand, thousands of South Africans, including their ladies, stripped themselves unclothed and filed out to cheer the teams at the Kanyamazane Stadium, near Nelspruit.
The pretty damsels appeared happy to showoff their bodies as they danced around in Sandton, north of Johannesburg city centre, where a big party was held in anticipation of the beginning of the world showpiece.


Many of the ladies who spoke to international journalists say whatever they do is ‘for the good of the game’ and an honour for their nation. Reports say the presence of the ladies is not only felt on the streets of South Africa, some unsuspecting players are getting distracted, especially when the babes come around their training grounds and near their hotels. It was gathered that security personnel have been up and doing to ensure that the 32 teams, including the host, Bafana Bafana, are focused on the mundial, the first to be staged on Africa’s soil.

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It has been revealed how Super Eagles striker, Obafemi Martins, extranvagantly squandered about N3.1 trillions while a player of Newcastle.MartinsadvertisementHis former management company, NVA Management Limited who has dragged the player to court over breach of contarct, told the jury how the player’s account almost went red because of his lifestyle.Obafemi Martins was paid £75,000, but allegedly squandered the earnings on an extravagant lifestyleA former Premiership footballer routinely blew his £75,000 a week wages in a matter of days and was constantly overdrawn, a court was told yesterday.Obafemi, ex-Newcastle striker 25, was paid the handsome salary after he joined the club for a £10million fee in August 2006.But despite his extraordinary earnings, his former management team yesterday claimed they repeatedly bailed him out after his bank account continually slipped into the red.The High Court heard that the Nigerian international player would withdraw £40,000 in cash from his bank account at the end of the week.But that would only last him two days, the court heard, as he topped up with a further £25,000 on the Monday morning.He was always overdrawn and repeatedly relied upon NVA Management Limited to ‘manage his life’, the High Court was told.Martins, who owned several fast cars including a top of the range Porsche 4X4, spent the money funding an extravagant lifestyle of luxurious penthouse homes and fine dining.He is now being sued by his former management company which claims that he still owes them 300,000 for sorting out his finances.He told the court that Martins would withdraw £40,000 for the weekend, followed by another £25,000 on the Monday.‘Despite earning these vast sums of money he was constantly overdrawn,’ added Mr Tennink.He said the firm, which looks after the affairs of several footballers, film and music stars, said that Martins had agreed to pay them for simply managing his life.It was under their stewardship that Martins agreed a £2million image rights deal ‘simply for being Mr Martins’.It’s claimed Martins was constantly overdrawn despite earning £75,000-a-weekHe also had lucrative sponsorship deals with various companies including Pepsi and Nike but had not been paid.When the company stepped in to run his affairs they sorted the unpaid contracts, bringing in thousands of pounds.They also organised visas when he travelled to Italy, where he once played for Inter Milan, and sorted out his passport, his mortgage and property valuations.They even arranged critical illness cover and were constantly running up and down the motorway from their London offices to Newcastle in a bid to do all that he required.‘But surely these were things a secretary could do?’ asked Judge Richard Seymour QC, referring to the size of fees charged.‘It was a Jeeves-type of role that they performed.’Mr Tennink protested that managing every aspect of his life was just part of what they did, and asked the judge to bear in mind the sort of figures these players earned.He said Martins had come to them in July 2007 and had agreed a fee of around £300,000 plus 20 per cent of any sponsorship monies they managed to acquire on his behalf.“He asked for these services to be carried out,” Mr Tennink told the court.Before they managed his affairs, Martins had not been paid a penny for his image rights for the use of his name on Newcastle shirts and mugs and had received nothing from his sponsorship deals.He could not even find the contracts he had originally signed, Mr Tennink added.Martins paid the company £67,500 in January last year and another £25,000 in April last year.But the question for the court to decide, said Mr Tennink, was whether there was a ‘binding obligation’ for him to pay the outstanding bill of over £300,000.After Newcastle were relegated from the Premiership last summer Martins was sold for £9million to German Bundesliga Champions Wolfsburg.Martins, who once owned a penthouse apartment overlooking Newcastle’s exclusive Quayside, is fighting the claim.The hearing is scheduled to last for three days.
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WORLD football governing body, FIFA, may penalise the Royal Dutch Football Association following its U-17 team's unlawful act at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu after their 0-1 loss to Iran in the last game of Group C.advertisement The Guardian learnt that in protest over the way the referee handled the game, a Dutch player with an official of the team went on rampage, breaking one of the windows at the stadium as FIFA officials watched in amazement. The FIFA official eventually called his colleagues to take photographs of the scene for onward report to the centre's FIFA co-ordinator.The official confirmed to The Guardian that violence was been preached against in football, wondering why it should be extended to a youth championship. Though the head of the Netherlands delegation, Piet Hubers, regretted the act, he nonetheless condemned the away the Guatemalan referee handled the match that sent his team out of the competition.Meanwhile, having been eliminated from the championship, the Netherlands officials are in dare need of buyers who would pay for the large quantity of food items they brought for the games. It will be recalled that the Dutch came in with preserved food items such as meat, fish, beverages, tomato pastas, fruits, cartons of indomie, spaghetti, fruit drinks and chocolate cheese, as well as a cook.An official of the team confirmed that they would want to dispose off the food items to recover some of the money they had spent in bringing them to the country. He added that it would make no sense going back to their country with the items.It was further understood that the officials had reached agreement with the management of Nike Lake Resort, Enugu, where the team camped, as well as the officials of the Turkish team, who would be playing their second round match in Enugu tomorrow, for the purchase of the items.An official of the Turkish team told The Guardian at the Nike Lake Resort that the items would be shared between his team and the hotel, stressing that they would require more food items since they did not envisage moving beyond the first round of the championship.
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15 Years later: FHA tells Super Eagles team who won 1994 Nations Cup in Tunisia to come for the houses promised themBy FEMI ADEOTIThursday, July 23, 2009The Federal Housing Authority (FHA) has advised members of the Super Eagles who won the 1994 African Cup of Nations in Tunisia, to report to its Estates Department, to take possession of the houses allocated to them for winning the cup.S. M. Ndanusa, Minister/Chairman, National Sport CommissionAccording to the authority in response to enquiries made by Daily Sun, the houses are located at Isheri Olofin 1 Estate, Lagos, and 1st Avenue 1 (C) Close, Lugbe Estate, Abuja.Daily Sun had on Thursday, July 2, 2009, published an exclusive story on the plight of the members of the team who are yet to be allocated houses promised them by the Abacha Government, 15 years after they won the cup.But FHA’s Head of Communications, Mr Tunde Ipinmisho, in response to enquiries asked the affected team members to come over to the authority’s Estates Department. His e-mail message reads:“Please note that eight units of houses were allocated to the Eagles 1st Avenue 1 (C) Close, Lugbe Estate, Abuja.“Nineteen units of houses were also allocated to them at Isheri Olofin 1, Lagos.“In 2004, FHA went into partnership with Lock Int. Limited and an MoU was signed to complete some houses but the agreement was not followed up by the company leading to the abandonment of the project.“It is, however, advised that all members of Super Eagles of 1994 who have not taken over their houses should come to the Estates Department of the Federal Housing Authority.”Daily Sun had sent a message by e-mail to the FHA, Abuja, seeking clarifications on the inability of the housing authority to fulfill the obligation. The message reads:“The Super Eagles won the 1994 African Cup of Nations in Tunisia. They were given houses (three-bedroom each) by the then General Sani Abacha Government. There were 23 players and eight officials in the team.“On June 3, 1994, the General Staff Headquarters, State House, Abuja, wrote to the Executive Chairman, National Sport Commission, informing him of the package. It reads in part: ‘23 players and eight officials be given $8,000, N250,000.00; and three-bedroom house each.’ The letter was signed by Lt. Col. AO Peters for the Chief of General Staff (CGS) and Vice Chairman, PRC.“Members of the team are: Eguavoen A, Iroha Ben, Keshi Okechukwu, Okafor Uche, Finidi George, Oliha Thompson, Yekini Rasheed, Okocha Austin, Siasia Samson, Amokachi Daniel, Oliseh Sunday, Ago Aloy, Ikpeba Victor, Adepoju Mutiu, Rufai Peter, Agbonavdare W, Amunike Emmanuel, Senitoju Isaac, Ikoku Efah, Ugbade Nduka and Ike Sorounmu.“On June 10, 1994, Air Commodore Emeka Omeruah, Chairman, NFA, wrote each member of the team of the allocation of a three-bedroom house. He wrote a similar letter on October 19, 1994, to the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing ‘to kindly expedite action to allocate the houses in Abuja and Lagos, accordingly.’“On December 27, 1995, Chief Jim Nwobodo, then Minister of Youth and Sports, wrote the team members: ‘Allocation of houses’ promising that Works & Housing Ministry had been directed for ‘the immediate release of the houses.’“Not until April 3, 1997, that the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) wrote to the team members: ‘You are hereby allocated Isheri Olofin Estate, Lagos, for a term of ninety (90) years certain, commencing from the date you are invited to take possession of the housing unit.’ Ibrahim Ali, MD/CE, FHA, signed the letter.“Nothing happened until October 9, 2000, when Olusola Akanmode, Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the Vice President, wrote the Minister of Sports & Social Development ‘to draw your attention to the VP’s directive for your urgent necessary action,’ on the matter.“A lot of correspondence went on. Sources said those in Abuja and Finidi George in Port Harcourt River States, were given their houses. The rest 28 are yet to take possession, 15 years after.“Isheri Estate has been re-structured and the addresses of the houses supposedly allocated to the Eagles members are no longer in existence.”On his part, the Director-General, National Sports Commission (NSC), Chief Patrick Ekeji, claimed total ignorance. He told Daily Sun in a telephone conversation:“Nobody has brought this matter to my notice. By 1994, I was in Imo State. I am not privy to any document relating to that issue.“Except the matter is brought to my notice, I cannot comment on it. In fact, I don’t even know what to say or do on it. So, I am not aware of what you are saying.”
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