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John Obi Mikel has accused Iran of parking the bus after Nigeria drew 0-0 with the World Cup minnows in their World Cup opener on Monday. In a dire affair that produced the first goalless draw of the competition, the Super Eagles struggled for any sort of attacking fluency, with their star men anonymous. Mikel, who operated in an unfamiliar No.10 role, in stark contrast to his deep-lying midfield position at Chelsea, was handed the man-of-the-match award for attempting to at least stamp some authority on proceedings. After the game, the Chelsea man admitted his side had come up short in the final third and said they will need to be sharper in front of goal if they are to reach the knockout stages. He said: “We are very disappointed because the opening match is very important. “We looked for the win, but Iran knew what we wanted to do and put 11  men  behind the ball. They managed to stop us from playing our game. “We’ll have to create more chances in our...

Home » Commentary » Articles June 12: Sacrifices, Unity & Politics Of Division By M.B.O Owolowo Posted: Jun, 12 2014, 6:06AM Hope 93 “Indeed, Abiola contributed to the development of this country. He  sacrificed  everything for the development of this country,”   -  Olusegun Obasanjo, May 2014 Better late than never some would say, how honourable it would have been if Obasanjo had made this statement whilst he was President and honoured M.K.O Abiola accordingly. Maybe Obasanjo has come to accept the bitter reality that June 12 is symbolic and without the sacrifices of the likes of Abiola, he would never have returned to power in 1999. But, this isn’t about the man who 'blessed' Nigeria with 'Goodluck', but something far greater. It is about sacrifices and defending our unity. Quoting the words of anothe...

Home » Commentary » Articles Renaissance: New Emir, New Kano, New North, New Nigeria, New Africa Posted: Jun, 11 2014, 12:06PM HRH Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, new Emir of Kano By Dr. Peregrino Brimah High scale intellectual dialogue, economic and social methodical strategizing, complexity cognizant address and redress of existing and future societal challenges and immense strength, are some of the features that defined the ancient Kano dynasty and that also define its new Emir. The ascension of HRH Sanusi Lamido Sanusi to the Emirship of Kano, Nigeria’s #2 Muslim leadership position and by most measures, the number one traditional leadership office of northern Nigeria can be described as a meeting of two of nature’s most powerful African forces. The Kano dynasty...

BREAKING NEWS: Dora Akunyili Is Dead Former Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and ex minister of Information, Professor Dora Akunyili, has died according to a family source. Dr. Akunyili died in an India Hospital where she has been receiving treatment for an undisclosed ailment. She was aged 59. Madam Akunyili, you have fought the good fight and you have finished the race. Death is an inevitable phase in life! Posterity will always remember you for good. May the good Lord grant your family the grace to bear this great loss. Adieu! Culled:aibnetwork.blogspot.com

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele yesterday promised a gradual reduction in interest rates, signalling a shift from the monetary policy of his predecessor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. This will be the first time in two years that the CBN will be aiming to reduce the interest rates to single digit. The rates have remained at 12 per cent since 2011. Speaking at a news conference at the CBN, Abuja Headquarters, Emefiele said. “There is no doubt that reducing interest rates and maintaining exchange rates are very daunting twin goals,” adding, “however, the central bank will work assiduously to ensure that these goals are mutually achieved.” But, analysts warned that reducing interest rates too quickly could hurt the naira and stoke inflation. Emefiele said: “High interest rates create a perverse incentive for commercial banks to simply buy virtually risk-free government bonds rather than lend to the real sector. To enhance financial access and reduce...

Northern States Governors Forum on Friday said the death of the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Abdullahi Bayero, was a monumental loss to the entire nation. The Chairman of the Forum, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, in a condolence message in Minna said the region and indeed the nation has lost one of its foremost and forthright monarchs. He said the late Emir was a fountain of experience, who exuded wisdom and was a father to all regardless of ethno-religious affiliations. The message signed by Aliyu Chief Press Secretary, Israel Ebije reads, “The North and Nigeria will miss his contribution especially now that the country needs people of his calibre to chart a better future especially in the area of security.” The Forum condoled with the governor of Kano State, Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso, for the loss, urging him to embrace the Emirs death as the will of Allah. The statement reads, “The passing away of the Emir of Kano is indeed sad for the entire Northern states and Nige...

Respectfully Sir, professor, daddy and teacher of nations. With dictionary in hand, I read and re-read your “And Now, The Ecumenical City Of Jos?” treatise as I do all your pieces, trying to digest and appreciate its total message as best I could. I cannot say I succeeded in achieving that at the end of my last read so I plead your indulgence for whatever I may have misinterpreted. English is not my first cultural language and though born and raised my formative years outside Nigeria, I never perfected my reading or writing skills, so please bear with my presentation here. I would have and wish I could have written in Yoruba, one of my mother tongues, I believe; however I did not learn that well too in my formative years, thus the family nickname, ‘Igbo.’ My introduction I hope points us to an important aspect of my concern with your stimulating pose – culture. I believe culture is magical. I consider myself a life student of religion and culture. I have read that to un...