NSCDC suspend officers for illegal petroleum products

CG Gana Muhammadu

In order to get rid of bad eggs in the Corps, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC has suspended two of its officers for alleged illicit acts.

The Commandant General of the Corps, Abdullahi Gana Muhammadu who made this known today, said the Corps has set up a panel of inquiry to investigate the matter for proper action to be taken in line with the public service rules.

Recalled that two officers, Assistant Superintendent of Corps (ASCI) Agah Utavie and Assistant Superintendent of Corps (ASCII) Angel S.K. were alleged to be in possession of illegal petroleum products suspected to be AGO.

The two officers of the Corps were arrested and paraded by the Nigeria Police Force in Bayelsa State recently.

Meanwhile, both ASCI Utavie and ASCII Angel have already been suspended from the service until investigations are concluded.

The Corps helmsman also used the opportunity to warn officers and men of the Corps and all others with similar intentions to desist in their own interest.

“As the lead agency in the protection of National Assets and Critical Infrastructures of the Federation Government of Nigeria, the management of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps is repositioned and ever ready to fulfill her core mandate for national development and will not tolerate any act of sabotage,” he concluded.

NFF mourns Paul ‘wonderboy’ Hamilton

Late Hamilton

The Nigeria Football Federation on Thursday paid glowing tributes to former Nigeria player and coach, Paul Hamilton, who passed on same day in Lagos after a protracted illness.

Dr. Sanusi Mohammed, NFF General Secretary, said: “We are in terrible shock. ‘Wonderboy’ Hamilton was a perfect gentleman in the real sense of the word, despite being a former international player for Nigeria and a Chief Coach of the senior national team.

“He worked very hard with his whole heart for Nigeria in all spheres, as a player, a coach and as an administrator. The Nigeria football family will miss him dearly,” Sanusi further noted.

 Hamilton, who played for the senior national team in the 1960s and early 1970s, including featuring in the football tournament at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City, died in the early hours of Thursday in Lagos. He was said to have been diagnosed of heart and kidney related health issues some months ago, and had his right leg amputated early this year.

Nicknamed ‘Wonderboy’ for his delicate skills and on-field wizardry, Hamilton was at a few times head coach of the senior national team, including taking the reins for the 1990 FIFA World Cup qualifying series, before Dutchman Clemens Westerhorf took over with only the last match of the campaign (away to Cameroon in Yaounde) left in the series.

He was also head coach of the Nigeria U20 squad that took the bronze medals at the FIFA World Youth Championship (now known as FIFA U20 World Cup) in the Soviet Union in 1985.

‘Wonderboy’ was also the first head coach of the senior women national team, Super Falcons, and steered the team to the 1991 and 1995 FIFA Women’s World Cup final competitions.

He was also at different times Head of Technical Department and Head of Lagos Liaison Office of the Nigeria Football Federation. 

Enyimba denied by late Wikki strike

The arid city of Bauchi was the scene of late drama as hosts Wikki Tourist ran out 1-0 winners over Enyimba International on Wednesday.

Enyimba in (blue) action

Enyimba came into the game on the back of a four-game unbeaten sequence, but were always likely to struggle due to some injury-enforced absences. Winger Joseph Osadiaye and full-back Chima Akas were both carrying knocks, and did not make the trip, necessitating a whole new left-sided pairing of Ikouwem Udoh and Stanley Dimgba.

Goalkeeper Fatau Dauda also came into the starting line-up in place of Theophilus Afelokhai.

A slow opening period saw both sides struggle to create meaningful openings, until right around the half-hour mark when an under hit by Dare Ojo let in Wikki forward Chinedu Onyenolu. His shot was however well wide.

The best chance of the opening period fell to Victor Yakubu just four minutes before the break, after a cross from the right flank found him unmarked at the back post. He elected to go for the spectacular, but his volley was wild and no trouble at all for Dauda.

The hosts could have gone into the half-time break a man light. Solomon Okpako, himself a substitute for the injured Kelly Kester, was on the end of a reckless tackle by Idris Guda Muhammed, who went in with both feet and studs showing. The referee however opted for leniency and meted out no punishment for the tackle.

The second period saw the hosts up the ante, but it was Enyimba who almost took the lead on the hour mark. A knock-down by Ismaila Gata was taken on by Mfon Udoh, who dribbled through. He however failed to keep the ball under his control after going past the final challenge, and Emeka Nwabulu was quickly out to defuse the situation.

Wikki then won two free kicks in quick succession, but both were well defended: first by goalkeeper Dauda, and then by the wall.

Substitute Samuel Chukwudi was presented with a huge opportunity to open the scoring. A chipped ball behind the defence saw him run onto it, but just as shaped to pull the trigger, Ikouwem took it off his toes at the last second.

The breakthrough came eventually for the hosts almost at the death. First, a low cross to the near post was flicked on by Abubakar Lawal, with Dauda making a world-class save to divert it behind for a corner. The resulting delivery though was headed in by Victor Alegbe, with just two minutes left to play of the regulation 90.

We want to discover another Yekini - Sen. Saraki

…inaugurates 12-man Committee for late Yekini U-13 soccer competition 

Sen Saraki

The Chairman of Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) Ilorin FC, Mr. Seni Saraki, on Wednesday inaugurated a 12-man Committee to organise an U-13 football competition in honour of late Rasheed Yekini. 

Saraki while inaugurating the committee said one of the terms of reference of the committee is produce another future striker like the late Rasheed Yekini in Irra Community, where the late goal King hailed from. 

Irra is in Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara State. 

He said his father, Dr. Bukola Saraki, had promised last year to float an U-13 soccer competition through ABS FC where another late Yekini can be discovered. 

"We are committed to youth development through football. 

"We want to use this opportunity to encourage young ones from Irra Community as its environs to play football. 

"We want not only discover these lads but we also assist them and nurture them to stardom via our youth team and the main team too" Saraki said. 

Responding after the inauguration, the Chairman of the committee, Wasiu Lawal, said the members of the committee will justify the confidence reposed in them. 

He explained that the assignment is a call to duty and pledged members assurance to carryout their duties diligently. 

Other Members of the committee include, Ademola Kiyesola, representing YSFON, Olayinka Owolewa and Abdulwaheed Bibire representing SWAN and ABS FC respectively as members. 

Mrs Rukayat Asabe represented the state Ministry of Sports and Youth Development in the committee while Ibrahim Alarape represented the Sports Council. 

Alhassan Garba is to serve as the Technical member, Bolaji Yahaya represented the Kwara Football Association, while Akeem and Simiat Yekini represented the family. 

Mr. Femi Kolawole, who represented Irra Community will serve as the Secretary of the committee with Suleiman Buhari and Tola Awojobi as members to complete the 12-man Committee. 

U-13 clubs in the state and neighbouring states are expected to take part in the competition.