US Security Officials Quit Search For Chibok Girls

Boko Haram  Chibok Girls

US intelligence and security experts sent in to help Nigeria at the peak of the global outcry on the abduction of over 200 Chibok girls by Boko Haram mid last year have left the country without any significant success in their targeted mission. 

  The White House had held consultations with some leaders of the BringBackOurGirls movement late last year on the terrorist kidnap of the schoolgirls and US government’s inability to offer significant help.

   While the leading US newspaper, New York Times, ran a front page story on New Year day reporting that many of the US security officials have now left Nigeria, The Guardian can also reveal that a meeting was held late last year in the White House between one of the major leaders of the BringBackOurGirls movement based in Nigeria and a senior White House official, Mr. John Podesta, President Barack Obama’s Counsellor. 

    According to the New York Times report, “soon after the Islamist group, Boko Haram kidnapped nearly 300 teenage girls in Nigeria in April, the United States sent surveillance drones and about 30 intelligence and security experts to help the Nigerian military try to rescue them,” adding that seven months later many of those advisers have returned to the US, while the girls are still held captive. 

    In fact the paper said the top US General for its Africa Command, Gen. David M. Rodriguez, at the peak of the global outcry had “rushed from his headquarters,” in Germany to provide help on the Nigerian crisis. 

    The returning of many of the 30 US officials was after the Podesta White House meeting, according to very reliable sources, even as relations between both countries started to strain over the Boko Haram insurgency and the specific case of the rescue of the Chibok girls.

   The Guardian gathered that the belief in US circles are that one of the main factors that frustrated the US effort in helping Nigeria on the possible rescue of the Chibok girls was an apparent disconnect between the plans of the Presidency in Aso Rock to eventually ask for US help and the distrust of the American military on the part of the Nigerian Military High Command.

   According to authoritative sources, the White House meeting, which was initiated by the BringBackOurGirls movement, was a quest by the movement to get a first-hand account from the American government on why the US help has not been productive. 

    At the meeting, the US government official explained all the US has put on the table to support the Nigerian government and also discussed the limitations that White House was facing in terms of military assistance to the country.

   For instance, John Podesta explained at the meeting that based on the Leahy rules of the US government’s involvement with foreign military, the Nigerian military had to overcome tough restrictions to get US military assistance because of the allegations of human right abuses against the military. The Nigerian Ambassador to the US, Prof Ade Adefuye had severally denied many of those allegations here in the US over and again. But US sources said the American government remains unconvinced.

     It was the John Podesta White House meeting with the BringBackOurGirls movement that produced a rather detailed set of statements from the White House late last year on the several fronts and efforts of the US government to support and assist regarding the Chibok girls.

    While pro-Nigeria arguments in the US circles reject the position of the US government that it is limited in providing military assistance to the Nigerian military because of its perceived human right records, the anti-Nigerian sentiments here is that the Nigerian military is not keen on having US top military officers getting involved for fear of exposing some of its poor governance practices. 

    For instance, Ms. Sarah Sewall, the US undersecretary of state for civilian security, democracy and human rights, had last year told a US Congressional hearing that despite Nigeria’s $5.8bn security budget for 2014, “corruption prevents supplies as basic as bullets and transport vehicles from reaching the front lines of the struggle against Boko Haram.”

    The argument behind those sentiments are mainly that the Nigerian Military High Command simply distrusts the military, so much that when Aso Rock eventually decided to seek US and foreign assistance there were reported claims of a dampener to such a decision among some of Nigeria’s top military leaders.

    The fallout is that there is increasing tension between the US and Nigerian governments over the matter. Quoting a former US Assistant Secretary of State, Johnnie Carson, the New York Times reported that  “tensions in the U.S.-Nigeria relationship are probably at their highest level in the past decade.

    Johnnie Carson’s view is widely respected both in the US and Nigeria, because he was known to have a particularly positive relationship and considered as very pro-Nigerian government, while in office as the US State Department’s former top diplomat for Africa.

    But he warned in that New York Times’ report that now there is a “high degree of frustration” both in the US and Nigerian government side, adding  “this frustration should not be allowed to spin out of control.”

    In fact, recently the US announced that the Nigerian military called off one of its training assistance programme in the country. On the other hand, the US also refused to okay the sale of America attack helicopters-Cobra, to Nigeria.

    Another proof of the distrust between the US and Nigerian military, as revealed in the report is that US Africa Command officials are of the opinion that the Nigerian military is “corruption plagued, poorly equipped,” and is “in tatters.”

    It was also reported that American officials did not give their Nigerian counterparts raw intelligence data regarding the insurgency in Northeast Nigeria, “because they believe that Boko Haram has infiltrated the Nigerian security services,” a view the Nigerian President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan himself promoted in the not too distant past.

    New York Times added that “when the Pentagon did come up with what it calls “actionable intelligence” from the drone flights — for example, information that might have indicated the location of some of the girls — and turned it over to the Nigerian commanders to pursue, they did nothing with the information,” citing Africa Command officials.

    Besides that it was also alleged in the report, that when US General, Maj. Gen. James B. Linder, the head of American Special Operations forces in Africa, visited Nigeria in late October, “he was barred from visiting the base where American trainers were instructing the new Nigerian Army battalion created to help fight Boko Haram.”

    Providing details, the New York Times report said: “General Linder was left waiting at the gate in what some American officials viewed as another dig at the Pentagon.” But the report added that US Africa Command officials insisted that this particular case was a “coordination issue that was remedied with a meeting later in the day.

Why I quit my marriage – Moji Olaiya

MOJI OLAIYA

By ADERONKE ADEYERI and MAHMUD HABIBAT

Since popular Yoruba actress, Moji   Olaiya, walked out of her marriage; it has been particularly difficult to track her down. Saturday Vanguard cornered her at an Inter House sports competition event in Gbagada, Lagos, where she was the matron of one of the Houses competing for prizes at the event.

Looking as pretty as ever, Moji decided to grant us an interview which unfolds some of the closed chapters in her life; career, marriage and religious beliefs:

Many actors have complained over time that the government has abandoned the film industry, in what respect can the government assist the industry?

I think with the aid of the government, we can overcome piracy. The government has failed to help the industry and that is not what is happening abroad. There are some who, however, make money from people in government.

Have you been a benefactor of such favour before?

No, I have not.

But you were appointed a brand ambassador in Ekiti state?

Yes, I am a cultural ambassador in Ekiti which happens to be a privilege bestowed upon me by the governor. It is a gesture to appreciate and recognise my cultural impact on the youths in the state and the country Nigeria at large.

Are you saying being an ambassador of that state has no monetary benefit?

Being a cultural ambassador of a state comes with the responsibility of promoting the state. It also means being a mentor to the youths and creating avenues for them to showcase their talents in the industry.

What are the things you will love to change in Nollywood?

Many of us lack discipline and the industry is now over flooded. In the past, people came into the industry because of the passion they had for acting but not anymore. Most of them now want to be famous quickly even when they do not have the talents. The ladies in particular, most of them go around almost naked. These ladies forget actors and actresses are like evangelists who preach through the television screen.

Have you ever felt like quitting acting?

Coming into the industry was borne out of passion, so I cannot quit acting for anything in the world.

Even marriage?

I can never quit acting for any marriage. I have said it in many interviews that even when I re-marry, the man will have to love me and my profession.

You once said you are an evangelist in one interview.

I have never said I was an evangelist. I only likened acting to preaching through our movies. So that is it.

You came into limelight in an English soap, Super Story, but now you feature more in Yoruba films.

I have many English soaps running at the moment so it is not as if I have left the English scene.

Are you a Muslim or a Christian?

I am a Muslim.

But you were once a Christian, what happened?

Yes, I converted. I fell in love with Islam. I am not saying Christianity is not an acceptable religion but as an adult, I am at liberty to choose any religion I like. I might decide not to practice any religion tomorrow.

Is this traceable to your background; having a Muslim mother that converted Christianity?

Somehow she might have influenced me because as a child I watched her go to the mosque five times a day. I love Islam; their mode of praying is peaceful. The religion does not have the denominational problem like Christianity. I can go into any mosque to pray any time.

What is your relationship with popular Victor Olaiya as some believe you are not his child?

I don’t want to say much about this. If these people say I am his niece, does that not also make him my relative. And as relatives, I can also call him father. So this issue is not logical regardless of their arguments. He is my father.

Which female accessories would you never be caught without?

My earrings and wristwatches.

Perfumes?

I am not addicted to any brand of perfumes. I go for any as long as it is a designer perfume and has nice fragrance.

How have you been coping after separation from your husband?

A woman needs a man in her life. There are things a man would do that you cannot do as a woman but I have no regret leaving my marriage.

Why did you say you have no regrets?

I have no regret leaving my marriage but I regret not being under a man’s roof. It is not respectable in this part of the world. But I try to comport myself even as a divorced woman and as a typical Yoruba woman and to avoid scandal. I have a daughter to protect and cater for.

What was the cause of your failed marriage?

The marriage was not working so I had to quit. My partner went as far as abusing me so I had to leave to protect myself and my daughter.

You mean domestic violence?

Yes, domestic violence is just the right word.

Any man in the picture at present?

I am in a relationship but I am yet to be legally separated from my husband.

Were you legally married?

Yes. So at the right time I will reveal who the man is. I need somebody beside me.

Is your new film, Monsurat, born out of your marital experience?

Our mothers tell us that being over protective of one’s husband does more harm than good. Monsurat is a story of a jealous woman who became a tigress in protecting her marriage. She went diabolical and this affected her husband’s business. Later on her husband found solace in the arms of another woman and that was how she lost all. It is a story meant to educate our women to keep their space in the hearts of their men.

Are you really a sport person?

I love sports and I still create time for it despite my busy schedules.

Which sport in particularly do you engage in?

I play Lawn Tennis and I swim very well.

On what ground did you become matron to the ‘Yellow House’ of the school?

I am very sure one of the criteria for making me a matron here was because I grew up in this environment. I stayed here for 32 years. Also the management of the school found me worthy to mentor the pupils and I am happy about that.

Are you a product of the school?

No, I am not.

What is your perception of life?

Life is interesting when you keep a free mind towards others. When you suspect everyone around you, you cage yourself and your feelings and it means you don’t trust yourself too. Whatever situation you find yourself, know that life will go on; it will only stop when you are tired of going on.

Source: Nigerian newspaper, Vangard
Regards: Hamzatab

APC jabs Jonathan again!

JONATHAN & TINUBU

•He can’t tackle corruption even if he spends 60 years in office 
•It’s nonsense, FG reacts
•As US donates warship to Nigeria

By Evelyn Usman and Ben Agande

The United States government yesterday donated a war ship to the Federal Government to enable it checkmate criminal activities like crude oil theft, arms proliferation, piracy and other forms of insecurity in the nation’s maritime environment and the Gulf of Guinea.

The donation is coming even as the All Progressives Congress, APC, has asked Nigerians to use their votes to express their dissatisfaction with President Goodluck Jonathan’s alleged inability to fight corruption and insecurity which were the two major challenges facing the country in the last six years.

However, the warship earlier known as the United States Coast Guard Gallatin ,USCGG was designed as a high endurance cutter. The ship which was completely overhauled in Charleston, South Carolina, USA, with about $8 million (about N1.34billion) had already been renamed as NNS Okpabana by the Nigerian Navy.

The ship was formally received by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Usman Jubrin and other top government officials at the Nigerian Navy Dockyard at about 11am yesterday amid pomp and festivity.

In his remarks at the occasion, Vice Admiral Jubrin said that NNS Okpabana was the second of the Hamilton class of cutters to join the Nigerian Navy fleet between 2012 and 2014.

According to him, the first one , NNS Thunder had assisted the Navy in curtailing threats in the nation;’s maritime domain and the Gulf of Guinea.

He expressed optimism that the additional warship would not only bolster the Navy’s zeal by addressing the menace in the nation’s maritime domain and the Gulf of Guinea but also support regional and global efforts to eliminate tarns-national maritime threats.

“It is common knowledge that littoral nations, in addition to the numerous benefits they derive from sea resources , also experience challenges or threats within their maritime domain. In the case of Nigeria, the maritime domain is threatened by crude oil theft , unreported and unregulated fishing, smuggling, arms proliferation, and sea robbery/piracy among others.

‘’In recognition of these challenges and in consonance with the on-going transformation agenda of the federal government of |Nigeria, the Navy evolved the transformation plan 2010-2020 with a view to enhancing its operational capability and discharging its statutory role effectively and efficiently in the coming years.

‘’One of the pillars of the transformation is fleet renewal which focuses on new acquisition and maintenance of ships in our fleet. The actualisation of the plan can only be achieved with the support of the people and Federal Government as well as our foreign partners and allies such as the U.S.A,’’ he said.

Describing the arrival of the ship as a manifestation of the determination of the Federal Government and the USA to rid the country’s territorial waters of thieves and vandals, Jubrin assured that with such gesture, the Navy would be better positioned to guarantee security in the nation’s maritime domain, with a view to boosting trade and commerce necessary for a strong national economy.

The U.S Consul General, Jeff Hawkins who also spoke on the occasion said that the war ship was given to support Nigeria counter criminalities in the region.

“Many of the region’s challenges come from the sea and this powerful new naval platform will significantly enhance Nigeria’s ability to control the maritime environment. The Okpabana, like the NNS Thunder before her, strongly demonstrates America’s commitment to enhancing Nigeria’s security.

“”We work closely with this country’s Navy and and with all of Nigeria’s service arms, to counter threats to Nigerian and African security. We have a common interest in a peaceful, well policed Gulf of Guinea and support from the USA significantly increases Nigeria’s ability to reach this shared goal”

The Gulf of Guinea had reportedly recorded a leap in violent crimes by sea pirates leading to loss of lives and hijack of vessels.

For instance, report by the the U.S. Office of Naval Intelligence revealed recently a 25 percent increase in incidents such as vessels being fired upon, boarded and hijacked by pirates in the Gulf of Guinea, between 2012 and 2013 alone.

Meanwhile, the APC has urged Nigerians to use their votes to express their dissatisfaction with President Goodluck Jonathan for his inability to fight the two main challenges facing the country, corruption and security, despite having six years to do so.

According to the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, ‘’The President has finally admitted that the two main challenges facing the country are corruption and insecurity, and seems to be telling Nigerians to give him more time to tackle the problems. But the truth is that he lacks the capacity to fight and defeat these challenges, whether in six or 10 years.

‘’A President who has spent the last six years trying to diagnose the main problems facing the country will apparently need another four years to plan how to tackle the challenges. By then, all of us would have been buried under the rubble of corruption and our country would have been decimated by insecurity. It is therefore time for Nigerians to vote in a President who will hit the ground running, a President who will tackle the problems of corruption and insecurity headlong, without giving excuses for failure.

‘’Mr. President said he wants to put in place the institutions to tackle corruption before taking on the canker worm that has almost destroyed the fabric of our society. Pray, whatever happened to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC? Were they not institutions specifically created for the purpose of tackling corruption, but which the Jonathan administration chose to castrate?

‘’There is no better way to say this: President Jonathan lacks the political will to tackle corruption and he will not tackle it if he spends 60 years in office.’’

It also said the President missed a golden opportunity to take on and defeat the Boko Haram insurgency in its early stages but instead chose to engage in shadow boxing.

‘’When he was not blaming everyone but his administration for the insurgency, he was playing primordial politics with it, to such an extent that the terrorists became strengthened and emboldened to strike at times and places of their own choosing.

‘’Had the President learnt a lesson or two from the crushing defeat of the Maitatsine sect by Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, which signalled the death knell of the sect that is a precursor of Boko Haram, the insurgency that is daily claiming the lives of our citizens would have been defeated early on.

‘’It is too late in the day for President Jonathan to engage in sophistry over the twin evil of corruption and insecurity. He has reached the limit of his capacity to tackle these challenges and it is time to allow those with necessary political will and capacity to take on the challenges before they crush the country,’’ APC further stated.

Reacting to APC’s statement, the Special Adviser to President Jonathan on Media Matters, Dr. Reuben Abati, said Lai Mohammed’s statement was one of his habitual nonsense.

“It is a pity that Lai Mohammed is starting off in the new year mounting his  habitual nonsense. Anybody who listened carefully to the president and has followed the activities of government closely will see very clearly that his administration is committed to fighting insurgence and corruption.

“ Has also shown political will in strengthening the security process to deepen the capacity to win the war against terror.

“Many of our security  agents have had to pay the supreme sacrifice in waging this war.

When Lai Mohammed talks glibly about the efforts of government, he insults the memory and heroism of these patriots. President Jonathan has always appealed to the opposition not to play politics with issues of national security. Obviously, politics and personal ambition are more important to Lai Mohammed and his masters.

On corurption, Abati said: “this administration is committed to fighting corruption and has always done so. By bringing up the issue in his new year message, the president was re-emphasising the importance of the war against corruption.

But characteristically, he and his masters saw in that an opportunity to play cheap politics.

“The president had advised the political class to be civil, state-manly and patriotic, but less than 48 hours later, Lai Mohammed chose to be uncivil and uncouth. We hope that this is not the style of campaign that the APC has chosen to deploy for the 2015 election.”

Source: Nigerian newspaper, Vangard

Regards: Hamzatab

Keshi not the problem with Nigerian football

KESHI

This is a solemn plea to my fellow Nigerians to recognize football as the glue that binds the nation. Football does for us what, I am sure, we would never see from Nigeria politics.
That said, it’s about time we flattened the tires of the Keshi must go bandwagon and accord the man the respect he richly deserves. Why is it that Nigerians are quick to forget the accomplishments of Keshi and other Nigerian greats.
Keshi has contributed a lot to our football, from his days in the Nigerian National League, through the junior national team, on to the national team. He was captain of the national team for years. Won the African Cup as a player and as a coach – I’m not sure of how many Africans who have achieved this extraordinary feat.
Played multiple World Cups and coached as well and equalled the best any domestic or foreign coach has managed for Nigeria in any World Cup, with a much weaker team. By the way, Keshi’s success as a coach goes beyond Nigeria having done exceptionally well with other National Teams.
Did I forget to mention that he practically opened the flood gate for Nigerian footballers going abroad. If you’re opposed to erecting Keshi’s statue in front of the National Stadium (I strongly recommend it), we can debate it, but to allow these indiscriminate attack and disrespect of Keshi is absolutely unfounded and downright ridiculous.
And the suggestion of some unknown and irrelevant Nigerian that Keshi should hide his head in shame as if he is a criminal, is all you need to know about these dishonest and self serving advisers.
All ex-internationals who’re on the Keshi must go bandwagon are wrong or self serving at best – especially when all they could proffer was that Sampson Siasia was sacked for not qualifying Nigeria for the AFCON and for that reason, Keshi must be sacked as well. That’s rubbish because Siasia’s sacking was a huge mistake and a major set- back to Nigerian football development.
You can’t right the error of Siasia’s sacking with another blunder. He had a formula that worked multiple times but was not given the time to transplant that formula to the Super Eagles.
In my opinion, the Super Eagles’ problem is “a four-wall” problem: 1) football development in Nigeria 2) football administration in Nigeria 3) the players and 4) football coaching in Nigeria.
Briefly, we no longer have a sustaining process of discovering and developing our youngsters like we used to way before football got this scientific. Nigeria was able to do this through grass root endeavors – greater tomorrow and secondary school competitions.
World class players like Henry Nwosu, Jay Jay Okocha, Nwankwo Kalu, Chibuzor Ehilegbu, Adokiye to mention just a few influential midfielders were all products of these efforts. The entire midfield of our Super Eagles as it’s presently constituted, do not possess half the quality of any of the players mentioned above. Our best player is not even a first option at his club team.
Many well meaning Nigerians who sincerely have the interest of Nigerian football at heart have impressed upon this issue of going back to our grassroots football. Nigeria would never be in short supply of talent, we just forgot our ways. To get back there, let’s get behind the current football federation. To get back there, the mentality and attitude of Nigerian football fans towards Nigerian football badly need a makeover.
I don’t know how we can achieve that when legends of Nigerian football including  our very own Segun Odegbami writes so illustriously about English football and about his beloved English team whichever it’s forgetting that there was a time not so long ago that his famed IICC Shooting Stars could beat any team in the present English Premier League. This mentality has depleted our talent pool to the extent that every 12 year old in Nigeria would rather go to play football in Togo than in Nigeria.
We don’t have a Keshi problem in Nigerian football. We have a problem with Nigeria’s obsession with English football and yet we expect performance out of the players from our league. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy watching football from leagues across the world but my priority is on how we can get our league to be the best and give hope and future to our budding football talents.
Contrary to the past regimes of non-accountability and non-transparency, the present NFF of Amaju Pinnick, has shown a promising and commendable start. Sending some referees and coaches overseas was a great idea. Pledging the return of funds to the federal government was unusual and refreshing. The idea of sending coaches made a lot of sense not because they’re going to see anything they’ve not seen before, but it’s good also to see what works for our competition.
However, if we can mobilize these coaches upon their return with the assistance of other ex-internationals and indigenous coaches to come up with coaching curriculum that can be followed at youth levels across the nation might return us to football glory. The past regimes failed because their main emphasis was just on the Super Eagles, instead of growing our league and developing talents so we have many to choose from.
The third problem with our football is the players themselves. We have such depleted talent pool.
Although the morale of the players were often and constantly dampened from nonpayment of allowances, they are still expected to perform if they decide to step on the pitch. However, Nigerian players should be paid what they are entitled.
Football is their profession but should be held accountable when they fail to perform like failing to qualify for 2015 AFCON. I don’t remember Stephen Keshi himself playing in any of the matches. When he did, he was a winner. At the end of the day, it’s about the players on the pitch, regardless of the coach. If the players refuse to put in the work, it’s not going to work. It does not matter the coach or the country.
Nobody ever mentions the turmoil that engulfed NFF during these period and how that impacts a team. I also recall how someone from then NFF saying that Keshi was walking around as if he won the African Cup in South Africa all by himself and now that Super Eagles failed to qualify, no NFF personnel is coming out to claim that they failed together. Instead, they’re quick to suggest his replacement with a foreign coach.
Foreign football administrators would do well in Nigeria as well, like Adokiye eloquently articulated. My blame for the players is only on poor efforts. Our exit from the World Cup and subsequent non qualification was as much of poor efforts and poor administration as it was coaching. Nigerians should not be this hard wired for blind and undue criticism of someone so deserving as Stephen Keshi.
I’m by no means saying, the final analysis, that Keshi deserve no criticism at all. I’m sure there are areas he could do things differently like his relationship with his players. I didn’t see a group of players determined to do battle and lay it all on the line in neither the round of 16 match against France nor in any of the AFCON qualifying matches.
Keshi has shown that he is not as inflexible as everyone is making him out to be. He has invited players that the nation urged him to invite. Perhaps Keshi’s stubbornness and edge to him is warranted. Every accomplished coach should be. You cannot appoint a coach and give him a list of players to invite or feature in a match. No foreign coach would allow that.
For those who sincerely support the rebirth of football in Nigeria, not only as part of Nigeria’s export but most importantly as aunifying force, should support the new NFF for what I have seen so far; lobby Adokiye Amasiemeka  to become involved in Nigerian football administration in some capacity (any capacity – because he is honest and absolutely fearless); give Stephen Keshi a long term contract.
If we shore up all “four corners”, our football would return to its past glory. Let’s give honor where it’s due and not reduce Keshi so low to zero all the way from hero.
Offor, an Attorney in USA, was a former Spantans of Owerri and Sharks of Port Harcourt star.

Source: Nigerian newspaper, Vangard
(Hamzatab)

2015: My Old Age Will Not Count Against Me, Says Ladoja

Former Government Rasheed Oladoja

A former governor of Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Ladoja has told his political opponents not to use his age as a campaign tool against his eligibility to govern the state for the second time.

Ladoja will be over 70 years old in 2015 when he hopes to give the governorship of Oyo State another shot.

The Accord Party chieftain was reacting to comments by his political rivals that his age will work against him come 2015.
But Ladoja, who spoke in Ibadan, yesterday, said he was still fit to serve the state in any capacity and placed his fate in the hands of his party and the electorate.

He said: “You cannot possibly exclude me from 2015 elections. Age is a thing of the mind. I am as fit as a 40-year-old man. The Government House is not a place people go as governor to crack stones and lift weight”.

He added that “It is all about administration. An administrator is an administrator. You cannot buy experience with money. If my people want me, I will not reject them.

“My party will decide those who will contest in 2015. We have asked members to keep their ambitions to their hearts while we embark on mobilisation across the state”.

Lampard rescues City, Saints beat Arsenal

Frank Lampard

Frank Lampard celebrated his loan extension by scoring the winning goal as Manchester City edged Sunderland 3-2 on Thursday to move level on points with Premier League leaders Chelsea,AFP reports.

City announced late on Wednesday that Lampard’s loan move from their sister club New York City FC had been prolonged to the end of the season and he proved his worth by coming off the bench to score the winner.

City, who left goalkeeper Joe Hart on the bench, took the lead in the 57th minute at the Etihad Stadium when Yaya Toure slammed an exquisite shot into the top-left corner from outside the box.

Stevan Jovetic’s flick made it 2-0, but just as they had done in Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Burnley, the champions allowed Sunderland back into the game.

Two City old boys did the damage, with Jack Rodwell’s header reducing the arrears in the 68th minute and Adam Johnson equalising from the penalty spot three minutes later after Pablo Zabaleta had fouled Santiago Vergini.

But just three minutes after replacing Jovetic, Lampard headed home a cross from Gael Clichy to take City level with his former club Chelsea, who visited Tottenham Hotspur in the late New Year’s Day fixture.

Earlier, Manchester United had lost further momentum in the title race after drawing 1-1 with Stoke City at a windy Britannia Stadium.

Radamel Falcao equalised for the visitors in the 26th minute after former United trainee Ryan Shawcross had scored the first goal of 2015 in the second minute by hooking home from Peter Crouch’s header.

“We didn’t deserve any more than a draw,” said United manager Louis van Gaal, who lost Ashley Young to a hamstring injury. “They were closer to a winning goal than us. We should have played better today.”

Southampton tightened their grip on fourth place and closed to within a point of United by winning 2-0 at home to nearest rivals Arsenal, who fell three points off the Champions League places as a result.

Sadio Mane curled home from a narrow angle on the right after Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny went walkabout in the 34th minute, with Dusan Tadic adding a second in the 56th minute after a defensive mix-up.

Freshly appointed West Bromwich Albion manager Tony Pulis watched from the stands as his new club drew 1-1 at West Ham United, with Saido Berahino cancelling out Diafra Sakho’s neatly constructed 10th-minute opener.

The result kept West Brom a point above the relegation zone.

Source: Punch Nigeria

{Hamzatab}

Buhari’ll restore integrity to Nigeria – APC

The All Progressives Congress says the anti-corruption record of its presidential candidate, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) is impeccable, adding that when he was Head of State between December 1983 and August 1985, people became afraid of taking bribes.

The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said this during an interview with our correspondent on Thursday.

Mohammed said Nigerians should expect a high level of morality if Buhari emerges victorious in the presidential election next month.

He said, “I had left the university when Buhari came in and I can recall that every Nigerian sat up. People were even afraid of taking bribes. The only people that are afraid of Buhari now are those who want to continue on the path of impunity, corruption and the likes.

“But more importantly is that the issues that define today are completely different. You need a man who can be in charge; you need a man that can stop corruption and insecurity. We need a man that can turn our fortunes around. We need a man that can stand up to say he will stop corruption and people will believe him.”

Mohammed said only Buhari could fight insurgency having fought terrorism to a standstill in the early 1980s when he launched an attack against the terrorist network of Maitatsine.

He noted that Buhari had an impressive military career having attended the Military Training College in Kaduna; the Mons Officer Cadet School in the United Kingdom; the Defence Services College in India and the Army War College in the United States.

He said it was unfortunate that President Goodluck Jonathan could not curb terrorism despite the huge amount of money that had been spent as well as the state of emergency which was assented to by the National Assembly on three occasions.

He said, “Everything Jonathan needed to fight the war against terrorism was given to him by Nigerians. Money was given, a state of emergency was approved three times but it seems terrorism is beyond him.

“On the contrary, it is on record that Buhari as Head of State rooted out the Maitatsine terrorists from Gombe. As the General Officer Commanding of the 3 Division in Jos, when some Chadian gendarmes were messing with Nigerians, Buhari chased them all the way.

“This is the only man that has been Head of State, minister, military governor, Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund and yet has no house in Abuja or Lagos and has no other business apart from his military pension. This is the man that Nigeria needs today.”

Source: Punch Nigeria

Hamzat Abiola