INTERESTING: You Can Now Reach Nigerian Police Through Email?

Mr. Abubakar is making effort to connect more with the police

The Force say established cases of deliberate falsehood or intentional misrepresentation of facts may attract reprimand and in extreme cases, outright prosecution in courts of law.
The Nigeria Police have released a dedicated email address through which citizens could report crimes and police conducts directly to the office of Inspector General Mohammed Abubakar.
The release of the address, policemonitor@npf.gov.ng, came few weeks after Mr. Abubakar made his telephone number (08059666666) public, although some people who tried to reach him said the number had consistently failed to connect.
In a statement, Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, said the new address is part of efforts by the leadership of the Force “to promote access to justice, transparency and accountability in matters relating to policing and general crime fighting”.
He assured users of the e-mail that information provided through the medium would be treated with almost confidentially and the anonymity of their providers respected.
Mr. Mba said the address should be used only under the following circumstances.
- When providing information on the activities of criminal groups, terror gangs or other forms of organized crimes such as armed robbery, kidnapping, human trafficking, advanced fee fraud, arms trafficking etc.
- To report cases of breach of public peace or imminent breach of public peace.
- When providing information relating to ongoing criminal investigations by the Police and other law enforcement agencies,also when reporting the conduct of Police personnel or the conduct of personnel of other law enforcement agents involved in corrupt and other forms of unlawful acts.
- In commending  members of the Force for acts of gallantry or other forms of exemplary or exceptional conduct displayed in the course of their duties,
- In reporting cases or incidents of electoral offences or other matters related thereto advising or commenting on matters relating to national security especially when such matters have direct bearing with the activities of the Nigeria Police.” 
The statement urged potential users of the email to ensure the integrity of their information and make conscious efforts to avoid providing false, malicious or deliberately misleading information to the Force.
It also warned users to be ”guided by the higher virtue of patriotism, selflessness and ultimate service to the community, taking steps to ensure that they act in good faith at all times.
Mr. Mba warned “that established cases of deliberate falsehood or intentional misrepresentation of facts may attract reprimand and in extreme cases, outright prosecution in courts of law.”
“It is the belief of the IGP that the effective use of the new email address will help in checkmating excesses of law enforcement personnel, encourage free flow of information between the public and police managers, and ultimately promote efficiency and better service delivery,” he added.
The statement urged the public to take advantage of the new communication channel in exposing the ills of the society and partnering with the Police to tackle them.
Source: Premium Times

UNCOVERED: Abuse Of Office & Impunity, The Story Of Madam Speaker?

After spending so much time on the roads of Abuja, I mistakenly went to the popular Three Arms Zone. Connected to a very long queue for just a tag, I stood for well over 30 minutes. While on the queue I looked at the people around me after which I approached a lady on the same queue. I explained my mission to her. She told me to call my “dishonorable” Rep that I was at the gate. I got confused because I didn’t have any “sting operation “with any legislator. Still not satisfied I approached an officer of the SSS at the double 40-feet security container. He told me the queue was strictly for Honorables’ visitation tags. That was all it took to make me realize that I was at the wrong place, looking for the wrong stuff. I instantly recalled that I was at “Farouk Lawan’s Constituency”. I speedily dialogued with my two legs to follow the exit route.
By so doing, my mission still not accomplished, I met another m.u.m.u like them, and he directed me to the office of the “Secretary-General of the Federation” (Anyim Pius), a highly structured and secured building. As it also turned out, the place was “waka miss road” as well.
I thus informed my legs again that if the MDG cannot be located within the 3 Arms Zone, I should go back to where I was coming from, so that I could get GPRS or a better description to locate the “State House” for the next day.
On the second part of the expedition I stupidly and frantically took my time, with all thoroughness and tension, and with calories burning, my eagle eyes scrutinized all the broadcasts by Wole Street Journal for and against Madam Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly. At first, I thought the broadcast was “Awada Kerikeri” until I got more information from some spies and surveillance efforts. I suppose that the allegation was not misinformation and misrepresentation of facts. I also remember that my good friend, brother, philanthropist and mentor Uncle “Wole Arisekola” is also from the same Oyo constituency with our dear Madam Speaker who ought to be sentenced to a time of reading Leadership Books and journals on how to conduct herself as well as the usage of the State IGR and Federal Monthly Allocation appropriated to the State Assembly which should be subject to accountability, transparency and honesty.
Thank God the House lacks autonomy for now; she would have propelled husbands, children, relatives, house maids, concubines and even mai guards of assembly members to London for training on how to support their spouses or masters on irrelevant ventures.
For a woman to have allegedly spent .4 Billion Naira on Honorable wives, If she is in custody of the 4 Trillion Naira 2012 annual capital budget appropriated to Mr. President, she would probably have spent it organizing seminars and parties for the above mentioned relations.

Walahi Gaskiya! I just feel we should not trouble ourselves with the “Legislooters Syndrome” but chart a new cause for the future. As we all know that the 2/3 of the majority of the House has impeached the uprightness and ethics of the sacred chamber. Immorality and inattentiveness has become the mission and vision of our Legislooters. So, if Madam Speaker decides to “chop” .4 Billion Naira, I don’t care because Oyo State masses who should have started her recall procedure are sleeping and snoring after having eaten bowls of “Amala ,Gbegiri ati Ewedu “.
With this, it is now established that the people of Oyo State will sustain kwashankor, high infant mortality rate, bad roads, poor education, poor healthcare delivery, double digit crime rate, corruption and more of more of “Apete bridge collapse and the likes of Tsunami Flooding due to the likes of Madam Speaker and their indolent Honorable Husbands’ poor coordination of oversight function.

Ehn! Why not? Instead of listening to the conscientious voice of caution from Oyo State people on the misuse Oyo State’s IGR and Federal Allocation appropriated to her office and unconstitutional training in far away London, she reacted sharply by abusing and raining curses on those that queued under the heavy rain and sun to mistakenly vote for  her  in April 2011. Her reaction has since resulted in the gospel of “had I known, I wouldn’t have voted for her” on the streets of Oyo.

I have advised some of them to upgrade their memories in order not to vote by mistake come 2015. They should vote for people based on past history and family background. Responsive positions and responsibilities must be given to the best man and not the quacks who fail to concur that the customer is always the king and voters are also the king in the business of politics too. The electorate should know that they are better than the elected.

“Feyikogbon” (learn from this), my people, take this and get wisdom, Madam Speaker refused to do checks and balance on the Governor for the wasted lives and property by the persistent flooding in spite of the obvious slackness on the part of the Governor.
Instead of vetting and monitoring the capital project for good drainage and roads approved by her, Madam is busy leading the ineffective and inefficient training that will not add value to the so called wives, husband and the masses of Oyo State in London.

I pity Oyo State, Ajimobi is sleeping, Madam Speaker is snoring in a very expensive Hotel in UK while my people are dying, displaced, and properties worth billions destroyed due to legislative and executive negligence.

Basically, Oyo people “aile soro nibere ori buruku” (keeping quiet precedes ill luck) we are in a digitalized democracy. I beg you all to follow the “real progressives” to demand for information on the subject matter, justice and airplay by using the Freedom Of Information Act. “Omo o ju Omo Lo” (all men are equal). The Honourables’ wives are not better than our wives, they are all first among equal.

Madam Speaker should kindly tell Nigerians the purpose of the jamboree.  What benefit would it fetch Oyo People? At what cost?
Why UK and not one of Nigeria five Star Hotel?
From whose purse is the imposing training financed?
Is the training constitutional or oversight function?
Who is the owner of the “Access Limited?

In spite of this wicked and insensitive abuse of office being committed with impunity, let it be known that Madam Speaker is not immune to prosecution.
Olorun a ta yin fun Wa mu (God will deliver all of you into our hands. Amen)
Source: Street Journal

EXPOSED: Gov. Shettima, IGP, DSS Held Peace Talks With Boko Haram Commanders?

Contrary to claims that the dreaded Boko Haram Islamic sect is a faceless group, Sunday Trust has exclusively gathered that there was indeed a high-level discussion between a government delegation, led by Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State and 11 field commanders of the Boko Haram, held under top secrecy and amidst intense security at the Lagos House, a government lodge for visitors, in Maiduguri.
An impeccable top security source revealed to Sunday Trust in Abuja that the meeting took place in early May 2012, at the instance of Governor Shettima.
But in attendance was a representative of Inspector General of Police Mohammed Dikko Abubakar, Borno State Director, Department of State Security Service, the state’s Commissioner of Police, an intelligence officer from the military along with the state deputy governor, Mustapha Umar Zannah. All these top government functionaries were said to have been physically present at the talks.
The source told Sunday Trust that: “One of them was named Sheikh Asheku, a leader of the Boko Haram, who is believed to be a field commander. I don’t know if he is in charge of Borno.
“I think he is the one contacted by the governor’s agents. Based on an understanding, the Boko Haram leaders checked into one hotel in Maiduguri. Asheku was the first person to check in. The others came in at different times and were moved into different rooms. Their leader called later in the evening and disclosed their location. After that, one white air-conditioned bus was sent to them, while our security men kept surveillance, monitoring every step, in case they were up to some games.”
The source explained further that, “I learnt that initially, they were very worried for their safety,” the source continued. “I don’t know how the governor was able to convince them. I think they just took the risk because amongst them was a wanted man. All the security officers saw him, but there was no way he could have been arrested because the governor made everybody to agree that the sect leaders must safely leave the venue of the meeting. During the meeting, the governor interacted with them and asked them the conditions under which they would halt the bombing and killings.”
Sunday Trust learnt that the field commanders said they wanted their mosque, which was destroyed in the 2009 crisis in Maiduguri, reconstructed. They also wanted the killers of their leader, Mohammed Yusuf, to be prosecuted and their properties seized or destroyed by the authorities to be returned or built back. The field commanders added further that they wanted their wives and family members who have been arrested to be released, and their freedom of worship, based on their ideology, guaranteed and respected.
The Boko Haram members further demanded that their members who are under custody be released. According to Sunday Trust’s source, the field commanders agreed to drop their arms after their Number One Imam may have been reached.
The governor was said to have promised that government could pay for every gun returned by the fighters, and that they will be trained and given funds to start any business of their choice. The governor was said to have promised that the Boko Haram mosque will be rebuilt and their houses given back to them, but as for other demands, they were beyond his office as governor of Borno State. He was said to have, however, promised to contact the president on those issues.
“But there was a problem along the line,” the source pointed out. “One of the security agencies, the JTF’s representative, was not comfortable with the talks. Maybe, they didn’t get orders from the Chief of Army or Defence Staff. But like you know, soldiers are trained to destroy opponents. They regard anyone that carries arms against them as enemy. They are not trained to go into discussion with their enemies; they only crush.
“But I think the problem in Nigeria is that security agencies have no synergy. We operate at different levels; sometimes, we even sabotage each other. There is rivalry at all levels between soldiers and police and between police and SSS and also between SSS and the military.”
The security source remarked that “if government wants dialogue with Boko Haram, all it should do is to assure the sect leaders that their security will be guaranteed.”
Sunday Trust gathered that before the meeting, heavily armed security agents, police armoured tanks were deployed to the Lagos House, and visitors were prevented from lodging there 24 hours to the meeting, as security officials took control of the entire building, to forestall any funny game by the Boko Haram field commanders.
Checks at the police headquarters in Abuja did not yield much fruits as no top official was prepared to speak on the issue.
Source: Sunday Trust

LAGOS DEMOLITION WAR: Police Kill Resident At Makoko Waterfront?

Timothy Azimpono

Tragedy struck today at the Makoko waterfront, which is currently under demolition by the Lagos State Government, as a police corporal shot and killed one of the residents who were appealing for more time to pack their properties before the demolition of their homes.
The victim, identified as Timothy Azinpono, was said to be advising protesting residents on how to conduct themselves during a planned peaceful protest before the police corporal aimed and shot at him.
A witness, Mr. Opaloba, who was present during the incident, said children of the affected residents, mainly secondary school students, were peacefully showing placards at a considerable distance from the police and Kick Against Indiscipline [KAI] officials present during the demolition hour but that the rash corporal turned his gun on Mr. Azinpono.
The trigger happy policeman, Corporal, Pepple Boma, who is attached to the Marine Police Station, Oworonshoki, allegedly aimed his weapon at other protesters but was stopped by his colleagues.
Mr. Opaloba told SaharaReporters this afternoon: “People were only showing placards over there without moving close to anybody. Our placards are mainly inscriptions of plea that they should allow us more time to find another settlement but suddenly, the policeman just shot at one of us and after Timothy was down, he faced the nuzzle at another man. So, the rest of us scattered.”
Community chiefs on the lagoon also told SaharaReporters that the policeman attempted to escape but that his canoe was halted by the youths residing on the lagoon.
Mr. Azinpono was said to have been breathing after the shooting, bur CorpoeL Boma’s attempt to escape and the subsequent efforts to stop him may have proved fatal. At about 3.20pm, he was confirmed dead at the Lagos State Teaching Hospital [LASUTH], Ikeja.
In addition to the killing of one resident, twelve others were also arrested by the Lagos State Waterfront and Infrastructural Development in a joint military effort with the KAI officials in Lagos.
The General Secretary of the Egun Community on lagoon, Makoko, Mr. John Mautin confirmed to SaharaReporters the arrest of four women, seven men and one infant.
When contacted by telephone, one of those arrested, who was seized as early as 10.30am, was unsure where they were being held.  He told SaharaReporters they were taken in a Black Maria van and driven all around Lagos without any stop point.  No effort has been made at legal prosecution, either.
Mr. Mautin confirmed that Corporal Boma was taken to the homicide section of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, for further investigations.
As of the time of this report, the 12 residents arrested for protesting on the Makoko lagoon this morning had not been released.  No information was available as to what the officials of KAI and the LagosState Government will be doing with them.
Source: Sahara Reporters

Hot Photo: The Perils Of Lagos Demolition In Makoko

Documentary photographs on the on-going demolition of Makoko Community in Lagos state.
 Photo documentary by Lagos-based photo journalist Aderemi Adegbite

Lagos State Marine Police Killed an Egun Man At Makoko
By ayandaabeke  - Lagos, Nigeria

The people of Makoko woke up to a grime action and happening in their community this morning. As ordered by the State government, demolition of the structures on the waterfront of Makoko started on Monday 16th July, 2012 and Egun people who are the affected people by the exercise have been unexpectedly corporative ever since its commencement. Majority of them have willing dismantled their respective structures.
And judging by the state machinery on the field, they could not have achieved the ugly picture they now have in the community because there tools are not 21st century compliant. On Friday 20th July, it took one of the operators of the only two sewing-machines used for the demolition about 15mins to be able to start it. The rest of the state workers are working pulling down the wooding structure with few cutlasses on the waterfront.
At about 10:30 a.m today, Saturday 21st July, I received a text from an unknown number with the message “URGENT ALERT: Some members of the Nigerian Police Force have just invade Makoko Waterfront and have started shooting at the residents….” Instantly, I picked up my camera and head straight to the scene of massacre. When I got there I noticed that people were scared to talk to me and they even thought I was working for the State Government.
A man who does not want his identity to be known said he was at the scene of the incident and told me that the man identified as Pastor Timothy Aziponna was not in any way in argument or contest with the Marine Force who shot him. He attested that Pastor Timothy was sitting in his canoe when one of the State Marine police shot him in his stomach and he died immediately with his intestine in the open.
After much hassle by the people at the scene, the Marine force arrested three egun men and put them in their boat with Pastor Timothy’s corpse to Oworo Police Station and then to the Lagos State Teaching Hospital where he was confirmed dead. The corpse is now in the mortuary at the State Teaching hospital.
I decided to visit the deceased family and on getting to the house which was miles away from the scene, my cloth was dragged by a woman who was later said to be the daughter of decease and his son started yelling at me. The woman said “what are you looking for again in our house when you have killed my father,” but both of them later apologised when they got to know that I am not an agent of the State. Nonetheless, the family members refused to talk to me because they were not convinced enough and I was asked to come back in evening.
The Egun people of Makoko community are now calling on all Human rights activists and Humanitarian organisations to help seek for justice from the Lagos State Government. The state governor is yet to say anything about this massacre likewise the Commissioner of Waterfront who gave the order through the State Government to demolish the small fishing community – Makoko floating village. SERAC – Social and Economic Rigts Action Center has called for a Protest on the on-going Makoko demolition at the Governor’s Office on Monday 23rd July, 2012.
Lagos State Government displaced the people of Makoko Community
By ayandaabeke -Lagos, Nigeria, Nigeria

On July 16th, Lagos State Government deployed its paramilitary force, marine force and the Lagos State Security Task force to demolish Makoko Community on its Waterfront. The community which is popularly called the Floating Village by foreign photographers and journalists received a 72-hours quit notice from the Lagos State Ministry of Waterfront.

In a meeting held at the State Secretariat in Alausa, Ikeja on June 23rd the commissioner for the state Waterfront said to the six invited Makoko community leaders (Egun speaking people) who attended that the sight of the community from the 3rd Mainland Bridge is a jigsaw for the civil Lagosians and the International community who ploy the bridge on a daily basis. Hence, he announced that he has been given directive by the Lagos State Government to demolish all structures on the waterfront.

The Executive Director of the Social and Economic Rights Action Center (SERAC), Felix Morka (LL. M Harvard) pointed out in a discussion with the community leaders on July 17th, 2012 that the State Government has no jurisdiction over the waterfront. Legally speaking, Felix said that the country’s Waterfront is in within the jurisdiction of the Nigeria Inland Waterfront Authourity (NIWA). And therefore, Federal Government has a role to protect people of Nigeria.

Lagos State commissioner for Waterfront, Hon. Segun Oniru however claimed that some of the structures are directly under the High-tension Cables and therefore it’s dangerous for the safety of life and property of the people living in this community.

In 2008, Makoko was announced as one of the NINE SLUMS in Lagos State to be upgraded through the Lagos Metropolitan Development and Governance Project (LMDGP) funded by World Bank in a $200 million International Development Association (IDA) credit facility.

Makoko is largely dominated by low incoming earners whose major business is fishing. The Floating Village has not gained the support of the state government in time past. The development in the community has been made possible by funding from the International community: Individuals, NGOs and the World Bank initiatives supported projects.

At the moment, more than 20,000 people have been rendered homeless in the demolition exercise by the state government force agents. These people both adult and children now cook and sleep in their various fishing boats on the lagoon at night.

Repeatedly, operations of the present Lagos State Government has proven to its citizenry that the state is only meant for the indigenes and rich individuals. The Minister’s arguement may not be completely true has there are quite a number of “Exclusives Estates” and communities that are directly built under the Power-line through Lagos landscape.
Source: Sahara Reporters

STARVATION: My Husband Denied Me Sex For Five Years - Wife

A housewife, Mrs. Modupe Falola, stunned Agege Grade A Customary Court when she said that her husband, Mr. Falilu Falola, denied her sex for five years. The mother of one claimed that trouble started  when her husband returned from church one day and told her that she was suffering from a generational curse which she had to pray fervently about for  deliverance.
She added that her husband took advantage of what he heard from his prophet to treat her badly. “ I was heavily pregnant then and immediately I delivered the baby, my husband stopped having sex with me and as well stopped giving me money for the upkeep of the only child of the marriage”, the defendant in the case of divorce instituted by her husband stated.
She alleged that Falilu failed to take care of her and the child and whenever her parents invited him  for reconciliation, he refused to honour the invitation. In a counter position, Falola told the court that he met his enstranged wife through a close friend, saying that  when his friend discussed about her, he told him he was not interested.
He said Modupe was secretary to his friend. The petitioner claimed that he later got to know after three months that the marriage arrangement was a conspiracy between his friend and Modupe.
“I would not have agreed to marry her but l had to sympathize with her when she claimed that her sister‘s husband had sent her away on the excuse that he was travelling abroad and, since we had been dating, I had to give the marriage plan a second thought,“ he said.
Falilu said he regretted later when he discovered that Modupe was troublesome and always picked quarrel with neighbours. The petitioner claimed that what really gave him concern was that his wife quarrelled with his house boy of many years, and the boy left in annoyance.
Falilu vowed that even if the court paved the way for settlement, he had made up his mind not to have anything to do with her “because we are not compatible”. “ I stopped having sex with her five years ago, because of her bad behaviour; besides, Modupe is not friendly with the children l had from my previous marriage”.
He urged the court to dissolve the marriage and grant him custody of the only child of the union.
Meanwhile, the court president, Mr. Emmanuel Shokunle, adjourned the case till August 7, 2012 for further hearing and warned the couple to maintain absolute peace.
Source: Vanguard

1999 CONSTITUTION: We Can Not Have A Sovereign National Conference - Senate Committee

The Senate in session

The committee says it will conduct intensive and extensive public hearing in the different zones of the country
The Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution has said that the calls for a Sovereign National Conference is untenable because there can only be one sovereignty in a nation.
This is contained in a summary of issues at the end of the committee’s retreat in Asaba as read by the Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba on Saturday.
The committee said it could not come up with a communiqué until it had concluded with the review exercise, adding that the summary contained the burning issues that the public wanted to be addressed in the constitution.
The committee said it would conduct intensive and extensive public hearing in the different zones of the country.
It said that the senate recognized the right of Nigerians to hold opinions and to freely associate and would encourage the people to discuss the future of the country.
It called on all proponents of a conference by whatever name, to feel free to submit their views to the committee.
“The committee reiterates the fact that there can be no other sovereignty that can be derived from the constitution and that sovereignty is derived from the 1999 constitution; no nation can have two sovereignties at the same time.
“The insistence in certain quarters for a sovereign national conference is untenable as there can only be one sovereignty in a nation.’’
The committee said that the key issues raised during the retreat were the demand for one term of five years for the president, vice president, governor and deputy governor.
It noted the need to tackle the issues of devolution of power in order to have true federalism, indigeneship and section 42 of the constitution as well as financial autonomy and the necessity for the creation of state police.
Also suggested for review were judicial reforms, the immunity clause and the creation of one state for the South East zone for equity.
To advance the constitutional review process, the committee said it would engage stakeholders, governors, State Houses of assembly, civil society, the Nigeria Bar Association and the media.
It said that such engagement would generate sufficient national conversation around the identified issues and other issues of interest to Nigeria and build a national consensus.
Source: Premium Times

$620,000 FUEL SUBSIDY BRIBE: Farouk Lawan Spent The Money?

Indications emerged on Friday that the 620, 000 dollars subsidy bribe money collected by the former Chairman, House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy, Hon. Farouk Lawan, can no longer be recovered as the Police have concluded that the money has been spent.

This is coming as sources close to Saturday Tribune revealed that final reports of the subsidy bribe investigation is being prepared with a view to meet Lawan’s lawyers who are believed ready for legal battle on the matter.

The source said that conclusion was arrived at, following realisation by Hon. Lawan that his continued insistence that he would bring the money was a ploy to delay Police from concluding its investigation.

It was learnt that the Police authorities are now perfecting their legal front with a view to nipping in the bud, any loophole that Lawan’s lawyers may want to exploit during prosecution of the case.
“The only rope that is being held by Lawan, which was in his statement that he handed over the bribe money to Hon. Adams Jagaba, Chairman, House Committee of Financial Crimes, has been investigated and trashed out with all parties making their statements on that issue,” a source said.

“We are tired of seeing him everyday and he continued telling us he will bring the money. We know his gimmick because he believes that without the exhibit the police cannot prosecute him successfully but let us wait and see.”

“It will now be the turn of the courts to decide on the findings of the Police investigation. We have done a job that will be difficult to fault. We have overwhelming evidence even before now, just that we wanted to plug any probable loop hole,” the source told Saturday Tribune.

It will be recalled that oil magnate, Mr. Femi Otedola, had claimed that Hon. Lawan took 620,000 dollars bribe from him under pressure to enable him remove name of his company among those that benefitted illegally from fuel subsidy fund and that he had audio and visual evidences to proof his claims.

This is as he claimed that operatives of State Security Service (SSS) were in the know of the incident.
Source: Ascology

NOLLYWOOD: Actress Susan Ekwe Goes Nude?

A lot of media lines and social networks have one negative thing or the other to declare on seeing these photo shoots Susan Ekwe released. Over time Nigerians have begged the celebrities of this present day to preserve and conserve our moral and cultural beliefs, despite the dynamic flux in the fashion world. Could we say Susan is keeping up with the plea?







Source: Information Nigeria

REVEALED: Age Falsification, Eighteen Flying Eagles Players In Hot Soup?

Eighteen members of the Nigerian U-17 team have been ordered out of camp for failing the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) test conducted to verify their ages. The affected players were screened out during the Grade 1 test ordered by FIFA for all the countries that will participate in CAF/FIFAage grade football competitions.
Demola Olajire, the Media Officer of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF),confirmed the development on Friday. According to him, “The NFF conducted MRI tests for the players presented to us by the coaches as U-17. The players failed our MRI test and they are out of the Golden Eaglets team… So, we are looking for new players now, but Nigerians should note that we are not the parents of these players.”
The issue of age falsification is a common thing in the Nigerian football environment. The country has in the past, faced many accusations of fielding over-age players in age-grade competitions. Meanwhile, in his reaction to this development, former coach of the Flying Eagles, Tunde Disu, has advised Coach Manu Garba and his assistants to go back to schools in order to select new players ahead of their Africa U-17 qualifying series, which kicks off in September.
In the words of Disu, “I don’t see this incident as a disgrace; rather it’s a wake-up call. Nigeria still has time to amend the situation… Let the coaches go to the academies and schools to scout for players who are within the age limit. I think the MRI test introduced by FIFA will force Nigeria and other African countries to go back to the grassroots to pick true U-17 players.”
Source: Information Nigeria