2016 Caf Champions League: Enyimba suffered 1 - 0 defeat to Uganda's Vipers

Teams are starting on the road to lift the 2016 African Champions League title

Uganda's Vipers won their first ever continental club match beating visiting Enyimba of Nigeria 1-0 in the first leg of their African Champions League tie.

Erisa Sekisambu, who was part of the team at the recent African Nations Championship in Rwanda, scored the only goal of the game for the Ugandan champions in the 72nd minute.

The goal was set up by a deep pass from Keziron Kizito but it was Sekisambu's skill that ultimately beat the Enyimba defence.

He was left with plenty to do as he picked up the ball cut into the area before dribbling past Akabueze John Uche feigning to pass and finally hitting the ball into the roof of the net.

There was some groans around the Nakivubo Stadium in central Kampala as fans thought he has only hit the side netting but they soon turned to cheers as they realised what he had done.

Vipers overcame the two-time African and current Nigerian champions without several key players including striker Farouk Miya, who has joined Belgian club Standard Liege.

The second leg is on the last weekend of February in the Nigerian city of Aba.

The first leg ties continue over the weekend with Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns will again lead another charge by South African clubs to rule the continent.

The South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) is one of the richest leagues on the continent, but only Orlando Pirates have been crowned African champions and that was as far back as 1995.

Last year, champions Kaizer Chiefs and Sundowns crashed out of the competition in the first round.

'Amakhosi', as the Chiefs are known by their fans, lost 1-0 at home and then 2-0 in the return leg to Raja Casablanca of Morocco.

Sundowns exited the annual tournament after they failed to defend a 1-0 home win at eventual champions TP Mazembe, who won 3-1 in front of their fans to advance.

Both clubs play away from home this weekend, but they are expected to go past their weekend opponents, Zimbabwe's Chicken Inn and Volcan Club of Comoros Island.

The PSL season has reached the halfway mark, but the league in Zimbabwe has not yet started, while that in the Comoros began only last weekend.

"The game against Sundowns is going to be one hell of a fixture that will require maximum concentration, seeing they are halfway through their season and we're just coming out of pre-season," Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas said ahead of the match in Bulawayo on Saturday.

Sundowns star midfielder Teko Modise said they will make the most of their chances in this year's competition.

"Yes we are ready for the Champions League. We are professional footballers and it is our job to stay ready for all kinds of competition," he said.

"We have to keep playing the way we do and capitalise on the chances that we get. It is always best to win at home and then finish what you started away.

"That will be the main strategy when playing the CAF (Champions League)."

Coach Paul Aigbogun, who guided Warri Wolves to finish as runners-up last season, has teamed up with the Aba outfit and so too several of the country's top league stars like goalkeeper Theofilus Afelokhai from Kano Pillars and Kwara United midfielder Dare Ojo.

Wydad Casablanca of Morocco, Kenya's Gor Mahia, Horoya from Guinea, Club Africain of Tunisia as well as Stade Malien of Mali are some of the notable clubs who will also be in Champions League action this weekend.

With BBC Sport

Retrenchments: NECA pleads for Labour Minister's understanding of workplace issues

The Nigeria Employers' Consultative Association (NECA) on Friday advised the Minister of Labour ànd Productivity to show understanding with private employers intending to sack workers because of the dwindling economic situation.

The Director- General of NECA, Mr Segun Oshinowo, said while answering questions from journalists in Lagos that it was not enough to direct the Oil and Gas companies not to sack their workers.

According to him, the minister should also consider the dwindling prices of oil in the international market and the massive loss of profitability by the companies.

``I disagree with the position of the Minister, Dr Chris Ngige, on his directive to Private Sector employers, especially the Oil and Gas companies, not to sack their workers.

``Even in the face of dwindling oil prices in the international market and massive loss of profitability by the companies,’’ Oshinowo said.

The NECA DG said that the minister should have shown some understanding during a meeting with the employers’ representatives on the challenges faced in managing their businesses, given the scarcity of foreign exchange and reduced purchasing power in the country.

``The reality is that retrenchment is not a palatable option for any business. No employer will take pleasure in declaring redundant employees that it has invested in developing over the years,’’ he said.

The NECA boss said that job security cannot be decreed by ministerial pronouncements, but could only be encouraged and promoted through strong macro-economic fundamentals and an enabling environment.

He said that it was the voice of the right of an employer to determine the optimal staff level he would need to sustain his company’s operations.

Oshinowo said that where an employer has found it necessary to carry out some retrenchment, it would respect the laws of the land and laid down procedures for redundancy.

``Employers' expectation from the Minister of Labour and Productivity is that he will work hand-in-hand with other Government Ministries in the establishment of the desired enabling environment that will ensure business sustainability, competitiveness and job creation,’’ he said.

The NECA director general, therefore, urged the minister to carry his constituents along in the management of workplace issues. 


By NAN

Army confirms handover of 3 Major-Generals, others to EFCC

The Nigerian Army has confirmed the handover of three serving Major- Generals, a retired Major-General, and eight other serving senior officers to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for investigation.

This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday by the acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman.

However, Usman did not state the offences for which the officers were being investigated by the anti-graft agency.

``The Nigerian Army wishes to inform the public that 12 Army officers have been sent to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for investigation.

``This comprised three serving Major-Generals, one retired Major-General, three Brigadier-Generals, four Colonels and a Lieutenant Colonel,’’ the statement quoted Usman as saying.

He added that officers found culpable at the end of the EFCC investigation would be tried by a military court martial.

It was recalls in the report that the anti-graft agency recently confirmed the investigation of some senior serving and retired Air Force officers in its ongoing probe of military procurement.

By NAN

The whole of Nigeria is proud to have the like of the late Oba Odulana - President Buhari

Dignitaries from all walks of life on Friday paid their last respect to the departed monarch, the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade 1, as his remains was committed to mother earth, according to Channel News.

Leading Dignitaries at the funeral service which was held at the St. Peters’ Cathedral Aremo Ibadan, was the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who represented President Muhammadu Buhari.

President Buhari called on Nigerians to emulate the exemplary lifestyle of Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade I as an epitome of honesty, courage and dignity, according to the report.

In the message delivered by Prof. Osinbajo, the President said that the departed monarch exhibited the fear of God throughout his lifetime and this informs the progress made in Oyo state.

The President stressed the need for Nigerians to work towards being celebrated while alive and to leave a good legacy after death.

He said, “The whole of Nigeria is proud to have the like of the late Oba Odulana because of his life of honesty and forthrightness.”

Eminent personalities from all walks of live joined the chief mourner and host Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, to bid the foremost king final farewell.

Among them were the Governors of Osun and Lagos State, Mr Rauf Aregbesola and Mr Akinwumi Ambode, as well as the Minister of Communications, Mr Adebayo Shittu.Leading Dignitaries at the funeral service which was held at the St. Peters’ Cathedral Aremo Ibadan, was the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who represented President Muhammadu Buhari.

President Buhari called on Nigerians to emulate the exemplary lifestyle of Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade I as an epitome of honesty, courage and dignity.

In the message delivered by Prof. Osinbajo, the President said that the departed monarch exhibited the fear of God throughout his lifetime and this informs the progress made in Oyo state.

The President stressed the need for Nigerians to work towards being celebrated while alive and to leave a good legacy after death, in the report.

He said, “The whole of Nigeria is proud to have the like of the late Oba Odulana because of his life of honesty and forthrightness.”

Eminent personalities from all walks of live joined the chief mourner and host Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, to bid the foremost king final farewell.

Among them were the Governors of Osun and Lagos State, Mr Rauf Aregbesola and Mr Akinwumi Ambode, as well as the Minister of Communications, Mr Adebayo Shittu.

In his remarks, Governor Ajimobi paid glowing tribute to what he called the exemplary attributes of the late traditional ruler saying he left an indelible mark in the sands of time in the areas of politics, civil service, military and other leadership positions he was privileged to occupy before his ascension to the throne.

In his sermon, the Archbishop of the Diocese of Ibadan North, Church of Nigeria – Anglican Communion, Most Reverend Olusegun Okubadejo said that the myriad of orations and tributes from different categories of people were testimonies to the fact that the revered monarch had secured heaven.

The priest challenged all and sundry to be cognizant of the need to live a life that would guarantee them good names and legacies after their death.

Supreme Court: Reasons For Rivers, Ogun Election Ruling

The Supreme Court has given its reasons for upturning the judgment of the Rivers State governorship election petitions tribunal, and that of the Court of Appeal.

Giving reasons for the judgment, the court holds that the tribunal was induced by hearsay evidences, raised by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, Dakuku Peterside in the petition filed against the conduct of the 2015 governorship polls in the state. according to Channel News.

The court further holds that the respondent in the appeal (APC) failed to substantiate its claims in line with its proof of evidence as to the allegation of massive rigging and violence in 23 local government areas of the state as it was only able to substantiate its claims on four of the affected areas.

The apex court, in a lead judgment delivered by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun had on January 27, 2016 upturned the ruling of the tribunal and the appellate court, thereby upholding the election of Mr Nyesome Wike of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the duly elected Governor of Rivers State, in the report.

The Supreme Court also gave its reasons for upholding the election of Senator Ibikunle Amosun as the Governor of Ogun State against Mr Adegboyega Isiaka of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The court said that it dismissed the appeal in favour of Amosun on the grounds that it lacked sufficient evidence to back up its claims.

The court declared that the appellant court called only nine witnesses for just 12 polling units out of the total of 1,672 polling units in contention, and given the nature of the inadmissible evidences tendered, the appeal was “dead on arrival”.