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2010 W/Cup: Only Team Work Can Stop Messi –Yobo
Joseph Yobo has warned that the Super Eagles will have to play as a team in order to get a result against Lionel Messi and his Argentina team.
Nigeria open their campaign on June 12 against Argentina and Yobo is wary of the devastating effect the current FIFA World Player of the Year has had all season.
“Messi is unbelievable and just seems to get better and better,” Yobo stated. “Every time he’s on the ball you know something is going to happen. He deserves to be the world’s best.
“Its going to be very, very difficult, I think we have to do things as a team rather than as individuals. The way he plays he finds his freedom on the pitch which makes him exceptional but if we defend as a team and keep our position and keep our concentration for 90 minutes, hopefully we can do it.”
The Everton defender has been involved in the Nigeria international set up since for a decade, and says the pressure is something his Premier League colleagues do not understand.
“They don’t understand what we go through in Nigeria – you have an ultimatum of what is expected. For the last African Nations Cup they said if we don’t get to the final or semi-final then we are no good.
“There is always expectation because of what players in the past have done and we just have to try to better that or match it and it is very, very difficult. It’s not every player that can stand up to that.
“Playing for Nigeria, a nation of over 150 million, football is like a culture so when you do well you’re a big hero but when you don’t do well it’s like you don’t want to go back home. We’ve just got to throw in everything we have got to make sure we make Nigeria proud, and not just Nigeria, Africa as a whole.”
Not too many are giving the six African representatives a chance to win the World Cup, with Yobo’s teammate Steven Pienaar saying an African country will not win the World Cup, but the big Nigerian insists that it is a unique opportunity for Africa to rule the world.
“The World Cup is coming to Africa and it is very special. In South Africa we have loads of Nigerians staying there – it’s like our second home.
“It’s very special in Africa because it is bringing out Africa as a continent – especially South Africa the host country – and we’re playing close to home and are very excited about that.
“Its a great opportunity and we want to make sure this time – we don’t know when an African country is next going to be host — we prove a point and we show how good African teams are, especially Nigeria.
“Now we are playing close to our fans, close to our home and family and everyone is looking forward to it. There is great expectation and we believe this is the right time if we want to show this area can do something.”
“We want to make sure this time we show how good African teams are – especially Nigeria.”
Yobo is already in Abuja ahead of a Send Forth Dinner with Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s captain Nwankwo Kanu has assured Nigerians that the Eagles will not go into the World Cup, especially the opening group match against Argentina to pick balls, but to play all the way to an appreciable level Africa would be proud of.
Speaking in interview programme, Extra time, the Eagles’skipper said, “We only have to have the belief and be positive. We don’t go down to anybody because we have to show the world we’re good especially on a big stage like the World Cup.
“In Nigeria, we can die because of football. Four years ago, we did not make it to the World Cup, but luckily we will be in South Africa.
“This is a big opportunity for an African team especially as the tournament is being played in Africa. It is a chance for an African team to make a big impact – either to win the World Cup or at least get to the Final.”
The Portsmouth forward said that the Eagles want to come out with something everybody could be proud of.
The Nigeria Football Association has already given new coach, Lars Lagerback, a semi-final target but Kanu who is in the twilight of his career said the Eagles can play all the way and win the tournament.
“Nigeria will be one of the strongest African teams at the World Cup. On a good day, we can beat any team, be it Brazil or Argentina.
“There will be surprises at this World Cup and it won’t be advisable for anybody to underrate any team,” said Kanu.
“Argentina are a big football country, but all the same, we won’t go into this match just to go and pick balls. It will be an interesting game and the result of this game could determine this group.
“It’s important to win our first game and from there, we can move forward.”
Nigeria will move into camp in England on Friday after a Presidential reception in Abuja on Thursday.
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Our Legacy’ll Leave Lasting Impression On Rivers People -Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that his administration will collaborate and continue to consult widely in delivering a liberated State experiencing enduring peace.
Fubara said, in doing so, he would not operate as a dictator but as a member of a team that has the best interest of the State at heart and determined to leave a lasting legacy that can be celebrated.
The governor spoke during the formal presentation of Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Michael Tom, as first class tradition ruler, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Fubara stated that, during the Sixth State Executive Council meeting, N80.8billion was approved with 50 percent contract value paid already as the Government awarded the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
He said the project will be funded from the savings from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to underscore his administration’s prudence without also borrowing to complete the project.
“We are at a crossroad in our State where we all need to stand for what is right. It happens once in a life time. So, for now, be one of those people that will be in the course to liberate and free our dear State.
“And I know strongly that having the support of a peace-loving Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, having the support of the wonderful Council of Chiefs, having the support of the great people of Rivers State, we will bring peace in our State. We will do those things that are right to develop our State.
“We will continue to consult. We will not act as dictators. We will act as people who know that one day, we will leave, and when we leave, the way we have acted will speak for us. We will not force people to talk good about us. Our legacy will be a signature for how we led”, the governor said.
Fubara explained that he acted within the ambit of the law to upgrade the traditional stool upon which King Ateke Tom sits in recognition of his efforts in promoting peace in Okrika, and indeed, the State, and urged him to continue to do justice to everyone.
In his speech, Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon Charles Amadi, congratulated King Ateke Tom for being formally presented with the Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office as first class traditional ruler.
Also speaking, former Transport Minister, Chief Abiye Sekibo, thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise of upgrading the traditional stool of Okochiri Kingdom, and pledged the support of Kirike Se people to his administration.
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We’re Determined To Leave Legacy Of Quality Education -Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has promised to give the best attention to the education sector so that standard and quality learning will never be compromised in the State.
The governor emphasised that in achieving such legacy, schools in the State will be driven with a curriculum that will equip school-aged children to become competitive, innovative and self-reliant.
Governor Fubara made the assertion while inaugurating the Governing Council of Rivers State University at Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
He said: “There is a lot of noise everywhere: people asking what we are doing; that we are not focused, and that we don’t have direction.
”But I want to tell the world that we are focused and aware that we cannot grow if our energies are not channeled to education. Not just education, but purposeful education.
”Education that is creative. Education that gives you independence. We have left the era in the world when you speak too much grammar. We are in such times when it is what you can do with your hands.
”Our purpose for education is that we should bring back our academic programmes to where, at the end of your studies, you don’t need a job but you create jobs. When one creates a job, you automatically employ others. That is what I want this council to see as their task.”
Governor Fubara noted the non-existence of public secondary schools for the male child in the Diobu axis of Port Harcourt.
He said such negligence leaves children in that area who have completed primary education, and whose parents cannot afford sending them to far away secondary schools, to roam the streets, and therefore becoming willing tools for criminality.
Governor Fubara assured that such fundamental problem will be addressed by his administration as a measure to curb the negative impression associated with Diobu axis of Port Harcourt.
The governor said he trusts in the capacity of the members of the Governing Council of Rivers State University to bring about positive change in the institution while also contributing their quota to improving the general education standard in the State.
”I charge you, not just in terms of administering the affairs of the university, but let us add something different from the normal things that we already have to see new things.”
In her response, on behalf of the other members, the Pro-Chancellor of the Governing Council of Rivers State University, Justice Mary Odili (rtd), thanked the governor for finding them worthy to serve in such capacity.
Justice Odili assured they will work assiduously as a team to solve the problems that agitate the mind of the governor and ensure their contributions form part of the legacy that will be bequeathed by his administration.
The members included Justice Mary Odili (rtd) as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council with Barrister Mela Oforibika and Chukwuma Chinwo, Esq.
Others were Adata Bio-Briggs, Esq., Dr. Jonathan Nimi Hart, Ngo Martins-Yellowe, Dr. Nancy Nwankwo, Dr. Igoni William-Park, and Mr. Ogbugbu Barisua.
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Fubara, Others Eulogise Rivers First Lady’s Mother
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu, and key stakeholders of the State on Wednesday paid glowing tributes at the Service of Songs held in honour of late Mrs Adeline Jaja, mother of the wife of the Governor, Lady Valerie Fubara, at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Mile 1, Diobu, Port Harcourt.
Speaking at the event, Governor Fubara described his late mother-in-law as a great and visionary woman who lived on truth and conviction in what she believes.
“Mama was a great woman. She wasn’t a materialistic person. When she believes in you, she’ll be all out for you. She stood for me. I feel pained that, like my own mother, she left at this moment.
”Mama believed so much in God, and the wonders of God. I thank everyone, particularly the Church. On behalf of the bereaved family, we will support the Church to immortalise her name,” the Governor said.
In his homily, Vicar of the Church, Ven. A. A. Ijon-Ama, who spoke on the gains of death, said physical departure from earth was not an ultimate end but an opening for higher and permanent gain and perfection.
He pointed out that when a man has a good relationship with God, he stands to gain more in death.
Ven. Ijon-Ama described late Mrs. Adeline Jaja as a devout Christian, who exuded deep sense of hospitality, and endowed with accommodating spirit, noting that she will be greatly missed by all.
The Vicar, who prayed for the repose of the soul of Mrs Adeline Jaja, also solicited for Divine fortitude for the family to bear the great loss, and called for the immortalisation of the deceased to keep her good legacies alive.
Some family members, who spoke at the Service of Songs, extolled the virtues of the deceased, describing her as “a great community leader, counsellor, peace maker, and caring mother, who provided for the needy, and participated actively in Church activities.
Highlights of the event were special prayers for the bereaved family, conducted by the Anglican Bishop of Evo Diocese, Rt. Rev. Innocent Ordu; remarks by key family members, choir ministration, among others.
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