News
AFCON: Super Eagles Grab Semi-Final Ticket: Trounce Cote D’ Ivoire 2-1 … Jonathan, Mark, PDP Hail Eagles
Nigeria shocked tournament favourites Ivory Coast 2-1 yesterday to progress to the Africa Cup of Nations semifinals in Rustenburg.
The Super Eagles took a first half lead through Emmanuel Emenike just before the break, but the Ivorians levelled on 50 minutes through Cheick Tiote.
However, Sunday Mba netted the winner 12 minutes from time for a sensational victory.
Elephants coach Sabri Lamouchi made eight changes from the team that drew 2-2 with Algeria in their last match, and it showed as Nigeria got out of the blocks faster, with Victor Moses firing in a shot on 10 minutes which Boubacar Barry parried to safety.
Emenike fired another shot over the bar on 27 minutes before their dominance was finally rewarded just before the break – the striker slotting a great free-kick after Moses was brought down just outside the area.
The Ivorians looked much better after the break and were duly rewarded just five minutes in when they drew level through Tiote, who headed in Didier Drogba’s free-kick at the back-post.
The Elephants kept up the pressure, though a warning sign of the Nigerian danger should have been forthcoming when Brown Ideye’s close-range header was well saved by Barry.
Yaya Toure was put straight through and looked certain to score, but the excellent Vincent Enyeama was equal to the task.
It proved a crucial save as Nigeria scored the decisive goal just 12 minutes before the end – Mba beating three defenders before his deflected shot left Barry with no chance.
Ivory Coast threw everything forward and had a number of chances, but just could not get the ball into the back of the net as the Eagles held on for a famous win.
Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday congratulated the Super Eagles for their superlative performance at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in South Africa.
A message on the Twitter account of the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, said Jonathan thanked the players “for their masterly and superlative performance.
“President Jonathan thanks the Super Eagles for their masterly and superlative performance in the just-concluded AFCON encounter with CIV.
“President Jonathan says to the Super Eagles now is the time to really begin to soar like the Super Eagles that they are.
“President Jonathan joins all Nigerians in celebrating today’s victory by the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
“The President has watched all the matches, including this last one.”
In a semilar vein, the Senate President, David Mark, has also thanked the Super Eagles for their 2-1 victory over the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in South Africa.
The defeat of the Ivorians, the pre-tournament favourites, has ensured the National team’s qualification for the semi-finals.
A statement released in Abuja by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Paul Mumeh, quotes Mark as saying that football remained a unifying factor for the Nigerian people.
Mark urged the Eagles to stay focused and committed to the ultimate goal of winning the trophy.
“This victory has brought joy and smiles to the faces of Nigerians. I want you to sustain this triumphant momentum and go all the way to lift the trophy.’’
He, then, commended Nigerians for supporting the Eagles and pledged that the National Assembly would take necessary steps to reward the team.
“I salute Nigerians for their overwhelming support to the Eagles. We at the National Assembly will do the needful to reward them.’’
The Senate President urged Nigerians to pray for the continued success of the team when they battle Mali in the semi-finals.
In a related development, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the Super Eagles’ victory over the Elephants of Cote D’ Ivoire as a good omen and a sign that the nation will soon surmount all its challenges under the present dispensation.
PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh in a statement yesterday said the party was overjoyed that the players did not let Nigerians down, adding that the victory was an indication that Nigeria is already coming out of the woods in all spheres of life.
The party said the victory over the Elephants, who had in the past stopped the Eagles in the tournament was an indication that nothing is impossible for Nigeria and that the doors have been opened for the nation to achieve other goals.
“The victory of the Super Eagles is a good omen. It is a sign of good things to come. The PDP sees it as a sign of a new beginning. It shows that we, as a nation can surmount all our problems. It is an indication that there is nothing impossible and that collectively we will overcome all the challenges we are facing as a nation. We will surmount all of them the way we surmounted the Elephants”, he said.
Stating that the victory did not come to it as a surprise, the party called on Nigerians to always believe in the potentials of the nation and urged pessimists to turn a new leaf especially as it has become clear that the country has already started experiencing a new dawn .
The PDP reminded that as a party that has the interest of the nation at heart, it had joined other well meaning Nigerians in praying for the Eagles. It said the victory showed that God answers prayers.
It however charged the team not to relax at this moment but to increase their zeal as they meet their next opponent in the semi final stage.
It told the players not to forget that millions of Nigerians are now counting on them to bring the cup home at the end of the tournament adding that they cannot afford to fail the nation at this critical time.
Each Super Eagles player yesterday pocketed $15,000 (about N2.4million) each for beating Cote d’Ivoire and qualifying for the semi-final of the 2013 AFCON.
A top Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) official disclosed that each player will also be $20,000 richer if the team triumphs in the semi-final.
For victory in the championship game on February 10, inside the National Stadium in Johannesburg, each player will pocket another $30,000.
Each player received $30,000 a day after the team qualified for the quarter-final last Tuesday.
Team sponsor, Guinness has also made a financial commitment for goals scored at the AFCON, while the Eagles are expecting billionaire, Aliko Dangote to splash more cash after they reached the last eight.
Each player was paid about $80,000 when Nigeria finished third at the 2010 Nations Cup in Angola.
Yesterday afternoon in Rustenburg, the Eagles faced 1992 champions, Cote d’Ivoire, and at the end of the game, trounced the Elephants, 2-1 to advance to the semi-finals.
The Super Eagles will now meet Mali, which eliminated hosts, South Africa in the quarter-final match last Saturday.
News
Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf
Two Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in Rivers State have been honoured by separate groups for their contributions to security, crime prevention and improved community-police relations in their respective areas of responsibility.
The beneficiaries are the DPO of Afam Police Division, CSP Endurance Worgu and his counterpart at Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf.
CSP Worgu was honoured by a group of students under the aegis of Rivers State Graduate Students Associations for what they described as his commitment and outstanding performance in the discharge of his duties.
The students, led by Chidi John Enyie, Esq. said CSP Worgu was selected based on his track record and status as one of the longest-serving young DPOs of Rivers State origin.
According to the group, CSP Worgu has made significant contributions to the protection of lives and property in the area since assuming office following the #EndSARS period.
The students said they were particularly impressed by the improvement in community-police relations under his leadership, noting that professionalism had remained a key feature of his service.
Enyie represented by Comrade Briggs Soku, said the students community was pleased to identify with a Rivers indigene who had distinguished himself in the police force.
He said the students considered it necessary to encourage and celebrate CSP Worgu because of his achievements as a young Rivers man excelling in a profession that many people from the state were often reluctant to join.
Receiving the award at his office in Afam, CSP Worgu expressed gratitude to God and the students for finding him worthy of the honour.
The DPO said the recognition had boosted his morale and encouraged him to sustain his efforts towards maintaining peace and security in the area.
He said he least expected the honour, particularly because it came from the students, adding that the recognition would further motivate him to serve the people better.
CSP Worgu assured residents of Afam that the police would sustain the existing peace in the area.
He appealed to members of the public to support the police by providing credible and timely information, stressing that useful information from residents would make the job of security personnel easier.
Meanwhile, the Ikwerre/Etche Media Association has also honoured the DPO of Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf, for his efforts in tackling criminal activities in the area.
The media group presented the award following the swift tracking and arrest of five suspected kidnappers who had allegedly terrorised residents of the Kom-Kom axis and other parts of Oyigbo.
The group commended CSP Bello for what it described as his determined efforts to restore confidence and security in the affected communities, particularly Kom-Kom and Obeama.
According to the group, the arrest of the suspects demonstrated the DPO’s commitment to tackling criminality and safeguarding residents.
The media association said residents had received the development with relief, noting that the police action had sent a strong message to criminal elements operating in the area.
Responding, CSP Yusuf appreciated the group for the recognition and reaffirmed that there would be no room for criminality in Oyigbo.
He also commended the media for its role in disseminating credible information to the public, saying the media had remained supportive of the police in the fight against crime.
CSP Yusuf warned criminal elements operating in Oyigbo to leave the area or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.
He assured residents that the police would continue to pursue criminals and work to dismantle their hideouts, regardless of where they might be operating.
News
College Of Bishops Endorses Tinubu, APC Candidates For 2027 Polls
The 5000 Achievers Christian Forum and Colleges of Bishops, Archbishops and Apostles, a Christian interdenominational organisation, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State for the 2027 general elections.
International President of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, disclosed this during the ordination and consecration of three new Bishops, as well as an award ceremony held in Port Harcourt.
Aroh said the performance of the APC-led Federal Government had endeared the party to the organisation, prompting the forum to declare its support for President Tinubu and other APC candidates in Rivers State.
He said the forum would support all APC candidates in the state during the 2027 elections and urged Nigerians to vote for the party.
Aroh, who is also the General Overseer of Caring Peoples Church, Port Harcourt, charged the newly consecrated Bishops to see their new positions as a great responsibility and dedicate themselves to the advancement of the kingdom of God.
He cautioned them against conduct capable of bringing their offices into disrepute, stressing that their activities would be closely watched by members of the public.
“As Bishops, the eyes of the public are on your activities. You must therefore conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of your calling,” he said.
Also speaking, the International Coordinator of the forum, Bishop Saint Robinson, urged the newly consecrated Bishops to work diligently towards winning souls for the kingdom of God.
Robinson, who was the guest speaker at the event, stressed that the activities of Bishops must at all times be guided by godly principles.
He also called on members of the church to support and cooperate with the newly consecrated Bishops in the discharge of their responsibilities.
The Secretary of the College, Apostle Elizabeth Ayadi Abaye, said the organisation was established to advance the kingdom of God and promote spiritual development.
According to her, the forum has organised several crusades, conferences, prayer meetings, ordinations, consecrations, enthronements, empowerment programmes and other spiritual development activities across the country as part of efforts to win souls for Christ.
Abaye said the organisation has members across the world and disclosed that more programmes had been scheduled to promote the spiritual development and wellbeing of humanity.
The three Bishops consecrated at the ceremony were Prince Alban Chike, Testimony Omenihu Shedrach and Prince Ifemena.
Among those honoured at the event were the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Abali Community, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Manuchimso Prince Lemmy Wopara, and Clifford Oko Jaja, Coordinator of the 5,000 House-to-House for President Tinubu.
By: John Bibor
News
Police Arrest Fake Soldier, Others For Armed Robbery, Kidnapping
The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 49-year-old suspected fake soldier, Andrew Atausi, and several other suspects in connection with various criminal activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, one-chance robbery and the alleged murder of police officers.
The State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, recently during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters, where he said the arrests formed part of the operational achievements recorded by the Command between June and August 2026.
Adepoju said Atausi was arrested on August 10 by police operatives along Ada George, Port Harcourt, while dressed in military uniform and driving a Toyota Hilux painted in Army colours.
The Commissioner said investigation revealed that Atausi was not a member of the Armed Forces, adding that he was suspected to be a serial car snatcher, with three suspected stolen vehicles recovered from him.
He said the recovered vehicles included three Toyota Hilux vehicles without registration numbers and a Toyota Corona Premio with registration number BNY 380 ES, noting that the chassis and engine numbers of the vehicles had allegedly been tampered with.
Adepoju added that an axe and military accoutrements were also recovered from Atausi, as investigation continued into the circumstances surrounding the vehicles and other items recovered from him.
On the June 29 attack on police officers at Aluu Division, the Commissioner said three members of the gang allegedly responsible for the incident had been arrested by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU-AKU.
The suspects, identified as Maduabuchi Emeka, 34, alleged gang leader; Doctor Chinedu Owhor, 42, and Kamachi Joe, 28, alleged armourer, reportedly led operatives to their hideout at Omagwa where two AK-47 rifles stolen during the attack were recovered.
Adepoju recalled that two police officers were killed during the Aluu attack, while others were wounded and one officer had his leg amputated, stressing that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fourth suspect.
On kidnapping, the Commissioner said five members of a suspected kidnapping syndicate were arrested in Oyigbo Local Government Area, adding that they allegedly confessed to operations in Kom-Kom, Railway, Obeama and Afam communities.
He said two other suspects from the same network, Anele Ogbogu, 35, alleged to be the gang’s armourer, and Kenneth Eke, 38, were arrested on July 27, with one AK-47 rifle and one SMG rifle recovered.
The Commissioner further disclosed the arrest of suspects in connection with alleged firearm offences, armed robbery, cultism and one-chance robbery, with firearms, ammunition and other exhibits recovered during the operations.
Adepoju assured residents that the Command would sustain intelligence-led, proactive and community-oriented policing in collaboration with other security agencies, while urging members of the public to continue providing credible information that would assist the police in combating crime across Rivers State.
By; King Onunwor
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