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Edo political crisis self-inflicted – APC chieftain

By Deborah Coker

A stalwart of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo, Mr Peter Esele, has decried the political crisis rocking the state chapter of the party, describing it as self- inflicted.

Esele made the assertion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin on Wednesday.

The APC governorship aspirant in the 2016 poll said that the differences were personal and selfish rather than ideological or issues-based.

“It is sad to see that the present disagreement in the party is all about ego and who gets what,” he said.

He advised the people of Edo to be vigilant and learn to ask questions in order to have an informed opinion rather than taking sides blindly.

Esele said: “People should ask if this disagreement in Edo is about healthcare, education or infrastructure for the people.

“I will be interested in seing politicians quarrel or disagree on issues that affect the common man and not issues of ego or playing to the gallery.

“Initially, they said Gov. Godwin Obaseki is the best thing to happen to Edo, now the same people who brought him are the ones saying he should go.

“I want to see disagreements among politicians being based on ideas.”

The former labour leader also called for speedy resolution of the crisis over the inauguration of the state House of Assembly for the progress and development of the state.

He opined that the court remained the best place to resolve the crisis that arose from the inauguration.

“If a matter suits you, you will interpret it in a way that everybody thinks it is a crime.

“Why don’t we ask ourselves these questions? The House was inaugurated based on a letter of proclamation transmitted to the Clerk of the House, so what is next?

“What we should ask ourselves is whether the inauguration was wrong.

“If it is wrong, we go to court and if the court then says that the act is illegal, then we start all over again,” Esele said.

He advised that every action in a democracy must be based on the rule of law.

“We can disagree and argue over issues. That is why we have the judiciary as the arbiter to interpret the law.

“I do not subscribe to the issue being taken to the National Assembly because the members there are all politicians and the issue of interest would come to play,” he said.

President Buhari watching the Super Eagles match against South Africa

By Emmanuel Afonne

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the Super Eagles after defeating South Africa’s Bafana Bafana 2-1 to progress to the Semi-finals of the ongoing 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt.

The President who congratulated the team Wednesday night for their victory against South Africa said the progression confirmed Nigeria’s move to the Next Level .

He urged the Nigerian team led by Coach Gernot Rohr to remain focused and determined as the Eagles seek their fourth continental title.

A statement by Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President, Media, says: “With a well-deserved victory over the Bafana Bafana of South Africa, President Buhari believes, like millions of other sports-loving Nigerians, that the mission of having the trophy in our hands for the fourth time is almost accomplished for the high flying Eagles.”

The President urged the team led by Genort Rohr to remain focused, disciplined and scale the remaining two hurdles to glory.

He affirmed that the crop of players in the national football team represented the resilient and indomitable Nigerian spirit, which must be reflected in all other areas of national life.

President Buhari assured the players that Nigerians are praying for them to fly higher and get to the peak of the tournament, knowing that the taste of victory is sweet and what they have achieved so far pleased Nigerians irrespective of ethnic, religious or political inclination.

Investors, industrialists’ synergy’ll bridge infrastructural gap —AUDA-NEPAD Boss

Princcess Gloria Akobundu, National Coordinator/ Chief Executive Officer, African Union Development Agency-New partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD) Nigeria, says serious collaboration between investors and industrial players can eliminate infrastructural deficit in the country.

This was said in a statement signed on Wednesday in Abuja by Abolade Ogundimu, Media Assistant to C.E.O, AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria.

According to Akobundu, there is serious link between development and adequate infrastructure.

“We cannot be talking about development without touching on the key component which is, infrastructure.

“There is need for investors to collaborate with captains of industries, while we also continue to promote Public Private Partnership (PPP), that will enable us to have adequate infrastructural development needed as a country.

“PPP is a global trend and the results have been impressive in many nations around the world, it does not mean that such government is abandoning its responsibility to its people, rather it commitment to rapid infrastructural growth.

“Sufficient investment in the energy sector that can lead to stable powers supply will not only be rewarding to such investors but will also be a good relieve to both individual and corporate consumers” she said.

The C.E. added that the forum could be a good platform to stem common problems confronting  continent including: Power,food, infrastructures human capital development..

According to AUDA-NEPAD boss,  the nation’s private sector operators should increase collaboration with serious investors with the aim of complementing President Muhammadu Buhari-led government’s aggressive approach to infrastructural development in key areas of the economy.

“Buhari -led government has been working assiduously to reduce infrastructural deficit in the country as can be seen in the magnitude of projects ongoing in different sectors including road and standard rail line construction to ease transportation problems”.

Akobundu commended African Development Bank (AfDB) and its collaborators for organising `Nigeria Road Show’ held on Tuesday in Abuja.

The Roadshow was organised so that AfDB could meet Nigerian industry and business leaders ahead of the second Africa Investment Forum(A.I.F), scheduled for Nov. 11-13, in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Akobundu noted that maiden edition of AIF was regarded a success because most of the discussed deals were secured between industrialists and investors.

She urged Nigerian business leaders to maximize opportunities offered by the Forum, by following up on established contacts made at the roadshow in order to secure finance of more infrastructures in the country.

Mutiu Adepoju, Ex-Super Eagles player

By Muhyideen Jimoh

Mutiu Adepoju, ex- Super Eagles player, has urged the national football squad to sustain the team spirit in camp as they move closer towards lifting the 2019 AFCON in Egypt.

He gave the advice after Nigeria defeated South Africa 2-1 in the second quarter-finals match of the 2019 AFCON, to book a place in the semi-finals of the competition.

The former Super Eagles midfielder told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the team could carry the day at the end of event if they remained focused.

He commended the boys for defeating arch-rivals, South Africa, in a tension-soaked match, and urged the team to sustain the momentum in the remaining two matches.

“I want to commend the team for a job well done; we are moving on gradually.

“It was a good match; we controlled the game and we won at the end, despite some nervy moments, ” he said.

William Ekong’s late goal in the 88th minute ensured that the Super Eagles advanced to the semi-finals with a 2 – 1 win over their Bafana-Bafana counterpart.

Earlier, Samuel Chukwueze had opened scoring in the 27th minute, while Bongani Zungu of Bafana-Bafana equalised in the 71st minute.

Adepoju said the Eagles must now re-double their efforts in the next game, as they sought to claim their fourth AFCON title.

He advised the technical crew to also intensify team training in penalties as the semi final and final matches might stretch to extra time.

“The semi final match will be very tough regardless of who we play. We must also train for penalties because at this stage, anything can happen,” he said.

The Super Eagles are expected to play winners of the Cote d’ Ivoire versus Algeria match in one of the semi-final encounters on Sunday. (NAN)

Microsoft To Open Retail Store In Central London

Microsoft will open a flagship shop in central London on Thursday in a move that aims to reconnect the software giant to its customers (both consumers and businesses).

The first physical retail store for Microsoft in the UK will be located on Oxford Circus (on Regent Street) and covers 21,932 square feet over three floors.

It will apparently be the only Microsoft retail outlet in Europe, and one of just three flagship locations globally, that are intended to give people a taste of the Microsoft experience.

According to CNN, the software giant will use the store to get closer to its customers, and visitors will be able to test Microsoft software and games (there is for example a gaming lounge for the Xbox), or get some tech support.

Corporate clients are catered for on a separate floor, and people can also try out mixed reality solutions.

“I’ve been working on this for several years because it’s all about location in retail,” Cindy Rose, Microsoft’s UK CEO was quoted by CNN as saying. “We wanted the best possible location on the planet.”

“Of course you can buy products here, but this is really about the experience we provide to our customers,” Rose reportedly said. “I think this is just the most prime piece of real estate you could possibly find,” she said.

Chris Capossela, Redmond’s chief marketing officer, reportedly said the new store is “unique” in showcasing the Microsoft “experience.”

“The Microsoft brand has become a lot more human, a lot more approachable than maybe the early days, when it was very hard tech,” Capossela said.

“Now we’re about gaming, now we’re about building the next great software application that might rule the world in 15 years,” he said.

Microsoft’s UK boss Cindy Rose also used the opportunity to highlight the Brexit issue, a subject that Microsoft has two main concerns about, namely the continued free flow of data, and legal protection for its staff.

Rose said she is concerned about the legal status of Microsoft staff being able to work legally in European countries, but she also said that she believes the United Kingdom will continue to prosper regardless of the political landscape.

Lagos State Governorship Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Jimi Agbaje,has announced a lawyer, Mrs. Haleemat Oluwayemisi Busari, as his Running Mate for the 2019 gubernatorial race. (more…)