Nigerian Newspapers
ITALIAN BOMBER : Joel Obi’s back and better
Even in his short professional career, Joel Obi, the gifted Nigerian Inter Milan midfielder, has known the meaning of being in the mountain and valley of life.
He made his debut for Inter in a UEFA Champions League group stage game against Werder Bremen on September 29, 2010 after coming on as a second half substitute in a 4-0 shutout. He would later make his Italian Serie A debut against Cagliari on October 17, 2010 when he replaced Philippe Coutinho in the 66th minute. Inter won the match 1-0, thanks to a goal from Samuel Eto’o.
Ever since, the 22-year-old Lagos-born chap has not looked back even during his brief spell at Parma but last season, he suffered from every footballer’s nightmare injury, which limited him to just three appearances and forced him to miss Nigeria’s Africa Nations Cup campaign.
But in an electronic conversation with The Nation Sport & Style, Obi hearkened to the saying that ‘challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful,’ saying the injury , though a setback, gave him the opportunity to reflect on the vicissitudes of life and that he is better for it.
“I am very happy to be back and it is nice that many people are excited with my return,” began Obi who learned his craft at NEPA FC of Lagos. “It was a tough one for me but I am happy to be back with a chance to play again.
“Having any kind of injury is tough since you are not going to play the game for that particular period of time but it is unfortunate that there is no way a footballer can do away with it.
“It’s part of the game and the only way out is just to pray for quick recovery. Injury can contribute to someone dropping form which can also make you lose confidence on your return. But it all depends on how one deals with it,” he explained, as he gave further insight on how he was able to cope.
“My mind was always on the pitch thinking when would I have the opportunity to play again? I make sure I obeyed all the dos and don’ts from the medical team while I was injured and it really helped me. “Having an injury can be very frustrating especially when you see your teammates on the pitch but it was also an opportunity for me to pay attention to what others were doing on the pitch. I’m happy and it’s a great to be back,” he added, as he responded to other sundry details. Excerpts…
How did you cope generally during the time when you were injured?
I am a footballer and the best way I could help myself was to cope with the challenges. I watched videos, especially the ones involving matches that I played. I look at them to know where I needed to adjust and also what I needed to become a better player. Many people expect a lot from me on my return and for me to get my shirt back that means I will need to convince the coach that I am ready. So I took my time to watch my games, the injury was just a learning period too but I missed the ball, the crowd and the game itself. I must confess that injury is a bad thing really.
Now that you’re back to training, how do you hope to play yourself back to reckoning for both club and country?
Once I ‘m able to find my way back into the teams, I will surely hit my best form. I don’t want to rush myself, but to get good playing time and justify why the team has missed me. My confidence is ok and I’m in good spirit. Everybody may have missed me probably because of my playing style; all I want now is to justify the confidence they have in me by playing well.
Inter Milan struggled all through last season due to injuries to series of players; it seems this affected the performance of the team
It was tough and it was really a painful one for me and the entire team. When a team lost about four to five key players due to injuries, it will definitely affect the team. Psychologically, it will affect the players as well because there will be some urgent changes which may not work as expected. I think the injury crisis we had last season affected the performance of Inter Milan. The good thing is that the fans were understandable and we are hoping to make up for what we lost last season.
Jose Mourinho gave your debut in the Champions League against Werder Bremen, was that the genesis of your breakthrough at Inter?
Mourinho is an intelligent man, a coach with great passion for the game. I think he gave me a lot of encouragement before the match. He’s a coach that knows exactly what you need to do to step up your game. Back then, he gave me some hard training. So I think my Champions League debut against Bremen was the genesis of my breakthrough at Inter. Two weeks after, I made my Italian Serie a debut against AC Milan and that was the game that really prepared me for other challenges that followed.
Will you agree that the departure of Jose Mourinho affected Inter Milan?
I think it is a wrong opinion because after Mourinho, we had Rafael Benitez who also did his best; Inter is a club that is bigger than anybody. Sometimes, people forget that football can be very funny and that is the same thing about life. Mourinho’s departure had nothing to do with the team because the club always goes for the best coaches and I believe so much that we are going to prove it right this season.
Since your move to Inter Milan’s youth team, you have played under several coaches but it seems you enjoyed more playing time under Benitez…
I have been enjoying every aspect of my career with all the coaches that I have played under. Though there have been differences under different coaches, it’s been great being here at Inter. Coaches have different approaches to games, Benitez’s tactics are different from that of Mourinho and also different from what Materrazi will use, and that is where players’ impact comes in. So I enjoyed virtually everybody in the team because in one way or the other I got my chance and I utilised it well.
The best way to convince your coach whenever you are given the chance is to give your best and let the coach still believe you are still ready to do more.
Inter Milan ranks among the best clubs in the world, how are you getting along with the senior players in the team?
I’m getting used to everybody. Of course in a team like this, you must keep your head, but playing here is a great opportunity to learn from my senior colleagues. They love me since I’m loyal to them. This is a club like a family and you have the opportunity to create your own world. I love being in the club because I see everybody here as a member of a big family. I have stayed long in the club and
I’m enjoying the relationship with everyone.
You have been linked to clubs in the English Premier League, will the English football suit your style of play?
I am flattered with the rumours linking me to England because most footballers believe playing in England is a good thing. It’s great to get attentions from England but I’m very happy as an Inter Milan player. There is no official discussion from my club. Inter has the final say, and for now I am yet to be aware of such move. To the other question, I am a versatile player and adapting to any league in the world should not be a problem.
What is your experience playing with lots of world class players in Inter Milan?
I count myself lucky playing for a club like Inter. I love Inter Milan and I count myself lucky to be playing with talented and world stars. I appreciate playing with respected players like Dejan Stankovic. The club has given me lots of chances to prove myself and I think am yet to produce my best.
How did you manage to impress all the coaches that have been coming to the club?
It’s all down to commitment. I said it before that, my attitude to each game is very high; I don’t take things for granted because I know my commitment today will give me another chance tomorrow.
That tomorrow maybe with another coach and that is why a player must be committed always.
Let’s talk about the national team, don’t you feel pained that you missed a chance of winning the AFCON with the Super Eagles?
I know if not for my injury, I could have challenged for a place in the team. It was painful missing out on such a big occasion for my country but it was great that others did their best to win the trophy for Nigeria. AFCON glory is the first major target of many national team players and I must tell you that it was a great honour for the players. Despite being on injury treatment, my mind was still with the team because I am associated with most of the players and I wanted them to be proud of national team glory. Well, I was not part of the 2013 AFCON glory but by the grace of the living God, I will be part of the squad that will retain the trophy in two years time. But now, the World Cup is the priority for the team.
What do you think about the Super Eagles World Cup qualifier against Malawi in September?
I think nothing else than victory! There is no way Malawi will come and just walk away with the three points. I know it is possible but not in this present atmosphere where players are angry over their ouster from the Confederation Cup. I know Nigeria still has big matches to play if we beat Malawi but it is one game after another. Malawi will fall first then others can follow.
Are you saying Nigeria will get the World Cup ticket cheaply?
What do you mean by cheap? Is there any cheap victory again in football? Well, it can come even cheaper if we work harder but we should not be dreaming about any easy games. I am very sure that the Malawians are coming to die here but if we work harder and ready to play like true champions of Africa, every knee must bow. Hard work goes for victory while laziness, pride, ego are means of failure. So I am not underrating any team for Eagles. I am only pleading for hard work whether I will be there or not.
Should Eagles eventually qualify to the last round of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers , are you not scared of the chances of teams like Cote d’Ivoire?
Cote d’Ivoire, for instance, are already wounded elephants since we denied them a chance to lift the AFCON in South Africa and that will make it tougher for us because it could take more years before they can lift the AFCON again. So we would be ready for any team knowing well we can beat anybody with hard work and determination.
How do you relax off the pitch?
I like watching my past video clips and also play PS video games. And sometimes I hang around with my friends at the beach or to travel around the city of Milan. But I like meeting my friends and spending time with them. But I love catching fun on the beach. I still play table tennis because it is a flexible game… I do listen to music, both Nigerian and European.
How good is your mastery of the Italian language now?
I am very fluent in speaking the Italian language now. I can write and speak Italian and it helps me in my communication with my teammates. My coming to Italy at a young age makes it sweet for me to enjoy the beautiful life of the country. Life is normal everywhere and I am coping very well.
What is your fashion style like?
I am a simple dresser. I think my hairstyle makes a lot of difference in my style but I make use of simple colours and marching order. Looking good is part of most footballers and I’m not an exemption.
PROFILE
Full name: Joel Chukwuma Obi
Date of birth: May 22, 1991
Place of birth: Lagos, Nigeria
Height: 1.77 m (5 ft 9 1⁄2 in)
Playing position: Midfielder
Current club: Internazionale
Number: 20
Youth career: Internazionale (2005–2010)
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Posted in Nigerian Newspapers. A DisNaija.Com network.
Source: The Nation Newspaper
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•Deploy more personnel as army chief vows to wipe out terror group
•Security beefed up at N’Assembly
Deji Elumoye and Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja
Abuja, Nigeria’s seat of power, is under a massive security cordon following threats of attacks by insurgents and the increasing wave of banditry in the contiguous states of Kaduna, Kogi, Nasarawa and Niger States, THISDAY’s investigation has revealed.
There has been a wave of kidnappings in the outskirts of the federal capital, notably Pegi, Tuganmaje and Kuje among others, which the police have battled in recent times.
The security situation in and around the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was heightened by the pronouncement of the Niger State Governor, Mr. Sani Bello, that Boko Haram fighters who he said sacked 50 villages in the state and hoisted the terror group’s flag, were about two hours drive away from the FCT.
Security has also been beefed up at the National Assembly as operatives, yesterday, thoroughly screened every vehicle approaching the National Assembly complex in Abuja.
The deteriorating security situation nationwide prompted the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, to warn that the 2023 general election may not hold, demanding the declaration of a state of emergency as well as the convocation of a national conference.
However, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, yesterday restated the Nigerian Army’s determination to annihilate Boko Haram.
But the Governor of Katsina State, Hon. Bello Masari, cautioned against declaring a state of emergency, saying doing so isn’t the solution to combat the security challenges facing the country.
The security of the nation’s airports was also in focus yesterday as the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) said there was no threat to them.
THISDAY’s investigations showed increased presence of troops, police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) personnel and intelligence operatives at the three strategic entrances to the city notably, Keffi, Zuba and Gwagwalada.
More checkpoints were also mounted around Gwagwalada and Keffi.
THISDAY also observed increased intelligence deployment at the entrance and the borders of FCT with contiguous states.
Beyond the borders, there were more deployments and police patrols inside the city and increased intelligence deployments as well.
Security sources told THISDAY: “There are deployments here and there but they are routine. Alertness is key to a secure environment.”
It was also learnt that security agencies were involved in frenzied meetings throughout yesterday.
The meetings, coordinated by the office of the Chief of Defence Staff under the new joint operational strategy of the armed forces, were aimed at coordinating a joint response to possible threats of attack to the FCT.
“I understand the security teams have been meeting for some days now and if you look around you, you will notice that there are increasing patrols and numbers of security personnel. The threats are not been taken lightly,” a source said.
National Assembly workers, lawmakers and visitors also had a harrowing experience accessing the legislative complex due to heightened security in the area.
Security operatives thoroughly screened every vehicle approaching the National Assembly complex in Abuja, impeding both human and vehicular traffic.
The Sergeant-at-arm of the National Assembly and other security agencies supervised the operations, leading to huge traffic build-up inside the complex.
Legislative staff, visitors and lawmakers were seen patiently waiting for their cars to be searched so that they could go ahead with the business of the day.
Some staff and visitors at some point got tired of waiting and were seen alighting from their cars to trek from the gate to the complex.
Meanwhile, the ONSA has said there is no threat to the nation’s airports.
A statement by the Head of Strategic Communication, Mr. Zachari Usman, said the reports of threats to the airports were an internal correspondence of security threat assessment misconstrued as security threat to the airports.
PDP Demands State of Emergency
In a related development, the PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, yesterday demanded the declaration of a state of emergency, warning that the 2023 general election might not hold if the federal government failed to tackle insecurity.
He called on the federal government to summon a national conference to address the spike in insecurity.
Secondus added that the national caucus of the party will meet today to discuss the state of the nation.
Addressing members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) in Abuja, Secondus said: “We are worried Abuja is not even safe. It is no longer politics. We got alert of plots to bomb and burn down our airports.
“We urge the federal government to declare a national state of emergency in security. There is the need to call a national conference to discuss the insecurity in the country.
“There may not be any election in 2023 in Nigeria due to insecurity. This government must listen to the people. The Buhari government should call a national confab to discuss security and state of the nation. It is no longer politics. This time we are not playing politics. Let’s keep politics aside and move the nation forward.”
He said the country had been grounded, regretting that there had been no matching response from the federal government.
Secondus said in the past, terrorism in the North was confined to the North-east, but with the report of Boko Haram occupying villages in Niger State, terrorism had spread to the North-central
“Herdsmen are also menacing in the West; gunmen causing havoc in the East; and the militants in the South; all killing, looting, raping, maiming and burning down homes. The situation is bad; Nigerians all over are living in fear,” he said.
The Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, said the problem of Nigeria was outside of the PDP headquarters, while pledging the support of the Senate to the declaration of state of emergency in security.
Abaribe said he deliberately decided not to speak on the floor of the Senate but to allow the APC senators to speak so as to avoid being accused of giving a partisan colouration to the issue of insecurity.
He stated that only electoral reforms would give victory to the opposition party in the 2023 general election and ensure a democratic defeat of the APC-led federal government.
Also, the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, commended the NEC and the PDP leadership for their collective efforts at resolving the House leadership crisis.
The NEC meeting adopted the position of Secondus, calling on the federal government to convoke a national conference to discuss the state of insecurity in the country, according to a communiqué read by the National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan.
Army Chief Vows to Wipe Out Boko Haram
The army yesterday reiterated its commitment to wipe out Boko Haram.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, told reporters in Maiduguri, Borno State that Boko Haram had been defeated in many encounters and would continue to be defeated until it’s annihilated from Nigeria.
“We will take on Boko Haram decisively, and we are committed to the focus of the operations, which is the total annihilation of Boko Haram from Nigeria,” he said.
The COAS, who was visiting the headquarters of Operation Lafiya Dole in Maiduguri for the fifth time since his appointment four months ago, said the visit was to boost the morale of the troops, reassure them and listen to any issues affecting them.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj. Gen. Farouq Yahaya, lauded the visit, which he said had continued to boost the morale of the troops.
“We are honoured, we are grateful, we are encouraged by those visits. You provided us guidance, logistics and other things we required. We are most grateful for those visits,” Yahaya said.
State of Emergency Won’t Solve Security Challenges, Says Masari
Katsina State Governor, Hon. Aminu Masari, has, however, said declaration of a state of emergency won’t solve the security challenges facing the nation.
Masari, who spoke yesterday with journalists after meeting with the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari at the State House, Abuja stated that he was against the recent call by the House of Representatives for the declaration of a state of emergency in the security sector as it would not solve the problem.
According to him, declaring a state of emergency will not achieve the desired effect as the security structure and personnel to be used to execute the emergency are already overstretched in a bid to safeguard lives and property.
Sourced From: THISDAYLIVE
Tribune Online
Nigeria records 55 new COVID-19 infections, total now 165,110
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has recorded 62 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 165,110. The NCDC disclosed this on its official Twitter handle on Friday. “55 new cases of #COVID19Nigeria; Lagos-21, Yobe-19, Ogun-6, Akwa Ibom-3, Kaduna-2, Plateau-2, FCT-1, Rivers-1.” YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE COVID-19: Nigeria Recorded […]
Nigeria records 55 new COVID-19 infections, total now 165,110
Tribune Online
Sourced From: Tribune Online
By Olasunkanmi Akoni
The people of the South East region have been urged to explore the power of negotiation and mutual settlement in the face of ongoing killings and security challenges in the zone because the east can not afford another war at present.
Stakeholders from the South-East geo-political zone made the remark on Thursday, at the unveiling of the book, “Igbo, 50 years after Biafra,” written by Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Drainage Services, Joe Igbokwe, held at Ikeja G.R.A.
Speaking at the unveiling of the book, the chairman of the occasion, Mr. Cutis Adigba,
urged the people of the South-East to learn to build bridges across the country, so that they can realise their ambition of producing the next president of Nigeria.
Adigba urged leaders from the zone to discourage the move and agitation by some youths in the South East to go to war and secede out of Nigeria.
Also read: Banditry: Disregard viral video, Niger State gov’t urges residents
He said that Igbo have always found it difficult to rule Nigeria because they refused to build bridges across the six geo-political zones that made up Nigeria.
While describing the agitation as uncalled for, Adigba noted that after two decades that Nigeria returned to civil rule, the Igbo has predominantly identified with only one political party.
He maintained that remaining in one party can not advance the cause of the people of South East and cannot make them realise their objective of producing an Igbo man as president.
He maintained that the publisher of the book, Igbokwe played politics outside his state, so that the Igbo race can be integrated with one another race.
Adigba said the failure of the Igbo to reintegrate with other ethnic nationalities politically was responsible for the retrogression of the race in Nigerian politics.
Igbokwe, also addressing guests on the occasion, maintained that the Igbo are not advancing politically because they refused to be integrated into National politics, lamenting that, despite their success in business, they are not successful in playing politics at the national level.
Corroborating Dimgba, Igbokwe noted that there was the need for the Igbo people to stand up and build bridges so that their objective of producing the next president of Nigeria could be realised.
According to him: “I have decided to raise my voice, I hope my people will hear me while trying to quell the effect of the war, our people are spoiling for another war, mayhem is being unleashed in Igbo land, and there is palpable fear.
“Those who could speak have lost their voice, mindful of the consequences of their actions, I am calling on all Igbo leaders to speak up because all actions carry consequences, consequences of the silence will be too dastardly to sustain.
“Those silently supporting the wild wind should be careful or else they hand over to their children,” he said.
Igbokwe urged those spoiling for war to jettison their plan and embrace dialogue, urging them to learn from the South West region that despite the challenges faced after the annulment of the June 12, 1993, election, they did not go to war, and the region had the opportunity of producing two of her sons for presidential position in 1999.
“You have to build bridges to become president of Nigeria, but it is unfortunate the Igbo are burning bridges.”
Speaking at the event, Chief Uche Dimgba who is the coordinator of Igbo in All Progressives Congress, APC in Lagos, described Igbokwe as “a Frank, fearless and reliable leader, who based his views on issues and stand by his opinions, and we the Igbo have confidence in him and believe he can lead us aright.”
“He is a leader we Igbo believe in and we will follow him. If he can serve all the governors produced in Lagos State since 1999, he is a better man to follow because he possesses all the experience that can be of benefit to Igbo both at home and in the diaspora.”
The post Attacks on S’East: We must explore all options of negotiation — Stakeholders urge Igbo appeared first on Vanguard News.
Sourced From: Vanguard News
The government said that no worker should stay back beyond 6:00 p.m. within premises of buildings undergoing construction.
The post Insecurity: Lagos bans occupation of abandoned buildings appeared first on Premium Times Nigeria.
Sourced From: Premium Times Nigeria
Nigeria records 55 new COVID-19 infections, total now 165,110
Military, Police Ring Abuja to Forestall Boko Haram Attack
UFC: Usman gets N584m after beating Masvidal
Insecurity: Lagos bans occupation of abandoned buildings
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