Breaking News: Stephen Keshi Releases Super Eagles AFCON Final List

Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel); Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be’er Sheba, Israel); Chigozie Agbim (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria)

Defenders: Elderson Echiejile (SC Braga, Portugal); Juwon Oshaniwa (Ashdod FC, Israel); Joseph Yobo (Fenerbahce, Turkey); Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC, Scotland); Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves, Nigeria); Kenneth Omeruo (ADO Den Haag, Netherlands); Godfrey Oboabona (Sunshine Stars, Nigeria).

Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Nosa Igiebor (Real Betis, Spain); Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Obiora Nwankwo (Calcio Padova, Italy); Fegor Ogude (Valerenga FC, Norway); Reuben Gabriel (Kano Pillars, Nigeria);

Forwards: Ahmed Musa ( CSKA Moscow, Russia); Emmanuel Emenike (Spartak Moscow, Russia); Victor Moses (Chelsea FC, England); Sunday Mba (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria); Ikechukwu Uche (Villarreal FC, Spain); Brown Ideye (Dynamo Kyiv, Ukraine); Ejike Uzoenyi (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria).

Amosun Condemns Fuel Stations In Residential Areas

Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has condemned siting of fuel stations in residential areas.

He lamented avoidable wastage of lives and property on account of wanton disrespect for town planning laws.

The governor disclosed this at Idiroko during his on-the-spot assessment of  fire incident which led to the death of three people, serious injuries to several others and valuable properties destroyed.

Amosun warned residents against erecting illegal structures and ordered the Ministry of Physical Planning to ensure business owners comply with relevant laws in siting fuel stations.
 The governor, who toured the affected community in a cloud of dust, frowned at fuel tanks erected in front of private buildings and condemned reckless driving by some petrol tankers's drivers.

He disclosed that the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) had been contacted and would collaborate with the local council to bring succour to victims of the unfortunate incident.
 
He directed that proper medicare should be provided to those that sustained injuries.

Amosun condoled with Baale Ogunseye who lost three members of his family in the inferno.

An articulated vehicle conveying petrol to a filling station on Thursday night had lost control and skidded resulting in the inferno in a residential area in Idiroko, Ipokia Local Government.

Ekweremadu Tasks President Mahama on Inclusive Government

The Speaker of the Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS Parliament, Senator Ike Ekweremadu has called on the newly inaugurated President of the Republic of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama to unite all political interests in Ghana by running an inclusive government.

He made the call in a goodwill message to the President and people of Ghana on the occasion of the president’s inauguration.

Senator Ekweremadu who is also the Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate described President Mahama’s emergence as a “rendezvous with destiny” and extolled the Republic of Ghana as “a great inspiration for democracy in the West Africa sub-region”.

Senator Ekweremadu also urged the President to take another look at the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre Foreign Investment Act, 1994 and the recurring issues arising from it with a view to ensuring the protection of the businesses of all West African nationals in the spirit of integration and relevant ECOWAS Protocols. 

PDP Set To Choose BOT Chairman

The Peoples Democratic Party says preparation leading to the emergence of its  Board of Trustee chairman is in full gear. 

A statement from the Secretary of the BOT,Walid Jibrin, revealed a full list of  contestants will be presented to members of the board enable them decide accordingly. 

Jubrin however dismissed reports that he was stepping down as secretary of the board for another candidate.

He described the report as  dangerous and reckless and a sign of lack of full knowledge of how the party and BoT operate. 

The party is expected to elect its  BoT chairman tomorrow (8th)

Ban On Same Sex Marriage Irrevocable-----Mark

Irrespective of pressures from  some sections of the  international community and human rights activists demanding the legalization of same sex marriage in Nigeria, Senate President,  Senator David Mark has insisted that  the bill prohibiting same sex marriage is irrevocable.

Besides banning the same sex marriage, Senator Mark said it is now a criminal offence  punishable by imprisonment of not less than 14 years.

Addressing, Catholic faithful and guests at the civic reception in honour of the Cardinal John Olorunfemi Onaiyean in Abuja at the weekend, he said inspite of the pressures from some quarters , the law has come to stay.

The Senate President  said:  There are many good values we can copy from other societies but certainly not the same sex marriage.

  He acknowledged the cordial relationship between the Nigerian State and the Church  and pledged that the National Assembly will continue to do all within the law to ensure religious freedom and peaceful co-existence in the country.

Senator Mark added that the National Assembly will continue to support religious programmes that have positive bearing on Nigerians but was quick to condemn in the strongest possible terms religious intolerance or extremism.

He therefore enjoined spiritual leaders to continue to pray for good governance, peace and security which are major challenges in Nigeria today.

In his remarks, Cardinal Onaiyekan expressed appreciation to  the Pope Benedict xii , the government and people of Nigeria for their prayers and support especially since his elevation to the Collage of Cardinals , saying he will continue to be a crusader  for peace and unity of the nation where every citizen have a sense of belonging.

President Jonathan Urges Re-Orientation In Nigerian Society To Promote Values Of Peace, Unity And Religious Tolerance

President Goodluck Jonathan has urged a re-orientation of the values of Nigerians to once again reinforce the ethos of community, togetherness and religious tolerance across the country.

The President spoke on the first Sunday of the New Year as he attended service  at the Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Catholic Cathedral, Garki, Abuja.

His words came on a day the Metropolitan Bishop of Abuja John Cardinal Onaiyekan celebrated his elevation to Cardinal and 30 years of his Episcopal ordination.

This celebration presented an opportunity for Nigerians from all walks of life regardless of ethnic background and religious leaning to rain praises on a symbol of peace.

For Senate President David Mark it was an opportunity to stress that those engaged in violence on basis of religion were a minority.

And the President building on that pointed out that those fostering violence in the name of religion were fighting against the very fabric of the Nigerian society as exemplified by persons like Cardinal Onaiyekan.

Nigerians believe that Cardinal Onaiyekan's elevation is an example of how far Nigeria could rise with its people working together.
The consensus on this occasion is that the celebration of John Cardinal Onaiyekan's elevation and what he stands for which is peace across the country go hand in and can only demonstrate the height the country can rise to if it maintains peace and religious tolerance across ethnic and religious divides.

Pictures: Gov. Fashola, First Lady, Pastors Adeboye, Okonkwo, Ademowo Others At Lagos State 2013 Annual Thanksgiving Service

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN (2^nd right), First Lady, Dame Emmanuella Abimbola Fashola (right), General Overseer,Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye (middle), wife of the General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor (Mrs) Folu Adeboye (2^nd left) and the Deputy Governor, Hon. (Mrs) Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire (left) during the Lagos State Government 2013 Annual Thanksgiving Service at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN (2^nd right), First Lady, Dame Emmanuella Abimbola Fashola (right), General Overseer,Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye (middle), wife of the General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor (Mrs) Folu Adeboye (2^nd left) and the Deputy Governor, Hon. (Mrs) Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire (left) during the Lagos State Government 2013 Annual Thanksgiving Service at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN (2^nd right), First Lady of Lagos State, Dame Emmanuella Abimbola Fashola (right), General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye (3^rd right), wife of the General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor (Mrs) Folu Adeboye (3rd left), Deputy Governor, Hon. (Mrs) Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire (2^nd left) and the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Ayotunde Philips (left) during the Lagos State Government 2013 Annual Thanksgiving Service at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja 

Presiding Pastor of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), Bishop Mike Okonkwo (left), Most Reverend E. A. Ademowo (2^ndright), His Eminence The Prelate (Dr) Ola Makinde (right) and others during the Lagos State Government 2013 Annual Thanksgiving Service at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja 

Cross section of invited guests, participants and other stakeholders during the Lagos State Government 2013 Annual Thanksgiving Service at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja

Cross section of invited guests, participants and other stakeholders during the Lagos State Government 2013 Annual Thanksgiving Service at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN (right) welcoming the General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye (left) during the Lagos State Government 2013 Annual Thanksgiving Service at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja 

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN (right) welcoming the Most Reverend Ephraim. A. Ademowo (2^nd right) and His Eminence, The Prelate (Dr) Ola Makinde (right) during the Lagos State Government 2013 Annual Thanksgiving Service at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja