“Don’t Sack Keshi” – Orji Uzor Kalu

As Nigerians await what the future holds for Stephen Keshi,former Abia State governor Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu yesterday threw his weight behind the coach, asking for a new four -year contract to keep the Big boss as Eagles Manager.

Kalu’s backing comes amid uncertainity over Eagles preparations for the 2015 Nations Cup and is a bold step towards sustaining pressure on the need for continuity.

He said,” there should be no vacuum. I want the football federation to keep Keshi.He must learn from his mistakes.This is not the time to hire a new coach.Rather,Mike Emenalo and Sylvanus O kpala should be engaged to work with him”.

The ex- governor advised that Keshi’s designation should be changed to accommodate his former team mates so that all tactical deficiencies could be plugged.

” Keshi could become Technical Adviser. Emenalo takes the position of Chief coach while Okpala assumes the responsibility of assistant coach.That combination would be unbeatable. Emenalo knows so much about modern club football and is tactically sound. Okpala sees a lot from the bench too,” Kalu added.

Kalu also prayed the NFF to send Keshi to Germany on a three-month refresher course in the bid to take Nigerian soccer to the next level.

“That is what he needs. The Germans have a lot to offer in terms of modern soccer technology. You saw what their squad did to Brazil.That should be the next destination point,” Kalu offered.

He also advised Keshi on the way forward.” There should be two standing national teams. One must comprise players from the local league.It does help a coach when he has to rely entirely on Europe based footballers to prosecute games. It showed in Brazil. Home based defenders could have done a better job at the World Cup.”

And out -of favour striker Ike Uche was not left out.” That was one costly mistake Keshi made. Eagles must be full of players who can score goals.I am sure we have not seen the best of that young man. And Keshi must change his mind. We have not seen the last of Uche. We should start preparing for Russia 2018 now. Time waits for no one,” Kalu summed up.

Kalu wants 4-year deal for Keshi

Former Abia State governor, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu has thrown his weight behind coach Stephen Oke­chukwu Keshi to remain as Super Eagles boss.

According to Kunle Oyewunmi, the special adviser Media, to Kalu, the coach should be handed a new four -year contract.

Kalu’s backing is cam­ethe backdrop of uncertain­ty over Eagles’ preparations for the 2015 Nations Cup and is a bold step towards sustaining pressure on the need for continuity.

He said:” There should be no vacuum. I want the football federation to keep Keshi. He must learn from his mistakes. This is not the time to hire a new coach. Rather, Mike Emenalo and Sylvanus Okpala should be engaged to work with him”.

The ex- governor advised that Keshi’s designation should be changed to accommodate his former teammates so that all tacti­cal deficiencies could be plugged.

“Keshi could become technical adviser, Emenalo takes the position of chief coach, while Okpala as­sumes the responsibility of assistant coach. That combi­nation would be unbeatable, Kalu stressed.

“Emenalo knows so much about modern club football and is tactically sound. Okpala sees a lot from the bench too,” he added.

He also prayed the NFF to send Keshi to Germany on a three-month refresher course in a bid to take Nige­rian soccer to the next level.

“That is what he needs. The Germans have a lot to offer in terms of modern soccer technology. You saw what their squad did to Brazil. That should be the next destination point.”

He also advised Keshi on the way forward.” There should be two standing national teams. One must comprise players from the local league. It does help a coach when he has to rely entirely on Europe-based footballers to prosecute games. It showed in Brazil. Home- based defenders could have done a better job at the World Cup. Out-of favour striker Ike Uche was not left out. That was one costly mistake Keshi made.

“Eagles must be full of players who can score goals. I ’m sure we have not seen the best of that young man. Keshi must change his mind. We have not seen the last of Uche. We should start preparing for Russia 2018 now. Time waits for no one,” Kalu stressed.

Kalu,Tambuwal, Ihedioha, govs pray for peace at Eid-el-Fitr

As activities to mark Eid-el-Fitr get un­der way, prominent Nigerians have urged Muslims in the coun­try to pray for peace and imbibe the lessons of Rama­dan.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tam­buwal, in his message to Mus­lims urged them to use the pe­riod of the Eid-el-Fitr to reflect on their

spiritual lives as indi­viduals and how they could contribute more meaningfully towards the unity, stability and progress of the country.

Tambuwal tasked all Nige­rians to be more dedicated to the Nigeria project, adding that with unity of purpose, building a virile and strong nation was achievable. He said despite the serious security challenges confronting the nation, the de­termination of Nigerians to see their country return to peace had never been in doubt and called on leaders at all levels to close ranks and work for the unity and progress of the nation.

Similarly, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Rep­resentatives, Emeka Ihedioha, congratulated Muslims across the country for a successful month-long Ramadan fasting, which according to him, had delightfully ushered in Eid-il-Fitr celebration. He urged Muslims to ensure that the Sallah celebration held in an atmosphere of peace, harmo­ny and unity to underpin the blessings of Ramadan fasting, while praying for an end to the security challenge in the coun­try and the peaceful and suc­cessful conduct of next year’s general elections.

Eminent businessman and former governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Kalu, in a goodwill message signed by his Spe­cial Adviser, Kunle Oyewumi, stated that Islam was a religion of peace, maintaining that if the teachings of the Holy Quran were strictly followed and adhered to, Nigeria would be a better place.

The former governor noted that for any country to prog­ress and prosper, the people must imbibe the spirit of for­giveness, love, togetherness and peace.

Kalu said: “The festivity of the season should be extended to friends and loved ones in other religions. We must use this period to pray for Nigeria and our leaders.”

Congratulating Nigerians on the Eid-el-Fitr celebration, Kalu called for support for the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, especially in curbing the insurgency fac­ing the country, adding: “May the peace of Allah continue to abide with all Nigerians.”

In his message to celebrate Eid-el-Fitr, Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State urged Nigerians to pursue peace and tolerance among all ethnic and religious groups, while pray­ing for divine intervention in the contemporary challenges facing the nation. The gover­nor congratulated Muslims on the successful conclusion of Ramadan fast, which he noted was a period of purification and deep reflections on God’s eternal love and compassion for mankind.

Speaking to congratulate the Muslim faithful, Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, called on them to use the oc­casion to pray for the unity of the country, especially as the nation prepared for the conduct of the 2015 general elections. He called for collaborative efforts in the fight against ter­rorism, describing the security situation in some parts of the country as unacceptable.

His Kaduna State counter­part, Mukhtar Yero, enjoined Muslim faithful to avoid vio­lence and pray for peace as they celebrated Eid-el-Fitr to mark the end of Ramadan.

Yero said: “Our prayer is may Allah (SWT) accept all our acts of worship during the holy period and may He also forgive us our shortcomings and reward us with paradise in the hereafter.”

Reflecting on the essence of the occasion, Oyo State Gov­ernor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, urged Muslim faithful and Ni­gerians in general to consider the lessons of the holy month of Ramadan and its message of tolerance for the other person as well as forgiveness of sins.

Speaking through his Spe­cial Adviser on Media, Dr. Festus Adedayo, he said the month-long Ramadan fast­ing period was meant to af­firm that even as mortals, man could move towards perfection through the denial of the de­sires of the flesh, which would in turn lead to purity of the soul.

Similarly, Kwara State Gov­ernor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed, urged Muslims to ensure that the lessons of kindness, fear of God and the spirit of help­ing the needy imbibed during Ramadan lasted beyond the holy month. Ahmed also urged Nigerians to pray for the resto­ration of peace in the country.

Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, called on the people to take advantage of the opportunity of a new begin­ning being offered by the con­clusion of the Ramadan fast to usher in a new era of peace and progress in the country.

Not left out, Ekiti State Gov­ernor-elect, Mr. Ayodele Fay­ose, congratulated Muslims in the country and Ekiti State in particular on the occasion of the Eid-el-Fitr celebration. Fayose urged Muslims to put into use the lessons of the Ra­madan “so that we can have a country where peace, love and unity endure.”

However, Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State ex­pressed pained as a result of the the untold suffering the people of the state had been compelled to go through following Boko Haram’s five years of bloody attacks in the state and some other northern states.

Shettima, in his message, said tens of thousands of resi­dents in the troubled state had been displaced from their com­munities and dislocated from their families, expressing re­gret that many Muslim faithful were forced by Boko Haram attacks to observe Sallah away from their homes.

The acting Governor of Ad­amawa State, Alhaji Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, while speak­ing at the end of the 30-day fast, harped on security and the need for all stakeholders to be one in tackling the security challenges, even as he charged the security agencies to redou­ble their efforts in putting to a halt the ugly development in the state.

In a related development, the National Chairman of the Peo­ples Democratic Party (PDP), Ahmadu Adamu Mu’azu, has appealed to Nigerians to use this year’s Eid-el-fitr to rekin­dle the spirit of oneness and re-dedicate themselves to the vir­tues of love, brotherliness and peaceful co-existence upon which the nation was founded.

The party’s National Pub­licity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, also called on Nigerians to apply the divine lessons learnt during the fasting period and allow their thoughts and ac­tions to be guided by them.

The Oyo State chapter of Accord Party, while felicitating with Muslims, called on them to support the party. Its image-maker, Dr. Nureni Adeniran, called on all Muslims to make use of the lessons of Ramadan by living a pious life.

In his message to mark Sallah, the Emir of Dutse, Al­haji Nuhu Muhammad Sunusi, urged all Imams and Islamic clerics to embark on special prayers for the return of peace and stability in the country.

The emir made the call shortly after Eld-el-Fitr congregational prayers while speaking to all his district heads, traditional title holders and Islamic clerics in Dutse.

On his part, the Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Ola­dunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade 111, in a statement, cautioned politicians against throwing the country into turmoil as the 2015 elections drew nearer. He said it had become impera­tive to admonish politicians to pursue their ambitions with caution because if the country broke up they would not have anyone or nation to rule.

Congratulating Muslims, the Olubadan of Ibadan­land, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade I, prayed for Allah’s protection for all during and after the celebration. Oba Od­ulana enjoined Muslims not to allow the lessons and the significance of Ramadan fast to end with it.

His counterpart, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adey­emi III, urged Muslim faithful across the country to continue to live in sanctity, forsaking sins in line with the injunc­tions of the Quoran as ob­served throughout the 30-day fasting and tasked all to em­brace peace for the sake of the nation’s progress.

Former Oyo State gover­nor, Adebayo Alao-Akala, in his message, said: “It is my utmost belief that you all will not depart from the good spirit and deeds displayed during the month of Ramadan. I con­gratulate all Muslim brothers and sisters and pray for the na­tion’s peace and stability.”

Also, the governorship can­didate of the Peoples Demo­cratic Party (PDP) in Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore, urged Muslims in the state to pray for the peaceful conduct of the August 9 governorship election in the state.

Not left out, the Lagos State Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede, appealed to members of the union in the state to embrace peace and unity at all times, stress­ing that no development could take place where there was no peace and harmony.

Ramadan: Kalu urges muslims to Imbibe teachings of Qur’an

The former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Kalu, has described Islam as religion of peace, insisting that Nigeria would be a better place if the teachings of the holy Qur’an are strictly followed and adhered to.

He made this observation while felicitating with Muslim faithful on the successful completion of the month-long Ramadan and Sallah celebration in a goodwill message signed by his Special Adviser, Kunle Oyewunmi.

The former governor noted that for any country to progress and prosper, the people must imbibe the spirit of forgiveness, love, togetherness and peace.

His words, “The festivity of the season should be extended to friends and loved ones in other religions. We must use this period to pray for Nigeria and our leaders”

While congratulating Nigerians on the Eid el Fitr celebration, Kalu called for support for the administration of President Jonathan, especially in curbing the insurgency facing the country.

He added that national problems should not be politicized, warning politicians to desist from fanning the embers of national disunity and restiveness in the interest of the country.

He also implored Muslims to sustain the lessons of the just-concluded Ramadan, saying may the peace of Allah continue to abide with all Nigerians.

KALU, MU’AZU CALL FOR PRAYERS AND SUPPORT FOR JONATHAN

Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu is always a delight, knowing what to do with words at every given point in time and at the right time. This is apparent in a well circulated position of the former Governor of Abia State, when he said recently that the duos of President Goodluck Jonathan and,

the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP’s) national Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu need Nigerians support and prayers for a successful government that would not lack in its heralded transformation agenda.

Kalu who sees issues without sentiment attached and Nigerians know him as a man who says his mind without fear or favour, has said that no matter who was calling for the president’s head or to rubbish his government, that Mr. President has done everything within the ambits of law to keep the country from down spiraling.

According to him, “I have taken time to study the man Jonathan and his vision for Nigeria and have arrived at the decision that he means well for Nigeria. The level he has reached is such that it will be suicidal to abandon the ship at this time for the simple reason that some persons may not like his face.”

This is not even as Kalu extolled the security agents for assisting Jonathan in the phenomenal task of securing the country. According to Kalu, “I am excited at the new awareness among the Nigerian people, particularly the voting class. They have demonstrated some maturity and courage in the discharge of their civic duties.

“The control of states by different political parties today is a sharp departure from what we used to have. There was a time it seemed as if we were heading for one-party state. All of that have given way to politics of inclusion and restraint.

“This new development is one of the ways the Jonathan administration is refocusing Nigeria. Conducting free, fair and credible elections is one of the pillars on which any democratic structure stands.”

Meanwhile, illuminating the desirable-qualities of Mu’azu, Kalu has said, “The philosophy of Adamu M’uazu is hinged on justice and fairness. It was the absence of these essential ingredients that almost destroyed the soul of PDP. By creating a level playing field he has also opened a new vista for the founding fathers of the party who were frustrated out of the party to return. It would have been unthinkable for people like me to return to PDP if internal democracy were absent.

I am very glad that PDP is gradually returning to those ideals for which we founded it. So much is happening on the political front despite the insecurity and other man-made problems that have dogged our march to 2015.”

In his calculation, Kalu has said that he sees as most discouraging of all, were the issues of the “Chibok girls’ kidnap saga”. According to him, the saga had leaned on blacking the numerous mouthwatering efforts and achievements of the Jonathan-led federal administration and the new leadership of PDP under M’uazu. He, however, averred that both the presidency and the PDP leadership have been doing everything that was internationally applauded not to join behaviour with the snobbish behavours of opposing views.

On his part at a meeting in Akwa Ibom recently, the National Chairman of the PDP, Mu’azu has called on Nigerians to assist in finding resolutions that would assist in no-less ways for the growth of the country. Mu’azu who has always been adjudged as a gentle and transparent man, has also called for prayers for the federal government.

He enclosed this owing to the issues of terrorism and other matters that the federal government has been toiling assiduously in making sure that what unites Nigerians is greater than what anybody has been doing to kill their spirits.

It is a truism that ahead of the 2015 elections Kalu and the likes of Adamu have been working tirelessly in making sure that the present government does not bite the dust that might have been dished out for it to bite by dissenters and political interests.

Kalu who says that he frowns at mischief and its peddlers, freshly dedicated a column in an edition of Saturday Sun, to Jonathan and M’uazu, in what he termed, “to correct some of the misleading impressions being created in the media by disgruntled elements about them, PDP and 2015.”

He has said that it beats his imagination why some people, those he tagged ‘mischief makers’, would concoct stories against Jonathan and Mu’azu for their selfish interest. Kalu has warned about such people to discontinue from fanning the embers “hate and disunity” among Nigerians.

According to Kalu, “Such persons have found a veritable platform in the kidnap of the Chibok girls and have never rested for a single day as they stoke the fire of instability and dish out incendiary messages embellished with ethnic and religious verbiage.

“There is no question that the kidnap of the Chibok schoolgirls has caused the nation unquantifiable pain and agony. For over 100 days now, the entire nation has waited in suspense for the release of the girls.

“Nigerians have spoken with one voice in condemnation of the kidnap of the innocent girls, which could only happen in times of war. Nigeria is not at war. And this is what has continued to worry me.

“Why should some of our fellow citizens gang up against Nigeria working in tandem with other subterranean forces to destroy it? The level of bitterness and spite spewing from these people is such that if nothing is done very fast they could succeed in their wicked mission.”

Alhaji Mu’azu in the visit to Akwa Ibom State, where he laid the foundation stone of the Akwa Ibom State secretariat of the PDP and instating of 31 buses for the 2015 election campaigns in the state, (where he courageously did not mind the heavy downpour), has called on Nigerians to be law-abiding citizens and that the members of the PDP in the state should lead the pact in the state by their continued efforts in supporting the party in the state.

Odimegwu Onwumere, a Poet/Writer, writes from Rivers State.

Orji Uzor Kalu's SLOK CREW RESCUES BURNING VESSEL IN THE ATLANTIC OCEAN

Saves over 12 sailormen on board
It was an ominous day that turned into a glorious one for the crew on board the NEYA III, a Platform Supply Vessel owned and operated by Slok Nigeria Limited. The Neya III crew delved into dangerous waters to save the lives of the lucky 10 crews aboard the fuel tanker MT SANTA MONICA which caught fire in Nigerian territorial waters on Saturday, July 12, 2014.

According to the captain of the Slok vessel, an officer of the watch (OOW) on duty aboard the NEYA III, received a distress call on the VHF radio and immediately the raised the alarm to commence search and rescue operations. The tanker was quickly located and carefully approached as the fire fighting system on board the Neya III was activated to quench the fire on the burning tanker. The Neya III crew went further to rescue their fellow sailormen from the deep waters of the Atlantic Ocean as the latter panicked and jumped off the burning ship.

The Managing Director of Slok Shipping, Engr. Firas Abboud, who confirmed the incident said:

“This is not the first time we offer rescue services and will not be the last as that is the norm for any vessel complying with IMO regulations, and this is what we trained for.
That is why we equip our vessels with the latest Life Saving Appliances and man them with competent and highly experienced Nigerian hands in order to meet industry standards and class/statutory regulations.

"I am happy we were able to save lives, this is a major boost for local content development and an attestation to the resilience and professionalism of our guys.

"I salute our courageous team who were fearless in putting off the fire that gutted the ship. They were also privileged to get the chance to rescue the full crew on board MT SANTA MONICA”, he added, pointing out that it was a manifestation to demonstrate Slok Group's corporate commitment to excellence in service delivery by Nigerians for Nigeria.

WE at IGTV thank the brave NEYA III crew members and ascribe all the glory to God for saving the lives of these men.
tragedy averted*** Orji Uzor Kalu's SLOK CREW RESCUES BURNING VESSEL IN THE ATLANTIC OCEAN ***saves over 12 sailormen on board It was an ominous day that turned into a glorious one for the crew on board the NEYA III, a Platform Supply Vessel owned and operated by Slok Nigeria Limited. The Neya III crew delved into dangerous waters to save the lives of the lucky 10 crews aboard the fuel tanker MT SANTA MONICA which caught fire in Nigerian territorial waters on Saturday, July 12, 2014. According to the captain of the Slok vessel, an officer of the watch (OOW) on duty aboard the NEYA III, received a distress call on the V

HF radio and immediately the raised the alarm to commence search and rescue operations. The tanker was quickly located and carefully approached as the fire fighting system on board the Neya III was activated to quench the fire on the burning tanker. The Neya III crew went further to rescue their fellow sailormen from the deep waters of the Atlantic Ocean as the latter panicked and jumped off the burning ship. The Managing Director of Slok Shipping, Engr. Firas Abboud, who confirmed the incident said: “This is not the first time we offer rescue services and will not be the last as that is the norm for any vessel complying with IMO regulations, and this is what we trained for. That is why we equip our vessels with the latest Life Saving Appliances and man them with competent and highly experienced Nigerian hands in order to meet industry standards and class/statutory regulations. "I am happy we were able to save lives, this is a major boost for local content development and an attestation to the resilience and professionalism of our guys. "I salute our courageous team who were fearless in putting off the fire that gutted the ship. They were also privileged to get the chance to rescue the full crew on board MT SANTA MONICA”, he added, pointing out that it was a manifestation to demonstrate Slok Group's corporate commitment to excellence in service delivery by Nigerians for Nigeria. WE at IGTV thank the brave NEYA III crew members and ascribe all the glory to God for saving the lives of these men.

KALU EULOGIZES MU’AZU, CALLS FOR JONATHAN’S REELECTION

A founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Kalu, has commended the current national leadership of the party for its strategic initiatives.
Kalu, who made this known on Saturday while hosting a selection of PDP members from Europe in his London home, described the National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, as a game changer.
He said, “our great party, PDP, is waxing stronger through the able and dynamic leadership of the party.

“The National Chairman has brought unity into the party through genuine reconciliation and harmonization.

“He has continued to use his practical experience in politics to increase the membership of the party through justice, fairness and equity”.

“All these are evidenced by the fortunes the party has made in recent times”.



Kalu maintained that the current leadership of the party not only understands that politics is a game of numbers, but also of quality membership.



The former governor used the opportunity to admonish members of the party to emulate the National Chairman by imbibing the spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation in the interest of the party.



He reaffirmed the fact that the ruling party remains the only political association in Nigeria with a human face.



While urging party stalwarts, supporters, loyalists and chieftains to remain committed, he called on the electorate to vote en masse for President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2015 general elections in order to consolidate the transformation agenda.

BREAKING: ORJI UZOR KALU TO RUN FOR NFF PRESIDENT POSITION

Ahead of next month's elections into the board of the Nigeria Football Federation, former governor of Abia state, Orji Uzor Kalu has expressed his desire to contest for the position of the NFF president.
Kalu has told our correspondent that he is interested in becoming the next NFF boss. "I am interested in becoming the next president of the NFF," he said.
There is some controversy presently in Nigerian football with a high court injunction sacking the board of the Nigeria football federation led by Aminu Maigari.
Elections into the NFF board have already been fixed for the 26th of August and it is on that premise that Kalu believes he become the next NFF boss.
"I will run for the position if the atmosphere is good," he stated.
Kalu, who served as governor for eight years in Abia state and whose tenure Enyimba FC of Aba enjoyed landmark success and achievements,also stated that Nigeria will be the first African side to win the world cup, with him in charge.
"I believe Nigeria can win the world if I become the NFF president," he added.

FIFA SUSPENSION : AN ULTIMATE REMINDER OF HEALING POWER OF SPORT IN NIGERIA - DR. ORJI KALU

The FIFA ban prohibiting Nigeria from taking part in all international

football may have been predicted, occurring after a recent court order

compelled our Sports Minister to appoint a civil service member to the

Nigeria Football Federation's (NFF) helm. However, this measure,

brought upon the nation from an organization not unfamiliar with

controversy all its own, could impact our country in unexpected ways,

hinder our communities who understand that sport continues to play a

key role in healing an often-perceived to be fragmented national

identity.Our colleagues at the NFF should understand the binding effect of

athletics to patriotism and ensure that the situation is resolved

swiftly for the good of Nigeria.

Any person at all familiar with our spectacular country will readily

admit Nigeria's great and, possibly, globally unparalleled love of

sport and, particularly, football, as well as its unprecedented

ability to bring together millions of our citizens who, under many

circumstances, often feel separated by religion, ethnicity, or

predisposition. As our pastime and national pride, sport and football

have traditionally served as that thread that creates a shared belief

in the virtues of national unity.

With Nigeria's economy now officially the largest on the African

continent and destined to reach even greater heights in the 21st

century, the role of sport is now becoming even more significant.

Given our young population, we must prioritize fortifying the merits

of 'team-play' among youths, providing them with a quality education,

and mobilizing them in the workplace to ensure that we are capable of

aptly defending our position as Africa's most dynamic nation.

As Nigeria follows with baited breath the situation surrounding the

FIFA ban, we must seek to use this ordeal as an opportunity to

highlight the great importance of sport in realizing our national

ambitions and in cultivating unity, pride and patriotism. Perhaps more

than anything else, the FIFA ban should serve as a clear reminder to

us all of the need to invest in Nigerian sport and football's

historical power to build bridges.