Daily Archives: Feb 12, 2013

Man Sentenced To 1 Yr Imprisonment For Stabbing 16-yr-old Boy

A Magistrates' Court in Abeokuta on Tuesday sentenced a 20-year-old man, Bidemi Jayeola, to one year imprisonment for stabbing a 16-year-old boy.

The Magistrate, Mr Matins Akinyemi, sentenced Jayeola after he pleaded guilty to the charge of assault filed against him.

Akinyemi, who did not give the convict an option of fine, said the sentence was with hard labour.

The magistrate said that the offence was classified as a violent crime.

He said that Jayeola inflicted ``serious bodily injury'' on another person, therefore, he had to go to jail and think about his actions.

Continue ReadingMan Sentenced To 1 Yr Imprisonment For Stabbing 16-yr-old Boy

UPDATE: Keshi Makes U-Turn, To Continue As Eagles Coach

Coach Stephen Keshi has decided to continue with his job as Super Eagles coach.

Keshi had tendered his resignation to the NFF, after leading the Super Eagles to their first Africa Nations Cup triumph in 19 years.

“I gave them (NFF) my letter of resignation immediately after last night’s game, but I haven’t heard from them yet,” Keshi told a South African radio station, Metro FM Monday night.

However, barely twenty-four hours later, keshi made a U-turn, saying all issues that led to his decision to quit the job had been resolved.

In a statement on Tuesday in Johannesburg, Keshi said: ``My attention has been drawn to reports in the media that I have resigned my appointment as the Head Coach of Super Eagles of Nigeria.

``While I have had cause to express my displeasure over some issues that happened in the course of our participation in the AFCON 2013, which my team won by the grace of God, especially concerning my relationship with the Nigerian Football Federation.

`` I have since had opportunity to discuss the various issues with all concerned. I am therefore pleased to say that I have reconsidered my position and have decided to continue with my job,’’ Keshi said.

He also thanked the Minister of Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi, for his swift intervention in the issues he raised the NFF concerning his position and the future of the team.

Keshi’s running battle with the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) heightened in South Africa following the team’s poor performance in the first two matches of the just concluded nation’s cup.

The minister of sports had told NAN in Johannesburg that in normal course relations there could be differences between an employer and employee when things are not going well.

``Keshi is one of Nigeria's football legend who has made history as a player and a coach having won the nation’s cup as player and coach. Nigeria is very proud of him and will continue to support him in the task of building an enduring national team,’’ Abdullahi said.

He, however, said that he would ensure that all outstanding issues concerning Keshi and team are resolved amicably.

``I do not Nigeria to be cited as a country that won the nation’s cup and failed to qualify for the second round of the competition in the next competition. We want Keshi and we like Keshi, he has recorded remarkable achievement as a player and coach,’’ Abdullahi said.

Meanwhile, FCT minister Bala Mohammed will today receive the Super Eagles at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The Eagles are returning home in a chartered flight after their victory over Burkina Faso’s Stallions by 1-0 at the just-concluded African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.

A statement by the chief press secretary to the minister, Muhammad Sule, indicates that the minister will receive the Eagles at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at 1pm, after which they will make a stopover at the Abuja National Stadium for a mini reception. The statement says the team will later depart for the presidential villa where they will be hosted to a grand reception by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Additional report from NAN

Continue ReadingUPDATE: Keshi Makes U-Turn, To Continue As Eagles Coach

Catholics Mark Ash Wednesday

Catholics all over the world will on Feb. 13, mark this year’s Ash Wednesday, signifying the commencement of the 40-day Lenten season.

Msgr. Gabriel Osu, spokesman for the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, said this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

According to him “Ash Wednesday ushers in the Lenten Season.

``A forty-day period of penance, reflection and fasting prepares us for Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday.

``It is a period of conversion, self- denial, renewal, reconciliation, change and growth; it is about denying self for the life of others.”

He said that the hall mark of Ash Wednesday was the marking of the forehead of Catholic faithful with ashes, making the “sign of the cross” as a reminder of their sinful nature.

Osu said that in the Archdiocese of Lagos, the Archbishop Alfred Adewale Martins, would be expected to lead other clergies to celebrate the Holy Eucharist and administer ashes on the foreheads of the faithful.

``Ashes are a symbol of penance made sacramental by the blessing of the church and they help us develop a spirit of humility and sacrifice.

``The ashes are made from the blessed palms used in the Palm Sunday celebration of the previous year; christened with Holy Water and are scented by exposure to incense.

``The ashes symbolise penance and contrition, they are also a reminder that God is gracious and merciful to those who call on Him with repentant hearts,” he said.

Osu urged Christians to take advantage of the season to draw nearer to God and seek His mercy and forgiveness.

``Christians are obliged to fast, pray and abstain from heavy meals and other bad habits as well as give alms,'' he said. (NAN)

Continue ReadingCatholics Mark Ash Wednesday