Newcastle's Shola Amoebi to play for Nigeria Super Eagles

World football-governing body, FIFA has finally cleared Foluwashola Ameobi and Victor Moses to play for Nigeria at the senior level.

In separate documents on the two players sent to the Nigeria Football Federation yesterday evening, FIFA declared that both players have been cleared based on the entire documentation remitted by the NFF and the Football Association.

Ameobi, of English Premiership side Newcastle United FC, and Moses, who also plays in the Premiership with Wigan Athletic, have been on the verge for some months now and would be glad with the decision of FIFA's Single Judge on eligibility.

"After having thoroughly examined the entire documentation remitted by the Nigerian Football Federation, the Single Judge concluded that the player Victor Moses fulfils the objective prerequisites as provided for in art. 18 par. 1 of the regulations. In particular, the player has never represented the Football Association representative team at "A" international level.

"Furthermore, the Single Judge also took due note of the fact that, based on the document dated 7 July 2011, issued by the "National population commission" in Garki-Abuja, Nigeria, the player in question already held the Nigerian nationality before representing England for the first time in an international match in an U-17 official competition on March 23, 2007 as he is a Nigerian citizen by birth".

The same statement was made in the case of Shola Ameobi.

The decision was made on October 26, 2011 by the Single Judge of the Players' Status Committee, Mr. Chuck Blazer (USA). He underscored: "The request made by the Nigeria Football Federation and the player for change of Association team is accepted".

Daily Trust

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Artist of the day - Ola Onabule

There are two words that sum up Ola Onabule’s career and music – passion and perseverance.

For nearly two decades, Ola has blazed a trail, leaving behind an education in law to become a singer/songwriter. Then he decided to work outside of the mainstream system of big record labels, setting up his own studios and his own record label.

 “Though my music is of a different idiom, I write with the heart of a folk songwriter and the desire for my lyrics to be heard and read.” – Ola Onabule

Ola was born in London, the eldest of six children born to Nigerian parents. When he was seven his parents returned to their homeland where he spent the next 10 years of his life. He was a natural performer, both at drama and with music. His friends called him Gramaphone, such was his love of music and natural talent.

He later returned to the UK to study law, leaving in his final year to take up a degree in art. He bought himself a guitar and did a few gigs around London, inspired by the music of James Brown and Fela Anikulapo Kuti. Electra Records (US) spotted his talents and signed him to an album deal, which ended a year later.culminating in Ola setting up his own label, Rugged Ram Records.

Ola has since released six albums of original, self-produced material, with the latest album, SEVEN SHADES DARKER to be released internationally in the Spring of 2012 which will  take him on tour dates to theatres and Jazz festivals across the world.

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Samson Siasia no longer Super Eagles coach

Almost three weeks after failing to qualify Nigeria for Januaty's Nations Cup finals, the Board of the Nigeria Football Association (NFF) has relieved Samson Siasia of his duty as Super Eagles coach.

The decision was taken at an executive Committee meeting of the Nigeria Football Federation on Friday in Abuja and finally ended weeks of speculation surrounding the fate of the former international striker.

Although the NFF kept the Siasia saga on the front burner by taking ages to reach a decision, in truth Siasia's had already been sealed once Guinea left the Abuja National Stadium with a share of the points courtesy of their late equaliser in the 2-2 draw.

In making Siasia the best ever packaged indigenous coach, with a monthly salary of N5 million, a brand new car and official quarters, the Glass House had insisted that the former junior international must at least reach the semi-finals of CAN 2012 before activating the second part of his contract, which would have ended in 2014.

But by not even qualifying for Equatorial Guinea/Gabon 2012 he did not fufil section 5.5 of the contract.

Perhaps in more advanced climes, Siasia would have done the honourable thing and resigned knowing that he had fluffled his contract, in the end he opted for the more ignoble termination by the football body.

However, with qualifiers for CAN 2013 kicking off in January, the Glass House knows it has to work fast to fill Siasia's boots.

Already news making the rounds indicate that former national team skippers, Stephen Keshi and Sunday Oliseh may be the ones to take charge of the Super Eagles.

Although a highly placed Board member had hinted that they were considering going for a foreign coach.

This Day

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Principal flogs student to death

A young man studying at Shiloh Hills Remedial and Advanced Studies Academy located at No. 7 Rumuibekwe Street, near Shell Residential Area in Port Harcourt, Rivers State was allegedly flogged to death by his principal, one Mr Chudi Nwoko.

Rivers State police spokesperson, Ben Ugwuegbulem, who confirmed the incident said the late student, a 13-year-old was subjected to severe punishment until he slumped and died. He said the matter, which occurred on October 20 was not reported to the police until five days later.

"It was only reported after staff from the school went to condole the family of the deceased and a relative of the boy attacked and wounded the principal. That was when the matter was reported to the police," Ugwuegbulem stated.

He said the case was currently under investigation at the state Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and that he did not have the full particulars of the late student but promised to get back to our reporter

When THISDAY visited the school, a staff who refused to disclose his name told our correspondent that the case was already with the police and he would not comment on it.

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