Nigerian wins best player at Arsenal FC International Football Academy

Benjamin Ibrahim Attah, one of Nigeria’s representatives at the just concluded Airtel, Arsenal International Football Academy in Accra, Ghana has emerged the Overall Best Player (Male Category) at the soccer clinic, which attracted talented youngsters from Ghana, Uganda and Zambia.

Attah was decorated with a medal in recognition of his outstanding performance at the Foccer camp by UEFA-Certified Arsenal Coaches, Paul Sevier and Robert Grant.

Speaking during the closing ceremony of the seven-day football clinic, Sevier said Attah was a special player that demonstrated all the attributes of a great footballer during his stay at the foccer Clinic.

“Attah brought with his talent an outstanding personality, character and attitude. Even when he had a minor injury that prevented him from participating in training sessions for two days, he was always cheerful, encouraging all the players in the pitch. He has a very warm and great personality.”

Sevier added: “Attah also has an amazing talent as a goal-keeper. He is shown that he truly understands what it takes to be an exceptional goal keeper. Talents like Attah should be encouraged in their professional career.”

In his response, Attah attributed his success to God. “I thank God for this recognition and I will continue to work very hard as a footballer. I also thank Airtel and Arsenal for providing me with this great opportunity to improve my talent. I am, indeed, very grateful,” he said.

Arsenal legend, Ray Parlour also used the opportunity of the closing ceremony to encourage and advise the players, urging them to take their practice sessions very seriously.

“I signed for Arsenal when I was 11 and played at the first team level for 12 years. One thing that kept me going was the fact that I took my practice sessions seriously. I also demonstrated passion, determination and constantly looked for opportunities to improve.

“I am encouraging all the African young talents at this football clinic to take their training sessions seriously. And when you make your first team debut in International Football, never look back. Just keep improving and listen to your coaches,” Parlour remarked.

The Airtel/Arsenal clinic is part of the strategic partnership the renowned club side entered with Airtel Africa for her five African markets which include Nigeria, Ghana, Zambia, Uganda and Rwanda.

On the strength of the partnership, Arsenal would offer technical support to the Airtel Rising Stars football development initiative by providing UEFA- trained coaches to assist with training budding talents in each of the five Airtel-Arsenal countries at Arsenal Coaching Clinic for up to 50 footballers.

Nigeria had five representatives at the International Academy. They are: Gift Nevo (Best Goal keeper in the female category), Rafiat Awheda (Golden Boot winner and Most valuable Player, Female category), Ibrahim Benjamin (Best Goal Keeper, Male category), Yakubu Gambo, (Most Valuable Player, Male category) and Bilyaminu Sani (Golden Boot winner, Male Category).

They were all selected by officials of Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON) at the National Finals of the Airtel Rising Stars (ARS) U17 Tournament for Boys and Girls held last month at the Agege Township Stadium in Lagos.

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Video - Nigeria introduces new 5,000 naira bank note

Nigeria's new 5,000-naira banknote, worth five times as much as the previous largest, has earned scorn from money changers well aware than at least 100 million citizens earn less than 160 naira per day. Likewise, economists question how the introduction of a new note dovetails with government plans to begin making Nigeria a cashless society next year. But the central bank says the country's booming economy and middle class, in addition to bank costs for handling so many small notes, make the new 5,000-naira bill a good idea.

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USA lists Nigeria as priority in visa issuance

The United States (US) mission in Nigeria, has disclosed that Nigeria, along with Brazil and China, are now priority in the issuance of visa to applicants.

US Consular Officer, Patty Neary, made this known yesterday in Abuja during the monthly press briefing, where he said Nigeria is now a priority alongside Brazil and China, adding that, time for issuance of visa will be reduced.

Neary stated that as a priority country, Nigeria will be given more officers and more staff to facilitate issuance of visa. She further said in the 2012 fiscal year, the US has processed over 40,000 visas, compared to the year 2011, while also saying that the US has increased the figures by 11 percent.

According to Neary, "Majority of those visas have been issued. Nigeria became a priority nation in 2012, following the recent upsurge. We are absolutely committed to facilitating legitimate travels and to do that, you need to help us."

On the issuance of student visa, Neary added that the US wants Nigerian students to study in the US, but that they have to plan ahead. Her words "They should apply 120 days before their studies begin and we encourage them to apply as soon as possible. Service fee must be paid and come, prepared to speak to us. Our goal is that every qualified student visa applicant is able to begin his or her program of study on time. Good reasons for choosing a US school should be given rather than coming to tell us about the school building, library and all that."

Neary also said there was no need to pay a tout to assist in the processing of visa, saying applicants should rather go on the internet and pay $160 for visa.

"We can't stress enough, the need for all of you to make your own appointment individually because of its importance. You do not need anyone, you do not need a company to help you process your visa," she said.

Daily Trust

President Goodluck Jonathan promises better standard of living in 2013

President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, promised Nigerians improved standard of living by 2013 in his bid to deliver democracy dividends.

Jonathan made the promise at the inauguration of the SAB-Millers Brewery, in Onitsha, Anambra State, according to News Agency of Nigeria.

President Goodluck Jonathan official visit to Anambra State Thursday 30/8/2012. President Goodluck Jonmathan, Gov Peter Obi Opf Anambra State, Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu And Minister Of Works, Chief Mike Onolememen at the unveiling Of Dim Odimegwu Ojukwu statue in Onitsha. Photos-State House

He noted that in spite of the challenges facing the country, the private sector was still making massive progress, noting that the Federal Government would continue to support the private sector Operators and provide infrastructure to assist them.

"I want to commend this company for what it has done; I also want to commend others for what they are doing considering that fact that within this period as a nation, we know we have our challenges.

"But this administration is totally committed to changing things; we have challenges in terms of road infrastructure, power; we have that also in security and others.

"I know all these are major handicaps to the development of industry in the nation; but even under these situations the companies are trying and doing well.

"We promise you that we would change things and make sure that the private sector blossoms in this country because that is the only way we can create jobs.

"Our transformation agenda is going on, in a partnership between government and the private sector; that's' why even in our economic management team we have people from the Federal Government; state governors are there, Governors Peter Obi and Murtala Nyako and of course key captains of industry from the private sector."

Jonathan also noted that Nigeria's population of 160 million people, 70 per cent of which was made up of the youth, made it an attractive investment destination for investors.

He praised Governor Obi for deploying his private sector experience to attract investment to the state.

"I promise SABMiller breweries investors that they would not regret their investment in the country as young people under the age of 35 constitute 70 percent of the country's population and we are not under any restrictions to what they could eat or consume."

Governor Obi, in his address promised that the people of the state would support and stand with Jonathan having overwhelmingly voted for him in the 2011 Presidential elections.

The governor said with the level of private sector investments springing up, the state was fast becoming the home of Africa's greatest entrepreneurs.

Mr Mark Bowman, Managing Director of SAB-Miller Africa, expressed gratitude to the Anambra and Federal governments for creating the enabling environment for the brewery to thrive in the country.

"We are grateful for the support and infrastructure you have assisted us with and we promise that the company would deliver on its promises of job creation."

It will be recalled that SAB-Miller Breweries had invested $100 million (N15 billion) on building a green-field brewery in Onitsha in 2011.

The brewery is the highest direct investment by any group or company in the history of the South-East geo-political zone.

The factory, which is expected to produce beer and malt for a start, has 12.5 per cent share owned by indigenous entrepreneurs and 10 per cent share owned by Anambra Government.

The brewery is expected to directly employ about 750 youths and indirectly engage 4,500 people, especially through its subsidiary distribution company Interfact Nigeria Ltd.

The brewery would be taking advantage of the largest market in West Africa - Onitsha Main Market - as well as 1.5 million residents excluding thousands of visiting traders daily.

Meanwhile, Anambra State Government had announced that it would provide tax cuts and infrastructure to the brewery and other industries within the Onitsha industrial harbour.

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Nigeria wins gold and sets new world record in paralympics

The medal that eluded Team Nigeria during the London 2012 Olympics came tumbling in Thursday as Nigeria's Paralympians begun their quest for medals and also to redeem the image of the country as a super power in sports. Team Nigeria's outing at the main Olympics was colourless.

Yakubu Adesokan of Nigeria celebrates setting a new world record and gold in the Men's 48kg Powerlifting on day 1 of the London 2012 Paralympic Games at ExCel on August 30, 2012 in London, England.

Yakubu Adesokan struck the goldmine yesterday in a refreshing manner in Powerlifting where he also sent the World record crashing with his amazing 178 kg lift in his men's 48 category which was over three times his body weight.

Adesokan's feat was celebrated by the country's flagbearers in London Thursday as they hoped to win more medals. And back home, it was a double joy for the country that watched gleefully on television as the Falconets dumped Mexico 1-0 in a nail-biting quarter-final thriller to berth into the semi-final of the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup semi final.

Sports Minister and Chairman of National Sports Commission, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi heaved a sigh of relief yesterday when the cherry news came and urged the Nigerian heros and heroines not to relent in their efforts to win more medals.

"The Minister is happy with the feat of Yakubu Adesokan in winning the first gold for Nigeria at the Paralympics and also over-joyed at his feat of breaking the World record. "It is one thing to win gold and another super feat to break the World record", the Minister's Special Adviser on Media, Julius Ogunro quoted the Minister.

Adesokan was a full 10kg ahead of silver medallist Vladimir Balynedc of Russia, while Taha Abdelmagid of Egypt claimed bronze with his 165kg effort.

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