Former Super Eagle Daniel Amokachi soon to be coaching Finnish club JS Hercules

Former Super Eagles coach, Daniel Amokachi, has secured a one-year deal to handle Finnish side, JS Hercules, and is to resume immediately with the team.

The Finnish second division side, on their official website on Wednesday, announced the hiring of Amokachi and the other reshuffling in their technical crew.

“Oulu-based football club Hercules has signed an agreement with former Nigeria national team player and Coach Daniel Amokachi.

“The head coach for the previous season Pekka Haaranen will continue as assistant coach. Amokachi’s agreement with Hercules is one year,” the club stated.

Amokachi, who had a short stint as interim manager for the national team, was an assistant coach to Stephen Keshi when Nigeria won Africa Cup of Nations in 2013.

The last coaching job for the former Everton and Besiktas of Turkey player was a short spell with Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side, FC Ifeanyi Ubah, which ended abruptly barely few weeks after the celebrated move.

Hercules, who are based in Oulu, Finland, were recently promoted to the Finnish second tier and will hope for more upward swing under their new Nigerian manager, Amokachi.

While Dan the Bull as Amokachi is fondly referred to, enjoyed much success as a player, he is yet to hit it big in coaching.

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Oba of Ibadan Odulana Odugade passes away at 101

An influential monarch in south-west Nigeria, the Olubadan, or ruler of Ibadan land, has died at the age of 101, his son has confirmed to the BBC.

Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade, who ruled over Nigeria's third largest city Ibadan, died in his sleep on Tuesday evening, Nigeria's Punch newspaper quotes palace sources as saying.

An official announcement of the Yoruba king's death is expected later.

Although largely symbolic, the Olubadan still has strong regional influence.

'Very stern'

Nigeria's many monarchs vary in hierarchy and importance with some ruling over large areas, while others are traditional rulers of a village or town.

The Olubadan is one of the few unelected figures whom the government would consult on major policy issues in the south-west, reports the BBC's Chris Ewokor from the capital, Abuja.

Speaking to the BBC, his son Prince Gbade Lana described the late Olubadan as "a good father, very very stern".

"He preached humility... he taught us that once you are humble you will be able to achieve anything in life."


BBC

Bill Gates visits Kaduna, Nigeria

Founder of Microsoft and one of the world's richest men Bill Gates is visiting Nigeria to sign a memorandum of understanding on routine immunization with the governors of six Nigerian states.

Nigeria signs deal with UAE to recover stolen funds

Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Tuesday in Abu Dhabi signed six agreements to enhance bilateral relations between them.

The signing of the agreements on trade, finance and judicial matters was witnessed by President Muhammadu Buhari and the Crown Prince of the United Arab Emirates, Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, and the UAE Minister of State for Financial Affairs, Obaid Attayar, signed the Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement, while the Minister of Trade and Investment, Okechukwu Enelamah, signed the Agreement on Trade Promotion and Protection with the UAE Minister of State for Financial Affairs.

The Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, and his counterpart in the United Arab Emirates, Bin Saeed Albadi, signed the Judicial Agreements on Extradition, Transfer of Sentenced Persons, Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal Matters, and Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal and Commercial Matters, which includes the recovery and repatriation of stolen wealth.

At a reception after the signing of the agreements, President Buhari reiterated his commitment to fighting corruption and restoring Nigeria’s dignity in the comity of nations.

The president also urged all Islamic countries to support the fight against terrorism in Nigeria and denounce the atrocities of Boko Haram as un-Islamic and against the teachings of Prophet Mohammed.

In his remarks, Prince Zayed Al Nahyan said the relationship between Nigeria and the UAE would be strengthened by President Buhari’s visit and the signing of the agreements.

Premium Times

Video - Nigeria fails to cut down oil production

Nigeria will not be cutting down it's oil production despite the persistent fall in crude oil prices. In fact, experts are advising them against it, unless the global oil regulatory body OPEC calls for a production cut for its member states. But experts also say that member countries have to act fast and salvage the situation.