By Patrick Omorodion with Agency report AS the 2010 Africa Nations Cup draw conducted in Angola Friday pitched the Super Eagles against defending champions, Egypt, Mozambique and Benin Republic in Group C, Chief Coach Shaibu Amodu and ex captainof the team, Sunday Oliseh have warned  on the toughness of the opposition expected at the event. […]

THERE is no consensus yet on which is more effective between raw diplomacy and sports in advancing the cause of a country and polishing its image. But what is not in doubt is the fact that sports has gone beyond mere competition among nations, but has become a veritable tool that can be leveraged on for socio – economic development in all climes.

As Nigerians come to terms with Super Eagles qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Chelsea and Nigeria midfielder, John Mikel Obi has assured Nigerians of a better outing in South Africa next year.

President of the Nigerian Golf Federation, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, has pointed at local golf calendar harmonization as one of the immediate objectives of his administration at the Federation.

U just dey disappear at will. One time I see you for TV. The next time you dey talk for Radio. But you decided to blackout your favourite Outraged fans. I am outraged with you.

Former President of the Nigeria Tennis Federation, Chuka Momoh has come out to douse the controversy over the eligibility of Sports Minister/Chairman, National Sports Commission, NSC, Engineer Sani Ndanusa to contest as president of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC).

lhaji,Mohammed Tukur, former coordinator of Chachangi Airline, is a member of a committee set up by Federal government to look into aviation matters after operators complained about the poor state of affairs at the nation’s airport. He is also assistant secretary general, Airline Operators of Nigeria.

COMPTROLLER-general of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Alhaji Dikko Abdullahi, has said that two Bell Helicopters have been acquired by the service to boost its war against smugglers and cross borders crimes.

In a bid to keep the Nigerian business environment abreast of the current best practice in professional administration, the Chartered Institute of Administration has advised professionals to update their skills to ensure efficient use of resources to help their organizations survive the hard times and gain competitive advantage.

IF your answer to the above question is yes, then you may have some reasons to be concerned. Otherwise, you may know people who live in such neighbourhoods in which case you may still have reason to be worried.

THE Central Bank of Nigeria CBN appointed management for Oceanic bank has brought about dramatic change in the affairs of the bank. About 100 days after the CBN intervention and bail out funds injected into the bank visible changes are now evident in the bank.

THE global corruption watchdog, Transparency International, TI, has just released its yearly Corruption Perception Index for 2009. And what has made the headlines in the last few days is that Nigeria has slumped in the latest ranking. The country is placed 130 out of the 180 countries covered by the report.

RIGHT from the First Republic, up to the tenure of Rashidi Ladoja, not a single governor of Oyo State has had the privilege of being given a second term. Neither the Cicero of Esa-Oke, the articulate Bola Ige, nor Dr.Omololu Olunloyo, despite his illustriousness, was considered good enough for re-election.

ABOUT 50 years ago, a great warrior, “Ovuworie”, migrated from Ihero family in Okpe-Isoko to Onyah in Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State and later settled in a place called Osekwenike, now in Bayelsa. One of his sons was Okorie.

I FEELvery reluctant to write this piece because it may appear like pouring cold water on the euphoria of the celebrated “success” of the amnesty programme which apparently has moved the Federal Government to initiate or to promise development in the Niger Delta to the delight of many.