AFCON 2017: Siasia invites 42 players. See the full list

Head of Super Eagles rescue team, Samson Siasia has released a list 42 home and foreign based players for the two-legged AFCON 2017 clash between Nigeria and Egypt.

The first leg of the qualifier is scheduled to take place at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna on March 25, while the return-leg comes up at Alexandria, Egypt on March 9.

Siasia unveiled the list of 22 home based and 20 foreign based players in Abuja after a meeting with Nigeria Football Federation, NFF Technical and Development Committee.

News Agency of Nigeria, NAN reports that invited players are expected to reports to camp in Abuja on March 7. The team will move to Kaduna on March 21 for the March 25 encounter.

Egypt presently leads the group with the maximum 6 points from two matches while Nigeria is in the second position with 4 points from the same number of matches.

Here is the full list of the invited players.

HOME-BASED
Goalkeepers: Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Olufemi Thomas and Emmanuel Daniel.

Defenders:
Kalu Orji, Chibuzor Okonkwo, Mathew Etim, Austin Oboroakpo, Sincere Seth, Segun Oduduwa, Chima Akas, Chris Madaki and Oke Ogogatewho.

Midfielders: Ifeanyi Mathew, Usman Mohammed, Etebo Oghenekaro, Yau Hassan and Stanley Dimgba.

Forwards: Ezekiel Bassey, Prince Aggrey, Bright Onyedikachi, Chisom Chikatara and Godwin Obaje.

FOREIGN-BASED
Goalkeepers: Carl Ikeme and Daniel Akpeyi.

Defenders: Efe Ambrose, Abdullahi Shehu, Elderson Echiejile, Stanley Amuzie, Godfrey Oboabona and Kenneth Omeruo.

Midfielders: Ogenyi Onazi, Mikel Obi, Kelechi Iheanacho and Azubuike Okechukwu.

Forwards: Ahmed Musa, Moses Simon, Victor Moses, Aminu Umar, Odion Ighalo, Aaron Samuel, Alex Iwobi and Fanendo Adi.

NAN

Read More

Ese Oruru now 5 months pregnant for Yellow

To add to the agony of the Oruru family, it has been discovered that their daughter Ese is carrying a 5 months pregnancy for the man who abducted her for eight months, Yunusa Dahiru, aka Yellow.

This is believed to be the reason why police have been shielding her from the press since her arrival from Kano.

According to a close and reliable source, Ese was covered in hijab to conceal the pregnancy.

The source said that it was because of the pregnancy that IGP Solomon Arase had Ese transported by air after her rescue.

Meanwhile, the police Chief has vowed that any police officer found guilty of dereliction of duty in the abduction saga will be dealt with according to the law.

He also said that the abductors and all those who played ignominious roles in the saga will be brought to deserved justice as the only way to make a clear statement that violators of the rights of Nigerian children would not be allowed to escape the wrath of the law.

Arase appealed to the press to respect the privacy and other protective rights of the traumatized girl-child, Ese and her family at this moment, saying it is the minimum international requirement in a case of this nature.

He disclosed that Ese was at the moment receiving psychological and emotional support from officers of the Gender and Child Protection Unit of the Police Force, which handles cases of this nature and cases of violence against children.

Read More

Excited inmates welcome Abba Moro to Kuje Prison

Inmates at the Kuje Prison could not believe their eyes on Monday when former Interior Minister, Abba Moro was ushered into their midst as an inmate.

While some of the inmates were bemused, others were excited that Moro who officially visited the facility as a Minister barely a year ago was now there as an inmate.

Justice Chikere of the Federal High Court, Abuja had on Monday remanded the former minister in prison custody over his alleged complicity in a N676million job scam pending the determination of his application for bail.

The former minister arrived Kuje prison around 12 pm on Monday after which he was subjected to the standard procedure for receiving new inmates..

Read More

Rescued two years after!

Photo: 17-year-old girl kidnapped by Boko Haram in 2014 rescued during clearance operation in Borno http://www.lindaikejisblog.com/2016/03/photo-17-year-old-girl-kidnapped-by.html

Read More

Army reinstates Ransome-Kuti

Photos: Nigerian Army council orders release and reinstatement of Brigadier-General Ransome Kuti http://www.lindaikejisblog.com/2016/03/photos-nigerian-army-council-orders.html

Read More

World Glaucoma Week: Garki Hospital offers free eye treatment

To mark this year's World Glaucoma Week, Garki General Hospital will be offering free eye treatment to residents of Abuja from March 7 - 11.

The Consultant Ophthalmologist of the hospital, Dr Sewuese Bitto told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN that the hospital would hold health talks during the period to educate the public and increase awareness about the effects of glaucoma, risk factors and how to prevent the disease.

NAN reports that World Glaucoma Week WGW is a joint global initiative of the World Glaucoma Association, WGA and the World Glaucoma Patients Association, WGPA.

Bitto noted that many Nigerians are not aware that glaucoma is incurable and its effects on the eyes irreversible.

“According to the Nigerian National Blindness and Visual Impairment Survey conducted in 2005 to 2007 the proportion of individuals with glaucoma in Nigeria is 50 per cent.

“If another survey is conducted, the figure may be more. No survey has been carried out since then to determine if various intervention methods have helped to reduce or control the disease.

“We do not even have enough optometrists and ophthalmologists in the country that can adequately cater for glaucoma patients in the cities not to talk of rural communities.

“We need to reach out to these people, increase awareness about the disease and encourage them to take themselves for regular checks at the hospital,” she said.

According to Bitto, studies show that black people are three to four times more at risk of developing glaucoma than Caucasians. 

She explained that people with high intraocular pressure, those over 40 years and individuals with thin cornea were also at high risk of developing glaucoma.

Read More

Ese's abductor now in police custody - Force PRO

The Police Force Public Relations Officer, Bisi Kolawole has confirmed that the water vendor-turned tricycle operator, Yunusa who abducted Ese Oruru is now in police custody.

She made the confirmation during a press conference attended by Ese's mother at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.

Kolawole told newsmen that Ese would undergo comprehensive medical examinations to ascertain her state of health.

Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase has ordered an investigation into why Ese's rescue was delayed for over five months.

Read More