Tony Kanu's blog

Argentina legend, Diego Maradona has stated his desire to return as La Albiceleste coach after Tuesday’s 4-2 defeat to the Super Eagles of Nigeria in an international friendly in Krasnodar, Russia.‎ Despite taking a 2-0 lead in the first half through goals from Ever Banega and Sergio Aguero, the Super Eagles rallied back to win 4-2 with goals from Kelechi Iheanacho, Bryan Idowu and Alex Iwobi (brace). According to espn.com, Maradona, who led his country to World Cup glory in 1986 and also led them as coach to the 2010 World Cup, published a comparative table on his Instagram account showing that his period as a coach of the team had the highest efficiency among all the managers that led Argentina since the 1970s. In the graphic posted, Maradona claimed he achieved 75 per cent efficiency, with 18 victories and six defeats in 24 matches during his tenure as Argentina coach, including the World Cup in South Africa, a tournament in which his team was eliminated in the quarterfina

Celebrations swept across Australia Wednesday as voters emphatically endorsed same-sex marriage after more than a decade of divisive debate, and political leaders immediately began moves to enshrine the historic shift in law by Christmas. Thousands of marriage equality supporters took to parks and squares across the vast country, hugging, dancing and singing under clouds of glitter when the results of the two-month-long postal survey were announced. Revelers wrapped in rainbow colors swarmed the entertainment districts of Sydney, Melbourne and other cities, closing streets as the party continued late into the evening. Almost 62 percent of the 12.7 million people who  participated voted “yes” to the question: “Should the law be changed to allow same-sex couples to marry?” Just 38.4 percent voted “no”, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, which carried out the poll. Nearly 80 percent of eligible voters took part in the poll, with the “yes” vote winning a maj

After days of tension and rumour, soldiers seized the state broadcaster ZBC late on Tuesday. A Zimbabwean army officer, Major General Sibusiso Moyo, went on air to say the military was targeting "criminals" around President Mugabe. "This is not a military takeover of government," he insisted. Maj Gen Moyo also said Mr Mugabe and his family were "safe and sound and their security is guaranteed". It is not clear who is leading the military action. Since then, military vehicles have been out on the streets of Harare, while gunfire has been heard from northern suburbs where Mr Mugabe and a number of government officials live. In a statement, the office of South African President Jacob Zuma, said: "President Zuma spoke to President Robert Mugabe earlier today who indicated that he was confined to his home but said that he was fine." There has been no direct comment from President Mugabe, nor his wife Grace, whose whereabouts are unclear

The Zimbabwean military's takeover of power and detention of President Robert Mugabe "seems like a coup", key regional bloc the African Union says. Its head, Alpha Conde, said the AU demands an immediate return to constitutional order. The military denies staging a coup, saying that Mr Mugabe is safe and that it was acting against "criminals" surrounding him. Their move follows a power struggle over who might replace Mr Mugabe. His vice-president, Emmerson Mnangagwa was fired last week, making Mr Mugabe's wife Grace the president's likely successor - but leaving top military officials feeling sidelined. Mr Mugabe, 93, has dominated the country's political scene since it gained independence from the UK in 1980. Responding to the developments, Mr Conde, who is also Guinea's president, said Zimbabwean soldiers "had obviously attempted to take power". The AU had "serious concern" at the situation and "reitera

A global report released yesterday says Nigeria remains one of the three most terrorised nations in the world. The 2017 Global Terrorism Index (GTI) also indicates that killing of innocent people by the Boko Haram insurgents in the North east has decreased by 80 per cent. According to the document, Nigeria got the same ranking in 2015 and 2016. It was ranked fourth in 2014. The Global Terrorism Index, which is in its fifth edition, is published annually by an independent, non-partisan, non-profit think tank organisation, Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP). It monitors and measures the impact of terrorism in 163 countries, which covers 99.7 per cent of the world’s population. The report says Iraq and Afghanistan have not had their ranking changed in the past three years and the two countries are ranked first and second in the 2017 GTI. Among the first 10 countries that suffered the greatest impact of terrorism in 2016, according to the report, are Syria, fourth; Pakistan

If the 2018 budgetary estimates submitted to the National Assembly on November 7, by President Muhammadu Buhari is passed, the crocodiles, birds and other wildlife in the Presidential Villa would be entitled to N65.431 million for their upkeep for the fiscal year. According to the Guardian, the amount is part of sundry expenditure in the State House miscellaneous budget in the country’s N8.612 trillion spending plan before the National Assembly for consideration. The list or population of the wildlife is not indicated as in the case of personnel for Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) personnel cost. Other sundry expenditure plan in the State House includes N135.668 million for meals and refreshments, and another N132.198 million to carter for cooking gas and fuel for power generating sets and motor vehicles. The breakdown is as follows: Generator fuel N45.678 million; motor vehicles gas, N67.950 million and cooking gas N18.570 million.

Tanks have been spotted heading towards  Zimbabwe 's capital Harare. Eyewitnesses said military vehicles were also blocking major roads outside the city. Local media also reported that heavily armed military personnel had sealed off state TV broadcaster ZBC. It comes amid rising tensions between the southern African nation's military and the country's ruling Zanu-PF party, headed by President  Robert Mugabe  - the only leader Zimbabwe has known in 37 years of independence. The president plunged the country into political crisis by sacking his vice president Emerson Mnangagwa, 75, last week. The long-serving veteran of Zimbabwe's 1970s liberation wars, had been viewed as a likely successor to Mr Mugabe before the president fired him. But his downfall appeared to pave the way for his wife Grace to succeed her 93-year-old husband. A number of people posted images of the military vehicles on social media. Some called it "a coup".  The Independent  was

Buhari Promises to Address South-East’s infrastructural deficit President Muhammadu Buhari on has pledged to urgently address the infrastructural challenges confronting the South-East zone of the country. Buhari who made the pledge today in Abakaliki during a reception held in his honour at the Government House noted that the Igbos remained an integral part of the country. The president recalled that he had pledged to fulfill all campaign promises he made to the zone when the leaders visited him in October. “The leaders raised several concerns on the condition of roads and other infrastructure in the region and I want to assure you that we will deliver on all our promises. “The 2018 budget captures several strategic projects in the region which include roads, power, agriculture, social services, among others,” he said. Buhari noted that his visit to Ebonyi was an affirmation of his government’s commitment to achieving a united Nigeria for the benefit of all citizens. “

President Muhammadu Buhari , has been conferred with 2 chieftaincy titles in Ebonyi State. The official Twitter account of the president @NGRPresident shared photos of him receiving the titles, Enyioma 1 of Ebonyi, and Ochioha Ndi Igbo 1. The president also attended the unveiling of the statue of one of the founding fathers of Nigeria  Akanu Ibiam . The Twitter account also revealed President Buhari inaugurated 2 multi-billion naira flyover projects built by the Ebonyi State Government on a section of the African Trans-Saharan Highway that runs through Enugu, Cross River, and Cameroon.

President Muhamadu Buhari has today landed the Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu as part of his 2 day working visit to the South Eastern Part of Nigeria. The President was received at the airport by the governors  Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi  of Enugu,  Rochas   Okorocha  of Imo,  Okezie Ikpeazu  of Abia, and  Dave Umahi  of Ebonyi. He is expected to proceed to Ebonyi.

Zimbabwe was reeling Tuesday after the army warned it could intervene if President Robert Mugabe continued to purge veteran ruling party figures in an apparent effort to help his wife succeed him. Both the ruling party’s youth wing and the main opposition party called for civilian rule to be protected, while analysts called the crisis a potential turning point. Army chief General Constantino Chiwenga on Monday warned Mugabe to “stop” purges of the ruling ZANU-PF party after the president abruptly sacked vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa last week. Mnangagwa had clashed repeatedly with First Lady Grace Mugabe who is widely seen as vying to replace the 93-year-old leader when he dies. “We must remind those behind the current treacherous shenanigans that when it comes to matters of protecting our revolution, the military will not hesitate to step in,” Chiwenga told top brass at Harare’s King George VI military headquarters in an unprecedented intervention. He appeared to be

A report in the Sunday Times said that 40 Conservative MPs had agreed to sign a letter of no-confidence in the prime minister. Sterling fell 0.64% against the dollar to $1.3105 and fell 0.62% against the euro to €1.1238. UK shares rose at first before falling back, and by close the  FTSE 100  was down 17.81 points at 7,415.18. "Sterling is suffering today as traders ponder how long Theresa May has left in Downing Street,"  said David Madden, market analyst at CMC Markets. "Whether 40 Tory MPs are actually planning to challenge her leadership or not has yet to be seen, but the talk of it is enough to send sterling lower." Outside the FTSE 100. shares in Ultra Electronics sank by nearly 20% after the defence contractor issued a downbeat outlook and said its chief executive had left the company. Ultra said the UK market had become increasingly difficult in the second half of the year due to budget pressures in defence programmes. It also announced that

Trump's 12-day tour created $300bn (£228bn) in sales to companies in the region-BBC US President Donald Trump wraps up a 12-day tour of Asia on Tuesday which he said created $300bn (£228bn) in sales to companies in the region and several major energy deals. Energy agreements made up roughly half the total value of  deals in China . If it proceeds, a project in Alaska would mark the first major investment by a Chinese energy firm in the US. But analysts have doubts over whether this, and other, multi-billion dollar projects will be realized. Mr Trump adopted a defiant tone on commerce during his five-nation tour through Asia and said  the US would no longer tolerate "chronic trade abuses" . He stressed the need to narrow "unfair" trade deficits while touting billions of dollars in commercial deals, mostly with China. "We've made some very big steps with respect to trade, far bigger than anything you know, in addition to about $300bn in s

A middle-aged business woman (name withheld) in Asaba was in the early hours yesterday kidnapped by unidentified gunmen. The victim was said to have been kidnapped around her house located at the Junior Staff Quarters, Asaba by heavily armed hoodlums, who shot sporadically into the air for several minutes before executing their nefarious acts.  It was gathered that the abductors went to the house of the victim, where she was about stepping out and tied the husband while they asked the other members of the family to lie down at gunpoint before they hurriedly dragged their victim into one of her cars and drove off to an unknown destination. Investigation revealed that the kidnap suspects abandoned the vehicle belonging to their victim and transferred the victim into their waiting operational vehicle and zoomed off. Police image maker in the state, Mr. Andrew Aniamaka who confirmed the incident said the police were able to recover the vehicle of the victim, adding that the police

DMW  Boss  Davido  emerged the winner of the “Best African Act” category at the 2017 MTV EMAs which took place this night. Davido who was announced the winner ahead of the show, beat out  Wizkid, Babes Wodumo, C4 Pedro, Nasty C  and  Nyashinski. It has surely been a  “ Fia ” year for Davido. See full list of winners below: Best Song Clean Bandit – Rockabye ft. Sean Paul & Anne-Marie DJ Khaled – Wild Thoughts ft. Rihanna, Bryson Tiller Ed Sheeran – Shape of You Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee – Despacito (Remix) ft. Justin Bieber Shawn Mendes – There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back – WINNER Best Artist Ariana Grande Ed Sheeran Kendrick Lamar Miley Cyrus Shawn Mendes – WINNER Taylor Swift Best New Dua Lipa – WINNER Julia Michaels Khalid KYLE Rag‘n’Bone Man Best Pop Camila Cabello – WINNER Demi Lovato Miley Cyrus Shawn Mendes Taylor Swift Best Video Foo Fighters – Run Katy Perry – Bon Appétit ft. Migos Kendrick Lamar – HUMBLE. – WINNER KYLE – iSpy ft. Lil Yachty Taylor Swif

The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, has stated that he has the right to have an affair with a junior policewoman, challenging Senator Isa Misau to prove him wrong with the law.  Idris stated this in a written defence he presented through his lawyer, Dr. Alex Iziyon (SAN), to the Senate ad-hoc committee investigating the allegations against him by the senator. “Until he brings such section of the Police Act, it will amount to discussing the Inspector-General of Police’s private life, which ordinarily should not have been entertained on the floor of the Senate. “It might be appropriate to remind the senator, whose mother retired from the police as an Inspector of Police and a father who retired from the police as an Assistant Inspector-General of Police, that the Inspector-General of Police is a Moslem and, according to Islamic Law, can marry four wives provided he can love them equally. On the allegation that he was having affairs with two female officers who also got

CRS Lawmakers Accuse Governor Ayade Of Working For APC Some chieftains and members of the Cross River State House of Assembly of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have accused Governor Ben Ayade of working covertly for the All Progressives Congress (APC), and is responsible for the decamping of notable members of the ruling party in the State to the APC. According to the Nigerian Bulletin, the PDP stakeholders also accused the governor of awarding contracts to known APC members to the exclusion of PDP faithful. “It does appear that there is a deliberate and dedicated effort to ensure that the PDP in Cross River State is substantially weakened and reduced to a platform incapable of any significant impact on political fortunes of our State,” the petition read. The allegations are contained in a petition to the National Chairman of the PDP, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, received on October 20, 2017 at the national headquarters of the party and signed by a former deputy governor, Efiok Cobha

Train Crash 'kills 33' in Democratic Republic of Congo A train crash in the Democratic Republic of Congo has killed 33 people, UN radio station Okapi reports. It happened in Buyofwe in the province Lualaba, in the south of the country. Radio Okapi said that the train caught fire after crashing into a ravine. According to reports, it was carrying flammable material. The train was running between Lubumbashi, the second-largest city, and the town of Luena, 2,000km (1,200 miles) from the capital, Kinshasa. The province's Governor Richard Muyej told the BBC there had been an accident but he could not confirm deaths.

 Alex Ekwueme Flown Abroad for Treatment Nigeria's Second Republic Vice-President, Dr Alex Ekwueme, has been airlifted abroad for medical treatment. Ekwueme was hospitalised at Memfys Hospital of Neurosurgery, Enugu, for chest inflection on Oct. 29. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the elder statesman departed the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, around 8:30 a.m. on Sunday in a white air ambulance with registration number N605AJ. However, Memfys Hospital ‎and family sources did not disclose the country where the former vice president would be receiving treatment. NAN reports that some family members accompanied Ekwueme on the medical trip, while others came to bid him farewell. President Muhammadu Buhari had last week approved that Ekwueme should be flown abroad for treatment.