End Conspiratorial Silence, Governor Wike tells Nigerian Editors.

OPPRESSION OF RIVERS STATE: END CONSPIRATORIAL SILENCE,  GOVERNOR WIKE TELLS NIGERIAN EDITORS

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has accused the media of being involved  in  a conspiracy  of silence while the people  of Rivers State are denied legitimate  representation  at the National Assembly  because of the illegal quest to save the dwindling  political  relevance of an individual.

The governor declared  that  the time has come for Editors to put an end to deliberate negative  reportage of events in the  state  for  factual  development-based reporting to be enthroned.

Declaring  open the 12th All Nigeria Editors Conference organised by the Nigerian Guild of Editors in Port Harcourt on Thursday ,  Governor Wike said: "The 8th National Assembly is well into the second year of its 4-year tenure without any Rivers State representative in the Senate, and only a fraction in the House of Representatives. Yet, the press is maintaining conspiratorial silence over the continuing repression and deliberate denial of the State’s constitutional right to full and effective representation at the National Assembly. The question is: can Rivers State legitimately be bound by legislation or resolutions from the 8th National Assembly passed without our representation and input?"

The governor added: " I would like to leave you with some thoughts about the values we share – thoughts about our democracy, good governance and public accountability. As the watchdog and guardians of the public interest, no other profession can give us the opportunity to know the truth about our country, about our leaders, about the state of our democracy, about ourselves, and about governments than journalists. Your profession enables and empowers you to prod and probe; to speak truth to power, to expose injustice, to speak on behalf of the voiceless and to hold leaders accountable.

" Thus, the statement is true that if you all commit yourselves to the highest standards of your profession, you can be the most powerful force for deepening Nigeria’s democracy, for human rights, for justice, for shaping public policy, for fighting corruption, for free, fair and credible elections, and for efficient service delivery."

He stated that  journalists must take interest in the damage being done to the polity by persons trying to subvert the will of the people.

He urged them to use their informed position  to report the reality of events in Rivers State,  where the people are insisting  on  free and  fair elections.

The governor  said : "In these politically terrifying times, we urge everyone of you to be objective in your coverage and reportage of events and stand with the people of Rivers State in our quest for free and fair re-run elections, instead of serving as proxies for those elements and tendencies that are bent on holding us captives and depriving us of our freedoms and liberties."

The governor  stated that there is no reason  for the perpetual postponement of elections  in Rivers State.

"They say there are security challenges in the State but even in the height of the vicious violence by the Boko Haram insurgency, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) supposedly conducted elections in Bornu and other infested States.

"The excuse of insecurity is therefore a farcical political contraption. Again, if we may ask INEC and its collaborators: who is fooling who?", the  governor stated.

On his achievements  since taking the oath of office,  Governor Wike said  that he has improved  the  fortunes of the state through  execution of  pro-people projects and programmes  that have lifted the people from the under-developed position the immediate past administration left it.

He said : "Before we came in, roads in the State were in their worst states of disrepair. Today, we have restored most of the streets in the State capital and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas. In addition, we started 27 new roads and completed 15 strategic roads and bridges abandoned by the previous administration.

"As I speak work is ongoing on several strategic projects, including the dualization of the 16km Sakpenwa – Bori – Kono road, which straddles three local governme0nt areas; the East/West – Airport (Prof. Tam David West) Boulevard; the Igwuruta – Etche road; the Rivers State Ecumenical Centre, and the Port Harcourt Pleasure Park."

Governor Wike  reiterated  that Rivers State  is  safe  for  investments  and  leisure.

President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mrs Funke Egbemode said  that the  Conference  is targeted  at  ensuring  the promotion  of  Agriculture  as the nation's  alternative revenue earner.

Former Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan urged journalists  to work  towards making agriculture  attractive  to the youths.

He noted that the unattractive nature of agriculture as a revenue  has made it difficult  for several  youths to invest their time and resources in the  venture.

Speaking  on the rise of  militancy  in the Niger Delta,  Dr Uduaghan called on the Federal Government to adopt a carrot and  stick approach.

Former Ogun State Governor and Chairman of the Occasion, Chief Segun Osoba said that a return  to  agriculture  as a revenue

source  for the  country  is in the  best interest of the country.

The 12th All Nigeria Editors Conference attracted over 300 senior Editors from across  the  country.

Kanu @40, throw back photos

Ronaldinho receives offer to play a guest match

Ronaldinho has received an offer to play a guest match for
Wollongong Wolves as he bids to win an A-League
contract, according to a director for the Australian side.
The former Brazil star, 36, last played for Fluminense in
2015 but is reportedly keen to continue his career when the
new A-League season gets under way in October.
The Wolves – who play in the second-tier National Premier
League - are not in a position to hand Ronaldinho a
permanent deal, but director Dean Merola confirmed they
have submitted an offer for the playmaker to play in their
FFA Cup match against Sydney on August 10.
That would give Ronaldinho the opportunity to prove he still
has the required quality as A-League clubs ponder signing
him.
"We can confirm we have put in an offer," Merola told
Outside90.
"We know he is interested in coming to the A-League as a
marquee player. We are willing to put him on a platform to
show his wares and deadline for a response is tomorrow
[Friday].
"Fingers crossed, it would be a big coup for Wollongong!"
Ronaldinho, who formerly played for Paris Saint-Germain,
Barcelona and Milan, won the last of his 97 Brazil caps in
2013.

I WILL INTERVENE IN THE PDP CRISIS - JONATHAN

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has promised to
intervene in resolving the leadership crisis in the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP). Jonathan made the promise on
Wednesday in Abuja when the zonal representatives of the
PDP Board of Trustees led by its Chairman, Sen.Walid
Jubril, paid him a courtesy visit.
He said that although he had been holding consultations
with individuals, he would do more to resolve the crisis.
He noted that Nigerians expected a vibrant opposition to
the ruling party and that PDP must rise to the occasion.
“Unfortunately we have challenges, but I think you should
not be discouraged. Challenges are part of life, it comes up
in homes, religious places what is important is our ability
to resolve them. “This should not be beyond us, but I
believe that collectively, we can resolve it.
“Any sincere PDP member should know that PDP is
superior to any individual, and that members have
sacrificed their interests for the party. Even the nation
expects a more vibrant opposition. “I have been talking to
individuals but not in a way that is exposed to media but I
believe I should do more,’’ Jonathan said. The former
president, however, regretted the conflicting court orders on
the party’s crisis, saying it was “unfortunate that the
Nigerian environment is that way to have conflicting court
judgements.’’
Jonathan commended members of the board for their
commitment to the party and condoled with them on the
recent death of their secretary, Chief Ojo Maduekwe.
Speaking earlier, Jubril said that the board decided to pay
Jonathan courtesy call in recognition of his former position
as former president and to brief him on the present state of
the party. “It is sad to note that the party has not less than
15 court cases with verdicts given on some and appeal
pending. “We have realised after our meeting, that there
was also need for reconciliation and there were committees
set for reconciliations and the reconciliations are ongoing.
“We have decided to organise a special reconciliation
committee while the process for the convention is going on
we want to the reconciliation to go on. “We want you to
come into the reconciliation, we are sure that when you do
that, we are going to have a way forward in this matter. “We
have great respect for you in spite of the fact that you have
not been appearing in our activities,’’ Jubril said. He said
that the board had also embarked on several programmes
and visitation to founding fathers of the party to address the
crisis.

Obama Celebrates his last birthday as President...

It's his final birthday in office and it comes at a time when Obama is acknowledging that his own political shelf life is winding down.
Though mid-50s is young for an outgoing commander-in-chief, and he will presumably enjoy a long, active post-presidency, Obama has grown increasingly wistful in his final year.
Happy 55th birthday to the 44th President of the United States.

Dream team finally departs for Manaus...

Nigeria's Men's Olympic football team, Dream Team VI finally departed for Manaus from Atlanta on Thursday after multiple delays that left the team stranded in the United States.
Samson Siasia's side face Japan in the opening game of the football event of the Games and will arrive in Brazil with just hours to spare before the clash against the Samurai Blues.
Tweets from the team's media officer showed the team pass through immigration at the airport where he claimed they were harangued by Japanese reporters.

The team were initially scheduled to leave for Manaus on Tuesday but a logistical mix-up over the payment for the charter flight meant the airline refused to airlift the Olympic footballers to Brazil.
An alternative arrangement was reached for the players to leave on Wednesday, however, player complaints about the size of the aircraft then disrupted their travel plans.
The issue was finally resolved when the Federal Government of Nigeria intervened by hiring a Delta Airlines All-VIP jet to take the players and crew on their seven-hour flight to the Amazon city of Manaus.
The delay means the Dream Team will arrive in Brazil with barely four hours until they kick-off their campaign against Asian U-23 champions Japan as they hope to emulate the Kanu Nwankwo-led side that won gold at the Atlanta 1996 Olympics.

Why Olympic Gold Is So Important To Brazil

WHY OLYMPIC GOLD IS SO IMPORTANT TO BRAZIL

Nara Franco & Rupert Fryer

With rivals Argentina and Uruguay having twice taken first, the time has come for the Selecao to complete their set and finally end their wait for Olympic glory.

Copa America or the Olympics games?
Former Brazil coach Dunga would have liked to field his strongest side in both competitions, with captain Neymar leading the charge for back-to-back titles. But the Selecao reluctantly accepted the fact they had to make a choice.
June's Copa America returned just one year after the previous edition, as South American football federation Conmebol teamed up with their North American neighbours Concacaf for a joint tournament to celebrate the 100th anniversary of football’s oldest international competition. Taking place in USA between June 3-26, it featured all ten South American nations and six from North America.
The Olympics football tournament will be held in Rio between August 3-20. And the quest for gold has become an obsession for Brazil. With five World Cups, eight Copas America, five Confederations Cups, and five Under-20 world titles, the Olympic Gold remains the one major title for which Brazil are eligible that they are yet to win. As hosts, it’s felt the Selecao have never had a better opportunity to end their wait.


The sides in Rio will be made up of Under-23 players, born on or after January 1993, but each nation is permitted three overage inclusions. However, while clubs were obliged to release their players for the official, Fifa-recognised Copa America, they were under no obligation to do so for the Olympics.
In addition to Neymar, Brazil's Olympic coach Rogerio Micale settled on 37-year-old Palmeiras goalkeeper Fernando Prass and Beijing Guoan midfielder Renato Augusto to make up his overage quota.
Below, Chevrolet Brasil Global Tour begins a series of articles looking back at Brazil’s Olympic history and why the Selecao are so desperate to strike gold.
FOOTBALL AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES
After water polo, football was the first team sport to be added to the Olympic games, with the first Fifa-recognised tournament taking place at in London 1908. The first gold medal was won by hosts England, who defeated Denmark in the final, with Netherlands taking bronze.
The only tournament to pit football teams from different continents against one another, Uruguay’s total dominance of the 1924 and 1928 editions saw interest in the sport reach new heights, helping to convince Fifa the sport needed its own World Cup. Brazil, meanwhile, did not compete at the Olympic Games in any capacity until 1920, and did not compete in the football tournament until 1952.
URUGUAY CROWN SOUTH AMERICA KINGS OF THE WORLD GAME
(Photo: International Olympic Committee)
They wear four stars on their shirts to this day. 1924 and 1928 were, to all intents and purposes, World Cups. Europe and South America had never met in an official capacity prior to the Paris games in 1924. Italy and Hungary were favourites to take gold, but they were in for a shock. Uruguay can hold a legitimate claim to being the nation that transformed football into the world’s most popular cultural pursuit.
Only 2,000 people watched Uruguay destroy Yugoslavia 7-0 in their opener, but word of their dynamic, artful approach to the game spread and they quickly became the spectacle nobody wanted to miss. “The crowd jostled to see those men, slippery as squirrels, who played chess with a ball,” wrote the great Eduado Galeano. “They chose to invent a game of close passes directly to the foot, with lightning changes in rhythm and high-speed dribbling.” They hit also 17 goals in four games. They returned four years later to reclaim their crown by seeing off arch rivals Argentina in the final in Amsterdam, before hosting and winning the first World Cup two years later. South America was the new home of world football.