WELCOME TO HAMSON'S BLOG: May 2017

Thursday, 18 May 2017

Nollywood Actress, Moji Olaiya Is Dead

We have received reports that Yoruba Actress, Moji Olaiya is Dead.
This is coming barely few weeks after Nollywood was thrown into
mourning with the deaths of two popular actors,
Olumide Bakare and Pastor Ajidara.
Her death also come barely two months after she gave birth to a baby girl.
In March, the very popular Yoruba actress, Moji Olaiya welcomed her
first child In Canada, a few months after she officially divorced her
first husband to marry another man.
Moji passed away in a hospital in Canada.. It was said that her cause
of death could be linked to complications that arose from her child
birth in March. It is also possible that the actress would be buried
in Canada where she passed on.
Moji's first marriage fell apart in 2008, and the yoruba actress
decided to give love another when when she sealed her new union months
ago at a quiet ceremony.
Miji Olaiya shot to limelight after she featured in Wale Adenuga's
popular family soap, Superstory.
May her gentle soul rest in perfect peace.

Wednesday, 17 May 2017

Lessons from Macron’s election

For Nigeria, the most obvious lesson from the May 7 election of
Emmanuel Jean-Michel Frederic Macron as President of France is that
the youth too can do it, if the conditions are right.

At age 39 and one who has never held elected office, Macron founded En
Marche, a centrist political group – he called it movement- complete
with an ideology, structure, and a campaign machine that within a
year, took on and defeated long existing and experienced mainstream
political parties- rightist and leftist. At the second round of the
presidential election, he trounced Marine Le Pen's National Front with
66.1 per cent of the votes to the latter's 33.9 per cent. He received
20,743, 128 votes, about twice his competitor's 10,638, 475 numbers.

And, taking office on 14 May, he has promptly begun to constitute his
government with the appointment of 46-year old Edouard Philippe, the
mayor of the port city of Le Havre as prime minister preparatory to
choosing candidates for the June legislative election.

Macron, an investment banker, may not have contested election before
now but he has substantial experience in the corridors of political
power. He worked as a public servant in the Ministry of Economy, was a
member of the Socialist Party from 2006, and served in different
governments as deputy secretary-general, and Minister of Economy,
Industry, and Digital Affairs. Having presented his movement as
centrist and on which strength he was voted into power, he is a
president that, expectedly, will pursue a balance between social
equality of the left, and social hierarchy of the right. Being
conscious of, on the one hand, the sentiments that drive some in
society to extremes of the political divide, and on the other, the
yearning of the electorate for a more equitable socio-economic system,
he said that 'the divisions and fractures in our society must be
overcome.' To this end, the new president promised to 'reconcile the
French (people)."

In terms of foreign policy, he reportedly intends to strengthen the
global stature and influence of France, increase overseas spending to
meet the European Union target of 0.7 per cent of the GDP of
member-nations, and also review the military bases in Africa. His
government would insist on fluency in French to qualify for French
citizenship, and religious leaders would be trained to imbibe French
secular values.

Mr. Macron is a man who follows his mind, as exemplified by the story
of his marriage. He is one who, like erstwhile U.S. president Barak
Obama, believes in the spirit of 'can do,' as evidenced by the
policies movement he put together to win so soon and so spectacularly,
the highest office in the land and at an age only Napoleon matched.
But his success has not dropped from the sky on his laps. He prepared,
and was assisted, by others for it. He has a sound education, he
worked in both public and private sectors, and he benefitted from
elders who brought him into government and political exposure. But all
these would have eluded him but for the fact his benefactors found him
worthy of high responsibilities and leadership roles, he rose. In sum,
Macron earned his achievement. Indeed, his confidence, his courage,
and his competence is clearly demonstrated by the fact of moving out
of the Socialist Party to start his own political platform.

It must be recalled though, that Nigeria once had courageous and
capable young people in leadership positions. General Yakubu Gowon at
age 32, led this country through its most difficult times, Brigadier
Mobolaji Johnson was governor of Lagos State at 31; Naval officer
Alfred Diette-Spiff was governor in Rivers State at 25; and M.T. Mbu
was federal minister at age 25, albeit under military rule. It is a
mark of Nigeria's regression that decades later, the older ones are
snatching back what they should let go to the terrible detriment of
the growth and development of the nation.

It must be noted, however, that his mentors and senior politicians who
leveraged his career are good people who identify and nurture younger
ones with such positive qualities. It is said that only the deep calls
to the deep. The leadership recruitment motive and process that put an
under 40 year-old into the French presidency must be commended.
Besides, Macron's success is a function of a political environment
that is relatively healthy, civilised, and rancor-free, where
respectable politicians, servant-leaders play decent politics largely
for the common good. It is noteworthy that outgoing president Francois
Hollande reportedly chose not to seek re-election because of his low
public rating. If this is true, such sensitivity to public feeling is
indeed a mark of statesmanship.

President Macron sees a 'new chapter of hope and confidence' and he
promised to give back to the French people the confidence to believe
in themselves. And he is reported to say he is 'a man of the right'
but motivated by 'the greater good of society' to work with the left.
That is wisdom of a patriot.

On the one hand, Nigeria is blessed with a large number of young
people waiting for just the opportunity to excel; there are many
others not waiting but launching unto something by, and for
themselves. But, on the other hand, too many of the older generations
are too deeply sunk in all types of delinquency to either show good
example, or create an environment conducive for achievement. And there
is much to say about the power of environment to affect fortunes.

There is absolutely no reason many such as Macron cannot ascend in
this country. The adults in charge must, of course, allow it. And the
youth must muster the confidence, the competence, and the courage
required to take the baton.

Tuesday, 16 May 2017

ZIDANE DISMISSES JAMES REAL MADRID EXIT TALK

The future of the Colombia international remains unclear, but the
Blancos coach would not entertain rumours of a close-season exit
Zinedine Zidane refused to be drawn into discussions over James
Rodriguez's future at Real Madrid, insisting he and the squad are
interested only in Wednesday's crucial La Liga clash with Celta Vigo.
Reports this week have suggested James is set for a big-money
close-season move to Manchester United after falling down the pecking
order at Santiago Bernabeu.
Could James be Man Utd's Galactico?
The attacking midfielder moved to Madrid after a stellar 2014 World
Cup that saw him win the Golden Boot award, but has found playing time
limited since Zidane took over in January 2016.
But Zidane was keeping his cards firmly to his chest when asked about
James' future at a pre-match news conference.
"James is here, that's not up for question. He's with us," he said.
"He didn't train [on Tuesday] because he has a knock, but James is
here and we're thinking just about the three games we have left this
year."
Another player whose future in the Spanish capital is believed to be
up in the air is Spain striker Alvaro Morata, who has spent much of
the campaign playing second fiddle to Karim Benzema.
Morata was pictured seemingly snubbing a handshake from Zidane when
substituted in Sunday's 4-1 rout of Sevilla.
But Zidane, whose side need four points from their remaining two
matches to win LaLiga, insists he was not the cause of the striker's
irritation.
"Morata wasn't angry with me, he was angry at something else," he
added. "I don't know what but it can happen, it's fine. We spoke and
that's it."
Ronaldo snubbed in La Liga Team of the Season
PLAY
Zidane was also asked about Gareth Bale, who remains an injury
absentee after aggravating a calf issue against Barcelona in last
month's Clasico.
It has been suggested Bale will be fit for the Champions League final
against Juventus in Cardiff on June 3, but the Frenchman reiterated
his focus is purely on Celta.
"Listen, right now is not the time to talk about that," Zidane said.
"I can tell you how he is, he's a lot better, he's out on the pitch,
not with the group, but that's positive.
"We're happy with that, but we just have to think about the game [with
Celta] and that's it. Gareth isn't with us."

Senate Kicks Over Failure of NNPC, FIRS, Others to Submit Budgets

The Senate has expressed concern over the failure of Government
agencies to submit their 2017 budget proposal to the National Assembly
in line with extant law.

Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Bala Ibn Na'Allah who drew the attention
of his colleagues to the abnormality during plenary on Tuesday, said
it is wrong for agencies to spend money that has not been appropriated
by the legislature.

Prompt News Online reports that over 30 federal government agencies
are in breach of the law. They include: NNPC, CBN, FIRS, NIMASA, NPA,
Customs, others.

Na'Allah told the Senate that he intends to bring the issue to the
floor as a motion so that Senators will understand the implications
and the need to assist the government to fight corruption.

"I deliberately decided that I will bring it on the floor, so that
Senators will understand the implications," Na'Allah said.

"In our commitment to assist this government to fight corruption, we
must stand on our feet that every spirit of our law must be obeyed by
those holding public offices. I think that if you permit me I will
like to come tomorrow by way of motion, so it can be debated on the
Floor of the Senate."

Na'Allah added that "The only approach this Senate can take to assist
this government in fighting corruption, is to insist that gross abuse
of power and misuse of power must be stopped by every government
agency.

"The only way we can build our institutions is to radically address
the issue of abuse of power and misuse of power. I think that if you
give me permission, I will like to bring it tomorrow as a motion."

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, while ruling on the
point of order, expressed displeasure over the failure by most
government agencies to submit their 2017 budget proposals to the
National Assembly for consideration and approval.

The Senate President condemned the practice where agencies of
government spend money without statutory approval by the National
Assembly and ruled that the issue be debated and resolution taken by
the Senate on Wednesday.

Saraki said: "We are already in May. How can Parastatals be operating
without any budget, especially in this time of the fight against
corruption and ensuring that there is transparency in governance? We
need to take this matter seriously because clearly these agencies are
just flouting the guidelines and breaking the law.

"This is a very serious issue because as we all know, in line with the
Fiscal Responsibility Act, these budgets are meant to have been
submitted to the National Assembly since August 2016.

"They are supposed to have come with the Appropriation document. We
have now passed the 2017 budget without the budgets of the
parastatals. I think this matter really needs to come up as a motion
because this is a very serious matter. We need to debate it," he said.

Saraki added: "Leader, this is a very important issue and we must
debate it tomorrow and if there is any Committee in exception or that
have received from agencies they oversight, then they will have the
opportunity to at least clear the Parastatals and Agencies, that have
sent their budgets.

"But if as at middle of May, we are saying we have not received any
budget from them, then which money are they spending and with what
authority? We need to look into that and take a decision that may be
they can only pay salaries until they bring their budgets here and
approvals given.

"I think once and for all, we need to address this issue and put an
end to this disregard for laws and areas of corrupt practices," the
Senate President said.

NEWS Patience Jonathan appeals forfeiture order on $5.9m

Wife of ex- President Goodluck Jonathan, Patience, has approached the
Court of Appeal , seeking to reverse the order of the Federal High
Court freezing her Skye Bank account with a balance of $ 5 . 9 m .
Following an ex parte application by the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission on April 26 , 2017 , Justice Mojisola Olatoregun had made
an interim order freezing Patience' s account .
The judge ordered the EFCC to publish the freezing order in a national
daily and adjourned till May 15 for any interested party to appear
before her to give reasons why the money should not be permanently
forfeited to the Federal Government .
At the resumed proceedings in the case on Monday , Patience 's lawyer,
Mr Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), said her client had not been given
sufficient notice of the case to enable her respond, pointing out that
the EFCC only published the freezing order May 11 .
He added that his client had also gone on appeal to challenge the
freezing order and had also filed an application praying that further
proceedings in the case should be suspended until the outcome of the
appeal.
But the EFCC lawyer, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, insisted that the business of
the day was for anyone who had objection to the forfeiture order to
appear in court to give reasons why the money should not be
permanently forfeited .
He urged the judge to ignore Adedipe's submission, saying it was not
in consonance with the business of the day.
Responding to the counsel , the judge noted that the forfeiture order
was published too late and said she would adjourn the matter to avail
interested parties adequate time to appear before her to show reasons
why the money should not be permanently forfeited .
She consequently adjourned till May 22 , 2017.
The EFFC had while obtaining the freezing order told the judge that
the $ 5 . 9 m found in Patience' s account was suspected proceeds of
crime.
Apart from the Skye Bank account with $ 5 . 9 m , the EFCC also
obtained a freezing order in respect of an Ecobank account with a
balance of N 2 . 4 bn which was opened in the name of one La Wari
Furniture and Bath Limited .
In an affidavit filed in support of the new application , an operative
of the EFCC, Musbahu Abubakar, stated that Patience opened the Skye
Bank account on February 7 , 2013 and used it to allegedly warehouse
proceeds of crime .
According to Abubakar , Patience made several cash deposits in United
States' dollars into the account through a former Special Assistant to
ex- President Jonathan, Waripamo-Owei Dudafa , and a State House
steward , Festus Iyoha .
He said as of January 30 , 2015 , the Skye Bank account had a balance
of $ 6 . 7 m but Patience subsequently withdrew it down to $ 5 . 7 m .
The EFCC prayed the court to urgently freeze the account so as to
prevent Patience from moving the funds.

EPL: Chelsea celebrate title at home with 7-goal thriller

Chelsea FC celebrated their English Premier League title triumph with
a hard - earned 4 - 3 victory over Watford on Monday at Stamford
Bridge.
Antonio Conte and his players were able to take the acclaim on a lap
of honour after the final whistle in an ill- tempered but thrilling
encounter .
But they were made to work for the win by a fired- up and physical Watford.
John Terry, who will leave at the end of the season after more than
two decades at the club, set the ball rolling with an unusual event .
He celebrated his first league start since September by scoring
Chelsea's 100 th goal in all competitions this term after 22 minutes .
Terry then gifted Watford' s Etienne Capoue an instant equaliser with
a poor header .
Cesar Azpilicueta then saved him the blushes when he restored
Chelsea's lead with a crisp finish before half -time.
The contest appeared to be over when Michy Batshuayi, whose goal at
West Brom on Friday kept the title in the bag , added a third just
after the break.
Watford, however , showed commendable fight after this , as Daryl
Janmaat' s fine solo effort put the visitors within reach .
Substitute Stefano Okaka , who was given his Italy debut by Chelsea
boss Conte when he was in charge of the national side , took advantage
of defensive uncertainty to equalise.
Chelsea, as so often this season, found a way to win as substitute
Cesc Fabregas struck from the edge of the area with three minutes left
.
Watford's misery was then compounded when Sebastian Prodl was sent off
for a second yellow card in stoppage time .

Sunday, 14 May 2017

EPL: Coutinho masterclass lifts Liverpool back to third

Philippe Coutinho fired Liverpool within touching distance of the Champions League as the Brazilian's masterclass inspired a 4-0 demolition of West Ham on Sunday.

Jurgen Klopp's side took the lead when Coutinho's sublime pass was converted by Daniel Sturridge in the first half at the London Stadium.

Coutinho stole the spotlight again in the second half with a superb solo strike and a cool finish to put Liverpool three goals ahead before Divock Origi netted to cap the Reds' swaggering display.

Liverpool moved back one point above Manchester City into third place in the Premier League.

Although City and fifth placed Arsenal both have a game in hand, Klopp's men will be guaranteed a Champions League berth if they beat relegated Middlesbrough at Anfield next Sunday.

In the unlikely event Arsenal lose at home to relegated Sunderland on Tuesday then Liverpool will clinch a top four spot without playing.

West Ham ended Tottenham's title dreams in their previous match, but Coutinho ensured they never came close to derailing Liverpool.

It might have been different if West Ham had capitalised on two early chances.

Sam Byram fired inches past the post before Edimilson Fernandes forced Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet into a smart save.

Sandwiched in between was Liverpool's first chance of the afternoon after 11 minutes.

Coutinho's corner was met by Joel Matip whose header bounced down and off the crossbar as West Ham somehow scrambled the ball clear.

Liverpool began to find some momentum and Sturridge freed Adam Lallana, who shot straight at Adrian.

The Hammers goalkeeper also had to be alert to keep out James Milner's low drive before watching Coutinho's long-range effort drift just over the top of his crossbar.

Milner dragged his shot wide when well placed but the breakthrough arrived via Sturridge in the 35th minute.

Coutinho split open the West Ham defence with a majestic long pass and Sturridge strode through, rounded Adrian and slotted home his first goal since January 2.

– Breathing space –

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic has made no secret that Sturridge is on his transfer wish-list.

For now, Sturridge was focused on sending Liverpool closer to the top-four but their lead should have evaporated moments before half-time.

Manuel Lanzini's corner found its way to Andre Ayew but the striker hit the post from two-yards out before incredibly repeating the trick from the rebound.

That could have changed the course of the match but instead, Liverpool took full control.

Adrian foiled them on three occasions in quick succession.

Origi's low shot was pushed out before Lallana's drive was blocked by the Spaniard's feet.

When West Ham failed to clear, Emre Can freed Georginio Wijnaldum and Adrian again came to the home side's rescue at his near post.

The crossbar was still shaking from Wijnaldum's fierce volley when Coutinho gave Liverpool breathing space in the 57th minute.

Coutinho weaved his way through tired West Ham bodies before finally beating Adrian with a fine, low drive.

It was game over when Coutinho struck again five minutes later on the counter-attack.

West Ham were angered that Matip escaped with an elbow on Winston Reid but Liverpool broke and Coutinho danced past Collins easily before netting.

There was still time for Origi to stab home from close-range in the 76th minute following Wijnaldum's miscued shot.

Real Madrid, Barca set up final day title showdown

The fight for the La Liga title will go down to the last day of the season after Real Madrid and Barcelona beat Sevilla and Las Palmas respectively on Sunday to remain locked together on 87 points.

Madrid remain in the driving seat after the European champions saw off Sevilla 4-1 as they have two games remaining to Barca's one.

However, Barca remain on top thanks to their better head-to-head record, with Neymar scoring a hat-trick as they also won 4-1 in the Canary Islands.

Madrid visit Celta in their game in hand on Wednesday and then travel to Malaga, whilst Barca host Eibar on the final day next Sunday.

Sevilla's defeat at the Bernabeu also guarantees they will finish fourth and Atletico Madrid, who drew 1-1 at Real Betis, qualify automatically for next season's Champions League in third.

At the bottom, Sporting Gijon joined Granada and Osasuna in being relegated despite winning 1-0 at Eibar as Deportivo la Coruna secured safety in a 0-0 draw at Villarreal.

Sevilla have now won just three of their last 13 games as their season has petered out to a disappointing end.

However, they gave Madrid more than a few scares at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Nacho gave the hosts the lead in controversial fashion as he curled home a quick free-kick with the Sevilla defence caught unawares and their protests towards referee Alberto Undiano Mallenco falling on deaf ears.

That goal meant Madrid broke Bayern Munich's European record for scoring in consecutive games as their streak now stretches to 61 games.

Sevilla fired their first warning shot when Stefan Jovetic smashed a shot against the post from the edge of the area.

However, moments later it was 2-0 as Sergio Rico could only palm James Rodriguez's effort into the path of Cristiano Ronaldo to score his 400th Madrid goal.

Jovetic then saw a lovely chipped effort come back off the bar and was denied by Keylor Navas when played through by Joaquin Correa as Sevilla continued to threaten.

Sevilla finally got back in the game through Jovetic's neat finish from outside the box three minutes into the second-half.

Yet, just as the hosts' nerves were becoming frayed, Ronaldo appeared once more by crashing home Toni Kroos's cut-back to restore Real's two goal lead.

And Kroos rounded off the scoring himself by prodding into the far corner six minutes from time.

Barcelona kept the pressure on despite a series of defensive absences that meant Brazilian 21-year-old Marlon Santos was handed a full debut.

The visitors still hand all of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar to call on up front and the latter two combined to give Barca a 2-0 half-time lead.

After wonderful passes from Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta, Suarez squared for Neymar to open the scoring.

The roles were reversed two minutes later as Neymar's chip freed Suarez to finish.

Pedro Bigas momentarily gave Las Palmas hope just after the hour mark.

But Neymar headed home Ivan Rakitic's cross and then sealed his first hat-trick of the season 19 minutes from time.