Holland Defeat Chile To Qualify For Second Round As Group Winners

The Netherlands have defeated Chile 2-0 to leap to the top spot in Group B at the ongoing 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

The coach Luis Van Gaal-led European side got their two goals from Leroy Fer in the 77 minutes and Memphis Depay in the 90th minutes

Prior to the encounter, both sides are already assured of their place in the last 16 having won their opening two games at the expense of reigning champions Spain and Australia.

With Brazil likely to win Group A, the two teams were aiming to clinch top spot and earn themselves a more favourable draw in the last 16.

In the group's other pairing, reigning world champions, Spain were able to redeem their battered image after they defeated Australia 3-0.

The Spaniards' goal scorers were David Villa (62), Fernando Torres (69) and Juan Mata (82).

In spite of the victory, Spain and Australia would head home after both teams had already lost their first two matches in the group.

Meanwhile, the last set of matches would be the last group matches in Group A and they are schedule to kick off in less than two hours time.

Host country, Brazil will take on Cameroon while Mexico and  Croatia will slug it out in the other match.

While the Brazilians have already secured qualification for second round, both Mexico and Croatia will have to fight it out for the last qualification spot in the group. A draw would favour Mexico because they have four points while  Croatia can only boast of three points.

Cameroon are already out of the Mundial after they lost their first two matches to Mexico and Croatia.

Ogun Health Sector Workers Refuse To Return

The Joint Health Sector Union, JOHESU, of the Olabisi Onabanjo Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, Ogun State has revealed that it won't stop its ongoing strike until its condition is met.

The union made its choice known by its Chairman, Kikelomo Enaholo, who told journalists in Abeokuta, the union started its strike earlier this month on June 9th due to their March 2011 salaries not being paid and payment of their 17 months Consolidate Tertiary Institutions salary scale, payment of counterpart fund in pension from the state government, all totalling over N2 billion.

The Union also lambasted the unwholesome working conditions of the hospital and demanded for repairs and new equipments for their members.

Ms. Enaholo revealed she has been threatened by unknown men for the past couple days, she said: “The callers hid their numbers, accusing me of planning to destabilise the administration of Governor Ibikunle Amosun. They even accused me of being sponsored by the opposition,” she said.

She has reported these calls to the security authorities  and said: “We are not going to succumb to cheap blackmail. We have waited for more than three months to allow the state government look into our matters,.

She revealed that they had initially started the strike three years ago, but had to call it off because Amosun was just sworn in then.

“We respected the Governor and called off our strike but till date, the governor is yet to reciprocate our good gesture by looking into our demands but Since the Governor came on board, he has not seen us. This is a slap on our union’s face.”

U.K. makes changes to Nigerian visa application centres

 
Applicants would continue to complete their visa application and payment online.

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The British High Commission on Monday urged Nigerians to take note of the changes it made in its visa application centres in Lagos.

The commission announced this in Lagos in a statement signed by its Head of Press and Public Affairs, Robert Fitzpatrick.

It said that Teleperformance Ltd would as from July 1, 2014 take over the running of its visa application centre in Lekki, Lagos.

The British High Commission said that the new office was located on Churchgate Tower 2, Plot PC31, Churchgate, Lekki.

“In July 1, 2014, our new commercial partner for UK visa services, Teleperformance Ltd, will take over the running of our Visa Application Centres in Lekki, Lagos.

“Visa Application centres in Abuja and Ikeja, Lagos, will continue to be operated by VFS Global Services.

“We are making no changes to our customer service standards, as a result of this process.
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“We will work closely with our commercial partner to ensure continuity of service during the transition period,’’ it said.

The British High Commission said that applicants would continue to complete their visa application and payment online, before selecting appointment at their nearest application centre.

According to it, all U.K. visa applications would continue to be decided by U.K. Visas & Immigration staff.

“The UK remains open for business and these new arrangements will allow us to maintain a world class, competitive visa system to support Britain in the global race.

‘We are listening to the needs of our customers and these changes will improve our service by increasing the number of visa application centres globally,’’ the statement added.

(NAN)

UPDATE: Eight killed in Kano bomb blast, suspect arrested – Police

8 Killed in the Kano bomb blast,several others injured.

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The Commissioner of Police in Kano state, Adenrele Shinaba, has said that eight persons were killed in Monday’s bomb blast at the School of Hygiene in Kano.

He said the blast occurred at about 2:05p.m.

The School of Hygiene is located along Bayero University Kano, BUK, road in Kano which has suffered similar attacks in the past.

Addressing reporters at the scene of the blast, Mr. Shinaba also said several others were injured and had been admitted to hospitals.

He also said one suspect was arrested in connection with the blast.

He said further information would be provided in the course of the investigation of the incident.

No group has claimed responsibility for the blast although the insurgent Boko Haram has carried out similar attacks in Kano and other northern states.

Ekiti: Fayemi meets Fayose, pledges not to challenge election result

Mr. Fayemi promised not to be distracted by the defeat, saying he would continue to work for the people of the state until October 15.

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Kayode Fayemi, the out-going governor of Ekiti State, on Monday, said he would not challenge the result of the June 21 governorship election in the state.

Mr. Fayemi, who made the disclosure when he received the governor-elect, Ayo Fayose, in his office in Ado Ekiti, said “I will not challenge the result of the election because I am not desperate to remain in office.

“Election must not be seen as a do or die affair,” he said.

Mr. Fayemi said Mr. Fayose’s victory has assisted in “strengthen and deepening’’ democracy, especially in Ekiti State and the country at large.

He added that “election by its nature generate tension and hot exchange of words; but to me, once the whole exercise is over, all those involved should take such with calmness and stop all acrimonious.

“It is my belief that we must all start imbibing attitude that will make us avoid activities that can threaten our peaceful co-existence. We must also avoid the bad loser syndrome.

“I believe we need to build this democracy to a mature end, rather than pull it down.”

Mr. Fayemi promised not to be distracted by the defeat, saying he would continue to work for the people of the state until October 15 when he would hand over to Mr. Fayose.

Earlier, Mr. Fayose had commended the spirit of sportsmanship displayed by Fayemi, describing his acceptance of defeat without question as “quite un-African.”

Mr. Fayose called on Nigerian politicians to emulate the good virtues of Mr. Fayemi.
The duo later went into closed door meeting.

Mr. Fayose of the Peoples Democratic Party defeated Mr. Fayemi of the All Progressives Congress by about 100,000 votes in Saturday’s election.

(NAN)

Jonathan has entrenched culture of credible election, Aide says

Mr. Alkali commended the people of Ekiti State.

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The Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Rufai Alkali, said on Monday that President Goodluck Jonathan has entrenched a culture of credible polls in the country.

In his congratulatory message to the governor-elect of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, Mr. Alkali said Mr.

Jonathan has again proven that he is a leader that can be trusted by ensuring that every measure is taken to ensure that every vote counts and the people are allowed to elect their leaders without hindrance.

“Prior to the Ekiti election, President Goodluck Jonathan assured Nigerians that the election in Ekiti State will be free, fair and credible and from the reports in the media and interim report of Independent Election Observers this is exactly what happened on Saturday,” he said.

Mr. Alkali also commended the All Progressives Congress, APC, for what he described as learning from the PDP and President Jonathan by not only conceding defeat but also for congratulating the winner of the election.

“It is on record that when PDP governorship elections were conducted in Edo, Ondo, and Anambra states and PDP candidates lost Mr. President and PDP were the first to congratulate the winners of the election and this is a culture every political party must imbibe.”

Mr. Alkali commended the people of Ekiti state, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Election Observers, the Media and the security agencies for their contributions and sacrifices towards the peaceful conduct of the election.

He advised the governor-elect to abide by the admonitions of President Jonathan “to be humble and magnanimous in victory and commit himself to forming an administration that will work for the advancement of the interests of all Ekiti people irrespective of their political affiliations or loyalties.”

He said that since the creation of Ekiti State, this is the most peaceful and orderly election conducted in the state and commended traditional rulers, community and religious leaders in the state for their laudable contributions to the conduct of the polls.

“President Goodluck did it in Edo, Ondo, Anambra States and now Ekiti state. While our attention now move to Osun State, Nigerians can rest be assured that the election in that State will be a reflection of what happened in the governorship elections in these states.”

The Presidential Adviser on Political Matters appealed to the people of Ekiti state to continue to sustain the peace recorded in the state during the conduct of the election and give maximum support to the newly elected governor to ensure that he takes Ekiti State to greater heights.

Edo Crisis: Legislators lock out colleagues

Tension mounts in Edo as PDP and APC legislators clash.

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The crisis in the Edo State House of Assembly reached a new high on Monday as a faction of the lawmakers locked the assembly complex.

The Assembly has been in crisis since June 9, following the suspension of four legislators, including the Deputy Speaker, Festus Ebea. Those suspended are believed to be lawmakers opposed to the state governor, Adams Oshiomhole.

The suspended legislators and their supporters blocked the main entrance to the complex thereby preventing other members from entering the complex.

The police prevented what could have been a free for all between members who wanted to enter the assembly and those in support of the suspended members.

(NAN)