Rohr drops Mikel against Guinea

Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr will make as many as three changes to the Super Eagles starting lineup for the game against Guinea.

From the starting lineup for the game against Burundi, which the team won 1-0 Rohr will add Chidozie Awaziem to the defence line following his impressive showing after coming on for Shehu Abdullahi, who has been ruled out of the tournament due to injury.

In the midfield, the biggest casualty will be captain of the team John Obi Mikel who will likely drop to the bench with Ahmed Musa taking his place in the starting lineup although the trio of Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi and Oghenekaro Etebo will play as the midfield three.

Mikel struggled to impress in the number ten role for the Super Eagles in the 1-0 win over Burundi with Alex Iwobi who moved into his position after his substitution playing a lot better than he did while on the pitch.

The captain is 99% not sure of starting against Guinea with coach Gernot Rohr set to retain the trio of Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi and Oghenekaro Etebo as his midfielders.

Iwobi will occupy the number ten role with Etebo behind him while Ndidi who was voted the man of the match against Burundi playing as the defensive midfielder just in front of the back four.

In attack, Paul Onuachu  will make way for match winner against Burundi Odion Ighalo for the game against Guinea and he is expected to lead the line alongside Musa with the Eagles set to attack from the get go.

Already the team have been training with this lineup in the last two sessions and it looks the most likely the same team that will start the game against Guinea today.

How to block your account from any available phone if your ATM is stolen

Nigerians have been told how to block their account in the event that their Automated Teller Machine Card is stolen.

The message went viral again over the weekend.

The steps to take:
1. Dial *966*911# instantly from any available phone.
2. You will be prompted to enter your Bank Account Number.
3. Once you enter the Account Number, any further Debit Transaction on the Account will be blocked.

Gunmen kill Army Garrison Commander in Bauchi

Suspected gunmen have reportedly killed the Garrison Commander, 33 Artillery Brigade of Nigerian Army in Shadawanka Barracks, Bauchi State, Mohammed Barack.

According to reports, the incident which took place on Bauchi – Jos Road was said to have taken place on Sunday while the deceased was riding a power bike from Kaduna.

A source said, “The Garrison Commander of 33 Artillery Brigade of Nigerian Army (Shadawanka Barracks) Bauchi, Col. Mohammed Barack, has been shot dead.

“He was shot on Sunday along Jos Road, while on a power bike and was coming back from Kaduna. He is from Kano State.”

The deceased, who hailed from Kano, was said to have been taken to his home state for burial, after the necessary military rites.

When contacted, the spokesperson of 33 Artillery Brigade, Yahaya Kabara, confirmed the incident saying, “Yes, it’s true.”

When asked to give details of what happened, Mr Kabara, who is an army major, told The Punch to “come to the Brigade because it is a matter that needs investigation.

“Investigation is ongoing, I will get back to you when the finding is out. Let me communicate with my Commander, I will get back to you.”

Nigeria Customs Service promotes officer who rejected $420k bribe

The Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd), has promoted Comptroller Bashir Abubakar of Apapa Area Command to an Assistant Comptroller General (ACG).

Mr. Abubakar was the officer who, last year, rejected a $420,000 bribe handed over to him by a drug trafficking cartel, to take delivery of 41 smuggled containers of Tramadol. Abubakar refused the bribe and seized the consignment.

Tramadol is a pharmaceutical product prohibited under Nigerian laws. The abuse of Tramadol is known to have dire health consequences among the population.

Buhari offer special prayers for late Shagari

NAN observed that before commencement of prayers which was led by the Chief Imam/Administrator of the National Mosque, Prof. Shehu Galadanchi, Buhari met with members of the Shagari family where he consoled them over the loss.

The president also presented a letter of Condolence to the family which was read by Tambuwal, who also shared the same car with the president during the condolence visit.

The Chief Imam prayed almighty Allah to grant the soul of the former Nigerian president a peaceful resting place in Paradise.

The president had on Saturday paid tribute to the late former president, and directed that the national flag and other flags should fly at half-mast in military and para-military formations as well as public buildings for three days, starting from today.

“The late President represented almost the last link with the government of our founding fathers under Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. He was also the first elected President of Nigeria.

“The late Alhaji Shagari was a man of many parts, teacher, local authority administrator, politician, minister, and finally President. He served his country with dedication and moderation.

“Over the years through interaction at the Council of State, he and I came to understand and appreciate each other whatever the differences we may have had in the past.

“On behalf of the Federal Government, myself and family, I send my condolences to the people of Nigeria, particularly to the late President’s family and the government and people of Sokoto State. May his soul rest in peace.”

Alhaji Bala Shagari, the eldest son of the deceased had on behalf of the family, expressed appreciation to Buhari for the visit amid his busy schedule.

The remains of the former president, who died at the age of 93 on Friday at the National Hospital Abuja, was laid to rest at his village, Shagari on Saturday, according to Islamic rites.

Shagari was president from 1979 to 1983 and won the presidential election for the second time before he was dethroned by a coup d’état that brought in Muhammadu Buhari as military head of state.