Nigeria Content Online

Government promises review of teacher education programmes

The federal
government yesterday took steps to address the poor quality of
graduates that are churned out from our nation’s universities and has
directed the immediate commencement of the review of programmes of
tertiary institutions in the country.

The minister of
education, Ruqayyatu Rufa’I, gave this directive yesterday while
declaring open a Roundtable on the Review of Teacher Education
Programmes of Tertiary Institutions in line with the new Senior
Secondary School Education Curriculum organised by the Nigerian
Educational Research and Development council (NERDC) and during a
familiarisation visit to the NUC in Abuja.

Speaking while
declaring open the NERDC roundtable, the minister called on all the
relevant regulatory agencies of the tertiary education sector and
indeed all universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, to
immediately commence the process of the review of tertiary education
programmes to respond to local needs and at the same time meet the
expectations of global best practices.

This, according to
her, would constitute one of the quick wins programmes her
administration would embark upon in line with the ideals of human
capital development needs of our nation and attainment of Vision 2020
for Nigeria to become of the 20 top economies in the world. She said,
“If teacher education programmes in tertiary institutions are not
restructured in line with the demands of the new senior secondary
school education curricula, SSEC, then it will be difficult to produce
teachers with the required skill and competencies to cope with the
challenges of the SSEC.”

NERDC Executive
Secretary, Godswill Obioma, said the programme-specific context and
extant Teacher Education Programme in Universities, Polytechnics and
Colleges of Education, geared toward the production of pre-service
teachers for the Senior Secondary Education level, could no longer meet
the challenges and demands of the new SSE curriculum and needed to be
overhauled.

Mr. Obioma revealed
that following the approval for implementation of the SSEC by the
National Council on Education (NCE) at its 54th meeting early this
year, the Council has concluded arrangements for the implementation of
the curriculum beginning September 2011 from SS1.

Mrs. Rufa’I, who
was also briefed on the activities of the NUC by the Executive
Secretary of the commission, Julius Okojie, while expressing disgust at
the deterioration in the quality of education in the country,
especially university education, under the watch of NUC, stated that it
was a sad scenario that “Nigerians are losing confidence in the system”.

Professor Okojie
said, “I have gone through your document, I know quality is your
concern but then how do we restore the lost glory of universities? Of
course we can’t achieve that without looking at the basic education
level. But then since the mandate of the NUC is within the
universities, how do we begin to restore the lost glory; because people
are losing confidence in the system.”

“Really, the quality of the product that we are producing is very
low; even though we carry out accreditation exercise, monitoring of
programmes, but when you examine a product of any of our universities,
in comparison with the product of many years back, you will see that
there are gaps,” she said.

Lawmaker warns about plot against Speaker

Lawmaker warns about plot against Speaker

Members of the
House of Representatives who want to use the acting president, Goodluck
Jonathan, to create instability in the Assembly should desist from
doing so in the interest of the nation, member representing
Bagwai/Shanono Federal Constituency in Kano, Faruk Lawan has said.

Mr. Lawan, who
spoke yesterday in Kano, said those who claimed they are plotting the
removal of Mr. Bankole on behalf of Mr. Jonathan would not succeed. He
said such persons will only create a crisis that is capable of
affecting the political stability of the country.

“Those who want to
use his name to create instability in the National Assembly should be
mindful that whatever crises that would emanate from the legislature
would have a negative effect on the stability of the polity and also on
the stability of Nigeria,” he said.

“But then, those
who are plotting this or those who are claiming to be doing this on
behalf of the acting president are not fair to the acting president. I
think what the acting president need now is the complete support of
every member of the National Assembly because the country is passing
through trying times.”

In need of stability

Mr. Lawan also
said the impeachment plot would not succeed at this time, especially
when the country is planning general elections.

“I know that
anybody who thinks about removing the Speaker overnight should think
twice, because some of us have been involved in the crises in the
legislature in the last 11 years and when we speak about this issue, we
know what we are talking about,” he said.

“Removing a
presiding officer within a twinkle of an eye can be dirty, can be messy
and it can be completely destructive and so the legislature does not
require that at this moment of our national life.” The chairman of the
House Committee on Education added that, as far he was concerned, the
impeachment plot was just a rumour.

“Personally, I
didn’t find such speculation valid,” he said. “I consider the rumour as
mere speculations that have no basis because as a member of the House
of Representatives, I am not aware of any action that has been taken by
the Speaker that would warrant anybody to impeach him.

“I also believe that what the House needs now is stability because
there are constitutional amendments before us. The Senate has already
completed that exercise and it is up to the House to complete the
process so that we can amend the constitution so that we can have
credible elections in 2011.”

Appeal Court adjourns ruling on Joy Emordi’s suit

Appeal Court adjourns ruling on Joy Emordi’s suit

The Court of Appeal
sitting at Enugu, on Monday, adjourned ruling in an application filed
by Joy Emordi seeking a review of its March 25 judgment ordering her
removal as the senator representing Anambra North senatorial district
at the Senate.

The judgment
sacking her from the Senate and replacing her with the All Nigeria
Peoples Party candidate, Alphonsus Igbeke, was, however, yet to be
complied with by the Senate, as Mrs. Emordi was, last week, permitted
to return to her seat at the Senate by the leadership.

The court had, in
an unanimous judgment delivered by Olakayode Ariwola, declared that
Mrs. Emordi was not the rightful winner of the election held on April
29, 2007 and affirmed Mr. Igbeke as the winner. It also directed the
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately
withdraw the certificate of return from her and hand it over to the
winner.

Mrs. Emordi, in her
application, sought for a review of the judgment at the Appeal Court,
claiming it ran counter to an earlier judgment on the same election
delivered by the same court in a suit involving her and Jessie Balonwu
of Labour Party on Febuary 10.

Mrs. Emordi’s
counsel, Festus Okoye, also filed another motion asking for the matter
to be referred to the Supreme Court for the purposes of hearing and
direction, saying that it was purely a constitutional issue. Mr. Okoye
argued that whenever a constitutional issue was raised, it ought to be
mandatory for the Court of Appeal to refer such matters to the Supreme
Court for resolution.

The issue to be
decided at the Supreme Court is whether the Court of Appeal had powers
to review or set aside its previous judgment if same were in conflict.

‘Section 295 (3)
makes it mandatory for this court to refer the issues to the Supreme
Court, if any of the parties so request,” he said, saying the issues
revolved around the powers of the Appeal Court rules under section 246
(3) of the Constitution.

However, the
counsel to Mr. Igbeke, M.A. Fagbemi, opposed the motion on the grounds
that the application did not raise any constitutional issues for
interpretation of the Supreme Court. The court subsequently adjourned
the matter after submissions by counsel and said it would communicate
dates for its ruling to the appellants at a later day.

Igbeke out in the cold

Last Tuesday, April
20th, the Clerk of the Senate, Ben Efeturu, prevented Mr. Igbeke, who
was to be sworn into the Senate in replacement of Mrs. Emordi that day,
from gaining entry into the Senate Chamber.

Mr. Igbeke
subsequently addressed a press conference during which he displayed a
certificate of return issued to him by INEC. He faulted the refusal of
the Senate leadership to allow him entrance into the chamber as
initially agreed.

The Senate
spokesman, Ayogu Eze, however, said the denial was on the grounds that
Mrs. Emordi was already seated in the Chamber and the Senate had
received a notice of a court process instituted at the Court of Appeal
by her.

Access to Justice, a Nigerian civil society group, also yesterday condemned the decision of the Senate.

“The decision of
the leadership of the Senate to continue allowing Emordi sit as Senator
of Anambra North Senatorial district is unfortunate and has no rational
legal basis or justification,” the group said. “We fully condemn the
decisions of the Senate leadership to prevent the declared winner of
the Anambra North Senatorial elections from being sworn-in and
undertaking representation of the district.

“The Senate’s decision is further proof that while the government
continues to orchestrate the rhetoric of the rule of law, the rule of
law will always be expendable and subordinated to the primacy of
personal and party interest. The Senate’s decision only serves to place
the nation’s rule of law rhetoric into deeper scorn and disrepute.”

Civil society offers help on Ibori’s arrest

Civil society offers help on Ibori’s arrest

As Nigerian security agencies struggle to effect the
arrest of former governor of Delta State, James Ibori, some civil
society groups yesterday pledged to assist the agencies to effect the
arrest.

The groups, under the auspices of the Transition
Monitoring Group (TMG) condemned the refusal of Mr. Ibori to hand over
himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and
pledged to mobilise their members across Nigeria to provide information
on Mr. Ibori’s whereabouts.

“The fact that James Ibori was declared wanted by
security operatives on the alleged scam does not mean that he has been
found guilty of the offence. Hence, it is shameful that he is refusing
to show up for interrogation, despite his consistent claims that he is
innocent,” the TMG said in a statement signed by its chairman, Mashood
Erubami, and secretary, Auwal Rafsanjani.

“Definitely, he must have some skeletons in his
cupboard. TMG and Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria are therefore,
poised to use their networks to join hands with EFCC and security
operatives to intensify their search for his arrest and prosecution.”

Meanwhile, the counsel to the Delta State Elders,
Leaders & Stakeholders Forum (DSELSF), Kayode Ajulo, and the All
Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) have called on security agencies to
leave no stone unturned in their drive to arrest the fugitive
politician. Mr. Ajulo specifically blamed the police for the fiasco at
Oghara last week.

The TMG also condemned the actions of the police while trying to arrest Mr. Ibori.

“We detest the uncoordinated gestapo style of the
police operatives in the arrest saga, deploying a detachment of
policemen, including the Assistant Inspector General of Police and the
Commissioner with tens of other policemen to arrest a single suspect.
One would have expected that plain security operatives would have been
on ground to carryout surveillance on the area and the suspect before
the arrival of the police detachment,” the group said.

Police to blame

While condemning the actions of militant youths of
Ogara, Mr. Ibori’s hometown, who prevented his arrest by men of the
Nigeria Police Force, the TMG asked the Federal Government to commence
steps to freeze the former governor’s account.

“As a matter of urgency, Government should consider
seeking courts injunction in freezing all his bank accounts and
confiscate all his alleged illegally acquired assets to cripple him
financially,” the group stated. “When arrested, James Ibori should be
charged for declaring war against the state in addition to the crimes
he is being sought for. It is only the arrest and prosecution of James
Ibori that can make Nigeria to retain its respect in the committee of
nations.”

According to Mr. Ajulo, the Deputy Inspector General
of Police that led the team that had visited Mr. Ibori’s home should be
blamed and questioned for having not carried out the exercise
professionally.

“The DIG must be blamed if Ibori truly disappeared.
Once a court signed a warrant of arrest, it is obligatory for everybody
to ensure its execution. The DIG acted unprofessionally. Why did the
police first ordered the withdrawal of police guiding Ibori? What
stopped them from just asking the same police to come with their
charge?” Mr. Ajulo said.

The APGA, speaking in Lagos, advised the EFCC not to
relent in its efforts to bring Mr. Ibori to book. Nkem Lemchi, the
secretary of the state chapter of the APGA, alleged that Mr. Ibori had
committed a crime against the nation and its people and needed to come
out to answer for it.

“The issue is that this man has committed a crime
against the nation and its people. He should at least come out to
answer for it,” he said. “Ibori should subject himself, instead of
creating barricade that will not solve the problem. If he has nothing
to hide as an individual, he should subject himself to any arrest.
After all, no man is above the law.” he said.

Leader in hiding

Mr. Ibori, one of the 15 national elders of the
ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP), was declared wanted by the EFCC
over his refusal to appear before the commission. He was summoned to
respond to several allegations, based on ongoing investigations by the
EFCC, including his use of Delta State’s shares in Oceanic Bank to pay
for a personal loan of 44 billion naira he collected from
Intercontinental Bank while he was governor.

The former governor, who has twice been convicted of theft and
possession of stolen materials in England in the early 1990’s, is also
wanted for money laundering by British authorities. His arrest by men
of the Nigerian Police last week Tuesday was repelled by armed youths
in his hometown of Ogara, Delta State. He is still believed to be
hiding there, although some media reports claim he has escaped to Dubai.

Gebrselassie targets 2:02 marathon

Gebrselassie targets 2:02 marathon

World marathon
record holder Haile Gebrselassie predicted on Monday that he will
become the first man to clock two hours two minutes over 42.195 kms.

Gebrselassie, 37, is the only man to run under 2:04 after setting his world record of 2:03:59 in Berlin two years ago.

“There are good
runners around. Imagine, a 2:05 in the Boston Marathon but I think I am
the candidate to break it again. A 2:02 is very much possible,”
Gebrselassie told Reuters in an interview.

Gebrselassie, who
won Olympic golds in 1996 and 2000 in the 10,000 plus four consecutive
world titles, set world marathon records in 2007 and 2008 in Berlin on
what is considered the fastest marathon course in the world.

Olympics target

The Ethiopian, who
has targeted the marathon title at the 2012 London Olympics, did not
say when or where he planned to try and set a new record. He won the
Berlin marathon for a fourth straight year in 2009 but failed to beat
his best time.

Gebrselassie said
he was not surprised that compatriot Tsegaye Kebede had defied the
combined efforts of a powerful Kenyan contingent to win the London
marathon on Sunday.

Kebede ran
unopposed in the final 10 kms on a slippery surface to clock 2:05:19,
nine seconds outside the course record set by Kenyan Olympic champion
Sammy Wanjiru last year.

“I was not
surprised when Kebede won in London yesterday. He has been consistent
since winning bronze in the Beijing Olympics and another bronze in the
Berlin world championships last year,” Gebrselassie said. “The surface
was not very good, but this is sport where the unexpected happens many
times. Many other favourites lost. But Kebede was in very good shape.”

The next frontier

Gebrselassie said
many Ethiopians were turning to the marathon because of his
performances and because there were not enough track stadiums in their
country.

The former
Ethiopian police force officer said running shoe companies were
investing in marathon camps in Ethiopia, which had encouraged young
athletes to take up the sport.

“My involvement in
marathons spurred the younger crop of runners, who find it more
attractive because they can train anywhere as opposed to track
running,” he said. “We have only one track stadium in the capital
(Addis Ababa) and I fear that there may not be strong track runners
from Ethiopia in future if the issue is not addressed.”

Gebrselassie said his next race would be over 10 kms in Manchester on May 17.

“Then I will decide whether to run in the Berlin or Chicago
marathon,” he said. “The London Olympics is still very much in mind but
I will need to be more serious to compete with these young guys. They
are too fast these days.”

Sports

Musa favoured for Naija Premier League Awards

Musa favoured for Naija Premier League Awards

Touted as the next
big sensation for the Super Eagles attack, Kano Pillars striker, Ahmed
Musa leads the list of nominees for the maiden Naija Premier League
Awards.

Musa, who currently
leads the goal scorers’ chart on the local scene with fifteen goals, is
also on the verge of breaking the all-time highest goal record scored
in a season by a player.

The award, which is
the first independent award for the Premier League in Nigeria is set to
make its debut at the end of the ongoing season.

The award will be
unveiled at an event tagged ‘Naija Premier League Awards.’ It is an
initiative aimed at celebrating the performances of players, coaches
and clubs of the Nigerian elite division.

Chief Executive of
Naija Premier League Awards, Ojeikere Aikhoje, disclosed that the award
would go a long way in encouraging the players and coaches plying their
trade on the home front over the weekend.

Celebrating players
and coaches Aikhoje stated that the success of the Naija Premier League
Player and Manager of the Month Awards has boosted the newly-introduced
end of season awards.

“Coaches and
players in the league have commended our team for the monthly award
that has been on since January 2010. We have been able to celebrate the
players and coaches because they are the real stars in the league,” he
said.

Players who have
won the monthly award include Kano Pillars’ Ahmad Musa (January), Kwara
United’s Ukeyima Akombo (February) and Kaduna United’s Savior Stephen
(March), while the coaches are Salisu Yusuf of Kano Pillars (January
& March) as well as Justin Tenger of Kwara United (February).

Aikhoje added that
the success of the Nigerian team at the recent WAFU Nations Cup is an
indication of the ability of the home-based players to rise to the
occasion.

He reiterated the
fact that the players in the domestic league are the future of the
National Teams, adding that the only way to challenge their creativity
is to reward them.

It would be
recalled that six players from the local league were also part of the
44-man list released by Super Eagles coach Lars Largerback The Naija
Premier League Awards is the property of two online publications on the
Nigerian League:naijaligue.blogspot.com and naijapremierleague.com.

Sports

Abuja anti-doping laboratory operational soon, says Bio

Abuja anti-doping laboratory operational soon, says Bio

The minister of
sports and chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Ibrahim
Isa Bio, on Monday in Abuja, stated that the Anti Doping Laboratory at
the National Stadium in Abuja would become functional within the
shortest possible time.

The minister who
went on a tour of facilities within the stadium in the company of NSC
Director General,Patrick Ekeji, assured that every equipment needed to
make the anti-doping facility operational would be purchased and
personnel with requisite expertise needed to operate them employed.

The minister’s
comments came on the heels of Ekeji’s statement that the laboratory
needed injection of funds to make it functional. He noted that the
facility needs a generator and other equipment to make it work.

Ekeji told the
minister that the laboratory is the first of its kind in West Africa
and he assured the minister that that when operational, the facility
will pay for itself as all the doping tests at all major championship
in Nigeria, which are presently conducted outside Nigeria, will be done
at the laboratory.

Raphael Odi, a
staff of the department informed the minister that he and his
colleagues have been trained in Malaysia on how to use the equipment
and that all that is needed is for equipment to be complete and a
generator provided.

No water

Continuing his
inspection at the stadium, the minister was surprised to discover that
there was no water supply at the complex despite approving money for
the payment of debts owed to the water corporation.

He ordered that the
matter be followed up immediately in order to ensure that water supply
to the stadium is restored immediately.

Apart from public
supply of water, Bio promised to restore within three months,
alternative supply of water to both the Abuja National Stadium and the
National Stadium in Lagos.

He also said that a
borehole would be constructed at both stadia so that there will be
water always irrespective of whether the public water is constant or
not.

The minister
expressed displeasure at the present situation where the NSC pays
commercial rates for electricity supplied by the Power Holding
Corporation of Nigeria (PHCN). He held that since the stadia are not
involved in manufacturing, but are only used in the provision of social
service, the NSC should not be paying commercial rates on them.

He mandated Ekeji
to discuss with officials of PHCN to explore ways the commission will
begin to pay normal rates. He also suggested that the ministry make
annual payments for water and electricity instead of the current
monthly payment pattern.

At the site where
contractors are working on the 200-room athlete’s hostel, Bio
complained about the slow pace of work noting that he could not
understand why the work was yet to be completed in spite of the fact
that the contractors had been paid.

At the Indoor
Sports Hall, he was surprised at the lack of activity in the facility
while observing that the exterior of the hall left much to be desired.

On getting to the
gymnasium he bemoaned the lack of maintenance culture and the neglect
of the place especially the damaged roof and harped on the need to keep
it in good condition noting that:

‘‘The Abuja Stadium
is one of the most beautiful asset we have in this country and must
protect it and utilize by attracting more sporting activities to the
stadium’’ ‘Said Bio.

Sports

Success not guaranteed to keep Mourinho at Inter

Success not guaranteed to keep Mourinho at Inter

Inter Milan are
desperate to keep coach Jose Mourinho but the colourful Portuguese
could be on his way whether or not they secure an unprecedented treble.

As Roma’s home
defeat by Sampdoria on Sunday put Inter back in command in the Serie A
title race with three games left, while the champions also battle Roma
in the Italian Cup final on May 5 for the fifth time in six years.

Champions League
glory remains the major aim, but Mourinho’s future is far from clear
despite Inter holding a 3-1 lead heading into Wednesday’s semi-final
second leg in Barcelona.

Powered by hatred

The highly
successful former Porto and Chelsea coach hates the Italian soccer
establishment so much that he refuses to hold domestic news conferences
in case he clashes with the aggressive media and receives another
touchline ban for his outspokenness.

“I am very happy at
Inter but not in Italian football,” he told Britain’s Sky Sports
television last month, prompting renewed talk he wants to return to his
beloved England.

The crafty
47-year-old caused more mystery and mischief after last week’s win over
Barca, which put Inter a step closer to their first European Cup
success since back-to-back wins in 1964 and 1965.

“Anything can happen in the second leg. We can go there and lose the game and lose the coach,” he cryptically remarked.

Mourinho has
consistently said he wants to win a league title in Spain to complement
his triumphs with Chelsea and 2009 scudetto with Inter, leading to
constant speculation linking him with the revolving door of managers
which is Real Madrid.

Barcelona would
look an unlikely destination given coach Pep Guardiola’s success and
Mourinho’s rocky relationship with the Nou Camp since leaving as
assistant coach in the late 1990s.

Acid tongue

The greying charmer
has said that one day he would return to Chelsea, but no one was really
sure if he was joking, and he has hinted that the Manchester United job
would appeal to him.

But given Alex
Ferguson has said he had no immediate plans to retire, Mourinho has no
idea how long he may have to wait to have a shot at the Old Trafford
hot-seat making Real, Liverpool, or seeing out his Inter contract until
2012 more likely.

Despite his acid
tongue and abrasive nature, often with his own team, Inter are certain
his mercurial managerial abilities outweigh the Mourinho circus which
has led some Serie A rivals to say Italy would be better off without
him.

Sulley Muntari,
Mourinho’s first signing at Inter in 2008, has been blown away by the
coach’s tactical acumen – so much so it sounded like an advert for
other interested clubs.

“We have done an
amazing season. We didn’t believe it but you know it hasn’t finished
yet, we can win all three or we can win one or two or maybe we could
lose all three,” the Ghana midfielder told Reuters. “We have full
confidence in ourselves and now we have this great manager and he can
transform the team in any way. We are happy about what we have done so
far.”

It’s all good

Inter president
Massimo Moratti, excited about a possible first treble and vindicated
over his decision to replace Roberto Mancini with Mourinho two years
ago, is unperturbed by the rumours linking his master coach with a move
away.

“Mourinho has a
contract with Inter but even ignoring this, I am sure he will happily
remain,” Moratti told reporters. “The newspapers talk about Mourinho as
a character but they forget that, above all, he is a great
professional. He takes care of every minor detail. He is very focused
on the work in training and I believe he deserves all the money he gets
from his contract.”

Ultimately the
decision rests with Mourinho and given his unhappiness in Italy and the
fact he walked away from Porto in 2004 after their Champions League
triumph, anything is possible.

Sports

Falconets coach reveals World Cup plans

Falconets coach reveals World Cup plans

A playing tour of
either Spain or France tops the agenda of Falconets coach, Adat Egan,
in his bid to make an appreciable impact at the Female U-20 World Cup
billed for Germany from July 13- August

Aware of the
pitfalls that hindered his predecessors at major championships in the
past; Egan says he would set out to begin preparations with his team in
earnest.

“We have already
sent our proposals to the NFF and we are expecting a favourable
response from them. Already we have pencilled either Spain or France
for a playing tour for the girls” he said.

According to Egan,
at least thirty players would first be invited to the World Cup camp
billed to open next week with a couple of friendly matches already
targeted.

In the draws
already conducted for the tournament last week in Germany, Nigeria drew
the trio of England, Japan Mexico as group opponents.

Chances from the group

Looking at the
teams in the group, Egan believes the Falconets have a fair chance of
making it out of the group even though he regarded the teams in the
group as all good sides.

“They are all good
teams with different pedigree in female football; England and Japan
have shown their stuffs in different tournament but I remain positive
that we would make it out of the group to the next stage” he said.

After crashing out
as the bottom placed team in the maiden edition of the competition in
Canada way back 2002, Nigeria has finished the last three editions
reaching the quarter finals.

History making

For Egan, his mind is set on advancing beyond the quarter finals as he remains confident of making history in Germany.

“As a coach you
have to set high targets for yourself and for your team, I believe when
you do this, it motivates you to do more. In Germany I have my mind on
playing in the finals” he said.

Similarly, the
coach of the last set of Falconets to the World Cup in Chile, Dan
Evumena feels the team has a good chance of doing well as he pointed
out that the core of the present team were with him to the last World
Cup played in 2008.

“I went with a
relatively young team to Chile and I feel the experience most of them
had in Chile would have a good bearing on the team now,” he said.

Falconets will start their campaign at the 2010 FIFA U-20 Women
World Cup on July 14 in Augsburg with an exciting fixture against
England

Sports

Enyimba crash in Congo

Enyimba crash in Congo

Nigeria’s
representative in the CAF Confederation Cup, Enyimba International,
have an arduous task ahead of them as the People’s Elephant came
crashing 0-3 to their opponent AS Vita of Congo in the first leg of
their Confederation Cup match.

All the goals were scored in the first half of the encounter.

The Aba landlords
would now have to score at least four un-replied goals in the return
leg billed for Aba in a fortnight, to stand any chance of moving on.

In the last round
of matches played, Enyimba had to upturn an earlier 2-0 deficit it
suffered in the hands of Academicas Petroleos to win their home game
3-0 to advance to this stage of the competition.

Nigerian clubs are
yet to win the competition since its first edition in 2004. The best
result by a Nigerian side was a second place finish by Dolphins in
2005. Enyimba coach, Okey Emordi, had earlier promised that he is
determined to make history as the first side to win that trophy for the
country.