Thursday

I AM GOING TO WIN

CC™ VideoScope

Wednesday

Just Get It Done!

CC™ VideoScope

Tuesday

I Will Not Be Defeated

CC™ VideoScope

Sunday

Powerful Statement about Black love: How Tammy Franklin reacted to her husband's admission of being addicted to pornography

CC™ Divine Statement

The scripture says that "He who finds a good wife finds a good thing and that a wife of noble character is her husband's crown, while a wife who puts him to shame is like a cancer in his bones".

Tammy Franklin stood by her man and today she is reaping the fruits of her loyalty and faithfulness.

Take very good care of that woman Kirk. Women like her are extremely rare these days.

Saturday

'Flashback: The narrative is always ‘White is better' - Ex-Chelsea director and former Nigeria international Emenalo on systemic racism in football

Ex-Chelsea and Monaco Sporting Director Mike Emenalo
CC™ Introspective 

Former Chelsea sporting director Michael Emenalo says “the narrative has to change” if black coaches are to be given the same opportunities as their white counterparts.

The issue of racism in society has been given greater prominence in recent months following the killing of American George Floyd by a white police officer in Minneapolis in May 2020, which sparked Black Lives Matter protests across the globe. 
Premier League players and staff have shown their solidarity against racism by taking a knee before kick-off at every game, while the players also have 'Black Lives Matter' printed on their shirt sleeves.
Emenalo, though, believes there needs to be a more fundamental shift in how black players and managers are perceived if there is to be true equality in football.
Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo is currently the only manager from a black, Asian and minority ethnic background in the Premier League. Emenalo meanwhile is one of only two BAME technical directors in Premier League history along with Les Ferdinand, whose QPR side were relegated three months after his appointment as director of football in February 2015.
“The narrative has to change. The narrative right now is always that white is better,” he told the Guardian.
“So it doesn’t matter what Chris Hughton produces as a manager. There’s always someone saying a white guy can do it better. People need to do the right thing. Like Martin Luther King said: ‘Judge me by my competence – not my skin colour.'
“When I sit behind the bench at a game, I want to be close to my work. But it’s also so that people of my colour could say: ‘I can do that.’ People in the parking lot would say: ‘Oh my God, you don’t know what you mean to us.’ Then I feel even worse because I want to say more.”
Emenalo joined Chelsea as chief scout in 2007 following a playing career that saw him play in five countries and feature for Nigeria at the 1994 World Cup. The 54-year-old was briefly promoted to assistant coach in 2010 before becoming technical director the following year.
He would go on to spend a decade at Stamford Bridge, overseeing a complete overhaul of the club’s academy structure and being credited with the scouting and signing of players such as Kevin De Bruyne, Mohamed Salah, N'Golo Kante and Eden Hazard.
Despite those achievements, Emenalo felt he constantly had to prove himself to the 10 permanent or caretaker managers Chelsea went through in that time.
“Everybody has a misconception of my knowledge, insight and experience. I did it 10 times with 10 managers,” he added.
“Each time I climbed the hill and convinced them of my worth. I have a university degree in international relations and diplomacy. I know how to deal with people and with situations. I had World Cup experience and been part of this industry on five continents.
"I said: ‘I’ll give them an opportunity to understand me.’ They all did but it’s not easy starting from ground zero every time.”
Stats Perform News

Friday

Itsekiri leaders task Olu of Warri on tradition, unity


CC™ Global News

Worried by perceived threats to unity in Delta State, some leaders have called on the Olu Of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, and Itsekiri elders to make efforts to restore trust in the area.

The leaders, including Warri indigenes of Itsekiri extraction, also known as Iwere Consultative Forum, made the appeal in an open letter addressed to the monarch, which was made available to journalists in Abuja. 

Areas of concerns to the leaders include recent installation and suspension of some chiefs in Warri. Atuwatse III, last April, installed Chief Oma Eyewuoma as the new Ologbotsere of Warri, while Chief Ayiri Emami was still in court challenging his suspension as Ologbotsere.

Emami was suspended as Ologbotsere of Warri and Chairman of Olu Advisory Council, following the crisis that followed the selection of the sitting Olu of Warri, Tsola Emiko, as Olu designate.

Also recently, there was a face-off between a prince of Warri, Prince Yemi Emiko, and a prominent elder, Mene Brown, over the latter’s comment that princes have no say in running the affairs at the Olu palace and the Itsekiri Kingdom.

Chairman of the Iwere Consultative Forum, Prince Clem Ade Omotoye and Secretary, Prince Arubi Ajofotan, in the joint letter, described the recent incidents as unfortunate and embarrassing to the Itsekiri nation.

While they argued that there had not been enough consultations in some of the actions attributed to the monarch, they pleaded that the interest of the people should be paramount.

“The question that comes to mind is: Where are the Olu’s traditional advisers, the chiefs? Where are his handlers and confidants?

“We feel that the Ologbotsere matter, should have been handled differently, with more circumspection and with more regard to Itsekiri integrity.

“The present spat between Chief Mene Brown and Prince Yemi Emiko does not augur well for some parties in the existing legal suit. We feel it does not spell well to the foundation of the coronation.” 

They lamented that the situation in the kingdom is moving at a frightening pace required that something be done fast to ameliorate real and perceived wrongs and misgivings.

“Again,we must understand that Ogiame is not sovereign. He, like other traditional rulers in Nigeria, is not guaranteed special protection by the Constitution in a democratic setting, as we have in the country today.

His powers are at the behest of Itsekiri, Ogiame is the Lord of the people but Itsekiri own the Ogiame (mini mini igbo, igbo mini). His powers are derived from Itsekiri. Over time, the powers have been delicately poised to enjoy the loyalty of the people. 

It is this loyalty that the Olu must strive to maintain for the crown to continue to be relevant. 

“On a final note, it is our humble advice that His Majesty be wary of perambulators and or praise singers on royal corridors scavenging for royal recognition coming with different negative stories about other Itsekiris.”

Thursday

Saudi Pro League (SPL) appoints former Nigerian International and Chelsea Football Director Michael Emenalo as its first Director of Football

CC™ Global News

The Saudi Pro League (SPL) has chosen former Chelsea’s Sporting Director, Michael Emenalo, as it first director of football, reports theathletic.com.

The SPL has been on a massive drive to sign top players from around the world, as well as top class coaches and managers for the league, which has become the top draw for talents because of the enormous pay to the main actors.

Emenalo occupied a similar role at Chelsea from 2011 to 2017, overseeing a hugely successful period across the men’s, women’s and academy sides at the west London club.

The former Nigeria international left back was also heavily involved in transfer activity, with the likes of Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne, Mohamed Salah and N’Golo Kante recruited during his Stamford Bridge tenure.

Emenalo went on to spend two years as sporting director for AS Monaco and has since remained active in consultancy capacities.

He is regarded among the best in his field and will be responsible for helping the SPL develop frameworks and applying the kind of principles that are seen in the world’s biggest divisions.

Emenalo is expected to bring a staff with him — tapping into the expertise, experience and connections of people he has worked with before — and add others to bolster the set-up.

It is anticipated the 57-year-old will also keep a close eye on the future by giving opportunities for young Saudis to join his team, learn the industry and enhance their own careers.

Emenalo began his career with Enyimba and also played for Enugu Rangers before moving to the United States, where he attended college at and played for Boston University, from 1985 to 1988.

He played for Molenbeek in Belgium, Eintracht Trier in Germany, and Notts County F.C in England before going back to the US.

He was part of the original allocated players for Major League Soccer and spent two seasons (1996–97) with the San Jose Clash. After that, he played with UE Lleida in Spain and Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel.

Emenalo won 14 caps for Nigeria between 1984 and 1995. He played in the 1994 FIFA World Cup, missing the first game through injury but then, played against Argentina and Greece before Nigeria was knocked out by Italy.

Wednesday

CC™ Investigative: The Northern "usual suspects" behind Boko Haram as Nigerians search for answers to the violent insurgency

CC™ Investigative
By Tayo Busari

When the late National Security Adviser, Rtd. General Andrew Owoye Azazi  blamed the rise of insurgence by the fundamentalist sect, Boko Haram in the country on the internal wranglings of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and other political parties, he naturally made many in the corridors of power uncomfortable, at the time.

Not surprisingly and rather mysteriously, he was "killed" when his helicopter exploded over the skies of Bayelsa State after having been let-go by then President Goodluck Jonathan.

The late General Azazi was obviously privy to information regarding the real details behind Boko Haram. His position as the National Security Adviser at the time, put him at the head of that information. If anyone were to be in the know regarding the real truth behind the upsurge in the Islamic sect's violent insurgence, it had to be someone like Azazi as the nations top security head.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan had on several occasions admitted that they knew who was behind Boko Haram, and these were top level officials, mostly of Northern extraction.


Gen. Azazi explicitly declared to his audience, who was behind the unrest. He narrowed it down to the result of ‘unconstitutional’ PDP convention regulations, which determined who could run for President vs who could not run.


He went on further:
"The extent of violence did not increase in Nigeria until there was a declaration by the current president that he was going to contest. PDP got it wrong from the beginning, from the on-set by saying Mr A can rule, Mr A cannot rule, Mr B can rule, Mr B cannot rule, according to PDP’s convention, rules and regulation and not according to the constitution {applause} and that created the climate for what has manifest itself, this way. I believe that there is some element of politicization. is it possible that somebody was thinking that only Mr. A could win, and if he did not win, there will be problems in this society. Let’s examine all these issues to see whether the level of violence in the North East just escalated because Boko Haram suddenly became better trained, better equipped and better funded, and in any case how did they get it all done…{warning of Boko Haram becoming snipers – who could potentially target elite}
But, then I must also be quick to point out that today, even if all the leaders that we know in Boko Haram are arrested, I don’t think the problem would end, because there are tentacles. I don’t think that people would be satisfied, because the situations that created the problems are not just about the religion, poverty or the desire to rule Nigeria. I think it’s a combination of everything. Except you address all those things comprehensively, it would not work."
Intelligence sources have informed CC™ that although former President Jonathan knew (and still knows) exactly who the sponsors of Boko Haram are, he lacked the courage and political will to bring them to task as the "usual suspects" were actually aligned with Jonathan on ensuring that he got re-elected in the 2015 elections as long as he (Jonathan) "played ball".

One name did however stand out of the three "usual suspects" CC™ was able to gather credible information about. It was that of then Minister of Defense, Rtd. General Aliyu Mohammed Gusau. 


Gusau was always an ambitious man and those who know him very well not only say he is very "loyal", but they also pointed to a rather glaring trail in his professional dossier - he (Gusau) had always been in the "thick of the action" in just about every administration in Nigeria, from Babangida (a serial coup plotter himself) to Jonathan.


However, one thing always stood out, more-so in the administration of Nigerian Christian leaders from the South, namely Obasanjo and Jonathan; there was always insecurity of a religious nature that he (Gusau) although placed in charge of managing, had seemingly always found a way to allow spiral out of control. 


Gusau's history with Boko Haram is a rather interesting one. According to  TheNationOnline, 01/01/2012, "hardline allies of Jonathan’s went further, suggesting that northern rivals within the PDP – such as Generals Ibrahim Babangida and Aliyu Mohammed Gusau – have covert ties to Boko Haram." Ironically, Jonathan however continued to have the ear and vice-versa of Ibrahim Babangida and Aliyu Gusau.


Earlier as the NSA under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Gusau had told Obasanjo that "there was no evidence of such a group as Boko Haram in 2006 although there had been evidence to the contrary as far back as 2005. 


Here is an excerpt:

PMNews, September 14, 2011: Sources, however, indicated that the Azazi’s predecessor as NSA cannot be absolved of blame. It was gathered that the the issue of al-Qaeda affiliated cells in the North-East part of the country was pointed out to former President Olusegun Obasanjo as far back as 2006. It was noted for instance that Boko Haram, termed the “Nigerian Taliban”, had been operating in the clear since 2005 when General Aliyu Gusau (rtd.) was NSA. The former president was said to have in turn asked Gusau to investigate the issue. But Gusau, according to reports, told Obasanjo that no such group existed in the country.It was gathered that the same issue of Taliban presence in Nigeria was raised with the late President Umaru Yar’Adua in July 2007. “Goodluck Jonathan became President of Nigeria upon the death of Umaru Yar’Adua in May 2010. Former NSA Aliyu Mohammed Gusau was once again made National Security Adviser. Gusau could not possibly have missed the threat of Boko Haram. If his security operatives failed to raise the matter in their reports then the public statements released by Boko Haram and printed verbatim in Nigeria’s national newspapers should have raised questions from the NSA, if not alarm,” said Steven Davis, a public commentator. “The handling of the Boko Haram matter while Gusau was NSA resulted in a dramatic escalation in the conflict to the stage that it threatened the nation’s security,” he added.
Many media articles accused Aliyu Mohammed Gusau et al of being the terror mastermind(s) behind Boko Haram. 

An arms cache at the time in Kano with Hezbollah agents was linked to him and according to sources, he was under investigation with the result once again swept under the rug. 


It was under Gusau as NSA that Boko Haram acquired all their weapons and reigned terror. Gusau did nothing to check these terrorists. He even, according to Steven Davis as reported in PM News on Sept. 14, 2011, protected Boko Haram by telling then President Obasanjo that the group did not exist. 


This, despite series of attacks by the group. Gusau did not make any security report on the group, then called “Nigerian Taliban,” the paper alleges and Gusau even ordered the release of captured terrorists on the request of some Northern leaders, namely the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa'ad Abubakar III, a former security detail of former dictator, Rtd. General Ibrahim Babangida. 


This is not surprising as Sultan Abubakar is on record as having condemned the crackdown on Boko Haram.


In his capacity as NSA (three times to be precise) in Nigeria’s history, Gusau failed woefully and invariably assisted Boko Haram in becoming the menace they now are, with hundreds of thousands of deaths to their credit to date.
It remains puzzling that Jonathan appointed a man who actually retired as NSA to contest for the Nigerian Presidency against him (Jonathan), as Defense Minister when everything pointed to the fact that Gusau, in addition to being grossly inept (as his record had shown), had a history of being "soft" in his response to Islamic militant insurgencies in the past and was therefore not the logical answer to ensuring the outright defeat of Boko Haram.
Gusau and his Northern mischief makers, who are nothing short of avaricious predators, are now witnessing the proverbial chicken coming home to roost, with the recent trend of events.
The fact remains that Northern feudalism and its staunch protagonists remain the secret hands behind Boko Haram, the Fulani Herdsmen terrorists and all Islamic fundamentalist movements. President Buhari, the Sultan of Sokoto and Nasir El-Rufai, just to name a few, are the incumbent facilitators of these violent and murderous terrorists. That is a fact!
Asking the thief to watch the house is essentially what Nigerians are doing, by expecting this current administration to safeguard the lives and property of Nigerians.
The soft response (born out of parochial mischief) of the Buhari administration to the menace of the Fulani and Islamic terrorists, while at the same time engaging in extra-judicial killings of IPOB members in the South-East of Nigeria, is evidence of a clandestine acquiescence to the activities of the Northern terrorists by the Buhari government.