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Rolling Dollar and his family Though death has stopped the beat of highlife singer, Fatai Olagunju, popularly known as Rolling Dollar, his family wants his fans to keep the tempo going, writes GBENGA ADENIJI The location was the Millennium Estate, Oko-Oba, Agege, Lagos residence of deceased highlife singer, Fatai Olagunju, otherwise called Rolling Dollar. His two wives, Zainab and Serifat, some of his children including Sikiru-who is the singer’s 50-year-old first son, wore a pensive mood as our correspondent walked into their home. It was evident from their faces that they were yet to come to terms with the reality of the death of the 86-year-old songbird, Rolling Dollar, who breathed his last on June 12, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the acclaimed “fairest and freest” election in Nigeria. The musician shot to stardom a few years back via a successful album, Won Kere si Number Wa. But despite his fame, the family is worried about the education of his younger children...

BY CLIFFORD NDUJIHE,  Deputy Political Editor Several eminent Nigerians recently dissected the state of the nation and returned a grim verdict: Nigeria is on the brink of implosion and urgent actions are needed to halt the drift. Leading Nigerians who shared this view include: former Governor of Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke; former Information Minister, Professor Dora Akunyili; Chairman of Zinox Technologies, Chief Leo Stan-Ekeh; former Ambassador to the United States, Ambassador George Obiozor; Chairman of the Silverbird Group, Mr. Ben Bruce and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Emeka Ihedioha, among others. They spoke at the first Nigeria Leadership Summit organised by Anabel Leadership Academy in Lagos. Solutions proffered to save the nation include empowering the youth, ensuring the emergence of good leaders and followers, pursuing revolution of ideas instead of bloody revolution and amending the constitution to cater for the welfare of the cit...

The move by Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) to ensure full automation of its processes and help reduce the transaction cycle of the National Housing Fund (NHF) has reached 80 percent completion. Managing Director, FMBN, Mr. Gimba Yau’ Kumo, disclosed this recently when the new executive council of the Mortgage Banking Association of Nigeria (MBAN), led by the President, Mr. Femi Johnson, met with top officials of FMBN. He noted that with this development, the NHF transaction cycle will be less than 90 days, adding that workshops and/or training programmes are being planned for primary mortgage banks (PMBs) to work towards a shorter transaction cycle for NHF process. Yau’ Kumo’s statement was in response to a call by Johnson, the MBAN president, who  urged FMBN to fast track the automation of NHF process, saying  “there is the dire need to conclude Automation Process of the NHF Scheme, very quickly.” Johnson also called for the resuscitation of the quarterly meeting...

FORTALEZA (AFP) – Nigeria captain Vincent Enyeama said Saturday that his side will take to the field with no fear when they tackle world and European champions Spain in their make-or-break match at the Confederations Cup. Nigeria go into Sunday’s game level on points with Uruguay in Group B, but with the South American champions expected to comfortably beat minnows Tahiti, Nigeria will probably have to overcome the group leaders to stand any chance of reaching the semi-finals. Spain have not lost at a tournament since a shock defeat by Switzerland in the opening game of the 2010 World Cup, but despite the glittering array of players in their line-up, Enyeama says Nigeria will not be afraid. “I don’t think there’s any Nigerian player here who is scared,” the goalkeeper said during the pre-game media conference at Fortaleza’s Estadio Castelao. “We’re so proud of our teams in Nigeria. The teams in Spain are much bigger than the teams in Nigeria, but we’re very proud of our leagu...

FORTALEZA (AFP) – Starting line-ups for the Confederations Cup Group B match between Nigeria and Spain at Estadio Castelao in Fortaleza on Sunday: Nigeria Vincent Enyeama (capt); Efe Ambrose, Godfrey Oboabona, Kenneth Omeruo, Uwa Echiejile; John Mikel Obi, Fegor Ogude, Sunday Mba; Ahmed Musa, Joseph Akpala, Brown Ideye Coach: Stephen Keshi Spain Victor Valdes; Alvaro Arbeloa, Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos, Jordi Alba; Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta, Xavi (capt); Pedro Rodriguez, Cesc Fabregas, Roberto Soldado Coach: Vicente del Bosque Referee: Joel Aguilar (ESA) I hope Brazil are supporting us against Spain because Nigerians are the largest buyers of Brazilian hair

The National Pension Commission (Pencom) has disclosed that it has so far registered 5.56 million participants into the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) since 2004. Mrs Chinelo Amazu, the Acting Director General of the commission, disclosed this in Calabar at the inauguration of the South-South zonal office of Pencom. She said that the commission had generated a large pool of investible funds of over N3.34 trillion. She said the amount has been invested in various instruments based on the statutory guidelines. According to her, these are part of the achievements of the commission since its establishment in 2004. She said that the commission was amending the Pension Reform Acts of 2004 which had passed through the second reading in the Senate. The acting DG said the agency had succeeded in issuing  regulations which has ensured the smooth running of the industry and creation of job opportunities. She said Pencom had also made possible the “administration of retirement benef...

LINEUP, BOOKINGS (0) & SUBSTITUTIONS (0) MATCH STATS Nigeria could be without forward Nnamdi Oduamadi for their final Group B match against Spain. He was substituted at half-time against Uruguay after being injured by a heavy tackle. Spain may recall the key squad members who were rested for their 10-0 win against Tahiti. Valencia striker Roberto Soldado could lead the line despite Fernando Torres and David Villa netting a total of seven times against Tahiti. MATCH PREVIEW Eddy Etaeta, the coach of Spain's last victims Tahiti, described facing the world and European champions as "mission impossible". While Nigeria clearly boast more pedigree than the Oceania minnows, it is at best a case of "mission improbable" as the Super Eagles try to salvage a semi-final place. All four teams in Group B have a mathematical chance of progressing, but realistically Stephen Keshi's men must beat the Spanish. Confederations Cup: Spain fire 10 past Tah...