Arsenal v Bolton, Saturday, 11 September 2010, 15:00
Arsenal will be without defender Thomas Vermaelen (Achilles) for tomorrow’s visit of Bolton, but will have midfielder Samir Nasri available again following knee surgery.
Forward Theo Walcott is out for up to six weeks after suffering an ankle injury while on duty for England in midweek, and Holland forward Robin van Persie (ankle) is still not fit.
Sebastien Squillaci is set for his debut in central defence, while midfielder Denilson returns after an abdominal injury. However, Nicklas Bendtner (groin) and Aaron Ramsey (leg) remain out.
Team (from): Almunia, Clichy, Squillaci, Koscielny, Sagna, Rosicky, Song, Fabregas, Eboue, Arshavin, Chamakh, Fabianski, Wilshere, Gibbs, Diaby, Vela, Denilson, Nasri, Djourou.
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Arsenal v Bolton
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Saturday, 11 September 2010, 15:00
Bolton manager Owen Coyle will hand goalkeeper Adam Bogdan his first Barclays Premier League start tomorrow when they face Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
The Hungarian replaces Jussi Jaaskelainen, who is suspended after being sent off in the 2-2 draw against Birmingham.
Coyle will monitor the fitness of striker Ivan Klasnic, who missed that match because of a thigh strain.
Provisional squad: Bogdan, Steinsson, Knight, Cahill, Robinson, Lee, Holden, Muamba, Petrov, Elmander, K Davies, Klasnic, Lainton, M Davies, Blake, Taylor, Ricketts, Alonso, A O’Brien, Moreno.
Friday, September 10, 2010
gallas 2 become caaptain
HARRY REDKNAPP is ready to hand William Gallas and Rafael van der Vaart their Tottenham debuts at West Brom.
Redknapp, who is without injured duo Jermain Defoe and Michael Dawson, admits he must make better use of his squad during the club's maiden Champions League campaign.
And that means he will turn to new signings Gallas and Van der Vaart as Spurs look to get back on track after losing to Wigan before the international break.
Redknapp said: "The one thing I did learn — a lesson — last week was maybe I should've changed the team that played against Wigan.
"We went to Stoke and had a great result on the Saturday, came back and won the Champions League qualifier with Young Boys.
"And then I really went with the same team, more or less, on the Saturday against Wigan.
"Maybe I should've rested one or two and changed a few around, then it might have worked better for us."
Redknapp, who is without injured duo Jermain Defoe and Michael Dawson, admits he must make better use of his squad during the club's maiden Champions League campaign.
And that means he will turn to new signings Gallas and Van der Vaart as Spurs look to get back on track after losing to Wigan before the international break.
Redknapp said: "The one thing I did learn — a lesson — last week was maybe I should've changed the team that played against Wigan.
"We went to Stoke and had a great result on the Saturday, came back and won the Champions League qualifier with Young Boys.
"And then I really went with the same team, more or less, on the Saturday against Wigan.
"Maybe I should've rested one or two and changed a few around, then it might have worked better for us."
Nigeria arrests ex-NFF officials over World Cup money
Four Nigerian former football officials have been arrested amid accusations that some $8m (£5m) went missing during the World Cup finals in South Africa.
The four, who include former football federation head Sani Lulu Abdullahi, are due to appear in court in the capital Abuja shortly, an anti-corruption official told the BBC.
The four were sacked over Nigeria's poor performance at the finals.
They have not yet commented on the accusations.
Their passports were seized in July.
After the Super Eagles' failure to qualify from the group stages of the World Cup finals, President Goodluck Jonathan banned them from international competition for two years, before relenting under pressure from the sport's world governing body, Fifa.
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) spokesman Femi Babafemi told the BBC that the four - Mr Lulu, Bolaji Ojo-Oba, Taiwo Ogunjobi and Amanze Uchegbulam - would face a number of charges.
These include making payments to unauthorised delegates, chartering an allegedly faulty aircraft and paying $400,000 to stage a friendly match against Colombia in London, shortly before the finals.
The four have already been interrogated on these matters.
"This is a serious case of national interest hence all four men have been detained and will be in court on Tuesday," he said.
Meanwhile, a judge has ordered that elections for a new Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) leadership be annulled.
The four, who include former football federation head Sani Lulu Abdullahi, are due to appear in court in the capital Abuja shortly, an anti-corruption official told the BBC.
The four were sacked over Nigeria's poor performance at the finals.
They have not yet commented on the accusations.
Their passports were seized in July.
After the Super Eagles' failure to qualify from the group stages of the World Cup finals, President Goodluck Jonathan banned them from international competition for two years, before relenting under pressure from the sport's world governing body, Fifa.
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) spokesman Femi Babafemi told the BBC that the four - Mr Lulu, Bolaji Ojo-Oba, Taiwo Ogunjobi and Amanze Uchegbulam - would face a number of charges.
These include making payments to unauthorised delegates, chartering an allegedly faulty aircraft and paying $400,000 to stage a friendly match against Colombia in London, shortly before the finals.
The four have already been interrogated on these matters.
"This is a serious case of national interest hence all four men have been detained and will be in court on Tuesday," he said.
Meanwhile, a judge has ordered that elections for a new Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) leadership be annulled.
wenger for englaand
ARSENE WENGER has stated once again that he believes England's next manager must be English.
With Fabio Capello set to leave the role when his contract expires after the 2012 European Championships, a number of potential replacements are already being touted.
Wenger was himself once top of the FA's wanted list, but firmly believes the next man in charge of the Three Lions must be home-grown.
He said: "I always come out with the same answer. Let the national team take somebody from England and that represents the country.
"That is the best way to do it."
With Fabio Capello set to leave the role when his contract expires after the 2012 European Championships, a number of potential replacements are already being touted.
Wenger was himself once top of the FA's wanted list, but firmly believes the next man in charge of the Three Lions must be home-grown.
He said: "I always come out with the same answer. Let the national team take somebody from England and that represents the country.
"That is the best way to do it."
Nigeria coaching job up for grabs as NFF advertise post Nigeria coaching job up for grabs as NFF advertise post
he Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced that it will advertise the vacant Super Eagles coaching post.
NFF board member Chris Green confirmed that after its executive committee's inaugural meeting, it was agreed the job would be open to applicants.
The new NFF executives said the move was taken in the interest of transparency.
Green also said that a new coach would be hired by 1 October, just days before an important qualifier away in Guinea.
The NFF announcement is a complete departure from earlier developments where the previous leadership of the football association had already opened discussions with former Olympic team coach, Samson Siasia.
Siasia's appointment stalled over his personal terms. The NFF offered him a monthly salary of $20,000, while the 42-year-old requested $100,000 and a signing-on fee.
Austin Eguavoen is currently in temporary charge of the national team, after Swedish coach Lars Lagerback vacated the position following Nigeria's disappointing World Cup showing.
I think things should be done properly and quickly to get things sorted, so we all know where we stand and [can] move forward from there
Nigeria midfielder John Mikel Obi
Earlier in the week, Nigeria midfielder John Mikel Obi demanded that the NFF put its house in order.
Mikel rebuked members of the NFF over the country's battered football image, following long-standing reports of internal feuding, which have overshadowed preparations for Sunday's 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Madagascar.
"Nigeria football has been a laughing stock to be honest, but I always try to defend my country by insisting we are still the best and biggest," Mikel told Brila FM in Lagos.
NFF board member Chris Green confirmed that after its executive committee's inaugural meeting, it was agreed the job would be open to applicants.
The new NFF executives said the move was taken in the interest of transparency.
Green also said that a new coach would be hired by 1 October, just days before an important qualifier away in Guinea.
The NFF announcement is a complete departure from earlier developments where the previous leadership of the football association had already opened discussions with former Olympic team coach, Samson Siasia.
Siasia's appointment stalled over his personal terms. The NFF offered him a monthly salary of $20,000, while the 42-year-old requested $100,000 and a signing-on fee.
Austin Eguavoen is currently in temporary charge of the national team, after Swedish coach Lars Lagerback vacated the position following Nigeria's disappointing World Cup showing.
I think things should be done properly and quickly to get things sorted, so we all know where we stand and [can] move forward from there
Nigeria midfielder John Mikel Obi
Earlier in the week, Nigeria midfielder John Mikel Obi demanded that the NFF put its house in order.
Mikel rebuked members of the NFF over the country's battered football image, following long-standing reports of internal feuding, which have overshadowed preparations for Sunday's 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Madagascar.
"Nigeria football has been a laughing stock to be honest, but I always try to defend my country by insisting we are still the best and biggest," Mikel told Brila FM in Lagos.
Osaze Odemwingie hits back at 'racist' Russian fans
Nigeria striker Osaze Odemwingie has hit out at fans of his former club in Russia, following apparently racist banners targeted at him last weekend.
Photographs showed Lokomotiv Moscow fans celebrating the sale of Odemwingie to West Bromwich Albion.
One (above) included the image of a banana and read "Thanks West Brom".
"It's a minority group but it's really sad - I have a good relationship with the club but this is a big disgrace," Odemwingie told BBC Sport.
The 29-year-old explained that black players are regularly subjected to insults in the Russian league but said the authorities do not act.
"Some fans treated me well at the club - only a group of supporters have shown how narrow minded they are to the world," Odemwingie said.
"Coloured players feel the open racism there and I recall a game against CSKA Moscow when their fans started the sick noises - I wouldn't have any of it and gave it back to them.
"This was widely publicised because photographers had shots of my protest but still nothing was done to curb it.
"Sadly, it's a picture of a minority group in Russia - it really makes you feel sick but that is what it is.
"You can't totally condemn the league or the people but I am a stronger individual, focusing on my career with Nigeria and West Brom now."
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has promised to write a protest letter to Fifa calling for disciplinary action to be taken following the incident.
"We condemn this act of racism aimed at Osaze Odemwingie, hence we are preparing a letter to Fifa to discipline racist incidents in accordance with the Fifa statutes and the Fifa disciplinary code," NFF spokesman Robinson Okosun told BBC Sport.
Photographs showed Lokomotiv Moscow fans celebrating the sale of Odemwingie to West Bromwich Albion.
One (above) included the image of a banana and read "Thanks West Brom".
"It's a minority group but it's really sad - I have a good relationship with the club but this is a big disgrace," Odemwingie told BBC Sport.
The 29-year-old explained that black players are regularly subjected to insults in the Russian league but said the authorities do not act.
"Some fans treated me well at the club - only a group of supporters have shown how narrow minded they are to the world," Odemwingie said.
"Coloured players feel the open racism there and I recall a game against CSKA Moscow when their fans started the sick noises - I wouldn't have any of it and gave it back to them.
"This was widely publicised because photographers had shots of my protest but still nothing was done to curb it.
"Sadly, it's a picture of a minority group in Russia - it really makes you feel sick but that is what it is.
"You can't totally condemn the league or the people but I am a stronger individual, focusing on my career with Nigeria and West Brom now."
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has promised to write a protest letter to Fifa calling for disciplinary action to be taken following the incident.
"We condemn this act of racism aimed at Osaze Odemwingie, hence we are preparing a letter to Fifa to discipline racist incidents in accordance with the Fifa statutes and the Fifa disciplinary code," NFF spokesman Robinson Okosun told BBC Sport.
Paul Scholes and Carlo Ancelotti pick up Barclays awards for August Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1310906/Paul-Scholes
Paul Scholes has been named Barclays Player of the Month for August with Carlo Ancelotti picking up the award for best boss.
Manchester United midfielder Scholes was outstanding in his side's opener against Newcastle, scored a superb goal in the draw at Fulham and was at his brilliant best in the 3-0 win over West Ham.
Class act: Scholes has been in superb form in the opening stages of the season
Rocket man: Scholes rifles one in from the edge of the box at Craven Cottage
Scholes, 35, has now received the award four times in his glittering career and is only one behind Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard in the all-time list.
He is tied with Alan Shearer, Cristiano Ronaldo, Frank Lampard, Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp.
Top of the pile: Ancelotti is looking down on the rest of the Premier League
Top of the pile: Ancelotti is looking down on the rest of the Premier League
Chelsea manager Ancelotti was honoured for guiding his side to the top of the table with three straight wins.
The Blues his West Brom and Wigan for for six and beat Stoke 2-0. The stubborn champions have yet to concede a goal.
Italian Ancelotti has now won the monthly award twice.
Manchester United midfielder Scholes was outstanding in his side's opener against Newcastle, scored a superb goal in the draw at Fulham and was at his brilliant best in the 3-0 win over West Ham.
Class act: Scholes has been in superb form in the opening stages of the season
Rocket man: Scholes rifles one in from the edge of the box at Craven Cottage
Scholes, 35, has now received the award four times in his glittering career and is only one behind Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard in the all-time list.
He is tied with Alan Shearer, Cristiano Ronaldo, Frank Lampard, Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp.
Top of the pile: Ancelotti is looking down on the rest of the Premier League
Top of the pile: Ancelotti is looking down on the rest of the Premier League
Chelsea manager Ancelotti was honoured for guiding his side to the top of the table with three straight wins.
The Blues his West Brom and Wigan for for six and beat Stoke 2-0. The stubborn champions have yet to concede a goal.
Italian Ancelotti has now won the monthly award twice.
Theo Walcott's injuries worry Arsene Wenger
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admits he is concerned how Theo Walcott's latest injury setback will affect the England international on a mental level.
Walcott, 21, faces up to six weeks out after damaging his ankle in England's 3-1 Euro 2012 qualifying win over Switzerland on Tuesday.
Wenger said: "It is frustrating for him. You never know what kind of psychological impact it has."
"The mental side is always a question mark when a player gets injuries."
Walcott first suffered a lay-off in November 2008, when he dislocated a shoulder on England duty, ruling him out for six months.
A litany of further problems, including back, knee and hamstring injuries, marred his 2009-10 season - his stop-start availability for his club culminating in his controversial omission from England manager Fabio Capello's World Cup squad.
And Wenger added: "When you are a manager and you see an injury doesn't harm the career of a player, you are happy.
"After that the only unknown quantity is how much it will damage his confidence in the box, on tackling and all that."
Walcott made no secret of his disappointment at Capello's summer snub but he began this season brightly for club and country.
He found the net three times in four games for the Gunners and impressed in his three international appearances - even catching the eye during the 10 minutes he was on the field in Basle before a challenge by Swiss defender Yves Oehri ended his night.
But, despite his bad luck, Wenger has backed the player he acquired for £5m from Southampton in 2006 to once again bounce back.
"Ideally, you do not want a player to be injured many times by bad tackles," added the Frenchman.
"However, I believe Theo will deal well with that because he has done it before."
Second-placed Arsenal resume their Premier League campaign at home to Bolton on Saturday, with Wenger also without the talents of striker Robin van Persie, whose ankle knock carries approximately the same prognosis as Walcott's, and central defender Thomas Vermaelen (Achilles).
Winger Aaron Ramsey, meanwhile, is expected back in November as the Welshman continues his rehabilitation from the broken leg he suffered at Stoke last February.
Walcott, 21, faces up to six weeks out after damaging his ankle in England's 3-1 Euro 2012 qualifying win over Switzerland on Tuesday.
Wenger said: "It is frustrating for him. You never know what kind of psychological impact it has."
"The mental side is always a question mark when a player gets injuries."
Walcott first suffered a lay-off in November 2008, when he dislocated a shoulder on England duty, ruling him out for six months.
A litany of further problems, including back, knee and hamstring injuries, marred his 2009-10 season - his stop-start availability for his club culminating in his controversial omission from England manager Fabio Capello's World Cup squad.
And Wenger added: "When you are a manager and you see an injury doesn't harm the career of a player, you are happy.
"After that the only unknown quantity is how much it will damage his confidence in the box, on tackling and all that."
Walcott made no secret of his disappointment at Capello's summer snub but he began this season brightly for club and country.
He found the net three times in four games for the Gunners and impressed in his three international appearances - even catching the eye during the 10 minutes he was on the field in Basle before a challenge by Swiss defender Yves Oehri ended his night.
But, despite his bad luck, Wenger has backed the player he acquired for £5m from Southampton in 2006 to once again bounce back.
"Ideally, you do not want a player to be injured many times by bad tackles," added the Frenchman.
"However, I believe Theo will deal well with that because he has done it before."
Second-placed Arsenal resume their Premier League campaign at home to Bolton on Saturday, with Wenger also without the talents of striker Robin van Persie, whose ankle knock carries approximately the same prognosis as Walcott's, and central defender Thomas Vermaelen (Achilles).
Winger Aaron Ramsey, meanwhile, is expected back in November as the Welshman continues his rehabilitation from the broken leg he suffered at Stoke last February.
Fasuba will bounce back , Onyali
Former African queen of the tracks, Mary Onyali-Omagbemi has backed African 100m record holder, Olusoji Fasuba to make a strong comeback to the tracks.
Fasubu has not featured in any race this season and he is not likely to do so due to loss of form.
But Onyali submitted that Fasuba still has some steam left to make a strong comeback.
She was speaking against the background of flagging performances recorded by Nigerian male sprinters at the African Championships.
AFasuba has been injured and I=m sure when he is fully fit he will make a comeback. We all know what he can do and so we need to give him a break to get himself back,@said Onyali.
Since running the African record of 9.85 in Doha, Qatar in 2006 and winning the World Indoor 2008 in Valencia, Spain, Fasuba has never been at his sprinting best.
His reign as Nigeria=s 100m champion was terminated in 2009 by Obinna Metu. Fasuba blamed his poor form on a career threatening ankle injury he sustained during training.
However, a member of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Jide Josiah traced Fasuba=s plummeting form to his decision to marry when he was at the peak of his career.
AThis was a real big distraction to him. I remember quite well how former AFN president, Violet Odogwu-Nwajei pleaded with him to put his marriage on hold.
AShe really wanted him to make a strong impact after setting the African record but Fasuba still went ahead, since then he has not been his best,@he said.Former African queen of the tracks, Mary Onyali-Omagbemi has backed African 100m record holder, Olusoji Fasuba to make a strong comeback to the tracks.
Fasubu has not featured in any race this season and he is not likely to do so due to loss of form.
But Onyali submitted that Fasuba still has some steam left to make a strong comeback.
She was speaking against the background of flagging performances recorded by Nigerian male sprinters at the African Championships.
AFasuba has been injured and I=m sure when he is fully fit he will make a comeback. We all know what he can do and so we need to give him a break to get himself back,@said Onyali.
Since running the African record of 9.85 in Doha, Qatar in 2006 and winning the World Indoor 2008 in Valencia, Spain, Fasuba has never been at his sprinting best.
His reign as Nigeria=s 100m champion was terminated in 2009 by Obinna Metu. Fasuba blamed his poor form on a career threatening ankle injury he sustained during training.
However, a member of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Jide Josiah traced Fasuba=s plummeting form to his decision to marry when he was at the peak of his career.
AThis was a real big distraction to him. I remember quite well how former AFN president, Violet Odogwu-Nwajei pleaded with him to put his marriage on hold.
AShe really wanted him to make a strong impact after setting the African record but Fasuba still went ahead, since then he has not been his best,@he said.
Fasubu has not featured in any race this season and he is not likely to do so due to loss of form.
But Onyali submitted that Fasuba still has some steam left to make a strong comeback.
She was speaking against the background of flagging performances recorded by Nigerian male sprinters at the African Championships.
AFasuba has been injured and I=m sure when he is fully fit he will make a comeback. We all know what he can do and so we need to give him a break to get himself back,@said Onyali.
Since running the African record of 9.85 in Doha, Qatar in 2006 and winning the World Indoor 2008 in Valencia, Spain, Fasuba has never been at his sprinting best.
His reign as Nigeria=s 100m champion was terminated in 2009 by Obinna Metu. Fasuba blamed his poor form on a career threatening ankle injury he sustained during training.
However, a member of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Jide Josiah traced Fasuba=s plummeting form to his decision to marry when he was at the peak of his career.
AThis was a real big distraction to him. I remember quite well how former AFN president, Violet Odogwu-Nwajei pleaded with him to put his marriage on hold.
AShe really wanted him to make a strong impact after setting the African record but Fasuba still went ahead, since then he has not been his best,@he said.Former African queen of the tracks, Mary Onyali-Omagbemi has backed African 100m record holder, Olusoji Fasuba to make a strong comeback to the tracks.
Fasubu has not featured in any race this season and he is not likely to do so due to loss of form.
But Onyali submitted that Fasuba still has some steam left to make a strong comeback.
She was speaking against the background of flagging performances recorded by Nigerian male sprinters at the African Championships.
AFasuba has been injured and I=m sure when he is fully fit he will make a comeback. We all know what he can do and so we need to give him a break to get himself back,@said Onyali.
Since running the African record of 9.85 in Doha, Qatar in 2006 and winning the World Indoor 2008 in Valencia, Spain, Fasuba has never been at his sprinting best.
His reign as Nigeria=s 100m champion was terminated in 2009 by Obinna Metu. Fasuba blamed his poor form on a career threatening ankle injury he sustained during training.
However, a member of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Jide Josiah traced Fasuba=s plummeting form to his decision to marry when he was at the peak of his career.
AThis was a real big distraction to him. I remember quite well how former AFN president, Violet Odogwu-Nwajei pleaded with him to put his marriage on hold.
AShe really wanted him to make a strong impact after setting the African record but Fasuba still went ahead, since then he has not been his best,@he said.
Jonathan sacks service chiefs, IG, D-G SSS
Forty years after the Nigeria-Biafra war, an Igbo man was yesterday named chief of Army staff. President Goodluck Jonathan appointed Major-General O. Azubuike Ihejirika as the new head of the Army. He takes over from Lt.-General Abdulrahaman Dambazau.
By the action, Major-General Ihejirika becomes the first Igbo man to occupy the office of chief of Army staff (COAS) since the end of the civil war in 1970.
However, it was not all too good for Inspector- General of Police (IGP), Ogbonna Onovo who was removed and replaced with Assistant Inspector- General (AIG), Hafiz Ringim.
The changes were announced in a sweeping overhaul of the leadership of the forces and the State Security Services (SSS) where Ita Ekpeyong was appointed to replace Afarkiya Gadzama.
Other replacements announced yesterday by President Jonathan include that of chief of defence staff, Air Marshal Paul Dike who was replaced with Air Marshal Oluseyi Petirin, immediate past chief of the Air Force.
Also removed was chief of the Naval Staff with Rear Admiral Ola Sa�ad Ibrahim, formerly Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Apapa, appointed in his stead, while Air Vice Marshal Mohammed D. Umar was appointed chief of the Air Force. Before now, he was Air Officer Commanding, Training Command, Kaduna.
A statement by the special adviser on media and communications to the President, Ima Niboro, said the changes became necessary as the tenure of the service chiefs lapsed in August.
Niboro said the appointments took immediate effect but subject to confirmation by the National Assembly, in line with the provision of the Armed Forces Act, section 18, Cap A20, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
�The President thanked the out-going service chiefs whose tenure expired in August for their loyalty and dedication to service. He specially commended them for defending the Nigerian Constitution at all times and for successful command of the Armed Forces during their tenure,� Niboro said.
He also said that �the President also thanked the out-going Inspector- General of Police and Director-General of the SSS for their dedication to service of the fatherland and wished them well in their future endeavours.�
General Ihejirika, prior to the appointment, was a director at the Army Headquarters in Abuja where he was in charge of logistics.
Earlier, he had served as General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division of the Nigeria Army, Lagos. He had also been chief of standards and evaluation at the Army headquarters.
The office of the COAS is at the apex of the Army structure. It exists under his command, to deter all forms of aggression. Section 18(3) of the Armed Forces Act CAP A20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, saddles the COAS with the responsibility of command, direction and general superintendence of the Army.
By the action, Major-General Ihejirika becomes the first Igbo man to occupy the office of chief of Army staff (COAS) since the end of the civil war in 1970.
However, it was not all too good for Inspector- General of Police (IGP), Ogbonna Onovo who was removed and replaced with Assistant Inspector- General (AIG), Hafiz Ringim.
The changes were announced in a sweeping overhaul of the leadership of the forces and the State Security Services (SSS) where Ita Ekpeyong was appointed to replace Afarkiya Gadzama.
Other replacements announced yesterday by President Jonathan include that of chief of defence staff, Air Marshal Paul Dike who was replaced with Air Marshal Oluseyi Petirin, immediate past chief of the Air Force.
Also removed was chief of the Naval Staff with Rear Admiral Ola Sa�ad Ibrahim, formerly Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Apapa, appointed in his stead, while Air Vice Marshal Mohammed D. Umar was appointed chief of the Air Force. Before now, he was Air Officer Commanding, Training Command, Kaduna.
A statement by the special adviser on media and communications to the President, Ima Niboro, said the changes became necessary as the tenure of the service chiefs lapsed in August.
Niboro said the appointments took immediate effect but subject to confirmation by the National Assembly, in line with the provision of the Armed Forces Act, section 18, Cap A20, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
�The President thanked the out-going service chiefs whose tenure expired in August for their loyalty and dedication to service. He specially commended them for defending the Nigerian Constitution at all times and for successful command of the Armed Forces during their tenure,� Niboro said.
He also said that �the President also thanked the out-going Inspector- General of Police and Director-General of the SSS for their dedication to service of the fatherland and wished them well in their future endeavours.�
General Ihejirika, prior to the appointment, was a director at the Army Headquarters in Abuja where he was in charge of logistics.
Earlier, he had served as General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division of the Nigeria Army, Lagos. He had also been chief of standards and evaluation at the Army headquarters.
The office of the COAS is at the apex of the Army structure. It exists under his command, to deter all forms of aggression. Section 18(3) of the Armed Forces Act CAP A20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, saddles the COAS with the responsibility of command, direction and general superintendence of the Army.
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