One oral tradition states that Lagos was originally called Eko, which means "cassava farm", and that it was founded by a Benin royal family. The founding king was Ado. Ado's children were Gbaro, Akinsemoyin, and Erelu Kuti. Eko was the land area where the king's palace was built. The indigenous people settled down in the southern part of Eko called "Isale Eko", meaning "South Lagos".
Erelu Kuti's son was Ologun Kutere, who became king of Lagos, and Shokun his brother was given a Chieftaincy house behind the king's palace called "Onile-gbale" which means "land owner-sweeps your land". The Lagos monarchy is said to have started henceforth and the king's brother started his own chieftancy family behind the palace building.
However, there is another account of Lagos before 1603 that comes from a Western visitor. In 1603, Andreas Joshua Ulsheimer, a German surgeon, aboard a Dutch merchant ship, visited Lagos. According to his accounts, Lagos was a large frontier town surrounded by a strong fence and inhabited by "none but soldiers and four military commanders, who behave in a very stately manner."
The Lagos visited by Ulsheimer and his trading colleagues nearly four centuries ago was in many ways highly developed. Each day its four commanders came together as a court and each day two envoys were dispatched to take decisions back to their ruler in Benin. To do so, Ulsheimer wrote, was a common practice in all towns under the suzerainty of Benin. Food in Lagos was plentiful: handsome fish, good wildfowl", meat fruits, yams and a host of other foodstuffs. The town was by water and by land, and many traders who brought their wares by water and by land, and who conducted their transactions in cowries or trade goods, amongst which brass was highly prized. Ulsheimer was struck by the beautiful, colourful cloth, the ivory, elephant tails that were traded in Lagos, and by the large amount of pepper that was available.
Ulsheimer's accounts seem to confirm Benin oral traditions of conquest and occupation of Lagos during the sixteenth century. How Oba Orhogbua of Benin (1550-1578) occupied the island of Lagos, established a military camp there and from that base waged wars on some people described as rebels against his authority, in the immediate interior. Orhogbua, according to Benin traditions, left Lagos when he learnt of a coup against him at home. But he left behind in Lagos, a military camp under three generals. His son and successor, Ehengbuda (1578-1606) on his journey to Lagos, is said to have drowned in a river mid-way between Benin and Lagos, when his boat capsized.
Ulsheimer gives the first account, documenting the transformation of Lagos from fishing camp to a trading centre, and from an autonomous settlement to a Benin tributary. Lagos Lagoon was known to European traders by 1485, when it first appeared on maps, but the town of Lagos was not included.
Oral traditions indicate that Benin found pre-existing settlement on Lagos and nearby Ido Islands. Ulsheimer also confirmed this. Some of the inhabitants in the Lagos interior lived in towns walled for defensive purpose and Ulsheimer's group armed with two cannons helped the local Benin army to conquer and completely destroy one of such towns described as dissident.
Accordingly to some oral traditions, Benin forces settled at a strategic place on the northwest tip of Lagos Island where they could easily mount a defensive garrison and still overlook the lagoon which narrows suddenly at this point between Lagos and Ido Island.
The Ogun was an important waterway leading to inland trade. The large number of colonies established by Benin throughout the Ogun basin (west from Lagos to Badagry, and north from the coast to (latter-day) Ilaro Division boundaries, attests to its interest. Ido was surrounded by water and given the palisades Ulsheimer found around Lagos, it was quite likely that Ido was also fortified against Benin invaders. Whether Benin was initially unwilling or unable to take Ido is unclear. Certainly it did so later, for its refugees founded a new settlement nearby, especially along the southern side of the lagoon in today's Eti-Osa. In contrast to Ido, Benin established a firm base across the lagoon on Lagos Island with little resistance. At the time, Lagos Island had one known settlement, founded by the legendary Aromire, "lover of water", as a fishing camp.
Ido, according to traditions, was a centre of local activity. It was the seat of Olofin, a strong leader who appears to have dominated a group of villages that were thought to exist prior to Benin conquest and to be Awori Yoruba ancestry. In mythological language, Olofin was said to have had many "sons" amongst whom he divided the area's lands. These sons and the settlements they represented were the early settlers met by Benin forces. At the time, they probably represented a village group, allied for governmental, protective and perhaps economic reasons. Later as Lagos grew and its government expanded. Olofin's sons became known as Idejo, landowning chiefs. The number of chiefs in the Olofin alliance is usually remembered as a formulaic eight, ten, sixteen or thirty-two. Twelve of them are today recognized by government: Aromire, Oloto, Ojora, Onitolo, Onitano, Onikoyi, Oniru, Oluwa, Onisiwo, Eleguishi, Ojomu and Lumegbon. The Olofin title disappeared while the Olumegbon is now the leader of the Idejo class and presides over its installation ceremonies.
Traditional administration
According to the early historians of Lagos, the settlements represented by Idejo chiefs were not established simultaneously, but in stages. Traditions in Idejo families confirm that this was, indeed, the case and furthermore that not all Idejo families were of Awori descent. As indicated, the people of Ido did predate Benin conquest. Warfare had driven them from the mainland area of Ebute-Metta, "three wharfs" to Ido Island where they established two small settlements; Oto village, facing the mainland, and Ido, a fishing camp facing Lagos Island, which eventually disappeared or were absorbed into the larger village.
These two settlements were governed together under a chief who became known as Oloto and whose family controlled a large stretch of land on the mainland behind Ido. The southwest part of Ido Island was settled by a group of migrants whose origins were traced to Aramoko in the Ekiti area. This group's first headman, Kueji, married an Ido woman, one Isikoko by name, and they settled at Ijo-Ara (Ijora) where Kueji took the Ojora titles, Aro and Odofin, eventually arose within the Ojora line. Whether or not this occurred before the Benin era is not clear.
There were other chiefs in the Ido group. The Elegushi of Ikate and Ojomu and Ajiran have traditions stating they fled Ido to escape Benin raids and settled in Eti-Osa area in the south shore of the lagoon east of Lagos Island. This being the case, their settlements and independent chieftaincies came after, not before, Benin. The Ojomu title, however, is not entirely explained by the refuges tradition, since until recently it was not included in the Idejo, but in the Akarigbere class of chiefs, that is in the administrative line of Lagos chiefs that, for the most part, claim Benin origins. Another Ido chief, the Opeluwa, also became a Lagos chief. Eventually, then the Lord group gave birth to four Idejo chiefs (Oloto, Ojora, Elegushi and Ojomu) and one Ogalade chief (Opeluwa). At least one (oloto) and possibly three chiefs (Oloto, Ojora, and Opeluwa) were in existence at Ido before the arrival of Benin.
The members of the Aromire settlement gave land to Benin conquerors on Lagos Island, as they, like the Oloto People, existed prior to conquest. Armoire again did not represent a single group. One section of the family settled at Tolo on the western tip of Lagos Island, and it became headed by the Onitolo, a descendant of the Aromire family. Another Idejo title holder, the Onitano, was said to be the grandson of Oshoboja's daughter. Still another Idejo chief, the Onikoyi, was brought into Lagos by Aromire family through marriage.
The founder of Onikoyi family lived at Oke-Ipa on Ikoyi Island, named after his ancestral home, which was believed to have been in Old Oyo. Adeyemi a leader of the Oke-Ipa settlement married Efunluyi, daughter of Meku Armoire, who was believed to be the sixth title holder of the Aromire line. In honour of her deliverance of a son, called Muti, Chief Meku allocated to his daughter and son-in-law a plot of land near Iga Aromire "Aromire Court", on Lagos Island. The house built on that plot became Iga Onikoyi and Aromire's son-in-law the first holder of an Idejo title in Lagos, the Onikoyi title. All in all, four related Idejo chieftaincies came out of the Aromire line: armoire itself, Onitolo, Onitano, and Onikoyi.
The remaining four Idejo titles clearly came into existence after the invasion of Benin. If Ulsheimer's account is correct, then it appears that the daily gathering of Lagos governors was one of military commanders from Benin, and not heads of local settlement. Gradually, however, additions were made to that body. The vehicle via which accretion took place eventually was called Ose Iga a ceremonious meeting of Lagos held at the palace every seventeen days. The Osega was attended by a body of chiefs whose agenda was devoted to proposing and debating community policy. Before discussions at each meeting, sacrifices were performed. After each meeting the assembled chiefs were fed and entertained by the Oba. Rights to sit on his highest decision making body of the community were extended to all recognized chiefs. Indeed, the culmination of investiture ceremonies took place in the Ose chamber of the palace.
Until a chief was brought into Osega, he was effectively not a functioning part of the larger policy. It does appear, however, that leaders of surrounding villages who saw themselves as clients of the Oba could attend the Osega. Village settlement in and around Lagos Island were of several types: those powerful enough to be represented by their chiefs on the Osega; those that were clients (and the nature of the tie differed markedly among settlements. Ranging from complete dominance and overlordship to a loose control or dependency); and those that retained autonomy, foregoing the political and protective links that representation at the Lagos Osega could offer them.
The number of chiefs with rights to attend the Osega grew slowly and fluctuated. Olumegbon, leader of the Idejo class was said to have been brought into Lagos and given a title by Ado, one of the early Bini rulers. The first Olumegbon came from Aja, east of Lagos toward the Lekki Lagoon.
The reasons for his inclusion among the chiefs who attend the Osega seem unknown. It is possible that the Benin warriors found him and his people located at a vital position on their east-west trade corridor and therefore wished to control that position themselves by alleviating its headman to a chieftaincy title in Lagos rather than subjugating him. It is also possible that he was originally a part of the Ido alliance and brought in as its senior representative. In any case, Olumegbon was allocated a plot for an Iga in the Iduntafa area of Lagos and thus within the portion of land originally allocated by Aromire to the Benin rulers.
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Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther (c. 1809 – 31 December 1891)
Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther (c. 1809 – 31 December 1891) was a linguist and the first African Anglican bishop in Nigeria. Born in Osogun(in today's Iseyin Local Government, Oyo State, Nigeria), Rev. Dr. Samuel Ajayi Crowther was a Yoruba man who also identified with Sierra Leone's ascendant Creole ethnic group.
Ajayi was 12 years old when he was captured, along with his mother and toddler brother and other family members, along with his entire village, by Muslim Fulani slave raiders in 1821 and sold to Portuguese slave traders. Before leaving port, his ship was boarded by a Royal Navy ship under the command of Captain Henry Leeke, and Crowther was taken to Freetown, Sierra Leone and released. While there, Crowther was cared for by the Anglican Church Missionary Society, who taught him English. He converted to Christianity, was baptized by Rev. John Raban, and took the name Samuel Crowther in 1825. While in Freetown, Crowther became interested in languages. In 1826 he was taken to England to attend Islington Parish School. He returned to Freetown in 1827 and attended the newly-opened Fourah Bay College, an Anglican missionary school, where his interest in language found him studying Latin and Greek but also Temne. After completing his studies he began teaching at the school. He also married Asano (i.e. Hassana; she was formerly Muslim), baptised Susan, a schoolmistress, who was also on the Portuguese slave ship that originally brought Crowther to Sierra Leone.
In 1841 Crowther was selected to accompany the missionary James Frederick Schön on an expedition along the Niger River. Together with Schön, he was expected to learn Hausa for use on the expedition. The goal of the expedition was to spread commerce, teach agricultural techniques, spread Christianity, and help end the slave trade. Following the expedition, Crowther was recalled to England, where he was trained as a minister and ordained by the bishop of London. He returned to Africa in 1843 and with Henry Townsend, opened a mission in Abeokuta, in today's Ogun State, Nigeria
Rev. Dr. Crowther began translating the Bible into the Yoruba language and compiling a Yoruba dictionary. In 1843, a grammar book which he started working on during the Niger expedition was published; and a Yoruba version of the Anglican Book of Common Prayer followed later. He also began codifying other languages. Following the British Niger Expeditions of 1854 and 1857, Crowther produced a primer for the Igbo language in 1857, another for the Nupe language in 1860, and a full grammar and vocabulary of Nupe in 1864.
In 1864, Crowther was ordained as the first African bishop of the Anglican Church. That same year he also received a Doctor of Divinity from Oxford University. Bishop Crowther was on the island of Madeira in the Atlantic Ocean west of Morocco for a conference. He was accompanied by his son, Dandeson, an archdeacon, on church business in March 1881.
Bishop Dr. Crowther's attention was directed more and more to languages other than Yoruba, but he continued to supervise the translation of the Yoruba Bible (Bibeli Mimọ), which was completed in the mid-1880s, a few years before his death. In 1891, Crowther suffered a stroke and died on the last day of that year.
His grandson Herbert Macaulay became one of the first Nigerian nationalists and played an important role in ending British colonialism in Nigeria.
Ajayi was 12 years old when he was captured, along with his mother and toddler brother and other family members, along with his entire village, by Muslim Fulani slave raiders in 1821 and sold to Portuguese slave traders. Before leaving port, his ship was boarded by a Royal Navy ship under the command of Captain Henry Leeke, and Crowther was taken to Freetown, Sierra Leone and released. While there, Crowther was cared for by the Anglican Church Missionary Society, who taught him English. He converted to Christianity, was baptized by Rev. John Raban, and took the name Samuel Crowther in 1825. While in Freetown, Crowther became interested in languages. In 1826 he was taken to England to attend Islington Parish School. He returned to Freetown in 1827 and attended the newly-opened Fourah Bay College, an Anglican missionary school, where his interest in language found him studying Latin and Greek but also Temne. After completing his studies he began teaching at the school. He also married Asano (i.e. Hassana; she was formerly Muslim), baptised Susan, a schoolmistress, who was also on the Portuguese slave ship that originally brought Crowther to Sierra Leone.
In 1841 Crowther was selected to accompany the missionary James Frederick Schön on an expedition along the Niger River. Together with Schön, he was expected to learn Hausa for use on the expedition. The goal of the expedition was to spread commerce, teach agricultural techniques, spread Christianity, and help end the slave trade. Following the expedition, Crowther was recalled to England, where he was trained as a minister and ordained by the bishop of London. He returned to Africa in 1843 and with Henry Townsend, opened a mission in Abeokuta, in today's Ogun State, Nigeria
Rev. Dr. Crowther began translating the Bible into the Yoruba language and compiling a Yoruba dictionary. In 1843, a grammar book which he started working on during the Niger expedition was published; and a Yoruba version of the Anglican Book of Common Prayer followed later. He also began codifying other languages. Following the British Niger Expeditions of 1854 and 1857, Crowther produced a primer for the Igbo language in 1857, another for the Nupe language in 1860, and a full grammar and vocabulary of Nupe in 1864.
In 1864, Crowther was ordained as the first African bishop of the Anglican Church. That same year he also received a Doctor of Divinity from Oxford University. Bishop Crowther was on the island of Madeira in the Atlantic Ocean west of Morocco for a conference. He was accompanied by his son, Dandeson, an archdeacon, on church business in March 1881.
Bishop Dr. Crowther's attention was directed more and more to languages other than Yoruba, but he continued to supervise the translation of the Yoruba Bible (Bibeli Mimọ), which was completed in the mid-1880s, a few years before his death. In 1891, Crowther suffered a stroke and died on the last day of that year.
His grandson Herbert Macaulay became one of the first Nigerian nationalists and played an important role in ending British colonialism in Nigeria.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Babangida: Insensitivity carried too far
The sun rises in the East and sets in the West. Adolf Hitler declared a costly war on the United States on December 11, 1941. Saddam Hussein invaded and annexed Kuwait on August 2, 1990 and sparked off international crises that left his country in ruins. Ibrahim Babangida annulled in June 1993, what is widely regarded as Nigeria‘s fairest and freest election and plunged his country into needless, disastrous crises that consumed many precious lives and invaluable property.
Also, the belief is yet to diminish that under his regime (1985-1993), corruption became free, fair, transparent and effectively institutionalised, and the economy, despite huge earnings from oil exports, was successfully grounded. These are abiding facts that will always be with us.
In his favour, there is this perennial belief out there that IBB is a moving huge bag of money. This bag, though horribly stained and very unattractive to people with any sense of decency, contains billions of naira and has very generous holes ready to ”drop” at any time. And so as rotten meat easily attracts numerous flies, so does this moneybag draw hordes of greedy followers any time there are some hints in the air that it might ”drop.”
Now, Babangida knows this very well, and has learnt to always fully exploit it to give the false impression that he enjoys some popularity in Nigeria. But show me a single individual following Babangida any time and singing his praises on housetops and I will show you a man motivated by raw greed striving to get his own slice of the fabled Babangida billions. And that is why Babangida, the self-confessed evil genius of Nigeria, could muster the effrontery to say in public that he wants to rule Nigeria again.
It is easy to see that Babangida is, perhaps, more interested in sustaining the debate raging around him today than ruling Nigeria again. He appears unduly excited that Nigerians still take him serious enough to deploy energy and time to discuss him and his obnoxious ambition. At the end of the day, this may just be all he intended to achieve.
But let‘s not be too optimistic, however, because Babangida is seeking to actualize his ambition through a party famed for its disdain for the feelings of the populace and whose determination to always allocate political offices to anointed candidates despite the verdict of voters at the polling booths has become legendary; a party where one man can sit in his house and choose a presidential candidate and impose him on the party and the whole country.
Already, Babangida has paid a useful visit to Ota Farm where this formidable ”Kingmaker” holds court, and must have extracted assurances of support from him. I am sure he may have also had very useful discussions with other sworn enemies of Nigeria‘s progress who do nothing else than sit in their bedrooms and plot the perpetual stagnation of the country. They, too, must have given him their word, hence the revolting confidence he is radiating today.
And, moreover, Babangida has the large heart and deep pocket to seduce the countless jobless ‘prominent‘ Nigerians scattered across the country whose political clout in the face of a confused and self-emasculated populace cannot be easily dismissed. These, too, must have underlined their assurances to impose him on Nigerians despite the bitter resentment the mere mention of his name still evokes across the country today.
Babangida will be 70 by 2011. This, certainly, is not an age to advertise the kind of insensitivity and remorselessness that he is flaunting today. It is only in Nigeria, where successive rulers are always too guilt-ridden to investigate the (mis)deeds of their predecessors in office that characters like Babangida, with huge, unresolved doubts around them can walk the streets free and even talk of ruling the country again.
No doubt, many Nigerians would be interested to know what Babangida has been doing since he lost power 19 years ago to accumulate the boundless wealth that funds the incredibly lavish lifestyle he and his family members are leading today. Well, this is Nigeria where no questions are ever asked about the sources of wealth of persons, especially the mighty and very influential. And while other nations are deploying their best brains to achieve progress and development, we are only content here to continue recycling expired drugs and fielding our diversely challenged and parasitic tenth elevens, while those with genuine visions, sound character and sterling commitment to steer the country out of the woods are edged out with filthy billions. What one finds most annoying is the feeling of helplessness among the impoverished citizenry!
That is why Babangida in his recent BBC interview could dismissively say with ”bold face” that he has ”seen signs that [younger people] are not capable of leading this country,” and that is why he is stepping forward ”to help them ... [because] a country like Nigeria cannot be ruled by people without experience.”
And why does he think the younger generation is not capable? ”…They [were] not given the proper education, that is why!”, Babangida said. Yes, Babangida said that!
What an insufferable insult! Well, what can one say? We deserve all the insults we get from the likes of Babangida. This is because instead of ensuring that a heavy searchlight is beamed on his eight years of mindless misrule and the source of his current boundless resources, given the kind of morally bankrupt regime he is believed to have supervised, Nigerians outside a lunatic asylum, I mean supposedly sane human beings, are rather running after him for the clearly contaminated crumbs that might fall from his bottomless pocket.
By the way, what kind of ”education” and ”experience” is Babangida laying claim to. What did he use them to achieve in Nigeria except boundless and very costly crises and monumental decay?
It is difficult not to find Babangida‘s exaggerated view of himself very revolting.
Here was a man who came into power when the exchange rate was (by his own admission) N4.5 to a dollar (but the truth is: N1 to $1.004), but when he was forced out of power, the dollar began to exchange at N22.3.
Till today, Nigerians are yet to get any convincing explanation from him on what happened to the $12.4 billion realized from the Gulf War Oil Windfall, which allegedly developed wings under his watch. His era would proudly take the credit for the undue glamorization of corruption flourishing in Nigeria today
Under him, a wasteful and fraudulent transition programme was brazenly prosecuted, which, despite the billions it gulped, led to nowhere because it was so designed.
If Babangida failed Nigeria woefully in the late 1980s and early 1990s, when he was younger and stronger, in 2011 when he would be 70, his second coming would spell greater disaster for the country, and only a people who hate themselves so irremediably can sit still allow that happen to them.
Babangida should just retire to his palatial palace in Minna and leave Nigerians alone to pick the pieces of their lives, which he helped immensely to shatter. This country has simply suffered enough from the endless mischief and unparalleled insensitivity of unrelenting power mongers.
Culled from
Pointblanknews.com
Also, the belief is yet to diminish that under his regime (1985-1993), corruption became free, fair, transparent and effectively institutionalised, and the economy, despite huge earnings from oil exports, was successfully grounded. These are abiding facts that will always be with us.
In his favour, there is this perennial belief out there that IBB is a moving huge bag of money. This bag, though horribly stained and very unattractive to people with any sense of decency, contains billions of naira and has very generous holes ready to ”drop” at any time. And so as rotten meat easily attracts numerous flies, so does this moneybag draw hordes of greedy followers any time there are some hints in the air that it might ”drop.”
Now, Babangida knows this very well, and has learnt to always fully exploit it to give the false impression that he enjoys some popularity in Nigeria. But show me a single individual following Babangida any time and singing his praises on housetops and I will show you a man motivated by raw greed striving to get his own slice of the fabled Babangida billions. And that is why Babangida, the self-confessed evil genius of Nigeria, could muster the effrontery to say in public that he wants to rule Nigeria again.
It is easy to see that Babangida is, perhaps, more interested in sustaining the debate raging around him today than ruling Nigeria again. He appears unduly excited that Nigerians still take him serious enough to deploy energy and time to discuss him and his obnoxious ambition. At the end of the day, this may just be all he intended to achieve.
But let‘s not be too optimistic, however, because Babangida is seeking to actualize his ambition through a party famed for its disdain for the feelings of the populace and whose determination to always allocate political offices to anointed candidates despite the verdict of voters at the polling booths has become legendary; a party where one man can sit in his house and choose a presidential candidate and impose him on the party and the whole country.
Already, Babangida has paid a useful visit to Ota Farm where this formidable ”Kingmaker” holds court, and must have extracted assurances of support from him. I am sure he may have also had very useful discussions with other sworn enemies of Nigeria‘s progress who do nothing else than sit in their bedrooms and plot the perpetual stagnation of the country. They, too, must have given him their word, hence the revolting confidence he is radiating today.
And, moreover, Babangida has the large heart and deep pocket to seduce the countless jobless ‘prominent‘ Nigerians scattered across the country whose political clout in the face of a confused and self-emasculated populace cannot be easily dismissed. These, too, must have underlined their assurances to impose him on Nigerians despite the bitter resentment the mere mention of his name still evokes across the country today.
Babangida will be 70 by 2011. This, certainly, is not an age to advertise the kind of insensitivity and remorselessness that he is flaunting today. It is only in Nigeria, where successive rulers are always too guilt-ridden to investigate the (mis)deeds of their predecessors in office that characters like Babangida, with huge, unresolved doubts around them can walk the streets free and even talk of ruling the country again.
No doubt, many Nigerians would be interested to know what Babangida has been doing since he lost power 19 years ago to accumulate the boundless wealth that funds the incredibly lavish lifestyle he and his family members are leading today. Well, this is Nigeria where no questions are ever asked about the sources of wealth of persons, especially the mighty and very influential. And while other nations are deploying their best brains to achieve progress and development, we are only content here to continue recycling expired drugs and fielding our diversely challenged and parasitic tenth elevens, while those with genuine visions, sound character and sterling commitment to steer the country out of the woods are edged out with filthy billions. What one finds most annoying is the feeling of helplessness among the impoverished citizenry!
That is why Babangida in his recent BBC interview could dismissively say with ”bold face” that he has ”seen signs that [younger people] are not capable of leading this country,” and that is why he is stepping forward ”to help them ... [because] a country like Nigeria cannot be ruled by people without experience.”
And why does he think the younger generation is not capable? ”…They [were] not given the proper education, that is why!”, Babangida said. Yes, Babangida said that!
What an insufferable insult! Well, what can one say? We deserve all the insults we get from the likes of Babangida. This is because instead of ensuring that a heavy searchlight is beamed on his eight years of mindless misrule and the source of his current boundless resources, given the kind of morally bankrupt regime he is believed to have supervised, Nigerians outside a lunatic asylum, I mean supposedly sane human beings, are rather running after him for the clearly contaminated crumbs that might fall from his bottomless pocket.
By the way, what kind of ”education” and ”experience” is Babangida laying claim to. What did he use them to achieve in Nigeria except boundless and very costly crises and monumental decay?
It is difficult not to find Babangida‘s exaggerated view of himself very revolting.
Here was a man who came into power when the exchange rate was (by his own admission) N4.5 to a dollar (but the truth is: N1 to $1.004), but when he was forced out of power, the dollar began to exchange at N22.3.
Till today, Nigerians are yet to get any convincing explanation from him on what happened to the $12.4 billion realized from the Gulf War Oil Windfall, which allegedly developed wings under his watch. His era would proudly take the credit for the undue glamorization of corruption flourishing in Nigeria today
Under him, a wasteful and fraudulent transition programme was brazenly prosecuted, which, despite the billions it gulped, led to nowhere because it was so designed.
If Babangida failed Nigeria woefully in the late 1980s and early 1990s, when he was younger and stronger, in 2011 when he would be 70, his second coming would spell greater disaster for the country, and only a people who hate themselves so irremediably can sit still allow that happen to them.
Babangida should just retire to his palatial palace in Minna and leave Nigerians alone to pick the pieces of their lives, which he helped immensely to shatter. This country has simply suffered enough from the endless mischief and unparalleled insensitivity of unrelenting power mongers.
Culled from
Pointblanknews.com
Thursday, June 17, 2010
How election tribunals’ judges become billionaires, by Eso, Babalola
RETIRED Supreme Court Jurist, Kayode Eso and eminent lawyer, Chief Afe Babalola, on Tuesday opened a can of worms on unsavoury deals that sometimes occur as judicial personnel adjudicate on electoral petitions panel.
Such deals, it was said, have turned some electoral panels’ judges into millionaires and billionaires.
Speaking at the yearly President’s Dinner of Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Nigeria’s and Presentation of Certificates and Fellowship Awards in Lagos on Tuesday night, Babalola, who is the president and chairman of the Governing Council of the institute, noted: “With the spate of corruption spreading in the country, it seems that only one person cannot solve the cankerworm, no matter how transparent and efficient he may be. This is because there are still the frightening problems of poverty, ignorance, illiteracy, unemployment and indeed unemployability which pervade the grassroots and which, of course, are beyond the control of one man.”
He, therefore, called for a new constitution, which to him, would change the country’s image, adding that “desperate politicians and their wealthy sponsors, who want to win at all costs, usually find it convenient to corrupt the poor and helpless grassroots voters who sell their votes for prices as low as N200 to N1,000 or even little measures of items.”
On the corruption charge being levelled against judges, Esho said: “Arbitration is the main thing now. It is sad from what the President (Babalola) had said in his keynote address about what is happening in election petitions. He is saying, just in a twinkle of the eye that some judges are becoming millionaires. In fact, those of us who have passed through the yoke of being judges, what we hear outside shatters us, because they are not just millionaires as we were told but billionaires. I take this opportunity to call on the Chief Justice of Nigeria not to keep quiet about this indictment on the judiciary, because the judiciary is now seriously being indicted. It’s even a thing you cannot wave aside that people are just talking rubbish. When this allegation goes on, I believe that there is need for a panel to be set up.”
They tasked the National Assembly as part of the ongoing electoral reforms to abolish the setting up of electoral tribunals for settlement of election matters in the country and as a matter of urgency, replace them with arbitration tribunals.
According to them, the issue of election petitions has inflicted severe damage on both the electorate, the judiciary and the political class.
Babalola noted that President Goodluck Jonathan had demonstrated exemplary leadership qualities since he became the number one citizen, noting that he had no doubt that Jonathan was the right person who could change the face of the country.
“The fact that a Fellow of the institute has become the President of the country is a thing of great pride to us in the institute. This is an eloquent testimony, which underscores the quality and caliber of people in the institute. It will interest you to know that His Excellency became a fellow of the institute as far back as 2006, when he was the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State.
“Having regard to his antecedents which I am proud to be acquainted with, especially his performance as a former Governor, Vice President and the very pragmatic way he has been handling the affairs of the country, I have no doubt in my mind that His Excellency is the right type of person that can change the face of Nigeria and lift the country to great heights. We in the institute wish him success and pledge our total support for him,” Babalola added.
He lauded the President’s decision in appointing Prof. Attahiru Jega as new helmsman for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), stating that he had had the opportunity of working with him closely when he was Pro-Chancellor, University of Lagos (UNILAG).
According to him, “Jega is a consummate professional, very progressive, highly objective, thorough, result-oriented and completely non-partisan. I believe that he has all it takes to transform the leadership of INEC.”
BY TAIWO HASSAN
Such deals, it was said, have turned some electoral panels’ judges into millionaires and billionaires.
Speaking at the yearly President’s Dinner of Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Nigeria’s and Presentation of Certificates and Fellowship Awards in Lagos on Tuesday night, Babalola, who is the president and chairman of the Governing Council of the institute, noted: “With the spate of corruption spreading in the country, it seems that only one person cannot solve the cankerworm, no matter how transparent and efficient he may be. This is because there are still the frightening problems of poverty, ignorance, illiteracy, unemployment and indeed unemployability which pervade the grassroots and which, of course, are beyond the control of one man.”
He, therefore, called for a new constitution, which to him, would change the country’s image, adding that “desperate politicians and their wealthy sponsors, who want to win at all costs, usually find it convenient to corrupt the poor and helpless grassroots voters who sell their votes for prices as low as N200 to N1,000 or even little measures of items.”
On the corruption charge being levelled against judges, Esho said: “Arbitration is the main thing now. It is sad from what the President (Babalola) had said in his keynote address about what is happening in election petitions. He is saying, just in a twinkle of the eye that some judges are becoming millionaires. In fact, those of us who have passed through the yoke of being judges, what we hear outside shatters us, because they are not just millionaires as we were told but billionaires. I take this opportunity to call on the Chief Justice of Nigeria not to keep quiet about this indictment on the judiciary, because the judiciary is now seriously being indicted. It’s even a thing you cannot wave aside that people are just talking rubbish. When this allegation goes on, I believe that there is need for a panel to be set up.”
They tasked the National Assembly as part of the ongoing electoral reforms to abolish the setting up of electoral tribunals for settlement of election matters in the country and as a matter of urgency, replace them with arbitration tribunals.
According to them, the issue of election petitions has inflicted severe damage on both the electorate, the judiciary and the political class.
Babalola noted that President Goodluck Jonathan had demonstrated exemplary leadership qualities since he became the number one citizen, noting that he had no doubt that Jonathan was the right person who could change the face of the country.
“The fact that a Fellow of the institute has become the President of the country is a thing of great pride to us in the institute. This is an eloquent testimony, which underscores the quality and caliber of people in the institute. It will interest you to know that His Excellency became a fellow of the institute as far back as 2006, when he was the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State.
“Having regard to his antecedents which I am proud to be acquainted with, especially his performance as a former Governor, Vice President and the very pragmatic way he has been handling the affairs of the country, I have no doubt in my mind that His Excellency is the right type of person that can change the face of Nigeria and lift the country to great heights. We in the institute wish him success and pledge our total support for him,” Babalola added.
He lauded the President’s decision in appointing Prof. Attahiru Jega as new helmsman for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), stating that he had had the opportunity of working with him closely when he was Pro-Chancellor, University of Lagos (UNILAG).
According to him, “Jega is a consummate professional, very progressive, highly objective, thorough, result-oriented and completely non-partisan. I believe that he has all it takes to transform the leadership of INEC.”
BY TAIWO HASSAN
Monday, June 14, 2010
the superlative performance of the party under Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN), has shattered the PDP’s dream,” pointing out
the superlative performance of the party under Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN), has shattered the PDP’s dream,” point out “even not a few members of the PDP are satisfied with Fashola’s performance.
in actual fact, PDP is non-existent in Lagos,” am wondering, how could a non-existent party dream of winning an election in a state like Lagos where the enlightened electorate value performance.
the people of Lagos were not known for playing politics of sentiment , they are the people who will pitch their tent with whoever makes dividends of democracy available to them in the real sense of it.
Electoral reform would go a long way in curbing other forms of electoral fraud ,any Nigerian who has the love of this country will support electoral reform as well as electronics voting in their entirety.
in actual fact, PDP is non-existent in Lagos,” am wondering, how could a non-existent party dream of winning an election in a state like Lagos where the enlightened electorate value performance.
the people of Lagos were not known for playing politics of sentiment , they are the people who will pitch their tent with whoever makes dividends of democracy available to them in the real sense of it.
Electoral reform would go a long way in curbing other forms of electoral fraud ,any Nigerian who has the love of this country will support electoral reform as well as electronics voting in their entirety.
the people of lagos,infact nigeria should commend the leadership of the party under Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for its political ingenuity that made the lagos state and AC the pride of the nation now.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Plight of Nigerian albinos
THE recent visit to the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu by members of the Albino Foundation to register their displeasure over perceived societal discrimination against albinos is understandable. The estimated two million albinos, like other Nigerians, have rights under the 1999 Constitution; Section 42 thereof expressly forbids any kind of discrimination against any person due to religion, ethnicity, or circumstances of birth. Skin pigmentation should not in any way be an excuse for singling out albinos for discrimination.
A delegation of the Albino Foundation led by the Emir of Anka, Alhaji Attahiru Muhammad, a former Minister of Health, Chief Silas Ilo and the founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Albino Foundation, Mr. Jack Epelle, among others, visited Chief Wogu to solicit government’s support in improving the well-being of albinos. Among the programmes the delegation wants government to identify with is the Sunshade Programme which is designed to assist albinos whenever they stay out in the sun or wear protective covering in the work place.
The delegation used the opportunity to express their objection to the current practice whereby albinos are not allowed to enlist in the army, police and other security agencies simply on the basis of their skin pigmentation. They also pointed out that albinos are routinely attacked and abducted by ritual killers. Some evil, desperate people, who erroneously believe that making rituals with albinos’ body parts is a quick way of making money, are allegedly targeting them.
The delegation therefore appealed to the federal government to allow albinos join the army, police and other security agencies and also protect their lives. They also reportedly visited the Zone 2 Police Command in Lagos, where they made the same case before the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of the Zone, Mr. Azubuko Udah.
It is good that the Minister and the police boss expressed government’s dissatisfaction with discrimination against albinos and promised to ensure their protection. Government should take more than a partial interest in the welfare of albinos and indeed all Nigerians.
The fears that albinos are being targeted for rituals may not be unfounded against the backdrop of stories of albinos being killed not just in Nigeria, but also elsewhere in Africa. There is however across the country, a general wave of insecurity; with threat to lives and property. Ritualists not only target albinos, but also hunchbacks and pregnant women – that this is the case is a reflection of the highly superstitious character of our society. Government has a special responsibility to ensure the safety of all persons, albinos inclusive. When persons feel unsafe in their own country, they lose faith in the ability of the state and the political leadership to protect and defend their rights and interests.
With regard to the army or police, the armed forces have established criteria for enlisting anyone into the force, only those that meet such criteria are selected. Albinos are not the only group of persons considered unfit for either police or military work due to the special challenges involved, others include persons who are either too short or flat-footed. And perhaps this may be understandable. In the case of albinos, skin pigmentation is obviously an issue as regular military and police assignments may require long and extended exposure to the sun, or other difficult circumstances. But if so, is it not then possible to engage albinos, even in the Police and the Armed Forces, in the administrative cadre?
Albinos can definitely be engaged in other jobs like other people without discrimination. Albinos with appropriate qualifications should feel free to compete with others for jobs and they should be allowed to do so.
The proposed legislation by the National Assembly that would promote the rights, dignity and well being of persons with disabilities in the country is important. With such a law in place, the plight of albinos among other individuals with any form of disability would be protected, but the true test lies in promoting in the general environment respect for the dignity of the human person
A delegation of the Albino Foundation led by the Emir of Anka, Alhaji Attahiru Muhammad, a former Minister of Health, Chief Silas Ilo and the founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Albino Foundation, Mr. Jack Epelle, among others, visited Chief Wogu to solicit government’s support in improving the well-being of albinos. Among the programmes the delegation wants government to identify with is the Sunshade Programme which is designed to assist albinos whenever they stay out in the sun or wear protective covering in the work place.
The delegation used the opportunity to express their objection to the current practice whereby albinos are not allowed to enlist in the army, police and other security agencies simply on the basis of their skin pigmentation. They also pointed out that albinos are routinely attacked and abducted by ritual killers. Some evil, desperate people, who erroneously believe that making rituals with albinos’ body parts is a quick way of making money, are allegedly targeting them.
The delegation therefore appealed to the federal government to allow albinos join the army, police and other security agencies and also protect their lives. They also reportedly visited the Zone 2 Police Command in Lagos, where they made the same case before the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of the Zone, Mr. Azubuko Udah.
It is good that the Minister and the police boss expressed government’s dissatisfaction with discrimination against albinos and promised to ensure their protection. Government should take more than a partial interest in the welfare of albinos and indeed all Nigerians.
The fears that albinos are being targeted for rituals may not be unfounded against the backdrop of stories of albinos being killed not just in Nigeria, but also elsewhere in Africa. There is however across the country, a general wave of insecurity; with threat to lives and property. Ritualists not only target albinos, but also hunchbacks and pregnant women – that this is the case is a reflection of the highly superstitious character of our society. Government has a special responsibility to ensure the safety of all persons, albinos inclusive. When persons feel unsafe in their own country, they lose faith in the ability of the state and the political leadership to protect and defend their rights and interests.
With regard to the army or police, the armed forces have established criteria for enlisting anyone into the force, only those that meet such criteria are selected. Albinos are not the only group of persons considered unfit for either police or military work due to the special challenges involved, others include persons who are either too short or flat-footed. And perhaps this may be understandable. In the case of albinos, skin pigmentation is obviously an issue as regular military and police assignments may require long and extended exposure to the sun, or other difficult circumstances. But if so, is it not then possible to engage albinos, even in the Police and the Armed Forces, in the administrative cadre?
Albinos can definitely be engaged in other jobs like other people without discrimination. Albinos with appropriate qualifications should feel free to compete with others for jobs and they should be allowed to do so.
The proposed legislation by the National Assembly that would promote the rights, dignity and well being of persons with disabilities in the country is important. With such a law in place, the plight of albinos among other individuals with any form of disability would be protected, but the true test lies in promoting in the general environment respect for the dignity of the human person
Obasanjo must leave Jonathan alone
RECENTLY, there were unprecedented outpourings of criticisms against ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo. The strictures concerned his alleged closeness to President Goodluck Jonathan. In the vanguard of the outbursts was the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) under its president, Mr. Abdulwahed Umar, followed by Chief Edwin Clark, the leader of the Niger Delta Leaders, Elders and Stakeholders Forum. Both inveighed against Obasanjo’s incessant hovering around President Jonathan. National dailies were awash with the news stories after inter-active sessions with journalists
In his criticisms, Edwin Clark queried rhetorically: “What again does he (Obasanjo) want at his age, at over 75 years? What is he looking for? Is he the only former Nigerian leader?”. On his part, the NLC president commented that Obasanjo’s relationship was a bad omen for the 2011 elections. The issue of closeness is debatable, and needs to be clarified. Is Chief Obasanjo’s romance meant to dictate to Jonathan, or to offer pieces of advice or suggestions? Obasanjo deserves the right to visit President Jonathan, if only to offer advice or suggestion. This is normal, as it makes for national advancement. The late Chief Obafemi Awolowo would not personally visit President Shehu Shagari in those days. He would rather write letters to him. But how can Nigerians know when Obasanjo’s visits are really to offer advice, and not to dictate for the purpose of controlling? When is an “advice” not a dictation? When such self-imposed assignment is on regular bases, it amounts to dictating to the incumbent. To dictate is unacceptable. Therefore, the ex-president must keep off Jonathan.
Ex-president Obasanjo had had enough. During his Presidency, who could dictate to him? Who could teleguide him? Here was a man who told the newly appointed Political Advisers that he was not bound to take their advice, because he could do without them, meaning that he was infallible. It is on record that Chief Obasanjo remarked, possibly with tongue in cheek, that his own daughter, Mrs Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello was old enough to be responsible for her actions. If this is really so, President Goodluck Jonathan is also old enough to take responsibility for his actions and inactions in government. It is still green in memory that Obasanjo once queried the late Gen. Shehu Musa Yar’Adua: “Shehu, what did you forget in the Dodan Barracks?” Nigerians may as well query Chief Obasanjo: “Chief, what have you left behind in the Aso Rock, Abuja., to warrant your frequent visits?”. In the military era, Gen Olusegun Obasanjo was the Head of State from 1976 to 1979, and during civil dispensation, he ruled from 1999 till 2007. Altogether, he ruled this country for 11 years. His romance around President Jonathan is a ruse that is designed to control the Federal Government.
For the above reasons, Chief Obasanjo must leave the incumbent President alone to swim or sink---that is, to make a success or failure of his tenure. In every democracy, governments are identified by the names of the leaders in office, such as “Margaret Thatcher administration”, “George Bush tenure”, “Gordon Brown government.”, or Shehu Shagari regime”, Each of these rulers would not influence the successor in government. Every leader is left alone to paddle his or her own canoe in the way that is desirable.. In future, how shall Jonathan tenure be identified? Would it be Jonathan/Obasanjo administration? If Obasanjo’s antics and tactics are embraced by every predecessor of an incumbent, there can be no distinctions in governance-one is bound to be the continuation or the extension of the other. And so, it may be difficult to apportion blame on a bad government. Besides, elections are periodically held to effect changes of batons to allow fresh ideas and policies to flourish. Interference is unfair and impolitic. If an incumbent is controlled by a predecessor like Obasanjo is now doing, can there be the need for elections?.
One may inquire: “Why is the Chief hovering around Jonathan like a butterfly around a flower?”. Is it to suck the flower’s nectar or enhance its quality? Chief Obasanjo is not a democrat. He is a dictator by nature and professional trainings. Ingrained in him are the traits and attributes of a soldier. He is more a soldier than a politician. And a dictator must have no place in politics, because he may not be a good politician, unless be learns to adjust. Chief Obasanjo was only fortunate to be the President of this country. This nascent democracy ought not to have been placed in the hands of a dictator, because its growth is bound to be stunted. Well-meaning patriots expect him to adjust in line with hallowed democratic principles. As for President Jonathan, it is incumbent on him to be wary of Chief Obasanjo’s guile, for Nigerians shall judge his administration by performance.
The Chief must respect himself, steer clear of the Presidency, and not make himself cheap in the estimation of right-thinking Nigerians. The corollary of the unsolicited interference in Jonathan’s administration is that he is furtively enjoying a “Third Term” in government. His constant trips to the Presidency demonstrate that the much-desired tenure elongation which eluded him in 2007 is now in his grasp. There is an Igbo adage: “A masquerader who is too frequent at the village square shall no longer command respect from his admirers”. Invariably, it is self-defeating if Obasanjo always shuttles to the Presidency to ostensibly “offer unsolicited pieces of advice or suggestions” to an incumbent. This is because if an advice fails to be effectual, the offeree may eventually blame the “Good Samaritan” offeror of such “advice”. Nigerians must not be shocked if, in the event of a failure, President Jonathan tells us: “It was Chief Obasanjo who advised me to embark upon that line of action” Pride that is once wounded may not be easy to salve. Lost integrity may not re-bound. So, if there is any need for an advice, it is the incumbent who broaches it first.
In retirement, Obasanjo must be self-effacing. And of course, at the PDP’s or Council of State’s meetings, nothing stops the Chief from availing himself the opportunity to bare his heart. And like the late Chief Awolowo, Obasanjo could resort to letter writings to the Presidency. Here lies the path of honour.
• Oshisada, veteran journalist, livees in Ikorodu, Lagos State.
In his criticisms, Edwin Clark queried rhetorically: “What again does he (Obasanjo) want at his age, at over 75 years? What is he looking for? Is he the only former Nigerian leader?”. On his part, the NLC president commented that Obasanjo’s relationship was a bad omen for the 2011 elections. The issue of closeness is debatable, and needs to be clarified. Is Chief Obasanjo’s romance meant to dictate to Jonathan, or to offer pieces of advice or suggestions? Obasanjo deserves the right to visit President Jonathan, if only to offer advice or suggestion. This is normal, as it makes for national advancement. The late Chief Obafemi Awolowo would not personally visit President Shehu Shagari in those days. He would rather write letters to him. But how can Nigerians know when Obasanjo’s visits are really to offer advice, and not to dictate for the purpose of controlling? When is an “advice” not a dictation? When such self-imposed assignment is on regular bases, it amounts to dictating to the incumbent. To dictate is unacceptable. Therefore, the ex-president must keep off Jonathan.
Ex-president Obasanjo had had enough. During his Presidency, who could dictate to him? Who could teleguide him? Here was a man who told the newly appointed Political Advisers that he was not bound to take their advice, because he could do without them, meaning that he was infallible. It is on record that Chief Obasanjo remarked, possibly with tongue in cheek, that his own daughter, Mrs Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello was old enough to be responsible for her actions. If this is really so, President Goodluck Jonathan is also old enough to take responsibility for his actions and inactions in government. It is still green in memory that Obasanjo once queried the late Gen. Shehu Musa Yar’Adua: “Shehu, what did you forget in the Dodan Barracks?” Nigerians may as well query Chief Obasanjo: “Chief, what have you left behind in the Aso Rock, Abuja., to warrant your frequent visits?”. In the military era, Gen Olusegun Obasanjo was the Head of State from 1976 to 1979, and during civil dispensation, he ruled from 1999 till 2007. Altogether, he ruled this country for 11 years. His romance around President Jonathan is a ruse that is designed to control the Federal Government.
For the above reasons, Chief Obasanjo must leave the incumbent President alone to swim or sink---that is, to make a success or failure of his tenure. In every democracy, governments are identified by the names of the leaders in office, such as “Margaret Thatcher administration”, “George Bush tenure”, “Gordon Brown government.”, or Shehu Shagari regime”, Each of these rulers would not influence the successor in government. Every leader is left alone to paddle his or her own canoe in the way that is desirable.. In future, how shall Jonathan tenure be identified? Would it be Jonathan/Obasanjo administration? If Obasanjo’s antics and tactics are embraced by every predecessor of an incumbent, there can be no distinctions in governance-one is bound to be the continuation or the extension of the other. And so, it may be difficult to apportion blame on a bad government. Besides, elections are periodically held to effect changes of batons to allow fresh ideas and policies to flourish. Interference is unfair and impolitic. If an incumbent is controlled by a predecessor like Obasanjo is now doing, can there be the need for elections?.
One may inquire: “Why is the Chief hovering around Jonathan like a butterfly around a flower?”. Is it to suck the flower’s nectar or enhance its quality? Chief Obasanjo is not a democrat. He is a dictator by nature and professional trainings. Ingrained in him are the traits and attributes of a soldier. He is more a soldier than a politician. And a dictator must have no place in politics, because he may not be a good politician, unless be learns to adjust. Chief Obasanjo was only fortunate to be the President of this country. This nascent democracy ought not to have been placed in the hands of a dictator, because its growth is bound to be stunted. Well-meaning patriots expect him to adjust in line with hallowed democratic principles. As for President Jonathan, it is incumbent on him to be wary of Chief Obasanjo’s guile, for Nigerians shall judge his administration by performance.
The Chief must respect himself, steer clear of the Presidency, and not make himself cheap in the estimation of right-thinking Nigerians. The corollary of the unsolicited interference in Jonathan’s administration is that he is furtively enjoying a “Third Term” in government. His constant trips to the Presidency demonstrate that the much-desired tenure elongation which eluded him in 2007 is now in his grasp. There is an Igbo adage: “A masquerader who is too frequent at the village square shall no longer command respect from his admirers”. Invariably, it is self-defeating if Obasanjo always shuttles to the Presidency to ostensibly “offer unsolicited pieces of advice or suggestions” to an incumbent. This is because if an advice fails to be effectual, the offeree may eventually blame the “Good Samaritan” offeror of such “advice”. Nigerians must not be shocked if, in the event of a failure, President Jonathan tells us: “It was Chief Obasanjo who advised me to embark upon that line of action” Pride that is once wounded may not be easy to salve. Lost integrity may not re-bound. So, if there is any need for an advice, it is the incumbent who broaches it first.
In retirement, Obasanjo must be self-effacing. And of course, at the PDP’s or Council of State’s meetings, nothing stops the Chief from availing himself the opportunity to bare his heart. And like the late Chief Awolowo, Obasanjo could resort to letter writings to the Presidency. Here lies the path of honour.
• Oshisada, veteran journalist, livees in Ikorodu, Lagos State.
Can Babangida enter .
Babangida cannot enter .
By Anthony Akinola Opinion - Columnists
THE luxury of being able to converse in “English” that the English person does not understand belongs to us! A Nigerian lady who was asked how she got to work on a day noted for very bad snowy weather said “I wear bus”. The same lady, apparently worried about her immigration status, also said she had been praying and fasting that the dreaded Conservative Party did not “enter” in the recently concluded British elections.
Let us forget about what would seem to have been this cross-border importation of irrationality into Britain – praying and fasting for the outcome of an election – “wear” and “enter” would be understood by a Yoruba person in the context of what the lady meant to say on those two occasions. She meant to say that she “boarded” a bus to work and she also meant to say that she did not want the Conservative Party to “win” the General Election. So, if one says Babangida cannot enter, all one intends to say is that the man is just wasting his time thinking he would be President in 2011.
General Ibrahim Babangida has been confusing us with a variety of policy positions since he declared his intention to contest the presidency in 2011. He has been telling us about the importance of Nigeria being governed as a “true federation” and he has also been talking about the need for stability in the Niger Delta region. While we may concede that he is free to advocate whatever he likes, what we are not going to concede to him is the right to insult our collective intelligence and memories. Who does General Babangida think we are in Nigeria – fools, I think - when he starts to advocate accountability in government and the importance of immortalising the late Chief MKO Abiola as an icon of our democratic struggles?
One had thought that if there were two major reasons why General Babangida is better off watching the television at home than showing his face in public it would be because we still perceive him as a thief of our collective wealth, as well as the murderer of Chief Abiola via the annulment of the presidential election of 12 June 1993. General Babangida has a lot of explaining to do; it is a measure of our tolerance and docility as a people that he is still in a position to confuse us.
Having been our military ruler or mis-ruler for eight years between August 1985 and August 1993, it is hard to understand why General Ibrahim Babangida would still want to be president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. There can only be one of a number of reasons; to continue with the good work he would want us believe he did in eight years as military leader; to repair the name honest conscience should have informed him has been badly tarnished by eight years of greed; or to continue with that greed.
There can be no doubt that General Babangida has numerous sycophants willing him on. He might not have done great things for our nation, nevertheless he had in great abundance a number of individuals who benefited from his corrupt militocracy. They include those contractors who became multi-millionaires for work they did not do and those emergency “governors” who were frequently dispersed into the various states to help themselves. This group of individuals will be hoping for the return of the good old days when corruption was accepted and condoned as an instrument of state policy.
One might have been sympathetic with General Ibrahim Babangida, even without encouraging him to put his name forward for election, if he had had the courage to admit the mistakes he made while in office. A truly repentant human being hoarding what does not belong to him or her would know what to do. There was this story about the late General Murtala Mohammed returning to the state what he acquired as spoils of war during the Civil War of 1967-70. Babangida can redeem his name by returning to the state what he acquired illegitimately as well as apologising for those deeds that can no longer be undone. It would require a truly great human being to respond to these suggestions in a positive manner.
The Americans, in perpetual pursuit of selfish interests, might have over-massaged Babangida’s ego. The special visits by their emissaries to the General’s palace in Minna could not but have mis-led him into believing that the whole world was rooting for him. This was someone who, not too long ago, was believed to have been persona non grata in the United States. Babangida must now be feeling disappointed that the same people who over-exaggerated his relevance might now have chosen to side with incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan. They say they would support Jonathan in 2011 if he conducts free and fair elections; it is as if they would still be supporting him even if he himself did not win the election.
Babangida’s hasty friends may have hurriedly dumped him, knowing he cannot enter in 2011. Of course Babangida’s monies will undoubtedly find many “Father Christmases” attempting to buy the votes of the very poor he created; hopefully, the latter would merely be more interested in having their own share of the loot than creating an opportunity for his “revenge” soon after the elections. If common sense prevails, Nigerians can demonstrate to the outside world that they do indeed have standards by humiliating General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida at the polls.if he dares their judgement.
By Anthony Akinola Opinion - Columnists
THE luxury of being able to converse in “English” that the English person does not understand belongs to us! A Nigerian lady who was asked how she got to work on a day noted for very bad snowy weather said “I wear bus”. The same lady, apparently worried about her immigration status, also said she had been praying and fasting that the dreaded Conservative Party did not “enter” in the recently concluded British elections.
Let us forget about what would seem to have been this cross-border importation of irrationality into Britain – praying and fasting for the outcome of an election – “wear” and “enter” would be understood by a Yoruba person in the context of what the lady meant to say on those two occasions. She meant to say that she “boarded” a bus to work and she also meant to say that she did not want the Conservative Party to “win” the General Election. So, if one says Babangida cannot enter, all one intends to say is that the man is just wasting his time thinking he would be President in 2011.
General Ibrahim Babangida has been confusing us with a variety of policy positions since he declared his intention to contest the presidency in 2011. He has been telling us about the importance of Nigeria being governed as a “true federation” and he has also been talking about the need for stability in the Niger Delta region. While we may concede that he is free to advocate whatever he likes, what we are not going to concede to him is the right to insult our collective intelligence and memories. Who does General Babangida think we are in Nigeria – fools, I think - when he starts to advocate accountability in government and the importance of immortalising the late Chief MKO Abiola as an icon of our democratic struggles?
One had thought that if there were two major reasons why General Babangida is better off watching the television at home than showing his face in public it would be because we still perceive him as a thief of our collective wealth, as well as the murderer of Chief Abiola via the annulment of the presidential election of 12 June 1993. General Babangida has a lot of explaining to do; it is a measure of our tolerance and docility as a people that he is still in a position to confuse us.
Having been our military ruler or mis-ruler for eight years between August 1985 and August 1993, it is hard to understand why General Ibrahim Babangida would still want to be president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. There can only be one of a number of reasons; to continue with the good work he would want us believe he did in eight years as military leader; to repair the name honest conscience should have informed him has been badly tarnished by eight years of greed; or to continue with that greed.
There can be no doubt that General Babangida has numerous sycophants willing him on. He might not have done great things for our nation, nevertheless he had in great abundance a number of individuals who benefited from his corrupt militocracy. They include those contractors who became multi-millionaires for work they did not do and those emergency “governors” who were frequently dispersed into the various states to help themselves. This group of individuals will be hoping for the return of the good old days when corruption was accepted and condoned as an instrument of state policy.
One might have been sympathetic with General Ibrahim Babangida, even without encouraging him to put his name forward for election, if he had had the courage to admit the mistakes he made while in office. A truly repentant human being hoarding what does not belong to him or her would know what to do. There was this story about the late General Murtala Mohammed returning to the state what he acquired as spoils of war during the Civil War of 1967-70. Babangida can redeem his name by returning to the state what he acquired illegitimately as well as apologising for those deeds that can no longer be undone. It would require a truly great human being to respond to these suggestions in a positive manner.
The Americans, in perpetual pursuit of selfish interests, might have over-massaged Babangida’s ego. The special visits by their emissaries to the General’s palace in Minna could not but have mis-led him into believing that the whole world was rooting for him. This was someone who, not too long ago, was believed to have been persona non grata in the United States. Babangida must now be feeling disappointed that the same people who over-exaggerated his relevance might now have chosen to side with incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan. They say they would support Jonathan in 2011 if he conducts free and fair elections; it is as if they would still be supporting him even if he himself did not win the election.
Babangida’s hasty friends may have hurriedly dumped him, knowing he cannot enter in 2011. Of course Babangida’s monies will undoubtedly find many “Father Christmases” attempting to buy the votes of the very poor he created; hopefully, the latter would merely be more interested in having their own share of the loot than creating an opportunity for his “revenge” soon after the elections. If common sense prevails, Nigerians can demonstrate to the outside world that they do indeed have standards by humiliating General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida at the polls.if he dares their judgement.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
WORLD CUP FINALS TOP SCORERS 1930-2006
Year Top Scorer(s) Country Matches Played Goals Scored
1930 Guillermo Stabile Argentina 4 8
1934 Angelo Schiavio Italy * 4 4
Oldrich Nejedly Czechoslovakia 4 4
Edmund Conen Germany 4 4
1938 Leonidas da Silva Brazil 4 8
1950 Marques Ademir Brazil * 6 7
1954 Sandor Kocsis Hungary 5 11
1958 Just Fontaine France 6 13
1962 Drazen Jerkovic Yugoslavia 6 5
1966 Ferreira Eusebio Portugal 6 9
1970 Gerd Muller West Germany 6 10
1974 Grzegorz Lato Poland 7 9
1978 Mario Kempes Argentina * 7 6
1982 Paolo Rossi Italy * 7 6
1986 Gary Lineker England 5 6
1990 Salvatore Schillaci Italy 7 6
1994 Oleg Salenko Russia 3 6
Hristo Stoitchkov Bulgaria 7 6
1998 Davor Suker Croatia 7 6
2002 Ronaldo Brazil* 7 8
2006 Miroslav Klose Germany 7 5
1930 Guillermo Stabile Argentina 4 8
1934 Angelo Schiavio Italy * 4 4
Oldrich Nejedly Czechoslovakia 4 4
Edmund Conen Germany 4 4
1938 Leonidas da Silva Brazil 4 8
1950 Marques Ademir Brazil * 6 7
1954 Sandor Kocsis Hungary 5 11
1958 Just Fontaine France 6 13
1962 Drazen Jerkovic Yugoslavia 6 5
1966 Ferreira Eusebio Portugal 6 9
1970 Gerd Muller West Germany 6 10
1974 Grzegorz Lato Poland 7 9
1978 Mario Kempes Argentina * 7 6
1982 Paolo Rossi Italy * 7 6
1986 Gary Lineker England 5 6
1990 Salvatore Schillaci Italy 7 6
1994 Oleg Salenko Russia 3 6
Hristo Stoitchkov Bulgaria 7 6
1998 Davor Suker Croatia 7 6
2002 Ronaldo Brazil* 7 8
2006 Miroslav Klose Germany 7 5
Here is a full list of the 736 players,from 32 nations,that will be taking part in the first Fifa World Cup in South Africa 2010.
Here is a full list of the 736 players, from 32 nations, that will be taking part in the first Fifa World Cup in South Africa- BY JOHN EMMANUEL.
GROUP A
South Africa
Goalkeepers: Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Moeneeb Josephs (Orlando Pirates), Shu-Aib Walters (Maritzburg United)
Defenders: Matthew Booth (Mamelodi Sundowns), Lance Davids (Ajax Cape Town), Siboniso Gaxa (Mamelodi Sundowns), Bongani Khumalo (SuperSport United), Tsepo Masilela (Maccabi Haifa, Israel) Innocent Mdledle (Mamelodi Sundowns), Aaron Mokoena (Portsmouth, England), Anele Ngcongca (Genk, Belgium) Siyabonga Sangweni (Golden Arrows), Lucas Thwala (Orlando Pirates)
Midfielders: Kagisho Dikgacoi (Fulham, England), Thanduyise Khuboni (Golden Arrows), Reneilwe Letsholonyane (Kaizer Chiefs), Teko Modise (Orlando Pirates), Steven Pienaar (Everton, England) MacBeth Sibaya (Rubin Kazan, Russia) Siphiwe Tshabalala (Kaizer Chiefs)
Forwards: Surprise Moriri (Mamelodi Sundowns), Katlego Mphela (Mamelodi Sundowns), Siyabonga Nomvethe (Moroka Swallows), Bernard Parker (FC Twente, Netherlands).
Coach: Carlos Alberto Prreira
France
Goalkeepers: Cédric Carrasso (FC Girondins de Bordeaux), Hugo Lloris (Olympique Lyonnais), Steve Mandanda (Olympique de Marseille).
Defenders: Éric Abidal (FC Barcelona), Gaël Clichy (Arsenal FC), Patrice Evra (Manchester United FC), William Gallas (Arsenal FC), Marc Planus (FC Girondins de Bordeaux), Anthony Réveillère (Olympique Lyonnais), Bacary Sagna (Arsenal FC), Sébastien Squillaci (Sevilla FC).
Midfielders: Abou Diaby (Arsenal FC), Alou Diarra (FC Girondins de Bordeaux), Yoann Gourcuff (FC Girondins de Bordeaux), Florent Malouda (Chelsea FC), Jérémy Toulalan (Olympique Lyonnais).
Forwards: Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea FC), Djibril Cissé (Panathinaikos FC), André-Pierre Gignac (Toulouse FC), Sidney Govou (Olympique Lyonnais), Thierry Henry (FC Barcelona), Franck Ribéry (FC Bayern München), Mathieu Valbuena (Olympique de Marseille).
Coach: Raymond Domenech
Mexico
Goalkeepers: Memo Ochoa (America), Luis Ernesto Michel (Chivas/USA), Oscar Perez (Chiapas)
Defenders: Rafael Marquez (Barcelona/ESP), Ricardo Osorio (Stuttgart/GER), Hector Moreno (AZ Alkmmar/NED), Francisco Rodriguez (PSV Eindhoven/NED), Carlos Salcido (PSV Eindhoven/NED), Paul Aguilar (Pachuca), Efrain Juarez (Pumas UNAM)
Midfielders: Jonny Magallon (Guadalajara), Jorge Torres Nilo (Atlas), Gerardo Torrado (Cruz Azul), Israel Castro (Pumas UNAM), Andres Guardado (Deportivo La Coruna/ESP)
Strikers: Pablo Barrera (Pumas UNAM), Adolfo Bautista (Guadalajara), Alberto Medina (Guadalajara), Cuauhtemoc Blanco (Veracruz), Javier Hernandez (Guadalajara), Giovani dos Santos (Galatasaray/TUR), Guillermo Franco (West Ham/ENG), Carlos Vela (Arsenal/ENG)
Coach: Javier Aguerre
Uruguay
Goalkeepers: Fernando Muslera (Lazio), Juan Castillo (Deportivo Cali), Martin Silva (Defensor Sporting)
Defenders: Diego Lugano (Fenerbahce), Diego Godin (Villarreal), Andres Scotti (Colo Colo), Jorge Fucile (Porto), Martin Caceres (Juventus), Mauricio Victorino (Universidad de Chile), Maximiliano Pereira (Benfica)
Midfielders: Walter Gargano (Napoli), Egidio Arevalo Rios (Penarol), Sebastian Eguren (AIK Stockholm), Diego Perez (Monaco), Alvaro Pereira (Porto), Ignacio Gonzalez (Valencia), Nicolas Lodeiro (Ajax), Alvaro Fernandez (Universidad de Chile)
Forwards: Luis Suarez (Ajax), Diego Forlan (Atletico Madrid), Sebastian Abreu (Botafogo), Edinson Cavani (Palermo), Sebastian Fernandez (Banfield Argentina)
Coach: Oscar Washington Tabarez
GROUP B
Greece
Goalkeepers: Michalis Sifakis (Aris Salonika), Alexandros Tzorvas (Panathinaikos), Kostas Chalkias (PAOK Salonika).
Defenders: Giorgos Seitaridis (Panathinaikos), Loukas Vintra (Panathinaikos), Evangelos Moras (Bologna), Socrates Papastathopoulos (Genoa), Sotiris Kyrgiakos (Liverpool), Avraam Papadopoulos (Olympiakos), Vasilis Torosidis (Olympiakos), Nikos Spiropoulos (Panathinaikos), Stelios Malezas (PAOK Salonika).
Midfielders: Kostas Katsouranis (Panathinaikos), Alexandros Tziolis (Siena), Giorgos Karagounis (Panathinaikos), Sotiris Ninis (Panathinaikos), Christos Patsatzoglou (Omonia), Sakis Prittas (Aris Salonika).
Forwards: Angelos Charisteas (Nuremberg), Dimitris Salpigidis (Panathinaikos), Pantelis Kapetanos (Steaua Bucharest), Theofanis Gekas (Hertha Berlin), Giorgos Samaras (Celtic).
Coach: Otto Rehhagel
Argentina
Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar), Mariano Andujar (Catania), Diego Pozo (Colon)
Defenders: Nicolas Burdisso (Roma), Martin Demichelis (Bayern Munich), Walter Samuel (Inter Milan), Gabriel Heinze (Marseille), Nicolas Otamendi (Vélez Sarsfield), Clemente Rodriguez (Estudiantes), Ariel Garce (Colon)
Midfielders: Javier Mascherano (Liverpool), Juan Sebastian Veron (Estudiantes), Maximiliano Rodriguez (Liverpool), Mario Bolatti (Fiorentina), Angel Di Maria (Benfica), Jonas Gutierrez (Newcastle), Javier Pastore (Palermo)
Strikers: Sergio Aguero (Atlético Madrid), Diego Milito (Internazionale), Martin Palermo (Boca Juniors), Carlos Tevez (Manchester City), Gonzalo Higuaín (Real Madrid), Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Coach: Diego Maradona
Nigeria
Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Hapoel Tel Aviv, Israel), Dele Aiyenugba (Bnei Yehuda, Israel), Austin Ejide (Hapoel Petach Tikvah, Israel)
Defenders: Taye Taiwo (Marseille, France), Elderson Echiejile (Rennes, France), Chidi Odiah (CSKA Moscow, Russia), Joseph Yobo (Everton, England), Ayodele Adeleye (Sparta Rotterdam, Netherlands), Rabiu Afolabi (SV Salzburg, Austria), Danny Shittu (Bolton Wanderers, England)
Midfielders: Kalu Uche (Almeria, Spain), Dickson Etuhu (Fulham, England), John Mikel Obi (Chelsea, England), Sani Kaita (Alaniya, Russia), Haruna Lukman (AS Monaco, France), Yusuf Ayila (Dynamo Kiev, Ukraine)
Strikers: Yakubu Aiyegbeni (Everton, England), Nwankwo Kanu (Portsmouth, England), Obafemi Martins (Wolfsburg, Germany), John Utaka(Portsmouth, England), Victor Obinna Nsofor (Malaga, Spain), Osaze Odemwingie (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia), Chinedu Ogbuke Obasi (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany)
Coach: Lars Lagerback
South Korea
Goalkeepers: Kim Young-Kwang (Ulsan), Lee Woon-Jae (Suwon), Jung Sung-Ryong (Seongnam)
Defenders: Kim Dong-Jin (Ulsan), Kim Hyung-Il (Pohang), Oh Beom-Seok (Ulsan), Lee Young-Pyo (Al Hilal, Saudi Arabia), Lee Jung-Soo (Kashima, Japan), Cha Du-Ri (Freiburg, Germany) Cho Yong-Hyung (Jeju United) Kang Min-soo (Suwon)
Midfielders: Ki Sung-Yong (Celtic, Scotland), Kim Bo-Kyung (Oita, Japan), Kim Nam-Il (Tomsk, Russia), Kim Jae-Sung (Pohang), Kim Jung-Woo (Gwangju), Lee Chung-Yong (Bolton, England), Park Ji-Sung (Manchester United, England)
Forwards: Park Chu-Young (Monaco, France), Ahn Jung-Hwan (Dalian, China), Lee Seung-Ryul (Seoul), Yeom Ki-Hun, (Suwon), Lee Dong-Gook (Jeonbuk)
Coach: Huh Jung-moo
GROUP C
England
Goalkeepers: Joe Hart (Manchester City), David James (Portsmouth), Robert Green (West Ham United)
Defenders: Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Ledley King (Tottenham Hotspur), John Terry (Chelsea), Matthew Upson (West Ham United), Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa)
Midfielders: Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea ), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham Hotspur), James Milner (Aston Villa), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City )
Forwards: Peter Crouch (Tottenham Hotspur), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur ), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
Coach: Fabio Capello
United States
Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Tim Howard (Everton)
Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover), Jay DeMerit (Watford), Clarence Goodson (IK Start), Oguchi Onyewu (AC Milan), Jonathan Spector (West Ham)
Midfielders: DaMarcus Beasley (Rangers), Michael Bradley (Borussia Moenchengladbach), Ricardo Clark (Eintracht Frankfurt), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Benny Feilhaber (AGF Aarhus), Stuart Holden (Bolton), Jose Torres (Pachuca)
Strikers: Jozy Altidore (Hull), Edson Buddle (Los Angeles Galaxy), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake), Herculez Gomez (Pachuca).
Coach: Bob Bradley
Algeria
Goalkeepers: Lounes Gaouaoui (ASO Chlef - ALG), Faouzi Chaouchi (ES Setif - ALG), Raid Ouheb M’bolhi (Slavia Sofia - BUL)
Defenders: Abdelakder Laifaoui (ES Setif - ALG), Madjid Bougherra (Rangers FC - SCO), Carl Medjani (Ajaccio - FRA), Rafik Halliche (Madeira - POR), Antar Yahia (Bochum - GER), Habib Belaid (Boulogne - FRA), Nadir Belhadj (Portsmouth - ENG), Djamel Mesbah (Lecce - ITA)
Midfielders: Hassan Yebda (Portsmouth - ENG), Medhi Lacen (Racing Santander - SPA), Yazid Mansouri (Lorient - FRA), Adlene Guidoura (Wolverhampton - ENG), Riad Boudebouz (Sochaux - FRA), Djamel Abdoun (Nantes - FRA), Foued Kadir (Valenciennes - FRA), Karim Ziani (Wolfsburg - GER), Karim Matmour (Borussia Monchengladbach - GER)
Forwards: Abdelkader Ghezzal (Siena - ITA), Rafik Djebbour (AEK Athens - GRE), Rafik Saifi (Istres - FRA)
Coach: Rabah Saadane
Slovenia
Goalkeepers: Samir Handanovic (Udinese), Jasmin Handanovic (Mantova), Aleksander Seliga (Sparta Rotterdam).
Defenders: Miso Brecko (FC Cologne), Bostjan Cesar (Grenoble), Branko Ilic (Lokomotiv Moscow), Matej Mavric-Rozic (Koblenz), Bojan Jokic (Chievo), Marko Suler (Ghent), Suad Filekovic (NK Maribor), Elvedin Dzinic (NK Maribor).
Midfielders: Andraz Kirm (Wisla Krakow), Robert Koren (Unattached), Valter Birsa (AJ Auxerre), Andrej Komac (Maccabi Tel Aviv), Dalibor Stevanovic (Vitesse Arnhem), Aleksander Radosavljevic (Larissa), Rene Krhin (Inter Milan).
Forwards: Milivoje Novakovic (FC Cologne), Zlatko Dedic (VfL Bochum), Zlatan Ljubijankic (Ghent), Nejc Pecnik (Nacional Funchal), Tim Matavz (Groningen).
Coach: Matjaz Kek
GROUP D
Germany
Goalkeepers - Manuel Neuer, Tim Wiese, Hans-Joerg Butt
Defenders - Philipp Lahm. Dennis Aogo, Holger Badstuber, Jerome Boateng, Per Mertesacker, Serdar Tasci, Arne Friedrich
Midfielders - Bastian Schweinsteiger, Sami Khedira, Piotr Trochwoski, Marko Marin, Mesut Ozil, Toni Kroos, Marcell Jansen
Forwards – Cacau, Mario Gomez, Thomas Mueller, Miroslav Klose, Lukas Podolski, Stefan Kiessling
Coach: Joachim Loew
Serbia
Goalkeepers: Vladimir Stojkovic (Sporting), Bojan Isailovic (Zaglebie Lubin), Andjelko Djuricic (Uniao Leiria).
Defenders: Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea), Antonio Rukavina (Munich 1860), Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United), Neven Subotic (Borussia Dortmund), Aleksandar Lukovic (Udinese), Ivan Obradovic (Zaragoza), Aleksandar Kolarov (Lazio).
Midfielders: Dejan Stankovic (Inter Milan), Gojko Kacar (Hertha Berlin), Nenad Milijas (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Zdravko Kuzmanovic (VfB Stuttgart), Radosav Petrovic (Partizan Belgrade), Milos Krasic (CSKA Moscow), Zoran Tosic (Manchester United), Milos Ninkovic (Dynamo Kiev), Milan Jovanovic (Standard Liege).
Forwards: Nikola Zigic (Birmingham City), Marko Pantelic (Ajax Amsterdam), Danko Lazovic (Zenit St. Petersburg), Dragan Mrdja (Vojvodina Novi Sad).
Coach: Radomir Antic
Australia
Goalkeepers: Mark Schwarzer, Adam Federici, Brad Jones.
Defenders: Scott Chipperfield, David Carney, Lucas Neill, Michael Beauchamp, Craig Moore, Mark Milligan, Luke Wilkshire.
Midfielders: Vince Grella, Carl Valeri, Jason Culina, Mile Jedinak, Tim Cahill, Brett Holman, Dario Vidosic, Mark Bresciano, Brett Emerton, Richard Garcia.
Strikers: Nikita Rukavytsya, Josh Kennedy, Harry Kewell.
Coach: Tim Verbeek
Ghana
Goalkeepers: Richard Kingson, Daniel Agyei, Stephen Aholu
Defenders: John Paintsil, John Mensah, Samuel Inkoom, Hans Adu Sarpei, Rahim Ayew, Lee Addy, Isaac Vorsah, Jonathan Mensah
Midfielders: Kwadwo Asamoah, Anthony Annan, Sulley Muntari, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Quincy Owusu-Abeyie, Stephen Appiah, Andre Ayew, Derek Boateng
Attackers: Asamoah Gyan, Prince Tagoe, Dominic Adiyiah, Mathew Amoah
Coach: Milovan Rajevac
GROUP E
Netherlands
Goalkeepers: Stekelenburg (Ajax), Vorm (Utrecht), Boschker (Twente Enschede).
Defenders: Van Bronckhorst (Feyenoord), J.Mathijsen (Hamburg), Ooijer (PSV Eindhoven), Van der Wiel (Ajax), Boulahrouz (Stuttgart), Heitinga (Everton), Braafheid (Celtic Glasgow).
Midfielders: Sneijder (Inter Milan), Van Bommel (Bayern Munich), Van der Vaart (Real Madrid), N.De Jong (Manchester City), De Zeeuw (Ajax), Schaars (AZ Alkmaar), Afellay (PSV Eindhoven).
Forwards: Robben (Bayern Munich), Van Persie (Arsenal), Kuyt (Liverpool), Huntelaar (AC Milan), E.Elia (Hamburg), Babel (Liverpool).
Coach: Bert Van Marwijk
Cameroon
Goalkeepers: Hamidou Souleymanou (Kayserispor/TUR), Idriss Carlos Kameni (Espanyol/ESP), Guy Roland Ndy Assembe (Valenciennes/FRA)
Defenders: Benoit Assou-Ekotto (Tottenham/ENG), Sebastien Bassong (Tottenham/ENG), Gaetan Bong (Valenciennes/FRA), Aurelien Chedjou (Lille/FRA), Geremi Njitap (Mke Ankaragucu/TUR), Stephane Mbia (Marseille/FRA), Nicolas Nkoulou (Monaco/FRA), Rigobert Song (Trabzonspur/TUR)
Midfielders: Enoh Eyong Takang (Ajax/NED), Jean II Makoun (Lyon/FRA), Georges Mandjeck (FC Kaiserslautern/GER), Joel Matip (Schalke 04/GER), Landry Nguemo (Celtic/SCO), Alexandre Song (Arsenal/ENG)
Strikers: Vincent Aaboubakar (Coton Sport Garoua/CMR), Eric Choupo-Moting (Nuremberg/GER), Achille Emana (Real Betis/ESP), Samuel Eto'o (Inter Milan/ITA), Mohamadou Idrissou (Freiburg/GER), Achille Webo (Real Mallorca/ESP)
Coach: Paul Le Guen
Denmark
Goalkeepers: Thomas Sorensen (Stoke City), Stephan Andersen (Brondby), Jesper Christiansen (FC Copenhagen).
Defenders: William Kvist (FC Copenhagen), Simon Kjaer (Palermo), Lars Jacobsen (Blackburn Rovers), Per Kroldrup (Fiorentina), Daniel Agger (Liverpool), Patrick Mtiliga (Malaga), Simon Poulsen (AZ Alkmaar).
Midfielders: Martin Jorgensen (AGF Aarhus), Christian Poulsen (Juventus), Jakob Poulsen (AGF Aarhus), Dennis Rommedahl (Ajax Amsterdam), Thomas Kahlenberg (VfL Wolfsburg), Thomas Enevoldsen (FC Groningen), Christian Eriksen (Ajax Amsterdam), Mikkel Beckmann (Randers), Daniel Jensen (Werder Bremen), Jepser Gronkjaer (FC Copenhagen).
Forwards: Jon Dahl Tomasson (Feyenoord), Soren Larsen (MSV Duisburg), Nicklas Bendtner (Arsenal).
Coach: Morten Olsen
Japan
Goalkeepers: Seigo Narazaki (Nagoya Grampus), Eiji Kawashima (Kawasaki Frontale), Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi (Jubilo Iwata)
Defenders: Yuji Nakazawa (Yokohama Marinos), Marcus Tulio Tanaka (Nagoya Grampus), Yuichi Komano (Jubilo Iwata), Daiki Iwamasa (Kashima Antlers), Yasuyuki Konno (FC Tokyo), Yuto Nagatomo (FC Tokyo), Atsuto Uchida (Kashima Antlers)
Midfielders: Shunsuke Nakamura (Yokohama Marinos), Yasuhito Endo (Gamba Osaka), Kengo Nakamura (Kawasaki Frontale), Junichi Inamoto (Kawasaki Frontale), Yuki Abe (Urawa Red Diamonds), Makoto Hasebe (Wolfsburg, Germany), Keisuke Honda (CSKA Moscow), Daisuke Matsui (Grenoble)
Forwards: Shinji Okazaki (Shimizu S-Pulse), Keiji Tamada (Nagoya Grampus), Yasuhito Okubo (Vissel Kobe), Kisho Yano (Albirex Niigata), Takayuki Morimoto (Catania)
Coach: Takeshi Okada
GROUP F
Italy
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Morgan De Sanctis (Napoli), Federico Marchetti (Cagliari)
Defenders: Salvatore Bocchetti (Genoa), Leonardo Bonucci (Bari), Fabio Cannavaro (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Domenico Criscito (Genoa), Christian Maggio (Napoli), Gianluca Zambrotta (AC Milan)
Midfielders: Mauro Camoranesi (Juventus), Daniele De Rossi (AS Roma), Gennaro Gattuso (AC Milan), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Riccardo Montolivo (Fiorentina), Angelo Palombo (Sampdoria), Simone Pepe (Udinese), Andrea Pirlo (AC Milan)
Forwards: Antonio Di Natale (Udinese), Alberto Gilardino (Fiorentina), Vincenzo Iaquinta (Juventus), Giampaolo Pazzini (Sampdoria), Fabio Quagliarella (Napoli)
Coach: Marcello Lippi
Paraguay
Goalkeepers: Justo Villar (Real Valladolid, Spain), Aldo Bobadilla (Independiente Medellin, Colombia), Diego Barreto (Cerro Porteno);
Defenders: Denis Caniza (Leon, Mexico), Dario Veron (Pumas, Mexico), Julio Caceres (Atletico Mineiro, Brazil), Paulo Da Silva (Sunderland, England), Claudio Morel Rodriguez (Boca Juniors, Argentina), Antolin Alcaraz (Wigan, Eng), Carlos Bonet (Olimpia), Aureliano Torres (San Lorenzo, Argentina);
Midfielders: Cristian Riveros (Sunderland, England), Enrique Vera (LDU Quito, Ecuador), Edgar Barreto (Atalanta, Italy), Jonathan Santana (Wolfsburg, Germany), Victor Caceres (Libertad), Nestor Ortigoza (Argentinos Juniors, Argentina);
Forwards: Roque Santa Cruz (Manchester City, England), Nelson Haedo Valdez (Borussia Dortmund, Germany), Oscar Cardozo (Benfica, Portugal), Edgar Benitez (Pachuca, Mexico), Lucas Barrios (Borussia Dortmund, Germany), Rodolfo Gamarra (Libertad).
Coach: Gerardo Martino
Slovakia
Goalkeepers: Jan Mucha (Legia Warsaw), Dusan Kuciak (Vaslui), Dusan Pernis (Dundee United)
Defenders: Marek Cech (West Bromwich Albion), Jan Durica (Hannover 96), Peter Pekarik (Wolfsburg), Martin Petras (Cesena), Kornel Salata (Slovan Bratislava), Martin Skrtel (Liverpool), Radoslav Zabavnik (Mainz)
Midfielders: Marek Hamsik (Napoli), Kamil Kopunek (Spartak Trnava), Jan Kozak (Politehnica), Juraj Kucka (Sparta Prague), Marek Sapara (Ankaraqucu), Zdeno Strba (Skoda Xanthi), Miroslav Stoch (Twente Enschede), Vladimir Weiss (Manchester City)
Strikers: Filip Holosko (Besiktas Istanbul), Martin Jakubko (Moskva), Erik Jendrisek (Schalke), Stanislav Sestak (Bochum), Robert Vittek (Olympique Lille)Author: Katerina Zachovalova.
Coach: Vladimir Weiss
New Zealand
Goalkeepers: Mark Paston (Wellington Phoenix), Glen Moss (Melbourne Victory), James Bannatyne (Team Wellington)
Defenders: Ryan Nelsen (Blackburn Rovers), Ivan Vicelich (Auckland City), Ben Sigmund (Wellington Phoenix), Winston Reid (FC Midtjylland), Tommy Smith (Ipswich Town), Tony Lochhead (Wellington Phoenix), Andy Boyens (New York Red Bulls)
Midfielders: Simon Elliott (unattached), Tim Brown (Wellington Phoenix), Leo Bertos (Wellington Phoenix), Michael McGlinchey (Motherwell), Aaron Clapham (Canterbury United), David Mulligan (unattached), Jeremy Brockie (Newcastle Jets), Andy Barron (Team Wellington), Jeremy Christie (FC Tampa Bay)
Strikers: Chris Killen (Middlesbrough), Shane Smeltz (Gold Coast United), Chris Wood (West Bromwich Albion), Rory Fallon (Plymouth Argyle)
Coach: Ricky Herbert
GROUP G
Brazil
Goalkeepers: J.Cesar (Inter Milan), A.Doni (AS Roma), H.Gomes (Tottenham Hotspur).
Defenders: Lucio and Maicon (Inter Milan), Juan (AS Roma), Bastos (OL), D.Alves (Barcelona), Luisao (Benfica), T.Silva (AC Milan), Gilberto (Cruzeiro),
Midfielders: Kaka' (Real Madrid), G.Silva (Panathinaikos), F.Melo (Juventus), Elano (Galatasaray), J.Baptista (AS Roma), Ramires (Benfica), Josue' (Wolfsburg), Kleberson (Flamengo).
Forwards: L.Fabiano (FC Seville), Robinho (Santos), Nilmar (Villarreal), Grafite (Wolfsburg).
Coach: Dunga
Ivory Coast
Goalkeepers: Boubacar Barry (Lokeren), Aristides Zogbo (Maccabi Netanya), Daniel Yeboah (ASEC Abidjan)
Defenders: Souleymane Bamba (Hibernian), Arthur Boka (VfB Stuttgart), Guy Demel (Hamburg SV), Emmanuel Eboue (Arsenal), Steve Gohouri (Wigan Athletic), Siaka Tiene (Valenciennes), Kolo Toure (Manchester City), Benjamin Brou Angoua (Valenciennes)
Midfielders: Jean-Jacques Gosso Gosso (Monaco), Abdelkader Keita (Galatasaray), Emmanuel Kone (International Curtea Arges), Gervais Yao Kouassi (Lille), Christian Koffi Ndri (Sevilla), Cheik Ismael Tiote (Twente Enschede), Yaya Toure (Barcelona), Didier Zokora (Sevilla)
Strikers: Aruna Dindane (Lekhwiya), Seydou Doumbia (Young Boys Berne), Didier Drogba (Chelsea), Salomon Kalou (Chelsea)
Coach: Sven Goran Eriksson
North Korea
Goalkeepers: Kim Myong Gil (Amrokgang), Kim Myong Won (Amrokgang), Ri Myong Guk (Pyongyang City)
Defenders: Cha Jong Hyok (Amrokgang), Ri Jun Il (Sobaeksu), Ri Kwang Chon (April 25), Nam Song Chol (April 25), Pak Nam Chol (Amrokgang), Ri Kwang Hyok (Kyonggongop), Pak Chol Jin (Amrokgang)
Midfielders: Ji Yun Nam (April 25), Mun In Guk (April 25), Pak Sung Hyok (Sobaeksu), Ri Chol Myong (Pyongyang City), Pak Nam Chol (April 25), An Yong Hak (Omiya Ardija), Kim Kyong Il (Rimyongsu), Kim Yong Jun (Pyongyang City)
Strikers: Hong Yong Jo (FC Rostov), An Chol Hyok (Rimyongsu), Jong Tae Se (Kawasaki Frontale), Choe Kum Chol (April 25), Kim Kum Il (April 25)
Coach: Huh Jung-moo
Portugal
Goalkeepers: Beto (Porto), Daniel Fernandes (Iraklis), Eduardo (Braga)
Defenders: Fabio Coentrao (Benfica), Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea), Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea), Bruno Alves (Porto), Rolando (Porto), Ricardo Costa (Lille), Duda (Malaga), Pepe (Real Madrid), Miguel (Valencia)
Midfielders: Tiago (Atletico Madrid), Deco (Chelsea), Raul Meireles (Porto), Nani (Manchester United), Miguel Veloso (Sporting Lisbon), Pedro Mendes (Sporting Lisbon)
Strikers: Simao Sabrosa (Atletico Madrid), Hugo Almeida (Werder Bremen), Liedson (Sporting Lisbon), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Danny (Zenit St Petersburg)
Coach: Carlos Queiroz
GROUP H
Spain
Goalkeepers: Casillas (Real Madrid), J.M.Reina (Liverpool), V.Valdes (Barcelona).
Defenders: Puyol and Pique' (Barcelona), S.Ramos, Albiol and Arbeloa (Real Madrid), J.Capdevila (Villarreal), Marchena (Valencia).
Midfielders: Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets (Barcelona), X.Alonso (Real Madrid), D.Silva and Mata (Valencia), Fabregas (Arsenal), J.Navas (FC Seville), J.Martinez (Athletic Bilbao).
Forwards: F.Torres (Liverpool), D.Villa and Pedro (Barcelona), F.Llorente (Athletic Bilbao).Switzerland
Coach: Vicente Del Bosque
Honduras
Goalkeepers: Ricardo Canales (Motagua), Noel Valladares (Olimpia), Donis Escober (Olimpia)
Defenders: Victor Bernardez (Anderlecht), Maynor Figueroa (Wigan), Oscar Garcia (Olimpia), Sergio Mendoza (Motagua), Emilio Izaguirre (Motagua), Johnny Palacios (Olimpia), Mauricio Sabillon (Hangzhou Luchen), Osman Chavez (Platense)
Midfielders: Edgard Alvarez (Bari), Julio Cesar de Leon (Torino), Roger Espinoza (Kansas City Wizards), Amado Guevara (Motagua), Ramon Nunez (Olimpia), Wilson Palacios (Tottenham Hotspur), Hendry Thomas (Wigan), Danilo Turcios (Olimpia)
Forwards: David Suazo (Genoa), Georgie Welcome (Motagua), Carlos Pavon (Real Espana), Walter Martinez (Marathon)
Coach: Rafael Ferrari
Switzerland
Goalkeepers: Diego Benaglio (Wolfsburg), Marco Wolfli (Young Boys), Johnny Leoni (Zurich)
Defenders: Stephan Lichtsteiner (Lazio), Philippe Senderos (Everton), Stephane Grichting (Auxerre), Steve von Bergen (Hertha Berlin), Mario Eggimann (Hannover 96), Reto Ziegler (Sampdoria), Christoph Spycher (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Midfielders: Valon Behrami (West Ham), Gokhan Inler (Udinese), Benjamin Huggel (Basel), Pirmin Schwegler (Eintracht Frankfurt), Gelson Fernandes (Saint-Etienne), Tranquillo Barnetta (Bayer Leverkusen), Xherdan Shaqiri (Basel), Marco Padalino (Sampdoria)
Strikers: Alexander Frei (Basel), Blaise Nkufo (Twente), Eren Derdiyok (Bayer Leverkusen), Marco Streller (Basel), Hakan Yakin (Luzern)
Coach: Ottmar Hitzfeld
Chile
Goalkeepers: Claudio Bravo (Real Sociedad), Miguel Pinto (Universidad de Chile), Luis Marin (Union Espanola)
Defenders: Pablo Contreras (PAOK Athens), Ismael Fuentes (Universidad Catolica), Mauricio Isla (Udinese), Gonzalo Jara (West Bromwich Albion), Gary Medel (Boca Juniors), Waldo Ponce (Universidad Catolica), Arturo Vidal (Bayer Leverkusen).
Midfielders: Rodrigo Tello (Besiktas), Gonzalo Fierro (Flamengo), Carlos Carmona (Reggina), Marco Estrada (Universidad de Chile), Rodrigo Millar (Colo Colo), Matias Fernandez (Sporting Lisbon), Jorge Valdivia (Al Ain).
Forwards: Mark Gonzalez (CSKA Moscow), Esteban Paredes (Colo Colo), Juan Beausejour (America), Fabian Orellana (Xeres), Alexis Sanchez (Udinese), Humberto Suazo (Real Zaragoza)
Coach: Marcello Bielsa [/b][/b][/b]
GROUP A
South Africa
Goalkeepers: Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Moeneeb Josephs (Orlando Pirates), Shu-Aib Walters (Maritzburg United)
Defenders: Matthew Booth (Mamelodi Sundowns), Lance Davids (Ajax Cape Town), Siboniso Gaxa (Mamelodi Sundowns), Bongani Khumalo (SuperSport United), Tsepo Masilela (Maccabi Haifa, Israel) Innocent Mdledle (Mamelodi Sundowns), Aaron Mokoena (Portsmouth, England), Anele Ngcongca (Genk, Belgium) Siyabonga Sangweni (Golden Arrows), Lucas Thwala (Orlando Pirates)
Midfielders: Kagisho Dikgacoi (Fulham, England), Thanduyise Khuboni (Golden Arrows), Reneilwe Letsholonyane (Kaizer Chiefs), Teko Modise (Orlando Pirates), Steven Pienaar (Everton, England) MacBeth Sibaya (Rubin Kazan, Russia) Siphiwe Tshabalala (Kaizer Chiefs)
Forwards: Surprise Moriri (Mamelodi Sundowns), Katlego Mphela (Mamelodi Sundowns), Siyabonga Nomvethe (Moroka Swallows), Bernard Parker (FC Twente, Netherlands).
Coach: Carlos Alberto Prreira
France
Goalkeepers: Cédric Carrasso (FC Girondins de Bordeaux), Hugo Lloris (Olympique Lyonnais), Steve Mandanda (Olympique de Marseille).
Defenders: Éric Abidal (FC Barcelona), Gaël Clichy (Arsenal FC), Patrice Evra (Manchester United FC), William Gallas (Arsenal FC), Marc Planus (FC Girondins de Bordeaux), Anthony Réveillère (Olympique Lyonnais), Bacary Sagna (Arsenal FC), Sébastien Squillaci (Sevilla FC).
Midfielders: Abou Diaby (Arsenal FC), Alou Diarra (FC Girondins de Bordeaux), Yoann Gourcuff (FC Girondins de Bordeaux), Florent Malouda (Chelsea FC), Jérémy Toulalan (Olympique Lyonnais).
Forwards: Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea FC), Djibril Cissé (Panathinaikos FC), André-Pierre Gignac (Toulouse FC), Sidney Govou (Olympique Lyonnais), Thierry Henry (FC Barcelona), Franck Ribéry (FC Bayern München), Mathieu Valbuena (Olympique de Marseille).
Coach: Raymond Domenech
Mexico
Goalkeepers: Memo Ochoa (America), Luis Ernesto Michel (Chivas/USA), Oscar Perez (Chiapas)
Defenders: Rafael Marquez (Barcelona/ESP), Ricardo Osorio (Stuttgart/GER), Hector Moreno (AZ Alkmmar/NED), Francisco Rodriguez (PSV Eindhoven/NED), Carlos Salcido (PSV Eindhoven/NED), Paul Aguilar (Pachuca), Efrain Juarez (Pumas UNAM)
Midfielders: Jonny Magallon (Guadalajara), Jorge Torres Nilo (Atlas), Gerardo Torrado (Cruz Azul), Israel Castro (Pumas UNAM), Andres Guardado (Deportivo La Coruna/ESP)
Strikers: Pablo Barrera (Pumas UNAM), Adolfo Bautista (Guadalajara), Alberto Medina (Guadalajara), Cuauhtemoc Blanco (Veracruz), Javier Hernandez (Guadalajara), Giovani dos Santos (Galatasaray/TUR), Guillermo Franco (West Ham/ENG), Carlos Vela (Arsenal/ENG)
Coach: Javier Aguerre
Uruguay
Goalkeepers: Fernando Muslera (Lazio), Juan Castillo (Deportivo Cali), Martin Silva (Defensor Sporting)
Defenders: Diego Lugano (Fenerbahce), Diego Godin (Villarreal), Andres Scotti (Colo Colo), Jorge Fucile (Porto), Martin Caceres (Juventus), Mauricio Victorino (Universidad de Chile), Maximiliano Pereira (Benfica)
Midfielders: Walter Gargano (Napoli), Egidio Arevalo Rios (Penarol), Sebastian Eguren (AIK Stockholm), Diego Perez (Monaco), Alvaro Pereira (Porto), Ignacio Gonzalez (Valencia), Nicolas Lodeiro (Ajax), Alvaro Fernandez (Universidad de Chile)
Forwards: Luis Suarez (Ajax), Diego Forlan (Atletico Madrid), Sebastian Abreu (Botafogo), Edinson Cavani (Palermo), Sebastian Fernandez (Banfield Argentina)
Coach: Oscar Washington Tabarez
GROUP B
Greece
Goalkeepers: Michalis Sifakis (Aris Salonika), Alexandros Tzorvas (Panathinaikos), Kostas Chalkias (PAOK Salonika).
Defenders: Giorgos Seitaridis (Panathinaikos), Loukas Vintra (Panathinaikos), Evangelos Moras (Bologna), Socrates Papastathopoulos (Genoa), Sotiris Kyrgiakos (Liverpool), Avraam Papadopoulos (Olympiakos), Vasilis Torosidis (Olympiakos), Nikos Spiropoulos (Panathinaikos), Stelios Malezas (PAOK Salonika).
Midfielders: Kostas Katsouranis (Panathinaikos), Alexandros Tziolis (Siena), Giorgos Karagounis (Panathinaikos), Sotiris Ninis (Panathinaikos), Christos Patsatzoglou (Omonia), Sakis Prittas (Aris Salonika).
Forwards: Angelos Charisteas (Nuremberg), Dimitris Salpigidis (Panathinaikos), Pantelis Kapetanos (Steaua Bucharest), Theofanis Gekas (Hertha Berlin), Giorgos Samaras (Celtic).
Coach: Otto Rehhagel
Argentina
Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar), Mariano Andujar (Catania), Diego Pozo (Colon)
Defenders: Nicolas Burdisso (Roma), Martin Demichelis (Bayern Munich), Walter Samuel (Inter Milan), Gabriel Heinze (Marseille), Nicolas Otamendi (Vélez Sarsfield), Clemente Rodriguez (Estudiantes), Ariel Garce (Colon)
Midfielders: Javier Mascherano (Liverpool), Juan Sebastian Veron (Estudiantes), Maximiliano Rodriguez (Liverpool), Mario Bolatti (Fiorentina), Angel Di Maria (Benfica), Jonas Gutierrez (Newcastle), Javier Pastore (Palermo)
Strikers: Sergio Aguero (Atlético Madrid), Diego Milito (Internazionale), Martin Palermo (Boca Juniors), Carlos Tevez (Manchester City), Gonzalo Higuaín (Real Madrid), Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Coach: Diego Maradona
Nigeria
Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Hapoel Tel Aviv, Israel), Dele Aiyenugba (Bnei Yehuda, Israel), Austin Ejide (Hapoel Petach Tikvah, Israel)
Defenders: Taye Taiwo (Marseille, France), Elderson Echiejile (Rennes, France), Chidi Odiah (CSKA Moscow, Russia), Joseph Yobo (Everton, England), Ayodele Adeleye (Sparta Rotterdam, Netherlands), Rabiu Afolabi (SV Salzburg, Austria), Danny Shittu (Bolton Wanderers, England)
Midfielders: Kalu Uche (Almeria, Spain), Dickson Etuhu (Fulham, England), John Mikel Obi (Chelsea, England), Sani Kaita (Alaniya, Russia), Haruna Lukman (AS Monaco, France), Yusuf Ayila (Dynamo Kiev, Ukraine)
Strikers: Yakubu Aiyegbeni (Everton, England), Nwankwo Kanu (Portsmouth, England), Obafemi Martins (Wolfsburg, Germany), John Utaka(Portsmouth, England), Victor Obinna Nsofor (Malaga, Spain), Osaze Odemwingie (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia), Chinedu Ogbuke Obasi (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany)
Coach: Lars Lagerback
South Korea
Goalkeepers: Kim Young-Kwang (Ulsan), Lee Woon-Jae (Suwon), Jung Sung-Ryong (Seongnam)
Defenders: Kim Dong-Jin (Ulsan), Kim Hyung-Il (Pohang), Oh Beom-Seok (Ulsan), Lee Young-Pyo (Al Hilal, Saudi Arabia), Lee Jung-Soo (Kashima, Japan), Cha Du-Ri (Freiburg, Germany) Cho Yong-Hyung (Jeju United) Kang Min-soo (Suwon)
Midfielders: Ki Sung-Yong (Celtic, Scotland), Kim Bo-Kyung (Oita, Japan), Kim Nam-Il (Tomsk, Russia), Kim Jae-Sung (Pohang), Kim Jung-Woo (Gwangju), Lee Chung-Yong (Bolton, England), Park Ji-Sung (Manchester United, England)
Forwards: Park Chu-Young (Monaco, France), Ahn Jung-Hwan (Dalian, China), Lee Seung-Ryul (Seoul), Yeom Ki-Hun, (Suwon), Lee Dong-Gook (Jeonbuk)
Coach: Huh Jung-moo
GROUP C
England
Goalkeepers: Joe Hart (Manchester City), David James (Portsmouth), Robert Green (West Ham United)
Defenders: Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Ledley King (Tottenham Hotspur), John Terry (Chelsea), Matthew Upson (West Ham United), Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa)
Midfielders: Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea ), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham Hotspur), James Milner (Aston Villa), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City )
Forwards: Peter Crouch (Tottenham Hotspur), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur ), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
Coach: Fabio Capello
United States
Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Tim Howard (Everton)
Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover), Jay DeMerit (Watford), Clarence Goodson (IK Start), Oguchi Onyewu (AC Milan), Jonathan Spector (West Ham)
Midfielders: DaMarcus Beasley (Rangers), Michael Bradley (Borussia Moenchengladbach), Ricardo Clark (Eintracht Frankfurt), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Benny Feilhaber (AGF Aarhus), Stuart Holden (Bolton), Jose Torres (Pachuca)
Strikers: Jozy Altidore (Hull), Edson Buddle (Los Angeles Galaxy), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake), Herculez Gomez (Pachuca).
Coach: Bob Bradley
Algeria
Goalkeepers: Lounes Gaouaoui (ASO Chlef - ALG), Faouzi Chaouchi (ES Setif - ALG), Raid Ouheb M’bolhi (Slavia Sofia - BUL)
Defenders: Abdelakder Laifaoui (ES Setif - ALG), Madjid Bougherra (Rangers FC - SCO), Carl Medjani (Ajaccio - FRA), Rafik Halliche (Madeira - POR), Antar Yahia (Bochum - GER), Habib Belaid (Boulogne - FRA), Nadir Belhadj (Portsmouth - ENG), Djamel Mesbah (Lecce - ITA)
Midfielders: Hassan Yebda (Portsmouth - ENG), Medhi Lacen (Racing Santander - SPA), Yazid Mansouri (Lorient - FRA), Adlene Guidoura (Wolverhampton - ENG), Riad Boudebouz (Sochaux - FRA), Djamel Abdoun (Nantes - FRA), Foued Kadir (Valenciennes - FRA), Karim Ziani (Wolfsburg - GER), Karim Matmour (Borussia Monchengladbach - GER)
Forwards: Abdelkader Ghezzal (Siena - ITA), Rafik Djebbour (AEK Athens - GRE), Rafik Saifi (Istres - FRA)
Coach: Rabah Saadane
Slovenia
Goalkeepers: Samir Handanovic (Udinese), Jasmin Handanovic (Mantova), Aleksander Seliga (Sparta Rotterdam).
Defenders: Miso Brecko (FC Cologne), Bostjan Cesar (Grenoble), Branko Ilic (Lokomotiv Moscow), Matej Mavric-Rozic (Koblenz), Bojan Jokic (Chievo), Marko Suler (Ghent), Suad Filekovic (NK Maribor), Elvedin Dzinic (NK Maribor).
Midfielders: Andraz Kirm (Wisla Krakow), Robert Koren (Unattached), Valter Birsa (AJ Auxerre), Andrej Komac (Maccabi Tel Aviv), Dalibor Stevanovic (Vitesse Arnhem), Aleksander Radosavljevic (Larissa), Rene Krhin (Inter Milan).
Forwards: Milivoje Novakovic (FC Cologne), Zlatko Dedic (VfL Bochum), Zlatan Ljubijankic (Ghent), Nejc Pecnik (Nacional Funchal), Tim Matavz (Groningen).
Coach: Matjaz Kek
GROUP D
Germany
Goalkeepers - Manuel Neuer, Tim Wiese, Hans-Joerg Butt
Defenders - Philipp Lahm. Dennis Aogo, Holger Badstuber, Jerome Boateng, Per Mertesacker, Serdar Tasci, Arne Friedrich
Midfielders - Bastian Schweinsteiger, Sami Khedira, Piotr Trochwoski, Marko Marin, Mesut Ozil, Toni Kroos, Marcell Jansen
Forwards – Cacau, Mario Gomez, Thomas Mueller, Miroslav Klose, Lukas Podolski, Stefan Kiessling
Coach: Joachim Loew
Serbia
Goalkeepers: Vladimir Stojkovic (Sporting), Bojan Isailovic (Zaglebie Lubin), Andjelko Djuricic (Uniao Leiria).
Defenders: Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea), Antonio Rukavina (Munich 1860), Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United), Neven Subotic (Borussia Dortmund), Aleksandar Lukovic (Udinese), Ivan Obradovic (Zaragoza), Aleksandar Kolarov (Lazio).
Midfielders: Dejan Stankovic (Inter Milan), Gojko Kacar (Hertha Berlin), Nenad Milijas (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Zdravko Kuzmanovic (VfB Stuttgart), Radosav Petrovic (Partizan Belgrade), Milos Krasic (CSKA Moscow), Zoran Tosic (Manchester United), Milos Ninkovic (Dynamo Kiev), Milan Jovanovic (Standard Liege).
Forwards: Nikola Zigic (Birmingham City), Marko Pantelic (Ajax Amsterdam), Danko Lazovic (Zenit St. Petersburg), Dragan Mrdja (Vojvodina Novi Sad).
Coach: Radomir Antic
Australia
Goalkeepers: Mark Schwarzer, Adam Federici, Brad Jones.
Defenders: Scott Chipperfield, David Carney, Lucas Neill, Michael Beauchamp, Craig Moore, Mark Milligan, Luke Wilkshire.
Midfielders: Vince Grella, Carl Valeri, Jason Culina, Mile Jedinak, Tim Cahill, Brett Holman, Dario Vidosic, Mark Bresciano, Brett Emerton, Richard Garcia.
Strikers: Nikita Rukavytsya, Josh Kennedy, Harry Kewell.
Coach: Tim Verbeek
Ghana
Goalkeepers: Richard Kingson, Daniel Agyei, Stephen Aholu
Defenders: John Paintsil, John Mensah, Samuel Inkoom, Hans Adu Sarpei, Rahim Ayew, Lee Addy, Isaac Vorsah, Jonathan Mensah
Midfielders: Kwadwo Asamoah, Anthony Annan, Sulley Muntari, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Quincy Owusu-Abeyie, Stephen Appiah, Andre Ayew, Derek Boateng
Attackers: Asamoah Gyan, Prince Tagoe, Dominic Adiyiah, Mathew Amoah
Coach: Milovan Rajevac
GROUP E
Netherlands
Goalkeepers: Stekelenburg (Ajax), Vorm (Utrecht), Boschker (Twente Enschede).
Defenders: Van Bronckhorst (Feyenoord), J.Mathijsen (Hamburg), Ooijer (PSV Eindhoven), Van der Wiel (Ajax), Boulahrouz (Stuttgart), Heitinga (Everton), Braafheid (Celtic Glasgow).
Midfielders: Sneijder (Inter Milan), Van Bommel (Bayern Munich), Van der Vaart (Real Madrid), N.De Jong (Manchester City), De Zeeuw (Ajax), Schaars (AZ Alkmaar), Afellay (PSV Eindhoven).
Forwards: Robben (Bayern Munich), Van Persie (Arsenal), Kuyt (Liverpool), Huntelaar (AC Milan), E.Elia (Hamburg), Babel (Liverpool).
Coach: Bert Van Marwijk
Cameroon
Goalkeepers: Hamidou Souleymanou (Kayserispor/TUR), Idriss Carlos Kameni (Espanyol/ESP), Guy Roland Ndy Assembe (Valenciennes/FRA)
Defenders: Benoit Assou-Ekotto (Tottenham/ENG), Sebastien Bassong (Tottenham/ENG), Gaetan Bong (Valenciennes/FRA), Aurelien Chedjou (Lille/FRA), Geremi Njitap (Mke Ankaragucu/TUR), Stephane Mbia (Marseille/FRA), Nicolas Nkoulou (Monaco/FRA), Rigobert Song (Trabzonspur/TUR)
Midfielders: Enoh Eyong Takang (Ajax/NED), Jean II Makoun (Lyon/FRA), Georges Mandjeck (FC Kaiserslautern/GER), Joel Matip (Schalke 04/GER), Landry Nguemo (Celtic/SCO), Alexandre Song (Arsenal/ENG)
Strikers: Vincent Aaboubakar (Coton Sport Garoua/CMR), Eric Choupo-Moting (Nuremberg/GER), Achille Emana (Real Betis/ESP), Samuel Eto'o (Inter Milan/ITA), Mohamadou Idrissou (Freiburg/GER), Achille Webo (Real Mallorca/ESP)
Coach: Paul Le Guen
Denmark
Goalkeepers: Thomas Sorensen (Stoke City), Stephan Andersen (Brondby), Jesper Christiansen (FC Copenhagen).
Defenders: William Kvist (FC Copenhagen), Simon Kjaer (Palermo), Lars Jacobsen (Blackburn Rovers), Per Kroldrup (Fiorentina), Daniel Agger (Liverpool), Patrick Mtiliga (Malaga), Simon Poulsen (AZ Alkmaar).
Midfielders: Martin Jorgensen (AGF Aarhus), Christian Poulsen (Juventus), Jakob Poulsen (AGF Aarhus), Dennis Rommedahl (Ajax Amsterdam), Thomas Kahlenberg (VfL Wolfsburg), Thomas Enevoldsen (FC Groningen), Christian Eriksen (Ajax Amsterdam), Mikkel Beckmann (Randers), Daniel Jensen (Werder Bremen), Jepser Gronkjaer (FC Copenhagen).
Forwards: Jon Dahl Tomasson (Feyenoord), Soren Larsen (MSV Duisburg), Nicklas Bendtner (Arsenal).
Coach: Morten Olsen
Japan
Goalkeepers: Seigo Narazaki (Nagoya Grampus), Eiji Kawashima (Kawasaki Frontale), Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi (Jubilo Iwata)
Defenders: Yuji Nakazawa (Yokohama Marinos), Marcus Tulio Tanaka (Nagoya Grampus), Yuichi Komano (Jubilo Iwata), Daiki Iwamasa (Kashima Antlers), Yasuyuki Konno (FC Tokyo), Yuto Nagatomo (FC Tokyo), Atsuto Uchida (Kashima Antlers)
Midfielders: Shunsuke Nakamura (Yokohama Marinos), Yasuhito Endo (Gamba Osaka), Kengo Nakamura (Kawasaki Frontale), Junichi Inamoto (Kawasaki Frontale), Yuki Abe (Urawa Red Diamonds), Makoto Hasebe (Wolfsburg, Germany), Keisuke Honda (CSKA Moscow), Daisuke Matsui (Grenoble)
Forwards: Shinji Okazaki (Shimizu S-Pulse), Keiji Tamada (Nagoya Grampus), Yasuhito Okubo (Vissel Kobe), Kisho Yano (Albirex Niigata), Takayuki Morimoto (Catania)
Coach: Takeshi Okada
GROUP F
Italy
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Morgan De Sanctis (Napoli), Federico Marchetti (Cagliari)
Defenders: Salvatore Bocchetti (Genoa), Leonardo Bonucci (Bari), Fabio Cannavaro (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Domenico Criscito (Genoa), Christian Maggio (Napoli), Gianluca Zambrotta (AC Milan)
Midfielders: Mauro Camoranesi (Juventus), Daniele De Rossi (AS Roma), Gennaro Gattuso (AC Milan), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Riccardo Montolivo (Fiorentina), Angelo Palombo (Sampdoria), Simone Pepe (Udinese), Andrea Pirlo (AC Milan)
Forwards: Antonio Di Natale (Udinese), Alberto Gilardino (Fiorentina), Vincenzo Iaquinta (Juventus), Giampaolo Pazzini (Sampdoria), Fabio Quagliarella (Napoli)
Coach: Marcello Lippi
Paraguay
Goalkeepers: Justo Villar (Real Valladolid, Spain), Aldo Bobadilla (Independiente Medellin, Colombia), Diego Barreto (Cerro Porteno);
Defenders: Denis Caniza (Leon, Mexico), Dario Veron (Pumas, Mexico), Julio Caceres (Atletico Mineiro, Brazil), Paulo Da Silva (Sunderland, England), Claudio Morel Rodriguez (Boca Juniors, Argentina), Antolin Alcaraz (Wigan, Eng), Carlos Bonet (Olimpia), Aureliano Torres (San Lorenzo, Argentina);
Midfielders: Cristian Riveros (Sunderland, England), Enrique Vera (LDU Quito, Ecuador), Edgar Barreto (Atalanta, Italy), Jonathan Santana (Wolfsburg, Germany), Victor Caceres (Libertad), Nestor Ortigoza (Argentinos Juniors, Argentina);
Forwards: Roque Santa Cruz (Manchester City, England), Nelson Haedo Valdez (Borussia Dortmund, Germany), Oscar Cardozo (Benfica, Portugal), Edgar Benitez (Pachuca, Mexico), Lucas Barrios (Borussia Dortmund, Germany), Rodolfo Gamarra (Libertad).
Coach: Gerardo Martino
Slovakia
Goalkeepers: Jan Mucha (Legia Warsaw), Dusan Kuciak (Vaslui), Dusan Pernis (Dundee United)
Defenders: Marek Cech (West Bromwich Albion), Jan Durica (Hannover 96), Peter Pekarik (Wolfsburg), Martin Petras (Cesena), Kornel Salata (Slovan Bratislava), Martin Skrtel (Liverpool), Radoslav Zabavnik (Mainz)
Midfielders: Marek Hamsik (Napoli), Kamil Kopunek (Spartak Trnava), Jan Kozak (Politehnica), Juraj Kucka (Sparta Prague), Marek Sapara (Ankaraqucu), Zdeno Strba (Skoda Xanthi), Miroslav Stoch (Twente Enschede), Vladimir Weiss (Manchester City)
Strikers: Filip Holosko (Besiktas Istanbul), Martin Jakubko (Moskva), Erik Jendrisek (Schalke), Stanislav Sestak (Bochum), Robert Vittek (Olympique Lille)Author: Katerina Zachovalova.
Coach: Vladimir Weiss
New Zealand
Goalkeepers: Mark Paston (Wellington Phoenix), Glen Moss (Melbourne Victory), James Bannatyne (Team Wellington)
Defenders: Ryan Nelsen (Blackburn Rovers), Ivan Vicelich (Auckland City), Ben Sigmund (Wellington Phoenix), Winston Reid (FC Midtjylland), Tommy Smith (Ipswich Town), Tony Lochhead (Wellington Phoenix), Andy Boyens (New York Red Bulls)
Midfielders: Simon Elliott (unattached), Tim Brown (Wellington Phoenix), Leo Bertos (Wellington Phoenix), Michael McGlinchey (Motherwell), Aaron Clapham (Canterbury United), David Mulligan (unattached), Jeremy Brockie (Newcastle Jets), Andy Barron (Team Wellington), Jeremy Christie (FC Tampa Bay)
Strikers: Chris Killen (Middlesbrough), Shane Smeltz (Gold Coast United), Chris Wood (West Bromwich Albion), Rory Fallon (Plymouth Argyle)
Coach: Ricky Herbert
GROUP G
Brazil
Goalkeepers: J.Cesar (Inter Milan), A.Doni (AS Roma), H.Gomes (Tottenham Hotspur).
Defenders: Lucio and Maicon (Inter Milan), Juan (AS Roma), Bastos (OL), D.Alves (Barcelona), Luisao (Benfica), T.Silva (AC Milan), Gilberto (Cruzeiro),
Midfielders: Kaka' (Real Madrid), G.Silva (Panathinaikos), F.Melo (Juventus), Elano (Galatasaray), J.Baptista (AS Roma), Ramires (Benfica), Josue' (Wolfsburg), Kleberson (Flamengo).
Forwards: L.Fabiano (FC Seville), Robinho (Santos), Nilmar (Villarreal), Grafite (Wolfsburg).
Coach: Dunga
Ivory Coast
Goalkeepers: Boubacar Barry (Lokeren), Aristides Zogbo (Maccabi Netanya), Daniel Yeboah (ASEC Abidjan)
Defenders: Souleymane Bamba (Hibernian), Arthur Boka (VfB Stuttgart), Guy Demel (Hamburg SV), Emmanuel Eboue (Arsenal), Steve Gohouri (Wigan Athletic), Siaka Tiene (Valenciennes), Kolo Toure (Manchester City), Benjamin Brou Angoua (Valenciennes)
Midfielders: Jean-Jacques Gosso Gosso (Monaco), Abdelkader Keita (Galatasaray), Emmanuel Kone (International Curtea Arges), Gervais Yao Kouassi (Lille), Christian Koffi Ndri (Sevilla), Cheik Ismael Tiote (Twente Enschede), Yaya Toure (Barcelona), Didier Zokora (Sevilla)
Strikers: Aruna Dindane (Lekhwiya), Seydou Doumbia (Young Boys Berne), Didier Drogba (Chelsea), Salomon Kalou (Chelsea)
Coach: Sven Goran Eriksson
North Korea
Goalkeepers: Kim Myong Gil (Amrokgang), Kim Myong Won (Amrokgang), Ri Myong Guk (Pyongyang City)
Defenders: Cha Jong Hyok (Amrokgang), Ri Jun Il (Sobaeksu), Ri Kwang Chon (April 25), Nam Song Chol (April 25), Pak Nam Chol (Amrokgang), Ri Kwang Hyok (Kyonggongop), Pak Chol Jin (Amrokgang)
Midfielders: Ji Yun Nam (April 25), Mun In Guk (April 25), Pak Sung Hyok (Sobaeksu), Ri Chol Myong (Pyongyang City), Pak Nam Chol (April 25), An Yong Hak (Omiya Ardija), Kim Kyong Il (Rimyongsu), Kim Yong Jun (Pyongyang City)
Strikers: Hong Yong Jo (FC Rostov), An Chol Hyok (Rimyongsu), Jong Tae Se (Kawasaki Frontale), Choe Kum Chol (April 25), Kim Kum Il (April 25)
Coach: Huh Jung-moo
Portugal
Goalkeepers: Beto (Porto), Daniel Fernandes (Iraklis), Eduardo (Braga)
Defenders: Fabio Coentrao (Benfica), Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea), Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea), Bruno Alves (Porto), Rolando (Porto), Ricardo Costa (Lille), Duda (Malaga), Pepe (Real Madrid), Miguel (Valencia)
Midfielders: Tiago (Atletico Madrid), Deco (Chelsea), Raul Meireles (Porto), Nani (Manchester United), Miguel Veloso (Sporting Lisbon), Pedro Mendes (Sporting Lisbon)
Strikers: Simao Sabrosa (Atletico Madrid), Hugo Almeida (Werder Bremen), Liedson (Sporting Lisbon), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Danny (Zenit St Petersburg)
Coach: Carlos Queiroz
GROUP H
Spain
Goalkeepers: Casillas (Real Madrid), J.M.Reina (Liverpool), V.Valdes (Barcelona).
Defenders: Puyol and Pique' (Barcelona), S.Ramos, Albiol and Arbeloa (Real Madrid), J.Capdevila (Villarreal), Marchena (Valencia).
Midfielders: Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets (Barcelona), X.Alonso (Real Madrid), D.Silva and Mata (Valencia), Fabregas (Arsenal), J.Navas (FC Seville), J.Martinez (Athletic Bilbao).
Forwards: F.Torres (Liverpool), D.Villa and Pedro (Barcelona), F.Llorente (Athletic Bilbao).Switzerland
Coach: Vicente Del Bosque
Honduras
Goalkeepers: Ricardo Canales (Motagua), Noel Valladares (Olimpia), Donis Escober (Olimpia)
Defenders: Victor Bernardez (Anderlecht), Maynor Figueroa (Wigan), Oscar Garcia (Olimpia), Sergio Mendoza (Motagua), Emilio Izaguirre (Motagua), Johnny Palacios (Olimpia), Mauricio Sabillon (Hangzhou Luchen), Osman Chavez (Platense)
Midfielders: Edgard Alvarez (Bari), Julio Cesar de Leon (Torino), Roger Espinoza (Kansas City Wizards), Amado Guevara (Motagua), Ramon Nunez (Olimpia), Wilson Palacios (Tottenham Hotspur), Hendry Thomas (Wigan), Danilo Turcios (Olimpia)
Forwards: David Suazo (Genoa), Georgie Welcome (Motagua), Carlos Pavon (Real Espana), Walter Martinez (Marathon)
Coach: Rafael Ferrari
Switzerland
Goalkeepers: Diego Benaglio (Wolfsburg), Marco Wolfli (Young Boys), Johnny Leoni (Zurich)
Defenders: Stephan Lichtsteiner (Lazio), Philippe Senderos (Everton), Stephane Grichting (Auxerre), Steve von Bergen (Hertha Berlin), Mario Eggimann (Hannover 96), Reto Ziegler (Sampdoria), Christoph Spycher (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Midfielders: Valon Behrami (West Ham), Gokhan Inler (Udinese), Benjamin Huggel (Basel), Pirmin Schwegler (Eintracht Frankfurt), Gelson Fernandes (Saint-Etienne), Tranquillo Barnetta (Bayer Leverkusen), Xherdan Shaqiri (Basel), Marco Padalino (Sampdoria)
Strikers: Alexander Frei (Basel), Blaise Nkufo (Twente), Eren Derdiyok (Bayer Leverkusen), Marco Streller (Basel), Hakan Yakin (Luzern)
Coach: Ottmar Hitzfeld
Chile
Goalkeepers: Claudio Bravo (Real Sociedad), Miguel Pinto (Universidad de Chile), Luis Marin (Union Espanola)
Defenders: Pablo Contreras (PAOK Athens), Ismael Fuentes (Universidad Catolica), Mauricio Isla (Udinese), Gonzalo Jara (West Bromwich Albion), Gary Medel (Boca Juniors), Waldo Ponce (Universidad Catolica), Arturo Vidal (Bayer Leverkusen).
Midfielders: Rodrigo Tello (Besiktas), Gonzalo Fierro (Flamengo), Carlos Carmona (Reggina), Marco Estrada (Universidad de Chile), Rodrigo Millar (Colo Colo), Matias Fernandez (Sporting Lisbon), Jorge Valdivia (Al Ain).
Forwards: Mark Gonzalez (CSKA Moscow), Esteban Paredes (Colo Colo), Juan Beausejour (America), Fabian Orellana (Xeres), Alexis Sanchez (Udinese), Humberto Suazo (Real Zaragoza)
Coach: Marcello Bielsa [/b][/b][/b]
Sunday, June 6, 2010
EYO FESTIVAL BY JOHN EMMANUEL
eyo masqurade parade began by traders from badagry on lagos island the point of performance then was known as oke ita,Adamu Orisha play or Eyo (pronounced err-your) festival—the soul of the city’s traditional life—that many times. The truth is no one person has. In fact, from its original appearance in 1750, spectators have seen it a simple 80 times previously. And since it happens so infrequently, sometimes four or eight years apart, each occasion it does it is a must-see ‘exhibition’ for several thousands; and to observe one is enough to leave the culture tourist reminiscing for a lifetime. One came along last August. Only this time around, it would be the paramount activity that marks the final rights of passage for the deceased immediate past king of Lagos, Oba Adeyinka Oyekan 2, who passed on early in March. “If this is not done the chosen successor can’t be crowned king,” says a member of the royal family inside the palace premises to. When it isn’t to royal ends, though, the honorary version is exclusively done for visiting VIPs (international or indigenous) to the city or any late individual who had improved the lot of Lagos while he lived.What Samba is to Brazil the Eyo is to Lagos; it is one of the very few popular local customs not yet effaced by religions introduced from outside the African continent. If that has not happened already then it may never do, as the participants are practicing Christians and Muslims. Besides, “It is so intrinsically synonymous with Lagos that it can never fade out.” Importantly, the natives take the festival and their faiths as one would two opposite pages of a book. One leads to the next, and no one book—life in this case—can be complete without both.
So when indigenous Lagosians speak of the Eyo tradition, they do so with affecting pride and relish. Everyone—from the most elderly to the five-year-olds—spend quality time preparing for the big day; and when the day does finally come a major milestone is achieved.
So when indigenous Lagosians speak of the Eyo tradition, they do so with affecting pride and relish. Everyone—from the most elderly to the five-year-olds—spend quality time preparing for the big day; and when the day does finally come a major milestone is achieved.
Last year festival,25th april 2009 the eyo festival is taking place in honour of late Otunba Tos Benson.The order of events for the programme takes a full week with the following processions, the senior eyo group, the adimu(identified by a black broad-rimmed hat),goes puplic with a staff when this happens it means that the event will take place the following saturday.Each of the four important ones Laba(red),Oniko(yellow),Ologede(green),Agere( purple), take their turns from monday to thursday. Over 1000 Eyo masquerades in their white regalia with different hats made of various colours from the five groups, Adamu Orisa, Laba Ekun, Oniko, Ologede and Agere will partake in the festival ,the grand event where they all come together to parade the street of lagosAccording to the Governor of lagos,Nigeria,the eyo adamu orisa in the views of international spectators rank in the pangentory oon a higher plane than the rio carnival.
Note-The festival is making its 81st appearance since September 11, 1852 when it was first held in honour of the late Pa Dosunmu Ashogbon.This time, it is holding in honour of First Republic politician and a prominent lawyer, Chief Theophilus Owolabi Sobowale Benson, an illustrious son of the state who passed on on February 13, 2008. TOS, as the late Benson was popularly called ,was aged 90. At the time of his death, he was the Babasalu and Baba (father of the) Oba of Lagos. So far, the highest number of plays was organised in 1906. That year, the festival was held five times on May 15; August11; September 01; September 22; and December 15, in honour of Ajayi Obanikoro; Ogabi Eletu-Odibo; Iya Ojora, Princess Ibiyeye; Fasheke Olukolu and Iya Oshun respectively.
The festival was held four times in 1909 to honour Oluko Olikoyi on February 20; Aromire Aiyedun on June 5; Ojo Iniyun Kehinde on August 7; and Aromire Adesina on August 21 of the same year in that order.“It was organised three times in 1899, 1903, 1904, 1907, and two times in 1895, 1898, 1912, 1917, 1920, 1957, 1987, 2000 and 2002. The rest of the plays were held once each year. Most remarkable was the event of 1944, which was held in honour of the visit of Queen Victoria of England to Lagos. “Unlike past shows, today's play will hold at the old Race Course, Tafawa Balewa Square as part of effort to reposition it as a major tourism attraction like the Argungu Fishing Festival in Kebbi State.
The customs will not be too different however but the behavioural aspect may change.“The regalia are as super as ever: glistening white outfit, a decorated staff (Opambata) which the artistes manipulate at whims crowned with an unusual royal gait. The Eyo usually wears a distinctive headgear (aga) created quite often from materials usually found among the elites. The dramatist personae often put on a face mask made with transparent lace material for visibility.“The Eyo festival owes a root in the oral tradition of reincarnation among the Yorubas, who believe quite passionately that spirits of departed loved ones live on and ready to strike when necessary to protect the living. “The Eyo symbolizes visit of that spirit hence the usual greeting, “Agogoro Eyo (what a tall and imposing Eyo)” when sighted. In appreciation of such acclamation, the Eyo would usually respond in turn with the saying, “Mo yo fun e, mo yo fun ra mi (I rejoice with you for seeing this day and rejoice with myself)” “History, the families of Ologun-Agan and Ologun Igbesodi have sole right over performance of the Adamu Orisa play. However, actual performance can only be announced by the Akinsiku of Lagos, who is the traditional head of the Adimu cult, and other Eyo groups.
The festival was held four times in 1909 to honour Oluko Olikoyi on February 20; Aromire Aiyedun on June 5; Ojo Iniyun Kehinde on August 7; and Aromire Adesina on August 21 of the same year in that order.“It was organised three times in 1899, 1903, 1904, 1907, and two times in 1895, 1898, 1912, 1917, 1920, 1957, 1987, 2000 and 2002. The rest of the plays were held once each year. Most remarkable was the event of 1944, which was held in honour of the visit of Queen Victoria of England to Lagos. “Unlike past shows, today's play will hold at the old Race Course, Tafawa Balewa Square as part of effort to reposition it as a major tourism attraction like the Argungu Fishing Festival in Kebbi State.
The customs will not be too different however but the behavioural aspect may change.“The regalia are as super as ever: glistening white outfit, a decorated staff (Opambata) which the artistes manipulate at whims crowned with an unusual royal gait. The Eyo usually wears a distinctive headgear (aga) created quite often from materials usually found among the elites. The dramatist personae often put on a face mask made with transparent lace material for visibility.“The Eyo festival owes a root in the oral tradition of reincarnation among the Yorubas, who believe quite passionately that spirits of departed loved ones live on and ready to strike when necessary to protect the living. “The Eyo symbolizes visit of that spirit hence the usual greeting, “Agogoro Eyo (what a tall and imposing Eyo)” when sighted. In appreciation of such acclamation, the Eyo would usually respond in turn with the saying, “Mo yo fun e, mo yo fun ra mi (I rejoice with you for seeing this day and rejoice with myself)” “History, the families of Ologun-Agan and Ologun Igbesodi have sole right over performance of the Adamu Orisa play. However, actual performance can only be announced by the Akinsiku of Lagos, who is the traditional head of the Adimu cult, and other Eyo groups.
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