WOTS: Nice to finally get a chance to speak with you.
SO: Its a pleasure. You make me feel so hard to reach.
WOTS: What exactly are you trying to do?
SO: THINGS FALL APART, a book widely read around the world is what we are cooking in the kitchen[laughs]...This play is been billed to show in September at Carleton University's Kilash Mittal Theatre, a 444 human capacity space. We plan to bring up different attributes of old culture, and set up various themes in the light you have never seen them before...Masculinity, faith, culture, Appearance vs. Reality, religion, and so many more...Chauvinism and the list continues...
WOTS: I see you have something really big planned for us.Did you tell me earlier that you did not have full details for potential viewers about the play?
SO: Yes, when this idea came to me in April, I had decided I would start working on it in May, once exams were done as I still a student. May came and I never got to it, due to circumstances beyond my control. By June, I had started to hold auditions, work on the script and all that...This delay caused me to have to move my Original premiere date of September 19th to an unknown future date as I do not plan to bring a play that is not fully ready. Fully ready means acting performed to excellence, lighting and sound, costumes, props and all other details must be on point before I showcase to the world.
WOTS: I heard Chinua Achebe is coming to the play?
SO: In truth, I cannot confirm that yet. We have contacted him and once we reach an agreement or non agreement, I would let you know. I do not want to raise anyone's hope.
WOTS: I see you have this all figured out. I am so excited and cannot wait to see this play. I would definitely make the trip down to Ottawa to see it. Any last words for now?
SO: First of all, I want to thank God for giving me the grace to be alive and healthy. Also thank him for this idea and the people he has been putting my way to be a part of the play, my cast and production crew..Wuyi, Jeti, Chioma, Karen and so many more...Constantly visit our website as we would be updating it with details as soon as we get them. it is http://thingsfallapart09.weebly.com/. Thank you very much for reaching out to me and I am sorry it was so difficult to set the time out for this interview.
WOTS: It is a honour and we are proud to be the first to hear from you on this. Have a great day
Monday, August 24, 2009
Friday, August 21, 2009
CBN releases list of banks' huge debtors
LATE last night, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) made good the promise by its Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi to publish the list of those who are indebted to the five banks, whose management were last Friday dissolved by the CBN.
Topping the list of the mega bad debtors is Ascot Offshore Nigeria Limited, which has N44.67 billion loan burden with Intercontinental Bank Plc. Its directors were named as Joey Chuma Obue, Samuel Aikhionbare, Henry Imasekha and Emmanuel Nwachukwu.
Also, Rockson Engineering Limited, with Mr. J.I.A Arumemi-Ikhide, owner of Arik Air and Mrs. Mary E. Arumemi-Ikhide as directors, is owing the same bank N36.99 billion.
Notore Chemical Industries Limited being operated by Onajite Okoloko was listed as owing Oceanic Bank N32.39 billion, secured from Oceanic Bank, while the troubled Transnational Corporation Plc has N30.86 billion to pay Union Bank, with Dr. Ndi Okereke-Onyiuke listed as its director.
Falcon Securities Limited, with Peter Ololo, Simbabe Joseph and Emmanuel Ugbo as directors, is owing Afribank N29.5 billion. The company is again owing Oceanic Bank N22.26 billion. Also, Rahamaniyya Global Resources Limited, owned by Abdul Rahaman Musa Bashir has a non-performing loan of N28.59 billion with Oceanic Bank.
Mid-Western Oil and Gas Company Plc, owned by Onijite Okoloko and Adams Okonen has N23.86 billion to pay Oceanic Bank.
Surprisingly, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede and Mr. Herbert Wigwe, managing director and deputy managing director of Access Bank Plc, respectively, are owing Intercontinental Bank N16.25 billion, through their company - United Alliance Company of Nigeria Plc.
Other top bad debtors listed by CBN include Mr. Femi Otedola, N12.8 billion (Intercontinental Bank) through his company, African Petroleum Plc and another N6.2 billion is owed Union Bank through his Zenon Oil; Mr. Oba Otudeko, immediate past president of Nigerian Stock Exchange, (NSE), N1.6 billion (Oceanic Bank) through Honeywell Group; and Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim, N14.78 billion (Oceanic Bank), through Global Fleet Industries Limited.
Forbe's rated richest man in Nigeria and NSE president, Alhaji Aliko Dangote also has a non-performing loan of N2.5 billion to clear with Oceanic Bank, secured through Dangote Industries Limited.
Prince Fredrick Akinruntan, owner of Obat Oil and Petroleum Company was also listed to be owing Oceanic Bank N4.47 billion.
On the whole, over N746.19 billion non-performing loans were recorded against the mega debtors in the five banks.
With N278.20 billion, Oceanic Bank recorded the highest volume of the non-performing loans, followed by Intercontinental Bank with N210.9 billion.
Afribank is being owed N141.86 billion; Union Bank N73.58 billion; and Finbank N42.45 billion.
CBN, in the advertorial, described the debtors as the largest and vowed to continue publishing the list of the defaulters on an on-going basis.
The apex bank said: "Following the recent regulatory action of the Central Bank of Nigeria on the five banks, it has become necessary to use this medium to request the following defaulting customers of the affected banks to pay without further delay, their indebtedness, failing which the banks will take appropriate legal actions to ensure repayment.
Topping the list of the mega bad debtors is Ascot Offshore Nigeria Limited, which has N44.67 billion loan burden with Intercontinental Bank Plc. Its directors were named as Joey Chuma Obue, Samuel Aikhionbare, Henry Imasekha and Emmanuel Nwachukwu.
Also, Rockson Engineering Limited, with Mr. J.I.A Arumemi-Ikhide, owner of Arik Air and Mrs. Mary E. Arumemi-Ikhide as directors, is owing the same bank N36.99 billion.
Notore Chemical Industries Limited being operated by Onajite Okoloko was listed as owing Oceanic Bank N32.39 billion, secured from Oceanic Bank, while the troubled Transnational Corporation Plc has N30.86 billion to pay Union Bank, with Dr. Ndi Okereke-Onyiuke listed as its director.
Falcon Securities Limited, with Peter Ololo, Simbabe Joseph and Emmanuel Ugbo as directors, is owing Afribank N29.5 billion. The company is again owing Oceanic Bank N22.26 billion. Also, Rahamaniyya Global Resources Limited, owned by Abdul Rahaman Musa Bashir has a non-performing loan of N28.59 billion with Oceanic Bank.
Mid-Western Oil and Gas Company Plc, owned by Onijite Okoloko and Adams Okonen has N23.86 billion to pay Oceanic Bank.
Surprisingly, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede and Mr. Herbert Wigwe, managing director and deputy managing director of Access Bank Plc, respectively, are owing Intercontinental Bank N16.25 billion, through their company - United Alliance Company of Nigeria Plc.
Other top bad debtors listed by CBN include Mr. Femi Otedola, N12.8 billion (Intercontinental Bank) through his company, African Petroleum Plc and another N6.2 billion is owed Union Bank through his Zenon Oil; Mr. Oba Otudeko, immediate past president of Nigerian Stock Exchange, (NSE), N1.6 billion (Oceanic Bank) through Honeywell Group; and Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim, N14.78 billion (Oceanic Bank), through Global Fleet Industries Limited.
Forbe's rated richest man in Nigeria and NSE president, Alhaji Aliko Dangote also has a non-performing loan of N2.5 billion to clear with Oceanic Bank, secured through Dangote Industries Limited.
Prince Fredrick Akinruntan, owner of Obat Oil and Petroleum Company was also listed to be owing Oceanic Bank N4.47 billion.
On the whole, over N746.19 billion non-performing loans were recorded against the mega debtors in the five banks.
With N278.20 billion, Oceanic Bank recorded the highest volume of the non-performing loans, followed by Intercontinental Bank with N210.9 billion.
Afribank is being owed N141.86 billion; Union Bank N73.58 billion; and Finbank N42.45 billion.
CBN, in the advertorial, described the debtors as the largest and vowed to continue publishing the list of the defaulters on an on-going basis.
The apex bank said: "Following the recent regulatory action of the Central Bank of Nigeria on the five banks, it has become necessary to use this medium to request the following defaulting customers of the affected banks to pay without further delay, their indebtedness, failing which the banks will take appropriate legal actions to ensure repayment.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Taking Responsibility for Your Actions
Why is it so difficult for us to accept responsibility for our actions? There is a story of two parents with two children who attended 5 schools before 10th grade all within a 20 mile radius all because they claimed the schools were horrible and the teachers showed favoritism. At what point would these parents accept responsibility for their children's involvement in the problems they experienced?
We all like to feel important and have others have a high opinion of us. Some more than others develop an over-inflated view of themselves. These tendencies act to wrap us in what many call "denial", which creates a false perception of self and the inability to accept the truth about us. It then becomes painful to accept that mistakes are possible and when they do occur the first reaction is to point the finger at someone else. We refuse to think objectively and accept any involvement for our actions.
The inability to accept responsibility for our actions and behaviors is a result of insecurity. By accepting responsibility one feels they are admitting to being weak, powerless, or an opportunity to lose the respect of others. It may cause one to feel they will lose their sense of value and importance.
On the contrary, accepting responsibility earns you respect. We can't be perfect all the time, we all make mistakes. When we accept responsibility we are accepting the blame for our actions and also accepting the responsibility for making improvements in our lives. Accepting responsibility is a measure of one's self-worth, their level of security, and the true sign of strength and courage. It will empower you to grow in ways that would bring you great rewards and accomplishments in your life.
Who would you have greater respect for, a person who takes responsibility for his/her actions, owns up to it and promises to do better in the future, or someone who perpetually denies any involvement in situations when it's obvious they may be responsible?
Accepting responsibility is a sign of personal growth and maturity. It is definitely not a sign of weakness.
The Consequences for Not Taking Responsibility
When you fail to accept personal responsibility for your actions there are a series of events that follow over time. The consequences do not necessarily promote goal achievement and success in life. The signals you send to the subconscious can come back to sabotage your progress.
One of the negative consequences that follow is an exaggerated sense of self that makes it difficult to get along with others. You then run the risk of becoming involved in conflicting situations and becoming more critical of others. Because your perception of your importance is exaggerated, your expectation of others is unrealistic and you become impatient, intolerant, and demanding. With this attitude, you act as a repellant to others, finding it difficult to gain their cooperation. Your relationships can suffer and before long very few people would want to be around you.
When taking responsibility for your actions is difficult to accept, you experience frequent feelings of insecurity. These insecurities can trigger doubt about your own abilities, which undermines your self-confidence. In this state of mind you have a high need to be right at all times to compensate for what you feel you are lacking. You defend your every action, right or wrong. It compounds the already existing problem of being unable to accept personal responsibility and reinforces this behavior even more.
Once this habit of refusing to accept personal responsibility is maintained, your character can become slowly transformed. You may tend to become someone who is irresponsible, a quitter, reliant on others, disturbed, unhappy, hopeless, angry, irrational, and defiant. These qualities are not success enhancers. They can eat away at your ability to achieve your best.
Examine your life today. Are you able to accept responsibility for your actions?
Causes for Inability to Accept Personal Responsibility
There are many people who develop this tendency to be unable to accept personal responsibility for their actions. Let's look in more detail some of the causes of one's inability to adopt this characteristic.
1. Feelings of Insecurity. - There are some folks who may have been raised in a very chaotic environment where they were constantly put down, yelled at, or emotionally abused. There are some who grew up in an underprivileged environment and grew up with feelings of inferiority or were raised by parents who carried feelings of inferiority. Someone who didn't receive much attention, positive reinforcement, or recognition growing up, always feeling overlooked. These conditions can cause a lack of confidence in their own abilities along with feelings of low self-esteem.
2. Arrogance.- People develop arrogance for several reasons. It could have been inherited - some folks know very little about humility. Others are so over confident that they become completely self-centered and see themselves as flawless and incapable of making mistakes. There are those who are so insecure that their arrogance is a way of compensating for their insecurities. They feel they must act superior or arrogant to others.
3. Prejudices.- Some people who feel victims of racial discrimination, intolerance, or narrow-mindedness, are always on guard or on edge. They feel unable to get the recognition they deserve and feel that others stand in their way of progress. This triggers feelings of insecurities that results of the inability to accept responsibility for their actions. They refuse to accept responsibility for their actions.
What I have identified are only some of the underlying reasons why some of us cannot accept responsibility for our behavior. Does any of this sound familiar to you? Is so, this doesn't make you a bad person. You should be congratulated for recognizing these characteristics in you. Now that you are aware the next step is to making a change in your life.
How to Take Responsibility for your actions
Stop and think back to the last time you accepted responsibility for something. Does it seem as if you have a difficult time doing it? By accepting that you do have a problem in this area and learning ways of taking responsibility for your actions, you are taking your life to a higher level of existence. You will find yourself feeling more vibrant and happier.
So how can you learn to take responsibility for your actions?
# Realize that you cannot place the blame on others for the choices you make. Be fair in your dealings.
# Understanding that it's ok to make mistakes. No one will think less of you. On the contrary you will earn the respect of others for admitting your errors.
# Seek to improve your self-esteem When your self-esteem is high, your self-perception and self-worth is so peaked that there's no need to pretend to be something you're not. There's no more need to feel sorry for yourself. There are no more feelings of inferiority. Admitting your poor judgment in a situation and taking responsibility comes easily.
# Build your self-confidence When you are confident in your abilities, you won't become defensive when you make a mistake. Owning your contribution to a situation and taking responsibility becomes natural.
# Giving of yourself in service to others, teachers empathy and compassion, characteristics that helps one to overcome self-centeredness.
# Learn ways to let go of fear. Fear can create insecurities.
# Acceptance of who you are. Learn to love yourself unconditionally and accept who you are.
# Learn how to see things objectively without bias and prejudice.
# Let go of bigotry.
# Let go of feelings of victimization. Learn to see yourself as a victor and not a victim.
# Develop your spiritual life. By adding a spiritual dimension to your life, it can help to bring more self-awareness.
Take your degree of success to a higher to level.
We all like to feel important and have others have a high opinion of us. Some more than others develop an over-inflated view of themselves. These tendencies act to wrap us in what many call "denial", which creates a false perception of self and the inability to accept the truth about us. It then becomes painful to accept that mistakes are possible and when they do occur the first reaction is to point the finger at someone else. We refuse to think objectively and accept any involvement for our actions.
The inability to accept responsibility for our actions and behaviors is a result of insecurity. By accepting responsibility one feels they are admitting to being weak, powerless, or an opportunity to lose the respect of others. It may cause one to feel they will lose their sense of value and importance.
On the contrary, accepting responsibility earns you respect. We can't be perfect all the time, we all make mistakes. When we accept responsibility we are accepting the blame for our actions and also accepting the responsibility for making improvements in our lives. Accepting responsibility is a measure of one's self-worth, their level of security, and the true sign of strength and courage. It will empower you to grow in ways that would bring you great rewards and accomplishments in your life.
Who would you have greater respect for, a person who takes responsibility for his/her actions, owns up to it and promises to do better in the future, or someone who perpetually denies any involvement in situations when it's obvious they may be responsible?
Accepting responsibility is a sign of personal growth and maturity. It is definitely not a sign of weakness.
The Consequences for Not Taking Responsibility
When you fail to accept personal responsibility for your actions there are a series of events that follow over time. The consequences do not necessarily promote goal achievement and success in life. The signals you send to the subconscious can come back to sabotage your progress.
One of the negative consequences that follow is an exaggerated sense of self that makes it difficult to get along with others. You then run the risk of becoming involved in conflicting situations and becoming more critical of others. Because your perception of your importance is exaggerated, your expectation of others is unrealistic and you become impatient, intolerant, and demanding. With this attitude, you act as a repellant to others, finding it difficult to gain their cooperation. Your relationships can suffer and before long very few people would want to be around you.
When taking responsibility for your actions is difficult to accept, you experience frequent feelings of insecurity. These insecurities can trigger doubt about your own abilities, which undermines your self-confidence. In this state of mind you have a high need to be right at all times to compensate for what you feel you are lacking. You defend your every action, right or wrong. It compounds the already existing problem of being unable to accept personal responsibility and reinforces this behavior even more.
Once this habit of refusing to accept personal responsibility is maintained, your character can become slowly transformed. You may tend to become someone who is irresponsible, a quitter, reliant on others, disturbed, unhappy, hopeless, angry, irrational, and defiant. These qualities are not success enhancers. They can eat away at your ability to achieve your best.
Examine your life today. Are you able to accept responsibility for your actions?
Causes for Inability to Accept Personal Responsibility
There are many people who develop this tendency to be unable to accept personal responsibility for their actions. Let's look in more detail some of the causes of one's inability to adopt this characteristic.
1. Feelings of Insecurity. - There are some folks who may have been raised in a very chaotic environment where they were constantly put down, yelled at, or emotionally abused. There are some who grew up in an underprivileged environment and grew up with feelings of inferiority or were raised by parents who carried feelings of inferiority. Someone who didn't receive much attention, positive reinforcement, or recognition growing up, always feeling overlooked. These conditions can cause a lack of confidence in their own abilities along with feelings of low self-esteem.
2. Arrogance.- People develop arrogance for several reasons. It could have been inherited - some folks know very little about humility. Others are so over confident that they become completely self-centered and see themselves as flawless and incapable of making mistakes. There are those who are so insecure that their arrogance is a way of compensating for their insecurities. They feel they must act superior or arrogant to others.
3. Prejudices.- Some people who feel victims of racial discrimination, intolerance, or narrow-mindedness, are always on guard or on edge. They feel unable to get the recognition they deserve and feel that others stand in their way of progress. This triggers feelings of insecurities that results of the inability to accept responsibility for their actions. They refuse to accept responsibility for their actions.
What I have identified are only some of the underlying reasons why some of us cannot accept responsibility for our behavior. Does any of this sound familiar to you? Is so, this doesn't make you a bad person. You should be congratulated for recognizing these characteristics in you. Now that you are aware the next step is to making a change in your life.
How to Take Responsibility for your actions
Stop and think back to the last time you accepted responsibility for something. Does it seem as if you have a difficult time doing it? By accepting that you do have a problem in this area and learning ways of taking responsibility for your actions, you are taking your life to a higher level of existence. You will find yourself feeling more vibrant and happier.
So how can you learn to take responsibility for your actions?
# Realize that you cannot place the blame on others for the choices you make. Be fair in your dealings.
# Understanding that it's ok to make mistakes. No one will think less of you. On the contrary you will earn the respect of others for admitting your errors.
# Seek to improve your self-esteem When your self-esteem is high, your self-perception and self-worth is so peaked that there's no need to pretend to be something you're not. There's no more need to feel sorry for yourself. There are no more feelings of inferiority. Admitting your poor judgment in a situation and taking responsibility comes easily.
# Build your self-confidence When you are confident in your abilities, you won't become defensive when you make a mistake. Owning your contribution to a situation and taking responsibility becomes natural.
# Giving of yourself in service to others, teachers empathy and compassion, characteristics that helps one to overcome self-centeredness.
# Learn ways to let go of fear. Fear can create insecurities.
# Acceptance of who you are. Learn to love yourself unconditionally and accept who you are.
# Learn how to see things objectively without bias and prejudice.
# Let go of bigotry.
# Let go of feelings of victimization. Learn to see yourself as a victor and not a victim.
# Develop your spiritual life. By adding a spiritual dimension to your life, it can help to bring more self-awareness.
Take your degree of success to a higher to level.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Arsenal Season Preview
ALMUNIA: Underrated. He improved as 08/09 wore on, as proven by a remarkable run from November to March during which we conceded only 14 goals in all competitions. When he got injured, the goals poured in. Fabianski is not yet a reliable deputy.
GALLAS: �The Strop at St Andrews� made him an easy target, but his ability as a defender is unquestionable. Once the captaincy fiasco ended last November, Gallas emerged a true professional�kept his head down, mouth shut, and worked hard. He�s a better captain without the armband.
VERMAELEN: Shown signs in pre-season that Toure will not be missed. Not as quick as the Ivorian, but he has the positional sense and discipline required to address our Achilles heel: set pieces and crosses. Much was made of his height when he first arrived, but a prodigious leap more than compensates.
CLICHY: Tireless and full of pace. However, his otherwise stellar defending can be undone by surprisingly frequent and costly mistakes�a slip, a mistimed tackle, a trailing leg. With better concentration he can cut out these errors, and, hopefully, improve his crossing at the other end.
SAGNA: His dependability and discipline has helped shore up our defence, but compared to 07/08, Sagna�s form in 08/09 was somewhat indifferent (partly due to injury). His previously realised potential indicates last season was a one-off; though, like Clichy, effective crossing remains an elusive skill.
DJOUROU: Worrying pre-season form only highlights our fragility in defence when one of or both Gallas and Vermaelen get injured. It�s disappointing, because Djourou looked decent when he played last season. Our other back-ups�Senderos, Song, and Silvestre�are no better or worse, and thus CB remains our most vulnerable position.
FABREGAS: An injury last December ended an average (by his standards) first half to the season, and it was clear upon his return for the run-in that he was still recovering. Encouragingly, his form this summer for Spain and in pre-season suggests that he�s back to his string-pulling (and scoring?) best.
DENILSON / SONG: Neither fill us with confidence. Wenger experimented with both at DM in 08/09 with varying success, but our lack of bite in midfield last season should also be attributed to the players around them. Departures and injuries meant that support came from the likes of Eboue, Walcott, and Nasri, rather than Rosicky, Hleb, Gilberto, Flamini, and, for large spells, Fabregas. A new DM seems unlikely, so Denilson and Song will have to step up.
ARSHAVIN: Indispensable. We haven�t had a player like him since Pires�and perhaps Bergkamp�in the sense that he can almost effortlessly create something out of nothing. To his creativity, Arshavin adds speed and an eye for goal. Our chances of silverware are greater if he stays fit and sharp.
ROSICKY: Not as prolific as Arshavin, but just as important. When Rosicky plays we look a more balanced side, particularly because he contributes equally to defence and attack. He�s intelligent, quick, and surprisingly tough in the tackle. The problem, of course, is that nobody knows how often he�ll play.
WALCOTT: Sprinting into the final third is fine, but what you do with the ball when you get there is more important. Walcott lacks composure, and whether this is simply a matter of inexperience remains to be seen. His performances for England over the summer did not fill Gooners with much optimism.
NASRI: Achieved cult status for some important goals in 08/09, but Nasri still has the tendency to go missing in games. Given his natural ability, one can expect Nasri to gradually assert himself more on the pitch. Not an automatic starter when Rosicky is fit.
DIABY: His strength and obvious skill are undone by a lack of stamina and vision. The big criticisms are that he can�t last an entire game, and that for all his dribbling, he can�t pick out a pass. Needs a run of games to prove his worth, but may not ever stay fit long enough to get it.
EBOUE: An great player to have as RB back-up, but still adds very little to the team when played at RM.
VAN PERSIE: Our most technically gifted player, he�s also matured into a valuable leader. Van Persie carried us almost single handedly through last winter when we lost Fabregas and Adebayor. He was our top scorer last season (so it seems churlish to criticize him) but could still be more clinical.
EDUARDO: The only poacher in our squad. What he lacks in pace, he makes up for in accuracy and close control. He�s one of the only players at Arsenal who makes me assume �goal� when he gets into a scoring position, a feeling I last had with Henry. Seems fit and ready to go.
BENDTNER: Comes in for a lot of abuse, which doesn�t square with a surprisingly good goal conversion rate. Has an excellent work ethic, and the belief of Wenger, but can he produce consistently against the very best?
VELA / RAMSEY / WILSHERE / GIBBS / TRAORE: Should feature heavily in our domestic cup campaigns, or more if injuries mount.
GALLAS: �The Strop at St Andrews� made him an easy target, but his ability as a defender is unquestionable. Once the captaincy fiasco ended last November, Gallas emerged a true professional�kept his head down, mouth shut, and worked hard. He�s a better captain without the armband.
VERMAELEN: Shown signs in pre-season that Toure will not be missed. Not as quick as the Ivorian, but he has the positional sense and discipline required to address our Achilles heel: set pieces and crosses. Much was made of his height when he first arrived, but a prodigious leap more than compensates.
CLICHY: Tireless and full of pace. However, his otherwise stellar defending can be undone by surprisingly frequent and costly mistakes�a slip, a mistimed tackle, a trailing leg. With better concentration he can cut out these errors, and, hopefully, improve his crossing at the other end.
SAGNA: His dependability and discipline has helped shore up our defence, but compared to 07/08, Sagna�s form in 08/09 was somewhat indifferent (partly due to injury). His previously realised potential indicates last season was a one-off; though, like Clichy, effective crossing remains an elusive skill.
DJOUROU: Worrying pre-season form only highlights our fragility in defence when one of or both Gallas and Vermaelen get injured. It�s disappointing, because Djourou looked decent when he played last season. Our other back-ups�Senderos, Song, and Silvestre�are no better or worse, and thus CB remains our most vulnerable position.
FABREGAS: An injury last December ended an average (by his standards) first half to the season, and it was clear upon his return for the run-in that he was still recovering. Encouragingly, his form this summer for Spain and in pre-season suggests that he�s back to his string-pulling (and scoring?) best.
DENILSON / SONG: Neither fill us with confidence. Wenger experimented with both at DM in 08/09 with varying success, but our lack of bite in midfield last season should also be attributed to the players around them. Departures and injuries meant that support came from the likes of Eboue, Walcott, and Nasri, rather than Rosicky, Hleb, Gilberto, Flamini, and, for large spells, Fabregas. A new DM seems unlikely, so Denilson and Song will have to step up.
ARSHAVIN: Indispensable. We haven�t had a player like him since Pires�and perhaps Bergkamp�in the sense that he can almost effortlessly create something out of nothing. To his creativity, Arshavin adds speed and an eye for goal. Our chances of silverware are greater if he stays fit and sharp.
ROSICKY: Not as prolific as Arshavin, but just as important. When Rosicky plays we look a more balanced side, particularly because he contributes equally to defence and attack. He�s intelligent, quick, and surprisingly tough in the tackle. The problem, of course, is that nobody knows how often he�ll play.
WALCOTT: Sprinting into the final third is fine, but what you do with the ball when you get there is more important. Walcott lacks composure, and whether this is simply a matter of inexperience remains to be seen. His performances for England over the summer did not fill Gooners with much optimism.
NASRI: Achieved cult status for some important goals in 08/09, but Nasri still has the tendency to go missing in games. Given his natural ability, one can expect Nasri to gradually assert himself more on the pitch. Not an automatic starter when Rosicky is fit.
DIABY: His strength and obvious skill are undone by a lack of stamina and vision. The big criticisms are that he can�t last an entire game, and that for all his dribbling, he can�t pick out a pass. Needs a run of games to prove his worth, but may not ever stay fit long enough to get it.
EBOUE: An great player to have as RB back-up, but still adds very little to the team when played at RM.
VAN PERSIE: Our most technically gifted player, he�s also matured into a valuable leader. Van Persie carried us almost single handedly through last winter when we lost Fabregas and Adebayor. He was our top scorer last season (so it seems churlish to criticize him) but could still be more clinical.
EDUARDO: The only poacher in our squad. What he lacks in pace, he makes up for in accuracy and close control. He�s one of the only players at Arsenal who makes me assume �goal� when he gets into a scoring position, a feeling I last had with Henry. Seems fit and ready to go.
BENDTNER: Comes in for a lot of abuse, which doesn�t square with a surprisingly good goal conversion rate. Has an excellent work ethic, and the belief of Wenger, but can he produce consistently against the very best?
VELA / RAMSEY / WILSHERE / GIBBS / TRAORE: Should feature heavily in our domestic cup campaigns, or more if injuries mount.
Friday, August 7, 2009
What is becoming of Nigeria?
***Disclaimer***
If you are below the age of 18, you are not allowed to open this video. Parental and adult guidance is advised. Content is sexually explicit and discretion is advised.
With Nigeria being a country whose principles are embedded with morals and values, it is saddening and heart wrecking to come across pictures like this.
What you are about to see will shock you. Both are Zain staff and are married to different people. The story is that both went on leave outside Nigeria and during their escapades they took pictures of themselves and somehow misplaced the memory card and someone somehow got a hold of it and published them. The two lovers were later advised to resign by their company.
There is a question here to be asked? Have people always been like this or is it that the recent upsurge in our technological growth is what is opening our eyes to this? This and many more questions do I want you to ask yourself as you read this.
What a sad story.
Men and Women, love your spouse and remember the solemn vow you made to them. Do not go around sleeping with other peoples spouses or anyone else for that matter. We all should learn from this and know that what they say is true.
If you are below the age of 18, you are not allowed to open this video. Parental and adult guidance is advised. Content is sexually explicit and discretion is advised.
With Nigeria being a country whose principles are embedded with morals and values, it is saddening and heart wrecking to come across pictures like this.
What you are about to see will shock you. Both are Zain staff and are married to different people. The story is that both went on leave outside Nigeria and during their escapades they took pictures of themselves and somehow misplaced the memory card and someone somehow got a hold of it and published them. The two lovers were later advised to resign by their company.
There is a question here to be asked? Have people always been like this or is it that the recent upsurge in our technological growth is what is opening our eyes to this? This and many more questions do I want you to ask yourself as you read this.
What a sad story.
Men and Women, love your spouse and remember the solemn vow you made to them. Do not go around sleeping with other peoples spouses or anyone else for that matter. We all should learn from this and know that what they say is true.
99 days for the thief, 1 day for the owner...They have both disgraced themselves and their families and I hope they can find retribution in what they have done. As a young man, my lesson here is simple: Never depart from the teachings of my parents which tells me, " Anything you cannot do in public and in pride, stay far away from it." I love you, daddy and mummy for what you have thought me. I go astray from time to time, but I learn every time to come back closer to home. I am creating a new man in myself.
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