US To Citizens: Nigeria Contained Ebola; We Can

Saturday, 04 October 2014 20:09 Written by Laolu Akande, New York Category: National Hits: 140 Print Email Barack-Obama 05-10• Reels Out FG’s Success Story To Reassure Citizens AT a time reference to Nigeria in global news and international affairs has been mostly about the unending killings by terrorists in the Northeast, the Ebola management seems to be shining some positive light on Nigeria and its medical personnel, some of whom paid the supreme sacrifice to ensure that Ebola was controlled. In an effort to bolster the confidence of its people that Ebola would be contained in America, few days after a Liberian national was diagnosed with the deadly virus, the manner Nigeria handled its own patients is now being used by the US government as proof that the virus would be contained in America as well. This is coming just as the Nigerian Ambassador in the US, Prof Ade Adefuye, assured Nigerian travelers to America that they would not be subjected to any form of medical screening on arrival at US airports. Speaking late Friday afternoon at the White House at a hurriedly convened press briefing on the first Ebola case diagnosed in the US, top White House officials and US government health officials were pressed by journalists who pointed out to the failure of the Texas Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas, where the Liberian patient went, but was not immediately diagnosed even though he had told the medical team in the hospital of his symptoms and that he had just returned from Liberia. A White House reporter asked at the press briefing “Is nobody concerned that there were these breakdowns in Dallas? And are you really confident that there’s not going to be similar breakdowns elsewhere along the same line? Responding the US Human Health Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell was the first to bring up the way Ebola was contained in Nigeria to reassure Americans at a press briefing beamed live all across the US and globally. Said she “ we’re confident these processes will work. If you look at what happened in Nigeria in terms of the cases in Nigeria, what happened is we quickly activated — and CDC was a part of supporting the country of Nigeria both at the state and federal level to be put in place the things that it needed to put in place. We know it’s about detect, isolate, treat the patient, and do the contact tracing. Those are the steps. And now we see where we are with Nigeria in terms of the cases and them having moved through.” According to the Secretary, who holds the office equivalent to the of Health Minister in Nigeria, the US will “continue to work on our education and continue to work with locals and put out more and more information, we put out more information and updated information. Whenever there is anything that we see that we can do a better job on communicating, we will do that. Adefuye who issued his statement on the same day the US government officials addressed the press briefing also noted that “the U.S. government, especially the Department of Health, is very much impressed with the success achieved by the Federal, Lagos and Rivers State Governments in combating Ebola. The announcement by Nigeria that it will assist other African countries to combat Ebola has been well received by the U.S. government and public.” APC locks horns with PDP over Ebola National Chairman, PDP, Adamu Mu’azu and National Chairman, APC, John Oyegun National Chairman, PDP, Adamu Mu’azu and National Chairman, APC, John Oyegun The All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party on Sunday accused each other of insincerity in the containment of the Ebola Virus Disease in Nigeria. While the APC asked President Goodluck Jonathan to stop taking credit for stopping the spread of the virus, the PDP accused the opposition of wishing that the scourge continued . Ironically, the bickering occurred just days after the social media were abuzz with reports by major United States newspapers, including the Washington Post, praising the pro-active measures adopted by Nigeria in curtailing the spread of the EVD and advising Texas where the Ebola case was recorded to learn from Nigerian example APC, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said it was sheer dishonesty for Jonathan and the PDP to turn what was a collective effort to a PDP campaign issue. According to the opposition party, the President and the PDP are wrong to have appropriated the credit for the containment of the EVD without giving due attention to the real heroes of the successful battle. It mentioned the late Dr. Stella Adadevoh and her colleagues at the First Consultant Hospital in Lagos; officials of the ministries of Health in Lagos and Rivers States and the patriotic Nigerian volunteers, among others as the heroes. The APC described as a cheap shot and a shameless venture, the President’s decision to make the Ebola success story a campaign issue during a PDP rally in Benin, Edo State. It claimed that Jonathan created the impression that only the PDP deserved the credit for the successful containment of the disease. APC said while indeed the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, exhibited the kind of professionalism and purposefulness that were not common with the Jonathan administration during the battle against Ebola, it would be uncharitable for the PDP-led Federal Government to pretend as if the governments of Lagos and Rivers states did nothing. The statement partly read, “The cities of Lagos and Port Harcourt are perhaps the largest metropolis to have ever been hit by the EVD since the first outbreak was recorded in the Democratic Republic of Congo almost 40 years ago, and any mishandling of the disease could have spelt disaster not just for the cities but for the country as a whole. “But the ever-dogged and determined Governors Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State and Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers States employed the same winning strategies that have stood their states out of the pack and quickly rose to the occasion, putting in place measures that ensured a quick curtailing of the EVD spread. “The measures inclu ded painstaking contact-tracing, unrelenting follow-up and creative treatment of infected patients even without access to the experimental drug Zmapp. “There is no doubt that Nigeria is fortunate that the EVD outbreaks were recorded in those two states. It is a measure of the high premium that the chief executives of the states place on human life, a testimony to the strong health systems they are building and an indication of their purposeful approach to governance that they successfully contained the disease, thus earning Nigeria a rare accolade from the global community.” The party also advised President Jonathan not to use the Ebola containment effort as another tool to divide Nigerians along party lines. The APC said it was sad that the President who inherited a united Nigeria was dividing its people along ethnic and religious lines on the altar of selfish personal ambition and short-term opportunism. “It will amount to a monumental tragedy if the President will again use the Ebola success story, which has earned Nigeria a rare acclamation from the global community, as a tool to further divide Nigerians,’’ it said. But the PDP, through its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, described APC’s statement as another failed attempt to discredit the PDP-led Federal Government and relegate its efforts in the containment of the EVD in Nigeria. Metuh said in a statement that the APC was frustrated and unhappy because Nigerians were happy with the PDP-led Federal Government for “the speed and energy with which it tackled the scourge and brought it under control.” “We know that the APC prefers that the Ebola scourge continued unabated in Nigeria so as to have what to blame the PDP-led government for. Now that it has been contained, the APC is frustrated because the people are happy with President Jonathan and the PDP-led Federal Government for the proactive manner with which the disease was confronted and overcome,” he added. According to him, the success recorded on the EVD was because Jonathan did not politicise it. The statement partly read, “The PDP makes bold to state that the multi-sectoral approach deployed by the Federal Government with the concerted collaboration of the federal ministries of Health, Aviation, Information, Education, Transport and other relevant agencies such as the Nigerian Immigration Service for intensive screening, quarantine and treatment efforts as well as the massive awareness ended the spread of the disease and resulted in its containment in our country. “We are also amused by the contradictions in the APC’s statement in which it also commended the roles played by the Minister of Health in the containment effort. “We ask, is the minister not appointed and supervised by President Jonathan? Is he not of the PDP? Or is the APC now trying to appropriate him?” Copyright PUNCH. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.

Ekiti: SANs drag Fayose, PDP to NHRC

You are here: Home / News / Ekiti: SANs drag Fayose, PDP to NHRC Ekiti: SANs drag Fayose, PDP to NHRC October 6, 2014 by Kamarudeen Ogundele and Ade Adesomoju 182 Comments [print] Ekiti State Governor-elect, Ayo Fayose Ekiti State Governor-elect, Ayo Fayose Two Senior Advocates of Nigeria- Norrisom Quakers and M.J. Onigbanjo- have dragged the Peoples Democratic Party and Ekiti State-governor-elect, Ayodele Fayose, to the National Human Rights Commission over alleged violation of their rights to practise as lawyers. In a petition dated September 29 and jointly signed by them, they claimed that the September 22 and 25 attacks on the Ekiti High Court by some suspected political thugs constituted threats to their lives. Quakers and Onigbanjo, who are the lawyers to the litigants challenging Fayose’s eligibility to contest in the June 21 governorship election, addressed their petition to the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Prof. Bem Angwe. The National Judicial Council had at its emergency meeting on September 16 asked the Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abbah,to investigate the attacks on the court and prosecute those behind it. The Nigerian Bar Association had also said it would send an investigative team to the state to unravel those behind the incident and bring them to justice. In their petition, Quakers and Onigbanjo urged the rights commission to use its wherewithal to investigate the attacks on the court. They said the NHRC should unearth “those behind this shameful display of banditry and gross violation of human rights with a view to prosecuting and bringing them to justice.” The petitioners accused the PDP of organising the political thugs that invaded the high court premises on September 22 and attacked Justice Olusegun Ogunyemi. The attackers reportedly regrouped on September 25 to disrupt the hearing of a petition challenging the election of Fayose. Quakers and Onigbanjo described the September 22 incident as “barbaric and barefaced violation of the constitutionally guaranteed rights of the claimants (litigants), claimants’ counsel, the judge and other officers of the court by thugs who were organised by the PDP.” Part of the petition reads, “We are therefore apprehensive for our safety and that of our legal team’s lives, the dignity of our human persons, our right to practise our profession and our clients’ rights as citizens of Nigeria to seek redress in the court of law. “All the foregoing rights mentioned above clearly violated by the instigated mob, whose objectives included ensuring that the court did not deliver its scheduled ruling at 12 noon and or conduct any other business thereafter and to bully, intimidate and instill fear in the court in an attempt to obstruct justice to the point where the court would be too apprehensive to subsequently hear the case prior to the swearing in of Fayose on October 16,2014. “Should this unfortunate display of desecration of the hallowed temple of justice which is supposed to the last hope of the common man be allowed to persist unprosecuted, we all would be recorded for posterity as the people who sat with arms folded while miscreants and hooligans took over and controlled the administration of justice and overall balance of the society.” PDP writes CJN over Ekiti crisis Meanwhile, the PDP in Ekiti State has accused the Chief Judge, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, of plotting with Governor Kayode Fayemi to stop the inauguration of Fayose. The party made the allegation in a letter to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mariam Aloma-Mukhtar. The letter titled, “Another judicial coup plotted to avert the swearing in of the governor-elect of Ekiti State,” was signed by the state Secretary of the PDP, Dr. Tope Aluko and the Publicity Secretary, Kola Oluwawole. But Fayemi described the allegation as another tissue of lies by the PDP.He therefore challenged the PDP in the state to prove its allegation. In the letter the PDP claimed that it was aware of plans by Daramola to give accelerated hearing to some suits challenging the eligibility of Fayose for the June 21 governorship election despite the notice of appeal and the stay of proceedings filed in respect of the suits. Fayose had challenged the assumption of jurisdiction by Justice Olusegun Ogunyemi of an Ado-Ekiti High Court on the matter. He also sought a stay of proceedings on the hearing of the substantive suit. The letter to the CJN read, “On September 28, 2014, the governor-elect of Ekiti State personally wrote a letter to you, raising fears about the attempts of the CJ of Ekiti State to frustrate his inauguration. “This was done in view of Section 185 (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which empowers only the CJ of Ekiti State to inaugurate the governor-elect as the new governor of the state, as Ekiti State presently has no Grand Khadi of the Sharia Court of Appeal, or the President of the Customary Court of Appeal that can perform similar function, in case the Chief Judge decline to do so. “To our knowledge, you are yet to react to that letter. Meanwhile, we are authoritatively informed of another desperate move to obtain a “black market injunction” from an Ekiti State High Court, restraining the CJ from inaugurating the governor-elect on October 16, 2014. “Our source authoritatively informed us that the E-11 case in suits HAD/51/2014 and HAD/52/2014 are to be given accelerated hearing between Wednesday, 8/10/14 and Friday, 10/10/14, or thereabout, in a way that a “black market injunction” will be secured to restrain the CJ from inaugurating the governor-elect, after the court might have been re-opened following the NJC directive. “The outgoing governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, and Justice Daramola had finalised arrangement to actualise this diabolical plan.” The PDP therefore called on the CJN to call Daramola to order and allow due process to be followed in all the cases before his court. It said, “These two cases or any other case that may be concocted are not time bound or perishable items that injunction would be necessary to preserve ex-parte or otherwise, before the swearing-in of the governor-elect on October 16,2014.’’ “The law allows appeal from one court of first instance to the Supreme Court. Why before the inauguaration? “There is no doubt that this dangerous game if allowed to germinate into fruition will cause a constitutional crisis, and indeed, anarchy in the already volatile state.” But the state Commissioner for Information, Tayo Ekundayo, said it was another lie by the PDP. He said, “We don’t control the judiciary. The three arms of government have their role to play without interference. I do not know how the governor will ask the CJ to scuttle the inauguration. It is not in our character. “The PDP has been telling a lot of lies, accusing us of so many things. There is nothing they have said in the last three months that is true. It is just another of their lies. We are not in any discussion with the CJ on how he runs the judiciary.” Copyright PUNCH. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.

Again, S’Africa seizes $5.7m arms cash from Nigeria

Arms and ammunitions The Asset Forfeiture Unit of the National Prosecuting Authority has seized $5.7m (R64m) for yet another arms deal between South Africa and Nigeria. This is the second multimillion-rand arms deal between the two countries in the past month that has resulted in the money being frozen in South African banks. Last month, R103m in $100 bills stashed in suitcases was seized at Lanseria Airport, north of Joburg. The money was frozen in both cases for allegedly being the proceeds of illegal transactions. City Press’ sister paper Rapport has learnt that the department for offences against the state in the Special Investigating Unit is also involved. Documents in the newspaper’s possession show that the earlier consignment was approved by the Nigerian government – that country’s national security adviser personally issued the end-user certificate for the transaction. An entire “shopping list” was supplied with the certificate, which included everything from helicopters to unmanned aircraft, rockets and ammunition. Sources close to the investigation said the latest transaction was between Cerberus Risk Solutions, an arms broker in Cape Town, and Societe D’Equipments Internationaux, a Nigerian company in Abuja. An impeccable source said this company paid the R60m into Cerberus’ account at Standard Bank. Cerberus was previously registered as a broker with the National Conventional Arms Control Committee, but the registration expired in May this year. The marketing and contracting permits also expired at the same time. The company has since applied for re-registration, but the application lay in the NCACC’s mailbox for more than two months. Sources told Rapport that Cerberus apparently tried to pay the money back to the Nigerian company, after which the bank became suspicious. The NPA’s Asset Forfeiture Unit subsequently obtained a court order in the South Gauteng High Court to seize the money. Cerberus’ attorney, Martin Hood, this week declined to comment on the matter. NPA spokesperson Nathi Mncube said there were no indications that the two transactions were related. “However, both are now the subject of a criminal investigation and all possible information and connections are being investigated,” said Mncube. 12 convicted soldiers don’t deserve to die Convicted Soldiers. Convicted Soldiers. The 12 soldiers sentenced to death by the Nigerian Army on September 14, 2014 for their roles in an attack on the General Officer Commanding, Maj. Gen Ahmed Mohammed, do not deserve to die. Nigerians and other online readers believe that in a democratic dispensation, the Army should not bring back the sad memories of the dark periods of military rule. This is the outcome of a poll conducted by PUNCH ONLINE. The online poll, which opened on September 17, 2014 and ended on September 24, 2014, presented respondents with the question: ‘Do you think the Army is justified to have sentenced to death, soldiers, who attacked their GOC over poor welfare and inadequate weapons?’ One thousand and one respondents took part in the online poll, choosing either ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ in response to the poll question. Eight hundred and fifty nine respondents, representing 86 per cent, are of the opinion that the military’s position is not justified in sentencing the soldiers to death by firing squad. One hundred and forty two respondents, representing 14 per cent are of the view that the soldiers deserve to be killed. The soldiers had on May 14, 2014 attacked the GOC in Maiduguri, Borno State, protesting what they believed was his complicity in events that led to the killing of some of their senior colleagues, who died while returning from a battleground, after being ambushed by Boko Haram militants. The military, citing its codes, described the troops’ action as mutiny, a serious offence in the military. Eighteen soldiers were court martialled, out of which 12 were sentenced to death by firing squad, five were discharged and acquitted while the remaining one was jailed for 28 days with hard labour. The judgment by the President of the Court Martial, Maj. Gen. C.C. Okonkwo, has generated mixed feelings among the populace. Respondents, who voted ‘Yes’, must have hinged their response on the fact that mutiny anywhere in the world is a grave offence, and such mutineers fit to be killed, as their action is a violation of military etiquettes. On the other hand, respondents who voted ‘No’ might have aligned with the position of the Nigeria Labour Congress, which has called on the leadership of the Armed Forces to commute the death sentence on the soldiers to lighter sentences. Acting President of the NLC, Chief Promise Adewusi, said, “If the Court Martial functioned as a mechanical clock, we expect the Army Council or the appropriate authority, whose responsibility it is to review the sentences of this nature, to commute this sentence to a more tolerable or acceptable one. “Our appeal is hinged on the fact that the brutal execution of the twelve will not restore discipline by fiat. “Rather, it could sow the seed of a major security problem in the Armed Forces since the problem of corruption, poor kitting, equipping and treachery are said to be common to virtually all the military units or formations in the conflict area. “In the light of the foregoing, we are urging the military authorities to commute the death sentence on the twelve to a lighter sentence.”

Raven-Symone: ‘I’m not African American’

Raven_SymoneRaven-Symone is an actress, student and former child star, but apparently what she is not, is an African American. The former “The Cosby Show” star sat with Oprah Winfrey for an episode of “Where Are They Now” that aired Saturday. As the two discussed Raven’s sexuality, she shared that she doesn’t like to be shoved into any specific category and labeled. “I don’t want to be labeled gay. I want to be labeled a humans who love humans. I’m tired of being labeled,” explained Raven whose dislike of categorization includes race. “I’m an American; I’m not an African American. I’m an American.” Oprah, assuming that Raven would receive a lot of criticism for not claiming African American as her ethnicity, said she’s not sure what her racial background is. With lighter skin than many African Americans, many consider Raven biracial, and she said that’s exactly what America is about. “I don’t know where my roots go to… I do know that my roots are in Louisiana. I’m an American and that’s a colorless person ’cause we’re all people. I have lots of things running through my veins,” she said. As for her sexuality, Raven confirmed rumors that she’s dating a woman, but she refrained from using the terms “gay” or “lesbian.” “I’m in an amazing, happy relationship with my partner, a woman,” said Raven who knew as a teen that she was attracted to women. She did not have a label for it then, and she doesn’t use labels now. “I knew when I was like 12. I was looking at everything. I don’t need language. I don’t need a categorizing statement for it,” she said. “I don’t label myself.”

The story of Kaiser, the dying Police dog, will touch your heart! It made me cry… Read more at ht

This Police dog’s health declined rapidly until he died. Kaiser the police dog is a K9 officer that worked on the force for many years, and protected all of his human colleagues in life-threatening situations. Touching the lives of every officer he worked with. Kaiser loved being a police dog and he showed it at all times. His love and loyalty for his coworkers was unshakable. During a routine medical exam, Kaiser was diagnosed with severe kidney disease that led to kidney failure. He fought the disease the only way he knew: with sheer determination. But ultimately, it wasn’t enough to save him. In the end, he needed to retire and be laid to rest. His final resting place will be in Angel View Pet Cemetery in Middlebrow, MA. The heartbreaking scene below is of a the officers from the police department in Plymouth, MA, saying their final goodbyes and saluting their fellow officer, Kaiser. Kaiser’s fellow officers give him a salute as he takes his final walk after fighting kidney disease. police dog 1 The Plymouth, MA, K9 unit stands guard in honor of the dog; they will never forget Kaiser and his dedication, love and companionship. police dog 2 Kaiser and his handler… good boy, Kaiser. You can rest now. police dog 3 Thanks for all you did Kaiser. You won’t be forgotten. Share Kaiser’s story on social networks to show your respect for this touching law enforcement officer. Source Read more at http://www.likazing.com/police-dog/

Russia and Shishin shine in the sun

© AFP

Russia have well and truly proven that their shock win two years ago in Ravenna was no fluke with a deserved, and ultimately comfortable, win against Spain in the Tahiti 2013 finale. Their level of professionalism and single-minded approach is undoubted and was on display in Papeete on Saturday night as they overpowered the Spaniards.

They were made to work hard throughout the tournament to ultimately claim the spoils. They had two single-goal wins plus a hugely challenging comeback victory against Tahiti in the semi-final when the hold on their crown hung in the balance.

This time, however, Russia dominated once they took the lead in the second period, and the retention of their crown was rarely in doubt from the moment Anton Shkarin hit the opener 30 seconds into the second period.

Little wonder then that Russia coach Mikhail Likhachev was of the view that they left their best to last. “It was our best match of the tournament and we are so happy to take home a winner’s medal,” he said. “Perhaps the Tahiti game in the semi-final was our most difficult.”

Golden Shishin
A recurring theme throughout the tournament for Russia has been the goalscoring form of Dmitrii Shishin. A tireless and powerful figure all over the park, Shishin collected the adidas Golden Scorer Award edging out Brazil’s Bruno Xavier.

“I’m so happy to win the World Cup for a second time,” Shishin told FIFA.com in the bowels of the To’ato stadium with his winner’s medal hanging proudly around his neck. “I think this proves that last time was not an accident.

“The level of all the teams have grown a lot, especially teams like Tahiti and Japan. They have really developed quickly and it shows that beach soccer is growing rapidly.”

Shishin scored in every match, although it took until the final ten seconds of the final to complete the full set. That eleventh hour strike was enough to claim the coveted goalscorers’ award.

“I’m so happy, I honestly could not ever dream that such an award would come my way,” he said. “I have scored in many games and when I entered the field today I was hoping to score, but most of all I wanted the team to win.”

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Alonso: We’ve every reason to be happy

 

© Getty Images

Though he had just seen his side go down to Russia in the final of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Tahiti 2013, Spain coach Joaquin Alonso was feeling anything but downhearted.
A very interested spectator at the closing ceremony, Alonso found time to have a quiet word with each and every one of his defeated players, and even broke off for a brief interview with FIFA.com, in which he took stock of Spain’s historic run at Tahiti 2013.
FIFA.com: What was your view of the final?
Alonso: It’s left us feeling a little bit flat. We started well enough and things were pretty even in the first period, which ended goalless. But they scored from a rebound at the start of the second and the game got away from us very quickly after that. We got it back to 3-1 and Antonio had a couple of chances to make it 3-2, but they went and scored a fourth and that killed us.
How do you explain that second period?
Russia are a very strong side and they don’t let you off the hook very often. The same thing happened to us with them recently. We were 1-0 up on that occasion but switched off for a couple of minutes and suddenly found ourselves 3-1 down, with the feeling that it was game over. Whenever they take the lead they really know how to control matches.

If you’d have said to me before we came that we’d reach the final, I’d have taken it. We should be happy with what we’ve achieved.

Joaquin Alonso, Spain coach

What’s the difference between you and Russia at the moment?
They’re professionals at this. I’m not saying that we’re not but we’ve got a few players who devote time to other things, and that tells in the long run. We have a job organising training sessions over an extended period of time and they play more competitions. That doesn’t mean to say, though, that we can’t compete with the rest. I’m delighted with the performance of my players.
So, this has been a positive experience then?
A very positive experience. If you’d have said to me before we came that we’d reach the final, I’d have taken it. We should be happy with what we’ve achieved.
Is that what you said to your players after the final?
Absolutely. I told them to enjoy the moment because I’ve played in and lost finals, and to lose them you have to get there first. In a few years’ time it’ll sink in that they came this far, that they fought it out for the title, that they earned the right to fight for it and played their part in the story.
Is it too early yet to think about getting revenge?
It’s not even crossed our minds. Right now I just want to enjoy this. We spent a long time preparing and we’ve been together training for a whole month, which takes it out of you. We need to sit back now and reflect on what we’ve achieved.
What does the future hold for the team?
The older players have shown everything: pride, self-sacrifice and class, and they’ve held nothing back. To my mind they’ve got a good few years left with us yet. They’re also an example to the younger players, who’ve not finished maturing yet. Some of them paid for their lack of experience and they could maybe have been a bit more influential, but they’re the future of the team and that future is a promising one. We’re happy with how the team’s progressing and we’ve got every reason to be optimistic.

 

Korea DPR recapture Asian laurels

© AFC

Asian qualifying for the 2014 FIFA U-17 World Cup Chile ended on Saturday in Thailand with Korea DPR recapturing the continental laurels after edging Korea Republic 2-1 in the final. It marked the Young Chollima's second success in the AFC U-16 Championship, having won their maiden title in the 2010 edition. The achievements, as a result, saw them join the other five two-time winners - Japan, China PR, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Korea Republic - among the tournament's most successful countries.

For those following the Asian competition throughout, it came as somewhat a surprise that Korea DPR scraped past a series of hopeful teams en route to the crown. Indeed, coach Yon Kwang-mu's charges suffered a 3-2 loss to defending champions Uzbekistan during the group phase as they reached the quarter-final stage as section runners-up. But as recent history has shown, their trademark fighting spirit stood them in good stead throughout the knockout stage.

Yon's brave team ran out penalty shoot-out winners against a powerful Iran after the two sides finished goalless. The result booked their qualification for Chile 2015 alongside Australia, Syria and Korea Republic. Another tremendous shoot-out victory against Australia set up a final meeting with Korea Republic.

The Young Taeguk Warriors were the undisputed favourites going into the tournament’s ultimate game, considering their rampaging form which had seen them rout Syria 7-1 in the semi-final. And coach Choi Jincheul's side finished the first half a goal up but just when everything seemed to be going to plan, Korea DPR hit back after the restart. Han Kwang-Song drew level on 50 minutes, before Choe Song-Yyok capitalised on a defensive error to score the match and tournament winning-goal.

"We have united as one as we have tried to show our team spirit in all our matches," a jubilant Yon said. "We have been preparing for this championship for a long time and we have now succeeded."

Having seen the team's progress, the former Korea DPR international voiced his confidence about the future. "Their skill and technique and their determination has developed and in the future we will consolidate what they have learned. We will prepare well and show Asia's development at the World Cup."

Fresh gems unearthed
The Asian competition has long been a setting for the youth talents to emerge with the likes of Hidetoshi Nakata and Shinji Ono leaving their first marks on the continental stage. And Thailand 2014 was no exception with a series of prodigies announcing their arrival on the international scene.

Despite the final disappointment, Korea Republic fans can still pride themselves on their talented crop embodied in striking-ace Lee Seungwoo. The Barcelona teenager emerged the tournament's biggest revelation, scooping both the tournament golden boot and Most Valued awards after his five goals and classy technique.

He netted in each half as they saw off Japan 2-0 in the quarter-finals to seal passage to Chile 2015 and despite being closely marked against Syria, he managed to score a goal and provided four assists in a ruthless demolition. "I am happy to have met such a brilliant player as Lee," coach Choi remarked. "I really like the way he plays."

Also impressing were Australia's Cameron Joice and Han Kwangsong of Korea DPR, both of whom were on target four times. Joice has proved his predatory talents with the Joeys through his powerful acceleration and shooting ability. Han has, too, established his place as the talisman for Chollima with his clinical finishing. Elsewhere, Syrian forward Abd Al Rahman Barakat scored three times as they progressed to Chile 2015 at the expense of Uzbekistan with a 5-2 win while his team-mate Anas Al Aji did a fairly good job in bossing the midfield netting three goals.

Malaysia came within a whisker of booking their first-ever FIFA U-17 World Cup qualification after being edged 2-1 by Australia in the quarter-finals. But even the qualifying disappointment did little to take the gloss off their striking-prodigy Muhammad Najmuddin Samat. Having shone in last year's qualifying to the AFC U-16 Championship with five goals, the dynamic forward went on to excel at Thailand 2014 by scoring both goals as they dispatched Qatar 2-0 to reach the knockout phase.

Last but not least, minnows Nepal also boast their own star as they came close to springing a surprise. Bimal Magar, who entered the youth competition on the back of several international appearances with the national senior side, scored the match-winner against Kuwait as they reaped a spirited triumph. Having scored four times in last year's qualifying as they finished top of a group also featuring Iraq, Bahrain and Turkmenistan, the 16-year-old is heralded as a promising star for

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