New Host For AFCON 2015 Named

The AFCON Trophy

Equatorial Guinea have been named as the hosts for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, replacing Morocco. The Confederation of African Football selected a new host for the 17 January to 8 February finals after rejecting Morocco's request to delay the event.

Morocco were concerned over the spread of the outbreak of the Ebola virus. Caf subsequently expelled the country from the relocated tournament, which will now be held in the country who co-hosted with Gabon in 2012. 

Super Eaglesof Nigeria is the defending champions of AFCON, won in South Africa in 2013

The Equatorial Guinea  team was disqualified in July for fielding an ineligible player 

Equatorial Guinea will now take on sole responsibility for holding the 16-team event, despite having only two major stadiums in the capital Malabo and Bata.

It is not clear whether the new hosts will be able to play in the tournament because the team was disqualified in July for fielding an ineligible player in a preliminary qualifier against Mauritania on 17 May. The organising committee of the competition ruled that Thierry Fidieu Tazemeta, who was born in Cameroon, should not have played in the first round first leg victory over Mauritania on 17 May.

It said no evidence was provided by the Equatorial Guinea Football Association or by Fifa that the player had successfully changed associations.

Mauritania had raised reservations concerning the player after the match which they won 1-0. Equatorial Guinea won the second leg 3-0 to win the tie 3-1 on aggregate.

 

CAF President, Issa Hayatou

The #AFCON 2015 host cities are Malabo, Bata, Mongomo and Ebebiyin. The final tournament draw takes place on Wednesday 3rd December in Malabo.

FULL STATEMENT FROM CAF: EQUATORIAL GUINEA DESIGNATED HOST COUNTRY OF ORANGE AFCON 2015

Cairo, 14 November 2014 - The Head of State and President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo this Friday 14 November met with the President of CAF Issa Hayatou concerning the possibility for Equatorial Guinea to host the Africa Cup of Nations Orange 2015.

Following fraternal and fruitful discussions, the Head of State of Equatorial Guinea has agreed to host the tournament from January 17 to February 8, 2015.

Therefore, the Executive Committee of CAF confirms that the Orange Africa Cup of Nations 2015 will be held in Equatorial Guinea on the dates agreed, and the national team of Equatorial Guinea is qualified for the final tournament as a representative of the country host.

The four cities selected for the finals are Malabo, Bata, Mongomo and Ebebiyin.

The draw for the finals will take place Wednesday, December 3, 2014 in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.

The Executive Committee of CAF and President Issa Hayatou seize this opportunity to express their sincere thanks and deep appreciation to the people of Equatorial Guinea, its government, and particularly to His Excellency the Head of State and President of the Republic Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo.

Jonathan Unveils New ₦100 Centenary Note

President Jonathan unveils new ₦100, Commemorative Centenary banknote at the Villa

President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria on Wednesday, 12 November 2014 unveiled the new ₦100 centenary banknote to commemorate 100 years amalgamation of the northern and Southern protectorates in 1914.

The note was formally presented to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Jonathan. The short ceremony, initially scheduled for last Wednesday was postponed till today because of the President’s journey to Burkina Faso.

Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefuele, who presented the note, said that the note is to commemorate 100 years amalgamation of the northern and southern protectorates in 1914.

President Jonathan, with CBN Governor, unveils new ₦100, Commemorative Centenary banknote at the Villa, Abuja

He stressed that it was produced with the most advanced technology in the world, and said that the note retained the picture of late Chief Obafemi Awolowo on the front side.

He said that the new note has security features against counterfeiting and with special durability tolerance.

The Zuma Rock at the back of the current note has been replaced by Q.R. code and other pictures.

Specimen - New ₦100, Commemorative Centenary banknote/front.

Specimen- New ₦100, Commemorative Centenary banknote/back.

Speaking on the Q.R. code, the CBN governor said that with telephone set and iPad having QR code scanner and the application to be released by the bank, Nigerian will be able to scan and read historical facts about Nigeria.

The Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala who wondered  how much it will cost to print the notes, noted that the Q.R. code features will be useful for students to catch up with the history of Nigeria.

President Jonathan unveils the new ₦100, Commemorative Centenary banknote at the Villa.

From the leaflets circulated showed various programmes leading to issuance of the note to Nigerians. While the launch of the partnership programme aimed at banknote equipment manufacturers and other machine suppliers will hold next Wednesday, the new notes will be issued into circulation on Friday, December 19, 2014.

Photo: ©State House Abuja

Faces At Goodluck Jonathan Presidential Declaration

PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN  AND HIS VICE, NAMADI SAMBO DURING THE DECLARATION  IN ABUJA

President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria on Tuesday, 11 November 2014 declared his bid for re-election, vowing to finally defeat Boko Haram whose rise in strength during his first term has threatened the country's sovereignty. Jonathan called for four more years to build on his first term in office.

"It is now time to look to the future. With your tremendous support, we have collectively done so much in the last three and half years but to take our country to the next level, there is still more to be done," he said.

He added: "I, Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan, have accepted to re-present myself, on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, for re-election."

NIGERIAN POLICE CONTROLLING SOME OF PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN SUPPORTERS DURING THE DELARATION

A CROSS SECTION OF SOME TRADITIONAL RULERS FROM SOUTH-SOUTH

AGRIC MINISTER, PROF. AKINWUMI ADESINA WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF NIGERIAN FARMERS AT THE DECLARATION

MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY LED BY THEIR PRESIDENT, SEN. DAVID MARK DURING THE DECLARATION

FORMER GOVERNOR OF OGUN STATE, OTUNBA GBENGA DANIEL (R) WITH CHIEF DON ETIEBET

L-R, GOV. LIYEL IMOKE OF CROSS RIVER, SEIDU DAKINGARI OF KEBBI, SGF, ANYIM PIUS ANYIM AND BENUE STATE GOV, GABRIEL SUSWAN

CHAIRMAN BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF PDP, CHIEF 'TONY ANENIH ARRIVING

AVIATION MINISTER, MR. OSITA CHIDOKA ARRIVING

FORMER NIGERIAN FOOTBALL STARS, KANU NWANKWO, JAY-JAY OKOCHA, PETER RUFAI AND OTHERS

PHOTOS--STATE HOUSE