Top Stories
Exposed! N100b road contracts scam rocks Edo
From COLLINS EKE, Benin
AN alleged monumental fraud running into billions of naira allegedly squandered on the Benin City road network, by Governor Oserhiemen Osunbor has sparked off a cold war in Edo State....
'Independence Day is time to bless Nigeria...
Let's celebrate our country’
Being a keynote address by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, President, Believers Loveworld Inc. (a.k.a Christ Embassy) at the Grand Launch of the 2008 edition of ReachOut Nigeria...
 Presidency starves INEC of funds
By CHUKS EHIRIM, Abuja
THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), still gasping for breath, amid unending attacks from the public, surprisingly, in recent times has been suffering .....
Nigeria at 48: No cause for cheers - AC leader
From CHUKS EHIRIM, Abuja
AS Nigerians take stock of the dividends of 48 years of freedom from colonial rule, while curiously awaiting the mandatory Independence Anniversary...  
MIKANO Generators
By KELECHI DECA
MIKANO Generators is a subsidiary of Mikano International Limited, a company with 27 years experience in the areas of Building/Civil Engineering Construction and Steel...
ReachOut Nigeria campaign reaches climax
By AZUKA MORDI
AT the grand launch of this year's edition of the ReachOut Nigeria with Rhapsody of Realities campaign, President of Believers Loveworld (also known as) Christ Embassy, Pastor Chris....



NEWS

• Shake-up imminent in ANPP
• As Third Mainland bridge re-opens: Lagosians heave sigh of relief
• Court orders arrest of PDP chieftain in Kaduna
• Imo deputy governor clashes with kinsmen  
• Principal, vice escape kidnap attack
• Village head, four others quizzed
• Group alerts of plot to rip-off Rivers officials
• Forum cautions Ijaws on minister for Niger Delta
• National Identity Cards in a fix 
• Group wants WAEC probed
• Nobody can stop my judicial commission of inquiry –Jang
• Fayose commends Oni's unity govt plan 
• Shun ostentatious living, Moslems told
• NEMA advises stake-holders on disaster management
• I'm okay with JTF operations –New Defence Chief 
• Monarchs endorse Akpabio for second term
• Anambra PDP Crisis: Ubah hails Gana's committee
• Rivers to get tourism dev. commission
• COREN goes tough on erring members
• 22 German students take courses in Hausa
• Varsity don raises alarm over materialism
• Speak your mother-tongue, Ohakim tells Nigerians

Relating Stories

• Adenuga, Otedola fingered in N92b bid for Newcastle
• NFF demands prompt report from match commissioners
• WBC Heavyweight bout: Bring on Klitschko now –Peter
• Fall-out of African U-17 ouster: Dike's boys still useful –Iroha
• Damola dares to be the best
• UEFA Champions League: Scolari targets clean sweep
• Eto'o relishes current form
• Atletico face up to Simao absence
• Mikel flays Makelele comparison
• 'Zaki is like Shearer'
• Oliseh tasks Amodu on Olympic Eagles

Mikel flays Makelele comparison

CHELSEA midfielder John Obi Mikel has played down comparisons between him and ex-club mate Claude Makelele, claiming that he is a different player to the recently departed Frenchman.
"I don't think we are the same kind of players. We play in different ways but all respect to him, I think he is a great guy and was a great player for this team," Mikel said.

The Nigerian has found himself thrust into action this season after the departure of Makelele, and also the long-term injury suffered by Michael Essien on international duty.

Mikel insists he doesn't feel any pressure in filling in for both of them, and acknowledges that this could a pivotal season for him.

"This season will hopefully be my season," he declared.
"The new manager has come in and he has seen me play and he likes how I play. I knew from the beginning of the season that things are going to start happening and I hope that it is going to keep going."
"I don't feel any pressure, especially when you play under a manager like Mr. Scolari. He knows you have more confidence when the manager believes in you. He knows you can do it and I always try to make sure I don't disappoint him by giving him what he wants."

While Mikel can attribute his run in the side to Essien's absence, he hopes that the Ghanaian will be back in action sooner rather than later.

"I wish him the best of luck and wish he was here with us to play tomorrow [against Portsmouth]. We are all supporting him and hopefully he will be able to join us soon again. We miss him.”