From the start of the move to its finish, Frank Lampard never broke out of a gentle jog. Manchester City, away at struggling Leicester City in December of 2014, had found their hosts in surprisingly resilient mood. Even with a wealth of attacking talent, including players like David Silva, Samir Nasri and Yaya Toure, they just couldn’t break through. But Lampard, now 38, found a way just before half-time. First, he slipped the ball out wide to Nasri and sauntered forwards, his head turning left and right to assess the situation. Where was the gap? Where was the point of…
Author: David Folami
The Federal Government review of the National Tax policy will see an increase on the Value Added Tax on luxury items like champagne and some luxury items. The review of the tax policy was announced by the minister of finance, Kemi Adeosun at the Presidential Villa after a council meeting which was chaired by the Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo. Adeosun said “What the committee has shown is that we should look at actually increasing VAT on some luxury items. With VAT of five per cent, we have the lowest VAT. While we don’t think VAT should be increased on basic items,…
The Niger State Coordinator of Habitation Hope, an NGO, Queen Nike Ajagbe, said her organisation had facilitated the return of 300 children back to primary school after they dropped out in three villages of Shiroro Local Government Area. Ajagbe said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) in Minna on Thursday, that the children, from Paiyi, Gino and Geni villages, were previously engaged in hawking and manual jobs in rural markets. “We spent several days educating their parents on the importance of girl-child education and what they intend to benefit if they allow their children to…
Some youths in Ondo State on Wednesday in Akure protested against Gov. Olusegun Mimiko over planned presentation of the 2017 budget at the state House of Assembly. The protesters said the outgoing governor ought not to present the budget since his tenure in office would end on Feb. 23. Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) of All Progressives Congress (APC) will be sworn-in as the new governor on Feb. 24. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the protesters, numbering about 200, stormed the Assembly complex on Igbatoro Road at about 7:00 a.m carrying placards with various inscriptions. The protesters also…
Ekiti state governor, Ayodele Fayose’s overwhelming support for 2Face Idibia’s February 6 protest seems to have taken a new dimension. In a statement by his spokesman, Lere Olayinka on Thursday, February 2, 2016, Fayose said Nigerians do not need Police permit to hold any peaceful protest. Reacting to claims by Lagos State Police Commissioner, Fatai Owoseni that criminals might hijack the planned protest, Governor Fayose noted that the security of lives and property is the primary responsibility of the Police. “Apart from Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, which provided that every person shall be entitled to assemble freely and…
Senator Dino Melaye has said that the construction of a gatehouse for Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo’s official residence is set to cost the country N250 million. Melaye, who represents the Kogi West Senatorial District, made the claim during a press conference on Thursday, February 2, Punch reports. The senator also urged his colleagues to call for a review of the contract awarded for the construction of Osinbajo’s residence. Melaye also said that the cost of construction for the official residences of Senate President, Bukola Saraki and House of Representatives Speaker, Yakubu Dogara had been inflated. The senator recently attracted controversy…
The Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr Maikanti Baru, on Thursday said the corporation saved 500 million dollars (N152.4bn) on oil products sales. Baru disclosed at the opening of bid for the Direct Sale Direct Purchase (DSDP), at the NNPC Towers in Abuja. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that DSDP is a model introduced in 2016; carried out through direct sales of crude oil to refiners or consultants, who in turn supply NNPC with equivalent worth of products. NAN also reports that 128 Indigenous and International Oil and Gas companies indicated interest…
A new Lagbaja has emerged with new music titled ‘Sweet melody’. According to many fans who can see through the mask he perpetually has on, it’s a new Lagbaja on display. All the same, the song is melodious and full of all the drama and Afrobeat rich element Lagbaja is known for – Sweet melody. It’s ‘Change’ in itself as he sings on the much popular slogan as used in the Nigerian political quarters.
Legendary actress Bukky Ajayi will always be remembered as one of the pioneers of the Nigerian film industry. We’re remembering the late Bukky Ajayi today, February 2, 2017, on what would have been her 83rd birthday. The actress was known for entertaining with her charm, performances and completely embodying her on-screen characters. The talented actress who died at the age of 82 was widely respected in Nollywood. Her last public outing was on Saturday, March 5, 2016 at the fourth edition of the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards, where the veteran received a “Industry Merit Award.”
Today, February 2, 2017, is Triple MG boss, Ubi Franklin’s birthday. The manager got a shout out from his estranged wife, Lilian Esoro. She wrote alongside the photo above, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY “WHO BE FRANKLIN! #STAYFOCUSED #EYESONTHEPRIZE #PROTECTYOURHAPPINESS #PRAYWITHOUTCEASING #LINESWILLFALLINPLEASANTPLACES #BESTILLANDKNOWHEISGOD #BECOMEMORE.” Breakup rumours have continued to trail Franklin and Esoro since it was reported that the pair parted ways following allegations of domestic violence. They have continued to fuel these rumours with separate appearances at events and separate messages to their fans with their son, Jayden. This also comes after Franklin took to Instagram sharing a very sober message reflecting…
Pop diva Beyonce has just shared some pregnancy photos! The mesmerizing shots shared on her website today, February 2, 2017, features daughter Blue Ivy. Queen Bey in a post titled “I Have Three Hearts” strips for the camera as she shows off her round belly. The photos are works of Los Angeles and New York City-based multimedia artist Awol Erizku. Bey has posted more pictures from the shoot plus a poem titled “I Have Three Hearts” from Warsan Shire. The pictures are gathered together under the banner “I Have Three Hearts” and include a shot of Beyoncé on top of…
Nollywood filmmaker Seun Egbegbe has been reportedly arrested at Gbagada General hospital, Lagos on February 2, 2017. The ex-boyfriend of actress Toyin Aimakhu was allegedly caught trying to rip off an unknown man of N10million, while pretending to be a medical doctor. We have reached out to the movie producer’s reps. So far no word back… Egbegbe was recently accused of stealing 9 iphones and was arrested at the Computer Village, Ikeja, lagos. Egbegbe who was arrested and charged to an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for theft, was reportedly granted bail in the sum of N1 million. Also recall that it…
Beyonce’s pregnancy announcement photo has just taken over Selena Gomez’s as Instagram most liked. The pop diva shared a photo of herself exposing her mid-riff on her Instagram page on Wednesday, February 1, 2017, expressing joy that her family will be welcoming two new members. She wrote, “We would like to share our love and happiness. We have been blessed two times over. “We are incredibly grateful that our family will be growing by two, and we thank you for your well wishes. – The Carters.” This image has stolen the spotlight from Selena Gomez’ record for the most-liked Instagram…
Pep Guardiola likened new signing Gabriel Jesus to a watermelon after Manchester City’s emphatic 4-0 win against West Ham at the London Stadium on Wednesday, but the performance as a whole was as sweet as a nut. It was a match which gave onlookers a clear insight into the future of the club. Guardiola has had little time to adjust the side to his own specifications, but the shape, personnel used and attacking intent of his team against West Ham begins to give us some pretty heavy hints as to what we can expect next season from his City side.…
A fortnight ago, Real Madrid seemed unbeatable and the word “treble” was mentioned in nearly every piece about them. But then last week, after two defeats and a draw that saw them out of the Copa del Rey and their La Liga lead cut in half, the season was over for Zinedine Zidane’s team, judging by the tone of the Madrid media. Their victory last Sunday over Real Sociedad, right after their most direct competitors in La Liga failed to win their respective matches, widened their advantage to four points and a game in hand, so now the general sentiment…
With their heads down and their hoods up, Manchester United’s players left Old Trafford on Wednesday night after a disappointing 0-0 draw against Hull City. They normally oblige when it comes to signing autographs to the hundreds of fans who wait for them after matches, but they weren’t in the mood as they left the changing-room area at the Stretford End and walked back to their cars. A draw against bottom-of-the-table Hull was poor — not that the visiting players saw it that way as they boarded their team coach. One, Irishman David Meyler, was shouted over by the many…
It was a strange admission by Arsene Wenger, following Arsenal’s midweek 2-1 defeat at home to Watford, that the result was due, in no small part, to a flaw in the mentality of his players. “We were not mentally prepared, not mentally ready to deal with the duels,” Wenger told a news conference. “You don’t make 47 points from 23 games if you have no physical power, but you have to switch it on at 100 percent every time in Premier League. That is what it’s about.” Wenger was undoubtedly speaking a truth, making reference to the frailty that many…
Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has played down Hull City goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic’s heroics at Old Trafford, instead blaming poor finishing from his own side for Wednesday night’s 0-0 draw at Old Trafford. United are now four points off a place in the top four of the Premier League after they were held to a stalemate by Hull, who moved off the bottom of the table thanks to a hard-earned point. Jakupovic made six saves, including efforts from Juan Mata and Paul Pogba, but Ibrahimovic insisted that United’s shortcomings helped him keep a clean sheet. “I did not see any…
Jose Mourinho wants to add two forwards to his Manchester United squad during the summer transfer window, sources have told ESPN FC, due to concerns over the ability of his current strikers to make the team competitive in every competition. The United manager admitted earlier this week that he has already identified targets for the summer and sources said that Mourinho has made it clear that he needs two proven goal scorers. Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann is United’s No. 1 target and Mourinho is confident that the club’s spending power and ambition has put them in pole position to…
The Kogi state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the Governor, Yahaya Bello of lavishing N230b in one year. The party also said Governor Bello is financially reckless, adding that he runs a non-inclusive government. According to Daily Post, they also gave Governor Bello four weeks to pay all the entitlements of civil servants and pensioners in the state. The leadership of the APC in Kogi, speaking in Abuja, also threatened to carry out a peaceful revolution in all the Local Government Areas if the Governor does not heed to their demand. Those at the meeting were…