The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Zamfara Chapter, said that the union would embark on a total strike on Monday following the expiration of a three-week ultimatum given to the state government by the association. NLC had given the state government three weeks ultimatum to fix the problems of workers in the state. Parts of the workers concerns with the state government include the non implementation of workers annual increments, promotion and the non-payment of 1, 400 newly recruited staff recruited more than over three years ago. Other issues according to the NLC, is that refusal of the government to sanction…
Author: David Folami
Tiemoue Bakayoko can become a “top player” if he follows the footsteps of N’Golo Kante and improves in possession, Chelsea coach Antonio Conte has said. “He is always improving,” Conte said of Kante. “Now he’s very good also with the ball. “Before, a lot of people told me: ‘Yes, without the ball he has great stamina, he is a great worker.’ But now with the ball he is improving a lot. “To be the best player in the Premier League last season was a great thing, and I think this season is confirming this. “Don’t forget, Baka is 23 years…
Arsene Wenger insists he was never tempted to exit Arsenal for Manchester United. The Frenchman has been in charge of the Gunners for over two decades but, according to former United chairman Martin Edwards, he came close to leaving for Old Trafford. Sir Alex Ferguson wanted to retire at the end of the 2001-02 season and Edwards wrote in his new autobiography that Wenger was his first choice to replace the Scot. Instead, Ferguson changed his mind as usual and signed a new deal but Edwards claims he met Wenger to discuss the role having been given the indication there…
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has defended Romelu Lukaku after he missed a glorious chance to secure victory during the 2-2 draw with Stoke. Lukaku, who already scored United’s second goal of the afternoon, had a clear opportunity to net the winner late on, but he steered Anthony Martial’s cross over the bar. “Maybe Romelu could have had a better contact with the ball and score with the cross from the right, but that’s the result and there’s nothing we can do now but try to be ready for Tuesday [against Basel],” Mourinho said. “I’m happy with Lukaku with or…
Louis van Gaal has compared his sack at Manchester United to having his head placed in a noose and being put on the gallows. Van Gaal was sacked by United just two days after winning the FA Cup in 2016, with Jose Mourinho taking over less than a week later. “They told me only after it was leaked out, it was the biggest disappointment of my life,” “The pressure was enormous with my head in the noose and they went right behind my back. “I think it was all orchestrated like a film and it was done very much behind…
Andres Iniesta says his “head, heart and body” will decide if stays at Barcelona after the end of the season as uncertainty continues to surround his future. “Talks have been underway for a while, things are going as they’re going and my only desire is to have a great season, to be at my best and to win things with the club,” he told reporters. “This is my home and whether I continue or not, it’s not something which is distracting me.” Asked why he’d denied a pre-agreement was in place, he continued: “[Because] that would suggest everything is done…
Harry Kane has said he believes clinching qualification from a difficult Champions League group stage will be “a big statement” of intent. Spurs have been there and about for the Premier League title for the past two years but underperformed in last season’s Champions League, beating only CSKA Moscow and finishing third in their group behind Monaco and Bayer Leverkusen. This year, Spurs have been drawn alongside holders Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Cypriot champions APOEL, and begin against Dortmund at Wembley on Wednesday. He said: “We’ve got to test ourselves against the best if we want to be one…
Ander Herrera has warned that Manchester United should be prepared for a step up when they make their return to the Champions League on Tuesday. United face Swiss champions Basel at Old Trafford in their first game in Europe’s top club competition for close to two years. Despite being unable to qualify in two of the last three seasons, United will still be expected to top Group A, which also includes Benfica and CSKA Moscow, but Herrera insists them being tagged favourites means nothing. “We have to know where we come from,” He said. “We have come from the Europa…
Aguero and Gabriel have always been seen as rivals for a spot in the City lineup, but Pep Guardiola has said with them both in three of City’s four Premier League games this season. Aguero was through with just Simon Mignolet to beat but rolled the ball to his colleague, and Guardiola told a news conference: “That means a lot for me, what Sergio did — a lot. “They are both good guys and exceptional players, and their relationship is top. “You have all known Sergio for a long time — of course, they both want to score goals and…
Kevin de Bruyne has said Manchester City want to compete in all competitions but may need to focus on the most pressing ones as the season progresses. City’s next three games are in three different competitions, beginnining with a Champions League match against Feyenoord on Wednesday followed by Watford in the Premier League and West Bromwich Albion in the League Cup. “The pressure is always on. From the moment I came here we were always the favourites. We always have the pressure to do good in every cup, every league,” the Belgium international midfielder told reporters. “Obviously we want to…
Mark Hughes has said Jose Mourinho’s comments about his team’s style of play after the 2-2 home draw with Manchester United on Saturday were an “easy swipe.” “That’s just an easy swipe at us, really,” the Stoke manager said. “You could argue United played more long balls — and why wouldn’t they, because they’ve got power and pace, and if they can get those players ahead of the ball with good accuracy they’ve got pace and power to burn. “So I don’t know what the stats are but I’d argue that in general play they played more long balls than…
Jose Mourinho has said that Manchester United failed to evolve under his predecessors David Moyes and Louis van Gaal, describing their tenures as an “empty period” for the club. He said: “There was an evolution in the other clubs; there was no evolution in this club. In all the areas that make a team successful I think we stopped in time. “That was quite an empty period in the club with no evolution in areas that are important. It was the weight of the past on the shoulders of the players, managers, even boards, even probably owners, because when you…
Former Nigeria Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has blasted the Buhari-led administration, and even labelling the incumbent an ingrate. “Honestly speaking, I’m still a member of the APC; I was part of all the processes, including campaigns until success was achieved,” Atiku was quoted as saying. “But sadly, soon after the formation of government; I was side-lined, I have no any relationship with the government, I’ve not been contacted even once to comment on anything and in turn, I maintained my distance. They used our money and influence to get to where they’re but three years down the lane, this is…
Nasir El-Rufai has said that Minister of Women Affairs, Aisha Alhassan has never been a fan of President Muhammadu Buhari. “Her comments are not surprising, she has never been a supporter, she has never believed in Buhari ideology. So, I am not surprised. As a Nigerian, as an individual she has every right to express her views and support whoever she wants. “What I am saying is Nigerians should not be surprised or shocked. This has always been her position because from time. She has never supported Buharism or what Buhari stands for. “Being part of Buhari government is a…
Senate Shehu Sani has asked the minister of women affairs, Aisha Alhassan to resign. This is coming after Alhassan publicly declared her support for a former Vice-President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar. “The difference between that woman, who made the statement as a minister and others, is that she was open and others are still having it in their minds. “If she is prepared to work for the former vice-president, she can easily excuse herself from this government and concentrate on what she believes in 2019.”
The Hausa community in Nnewi has shown massive support for the re-election bid of Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra. Chief Imam of Nnewi Central Mosque, Alhaji Garba Yusuf, made this known in an interaction with newsmen on Thursday in Nnewi. Yusuf described Obiano as a detribalized leader, saying “we, Hausa people, have enjoyed peace in the last four years of Obiano’s governance”. “We have enjoyed peaceful co-existence with our host community; we are happy that we have never been harassed by anybody since Obiano took over. “We have been doing our business under conducive atmosphere and we are very happy,’’…
Ahmed Makarfi, Chairman, National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democractic Party (PDP), has warned PDP members against taking the party to court. “It is unfortunate that some people still think that going to court is the best way out, even after the Supreme Court’s judgement on the party’s leadership tussle. “The party will take a very hard stand on any member who is in a hurry to go to court without exhausting the avenues available in the party for grievances to be heard and be addressed accordingly. “We cannot deny people their fundamental human rights, but the party constitution says…
Father of Nnamdi Kanu, Okwu Kanu has accused the Federal Government of planning to murder his son. Mr. Kanu has maintained that his son has not committed any offense that could warrant a call for his re-arrest. When they talk of re-arresting him, it means they want to kill him, but God will not allow them because my son has done nothing wrong. “I am using this opportunity to call on the United Nations to call the Nigerian government to order because they are planning to kill my son. “Why will they want to re-arrest him? Did he kill anybody?…
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said it would not keep anything from Nigerians “By 2019, when we take over”. Ahmed Makarfi, who spoke authoritatively about PDP returning to power in 2019, said Nigerians would see the flaws of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration. “On the issue of corruption, we will be able to assess the APC government when they leave office. By 2019, when we take over, we are not going to be vindictive. But the truth will prevail. “Who told you there are no series of petitions against them as they are in office right now? When they…
The Presidency has deserted a group which puts Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo up against President Muhammadu Buhari as presidential candidate in the 2019 election. The volunteer group, called ‘Osinbajo Volunteers’, says it believes Osinbajo should be the next President of Nigeria but accepted that the Vice-President did not endorse its campaign. “Note that Osinbajo did not endorse this volunteer group. We have never met him. We are strong believers in the fact that he is the right ruler for Nigeria and must create a peoples volunteer base for him,” the group wrote on its website. Reacting to the group’s activities, the…