Embattled Senator Dino Melaye has called on his colleague in the Red Chambers, Godswill Akpabio to decamp to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Melaye made the comment while speaking at Akpabio’s constituency briefing which held on Friday, July 7, 2017, at Ikot Ekpene Township Stadium. The Senator also praised the Akwa-Ibom state Governor, Udom Emmanuel for making giant strides in the state. Melaye said “I am overwhelmed by the level of development I have seen today in Akwa Ibom State. “I want to thank My Friend and Brother, Sen.Akpabio and Governor Udom for keeping Akwa Ibom on the path of…
Author: David Folami
The Nigerian Army has announced that it has a launched a military exercise tagged: operation Deep Punch, in the North-East. According to reports, Operation Deep Punch is aimed at clearing any remnant of Boko Haram members from Sambisa forest. The Chief of Army staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai announced this at the commissioning of Forward Operational Base constructed by the Kogi State government. Buratai said “Following the successful decimation of Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast, the Nigerian Army has launched operation deep punch to clear Sambisa forest of the remnants of already weakened insurgents to pave way for return…
A month ago, Conte was widely reported to be disillusioned with the perceived lack of support for his transfer plans, and though Chelsea moved swiftly to dispel the rumours, the current scenario does little to instill confidence that all is well. A large part of the appeal and aura that surrounds the manager relates to the fact that the 47-year old wears his heart on his sleeve. An animated figure on the touchline from kickoff to final whistle, in his mind Conte is kicking every ball and involved in every pass and move. Ecstatic when Chelsea score and win, despondent…
Jose Mourinho and Ed Woodward finalised Manchester United’s list of summer transfer targets in March. But only a few weeks later, the plans had to change. Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s knee ligament injury against Anderlecht in April forced a rethink. Asked the following week whether the Swede’s absence would mean a change of direction during the transfer window, the United manager accepted that it did. Mourinho said: “Yes. Yes. Because if I don’t have the players for a long period of time, obviously it affects.” It was the moment that interest in Antoine Griezmann began to cool, although, in the end, the…
Only Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero and Tottenham’s Harry Kane have scored more Premier League goals over the past four seasons than Romelu Lukaku, now bound for Manchester United, has for Everton. Lukaku’s 434 shots since joining Everton on loan in 2013-14 are second most in the Premier League in that time, behind only Aguero. Meanwhile, his 25 Premier League goals last season were as many as the next eight Everton scorers combined. What is Lukaku’s impact at Everton? Everton are 35-10-9 (2.1 points per match) when Lukaku scores, but they are 23-35-29 (1.1 points per match) when he does not.…
In recent years Chelsea have taken particular pleasure in sabotaging their Premier League rivals in the transfer market, moving with speed and devastating efficiency to acquire players who appeared destined for moves elsewhere: Cesc Fabregas to Arsenal, Mohamed Salah to Liverpool (the first time around), Pedro Rodriguez to Manchester United and, most memorably of all, Willian to Tottenham Hotspur. You can imagine, then, the bitter taste lingering in Roman Abramovich’s mouth as he swallows the medicine he so gleefully dispensed to others in the past. Romelu Lukaku was Chelsea’s top striker target this summer. Chelsea manager Antonio Conte wanted him,…
Reported Manchester United target Radja Nainggolan is staying with Roma, according to the Italian club’s new sporting director Monchi. Nainggolan has been heavily linked with United as well as various other clubs, including Chelsea and Inter Milan, but the chances of the 29-year-old Belgium international leaving Roma this summer now look to be over. Monchi, who swapped Sevilla for Roma at the end of last season, was quizzed on whether Nainggolan would remain with the Giallorossi at a news conference to present new signing Maxime Gonalons on Saturday. And the Spaniard, quoted on asroma.com, said: “Yes [he will stay]. I…
After several weeks in which the transfer rumours seemed to go quiet, it appears that Manchester United have renewed their interest in Eric Dier. And though Tottenham have made it clear they are not prepared to sell the England defensive midfielder, the club might find it difficult to hang on to him. First, there is the question of the transfer fee. As they have already proved this week by acquiring Everton’s Romelu Lukaku for a price in excess of £75 million, United have extremely deep pockets and aren’t likely to be put off by what might appear to other clubs…
Wayne Rooney has undergone a medical ahead of his proposed return to Everton from Manchester United, sources have said. Rooney, 31, was at the Finch Farm training ground on Saturday, as the move back to his boyhood club 13 years after leaving for Old Trafford draws closer. The news comes on the same day United announced that a deal has been agreed on to sign Everton striker Romelu Lukaku for £75 million, subject to the Belgium striker passing a medical and agreeing to personal terms. The two transfers are being conducted separately. Rooney signed for United in 2004 from Everton…
Alexis Sanchez is not the sort of player who would “down tools” as Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger makes a decision on whether to let him leave, according to former Gunners defender Martin Keown. Arsenal have already moved to strengthen their squad with the addition of France forward Alexandre Lacazette in a club-record deal from Lyon following the free transfer of left-back Sead Kolasinac from Schalke. Monaco’s Thomas Lemar is said to now top Wenger’s wanted list, but departures are also expected before any more new arrivals, with Olivier Giroud a reported target for both Everton and West Ham. The futures…
This is the age of the false nine and, though there are few Premier League sides that genuinely use a player in the role, the emphasis upon link-up play has unquestionably shifted what managers want from their attackers. The likes of Sergio Aguero and Alexis Sanchez didn’t consider themselves No. 9s when arriving in England, but have been pushed forward to become a main striker with great goal-scoring success. The same thing happened with Robin van Persie and Carlos Tevez. Even Harry Kane, often considered a traditional No. 9, prefers to wear 10 as he considered himself more of an…
Alter Plate Music CEO and master of timeless music, Harrysong unveils his new single titled ‘Arabanko’. ‘Arabanko’ is a song with deep lyrics that sheds light on lots of key issues surrounding the singer, while keeping the fans grooving at the same time.
Olamide parties with the ladies in Miami for music video ‘Summer body’ featuring Davido. The pair drop a joint for the summer, produced by YBNL’s Pheelz. Summer body follows up the Adey produced ‘Wavy level’.
Fuse ODG is out with video for song titled ‘Window seat’. The visual shot in Accra, showcases the colour and vibrancy of Ghana’s capital city. ‘Window seat’ is produced by Jnr. Blender (who produced the Major Lazer & Fuse ODG’s Multi platinum collaboration hit “Light It Up”) and Canadian Duo Banx & Ranx. “It’s like my own rags to riches story! I grew up on an estate in Mitcham and now I’m travelling the world. I’m sitting on a plane, looking out of the window and thinking, ‘Wow, how did we get here?’, and feeling thankful for it.” Fuse explained.
The Jigawa Government has declared Friday, July 7, as a public holiday to enable public servants offer special prayer for President Muhammadu Buhari’s quick recovery. Alhaji Isma’il Ibrahim, the Public Relations Officer, Office of the state’s Head of Civil Service (HoS), announced this in a statement in Dutse on Thursday. Ibrahim said that the State Executive Council took the decision at its sitting on July 5. He explained that the government declared Friday as a work-free day in order to enable public servants to join other citizens to offer special prayers for President Buhari’s wellbeing. “During this day, it is…
The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, has described Senator Danjuma Goje’s statement against him as “unparliamentary”. He said the legislator’s utterances were “therefore not deserving of a reply.” Fashola decently slammed Goje in a statement he sent in from Zimbabwe on Thursday, July 7, 2017 – he is attending the 35th Annual General Meeting of the Shelter Afrique in the country. The minister expressed disappointment in Goje, who is the Chairman, Committee Chairman on Appropriation. He said it is regrettable that the Senator would trivialise the issues he (Fashola) raised about the unilateral slashing of the budgetary…
Femi Falana (SAN) has said the Senate can remove acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, only if Senate President Bukola Saraki becomes the Acting President. The human rights lawyer said this on Thursday in response to the war of words between the Senate and the Presidency over Magu’s position. In his statement, he said, “In view of the foregoing, the implementation of the resolution of the Senate on the removal of Mr. Ibrahim Magu as the acting Chairman of the EFCC should be ignored by the Presidency on account of its apparent illegality. “However,…
There’s a real chance they might actually be teammates soon, but Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku buddied up as friends to take on all comers in a 5-a-side match. As part of their summer excursion to the United States, the two Premier League stars took to the pitch together at the Manchester United centre in Los Angeles. In the interest of keeping things fair, the pair appeared to regularly swap sides as they engaged in a bit of friendly action. Indeed, Pogba and Lukaku enjoyed a swift kick-around with the locals before retiring to the canteen for a spirited sing-a-long.…
Chelsea’s ongoing transfer stasis on the striker front is starting to grate once more on supporters, who had been hopeful of a big-name player being announced ahead of manager Antonio Conte and his squad reconvening for preseason training. Fans are right to feel aggrieved, because the status quo has rekindled rumours that Conte, who swiftly attained hero status on an unprecedented scale at Stamford Bridge, might depart in a fit of frustrated pique. A month ago, Conte was widely reported to be disillusioned with the perceived lack of support for his transfer plans, and though Chelsea moved swiftly to dispel…
Diego Costa is expected to report for preseason training at Cobham with the rest of the Chelsea squad on Monday with a deal yet to be agreed with Atletico Madrid, sources have said. Atletico are the only serious suitors for Costa, who is determined to force a return to his former club after being informed by text message that Antonio Conte does not want him at Stamford Bridge next season. But in light of Manchester United’s surprise move to agree a £75 million fee with Everton for Romelu Lukaku, Chelsea are being forced to re-evaluate their options as they seek…