Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina has said there is no way to contain Argentina’s Lionel Messi, but that his team must to try to do so. Argentina host Colombia in a World Cup qualifier at the Estadio del Bicentenario San Juan on Tuesday needing three points to keep their hopes of qualifying for the World Cup in Russia alive. The last time Colombia won in Argentina was in 1993, when they triumphed 5-0. Since then, they have played a total of 11 games with just one victory compared to seven for Argentina. “There is no way to stop Messi,” Arsenal goalkeeper…
Author: David Folami
Gary Neville says he would leave out both Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Wayne Rooney from Manchester United’s starting XI. In a talk at the Oxford Union, the former United defender said he would play Marcus Rashford up front, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Anthony Martial both starting in wide positions. Neville went for David De Gea in goal, a back four of Antonio Valencia, Eric Bailly, Chris Smalling and Daley Blind, and a midfield trio of Paul Pogba, Ander Herrera and Michael Carrick. Discussing his own future, the former Valencia coach said: “I don’t think I will go back into management. But…
Bastian Schweinsteiger has said he is fit and ready to return to action for Manchester United — and he hopes that will happen soon. Schweinsteiger recently returned to training with the United first team after being told by Jose Mourinho in the summer to train with the reserves. Although the former Bayern Munich midfielder does not appear to have a future at Old Trafford, he has not given up hope of forcing his way into Mourinho’s plans. Sources have told ESPN FC that he is in talks with MLS club Chicago Fire. “I’m trying to keep myself fit for the…
Ander Herrera insists Wayne Rooney remains a crucial influence in the Manchester United dressing room despite doubts about the captain’s future. Rooney, 31, is just two goals behind Sir Bobby Charlton as the club’s all-time record goal scorer, but has lost his starting place under Jose Mourinho after a dip in form over the last 12 months. In an interview with The Guardian and The Daily Mail, Herrera explained why Rooney is still a vital player at Old Trafford. “Wayne’s been playing at the highest level from 16,” Herrera said. “I didn’t reach the first division until I was 20;…
Youths from 19 Northern states have called on the leadership of the All progressives Congress (APC) to reverse the suspension of the party’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Timi Frank. Frank was suspended following the recommendations of the APC disciplinary committee. The Northern youths, under the aegis of Coalition of Northern Youths (CNY), also issued a seven day ultimatum to the APC to call the embattled spokesman back. The group said Frank’s suspension shows that the leadership of the party does not want youths to participate in the government. At their stakeholder meeting in Kaduna, the CNY called on Buhari to…
The Federal Government is to rehabilitate Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport runway, Abuja, with one billion Naira. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a reliable source from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), disclosed this to aviation correspondents in Lagos on Sunday. NAN gathered that the runway had been in bad state due to overuse and had been a source of concern to Pilots and Air Traffic Controllers. The source said the Minister of State, Aviation, Capt. Hadi Sirika, had set up a committee to oversee the work. “Government is making urgent effort to start the rehabilitation of…
The Kebbi State Government has directed Sole Administrators of the 21 local governments in the state to guard against the activities of illegal miners in their areas. Alhaji Abubakar Augie, the state Commissioner of Finance, gave the directive in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Birnin Kebbi on Monday. Augie said that government was committed to checking the activities of illegal miners and directed the council administrators to mount surveillance in such areas. As chief security officers of their localities, the council administrators have the responsibility of securing both public and government assets in their areas,…
Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki has made his first appointment since being sworn in on Saturday, November 12. Obaseki has chosen the Director-General of his campaign organization, Osarodion Ogie, as the new Secretary to the State Government (SSG). Ogie was sworn in by Obaseki on Monday, November 14, at the Government House, in Benin. The new SSG had previously served as Commissioner for Works under former governor, Adams Oshiomhole.
The Governor of Ondo state, Godwin Obaseki has asked youths in Edo state to be patient with his administration. Obaseki said “If you have been patient all these years, will you not give me 90 days? We want to change things radically. We have not less than half a million of young men and women between the ages of 19 and 35, at least half a million who are doing nothing. “I know if I have the figures, I will have to begin to do something about it. So please, just be patient with me. We will get there and…
TB Joshua has revealed why his prophecy on the US presidential election caused an uproar in Nigeria. The General Overseer, The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations (SCOAN), on Sunday, November 13, 2016 also used the opportunity to chide his critics over the prophecy. He said: “We have seen the outcome of the election in America. Having read, you will notice that it is all about the popular vote, the vote of the majority of Americans. “In this case, we need the Spirit of a Prophet to recognize or to know a Prophet. Our levels are different. We are not on…
Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana has called on President Buhari to release the ex-National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki. Falana also added that the government should obey the ruling of the ECOWAS court ordering the release of the former NSA. He also asked the President to instruct security agencies not to violate the rights of people as they carry out their duties. According to Punch, the lawyer told Buhari to put a stop to all human rights violations and also release all political detainees. Falan said “With respect to the substantive relief, the ECOWAS Court held that the…
The Chairman of the House Committee on Media, Abdulrazak Namdas, has described Abdulmumin Jibrin as a desperate man. Namdas said this, in response to reports that Jibrin had written a letter to President Buhari on the budget padding allegation which he levelled against House Speaker, Yakubu Dogara. The embattled lawmaker had accused Dogara and other principal officers of inflating the 2016 budget. Namdas also said “His desperation is unfortunate. All the issues he wrote in the letter to Mr. President are not new. “He already said he petitioned the EFCC, ICPC and other security agencies. Why is it that he…
The Governor of Adamawa state, Jibrilla Bindow, has denied endorsing former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar for President. According to Leadership, the Governor described the reports as false, adding that his focus is on developing Adamawa state. Bindow also said the false reports will not distract him from his goal of delivering his campaign promises to the people. He said “The attention of Adamawa State governor, Senator Muhammad Umar Jubrilla Bindow have drawn to a story on Peoples Daily newspaper of Friday, 16 November 2016, titled, ‘2019 Presidency: It’s Either Atiku Or Nobody, Says Gov Bindow’. “Governor Bindow wish to categorically state…
Saraki explained that the programme was aimed at empowering the youth in the state. Saraki explained that the programme was aimed at empowering the youth in the state. The president of the senate stressed the need to arrest the increasing unemployment and youth restiveness across the country for meaningful development to take place. He said the Senate was considering the use of local fabric “Aso-Oke” as material for school pupils’ caps and cardigans to provide large number of jobs and generate enough revenue. Saraki said this was in line with his firm belief and advocacy for patronage of home made…
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has urged Christians to be guided daily by the instructions and teachings of Christ and the Holy Bible. Osinbajo, who is also a Pastor, made the call while at the 8th Annual Festival of Minna Choral Society on Sunday in Minna. The Vice President, who took his text from the book of Romans, Chapter 8 verse 37, re-echoed the portion of the Bible that says “we are more than conqueror through Christ that loves us.’’ He reminded the people of St. Paul’s teachings about the various problems that must be confronted by man, saying that people…
The leader of the jihadist group Boko Haram has reacted to the election of Donald Trump to the White House with a warning that “the war has just begun” against the West. “Do not be overwhelmed by people like Donald Trump and the global coalition fighting our brethren in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan and everywhere,” Abubakar Shekau said in an audio message posted on YouTube late Sunday. “We remain steadfast on our faith and we will not stop,” he said in the hour-long message. “To us, the war has just begun.” Boko Haram is waging a seven-year-old uprising against the Nigerian…
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue has put his hope on God to supply the financial needs of the state government. Ortom said his administration will soon overcome the challenges of non-payment workers’ salaries in the state. Ortom gave the assurance when he met the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastort Enoch Adeboye, who was in Makurdi on Sunday for a programme. The governor, who has owed about five months workers’ salaries, said that God would provide to help for his government to settle the backlog of the salaries. He said despite the economic crunch that…
Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, has said that only the president has the right to judge his ministers. Adesina made the comment on Sunday, November 13, after he was asked about the possibility of a cabinet reshuffle during an appearance on Channels TV. “Let me refer you to the Good Book. It says, “who are you to judge another man’s servant? It is before his master that he either rises or falls.” The President assembled that cabinet, he has timelines and deliverables for them,” he said. “So he is the one who…
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Monday said it would sanction 13 telecommunications operators for failing to comply with the ‘2442 Do Not Disturb (DND)’ directive on unsolicited telemarketing. According to a statement signed by the NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Mr Tony Ojobo, the directive was issued on April 20, 2016. Ojobo said that the 13 operators included: Airtel Network Ltd., MTN Nigeria, Globacom Nigeria, Smile Communication, Visafone Communications, Ntel, Etisalat, Multi-Links, Starcomms, Danjay Telecoms, Gamjitel Ltd., Megatech Engineering Ltd. and Gicell Wireless. According to him, the service providers have been given another one-week ultimatum, from Monday, Nov. 14,…
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State on Monday in Benin, announced the appointment of Mr Osarodion Ogie as Secretary to the State Government. Also appointed, according to him, are Mr Taiwo Akerele as Chief of Staff and Mr John Mayaki as his interim Chief Press Secretary. The governor, who made the announcement while addressing the Head of Service of the state and permanent secretaries as he assumed office, said that the three men would be sworn in immediately. He charged civil servants in the state to brace up for maximum productivity, saying that it was satisfying to note that the…