While these are very early days in the transfer window, Tottenham fans may have been feeling a little impatient over the last few weeks. It is generally an unhelpful trait in the modern-day supporter and is often premature — there is, of course, plenty of time for Spurs to strengthen their squad and prepare themselves for a return to the Champions League. But, then again, this time last year they had already signed Kevin Wimmer, and on the other side of north London, arch-rivals Arsenal have been quickly out of the traps, spending £30m on Switzerland international Granit Xhaka before…
Author: David Folami
Philippe Coutinho hit a hat trick as Brazil coasted to a 7-1 Copa America Group B victory over Haiti in Orlando. Renato Augusto hit a brace for Dunga’s side, while Gabriel Barbosa and Lucas Lima also netted for the rampant Brazilians with Haiti’s solitary reply coming from James Marcelin. The defeat means that Haiti are the first team to be eliminated from this year’s tournament. Romain Genevois was fortunate not to be sent off just two minutes into the contest when he pulled back Coutinho after he had been put through on the goal. Willian sent the resulting free-kick just…
Lower-league footballers can take inspiration from players like Leicester City forward Jamie Vardy, who plied his trade in various tiers of the game prior to his England call-up for Euro 2016, Northern Ireland striker Conor Washington has said. Vardy, who started his career at non-league sides Stocksbridge Park Steels and FC Halifax before moving from League One club Fleetwood Town to Leicester in 2012, scored 24 Premier League goals during the side’s title-winning season. Washington, who joined Queens Park Rangers from Peterborough United in January, also hailed the impact of fellow lower-league graduates Charlie Austin of Southampton and Andre Gray,…
Highly-rated Ivory Coast centre-back Eric Bailly became Jose Mourinho’s first signing for Manchester United on Wednesday from Spanish outfit Villarreal. The 22-year-old – a 2015 Africa Cup of Nations winner – signed a four year contract subject to being granted a work permit and will cost a reported £30 million. Bailly, who moved to Spain aged just 17 when he joined Espanyol, impressed last season as Villarreal conceded just 35 goals in 38 league matches and also reached the Europa League semifinals. “Eric is a young central defender with great natural talent,” purred Mourinho, who replaced Louis van Gaal last…
Manchester United defender Chris Smalling paid tribute to former manager Louis van Gaal on Wednesday for helping him to become a first-choice pick for both club and country. United said farewell to defensive stalwarts Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic prior to Van Gaal’s arrival in 2014 and when it came to constructing a new back four, the Dutchman made Smalling a central component. With Smalling a virtual ever-present, United had the joint-best defensive record in the Premier League last season and although Van Gaal was sacked, to be replaced by Jose Mourinho, the England defender remains grateful for his efforts.…
The embattled chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ali Modu Sheriff claims he is still in charge of the party. This is following reports that the Former Kaduna State Governor, Ahmed Makarfi is now the acting chairman of the PDP. Sheriff has however dismissed the action, saying Makarfi is the caretaker committee chairman. The embattled chairman also described the event as a secret hand-over, adding that the case is still in court, and everything that transpired is illegal. Sheriff, in a statement issued by his spokesman, Inuwa Bwala, said: “Our attention has been drawn to the activities at the…
The Bayelsa state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) might resume the strike action, which it suspended May 23, 2016. This is following the government’s alleged inability to meet the demands of workers regarding their salaries. The Bayelsa state government reportedly promised to pay the workers fifty percent of their salaries during a negotiations with labour leaders. Reports say labour has subsequently given the state government a seven day ultimatum to pay salaries or the strike will resume. A worker who spoke to Punch under anonymity, said “We find it curious that up till now the government has yet…
The Governors of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha and his counterparts from Kaduna and Bauchi, Mallam Nasir El Rufai and Alhaji Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar, have met with leaders of Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo. The meeting, which also had the National Chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, John Oyegun in attendance, held in Owerri on Monday, June 7, 2016. The governors and the APC chairman alongside leaders of Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo led by its President-General, Chief Gary Igariway discussed on the beheaded Igbo woman in Kano State as well the issue of herdsmen and the unity of the country. At the meeting, Governor El Rufai…
Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State on Tuesday apologised for the mistakes the state government might have made in the pursuit of its education reform initiative. The governor tendered the apology at the stakeholders forum the state government convened in Ibadan on its education reform initiative, saying his administration had no intention of selling public schools. Ajimobi admitted that his administration erred in requesting for a non-refundable fee of N250,000 from interested parties, placing advertorial for expression of interest without consultation and for not holding a pre-meeting session with stakeholders. “I admit all the lapses that occurred in the presentation…
The Federal Government on Tuesday warned managements of financial institutions in the country to stop further retrenchment of workers or risked being sanctioned. Sen. Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment, gave the warning in Geneva while addressing newsmen on the sideline of the on-going 105th session of the International Labour Conference (ILC). “The Federal Government gave the licences to the banks to operate and if its directives are not adhered to the licences will be withdrawn if the need arises,“ he said. Ngige was reacting to a statement by the Director General of the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association, Mr…
The Abia Government and Bank of Industry (BOI) on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the generation of N1billion for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the state. Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu said at the signing of the MoU in Umuahia on Thuesday, that Abia had over 1,000 artisans producing items being sold in various parts of Nigeria and Africa. Ikpeazu said that these artisans needed machinery that would enable them to mass produce their products and with precision in design that would meet international standard. According to him, the nation’s economy depends on the ability of MSMEs…
The House of Representatives on Tuesday mandated its Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation to investigate the investments and pledges made by power Distribution Companies (DISCOs) and Generation Companies (GENCOs). The House also directed the Committee to ascertain the revenue accrued to the companies and their level of compliance with the privatisation agreements. This followed a motion by Rep. Muktar Dandutse (Katsina-APC), which was unanimously adopted by members through a voice vote. Moving the motion, Dandutse expressed concern over the prevailing situation after the takeover of privatised Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) by the successor companies. He lamented that the…
The Lagos State Government on Tuesday said it would leave no stone unturned to attract investors through the reduction of traffic congestion in the state. Mr Steve Ayorinde, the state’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, disclosed this in Lagos at the maiden edition of the Lagos Traffic Radio Lecture Series, themed: “Migrating Workforce: The Challenges of Mass Transportation’’. “This administration is determined to make Lagos State and investor’s delight, a place where every investor gets its money’s worth. “For this to become a reality, the traffic situation must be well managed, a task which the traffic radio is wholly committed…
Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El Rufai has said that the activities of the Fulani herdsmen around the country is criminal and should be treated as such by security operatives. Addressing the issue of herdsmen in Imo State, the Governor said it is a nationwide problem while calling on security operatives to nip the act in the bud. “It is a problem that is affecting the whole nation, adding that it is not a case of Fulani invading other tribes but a criminal activity that must be nipped in the bud,” he said. Speaking also on the activities of the…
Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has reacted to the demise of the ex-Super Eagles’ player and coach, Stephen Keshi. In his reaction, the governor sent his condolence message to the family of the illustrious sportsman who reportedly died after a cardiac arrest on Wednesday, June 8, 2016. The governor tweeted, “The News of the demise of Stephen Keshi has just reached me. It is a sad day for Nigerian football. My prayers are with his family RIPKeshi” The Nigerian sporting community have greeted the sad occurrence with sadness as officials and sportsmen have been pouring in their condolence messages.…
Following his “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” role as as Finn, John Boyega has landed a leading role in the upcoming “Pacific Rim” sequel. The 24-year-old British actor has been cast as the son of Idris Elba, who played the role of Stacker Pentecost in the 2013 film. The upcoming sequel will be produced by “Pacific Rim” co-creator, Guillermo Del Toro, along with Boyega and Femi Oguns under their Upper Room Productions. It’s unconfirmed whether Elba will be returning to the franchise, which grossed $411m at the box office. Boyega will next be seen on screen opposite Tom Hanks and…
“Nolly Thursdays” which has been described as the new Industry Night” for the Nigerian film industry, is geared towards promoting and celebrating Nollywood movies (old and new) in the cinema. The next edition of the event is set to hold on Thursday, June 9, 2016, with Linda Ejiofor and Kehinde Bankole headlining. The duo’s latest movie “8 Bars and a Clef” will also screen at event. Kehinde Bankole is a Nigerian actress, model and television host. She was born as the fourth child in a family of six with her twin sister who also acts occasionally. She studied Mass Communication…
Yesterday, Monday, June 6, 2016, popular Nigerian stand-up comedian Basketmouth took to Instagram to pen an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari. According to him, we are all collectively responsible for what befalls our country. “We are the country. The rest na just land,” he wrote. Read his full piece below: “As I am learning to stop complaining and get used to the electricity situation in my beloved Nigeria, i can’t help but worry about other bigger problems facing my country at large. Once again a land already polluted with blood and oil is reported to be witnessing beheadings by…
Nollywood actress Funke Akindele is trying to tell us something with her latest photos on Snapchat. Seems like rapper, JJC Skillz has finally put a ring on it as the actress tried everything possible to flaunt her ring finger sporting a charming band. JJC has been dating the leading Nollywood actress for some months now and it seems marriage is now in the offing. Just recently, Moe Musa was said to have reportedly vacated the home of JJC Skillz, over his fiancée, Funke Akindele, which is just as well, seeing as the love birds are headed to the alter. The…
As amazing as it may sound, Jay-Z and the pop queen Beyoncé have never gone on the red carpet with Blue Ivy. The 34-year-old superstar with her husband graced the red carpet for the first time alongside their beautiful daughter at the 2016 Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), Awards in New York City. Beyonce was supported at the event held at the Hammerstein Ballroom by her 46-year-old husband Jay-Z and their four-year-old daughter Blue Ivy. Jay looked dapper in a black tuxedo with crisp white shirt while Blue Ivy looked stylish in a black fringe dress with white…