Eden Hazard said he was 99 percent sure to stay at Chelsea next season, and he relishing a chance to go up against new Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho. The Belgian international, who will captain his country at the European Championship in France next month, had been the subject of transfer speculation throughout a disappointing club season. “If I tell you I’m staying at Chelsea with 100 percent certainty, this is not the case,” Hazard told a press conference in Switzerland on Friday, a day before Belgium play Switzerland in a warm-up international in Geneva. “For now, I’m 100 percent…
Author: David Folami
Manchester United will be expecting to make it third time lucky in their attempt to replace Alex Ferguson with the appointment of Jose Mourinho as the club’s new manager. Ferguson’s retirement in 2013 was always going to leave an enormous void to fill at Old Trafford after the legendary Scot bowed out as a Premier League winner, taking his tally to 25 major honours in his 27-year reign as manager. More than that, Ferguson’s character, methods, discipline, loyalty and fierce will to win were ingrained throughout a club that regards itself as the biggest in the world. It was always…
Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said he expects Cristiano Ronaldo to “transcend” the Champions League final on Saturday and lead them to victory over Atletico Madrid. Real striker Ronaldo gave fans a scare when he limped out of training on Tuesday. But not only is the Portuguese superstar fully fit and in a position to beat his own Champions League record of 17 goals in a season, Zidane believes he will feed off the intensity of the final to give fans a treat. “He’s 100 percent fit and he’s playing a Champions League final, when you transcend yourself,” said Zidane,…
President Muhammadu Buhari has urged Nigerians to rate his ministers and decide which of them should be changed. Buhari made the comment on Thursday, May 26, 2016, during an interview granted to commemorate his first year in office, Daily Trust reports. “I am waiting for the newspapers to tell me the performance of my ministers and whether I should make changes,” Buhari said when asked if Nigerians should expect changes in his team. Buhari also revealed that he was shocked when he realized how much money Nigerians spend on food imports. “Up to 2013 we were earning on average over…
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has dismissed media reports that a High Court in Abuja condemned the Commission over the continued detention of Mr. Robert Azibaola, who is a cousin to former President Goodluck Jonathan. The EFCC had arrested Azibaola in March 2016 for allegedly collecting $40 million for a dubious pipeline contract through a former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.). In a statement issued by the spokesman for the anti-graft agency, Willson Uwujaren, on Friday, May 27, it said the report is a misrepresentation of the fact. It was reported that a court had slammed…
The Joint Health Sector Union in Ekiti State has withdrawn from the strike action embarked upon by the state’s Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) chapter in protest of the five months outstanding salary arrears owed them by the government. The health unions announced its withdrawal from the strike on Friday, May 27, in a letter addressed to the Chief Medical Director of the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti. The union stated that it took the decision due to the love and passion they have for the sick and suffering. The letter was signed by the Chairman, NUAHP, Kunle Esan; Chairman,…
Majority Leader of the House Of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has pinned the current economic hardship in the country on the Goodluck Jonathan administration, saying the last government left an empty treasury. Speaking on Friday, May 27, at the Town Hall Meeting he organised to give account of his stewardship to his constituents in Surulere, Lagos, the lawmaker said that more damage was done to the country’s economy than the Muhammadu Buhari administration thought. “Things are very difficult in Nigeria today; we must acknowledge that. The question we need to ask ourselves is why? And the answer is very simple,” he…
President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday, may 27, has inaugurated a national prosecution coordination committee to handle high profile criminal cases in the country. Speaking at the inauguration which held at the Presidential Villa, Buhari reaffirmed the commitment of his administration to tackling corruption and terrorism in Nigeria. The President, who was represented by Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, urged the committee members to resist external influence and discharge their responsibility with fairness. “It is a very important committee because the administration itself is committed to ensuring that we are able to deal with not only with question of corruption which is…
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has said that if President Muhammadu Buhari had not won the 2015 Presidential election,Nigeria’s economy would have collapsed. He stated this in Kano on Friday, May 27, during a courtesy visit to Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. Mohammed said that the President is gradually reviving the economy through prudent management of resources and the introduction of creative ideas to block leakages. He said: “For the fact that God loves this country, if any other political party had won the election, there would have been no economy to talk about. They wouldn’t have…
The Nigerian military reportedly invaded Oporoza community in Gbaramatu kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta State in the hours of Saturday, May 28, 2016. According to Sahara Reporters, the military arrived the community in at least four warships in search of Niger Delta Avengers. In another report by Vanguard Newspaper, the army had laid siege and started shooting sporadically at about 8.44 am, causing more confusion in the riverine town. Speaking to Vanguard, the Ijaw leader, Chief Godspower Gbenekama, said “Soldiers have started shooting in Oporoza as I speak to you now, I do not know the casualty, but…
President Muhammadu Buhari has denied interfering with the activities of the anti-corruption agencies that include EFCC and ICPC. The President made this known during the inauguration of the National Prosecution Coordination Committee, NPCC. NPCC, which will be joining other anti-corruption agencies, will be saddled with the responsibility of prosecuting high profile financial and other criminal cases in the country. The President stressed that neither him nor his government interferes with the arrest and prosecutorial activities of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and other anti-corruption agencies in the countries. Speaking through Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, he said, “When you…
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State has appointed Usman Alhaji Usman, as the Secretary to the State Government (SSG). The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Usman replaces Dr Rabi’u Bichi, who was removed by Gov. Ganduje. The appointment is contained in a statement signed by the Kano State Head of Service, Alhaji Muhammad Na’iya and made available to newsmen in Kano on Saturday. According to the statement, Ganduje also approved the appointment of seven new permanent secretaries. They are: Halilu Baba-Dantiye; Alhaji Usman Bala; Hajiya Bilkisu Waziri; Dr Saadatu Bala; Danladi Garba; Aminu Mohammed, and Aliyu Sani. Similarly,…
Gov. Darius Ishaku of Taraba on Friday in Jalingo inaugurated the road leading to Jalingo Main Market and the Rev. Jolly Nyame Road, constructed at the cost of N1.6billion. Speaking at the occasion, Ishaku said the 3.74 km roads would boost economic activities in the state. He assured residents of the area that arrangement had been concluded to install street lights on the roads. Earlier, the Commissioner for Works, Dr Tafarki Eneme, said the contract for the roads was awarded to M/S P.W. Nigeria Ltd in 2015. Eneme said the 1.34 km market road, officially known as Palace Way, was…
The Plateau Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), says it has convicted 62 motorists in Jos for committing various road traffic offences. Mr Andrew Bala, FRSC Public Education Officer in the state, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Jos. Bala said that the offenders were arrested and convicted by a mobile court on Friday. He said the exercise took place on some highways in Jos and Bukuru metropolis. Bala said that 64 motorists were apprehended, 56 were found guilty and convicted, while seven were discharged and acquitted. According to…
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has urged former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman, Ali Modu Sheriff to apologize to the party for his conduct during and after the national convention, which held on May 21, 2016, in Port Harcourt. Wike made the call via a statement released by his media aide, Simeon Nwakaudu. “We have seen that there is a hidden agenda. But nobody can destroy the PDP. PDP will wax stronger,” Wike said according to the statement. “Those around the former acting National Chairman have questionable character. They are people who think that they can use the judiciary to…
Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose has said that Nigerians will continue to suffer till 2019. Fayose made the comment via a statement released on Wednesday, May 25, 2016. It reads: “Nigerians should be reminded that the manner of hardship being faced now was also faced during Buhari’s first coming as a military dictator when people had to queue for essential commodities. Now, Nigerians can’t even afford common tomato to prepare soup. “So Nigerians you have heard the truth: under Buhari/APC, it is almost certain that our suffering will continue till 2019. “Nigerians, remember I warned you before Buhari was elected;…
Danfulani stated this during a press conference on the one year assessment of All Progressive Congress (APC) government of President Muhammadu Buhari and Kaduna State governor, Nasir Elrufai. The conference was organised by Centrum Initiative For Development and Fundamental Rights Advocacy (CEDRA) on Friday May 27, 2016, the lecturer said courts decisions must be respected. “We had five PDP governors that decamped to APC and they are seen as not corrupt. Corruption cannot be fought with the way government wants. Corruption should be fought thought the laid down rules,” Danfulani said, adding, “Once you refuse to follow due process in…
On Thursday, May 26 2016, all factions of the PDP led by Ibrahim Mantu, Prof Jerry Gana and the members of the national assembly met at night and endorsed Sen Ahmed Makarfi’s interim leadership of the party. But Sheriff, who was then a Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman of the defunct All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP), co-founded the APC but was forced to leave when his candidates were schemed out at the convention. Ali Modu Sheriff’s candidates- Kashim Imam, who was vying for the position of the National Secretary of APC, Tom Ikimi- National Chairman and Umar Duhu- North East…
Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, has listed nine achievements made by the president since he assumed office on May 29, 2015. Shehu made the disclosure via an article titled “Nine Key Milestones in President Buhari’s First Year”. Read it below: Twelve months ago, President Muhammadu Buhari was sworn in as the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He came to power following the decisive victory of his party, the All Progressives Congress, APC over the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP and its candidate, Dr Goodluck…
The House of Representatives has urged Nigerians to be patient with the Muhammadu Buhari administration ahead of the administration’s one year anniversary. The appeal was made by House Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, while giving the 2016 first quarter report on the activities of the legislature on Thursday, May 26, 2016, Punch reports. “I will continue to call for patience. We have to first admit that this government came in at a point when things were terribly out of shape. The decay the government inherited was enormous and it is only when we come from this point that we can appreciate what…