Global Naija Info

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee (NWC) has cancelled Saturday’s ward congresses in three states. A statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by the party’s National Organising Secretary, Abubakar Mustapha, listed the states as Adamawa, Lagos and Osun. The statement also said that new congress committees in the affected state had been reconstituted accordingly after the dissolution of the previous ones. “Congresses will continue in these states from Friday May 6, 2016,” the statement added.

Fernando deflects Gareth Bale’s strike Manchester City failed to reach their first Champions League final after an uninspiring semi-final second-leg display at 10-time winners Real Madrid. After a goalless draw in the first leg, Real took the lead when Gareth Bale’s cross deflected off City’s Fernando. The home side dominated, Bale’s header hitting the bar and Joe Hart saving from Luka Modric and Cristiano Ronaldo. City rarely threatened as Real set up a meeting with rivals Atletico Madrid in the Milan final later this month. The English side knew they potentially only needed one away goal to progress, but appeared reluctant to go for broke in the final stages – despite being encouraged to attack by the vocal 4,500 away supporters. Madrid’s only moment of concern came in the closing moments when Sergio Aguero’s speculative effort flew onto the roof of the home goal. Now they will meet Atletico at the San Siro on 28 May, in a repeat of the 2014 final which Real won 4-1 after ex

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon The UN Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) says it is spending 100 million dollars (about 20 billion naira) on the prevention of corruption, drugs and terrorism in Nigeria. The UNODC Secretary-General, Mr Yury Fedotov, who is on a two-day official visit to Nigeria, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja. Fedotov explained that Nigeria is one of the largest recipient of international support from the UNODC. “I think our portfolio programmes for the following amount to 100 million dollars. All our programmes put together amount to N100 million dollars. “So it makes Nigeria one of the largest recipients of assistance of international community through the UN Office on Drugs and Crimes,” he said. Fedotov commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his stance on corruption, and pledged the UNODC’s support to its success. “I think the commitment of President Buhari to eradicate corruption is a very important asset for us i

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee (NWC) has cancelled Saturday’s ward congresses in three states. A statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by the party’s National Organising Secretary, Abubakar Mustapha, listed the states as Adamawa, Lagos and Osun. The statement also said that new congress committees in the affected state had been reconstituted accordingly after the dissolution of the previous ones. “Congresses will continue in these states from Friday May 6, 2016,” the statement added.

Mrs Ibim Semenitari, Acting Managing Director, NDDC   Mrs Ibim Semenitari, Acting Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), on Wednesday appealed for more financial support from oil companies operating in the region. A statement issued by the commission’s Head of Corporate Affairs, Mr Chijioke Amu-Nnadi, in Port Harcourt, said that Semenitari made the call when Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS) visited the commission. The statement quoted Semenitari as requesting oil companies in the area to improve on their contributions to enable the commission fast-track development of the region. “OPTS must provide support by pulling resources together so that NDDC can make impact and deliver on projects that would touch the lives of people in communities. “We support OPTS leaders to immediately re-activate meeting of Chief Executive Officers of the group to discuss issues affecting the region by ensuring that the region becomes functional for all stakeholders. “In al

Ali Modu Sheriff, PDP national chairman A group, Peoples Democratic Party Concerned Leaders on Wednesday said zoning of the party’s national chairmanship position to the North-East was inconsistent with the original principles of the party. This is contained in a statement signed and released in Abuja by Chairman of the group and former governor of Niger, Dr Babangida Aliyu. The leaders, according to the statement, made the observation after its meeting held to examine the current developments in the party. It stated that the group reviewed developments in PDP with special reference to ongoing congresses, which would culminate in the forthcoming national convention of the party. Former governor Aliyu Babangida of Niger State “We observed that the procedure and conduct of the congresses nationwide were flawed with resultant disaffection and disagreements. “We also observed that the current zoning formula for the position of National Chairman as adopted by only one-third of Na

FILE PHOTO: Sabon Gari Market in Kano on fire Two persons were feared dead when a petrol tanker caught fire while offloading product at AA Rano Filling Station near the Grand Central Hotel in Kano metropolis on Wednesday. Eye witnesses told NAN that the fire which started around 2 p.m. had also destroyed a building adjacent to the filling station. According to the witnesses, no fewer than five cars and property worth millions of Naira were also destroyed by the inferno. They said the incident occurred when the driver and one other person were trying to offload fuel in the dumps. The witnesses said it was the quick intervention of private companies who brought their fire fighting vehicles that prevented the fire from razing down the entire filling station. It was gathered that many people who were on queue to buy fuel, however, escaped unhurt. When contacted, the Director of the state Fire Service, Alhaji Mustapha Rulwan, confirmed the incident. Rulwan, however, denied knowled

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, will on Thursday, May 12, 2016 arraign a retired Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Sambo, before a Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja on one-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and obtaining money by false pretence to the tune of N10,000,000.00m( Ten Million Naira). Sambo, who connived with one Nuhu Bello Dabai, had allegedly duped the complainant, Abdul Malik Bello, Managing Director/ CEO, Ideal Sunbeam International Company Limited, the sum of N10, 000, 000.00m, after claiming that he needed to defray both the survey and other preliminary expenses involved in the execution of a contract worth over N1bn (One Billion Naira) purportedly awarded him by Zamfara State Governor, Abdul Aziz Abubakar Yari. The accused person was subsequently arrested and granted an administrative bail by the Commission on January 19, 2015. He, however, jumped the administrative bail granted him on April 7, 2015.

By Gbenro Adesina/Ibadan Ajimobi, centre, at the UCH today Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has condoled with his Kano State counterpart, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, following the death of eight secondary students from the state in an accident along Iroko Road,Ibadan, Oyo State. The accident occurred on Tuesday, while 16 students and their teachers were returning to Kano after representing the state in a quiz competition in Lagos. Seven of the students died on the spot, while one out of the nine rescued from the scene, died few hours after arriving at the University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan. The students were from Kano Capital School and the Unity School in Qaraye. The governor described the accident , which also reportedly claimed the life of the driver of the bus conveying the students, as highly depressing to him and the people of the state. Ajimobi had visited the eight surviving victims of the accident at the Accident and Emergency ward of the UCH, where he offered

President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday assured that Nigeria would abide by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) judgment on Bakassi Peninsula. Buhari spoke at a joint interactive he held with President Paul Biya of Cameroon and the media in Abuja. He said there was no cause for alarm, but added that the Federal Government would react to the maritime issue after a joint committee of Nigeria and Cameroon experts submits its report. “On this issue, I want to tell the people of Cameroon to keep their mind at peace. “Nigeria is an internationally respectful and law-abiding nation,” Buhari said. The president noted that there was the issue of hydrocarbons in the Bakassi region which was brought to the attention of the International Court of Justice. He said Nigeria had accepted the judgment, but the technical aspect of the international waters had yet to be fully determined. Accordingly, Buhari said that an international committee of exper

Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture Photo: Femi Ipaye/PM News The Federal Government has realised N1.8bn from the licenses issued to three signal distributors on the switch over from analogue to digital broadcasting. The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja at a media briefing on the pilot roll-out of the Digital Switch Over (DSO). It will be recalled that the minister inaugurated the pilot roll-out of DSO last Saturday in Jos, after many times of delay and postponements. Mohammed said the three licensed signal distributors, one from the public sector and the other two from the private sector, paid N600 million each. He explained that Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) which was initially given the license as public distributor engaged was constraint by broadcasting rules. “Under the new broadcasting arrangement, the rule does not allow a producer of content to be a carrier of content. “As a result of this

Prayers were held today at the Ilaro, Ogun State residence of Senator Iyabo Anisulowo, former minister of state for education who was rescued from her abductors last night by the police. Cleric at the Ilaro residence of Senator Iyabo Anisulowo rescued by the police last night from her abductors. In attendance was the state governor, Ibikunle Amosun. ,

Olatunde Ayeni, Skye Bank Chairman of Skye Bank Plc. and NATCOM, Dr. Olatunde Ayeni has dismissed speculations that he has interest in Auctus Integrated, an oil company following speculations in some sections of the media. Auctus Integrated is one of the companies mentioned in the $115 million bribery scam which was paid into Fidelity Bank Plc. at the instance of the former Minister of Petroleum resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison–Madueke. In a press statement signed by Ademola Adedoyin, Special Adviser, Corporate Communications to Dr. Olatunde Ayeni, the link with Auctus Integrated was described as “unfounded and without an iota of truth.” “Following persistent inquiries from a section of the media, we deem it fit to lay this speculation to permanent rest as our Chairman, Dr. Olatunde Ayeni, CON, has no interest whatsoever and has no link in whatever capacity with the said Auctus Integrated.” “The attempt to link the Chairman’s name to the $115 million dollar slush fund with Fidelit

Jethro Ibileke/Benin Late Oba Erediauwa of Benin The Benin Traditional Council has warned that all male citizens of Benin Kingdom, both at home and in Diaspora, who fail to clean-shave the hair on their heads, in obedience to Benin traditional burial rite of the transited Monarch of the Kingdom, will face the wrath of the ancestors. The Council gave the warning on Wednesday in Benin while announcing to journalists that the burial rites for the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolopkolo, Oba Erediauwa, who recently joined his ancestors, would soon commence. The Prime Minister and Iyase of Benin Kingdom, Chief Sam Igbe, who the Council, said while no one would be forced to comply with the directive, all male citizens of the Kingdom are expected to respect the custom and tradition of Benin Kingdom as they are expected to clean shave their heads with effect from 29th April, 2016. “All our friends and well-wishers, including all those who live with us and work for their livelihood

Eromosele Ebhomele Doyin Okupe, former senior special assistant on Public Affairs to Goodluck Jonathan The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, on Wednesday said it was disappointed in Dr. Doyin Okupe, former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan over his call for the sack of workers in some states in Nigeria. Okupe, a former Senior Special Assistant to Jonathan, has been receiving some bashing for asking governors to reduce their workforce instead of begging for bailout from the Federal Government. President of the TUC, Bobboi Bala Kaigama, and Acting Secretary-General of the labour union, Comrade (Barr.) Simeso Amachree, said: “rather than making such obnoxious pronouncement; and being one of the forces that accentuated the suffocation of the immediate past administration from within, Dr. Okupe should have called on all the anti-corruption agencies to do a thorough investigation on where and how the released bailouts to some states were diverted. “One thing Okupe evidently d

Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State The medical bills of eight surviving Kano students involved in a motor accident at Iroko along Ibadan-Oyo express road on Tuesday is to be settled by the Oyo State Government. Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State made the pledge on Wednesday in Ibadan when he visited the surviving students at the Emergency Unit, University College Hospital (UCH). He told newsmen that the students had travelled from Kano to Lagos on an excursion but had a ghastly motor accident at Iroko near Fiditi on their return to Kano. Ajimobi said that seven of the students reportedly died on the spot, while nine others were brought to the emergency unit of UCH. “One of the nine brought into the hospital is dead, remaining eight at present receiving treatment. I am here to visit them as a parent, who cares. “These are our children, whom we must always care for and I am assuring you that we will take care of the bills. “I just spoke to the governor of Kano State, Gov. Uma

Late Oba Erediauwa of Benin The Benin Traditional Council has called on residents of Benin kingdom to bury their dead ones as all funeral rites would be prohibited from the date of the announcement of burial ceremonies (Emwinekhua) of late Oba Erediauwa. Chief Sam Igbe, the Iyase of Benin Kingdom, who disclosed this in Benin on Wednesday said that the Emwinekhua would soon be announced. Igbe also urged all residents to be law abiding and respect the custom and tradition of the people. “All markets in the kingdom have been reopened as they were supposed to be closed for three days after the transition of Oba Erediauwa was announced. “All male citizens of Benin Kingdom are expected, as a rule to shave the hair on their head in obedience to Benin tradition. “Friends and well-wishers of the kingdom might wish to join citizens of the kingdom to shave their hair’’, Chief Igbe said. He added that all chiefs, `enigie’, priests and palace functionaries entitled to wear beads would seize

The gavel of justice Cyriacus Izuekwe A mild drama occurred at the Isolo Magistrates Court, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria, when a 35-year old man charged with fraud collapsed in the courtroom. The accused, David Usman, who was accused of collecting N7, 000 from his victim fell down as the court registrar made to read the charge against him. Efforts to revive him failed and the presiding Magistrate, Mrs A.K. Shonubi contacted the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Aswani who asked his men to bring the accused back to the station. Usman was arrested by the police after he and others at large defrauded Ogechi Udemadu, 19. The victim was accosted at 7/8 Bus Stop in Ajao estate and forced to give the money on her to the fraudsters. They also asked her to go home and bring her mother’s jewellery for them to convert to money. The victim who claimed that she did not know what she was doing, said she was taken to a hideout in Isolo where some youths attacked the fraudsters. Usman was arrested

FILE PHOTO: A herdsman in Nigeria The Head of Hausa Community in Akwa Ibom, Alhaji Hassan Sadauki, has called for peaceful coexistence between the herdsmen and farmers in various communities across the country. Sadauki made the appeal in an interview with NAN in Uyo on Wednesday. He said that the recent attack of Ukpabi Nimbo community in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu state by Fulani herdsmen was regrettable. He noted that over the years, cattlemen and the agrarian community had been cohabiting peacefully. The community leader said that the nation would not grow to its enviable height with attacks and violent conflicts. According to him, Nigerians irrespective of tribe and religion have been living in peace with one another without unnecessary suspicion. “There must be peaceful coexistence between the host community and the settlers. “Farmers and herdsmen who migrate from one place to another have coexisted peacefully in the past. “There must be a synergy of inter

Abductors of wife and four children of the paramount ruler of Esit Eket, Edidem Ubong Assam, on Wednesday asked for a ransom of N100 million. The victims were abducted on Friday in the palace in Akpautong, Esit Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom. NAN reports that the abductors had contacted the family and demanded for the ransom to release the captives. A source close to the family who pleaded anonymity, said “the kidnappers have opened up for negotiations for the release of the monarch’s wife and children. “There is tension and anxiety in the palace. The kidnappers of the monarch’s pregnant wife and children have demanded N100 million ransom before their release,” the source said. It added that the kidnappers were not ready to bargain the price while talking on phone with members of the royal family. “They issued threats.” A family member, Norbert Assam, told NAN that the royal father and the entire family cannot afford such huge amount of money demanded by the kidnappers.

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) on Wednesday urged the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to sustain the current tempo of distribution of petrol to eliminate scarcity in the country. Alhaji Tokunbo Korodo, the South West Chairman of the union, gave the advice in an interview with journalists at the ongoing safety training programme for tanker drivers organised by Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) in Lagos. He said that improved loading of petrol in different depots in Lagos had resulted in availability of petrol in Lagos and Abuja. “It is now easy for motorists to enter filling stations and get petrol without spending extra time or money. “We should give kudos to our Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr Ibe Kachukwu, because he is a man of his words. “We urge the minister to maintain the tempo of the loading so that other states will benefit from the supply. Presently, the situation has improved only in Lagos and Abuja. “I’m sure

Kazeem Ugbodaga Dr. Jide Idris, Lagos State Health Commissioner The Lagos State Government has approved the construction of the first Medical Park in Nigeria at a cost of N49 billion. This is in line with government’s efforts to improve healthcare experience and promote medical tourism and excellent healthcare services of international standard. At a news conference addressed by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris at the State House, Ikeja, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria on Wednesday, he said that the development was awarded to MEDIPARK International Limited Consortium which comprises of MEDIPARK International Limited, Cleveland Clinics Ohio USA, St. Barnabas Healthcare System New Jersey and American Hospital Management Company Washington DC. The commissioner pointed out that the Lagos State Government was not putting any money on the project as it was purely a Public-Private Partnership, PPP project, but that it is providing the land, which is the old Nursing School in Ikoyi,

Jethro Ibileke/Benin Chief Tony Anenih The former Chairman, Board of Trustee (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Tony Anenih on Wednesday denied rumours that he was dead. He denied the rumours of his death when he personally spoke from London to journalists in Benin. The social media was on Wednesday awash with reports that the elder statesman died of cancer in a London hospital. ‎ “Thank God, I am hale and healthy. I have not visited hospital. I am speaking to you personally. I don’t know where those people get their information from. “God has extended my life span beyond their expectation and He will still extend my life span beyond what i also expected,” Anenih said. Meanwhile, political associates of the elder statesman have also denied the rumour going rounds that he has passed away. Two of his associates, Edo State chairman of the PDP, Chief Dan Orbih, and a former youth leader of the party in the state, Barrister Vincent Akhere, described the claims as

Ashraf Ghani The police in Afghanistan have confirmed that around 60 students of a girl school were mysteriously poisoned in Rustaq district of northern Afghanistan’s Takhar province on Wednesday. “Some 60 students of grade seven to 12 of Mir Mulai Girl School in Rustaq district were mysteriously poisoned today at around 10a.m. and have been taken to hospital for medical treatment,” Abdul Khalil Asir stated. The official said investigation has been initiated to determine the reason for the problem. This is the second incident of its kind in Takhar province over the past two weeks. In the previous incident, which happened in the same district Rustaq on April 19, a total of 62 students of a girl school were poisoned and the vomiting caused them to fall unconscious for several hours.

Crude oil steadied around $45 a barrel on Wednesday as reduced production in Canada’s oil sands region lent support, although expectations US crude inventories will rise further from a record capped gains. The Canada disruption adds to supply losses in Nigeria and Iraq, concern about renewed losses in Libya and fears that Venezuela’s cash crunch could hit the OPEC member’s output. Brent crude has fallen more than 7 per cent from a 2016 high hit on Friday in response to rising output from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, signs of economic slowdown in the United States and Asia, and a stronger dollar. “It would not come as any surprise if speculative financial investors were to take profits against this news backdrop,” said Commerzbank analyst Carsten Fritsch. “Oil prices could receive support from the wildfires in the Canadian oil province of Alberta,” he said. Brent crude was up 10 cents at $45.07 at 1126 GMT. It reached a 2016 high of $48.50 on Friday, but

Funsho Arogundade OLX.com.ng, the leading online classifieds site, has won the award for Classified Advert Website of the year at the recently held seventh edition of Beacon of Information & Communications Technology Awards (BoICT) in Lagos. OLX bagged the honour at a ceremony attended by major players in the e-commerce industry across various sectors of the economy, who gathered to celebrate outstanding achievement in various categories of the award. While receiving the award on behalf of the company, Lola Masha, Country Manager, OLX, thanked the organizers of the awards for their recognition. Masha stated that she was humbled by the award which was a testimony of OLX’s commitment to helping Nigerians win by selling their used goods to earn extra cash especially in this challenging economy. “We are truly honored to have emerged winners in this category. I want to specially thank our OLX users for their loyalty. I will like to dedicate this award to them and to the OLX team f

Funsho Arogundade Timaya Nigerian dancehall artiste, Timaya will take centre stage to thrill fans at the Joseph Yobo Mini Stadium, Port Harcourt on Sunday 8 May as Legend’s Real Deal Experience sails to town. The self-styled ‘Egberi Papa 1’ will join stars like Kcee and Oritsefemi as a headliner on the Legend Real Deal Experience tour. Timaya, who was raised in Port Harcourt, is particularly excited bringing the Legend experience to the people, as memoirs of growing up in the neighbourhood will remain ever pleasant. “I’m so excited to bring my music and act to the town most instrumental in shaping my early years. I promise to give my people everything they want and more. If I don’t do this for them, who else would I do it for?” Timaya enthused. The Legend Real Deal Experience, which has already toured in Lagos, Onitsha and now berthing in Port Harcourt, will feature a full-sized rotating bar, incredible onstage stunts, musical performances, as well as exciting game shows with l

FILE PHOTO: Sabon Gari Market in Kano on fire A report on Wednesday in Beijing has confirmed the death of six miners that were trapped in a coal mine after a blast in south-west China’s Yunnan province. It stated that the explosion in Shaba Coal Mine occurred on Wednesday morning in Yanjin County. It said it was still not clear how many people were injured or trapped, but authorities were investigating the cause of the accident. The report noted that China had improved its mine safety record in recent years through the closure of thousands of small operations. It, however, said that in spite of improved standards, the industry was regarded as one of the most dangerous in the world, with recurring mishaps including flooding, explosions and fire outbreaks.

Ilias Ali popularly known as Wave Upcoming Nigerian singer, Ali Great Ilia popularly known as Wave has just dropped a new single titled, Queen of my Heart. Wave who released two singles in 2015 says the single is a teaser for his fans ahead of his official album launch this year. Speaking on his latest single, Wave said the love song was inspired by his personal experience. The Benue-born singer who sings RnB and Afro Pop says he believes that love should be something shared with mutual respect, citing both spiritual and cultural influences as his reason for always respecting his partner. “We all love somebody in life and I think we should treat them as queens because that is what they are in the real. “For me love conquers all and I think we should always carry it with us even if we are hurting because its love that will still heal us.” Wave who have been featured by many artistes including Planetary Eclipz, Ajasaint, Famous Nice, Wiziwig, Don Settle and IB, his eyeing big tim

Stella Damasus denies granting ThisDay an interview Sultry actress and singer, Stella Damasus, has denied granting ThisDay Life & Style the controversial interview that trended on social media some days ago. Speaking through her Publicist, Bayo Adetu, Stella reiterated that she hasn’t even granted any Nigerian media platform interview in the last two years. “I can only remember speaking to Golden Icon in an interview more than two years ago, so I was surprised when the local media was awash with a purported interview I granted. “To set the records straight, I didn’t grant ThisDay any interview,” Stella said. The multi-talented entertainer, who just released ‘The Alternative,’ her first studio recorded album, adding that, she is focused on her career and the mantle of inspiring every home with the creative piece. ‘The Alternative’ is an 18-track gospel album that touches on faith, love, hope as well as personal experiences in Stella’s life and how her relationship with God he

Jethro Ibileke/Benin Victor Edoror, Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly was impeached by members of the Assembly Hell was let loose at the Edo State House of Assembly on Tuesday afternoon, as scores of hoodlums invaded the hallow chamber of the Assembly, shooting sporadically. The hoodlums injured six persons in the process. Trouble started when the Majority Leader, Hon. Folly Ogedegbe (Owan West Constituency), moved‎ motion for impeachment of the Speaker, Hon. Victor Edoror and the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Bright Osayande. The motion reads: “We the underlisted and undersigned Honourable Members representing the various constituencies in the Edo State House of Assembly, have on this day 3rd of May 2016 have resolved to impeach our Speaker, Hon. Chief Victor Edoror Tiger and the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Osayande, for acts of gross misconduct. The motion was seconded by Hon. Gani Audu, (Etsako West I). The only female member of the House, Hon. (Mrs.) Elizabeth Ativie, (Uhumwode), was el

Claudio Ranieri England’s rich clubs will dominate the Premier League for the next two decades following Leicester City’s title win, says Foxes manager Claudio Ranieri. Leicester’s squad was assembled for £57m, the cheapest of any currently in the top half of the table. “Big money makes big teams and usually big teams win. Now we can say only 99% of the time,” said Ranieri. “Next season will be the same and for the next 10 or 20 years, it will be the same.” The cost to assemble Leicester’s squad is dwarfed by that of the Premier League’s elite. A recent study showed nearest challengers Tottenham had a squad built at the cost of £159m, while Arsenal (£231m), Liverpool (£260m), Chelsea (£280m), Manchester United (£395m) and Manchester City (£415m) had invested significantly more. Ranieri suggested a surprise title winner only comes along roughly once every 20 years, pointing to the examples of Nottingham Forest in 1978 and Blackburn Rovers in 1995. Forest won the league a year

Nollywood big guns, Mike Ezuruonye, Uti Nwachukwu and Bimbo Manuel are the stars to watch out for in Breathless, a new movie, which hits the cinemas on 1 July. Breathless, shot on location in the upscale Lekki area of Lagos, is a star-studded movie. Ezuronye stars as Ben (Okpodu’s biological son), Bimbo Manuel (Professor Okpodu), Uti Nwachukwu as Priye (adopted son), Brycee Bassey (Jenny), Bobby Michaels (detective) and John Njamah as Kwame. It brings to life the story of the murder of an asthmatic lady in the beach house of her boss (Prof. Okpodu), an incident that sets off a series of events, which blows the lid off dark and well hidden secrets of the Okpodu, his two feuding sons and their link to the murder victim. The film was directed by Charles Uwagbai, who had previously directed Okoro The Prince, Black Sillhuoete and Drive. Uwagbai described Breathless as a big budget project, the reason for which he opted for top-tier talents and equipment. Uti Nwachukwu Of the story,

Senator Iyabo Anisulowo: abducted by gunmen Former Minister of State for Education, Senator Iyabo Anisulowo who was rescued yesterday from her abductors by the police has revealed that she drank only water throughout her seven-day stay in the den of kidnappers. Anisulowo, who arrived at Government House at Isale-Igbehin, Abeokuta at about 10.p.m. in company of the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Abdulmajid Ali, said she had not eaten since Wednesday when she was kidnapped. The former minister described her experience as ” terrible and dehumanising. ” Anisulowo who was kidnapped last Wednesday was rescued by the police on Tuesday at about 7.p.m. at Gbegbelawo village near Olorunda town in Abeokuta North Council Area. The former minister was abducted on the Sawonjo-Iganokoto road in Yewa-South Council Area of the state. The former senator revealed further that she knew security agents were searching for her, adding that this gave her strength and hope that she would survive the

Obiageli Funmilayo Nwagu The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, on Tuesday May 3, 2016, arraigned Obiageli Funmilayo Nwagu on a six count charge of Obtaining Money by False Pretence and Issuance of Dud Cheques before Justice C. O Ajah of the State High Court, Enugu. The accused person pleaded not guilty on all counts. In view of the accused person’s plea, the defense counsel, O.A.U Onyema prayed the court to grant the accused bail. But the prosecuting counsel, M.A Shehu opposed the bail application and immediately drew the attention of the court to two separate applications for bail by the defense. The defense counsel immediately withdrew the earlier application, which the court granted. The EFCC counsel then prayed the court to adjourn the case to enable the prosecution respond to the bail application. “Filing two different motions for bail for the same accused person in the same court is an abuse of court process hence I could not respond to any of the motions. I th

By Okey Ndibe Professor Okey Ndibe Last week, alleged herdsmen armed with rapid-fire guns and machetes descended on the Ukpabi Nimbo community in Enugu State, killing and maiming scores of victims. Images of heaped corpses, including children, hospitalized survivors with cuts and gashes, and the charred remains of burnt homes were widely circulated on social media. I’d suggest that public repulsion and outrage ran at close to boiling point. The “official” reaction was rather predictable and in character. Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State went to the scene of the carnage, accompanied by the top police officer in the state and heads of other security agencies. As his entourage moped at the devastated landscape, the governor lowered his head, covered his face, and wept. President Muhammadu Buhari’s response came in the cold form of two statements released two days after the horrific attacks. At a book launch where he represented the president, Information Minister Lai Mohamme