Roma to step up pursuit for Arsenal target

Arsenal have been linked with a move for Riyad Mahrez for some time now, but it looks as though Roma have established themselves as genuine contenders for his signature.

According to the Daily Mail, the Serie A side are keen to improve upon their opening offer for the Algerian international as they look to bolster their squad this summer.

Roma were claimed by reports out in Italy to have made an initial offer of around £20m for Mahrez; a fee which is clearly insufficient. However, the Daily Mail state that the Italian side are ready to improve their offer.

Monchi, Roma’s sporting director, is claimed to have already held discussions with Leicester’s board over a potential move.
Leicester are keen to take in at least £40m from the sale of Mahrez, who handed in a transfer request at the end of the season, and Arsenal are understandably deterred by his valuation. - Read Sport

Remy 'set to leave Chelsea'

Loic Remy is set to leave Chelsea this summer with Marseille and Everton interested in signing the forward, Sky sources understand.

The Frenchman will fly to China this week for the club's pre-season tour of the Far East but will be allowed to leave the club if they sign a new centre forward.
Remy would like to stay at the Premier League champions but realises he will have limited first-team opportunities this season, according to Sky sources.

The former QPR and Newcastle forward, who has 12 months left on his contract, scored twice on Saturday in Chelsea's 8-2 win over Fulham in a friendly at their Cobham training ground.
Chelsea signed the striker for £10m from QPR in 2014 but injuries have seen him restricted to only 32 Premier League appearances.

He was loaned to Crystal Palace last season but made only five league appearances after injuring his ankle in training last September.
It comes after Chelsea were offered the chance to sign Borussia Dortmund forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for £70 million, according to Sky 
sources.

NAN to send sites using its news illegally to Google for sanction

The Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, Bayo Onanuga, has warned bloggers and other online publishers illegally using NAN news materials to stop forthwith or face sanctions.
Onanuga, who gave the warning over the weekend in Abuja at a meeting with marketing staff of the agency, said that NAN had begun compilation of a list of culprit bloggers which would be forwarded to Google for redress and sanctions

Google had recently warned of its readiness to shut down any blogger or website found infringing on copyright of others as a means of sanitising the online news business.
Onanuga disclosed that NAN has strengthened its tab on the culprit bloggers and online users, noting that their unlawful actions were impacting negatively on the revenue drive of the agency.
“After a grace period of one month from today, any blogger or online publisher still found using NAN news stories, photo news etc, without subscription will be reported to Google,’’ he stated.

“The offenders should know that NAN is always ready to assist any media outfit, online or otherwise, that approaches us with genuine request for assistance and possible rebate to enable them grow and consolidate,’’ Onanuga stated.
“Everyone in the media industry knows that the business of news gathering and processing to a high quality output as NAN does, is capital intensive,’’ he said, adding; “we expect all NAN stakeholders to help the agency by paying the publisher-friendly token NAN is charging as subscription fee for its products’’.
While commending NAN marketers for being hardworking, he urged them to redouble their efforts and generate more revenue to enable NAN serve the Nigerian Media Industry and Nigerians better.

Onanuga promised to provide more logistics to assist NAN marketers in the discharge of their functions. - NAN

No peace in Niger Delta until Nigeria is restructured – Clark

Elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, has vowed that Niger Delta would not experience peace until Nigeria is restructured.

“The first guideline was that everybody in Nigeria is equal with equal opportunity. The second is that the states should develop at their own pace”, he told Punch.
“That’s why the West was able to develop at its own pace by introducing free primary education, establishing a television station, building universities and industrial estates and magnificent structures like the Cocoa House with money realised from the importation of cocoa beans.
“The Northern Region did the same thing, but their leaders could not introduce free primary education. They also developed the region through groundnut pyramids. The Eastern Region did the same thing; that was how they were able to build the University of Nsukka. They also built Independent Hotel in Enugu and Port Harcourt (Rivers).”

Asked if Nigeria needs more states or some states should be scrapped, the elder statesman said, “in Nigeria at the moment, there are certain areas that deserve their states in order to have peace in this country.

“For instance, Southern Kaduna should have a state to protect the interest of the minority. Southern Borno needs a state. Some states need to be created for the country to have a balance. At the conference, we agreed that no matter how small, states should be created like the ones I mentioned earlier. If states are created, it doesn’t mean that every state has to be equal. They will look for a means to survive.

“At the conference, we recommended the creation of an additional 18 states in the minority areas. The idea of scrapping a state doesn’t arise. A state that cannot survive will naturally die or merge with another state.”

Padding breasts is rubbish, women still seduce me – Cardinal Okogie

Emeritus Catholic Archbishop of Lagos and former President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Anthony Cardinal Okogie has revealed how women roll their eyes just to seduce him into committing immorality.

Okogie told Punch that he is not a saint and that he tries as much as possible to resist sexual advances.

He said, “Look at the length women go to make their hair look attractive. Some make their hair like an osuka (a load-carrying pad). It is a waste of money fixing attachments. God gave us eyes; if you don’t control them, they will control you. If you don’t control your senses, they will control you.
“Some women came around and started rolling their eyeballs to entice me. Some think they are not beautiful enough, so they apply eyelashes etc. No woman can entice me with that.”

Asked how he copes with sexual advances from women, he said, “I am neither a saint nor an angel. We are all human beings. I am only saying these are some of the things they do to draw and attract you.

“These days, some women even go about padding their breasts. This is absolute rubbish. When I see somebody I seem to like, I look for that part I don’t like and concentrate on that. You may think I am looking at you but I am not. No one is a saint. Only God is holy.

“Some people came to me to tempt me. One of them said, “Father, I can’t understand my husband. I am feeling cold.” I simply told her, “Why not warm your husband if you are cold. Say something that will enliven your husband.” She replied, “Father, you don’t understand.”
“I asked her, “What do I not understand? At my age, what do I not understand?” They use all these seductive words. It is not easy (resisting them) if you are not really fortified with prayers. God has been faithful.” - Daily Post

Fayose threatens to sue FG over unreleased probe report on SGF, NIA DG

Ayodele Fayose, governor of Ekiti state, has asked Acting President Yemi Osinbajo to release the probe panel report on the suspended duo of Babachir Lawal, secretary to the government of the federation, and Ayo Oke, director-general of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA).

Oke was suspended after his agency claimed ownership of the monies discovered in an Ikoyi apartment while Lawal was suspended over his indictment for corruption by the senate committee on the humanitarian crisis in the north-east.
A panel headed by Osinbajo was subsequently set up to investigate the duo.
In a letter written to the acting president which was dated July 11, 2017, Fayose threatened to ask the court to compel Osinbajo to release details of the report.

Lere Olayinka, the governor’s spokesperson, made the details of the letter known in a statement issued on Sunday.
The statement quoted the governor as condemning the manner the matter is being handled, adding that  “both men (Oke and Lawal) should have been handed over the two men to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for investigation and arraignment

“Fortunately and unfortunately, President Buhari has been away on medical tourism for most part of this year and as the acting president, the buck now stops on your desk. Your Excellency, Nigerians demand two actions from you: First is that you release the report of the corruption investigation, which you presided over. Secondly is that you act expeditiously on the report,” the letter read.

“May I advise, Your Excellency, that you should never habour the view that this matter can swept under the carpet for two reasons. One is that Nigerians are not unmindful of the outcome of your investigation even if it has not been officially released. Two is that should you fail to release the report and act on it, I shall approach the law court to compel you to do so.
“Your Excellency, as a Law professor and senior advocate of Nigeria, Your Excellency must not be associated with illegalities and cover-ups; not to talk of your highly exalted position as a man of God who must speak truth at all times and uphold the Biblical admonition to let justice flow like the mighty river.

“I have refused to agree with those who, on account of your egregious stance on the EFCC boss, Ibrahim Magu’s continued but illegal stay in office; posit that the hood does not make the monk and a chain of titles and degrees does not translate to sound judgment. Kindly take up the challenge to prove those doubting Thomases wrong.”
While condemning the “slap-on-the-wrist treatment” given to the duo, Fayose said the case would have been different had it involved members of the opposition “who are always witch-hunted”.

“In fact, PDP members and non-members of the ruling APC alleged to be corrupt, such as judges, are first harassed, haunted, hounded, arrested and locked up, tried and convicted in the media and visited with public lynching while the Department of State Service (DSS) and the EFCC take their time to search for or conjure evidence against them,” the letter further read.

“So reckless and audacious had your government become in this regard that a serving senator who is a member of your party said on the floor of the senate that your government uses insecticides when dealing with alleged cases of corruption involving members of the opposition but applies deodorant when members of the ruling party are involved.

“I dare to say that this is one of the reasons the so-called war against corruption has not attracted public support. It lacks credibility and has, thus floundered. It is also the reason your administration has lost case after case in the court of law, even though administration officials have tried to cover government’s Achilles heel as well as their own howling incompetence under the pretence of corruption fighting back.”

Lagos deposes traditional ruler who ‘faked’ own kidnap

The Lagos state government has deposed Yusuf Ogundare, the baale of Shangisha, for faking his own abduction.

The traditional ruler’s deposition was announced on Sunday.
Ogundare’s staged abduction reportedly took place on July 5 along center for management development (CMD) road in Ikosi-Isheri local council development area of the state.
Akinwumi Ambode, Lagos governor, had on Thursday directed that he be suspended, in a memo addressed to the sole administrator of Ikosi-Isheri by Teslim Folami, commissioner for local government and community affairs.

“I am directed to convey the approval of his excellency, governor Akinwunmi Ambode of the suspension of Chief Yusuf Ogundare, baale of Shangisha with immediate effect in accordance with Section 38 subsection 1 of the Obas and chiefs laws of Lagos state which states that ‘the governor may suspend or depose any Oba or chief whether appointed or after commencement of this law, if he is satisfied that such suspension of disposition is required according to customary law or is necessary in the interest of peace and good government’,” the memo had read.

Fatai Owoseni, commissioner of police, had said that Ogundare was seen frolicking around when he was supposedly abducted.
An investigation into the matter by the police and Department of State Services (DSS) was said to have revealed that the traditional ruler visited Ibadan, Ilorin, and Iwo, in Ogun state on the day of his alleged abduction. - Cable Nigeria

Bakayoko eyes 'beautiful' Kante partnership and World Cup place

Tiemoue Bakayoko is confident he will enjoy a "beautiful" midfield partnership with N'Golo Kante at Chelsea and hopes his move will help to earn a World Cup spot with France.
The midfielder completed his transfer to Stamford Bridge from Monaco on Saturday, signing a five-year deal.

Bakayoko has reportedly cost the Premier League champions £40million and he is expected to line up alongside Kante for Chelsea, with Nemanja Matic, a regular in Antonio Conte's first season, linked with a move to Manchester United.
Having left Monaco, the 22-year-old is keen to build a partnership with Kante that could provide success for both club and country.
"N'Golo Kante has proved it all," Bakayoko told Chelsea's website.

"He was the best player in the Premier League last season in the middle of the pitch and that is not easy. 
"To play alongside him would be something very good for me and it can help me progress.
"I have played a match with him for the French national team so we know each other very well and I hope we can do beautiful things together this year."

Bakayoko only has one France cap, making his debut against Spain in March after replacing an injured Paul Pogba in the squad, but already has his sights on next year's World Cup in Russia.
"I have the ambition to play as many matches as possible, to progress as much as I can with a great coach like Antonio Conte, and then I have the objective of taking part in the World Cup at the end of the season," he said.

Bakayoko also praised the influence of former Chelsea star Claude Makelele, who worked with him at Monaco, on his career and revealed another Blues icon, Didier Drogba, is an inspiration.
"Yes, Makelele helped me greatly," he said. "When he arrived at Monaco I wasn't a very, very good player, but I had a lot of discussions with him, he gave me a lot of advice, and he allowed me to play my style of football more simply.
"Drogba has had a stellar career and he managed to do so many great things, first at Marseille and then here at Chelsea. 

"He is definitely an example I wish to follow, be it the footballer or the person himself. He showed the whole world what he was and I saw that and admired it."  

Hamilton cuts Vettel title lead

Lewis Hamilton has cut Sebastian Vettel's title lead to just one point at the halfway stage of the F1 season with a dominant, record-equalling fifth British GP victory.

Vettel was only seventh after an incredible end at Silverstone saw both Ferraris pick up punctures and make emergency pit stops with one lap to go.
Kimi Raikkonen had been on course for second and Vettel fourth, but their unplanned late stops promoted Valtteri Bottas from third to second and gifted Mercedes an unexpected one-two.

Raikkonen salvaged third, just his third podium of the year, but Vettel lost three places and as a result his season-long championship lead over Hamilton has been all-but wiped out.
Having started the race 20 points back on Vettel, Hamilton's now-one point deficit is the closest the rivals have been in the standings since the second round of the season.

Bottas's second place means he closes to within 23 points of the summit with 10 races to go.
Despite also pitting with two laps to go with a puncture, Max Verstappen took fourth for his first finish since May, while Red Bull team-mate Daniel Ricciardo thrilled the Silverstone crowd with a stirring drive from the back row to fifth.
Sixth-placed Nico Hulkenberg capped a fine weekend with Renault's best result since their return to F1 team ownership last year.

Hamilton's British GP week had begun with heavy criticism from the media about his absence from F1's London street demonstration, but the triple world champion appeared the quickest driver around his home circuit all weekend.
After recording the most dominant pole of the season so far on Saturday, Hamilton was never headed at the front on Sunday to equal the great Jim Clark's 40-year-old record of five British GP victories. Alain Prost also equalled the mark in 1993.

Hamilton also ties Clark as the only drivers to win the British GP four years in succession.
"That's a feeling I can't really describe," said a jubilant Hamilton, who again engaged in celebratory crowdsurfing with the fans on the Silverstone pit straight. "It feels amazing to be up here. I'm so proud to see these great flags everywhere. The support this weekend has been immense. I'm really proud I could do this for you all.

"The team were faultless this weekend, Valtteri did an incredible job as well so it's the perfect weekend for us. There's a long, long way to go [in the championship]."
Ferrari pain increases Mercedes gainWith Hamilton driving serenely all race up front, and Bottas recovering strongly from his grid penalty to overtake Vettel for third, the late drama that engulfed Ferrari represented an extra unexpected fillip for Mercedes at the Brackley team's home race.

The sudden nature of the tyres failure on the two Ferrari cars proved both costly and, in the initial aftermath of the race, confusing.
"I don't think anyone is to blame in hindsight [for the puncture]," Vettel told Sky   F1. "At the time it felt OK. Kimi had a similar issue and his tyres were at least five, six laps fresher. It caught us both by surprise."

Raikkonen, who appeared particularly crestfallen after a strong race, said: "I didn't hit anything. "I don't know what happened. I was lucky [to still be third] and l was unlucky."
Vettel's chances of winning at Silverstone for the first time in eight years had already been effectively scuppered when he slipped behind Verstappen's Red Bull on the first lap.

The pair later went wheel-to-wheel on successive laps from Stowe to the Vale chicane, with Ferrari and Red Bull running off the circuit as both drivers complained the other had pushed them off.
Ferrari eventually got Vettel ahead by stopping him for tyres a lap earlier, but the German was unable to catch Raikkonen and was instead eventually overtaken by the flying Bottas.
"[The weekend] could have been a little bit better, for sure, but disaster? I don't think so," insisted Vettel.

"We had a good car, especially in the corners, the balance was alright. In the race, the brakes caught fire from the start and from then it was a difficult race."

British Grand Prix result1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes2. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes, +14.0633. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari, +36.5704. Max Verstappen, Red Bull, +52.1255. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull, +65.9556. Nico Hulkenberg, Renault, +68.1097. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari, +93.9898. Esteban Ocon, Force India, +1 lap9. Sergio Perez, Force India, +1 lap10. Felipe Massa, Williams, +1 lap11. Stoffel Vandoorne, McLaren, +1 lap12. Kevin Magnussen, Haas, +1 lap13. Romain Grosjean, Haas, +1 lap14. Marcus Ericsson, Sauber, +1 lap15. Daniil Kvyat, Toro Rosso, +1 lap16. Lance Stroll, Williams, +1 lap17. Pascal Wehrlein, Sauber, +1 lap
DNF Fernando Alonso, McLarenDNF Carlos Sainz, Toro RossoDNS Jolyon Palmer, Renault

Federer wins record 8th Wimbledon as Cilic bid ends in tears

Roger Federer won a record eighth Wimbledon title and became the tournament's oldest champion Sunday with a straight-sets victory over injury-hit Marin Cilic who dramatically broke down in tears midway through the final.

Federer claimed his 19th Grand Slam title 6-3, 6-1, 6-4 and at 35 is Wimbledon's oldest men's winner of the modern era, succeeding Arthur Ashe, who was almost 32 when he won in 1976.
However, the Swiss superstar's 11th Wimbledon final, and 29th at the majors, will also be remembered for the moving sight of the popular Cilic breaking down in tears after slipping 3-0 behind in the second set.

The seventh seeded Croatian, the 2014 US Open champion, sobbed inconsolably and buried his head in his towel as his title dream slipped away.
He then had his left foot taped at the end of the second set but it was in vain as Federer became the first player since Bjorn Borg in 1976 to win Wimbledon without dropping a set in the entire tournament.

Beneath a star-studded Royal Box where Prince William and wife Kate rubbed shoulders with actors Hugh Grant and Bradley Cooper, Cilic had his first break point in the fourth game.
It was saved by Federer and it was to be Cilic's only glimmer of hope.
Federer broke in the next game when his opponent suffered a nasty fall on the worn surface which was to ultimately undermine his challenge.
Federer then served up two love service games before claiming the opener 6-3 off a Cilic double fault, the Croatian's second of the final.

The Swiss superstar swept into a 3-0 lead in the second set and at the changeover, Cilic slumped in his courtside chair in tears and in obvious pain.
The trainer and doctor were summoned before Cilic hid his head in his towel in a desperate attempt to compose himself.

The 28-year-old held serve on the resumption but the lethal barrage continued, Federer stretching his lead over his friend to 4-1.
Cilic dropped the set 6-1 and called a medical timeout to have his left foot bandaged and take a painkiller.
His discomfort was reflected in his statistics.
By the end of the second set, he had served just two aces compared to the 130 he had fired past bamboozled opponents in his previous six rounds.
Federer pounced again with a break for 4-3 and wrapped up the one-sided final with a second serve ace to complete his coronation after just 1hr 41 minutes.

Fittingly, he too wept at the end. - AFP

Singer Aaron Carter arrested in Georgia

Singer Aaron Carter was arrested on Saturday in Georgia and charged with driving under the influence and possession of marijuana, according to media reports.

Carter, 29, was arrested alongside girlfriend Madison Parker, the reports said.
ABC News, citing the Habersham County sheriff's office, said the pair were arrested in Georgia on Saturday night. Other reports said Carter was pulled over driving erratically.

Earlier on Saturday the singer said on Twitter he would not make a scheduled concert in Kansas City due to "transportation issues."
Carter is the younger brother of Nick Carter, a former member of the group "Backstreet Boys." - Reuters

Mourinho: No comparison between Lukaku and Rooney

Jose Mourinho was impressed with Romelu Lukaku's maiden Manchester United outing versus LA Galaxy, but warned against making comparisons between the Belgium international and Wayne Rooney.

Lukaku made a big-money move from Everton this month, while Rooney went back to his roots in re-signing for the Merseysiders after 13 years at Old Trafford, during which he became United's record goalscorer.

Saturday's 5-2 win over the Galaxy offered United fans a glimpse of the future, with Mourinho insisting Lukaku brings an entirely different set of attributes to the table from Rooney.
"To compare Rooney and Lukaku is incomparable and Rooney for us was not a striker. Lukaku is more a target man with his back to the opponents," the Portuguese explained. 

"It's a point of attack for everyone who has the ball in defensive lines, he's really fast and a good thing for me today is he showed he's a team player and was not worried about himself, he was worried about the improvement of the team."

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It was United youth product Marcus Rashford who stole the limelight at StubHub Center with two goals, while Marouane Fellaini, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Anthony Martial were also on target. - Goal

Everton eye £30m move for Arsenal's Theo Walcott

Everton are thought to be readying a £30 million bid for Arsenal winger Theo Walcott, reports the Mirror.

Toffees boss Ronald Koeman wants to land a wideman with Yannick Bolasie still sidelined through injury and has targeted Walcott, who has fallen down the pecking order at the Emirates.
The England international is currently in action on Arsenal’s pre-season tour of Australia.

Everton have also been credited with an interest in Leicester City youngster Demarai Gray, who himself was in and out of the Foxes’ team last season.
In a summer of spending Koeman is still eyeing a deal for Swansea attacking midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson, as he continues his attempt to re-build the Everton squad.

Through the backing of Farhad Moshiri and the sale of Romelu Lukaku to Manchester United, Everton have money to spend this summer as they attempt to bridge the gap to the Premier League’s elite. - Read Sport

Divided we stand !!! 2019 election: We’ll fight with our last blood to keep presidency – Arewa youths

The Arewa Youth Forum has warned that the North will not accept anything other than the presidency in 2019.
The youth group gave the warning in a statement by their National President, Alhaji Gambo Ibrahim Gunjunju yesterday in Abuja.

The youths said they were aware of the “political games” some political leaders in the South-West were playing over the health of the President to edge him out and take over.
The Northern youths said the South-West politicians were using Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose and a PDP chieftain to champion their cause.
They maintained that the North would resist any attempt to take over power from them now or in 2019.

“These South-West people think that we do not understand the politics they are playing but we want to assure them that we perfectly understand their game and will shock them when the time comes.

“It is annoying and disappointing that while we in the North are making efforts to stabilize the country against the backdrop of the recent call for the expulsion of those from the North, some people want to show us that they understand the game of politics more than us. But they are in for a surprise.
“Let us reveal that after our recent meeting in Kaduna, a delegation was sent to London. We sent that delegation because we wanted to to know the truth of the situation.

“We met with the President and he told us some things. All we can say now is that our President will soon be back and people would witness drastic changes in the country. Many people will be surprised when he comes.
“Also we want it on record that youths from the North will not accept a repeat of what happened during the late Umaru Musa Yar’adua presidency. In 2019, the North must complete its eight years.
“This region can no longer continue to be taken for a ride”‎, he vowed. - Daily Post

Callous fraudsters !!! How Saraki, Amaechi, Akpabio others milk Nigeria dry through double pension – SERAP‎ alleges

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has revealed how the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio, Ex-Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso and a host of other current government officials are allegedly milking their states’ resources dry through the receipt of double pensions and other emoluments.

According to SERAP, over N40bn of public funds had so far been received by those involved.

He stressed that they were unlawful, as the laws granting those benefits take governance away from the arena of public interest.
In a letter written to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami (SAN), and obtained by DAILY POST, the group urged Malami “to use his good offices as a defender of public interest, and exercise your powers by urgently instituting appropriate legal actions to challenge the legality of states’ laws permitting former governors, who are now senators and ministers to enjoy governors’ emoluments while drawing normal salaries and allowances in their new political offices.”

It also asked the Minister to seek full recovery of over N40bn of public funds that had so far been received on or before July 21st 2017, or face legal proceedings to compel him to do so.

The letter which analyzed how the aforementioned government officials and others alleged milked the nation dry through the collection of double pension reads in part:
“According to our information, those who currently receive double emoluments and large severance benefits from their states include: Dr. Bukola Saraki (Kwara); Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (Kano); Kabiru Gaya (Kano); Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom); Theodore Orji (Abia); Abdullahi Adamu (Nasarawa); Sam Egwu (Ebonyi); Shaaba Lafiagi (Kwara); Joshua Dariye (Plateau), and Jonah Jang (Plateau). Others include: Ahmed Sani Yarima (Zamfara); Danjuma Goje (Gombe); Bukar Abba Ibrahim (Yobe); Adamu Aliero (Kebbi); George Akume (Benue); Ms Biodun Olujimi (Ekiti); Enyinaya Harcourt Abaribe (Abia); Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti); Chris Ngige (Anambra); and Babatunde Fashola (Lagos).

“SERAP notes that under the Lagos Pension Law a former governor will enjoy the following benefits for life: Two houses, one in Lagos and another in Abuja estimated to cost between N500m and N700m. Others are six brand new cars replaceable every three years; furniture allowance of 300 percent of annual salary to be paid every two years, and a close to N2.5m as pension (about N30m pension annually); free medicals including for his immediate families; 10 percent house maintenance; 30 percent car maintenance; 10 percent entertainment; 20 percent utility; and several domestic staff.

“In Rivers, state law provides 100 percent of annual basic salaries for ex-governor and deputy, one residential house for former governor anywhere of his choice in Nigeria; one residential house anywhere in Rivers for the deputy, three cars for the ex-governor every four years; two cars for the deputy every four years; 300 percent of annual basic salary every four years for furniture; 10 percent of annual basic salary for house maintenance.

“In Akwa Ibom, state law provides for N200m annual pay to ex governors, deputies; pension for life at a rate equivalent to the salary of the incumbent governor/deputy governor respectively; a new official car and utility-vehicle every four years; one personal aide and provision of adequate security; a cook, chauffeurs and security guards for the governor at a sum not exceeding N5m per month and N2.5m for the deputy governor. Others are: free medical services for governor and spouse at an amount not exceeding N100m for the governor per annum and N50m for the deputy governor; a five-bedroom mansion in Abuja and Akwa Ibom and allowance of 300 percent of annual basic salary for the deputy governor; 300 percent of annual basic salary every four years and severance gratuity.

“Similarly, the Kano State Pension Rights of Governor and Deputy Governor Law 2007 provides for 100 percent of annual basic salaries for former governor and deputy; furnished and equipped office; a 6-bedroom house; well-furnished 4-bedroom for deputy, plus an office; free medical treatment along with immediate families within and outside Nigeria where necessary; two drivers; and a provision for a 30- day vacation within and outside Nigeria.

“In Gombe State, there is N300 million executive pension benefits for the ex-governors. In Kwara State, the 2010 law gives a former governor two cars and a security car replaceable every three years; a well-furnished 5-bedroom duplex; 300 per cent of his salary as furniture allowance; five personal staff; three State Security Services; free medical care for the governor and the deputy; 30 percent of salary for car maintenance; 20 per cent for utility; 10 percent for entertainment; 10 per cent for house maintenance.

“In Zamfara State, former governors receive pension for life; two personal staff; two vehicles replaceable every four years; two drivers, free medical for the former governors and deputies and their immediate families in Nigeria or abroad; a 4-bedroom house in Zamfara and an office; free telephone and 30 days paid vacation outside Nigeria. In Sokoto State, former governors and deputy governors are to receive N200m and N180m respectively being monetization for other entitlements which include domestic aides, residence and vehicles that could be renewed after every four years.”

It added: “SERAP is concerned that several serving senators and ministers are receiving salaries and life pensions running into billions of naira from states that are currently unwilling or unable to pay their workers’ salaries. Public office is a public trust, and as such, citizens depend upon their governors, senators and ministers to act in the public interest, not for their own or another’s profit or benefit.” - Daily Post

U.S to crackdown on Nigerians, Brazilians, others with overstayed visas

A crackdown on visitors with visa overstays is imminent in the United States of America with Nigeria, Brazil, Venezuela, China and  Colombia listed as countries with the most total overstays that do not participate in the visa waiver programme.

The Trump Administration says it has a problem with visa overstays in the country and is now determined to step up enforcement to try to cut down on the violations.
Consequently, the government is introducing a face scan for all US citizens travelling abroad.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said this is aimed mainly at better tracking visa overstays and also at tightening security.

The agency said it’s the only way to successfully expand a programme that tracks non immigrant foreigners.
A report in May showed that more than 54 million visitors checked in last year – and nearly 630,000 of them didn’t go back home.
John Wagner, the Customs deputy executive assistant commissioner in charge of the programme, confirmed in an interview that U.S. citizens departing on international flights will submit to face scans.

The number of visa overstays was about 200,000 higher than the previous 12-month period.
Libya, a country of special interest because of terrorism concerns, saw 43 percent of its students refuse to leave on time, while a staggering 75 percent of students from Eritrea broke the terms of their deal, the report said.

Jessica Vaughan, policy studies director at the Centre for Immigration Studies, said those kinds of rates should force a rethink at the State Department, which issues visas, and should spur immigration officials to put more effort into deterring and deporting overstays in the U.S.

“The fact that more than 700,000 visits were overstayed last year shows just how much we need to step up interior enforcement to create more of a deterrent, not only by identifying and deporting overstays, but by weakening the job magnet by cracking down on employers who hire illegal workers,” she said. - The Nation

Animal talk !!! Peter Obi: Supreme court verdict on PDP can end agitations

Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra state, says the supreme court judgement on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will engender a chain of events that could end the current economic recession and ethnic/regional agitations in the country.

Obi said this while reacting to the judgement which sacked Ali Modu Sheriff and declared Ahmed Makarfi as the authentic national chairman of the country’s apex court.
He expressed joy over the judgement, saying God has used the supreme court to heal the wounds of the PDP family.

“This very significant judgment will usher in an effective and capable opposition that would contribute meaningfully to governance and bring Nigeria out of the present recession, as well as contain various agitations in country,” Obi said.
The former governor appealed to all PDP members to put the crisis behind them and remain united as one family. - Cable Nigeria

The wait is over: Beyonce unveils photo of twins Sir and Rumi

Pop diva Beyonce unveiled her newborn twins to the world on Friday, posting a glamorous photo on Instagram and announcing their names.
"Sir Carter and Rumi 1 month today," reads the caption on the photo, which focuses much more on the 35-year-old yummy mummy than the little ones.

That wording puzzled many people on social media -- is the first child named Sir Carter or simply Sir, Carter being the last name of their rapper father Jay-Z? Others wondered about the gender of the babies.
Beyonce's mother Tina Knowles cleared it all up later in her own Instagram post: one twin is a boy named Sir, period, and Rumi is a girl.

"So Happy my baby shared a photo of her babies with the world," Tina Knowles wrote. "Proud grandma hello Sir Carter and Rumi Carter... boy and girl what a blessing."
In the photo, Queen Bey is shown barefoot, standing on a lawn with the ocean in the background. Towering over her is a large display of colorful flowers.

She is wearing turquoise bikini bottoms and a dramatic ruffled lilac print robe, open at the front and cascading to the ground, twinned with a floor-length pale turquoise veil.

In her arms are the twins, each with a full head of hair and their eyes closed.
The set-up is similar to the one she used to announce her pregnancy back in February, in which she was pictured kneeling in front of a similar floral display while wearing a flowing veil.
"We would like to share our love and happiness," she wrote at the time. "We are incredibly grateful that our family will be growing by two, and we thank you for your well wishes."

The twins' first photo attracted plenty of love from Beyonce's passionate fans, with the post garnering 2.5 million "likes" within an hour.
Beyonce and Jay-Z are music's royal family -- she and the 47-year-old Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, already have a five-year-old daughter, Blue Ivy.
Until Friday, the power couple had not even confirmed the twins' birth, though Beyonce's father acknowledged the delivery on social media.
It has been an extremely busy time in the celebrity household.

On June 30, Jay-Z released his first album in four years. The rapper bared himself as he rarely had before in "4:44," apologising to Beyonce for his infidelity and pouring out love for his mother, whom he reveals to be a lesbian.
He has also announced a North America tour, with 31 dates across the United States and Canada from October to December.

As an expectant mother, Beyonce made a New Age celebration of women at the Grammy Awards earlier this year -- putting on an extravagant, abstract performance while proudly displaying her baby bump cloaked in a flowing gold gown.
Rumi is the name of the 13th-century Persian poet who endures as one of the best-loved writers of the Sufi spiritual tradition, with verses that celebrate love, joy and tolerance.

On "4:44," Jay-Z alludes to Persian poetry on the song "Marcy Me," which describes his upbringing in a public housing project.
Appearing to liken his rhyming skills to the literary tradition, Jay-Z raps, "Sufi to the goofies / I could probably speak Farsi." - AFP